snapshots of my mommy moments

2011-08-27T10:12:00.001-07:00

my faves by erynkesler featuring h&m shoes

2011-08-27T10:01:00.001-07:00

2011-08-26T20:58:00.001-07:00

my drink by erynkesler on Polyvore.com

2011-08-26T20:56:00.001-07:00

my car by erynkesler on Polyvore.com

Praying as They Grow...

2009-08-03T23:11:00.001-07:00

I'm a contributor over at a new blog...www.prayingastheygrow.blogspot.com

It's all about committing our kids to the Lord through prayer. Praying over them together, giving them back to the One who made them ours in the first place. Check it out!

Come see us over at 5byFaith

2009-02-11T09:35:00.000-08:00

Hi friends, we currently blogging over at www.5byfaith.blogspot.com during our adoption process. Check us out over there!

How Bazaar, How Bazaar...

2008-11-15T07:04:00.000-08:00

I don't know why, but that dumb 90's song popped into my head this morning.

I'm off to the First Church of God (King's Way) Christmas Bazaar this morning. My mom and I will be sitting at the "EK Inspired" table all day, selling my little treasures for our adoption fund. Tutu's, nursing covers, burp cloths, and of course, the handstamped jewelry!

I'd love to see any of you who want to stop by! Eryn

easy breezy

2008-11-01T02:45:00.001-07:00

My latest senior shoot with the sweetest girl with sparkley eyes and easy smile, she was SO EASY. I had a great time! I met her and her mom at the south park blocks and there were some great little places we found!

Holiday Ideas...

2008-10-29T19:29:00.000-07:00

So, in light our our current desire to save moolah, I'm naturally thinking, how can I save money at Christmas?

I'm thinking that I'm mostly making gifts this year. I LOVE to make gifts, and I have no idea what it will be yet, but I'm excited to start thinking about it.

I saw this cool link about not using wrapping paper here and it had a list of other creative ways to wrap gifts without spending money on it. I think I'm going to go the paper bag route and have my kiddos decorate it.

I can't believe it's almost NOVEMBER!!

I got tagged

2008-10-16T23:30:00.001-07:00

read it here!

now that's a cute belly laugh!

2008-10-08T21:33:00.001-07:00

Can you tell I kinda have bloggers block? check this out..

Seriously, this is awesome

2008-10-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

I just saw this online through another blog, it's the coolest bible ever! It's illustrated completely with pictures made with LEGOS!! How cool is that? Here is Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus int the stable...seriously, you gotta look at it!

A fun purse giveaway! Ends Sunday 12pm!

2008-10-04T22:21:00.000-07:00

stumbled upon this fun blog giveaway...I love this gals Etsy shop, too! check it out!

more senior pics

2008-09-17T00:43:00.000-07:00

Here is some of my faves from another senior picture shoot...

75lbs of tomatoes+25 lbs apples +50lbs peaches=What was I thinking?!

2008-09-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

Today i went to my local farm store, Kunze Farms (which I love). I went seeking tomatoes. I got a little giddy when I saw all the fruit, too. I thought, I'll do tomatoes today, peaches tomorrow, and applesauce friday. Well, being the newbie canner that I am, I thought, I'll wait til after dinner to get going...I forgot that tomatoes take longer than other water bath canning....so, I only got half way through tonight (although I have a couple hours of water bathing my jars before bed)...And, I kinda forgot that I have an eye appt in the morning, and company coming for dinner...and plans on friday morning. OOPS. Well, a few late nights and I should be good to go, and have yummy deliciousness in my pantry and freezer to make it allllll worth it! Oh...and I baked some bread in there too. Supermom, I am not...you should see the mess! (Sorry, Delores, it's not the orderly system you properly taught me...it started that way, my kitchen was spotless when I started!!I'll get it down someday).

And, Mom...for the record, it's way more fun doing this together! I was lonely skinning my juicy red friends! :( Praying you have a smooth weekend! I love you!

Happy Birthday Hayden!

2008-09-06T21:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Hayden,

I know I say this every year, but I can't believe you are 4 years old already. It seems like just last week that you came into our life. From the start you were such a sweet boy. You were such an easy baby, you fit right in to our life seamlessly. You were happy to be anywhere. You slept great, were always happy. The news that you were coming even came at the perfect time...Grammy was battling cancer, and we all really needed some hope and something to be joyful about...and ever since you've brough so much love and joy to our lives.

You are always full of smiles and silliness...you have a wonderful sense of humor and love to tease. Your preschool teacher told me that at the end of the year, this year, that your sense of humor was great for a preschooler! You are always cracking us up! You are always laughing and play well with other kids.

I love that you want to snuggle with me before bed, EVERY night. I know that before long, you won't want that, so I savor it now.

You are a learner. You take in a ton of information, and I can watch your face and see that your thinking hard about what you're hearing. I think you're alot like your Daddy, like that. You observe before you jump into things...you are careful and look out for others.

You are so full of love and are loved by many friends...we saw that today, with all of our wonderful friends and buddies who came to celebrate how special you are to us today.

My prayer is that you will grow into a boy and man, who keeps those same qualities that make you special. I know others will appreciate your sense of humor. I pray that your learning attitude and cautious observation will develop into good judgement and wise decisions. I hope that you always are comfortable being affectionate with us and others. All of these things make you so special to me.

We had a fun day today...started out with your first swimming lessons with your buddy Sam. You were mostly serious, and I could see that you were taking it all in. You did great and had so much fun jumping into the water with your teacher.

Then, we had the big party! We celebrated in "Camping" style...with a tent, campfire and all! We roasted s'mores and you played with your buddies in the backyard. You even got your Big Wheel that you have been wanting! You are so brave and fast on that thing, you surprise me! You and your cousin Sterling have so much fun playing together...Even when it's been awile since you've seen eachother, you always pick up right where you left off...laughing together and having a great time!

We love you so much, and are so thankful to the Lord for blessing us with such a special boy.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

highlights of my day

2008-09-05T00:02:00.000-07:00

I made smoothies for breakfast this morning. I really enjoy my smoothie in the morning. Today, I gave the boys theirs, and set mine aside while we made some yummy raspberry muffins. We made the muffins, although Jack couldn't reach to help us, so I gave him and empty bowl and wooden spoon to play with.

i took a little potty break, and when I came around the corner, I could hear this slurping sound...like someone slurping soup. And giggling.

I saw that my smoothie (strawberry) was in the bowl and the two trouble makers, were slurping MY SMOOTHIE out of the bowl. Oh well. I didn't look so appetizing now, smeared all over thier faces.

#2 Jack said "yuv you" aka LOVE YOU for the first time today! To me, on my way out the door...I said, I love you! and he just replied "yuv you!" Matt and I looked at eachother and I said...."He's never said that before!!" It made my day!

#3 I got 5 minutes to take a shower today. 4 of the 5 minutes, my darling little boys were zooming thier choo-choo's all over the glass of the shower door. Seriously...I only get ONE MINUTE of peace and quiet to my self? Really, I need more than that.

#4-I did get to go out with some really fun gals tonight for "Mom's Night Out"...that's always a good time and I think we had a record breaking turnout
! My friend has the blessing of having access to a fun condo down in the pearl district of portland, and apparently a big night in the city was appealing to some mommies! We had a great time...That gave me a little sanity break that I needed. Thanks ladies!

DONE

2008-09-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

We are home from ANOTHER weekend away and we are finally DONE travelling for the summer. Somehow, all of our summer adventures ended up in August...we've been gone EVERY WEEKEND, and I'm tired.

This weekend, we went to some friends of our family's mountain cabin and really, we just relaxed. It was my dad's side of the family's annual campout (if you call renting expensive little cabins at a mountain resort with a pool and workout room "camping"). It was fun, and chilly! We really spent only one evening with the large family and most of it with just my parents and brother, sister in law, and baby abby. It was so nice to snuggle up with cozy blankets and coffee, and watch old movies. The boys played outside and we did venture out to Timberine Lodge for lunch, where it was SNOWING!! Hello...it's august! It was so cold!

This was the most relaxing trip we've had, and it was nice to just BE. Matt is back to work today, and school starts tomorrow! I cant' believe it's time already. I am looking forward to fall...it's my favorite time of year. I love crisp cool mornings, fall colors, and getting back to some routine in my life. I'm not a super structured gal, but I do like predictable routine in my life. It helps me be more organized. And if you know me...like my hubby says "you need an orgazational life coach"...at least at home. :)

senior pics

2008-08-24T23:35:00.000-07:00

I shot some senior pics this week for a friend of a friend's son. "A" was a shy and sweet guy, and lots of fun to shoot!

We went to Portland to shoot, Jamison Square (so many fun things there) and the South Park blocks/PSU Campus.

Here's some of my faves!

Yummy easy treat!

2008-08-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter Honey Popcorn

So so easy! My mom used to always make peanut butter popcorn for a camping treat when I was a little girl and since we're getting ready to go camp for a week, I decided to hunt down the recipe. It's so good, OOPS, we ate most of it, and now I need to make another batch for camping!

2 quarts (I did about 4 and it worked well) of POPPED pop corn
1/2 Cup Honey (can substitute light corn syrup)
1/2 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
1/2 tsp Vanilla

Bring Honey and Sugar to a rolling boil. Remove from Heat and add peanut butter and vanilla. Mix until smooth and well blended (but don't let it cool to much). Then, pour over the popcorn and stir until all coated. Spread on a lightly greased cookie sheet or 2 to cool and set up (until not sticky, it will still be kind of chewy). Takes about 15 minutes and is sooooo good.

Enjoy a yummy snack! Eryn

New Adoption Blog

2008-08-04T15:43:00.001-07:00

Attn: all blog buddies!

I have started a new blog to chronicle our journey of adoption and family life, where I imagine I'll do most of my posting for now. I can't keep up with multiple blogs very often! I hope you will follow along and pray for us!

The new blog address is http://5byfaith.blogspot.com/

New EK Inspired fundraiser for American Cancer Society/Jensens

2008-07-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

I am excited to show you 2 new ek inspired necklaces inspired by some dear friends...the Jensen family. Many of you have heard their story, about thier son Luke (7) who has battled AML Leukemia this past year (and had victory! Praise God!).

The Jensens have a team for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life this August, and in support of that cause, I am donating 20% of the proceeds of these 2 necklaces to thier team (all money raised goes to the American Cancer Society). The American Cancer Society does great things for cancer, and raises a ton of money each and every year to support further research and support for families facing cancer. My own family (and I'm sure many of yours) have recieved the benefits of ACS, when my mom went through radiation treatment 4 years ago for her cancer. God is so good, and she has been healed! So, needless to say, this is a cause near and dear to me for many great reasons! If you know and love someone who is facing/survived cancer, you could wear this to show them your love and support!!

Hope $20- Sterling Silver 3/4 inch disc, handstamped with the word HOPE and the cancer awareness ribbon.

Big Hope $30- 1 1/4 inch Copper disc and 3/4 inch sterling silver disc. Handstamped with the word HOPE and the cancer awareness ribbon. (the small disc could also be personalized with the words "in memory of ______" or "in honor of______" if you'd like, just let me know!

To place an order, just email me at ekinspired@gmail.com
(tax not included in prices listed above)

Mission Completion! (in the words of Little Einsteins)

2008-07-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

Finally! Some Pics!!

God is funny sometimes...about 2 weeks ago, I asked him, "Lord, should I keep putting time, energy, money, into this little jewelry business? Please show me." One day later. I got an order. the day after that, I got an order. "Ok, Lord, this is good". Then, the day after that I got a call, for THIRTY personalized bracelets. "OK, OK, Lord! I hear ya!" God is good!

And...all this, right after we felt confirmation from the Lord to move into the adoption process, but with no idea where all the finances will come from! God will provide where he leads...no doubt about that! So, I'm thinking that my proceeds from ek inspired will go to the adoption fund.

So, Tuesday, I met with some friends to discuss their design ideas. Then I dove in, with a deadline of 7/23(today). That gave me 8 days, to design, order supplies and create 30 bracelets! Holy smokes...

But, thanks to my mom and sister in law pitching in, (Thanks girls!) We cranked them out. Here they are, right before I delivered the finished project last night.

Thank You, Julie for the referral!

For some reason, my pics won't upload, I'll have to try again later!

oh my (deep breath)

2008-07-17T23:03:00.000-07:00

So, if you've known me for long at all, you've probably heard me mention that "someday, we want to adopt". Well...I think "someday" has arrived!

My hubby told me today, that he's always had a desire to adopt, for as long as he can remember. For me...it was when we went to Nepal in 2001 that God put it into our hearts that someday, we were to bring a child into our world through adoption, and ever since, it's been a given. Now, in my little dream world plan, we'd have our few babies (biologically) and then adopt the last one. More and more, it's making sense that we'd take the adoption step sooner, rather than later.

So, after some inspiration to look into it, and the more we're learning, it's making more and more sense to get the ball rolling. We attended and seminar tonight, which was our first step in saying we're ready to go down this road. We went to All God's Children International, and learned about the process, asked loads of questions, and met a family who adopted a little guy from Ethiopia. He was so stinking adorable, I had wet eyes hearing about their journey and seeing how much they loved that little man. We both felt a big peace about the whole thing, and I think we're ready to dive into this thing. We have lots of praying to do, thinking, talking...my head is swimming with what if's. We have no idea how it will all come together, or what it will look like in the end, but are so excited to see God's plan for our family move into the next chapter. HOLY MOLY. How the heck am I supposed to go to sleep, now? I just watched a DVD full of little orphan faces. Should've saved that for the morning! There will definitely be more to come on this topic...

First Egg!

2008-07-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! We were out putzing around the yard tonight (harvested my first radishes!), and I decided to check and see if we got an egg from our chickens yet...and we did!! I couldn't believe it! Here is the first one...pretty small, but a nice hard egg (I've heard that the first ones can be kinda soft). I was so excited, that I tossed my fresh radishes into the coop, thinking they were the dandelions I meant to toss in for a snack for the girls. Dang! Then, I didn't really want them back :(. Not sure which gal gave up the egg, but Myrtle, Agnes, and Gladys were all 3 happy little cluckers tonight. Gladys, the black one, is definitely the boss of the flock...she's got the other doing what she says. It's pretty funny!

In other news...I'm so happy that Michelle and I went in on a grain mill together this week! I whipped up my first batch of freshly ground whole wheat flour and baked up some bread... and it was delicious! I know, some of you, including my own mom, think I've gone off the deep end. First the cloth diapers, then the chickens, making my own granola bars and bread, and now, with my little grain mill. But, I am loving it! I always wanted to be like Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie (which I still watch, occasionally on the Hallmark channel). I am feeling great about the food I'm giving my family...I also picked up several boxes of canning jars for a great deal at the same sale, and am so looking forward to canning tomatoes, applesauce and pears again this year!

I kind of had a little melt down this morning. I got all weepy on my way to church...I realized that just flat out did too much this week, and my hubby was gone all week...my allergies are making me seriously miserable, I was wiped. So, my sweet hubby dropped me off on the way to church at my moms, which always makes me feel better (going to mom's, not skipping church). I sat and chatted with her and after lunch I took like a 3-4 hour nap! It was awesome! I felt so much better. My allergies really wipe me out...I can't wait for fall! This week, I will be better at staying balanced with my commitments.

Life is just a bowl of cherries

2008-07-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday was interesting. I went to a newer Goodwill store, where you literally buy clothes by the pound. I found some terrific kids stuff, after a TON of digging. You sift through these gigantic bins of clothing, no organization whatsoever. Mens, Womens, all styles, kids, babies, all mixed in gigantic bins. I found some terrific finds, and I walked out with 43 items for $31. That's pretty stinking good. I bought a bunch to bring home, wash, iron, and I'll try to resell them at a local resale shop. We'll see what happens, I'd be happy if I make back enough to pay for what I want to keep. It was fun! Kind of like a garage sale...

Then, I took my haul to my car, unlocked the trunk on my van and put in my goods. Then I closed it. With my purse, phone, and keys inside. It was still locked. It was hot, my kids, thankfully were standing outside the car still. My hubs is out of town for the rest of the week. Super! Just how I like to spend a hot afternoon! I called my mom, and she came to our rescue with a cool car and a phone and the yellow pages. $49.95 later....we were back in.

Then we went to my mom and dad's and picked these yummy cherries from the cherry tree in their back yard. It was fun! My boys ate more than they picked, which reminded me of when i was a little girl doing the same thing. This pic is of the fruits of our labor!

I also have some new designs in my etsy shop! I'm having so much fun making these, and hoping to sell enough to keep my habit going.

Three Large initials, in copper and silver accented with a freshwater pearl (although, I like it without the pearl, too). Hand hammered to give a little more of a textured look. Each of these discs is about the size of a penny and they hang down about 2.5 inches down from the chain. So fun! I used my hubby, and my 2 kiddos names.

These are 3 silver pea sized initials in a row. Again, my hubby and kiddos are the initials.

I call these, Big Fat Initials. I love them! Again with the penny size discs and a large stamped initials.

Can't remember if I've posted these before...but I love love these little squares! they are little 1/2 inch squares with little names hand stamped into them, accented with the freshwater pearl. So pretty! Could also do any word or number, whatever!

have a great night! we're off to spend some time with friends for dinner (who are graciously rescuing us from our Hot Hot house!!

24 jars of heaven in my freezer

2008-07-01T22:40:00.000-07:00

My day looked like this. Woke up at 8:30- AWESOME! Kids slept all stinking night, in thier own beds, without waking us up...Hallelujah! Cleaned my hubby's shower, put away laundry that been lurking for a week or so, vacummed, tidied up the laundry room, did dishes. (yes! that felt good to be productive for an hour or so)

Went to Kunze Farms for my fresh strawberries...oh baby, de-lish! Yesterday and today I've been on my maiden freezer jam voyage, and I must say, thanks to Mere's freezer jam, I'll never buy the store stuff again! mmmm. My boy was a happy helper (because he ate more than he helped) PB &J with this stuff is HEAVEN.

picked up some fun fabrics today for Nursing Covers...Can I just say that I could spend HOURS looking at fabric? The colors, textures...mmm. They inspire me to be creative. BUT...with two grouchy kids in tow...not so much. They totally wrecked my fun. This is why, when I picked a color for my wonderful pedicure on Sunday...I picked OPI's "More time for Me" just cuz I liked the name. :)

Here's one to entice you to check out my e.k. inspired blog...
It's a sassy spunky lavender, plum, olive, and chocolate SO cool.

Then, I bought a new phone for home (apparently I talk to much. I used 1700+ minutes last month on my cell. Vonage, here I come!) Then, we stopped on the side of the road so Preschooler could pee in a water bottle.

then we raced home so I could change out of my sweats and burn some Brauts, then off we went to church for a meeting. whew. I'm tired.

New designs in my etsy shop!

2008-06-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Bun in the Oven Pregnancy/Maternity Necklace

Two hammered sterling silver discs hand stamped "Bun in the Oven" and the small disc is personalized with baby's due date. They are hand molded into a little bit of a bowl shape and embellished with a pretty fresh water pearl. This is a sweet gift for mommy to be (this would also be a fun way to make the announcement)

Pea in the Pod Pregnancy/Maternity Necklace

Two sterling silver discs hand stamped "Pea in the Pod" and the small disc is personalized with baby's due date. These 2 discs and hand hammered and embellished with a pretty pea-sized glass green bead. This is a sweet gift for mommy to be (this would also be a fun way to make the announcement)

I also made this one for the kids "Nana" for her birthday.

It is a 7/8 inch Silver disc, slightly hammered with the words "Hayden & Jack love Nana on it, and it's embellished with a sweet red heart glass bead.

I am having so much fun making these, and I am thrilled at how well they are selling. Those pea size initial ones have been going "like hotcakes"! And, not even people I know! (so, I know they are not just being nice to me :) Yahoo!

New baby pics!

2008-06-20T01:05:00.000-07:00

I got the privelege of shooting my new neice yesterday! What a sweet girl, I wanted to bring her home with me.

I love the one of mommy holding her and the up close one of her sparkley eyes...Love that little girl!

Drumroll, please....

2008-06-18T17:12:00.000-07:00

The winner is...DysFunctionalmom! I used www.random.org to pick a random number (between all of you commenters) and it picked her! Thanks everyone for stopping by! It was awesome to see all the new faces! I will continue to put up my new designs on my etsy shop here for all of you to see! :) Thanks again...sorry to all my friends who didn't win...You're still winners to me! :)

Giveaway! My Etsy Shop is up and running!

2008-06-13T01:19:00.001-07:00

EDITED: I will accept entries until 3pm today!

I am so excited to finally launch my Etsy shop, EK Inspired! I am now selling my personalized hand stamped silver jewelry.

To celebrate my kickoff, I'm having a giveaway! Yahoo, my first giveaway! I will be giving away one of my hand stamped pea sized initial necklaces, customized to your kiddos (or whomever you want). The big drawing will be held on Wednesday, June 18th. I'll randomly select a winner and post the winner by 10pm on Wednesday.

Here's what you have to do:
Post a link on your blog back to this post, and leave me a comment telling me you did so (with your email address). Can't wait to see who the big winner is!

Get your tissue

2008-06-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

And then read this Letter to my Daughter.
Disclaimer: It's a mommy's letter to her baby that she lost just after birth (she knew baby had fatal problems). It'a beautiful letter and picture of what God taught her through her experience.

Seriously, get a hankie. Isn't it interesting the vulnerable things we will put on our blog? It's such an outlet, for me, too. We can broadcast our most embarrassing, our most spiritual, our most significant moments that would not be able to express sometimes in a face to face conversation.

For instance...today, my kids dumped out the humidifier in thier room (water everywhere). Then they filled it up in the bathroom and Hayden dumped it on Jack's head.

Then, later today, Hayden snuck an half a loaf of bread into thier room, where they shredded it and happily spread the crumbs around the room. Then went back to the bathroom and pumped my delicious B & B foamy handsoap all over the counter with water. Then he pooped on the little potty seat and smeared junk all over it. I was so mad, all I could do was put him to bed (it was 7). I knew if I spanked him, it would be too hard because i was so ticked. It's amazing the damage that can be done in 5 minutes, of what I thought, was finally a moment of peace and quiet! I should know better.

Several times in the past 2 days, I've just been praying, Lord, help me to show them grace when they dont' deserve it. Help me not to completely loose it. Thankfully, I've got my moment of peace and quiet now, and the dudes are ASLEEP. Tomorrow, is a fresh start. Thank goodness for the Grace the Lord extends to me, that he has not abandoned me, but walks with me as I figure this mommy thing out.

My fave verse of the day, "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins are like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." Praise God for that! Please sweep my junk away like a cloud! Not only does he do that, but He invites me to come back to him and refuel. He embraces me and reminds me that He's already taken care of my garbage. I get to reconnect, know that I'm loved, and that He's redeemed me! And, the truth is, He's redeemed my little monsters, too. I pray that someday, they'll get that because of the kind of mommy I am to them. Lord, help me be a good picture of you to my babies!

For you SNL fans...

2008-06-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

This is so funny! Hubby and I laughed so hard when we saw this on SNL...

Por Que No? Post #100!

2008-06-07T21:11:00.000-07:00

Wow, I feel like I should have a party for my 100th post! (you know, like the 100th episode of your favorite sitcom...)

Anyhow...Tonight my hubby and I had a much needed and long awaited date night! We decided to swap date nights with some friends of ours with kiddos the same ages as ours, and they live pretty close (Thanks Jeff and Jennifer!). So, we had 3 fabulous hours all to ourselves!

We went to portland and went to Por Que No? (it's supposed to have an upside down question mark at the beginning, but my mac doesn't have that) and had the stinking tastiest tacos ever! Seriously, I wanted to lick the paper in my little taco basket! I had pork carnitas...matt had chopped steak. We had delicious rice and beans...they were not your average beans and rice. They were so flavorful and yummmmy. We talked, and ate, and walked around Mississippi Ave window shopping and then to our fave coffee shop, Albina Press. It was so nice...Ah, date nights should really happen more often!

Love you honey! Looking forward to next time!

I'm a Winner!!

2008-06-05T15:40:00.001-07:00

I just found out that a won a $50 Gift Certificate to Christa-Taylor.com! yahoo!

It's a cool site, a local christian family started a clothing boutique online, with fashion trends and modesty in mind. Check it out! I won it from her sister's blog, www.passionatehomemaking.com. Thanks Lindsey!

He still needs a mommy

2008-06-04T22:45:00.000-07:00

The preschooler has been working on his getting dressed skills, and although his taste and mine differ greatly on what makes a suitable outfit, I am loving that he will get dressed on his own (see photo in my banner above!). I was complimenting him on his awesome skills "getting his dressed on" (as he calls it). I said what a big boy he was becoming, and he said, "Yah, but I still need a mommy." I said I was glad, and he said, "For a little while"-as in, don't get too attached to the idea lady. Stinkin' big boy, that one.

My littlest man, on the other hand is mama's boy. He wants to touch me all the time. He's had a nasty diaper rash the past few days (I think from Orange Juice)...seriously, blisters, peeling skin...yuck. Diaper changes have become a 2 man job, and my job is to be super close to his face. He is so comforted by my cheek touching his. He just puts is little weepy face next to mine and squeezes my neck. In the morning when he wakes up and we're snuggling in bed, he literally lays on me and rubs his chunky cheeks against mine. Sweet, but slightly annoying at 7am :). I do love that he loves me.

FInally!!

2008-05-29T01:30:00.000-07:00

Abigail Hope finally arrived at 12:20am this morning! What a day.

She weighed in at 6 lb 1 oz and 18.5 inches. My sister in law labored like a champ! (Tamara...maybe you'll see her this week!) It was a stinkin' long day, but she rocked it and she and Abby are doing just great!

I was able to be in the room for her birth, and I've gotta say, each time I see a baby brought into the world...I'm absolutely astounded at the wonder of God's amazing creation. It blows my mind to see a baby, and have such a tangible picture of God's amazing love for us. I can't wrap my head around the fact that he loves us so much more that we love that tiny baby! Thank you Lord, for a wonderful day, safe delivery, and for blessing our family again!

Still no baby!

2008-05-26T22:42:00.000-07:00

Clackamas town center, Bridgeport Village, Ikea and Home Goods later...still no baby! She must not be ripe. Any labor starting suggestions? They have tried just about everything in the "old wives tale" realm with the exception of Castor Oil. She's not quite desperate enough to inflict herself with that yet. She's scheduled for induction on Weds am if nothing happens before then!

bad blogger!

2008-05-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

that's me. I have had a serious case of blogger block. I'm reading all of yours, but I just haven't been in the mood. My boys are on a happy streak (yay!) and we've had a week or so of great days...Today was my preschoolers last day of his first year of preschool! I can't believe it...

We are still waiting for my sweet neice to be born...she's officially late! Tried rubbing that mommies accupressure points, but nothin! We walked and walked at target yesterday...nothin. Tomorrow, we're off to Clackamas town center...to wander the miles of mall and try to get something started...pray that sweet girl pops out soon!

My big boy asked me, "Mommy, when we go to the hospital, am I coming out of your tummy or is Jack?" Somehow...he's really got this having a baby thing confused!I told him that no one was coming out of my tummy, and certainly not either of them (thank goodness!). He is obsessed with babies, and going to the hospital to see babies...babies, babies, babies. He'll be so happy to see his cousin "Cheerios" (what he thinks her name should be) and HOLD her, he says. It will be fun!

my favorite belly

2008-05-07T00:39:00.000-07:00

This is a miracle belly. My neice is inside. My brother and his wife lost a few precious pregnancies before this miracle happened! I spent about an hour with them tonight taking some maternity pictures of her beautiful belly! She is due in about a week and a half...and glowing! (And so is my brother, come to think of it). Our family has really savored to joy of this pregnancy...it was so fun to celebrate the belly! I'm no professional (yet), but it was fun to practice on my favorite belly.

I couldn't pick a favorite...so here's a bunch. NOTE: my brother is hairy...so prepare yourself for a belly shot... it's one of my favorites, because it's SO them. He's crazy about her belly, and especially fascinated with her belly button. He has been know to text message pictures of her ever changing belly button...it's so funny!

Cool printable wallet card for safe plastic and chemical free cleaning recipes

2008-04-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

I found this link to a the Oregon Environmental Council site where you can download and print these cool walletcards that have explanations of different types of plastics and which are the safest types for kids/different uses. there is also one for safe cleaning products and recipes to make your own! It looks great...give it a peek!

OEC Link

ek inspired!

2008-04-25T22:29:00.000-07:00

I started up a new blog to peddle my creative wares...at least until I can come up with a better way!

e.k. inspired

Currently I have up my Nursing Cover Ups ($25) with the current fabric choices I have as well as my Burpies (burp cloths) ($5 each or 3 for $12) and current fabric choices.

Soon, I'll be posting my handstamped silver necklaces for sale! Check it out, and I'm sorry for shamelessly promoting myself!

Scrappy Weekend

2008-04-23T22:29:00.000-07:00

So this past weekend, I went away with some good friends and our scrapbooking gear. It was SOOOO nice to getaway! It felt good to my soul to be with gals I LOVE and to get the creative juices flowing (I think that's what fed my hunger for projects this week-see below!). I love being creative, so it was nice to create fun stuff from my baby's first year. Thanks Nic and Alli for the super fun weekend!

The weather was crazy for late april, with hailstones the size of peas! It was good weather for staying inside all weekend...we pretty much ventured out to Starbucks and for food...

Here's us all with our favorite pages we did over the weekend!

And, here's what I accomplished this weekend (baby's first year! Yay!)

This is my favorite one!

(and, yes, I know that last one says "Family Christma" with no S. I ran out of stickers and need one more stinking S!!darn.

Sorry for the 10,000 pictures on this one...

Coffee Table Makeover!

2008-04-23T22:16:00.000-07:00

So, I'm driving home one day from my favorite scrapbooking supply store, and lo and behold...some kids on the side of the road with a coffee table and a "free" sign. Well, now, I just happen to be in the market for a coffee table, and I have a small budget. Free, however, fits right into my budget! So, I loaded it into my van. It was ugly...real ugly. Husband, thought it may be hopelessly ugly. But, I had hope! I had seen on HGTV a while back some design on a budget show, where they turned an ugly table into a cute ottoman. So, I set out to the store to buy a few supplies.

Before:

And After!

for some reason the pics make the paint job look a little blue, but it's "black ink". Aren't you glad there is hope for ugly coffee tables? I am.

Oh yah, and here's one for giggles:

This is what my kids were doing yesterday when I was painting thier bedroom...the preschooler dressed himself from the basket of clean laundry....you know, a Car's movie tshirt, backwards undies, a winnie the pooh bib, and his funky winter hat. That's practical right? (notice the toddler is in the background doesn't have any clothes on. I was busy painting, what can I say! At least they weren't eating cookies and jumping on the furniture!)

I have 2 of my big projects done! The kids room is done, and my ottoman. Now, i just need to sew a baby gift, put together my decorations for the party and finish the clean up on my house! I'm getting there...

Projects...

2008-04-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

So, my sister in law is due with her sweet little miracle girl in 23 days! So, of course there will be a shower, at my house, this sunday.With that, my sister in law (other one) and her family will be coming down to stay the night on Saturday.

So, I've decided to squeeze in a few projects before then (in the next 4 days).

Make some cute flower arangement/shower decorations

Paint the kids room (got a smokin deal on some "mistint" paint in the exact colors I wanted!! $5 a gallon of my favorite Valspar designer paints at Lowe's-yahoo! Thanks Beckie for that tip...I'll always look for that first!)

Paint our room (again, too good of a deal to pass up)ps-I love painting, really. I enjoy seeing a plain white wall pop with color when I'm done and make us feel more cozy and homey.

Make an ottoman out of an ugly coffee table (I'm super excited about this project, and will share the results soon!)

Get my usual stuff done around the house (plus make it extra spiffy for the shower)

hmmm, can I get it all done? Hope so! Am I crazy? Maybe. Husband thinks so (oh, yeah, he's making our chicken coop...our little birds keep trying to get away! They are cramped and getting cranky about it! They NEED to be outside now.)

One more thing...

2008-04-18T08:20:00.001-07:00

Have you gals seen the trailer for Baby Mama? I think it looks hilarious! They are 2 of my faves from SNL. I wanna see it!

Girls getaway...here I come

2008-04-17T22:54:00.000-07:00

My scrapbooking gear is packed, and I'm ready for a getaway!! I'm off with a few good girlfriends for childless fun! (i LOVE IT when I get to sleep, uninterupted for a whole night...no pottying preschoolers, no fussy teething toddlers...yahoo!!)

I'll report and take pics of my pages when I get back!

Kid puking in WalMart = NO FUN!!

2008-04-14T13:39:00.001-07:00

nasty details to follow: Yes, exactly what the title says...Yesterday my toddler puked right at the walmart checkout. He'd eaten a RED fruit roll-up shortly before. So, a nice giant puddle of red puke. All over him. All over me. All filled up in my flip flops. NASTY! So, the nice check out girl hands me A (as in ONE) paper towel. HA! I wanted to say..."seriously, lady? You must not have children". I was with my mom, thankfully, so she politely said, "I think you should call someone with a mop" and I scurried off the the bathroom with my still retching child. I stripped him down, tried to rinse him off. Thankfully my mom was wearing layers, so I was able to ditch my puke soaked shirt and wear her sweatshirt home.

He also puked in the van and the bathtub that day. Mommyhood is SO very glamorous some days! (Any tips for getting rid of that nasty smell from the carseat? I washed the cover, but it still stinks!)

I feel like my kids have had the pukies like once a month or so for the past 6 months. I'm seriously ready for the flu/sickness season to end!

Ok, Ok, people!!

2008-04-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

Just kidding, I love you all! Here I am...

I've sort of been waiting to post pictures of our spring break trip, but alas, my computer literally will not accept any more pictures! :) Time to make a major download to my external hard drive. My little Mac just can't handle how much I love my children!!

So, I had family from out of town, then we left town for most of last week for husband's spring break...It was so fun! We flew down to LA area, and visited lots of loved ones, and had one really fun day to ourselves at the beach! It was so nice!! We ate yummy food (including in-n-out....mmmmmmm)and drank coffee. It was fantastic! Then we continued our vacation here in town and went to the children's museum on friday and to mcmenamins (again, mmmmm. Captain Neon burger? Blue cheese, bacon...YUM!!)

So, that's where I've been. I will post pictures, hopefully soon. In the meantime, you can pray for me...I'm spending today and most of tomorrow praying and fasting. I'm doing ok right now, but starting to feel tired (literally, sleepy!). I will share more later on that.

Love you all!

check out my new bookshelf

2008-03-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

Look at my new bookshelf over there under my blog buddies...Isn't that fun? You just go to shelfari.com and pop in the books you're reading and it installs it right on your blog for you! Funsies.

I want a cupcake

2008-03-26T20:49:00.000-07:00

MMMMM. I have been trying to eat good for a few months now, and generally, I'm doing pretty well. BUT...this week (and guess what time of the month it is...) I reeeeeaaaallly want one of these:

St. Cupcake Hot Fudge on chocolate....oh baby, the chocolateyness and sprinkles, mmm mmm good!

Visit St Cupake here...seriously, the best cupcakes on the planet.

ps today I was supposed to run my first 2 miles straight. Didn't do it. I actually wanted to, but HOORAY, my long lost sister in law (who moved to texas a few years ago)and today, her and my neice and nephew CAME HOME!! For good! Technically they're moving to Seattle area, but that is SO much closer than Texas!My bro in law is on his way, too, in the UHaul...yay!!

Time Warp

2008-03-20T17:25:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed how there is a time warp between your house and the car? You look at the clock, it's 8:30am. Perfect! You need to be on the road by 8:45, and you're doing great. You gather the kids and load up and pull out of the driveway, happy with yourself for being on time, for once. You glance at the clock on your dashboard as you head down the road...WHAT?!? How is it possibly 9:05? It was JUST 8:30! There is some kind of black hole time warp in my garage, I think.

Lee Ann, I know your house does not have this time warp phenomenon...unless maybe, it goes the other way. You leave your house at 8:30 and you magically time warp to 8:15am when you pull out your driveway. :)

It's Official

2008-03-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

It started with the cloth diapers. Then the chickens. Some have hinted to the fact that maybe, I was becoming a granola bar...a closet tree hugger.

Well, yesterday, I made my own Granola Bars! And they are good! I've been on the quest for more "whole" food...unprocessed. And, may I say, it's hard on the budget! So, the store bought granola bars without preservatives, hydrogenated soybean oil, and high fructose corn syrup, cost about $3.50 for 6 little granola bars! Ouch. Can't do that, at the rate my darlings consume the things, so I set out to make my own. And, since I got such a phenomenal deal awhile back on Quaker Old Fashioned oats...I happen to have enough oatmeal to make like, 10,000 granola bars!

It only took about 30 minutes, from mixing ingredients to coming out of the oven. And it made about 18 granola bars, and I'm sure cost much less (I had all the ingredients in the cupboard).

Here's the recipe:
2 1/2 C rolled or steel cut oats (just not the "quick cooking" kind)
1/2 C whole wheat flour
1/4 C flax sead meal (optional-but adds a ton of fiber)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 C dried mixed berries/raisins (coarsly chopped)
1/4 C mini semi sweet morsels (I chopped up regular ones)
1/2 C + 2tbsp Natural Peanut Butter
1/2 C water
2 tsp vanilla
2 large egg whites
1/4 C packed brown sugar

Mix vanilla, eggs, water,brown sugar and peanut butter with mixer.

In a separate bowl, combine all other ingredients.

Wet your hands and press mixture into greased baking sheet (9x13 size)

Bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes.

Turn out onto cutting board (should come out in one big peice). Cut into squares or bars as you wish...I made 18 bars. Yummy! Not as sweet as store bought ones, but my kids love them! (and so do i)

In other news, the Preschooler dumped an ENTIRE bottle of baby powder all over the boys room yesterday. There is ALOT of powder in one bottle! Oh, wait, let me back up. The day before that...he got ahold of a can of hairspray. Hubby and I were making dinner, when he said, "Do you smell hairspray?"

I went to see, and sure enough, preschooler was spraying away, like it was Febreeze. All over the toddlers head, all over the room. I couldn't even see all the places he sprayed it, UNTIL, there was a nice dusting of powder to reveal it. On the dresser, on the carpet...everywhere. Including toddlers head, which I had not yet bathed. So the powder caked onto everything!! So, really, he was helping me to see, where the hairspray was right? At least baby powder smells good. Good thing, it will be puffing out of the mattress every time he lays down until he's sixteen.

i was beyond angry, but I had to take a picture of pasty toddler.

My little flock

2008-03-15T21:34:00.000-07:00

We got our chicks! 2 Rhode Island Reds, and a Plymouth Barred Rock. We got them today and now they're nice and cozy in thier new home. The kids love them, and keep trying to share thier toys with them...Here's our 3 little ladies.

the preschooler thought he needed to take some photos of them as well.

They are really sweet and so the journey begins!

ps...Nate K...here's some motivation to check Traci's email. I got some nice shots of her at the shower, and they're in her email!

I'm a Winner!!

2008-03-15T08:47:00.001-07:00

Well, on Ebay, anyway! I just "won" the auction for the plans for my Chicken Tractor (Coop). It's cool, because all the wood comes from recycled wood pallets, which we will get for FREE. Yahoo! We have a connection for free pallets (which we've never needed before, but now will come in handy). We get our baby chicks on Thursday!

My first haircut...

2008-03-12T23:14:00.000-07:00

I couldn't take in anymore...the preschooler was looking like helmet head! Usually my sister in law (a professional) gives the cuts around here, but we've both been super busy...So...I got out the scissors and clippers.

Before

After

this after pic was taken with my new 50mm 1.4 lens...yay!!

So was this one...love those eyes!And Jack's favorite red "shhhhoooo" (said with lots of spit!)

In other news, our neighbor kids seemed to have taught the toddler the lovely "pow pow" and he's attached himself to this play pistol...great. At least when we were at a friends house yesterday, I overheard the preschooler say "Hey, we don't shoot people, we shoot deer and elk!"

Red Therapy...

2008-03-10T23:33:00.000-07:00

I went to Target tonight. ALONE. It was so nice (thanks Jamie!!). There is something wonderful about wandering the aisles, pushing my red cart around, wherever I wanted to go...no pleading with my children to "stop touching that" or "please don't bite your brothers fingers". Just me and the aisles full of fun, pretty, fashionable things. It is totally "retail therapy" for me.

Check out this gals blog about her love for Target....Slavetotarget

Check It

2008-03-07T11:41:00.000-08:00

Ok, these are HILAR-I-OUS webisodes on mommyhood.

Go to In the Motherhood

yah, baby!

2008-03-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

I'm back! Matt and I have been mooching internet off a random wireless signal we've picked up at our house (hey, I'm cheap, what can I say?). Well, it disappeared. So, after some creative budgeting, and a great comcast promo deal, I finally coughed up the moolah to get our own internet (and because of the great deal...cable tv too! FOOD NETWORK, HERE I COME!)

So, in other news, I've kept up with my Couch to 5K plan. I ran 1.5 miles yesterday! yahoo!! It was 1.5 straight miles, but broken up. still...this is quite an accomplishment for me, who's not "run", except to chase my toddler away from splashing in the toilet, in a very VERY long time. I'm on week 4 of the schedule, and it has by far...been the hardest. Mostly hard in my head. I was thinking, there is NO WAY I'm going to be able to run for 5 straight minutes. But, turns out...I can! I was totally sabbotaging myself, and when I decided, I should just go for it and see if I fail, instead of deciding before I even tried. And, it wasn't THAT bad. It wasn't that GOOD either...but I lived and will do it again tomorrow.

The sun is good...my kiddos are LOVING being outside, and I love it too! I'm back on my chicken kick. I really want to get a few chickens! Maybe 3. i think it would be so fun for my boys to get the little chicks and see them get big. Then, we could get fresh eggs! How fun would that be? And they eat your kitchen scraps...since I don't have a garbage disposal...perfect!

Well, you'll be hearing more from me. :)

brain overload

2008-02-20T20:05:00.000-08:00

Edited again to show another link on BPA at the end
Edited to fix the link on bottles!

So, on our little getaway this weekend (see below) we talked about wanting to change some eating habits, and we're going to try for the month of March to eat only real or "whole" foods. Meaning, no processed food, and possibly more organic ingredients. So, I've set out on the world wide web, to check things out. WHOA. My brain aches.

I went window shopping at Trader Joes (love that place), which has fairly reasonable prices, but a limited selection. Then I went to Wild Oats, which I loved, but...seriously, 1.99 per lb for "organic" head of iceberg lettuce! Ouch.
The more I learn about foods and products, the more I want to go organic and green. My couponing self and my tree huggin self are in conflict.

So, a few major things I've learned this week:

Most baby bottles and many sippy cups (and...ugh, Nalgenes)are made from polycarbonate plastic (playtex,avent, most of the big brand ones). In that plastic is an ingredient called BPA (Bisphenol-A)can act like estrogen, and has been linked to a variety of things like early onset of puberty, childhood obesity, others and possibly prostate/breast cancer (in lab animals). Ok, Ok, I won't go crazy trying to describe it here, since I wont' do it justice. If you want more info go here to zrecs, I found a great blog that was really helpful. I am not freaking out, thinking I've poisoned my kids, but I am getting rid of my bottles with this stuff in them, and I'll be buying these kind next time.

If you want to learn about what ingredients are in your costmetics, oral care, nail care and baby care items and what ingredients are important to avoid, go here to the cosmetics database. Warning: it can be a little disturbing to learn about the junk in things we put on our skin everyday (and our babies behinds!)

On a happy note, since last week at moms, there has been a chain reaction of cloth diapering tree huggers! Yahoo! I'm not really turning into a freak, you guys, but I am super happy to see my friends saving $$ and putting less junk into the local landfills!(Props Mere!)

Ok, now I'm getting off my soapbox and going to watch american idol.Good Night!

Link on what BPA is

romantic getaway...

2008-02-19T20:46:00.000-08:00

We left sunday right after church and headed for the coast. I couldn't believe my eyes, when my husband told me we had to stay here...what a dump!

Then, our friend who owns this shack, took us out to lunch, and then said, "Hey, why don't you drive this while you're here?"

So we did. And it was reeeeeally fun. The weather was awesome! It was almost 60 and so sunny! I'll admit, it was a little chilly for a ride with the top down, but we couldn't resist!We went for a drive (we had to get our first dose of vacation coffee). Then, we went for a walk on the beach. It was SOOOO nice. We talked, we laughed, I cried some. (like I always do when we have heart to hearts. It was lovely.

Then we watched the sunset.

Then we did something else that I did not take pictures of, nor will I describe for you (use your imagination, it was us, a lovely beach house, and no kids...you figure it out!)

Then we went to bed, and slept. All night long....nobody waking me up to pee, nobody cryiing...just us, sleeping!

Then we woke up, got our first dose of coffee, and went for a drive down hwy 101...beeutiful!

Then we stopped by the site of our first unofficial date. Hug Pointe, how cute is that? It actually sounds like some hot makeout site, which we did not (then or now). (we actually didn't kiss for the first month we dated!On purpose!)

Then we sat and watched this for awhile.

Then we got back in our cute little ride and went back to here for round 2 and breakfast...baked goods, YUM.

We putzed around town, went home the long way and stopped for lunch in Astoria for some Yummy fish and chips and Husband had an awesome burger.

Then, back to reality!

ps, I finished "The Shack" and it was soooo good! I loved it!

tagged

2008-02-11T22:47:00.000-08:00

Okay. Here's my tag from my friend Annette.Find the nearest book of 123 pages or more. Turn to pg 123 and read the first 5 sentences. Post the next 3 sentences.

Heres' mine from Prayers for New Mothers by Angela Thomas.

(a prayer to God)
"To live a pure life means I cannot be swayed from my purpose-to glorify you- in my home and in my choices-no matter what happens. Whatever the world throws at me, no matter how persuasive or alluring it might be, I will hold on for dear life to the biblical principles that Jesus calls me to exemplify.

Pure mothering means I won't always be popular." Ain't that last statement the truth!

There you go. You're supposed to tag 5 people. I tag, Molly, Rachel, Kelly, Dawnette and Heidi.

Stuff I did today...

2008-02-11T22:20:00.000-08:00

It was a good day. I was busy. Don't you hate it though, when you're out to find something specific at Target (like really cute red valentine plates, on sale) and they are sold out? Then you go to another Target, and another...finally, Victory was mine! Found my plates, 3 targets later at 7:30pm...the preschooler was asleep in my cart (we were on a date).

Anyhow, my day started like this...the Toddler found his yellow rubber ducky boots, or "Booooo" as he calls them. He walks so funny in them...he just kept pointing at them saying "boooo". So cute!

Then, from Beckie's tip, I made my own foaming hand soap!It's a snap. 1 part regular handsoap to 6 parts water. (example, 1/2 cup soap to 3 cups water). I made mine in a liter plastic bottle, filled up my empty pump, and saved the rest for a refill. As beckie says, it's highway robbery that soap companies literally dilute the product ans charge you double! At least one good thing came from my multiple target stops.

And, last but not least...My new treads. Now, prepare yourself...I went running. Shocking, I know. I have not run, regularly, for about 14 years. I used to run a 6:15 mile back in the day...those days are loooong gone. I started this program called Couch to 5K.(it should be called, Laundry Room to 5K in my case). 9 weeks from now, I'll be running 5K! I bought myself a good pair of shoes, an even better sports bra (a necessity), and hit the road. I actually enjoyed myself. I think it's a great program to wean you slowly onto running, so, in my case, you don't kill yourself.

Throw in some laundry, vacuuming, grocery shopping, and I'll call it a day.

Luke's big day!

2008-02-05T22:59:00.000-08:00

Hey friends! Most of you, my faithful readers, know of our dear friends, the Jensens. Luke Jensen's bone marrow transplant is one Wednesday!! This is a big deal day for the Jensen's...please pray for them. Especially, Luke and Jake (luke's brother and bone marrow donor) as they undergo the transplant tomorrow. Luke has been battling AML Leukemia for several months now, (and doing it like a champ, I might add!)and after completeing several rounds of chemo, tomorrow is the big day.

He still has a LOT of recovery time ahead, so keep on praying!

growing out my hair...

2008-02-05T17:58:00.000-08:00

So, I'm trying to grow out my hair, I think. I used to have long hair, and liked it. But for about the last 10 years, I have had med/short hair and can never make it through this "ugly" phase before losing my patience and cutting it off again.

SO, today, I found one of those makeover sites and tried on a few long hair styles to see how I'd look. What do you think? BE HONEST.

ps, I feel very odd posting about something as unimportant as my hair...but, it's what's on my mind today. (lame, huh?)

here's me with no bangs and long hair...

And here's me with bangs and long hair

i heart french toast

2008-02-04T16:22:00.000-08:00

Seriously, I do. Everytime I go out to breakfast, it's what I order. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. When I've been pregnant both times and in the throws of morning sickness...it always sounds so good to me (and no, I'm not pregnant). I love it at Elmers, I love it at IHOP, I love it at home, I love it fancy (and HELLO! THEEE most amazing french toast EVER is at the restaurant in the heathman lodge. It's made from slices of delicious bread pudding, drizzled with raspberry sauce and candied pears...OH.MY.GOODNESS. amazing....and surprisingly no more expensive than IHOP and waaaay better.)

So, I've been wanting to try the Deceptively Delicious French Toast recipe. I made it with Sweet Potoatoes (you're thinking, ew, gross, sweet potatoes in my french toast). But it's only like 2 tablespoons, and it IS SWEET, so you can't even taste it under your syrup. My boys gobbled it up and asked for more...it was gooo-ood.

On Sunday morning, I made it again, only this time with pureed pineapple and sprinkled with toasted coconut. deeelish!

Now, go ahead...sneek some veggies in your kids french toast! It really was good. (and honestly, you could just add a few tablespoons of pureed sweet potato, pineapple, banana, applesauce, butternut (or any other kind) squash to your regular run of the mill french toast batter and nix the milk...

It's coming!!

2008-02-04T01:01:00.000-08:00

For the sake of protectecting my identity and my kiddos...I'm going to be making my blog a little more anonymous. I'm going to change the name (the www.blogspot.com address)of my blog pretty soon, so it's won't include my name anymore. I don't like googling myself and it coming right to my blog...

I'll try to stop by your blogs and comment when that happens. Just so you know, in case you try to come visit, and can't find my blog (I know, it would be devastating for you!)

It's way past my bed time, but I became obsessed with making a new header for my bloggedy blog. With my name change, I'm giving my blog a little makeover. I could no longer handle the pepto pink...time to simplify.

girls nite out!

2008-01-31T22:54:00.000-08:00

Wish I would've taken pics, but I didn't. I was carefree and spontaneous!!

One of my best girlfriends threw and impromptu gals nite...and we bowled our little hearts out! It was really fun. Apparently, I am not a gifted bowler. For one...I have an abnormally shaped thumb on my bowling hand.So, it was hard to find the right ball to fit my "special" thumb (at least that's what my mom says), that was not a man sized bowling ball. Ones that felt the right weight, my thumb would always stick a bit, resulting in a loud thud of my ball hitting the floor and rolling into the gutter.
I had the lowest score of the 5 of us...ouch. It was really fun because 2 of the gals I have met at our MOM's group at chruch, but don't know well and two of them were 2 really good friends. It was really really nice to make some new pals and just chat...honestly, it's weird that as mommies we're dying to get "out", yet all we talked about were our babies, giving birth, epidurals, breastfeeding, crazy stuff preschoolers do, a tiny bit about our husbands (they are involved in conception, at least). All while having Nachos and sharing a beer at the bowling alley. I'm sure the manly men bowling next to us appreciated our conversations! It was fun.

Here's my special thumb (I think I should get some sort of bowling "handicap")

book worm

2008-01-26T20:39:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess you actually have to crack the pages and read to be a book worm, techically. I've been on a book buying binge this week. First, I shopped on Amazon on Tuesday after hanging out with Mere, and got inspired to buy these:

And then, Mere and I talked on the phone some more, and I got back on and ordered this:
We are going to do this study together.

Then...my friend Beth invited me to join www.goodreads.com which is so fun! You can see what your friends are reading/have read and get inspired to read. (so far, I'm only inspired and haven't actually read...but I WANT to. that counts, right?) So, now I want to read these:

THEN...today we had a family book date at Powell's in ptown. I LOVE Powells. I used to spend hours there (now, we spend 20 mins in the kids section and after that...we're in a hurry to get out.) We traded in a bunch of books and got $72 in store credit (YAHOO) and I bought these:
Well, I guess it will only let me post this many pics. For some reason, I can't upload any more! grrr, anyhow I bought 2 Charlie and Lola books We-meaning our fam- love Charlie and Lola stories. It's a funny cartoon on Disney about a boy and his little sister...every book starts out with..."I have this little sister, Lola. She is small and very funny." I just like them alot. These 2 darling little british cartoon kids...
Anyway, they are a favorite.
So we got 2 of those, and a Field Guide book for my camera (yay! Now, I can learn what big words like "Aperture" and "Shutterspeed" actually mean.)

Business Time

2008-01-25T16:10:00.000-08:00

Ok, this video is hilarious. My friend Lindsay told me about it, and Julie posted it on her blog, but just in case you missed it, here it is! So funny.

1000 visitors? REally?

2008-01-22T22:59:00.001-08:00

well, to be honest, I'm not sure what to think. I'm not sure if I should be flattered or creeped out. I posted "Who are you People?" and got two responses (3 if you count my mom). Several friends have mentioned in person that they've stopped by my blog occasionally...and of course there are those on my blog roll. So that accounts for about...maybe 20? That leaves 980 lurkers...now I know some of you just can't stay away, and check my blog more than once a day...and I'm okay with that.

But I'm seriously thinking about a blog makeover. I'm not sure I want to go "private", but I'm thinking of going more anonymous. not using names, and changing my blog URL so that it doesn't contain my name. I don't really like googling myself and being led right to my blog. That just seems weird. I know some of you have strong feelings about it...so, go ahead. Give me your thoughts...

ps, I ordered online today, and I can't WAIT to get them. I was hanging out with a gal pal today, and she shared one devotional from "Prayers for New Mothers" by Angela Thomas Gaffey about the challenges of Nursing (yes...lactating, not caring for sick people) and we both got teary eyed!

SO, I also ordered another book by her, called "Tender Mercy for a Mother's Soul". Also looks awesome! can't beat .01 cent on Amazon!! Love that. We're having Great Ideas Day at our mom's group at church and I think I might share about them, if I get them before then.

okay, just got two more hits before I even posted! and blogger is being weird and posted this twice.

1000 visitors? REally?

2008-01-22T22:59:00.000-08:00

Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth

2008-01-15T23:31:00.000-08:00

Hi friends. I just wanted to remind you to keep praying for the Lawrensons. Tricia has been awake some today...though it sounds like it was a frusterating day because she can't talk because of the ventilator. Emotional, draining, frusterating...read Nate's blog for more detail. Pray for them to find a way to communicate, rest for Nate...he's spending the night at Tricia's request. I keep praying for God to use them and their story in amazing and unexpected ways...really, they still need the Lord to carry them through today and the days (and nights)ahead.

8 years ago...

2008-01-10T21:48:00.000-08:00

Reading Lee Ann's blog today inspired me...and I realized TODAY is my 8th year proposal anniversary!

8 years ago today, I was tricked! Really...

I was working at the church office, where we were gearing up for the annual high school ministry winter retreat. Dave, my boss, said hey Eryn, I need you to drive to Camp Eagle Fern and look it over. I hear they've made some renovations this year and I want to know what we're up against....
Eryn "WHAT? We go to that camp every year for the past 15 years...really? We know what the cabins are like! But OK.

Eryn"Gee Dave, can I take somebody with me?"

Dave "Sure, I don't care"

Eryn "hey, can I take my boyfriend (who I thought was NEVER going to propose) Matt?"

Dave "sure, I don't care!"

Off we went. A random Monday afternoon. It was POURING down rain. We went to camp eagle fern.

cabins...check.
Cafeteria...check.
kitchen...check.

all the same. Whatever Dave...

Matt "hey, let's go for a walk..."
Eryn "it's pouring down rain...let's just go!"
Matt "come on..."
Eryn "ok."

We walk. Matt's talking about the great memories over the years of being students at this camp...yada yada. Then, he starts telling more specifics about a day in high school at a retreat...during quite time, at this waterfall. We turn and start going up the hill to this waterfall. It was wet. and muddy.

matt "I knew that day, when I found the girl I wanted to marry, I'd bring her here to ask her to marry me"

Eryn (in my head) "maybe someday that'll be me!"

matt reaches in his pocket and pulls out a little black box...

Eryn (in my head) "Oh my goodness! That's what he's doing!!"

I started shaking so much...literally knees knocking together. Matt though I was going to fall down the big muddy hill. So, he held me up and opened the box. He told me he loved me and wanted to spend forever with me.

We drove back home...I kept saying, "I should call _____" he'd say, "oh, just wait a little while"

When we got home to my folks house, it was FULL of people and a surprise engagement party! (I looked GREAT. Rain, mud, smudgy mascara)

It was a day I'll never ever forget! (I'd post pics, but that was in my predigital era)

"

Seriously, Who are you people?

2008-01-10T21:24:00.000-08:00

I just posted my visit counter like 2 days ago and it's got almost 300 hits! Who are you lurkers?

(Mom, I know about you!)

In other news...

2008-01-10T20:40:00.000-08:00

I've kind of had a hard time posting my other stuff this week. In light of loved ones (including Nathan and Tricia Lawrenson...even though I dont' know them personally) going through such stinking hard times, my stuff is seeming pretty insignificant and trivial.

My friends the Jensens, have little 7 yr Old Luke with AML Leukemia. They are doing well, but none the less...the biggest challenge of all of thier lives.

My good friend Traci, has battled most of her 2nd trimester and now into her 3rd of pregnancy with Ulcerative Colitis. Her life and her baby's have been in serious danger. She had a MAJOR surgery to relieve her UC, but has had some pretty significant struggles with recovery from the surgery. On top of that, her dad lost a 2 year battle with Colon Cancer in December and passed away. As you can imagine, her life has been pretty intense, making it really hard to enjoy her first pregnancy (since she's been in and out of the hospital for most of it). I'm happy to report that she's turned a corner and doing much better, but still. That just sucks.

Our old friend and one of my husband's small group leaders, passed away on New Year's Eve.

Nate and Tricia Lawrenson are battling for the lives of Tricia and baby Gwyneth Rose, with every hour counting as a miracle. It makes me really really grateful for my family's health. I've been trying to pray with/over Jack each night when I'm rocking him before bed (sorry, Julie! Just heard you talking today about how your kiddos just won't do it.). He's such a love bug and I've really been savoring it this week. I have found myself being really grateful for those moments just loving on eachother. He reaches his chubby little hand up and just puts in on my cheek or my chest...just to touch me. I love that. I will always cherish that. I just cant' help but think that I don't know what the future holds for my boys. No matter what, I will enjoy and savor today, these sweet moments and memories that my boys are giving me. I keep finding myself a little teary as I pray over Jack. Promising the Lord that I trust His plan for my family, no matter what. Placing my boys in his hands and begging that he lets me keep them forever.

So...my new Eucalyptus living room color doesn't seem so important. But here it is anyway.

.

On a funny note...here's what i did to myself yesterday.

OOPS. I was trying to bleach stains out of my tub. Went of to start a load of wash, which got me distracted to folding a load of wash (On my new laundry room folding station :))So, I took my freshly folded towels to put away...and water was oozing into my living room! I thought OH CRAP. My toilet overflowed! No, my own stupidity, I forgot about the tub. SO, my freshly folded clean towels I had to use to mop up my mess. THEN...I carried my sopping towels to my laundry room. Where my washing machine was OOZING SUDS everywhere! WHAT THE HECK. I swear I didn't put too much soap in...AGain, in my stupidity, I stopped the machine, waited for the door to unlock (it's a front loader) and opened the door....MORE SUDS OOZING EVERYWHERE. Duh.

As if the Lord was saying..."It's high time you do some mopping, Lady!" Sheesh.
I didn't have time to take pics of the suds flooding my new laundry room.

But here's some pics of Hayden's brownie batter smile. He licked up the spoons from the spinach brownie batter without hesitation! Then he happily did the dishes too! (JK, he did spend about an hour playing in a sinkful of clean water and measuring cups though!) I just can't get enough of this kids eyelashes! They kill me. Oh and one of my peanut fresh out of my clean tub!

My review on Deceptively Delicious!

2008-01-10T20:26:00.000-08:00

It's SO great. I started with Peanut Butter Banana Muffins. They were YUMMY. They have carrots in them...Carrots are relatively safe in bread items...husband loves Carrot Cake. He'd have it for his birthday cake if I'd let him (birthday cakes should be chocolate in my opinion)

The little peanut LOVED them and ate most of them (over a few days, mind you)

Then I decided to really go for it and do the Blueberry Oat Bars (with Spinach)
Now you see it...

Now you don't!

Since then, I've made the Brownies...with spinach and carrots. Not Bad! The texture is not quite the same as "real" brownies...it's pretty dense and slightly rubbery, but the taste is good and chocolatey! Not bad for 133 calories per brownie!

My FAVORITE recipe so far is the Cous Cous. My family loves cous cous and I make it weekly. This had carrots and squash, garlic, and a smidge of parmesan cheese and it was SOOOOOO TASTY! What my neat freak husband loved, was that unlike the usual couscous I make...it kind of sticks together, eliminating the tiny cous cous granules from getting all over the table and floor near Hayden. And Hayden loved "Orange Cous Cous". He really just loves saying Cous Cous. Whenever he is trying to be silly, he'll say it. My SIL's baby in her tummy...named Cous Cous. Should I brush my Cous Cous? It's his fill in the blank funny silly word. Seriously...the best cous cous ever!!

Nathan and Tricia's baby is here!

2008-01-08T21:26:00.000-08:00

Please please pray for them. Nathan said on his blog that this is the most critical 24 hours of Tricia's life. Baby Gwyneth Rose seems to be doing well in NICU. Read there blog for more info and and amazing slide show of the teeny tiny baby girl.

www.cfhusband.blogspot.com

8 things that drive me crazy

2008-01-08T19:48:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by my friend, Julie, to post 8 things that drive me crazy. This was started by my other friend, Shannon (her blog title is eightcrazy).

I'm going to do mine David Letterman style, leaving you in suspense to my #1.

8. Laundry. It's never ever ever ever done. enough said.

7. boogery noses. my little peanut has a crusty one right now, but he FREAKS out when I try to clean it.

6. nasty ears...a huge pet peave. i happened to be blessed with the 2 dirtiest ear-ed kids on the planet. I seriously use 2-4 qtips PER DAY PER KID. sicko.

5. no matching socks (see #8)

4. Not having a cup holder on my stroller. leads to many spilled beverages when I try to balance them in the canopy/cover thing.

3. Finding an amazing sale, and having all the products be sold out! I get so excited to use my coupons, and then have the let down when it's gone. (also finding a great clothing item on clearance, only to find NONE of the size I need.)

2. People I love hurting...physically, emotionally, spiritully. WAY to much of this in life right now.

1. THE NUMBER ONE THING ON MY LIST IS......taking my kids grocery shopping!! Without a doubt the most miserable experience know to man(woman)kind. OK, that's an exaggeration (see #2...much worse). HOwever, it takes twice as long, with 9 trips to the potty, numerous items grabbed from shelves, whining, crying...misery. I had such trip yesterday. H wet his pants...J was fusssy...a non fun time had by all.

I also love what Julie did, and posted some things she's loving right now.

Here's mine:

1. My new bible! The Message/TNIV parallel bible in a cute brown and blue. Makes my quite times more applicable and I just want to read from my cute new bible!

2. Curves cereal/chewy granola bars. Lots of fiber low calories and TASTY.

3. Having my stroller with it's fixed tires! ( they were flat...can you tell I use my stroller alot!)

4. Bought new jeans...a size smaller than I usually do! Yay! It may have been a freak thing that they fit...but, I'll take it!

5. My new living room color! I'm going to post pics soon, but it's called "Eucalyptus" and it's pretty!

6. My kids playing together and making each other laugh(the good belly laughs!)

7. Eating (at least trying) healthy. I feel good about myself when I know I did a good job.

8. My family. My parents, and my brother and SIL (and soon to be baby)...and my cousins. I feel really happy about where things are right now. We're just enjoying eachothers company and I love that.

9. My new laundry room! YAY!!! It's done, and so nice! Going from garage floor to a fancy laudry room is AWESOME.

10. Last but not least, my amazing husband. I like him. ALOT. He's fun, smart, sweet, kind, giving, sensitive, and a stinking hard worker. (LOVE YOU HUSBAND!)

Mom My Ride

2008-01-06T22:43:00.000-08:00

Ever since I knew I was preggers with my 2nd little peanut, I starting thinking about "THE MINIVAN". Suddenly, they became more and more appealing to me....those double sliding doors, the plethera of cupholders...seating for 7. This was all to husband's dismay...he had proudly declared for years "We will NEVER have a minivan". I told him, he'd one day have to eat those words...and this summer it came true. It was time to rethink the car situation, and of course we were after the most practical car we could get...and we ended up with a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country. I like it alot, and Mr. H says " I like our van. It's my favorite!" (although, right now he has LOTS of favorites). I got a kick out of this youtube video! It's so true of me...including the golf balls rolling around! Thank you mom.

thanks Jennifer P for the video!

Please Pray for this couple (and baby)

2008-01-04T21:05:00.001-08:00

hey all, my friend Julie posted a blog about this couple, Nate and Tricia. Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis and is pregnant. That equals COMPLICATIONS. They are neat Christians, with amazing faith. Please check out Nate's blog and pray for them. They are in a critical time for Tricia and the expected baby girl's life.

Feelin' kinda blue

2008-01-04T00:41:00.000-08:00

hi friends. I found out today that an old friend and one of Matt's former small group leaders from high school days, passed away (Jason G.)this week. Some other friends are struggling with a son battling leukemia (Luke)and sickness in the family. Another gal pal of mine is struggling to recover from a major surgery (and she's pregnant, and her dad just passed away).

I'm feeling heavy hearted about the people I love going through some hard times. My mind has been on them all alot today. It's all heavy stuff, and sometimes you just feel kind of helpless in it. When people I love hurt, I want to do something about it...thes are all hard situations to do that. I'm talking alot to the Lord about it. That's it.

Let the Deception Begin!

2007-12-29T20:52:00.000-08:00

I've had the cookbook Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld on my wish list since before my bday in October! A few of you faithful blog readers/lurkers have even picked it up on my suggestion, and others have discovered it for yourself. Anyhow, My sweet mom picked up a copy of it for me today!! I'm so excited to start sneaking veggies in my kids meals! Especially Jackeroo, he's a picky thing!

I think I'll make Sweet Potato Pancakes for breakfast! I already have some pureed in my freezer. I really can't wait to try the Blueberry bars that are loaded with spinach...I hear they are delicious! Thanks Mom!

Oh, and I WILL post my pics of my craft to my blog next week. I still have a few gifts to give to friends this week, and I don't want to wreck the surprise!

The Rescuer Part 2

2007-12-28T21:56:00.001-08:00

Really? No one else has a comment about what God has rescued you from this year? (read my post below from Sunday if you don't know what I'm talking about)

Christmas Fun!

2007-12-26T12:05:00.000-08:00

We had a really wonderful Christmas Eve/Day with my family. We did the traditional church service, then family time on Christmas Eve. Then we came home and crashed! Then we woke up Christmas morning with Hayden (Jack was still sleeping) and read the Christmas Story and prayed together. Then....we saw what Santa brought! Here's some pics of our time together...

Trying to get a family picture was nearly impossible...

These are some of my favorite Christmas ornaments

My grandparents used to always give us kids an ornament. This is a sheep with a favorite scripture attached...

H's preschool ornament

J's first Christmas

And then there was Thomas...Hayden asked Santa for Thomas the Tank Engine...and he got it! As soon as he opened the box with trains in it...we lost him. He seriously played with the trains for about 8 hours yesterday, and first thing this morning he said, Can we get out the trains?

And Jack in a comatose chocolate state...

the rescuer

2007-12-23T21:12:00.000-08:00

Today our pastor spoke about Christmas and how it's a story of rescue. God sending His precious Son to be our Rescuer. It was a really moving service today, I was in tears for much of it. I know alot of you probably heard it, but it would be worth visiting the church website and listening to if you missed it or live out of town.Click here to download the message.(it was 12/23/07)

In the end, Chris challenged us to think about what the Lord has rescued us from this year. They had little cards for everyone to fill out and hang on your tree, to remember what Christmas is about...God rescuing us. For some of us it's illness, poverty, depression...it could be anything. Here are mine...

I've been rescued from...

My sins.My self inflicted frustration and self pity. Sadness over family stuggles (Disappointment with Matt's broken family and healing for my brother and sister in law over lost babies). Strained/awkward relationships with family. Broken friendship. Financial challenges.

It was refreshing to give God credit and glory for the things He's accomplished in my life and the lives of people I love. It's exciting too, to realize that He's not only accomplished alot in us, but a lot of the things are still "works in progress" and he's just beginning to heal and complete things in, through, and around us. God continues to heal and bring joy in broken and hard situations.

Here's what I am celebrating...My heart/perspective have changed on life with my kiddos. My brother and SIL are expecting a healthy baby girl! My husband and I are free from the legacy of disfunction his family gave him. Expected babies in our family/extended family have given us a fresh start with some awkward relationships and given us much to celebrate together! We've had a door re-open for friendship with a friend we care deeply for, but have not been in contact with for a year and a half. God has brought us through the most financially difficult season of our marraige, and our marriage survived intact! We have many more things I'm sure...but those are my highlights!

Our God is so full of hope...He flings open windows in dark situations and floods them with Hope. I can't wait to see how He will work this coming year!

Care to share what the Lord has rescued you from this year?

EightCrazy giveaway!!

2007-12-21T23:14:00.000-08:00

My crafty friend Shannon is having a cool giveaway on her blog in honor of her 8,888th visitor! (She really is obsessed with the #8). You should really visit her blog and enter the contest...it's for a bracelet designed and made by Gems by George (her talented Mother in Law)

Shannon does lots of cool crafty things, and she'll even share how to do most of them, so you can steal her cute ideas!

Check it out by clicking here!

We Believe!!

2007-12-16T15:45:00.000-08:00

Or at least we believe in going to the mall and sitting on Santa's lap, and taking the opportunity to bribe our kid to "be good so Santa will bring you a present!"

We took Hayden and Jack for the first time to see Santa. We've never taken Hayden, because we always thought he'd be scared of Santa...but we went for it on Saturday afternoon (I know...crazy to go to the mall on Saturday afternoon!)

But we actually didn't have to wait too long, and Hayden did great!! On the way there my sweet hubby was wanting to wager that Hayden would clam up and not say a word to Santa, but I didn't want to bet. Hayden did so great! He lit up when Santa reached for him to pull him onto his lap and really easily said, My name is hayden and I'm 3...When Santa asked him what he wanted, he said "I want Thomas the tank Engine!" (of course! I think Hayden believes he actually lives on the Island of Sodor...you have to know Thomas even know what that is!) I was so proud!! Although, we didn't really explain very well, that Santa doesn't give it to you right then...you have to wait for Christmas morning! So, he was a little dissappointed to walk away empty handed!

Jack wasn't too crazy about Santa, but tolerated him for a minute. It was fun!

It helped get me into the Christmas spirit that i"ve been lacking, to see Hayden suddenly be so aware of Christmas, and Santa, and Frosty and Baby Jesus...We also went to Peacock Lane to see the Christmas lights, which was fun.

I went home and wrapped up a bunch of my presents to put under the tree...i feel like now I'm almost ready for Christmas!

My baby is ONE

2007-12-12T21:59:00.001-08:00

Jack turned one on friday. It's so bittersweet to me. This year has really flown by, much faster than Hayden's first year. I seriously can't believe he's one! We had a fun day, we went to Build A Bear and made him his first Teddy. It's sort of a tradition, we did it with Hayden too. Then we had a small family party on Sunday. Here's Jack showing his #1

And eating cupcake

In other news, Hayden has been throwing major fits lately (more like tantrums). He's never really done this but Matt has been gone alot lately and it seems to have popped up about that time. I think he's just demanding a little more attention. I really laugh out loud sometimes at it...he just really loses it! This is him DEMANDING chocolate (who doesn't want a little chocolate sometimes?)

Although, he still does show a sweet side. I got a new toy for my camera this week (thanks to Lee Ann's hubby tipping me off!)It makes my flash work alot better and so I played around a bit today on hayden...

That's it...Oh, I'm getting another bathroom added to my house! I'm excited...it will also be a laundry room, which I don't have right now. I"ll post pics tomorrow so you can see the progress. Nighty nite!

Real or Fake Christmas Tree?

2007-12-12T18:36:00.000-08:00

We always have gone and made the trek to our local tree farm to chop down our own tree. We don't have a lot of traditons for Christmas, but Matt and I have always forked out our 35-45 bucks for our pretty Noble Fir. This year, I've been thinking alot more about "being green". Cloth Diapering, wanting my own chickens, re-usable grocery bags...trying to use organic cleaning products...it's actually pretty trendy to be "green". So, this year i felt a little sad chopping down a tree and felt like it would probably be more green to have a fake tree and spare the world losing another tree. But, it turns out, the green thing to do is to have a real tree. If you care, here's a few links my friend gave me about Christmas Tree facts..

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

and www.christmastree.org

Here's some pics from our outing to Riley Creek Farm in LaCenter (the best deal on Nobles!)

busy busy

2007-12-05T11:48:00.000-08:00

This week is super crazy I feel like! 2 birthday parties, crafting my brains out for christmas ( I can't WAIT to post pics, but I have to until I give the presents or the surprise will be ruined!), and sew sew sewing for MOM's this week. My poor Christmas tree is still all bound up from the tree farm in the garage, waiting for some family time to put it up and decorate it!

Sorry I haven't posted much lately. Matt is full swing into bball coaching, and I'm finding it hard to sit down the to computer without him home too much. I REALLY can't wait to post my gifts I'm making...oh well, I just have to leave you on the edge of your seats waiting!

The great news is, I've been making those nursing covers (like Hooter Hiders) for awhile now, but gals are catching on and asking to buy them from me! I've sold 3 this week! That's partly what I'm sewing for MOm's too, for a fundraiser we're going to sell them. I"m praying about starting a little business, but I'm not sure I want to deal with the license, taxes...ugh. But, I do want to work for myself at home, so we'll see.

my placemat purse

2007-11-29T21:34:00.000-08:00

I made this cute placemat purse (inpired by Beckie of course!) for my friend Janette's bday and she LOVED it! And it seriously took about 30 minutes to make! By the way Target has tons of really cute placemats!! I stood there forever trying to decide on which would make the best purse...because so many of them would be good for it, and most were under $4. I already had the handles in my project box (they've been waiting for the perfect project for about 4 years now).

Thanks Beckie!!

so...sleepy...must... shop...

2007-11-23T22:05:00.001-08:00

So Kohl's opened at 4 am today, and my mom and I decided to go for it. So we set the clock for 3:15 (so we'd have time to run through the 24 hr starbucks on our way). We hopped out of bed in an adrenaline rush of the great deals we knew we'd find. We threw our clothes on and were all ready to head out, when we looked at the clocks in the kitchen and realized....It was really 2:15 and the clock in my mom's room was off by an hour...dang! We were already all awake! So, we took our time getting to Starbucks (surprisingly alot of crazy people in line at 3am!) and Sat in the car in the Kohl's parking lot watching the crazy people stand in the freezing cold, waiting to get in. It was fun, we did find some good deals (Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders for $1.99 each!). We waited in line for well over an hour to pay for our items!! But, of course they have cleverly put many displays of good deals all the way to the register, so we continued to shop all the way there.

We had fun...not sure we'll do it again next year. Happy "black friday"...anyone know why it's called that? Maybe because businesses get their finances out of the red and back into "black" due to all of the money they make today!

Nasty day...

2007-11-19T20:24:00.000-08:00

Well, today was no good. But I really believe God is changing me (thank goodness!), because typically I would've lost it a few hours ago. But, my sanity is hanging in there and I actually made it through bed time, by myself!

So, Jack's been kinda crummy feeling for a week and a half. Weird poop, runny nose, hacking and coughing...today I called the doc. Took him in and sure enough....First ear infection. Meanwhile in the docs office, Hayden starts saying his tummy hurts. I don't really believe him, he's been saying this kind of thing more often lately, not really serious.

We proceed to Walgreens drive thru to pick up Jack's antibiotics that the doctor so nicely called in for us. It's not ready, come back in 15 they say. I'm literally pulling out and Hayden starts crying hard...my tummy hurts! and blahh...vomit. Lots and lots of vomit. Nasty. So, pull over and try to contain the mess and comfort him.

He seems to be feeling much better, playing as usual. This is a super duper long day for Matt...7am-10ish pm, so I"m totally on my own. I think I'm missing my friends Bachelor Finale party unless Matt suprises me and gets home early. But...I made myself some cookies to eat while I watch it alone...how bad can that be? Me and a plate of cookies...sounds like a good date to me!

yay! I have grass!

2007-11-17T10:27:00.001-08:00

Yay! We finally have grass in our front yard, and I have to say, after a year of no front yard...I think it's sooo beautiful!!

On other thoughts...Hayden has been such an independant little dresser these days...isn't it lovely? He definitely has his own "style" it reminds me a little bit of Richard Simmons with sweat bands...

And, here's big J, just because I love him too! I'm totally in love with his curls. Probably because I was a straight haired kid and always wished I had them.

ah-ha!

2007-11-10T23:38:00.000-08:00

So you've heard my grumblings. My frusterations with motherhood...the mommy meltdowns. Well, this weekend I've had one of those Ah-ha! moments.

I attended a Young Lives coordinators weekend last night and this morning (For those of you who don't know, Young Lives is Young Life-a Christian youth ministry- for teen moms). Anyhow, I'm not a coordinator, but am praying along with my best pal Selene about if God is leading us down that road. Anywho, not my point...I'm sort of convinced God may have had me there for one reason. To hear the devotions led by a couple of gals. It was short and sweet and cut to the heart of me.

As you've heard me rant...I've been struggling through this "season" of motherhood. I'm feeling lost, unproductive in my life in general, aggitated, impatient with my kids...like I've kind of lost me (cuz, this is all about me, right? JK). It's this odd feeling of working all the time, but NOTHING getting done. My house is a mess, my kids act like crazies in public, like I'm not doing anything significant for the Lord. Anyhow, this gal was sharing a devotional. The scripture was from 1 Chronicles 4:23 "And these were the potters, and the ones who dwell among the plants and hedges. There they dwelt with the king, for his work".

I'm just going to quote the devotional taken from the book Streams in the Dessert by LB Cowman, which I also happen to own but haven't ever made it through the book. This is from Nov 12th.

We may dwell "with the King for his work" anywhere and everywhere.We may be called to serve him in the most unlikely places and under adverse conditions. It may be out in the countryside, far away from the King's many activities in the city. Or it maybe "among plants and hedges" of all kinds-hindrances tha t surround us, blocking our way. perhaps we will be on of the "potters", with our hands full of all types of pottery, accomplishing our daily tasks.

It makes no difference! The King who place us "there" will come and dwell with us. The hedges, or hindrances, are right for us, or He will quickly remove them. And doesn't it stand to reason that whatever seems to block our way may also provide for our protection? As for the pottery-it is exactly what He has seen fit to place in our hands and is for now "his work".

Brightly colored sunsets and starry heavens, majestic mountains and shining seas, fragrant fields and fresh cut flowers are not even half as beautiful as a soul who is serving Jesus out of love, through the wear and tear of an ordinary, unpoetic life.

WOW. I felt like she was talking directly to me! Ah-ha! This IS what God wants me to doing. HE will be right here dwelling with me as I learn to serve Jesus out of love by loving my kids! He thinks my ordinary unpoetic life is beatiful if I'm focuse on loving him by serving my family.

As someone who's been involved in "ministry" all of her adult life, I have felt like I'm spinning my wheels this past year. I just haven't felt like I'm really serving the Lord. I have had to step out of high school ministry which I love, because it just wasn't working with our family. I realized I"ve been feeling really inconvenienced by this stage of my life. How selfish am I? sheesh. Going anywhere is difficult, having a simple phone conversations is nearly impossible...Honestly, I've felt "hindered" by my kids. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my kids. I enjoy my kids. I've just not been able to figure out to find that internal satisfaction and balance. It just really hit me today. I am a potter, with hands full of tasks...tasks that He has seen fit to put in my hands...HIS WORK. I do feel that "wear and tear" but if my soul is lined up towards Jesus, loving him, my ordinary mundane life is exactly where he wants me and he is pleased with what I'm doing. What a peace that struck me this morning. I feel a huge sense of relief. Thank You Lord for loving me even though it takes me a while to get it!

This one goes out to Beckie...

2007-11-07T20:51:00.000-08:00

I love free stuff. I'm cheap, I'll admit it. So I get a total buzz out of getting a stellar deal. Here's what i got today for 35 cents (+tax).

Here's how:
Safeway had a Buy one get one free sale on the shampoo and cond. plus I had coupons...if you care, read below to see where I got my coupons.

LOreal Vive Pro Nutrigloss BOGO + BOGO coupon Valassis 9/23 + $1 off
coupon V 9/23= I made $1
LOreal Vive Pro Body & Style BOGO + BOGO coupon Valassis 9/23 + $1 off
coupon V 11/4+ I made $1
LOreal Vive Pro Body & Stle BOGO + $1 off coupon boodle.com=
$3.99
So, 3.99-my $2 credit +Safeway doubler (another $2 off)= 6 Freebies!
Yay!

Walmart, Children's Tylenol (reg 5.49) and infant tylenol (4.88)-2
printable $5 off coupons+ 35 cents plus tax!

I'm still not brave enough to go in and only get my freebies. I bought
some other groceries at Safeway so I didn't feel like a moocher.

What's the deal with Halloween?

2007-11-05T20:49:00.001-08:00

I love my friend Heidi's thoughts on Halloween. Check it out!
http://rushartist.wordpress.com/2007/11/01/whats-the-deal-with-halloween/#comments

Are you okay?

2007-11-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

This is what my hubby asked me today in that nice, concerned voice. As in..."Are you going to lose it one of these days?"

Sweet and kind...trying to say it nicely. aaahhhh. He said he wonders if I'm happy sometimes. I said, sometimes I wonder that too! I could't help but laugh a little...but deep down I know this is a challenging "season"...I hope it's just a season.

Jack REFUSES to go to sleep on his own. Yesterday morning I decided..."today is the day kid, you're going to have to cry it out". An hour and a half later...he was still screaming. I pick him up and 30 seconds later, he's asleep. What a STINK! last night, Hayden had a major freak out...screaming kicking...I think he was awake, but you never know. He could've been dreaming. He was just acting like he was throwing a major fit!

Then Jack decided to wake up and hang out from about 2-4 am. Ugh. That does not make me happy! I really appreciate my husbands sensitivity to it...he's really good about understanding. And letting me have space.

And, I am happy. Just not in the gushy mushy happy kind of way. More in the, "I'll laugh when I look back at it" kind of way. Make sense? This month has been tough on me. I'm tired physically and emotionally. I'm trying to gear myself up for basketball season (mid Nov-Feb) where i know my husband's availablity will be scarce.

I was just reading in Hayden's scrap book from stuff when he was born...it said, "You were so calm and sweet right from the start". HA! What happened to THAT kid? I do love him. When it's good, it's really good. When it's not, it's really not. That's it. Sorry if I sound depressing! Just venting.

shameless photos of my adorable kids

2007-10-26T16:30:00.000-07:00

Today we went and played in the leaves down on Officer's Row. It was lots of fun (mostly). Aren't my kids adorable?

snapshots of my mommy moments

Praying as They Grow...

Come see us over at 5byFaith

How Bazaar, How Bazaar...

easy breezy

Holiday Ideas...

I got tagged

now that's a cute belly laugh!

Seriously, this is awesome

A fun purse giveaway! Ends Sunday 12pm!

more senior pics

75lbs of tomatoes+25 lbs apples +50lbs peaches=What was I thinking?!

Happy Birthday Hayden!

highlights of my day

DONE

senior pics

Yummy easy treat!

New Adoption Blog

New EK Inspired fundraiser for American Cancer Society/Jensens

Mission Completion! (in the words of Little Einsteins)

oh my (deep breath)

First Egg!

Life is just a bowl of cherries

24 jars of heaven in my freezer

New designs in my etsy shop!

New baby pics!

Drumroll, please....

Giveaway! My Etsy Shop is up and running!

Get your tissue

For you SNL fans...

Por Que No? Post #100!

I'm a Winner!!

He still needs a mommy

FInally!!

Still no baby!

bad blogger!

my favorite belly

Cool printable wallet card for safe plastic and chemical free cleaning recipes

ek inspired!

Scrappy Weekend

Coffee Table Makeover!

Projects...

One more thing...

Girls getaway...here I come

Kid puking in WalMart = NO FUN!!

Ok, Ok, people!!

check out my new bookshelf

I want a cupcake

Time Warp

It's Official

My little flock

I'm a Winner!!

My first haircut...

Red Therapy...

Check It

yah, baby!

brain overload

romantic getaway...

tagged

Stuff I did today...

Luke's big day!

growing out my hair...

i *heart* french toast

It's coming!!

girls nite out!

book worm

Business Time

1000 visitors? REally?

1000 visitors? REally?

Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth

8 years ago...

Seriously, Who are you people?

In other news...

My review on Deceptively Delicious!

Nathan and Tricia's baby is here!

8 things that drive me crazy

Mom My Ride

Please Pray for this couple (and baby)

Feelin' kinda blue

Let the Deception Begin!

i heart french toast