CountingTo3

I'm Falling in Love, Once Again

2010-10-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

Every year at this time, when the weather gets cooler and the trees change colors, it stirs feelings inside me identical to passionately falling in love. Autumn makes me feel more alive than any other season. I don't want to just pass by a colorful tree, I want to absorb it into all of my senses. I want to pick a leaf and take it with me as a lock of hair from a lover.
I am drawn outside like a secret meeting between me and my love. I stop what I'm doing and close my eyes and breathe in the fragrances the wind carries to me. I admire watching the movements and sounds the leaves make as they fall and blow in the wind. I am engulfed with so many great pleasures while being around all of the trees, every color and each breeze. I find it hard to get to daily activities because of the distraction and allure of the radiant glowing of the tri-colored tree which brightens my entire room. I awaken earlier and drink my hot tea outside while sitting on my front porch swing. I love to wrap myself in a light jacket and admire the many changes of colors on the trees and leaves that lay on the ground. These colors are luxurious to my eyes and I absorb them into my soul.

Yearly, I begin my autumn ritual of preparing pumpkin bread that has soft pieces of fresh pumpkin mixed into the loaf. This recipe is very involved and takes much of my time to create, and it is worth every moment. This is one of my mothers recipes I have adopted and my own family gets very excited when they see my kitchen filled with the supplies and the stations being prepared for this beloved homemade treat. My children eat my pumpkin bread toasted with butter or just nibble it cold through out the day. Autumn soup is another traditional food that I prepare which announces that fall is here. My family adores this rich warm soup. These two recipes cook all day and engulf the house with its mouth watering fragrance that tortures everyone, while also making them crave it all day. Isn't it interesting how traditional recipes excite and announce the beginning of the new season.

I enjoy taking long walks through the woods and hiking trials. I've guided some special people in my life if they are adventurous enough to climb mountains. I long to see the colors of fall from a different vantage point. Hikes in the autumn aren't usually filled with complaints about bugs and the temperature. Instead there are comments of them wanting to share what they have found. There are so many beautiful sights along a hike even if there is no major destination. I love sharing stories with my fellow hikers about past trips and colors I have seen. One year in Connecticut I came across a path that was fully covered with bright yellow slender leaves. It was astonishing to see only bright yellow covering the path. I stopped and snapped a photo, which I'll find and share on a future post. I remember running as a child would, right into the yellow leaves grabbing handfuls of leaves and let the wind blow them in a gust and watching them fall like three inch helicopters whirling back to the ground. I hold that moment fresh in my mind and this year I showed my son how beautiful it is and how freeing it feels. Fall has it's own obvious visual identity. It has it's own smells, taste, sounds. The first chill we feel on an Autumn morning, we start our first fire. The glowing warmth continues into late that evening. The lingering smoky fragrance of a fire is like no other outside during a chilly day.

Do you still rake the leaves and kick through them to hear them crunch? Do you let your kids jump into the hills of leaves you rake? Have you taken your Autumn walk with your family this year? Go! Take a brown paper bag and gather fun items along the way. It will become your trail mix. Once you get home pour out and look at the treasures everyone gathered and place them somewhere for a few days to be admired and touched. Cherish what you find, they are so beautiful.

My first fall in New England I laminated my bright leaves. That was fourteen years ago and they have still kept their colors. Do you share my passion for this season? Tell me about it.

I'm Very Glad To Know

2010-10-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

May I just say how proud I am to share this picture with you.
The more times I look at it the more I want to share it.
I puffy heart rabbits, don't get me wrong, pictures of dead bunnies do not make me laugh at all. It's more complicated than that.
It's the fact that there is someone out there creative, crazy and fun. Someone who will spend the time needed to make this photo look real. Ha! It means lots of free time and this is their creative outlet.

My dad sent this picture to me. I guess I inherited his humor and art appreciation. This is a father-daughter, tongue-in-cheek shared via email. A welcomed giggle amongst the long, dry and boring daily mail.

I'm very glad to know I'm not the only one who laughs at this!

So We Have Finally Agreed Where To Eat!

2010-10-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

This sign is really funny to me. I have passed this place so many times and I finally just took a moment to capture a picture of it. I have yet to eat here, but I think I will next time I am in the area. As a joke I posted this picture on my Facebook page. So many of my friends and family added some funny comments about this sign. Now, I am even more intrigued about what they might serve. I also have the strong urge to report back to my Facebook pals with more information.

Who knows what adventure is waiting for me in this place. Good or bad I'm going in!

My cousin is the one that cracked me up the most and I have used part of her reply in naming this blog post.

Cousin Carol said of this picture, "Great, So we have finally agreed what restaurant, now what are we going to eat?"

I'll keep y'all posted too.

New Toothpaste for the Tweens in Your Life

2010-09-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

There is a new product line of dental care available for children 8 years old and up. It was developed by kids and my 9 year old loves it already. Check out their whole line of products by clicking here I would love to hear how much your Tweens like this.

Ten Things Only A Woman Can Understand

2010-09-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

I was sitting with a friend of mine at lunch and we started talking about the uniqueness of women's abilities to understand things that men just don't get. There are more, and of course, there is a list, not mentioned here, of things that are unique to men.
I would love to hear if our list meets your approval. Anything to add?

!. Cats’ facial expressions.
2. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
3. Why bean sprouts aren’t just weeds.
4. Fat clothes.
5. Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
6. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
7. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
8. Eyelash curlers.
9. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.
10. OTHER WOMEN !!

CountingTo3: How Do You Share Your Interest With Your Children?

2010-09-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

CountingTo3: How Do You Share Your Interest With Your Children?

How Do You Share Your Interest With Your Children?

2010-09-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

Since my first born son was in my arms I talked and shared the world with him. I recently observed a father doing this same thing to his very young daughter. He held her in his arms so she could sit forward and look out. He pointed to the full moon above and the water around them. I watched and remembered talking about the moon with my son. He called it a "ball" and wanted very much to hold it. He reached his three year old self as far as he could, when he found that he couldn't reach high enough, he stretched his arms up to me while keeping his eyes focused on the moon. He wanted to be high in my arms in hopes to be able to reach it. The elementary teacher in me began gathering materials to nourish his new moon discovery. I soon had a three year old who not only learned about the moon, but also talked about rockets, the shuttle, and NASA. I love being the first to show my children the world and feeding knowledge into their budding interest, especially when I love the subject as well. It is a such nice gift God gives us as parents.

I have recently increased the life skills for my oldest son who will be ten years old in January. My expectations on what I think he should have mastered at his age is being met with pride in himself. He has a growing independence which I'm very fond of encouraging. I've let my oldest son cook with me since he was small— I put him on a chair and stood between him and the stove. He stirred and then rinsed the dishes in the sink. I think it kept him invested in the meal I made and sparked confidence with cooking meals.

He recently spent time alone with his grandparents. During his stay he was taught how to prepare fish. He spent several minutes telling me every detail of his preparation and cooking steps. What a surprise to hear that cooking wine was also a step. I giggled as I was also shocked, but his sincerity about his exciting experience creating this advanced meal, made me very proud. As a parents I was thinking...fire? wine for a ten year old? then...oh, yes, we cook with wine when we are ten we don't drink wine when we are ten, whew! Still trying to work through that one, especially when he says, oh yes, wine makes food taste better. eh.

Anyway, I gave him praise and high-fives while trying to hide the "eh" on my face. I'll try to drum up some wisdom for the new issue of "wine making things taste better when you're ten" for future discussions.

I have enjoyed sharing scripture memory and bible knowledge with him, my love for Auburn football, hiking, swimming, snow fun, music, art, research, animals, nature... oh so much more I have shared, and so much I have learned from his interest. I know all the heavy machinery equipment's names and use. I at one time knew all of the dinosaurs, that was the next love for him after the moon. I love spending time with him, he is such a great kid to get to know.

Must-Have Baby Photo Shoot Accessories

2010-09-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

Sticky Bellies Milestone Stickers

During the first few weeks of baby’s life you can’t put the camera down. Look, a smile! (Or was it gas?) Her eyes are open! (And now they’re shut.)

But as time goes on, those shutterbug tendencies give way to exhaustion.

Keep the momentum going with Sticky Bellies, a new collection of stickers that celebrate every month of baby’s first year. When the milestone hits, stick the corresponding sticker on anything from a onesie to a jean jacket and snap away. It’s an easy way to document baby’s growth visually, and the twelve corresponding pictures look pretty darn cute in a side-by-side frame.

Each circular patch is designed to look like a sewn-on applique (thanks to faux contrast stitching) but is completely disposable. Just tear off (the onesie, jacket, dress) and toss when the photo shoot is done.

The only thing permanent is the resulting picture.

Available online at stickybellies.com, $15.

New Favorite Quote

2010-09-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

The best job goes to the person who can get it done without passing the buck or coming back with excuses. Napoleon Hill

Glass Repair, Because Nobody Wants To See Your Crack

2010-09-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, So I'm driving along and this van pulls out in front of me. Who was the ad wizard for this one. HA!

Teaching Your Child Self-Control

2010-08-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

I recent did some research on teaching children self-control. I have been thinking that there has to be another way to go about this rather than repeating myself to my 3 darling children, OVER AND OVER AND OVER...

I stumbled upon the practice of "Conscious Discipline".

Here are a few notes I took and I'd love to share.

12 Ingredients of Conscious Discipline

1. Know your own boundaries and set rules.

2. Look at your own behavior to see what you're teaching your child.

3. Listen to yourself to make sure you are in charge and not your child.

4. Whenever possible, plan ahead; avoid difficult settings or circumstances.

5. See the situation through your child's eyes

6. Pick your battles.

7. Offer closed-ended choices.

8. Don't be afraid to say "no".

9. Nip undesirable behavior in the bud.

10. Praise good behavior and correct or ignore bad.

11. Don't rely on corpora punishment.

12. Remember that giving doesn't equal love.

I love this quote:

Most kids hear what you say;
Some kids do what you say;
But all kids do what you do.

Kathleen Casey Theisen

In this Photo is a Very Embarrassed Me

2010-08-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

OK, this is a while back... yeah, the dress and the hair style did not give that one away, right? (be nice)
I was in a "Crimson and Blue Pageant" at my school. The winner of this pageant competed on a state level. The State Winner would then be the representative for our state in the Miss America Pageant.
Well, this a new level of competition at our school. We all signed up and went through the very strict interviews and regulations. My mom hired a very expensive hair dresser for that hair, (so, again...be nice). My dress is red and I adored the puffiness of the skirt. I'm done setting up the story....

On to the event.

Right before the competition we were all dressed up and ready to all take a walk on stage and greet the audience. You know, wave, wave, smile, smile...walk and all exit as a group like we entered. The reminder of what to do if picked for the top 10 were reviewed once again. I was not listening at this time to those instructions, because I was in it for fun of dressing up, and I was not as serious as some of the competitors who were very glamorous. I was a cheerleader and an athlete which means nothing to this story, but I, instead of listening, was chatting in the corner with my buddies.

The Winner is....

Well, those of us who were not top 10 were sent to the gym to join our family. I suddenly noticed a commotion and strange looks on my mother and neighbor's face as I walked out and began walking over to them. Being a teen, I just brushed it off as adults being weird. I mean, hello.... they ARE parents, weird comes with the territory!

The WINNER ISSSSS......Annette McGuire!

Wait wah? I'm not the winner.... there are people on stage... and I am not the winner... they are SO mixed up. I'm in the bleachers for crying out loud....

"Miss Congeniality is Annette McGuire"

Seriously?

Oh NO! I SO didn't listen to what the winners are suppose to do....

I got up, (ok, I was pushed out of my seat by my friends and mother) and started walking over to the stage to receive my award. Nooooo, that wasn't what I was suppose to do.... the coordinator "whispers" loudly at me...
OK, So I walk behind the stage and pop up next to the MC. take my award to run off stage. BUT noooooo, that is not what I am suppose to do either....She is now moving her arms in a sweeping way, motioning me to keep walking.

OK, Did I mention this is on stage in many bright stage lights? Spot lights. Judges who didn't pick me...are now laughing and put down their pens. Cross their arms and enjoy the comedy relief wondering how I'm going to get out of this one. Believe me, I was wondering the same thing.

I stood center stage... looked to the coordinator, she says STOP. My mom and friends are motioning.... get off the stage.
By now the whole audience is understanding my dilemma and NOOOOO one is throwing me a bone! What do I do? I stand middle stage...where this picture was taken, and just look straight out to the audience, smile and wave. I then twirl my hair and crack up. I still don't know where to go or what to do.

This was a "Teachable Moment" for me... It marks my sudden desire to listen and follow directions better in my life.

What about you? Oh, and believe me, I'm always getting myself into situations, but the embarrassment doesn't happen in the spot light. Well, wait there was that time in New York City when I was on stage with CATS... but that's another story.

I Believe I Can Fly

2010-08-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, I really wish I could still do this. In my mind I can. However, my brain is not the muscle that is needed to do this jump. This is me the summer before my senior year in high school.

I have had three babies, and I am getting fit again. At the gym I have started to do my stretches and will begin yoga. But one day soon I will do this jump. I am Bound and Determined!

When I do...Film at 11!

What do you wish you could do? What are you doing to make that wish come true?

Knit Your Fall Wardrobe From Scratch

2010-08-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, first of all those are not my feet. This was a picture attached to an email I got from InStyle Magazine. They suggest that we "Knit our own fall wardrobe from scratch" Some how this email has reached the iphone of the wrong reader. I love to knit...but there is no part of me that wants to start knitting my own clothes starting from the toes up, (toe up from the flo up). HA!
In my mind it is a tad bit mummy sounding...

Anyway, just wanted to share.

Everyone Knows

2010-08-09T20:29:00.000-07:00

There is really no more I can add to this. I think this picture of the product says it all.

Who knows, maybe it would be a hit at a summer bbq party. You might have to pick your nose when you get to the party...I'm sorry this is only just asking for bad puns. Which again, might be fun at a summer party.

An "Ouch Pouch" for the Mom on the GO!

2010-07-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

I have fallen in love with www.Etsy.com. There isn't a visit to Etsy that I don't discover what was invented over night that will fit one of my needs as a mom. Sometimes, I don't even know how much I need it until I see it. Once I see the product, I have to have it... because who can live a fully functioning life without this new amazing creation?

This is one of those amazing creations that I cannot even believe I have gone this long without owning. It is called the Ouch Pouch and you can get one too. It is made by PillowSewcute on Etsy. I contacted her a few weeks ago and she is the nicest most honest and kind shop owner around. I love these and I'm not an owner of one. She offered to give me one. I declined. I want to support the Etsy Store Fronts on this website. I encourage you to join me in placing an order for one or seven of these...they are so cute and it's too hard to pick from. They range in price from $5 to $10.

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

2010-07-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

Moving

2010-03-22T17:56:00.001-07:00

Ok. So, there have been some newish things going on and I wanted to share them with you.

I've had this computer, Macbook, for a year. I forgot that I can create a blog/website on it. It is soooo easy to do and loads of fun at the same time.

ALSO, I changed my Twitter name to reflect better what I am now as a blogger and a mother. I am no longer EXPECTING my 3rd child. I had my 3rd child....girl, but you know that already if you have been following @EXPECT3 on twitter or my blog. What is going on now is... with three children, I'm counting to 3, or "@CountingTo3".

I'm moving my blog to this website thingy that Apple does. I have been taking the tutorials and have been having a ball. IN MY SPARE TIME I sleep or shower or maybe read a book... so this has been a long production of a switch from blogger to MAC APPLE iWeb hicky place.

If by chance you want to follow my new blog or maybe just go take look....it can be found a couple of ways, by going to my @CountingTo3 profile has a link should take you right there. or by clicking cutting and pasting the following address in your browser. http://web.me.com/annettemc.davis/CountingTo3/Welcome.htm

Thanks for joining me on my journey. Please let me know where your blog is, I'd love to take a look.

This Just In

2010-01-29T20:39:00.000-08:00

The Tada Shop

The Tada Shop, you gotta love that name! The just-launched site for apparel (girls, boys, babies) and toys is more than a virtual shopping cart; it compares and contrasts looks and prices from hundreds of brands, saving you the chore of website hopping, hence the TADA!

It works like this...Need a red dress for less than $50? Select the right filters and — presto! — choices appear. Toddler boys’ polos? Ka-zam — you’re in business. Sellers range from big-name (J.Crew, Mini Boden) to indie (Neige, Mini Rodini); AND... when it’s time to buy, you’re directed to their sites.

Rounding things out are the Create a Look feature that lets you piece together and see entire outfits, expert style tips, and sales.

I just love websites that are created to be ready, willing and happy (with showmenship) to make things easier for MOMS! YAY!!! Bravo!!! TADA!!!

It all deserves a major fanfair.

Unanswerable Questions

2010-01-29T14:20:00.000-08:00

"He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him" (Psalm 91:15a).

Do your younger children drive you crazy with all their questions each day? With an insatiable desire to know "why," they ask a barrage of unending questions that parents are forced to answer as best they can. Some questions like "Why is the sky blue?" and "Where do babies come from?" might set us back for a few minutes as we think of the best way to answer. But other questions like "Why did Grandpa die?" and "Why did God let my sister get cancer?" pose a much bigger challenge. Sometimes, questions are simply unanswerable and the "whys" of life's problems have no answer keys for us to use.

Like little children, countless men and women in the Bible also asked questions when they struggled through the "whys" of life's difficulties. Job's life is one such example. After suffering horrific loss of belongings, family, and health, he sat down and asked God "why" in Job 31. God never gave Job an outright answer, but He did counteract Job's question with a few questions of His own, including "Where were you when I created the world?" Confessing his ignorance in questioning a Holy God, Job reached the point of submissive humility and brokenness. "Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not"(Job 42:3).

Are you looking for some answers to the "whys" in your life? Is the pain and suffering that you're experiencing causing you to wonder, "Where is God? Doesn't He know what is happening to me?" Perhaps God is taking you to a new level of trusting in Him, or He is trying to teach you a deeper truth. Either way, God has not left you. He sees your every tear and will deliver you in His time. Will you continue to hope in Him and wait for His answer? "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God" (Psalm 43:5).

Lord, I acknowledge that You alone are God. I lay my burden at Your feet and ask You to strengthen me to face this problem in my life. Even if I never know "why," I will continue to trust in You and Your love for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

You can help save a home

Pink and Stuffed with Fluff

2010-01-26T19:17:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'll admit it.

I'm having so much fun with this little girl of mine.
She is either going to laugh and think that she is as adorable in this picture when she grows up as I do, or she is going to be so mad at me for dressing her up so fluffy.

But look!!!

She is pink and she is a G I R L!!!

She is now 3 months old and smiles and coos. So, of course she is enjoying it. Never mind that she screamed her head off before this picture was taken because I was messing with her so much. Hey, she got happy again.....

Once I called in support from her father and he gave her a pat pat walk around the house and gave her a bottle and burped her and gently placed her down on this furry blanket covered bouncy seat.

She may have given a slight whimper when I placed her legs like this, BUT I'm sure she really enjoyed it. I mean... look! Here is Proof, she is smiling.

Ok, so daddy is off camera and getting her to stop crying and she's reacting to his sweet talk....but over all she is ok.

I, on the other hand, am standing to her right, in a time out because I touched her too much and made her cry, I'm in a hands off posture, ok, a fetal position, but the picture turned out so cute.

I love that I have someone around to play tea party with, and baby dolls, Barbies, doll houses, and play house. I cannot wait to pass on recipes to her and bond while teaching her how to knit. Dressing up and going to the ballet, symphony and plays.

ahhhhhh, it will be so fun.

Ok, for me it will be fun. She might not think so but a mom can dream right?

Quick Banana Bread, But for Me, 3 Hours

2010-01-19T21:44:00.000-08:00

Mother of an Infant, Recipe for banana bread:

I am at home more often now, and for some reason I think I have time for baking. It's chilly outside and I have a desire to bake and fill the house with a warm fragrance of baked bread. I have found it takes much longer than it should, but here’s a recipe for how to make Quick banana bread: in 3 hours:

1. Feed baby until she falls asleep. Good, she should sleep long enough so I can get some breakfast.

2. Find a good recipe while eating breakfast. I have a hankering for warm bread today, and I have overripe bananas to get rid of soon.

3. Enjoy breakfast and coffee, then I preheat the oven.

4. Baby is waking up. Change her diaper, give her a pacifier, cross my fingers and put her down.

5. Get out the flour and sugar. By the time they hit the counter, baby is screaming again.

6. Try the pacifier one more time.

7. Get out the measuring cup. Pacifier didn’t work, she’s crying again. Measure out the flour anyway.

8. Feed the baby. By now, the oven is preheated. Oh well, it will stay warm. I'm nursing.

9. Baby has fallen asleep after a bit. Try to put her down, and of course she wakes up again. Play with her, and give her the pacifier again. She may entertain herself for a couple of minutes.

10. Measure out sugar.

11. Get the new package of sugar from the pantry. At least I thought of this when I went grocery shopping 2 days ago (in one of her quiet moments). This infant is scheduling my life and has really helped me be more prepared! (Girl scouts aside ...)

12. She’s fussing again. Check diaper – has she pooped yet? I could tell she was working on it, and poor baby hasn’t pooped in 3 days.

13. Darn it. In the middle of baking, I'm disappointed baby doesn’t have a poopy diaper. How's that for new mommy thoughts, I'm thinking about poopy diapers, this is my life now?

14. Put baby down. Measure out salt and baking soda while I listen to her complain.

15. Put baby in sling. Turn off the music from her bouncy seat. Three months old and that music already driving me nuts, I realize one day she will be big enough to turn the music on herself.

16. Mash the bananas. I sure wish she were old enough for solids so I could give her some of these yummy mashed bananas. Fortunately she’s doing well with breastmilk (how did she suddenly get big enough for a 6-month outfit?)

17. Baby is squirming too much. Walk around for a few minutes.

18. Combine eggs and bananas.

19. Stir in dry ingredients.

20. Walk around for a while, baby is too squirmy in the sling. Try a pacifier.

21. Put the bread dough in the pan while singing the “pat it and roll it and mark it with a 'B' and put it in the oven for Baby and Me” song.

22. Put the baby down again. She’s quiet!

23. Put the bread in the oven, and bake for an hour.

24. Enjoy 15 minutes of silence while baby sleeps (and I start working on dinner).

Sleep when baby sleeps? How does that work?

A Southern Snowfall

2010-01-14T20:21:00.000-08:00

My oldest child was born in January, the day after a huge Nor-easter hit the state of Connecticut. I was very nervous about getting to the hospital for our scheduled c-section, but that was just my pregnant mommy mind feeling tense about traveling through the snow. In Connecticut, they snowplow every street, spread salt and sand so most roads are open. We made it to the hospital without a problem.

My son spent the first four and a half years of his life playing in the New England winters. Snow angels, igloos, snowball fights, snow-cream, sledding, icicle smashing, you name it, he loved winter time outside. When the snow melted that first spring he was bored with the grass. It was rather funny. There was one snow patch left to play in our yard and as a toddler he just sat down and cried because he missed the snow. I promised him that playing outside in the spring and summer would be fun too. There's sandboxes, sprinklers and pools to play in for many warm months. He was not buying it, he loved the snow and as a toddler, he wanted snow...NOW!

Winters are different for us now, we moved back to Alabama four years ago. When we told our son that there was going to be snow in Alabama too, he expected to see snow start falling in October and ending in April. Sorry sonny boy, Alabama does have seasons, pretty falls, beautiful springs and summers, but the winters are milder than New England, yet it still snows). Well, it took a few years for it to happen, but two years in a row we've have had snow, (not lots but some). Also, when it snows in Alabama the snow doesn't stay around for long. By the end of the day, its gone. As children we learned to get dressed in warm clothes fast and get out and play with whatever amount of snow that falls from the sky.

Here are a few pictures of our quick Alabama snow. Just in case you slept in and missed it.

This blue bundle is my youngest son. This is his first snow. He's wearing the same snow suit my oldest wore at his first snow. My how they grow up so fast.

There you have it, snow in Dixie.

Balancing Act

2010-01-13T21:35:00.000-08:00

Balancing Acts
Wednesday / January 13, 2010

"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it" (Proverbs 3:27).

I'm sure that if someone had peeked through my windows during my early years of being a mommy, they would have laughed at my antics. Many days, I felt like the circus performer who balances the spinning plates on top of a pole as I attempted to balance the needs of each person in my family. On any given day, I tried to spin my husband's plate with affection and undivided attention as he came through the doorway after work. I also worked hard to spin my creative son's plate with assistance in science experiments and projects that held his interest. Later when we had our baby boy I knew I needed to stop the wobbling of his plate and run to the kitchen to help him as he learned how to ask for more milk and food. Finally, to top it all off, we had a third child and two dogs, there was always toddlers fussing and babies needing their plates spun with a clean diaper and our dogs needed companionship for playtime. I knew that at some point I was going to run out of energy trying to keep each of their plates turning and wondered, "Who's going to spin my plate to keep this whole super-mommy act going?"

Praise God, the plates never did crash, but I did learn how to keep them spinning with someone else's energy other than my own. That someone was Jesus, and it was to Him that I ran each morning for the power to keep my own plate spinning. Knowing I only had so much strength, He showed me when and how to spin the plates of the family members who needed it most. I realized, too, that as much as I loved and wanted to help each member of my family, I was not responsible for making them happy or fulfilling every one of their needs. The power was simply not in my hands! Just as I had gone to the Lord for strength; they also needed to learn to cast their cares on Him. "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee" (Psalm 55:22a).

Do you feel like you're teetering on the edge of disaster at home with your children? If so, you may need to hand off those spinning plates into the hands of the One who can balance them much better than you. "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24).

Jesus, I'm so tired from trying to make our home successful in my own strength. Help me find the balance I need this new year to meet each of my family's needs with Your wisdom and strength. In Your name, Amen.

Share your comments about this devotional

Done

2010-01-11T18:33:00.000-08:00

There is something bitter sweet about knowing that I just had my last baby/child of my life. I love my kids very much, but I cannot believe I am to a point in life that I know I'm done. Somedays, I think that I would flip out and go nuts with another 9 months of ever growing girth. Then there are days that my middle boy and baby are so sweet and both at cute stages of their life and I would love another baby.

But Seriously Folks, I'm done. Done, done, done having babies! I think I'm at an adult milestone. Wow! Now to focus on taking care of these three, forever. oy, yeah...I'm done.

These are the walls I started at for my 5 day recovery while in the hospital. My view was of a court yard/circular drive/ front of the hospital. How very nice it was. Inside my view was ...well, you see for yourself.

To my right a large window looking at the hospital entrance.
To my left was a rocking chair and a clock to make my day tick tock slowly. Behind the curtain is a large sink and work area with a small refrigerator.
And straight ahead of me. The TV storage unit. SO much fun to look at. I had no time to watch TV. What? Why didn't I watch TV? I'm not a big TV watcher and Hello...I was taking care of a newborn.
My door. I was asked to walk the halls to get me feeling better. I instead felt like being plopped in my wafer thin hospital bed.
my pink sassy boa wreath on my door, given to me by my Aunt.

This was a fun time in life. To be wheeled into the room to recover while holding baby newborn. To watch the bath and diaper changing. To have family fill the room and ooo and aahhh over baby. This room is baby's first home. From here we go home to family, never to return again....

Good Bye Room 217

Menu For a Celebration of Friendship Tea Party

2010-01-09T20:29:00.000-08:00

Nut Bread with Three Apple Butter

Tuna Pinwheels

Cranberry Streusel Cake

Best Tasting Short cut Brownies

Recipes:

Three Apple Butter

1 pound unsalted sweet butter

1 Granny Smith apple, quartered with core and skin

1 Winesap apple quartered with core and skin

1 Macon apple, quartered with core and skin

(You may use any combination of cooked apples, as long as some are tart and some are sweet).

Place all ingredients in a heavy 4-quart saucepan. Cook 30 minutes over medium low heat, lowering heat as apples cook, and stirring occasionally. Force mixture through a sieve or stainless steel strainer. Cool, cover saucepan, and refrigerate. Makes 3 cups.

Tuna Pinwheels

1 pound loaf of unsliced, day old white bread (fresh baked bread will be difficult to cut)

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

your favorite tuna salad

Neatly cut off all crust from loaf of bread. Lightly spread butter to edges of one side. Cut lengthwise into very thin slices. Spread buttered slice with tuna salad. Roll up length wise, jelly roll style. Wrap in foil. Repeat until loaf is finished. (You should have about 6 rolls.) Refrigerate for at least an hour; butter will harden and hold rolls together. Before serving, cut each roll crosswise into about 5 slices. Makes about 30 pinwheels.

Cranberry Streusel Cake

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup butter or margarine

In a small bowl, cut and mix together above ingredients, then set aside.

Cake Mixture

1/2 cup butter or margarine

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat cake ingredients together in large bowl. Gradually add to the above mixture the following dry ingredients:

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Wash 1 bag of fresh or frozen cranberries and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an angel food cake pan. Spread half of cake mixture into pan, followed by half of the streusel mixture and half of cranberries. Repeat with other half batter, then cranberries, then streusel. Bake 1- 1 1/4 hours

Best Tasting short cut Brownies

1 family size package Duncan Hines fudge brownie mix with chocolate syrup

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons water

1/4 cup oil

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup white mini marshmallows

Combine all ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Home Again

2010-01-09T19:38:00.000-08:00

Baby girl made it home from the hospital. Everyone had to wear mask around us. My parents delivered us to the front door and took our luggage upstairs to the nursery. My darling husband bought candles and lit them around the house so it would look pretty when we arrived. He told me he wanted our homecoming to be special. How sweet is that? It was very beautiful and romantic and very thoughtful. But it was sad that I could not hug him nor could he hold his new baby daughter for a few more days. Seeing the special candles lit right then, I felt how nice it was to be home.

The baby and I lived in the nursery upstairs alone for a few days. My toddler didn't know that I was even home. We didn't want to torture him because he would not be allowed to be around the baby and I until his cough and fever was gone. It was lonely, but I texted my family and friends, and had around the clock baby care of a newborn kept me busy. Seems like lots to go through I know, but, I was glad to be out of the hospital.

We were warned of the risk to have me, a surgical patient and my newborn home with all three of them sick with swine flu, but we took all the precautions we could to make it safe for the two of us to be home. I'm so glad we did.

Look at this sweet angel.

A Word About Tea

2010-01-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

Raise a cup of tea as a toast to good health! Tea drinking is delightful habit to cultivate. Not only does the ceremony of teatime left spirits, the health benefits are yours to enjoy as well. Tea helps relieve fatigue, lift the spirits, and stimulate the mind. A cup of tea contains zero calories (add approximately 40 for a cup taken with milk and sugar). yet provides you with several of the complex vitamins. Six cups a day gives you ten percent of your daily requirements.

A Celebration of Friendship

2010-01-09T14:55:00.000-08:00

Starting off the new year with a heart full of welcome.

Try this as your invitation:

You are invited to begin the New Year

with a very special tea party

given in celebration of our friendship

Every year I love to see the signs that point to winter's approach - spirited late afternoon windstorms that send fiery orange and yellow leaves scurrying off the trees, the transition from breezy cotton to cozy flannel sheets, wool sweaters, and warm coats brought forth from trunks and drawers. There's an excitement that permeates the chill in the air, a growing feeling of anticipation a heightened expectation of things yet to come. Winter is on the way!

During the Christmas season, we celebrate all that is good. We send others our most sincere wishes of peace, joy and love. From giving gifts to decorating our homes to offering extra smiles and words of encouragement, we're helping add to the feeling of goodwill that embraces the holiday season.

In the new year our interaction with those around us - family both immediate and extended, friends new and old, coworkers and members of the small groups to which we belong - we are given on opportunity after another to make someone else's New Year start out a little more meaningful, a little more beautiful, a little more memorable.

One of the best ways to start the year off in a friendly and festive fashion is by inviting a group of special people to begin the new year by celebrating with you - a few close friends, a study group, your sisters, the people in your department at work. And a tea party is a celebration just perfect of the occasion. In a salute to both companionship and a new year, a Celebration of Friendship tea party helps you kick off the new year on a proper note, preparing your heart and your home for the days of joy to come.

Next post there will be more....

A Word About Tea

2010-01-09T14:44:00.000-08:00

Did you know that tea can be used for beauty treatments? To refresh your skin, add a handful of rose petals to a pot of black tea. Let the roses and tea steep for about fifteen minutes, then strain the tea and store the liquid in the refrigerator. Splash rose-scented tea on your face for an instant pick-me-up.

A Celebration of Stillness

2010-01-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

The stockings have been emptied, the gifts under the tree unwrapped, the cookies baked and delivered, the cards long sent and received, and the Christmas and New Years dinner exclaimed over and eaten. Christmas is over for the year, and some people can't help but feel somewhat of a letdown at this time. After so much preparation and anticipation, we've come to expect the next big holiday event or happening. And the truth is that things quiet down significantly the days after Christmas. We can welcome the quietness, though, as something to look forward to, viewing it as a time to celebrate yet another aspect of the holiday-the gift of stillness.

Actually, in some countries, such as England, this Christmas season doesn't officially get started until December 25. You've probably heard the song " The Twelve Days of Christmas." but did you know what those twelve days are all about? They are the days leading up to Epiphany (January 6), which is the day the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem with gifts for the baby Jesus. Some people today still give gifts on Epiphany instead of Christmas Day. To stretch your holiday season out a little longer and enjoy a time of catching up reflecting and winding down, celebrate the twelve days of Christmas this year.

And somewhere in your twelve day celebration, schedule a Celebration of Stillness tea party. Remember to make it restful and simple. Invite just one or two people - your spouse, your best friend, your mother, your grandmother, your sister, your daughter, your granddaughters. Choose a free afternoon or evening and take some time to sip tea and nibble on treats engage in some real heart to heart talk and perhaps share your thoughts about the year that has past and your dreams of the new year.

Behind the Scene Photo Session for Baby

2010-01-07T20:25:00.000-08:00

The time that this photographer put into getting the best shot was very reassuring that there was going to be at least one good picture worth framing and sending out in the announcements.

I really like this idea of photographing the babies like this.

Dress handmade by Leticia Guin,
She looks so tiny, well she is only 6 lb and 12 oz. I made the pink blanket.
Here is one of the pictures we picked for our packet. The photographer got a nice angle.

Here it is again for some reason this is on here twice.
and this one again.
Here is a side shot. Did I mention that Leticia made the dress and I knitted the blanket?

Photo Session for Baby

2010-01-07T19:46:00.000-08:00

The days of the hospital photographer who just roll into your room for a few blinding snapshots of your baby posed on their backs in a tray are over. Now the photographer roll in a computer and printer where they take care of the photo packages transaction. They also download their camera and show the pictures just taken of your baby on a big screen. You are encouraged to pose your baby in as many poses and outfits you desire. The name of the game is...sell, sell, sell those newborn picture packages by making this a moment and an event for all who are involved. I had so much fun watching this happen and I was very glad to have my cousin Carol and with her youngest daughter and husband there with me. They found and purchased the pink bow.

This white blanket with pink trim and tufted details was given to Amelia by Jan Smith.
Pink bunny sleeper and pink headband bow
The photographer posed baby like a pro and made everything just right.
I showed restrain when it came to purchasing the photo package, but it was hard.

A Southern Crawl Dad

2010-01-07T19:36:00.000-08:00

It has been raining lots but on the pretty days I like to take the dogs out or walk with one of my neighbors. On one walk through my neighborhood, we came upon a very lost crawldad or crayfish. Was it someone's lost pet? Was it fishing bait that got loose? Or was it someone's dinner that got away. However it got there on the street so randomly, it was there and it was free. We stopped long enough to take a look and wonder, snap a few photos but left that crayfish to it's journey. I just love walking in nature.

H1N1

2010-01-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

I was telling you of the swine flu my husband and two boys had at home. My baby and I had to just hope that we didn't catch it. My oldest was the first to get it and he was around everyone on the day Amelia was born. Everyone just waited to see if they too would get it. I didn't and neither did baby. My parents suspected that they got it so we didn't go home with them.

One of the doctors treating me recommended that everyone wear mask around the baby and I until their fever and cough was gone. They gave me Tamiflu and had me go to their office for both the flu shot and the H1N1 shot. We were doing all we could do to prevent the spread of this flu to either one of us.

Here is a shot of my mother posing by tiny Amelia with her pink striped mask. What memories we have with this birth.

You Know You Did a Double Take

2010-01-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

We know that the Snuggie for us Humans are pretty tempting, and as my cousin put it, "they are just backwards robes". But for your furry friend you know you did a double take on this product.

What is that Thing?

2010-01-05T21:17:00.000-08:00

You know, When you look at something a bit to long and it starts looking strange? Well, I was looking on my facebook page and to the side was this nice outfit that kept popping up from Talbot's. They were showing it as a nice Christmas outfit and I just love the popped collar of the crisp white shirt. The necklace is nice and looks tasteful, but upon further looking at this picture I started to stare.

What is that thing sticking out of her skirt? I am so afraid now. Is she injured? Is it part of the fabric or an added accessory? And who thought that an elegant long skirt that you could wear to the Opera or an elegant Christmas party or dare I say it, the White House needs to have a backwards foot sticking out to the side.

She became a flamingo woman to me. I now cannot purchase this very tempting outfit from Talbot's because of the flamingo foot image that is burned into my brain. What does it look like to you?

What in the World is this?

2010-01-05T21:12:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have been out of loop, I now admit it.

I was shopping in our large indoor mall, (yeah remember those places before the strip mall started making it's come back) and here by the candy machines are these things for sale, for a dollar.

Doctors: Professional Yet Act and Treat Us Like Family

2010-01-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

This is the sweetest children's doctor in the world. He is like family to us. Here he gives baby her first doctor's visit and gives me the information about newborn care for a girl and family with Swine Flu. He was involved with every bit of new information about 8 year old getting H1N1 and then 2 year old getting it, husband getting it...and was on call at the hospital to hear how everyone was and gave advise to keep me and baby safe. We just love this doctor!

This is the doctor that announced to me that "Surprise" I'm pregnant with baby number 3!

Being Together and Getting to Know Each Other.

2010-01-03T13:38:00.000-08:00

This is our third baby and our tradition had been that my husband stays at the hospital with me as I recover from my C-section and he takes care of me and baby. Although the nurses are around there are missed meals, medicines schedules, a many visits from various doctors daily starting at around 5 or 6 in the morning and continue all day. Hubby has changed the diapers and helped keep up with the details of taking care of forms, birth certificate information, picture scheduling and the list goes on and on. He is my right hand guy while I'm in the hospital getting my energy up and healing from major abdominal surgery.

We planned that this birth he would also be there in the hospital with us. My parents took the two boys back to our house and Allan held his daughter and we chatted about the crazy morning and excitement we were both feeling. We soon got a phone call from my parents that my 8 year old had a sore throat and a sudden spiked fever. Allan decided to trade out with my parents and went home to care for the boys leaving me to rest and baby in the nursery.

He did not return for the rest of our stay. The boys and my hubby came down with Swine Flu. That is an 8 year old and a 2 year old he took care of while he also suffered through it as well.

As the days went by I was in the hospital taking care of our newborn baby and myself from 5 or 6 o'clock every day from Tuesday till Saturday. If it weren't for my cousin again I would have never made it. I was so broken hearted about my family and missed my husband and worried over my infant and felt sorry for myself every moment of the day. Not a happy time but yet it was a very happy time...ok just a stressful time for all.

Our insurance allowed me to stay one more day to recover in the hospital and the staff just allowed me to rest. The baby's doctors reported to us that because it was the Swine Flu, I didn't have immunity to it so neither did the baby. They warned us about the dangers of going home to the high fever right after I had surgery and the baby had no immunity. We planned to go to my parents house so I could get help and recover there. The day of discharge my parents got what they assumed was Swine Flu also.

The new plan was for me to go home and bypass everyone with the baby and hide out in the nursery until everyone got well from the fever and sickness. So with that plan Baby and I headed home.

Holding Baby

2010-01-03T13:30:00.000-08:00

There is just nothing like holding a newborn. These are just a few of the people who got their hands on her first. This is daddy with Baby.

This is my cousin Carol with baby.
This is Alex with Baby.
This is my sister with baby.
These are my parents with baby.

Miss Amelia Margaret Davis

2010-01-03T13:19:00.001-08:00

My cousin Carol came to out rescue and arrived at the hospital bright and early on the day of my c-section. She watched the two boys to let my husband be with me during the birth. We are still so amazed by her selflessness.

This is Amelia's shirt that she wore as her first clothing. The two boys had "I'm the big brother shirts" that they wore. It was a surprise and so sweet to see.

Sitting in the infant car seat while wearing a premie footie 'jammah's. Going home. She doesn't look like a real baby in this picture but she is.

October 13th 2009 at 8:02

2010-01-03T13:08:00.000-08:00

Here she is just minutes after she was born. I cannot believe it now just how tiny 6 pounds and 12 ounces looks. She was just a bitty ol' thing. She was pink and so sweet, after hearing the cries of two boys before her we were surprised when we heard her squeaky cry of a different pitch.

This is the clock before they came to get me for the C-Section. The count down begins.

Miss Amelia Margaret Davis was born at 8:02, October 13th 2009

My View of Baby's Heartbeat and my contractions

2010-01-03T13:06:00.000-08:00

ok so I have been a little busy since last post

2010-01-03T12:39:00.000-08:00

I have been busy and have not posted anything since September sometime. I will just jump right to it and bring you to speed.

It is now January 2010, ( Oh My Word how did it get to be January already?0 These have been the fastest 4 months to live through in my life. Blink... they are gone.

Let's see. September I only thought I was soooo done with being pregnant, but not as done with it as I was when October came. Why? you ask was I done with the fun thing we call pregnancy? I had Gallbladder issues and my pain changed it's location and arrived into my stomach which made life oh so un-fun and the contractions added to the excitement with each day I felt I had a Boa Constrictor around my body pulling tighter and tighter making breathing a thing of the past, (ok, I could indeed breathe but it was not an easy thing to accomplish). As my due date arrived I was on a day by day, and week by week challenge to make it to a safe time for baby to be born and gallbladder to be removed after healing from my planned C-Section.

Skip to October 12th I had an appointment to get a giant needle stabbed into my stomach to check the fluid and the baby's lung development. The baby and the cord were in the way so the doctor decided against doing the test. Instead she had me in a room with monitors to track the baby's heartbeat and my contractions. Heartbeat of baby was reading healthy, my contractions were every 10 mins. I have been telling the doctor this but hours I was there with it actually being documented. They gave me a cup of vegetable soup and a salad with four pieces of grilled chicken and it sent me into a gallbladder attack... All of this was documented on the black and white computer print-out. (Yay!!!) My doctor had me checked to see if I was in labor, (I wasn't, by the way) and gave me medication for pain. Sent me home for me to come back the next day... to be continued...

Henna

2009-09-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

I got my belly "Henna-ed" and it was so much fun to sit there with my friend who was doing it and just laugh and relax for an hour or so.

She let me pick from several designs but the one with the baby feet stole my heart. Look how tiny and cute they are.

There were several pictures but this one showed off the tiny feet.

If you are pregnant you have got to do this!

The Henna is a mud and it is mixed with sugar and lavender. It smells so good and is very light feeling on your skin.

I enjoy looking at my belly now. Being at the end of this pregnancy that is not a very fun thing to do because I cannot believe how much my stomach is stretched. Now I just giggle when I see the design and remember the great time I had getting painted on.

The design fades slowly so there is time to enjoy it, take pictures and lift up your shirt to show friends and family...and blog viewers....

Through The Eyes of A Child

2009-09-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever downloaded your pictures and found one surprise picture or, say, 20 that you didn't take.

It happens to me a lot.

I actually adore seeing the pictures that my oldest son takes. Before I had my phone/camera I would develop pictures of Hot Wheel cars being held in his tiny hand. Now I find a sort of still life movie he takes one frame at a time of toys he moves a quarter of an inch and takes the picture as the toy makes it's way in and out of the "stage" where this action is taken place. Here are three pictures I found, they are a sample of the kind of movie frame pictures he takes.

These are the dragons that stared in this movie. Here the Green, blue and red dragons are all posed together.
This photo shows All the dragons a bit closer...ok very close. "Drag-ity Dragon"
Earlier this summer it was this shark that was the star of the feature. "Shark-ity Shark".

I hope this is an interest that I can help him along with and we can add music, words and more props. Until then I will enjoy the surprises he leaves me and wait for what my other two children will take pictures of and capture on screen.

Pretty Pretty Princess

2009-09-13T19:31:00.000-07:00

I am a girly girl, I will admit to as much. I like the color pink, I love to dress up. I like to have my hair cut and styled, my nails painted and my toes in a very pretty painted color at all times. I don't mind panty hose and slips, I love perfume and jewelry. I like to coordinate, match and blend.

I do like to run, play tennis, ride my bike, debate, cook and garden. I'm not afraid to get dirty, messy and sweat. But if I had to pick, I'd like to be cool and be fanned... ha! I like to shop, craft, "do lunch" with friends and surprise my friends with gifts.

So how did I do as a mom of two boys?

Well, at first I was confused because I thought there was more to dressing and grooming them, no fancy hair, no diaper covers, and the clothing for the boys are very limited to pants, shirt, jeans, shirt, shorts, shirt. and at sometime around 5 it becomes camo for everything including pajamas. I did the longalls, the shortalls the blue bubble suits as long as I could but around three, the cute is over. My second boy is two I have another good year and then poof... all done with the adorable little boy clothes.

BUT guess who is on the way!!.... baby girl!! yipppp!

I am really getting into this now that the idea of having another child and having a GIRL has registered in my brain!!!

So.... I have been internet window shopping and look what I have found!! These are so fun!

oh my goodness! The pink the poof and the dressing up is just going to be a hoot! I have about a month left until she gets here and the fun will begin!

Yeah Girls!!

A Place for Toddlers

2009-09-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

Gymboree!

This place is such a fun place to take a toddler!

When I was a first time parent I lived in Connecticut far away from friends and family. My hubby was at work and the friends that I had made before I got pregnant were at work too. So, when I was at home with my baby, I found that I wanted a new mommy social life and I needed it fast!! I signed up for classes for myself and oh....my baby. Did I mention that I very much needed the social interaction that these baby and mommy classes would bring?

I signed up my 6 month old, Benjamin, for Gymboree class, Baby Library time, Border Story time, Kindermusic, and "Mom's Cafe" at church. We had a very full month and busy schedule of an hour here and there each week. I was loving it and I bonded with Benjamin so much too going, doing and learning how to be a mommy watching him interact and play with other babies. I made some of my life long friends in those classes. I adore all of those moms and their children so much and we still keep in touch, our kids are now in the 3rd and 4th grade...sigh.

Now with baby number two things have changed. We live closer to family and friends. We also live in a neighborhood that is a kid haven with a park close by, a pool within walking distance, a lake and places to walk everywhere. The weather is beautiful most everyday and there is NO SNOW for 6 months out of the year!! Things are definitely different. My husband works from home and the hours are filled with the needs of the whole family. So the need to keep busy outside the home with classes has shifted.

But one thing I adored more than any of those classes was to watch my toddler be in his element. Where climbing and sliding and running and skipping, bubbles, music and dancing are all geared to his age and development. "Oh Gymbo, Gymbo, Gymbo. oh Gymbo you're the best!!!"

Ok I admit they push the brand in their songs, toys, chants and well jargon while speaking to us, but I drank their kool-aide years ago with Ben, it's just like old times for me now!

Bray Bray LOVED his adventure and I loved watching him scurry to each new thing to climb on crawl through and slide down.

We definitely had a Gymboree Day!

Sand with Holes in them

2009-09-06T13:25:00.000-07:00

Please explain to me why we humans have the need to dig our way to China when we visit the beach.

I have see these holes at every beach I've visited. Sand holes can be found in Connecticut, the Jersey Shore, Hawaii, The Bahamas, Mexico, California, South Florida and at neighborhood lakes. It is not just a summer time activity either this happens at random times of the day and year. It is also not limited to just the young children, I have seen adults, teens and the elderly dig and dig and dig.

My oldest child likes to dig and then sit in his creation, like a fox hole or a nest. This one was wider and named "the crater" by our family.

The next question I have for you is, have you ever been walking in the evening or at night and come across one of these giant holes? What a moment that is. My heart always jumps at the site...what if I was not paying attention? I would have walked right into this thing...ahhhhhhhhhhhh...

Well, I have to admit I dug and dug in the sand as a child. It is fun and it's cheap entertainment and a great way to spend the day.

Are you a digger?

A Talent I Am Amazed By

2009-09-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

I love to search the blog world, I always find someone who is doing something they love and are wanting to share it with others. One night as I was getting lost in my blog search I came upon this very talented balloon artist. She creates these balloons and snaps photographs of them. I would love to learn how to do these! I just wanted to share a few of my favorites. Tell me what you think about them.

Chicken Cheese Soup

2009-09-06T12:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have to share this recipe now because it is so good and we are approaching Fall which for me means, Soup's On!!!

Ok it is SOUPER easy... (I could not resist the pun)

Chicken Cheese Soup

1 cup milk

1 cup water

2 chicken bouillon cubes

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1/4 cup grated American Cheddar cheese

Salt

Pepper

Paprika

Heat together the milk, water (in which the bouillon cubes have been dissolved) and canned soup. When hot, stir in the cheese and season to taste with salt, pepper, and paprika. Serve when the cheese melts.

Like I said... so easy, warm and hits the spot! Enjoy!

gDiapers My Product I Highly Respect and Adore

2009-09-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

gDiapers loves the Earth.

For the last 40 years there have been but two choices in diapers. Cloth or disposable.

That’s it. Now gDiapers offers a third option. 100% biodgradable*, flushable diapers.

gDiapers puts waste where it belongs, in the toilet. Not the landfill.

gDiapers have no elemental chlorine, no perfumes, no smell, no garbage and no guilt.

In fact, our gRefills are so gentle on the Earth you can even garden compost the

wet ones in one compost cycle, approximately 50 – 150 days.

Just think of the standing ovation you’ll get from the planet.

Leave less of yourself behind.

While nothing truly biodegrades in a landfill, gDiapers plastic-free refills give you several

disposal options that no other diaper offers. You can flush, compost, or toss them.

Flush and you're putting poop where it belongs. Throw the wet ones in your garden

compost and in 50 – 150 days you've turned a wet diaper into a soil amendment.

You're actually giving something back to the planet and reducing your family's footprint.

Even throwing gRefills away isn’t the end of the world. After all, less petroleum

went into the production of gRefills, so tossing is ok, too.

All we ask is that you put the poop in the toilet first.

Still Shot

2009-09-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

Do you ever just take a picture of your child and upon reviewing it you find it really says more to you than it did when you first took it?

I took this picture of my soon to be middle child and when looking over the pictures later I loved the view it shows of him looking a bit reflective.

I love it when a picture starts to talk. It is so rare that he is this still and this one semi-captured the moment without much blur.

One of My Favorite Places to Shop

2009-08-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

Do you have a favorite place you love to shop? A place that when you walk in the door you get a feeling of luxury or desire or pure greed? A place that you wish that one day when you win the lottery you could just walk in and buy one or twelve of each and just go hog wild? (whatever that really means?)

I do! It's name is L'OCCITANE

It's a place that I found while I was living in Connecticut. I had only seen and smelled this product while flying on Delta. Then BAM! a shop opens in our West Farms Mall.

It is Fab-u-lous! I am not one that is highly sensitive to fragrance so to me walking in a store that has sprays and lotions and defusers don't bother me at all. Instead I am awakened and well, filled with desire to smell each and every one of these creamy, rich, natural products.

If you were to look into my brain and see the actual desire level, you would see that I am fighting a battle and restraining myself for social reasons. What I really want to be doing is more along the line of how a toddler would act in a toy store. I want to snort my nose up against the bottle and breathe in the lavender...and just leave it there. ahhhhhhh.... then honey verbena.... then a few coffee beans that they place around to clear the scent pallet so I can get a fresh new snort and move to the next fragrance. I want to sit on the floor and squeeze each lotion and smooth them on my legs arms and feet.

Holy Moly! It is so hard to stand there gently picking up a few bottles and sniffing lightly and quickly. Self Controlled me says, "Oh that smells nice" instead of "OH MY WORD THIS IS SO AWESOME, MORE MORE MORE!!!"

When we moved away from Connecticut we didn't have a store in our area until a few years ago.

Life is so good again! But how long do I have to put up this calm appearance? hummm

Try it you'll like it. When you buy it you can take it home and smear as much as you want and sniff as loudly as you wish!

What stores do this to you?

Going To Back To the Nice Restaurants Again, Well, Not Just Fast Foods

2009-08-19T12:05:00.000-07:00

I teach Etiquette to children and I have found that these suggestions work when going to a restaurant with your children, so I wanted to share them.

Before you go to the restaurant

• Play games. With grade-schoolers, you need to walk the line between respecting their needs as children (who will be bored and fidgety if the wait for food is long) and getting them to respect the needs of their fellow diners, including their own parents. Keep a pair of dice (for playing math games) in your purse or pocket, and be ready to play "I spy with my little eye," simple clapping games, or tic-tac-toe.

• Pack it up. Let your child pack up her own tote with a book, some drawing and writing supplies, or another quiet, compact, and discreet source of amusement. Anything that makes noise (such as handheld electronic games), takes up too much of the table (board games), or just seems rude (iPod or CD player with headphones) is off-limits.

• Pick the right restaurant. Choose a kid-friendly restaurant — one that's casual, loud enough to absorb some noise, and with either a kid menu or a varied enough menu to appeal to children and adults. Let your child choose the restaurant once in a while, or at least consider her preferences.

If possible, make a reservation so there's no wait for a table. Or go some place fun. Fondue is an entertaining way to eat melted cheese — a favorite of many children. Restaurants that cook tableside can mesmerize kids, and you might even be able to introduce sushi by going to one of those places where you pluck the prepared sushi from little boats floating past the dining counter. (Your child might enjoy warm noodles more than your favorite sashimi roll.)

• Set some ground rules. If you establish realistic, age-appropriate guidelines at home, you're more likely to see your child following the rules when dining out. You've probably been preaching good manners since your child was a toddler, but starting now you have the opportunity to begin shaping lifelong habits.

Practice volume control and the way a speaking voice should vary depending on the surrounding noise. Talk about the differences between appropriate conversation for restaurant dining versus the family dinner table. Demonstrate the correct way to move around in a restaurant (this is good for a laugh too) — walking quietly and directly to wherever you're going, whether it's to the table, the rest room, or the exit.

Once you're there

• Don't dawdle. As soon as you're seated, ask for bread and butter. Don't worry about her filling up before the entree arrives — it's hard for kids to behave when they're hungry, and this isn't an every-night thing.

• Keep it moving.Don't expect your 5- to 8-year-old to wait through the adults having a salad course and appetizer while she just waits or nibbles on croutons. As soon as you sit down, order an appetizer you can share with your child, or skip the appetizers and go straight to the entrees, avoiding the gap between courses.

• Let them eat cake. Reserve certain special foods or drinks for restaurant dining only. Allowing your child to have something that's normally forbidden at home — soda, for example — will not only occupy her attention but will reinforce the idea that going out is a privilege.

• Put on the Ritz.To motivate your child to maintain some decorum while dining out, demonstrate more formal table manners than are expected at home. A linen napkin placed in the lap, while not that important in and of itself, is a signal that a restaurant is a serious place where children should be on their best behavior.

Whenever your child gets up (to go to the rest room, for example), remind her to quietly push in her chair. Encourage her to sit up straight and use silverware properly. For a really impressive flourish, teach your child to pull out Mom's chair when you first reach the table.

• Have them do the ordering.Bigger kids like to exercise their autonomy. Encourage your 7- or 8-year-old to order for herself, make healthy selections, and say thank you when the food is served. She'll feel more engaged in the whole process as a result.

• Strive for peace.The goal for parents, and children, is to have a positive experience when dining out. Accordingly, it's important to remember that your child is, in fact, a child. Each time the family eats out is a learning experience.

Avoid going to war over minor transgressions. A restaurant is not the place to have a battle of wills over a breach of etiquette. Instead of expecting perfection, just strive for progress.

• Focus on the big picture. One of the most enjoyable aspects of dining out, as your child gets older, is that it offers the opportunity for meaningful conversation. There's no telephone, no television, and no one has to get up to refill the drink glasses or replace dropped silverware. Kids love it because they can have whatever they want to eat. Parents love it because someone else cooks, serves, and cleans up.

Take advantage of the downtime to talk to your partner and your child. When you consider the value of an uninterrupted evening with your family, the meal is really just a bonus.

It's Ok To Play With Your Teddy Bears In A Chocolate Pool

2009-08-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is simple and cute and a hit with kids...I had to share! Rice Krispies are a staple at our house, look how darling this is!

Chocolate Pudding Dipping Pool

Prep Time:

5 min

Total Time:

5 min

Makes:

1 serving

What You Need!

1 JELL-O Chocolate Pudding Snack

12 TEDDY GRAHAMS Graham Snacks

1/4 cup strawberries, sliced

Make It!

SPOON pudding into center of small bowl.

ARRANGE graham snacks and strawberries around sides of bowl.

DIP graham snacks and strawberries into pudding to eat.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Substitute

Substitute JELL-O Chocolate Vanilla Swirl Pudding Snack for Chocolate Flavor.

Ways To Start Your Child's Day Off Right

2009-08-19T10:47:00.000-07:00

I want to get my 3rd grader off and running in the mornings with a good energetic start. I started to think about his day. As a past teacher, I know that once the kids arrived in my classroom, I had things waiting for them on their desk to start right away. These assignments are called "Morning Work". They are usually required to be completed and turned in soon after they begin. The morning work sometimes includes copying things down from the board and then transferring that information back to their paper. So the skill of finding the item in one location then remembering it to then transfer that item to the paper without loosing their place at either location can require lots of concentration for the elementary aged child. If my child has to do required work as soon as he walks into the classroom I want to make sure he has had a good start to his morning.

He needs time to wake up and become alert, get dressed, eat breakfast, get some love from us and feel secure and not pushed off from us for the whole day. We have had days that we have hit the snooze and wake in a panic. We try very much to stay calm and not communicate angry sounds that are actually frustration at ourselves for sleeping in too late to give the morning a good start, that is hard to do sometimes. When our oldest started school we had a newborn at our house. We started planning the night before and set out the cereal, bowl, napkin and spoon on the table. We also made sure the night before that everything was in the backpack including snacks and money which was placed by the back door. We picked out the clothes for the next day and made sure shoes were near the door as well. Just these few plan ahead steps made the mornings run so much more smoothly. So I am always looking for more ways to get the day starting off right for him.

When I came across this information it really made breakfast time easier to balance and start his day off with a brain boosting way.

I hope this helps you as well.

10 Balanced Breakfasts

An ideal, nutritious breakfast contains a balance of complex carbohydrates and protein. Think grains, plus dairy, plus fruits. Examples of balanced breakfasts are:

granola cereal, yogurt, a sliced apple
scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice
veggie omelet, bran muffin, fruit with yogurt
whole-grain pancakes or waffles topped with berries and/or yogurt, milk
whole-wheat zucchini pancakes topped with fruit, milk
french toast topped with fruit, orange juice or milk
low-fat cheese melted on toast with a piece of fruit
low-fat cream cheese on a whole-grain bagel, orange juice
peanut butter and banana slices on an english muffin, milk
For a breakfast-on-the-run smoothie, see "School-Ade."

Of course, it's what you eat not what you say that impresses a child most. By treating yourself to a healthy breakfast, you model to your children that eating a healthy breakfast gives the whole family a smart nutritional start.

School Time Is Such A Rush

2009-08-19T10:44:00.000-07:00

School-Ade: A Breakfast-On-The-Run Smoothie

Anytime is a good time to get your child ready for the SCHOOL-ADE advantage. Here is a Dr. Sears family recipe for a smoothie we give our children and ourselves for a quick and nutritious breakfast as they are hurrying off to school and we are rushing off to work.*

3 cups milk or soy beverage
11/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt
1-2 servings Juice Plus+® Complete or similar multinutrient supplement
one banana
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup each of your favorite fruit, frozen (e.g., organic strawberries, papaya, mango)
2 tbsp. flax oil or 1/2 cup flaxseed meal
4 ounces tofu
2 tbsp. peanut butter (optional)
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 avocado

Combine all the ingredients and blend until smooth. Serve immediately after blending while the mixture still has a bubbly milkshake-like consistency

There are many tasty and healthy recipes included in The Family Nutrition Book.
Click here to learn more.

Back to School

2009-08-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

Just who came up with the idea that at age 6 children should be forced to go to school? I just think that those people are crazy people....crazy I say!

This year marks 6 years of my child being at a school. We started him when he was 2, for some strange reason, and now he is going to be a 3rd grader, and it's just wrong.

Ok, so I get this way every year. I miss him before the month of July is flipped to on the calender. Sigh... I have always wanted the best for him and we paid tuition when he was 2 so he could go to an incredible Montessori school.

This week school starts and will continue until May. Such a long time to be away from my sweet kid... and for him to be away from his momma!

I have to get used to the live capture and release programs for moms. sigh.

He, on the other hand, is so excited that when he found his desk he also had his school supplies that we purchased from the school last year so they were all waiting in his desk for him. He spent a few minutes organizing his supplies. He spent more time sharpening his pencils...he is set for the new year, let me tell you! sigh....

He and I were leaving the school and he said that he knows this is going to be a great year... sigh....

letting go...who said that is a good thing? Hugging and not letting go feels better. :) sigh....

The boy loves to learn and school fits his need perfectly. sigh... sniff... he's all grown up...

International Literacy Day on My Birthday!!

2009-08-08T22:35:00.000-07:00

Character

2009-08-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

When I was single I was really careful to date people with character. I think that it's important to look at someone closely for a while and really get to know them. Dating several people at a time, to me, was a great way to meet lots people and see the characteristics in guys while seeing if I would like to know one of them better.

I was determined to marry a guy who was, of course, cute, funny, talented and just a bit different from the others whom I had dated in the past. Just who had I dated in the past? I dated the offspring from my families circle who were churched, wealthy and politically raised. All things that promised a great future and the nod from my circle. I was not against getting the nod from the circle, it just seemed to be a limited circle. Many of those men found beautiful brides and live happily ever after...I just wanted someone that I could claim on my own.

As I grew up in my circle, I was good friends with college guys who were adorable and admiring but just didn't have that certain something that made me want to have a relationship with them, something was lacking in their character. I wanted someone different. Someone quirky, a bit wacky, and a whole lot adorable. Someone soft and walked with a certain confidence who wanted to work together as a team. Someone with so much character that it would be very hard to walk a day in his shoes.

Did I ever snag a guy with character! He was literally hot, a real tiger...gggrrrrrrrrrr!!

I love you Allan.

If you read my post

2009-08-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

If you are a reader of my post, please join my group and follow me. It's easy. I would love to see who is out there. ~

First Beach Vacation for Baby Boy

2009-08-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

If you have ever planned a week long beach vacation you know that lots of high hopes about the weather being just right while you are there starts about when you pay the deposit and place the dates in pen on your calender. You get the people at church to pray with you about the weather and you check the weather channel's week outlook everyday leading up to your arrival date.

I checked my iphone weather application the day of our travel and the ONLY day that was to be sunny was the actual travel day and it was about 6pm at the time. sigh....

But guess what? The weather was perfect! We had our rain showers at night when we were all tucked in our beds and it made sleeping extra great!

The only stormy weather we had was when we attempted to take our toddler to the beach. Daily we packed everything imaginable that we all four might need while at the beach from flip flops and Crocs to sand buckets, beach towels, sunscreen in all numbers of protections and hydrating icy cold liquids in various choices. But once we made our first step onto the snowy white soft sandy beach our toddler, who by the way knows very few sentences screams, "ALL DONE".... not once mind you but 77 times!

It took until the next to the last day of our week long beach trip and several beaches until he got into the idea of sand and surf. THEN he could not get enough and didn't want to leave.

We all had a ball!

Pink Items for Baby

2009-07-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

My sweet neighbor is letting us use her baby swing. I am really excited about this swing. It does so many things. 16 songs, 6 modes of speed, lights in the shape of butterflies, actual pink stuffed butterflies that are on the mobile...ahhhhh Oh, and two directional swinging patterns. This swing is ready for any kind of soothing that a tired parent could ever dream of. I look forward to trying it out with my baby.

Have I mentioned to you in a while that I am SO over this pregnancy? Yeah, I'm 7 months on August 3rd and I am ready for October to be here! I am ready for it to be over for two of the obvious reasons.

1. I am having a girl!!!! I have had two boys and I am so ready for the challenge of a new gender in this house to mix things up again.

We go to all kinds of BOY places, I'm so ready to start dragging them to some girl places or at least have someone to go with me to a girl place...

2. I am SO over this pregnancy! Now I know that I mentioned it because...it's right up there a few sentences. Wait...did you miss it again? I'm so over being the pregnant one.

But really how cute is this swing? It also has the option of being a plug in swing and not operated with batteries. If you have been a parent you know what a pain it can be to reach for a soothing item for a crying baby only to find it on it's last leg of battery juice.

So onward upward and outward I go...I am brave...I can keep this bun in the oven and keep getting bigger and stretched far far far far out. I will continue making the babies room look pink and get it ready for this tiny baby who is coming our way.

Celebration Time of the Evening

2009-07-21T21:40:00.000-07:00

Sunset is my most favorite time of the day. I love how the sky looks so beautiful in all the different colors; blues, blacks, reds, yellows and whites.

How amazed I am by sunsets.

I love this time of the day too.

It is a time of the day where rest is near and family time is taking place. Dinner is being prepared and shared with loved ones, the work day is over and everyone starts to unwind. What an awesome thing to happen daily!

The sun sets and we are ready to stop our day and take it's beauty all in.

When we visited Hawaii the time of the sunset marked the beginning of the evenings celebration.

Texas Windmill

Flag on the hill

A burst of color

Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico

Where do you most enjoy sunsets? Do you have a favorite time or place for sunsets? Is there a sunset that you remember most? Share it with me, I'd love to know about it.

2009-07-18T11:12:00.001-07:00

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Up close View of the Endangered Wild

2009-07-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

What an amazing thing my friend from High School got to witness. I just had to share this.

She and her family had planned to watch the shuttle launch, but there was a problem with the weather which unfortunately delayed the launch.

Instead, what they got to witness was to me truly more amazing.

I don't know what these people's titles would actually be... The Local Turtle People? The Turtle Protection Program People? The Walt Disney Magical Moments Turtle Release Program? What? I don't know, but the only people I know that can top a shuttle launch would be Disney, so maybe they were representing the Florida Tourism Board and they were called in, "Cue the turtles!"

These are the three pictures I "borrowed" from her that don't actually have her children along with strangers in complete awe.

Isn't this just so amazing?

If only Jeff Corwin was around to do some narration about the life of a sea turtle and it's beginnings.

Just How Many Pictures Must Be Taken?

2009-07-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

I got this little boy blue outfit for my toddler and just had to have a photo of him in it. I tried many things to get his attention and interest for a second so I could snap just one picture of him in his cute little outfit. I would love a framed photo of him in it maybe an oil painting that could be something to pass down to his family one day. All I need is a still toddler. So how many clicks did it take to get this one picture?

I just gave up. I'm thinking I will just take the outfit to the artist, take a picture that his is looking halfway at the camera, then one that he is standing in a heirloom painting stance and just piece that painting together.

Toddler....work with me here!

The Other Man, Well Let Me Explain

2009-07-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

There are not that many men that will make me run out the door to greet him when I hear him pull up.

I adore my husband and I do miss him very much when he is gone from me. Do I run out of the door and greet him with excitement like I have not seen him in years, no... I do smile and feel a nice relief when I see his face. Sort of like a team mate or superman's arrival... a greetings of a sigh, a yeah and a kiss.

I adore my daddy and I love when I see his smiling face anytime I get to see him, but I don't run out of the door crazed with heart racing...

No that racing heart and crazed feeling is for one person only....

The Ice Cream Man!

I don't know what it is about the bell and songs that he plays but it pushes me into high gear and turns me into a bit of a freak.

I could be asleep, reading a book, or talking to a depressed friend...but once I hear the ice cream man's truck...all things stop and my focus changes within seconds.

So the Ice Cream Man shows up on our street this week and I once again turned into a 7 year old.

I sprung up from the couch. I rushed to the "just in case the ice cream man shows up some day this summer we will have change ready" jar and emptied it onto the counter and began picking out the quarters.

I ran out the door and barked orders from over my shoulder about the dogs and the children.... something along the lines of... blah blah blah, don't let the dogs escape, baby might need to be watched while sitting in a highchair....blah blah blah... I have to go and meet this guy now he is ringing his secret ring just for me... it's been nice, gotta go...

I love him. Well, the 7 year old me does and my 8 year old son is starting to act just like me.

On this visit from the ice cream man, my son was rushing around the house for his shoes and yelled... "I cannot find my Ice Cream Man"! I just laughed and laughed. We both took each others hands and leaped off the steps, sort of stopped mid air Jedi Knight style and did a high five before we landed right in front of the ordering window.

I hope that I raise my kids right and one of them makes Ice Cream Man their occupation. Every family needs a Doctor, Lawyer and an Ice Cream Man.

Sleep, My Favorite Activity

2009-07-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

Sleep is one of my favorite things to do. I really do miss it so much during the day. From the moment I wake up my mental clock starts to count down to the hour in which I can return to the full body sprawl in my soft comfy bed. All day I cannot wait to get back into the bed and sleep some more.

I love to sleep.

I miss sleep.

I crave sleep.

I have been sleeping for years, so why I can't I sleep anymore?

Have I just lost my touch?

I have now added the Tylenol PM Sleep Tracker iPhone APP to my life. I have also downloaded the "How to get ready for sleep" and "How to make an environment more inviting to sleep in" from that same website.

Sleep is what we do as humans, it's basic we eat, work, sleep, repeat.

One reason I want to get this lack of sleep under control is because I am 6 months pregnant with my third child, and I am quickly approaching the newborn boot camp survival training sleep depravation stage of parenthood.

(Nooooooooooo, I don't wanna.....)

I have been searching for a solution to cure my pre- slumber deprived days.

The following recipe was taken from Tylenol PM's advertisement to be added as a healthy sleep inducing snack. I'm gonna give it a try along with:

*buying a small fan to add white noise,

*buying a humidifier to add moisture, so I wake with no scratchy throat,

* turn or cover my clock,

* dim my lights a few hours before bed,

* take a warm bath,

* install dark curtains,

* buying an upgraded mattress,

* buying high thread count sheets,

* paint the wall soothing a color, (apparently, white noise is ok, but white walls are bad)

* buying upgraded pillows

and last but not least,

* birth this growing child who makes sleeping in any position a very hard thing to do.

I guess after taking all of their suggestions and things are still not working for me, or if it is just too much trouble to make all of those changes I can always just pop a pill... lol

First things first for a pregnant woman though, FOOD!

Lullaby Muffins

They claim that Between the honeyed touch of sweetness, these muffins are practically an edible lullaby. (I guess if the edible lullaby doesn't work then there is always their edible Tylenol PM pill right? hahaha)

2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/3 cup applesauce

2 large, very ripe bananas

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup milk or soy milk

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In a large bowl, combine the flour (make sure it’s whole-wheat "pastry" flour or you’ll produce golf balls, not muffins), salt, and

baking powder.

3. In a blender, puree the bananas; add the

applesauce, honey, and milk. Blend well.

4. Pour the banana mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until

just moistened.

5. Line muffin tins with paper muffin cups, pour in batter, and bake 30 minutes or until tops are light brown and slightly springy.

Makes 12 low-fat muffins.

July 4th America's Holiday

2009-07-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

There is just no other holiday like July 4th in America. Everywhere I have been in this country to celebrate this day there has been friends, flags, fireworks and food.

My family loves to join the many others that flock to where there is live music playing and spread out a picnic dinner and wait for the fireworks to begin. I especially love when the music is in sync with the fireworks and "the bombs bursting in air..." has an impact with each pulse of the importance to the near ending of The Star Spangled Banner.

(sing it with me now...oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave.....for the land of the freeeeee and the home of that brave......) I love that! Then on the 4th we add the fireworks and I am almost in tears from patriotism, sigh, anyway.

This year we went to meet up with our family at their home near the beach and enjoyed our favorites; live symphonic music, food including a fresh cold watermelon, fireworks over the water and flags for the children to wave and learn to respect.

I'm proud of what our founding fathers stood for and how they died for our freedom. But who would have thought that we would come to a point in society that saying

"God Bless the USA" would actually become a political statement?

Political or not I am thankful for the blessings and I hope He will continue to bless the USA!

America's Farmers ROCK

2009-07-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

I am pregnant. I think we all can see that. All of my life I have been a vegetable lover. But put the love of veggies and being preggers together... we've got trouble! I have lustful fantasies over the things. So here at the beach during our vacation there are stands after stands of these vegetable and fresh fruit just waiting to be eaten. I'm in heaven, ahhhh.

Oh, but add the bionic nose that I posses along with being pregger then let me tell you there is no peach, tomato, or corn on the cob that is safe around me, ahhhhh.

I stopped at Hazel's Market on the side of the road and found true love. I also tried boiled peanuts. Have you ever tried one of these? You have to if you have not~ Take it from me...a preggie gal. They are to die for and you cannot eat just one!

Baby at the Bay

2009-07-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

Why is it so fun to watch our kids visit something for the first time. All eyes are on them and cameras pointed in their direction. Is it because we know they are going to just love it and we cannot wait to share in their delight?

Well, we are at the beach/bay now and my toddler got a chance to visit the water and sand for the first time. We just arrived and had to make a quick visit for the sunset and those first reactions.

He loved it! We shot almost 300 pictures of the boys and this visit. I'm sure we captured some good ones in there.

Such a fun time.

Get Ready Dahlin Because You'll Be the New Princess in Town.

2009-06-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

On Facebook one day I got a question on my wall from my darling cousin. She asked me my most favorite words,

" By chance did you get the package that I sent?"

Oh how I love getting

Packages!

Sure getting a package is way fun because I get to open it and see what is inside but the anticipation of the fact that there IS a package on the way.... sooooooo fantastic! Am I the only one that feels this way?

I had infact moved and the delay was getting to me...but the post office was good and it realized where I actually live and delivered the package!!!

Wanna see what she sent?

You are gonna die!!!

get ready to squeal!!!

is the anticipation getting to you too?

ok, I'll let you see...

How CUTE is this!! It is to die for cute! I am beside myself, whatever that means.... Sooo cute!

So pink so tiara, so sparkly and so princess!

I love it! I think I need to get one as well and where it from now on everywhere I go. But not in my hair...right smack on my belly!

Isn't the card just to die for as well, I cannot stand to separate the two. So I need to keep the whole thing together and just wear that whole puppy front and center on my belly button! :)

Thank you so much sweet cousin of mine. You are making the anticipation of this new baby girl in my life really exciting.

Seriously?

2009-06-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, since finding out that we are going to have a girl, I've been looking up every online resource on crib bedding for baby girls.

This one is from www.dimplesanddandylions.com if you just wanted to buy it for me... ha!

I'm just now really understanding that a little girl around here will be fun. Someone to watch Cinderella 1, 2 and 3. I get to read American Girl Doll books and get a matching doll for us...I mean her... I get, again, she gets to wear the sweetest ruffle outfits and pink bows and such...

Who am I kidding... I still don't get that we are really going to have a girl. Seriously?

My neighbors have been so sweet and have delivered bags full of baby girl clothes and pink bottles and playmats to our door steps. Hubs and I just take out each item one at a time and just stare at it. Pink onesies, pink nightgowns, pink shirts with cupcakes, pink socks, pink pj's.

Wow!

I love pink... but seriously?

We are really going to have a girl!

I just love little boys!

2009-06-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

My youngest son,

(soon to be renamed my middle child after the birth of his sister),

loves to get into the action.

He loves life and loves playing.

Here he stands waiting for a chance to run get the baseball that might

be missed by the big kids.

He was too cute to resist, I had to snap a photo.

I just love little boys!

Save on gDiapers with this code

2009-06-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

This is taken from gDiapers website. www.gDiapers.com. It is just one of the reasons I love their product.

I love how cute these diaper covers are and the colors. I have taken so many pictures of my baby in just his gDiaper because of how cute the covers are.

Now until July 31st you can use my code as a gMom, g611Davis, at check out and save on a 6 pack of everyday diapers covers. They are usually $70. but when you use my code, you get $30 off and only pay $40. plus. I just have to spread the good news of bargains when I come across them!!

gDiapers loves the Earth.

For the last 40 years there have been but two choices in diapers. Cloth or disposable. That’s it. Now gDiapers offers a third option. Flushable. gDiapers puts waste where it belongs, in the toilet. Not the landfill.

gDiapers have no elemental chlorine, no perfumes, no smell, no garbage and no guilt. In fact, our flushable diapers are so gentle on the Earth you can even garden compost the wet ones in one compost cycle, approximately 50 – 150 days. Just think of the standing ovation you’ll get from the planet.

Cradle to Cradle.

Why are gDiapers good for the planet? It is simple. Our flushables are designed using the Cradle to Cradle design principles of Bill McDonough and his firm MBDC. That means everything that goes into one of our flushables gets re-absorbed back into the eco-system in a neutral or beneficial way. So you are turning waste into a resource. At the same time, you are putting poop in the toilet, where it belongs, and avoiding the landfill issue all together.

We appreciate there is a lot of information in this section, but we want to make sure that parents who are concerned about the earth feel their questions and concerns are answered, and backed up with independent scientific research. For us, it is all about being Fair Dinkum. You can also feel free to contact us…we love talking diapers!

Dog Days of Summer

2009-06-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

The Dog Days of summer have arrived in full force.

We adopted Jingles when my oldest was 3 years old. At the time, we were living in New England. I really wanted a hound dog of some sort to remind me of my Southern roots. I was looking for the Hound breed because it is known for its lazy howling and funny yelping that would just ooze of loyal companionship and could out sniff and out track any dog on any trail.

We arrived at the first vet's office to view their message board and there hung a picture of the sweetest Beagle I had ever seen. I made phone call to the recuse group

"You're Hounding Me"

they directed me to the foster pet care parent.

It was love at first sight between my 3 year old and Jingles.

A few days passed and my sweet darling Pre-schooler announces that He loves my husband and I very much, but he REALLY loved Jingles!

That warmed my heart and I knew right then that I had picked the best dog for our family/son.

The two of them are strong buddies. My son even wants to be a Veterinarian because of the love that has grown between these two.

I am forever thankful for Jingles.

Jingles getting a check up from the neck up.

Those are cotton balls on top of Jingles' head.

Good bill of health from the future doctor.

The Most Dangerous Cake in the World, (In Just 5 Min)

2009-06-17T19:29:00.000-07:00

For some reason this blog is underlined and I cannot change the setting to make it stop.

Oy Vey!

it just looks like a very long title to this blog.

Ummm, interesting. (scoff, whatever)

So I don't have my mother's recipe posted yet... but what I do have is even faster and it is a must in everyone's life!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

How great is this?

I suppose you can share if you just had to.

Or just decorate your plate with some ice cream and dig in!

Tell me how this works out for you.

The Toy That Keeps Resurfacing

2009-06-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

There is a toy that will NOT go away. Do you have one of these at your home?

Although I have tried many times to get rid of the this toy I really don't know how it is always resurfacing again and again.

This is a Happy Meal Toy that is not a very Happy Toy after all. It is great for a toddler who wants to push it's cute red belly over and over and over and over..... to make the chiming beeping song that just begs to be pushed again and again and again.

It is very sensitive, you know the kind, that somehow starts working all by itself. NO one is around it but somehow it calls to a toddler from across the room. Who then prances after his long lost red, beeping belly dino, to push it again. sigh...

I KNOW I threw it away when I found that one of the dogs had chewed on it. But no....

It somehow resurfaced.

I know I threw it out when I was cleaning out the McToy's from the toy box.

But No.... It was back in the diaper bag! What? Yeah. How in the world did THAT happen? I have no idea. So today I am cleaning out some boxes from our move and low and behold, I step on, Mister red beepy belly dino. I know that it is the same guy because of the facial scars from the dog tearing into it's green plastic-y flesh.

I ask another question of this green guy.

How on earth are these batteries lasting this long?

It is amazing.

This toy has a 2006 stamped on it's foot.

Move over Energizer Bunny.

So one last farewell with all of the fanfare to surely send it on it's way...

Good bye Red Bellied Beeping Green Dino Dude.

I don't even feel sad about not donating him and sending him straight to the landfill.

(You're so welcome moms out there who might have picked this toy up from a tag sale.)

It Takes a Village to Make Brownies

2009-06-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

This third pregnancy has not really given me many "cravings". I do seem to prefer Jim N Nicks smoked turkey salad, japanese or chinese foods, orange juice, tomatoes and maybe the occasional strawberry frozen yogurt. But as for a crazed craving, it's been very uneventful... well, until last night.

I really wanted our family's favorite brownie recipe my mom makes so yummy! My husband, who has worked to get this recipe down to an art, reported to me that we had everything but three of the four tablespoons of powdered cocoa.

Ok, this is when the situation turned from casual desire for these brownies to a full out crazed driven craving. I must have given my husband this crazy looked because he stopped and looked at me for a second and said, "If you can find 3 Tablespoons of powdered cocoa, I'll make them." Well, isn't that sweet, you say... well it was 9 p.m. and I was dressed in my nighty. I had to come up with a plan...

Now what would Pregnant Lucy do? hummm, My side kicks, Ethel's still live up in Connecticut so I'd have to do this one on my own... hummm

I went the lazy modern gal's route. I posted my need for powdered cocoa in my status of my Facebook profile. Apparently, my cousin who lives in Florida was the only one looking at updated status's at that time of the night.

hummm... I went straight for the neighborhood google group email, (it is to be used only for fairly important request and announcements... I'm thinking this qualifies, kind of).

Now, how does one beg for cocoa via public neighborhood email?

I began my begging with a buttering up greeting...

"Hello Neighbors,

I first want to say what a sweet and neighborly neighborhood we all have the pleasure of living in.

I'm making a selfish request for my pregnancy craving. I'm craving one of my mom's recipes and I am short 3 Tablespoons of powdered cocoa. Does anyone have some cocoa that we can borrow?

Sincerely,

Your Pregnant Neighbor,

Annette

I waited, and waited...

"Dang", I texted my husband, (come on admit it, you text your family members who are in the same house, the same room, or sometimes right beside you).

BINGO!!!! after waiting 6 long minutes...three neighbor reply emails and a phone call... ha!! score!!! wahoo!!! One neighbor said she was on her way to deliver the cocoa to the pregnant lady!

Now, the guilt and shameful greed set in as my sweet neighbor who was armed with her husband and flashlights at 9 pm, walked away... sigh... I feel so bad...my selfish, selfish gluttony... tears almost swell...

Well, now I really, really need some guilt curing chocolate! Get cracking on those brownies dear!!!

I had my favorite made to order extra crispy corner piece and went to bed. I told my hubby that we really needed to hide the brownies because my son will sniff them out. "No, he will not see them, I'll just cover them with the container's lid."

This morning I asked my darling son if he knew we had brownies. He said, "Yes, I do and I only had one."

Here is the picture of of the shape of his one piece. Only one...but it was the size of TEXAS!!!

I'll grab my mom's recipe and share it with you! :)

But Beware of what the cravings for these brownies will make you do!

Trapping and the Call of the Wild

2009-06-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

My oldest son loves to go to his grandparent's house. Even since he was a toddler he enjoyed the adventures visiting my parent's home would bring. On one of his first trips he saw a baby mouse, got sit on a tractor, observe a turtle for a few days in a box, (well it was a box turtle, ha) and feed the deer, raccoons, squirrels, bunnies and birds and whatever else roams their property.

He has a very strong tree fort with zip line, a place to roast marshmallows, and hot dogs, golf cart rides, and as much cutting and nailing that his little heart desires. Each time he visits he somehow leaves something undone on his mental list and cannot wait for the next visit to check off those activities.

One such activity that has been on his list a few times is trapping an animal. My father is the ring leader in these adventures so trapping somehow made it's way into the approved boyhood to manhood musts.

My son is very much an animal lover and like most kids his age, he wants to be a veterinarian when he grows up so he can have all the animals he wants surrounding him at all times.

When my father located an animal friendly trap the time had come to see a wild animal up close and personal.

This is a WILD animal remember.

This is NOT Chip or Dale... this is a wild animal! Ok, we named him Chippy

How cute is he!

They trapped this adorable Chipmunk and then brought him into the house, Oh how we loved looking at him and seeing how adorable he was until we saw rodent nugget poop and it was time for "Chippy" to head back outside again.

There is just no telling what adventure waits for my darling son when he once again gets to take a trip to see his grandparents. But there is one thing for sure, there will not be a dull moment.

I'm Passing Out, But the Toddler's Happy!

2009-06-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

There are a few childhood summer experiences that every child cannot grow up without.

1. Camping in the backyard, yet only making it partly through the night even after swearing to your parents that you are able to make it all night.

2. Catching Fireflies at dusk, and putting them in containers only to forget them and they all go belly up from not enough air and banging into the jar all night.

3. Giving your Parent CPR after hours of popping bubbles, blown from a tiny plastic stick inside a sticky spilling container.

Just to name a few.

Good ol' Toddler's favorite word is "a-gin, a-gin". He does not grow tired of repeating these words/demands and is happy to say it louder if you by chance might not have heard him the first 45 times.

Bubbles are cheap entertainment and great to the very last drop... Drop meaning the one blowing on the bubble wand.

Edible Owl Birthday Sculpture

2009-06-07T20:44:00.000-07:00

This is a birthday cake!

But really... Have you EVER seen a more amazing cake? Look at the detail!

Look at the owlets that surround this owl cake! Can you believe this?

This cake was created for our neighbor's son turning 2 years old. All the adults swooped in to take a picture of this cake to show friends and family.

This is better than some ice sculptures that I have seen!

This has to be called an Edible Owl Birthday Sculpture.

Yeah, but how did it taste, you ask. Great, I'm hooting about it aren't I?

The First of Many Hats

2009-06-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

After writing my last post, I started thinking about the many hats my husband and I really do wear as parents. I listed them, (see blog post below). I wanted to get an account of what it is we do as parents. The list I made helped me see why we are physically and mentally tired by the end of the day.

Do you want to know something that surprised me the most after my newborn was home the first week? It was the fact that there is no weekend "ahhhh T.G.I.F." feeling. My sweetie came home on Friday with the feeling of work done and things accomplished a "TGIF" feeling. I was, however, thrown into the reality of there is NO "ahhhh T.G.I.F" feeling. As parents, we don't have a different feeling on the weekends. Parenting is a 24 hour, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year and 365 days a year job! (So that is what makes me tired, oh I get it now!)

But having the honor of wearing those many hats all started with putting on my favorite hat of all, ( I wear that hat daily). To what hat I'm I referring? Hey, no sneaking to the picture at the bottom of this post to get a hint...

Ok, I'll tell you... the hat of being the bride.

Hey, it is not a one day title.

Once a bride always a bride.

It's a sorority, each of us share similar experiences on that special day.

We cry sweetly when others join us, because we very much remember our first day as a bride. Isn't it the most wonderful feeling? Dressing up, gathering good friends and family, walking down that carpeted path clutching onto our daddy and embracing our dream boat darling groom's arm. Saying those vows and making those dreams of life together as one a reality.

I love being the bride, I love my dream boat darling groom too.

With all of this talk, I think I'm gonna flip through my wedding albums now and put on my wedding pearled tiara. What? It's a perfectly wonderful "Stay-cation" for rejuvenating the mind. Go put on your "actual" bride's hat and join me... you know you want to.

Now Accepting Applications

2009-06-06T18:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about the responsibilities that go into being a parent? If the responsibilities could be named and listed into a job description, like below, would you still apply or qualify to be the parent that you are today?

Now accepting applications-

Family seeking fun-loving, teacher for our home. Applicant will be responsible for providing total educational development and daily personal care for children of multiple ages. Applicant will assume the following roles: cook, housemaid, nurse, taxi driver, administrative assistant, accountant, athletic coach, social director, computer technician, household and automotive repairman, gardener, course instructor in multiple subject areas for developmental levels, and various other responsibilities. This is a full-time position-approximately 120 hours or more per week. Qualified candidates must be able to work well under pressure, multi-task, and prioritize work loads while maintaining a friendly, enthusiastic attitude. Quick thinking, good memory, and a varied background in extensive subject matter are a must. Promising candidates will be resourceful, adjust easily to distractions, and display creative, hard-working leadership abilities. Organizational and problem solving skills are a plus. Previous teaching experience and/or college preferred, but is not required. If you're interested in working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, this is the position for you! For more information on this exciting opportunity to earn fulfilling, one-of-a-kind rewards, please apply in person today. The salary is very small to no money. Your reward is in the lives of the children you work with and viewing what they have learned.

After reading these qualifications, thank goodness these are not requirements and put in written form before becoming a parent. Many future parents would walk away from the beautiful parenting opportunity. Who can measure up to these standards? You do everyday! It is really not easy to parent our children. God gives us strength and lets our children mean so much to us that we happily do all we can to make their life the best they can be. We want the best for our children.

Great job! It is a very honorable job you are doing daily. The reward is far greater than money.

Literacy and Children

2009-06-04T19:49:00.001-07:00

Conversation between Mom and Son.

Son: Mom can I see the iPhone a minute?

Mom: Well, hold on it doesn't have much charge let me get

to a stop light and I will plug it in for you first.

Son: I'm not going to play a game.

Mom: Just a second let it charge almost done.

Son: a disappointed "k"

Mom: Here, it has some charge, what is the emergency?

Son: I'll show you in just a sec...

Suddenly quiet in the backseat... a nice change.

Son: Here, read it when you can.

I love it that my child is literate!

How sweet is this? (said in a squeaky high tearful voice...)

Mom: This is so dear to me sweetie, thank you.

Son: You're welcome, I just wanted to tell you.

Two Boys and It's a Girl?

2009-06-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

The news, my husband and I received yesterday at 11:30 a.m., changed our lives.

We found out that our third child is this creature called a "girl".

You've heard of these, right?

You know what I'm talking about? Have you seen them out in the world?

Well, just in case let me describe them to you. They have these giant bows on their head, they wear these click-itty sounding shiny shoe and ruffled coordinated outfits that include tights and tiny purses, something sparkly and have this pinkish glow around them. They point their toes, wear bracelets, princess crowns, twirl and giggle.

Can I tell you just how foreign this to me? Given, I am a female. I was once a little girl and I could even be described as a girly girl, which means I loved princess things, wore pink, and took gymnastics so pointing toes and twirling were a must.

But I am a mother of two boys and have been for over 8 years now. Boys have been fittingly described as "noise with dirt". Their outfits are t-shirts and shorts or camo with jeans or sport type pants. They wear neutral rubbery Crocs, tennis shoes or maybe an occasional saddle oxford for events where they must dress up. My boys watch Star Wars, Thomas the Tank Engine and There Goes the Fire truck. They play with legos, robots, swords and rocks and sticks. They are very far from a pink, twirling, bow headed, ruffled, princess loving, dance class taking, flower and heart drawing creature, as one can get.

"A girl, Are you really sure?", I mean mistakes happen in these ultra sounds. The lady doing the ultra sound is not above making a boo boo. She might need a closer look and not just a glance to come to such a quick and final judgement.

The news was such a shock and so unclear to me.

What does this even really mean?

I lay there in disbelief.

I now realized I was questioning the nice ultra sound professional and making her prove herself and her findings. After the third spotting of the "area of proof" and the little white arrow she used to point and describe to me this proof, I stopped repeating, "Really? are you sure?" I lay still with a glazed expression and stared at the computer.

Thank goodness I was not alone at this moment. I gathered my husband, son, and mother into this tiny room with me. I'll describe their reactions and you tell me if I was the only one who over reacted to this shocking, yet blessed news.

As I was drilling questions at the nice lady for the burden of truth, my mother tears up and cries, "finally, finally, finally". My father who is on the phone shouts, "Praise the Lord!!" My husband, was in as much shock as I was, starts to get really quiet and backs himself against the wall with a dazed expression. We sent a text to my sister, who replies, "Are you serious"? My 22 month old baby boy was the the only one that acted sane in this moment. As he sat in his stroller he blew kisses, babbled and pointed to the computer screen, (a very sweet baby bonding moment).

We all really were not prepared for this news. I was prepared for "It's a boy", so I could say, "Ha, I knew it"! We have everything this child needs, whew! That is not such a strange way of thinking, I mean, that is the news my sister and I have received 4 times now.

When the Nurse asked me, "So what do you think?" I wanted to reply, "What in the world do I do now"? But my parents have taught me to "smile and wave" in every circumstance, this includes receiving shocking news. It is derived from the old southern way of, "Saving face in light of unpleasant circumstances".

Not that this the most ideal way of dealing with difficult and unpleasant situations. Also neither is the news of this baby being a girl unpleasant. But instead of saying what we really mean or wearing our actually feelings on our face, we smile brightly instead. We appear strong, determined and capable of handling all things that head our way.

As unhealthy as that may sound, let me share another way Southerners handle unpleasant circumstance.

The quote is, "Southerners have their own way of dealing with things, like drinking too much." This quote was on a commercial years ago advertising a detox hospital. So we can either smile and wave or drink too much. Cheaper than therapy! ha

So you know that I had to reply to the nurse, "Oh, this is exciting", I grin showing as many teeth as I can, I even pull out my beauty pageant experience of "smiling with my eyes".

While waiting for the doctor, I sit quietly behind closed doors thinking. I have 2 boys, my sister has 2 boys. We know how to play boy things at our own homes. At my parent's house there is a very large toy box full of ramps, dirt movers, mini semi trucks and loads of Hot Wheels. We understand their boy energy, boy toys boy behavior it is our norm. I mean, my goodness, my father just built a giant tree fort, do you get how we are all thinking here? Between my sister and I, there are LOTS of "babies first dino" to every color Sword and light saber. We have all sorts of blue clothes, blue blankets, blue socks, boy names, boy movies, boy McDonald toys, boy electric ride-on toys, boy themed books, even boy iPhone game applications.

We have ZERO items for a girl!

We are SO unprepared!

We have 4 months to get ready for her, (both mentally and with purchases).

Where do I even start?

My husband and I had a good nights rest.

We are shocked and happy, we're... Shappy!

The Object of My Desire

2009-06-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

I must have this for every meal these days!

I crave this!

I dream about this!

I need this!

I have got to have this!!

Each pregnancy makes me look at fresh produce in such a different way.

It makes me chant...

Gotta have salad, Gotta have salad, Gotta have salad. Repeat this with me... Gotta have salad...

See, It's starting to look really good to you too, right?

The Farmer's Market starts this weekend!!! slurp!

They will become my new best friends!

They might get a little scared when they see the crazed look in my eyes... hehehe

In One Ear and Out the Mouth

2009-06-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

So I'm in the garden playing with my sons and I find my angel needs a little repair from the winter.

I remove the roly polys and snails and turn the angel up right on the bench.

My youngest son, who is very new to talking, points at the broken wing and then to the hole where it once rested. I say, "That's right honey, the wing is broken. I need to glue it back on.

He studies the statue and then touches it's feet while looking up at me with a bright smile and says, "tickle, tickle, tickle". In these past 22 months with him, I've never known how much he understands . But now I know that, Tickle tickle tickle, has made it's way into his brain waves.

He makes a momma proud. Next week we will begin Latin verbs and Geography.

Ten Top Reasons To Live in The South

2009-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

For years the South has been the place people flock for their retirement.

Why do they pick the South to spend their golden years?

Because once they visit they know they will love living in the South!

I will tell you my Top 10 Reasons I love living in the South.

1. The people take the time to get to know each other and make connections with each other that will last a life time.

2. The landscape is full of flowers and beautiful for most of the year. The soil is rich and the plants thrive in the weather. So the grass is greener, the lakes are fuller and the forest are thicker.

3. You can play sports year round. There are chilly days, but not so bad that going outside will kill you. Yes, there are places to snow ski in the south as well.

4. The food is fresh and from the vine. The fresh garden vegetables are amazing. Also there are lemons, limes, oranges... ok you get the point. The growing season it very long.

5. Seafood is just a stones throw away. Seafood is fresh from the Gulf and very good.

6. There are many Museums, Zoos and Art and Music Events to attend. Southerners pride themselves in the fundraisers, events and galas to help fund their love of culture.

7. Living in an area where others flock to vacation means there is always something to do. Outside sports, fishing, hunting, gardening, swimming, skiing, hiking, sailing... again, you get the point.

8. Living in the south also means that family and friends are a focus for most people. When you get to know someone here, you will also get to know their connection to the ones they know and love.

9. The practical things like, the cost of living is lower. It doesn't mean that it isn't as good as other places. It is very much the opposite. It is as good and less expensive... imagine that!

10. I have not mentioned my most favorite thing and that is the air here. The smells of the flowers. The Southern Magnolia is an Evergreen tree. It's blossoms grow as large as your face! I know this because I sink my face into it as I breathe in the citrus and floral scent that is like no other!

The smells in the south also include, honeysuckle, orange blossoms, gardenia's and Jasmine just to mention a few. The air can get so fragrant that it is intoxicating. Sit outside on your porch at night and listen to the tree frogs and night time bugs... ahhh, really amazing!

Those are my picks for the South's life style. If you have never visited here, then pick a deep south state and get ready for a wonderful time.

Oh, just one more thing, we talk different here too. It's ok, Y'all will be alright. We also will come right up to you and shake your hand, hug your neck and ask you about your mama. The South is our home and we want to welcome you here. Now come on in and have some iced tea or lemonade and tell us about what's been happening in your life lately.

A Very Entertaining, I Mean Useful Tool

2009-05-31T20:53:00.000-07:00

The iPhone is a very useful tool. The iphone works as a communications devise and it is important to always remember the purpose of this tool.

The iPhone should never be used as a measly entertaining gadget or a game gizmo.

Ok...

But isn't it fun!

These applications are incredible and most are free!

I mean look at my husband in this space suit!! What other phone, calender, rolodex, camera, weather, stock reporter electronic can pop out this kind of work, baby?

The Apple's iPhone's new moto should be

"Oh the places you'll go"

(and think of the things you can do to the people you know) ha!

We Are In the South... But This Sure Ain't Cotton!

2009-05-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

We were about to get into our car when we all heard a strange sound. It had been raining pretty hard earlier but this sounded more like a "PING" than a downpour. A loud ping.

My goodness, that looks like a child's hand. Is that cotton?

No silly that is not cotton, that is Hail...

And if you are a little boy at our house then you know where your armor is. Ben promptly thought the best way to get into the mix was to grab his hard plastic armor from his Knight costume. How else would you protect yourself in this kind of air attack?

Of course, the pieces that were falling over by the trash can were MUCH bigger so these tiny pieces near the garage would never do, (Especially if you have a Knight's Shield handy)

As quickly as it arrived it was over. It was amazing and I am glad we snapped some pictures.

Six pack abs

2009-05-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

So I catch this side view of myself in the mirror today and find that now I'm really starting to show in my pregnancy, (who am I kidding, I started to show at conception with this my beloved third child).

Upon studying more closely I found that my pants are being pulling forward from the front, to make enough room for my precious who is growing in it's womb, I say with as much smiles and trying not to be too vain at this life changing experience.

I see that I have a bit of a wedgey thing that is happening with the back side of this blessed event. My growing is happening all over that is just a fact with me and my pregnancies. But the growing is happening in such a way that I can no longer fit into my comfy pants. I'm 5 months pregnant and I need the Jumbo size.

Ok, I tell myself, this too shall pass i will hold this baby (gender unknown until this coming Wednesday) and the weight will just fall off of me. I have to survive this some how mentally right?

I vow to go to the cute preggy clothing stores and get some cute new items this week. I sit down to start my online pregnant cute clothing shopping adventure and what is the FIRST item on my screen....

Yeah, that! OY! How am I suppose to continue my denial if that reality is in my head.

Are those not the best abs ever!!!

ok, so I have my whole life ahead of me for those abs, but the abs I am carrying now only take 9 months and make a human... That is pretty incredible in itself.

Our Womanly bodies are amazing inside and out! Don't you think?

Adventures from OUR Neighborhood Park

2009-05-30T20:32:00.000-07:00

My son take his place on top of the playground's caboose as King of the Hill

Baby Brother walks where ever he wishes since his brother has taken his place as King.

Dreaming of riding to far away places.

So nice to enjoy the good life!

Old Western at the playground

2009-05-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

Not many people like to be told that they are not allowed to do something when they have every intention of doing it.

Toddlers don't like being told, "no" and will express their displeasure with that word in a very intense way.

Isn't it nice when someone is willing to stand up for the little guy and make the bullies go away?

Isn't it nice to watch your own child stand up for the rights of his younger sibling?

The first act of standing up for his little brother with Bravery, Honor and Courage, happened the other day at our neighborhood park for my oldest son.

I was so proud of him that my eyes got all misty as I watched how seriously he took to this offense toward his little brother.

Now here's the scene:

Neighborhood park,

Enter: Baby brother approaches playground train.

One Train: Two 4 year old kids loudly announced that he was "NOT ALLOWED ON THEIR TRAIN", (said in the whiney playground bully voice).

Enters: Big Brother

He overhears two 4 year olds yelling at baby brother.

The Hero has some questions to ask himself about the situation.

How will he take care of these two bullies?

How will he fight this battle and make things right?

Will he "Use his words" like he was taught since he was just a little guy?

Will he punch the two smaller boys or yell in their faces? (my pick as a mom...but I held back)

Will he just push them off the train? (another favorite of mine, yet I held myself back again)

No... He did it in a very Big Kid way... Peacefully he walked to the train. He took the high road. He decided to just climb up on the train and sit more elevated than they were. They stood at the bottom level and my son took to the trains smoke stack. Once he was in his high position he just put his hands on his hips and that was it...they backed down. The bullies said, "we can do that", (again said in whine bully voice, of course). My son replies, "oh well, but you CANNOT do this", he then climbs his way high onto the caboose. He knew full well that grandma would never allow such crazy climbing for such newbie park dwellers of such a young age.

He conquered King of the Hill Style!

They didn't notice that the King's little brother was then climbing all over that train by this time. Baby brother is secure in his position as brother to this big brave guy. They were just in awe that my son could make it way up to the top like that... silence fell... they suddenly were not so big after all.

Soon they left defeated. Battle over!!

My son said, "I need to stick around on the caboose for a little longer until I know that those 'Bad Guys' are not going to come back and start any more trouble"

I have learned in my married life and now a mom of two boys, that this is true... A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. So I waited as he got comfortable on his platform, I watched my son win a battle by thinking things through.

I'm a proud mama. sigh...

Things that Make You Go... Hummm

2009-05-30T14:18:00.001-07:00

So I was outside playing with my son when he found a doggy toy and promptly sticks it into his mouth and spits it out like a pop gun toy. He then offers it to me to "do it too".... hummmm... As fun as that was for you honey, I don't think so.

Change of plans...Expect 3 Kids

2009-05-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

When we dreamed about how our life was going to be once we got married it was never clear to how many children we were going to have. For many years we went without children and we traveled and lived the life of sleeping 'till noon on the weekends. In our 5th year of marriage we started to get the baby fever and the fever didn't last long before we were pregnant with our first child. Benjamin, our family had begun.

My pregnancy was difficult and a C-Section with recovery let me know quickly that child birth and parenthood was much more difficult than managing a hotel union staff at multiple events. Our next addition was not with us until after we had 2 miscarriages. Six years later we had our second boy, Brayden. How sweet he is and Benjamin is showing his true meaning of his name, "Son of my left hand" to the fullest. Life with two after life with just one is really mixing things up. He is adorable and keeping us laughing. We now are evened out at restaurants, Ben says.

But if I stopped here there would not be a blog started. If I stopped here the title would mean nothing. Guess what happens when you don't truly know if you are done having kids.

That's right...you DON't Stop having them. I'm not sure if I signed up for this. Everyday I wonder what I'm getting myself into.

But Here is to the Journey!!! Cheers to EXPECT 3!!