We made it.

We're home.
We're tired.
And sick.
All three of us.
And we shared it.
It was fun.
Everyone made it.
Plus some.
Had a good time.
Glad to be home.
Going to bed.

Good night.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to my father-in-law!

You're an amazing dad.
I'm am so blessed to have you in my life.
Thank you for being the wonderful person that you are
and raising my husband to be just like you.

Want to know more about me? No? Too bad. :)

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while your blogging?
I don't snack while blogging.. but I sure do want some chocolate.

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?
My non-spiritual, unemotional answer is chapstick.

3. Beach, Mountains, or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?
A farm near a beach, where you can see mountains..? I love country life.

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?
cleaning the bathroom. loose hair... *shivers*

5. Who do people say you remind them of?
I have one of those faces and I get asked if I'm someone else or that they know me when they don't.

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying home with the fam?
I like to socialize but not at parties. I prefer home all the time :)

7. What's your all time favorite movie?
Practical Magic. I've seen it umpteen times.

8. Do you sleep in your make-up or remove it like a good little girl every night?
I'm terrible.. I usually sleep in it when I wear it. But at least it's the Bare Minerals. Does that count?

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?
The drums! But my head hurts just thinking about different rhythms with different limbs at the same time.. And then those people who can sing at the same time!! My word.

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?
Baking. Or drawing. Sleeping?

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?
His kindness

12. What is something you love to smell?
Coffee. My grandparents house. Fresh air.

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.
It's the things that annoys me that annoys others! Like when I can hear them chewing!

14. When you have extra money, what's the first thing you think to do with it?
Bills :(

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?
Loud laugher!! Playing games with my family. We just know how to have way too good of a time.

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?
Target. Shoes, tops, dishes. Anything you need!

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?
Read, scrap, art.

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?
Both. I don't know if I can explain that one.

19. Who is your favorite character of all time?
Um... I don't know if I have an answer to this one.

20. Would you want to be famous?
Nope.

My 26 Thankfuls: The Revised Edition

1. My God, my Savior, who rescued me from the depths of hell.
2. My family who has loved me unconditionally and with more love any person could hope for or expect.
3. Bryan. Who cherishes me when I'm unworthy, loves me when I'm unlovable, tells me I'm beautiful when I feel ugly, forgives me when I need it, my strength when I'm weak. He is my other half, my best friend, my buddy and wonderful father to our daughter.
4. My baby girl. She is my pride and joy, my mini me (even the "ugly" parts), my laughter of the day, and my heart.
5. My mom. She's indescribable. Her courage, faith, determination, love, kindness. She is my pillar.
6. My grandparents. They are whom my faith has grown from. My image of a God blessed marriage. My subconscious, even when I don't want to hear it.
7. My sisters. They stick with me not just because they have to, but because they so choose. One who is so similar in so many ways and the other who could almost be my polar opposite, but no matter, I love them both and they are forever in my heart.
8. My parental in-laws. I am truly blessed to be able to call these two family. They are so loving and kind and generous. I love them both very dearly.
9. My siblings-in-law. Bryan's two brothers are just that to me. Brothers. I could always pick on them, talk with them, poke at them, watch weirdo movies with them, listen to crazy music with them. They're awesome. I also appreciate my bro-in-law's wife. She's a neat-o kind of gal.
   
10. My aunt Kimmy. She is like my older sister, the one I look up to, want to imitate. I value her opinion, love her family humor, dig her style. She's one cool cat.
    
11. My uncle Jon. Kimmy's hubby, I couldn't be happier to have him as my uncle. He's "rolling on the floor" kind of funny, goofy, smart, kind, pretty awesome.
12. My cousins M&M. They are the two coolest kids. Super smart. Way loving. Cute, cute, cute.
13. My step-dad. We haven't always gotten along but he's been there. Through the bad and the good. He's come a long way and I can appreciate that in him. He's a pretty good guy.
14. Our friends. They are some of the most wonderful friends that we've had in a very long time. We treasure them, their love, their grace, their opinion, their kindness, their generosity. We love you guys like family.
15. Our church. We haven't been in a more wonderful church. The goodness has been overflowing lately and I couldn't be more grateful for that.
16. Norma. I love that 89 year young lady.
    
17. Age. The older I get the more I have learned. I'm thankful for that wisdom.
18. The wisdom of those who have gone before me and life lessons that can be passed down. Especially if one is willing to learn before making the mistake.
19. My mom's Bible study. I love this group of women, the study that we're doing, the chance to let our children run around and play, the discussions that take place, the tears that are able to flow, the prayers and the hugs.
20. Chocolate. I know this is drastic from number 17 but it's true. I love chocolate and am very thankful for it. Especially when I've had a bad day.
21. The Bible. It's word in the comfort it brings, as well as the promise, the hope, and the love.
22. Bryan's work. He loves it and they love him. It is good. And I get to be a stay at home mom!! Yay for me :)
    
23. Forgiveness. Forgiveness of myself, for myself and for others. It's the most relieving thing.
24. My home. It's cute. It's warm. It holds my things.
25. Books. I love reading. There's an escape into another world... even if only for a little while before coming back down to reality.
26. Exercise. It makes you feel good! ..if you are willing to get up and do it.

Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I know we sure did and it's even still going on!! One down and one more to go. Bring on the stuffing and can shaped cranberry sauce!!

My 26 Thankfuls

1. My God, my Savior, who rescued me from the depths of hell.
2. My family who has loved me unconditionally and with more love any person could hope for or expect.
3. Bryan. Who cherishes me when I'm unworthy, loves me when I'm unlovable, tells me I'm beautiful when I feel ugly, forgives me when I need it, my strength when I'm weak. He is my other half, my best friend, my buddy and wonderful father to our daughter.
4. My baby girl. She is my pride and joy, my mini me (even the "ugly" parts), my laughter of the day, and my heart.
5. My mom. She's indescribable. Her courage, faith, determination, love, kindness. She is my pillar.
6. My grandparents. They are whom my faith has grown from. My image of a God blessed marriage. My subconscious, even when I don't want to hear it.
7. My sisters. They stick with me not just because they have to, but because they so choose. One who is so similar in so many ways and the other who could almost be my polar opposite, but no matter, I love them both and they are forever in my heart.
8. My aunt Kimmy. She is like my older sister, the one I look up to, want to imitate. I value her opinion, love her family humor, dig her style. She's one cool cat.
   
9. My uncle Jon. Kimmy's hubby, I couldn't be happier to have him as my uncle. He's "rolling on the floor" kind of funny, goofy, smart, kind, pretty awesome.
10. My cousins M&M. They are the two coolest kids. Super smart. Way loving. Cute, cute, cute.
11. My step-dad. We haven't always gotten along but he's been there. Through the bad and the good. He's come a long way and I can appreciate that in him. He's a pretty good guy.
12. Our friends. They are some of the most wonderful friends that we've had in a very long time. We treasure them, their love, their grace, their opinion, their kindness, their generosity. We love you guys like family.
13. Our church. We haven't been in a more wonderful church. The goodness has been overflowing lately and I couldn't be more grateful for that.
14. Norma. I love that 89 year young lady.
    
15. Age. The older I get the more I have learned. I'm thankful for that wisdom.
16. The wisdom of those who have gone before me and life lessons that can be passed down. Especially if one is willing to learn before making the mistake.
17. My mom's Bible study. I love this group of women, the study that we're doing, the chance to let our children run around and play, the discussions that take place, the tears that are able to flow, the prayers and the hugs.
18. Chocolate. I know this is drastic from number 17 but it's true. I love chocolate and am very thankful for it. Especially when I've had a bad day.
19. The Bible. It's word in the comfort it brings, as well as the promise, the hope, and the love.
20. Bryan's work. He loves it and they love him. It is good.
    
21. Forgiveness. Forgiveness of myself, for myself and for others. It's the most relieving thing.
22. My home. It's cute. It's warm. It holds my things.
23. Books. I love reading. There's an escape into another world... even if only for a little while before coming back down to reality.
24. A clean home.
25. Vehicles, because without them I wouldn't get to see my family very often.
26. Exercise. It makes you feel good! ..if you are willing to get up and do it.

Hope you are having an awesome and thankful Thanksgiving!

You know she's sick if she doesn't fight the diaper change

I know, I know. I didn't post yesterday. But Bryan was working nearly the entire day and I didn't get a chance to come up here and blog for the brief moment that he was downstairs with me.

I wanted to blog about FlyLady. I was introduced last Thursday at MBS (Mom Bible Study). She is fantastic! It's this website that starts you off with baby steps in getting your house clean. Day 1 is to Shine Your Sink.
So I started by doing all the dishes, putting the strainer away (because that attracted clutter and did nothing for me to help clean), cleaned the sink and dried it. You're suppose to dry it each time. Well, let me tell you, it has been clean since Friday. I can't let myself let it get messy when it looks so nice.
So each day I read the new "Post-it Note" and add it to my list of things to do for the day. And it works. It really works.

Pray for my baby, she's not feeling well. She is running a fever and was more than normal snuggly today. She even fell asleep tonight as I was changing her diaper. I didn't even get to feed her before I put her down. So I just picked her up and took her to her room to rock her for a few minutes before putting her in her crib for the night.
Bryan just ran out to get a new thermometer since ours takes 9 hrs to get a reading. It's terrible. Hopefully she's better before Turkey day. It would stink to have to miss everything with both sides of the family.

I'm so stuffed I could lay an egg! ..er.. huh?

What a day! But, once again, where did my weekend go?
I was hoping to put our tree up today but it certainly did not happen. Courtney and I did manage to hit Kohl's but that was about it. We wandered around but I just couldn't commit myself to buying anything. I don't need anything in my home, trinkets and such, and I couldn't find anything that caught my eye for gifts.
But there was a Thanksgiving dinner at church tonight hosted by the youth group. It was pretty tasty. Then afterwards, Emily, Courtney, Bryan and I snuck out to play some Wii for a bit. It was good fun but now we're home. Stuffed. Stuffed like a turkey at Thanksgiving.
So I'm gonna go plop my thighs onto the couch like a potato and watch some TV. Night all!

We Wiied ourselves silly because it's fon-to-due!

I certainly did not feel like blogging yesterday. I didn't really have the time to anyhow. Bryan was working then we were asked to watch the kids of our Pitts friends. It was an easy babysit because the kids were all good.
When we finally got home Bryan and I wanted to watch Monk and Project Runway. There are only two more Monks as the series finale! Yes 2 more and then they're done! We're kind of sad because we really like that show. And PR, goodness! Bryan and I liked Carol Hannah's best but agreed that it wasn't a runway collection and did see Irena's as best comparatively. But it was all black and would have been so much better in color. I do see how she won it though. I did think she had a way better runway collection than the other two. And as for Althea, I was so over her by the first half of the season finale. So I was not heartbroken that she lost. Blah.

Anywho.

Today was somewhat productive. Bryan and I got to get some things done that we kept putting off (i.e. getting information on my ring for the insurance guys so they could update it). We also went to Kohl's' to find him some sweatpants but they were all ridiculously priced. Plus I forgot my Kohl's cash and I was not going to get more stuff without using that! $10 off! That's awesomeness right there.
After we got groceries and some Chinese food from Hy-Vee, we came home ate and then left again. Bryan headed for church where he helped the youth set up for the Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow after church service and A and I headed back to the Pitts' for an evening of Fondue. Because, as Emily likes to say, "It's fon to due!" And, yes, I'm still her friend even though she says things like that. (Love ya Emily!)
We had a good time of dipping, but not double dipping, nor skinny dipping, but over dipping. We sweeted ourselves out. But it was tasty! We hung around until the kids went to bed and while some youth were in her kitchen making dessert, we headed downstairs for some Wii. Wiisort that is. And it was fun.
A was a trooper and let me stay out past her bedtime. I only had a bit of a problem trying to put her in her car seat but other than that she was great. And so funny the entire time we were there! I love when she laughs and runs away. She gets such a kick out of getting chased, even if we only pretend to chase her. She was having such a good time that she nearly ran into the fridge, the cabinet door, and did manage to twirl and fall on her booty. She's such a sweet kid. Love her. Love her!!
So, anyway, I'm gonna go read as I wait for Bryan to return home. Since the youth is having a lock-in at the church tonight I didn't really expect him to take his inner child away from game play and horsing around. But I sure hope he returns soon!
Hope you all have a great night!

Am I complaining? Yes, I think so.

This morning we all, dog included, slept in til nearly 10.
And Bible study started at 10.
So, I rushed up with a wonderful tired headache, ate a quick bowl of cereal, brushed my teeth, tried to get dressed one handed while holding A, tried putting A down, A cried to be held, I let her cry so I could get dressed quickly and without doing some sort of a dance.
Bible study was all right. I didn't get to do my lesson that I nicely put off until the last minute expecting to do it this morning before and then not getting to. I still plan on doing the lesson on my own time this week, I just regret not having it done to be on the "same page" as the other ladies. My bad.
The rest of the day was pretty well in the pooper. A screamed at me as I tried to put her in the car seat to bring her home and then later on during bath time. She's been sassing me a lot lately but I think there are lessons to be learned in it.

Lesson 1: Don't hold angry daughter while she hits you and has fork in hand.
Lesson 2: Let her cry it out because trying to get one's own way will not work. Be the mom and act like a grown up.
Lesson 3: She'll come to you when she's ready. If she's ready.
Lesson 4: The terrible 2's come early. Two early. <-- Haha, get it? No? Moving on...
Lesson 5: It won't help the situation if you lose your cool. Keep calm.
Lesson 6: Remind her and yourself that you love her.
Lesson 7: Screaming it out is good in the long run: they wear themselves out for bed.

Well, that's all I have for today. See you next time on Life Lessons for the New Mom.

18 sentences for the 18th

1. Got up at 6:30am
2. Was too tired and fell asleep at 8:30
3. A decided to sleep til 9:30 the day I wake up at 6:30
4. Got very little done
5. Went out to lunch with my brother in-law's wife
6. It was a fun four hours
7. We ate at an eclectic/cottage/early 1990's barn turned restaurant
8. In the loft that was being converted from Autumn to Winter themed
   
9. A slept the entire time I was gone
10. Made them lunch at 3 o'clock
    
11. Did the dishes
12. Played with my baby
13. Then made her made at me by reclaiming my yarn that she swiped
    
14. Hung out with my baby sis
15. Talked with Emily via text
    
16. Hung out with Bryan
17. Ate cookies and ice cream and
18. I'm now going to bed.
    

There are two 6 o'clocks??

I realize that I did not blog yesterday. I was far too busy watching The Biggest Loser while sharing a bag of Reese's mini peanut butter cups. However, by the end of it, I felt like A Big Loser.
I am inspired by these people and truly I wish I could get on the exercise band wagon. But we don't have the money for any kind of membership except for the free kind. And we all know that includes our rainy, cold outdoors. I did a lot of walking this summer, but I can't bring myself to make A brave the yuck with me. No matter how much I need it.
So, what do I do, you ask? Well, let's see -- I put my daughter in the cart and then run all over the store. Yes, run. It amuses her.

Speaking of...

So, last night, my sister came along for some Christmas shopping that I needed to get done. It was a blessing to have her or I would have stopped after 1 and a half stores and pulled my hair out on the way home. But with her marvelous help of entertaining/running after A, I hit FOUR stores! Yes four. And let me tell you about them.

Store number 1 was our dear Michael's Craft Store. I needed to pick up DIY Christmas ornaments and paper. And while I did that, A tried climbing on company ladders, declaring random things "Hers", and running away. About the time we were ready to go, so was she. But we still wanted to see our friend JoAnna, who was indeed working. So I put my daughter in the cart and ran, yes RAN, around the store like a [willing] fool so as to make my daughter very happy. Which it did.
Then we ran, yes ran, to store number 2. Which is where I got our other sister her lovely items for the upcoming holiday event. But I will not disclose either the present nor the holiday. But in this store, my daughter continued her overtake of all things merchandise claiming them in the name of A. And then she found the toy table and she was happy as a clam. That is until we were ready to go. I think cars are on her Christmas list this year.
Off we went to store number 3. Gander Mt. Courtney, my sister, not the one who I bought the present for but the one who was helping to corral my daughter, did not appreciate this store since she is a lover of all animals living. But, I needed to go in for some gift getting.
As we made our way through the check-out line, A found this weird and gross deer-butt-puller-outer-something-or-another and thought she needed three of them.
Store number 4 was the very-handy-now-that-I've-found-it Toys R Us. Here I managed to take 30 minutes to pick out 5 toys for 5 kids. I never thought it would be that difficult. But the older you get the more you forget what it's like to be a 5 year old.
After I was finally finished choosing, I made my way to the car table where my daughter was stationed. And of course she chose a $200 set. She has my taste. We followed her around for a while. She led us to the baby doll isle where she Oohed and Aahed. But, please, no getting her any baby doll that poops, pees, talks, cooes, walks, crawls, sings, moves or blinks. Thank you in advance.
Then she found Raggedy Andy and she was in love. She carried him around and patted him. For a while she had two but saw the reality in twins and left one in an opposite isle. However, later she dropped and left Raggedy Andy for some dish soap. Then left the dish soap for some Mentos bottles that because maracas. My daughter is fickle.
We ended the trip with me paying and her signing for the card. But we had a really good time. She was such a good girl all day. Happy as a lark, giggling, laughing, squealing, playing. I was a very happy mama. Hoping for another day that good.

Anyway, here is post 1. for today since I failed at getting the post in yesterday. But, really, by the time I remembered, it was 11:45 and I was already curled up in bed. So, please, be kind.

Hope you all have a great day!!

Fourteen months today

My sweet baby girl,
Today you are fourteen months old. You have the biggest blue eyes with long eyelashes to match. You have eight teeth in front. Four on top and four on bottom. You also have a grand total of four molars. Two on top and two on bottom with one being on each side.
You have super curly hair which you've most recently covered in waterproof silicone grease. It took us 10 washes, four with Dawn dish soap, to get it fully out.
You have the sweetest laugh and the cutest quirks to go along with it. I love when you shrug your shoulders for no reason but just because. And when you bite down on your paci and force it up into your nose giving you the weirdest look.
You're still nursing but slowly weaning yourself off. I'm not sure I'm quite ready but I will as you do. You still manage to get your foot up to my face as you eat, though. I usually get a toe smashed into my cheek. But you have the cutest little toes.
I love when you "run" you hike your arms up into a funny pose and squeal as you make your "get away." It can be hard not to laugh when you find it hilarious that you are doing something you know you're not suppose to.
Recently you have learned to give kisses. Sorta. You will plant your cheek into our kisses but you do manage to give fantastic hugs.
It's one of the most amazing things to have you squeal with delight whenever we enter the room. Even if we have just woken up, or come to get you for a nap, or have escaped ourselves for a little "me" time.
You calm down every time I sing you His Eye is on the Sparrow. It's the same song I sang you in the womb. We have learned that screaming Twinkle Twinkle will get you to laugh and squeal along if ever you are throwing a hissy fit while we're trying to get something accomplished.
You have learned how to turn the TV on and off, shake your booty from side to side to dance, clap your hands, sign "please", get us to hold you, give you the cat or anything else you want.
You love our cat and dog and lay on them whenever possible. But when they're not around you settle for a stuffed bear or your newly found cat.
You love books, for us to read them to you, or to read them to yourself or to the dog if he's willing to listen.
You talk all the time using words that are not in our vocabulary but we'd listen to you talk all day if we could.
You love destroying things, walking, running away or around the house for no particular reason, to dance and sing, and to give things to people. You also love to color. Especially on our walls and couch cushions.
You are amazed by instruments but right now the guitar is your favorite. So you tend to cherish your ukulele.
I can already tell you are compassionate. You love to hug, especially babies. You tend to show concern if someone is sad or upset.
I could probably go on and on and on. I could add to this list until it is a million miles long. But I think you're amazing. All the little things you do.
I love you my darling girl.

-Mama

We just had a weekend? Are you sure?

I don't know quite where it went. But it did come and go very quickly. I'm a little sad, but that's ok. I did have a good weekend and that's what makes it ok.

Church was good today. I appreciate our Interim pastor and what he has to say. Both Bryan and I agree that we really like that he has been around. Not in a dirty weird kind of way but in a traveled kind of way. Him and his family were missionaries in Brazil for some 30 years and he has countless stories from that experience. And they are always fitting. We also really like that he doesn't point the finger at anyone but himself. It makes the sermon hit home all the more.
Today he talked about marriage. A word to the soon to be married, the married and the divorced. Then he added a word to the Church. It gave new light on things we've all heard before.
In a good way. I really like how he says and puts things. But also I really like his character and what he has to offer.
After church we thanked the wonderful lady who opened up her home to the women for last weekends retreat. We gave her a card and basket to show just how kind, thoughtful and loving she was to do that for us. It was such a wonderful weekend and so nice to have it in someones home. It made it more comfortable. You felt at home very quickly.

When we got home A and I ended up taking a three hour nap. I think it was needed.

And then this evening we went over to see Bryan's parents. I sure do love those two. But on our way there we had to stop at a sharp turn where a grain truck had tipped. The person driving must have taken the corner to quickly and turned the truck on it's side. The truck was over both lanes so the trail of cars had to pass in the side ditch with instruction of the police. At least no one was hurt. But we did see all the grain spilled on the road.
We finally got to his parents and they had dinner waiting for us. We got to sit and talk for two hours. It was so nice to catch up and chat. Amelia got to run around being goofy and the grandparents got to love on her.
On our way back we did pass the still tipped grain truck. It looked like they were trying to salvage the spilt grain. Can't blame them. Luckily, from the look of what spilled, it didn't look like the bed was full. So hopefully they won't be out too much money.

I'm off to spend the rest of my wonderful weekend with my hubby before the hectic work week returns. I hope you all had as wonderful weekend as I did.


Catch ya on the flip-side!

...too soon?

What comes to mind...

Today was great!
I got to spend it with my Bryan..
For the whole day.
We did nothing all morning but lounge and be together.
Then in the afternoon we went on a date-
First to Chili's
3 for $20 -Way better than Applebee's limited selection and 2 for $20.
Got to sit and talk.
Something we haven't really been able to do in a week or so.
Then we went to a movie.
The Fourth Kind
It was interesting.
Still not sure what I think about it.
Don't know if I will be sure.
I enjoyed hanging out and relaxing with him and our babe.
We did clean a bit but it felt good to do it.
We also worked on getting the grease out of A's hair
and in turn got the Dawn dish soap in her eye.
She was so upset that I held her naked wet body straight from the tub
and she was equally tired that she fell immediately asleep on my shoulder.
We finagled her diaper on backwards so she wouldn't pee on me.
She ended up waking and played until 30 minutes past her bed time.
Bryan and I have continued in our "hanging out" time.
Got to caught up on some TV shows
Monk and Lie To Me
Now it's off to bed to catch up on our devotions.

Today my daughter decided to put plumbers grease in her hair.

I didn't get to blog yesterday which kind of made me sad, but it was for good reason. I promise. And if it helps, nothing really went on for the most part. I did get to go to my Mom's Bible Study which is always a blessing. The kids got to play, whine, argue and share cheerios. Us mom's got to share, encourage, love on and pray for each other. I feel so blessed to have these women come together every Thursday.
I am also really enjoying the Bible Study we're in. I think I could go through this one over and over, and still learn something new about life and myself every time. This week was about Mud or Stars.

Two women look out the same prison bars
One sees mud, the other stars

That's good. That's really good. So, which one am I going to see in my day to day situations? Bryan's been working really hard for a while now. Yesterday I didn't get to see him but in the morning to wish him a good day and at night when I went to bed. He continued working through until this evening with only a two hour nap. That's rough. So mud or stars?
I'm very thankful that he has a job he loves, that he really enjoys the people he works with, that he appreciates and respects his boss, and that I get to stay home with our baby every day.
Those are stars.

I'm far from my side of the family and I get to see them about once a month. But, I also have a really, really wonderful family by marriage that is really close by.
Stars.

Today. Oh yes, today.
(Allow me to sigh with a smile on my face)

Three words:
Plumber's Waterproof Grease, that is.
I don't know where she got it from or how she got into it, but she did. And she lathered it into the right side of her hair really well. I didn't even notice until she came and shared some grease with me on my pajama pant. It was all over her face, on her clothes.
Sometimes.
However, I chuckle now.
So.. I put her directly in the bath. Washed her hair three times all without success. Waited for help a few hours later. Washed her hair again in the kitchen sink this time using First: cornstarch -helped. Second: more cornstarch -helped a little more. Third: baking soda plus shampoo -helped some more. Fourth: more baking soda plus shampoo -helped about the same. Fifth: (you guessed it) even more baking soda plus shampoo.
They all helped, but I don't think you understand just how much grease she has in her hair! It did add to her curls, though.
I really enjoy being her mama. She makes me giggle at the end of the day.

On another note, I got a few Christmas presents bought! And the beauty of A being the age that she's in is that I didn't have to worry about her seeing her present because she forgot all about it because I hid it in the basket. Joy! Next year, I will have to plan my trips accordingly but for now- Woop, Woop!!

So, that concludes my day. I am going to head to bed excitedly because, even though Bryan's already asleep on the couch, and I will most certainly have to drag him to the bedroom, I get to sleep next to him tonight!

Most definitely Stars.

It's Thursday. No really.

So, I didn't get to post yesterday. I know you will all forgive me because you are a loving bunch. And just to show how sorry I am I will post two for today.

Here is a very tasty and delightful dish that we like to call Indian Corn. Don't ask me why it's called this, it just is. Enjoy.

• 1 lb. hamburger
• 1 jar of salsa
• 1 can of corn
• tortilla chips
• cheese
• sour cream

Directions:
1. Fry up the hamburger.
2. Add in the salsa and corn.
3. Heat 'til bubbly.
4. Place in bowl.
5. Add cheese and sour cream as desired.
6. Dip chip.
7. Eat.
8. Enjoy.

That's it. I hope you all like this Tasty..er.. Fattening Friday. Doesn't really work, but go with it. :)

Me and my fat lip

Tonight I got to see Emily for the first time in a few weeks!! She's been sick so I've been staying clear for as much as needed. The only sad part was that since it's Blog Post month, we're already caught up on each other's lives with nothing new to talk about.
Bummer.
She did inspire me to get my butt in gear with Christmas shopping. I just need to do it and get it done. Period. No Black Friday or "Oh no! It's Christmas Eve and we still have to go shopping!" for this gal. Uh-huh. Not happening. It would just bring on premature gray.
Anyway.
Tomorrow is our Mom's Bible Study and I still have yet to read the chapter. However, I'm excited to read it because a) Not only is it a good study, and b) From what I hear it's sounds like a good 2nd chapter.
So, I'm off. I need to read that as well as do devotions with my hubby. Plus I'm tired and I really have nothing new to say.
Oh except for my fat lip. Did I forget to mention that. Yeah, it's a beaut. A thought it would be a nice ending to my day. Not that it was a bad day, mind you, just a good ending to it. So yeah, big, fat, purple, and red. At one time bled and now is the size of a marble.
Good fun.
True story.
Y'all have a great night!

Too tired to blog so I'll just say this:

Just finished watching Land of the Lost with Will Ferrel. So dumb. So, so dumb. So very dumb.

That's all.
Have a good night.

"Happy trails to you. Until we meet again."

I didn't sleep well last night. I think it was from the four hour nap I took yesterday afternoon. I went to bed around 11, tried falling asleep around 11:30, and didn't actually fall into a sound sleep until somewhere around 2. I tried to make up for the lack of sleep by sleeping in, which almost worked if it wasn't for our dog whining for an hour because he was bored of being in his kennel. Soon, he'll wish he was bored in his kennel in the room that he shares with A when I kick him out to the garage for the winter.
I kid, I kid.

Sorta.

However, I'm doing pretty well. I'll just be ready for bed when it comes. I'm still trying to adjust to the Fall Back. Even if my body thinks it was really Spring Forward and has me awake way later than normal. Maybe I'm just secretly wishing a bunch of women around my dining room table with the game Last Word in play.


Today we attended the funeral of Bryan's HS friend. Once I had seen his picture, I realized I had met him once or twice. The stories that were told were great. So funny, such wonderful memories. They made me laugh aloud even though I didn't get to witness them first hand. I guess he was a riot. And the stories proved it.
There was a huge bouquet of balloons in the foyer that read, "Happy Trails," "We'll miss you," "Happy Retirement," "See You Later." And goofy ones picturing Cookie Monster and Spongebob. Even one in the shape of a flamingo. I guess he was just that goofy kind of guy.
Some of his friends even sported flip-flops and toenail polish. Guy friends, mind you.
The coolest thing, I thought, was that, although his family was grieved by the loss of this incredible person, there was hardly any tears, no remorse. Just wonderful stories, laughable moments, sharing happy and precious memories. They even talked about how all he wanted was for everyone else to know Christ as he knew Him.
I think that's beautiful.
It is sad that such a person was lost at such a young age, but God works through everything. Praise Him for that.

A new week and I'm ready for the weekend.

I woke up so tired from this weekend. Even though it was a good weekend, I feel I need a day to recoup. It was hard trying to get back into the groove of things. Like I was thrown back into the mix from being gone where I was no one's wife or mom. I didn't have to listen for crying or try to find something that was missing. I didn't have to worry about dinner, or nap time, or what to wear, or dirty diapers. I had adult conversation with amazing women.
However.
I am happy to be home. It was nice to have that break, and I'll look forward to it again, but I will gladly search for keys, listen to my husband snore, play pick-up after my daughter as she throws clean clothes out the basket. Any time.

Church was good today. The music was good. The sermon was good. The people were good. It was good. I was blessed to see the ladies from yesterday, to reach out and hug them, knowing we had a new bond.
I even got to take a nap. A four hour nap. And A took it with me. So nice.

Tomorrow we are attending the funeral of one of Bryan's childhood friends. I don't know what to expect. It's being held at our old church and the church's old building. There will be people we haven't seen in some time. But I'm not worried about that. I'm there for Bryan. For whatever he needs. I don't think he knows what's coming or what to expect either. So prayers for him and for the friend's family are appreciated.

I hope you all are well tonight. I hope you get the rest you need. I hope tomorrow is a good day for you.
Have a good night.

Krohse Cove (part ii)

This morning I woke up ready and raring to get to breakfast. I arrived soon after 8 and enjoyed some time with some ladies before breakfast was ready. Around 9 we made some very fancy and technical "omelet's in a bag." So yummy, with a side of gargantuan cinnamon rolls, any breakfast would be complete. Yum.
After breakfast we dove back into our weekend devotion. Soon after we had free time and all decided to go for a nice 2 mile walk in our Indian summer on a local trail. By the time we got back I was ready for air conditioning. But I was happy to settle for ice water.
Lunch was so delicious with homemade bread for sandwiches, fresh fruit, more cinnamon rolls and wonderful company.
After another chapter in our devotion and some free time involving Apples to Apples we had dinner. So gooood.
To conclude our time together we discussed how to keep our women's group going, what we could offer as an outreach, what we could do to grow ourselves and anything and everything else.
It was such a good weekend. I'm looking forward to the next get together in a month. Although it won't be more than a few hours, I'm excited to meet with this incredible bunch of women. They have so much to teach and offer, so much wisdom, thoughts, advice. Friendship. I am blessed and so happy that I went.


We missed you there, by the way.

Krohse Cove

Today was the first day of our Women's Retreat. It's like a women's getaway while going back home to sleep. Which I prefer anyway, because, oh how I love my bed.
We met at 5 o'clock, chatted while we waited for others to arrive and while dinner was cooking. Slowly, others trickled in. Come dinner there was roughly 10 of us. As we ate our white chili, corn muffins, homemade applesauce, and other little goodies, we chatted, laughed, discussed and caught up.
After dinner we got into the devotion for the weekend as more ladies trickled in. One of the wisest ladies I know led us in discussion, diving into the Word, prayer and bonding. After some time in prayer we relaxed into some free time.
Although nearly half the women left for the evening to rest for the next day, some chatted, others Wiied, but two other women and myself hot tubbed. And, even after we got out at nearly 10:30 and were ready to head home for the evening, we stayed as the game Last Word was whipped out. We laughed, were ridiculous, overly tired and laughed some more until midnight. We headed out the door ready for rest and a new day at Krohse Cove.

Today was good.

On Thursdays we have a Mom's Bible Study. It is this incredible bunch of ladies who I am blessed to call my friends. We get together and pour out our hearts, pray, encourage, lift up, advise, listen. Whatever we can for each other.
Today was our first day in discussion on a new book that seems to reach out to each of us. It's amazing how God works. He put this book on one of our Mom's hearts and she led us to it. I think I can honestly say that we each took something away from it. The way the author writes, it would be kind of hard to not take something from it. It's entitled, Calm My Anxious Heart: A Women`s Guide to Finding Contentment by Linda Dillow. We've only gone through the first chapter and I already have a lot to think about, consider, and change in my own life.
I am enjoying having God shine the light on the things I need to change and trusting Him to help me to go through with it.
I am a huge worrier.
I allow myself to be full of anxiety and impatience.
I have a hard time letting go and trusting Him in certain areas.
A lot of the time, I already know it. Holding on to it keeps me in my comfort zone. Doesn't make it right, and, so, this is me, stepping out.

With a little help, of course.

It has been a day.

Such a day in fact that I am just going to bed.
However, I will leave you with the recipe for something tasty.
Enjoy!


Stuffed French Toast

• 1 (1 pound) loaf French bread
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur*
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup orange marmalade

1. Slice the French bread on a slant, giving each side of the slice a nice surface area. Slice the brick of cream cheese into 1/2 inch thick slices. Make a slit in each slice of French bread through the crust to form a pocket. Place a slice of cream cheese in each pocket; set aside.
2. In a small bowl, beat together eggs, Irish cream liqueur, cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. Melt butter in a griddle or frying pan over medium-low heat. Briefly dip the bread slices in the egg mixture and place on the griddle. Brown on both sides and serve warm with a dollop of orange marmalade on top.

So yummy I give it 5 stars.

*You can replace the liqueur with any flavored liquid non-dairy coffee creamer.




Tomorrow will be a better day.
Til then...

still in numbers

I almost hit a deer tonight. That was an enjoyable moment.
If I had been just 2 seconds earlier, I would have.
I was so stunned that I didn't even utter an expression for 30 seconds after it happened.
Jeesh.

Anyway.

I've been working on reading the Bible the entire way through. I've read the New Testament before but not the Old in its entirety, so I'm trying.
I made it through Leviticus, which, I have to say, is so boring. But I didn't want to miss anything so I finished it. Now I'm reading Numbers. Let's just say that in the "boring" category, it's taking a close second.
However, good is coming out of it. I'll find areas in this book where I have to stop and think. It's more on the rules and counting the tribes and the duties of the tribes, but I'll see things where I have to pause and wonder, "Dang. God was harsh.", or "What kind of a crappy rule is that?" But once I stop and think on it, it begins to make sense. Especially when I think of everything that goes into that "crazy wacked out" happening. There are covenants to consider, and purposely defiling what God had asked of those people. Then, what I thought was harsh, began to make sense. And it wasn't God being harsh, it was the people being human and making clear decisions to reject God.
So, although this book does drag out, it is really neat having a better understanding into things.
Also, I like being able to really discuss things that happened, people, rules, why things were, everything, knowing what I'm talking about instead of having to recall with an "Oh..yeah" and having to be reminded of what went on.
Bryan had mentioned someone thinking it would be cool to meet Moses, and although I do agree that it would be, he was a whiner. A big one. For everything. But, he was loved by God. So cool. I'm glad I'm not the only big baby and still loved by God.

It's always hard when you have "down" days.

I am having a blue kind of day. There's enough going on. I would put down on "paper" what it all is, but sometimes it's in my head and no one else sees what I'm seeing.

...you have taught me to say: it is well, it is well with my soul.

I just need to stop having a "pity party."

...count your blessings, name them one by one...

I'm praying for friends who just lost someone very dear to them today. And I'm praying for my friends who are still grieving as it's closing in on an anniversary. To them all I say:

Grieve. There is healing in tears.

Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

It's National Blog Posting month!!

And I'm going to sure try my best!

So let's see:

Yesterday afternoon I:
1. had lunch with Linda
a. the food was tasty
b. the company was delightful
c. and I was stuffed.

2. Then I went home and made chocolate chip cookies.
a. yum.

Last night my hubby and I:
1. took our 13.5 month old out for Halloween
a. with our friends
b. got lots of candy
c. ate lots of candy
d. was cold
e. but had a lot of fun

Today all three of us:
1. Slept an extra hour

2. enjoyed church

3. went to T@rget
a. wandered for 2 hours
b. bought an area rug for our living room
c. chased our daughter around for the whole 2 hours
d. bought a birthday present for a very beautiful 9 year old!



So, in conclusion to a very quick weekend, I want to write about different things each day. Maybe I'll recap,
maybe I'll post one of my thoughts from reading the Bible, the current author I'm reading or the Bible study group I'm blessed to be a part of.
Maybe I will share a picture or a new favorite recipe.
OR maybe I'll do all of the above!

I hope you are blessed this November with fast approaching holidays.
Have a great night!