Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Recycle, Reuse, put things back to good use!

I have this big thing I like to do; recycle what I find to be pretty cool and reuse them.

I save all of my baby food jars with or without lids... even before Gracie was on solids I had begged a friend or two to save some for me for some crafts!  I make them into things for other people that I seems to think is pretty cool.  This year I crocheted with variegated yarn around some of the baby food jars and made votive holders for small gifts for bus drivers, teachers, and special friends.  This year was also the year that the kids were told not to buy gifts, but rather to make gifts using anything "crafty" around the house.  BIG mistake seeing as how what their rendition of what was crafty actually fell into what I had around the house that I actually "needed" and they found no use in asking before taking.  One thing I did think was pretty cool was that they took some of the jars laying around and made them into banks and decorated them up with beads and paper and all sorts of whatever they could find.  They got to experience using a hot glue gun (and also how to watch out to not get burned in the process).  Anyways, banks, and my favorite; candy dishes with the label on the front stating "MOM's candy NO KIDS ALLOWED"... We will see if this holds true!  :O)

Anyways, I had a brainstorm that solved a bit of a problem for me.  Since nursing was not working out as well as I had hoped, Gracie is now on Similac Sensitive.  We get the big what Similac calls "Simple Pack" when we find it necessary and we have a coupon or two for  five or ten bucks off.  I love these containers that they come in!  They have a spot on the lid so that you have a place to store your measuring scoop that comes in the box.  When I get the smaller containers I always dump the smaller one into these big sturdy containers so it is easier to measure and it seems like I get less all over the place than just taking out of the small circular container.  When I made it through my first Simple pack, I just could not let it go in the trash or into the recycling bin.... I just KNEW there had to be something I could use them for... and after a couple weeks I found it! I ended up taking the labels off that were on the soon to be new idea in the making and this is what it looked like!

Now keep in mind that Gracie is a SPITTER.  She pukes everything up!  The doc suggested putting more cereal in her bottle to keep it down, and we need to make it milkshake thick to accomplish this task, not to mention the Zantac right along with it... which led me to another problem.  The said cereal that needed to be measured out and put into the bottle with the formula was in a BOX... with a little pull out opening that was truly a mess until you poured it from the box and into a bowl or empty bottle or however your imagination can take you to measure it out...

Adding the cereal to the empty Similac can



It led to the wheels chugging and trying to figure out a better way for measuring to exist and not be so messy!  So as you see in the picture above, the connection was made!

Voila!  Easy to measure and use Oatmeal.. New container!

Oh and don't forget to label what is in it!  I also save the box with all of the baby things just in case of a recall... We have been there with Similac and thank goodness I did save the containers or we would not have been able to tell if it was recalled or not.  Thank goodness I did not start doing this until after the recall, but after surviving a formula recall, I just don't want to take the chance at going through another one! 

Also something else I do is either measure out what dry ingredients go into a bottle and pre-measure the water in a baby bottle and that way while I am out and about I don't have to lug everything with me for 1 or 2 bottles.  I take the dry and dump it right into the water, shake and feed.  I used to do this with the baby food jars until I had one of the lids stick on me and no one could get it open.. but now I use the little 5 ounce bottles for this with a seal instead of a nipple and it works like a charm!

Do you have ideas for recycling/re-using/ making life with a baby easier?  Please share!!!


Thursday, December 16, 2010

Milestones and smiles...

Christmas. It's everywhere. In the stores, in the cars, on the radio, even at home.. Everyone I know is getting their lists for Christmas tackled so that they can enjoy their friends, family and loved ones.

It's the same here, but I am finding it very tiring. One more day of school before the kids are home for 2 weeks for Winter break. I seem to recall when it was actually known as Christmas break... Oh well.

We are celebrating all of the milestones and smiles that we come across from Gracie each day. It seems as though every time I turn around Gracie is learning something new. Rolling over front to back, attempting back to front, grabbing her spoon while I am feeding her, and she has found her new favorite toy and thing to do.. We have been putting her in the Johnny Jumper that Grandpa got for the lil' squirt and if she's not in it she's just not as happy as she could be. When we started putting her in, she really wasn't aware of what she was supposed to do in it, but in the last 2 days she has learned that she can bounce it all around. She absolutely adores being in it. She swirls around, bounces up and down, playing with her toys, watches Mommy cooking and baking, laughs at the kids, and yes, even falls asleep in it!

Yesterday while feeding her breakfast- her daily norm of oatmeal and apples and banana's - the 5 1/2 month old cracked me up. She started GRABBING my spoon I was feeding her with out of my hand!  At least she knew where it was to go...

I ended up giving her her very own spoon to be eating with but she wasn't happy until she had food on it for herself!  Her appetite has really picked up regarding solids and she thrives to eat with the family.




As I mentioned about getting ready for Christmas... Yes, I am STILL working on cards.  We took a really nice photo of the kids for the cards this year... Only to find out that someone had put their sticky fingers all over the lens making the photos taken really blurred.  It seems to have taken forever to get them re-taken, but they are done!

I think the kids had a blast posing for the photos!  Look at all of those big smiles... Except for Gracie.. I think she used up all of her smiles earlier in the day. :O(

I also got some photos of the kids alone that I will be updating the website with... now just to tackle the fireman and get him to stand still for an update photo of us two...

As most of you know, Hubby is a firefighter; therefore we were so excited to find this little outfit that she is wearing in this photo.  the little hat came from one of the Fire Department's pancake breakfast and were available for the kids to wear.

Here is a photo of the beautiful dress that I was originally supposed to be in the Christmas photos..
From our house to yours... We pray that everyone has the best holiday and that peace will be present in your hearts and homes.  Enjoy your Christmas season!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The waking of a giant


"Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The People of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the People when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our People - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941 a state of War has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire."

FDR

I am taking the time to reiterate this speech so that we may carry on the history.  I hope that it serves as a reminder of our Countries past history.



Let it snow...

There is some kind of peace that comes with snowfall before Christmas. For some reason in our Ohio-neck-of-the-woods, it never feels like Christmas is around the corner unless you are bundled up dredging through all of the snow to run errands and get ready for Christmas.

For some reason I am happy the snow is here. Whether it is because it's Gracie's first Christmas (yeah like she will remember it?), or the fact that there always seems to be something magical about a White Christmas upcoming, or possibly just the quieting heart as you sit and watch all the big fluffy flakes fall from nowhere...

I know I will be cursing it soon enough. I wouldn't mind it at all if Mother Nature just decided to let it snow a little every day until the day after Christmas.

We have white flood lights up on the house this year. It makes our house feel warm and cozy in my mind.

The tree is up in front of the two front windows in the living room. The nativity scene is up on the bookshelf.

Christmas this year seems like it's nothing but a big long list of items that need to be done; Baking, finding decoration projects to keep the kids going, finding all of the winter items- hats, mittens and scarves- just to send the kids out so one can keep on returning into the well heated home for "something". The Hot Cocoa- Real HOT COCOA made from scratch lightly heating on the stove with small miniature marshmallows letting those eager for tasting know when it will be ready. The smells of pine and cinnamon lingering through the house. All of the candles lit keeping the house just a little warmer and smelling wonderful. How about the sounds that come with children?
Gracie fell asleep after eating her baby food while we enjoyed our dinner.


All of the reminders of a house made into a home.

During this time it seems that my kitchen gets a good workout. It sometimes feels like once I get one mess cleaned up, another arises. But what is wonderful is the warm love that goes into everything that comes from that Kitchen.

So let it snow. As is snows our home is making memories and giving us a reason to be thankful and to remember all of the reasons for the season. It keeps us busy so that on Christmas day we can remember the reasons behind the faith, hope and love we have in our home every day.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

It's like a light clicked on...

Before today, Brianna was very skeptical about Gracie.  She did not want to do much with her, but she would sit next to her in the bouncy seat and bounce her for me.  Today was like a light came on- I was in the middle of putting together 6 Nut Rolls and I had flour everywhere.  Gracie was in her crib screaming for someone to come rescue her from her dwelling in the back bedroom where she was napping.  Brianna amazed me by going in and rescueing the 5 month old, walking out holding her and coming up to me and showing me her prize. 

She was very adament about changing her diaper; so I let her... All the while playing and talking with Gracie as she dealt with a wet diaper.

Later on, while I was holding Gracie, she decided that it was "her time" to hold her, and came up and started being "BREE"... making Gracie laugh and giggle like only she can.  Then to boot, she insisted that I was cutting into her holding time and therefore took the babe away from me after putting a blanket on the floor.  She held her, then put her down on the blanket and kept her busy enough to keep her from falling asleep or crying so I could finish dinner.

I am still in awe!

The Legend of the Candy Cane

Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a candy that symbolized the true meaning of Christmas- Jesus. 

The hard candy was shaped like a "J" to represent Jesus' name.  The color white stands for the pureness of Jesus.  The color red represents the blood Jesus shed for us.

Next time you see a candy cane, remember what it represents.  I will be so much more willing to let my kids graciously help themselves to a candy cane just as long as when I see them with one they understand the meaning behind it. 

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Situations that needs resolved.

I absolutely dispise people who think they are better than me and my family.  I cannot tolerate those who poison my family with their thoughts that they can be or do things better. 

In everything that lives, breathes, and exists there are flaws.  I have owned up to some of mine that I can see, as well as my children's flaws too.  We have been working on flaws and trying to get things cleaned up.

Even with my recent return to working on crochet, I find that I still have flaws in everything I do.  I am not perfect like god.  I tend to believe in the theory that the amish use; they purposely put flaws in their quilts, blanket, etc. that they make because only god is perfect. 

While I strive to raise good and worthy souls; I know there are problems, and that there will always be.

Recently I have been attempting to return back to god.  I have tried going back to a church.  I am so mixed up with churches I am not exactly sure my beliefs go hand in hand with others, or for that matter, the church's views.  I have went to church.  I have heard the word of god.  The messages I have heard fit into what I have been going through lately.  I feel like I am an outsider, though people- good friendly people have welcomed me with open arms. 

I was baptised as a Catholic, raised somewhat of a Baptist, and I am completely going crazy because I am not sure on how to be either.  The catholic church took a stand with something that involved my life and therefor I feel rather displaced.  I don't know how to get through it.  It is a feeling tugging on my heart strings.  I don't know who I can talk to about this situation.

I am estatic about my kids thriving for knowledge during their Wed. night church classes, but the more I see them learning the more I wish I would have (and want to at present) learned on my own.

Nothing is perfect except God.  We thrive to be like him.  I am not quite sure how to. 

I guess I am just second guessing myself. 

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect."
~ Oren Arnold


Find this and much more for Christmas including screen savers, recipes, activities, stories, poems, songs and much much more 


Monday, November 29, 2010

The Firefighter's Night Before Christmas

"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town,
The fire siren echoed blaring its sound.
The firefighters came running from far and from near,
And raced to the trucks quickly donning their gear.

And I in my bunkers, my boots and my hat,
Jumped to the engine to see where the fire's at.
Down at the corner of Fifth and Oak,
The dispatcher informed us of a house filled with smoke.

Smoke poured from the sides, from up and from down,
Yet up on the roof there was none to be found.
So up to the rooftop we raised up a ladder,
And climed to the top to see what was the matter.

I came to the chimney and what did I see,
But a fellow in red stuck past his knees.
Well we tugged and we pulled until he came out,
Then he winked with his eye and said with a shout.

"These darn newfangled chimneys they make them too small,
For a fellow as I, not skinny at all."
With a twitch of his nose he dashed to his sleigh.
and called to his reindeer, "AWAY now, AWAY."

As we rolled up our hoses he flew out of sight,
Saying "God bless our firefighters" and to all a good night.

***Author unknown, as this was given to me.***

Christmas Decorating... 2010

.... And the children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of making decorations and trimming the tree kept them up and talking while lil' Gracie jumped in her bouncy seat.

I am about ready to bust the gut from laughing. Really. SERIOUSLY.

The LOOOOOOOOONNNNG... (almost really TOO LONG, seeing as the kids don't go back to school until Tuesday) weekend over the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to take the holiday, trash the house and let me the kids have fun doing it.


Well, no that really wasn't the plan, though I think that's what ended up happening. We actually had a lot of fun.

Thanksgiving, Katie got to have a date with the Turkey, stuffing it before we put it to baking. She was all excited. The fun began when the Turkey actually cooked a little faster than what we had expected with it being our first time using an electric dutch oven. The bird was very delicious and very tender though I did not get the time to make the candied carrots as I thought I would have had time for. 
We went down to the Akron Children's Hospital tree festival after dinner to walk off all of that dressing we ate.

The 4 "NOT ME-s" with Santa.  This was Gracie's first photo with Santa!
Friday, we went "whopping" which in my terminology means going shopping without a really well planned out list of items we were in need of. We ended up at the good ole "HOBBY LOBBY" and while we were all having fun, me and the kids kind of went a little hay-wire in the craft idea department of our brains.

We ended up buying about $75.00 worth of material for what I thought were about 6 projects, but I think it actually ended up being about 12 after seeing everything else we could do with what we ended up taking home with us.

One of the projects we ended up doing first, I got the instructions offline to create.  They were "Christmas Spiders" with the legend behind the beginnings of Tinsel on the tree.  We ended up making 3-4 after dinner, then Brianna ended up making a whole lot more on Saturday while we pretty much all went different ways and ended up working on different crafts or watching TV or playing on the computer. I think it's been the first time in a long time that we actually just sat around the house, no cleaning involved, and just "vegitized" ourselves for a while.  Shoot, fireman actually spent some time in the garage doing his woodworking.
Our Christmas spiders... Ornaments with a meaning.

The fun part of working on these projects was sitting there and talking and kidding with the kids.  Brianna is so bright and bubbly, she is almost addictive.  Katelyn is sweet- though she tends to be very shy around me and not wanting to act up or be as crazy as Brianna is.  Gracie- she sat in her excersauser and entertained us as she has since found her voice and loves to do that high pitched squeal and babbling.  Steven watched his movies and played on the computer, actually turning in for bed early.

Another project we began was a "Christmas Paper Ornament".  We saw these at the Tree Festival and I looked up how to make them online.  They are still asking for paper to make more, they love them so much!
Brianna with one of her paper ornaments


I sat down Saturday and worked on a Swiffer dust mop that is actually pretty cool. I think I really need to figure out a new back that keeps it attached to the mop though because it ended up being pretty weird the way it ended up.  I was rushed also, so that won't help. 

We usually decorate the tree on Thanksgiving, but with all of the down-pouring rain we decided to wait instead of running all of the Christmas boxes from the barn into the house, so we ended up decorating the tree tonight. I actually got some neat ideas from the Tree Festival, so I made sure I got the items needed to re-create those for the tree... Some of the photos.....

For some reason I just get a real "country" feel when I have raffia involved in a project!






New garland; blue beads and silver beads and snowflakes...

I found some neat floral arrangement materials- wish they had more than just "RED"


The front of the tree near the star.  Notice we always have a bird on/in the tree.  This year we are hoping for better luck, so the kids decided it needed to be in the front and near the star!

These are "icicles" that the kids made last year for Christmas.  Brianna insists that they have to be "at the bottom of the tree- Where else would they form?"

I found wild and whispy floral decorations that I love to add to the tree -
One of the paper ball ornaments Brianna made

This was a joint effort... Garland that is made out of gum drops, strung onto thread and then we took Tulle and wrapped it around the drops along with tie-ing natural raffia every so often to keep it together better. Word of warning... when we attempted this I was not prepared for such sticky hands!  The good thing is that the gel helps the gumdrop settle into place on the string to keep it from moving as much.

 At least the tree is done.  An accomplishment, considering I knew what I wanted but dreaded doing it.  I absolutely despise pulling all of the limbs up and out to try to shape the tree.  Note to self: teach the kids to do it! 


Friday, November 12, 2010

Yes, It's been a while

Why? Life Happens. It just happens. Just when you think you are getting on your feet once again, where did they hide that metal ball bat? Oh it's where? Usually I find it and usually it's dealing with me or my life.

Why is it that when I actually get the nerve to type up something for my blog the baby is screaming (4 month shots today) or one of the kids did something to another kid, and then you just get to the point where you tell the kids to "duke it out" after you take them to a local cemetery to pick out their plot first. Natural Consequences, Right? I am not going to be on this Earth their entire life to break up fights and re-direct...

Now as far as this Metal Ball bat... it's imaginary.. We named it "Murphy" as in Murphy's Law.

Just when you least expect it Murphy comes into your home and wreaks havoc all over your family.

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong... At the worst possible moment.

GERD. Puking. A diaper that's been filled so much (without the help from the good old prunes) up to the point of the shoulders (and yes, a bath WAS required!).

A school up in arms with the community and vice versa over a levy. Pay to Play.

A hubby who was in a Semi Truck Accident (That's a totally different beast and will not need to say any more)

A house that gets cleaned, only for a gust of wind, a tornado and hurricane (yes I gave them the wrong names at birth) to come ripping into my house and destroy all of the "gusto of all glory" of cleaning jobs.

Life Happens.

How about that little itsy bitsy shot glass that is put on that serving tray with all of the 2500 glasses.. and they say that one shot glass can't break the balance.

How about everyone thinking you are mean and nasty and have nothing at all nice to say, when inside you want to scream "Honey you haven't heard the best part!!"

How about trying to balance life. Just TRYING to balance it..

Asking for help when you are usually the one someone calls for help... That's a touchy for me!

Ever have something said to you that you are not sure if you should take it one way or another?

Post Par-tum Depression... YUP totally here and dealing with that as well. Ever sit around and just think you just wanna ball over a crumb being on the floor after you just swept and scrubbed that said floor ON YOUR HANDS AND KNEES!

How about not signing your kid's homework assignment book because the assignments were not put inside and they EXPECT you to sign it anyways... HA HA! Try sending it back to school, not filled out and NOT signed, only to have the teacher write in the book that the assignments were online. Ha! Where is the natural consequence for not writing it in! How are they expected to learn! As in the book "Getting your children to mind without losing yours... "sometimes you gotta pull the rug out from under the little buzzards to make them fly" - Well, at least that's how I remember it going and I was doing pretty good to remember the verse much less the book.

Life Happens.

When Life happens. I go quiet. I sulk. I remember that when you feel sorry for yourself it makes you weak.

There are soooo many other problems in people's lives that are worse than my own.

I need to shake the dust off that has settled upon my back and get rid of the black rubber marks from all those tires running over me and fight back.

It's out. I don't really care if someone thinks I am bitching or not. HA. I don't need validation from anyone. These are real feelings. I feel them. If others don't approve... then hey don't read it.

I wanted to write a nice and pretty blog post for today... Guess it's just turned into a rant.

On another note; This is something Nora sent me that really hit home with things here. I hope it helps you as well.

Fable of the porcupine 
 
It was the coldest winter ever. -  Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together.  This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other. After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth. Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it, was the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.

Moral of the story:
Learn to love even those little pricks in your life.




Friday, October 8, 2010

13 weeks Yesterday- 3 months today!

Katelyn with Gracie playing with one of her toys. Gracie has learned how to touch the animals to get them to make sounds.
I live for these moments.  They are so very precious!  I thrive to see my children interact with one another.  Today- October 7, 2010 my littlest one is 3 months along.  She has come so far within such a small time period.  She has been trying to turn over from belly to back, rolling from side to side while on her belly, lifting her head and shoulders up, checking out her environment; she is so inquisitive about her home! Tonight we caught her attempting to get on her hands and knees and actually accomplished for a brief second. These are the moments that will never be again. 



It is almost like overnight I have went through "what do I do with this child to calm her down?" to being mystified as to how much she is doing and taking in.  It's like someone turned on a light.  She was so into checking out what was on the blanket design-wise to looking and playing with the toys.  She has already been scooting herself around on her blanket not really knowing or understanding how or why she did it, but now she seems to be doing it with purpose.

It feels like every day that Gracie does something new is like Christmas all over again!


Milestones. Markers. Etched in my mind and heart forever.

Monday, October 4, 2010

I now know how the indians felt when the settlers came over...

SERIOUSLY...

At first the Indians were probably excited to meet the new settlers... AT FIRST.. then when they were established into the area (house in my era) I find I know why they started beginning to despise them. SERIOUSLY!!!

My little settlers are led by the leader - a 12 week old that demands to have everything on her schedule! I mean she won't even smile if it's not on the schedule!

We have been working on "reprogramming" the settlers here in our "land"; They think they are smart. They think they can take the smallest task and turn it around on the Indians. WRONG.

They have been grounded to the "land" (AKA back yard, house) for some time period yet for Mama Indian to disclose. They have been informed that this time period could be 18,21, 35 - whatever age it takes for them to leave "said land". All three of the wanna be head Settlers have their own faults, and if I don't start taking control of the said faults then I the Chief, am going to lose said land just like the Indians lost it years ago when the settlers started taking over here in the America of long past.

So I have taken a break from cleaning up my "land" that these settlers take for granted and while sitting on the porch getting my thoughts together I have pretty much come up with this; there are too little Indians in this family and the settlers are over taken the land. This Mama and Daddy Indian needs to figure out how to keep up with all four little settlers that keep this household busy! We need the Indians to do like long ago- teach them how to survive on their own...

Chore lists are good, and partially working.. but it's up to Mama Indian to make sure they are done right! Yeah they were marked off... Yeah they half-assed attempted it... and yes I am guilty of accepting half-assed work.

I am not sure if I am getting my point across here, but I see it clearly in my head. The Indians LOST their LAND for the fact that the Settlers overcome them. I cannot let this happen here!!!!

Now for some NOT ME moments....


Mckmama- Not Me Monday



Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I have not felt guilty for not keeping up on my blog...

I did not walk out of the back door last night after looking around the living room an hour after I asked the kids to clean it up and say... "sure, that's okay.  I don't have to do what mom asks, she will do it for me" all the while Fireman was holding the baby and hear his comment of "oh now don't I feel small?"

I am NOT going to get a box and pick up all of the kids items they were supposed to pick up last night and I am NOT going to store them in an unknown to them location until they can start doing what is asked of them...

I did not laugh when Katie started to change a diaper only to open it and find that sweet pea poohed...

and I DID NOT help her out when I stopped laughing.

I did not get to spend some time with each child as they baked two huge cookies and frosted them yesterday on the day of all days "homemade cookie day" (Thanks Jackie for that info!!!)

I am not sitting here drinking a coke and red bull mixture trying to get out of the madness of being left to clean up after my settlers in the mess they have left.

I did not cook a huge breakfast yesterday, then had leftover chili and homemade bread for dinner, while 2 of the settlers did not like chili and I essentially ended up cooking 3 dinners (1 was at least re-heated!)

I am not trying to figure out how anyone is supposed to rest while the baby is sleeping AND keep a clean house...

I am not also curious if these doctors who say you can never spoil a baby have children of their own? And by chance does anyone know what they specify as being spoiled?



I did not laugh to myself when my daughter got angry at me when I told her I would not let her off grounding until I see the 'tude changed for 2 weeks straight then shut and locked me out of the back door to the house...

Oh I can just imagine that I can come up with soooo many more of these not me's... However I will leave this up to your imagination with the above not me posting and the Indians Vs. Settler's rendition of my household!

I pray everything is well in your village...

Until next posting!!



Thursday, September 16, 2010

What is a fireman?

He's the guy next door, a mans man with the memory of a little boy.
He's never gotten over the excitement of the engines and sirens and danger.
He's the guy like you and me with warts and worries and unfilled dreams.
Yet he stands taller than most of us.
He's a fireman.

He put's it on the line when the bell rings.
A fireman at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men.
He's a man who saves lives, because he's seen too much death.
He's a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.
He's responsive to a child's laughter, because his arms held
too many small bodies that will never laugh again.

He's a simple man who enjoys the simple pleasure's in life
hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers
a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling.
The camaraderie of brave men and the divine peace and selfless service,
of a job well done.

He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities.
When he marches its to honor a fallen comrade.
He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man
He lives it.


-Author Unknown

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Gracie loves this bouncer!



We were given a bouncer seat that we have tried and tried to get Gracie to sit in, however she hated it and would fuss any time we put her in it.  I ran across this bouncer, made in 2001 by Summer Infant, Incorporate Model Number #01210.  After purchasing for $5.00 at a yard sale, I brought it home and even though it looked clean I wrote down the number off the back, took all of the cloth washable parts off, washed and dried them (yes it was very easy to take apart and put back together!), researched the item online, and found 4 c size and 3 AA size batteries for the actual bounce and the REMOTE that came with it.  The functions on the mechanical part of this product - it actually BOUNCES and VIBRATES!!  It also comes with a control built in to enhance the amount it bounces or vibrates and sounds of music, heart beat and also birds/outside.  You can control what sounds you would like to hear, if you want to hear them at all. It also has a switch to use with the remote.


The remote is a triangle with  a button for sounds, bounce, vibrate and stop.  In the photo below after I took the picture I noticed how dirty it was and it washed off very easily.  It has a little "eye" at the top that you need to aim at the base (shown above) to change modes.  I have actually used this to change modes when Gracie starts fussing, just to get her attention.  I have also used the sounds button. The stop button was nice when I noticed that Gracie was leaning a little towards one of the sides so I could re-adjust her in the seat.  There is also a small piece of fabric on the side to store the remote.

The actual back to the seat adjusts to lay pretty close to all the way down, slightly elevated, and elevated.  It also has a half circle with a butterfly teether, a bumble bee that when you pull the cord it vibrates back up, and also a snail with baby safe mirrors on each side so that the baby can see themselves.  There is also a pillow that has velcro on the hanger portion of the fabric so that you can adjust where the pillow sets so it is nice for newborn and up.  I love the sun bonnet on top because we get really direct sun into our living room windows in the afternoon and I can pull the bonnet down and keep the sun out of Gracie's eyes. 

Some of the disadvantages I have found; 
**It is difficult to store as it cannot be collapsed for storage
**The sun bonnet is attached to the seat fabric and makes laundering a bit difficult
**You have to make sure it is turned off when you want it off because the buttons are hard to tell if you have it actually turned off.

Even though this bouncer is 9 years old, it is still going strong.  While researching I have noticed that they have still kept selling bouncers really close to this and they now call it Mother's Touch II Remote Control Bouncer. 

For more information on all of the many products that they carry, please visit their website at http://www.summerinfant.com/index.htm.

All in all I am very happy I found this product.  It has helped me get things done around the house instead of trying to balance holding a new baby and trying to attempt dinner, dishes, etc.

I added some of Gracie's toys to the mix on the bar.  She was intrigued!


Where were you?

Disbelief.
Questions.
Sadness which turned to horror.
Scared.
Oblivious.



I remember where I was... and I remember after the third plane turned back around it was actually flying a path back towards Washington pretty darn close to over my home. Brutally, Americans were struck and they never saw it coming.

I don't know the statistics of how many people passed. I know that there were one too many. All of the employees who were in those buildings working; the firemen, policemen, even all of those families who were watching and praying that their loved ones were still alive.

All of those stories that have been told. Some of those stories share the horror of the days and weeks to come. Some told of that day. The phone calls from loved ones before they passed. Those who were taking a day off from working or showing up late to work by what seems to be the act of a blessing.

I will never forget waking up to the unrealistic reality of what happened that day. If only for a few moments... the world did stop turning, even if it were only for me.

Please keep those individuals and families involved with this demise in your hearts, thoughts and prayers.

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

"WE SHALL NEVER FORGET"
Click here for the documentary 

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

wordless wednesday 9 weeks (2 months)




Monday, August 30, 2010

The best thing to brighten your day...

Is to be able to look at your child and see her smile for no reason!


Wednesday, August 25, 2010

7 weeks - Wordless Wednesday