10 things I Love

Alright Military Mommy gave me the letter C

1. Children- preferably mine, although I'm pretty fond of Moira's friends,

2. Chocolate- need I say more?? although with the food allergies in this house I don't get to enjoy it as much as I wish I could

3. Camera- I love my camera, hubby got me a nicer one than the one I wanted for christmas last year and I love it

4. Church- I love being a part of the church that we're at, I love how I feel calm when I walk in the door, and I love how much my relationship with God has deepened since I've been going there

5. Croutons- random but they're yummy!

6. Calculators- I'm not any good at math, and I'm always checking things on it at work just in case I plugged something into the register wrong.

7. Clara- hehe my baby of course I love her :D

8. Clara's big sister- I love my Moira too

9. Chicken- preferably BBQ because it's so stinking easy making in the oven

10. Cherries- Next to raspberries they're my favorite, not to bad dried either

If you want to play leave a message and I'll assign you a letter.

I'm alive...

...And I feel like I'm running a marathon standing on my head... but I promise posts are coming. you just don't want the hear the complaining/mood swings/outbursts going through my head at the moment.

And I'm not even pregnant! HA!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Or I'm trying to make it feel like that anyway.. I'm in for a rough Holiday season with my mom being sick, and we're pinching our pennies harder than we were last year. but I am determined to make this Christmas special for my girls.

Thanksgiving weekend the tree is going up, to be decorated the following weekend. Hopefully soon after that the girls and I will be having the grandmas over for cookie baking. That turned out to be better than expected last year considering it was Moira and I of course then DHs Grandma, and my mom. I think it helped that it was ladies only and not the entire slew of in-laws GGma is always more relaxed without the rest of the house there.

Last year we even got matching jammies, I really want to do that again this year not having much luck so far, but with 3 ladies and a picky daddy we can be had to coordinate sometimes

For more traditions head on over to Candid Carrie

While I'm Thinking About It......

This was taken at the zoo this summer. Hubby picked the picture out.. Not one of my best photography wise.. but the subjects sure are cute!!

For more phriday phun visit Candid Carrie

Fro' Me To You

I'm missing summer I was supposed to get the day off today so we could take the ladies to the Zoo for what would probably be the last time of the season.. but as luck would have it I had to work.. So I'll pretend..

Moira and I love the birds

And the transparent monkeys..

Our Zoo has a beautiful garden

But Sadly one look to the skies tells me it's November..

  

Time to hang my head.. and hibernate..

Fo' Mo' Fros' Check out We Are That Family

How We Stayed Frugal Last Christmas

Looks like I'm not the only one starting to get ready for Christmas, other than the stores of course.. I think the Christmas tree at target went up November 1st. Last year we were really looking for a way to stretch our Christmas budget, and what better way to do that than to make Christmas presents. Plus come on, I love any excuse to be crafty..  so last year we printed out Christmas coloring pages from various online sources, (Goggle it you'll come up with dozens)

For both my dad, and my fil I bought baskets on sale at Michael's during Black Friday.. I might have paid 5$ for both baskets. I lined those with Christmasy fabric and filled them with homemade cookies. then rolled up a coloring page for each of them and tied it with a pretty ribbon.

My Mom, Great Aunt (Read Grandma), and DH's Grandparents got a coloring page that a long with some good pictures of Moira were framed. The frames we also got at Michael's on Black Friday they were $5 each after all of the coupons/discounts

His grandparents also got a box that I painted Christmasy filled with cookies. I can't reveal what I'm doing this year because I might be comming out of the bloggy closet soon, therefore don't want to reveal any major secrets..

Phriday Phun

Phanks to Candid Carrie And this is a picture Moira and I decorating our Christmas tree last year... Christmas already you say? Yes, because Christmas dinner is at my house this year for the first time EVER, 2 families, several food restrictions, and a Granny freshly out of the hospital.

"I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me"

On a brighter note, I want to hear y'all families traditions, What did you eat? What did you do?

If You Give A Girl A Cookie

 

Yep my 2.5 year old did that, well she counted the chocolate chips, and then we talked about the parts of a mouse, and she then pasted the word that I handed her on the correct mouse part.

Disclosure: Yes I know that most homeschoolers discourage projects like this at such a young age, but know that she had fun doing it, and this kid loves to recite numbers, so focused counting was a good thing for her. and she did one activity a day, the first 2 days we worked on this we read The Best Mouse Cookie, which is the toddler version of If You Give A Mouse A Cookie Today we read the "big kid" version of the story, and she insisted on wearing her Mouse Dress. Tomorrow we bake cookies

I Lub Eeeewwwww!

My kids are in the cutest stages right now, Clara is 6 months, and curious about the world around her, Normally when I go in the bathroom during the day the baby tub is dry so I plop Clara in there to keep her out of her sisters reach and give her a toy and she's good to go, well today she just wasn't content with her duck, she wanted the towel hanging next to her, or the foot stool, or anything/everything she could see.. Plus the whole learning to sit up thing.. aww I counted to 5 the other day before she toppled over..

And the 2 year old, Moira's learning more and more every day. She's getting to where she can express herself a whole lot better..  At least as long as I keep close tabs that she doesn't get any milk products, but that would be a whole other blog.. She's one of the most loving two year olds you could possibly meet, she always asks for at least 4 or 5 kisses before she goes to bed and lots of hugs and kisses during the day.. Today she was playing in the sink while I was making dinner and she kept turning around on the chair she was standing on, giving me hugs and saying "I luub eeeeewwww!" I don't care how much crap I have going on in my life that little voice saying that always makes my day better..

6th picture

Okay so for lack of things to blog about I decided to play along with Military Mommy and look for my 6th picture, but because I'm organizing my pictures they're not in one folder, so I went to the folders that have and found the 6th picture in the ones that have a 6th picture, and in doing so I've learned that we have a thing for Cats

The first picture was taken at the zoo. The second was taken later that day at DHs grandparents house, Where my cat Noodle resides, the kitten happens to be one of Noodles babies. The third picture is of Moira at Wendy's enjoying her lunch of "Beans and Toes" otherwise known as chili and a baked potato

For more 6th pictures check out Military Mommy

Staging a Comeback

Yep that's right, While in my process of simplifying my life I realized that I had absolutely nothing for me, other than my occasional chats with the "sisters" but honestly is that enough?? DH just took off for up to a week by himself. granted he'll be home long enough to watch the little ladies while I'm at work, but he's still left.. and where does that leave me? In a messy 2 bedroom home with the kids and no one to talk to..

So Hello all you bloggy people out there.. I've seen a lot of you mentioning Jeff Dieselberg from NightLight Ministries in Bangkok Thailand, and the work that he and Annie do. It's amazing work, and truly of God.Well he was at our church yesterday. Honestly I'm not sure what I was the most impressed with: the work that they do, or how fired up and emotional the man was. It made me fired up and emotional, It makes me want to fight the good fight..

God has a sense of humor.

Okay so we go to an amazing church. One where you can feel the presence of God when you walk in the building. Well today during worship I was being moved and I almost fell while I was holding Clara. Made me wonder why God would move me quite like that at that point in time. The next thing I know I feel the great weight weighing me down..

Heh God hears all and has a sense of humor..

Kids will be kids

So this weekend is the Jazz Festival/ Art Fair downtown. I was so stoked to go, plus me girls slept in. Yay always makes for a better day! Oh and my library opened back up after phase 3 of their renovations. It's so beautiful inside. It's one of the most historical buildings in town, and it was part of the under ground railroad. It's still beautiful and historic, just a tad "fresher" and as of last year includes central air.

Anywho.. The girls and I enjoyed our walk downtown, ran into some friends, talked to artists, Moira even got to do some chalk painting. verry pretty. But the highlight (low light??)of my day was when we went to the library and get Moira out of the stroller to play with the toys she decides to pee.. and of course that would be the first time I FORGOT TO PUT A DIAPER ON HER!!! How does a mommy forget to put a diaper on her little girl?? but alas I did.. Oohh did I mention that phase 3 meant new carpet?? Yep my baby was the first one to pee on the new carpet. Go figure.. oh and the kicker?? the stroller that she was riding in for the last 45 mins? DRY!! But the brand new carpet?? WET!! Of course the one who noticed was the children's librarian that I volunteered for when I was in high school, the one who was there for me when I was having problems with my own Mother.. Her reaction?? "We need to get Moira a plaque" followed by "at least it wasn't number two"

So in order to make this mommy feel better.. I'd like to know what are your embarrassing Mommy moments?

I hate subject lines..

Just incase I have any loyal readers wondering where I was this last week. I've had a huge writers block. Guess I've been recovering from Fair Week. I've been trying to figure out what I'm supposed to say to all of the loyal Camp Candid Carrie readers who are taking a field trip from Wisconsin to Michigan.

I was planning on taking all of the Camp Candid Carrie readers on a trip to Wisconsin with me when I was little, going through Chicago, and coming home from the UP maybe even including the picture of my dad with a Big Boy moose. Somehow even that didn't seem interesting enough.. So I was cooking dinner (Chicken stir fry made with this) I happen to think of the picture I took of Moira today.

Yep that's my eldest child, asleep on the changing table, She fell asleep nursing, so when I went to lay her down (in her bed) she woke up and was somewhat fussy, but fell back asleep, I thought clothed, and diapered. The most amazing thing about it? She didn't even pee on the sheet that's on the table.

Oh and if you were wondering what a Big Boy moose

Fair Week

Yes that week was the week the town shuts down, (for real the thrift shop and possibly one of the bowling alleys were closed) I should totally save this for Wordless Wednesday but I love bragging on my kids so here they are..

 

 

With all of that what's to come for Wordless Wednesday??

Friday Fill-Ins

1. If I could travel back in time, I'd go to I'd like to say high school so I could get a few things right, but then I adore having my girls, so maybe not...
2. Give me a break from the Wiggles or give me __a new DVD.
3. I am listening to The Wiggles and my toddler saying "Buddy!" because that is what she calls them.
4. Somewhere, someone is thinking I've been up for so long!

5. I'll always be Mommy.
6. My idea of a good time includes Relaxing with my husband and our kids, doing something that would be fun for the kids.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going to the County fair, and letting Moira ride the bumper boats again  because she loved it, tomorrow my plans include going to the fair again for the last time of the year, and Sunday, I want to go to church, who knows after that!

For more Friday Fill-Ins

Things I love Thursday

I while I was walking to the park for a play date today I was stumbling trying to find a topic for my already late TILT, and then I felt Clara moved and voila! a topic. My Maya Wrap has to be the greatest invention. It's a open tail ring sling, and I would be lost without it. I put Clara in it and i can do the dishes, go grocery shopping, or walk up to the park for play dates, Clara loves it because she stays swaddled up close. When she's awake she can see the world, and when she falls asleep I can tuck her in and she'll sleep for quite awhile. Did I mention the nice sized pocket at the end of the "tail" I've just about always have my keys and my phone in there.

It's sturdy too, I have put my two year old in it and wore her on my hip.

The only downside that now I have a funny farmers tan, where one shoulder is burnt the other is pasty white.

For more TILT click here

Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesday go here.

It's a God thing

I got my first word on Friday, the downside was I let my own fears get in the way of listening to God, and helping this elderly lady with her hands full cross the street. When she was across I could feel God wanting to know (Or wanting me to know) Why I didn't help her, admitting my fears I heard "You'll get another chance" Little did I know dh was across town talking to our former neighbor who is in a rough patch and needs someone to watch his kids some. Hm coincidence? I think not..

Now my heart isn't into MOD as much as it used to be. Don't get me wrong, I want to see healthy babies, But having had a home birth how can I sit there and say EVERY woman needs a good OB. High risk women need a good OB, a healthy woman, with a healthy pregnancy need a good Midwife. I had a great one if you live by me and want a reference email me ;) Anywhoo.. Mission work is back in my heart. I truly believe it's god leading me back into it. I don't have a clue what or where, but I am meant to serve, that's why I'm here. Until I get my orders I'm anxiously awaiting it, and using my time to learn and grow in him. And above all enjoy living in his grace, even the tough days are possible through him. I long to share him, but lack the courage, or the wisdom to know just what it is I'm supposed to say.

For those of you that followed me over through MyChurch. Welcome and make yourselves comfortable.

Belated Friday Fill-Ins

1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you makes you wish you were dead...kidding!! It makes you stronger.
2. If you're good at something, Find a way to make a living at it.
3. Why so blue.
4. Something is out there, it's My sanity and I would like it back someday.
5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled Adventures in Diaperland.
6. Sitting on my back porch [if you don't have one, use your imagination] I see A courtyard full of kids playing, and kids toys scattered all over.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to  Well lets see, I took the girls to the park, then DH picked up Moira and Clara and I walked downtown taking pictures, and I found  out that a friend of mine is in town for a week and a half. Tomorrow my plans include Going to visit Dh's grandparents while he paints their porch.. woooh! lol, but I do have to talk to their neighbor because she's the pastor at the church that dh's dad is taking Moira to on Sunday, and I would like some answers about the nursery, and Sunday, I want to go the morning and evening services!

If you want more Friday Fill Ins click here!

Things I Love Thursday - Windows Live Writer

Okay so I'm obviously new to the blogosphere, and not being a computer genius I tend to look for the easy way around things. And that ladies (gentlemen?) has brought me to Windows Live Writer. Where I can tyoe what I want to say and right click on the misspelled words just as easy as any worthwhile word processing. As for adding pictures, just a few clicks of the mouse, and I'm good to go. Oh it also helps adding links, highlight the text you want the link to be under, then click insert hyperlink and type the address. How easy is that? Even I can do it! Too bad it doesn't improve my grammar..

Now lets see if I can make the TILT logo a link..

Wordless Wednesday (Almost)

The sweetest thing is a baby learning to giggle

It's Tuesday Already??

Is it just me or does time go faster everyday? I thought time flew in high school, and after high school, Then Moira was born, and now that Clara's here time is going so fast. If the world doesn't slow down I'm going to fall off!! Okay maybe not.. I was sure I just gave birth to Clara yesterday but she's teething already! Wait let me step back and do the math, oh yeah, "yesterday" was three months ago.

I wrote about dh's cakes yesterday.. well sometime in August I have 2 more to do. Can't give away too much info, just incase the soon to be birthday lady stumbles upon this humble blog. But I'll totally post pictures when they become available. But for now I give you the birthday boy, and his wonderful (sometimes modest) wife, and the two best little girls in the world. Oh yeah and one shamrock cake.

 

Manic Monday?

Maybe not.. Last week was mayhem enough. Got home from KY to a huge mess, Spent all week getting caught back up. Just in time for DHs birthday party.. half of the people didn't even show, so the 2nd cake I made was a huge waste of time. Oh well, The best part of throwing a party is it forces me to clean my house. Aside for some scattered toys, and the cake mess the party did it's job, means tomorrow all I have to do is a few extra dishes. Maybe tomorrow will be a relax and play day, hope so anyway because it's the girls and I all day.

Chico Bag Giveaway

Jubilee is giving away a set of three Chico shopping bags.

For those of you trying to go green check it out!

The Best Way To End A Day

One of the things I enjoy about my girls' is that they are my ever changing constant. Being alone with them (which is almost all the time recently) always seems to bring me back to where my priorities should be. Last night after bath time I was trying to get Moira in her jammies and keep both her and Clara entertained. Before I knew it she was playing the sweet baby game of "find the foot" And all of a sudden she is really good at it. Watching her do that and playing peek-a-boo with her older sister has got to be the greatest way to end a rough day. No matter what happens during the day when I tuck my babies in and think "I'm so glad I'm the Mommy" It's been a good day

Things I love Thursday

In hopes of finding some actual readers for my humble blog I decided I'd play along with

But as for what products I actually love?? How about the bags of boneless chicken. We can usually find the bags on a good sale when we need them, and they work out to be quite a bit cheaper than to buy the packages in foam and plastic wrapped packages especially when they're buy one get one free Takes up a lot of room in the freezer, but when it comes to cooking them you don't even need to let them thaw, usually around the time that we need to restock they're on sale again. Starting the lovely cycle of savings over again

Shots and Blood Draws

Today was stressful enough to say the least. We're spreading out Clara's shots, and trying to follow the recommendation of Doctor Sears. The girls' insurance is rather limiting however so all we can do is spread out the shots and combo shots. And decline them of course, but what is the good of declining a shot when it creeps up two months later in a combo.

As if my mind wasn't swirling around enough information, add a two year old with diarrhea, and the voice in my head that says "she's allergic to gluten" I've been putting off asking for a test for months, wondering "how I could possibly know it's gluten?" and thinking "her insurance won't pay for that!" Thankfully they are going to pay for it. YAY!

So I show up at our local hospital weighing the pros of our loving our pediatrician and the cons of hating the local hospital. Dh went into the back room with Moira when they called her back. It must have been 15 mins later they call for some butterfly needles because they don't have any, then awhile after they get those they call me up to the front and tell me that they canceled it and we have to come back once her arm heals because they couldn't get any blood today. We're guessing that they went through the vein on my two year old! The girl up front said that they could call someone down from the peds floor next time..NEXT TIME?? where were they this time?? **sighs** the stool culture is in now, and I guess we'll go next week and demand for someone from peds.

Time

Time's fun when you're having flies

Today it's really hit, Clara will be 3 months old in just 2 days. It seems like just yesterday I was waking DH up saying "I think my water just broke!" Today Clara can hold her head up high, she follows our fingers with her eyes, she has the BEST grins! I'm having a really hard time about backing off and letting Moira play with her baby sister a little. I'm trying to work on going off of Clara's cues. Today they were playing so good. Moira was telling her stories, and holding her hands "dancing" with her. I could see her doing what we did with her/do with Clara. And when she started clapping babys hands and cheering it got the best laugh out of Clara that I've heard yet! I was so glad that I got to share in their moment. There is something truely amazing about seeing two babies that you brought into this world playing and enjoying it together.

Too many decisions!!

This task seems impossible, finding the best style/ recources to match the needs of our little girls. Moira I can understand well. I know what she likes to do, and When I see books/recources that looks like it would interest her I can bookmark it, or take note of it. Not even worring about if Clara will get use out of that tool. but then I have to think about does it fit into our household, Such as the Montessori approach. That would suite Moira's personality very well, she loves to learn by exploring (as many kids do at this age) but the question with that lifestyle is do I have the patience to teach like that? There are times when it's easy. Earlier today I was working in the kitchen, clearing the table, and she then got the broom and dustpan and was "sweeping" the floor. That was easy because it didn't intefear with what I was doing, but what about when she wants to take part in the same activity as I am? I've been praying for patience.

After concidering if our household fits the life/learning style the next decision is does it fit in with our belief system? When looking at the Montessori methods of teaching, it seems like they are lacking when it comes to the arts. I've found another method much like that of Maria Montessori's that focuses a lot on play time and make believe for younger children. I would love for my girls to grow up with a healthy imagination. However the waldorf resources I was looking at all incude faries, and wizzards and gnomes. I'm not that opposed to make believe magic in moderation. However I don't want my girls to go overboard when it comes to those things.

That being said I know that as we are homeschooling our girls We get to call the shots when it comes to what toys, books, lessons we use. There is no cookie cutter that we have to follow, and I'm greatful for that. It's just nice to feel like I fit in to a category. I suppose I can just use the methods, and we can have our own selection of toys/learning tools. *sigh* There really are to many decisions to make. I wish DH would voice an opinion about this (and in a nice way)

Part two

I adore watching my oldest grow and learn everyday. However I am concerned about what things will be like when her little sister is born. Will that change things for the worse? or for the better? I hope that Moira doesn't feel like I've abandoned her when her sister is born. I'm sure after the adjustment period she'll be okay, I just know how close we are now, and I don't want to have my precious baby girl resent me for bringing another precious baby girl into the world, and our home/hearts. I'm hoping that they will be close growing up. They are already both so special to me. So far with the first two entries into this and I still haven't told you the entire reason I've started this record of our adventures. We are going to homeschool our children. it's just a matter of finding the style that suits our girls and us. We are christians and want to include religion in our home studies, as well as the respect that is found within the Montessori methods of teaching. I plan on using this page to record our journey.

The Early Days

I can't believe my oldest is getting ready to turn 2! Her birthday isn't untill the spring but still.. Every day that passes makes her another day older. Even through the rough days I know that when this stage has passed I'm going to miss it. I'm sure the stages to come will be great as well, but I love watching her explore the world arround her. She gets this look of awe in her eyes when she sees somthing new, like when we took her bowling the other day, she was in amazement that she could roll a ball that far and it would knock down pins. I guess that was concidered an educational experience for her.
I'll have to finish this later.. Lunchtime snuck up on me.