7 Minutes

I told the kids they had to get ready for bed at 7:30.  That gives me 7 minutes to blog.

• We just go home from Family Camp at Covey Valley.  We had a great weekend.
• Todd Wilson (FamilyMan) was the speaker.  He was hilarious and very encouraging. 
• We stayed at Jeremy's parents house instead of staying at the camp.  We were too lazy to camp in a tent.  It we nice to be in a familiar place to sleep.
• The kids are EXHAUSTED but had so much fun.  
• I am sitting on the couch.  Behind me, on top of the couch, are clean and folded clothes I didn't get a chance to put away before we rushed out the door on Friday.  Beside me is a bike helmet with dirty underwear in it?!?
• I should note here that because we didn't stay at the camp we didn't have a room so the kids changed for swimming in the van.  What a mess!
• I haven't even opened the suitcase yet. There's always tomorrow
• Tomorrow night our church starts a week of VBS
• Neither Angela or Kate had their babies over the weekend. :(  (Angela, I'm much more excited about your baby than Kate's, but I only have 2 minutes left so I didn't want to use up to bullet points:))
• Zachary is sleeping and can't wake up.  He did great at camp, but didn't get very many long naps. Now he's catching up. 
• I pulled out our Sonlight instructors guide for this year (instead of unpacking!) I'm excited about this coming school year. 
• It's now 7:31.  Time for bed.
• One more, my cousin and her husband just loaned us their treadmill.  Now I have no excuse!
• Maybe tomorrow. 

Advent

I wanted to do some kind of Advent calender with the kids this year, but was not able to find much -at least not without spending a lot of money or spending hours making one.  I didn't start my search early.  Of course.

Last week we received Focus on the Family's "Thriving Family" magazine.  I love this magazine.  There are lots of helpful parenting/marriage tips in each issue.  So imagine my delight when I found an advent calender in this months magazine.  We received this issue a few days late so we are a little behind, but we'll catch up hopefully. Each day there is scripture reading and an activity you can do with your kids.  If you have more time there are added things -like free Adventures in Odyssey episodes, crafts, games and more.

They offer a digital calender here:  Thriving Family's Advent Calender  Check it out!

Oh Pinterest

Dear Pinterest,

It's 9:47 pm.  Thanks to Pinterest:
-I'm hungry for pizza and blueberry cheesecake.
-I want a bigger porch
-I know how to bake Callie's birthday cake (thanks LaRonda!)
-I want a black rubber door mat so I can paint it white
-I remembered that I forgot to show the boys how to make paper snowflakes today.
-I'm excited about salt dough ornaments
-I now know that Victoria Secrets makes a modest coat -don't judge a book by it's cover I guess eh? Hmm.. It is a lovely coat!
-I want to sew some hand warmers.
-I want a chicken coupe.  I wonder if I'd have to get chickens then?
-I NEED a fireplace by my shower!! (Jessie you're doing it again!! :))
-I've been inspired and wasted some time.  Got to love it!

If you need an invite let me know -I was not paid to say that and pinterest doesn't have a clue who I am. Who does that remind you of?  I wonder if Pioneer Woman is on pinterest?   She'd probably post a lot of dog pictures...

Keeping it real

If I know you are coming to my house I will clean it for you least you think I don't clean.  And truth be told, generally speaking, most of the time, the stuff in this house is some what in place at the end of the day.  However, there are certain moments in the day when life happens all of a sudden and unplanned or the people just don't keep up.  Here is a picture to show what I mean.  Kind of reminds me of those pictures in my kids magazines that say "How many things are wrong with this picture?"

1. Me trying to hang up some herbs to dry.
2. Husband things this is a great time to grab the camera.
3. Huge box of Ben and Jerry's that Jeremy found for $5.99.  Yes, this is wrong, in a good sort of way.
4. Why didn't I at least close the dishwasher door before moving to the next task.  Fly lady and Marcia Ramsland would be so unimpressed with me.
5. Someone didn't edited this photo before posting it on her blog.
6. Secondly, I wonder why she even posted this picture in the first place.
7. This is life and I'm living it.  

In other news, I made Pioneer Woman's jalapeno poppers one night for Jeremy.  Lovely, and I mean amazingly lovely.  

Summer 2011 Part 1

 I have no idea where to start with posting about our summer. I think I'll just start posting pictures and see where I end up.

5k race -July 4th

My cheer leaders -they were rather tired of the whole thing by this point. But having them there  was very special.

My grandparents (and aunt -not pictured) also came.  My Uncle Daryl ran the race as well.  Much faster that I did I should add.  He recently qualified for the Boston Marathon.  I'm proud of him, but have no desire to join him!   

Later that day we went to my grandma's for ice cream.  Here Callie is playing with her second cousin Lilly.  Sweet girls! 

Small Victories

Me: Isaiah, what food should we take to the Super bowl party tomorrow?

Isaiah: Carrots and cucumbers

My heart swelled with pride at such a healthy request. Then I gave him a hot dog for lunch.

Randomness

I found some random pictures the last time I was uploading pictures from the camera. Here they are:

Lately I have been on a sewing bug. On my birthday I decided to not do anything other than what I absolutely had to do and the rest of the time I would spend doing what I wanted to do-sew. I made this little bag for Callie out of some scrap fabric. I was pleased with how it turned out.

Recently my sister-in-law Lori made some felt hair creations for her girls. When our family was together over Christmas she brought hair clips, felt, buttons and hot glue gun and we had a lot of fun experimenting. One of the clips I made for Callie is on the couch behind the purse.

I love this picture of Nate and Callie. He is a very proud big brother. He often says "She's my baby sister." I love the look on Callie's face too. She totally on to him.

An lastly, for Christmas Jeremy made me this stable for my Willow Tree Nativity set. I love it! I finally took it down and put it away today. The picture is a little dark. One of these days I'll figure out how to use my camera...

Something to Smile about

Things that make me smile:

• Cheesy Chicken Chowder for supper.
• Enough leftovers for tomorrow night's supper
• Callie is almost officially walking (this one also makes me just a little sad)
• She has also learned how to throw things into the diaper pail. In the last two days I've fished out headbands (that she doesn't like hmm..) Noah and a travel size container of Baby Magic baby lotion
• 5 lbs of cheese for $9.95
• Hershey's Dark Chocolate chips for $.99
• One bag of those chocolate chips exploded when it got caught in the conveyor belt at the checkout. I thought it was rather funny, the boys were a bit in shock.
• The fact that you can be married to the same guy for almost 7 years and still really really like him.
• Just deleted this point. Probably not meant for the "Diapers and other Wonders" part of this blog...
• Nate thanking God for the spicy stuff that helps him to not be sick: Ginger Ale
• Isaiah taking apart all his Lego sets so that he can "collect them". I believe the word he was looking for is organize. He's been stealing zip lock bags from my drawer. Jeremy came home tonight with some kind of organizer tray he got at work. Isaiah plans to use it for his Legos. Jeremy brought it home with that in mind -they are a lot alike.
• I smile at the fact that I have a son that is excited about an organizing tray (my parents are smiling now too)
• I will finally be meeting my two new nephews on March 1! Very excited to see the rest of my family too.
• God is still moving and changing hearts, even mine.
• Being able to tell Isaiah and Nathan today that the same God that sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions in Daniel's time is still taking care of us today.
• Pioneer Woman's Food Photos photography contest.
• I recently realized that one of my facebook friends isn't the person I thought she was. She's a friend, but not the friend I thought she was...
• Thankful I have stuff to smile about

Behind

• I promised my mom last weekend that I would post pictures of Callie's birthday party, but I still haven't done it. Since they are all on the computer upstairs I guess it will have to wait at least another day.
• I took all three children to the dollar store today to buy gifts. I picked that store partly because I'm cheap, but mostly because it was just easier than constantly telling them what they couldn't and couldn't afford. I probably should buy Jeremy a gift certificate to the dentist to go with the gifts they picked for him. Callie is getting some cars that look like police cars because Isaiah says he always needs those when he's playing with his cars. Hmmm, I don't think the better to give than to receive concept is getting through very well. He also picked out a baby doll bottle for her so I guess it's not too bad.
• Tonight Jeremy and I are going to see the new Narnia movie. I hope it's good. We very rarely go see any movie in the theater (way too much money to have to watch a movie with a pile of strangers), however, watching a movie like this one on the large screen is hard to beat.
• Nathan asked me the other day what he was getting for Christmas. I told him it was a surprise. His response: "But I don't want fries!" Poor child. I wouldn't mind fries for Christmas, especially if they came from Dodies.
• I'm getting hungry

The Hunt

"How long have we been out here?"

"I don't know. He has to come out sooner or later"

"Stay ready!"

Sadly, George the groundhog decided to stay in his home under the shed. I think the cardboard shields really scared him off. (if you click on the last picture you'll be able to see it better. Their faces crack me up)

Placentas, Perogies and Purell

I don't like germs, but I'm not a freak about them either. I believe our bodies were created to fight sickness, if we take care of our bodies. Of course we all get sick sometimes though so I have been making sure we all wash are hands more often and do it well due to the sicknesses that are going around right now. Today I was reminded again of just how important it is to wash hands.

Jeremy was home today so I did a Wal-Mart run while the boys were taking their naps. I waited in line as at the checkout. Right before the cashier started ringing up my purchases she sneezed right into her hands. She then pulled out a paper towel, blew her nose and then started running my stuff through the scanner. I just watched her and tried to figure out if there was anyway I could get all these groceries home without the added germs. As I was pushing my cart away from the checkout I noticed the lady that had been waiting behind me (and had seen the whole thing) hand the cashier a bottle of hand sanitizer and asked her if she'd mind using it. I don't think I would have the guts to do that, but rest assured that if you were the third person in our line your groceries should be somewhat safe. I don't mean to be unkind by sharing this story. I felt bad that the lady had to work when she was sick, but it reminded me again, that my health, or lack there of touches more than just me.

On a totally different note. Rachel posted on facebook tonight that she could eat a perogie. Oh man, did that make me hungry for perogies. The amazing thing is that I have some in my freezer. My friend Tina used to make them for me fried with onions and bacon and of course served with a ton of sour cream. So good. I was fighting the urge to make some after reading her post, even though it was 9:00 and this baby does not need any more carbs. Then I was looking at some pictures on fb that a friend posted of her newborn baby. What a cute baby girl! She also posted a picture of her placenta. Now, the picture was pretty amazing, especially since I'm 34 weeks pregnant, but it was kind of gross too as such pictures can be when you're pregnant (or not). I am no longer hungry for perogies! It did peak my interest in placentas though so I did a search and read this. Don't tell me there's not a God!

Friday Night

I'm feeling the need to update, but not sure what to say. I'm starting to think seriously about Christmas shopping. Could this possible be the year that I actually get it done early? If a new baby doesn't get me moving what will?!

Before Christmas, however, is fall. My favorite season of all. Sweatshirts and jeans, apple pies and pumpkin rolls, leaves and mums, it doesn't get much better. Bring it on!

Last night I made a roasted tomato and fresh basil soup for supper. It was great and was even healthy. It even smelled healthy.

Isaiah has started speech therapy. Many of you know this has been a concern of ours for awhile. Especially since he was tongue tied until he was 21 months old. It's encouraging to see him making progress. He enjoys his teacher and all her toys too so it's something he looks forward too. If you ever have a baby that is tongue tied fight to have them clipped it at birth. It's worth it.

Nathan is doing great. Thank you for all your prayers. I took him back to our family doctor on Wednesday. It felt great to leave with a healthy child this time. The ENT doctor still wants to see him. I'd like to skip that appointment, we've had a lot lately, but I guess we'll go to one more.

I've forgotten, again, what week of pregnancy I'm in. I used to think that people that forgot such important things were crazy. Hmmm... I just know I have three more months to go. I think. Jeremy, bless his heart, looked at me one day and said "I guess they aren't like a month off or something". :( I'm very grateful for a healthy pregnancy and baby so far. If weight gain comes with that I guess I'll be thankful for that too.

I've taken on a new adventure and decided to sell Avon. Mostly because I don't know anyone that sells it and I really like some of their products. They have the best eye makeup remover I've ever used, and I've tried a lot.

Jeremy and I are getting ready to watch a movie. Nothing like a date night at home on a Friday night. :) Right now Jeremy is telling the boys a story about Brother Hans and Brother Jonathan racing around their house and their Dad scaring them. Isaiah is eating it up.

Nate-Nate

They call me Nate-Nate.

I'm fast, but I'm quiet.

If I ride into your town

I'll find things you've hidden and

Hide what you've found.

These glasses are my brothers.

He's probably looking for us both.

So far no one has claimed the helmet...

Oh, and I break for gum and ice cream.

Watch out. They call me Nate-Nate.

I need a swift kick

It's Friday and I feel like I have NOTHING to show for my week. I'm blaming it on the heat. There are a lot of things I've learned to live with/enjoy since moving "south" 10 years ago. The humidity is not one of them. I don't understand it. I don't like it.

I'd like to make some kind of pizza pop overs. Have you ever made them? I'm thinking of something that tastes like pizza that would work well for Jeremy's lunch. Any suggestions?

We are planning a camping trip. Any good suggestions for easy food for a camping trip?

Have you ever noticed the odd mix of music a radio station plays for an hour before and for at least an hour after two hours of playing the top 25?

Jeremy: "I should have been a caboose dude". If you know Jeremy this will make sense. :)

Jeremy: "What does a woman really want?"
Sabrina: "To be taken care of. Protected. Pursued." (and more that I can't remember)
J: "So, how's that working for you".
S. laughing so hard her belly shakes like a bowl full of jelly.

Isaiah: "Can I bite my fingers off"? (where did that come from?!)
Me: "I don't think so".
I: "Why?"
Me: I don't think you're teeth are strong enough.
I: Are God's teeth strong enough?

This is a random post.

For Melanie: Here's that great cookie recipe I was telling you about.

Here are a few random pictures to go with this random post.

Best way to give haircuts. Veggie Tales and graham crackers.

A "spider"

Wow!

(This picture has nothing to do with this post. Mom wanted to see Nathan with his new haircut:) Like the swimmers he's wearing?)

First of all, I have to say it's nice to know that there are still people in the blog world! Thanks for the comments and guesses (or should I say guess. :)) I was going to wait until I received the stuff to tell you what it is, but oh well. Rhonda, I should give you a price -you're good! I ordered a set of cake decorating tips and a book on cake decorating. I got the book mostly because it pushed my total over $25 so I could get free shipping, but hopefully I'll learn something too.

Mom, I think you know me well. You said cake decorating is a duty. That's pretty close. However, I do enjoy it because the boys enjoy the cakes. I have no desire to do cakes for anything other than my family's birthdays, but even for that I'd like to learn enough about decorating to make the cakes look presentable. My husband always tells me it's important to have good tools for any job you have to do so I'm hoping these tips will help me out somehow. One of my biggest frustrations is the consistency of the icing. I use a recipe my Grandma used for years to decorate wedding cakes and my mom and aunts use the same recipe and it always turns out for them. Mine always seems to "melt". Why is that?

Lastly, Melanie, swagbucks are great! Basically you earn "bucks" for doing searches online. I downloaded their toolbar onto our computer so whenever we pull up Internet explorer to search something it's right there and easy to use. Sometimes you'll google something and earn nothing, the next time you might earn one or two bucks. It's so exciting. Once you've earned so many (45 bucks will get you a $5 Amazon gift card) you can cash them in for different prices. The Amazon cards are the best that I see, but you can also get music downloads and other gift cards too. Try it!

Up

It has been a VERY long time since Jeremy and I have gone to a theater to see a movie. Just seems like a waste of money. However, yesterday we went with Hans and Angela to see the new Pixar movie "Up". What a great movie! I'm not sure I've ever had an animated movie move me to tears (and a lot of laughs too of course). In a world that does not celebrate the beauty of marriage for life this movie is a refreshing change. It also gives you a new appreciation for the elderly and a look at what life is like for them. It's a great family movie, however there are a few places that could be a bit scary for small children. Isaiah is pretty sensitive so he won't be seeing it for awhile. Go here to read Focus on the Family's review. Check it out!

Chicken

Thanks for all the chicken ideas! We had chicken for lunch today and it was great. I did it in the oven while we were at church. I used a lot of spices and also shoved an onion inside the chicken. I just had to add that because Jolinda suggested it and it made me laugh. :) I also added carrots and potatoes. Jeremy and I liked it, Nate did alright with it, but Isaiah didn't even want to try it. That might have something to do with a comment Jeremy made. Just as we sat down to lunch Jeremy said "Look Isaiah, a dead chicken!" Then he went on to poke and wiggle the chicken and make weird chicken noises. Yum.

I'm trying to line up some sort of a menu for the coming week. What do you do when you are too busy to prepare food? I'd say that's too busy! It's not actually that bad. I'm just having trouble coming up with good ideas.

The boys are supposed to be going to sleep right now. There is all kids of yelling, laughing and talking coming from their room. I decided I'd better investigate when Nathan's cries started to sound rather desperate. I found him wedged between the wall and his crib. I have no idea.

For those of you that like plain yogurt you should try this. Add one cup of boiling water to a small package of jello. Stir until dissolved then add one cup of plain yogurt in place of the cold water. It's pretty good. I like to add more than just one cup of yogurt.

The picture of Nathan at the top of this post really has nothing to do with anything. I just like it. I should do a post dedicated to the outfits you'd see if you walked into our house on any given day. Isaiah has a couple of shirts he likes and wears them as often as I'll let him, even both together. I didn't think boys would care what they wear, but I guess they do!

Rainy Day

It's raining outside. My house is clean. I pulled out the box of Duplos to entertain the boys this morning (rotating toys works!). I'm making brownies for the Reality 1 benefit concert at our church tomorrow night. If you're in the area and like good music you should check it out. You won't be disappointed. It runs from 7 - 10. We're currently listening to a Walt Disney Christmas cassette tape. Not my choice. Basically, it's a slow, rainy day and I'm OK with it. I've also kept our phone line busy for way too long uploading some pictures. Here they are.

I love Aldi's! They had strawberries the other day for $1.29 a box and last week they had fresh pineapple for $1.49. This week they had cabbage for $.79, but I didn't buy any.
One of Nate's favorite things to do with Daddy. Jeremy let's go and Nate jumps/falls into his arms

My warrior. He told me the canning jar rings on his arm were his armor. ? Yesterday he told us that David and Goliath should work together to get monsters. ? Several days ago out of the clear blue he asked me "Mommy, do monkeys walk on their feet or just their hands?" I still don't have an answer for him.

Yummy

One of the light bulbs in our refrigerator has been out for a long time, but since there was a second bulb we didn't really think that much about it. Recently the last bulb died so Jeremy put two new bulbs in. Suddenly I could see so much. The fridge needed cleaned. As I was cleaning it this morning I thought about how often the question "how long does (fill in the blank) last if it's refrigerated?" My new answer: Anything will last forever in your fridge. I have yet to see anything get up and walk out on it's own. Stuff can grow hair and change color, but thankfully, it doesn't grow legs. "Yo, eggs, I'm out of here!"

Joke

Joke for Today:

A kindergarten teacher gave her class a "show and tell" assignment. Each student was instructed to bring in an object to share with the class that represented their religion.

The first student got up in front of the class and said, "my name is Benjamin and I am Jewish and this is a Star of David."

The second student got up in front of the class and said, "My name is Mary. I'm a Catholic and this is a Rosary."

The third student got up in front of the class and said, "My name is Tommy. I'm a Mennonite, and this is a casserole."