This Beautiful Life

Catching up

2011-11-24T23:33:00.000-09:00

Month of Thanks:

Day 20: I am thankful for Jesus and his sacrifice which has set me free.

Day 21: I am thankful for new ideas and plans for DH and I.

Day 22: I am thankful for new clothes. I know I am spoiled living in the US and being able to have so much.

Day 23: I am thankful for Christmas music. It just brightens my spirit.

Day 24: I am thankful for wonderful extended family who are also friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

My sweet baby is also 6 months old today. He's sitting up, crawling, trying to pull himself up partially, starting to eat solids, trying to drink from a regular cup, not taking long naps yet and waking 1-3 times at night. He has no teeth, but drools like crazy and chews on everything(his feet are one of his favorite things). He is a sweet, happy baby who loves his siblings and Mom and Dad.

Christmas Cards

2011-11-19T22:08:00.000-09:00

Yes, I realize it is still November...

And searching this early is unusual for me...

But, I'm trying to follow Simple Mom's Plan to a Peaceful Christmas...

Week 3 is Ordering and Organizing your Christmas cards...

So I'm on the hunt for the perfect card...

And then the perfect pictures...

Only to realize that we have NO recent family photos...

How sad is that?

So now it's time to make sure that a family picture happens...

Before Christmas.

Month of Thanks:

Day 18: I'm thankful that the wind has stopped and it's sunny skies!

Day 19: I'm thankful for a wonderful church to be a part of

Routine/Rhythm

2011-11-18T05:00:00.000-09:00

How does one stick to a routine/rhythm on the weekends(or for us my DH's weekends)? How does one stick to a routine/rhythm in general?

I know that it would be beneficial for me and my children to get into a nice routine/rhythm for our days, but it's so hard. I am not naturally routine oriented and so it's a struggle to get into the habit of one. As far as meals go, I'm doing pretty good...those are generally served at the same time(though dinner can vary if I get started on it late or if the baby is extra needy that day). Otherwise, there is no truly consistent routine/rhythm to our day.

I'm noticing that the baby is needing one though...I really would like him to start taking longer naps so that I can have time to get some schoolwork done with the princess. Right now I'm doing great if I can get a 45 minute stretch from him.

I should also be getting to bed earlier...I just have such a hard time giving up the peace and quiet that happens at night. It's not quite the same for me in the morning, not to mention I'm more of a night owl than an early bird. I can get up earlier, before the kids, but then I have to tiptoe around, praying that I don't wake them(their bedroom is on the same floor as the kitchen and living room).

I also know that I need to spend less time online and more time with my kids. It's so easy for me to lose track of time when I'm on the internet. It's definitely something I need to curb.

Currently I'm reading Amy Lynn Andrews book Tell Your Time. I'm hoping that this will help me get into a daily routine so that I'm heading towards my goals.

What does your routine look like? Any tips for helping me get into a routine/rhythm? Do you start with one thing at a time or do you jump into a schedule?

(I have a really hard time remembering how to spell rhythm.)

Month of Thanks:

Day 15: I'm thankful for our home...that it's a warm shelter from the high winds and cold temps and that it's ours.

Day 16: I'm thankful for my families health.

Day 17: I'm thankful that I won a $500 gift card! I can't believe it!

Questions

2011-11-14T15:01:00.001-09:00

"We must be willing to confront and experience the discomfort that accompanies internal change. Only then will we be able to live freely." Amy Lynn Andrews in Tell Your Time.

This is where I am at...am I willing to do what it takes to go through change? I know where I want to be, but do I want it enough to make it happen? If I am, what needs to happen and change in my life so that my dreams become realities?

How about you? Are you ready to step out and making the necessary changes to move you to your goals?

Month of Thanks:
Day 11: I'm thankful for my Dad and Grandpa and all the other veteran's...for protecting our freedom!

Day 12: I'm thankful for farm fresh eggs and fresh raw milk.

Day 13: I'm thankful for my Mom. She is a wonderful Mimi to my kids and is so generous and loving. I wish I lived closer to her!

Day 14: I'm thankful for such wonderful in-laws who love my kids and me so well!

Thankful...

2011-11-10T15:23:00.000-09:00

Month of Thanks- Day 10: I'm thankful for the gorgeous snow falling outside. It's incredibly peaceful and beautiful.

Great recipe website

2011-11-09T11:36:00.000-09:00

Make sure to check out Eat Nourishing. A new recipe website for real food eaters. I can't wait to check out more recipes!

Bonus: They are giving away a $200 gift certificate to US Wellness Meats.

Month of Thanks:
Day 8: I'm thankful for a relaxing weekend with my husband and kids.

Day 9: I'm thankful for an on the move baby...as much as I'd like him to stay small forever it's fun seeing him on the move.

On the move

2011-11-07T21:47:00.000-09:00

Lookout world, my baby is on the move.

As exciting as it is, it also makes me sad. He's only 5 1/2 months and he's my last baby.
I'm not ready for him to be so independent.

Though I love that he's a healthy, happy boy who is intent on keeping up with his siblings and curious about the world around him.

A month of Thanks:
Day 7- I'm thankful for my cutey pie 2nd son. He is so funny, sweet and cute. I love that he comes up to me out of the blue with a hug and an "I wuv you doe mush."

White Bean, Sausage and Spinach Soup

2011-11-06T14:48:00.001-09:00

This winter one of my goals is to try more soups. They are typically pretty easy to make and taste great on a cold, snowy(more likely windy) day. My fall back soup has always been chicken soup...that was about it in my soup repertoire. We needed to try something different. My sister-in-law mentioned a White Bean, Sausage and Spinach Soup and I knew we needed to try it.

The original recipe comes from here. I made a few modifications and cooked it in my crockpot. It was a hit! (I made a double batch so we would have leftovers, this recipe is a single batch.)

My modifications were:
1. Using my homemade moose and pork sausage
2. Using dry Great Northern beans(I couldn't find Cannellini beans), which I soaked overnight
3. Using homemade chicken broth
4. Adding more seasonings
5. Using swiss chard instead of spinach

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 pound homemade moose and pork sausage crumbled

1 onion (chopped)

6 cloves garlic (chopped)

1 dash ground red pepper (optional)

4 cups homemade chicken stock

3 cups Great Northern beans (I used dry beans that had been soaked overnight)

3 teaspoon oregano

1 bay leaf

1 bunch swiss chard (chopped)

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Add the sausage to pan and cook until no longer pink.

2. Add the onion and saute until tender.

3. Add the garlic and red chili pepper and saute for another minute.

4. Add the sausage mixture, stock, beans, oregano, and bay leaf to crockpot.

5. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4.

6. About 30 minutes(or less) prior to serving add the swiss chard.

7. When swiss chard is soft, soup is done.

I served our soup along with a grain free biscuit for dipping. It was delicious!

Month of Thanks:
Day 4: I'm thankful for my smart, assertive, beautiful daughter. I'm so thankful that she made me a Mom.

Day 5: I'm thankful for my sweet, sensitive, fun loving all boy 1st son.

Day 6: I'm thankful for the snow that blankets the ground and mountains. It is so peaceful.

An update on us

2011-11-04T15:38:00.000-08:00

A small update on us since there has been so little consistent blogging...
First of all we added another sweet boy to our family. Baby B was born in May...2 days after his due date, the longest I was ever pregnant and also my biggest baby at 8lbs, 12oz. He is such a sweet, happy boy and we are all in love with him.

Here he is on his day of birth

Here he is now at 5 1/2 months:

Not much has changed really...we are getting more and more settled into our house. I just need to figure out how to decorate now. We had a great summer and winter has come to quickly. The princess is now in 1st grade, still homeschooling. She often finds it hard to concentrate with her 3 brothers playing while she is working, but she is doing well. The pilot is doing well...loving legos and all things boy. He is a fun kid. Guy smiley is happy and funny as ever. Ever the entertainer at dinner and sweet as can be. That's about it for now. More will be forthcoming as I see if I can fit blogging into my life.

Month of Thanks:

Today I'm thankful for my sweet baby boy...even when I have to rock him to sleep 3 separate times for bedtime. I'm trying to make sure I savor every moment as we're pretty sure he's our last.

Giving thanks...

2011-11-03T12:49:00.001-08:00

I'm wanting to learn to be more thankful for what I have so I would like to blog throughout the month what I'm thankful for. I'm a little late in starting, but better late than never.

Today I'm thankful for my DH...we've been married for 10 years today! It's been a journey and it's getting better every year. I'm looking forward to the next 10 and the adventures we have in store.

Day 1- I'm thankful my house...we just bought our first house in February and it's slowly becoming ours.

Day 2- I'm thankful for the beauty that surrounds us here in Alaska. It's breathtaking.

My Bucket List

2011-10-21T12:51:00.001-08:00

This is my entry in the Just Ask Bucket List Getaway Giveaway. Just Ask offers a breast and ovarian cancer screening and is encouraging people to share 15 things that I want to enjoy in my lifetime as a reminder to be aware of my health. Want to enter? Head over to TodaysMama.com to get the details.

So here it is...20 items on my bucket/life list:

1. Take my kids to the small town in Austria where DH and I met.

2. Take a 2nd honeymoon with my DH to the Cook Islands.

3. Take my family to Disney World, especially my daughter so she can meet the Disney princesses.

4. Lose my sugar addiction.

5. Race in a Tough Mudder.

6. Own laying hens so we can have eggs!

7. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.

8. Hike Cinqueterra.

9. Visit our missionary friends in the Philippines, Zambia and Northern Ireland with my kids.

10. Float the Kenai River.

11. Take an around the world trip with my family.

12. For my DH and/or I to work from home, therefore allowing DH to be home with us.

13. Visit Paraguay with my Mother-in-law and the rest of the in-law's.

14. Visit Japan with my Mom.

15. Learn Spanish fluently.

16. Take a Mom/Daughter trip to Paris.

17. Swim with dolphins.

18. Learn to use my sewing machine well.

19. Go hunting with my DH.

20. Wrap my grandbabies in the wraps I wear/wore my children in.

Project Simplify: Week 4

2011-04-02T22:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm finally joining in with Project Simplify over at Simple Mom...I've been meaning to be a part of it from the beginning...

However, the first weeks hot spot had been done the month before when we moved, so I escaped it...my closet has stayed well organized since moving in(mostly in part to being in maternity clothes, of which I have very few). The second hot spot, however was one I should've done and did work on some, just not enough to participate fully. I was amazed at how quickly we had accumulated paper in the short 2 months of being in our new home. I'm still working my way through some of it...I just need to find a home for some items still(ones that can't be thrown out). Hot spot 3 was kid's clothes and toys...we had just done this one as well when we moved 2 months ago, though I again went through their clothes and purged what wasn't worn or was too small all ready. And dh just finished some shelves in our toy area so when we put away more toys, puzzles and art supplies(some that had still been in boxes since our move in January) we did purge more, but that was just this week.

But my kitchen...oh...

Yes, we just moved in 2 months ago, but after having used my kitchen for that time frame I realized that it just wasn't working like I wanted it too. It was time for a rearrange(all ready!). I have been thinking for about 2 weeks or so now that I need to move things around to make better use of the space, since it's so much more than we had in our previous apartment, but yet still felt small. So last night I went to town rearranging (and seeing other kitchens on Simple Mom motivated me and gave me ideas of how to better organize). So here are the before and afters...

This:

Turned to this: (Please ignore the pile of chocolate chips thrown in after my shopping trip today):

I have a lot more room in here and I'm not sure what I'll do with it(things just seem to get lost in the abyss of the corner cabinet.)

This:

became this: (yes, crowded, but much better use of the space and now I have all my baking ingredients and tea by the stove and my mixer.)(Sorry for the crooked picture.)

This:

is now this: (again, easier for us to use since we don't have much in the way of snack foods)

This:(which I hated...since I have so many types of flours)

now stores pots and pans(some are in the sink, dirty)...so much more functional, especially since this is closer to our stove

than this cabinet...which is now housing most of what was in the corner cabinet, with room to see it all and for more when needed)

Now off to work on my refrigerator(and spice cabinet), which is in desperate need of wiping out all ready. How do they get so gross so quickly?!

Multitude Monday

2011-03-21T23:27:00.001-08:00

Starting fresh...and on Mondays.

I'm thankful for...(161-170)
-the hiccups, punches, kicks and general movement coming from this little guy in my womb
-warmer weather...who knew I would be so happy for 30 to 40 degree weather
-our new house with so much more space
-everyone being healthy over the winter
-my soon coming Bosch Universal Mixer
-figuring out a rhythm that works for our family
-our fresh snowfall this past week...the most snow we've had all winter in one day
-a quiet house in the evening
-abundance
-new couches

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An update

2011-03-20T22:10:00.000-08:00

So as one can see easily, I have NOT kept up with my blog whatsoever.

My reasons for not keeping up or even posting at least once a week:
- My computer tower went on the fritz...I could not post anything from any internet program or else they would just shut down. And I'm not a big fan of typing on my phone. (I finally replaced my tower in the last 3 weeks).
- We moved...yes it was only about 5 minutes down the street but it still required packing up everything and then unpacking it(which is still happening...just down to the last few boxes)
- This pregnancy is making me very tired...you'd think my brain would still work but even that seems to have slowed this time around

Those are my main reasons or excuses...that said...I didn't want it enough either...I just didn't want to take the time or mental capacity to work at it. So...I think I just am going to start small with a smattering of posts...I definitely want to keep up with Thankful Thursdays...though I might move it to Mondays which is when the link up takes place. I might start writing out my thoughts on our homeschooling journey this year or on how I feel about adding a 4th baby to the mix or about how much I just want to keep my home in order. We shall see...

Thankful Thursday

2011-01-20T10:18:00.000-09:00

I'm thankful for(151-160)

-the beautiful white flakes falling from the sky
-a new house...that we will hopefully be moving into next week
-the peace of a quiet morning
-the many (and usually fun or insightful) questions from my kids
-my helpful kids
-wonderful friends
-that my dh has a stable and good job
-new slippers(yes my feet are always cold)
-that it's warm enough for the kids to play outside
-being able to purge while packing

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Food for Thought on "Unschooling" or Freedom in Learning

2011-01-18T04:00:00.003-09:00

Wow, were these 4 articles/blogposts ever interesting...

Children Educate Themselves I: Outline of Some of the Evidence

Children Educate Themselves II: We All Know That’s True for Little Kids

Children Educate Themselves III: The Wisdom of Hunter-Gatherers

Children Educate Themselves IV: Lessons from Sudbury Valley

Fun with soap and water

2011-01-16T21:50:00.001-09:00

We've been home a lot this past week, first because of high winds(constant blowing 40mph with gusts up to 75mph) and then due to the extreme cold setting in...so today we brought out some water with soap and sugar and tried our hand at making our own bubble solution. The kids had a blast(we waited until guy smiley was napping to do this)...here are some pictures from our fun:

Weekend Links

2011-01-15T04:00:00.000-09:00

A few different things I've been reading this week...lots on homeschooling as we get back into the swing of it after a long break at the end of last year...

Enjoying the series "A Day in the Life" at Simple Homeschool.

Another, oh yay, I'm not alone in my relaxed homeschooling blogpost.

Found this new blog on Leadership Education and how it looks for one family. Am loving looking around and reading about all they do and have done.

Enjoying this blog as well and the funschooling that goes on at her house...and I can see us in it in some ways...especially with boy #3 on the way soon.

Raising Homemakers- a new way of looking at correction...I wonder if it will help my 6 year old stop whining and whimpering when getting her hair brushed?

A Day in the Life with a 6, 4, and almost 2 year old

2011-01-14T17:28:00.000-09:00

Today I'm linking up to Simple Homeschool talking about a typical day for us as far as homeschooling goes...I'm a bit late doing this as I've been having issues with my computer and Firefox...so I'm using dh's computer.

We are new to homeschooling this year as the princess just started Kindergarten, but really they've been being "homeschooled" since they've been born. The princess did go to preschool last year but we decided not to put the pilot in preschool...instead he can learn with us at home.

We are also still trying to figure out what a typical homeschool day will look like. We've had lots of breaks this year as from the end of September through the beginning of November I was out of commission with morning...well all day...sickness...due to baby #4 and then in December I was gone for 10 days plus the craziness of the holidays and 2 birthdays so we took a break then too.

As far as January goes, I'm feeling better now that I'm past the halfway point in this pregnancy and am feeling like we can finally find some balance and routine with our day(which will go out of whack again I'm sure in 2 weeks when we move...fortunately we are only moving about 5 miles away).

So here is what we try to do(4 days a week...the days Dh is working usually, which are not all weekdays), though we are pretty relaxed:

The older two kids are usually awake between 7:45 and 8:30 and they will play by themselves until I force myself out of bed about 9ish or whenever guy smiley wakes up. After I'm up I will make breakfast for everyone and enjoy a cup of hot tea. After breakfast I try to do something around the house...either a load of laundry or unloading the dishwasher and then we start with schoolwork.

The princess is working through Explode the Code Book 1(we just started after not enjoying the program we were using...she seems to like this one much better), Saxon Math 1(which she loves...she just loves Math), and Handwriting Without Tears...these are our three main subjects we try to make sure we do at least 4 days a week. I am still trying to figure out how to work in History and Science...but we'll get there eventually. The princess is only in Kindergarten.

During our morning we usually take a break for snacks and the princess can play a little. The boys will play pretty well for most of the morning, sometimes in their room, sometimes wanting to color at the table with the princess and I.

About 12:30 we have lunch and afterwards the kids play while I either work on some chores or knit until quiet/nap time. Guy smiley goes down for a nap about 1:30 or 2 and the older two have quiet time where they either read, draw or watch a movie. Sometimes we'll run errands and I'm hoping to get back into a library day once a week. Also the princess has art lessons once a week as well.

After quiet/nap time is more playing until about 5. Then we pick up the main rooms and make sure the house is looking neat before Dh gets home. I also start on dinner...which we try to eat at 6:30 but that doesn't always happen.

After dinner is more playing(usually rough housing with Dh) and then jammies, teeth brushing, prayers and bedtime about 7:30 for guy smiley and 8/8:30 for the older two. On work nights Dh goes to bed pretty much with the older kids and on non work nights we hang out for a while.

Now if only I could stop my nightowl habits and get in bed before midnight...I enjoy my quiet nights usually with a cup of tea and reading or knitting.

Thankful Thursday(a day late)

2011-01-14T17:04:00.000-09:00

Firefox and my computer aren't getting along lately so I'm having to use dh's computer and I'm finally finding time to use it today...
so here is my Thankful Thursday post that should've gone up yesterday.

(141-150)
My sweet and curious guy smiley.
Guy smiley's cute voice while learning new words.
A warm house(at least I'm not experiencing the crazy wind outside firsthand)
Happy kids
Helpful kids
Ultrasound pictures
Under bed forts
Makeshift beds on the floor
Quiet time
Making toy pick up into a game

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Continuing/Renewing Thankful Thursdays

2011-01-06T22:50:00.000-09:00

I'm so thankful for (131-140)

-a new little boy joining us soon
-warmer weather
-a wonderful Christmas with family
-a great vacation even if it was quick
-chips and salsa
-a soon to be new home
-friendship
-a beautiful sunset tonight
-the way guy smiley says Happy Birthday
-the sweet thoughts of the princess when I tell her it's my birthday and she says "I haven't made you a card."

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Starting anew

2011-01-05T23:41:00.001-09:00

Starting fresh with blogging this year and hoping my computer will cooperate with me so I don't have to continue posting from my phone.

I'm wanting to get back to the simple things in life...get back to appreciating my kids and my Dh, get back into our homeschooling(after a morning sickness break and then the holidays), make sure I take care of myself, my kids, the house.

We have a few changes coming in the next few months. The first being a move which I'm dreading and looking forward too. It's not a far move fortunately and we will finally be homeowners which is exciting. But packing and unpacking is always painful yet so good for purging and cleaning.

Our next big change won't be until May when a new little boy will join our growing family. I'll be very grateful to be in our own place when he joins us.

There will be more posting and hopefully not in 3 months from now like this post.

Realistic expectations...and goals

2010-10-15T21:58:00.000-08:00

So I've had to lower my sites for now...to more realistic expectations...this is due to the fact that I'm now growing a baby and I have had some of my worst morning(all day) sickness to date. So for the next few months I have lowered my goals...here is what I'm hoping to accomplish:

I would like to have just a few things that I need to do daily and then I need to do at least one extra chore everyday.

Daily:
Dishes
Pick up the living room/vacuum as needed
Feed kids
Make dinner

Extra items to add in daily:
Wash laundry
Fold laundry
Put away laundry
Vacuum downstairs
Clean bathrooms
Vacuum entryway
Clean kids room

Today I felt a bit better and was able to clean out my fridge, fold laundry and get it mostly put away.

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Brothers

2010-10-02T16:14:00.000-08:00

Love this:

18 months

2010-09-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

Guy Smiley just passed the 18 month mark. He's getting so big...it's making sad. I'm not ready for him to be growing up so quickly.
He is just a sweet, happy boy. He loves to snuggle and hug and laugh and play.
His current vocabulary is expanding rapidly. Some of his words are are all none(all done), bye, yook(look), piple(people), airp(airplane), wha(dog), meme(Mimi), and ah uts(ah nuts!). He can also sign for more, please, thank you and drink. He also tries to run most places...the fun, jilting run of a toddler(I LOVE it).
He loves his Daddy and as soon as he hears him coming will run to the window and yell "Dada!" over and over and once Daddy is out of his car he runs to the door to greet him saying "Hi Dada!" It's SO cute and sweet.
He is quite tall but still has wonderful knee chub.
He loves his brother and sister and plays well with them for the most part.
He has a total of 16 teeth with his canine teeth having just broken through. I am so glad for a small reprieve before his 2 year molars.
He is our best eater ever...he can seriously pack the food in. It's great!
He's very adventurous and brave. He just takes off on his own with no fear...we have to keep an eye on him.
While he's incredibly snuggly, he's also very independent...he won't let you feed him and does NOT want to hold your hand.

He has just been such a joy and I'm loving it!

Thankful Thursdays

2010-09-23T14:21:00.001-08:00

#121-130

the sweetness of guy smiley when he grabs a stuffed animal to snuggl
watching guy smiley relax and enjoy being at the pool
moose meat!
a gorgeous and sunny fall
my kids' singing
the amazing group of women I get to be a part of
a wonderful church
the pilot's sweet voice telling stories
having only a small space to keep clean
joy in the Lord

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Busy

2010-09-21T23:18:00.002-08:00

Life has been a bit busy this past week...and therefore I've forgotten completely about blogging.

The kids just started their swimming lessons this week which keeps us busy two mornings a week.

Then the a group I help lead at church just started back up again and it was AMAZING! We had over 50 women at our first meeting and are praying for more! I'm so blessed to be a part of such an awesome group.

Then I had a training at church this past weekend. It was incredible. And I was so blessed to be able to go and so thankful that my church offered childcare so that I could go. But it was tiring, spiritually and emotionally, and a very long Saturday for my kids as they weren't home ALL day.

Then church and popcorn night at Oma and Opa's house(dh's grandparents). Popcorn is a biweekly occurrence and is such fun.

Monday was a Costco run...which tires me out every time. It's crazy how tiring a trip to Costco can be...and yes I did have the kids but even without them it still wears me out. I also bought my first sewing machine! (A wonderful gift from my Mom.) I'm looking forward to learning how to use it.

Along with that dh worked Saturday then left that same evening for a moose hunt...which he got home from late Monday night. But we got a moose and spent today butchering. But it's pretty amazing to think that dh left Saturday evening, he and his friend had a moose down by noon on Sunday, had all the meat hiked out by Monday afternoon(and even had fun glacier biking), drove home and then all the meat was in the freezer before 10 pm Tuesday evening. That's pretty amazing...and my poor dh is exhausted and goes back to work tomorrow.

So needless to say it's been busy around our house...tomorrow we don't have anything planned and I'm very much looking forward to that. Though we do need to do some schoolwork...and clean some. But I'm not required to leave my house and that is great news.

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Just want you to know

2010-09-18T22:07:00.000-08:00

That whether you know Him or not....

God loves you! GOD loves you! God LOVES you! God loves YOU! GOD LOVES YOU!

Thankful Thursdays

2010-09-16T21:59:00.000-08:00

#111-120

-sunshine

-sunshine

-did I mention sunshine. (We have a had a horrible summer with lots of rain and clouds so fall has been a wonderful change).

-my incredible dh

-the amazing smells of fall

-how well homeschooling is going

-fun as a family in the great outdoors, fishing and hiking

-seeing how much fun my kids are having at swimming lessons (and ballet for the princess)

-the sound of dh and the kids talking/bonding before bed

-A strong body

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Cotton Babies

2010-09-10T08:11:00.001-08:00

We love our organic One-Size Bumgenius Cloth Diapers!

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PE

2010-09-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

Aka...Hiking the Butte with friends.

Friday was an absolutely gorgeous day here in Alaska. And when it's sunny and warm(warm being 65* and up) we have to get out and enjoy it.

Especially after a very wet and cloudy summer...we even broke a record this summer. Most days in a row of measurable rain...the old record was 27 days...it's now 31 days. Yes, we haven't had much sun and now fall is here.

Back to the subject at hand. I love our hike counts as PE for my daughter...but I really love that we were out enjoying God's creation and the amazingness of this area we live in.

Here are some fun pictures we have of the hike.

On the way up...

Looking for grasshoppers with his cousins

Found one!

Jumping! That's a glacier in the background.

We made it!

My SIL and DH's cousin...and of course guy smiley.

My family minus DH plus SIL

Back at the bottom...puddles + kids = FUN

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Thankful Thursdays

2010-09-09T13:14:00.003-08:00

I'm starting these back up because I'm realizing how much I need to work on being thankful.
1 Thessalonians 5.18 says

...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

So I'm continuing on with my list...still quite far from my goal of 1000 gratitudes.

I am thankful for...

101. The pilot and his great imagination while giving a puppet show with his hands.
102. Guy smiley's great laugh
103. The joy I get from my children playing together.
104. A very hard working dh.
105. The beautiful fall colors
106. The joy in teaching my daughter at home
107. Amazing friends
108. An amazing church body
109. The fun had while Mimi(my Mom) and Papaw(my grandpa) visited
110. How my mom lovingly spoils me and my kids when she is visiting.

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Getting to bed...

2010-09-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else have a hard time going to bed early? Or am I the only one?

I don't know what happens after the kids go to bed, but all of a sudden I'm free...and off duty(well, about as off duty as it gets being a Mom). I love being up and enjoying the peace and quiet and being able to do what I want without fear of interruption or without the knowledge that a child could awaken at any moment. It's "me" time and I don't want it to end so I stay up. (I should add that dh typically goes to bed by 9pm 4 days a week because of his job and then the other 3 days he's up with me.)

I guess I should clarify that early for me would be getting to bed before 11pm. My goal is start going to bed by 10:30pm at the latest, but I have yet to figure out how to motivate myself to get in bed by then. Any ideas for me?

Baked Salmon

2010-09-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

Here's a great recipe for baked salmon(wild Alaskan salmon of course), but I bet it would be great on halibut or really any type of fish. This is courtesy of my mother-in-law...she's the one who gave me the recipe.

I typically use 1-2 medium sized fillets with skin still on.
1/2-1 onion thinly sliced
Mix:
Equal parts of sour cream and mayonnaise(it will depend on how much you need to cover your fillets)
A little bit of lemon juice...like a tsp or 2
A little bit of apple cider vinegar...again like a tsp or 2
Mustard- 1 tsp
salt, pepper, garlic powder/granules, onion powder to taste

Lay fillet skin side down in pan. Salt and pepper fillets. Lay slices of onion on fillets. Pour mixture over the fillets. Bake for 30 minutes at 400*.

Enjoy!

Update...

2010-09-07T04:34:00.000-08:00

Can I do it?? Obviously not yet.

Haha. I'm laughing to myself while reading my post from August 3rd. I obviously have not blogged in a month...how's that for consistency in blogging?

I'm going to restart that challenge again. I'm learning that failure is not the end. I can try again.

So far I'm doing well this month(for me...my goal is 2-3 posts a week, if more great!)...it helps to sit down and write when the urge hits...as long as it's not while doing school with my daughter. So in those instances I've been writing down any ideas that have come to me.

As to the morning challenge...it was on and off for the month of August...I would have to say it was half and half. If I did get upbefore my kids, it typically ended up being only 15 minutes before guy smiley was up. He's my early riser...while the other two will sleep in. I'm hoping when our new blinds come this will help him sleep a bit longer since his room will be darker.

This challenge will continue on as well. I'm really finding I need it for my sanity and my stability during the day. I find I am a much better mom, teacher, housekeeper, cook and wife when I get up and take some time, even 5-10 minutes for myself. I am able to read my Bible some and pray before the day and what it will bring starts. And I know it will be especially important as we have started school now.

So there it is...an update and new start...

Menu Planning

2010-09-06T04:00:00.001-08:00

I've finally found what works for me!

Menu planning has always been such a chore. I knew it would help me. It would help me not flip out, complain about, or whine at 5:00pm wondering what on earth I was going to do for dinner. I knew it would help to save money on groceries. And I knew it would help cut back even more on eating out. But nine times out of ten I couldn't get myself to do it. I would even be prepared having my list of foods we like to eat and a calendar out and ready. Still...I just couldn't do it.

Why you ask? I have now discovered that I'm afraid of the blank calendar. I do not do well trying to figure out what to have on what day without repeating too often or having chicken 4 days in a row or feeling like we are eating the same thing all the time(even though sometimes we do).

So what works you may be asking. A list. A plain and simple list. I just list what we'll have for dinner in the coming week...doesn't matter what day we eat what just so long as I pick one. I cannot explain why this is less stressful for me, but it is so I'm going with it. I took it a step further and made lists of what we like to eat for breakfast and lunch as well and picked 3 or 4 of those things this week to make sure I had on hand for those meals.

Here is what I have listed for this week:

Dinner listed in no particular order:
BLT's and cucumber/carrot sticks
Whole lemon chicken roasted/baked with rice and asparagus or green beans
Chicken quesadillas and tomato slices(using chicken from roasted chicken)
Wild Alaskan Salmon(probably fried), rice and broccoli
Beans and rice
Chef Salad
Hamburgers
Hamburger soup

Lunch:(I typically add fruit and/or veggies to all lunches)
Quesadillas
Tomato soup/grilled cheese
Hot dogs(nitrate free)
Leftovers
Tuna salad with crackers
Sandwiches from leftover chicken

Breakfast:
Cottage Cheese
Eggs(though the pilot is not a fan)
Millet with coconut and craisins
Toast and fruit or smoothie
Yogurt and fruit
Cereal

Let me know if you'd like a recipe for anything. And maybe you'll find that this works for you as well.

A new adventure...

2010-09-02T23:49:00.000-08:00

So we have started a new adventure this week...Homeschooling!

So far so good...for the most part. I have been enjoying it so far, though I can't tell if the Princess is. Though when I have asked her she said she does...but she seems to use quite a few excuses if she's not really wanting to do any of her work.

I find it amusing since she's not working alone...I'm right there with her and typically she LOVES it if I join her in what she's doing. And if any of my children likes to be social and always with people, it's her. Maybe part of it is just the transition...from playing and having fun all day to having to sit and work. Maybe it's just the sitting still and being focused part. Oh wait, she can do that for her doll stickers and her coloring...so it's probably the school work.

Some things from this past week:
-Constant fidgeting/moving...seriously, I do NOT know how a Kindergarten teacher does it. And I'm not even wanting her to be completely still...I just want her to actually be looking at what she's doing.

-Just guessing on words...instead of actually looking at what letters the word is made of. For instance her list of words to read was something like hat, man, fan, cat, Dan, rat. And she would read hat, mat(me asking her to read it again...about 2 or 3 times before she actually sees that the last letter is not the same as the word before), man, fan, can(more correction, multiple times over)...you get the picture. Thankfully it wasn't frustrating for me or her...we just laughed and she fixed it and we moved on. But I do find it amusing that it's natural to try and do things the easy way instead of doing it right or trying hard the first time.

-Needing to rest...WHAT? Rest...you do know that means doing nothing while laying on the couch right? Oh, you mean you just don't want to start your writing right now...I get it.

Overall I'm enjoying it...now to really get into a good routine and help the boys figure out what the morning or sometimes the afternoon will look like for them.

Can I do it?

2010-08-03T20:24:00.000-08:00

Can I remember to blog this month and can I wake up daily before my kids to start the day?

I'm a bit late joining in on the Maximize Your Morning Challenge ...well I should say I joined the challenge before it started but will be actually starting the challenge tomorrow. I've done my reading and figured out my goal time(6am)...now my biggest challenge is to actually go to bed so I get enough sleep. I typically do best on 8 or 9 hours of sleep which would mean I need to be in bed by 9 or 10 which I can't see happening but trying for 10 or 10:30 eventually will be my goal. And I'm hoping and praying that my children will sleep until at least 7:30am.

Here are a few questions Michelle asked about starting:
1. What time will you wake up? I'm trying for 7 am tomorrow morning though if I can get up by 6:45 am I'll be really happy.

2. What time do you need to go to bed to make sure you still get enough sleep? By 11 pm tonight if possible...but eventually 10 or 10:30 pm.

3. Collect all the items you need for your morning time: Bible, notebook, iPod, earbuds, exercise video?

4. Set your alarm clack (and a backup clock, if necessary). Setting cell phone to 6:30am

5. Find an accountability partner. Not sure on this one yet.

If you want to join in check out the ebook at Inspired to Action.

On being Alaskan

2010-06-21T22:18:00.001-08:00

I realize every year that I become more and more Alaskan.

When it comes to summer Alaskans are crazy. The sun comes out and nobody is indoors. One never knows if today might be the last day of warmth and sunshine. So, out we go...to enjoy as much sun and warm weather as we will get.

I love this about Alaska. And if I were to ever move outside(meaning out of Alaska) it would be a habit hard to break. If we moved to a very sunny place I think my house would implode due to lack of cleaning and upkeep. I must continue to work on my morning routine so that the house at least stays presentable.

So tomorrow I'm hoping to make sure to at least do my dishes and pick up the things on the floor and then unless it's raining I'm taking the kids on a hike.

Thankful Thursdays

2010-06-17T08:42:00.001-08:00

I am thankful for...

91.The rain...even though it can go away now we did need it.
92. The princesses joy over her first flight in a Super Cub.
93. Great friends
94. An amazing and fun family
95. Sweet smiles from guy smiley
96. Guy smiley's cute words...his latest is "airp"(emphasis on the p) for airplane
97. How well my kids play together
98. Quiet mornings
99. Good books
100. My amazing view

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Thankful Thursdays

2010-05-27T17:32:00.002-08:00

I am so thankful for:
81. The AMAZING weather we've been having...sunshine, warmth...I just love it.
82. The sweetness of guy smiley
83. The Pilot's hilarious sense of humor
84. Summer!
85. Our newly started garden...grow veggies, grow!
86. The princesses love of all things girlie.
87. Amazing friendships
88. Great neighbors
89. The breeze to cool our house
90. My kids' love of being outdoors

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My journey into Babywearing

2010-05-27T17:27:00.002-08:00

Babywearing...wearing your baby...carrying your baby, hands free.

My journey into babywearing...
Well, when the princess was born the Baby Bjorn had just started to really gain popularity in the US so of course that is what I had. It worked well...especially since I didn't know about any other carriers...but I could only carry her in it until she weighed about 15 or so pounds because it started to hurt my back and shoulders. After she was too big for it I just stopped wearing her.

Then comes the pilot...I found out about the Moby wrap from a forum I was on. I was getting ready to fly south(12-14 hour total trip time) with two young kids on my own(a 2 year old and a 2 month old) and wanted to know the best way to fly without taking my stroller. The Moby wrap was wonderful! It saved me on this trip. The pilot was wrapped up snug as a bug in a rug the entire trip! I only took him out to nurse him and change his diaper. Being totally hands free left me able to keep the princess entertained and happy and kept the pilot happy since he was snuggled in so close to mama.

Here is the pilot in the Moby at around 4 months:

I loved the Moby but then the pilot grew and the Moby was just too stretchy to be comfortable so I started looking around at what else I could use. I soon found an Ergo. I bought it from a local retailer who was very helpful in showing me exactly how it can be used. It is incredibly versatile in that you can wear your baby on your front, back or hip. It was great! Made for quick and easy shopping trips since I could put him on so quickly and he stayed more content on my back(or my front) then he did in the cart(it doesn't help to have a big sister that picks on you).

Then when the pilot was almost 18 months I bought a wrap, an Earthy Rainbow by Girasol...and fell in love with wrapping. The pilot was at an age where he didn't want to be worn much but I knew I would use it again since not long after that I found out I was pregnant with guy smiley.

Here is the pilot in Earthy Rainbow and the princess in our Ergo

Guy smiley was wrapped from the start and I loved how much closeness and freedom it gave me. He would be snuggled up close and I was hands free to do what I needed.

The first time he was wrapped:

One of the first time I wrapped in on my back:

I now own a few wraps and am using them less and less these days as guy smiley gets more mobile. We still use them on occasion along with our Ergo. I love babywearing and can't say enough good things about it.

Oh and wraps make great dresses too...

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*Please no harsh words about not buying another seat for our babies and taking on their carseats. It is just not feasible for us to afford an extra seat on the plane as it is quite expensive to fly from Alaska to the lower 48.
*Baby Bjorn, Moby, Girasol, Didymos and Ergo have no idea who I am and are not compensating me for talking about their products.

10:07pm

2010-05-13T22:32:00.000-08:00

Thankful Thursdays + a few pictures

2010-05-13T00:05:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for...
71. The joy of my kids over their new bikes.
72. Lessons of life they are learning...even though they are sad.
73. The love my kids have for each other (when riding bikes today the pilot fell over on his and the princess helped him up, when we asked what happened the princess said "I helped him up because that's what brothers and sisters do".)
74. The honesty of the princess.
75. How much my dh plays with my kids.
76. Guy smiley's squinty smiles.
77. A wonderful group of girl friends.
78. The fresh green leaves on the trees...oh spring how I love thee.
79. The calm after 2 days of high winds.
80. Quiet, peaceful evenings.

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And now for pictures...here they are enjoying their new bikes today(Wed). The bikes that neither will be able to ride tomorrow(Thurs) because one was caught with her thumb in her mouth and the other decided he didn't like his bike and would rather have his bobby.

The princess is incredibly sad over the loss of her bike privileges for tomorrow. She broke into tears when I told her no bike since her thumb was in her mouth. She cried for a good 20 minutes and then when having prayer time with dh said "Jesus, I pray I have a good day tomorrow even though I can't ride my bike." Pause, sniffling and some tears. "That makes me sad just saying it."

It makes me so sad for her since I know how much she was enjoying her bike today. But I'm hoping this serves as a helpful reminder for her to stop sucking her thumb.

The pilot on the other hand was gung ho about not using his bobby. Then he got in bed. Then he got out of bed. He came out of his room and said "I don't like my bike." "I want my bobby." And both dh and I asked him multiple times if he was sure as once he had bobby back there would be no bike tomorrow. But he was adamant that he didn't want his bike.

Let's just say I'm not looking forward to tomorrow and how he will feel about tonight's decision then.

But back to the pictures...at least they were able to enjoy them today for a while. (And one of guy smiley just because it's cute.)

New bikes!

2010-05-12T16:12:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited! Last night I was perusing Craigslist and found 2 bikes for sale, a 12" and a 16".

EXACTLY what I've been looking for and they looked practically new...and the price $30 per bike!

Now some of you may think that's steep and yes, free would've been even better. But I was stoked as I've been looking at bikes for the kids for the past few months...brand new the cheapest I found was around $60.

So when these popped up on Craigslist I replied as quick as I could, which was last night. I received an email back this morning stating that the seller had had 10 replies and when I could I come see them! So as of 1:30pm today our kids now have their own bikes.

In return the kids are giving up their bobby's(pacifier) and thumb:-) [Bobby for the pilot and thumb(just don't ask...it's a long story as to why she even started sucking her thumb in the first place...at 4 1/2) for the princess.] We have a verbal agreement...any thumb or bobby sucking and no bike the next day. So we'll see how it goes, so far the pilot is napping sans bobby. (And yes, it's called a bobby in our house...the princess started calling it that around age 1 and it has stuck.)

So after the bargaining session we revealed their presents...they were SO excited. They hopped right on for a ride(though the princess had to have help until we can purchase her some training wheels). The pilot kept saying things like "my bike is like my cousins" and "my bike is a transformer bike"(it's not...it's just blue and plain) and "look, I can ride fast" with a huge grin on his face. And the princess was excited even though in reality she had really wanted a princess bike(we told her this wasn't going to happen since we want to be able to pass them down). She just wishes hers had training wheels so she wouldn't need help riding it...that will be solved this afternoon.

Pictures will be following soon.

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New phones

2010-05-11T15:44:00.003-08:00

So dh and I are looking into getting new phones...our plan is up for renewal and our current phones are a hand-me-down and a cheapo old phone. (My new phone is partly a Mother's Day present as well.)

I find that I'm being sucked into wanting an iPhone.

Wait...sucked in is not quite the right term...I just flat out think they are cool and want one. (Yes, I admit to being a sucker.)

What I find is a battle going on in my mind between what I want and what is practical. An iPhone...not practical...at least not necessary in the least for me. Plain, boring, somewhat cheap feeling flip phone...practical, smarter option.

Now to preface, we are not big gadget people...we do not have a HD TV or blu-ray or Tivo or even cable for that matter...we don't even have bunny ears. Our TV is probably 5 or 6 years old and huge. As for current cell phones we have an older Samsung flip phone and a Nokia brick phone. As for other gadgets...we don't own a laptop or any game players besides the original XBox which is almost never played. We do have iPods, original and Nano....and that's about the extent of our gadgets. Oh and a Canon Rebel XTi because we wanted to be able to take really great pictures of our kids.

So the fight still rages...fun vs practical.

And I laugh, because in the larger scheme of things this is a small, minute, insignificant decision. Doesn't matter in the long run at all.

Any other perspectives or advice?

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guy smiley...he's just so darn cute!

2010-05-10T13:50:00.000-08:00

Haha

2010-05-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

I just have to laugh as my lack of sticking to it shines through...it's something I have to work hard on improving. So one small way is my blog. I get bogged down by trying to figure out what I should blog about and so I just do nothing. I don't think this is the way to go about blogging is it? So I hope from now on to post at least 3 times a week even if it is in pictures. Summer is a busy time of year up here as we have learned to enjoy every sunny and warm day since "summer" is entirely too short.
For instance...we are just now getting leaves on our trees...the buds just came out this week and by the end of next week the trees will be full of green leaves. It's amazing to me how I never really paid any attention to this fact before moving north, but now it's a game for my dh and I to guess what day in May that we will be able to officially see the "green hue" of leaves.
Here are a few pictures of the kids enjoying our first days of spring...

Yes, I classify the snowman as spring as it was taken on April 22nd! And melted the next day.

Here we are playing with some friends...

Rocks and a runny nose...

Playing together...

Storytelling on a sunny day...

Freedom in our homes

2010-04-30T02:00:00.001-08:00

We, as women, have power. We are created for great things and we are meant to walk in them. God wants us to walk in freedom, freedom to be who God created us to be, freedom to walk in our destiny, freedom to just be ourselves. He wants us to dream big dreams and see them fulfilled. Ephesians 3.20-21 says

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.

He wants to do MORE than what we can ask or even think! That is powerful! He wants to use us to change the world.

But first, we must bring freedom to our own homes. We must be the light to our spouses and children before we can go out and do great things. We have the power to bring change to the environment around us just by carrying Jesus Christ within us. 1 John 4.4b says

Because greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world.

But what are some practical ways we can bring change to our environment?

By watching what we say. Our words have the power of life and death in them. But we tend to take them so lightly, not thinking of the effect that they may have on our children or our spouses. Proverbs 18.21 says

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

And Proverbs 16.24 says

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Just those two verses alone say so much as to the power of our words. Your words have the ability to take a situation that looks dire and turn it into something wonderful or vice versa. Take for instance the difference between reprimanding and getting angry at your child because they spilled some milk verses taking a nonchalant attitude and saying something like "oh well, that happens, let's clean it up together". What affect will your words and attitude have on your child?

Another way we influence our homes is by our attitudes. Are we positive and cheerful? Or do we complain and whine? Being thankful and having a positive attitude changes our whole environment. And we have the power to change it. Ten percent of life is what happens to you, ninety percent is how you react to it. (Sound familiar? It's true. Only you have the power to change you.) Try smiling when all you want to do is frown and see what happens.

Give yourself and others around you grace. Grace is getting what you don't deserve. Another definition I found on Merriam-Webster.com is

d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e : a temporary exemption : reprieve

We can do this for ourselves. We need to give ourselves a break. We are human; we will fail, mess up, fall flat, make mistakes. And so will our children...it's how they learn. We need to be gentle with them and with ourselves and allow ourselves a do over. God has all ready led the way in displaying and giving abundant amounts of grace.

There are so many more ways we can begin to bring freedom to our homes, but it all starts with ourselves. We must find freedom for ourselves before we can walk it out. Jesus brings freedom and wholeness. Meet with Him, spend time with Him and read His word. He will meet you and you will be changed.

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Thankful Thursdays

2010-04-29T14:57:00.002-08:00

Today I am thankful for...
61. great friends
62. deeper friendships
63. peace in speaking in front of others
64. hearing God's voice
65. sun and warmth
66. naptime
67. sweet words from the pilot
68. a husband who loves playing with the kids
69. the assertiveness of the princess
70. the sheer joy displayed by guy smiley.

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Brain overload

2010-04-24T22:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was able to attend a Homeschool Conference/Curriculum Fair.

Wow. Brain overload.

More on this topic soon...

Stay tuned

2010-04-22T08:49:00.000-08:00

For a possible move...I'm trying to figure out if I should move my blog to another host. I have all ready opened up my blog there but have yet to figure out how it all works. I'm working on it and if I can get it all worked out will be moving.

If you use Wordpress tell me what you think about it...and if you know of any good tutorials on using it let me know.

Thankful Thursdays

2010-04-22T08:46:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for...
51. the blue sky peaking out from behind the mountains
52. the majestic, snow covered mountains
53. the sound of my kids playing together
54. music
55. our friend's new baby girl
56. homemade yogurt with vanilla and blueberries
57. Mom Connections
58. bugs and spiders(it's a sign that spring is just around the corner)
59. guy smiley sleeping through the night
60. a good cup of tea

Check this out!

2010-04-20T23:24:00.000-08:00

Head over to Like A Warm Cup of Coffee and have a chance to win $400 for the charity of your choice and $250 for yourself! Just purchase some cute rosebud earrings(I chose red) for $10(doesn't include shipping).

My short absence

2010-04-20T09:02:00.000-08:00

It has been a hard past few days for me...that is the reason for no blogging.
I came down with mastitis over the weekend(yes, guy smiley is still nursing at 13 months). Mastitis is NOT fun. This is the second time I've had it with guy smiley and it just knocks me out. I get a fever, chills, body aches...it's like the flu just without the snot or stomach issues. I'm completely better now.
Add the mastitis to the fact that I've just been feeling down and have also been extremely tired(most likely the reason for the mastitis) and I've just not been a fun person to be around. I have also not been sticking with any of my goals and that always makes me feel guilty. But I refuse to stay in that place of feeling guilty as I have been freed from guilt by Jesus. I will start fresh today.
I was fortunate to be able to hang out with some great friends this weekend and that was wonderful as I am a people person. We(and our kids) had fun just hanging out. On one of our outings(the kids and mine) among three moms there were 11 kids. Needless to say it was a bit crazy but tons of fun.
It's also been overcast here with off and on rain or snow for a while now. I hate to say it but the weather definitely affects me. After it's been cloudy for a week straight I start to get depressed. The sun is just good for my soul.
Today the sun has broken through the clouds and all ready my day feels SO much better.

Snow in April

2010-04-15T17:46:00.000-08:00

Thankful Thursdays

2010-04-14T22:08:00.000-08:00

I am thankful/grateful for:
42. snow...even in April it's beautiful!
43. dh reading to the princess
44. snuggles and reading with the pilot
45. the ability to nurse my babies for a year or more
46. quiet evenings
47. a clean house
48. the peace and calm that snow brings
49. a relaxing weekend with dh
50. dh's snoring

An update of sorts

2010-04-14T16:28:00.000-08:00

Currently, as I type this blog post, it's snowing outside my window. Yes, that's how life is here in the Great White North...Spring is a mere phantom, a tease, until sometime around mid May. (And while most people up here call it summer, I cannot. I know what a "real" summer is and this state just doesn't have it.) I hope one day in the very near future that dh and I will be moving south.

As for Spring Cleaning...it's moving along slowly, which I don't mind and somewhat expected to happen due to multiple, small interruptions otherwise known as my children. I'm almost finished with the kid's room and their closet(yes, all three are in the same room...sort of...we're currently transitioning guy smiley into the room). The only thing I have left to do is wash the window and clean the mirror. Here are some before and afters:
Before:
Closet-

After:

Bedroom:

Before:

After:

As for my April goal of rising early...I have failed in doing so these past 3 days. It's dh's weekend so that always makes it harder for me to go to bed early and therefore to get up early. But, honestly, I'm using that as an excuse. I'm just being lazy because I'm tired and dragging myself out of bed at 6:30 sounds miserable and staying up later to hang out with my dh is fun. I'm purposing to start up again tomorrow and it helps that I MUST be out the door by 9.

On Monday, my dh kicked me out of the house. I had been in a horrible mood all morning and he told me to leave the house or he was. It was just what I needed...time to myself with nothing to do. I hope to do this more often. I went to a local coffee shop, had a wonderful cup of tea(I don't drink coffee) and read and journaled uninterrupted. It felt wonderful to have a time to recharge my batteries. I don't know why I don't do it more often...I found that I felt bad, guilty asking my dh to watch the kids. Why is that? He is their Dad. But I still did. Do any of you feel that way? Or am I alone in this?

Spring Cleaning...

2010-04-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

I decided to Spring Clean this year! Wait, I probably shouldn't sound so excited.

Usually though I just use moving as my purging and deep cleaning time...but then I never get to enjoy the thoroughly cleaned(and hopefully less cluttered) house. This year I hope to enjoy my very clean house.

Like I said in my previous post I really don't have tons to purge, due to moving so often. But I'm guessing once I get started I'll find more than I think. I all ready know I want to be brutal when it comes to purging kids toys...even if I'm attached I plan on getting rid of toys that they just don't play with. I know that more things will be coming in since we are almost positive that we will be homeschooling next year.

Today I didn't get much done...I went through a few boxes in our garage that I've had sitting there, half filled with stuff that I plan on taking to the second hand store. I added a few more items to it and put it all in one box instead of having it in four boxes. I also sorted through tons of old paper mess I had filed away(bills, instruction manuals, etc). I opened up an entire file container! I plan on getting rid of more paper mess when I tackle my computer area(the messiest area in my home). I also went through our small toy bin in the living room and got rid of some baby toys that we don't need(though I guess I might need to think of saving some of the little baby toys since we're not decided on whether or not we're done having kids.)

I'm looking forward to a clean house at the end of the week!

Also feel free to follow along at Simple Mom for Spring Cleaning Week which is what I'm doing.

Weekend LInk Love

2010-04-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

Since I'm new to this whole blogging deal I'm still figuring out things that I like and want to do here...what I want to blog about, etc...but one thing I do like is link love. I've read some incredible things on others link love posts so I'm going to start my own.

Weekend Link Love...
This post called The Sex Cafe will move you. The author of Flowerdust is blogging about sex trafficking specifically in Eastern Europe/Russia.

On a completely different note, hop on over to Simple Mom and get some tips for the gearing up for the start of Spring Cleaning Week(which I hope to join and complete...fortunately, having moved 7 times in our 8 1/2 years of marriage we've purged quite a bit all ready).

And last for this week, this post at Inspired to Action really made me think. Especially this paragraph

Comfort and change CANNOT coincide. The one you value the most will determine on which side of the wardrobe you’ll live your life.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Party!!! (Ultimate Blog Party 2010)

2010-04-09T14:31:00.006-08:00

I'm new to this whole blogging thing(and a bit intimidated by it to be honest)...and this is my first Ultimate Blog Party.

A little about me...
I live in Alaska...never in a million years did I think that I would ever live here, let alone visit.
I have 3 beautiful kiddos! See sidebar for their cute faces! We're pretty sure that the princess will be home with us next year as she starts Kindergarten and we venture into the world of homeschooling.
I've been married to my wonderful husband for 8 1/2 years(we met and married in 13 months)...but you won't see him much on the blog.
I am so thankful to be loved by Jesus Christ! (and to be able to love Him back)
I love all things related to babies, birth, health and wellness, traveling, reading, knitting...and more!

So if you have any questions about me look around, if you don't find what you're wanting to know just email! And come join me at the Ultimate Blog Party 2010!!

It's easy...click on the link above and look at the directions...write up your own post and add the prizes you'd like to win!
If I were to win my top 3 picks are:
The grand prize-a laptop!! (I'd LOVE one!) by 5minutesformom.com
USC 60- Wallslicks Gift Certificate by Wall Slicks (these would be great for our rental!)
USC 17- Apple Gift Certificate by cmomgo(I love music and movies!)

If I didn't win those I'd also love 63, 104, 1, 100, 35, USC4, USC15, USC35, and any of the Target, Amazon, or Paypal gift cards.

Thanks for reading about me:) I can't wait to meet you all!

The Get Dressed Challenge recap...

2010-04-09T09:22:00.002-08:00

This has really been a great challenge. Thank you so much Sarah Mae!

I have gotten dressed first thing every morning(most days that's been before 9, but one day it was by 10) for the past week. Coupled with my rising early challenge for myself, it has caused one major change for me. I've become incredibly productive! I can't(and neither can my dh) believe how much I get done in a day now. There is just something about being dressed(and not just dressed in pajama pants and t-shirt) that gets one moving. It's great! I'm so happy with that change and I hope that I can keep it up!

Also my kids keep asking where we are going every morning and I usually have to tell them no where...that I just got dressed for the day :)

So thanks again Sarah Mae and I plan on continuing to get dressed every morning.

Here is are a few pictures of me from this morning:
This was taken by my 5yo daughter

This was also taken by my daughter

And this was taken by my 3 yo son

Week 1 Overview

2010-04-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

Today is the start of week 2! I'm actually excited about this...and I'm excited about getting up early still! I'm loving it and wondering why I never had the stamina/determination to do it before. The peace and stillness in the morning is like no other, watching the sun rise over the mountains every morning is breathtaking. I get time to sit and journal, read my Bible, pray and listen to what God has for me each day. I get to enjoy my nice hot cup of tea by myself(any parents will understand how wonderful this is). And I'm able to blog consistently and more easily when I do it first thing. And once my kids are back in there room(hopefully tonight) I'll be able to get a shower in without waking anyone and will be ready for the day when my kids wake up. Who knew mornings could be so exciting!

As for week 1 of our Primal lifestyle...it hasn't fully taken hold. We've had 3 sickies(2 kids and dh) in the house and so I've made some biscuits since they've been wanting bread while sick(a stomach bug). Even though I haven't gone fully on the Primal diet I have cut back significantly in the amount of grains and sugar I eat. Now I need to cut back on portions and snacking...just because I can tell I tend to eat from boredom(just a snacky feeling) rather than hunger.

As for the "Get Dressed Challenge" I'll address that in another post...

Check this out!

2010-04-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

Another DownEast basics giveaway!! This time on the blog Take It From Me. The more I look at the DownEast basics catalog the more I need a tissue to wipe away the drool. As soon as we have some extra money I will be placing an order! Hurry up tax return :)

Thankful Thursdays

2010-04-08T07:00:00.015-08:00

I have clearly been slacking on adding to my gratitude list. It's time to start again and do it faithfully. I'm going to pick up where I left off...I am grateful/thankful for...

31. a peaceful day filled with joy.
32. sweet, unasked for hugs from my middle son
33. giggles and smiles when I pick my baby up from his naps
34. snuggling while reading books
35. a clean house
36. motivation
37. my love of reading
38. a quiet house
39. friends and facebook
40. a healthy body
41. that I live under the new covenant of grace, mercy and love through Jesus Christ

And yes, I know this says Mondays but I always forget on Mondays...Thursdays are easier for me to remember due to my husband's schedule.

Why get up early?

2010-04-07T14:33:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd post about why I've decided to starting rising early and why I thought it was important enough to make it a goal of mine for this month. This is coming from a notorious night owl who is changing her ways.

For a while now...since sometime in the fall, I'd been thinking about getting up early(as in before my kids were up). I had heard lots of good things about it and so off and on I would try it and those days were usually great. But I would go right back to my old habits of sleeping till my kids got up or a bit later if I could. Then in the past month I started hearing and reading about how great getting up early is from just about every source(people, blogs, etc). So when April rolled around and I was thinking about what my new goals would be for the month, this immediately came to mind.

Here are my reasons:
1. I have time to wake up and get my day going before I have to be Mom.
2. I have time to read my Bible, journal and pray(which I know from experience won't happen if I don't do it in the morning)
3. I get to have a cup of tea without anyone else asking for one as well :) Seriously.
4. I'm able to get my priorities/schedule/list ready for the day ahead.
5. I get a shower without having to wonder if my kids are getting into something(when I've actually gotten my shower before the kids are up...I'm working towards this).
6. I am in a better head space when I get up before my kids...I'm ready to be Mom and to go about my day with purpose and joy...instead of getting out of bed when they do and feeling rushed, cranky and still tired.

Things I've noticed just over the past week of starting this...
I am a happier person. My days flow so much better and seem to go more smoothly. My kids seem to be more at peace. My house is neater and cleaner:) I'm getting meals prepared on time. I seem to be more productive and am able to fit more into my day.

Overall, I'm hoping to make this a habit. It felt odd getting up late yesterday and even today(I was up at 7:15 which was still before my kids, but not as much time as I'd like to have). The peace and quiet of the morning is different than that in the evening(and believe me I LOVE that time...it was/is one of my arguments for staying up so late...which I'm also working on so that I actually get some sleep).

Some things I read that were really motivating for me:
From Simple Mom : Numbers 1 & 3 really resonate with me
From Inspired to Action: the article I linked to just really made me think(This being my favorite paragraph: Comfort and change CANNOT coincide. The one you value the most will determine on which side of the wardrobe you’ll live your life)...so then I checked out her (free) e-book called Maximize Your Mornings and read through it. Just making small changes everyday will get you there(and me as well). It's a worthwhile read.

So there it is...my reasons why I chose to start rising early(I will say that all the light early in the morning DEFINITELY helps...we'll see how my resolve is come next winter:)

I also wanted to add that it does take some work. For me to really be able to have the time I want and get a shower and not wake anyone up I am having to do some rearranging(which I knew we would do soon, but it has forced me to do it instead of procrastinate). For me, my goal now is to be in bed by 10, 10:30 at the latest...this is changing from typically going to bed around midnight and it means I must get stuff done right after supper or right after the kids are in bed so that I still have some downtime before I go to bed. We are also in the process of moving guy smiley into the kids room(they will all be sharing a room once the transition is over). This means that I'm also working on getting him sleeping through the night (before we started he would nurse at least 2x a night...last night only once at 6am). And so for now the two older kids are in our room so it stays quiet for both guy smiley and for them. But I do these things so that I am able to get up earlier and get the sleep I need because I want this to be a priority for me.

Today

2010-04-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day since starting my challenge for the month that I did not get up early. I was up 5 or so times throughout the night with guy smiley who was throwing up. Poor guy didn't feel well, and then had to have his jammies changed at least 5 times. Needless to say I slept in with him(as did my other kids). But I will be pack up bright and early tomorrow.

Even getting up late I still managed to journal and do my Bible reading and I spent time praying while I was showering and getting ready for the day(which happened by 10am this morning instead of my 9am goal). I always hate starting a new challenge and then "failing" the first day. But I am not a failure and I will start fresh tomorrow.

Speaking of the Get Dressed Challenge...head on over to Sarah Mae's blog and enter to win a fabulous giveaway from DownEast basics. I drool over the clothes from there often and can't wait to place my first order!

The Get Dressed Challenge

2010-04-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

I've decided to add to my goal of rising before my kids. I was reading on this blog about getting dressed as well before starting your day and have decided to take the challenge. My goal is to be up and dressed by 9am. I still plan on working towards getting up by 6am but I want to make sure that I get time to journal, read my Bible and talk with Jesus before I shower and get dressed, so for now 9am is my goal, but that is going to move earlier as I get up earlier.

For today...it is now 9:14am and I am showered, dressed, and have done my hair. Now for breakfast, for me and the kids(one of my kids is still sleeping), so it's not too late for us:)

Day 2

2010-04-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

So I promise to not talk in terms of my goals everyday...but since I'm at the beginning of them it will be more frequently for a bit.

I was up and out of bed today by 630, so 10 minutes earlier than yesterday. I could've been out of bed by 610 because guy smiley woke me up but instead rested for 20 more minutes. I do like getting up early and even though my eyes feel a bit tired when I wake up, the rest of me feels well rested. So maybe 6ish is a natural time for my body to get up. It does help that it the sun is coming up when I get up. I love Alaska in the summertime...all the light is wonderful!

We(dh and I) have partially started implementing our new eating style. We know tomorrow we won't be completely on it so we planned that in and said our official start date would be Monday. But since yesterday was shopping day all my grocery shopping was geared towards it. And both of us have all ready begun cutting out our sugar and grain intake.

Speaking of grocery shopping...is it just me or are groceries expensive? Especially organic or all natural food products and produce? Maybe it because of where I live but man, grocery store days are frustrating for me because it seems like I can't get ahead and so all my budgeted money flies out the door the first day(buying things we need, I really am not wasting it...dh looked over my receipts). Then by the time two weeks is up we are scrounging...I find it very frustrating. But last night, driving home from the grocery store(my second trip of the day...first was to another store with all the kids) I realized that I needed to be thankful even through my frustration. So that's what I did...and while I still feel frustrated I do feel better. So I'm going to work on continuing that thankfulness and see how it changes my outlook on groceries.

April

2010-04-02T07:55:00.001-08:00

Well, it's a new month and I'm starting over(again) with blogging. It's been almost 2 months since I've posted and I have yet to get better about it...but I am going to start fresh.

Last month I began setting monthly goals(a maximum of 3 as I don't want so many that I keep none of them). For the month of March my goals were to Meal Plan every payday and go to the library once a week. I did fairly well. I have made a meal plan for 2 out of the last 3 paychecks. And we have made it to the library every week for 3 weeks now, tomorrow will be our 4th week in a row. And we will continue, though we plan to move it as to coincide with our local Farmer's Market when it opens!

As for April, I have set new goals(and dh has set one with me). My goals for April are:

1. To start getting up early, before the kids with my end goal being 6am. I've decided to start with 10 minute increments getting earlier every day to two days. Today I was out of bed by 6:40am(usually I'm up with the kids around 7:30).

2. To have the kids have two sets of 30 minute by themselves playtimes. They usually play great anyways, but always want to be where I am(or dh is). And ask any parent...this gets tiring after a while. Whenever we ask them to stay in their room to play we are usually met with fits, crying and tears. This is not what I want. I don't want them to NOT be able to play by themselves. Not only that, but we find that after having 30 minutes to play alone they behave so much better when they come out. It's like they needed that time for to be by themselves. To reach this goal I'm going to start with one 15 minute playtime a day and move up from there.

3. Last, but not least, dh and I are starting the Primal Blueprint "diet". (To learn more go here.) I hate the word diet, that is why it is in quotations...it's really a lifestyle change we are embarking on. We have realized that we really need to cut back on the amount of sugar we have been consuming recently and along with that we'd like to see other changes occur. I'd like to lose some weight and dh would like to have more energy. So I'm heading to the grocery store today with these things in mind and after Sunday we will really take off eating Primal.

So as we begin these changes I hope to be faithful about blogging about them. I'd like to be blogging at least twice a week hopefully more. And I'd like to pick up where I left off with the 1000 Ways of Gratitude. I hope to post those on Thursdays.

Simple Living Giveaways

2010-02-11T18:30:00.000-09:00

Just thought I'd share about some awesome giveaways going on at 5 different websites...Simple Mom, Simple Organic, Simple Kids, Simple Homeschool, and Simple Bites. They are giving away some amazing things...for instance a gorgeous necklace made by One Pearl, a Keurig Platinum Single Serve Brewer and two great books by Amanda Blake Soule called The Handmade Home and The Creative Family. Hop on over and enter today...or don't and let me win :-)

Go...enter now!

2010-01-29T23:50:00.001-09:00

Check out this great giveaway! Enter to win an Ergo! These baby carriers are great! Check it out! You can also get cloth diapers from Nicki's diapers. We use cloth diapers part time and I love it. It really is easy! Feel free to email me if you have any questions and I'll post about cloth diapers at a later date.

Randomness...

2010-01-19T16:09:00.000-09:00

A few random thoughts for today:

Learning...It's good that we are always learning in life. I am currently learning a lot about self-control and time management. I'm also learning that what works for others in those areas don't always work for me. I'm learning that I don't have to be the same or do things the same as others...I can do what works for our family and for me.

This blog...I realize I am not writing as much on this blog as I would like. I sit down to write and feel like I have absolutely nothing to say...which is not me. I want to commit to writing at least 3 times a week on here and my family blog as well. I want to remember to write down the humorous things my kids say and do. So it's written here...now to stick to it.

Weight Loss...I'm trying to lose about 20-25lbs...I started a weight loss challenge on Jan 4 and as of today I'm down 5 lbs. I'm hoping to be down at least 10lbs hopefully more like 15 when I go to Florida to visit my family. This is one area where I'm learning self control as I am addicted to sugar and trying to cut down on how much sugar I consume.

Great ending to my day...

2010-01-05T23:14:00.000-09:00

My husband has been very sneaky this week. First he planned a fun game night with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. We had a great time playing "Bang" and Pictionary, boys vs girls of course...boys won both games. Then Monday he watched our two oldest kids and my friends four kids so that we could go out shopping and to dinner! It was great...I was in desperate need of some new clothes and the girl time was great too!

Tonight he pulled out another surprise. I'm part of the leadership team for our Mom's Group at church and we had a leader's meeting tonight. When I arrived and we started the meeting they tell me my husband has called ahead(as in a few days ago) and asked that they could do something special since I'm turning 30 tomorrow. I was blessed with wonderful words from the Lord spoken through these amazing ladies! And then they prayed for me as well. The ice cream (my dh even told them my favorite kind...mint chocolate chip...Dove specifically but really any kind will do) and cookies were an added bonus. I was so encouraged and am blessed beyond measure!

Multitude Monday

2010-01-04T11:18:00.000-09:00

I have got to start getting into the habit of doing this on Monday's though, another day of the week may work better for me due to dh's schedule. But we'll see how Monday's go for now...I may change it to Thankful Thursday:-)

I'm thankful for:
1. A new year...
2. The start of a new decade for me on Wednesday(I turn 30.)
3. The simple pleasure couch cushions can bring to my kids.
4. The way guy smiley automatically laughs and grins when he sees the older two kids.
5. How much my kids enjoy listening to music.
6. Family...the good, the bad, and the drama(which thankfully isn't much:-)
7. My kids blankies...they are all beautiful and well loved.
8. Game nights that include lots of laughter.
9. The chance to go visit my parents next month.
10. My husband...he planned game night last night and has something up his sleeve for this afternoon...

Baking Day...

2009-12-20T00:05:00.003-09:00

Today has been a fun baking day for me...but I still have lots left to do. I've made a hors'deovoures for a wedding I'm going to tomorrow, baked bread for us, made homemade pizza for dinner and am waiting for two cakes to finish right now. The last three are all gluten/wheat free too!

I really love making bread for us. And as far as gluten/wheat free bread goes it tastes great(so much better than anything you can buy at the store and costs less too). I've been trying to get into a routine of baking it about every 2-3 days but keep running out of ingredients. I have to start planning ahead better.

The pizza turned out much better than my last batch of GF/WF pizza dough so I was happy about that, but will definitely keep working at making it better. The crust of pizza is my favorite part so I definitely want to work on making a great pizza crust.

The cakes smell delicious! I found a recipe for GF/WF cake on allrecipes.com and I think it turned out great. I modified it a bit...added some cocoa powder and a bit more sugar and changed up the flours a bit. Tomorrow I'll frost them...one for each birthday(the pilot and the princess both have birthdays this week). If I can do it I'll be doing one with a Cars theme and one with a Princess theme:-)

Well, I need to go to bed...have to be at church earlier than usual and am so thankful that my mother-in-law will be watching my older kids for me in the morning. It's so much easier to make it places on time when I only have 1 child:-)

Anticipation

2009-12-18T22:58:00.000-09:00

It's mounting. We finally finished decorating our Christmas tree tonight and I only have 2 more gifts to finish before all my Christmas shopping is done. I'm looking forward to next week, as our my kids. It will be busy as we celebrate 2 birthdays plus Christmas. I can't believe my kids are going to be 5 and 3 next week. Time is flying by it seems. I'm learning to love it since I know we will never get this time back.

Snow!

2009-12-16T22:54:00.000-09:00

We've been getting lots of snow this week...it's wonderful! This morning the pilot was watching the plow truck in our driveway and as the guy is plowing he says "It is amazing!" So cute!
Since it's been snowing we've been trying to get out and play in it. Monday we went hunting for our Christmas tree. We borrowed a friends snow machine(snow mobile for you non-Alaskans:-) and took it out and hunted in the woods for our tree. We had a blast, all 5 of us, out in the snow. Dh and one kid rode the machine while the other 3 of us rode in the sled behind it. And we found a fabulous tree! We will be decorating it tomorrow evening and I'll take pictures of it after that and post them. But here are some pictures from our Monday adventures!

Amazingly Beautiful

2009-12-12T14:42:00.002-09:00

I just wanted to share the amazing beauty that I get to view out of my front window. It's amazingly breathtaking and I have learned over the years that I've lived here(almost 9 now) to be thankful for the grandness, majesty and beauty of the mountains(even when the thermometer reads 0*F).
This is today...about 30 minutes ago...(just imagine it without the houses or power lines:-)...

We've been having amazing sunrises and sunsets this past week...pink, red, and orange blazing across the sky and behind the mountains...but I haven't taken a picture of it yet...I will try today(if it happens of course). It's incredible.

And I wanted to link you to a great blog...where I won a new Cuisinart Rice Cooker!!! Plus she's just hilarious and I think you might enjoy reading and watching(her VLOG) what she did for Chick-Fil-A sweet tea(which I freely admit is THE best sweet tea ever...and I'm sad there is no Chick-Fil-A in Alaska).

Results...

2009-12-11T23:13:00.000-09:00

Well not really results but a quick overview of how the day went...

First off...I did not get up early. I slept until the kids woke up but woke up in a good mood since I went to bed at a decent hour. We stayed home thru guy smiley's morning nap(which was way too short, but that's another story). Then we headed to the grocery store(instead of the gym). During nap we did get the kid's room a bit picked up and I did the dishes and cleaned off the stove. So I was happy with how the morning went.
The rest of the day went fine...I put groceries away right after I got home(which sadly is good for me). Then it was naptime and I relaxed a bit. Then when the princess and guy smiley got up I popped a chicken in the oven for dinner and the princess and I made a paper chain for decoration. Once all 3 were up we went and folded and put away some laundry.
I'm realizing that I do best when I just start my day off moving...when I sit for a lot in the morning I just keep on sitting...it really is sad I know. Now tomorrow to just add in reading time...which should be easy to do since we are planning on the library after the gym:-)

Routines/Schedules...

2009-12-10T22:20:00.000-09:00

I've really been struggling with laziness lately (it didn't help that I had a cold this past week...but really that was just a good excuse). I have a really hard time having a routine/schedule to my day. I don't know what it is about a routine/schedule that makes it so hard for me...I think deep down I just don't want to have one and I don't like them (only because I think I have freedom NOT having one). But I also know how freeing and relaxing and really good for my kids it would be to have a set, yet flexible, routine to our days. I find that I do pretty good, when I set my mind to it, at establishing a routine during my husband's work week, but as soon as he is home it just gets lost(he has 3 days off in a row and not typical weekend days).

What makes developing a routine so difficult? Why can't I just do it? I'm not really sure. Maybe I'm just not controlled enough with my time...and if that is the case, then I need to work on it. I want to have time to get "chores" done, plus spend time with the kids and have time to myself(whether to blog, read, knit or go to the gym). Maybe I'm just against them...and if this is the case then I just need to get over it and get on with it all ready.

I think I'm going to start blogging about setting our family up on a routine...and day to day what that looks like...or maybe week to week how it pans out.

Some things I think (or know) would be good for me(and the family):
-going to the gym in the morning...but working this around guy smiley's morning nap.
-doing "chores" first thing...maybe during said morning nap(having daily and weekly chores)
-reading time...the princess has a reading bear that needs filling in daily for preschool...so we need to start having a set reading time(more can be added if we want, of course)
-going to the library once a week
-shower at the gym
-grocery store once a week
-meal planning once a week
-craft/art time daily
-getting up before the kids...having breakfast, reading my Bible and praying, waking up:-)
-going to bed before 11pm every night
-making dinner throughout the day or earlier in the day instead of winging it as dh is on his way home.

So I think I need to work on one or two things at a time because I know if I try and do it all I will burn out and then just give up...so I think for tomorrow I want to be up before the kids which for me will mean being up and at 'em by 7:15am. I also want to be home during guy smiley's morning naptime because we need to work on his sleep schedule badly...so during that time I will do my "chores" and read to the kids.

What do you do? Do you have a routine or not? If so (or not) how does that work for your family? If you have a weekly chore list...what do you do on what day?

Fun in the snow

2009-12-04T11:28:00.000-09:00

Just a few pictures from our fun time playing in the snow a couple days ago!

Don't you like the snow whale??? That was Grammy's creation, we just helped her mend it after it rained.

Sleepovers with Daddy

2009-12-02T22:26:00.000-09:00

I love listening to my husband and the kids interact...especially on sleepover nights. It's become tradition for him to sleep in their room during the work week(this is due to a baby that sleeps in our room and not through the night yet and a very early morning for my husband so a good nights rest is crucial). They've started having quiz time nightly. DH(Dear Husband) quizzes them on all sorts of things but typically movies that they've seen. And nightly I get involved by being the third party answer when they are either stumped or arguing over an answer.
Tonights involvement:(See below for the answers.)

What is the name of Cinderella's dog?

Previous questions that I have either answered or had to look up:

What is the name of the cat on Curious George(the PBS kids show)?
What is the name of the big red tractor on Cars?
What is the name of the Doorman on Curious George(PBS kids show)?

Can you answer any of these?

But back to the post...

I love that DH has these special things that he does with the kids. He is an amazing Dad and I love watching how he interacts with them.

Answers:
1. Bruno
2. Gnocchi
3. Frank
4. Doorman

Multitude Monday

2009-11-30T21:50:00.000-09:00

I'm thankful for...

1. The sounds of the rain/snow on the windows.
2. Cuddles with my sweet baby.
3. The peace that bedtime brings.
4. That Jesus is loves me.
5. That we have more than enough...
6. Our apartment.
7. My husband's job
8. My great Yukon...I love it and it drives great in the snow.
9. The view from my window.
10. Wonderful in-laws who love my kids as much as me.

Give Thanks!

2009-11-26T10:59:00.000-09:00

It's amazing the power in being thankful. It can change your life. So I find it only fitting on Thanksgiving Day to start a list of 1000 gifts. I joined this Gratitude Community. This article is what started me thinking about a list of gifts...gifts that I have all ready received.

I have been thinking about the subject of being thankful a lot lately. I have found on days when I'm in a funk that just starting to name off things I'm thankful for helps to change my attitude. The Bible tells us to give thanks. Psalm 92.1 says "It is good to give thanks to the LORD" and 1 Thess. 5.18 says "in everything give thanks".

And so my list begins...
1. The peace that softly falling snow brings.
2. Snow falling.
3. The voices of my kids as they play together in their room, letting their creativity and imaginations run free.
4. The sound of water boiling in my kettle.
5. The smell of cinnamon and cloves.
6. Christmas music
7. My husband-for all he does and is.
8. My sweetly sleeping baby.
9. The amazing view I have from my window as I type
10. Amazing parents and in-laws who are always willing to help out however they can and who love us no matter what.

What are you thankful for?

Time in the Kitchen

2009-11-25T16:57:00.000-09:00

So I've been baking/cooking quite a bit recently and wanted to share.

First off I've now made 3 batches of apple, pear and apple/pear sauce in my crockpot. SO easy and nothing to watch as it cooks. I "followed" this recipe loosely. And the 2nd and 3rd times I skipped the sugar entirely. It's so good and so easy to make. The kids eat it up and I've frozen some for baby food for guy smiley.

I've also been baking a wheat/gluten free bread. It is delicious. I really like it. Tastes so good freshly baked or toasted. The kids also love it. And it's a bazillion times better than any wheat/gluten free bread you can buy at the store. I followed this recipe.

Lastly, I made pumpkin pie...and I decided to try a new recipe branching off from the Libby's label recipe(though I actually made one of each and will be doing a taste testing of both tomorrow.) A friend recommended this recipe. It was easy to make and just for the record I did not use that pie crust recipe. I used half butter and half shortening and followed the recipe in the Betty Crocker cookbook making sure to refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. I'll give a review later this week.

What have you been baking or cooking lately?

Swine Flu

2009-11-23T22:52:00.000-09:00

I just had to post a link about the Swine Flu. I personally believe that it has been completely blown out of proportion by the CDC and the government. My family will not be getting the vaccine. I don't want myself or my children to be experiments personally. But here is the link I wanted to share: Dr. Mercola and CBS reporter, Sharyl Attkisson, interview and information on the Swine Flu.
His website has great information about the Swine Flu and the hype surrounding it. It also has great information on what you can do to help keep your immune system strong so that your body can fight off illnesses.

Joy of Nursing

2009-11-19T23:49:00.000-09:00

Earlier this evening I was sitting nursing Caedmon, I looked down and he was gazing up at me. As soon as we made eye contact he smiled with that sweet little smile of his. It is amazing and always so sweet and tender when we have those moments and it is a bond that's unlike any other.

I have nursed three children now. I enjoy it more with each child. With my daughter I did it because I knew it was best for her and it saved us money. After a while I began to enjoy it as I realized the bond that resulted. Then with my boys I have pretty much enjoyed it from the start. It is a comfort to my babies and makes me stop, sit and take time to enjoy them. Not to mention all the health benefits to both mom and baby.

Here and here are two great sites that have a lot of helpful information on breastfeeding. Here is a great article on how breastfeeding benefits babies and here's one on how it benefits moms.

Simple Mom Giveaway

2009-11-19T17:18:00.000-09:00

There is a great giveaway going on right now at Simple Mom. It's for a gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs. I don't own any of her gorgeous jewelry...yet. I'd love to own quite a few pieces as I love it all. This bracelet and this necklace are some of my favorites. Check it out.

At 8 months...

2009-11-18T22:26:00.001-09:00

Today is guy smiley's 8 month birthday...so in honor of that...
I'm stealing from a friend...Thank you Simone for this idea! I hope you don't mind my copying...

At 8 months...

You are sitting, crawling, and pulling yourself up to standing.

You have no teeth, though it looks like you may get your two bottom teeth in the next few weeks.

You are still working on sleeping through the night...we'll get it soon. But you are taking great naps...mostly 2 of them sometimes 3.

You just got over the chicken pox. Hopefully you won't have to get them again.

You love your tongue. You bite it, chew on it and sometimes suck on it.

You are learning to wave and you love watching your hands.

You love "chasing" your brother and sister, while they laugh hysterically at you and often call you a bear or lion since you are "chasing" them.

You are wearing size 12 months clothes...yes you are my biggest baby yet and I love it!

We've decided to nickname you "Hoover" since you like to find whatever you can on the ground to pick up and put in your mouth. I can't remember how many things I had to fish out of your mouth just today.

You love to eat...you especially love bananas, refried beans, and carrots and peas out my chicken soup.

You are the happiest baby and I love cuddling with you before naps and bedtime!

Random thoughts...

2009-11-18T22:01:00.000-09:00

I just have a bunch of different things running around in my brain.

1. I'm still trying to "get my legs under me" with this blog. I'm not sure the direction I want it to take...if there is one specific one or if it will cover a gamut of topics and subjects based on what I'm thinking about, reading, doing, etc in life. In reference to the blog I'm also wondering if I should have 1 or 2 days a week that have a theme...as in Thankful Thursday or Healthy Weekends or something...I'm not sure yet...

2. I love listening to my husband interact with my kids. He is having a sleepover with them tonight and is currently in there discussing Curious George with them. He is asking all sorts of questions about the episodes and they are calling out the answers. It's really sweet. He is amazing with them! *In fact I was just called in for questioning...the question was "What is the name of the cat on Curious George(the tv show)?" The answer is Gnocchi for all those curious.*

3. Thankfulness...this topic has been on my mind a lot lately. There is a lot of power in being thankful. It can change things...my attitude, the atmosphere in my house, and more. Lately when I've started feeling down I've started to list off things I'm thankful for. It doesn't take too long for me to feel much more grateful and content with what I do have. There is so much more to this...and it doesn't only apply to this time of year. We need to remember to be thankful at ALL times. Try it...and let me know how it changes you.

4. How do you overcome a bad case of the "blahs"? I'm still trying to figure this one out and what works best for me. I typically turn to food...(great choice huh?) and am needing a new response and something new to do to turn the tide. I try to remember to try #3 and that usually helps. I also have been trying to take a few minutes to myself...with no kids around even if it's just going to the bathroom.

5. My destiny...I want to discover this. I want to discover what it is that I am made to do...and yes, I know it can be more than one thing. But I want to figure out what it is that I am called to do...what I love to do and what is destined for me to do. I have a few things here and there that I like, but still haven't found that "love", that passion for something. A few of the things that I "could" do...chiropractor, nutritionist, midwife, travel journalist, travel tv host(family show would be GREAT!), naturopath...basically things having to do with wellness, family or travel...all 3 combined would be awesome. So I'm still pursuing finding my passion.

That is a just a few things for now...hopefully this week I will be more focused.

Mistakes...

2009-11-11T22:33:00.000-09:00

Mistakes. We all make them. It's a part of life. It's how we learn. And if it's how we learn then how come it's wrong to make mistakes? I guess I should define what I mean by mistakes. I'm not talking about when we deliberately do something we know is wrong. I'm talking about when we are trying to do new things or even old thing. When we are learning, which is all the time.

For example, learning to read. When a child is learning to read they have to practice, practice, practice. And in their practicing they make mistakes, but that is how they learn. What if after making one mistake, they gave up? That only makes them illiterate. I know, personally, I learn a lot better from a mistake I've made then when I just breeze on through.

But yet, most of the time, when we make a mistake, we continually beat ourselves up about it. We may feel guilty or stupid about whatever it was that we did. But really, we should take the time to look at what happened...what went wrong...and what we can learn from it and move on. When it comes to others we need not only grace but patience. In our kids, especially, we need to allow the mistakes and then we need to gently and lovingly correct them so that they learn. We still need to convey our love for them. They are after all learning.

But I'm not saying that all mistakes are small and easy to get over. Some take more time and healing to get through then others. I just want to convey that we need to be a little easier on ourselves and those around us. We need to have grace and extend it to ourselves and others.

And I hope that you will extend grace to me while I'm practicing my writing and communication skills. I hope this message comes across in the way it's intended.

Choices..

2009-11-08T16:39:00.000-09:00

I'm selfish. There I said. It's the truth though. I am totally selfish with my time. It doesn't make me happy. It usually makes me feel guilty. I miss out on life by being selfish. I miss out on spending time with my kids, who will never be this age again. I miss out on the things I can learn from them, from how they live life so simply and fully. I miss out on time with my husband and on how much better our relationship could be if I took the time. I miss out on a closeness to God who just wants me to spend time with Him.

How do I change this? How do I make new habits?

I have to choose daily. I have to choose to step away from the computer and play with my kids. I have to choose not to be upset when I'm woken up at 3am because someone needs to go potty or needs their paci. I have to choose to talk with my husband and not read a book. I have to choose to get up early so that I can spend time with God, reading his word and praying.

Choices.

We have them all the time and they shape our lives, our attitudes, our destinies. Now to choose each day, throughout the day, that which has the greatest value.

What do you choose each day?

helpless

2009-11-05T16:19:00.005-09:00

More and more as a mom, I'm realizing that I am helpless in many situations in regards to my children. Pilot reached his chicken pox peak last night and today...he was so itchy and there wasn't a thing I could do to help him except let him cry and hold him. It broke my heart to see him in pain like that. And I'm sure this is only the beginning of feeling this way. Standing by, watching, but unable to do anything but love and pray for them. Honestly, it feels terrible and I'm not looking forward to it. But life isnt always easy, is it? So for now, I need to enjoy this time in their life when hugs and snuggles usually make things better.

And next time I will remember to wash his blankie at a better time...not when he is in extreme need of comfort. (poor mommy decision this morning)

Here he is with his 2 favorite things...blankie and bobby(pacifier).

Gluten/Wheat Free

2009-11-04T22:11:00.001-09:00

I'm currently reading Gluten-Free Girl by Shauna James Ahern. I am thoroughly enjoying it. It is a refreshing perspective on eating gluten free. The way food opened up to her when she was diagnosed with celiac's is opening my mind up to a new idea. I've always looked at the restriction, at the negative, at the fact that I am not able to eat wheat/gluten products anymore...which means no bagels, english muffins, toast, cookies, pies, and the list goes on. The only thing is, that's not true. Yes, I can't eat those things that have wheat flour and gluten in them, but there are alternatives and I can learn to cook food that is naturally wheat/gluten free or learn to bake using different ingredients. I just need to change my perspective.

I guess I should give a bit of history for me as to why I would be reading and learning about living gluten free. Last year the kids and I had sensitivity testing done and found that we were all sensitive to wheat and gluten(and I'm pretty sure my husband is as well, as is my father-in-law). I was 3 months pregnant at the time and just getting out of the morning sickness stage so I didn't devote much effort to keeping us wheat and gluten free. Once I felt better I was able to keep the kids off of it for a month or so but then the holidays came and we went completely back to our old way of eating. The only problem was that I noticed how differently the kids behaved(they were much calmer) and how much better their skin was when they were off of wheat/gluten.

So now I'm back, a year later, at square one trying to make a plan to keep us all off of wheat/gluten. When it comes to the kids my motivation is strong and I am fairly easily able to follow through with it. But when it comes to myself I fail miserably. But I want to know what I feel like without it. I want to be able to go completely off of wheat/gluten for an extended period of time and see how my body feels. So I'm gearing up. I'm reading as much as I can on the subject. I'm trying to figure out how to cook differently and I'm wanting to learn to like cooking.

For now, I'll just read...as to when I, myself, will take the plunge into the world of wheat/gluten free...that is still unknown.

Unsure

2009-11-03T16:12:00.003-09:00

I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to be posting on this blog. I haven't decided whether it will be on just one or two things or a plethora of things. I may just post whatever is the dominating thought for the day...whether that's on parenting, relationships, health, food, etc...we'll see. Today...

I've been thinking about health mostly. We have the chicken pox here again...it's Pilots's turn now. He's broken out badly...his case is looking like it will be worse than Princess's. And hopefully Guy Smiley stays well. Not only that but Pilot has a fracture in his lower forearm. We'll have to take him to see an Orthopaedist to get it checked and see whether a cast is needed or not.
I also took Guy Smiley to a well baby check..a late 6 month check. He's a tank of a boy...with his height and head circumference being over the 95 percentile. He's a great eater and such a sweet boy. But while there (he sees a naturopath) I was able to borrow a few books from their lending library on gluten free eating and such. We are really needing to be wheat/gluten free all the time here. We don't do too badly when it comes to keeping the kids off of it but I'm horrible at keeping myself off of it. We'd all do even better if we limited our dairy intake as well. So I'm hopeful I'll get some more recipes and more motivation to go off wheat and gluten completely all the time. I'm sure I would feel better if I did and I know the kids do better without it.

Okay...

2009-10-30T23:33:00.001-08:00

Here I go. Inspired by my husband this evening I am starting this blog. A place to record my thoughts on life...the beautiful mess we are in.

I have been thinking about starting this blog for a while now but do not feel like a competent enough writer to do it. But I will try. And I hope everyone will bare with me.