I have a secret...

I love to cloth diaper...I know I know, it sounds weird and archaic...but it is cool, hip, old fashioned, green, and kind-of fun...it is not just what your mama did- there are many cool new options when it comes to cloth...and I admit, I have spent a few too many hours obsessing over it.  Yes, I realize it is just what my children poop in...but is also an environmental issue, and a tushie skin issue (as both my boys have sensitive skin).  Yeah, I am a bit obsessed (although I have heard of other mom's who are REALLY obsessed...I am just a little- as I don't have time to be really...
check out my side bar for some websites and resources about cloth diapering and options!

Diaper cover giveaway!

Nicki's Diapers (one of my favorite diaper cover retailers) is having a giveaway...
They are introducing a new print for a great one-size cover (that I would love to get my hands on!)
Check it out on their site!

Love of my life

Ok, well, I have a few loves…first comes Jesus, then my wonderful and perfect for me husband, and then my first born son…who is a beautiful (can I still say that?  Because he truly is)

 

curious

detail noticing

generous

caring

laugh provoking

 

climbing

brilliant

little boy…

It is the most wonderful and awe-striking thing to watch your own child grow…much less grow into what I can see as a great combo of both me and my sweet hubby.  It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about how special and awesome he is…and how lucky I am to be his mom.

Sure, I have my worries about the next few weeks as we transition to having a new sibling in the house, the jealousy, not having as much time for just him…and yet, I know that he will be the best big brother, and mommy helper I could ask for.

How is it that God knows exactly what you need in your life, the exact personalities to bring you closer to Him, to reflect Himself to you?  Becausee He knows us so intimately I am sure…He knows me better than myself, and gives me lessons of life through my child…it is a beautiful and wonderful thing- and I can only imagine what the next little package of God’s perfection will bring to my life…

But for now, I am enjoying watching this one grow before my very eyes…

The best laid plans...

Well, today was our last ultrasound before we are to meet our little one to be... we were certain from the last ultrasound (16 weeks ago) that it was a girl...ok, well 95% certain. It just so happens we are those lucky people that fall into the 5% category... and really, we only just happened to find out...

The ultrasound went something like this...

"Look, there is the face- has mamma's nose, and there are the lips...and spine is over here, and buttocks... and...hmmmmm...that's interesting..." I nervously say- "what?, what's interesting?" Dr says, "well, it might be a boy...no, it's a girl....hmmmmm, no- it's A BOY!!!" K and I say, "are you sure?!" 'Yep, it's a boy!" "see, you can only be 95% sure with a girl, but once you see the parts, you can be 100% sure it's a boy!" Silence, than "NO WAY!!!!" Laughter from us both fills the room...

well, there you have it, our girl's name will have to wait a little while longer!

Although a bit shocked and sad to put away all the adorable pink things, I am THRILLED to have another boy to add to our family. We do love our boys around here :)

God really does have a sense of humor!

And all that glorious planning? all those perfectly sorted bins, neatly stacked clothes all sorted and folded? They will have to wait, be placed into storage bins for a future hope of what may one day be...and now, I must go sort though all the bins from my little boy- for his brother :)

sigh. happy day, full of surprises...I am sure this will be one of many to come...

Not Me Monday

In spite of my exhaustion from a long trip, I will join in the fun of Not Me Monday with MckMama ...

I most certainly did not give my child a nutella sandwich just because he asked for it, telling myself that it had to be better than many other alternatives...I did not cook the dinner I had planned for my sweet husband to eat while I was gone (before I left) because I was too tired to come up with something different... I did not laugh hysterically when my son peed on , got into my make up and got it all over and then pood on every last piece of a mattress we were sleeping on... I did not have my sweet charming husband carry all the bags, plus sit with our son on both of our flights last night, nor did I have him take the elevator while I took the shortcut down the escalator to baggage claim...

No, that must have been my other self, not collected, organized and calm while 8 1/2 months pregnant me...

Not Me Monday

I most certainly do not feel compelled to write this post just in the vein hope that I will possibly win something... especially something as cute as the hats from briarclaire that mckmama is giving away...no, i would never blog instead of taking a nap while 8 mo pregnant while mothering a cranky two year old who is sleeping...never.
I also would never  bribe said two year old in the last week with chocolate milk and a favorite cartoon on the couch to try and steal away another 30 minutes of sleep...never...not me...
In fact the woman I have not become has started bribing (lets call it bartering, ok?) all sorts of things out of people...like bowls of ice cream for a kiss...
not me...
:)

Blueberries...

Besides the slight heat exhaustion that the mommies seem to have this afternoon, today was a success.  We went blueberry picking… 3 kids, two mommies- each with a bun in the oven…  the kids seem to have no lasting effect from the 95 degree 99% humidity…mommies on the other hand, came home with migraines, starving, and needing more water than should be appropriate :)

We also came home with enough blueberries for a few pies, and the smallest two of us with full blueberry bellies…

This was what we saw the little ones doing most...

The three musketeers...wouldn't pose for apic... the oldest tyke insisting it was too hot for a shirt...mommies agreed...but decided not to follow suit... :)



Great blueberry quality control here...until he got tired of the whole business...

Our smallest, M, decided it was her job to eat all of the blueberries as fast as her hands could get to them...she especially liked the ones in the bag, pre-picked for her!!  (Don't we all? :)

I mean who could resist that sweaty little head?

 

Can't you almost taste the sweetness?

Out of the mouths of moms

One of my favorite blogs...written by a woman who has 4.75 children (one due very soon)...does an out of the mouths of moms post...so I am going to join in- mostly because I was just telling one of my best girlfriends that we should record and write a book about all the things we say daily to our children...and I really started noticing this when I would be on the phone with my girlfriends who have children at home...our conversations usually go something like this...

"Hey!  How are you?...No sweetie, you may NOT have a popsicle right now, please close the freezer...What have you been up to today?... I said no... and yes, you are letting the cold air out...but mostly you are unfreezing the cold stuff in the freezer... Really?  How did that go, did the kids have fun?... Because we keep the stuff in the freezer to save for other days when we need it- for things like dinner.  No, we cannot get everything warm- because it would all go bad, and that would be a waste... Yeah, we went to the park, but it was too hot, so then I decided to run errands, and little one got cranky, so we came home, ate lunch and both took naps...no sweetie, it is dinner time.  Yes, I am fixing dinner.  Yeah, remake leftover night...yes, darling, you can watch.   Yeah, we had my version of cheesy ratatulle and now I am making it into a pasta...yes sweetie, I have to boil water-IT"S HOT!  DON"T TOUCH IT!!  Yep, with wheat pasta- yeah, it's really easy!  NO, move your stool over to THIS side PLEASE.  Yeah, I'll get you the recipe...


And, this was just MY side of the conversation...all the while her side went more like this...
"Good!  Hey guys, don't pull on that...Yeah, we went to the pool today...no darling, do not take that away from her like that- she had it first that's why.   Yes, that is why she is screaming, please be a nice big brother and give it back...yes, you are good at sharing...Yeah, they are getting be be quite the little fish!  M has this little boy that he has just loved playing with while we were there, and they play so nicely...I think next summer real swimming lessons...ok sweetie, you can stop screaming now, you have the toy back...yes, my sweet drama queen... Yeah, we all got naps too- I have been so tired!  Dinner time there?  Whatchya cookin'?  Yes sweetie, mommy is tired, yes I know you aren't tired, you told me already.  Could you please go get that crayon from your sister?...Because wall art without paper is not a good idea- you know that- now please, go get it...ooo, that sounds good- will everyone eat it? Thanks!


Ahh, the sweet sound of motherhood.  And my childless friend wonder why I cannot call them until after 8pm...they would feel completely neglected, or never want to have kids...or hopefully, just laugh their heads off at the joy I have chosen in my life!

Who knew?

Well, actually, I am sure lots of people...anyone with any experience, that is. For those of us blissfully unaware until we live it, words cannot convey what life brings...plus, I am quite sure that everyone experiences life a bit differently, so, it is never quite the same for any two of us. What is it I am talking about you ask?

Well, days like this. Trying to both convey how I feel, and not throw a pity party might be difficult, but just bear with me for a moment.

Who knew being pregnant with your second (or subsequent, I am assuming) could be both very enjoyable and make you want to pull all your hair out or go hibernate until the little darling was cooked?
Who knew a two year old could both be so sweet and loving and yet drive you completely mad- with no escape, not even tears (your own) could make you feel more able to handle it... and yet, so full of love for said two year old that you wish he would stay two forever?
Who knew that organizing tight quarters could be so overwhelming, so much so that you nearly burst into tears just thinking about it?
Who knew you could miss your mother more now, nearly in your 30s than when you were out of the house as a teen?
Who knew you could walk around a grocery store with a screaming toddler, holding back your nausea from turning mess and still try and grab a deal on peanut butter? Yet, alas, I have not mastered the smile to the lady giving you an evil eye for having such a misbehaved child in her presence...
Who knew that the thought of another load of laundry could bring you to your knees in tears...more the thought of folding it and getting it to proper drawers...?
Who knew all of this would make me such an emotional basket-case?
Who knew that still having 9 weeks of pregnancy, while feeling like you could not grow another inch, be any more nauseous, or have any more back pain, or have your mind filled with too many what if's could make you feel so weak as an individual?
well, I sure am learning it all first hand.

Also, let me share with you, so maybe I'll get one less- how's the nursery coming-s...
Because here is how is it coming... :)

Actually, I can laugh at this. Because I know that it will come together...eventually. I just pray that it is BEFORE sweet pea decides to arrive. Can't you see it? Turquoise walls...or khacki if I can't find the bedding I want...built ins, organized...cute art... yep, it's all....well, we aren't there yet. But the wood will be on it's way out this weekend (fingers crossed, prayers flying) being finished into the desk that will be in the living area...and the wall you can't see it where those bools in bins are coming from, as that will eventually be a built-in... yeah. there is much progress that needs to be made. I think my sweet hubby is overwhelmed too. But, in his case, he is not being forced from within to slow down with commitments...
Well, thankfully we even HAVE a room like this to work with...just not sure where all that OTHER stuff is going to go yet... yard sale anyone? :)

Today was free meal day at Chic-fil-a...if you dressed up like a cow...
Being ever ready for a deal challenge, I was moo-ingly glad to try :)

Here we are, all smiles at Chic-fil-a...full meals, full bellies, rang up at $0 (ok, I paid a whopping $1.50 for a white tee, headbands to attach the ears, and felt...everything else we had on hand...or hoof, should I say)

Kent was a little hesitant about the whole thing, but obliged to my big blue cow eyes...and the fact that I missed a nap to make everything (I think he might have been scared of me being a "mad cow" had he not;)

Camera Bag anyone?!

MckMama is giving away one of these camera bags...drool! It can fit all your lenses...or can be used to tote many other really needed things... camera lenses, diapers, snacks, gingerale, toy cars... you name it, it'll carry it!

Just hop over to her site either by going to: http://mckgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/02/kelly-moore-camera-bag-giveaway.html
or by clicking her page in my side bar :)
Good luck!

Thoughts of the heart...or tongue

"The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)

This verse has so much truth to it! It was sent to me this morning by a dear friend as part of a daily devotional. As I read, it struck me how powerful others' words have been in my life. And, in such, how powerful MY words can be in others' lives. Not just my family either. This devotional was talking about the importance of building up our husbands through our word to and about them (which is complete truth), but let us extend this to all persons we speak about, in fact, this extends to all words we speak. Whoa. That is crazy deep. And a bit condemning in my case- not that I speak poorly or offensively often, and truthfully, more oft than not it is about myself...to put in perspective, I am dumping coals on my own head. My words, bring death or life. For someone that "loves to talk" (although I must admit that I have worked on this natural tendency, and continue to attempt a less talkative tongue) this should (and does) bring me to my knees- as it should us all, as we can only tame our tongue be giving it up to Him.

James 3 says:

"For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. 5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell….8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image…"


Yeah, so none of us are perfect. But, for those of us who have supernatural help (which all humans have access to- through Jesus Christ) we should strive for improvement. And so, I encourage myself to speak only life in all the words I speak. Our words reflect our heart, and so, instead of saying things I don't mean, I strive to 'hold my tongue' as James 1:26 points out :

"If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile."

Them there are harsh words.

Lord, help me "bridle my tongue" and even more than that, bridle my thoughts so that I might think upon things that are of worth

Phil 4:8
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Yes, Lord, help me think on such things, and may my words reflect those thoughts.

Not Me Monday!

Sigh, alas, even in the new year, and I am sure for many years to come- I shall have not me Mondays...
Like the day I surely did not let my child drink an entire large vanilla milk steamer in 10 minutes just to have him sit still so I could get some work done...or was the absolute calmest mother you have laid eyes on- not panicking or throwing a tantrum in front of a coffee-shop full of people when I saw my child sticking his brand new (read: not even 24 hours old) fancy story book magnets down a coffee shop air vent that is plastered to the wall (read: gone forever)
I did not call my own mother (who lives 12 hours away) minutes later just to tell her how mad I was (and she did not laugh hysterically telling me that it was pay back for all the watches I had lost in the trash once upon a time)
No not me. I am calm and collected at all times. :)