A Hand Full

It seems like lately I've been getting a lot of, "You have your hands full," comments. Perhaps it's just because my kids are the cutest, most adorable, loudest kids around. Perhaps it's the sweat glow on my face as I chase the one kid and carry the other, all while trying to make sure that everything on my list gets checked off. Perhaps it's because the kids are close in age. I was even asked if they were twins…the person quickly realized before we could really answer that they are not twins. Good thing…I would have been worried.

We get it on walks…two big dogs, two kids in a wagon. I actually had a lady ask me last night how we did it. (meaning the kids and the dogs…) (It was almost funny because she herself had two kids and a wagon much like ours.)

I wasn't quite sure what to say, "It's not that hard…there are two of us adults…Well, I tie the leashes together and put the kids in the wagon," I finally stammered. It wasn't even like anyone was doing anything out of the ordinary at the time she asked. You know, like dogs chasing rabbit, kids screaming and jumping out of wagon. We were just peacefully walking along, huffing and puffing enjoying the fresh air. But apparently she thought we were doing something amazing. *wink*

And sure, there are times where life gets hectic. Both kids crying. No one happy. Saying, "No," much more than I would like. So I guess you could say I have my hands full at times. BUT…my response is almost always:

I would rather have my hands full than empty.

It's the honest truth. I don't take the fact that I have two kids lightly. There are some people who try for years to have children and for one reason or another can't. There are people who lose their children to horrible illnesses and tragedies. I, however, have…ahem…no trouble getting pregnant. *grin, wink* I'm thankful for the kids I have now and if there are any others who will join our Little Family then I will be thankful to have even 'fuller' hands.

 

???

So here and there throughout the day I have all of these blog post ideas. I am constantly writing in my head. It always sounds great. Witty. Smart.

Then reality hits. So here is a smattering of some things that are coming into my head. Perhaps neither witty nor smart.

Conversation with Kaylee the other day:

Me: Kaylee, did you poop?

Kaylee: Nope.

Me: Are you sure? If I came over and checked would there be poop in your diaper?

Kaylee: Nope. How 'bout you?

*the potty training thing is still in progress. Some days moments are better than others, but I have decided not to worry too much about it. I have enough things that keep me up at night…potty training is not going to be one of those things. Unless she decides not to potty train…ever…then we'll talk about stressing over it.

I love my husband. Yesterday we left the kids at my parent's house for a while and went into town. We went into Kohl's and were almost ready to walk out when I walked over to a clearance rack. On the way there we saw several tons of things that I liked. I mean, come on here. This girl loves to shop and loves new clothes! Normally, if we are on the way out it's just a quick glance at as many things as possible in 30 seconds. But yesterday Adam wanted me to try stuff on. Happy to oblige, I took an outfit and headed into the dressing room. When I came out Adam had several other things for me to try on…then more, and more. It was great. He offered to buy me several things, but I came away with a new, snazzy pair of white pants.

 

Well, there are so many other things swimming through my head, but I can't seem to get any of them out in a sensible manner. Really, it's all ready take way too long to write this post. Enough. I'm gone. ;)

 

 

West Virginia 'n Stuff

It's been a little quiet here on the blog front. We got back from a quick trip to WV and got ready for a big family picnic on my birthday. Today we went to my parent's house for lunch…an almost every Sunday after church tradition.

Yesterday before the picnic we hit a few yard sales and I picked up a few good finds. I didn't spend much which is always the goal. If I get ambitious enough I will try to take a picture of what I got…but in all likelihood the finds will go straight from the washer and dryer into closets. I was able to find about 6 pairs of shoes (at least) for Logan when he gets a little bigger…total for all $2. Three really snazzy outfits for Logan…total $3 (we're talking pants, vests, shirts, the whole combo). I think I got Kaylee 3 dresses for $1 each. Then there were other shirts, pants and shorts for Logan for 50 cents each. Adam found an edger for doing flower beds so he and my dad were glad about that. Too bad we didn't have it a few days ago when we Adam slaved away. (I mean, I did help all day, just my work compared to Adam's doesn't stack up.) There are a few more things I am hoping to find in yard sales this summer, but Saturday was a pretty productive day. I even found a few things to give to my cousin who is getting ready to have her first baby.

Our trip to WV went quickly, as usual, but we had a great time. I've mentioned it in the past, but when we go it seems like everyone's goal is to feed us as much as they can. I feel somewhat like a cow when we leave…perhaps fitting for me since I'm nursing, but I will avoid going there. Ahem.

I've been having a lot of fun with the camera Adam got me. I have tons and tons to learn, so anyone who wants to can give me photography tips, websites, etc., to help improve my skills. We have taken several hundred pictures over the past few weeks. Most of them are deleted and are only for practice, but we've taken a bunch that are pretty cute.

There are some other new and exciting developments, but for now I will just leave you with a few pictures.

Help, please

This post goes out to all of you who have potty trained before. I would like any and all suggestions that you might have. Kaylee has been very interested in potty training for a while and I think that I am finally ready to go at it and get it done. And really, I am tired of paying for diapers for two kids.

I have some ideas, but would like to see what other things are out there to try.

Kaylee is really smart and will probably get it pretty quickly…the help is more for Adam and me. Ok, so that sounds like Adam and I need help being potty trained…oh wow…sleep deprivation is strong today.

:)

Mulch Madness

This past week has been filled with all things dirty. We have mulched most of Adam's parent's yard, and our yard. We added a new flower bed and split-rail fence thing to our yard, several new shrubs and flowers and finished off with planting Adam's parent's garden. It's almost sad…several of the people at the local greenhouses and garden stores know who we are. (Yes, we've been there that mulch much.)

 

I've been having fun playing with my new camera. Adam bought me a really cool book for learning more about the settings and lenses…I can't wait to explore more! For the most part Kaylee is too busy to pause for my photo shoots, but Logan is ready trapped and willing.

 

I've probably taken close to 400 pictures, but don't worry, I will not be posting them all. I delete many of them, but have taken several that I really like. So for now, I will leave you with some recent pictures. Soon I will catch up a bit on my posting.

 

Loss of an Appendage

Update: I wrote this post yesterday. Obviously I couldn't post it, but felt compelled to write it anyway. For sanity I suppose…to feel connected even though I wasn't? Oh, I don't know…

Original (un)post:

I have lost an appendage. Somehow my internet arm has been cut off, with a promise of returning sometime in the next 24 (you're kidding me!) hours. I have remained calm during my 37 2 calls to Verizon. During each of these calls I have been informed that I can receive assistance by visiting Verizon.com. I'm sure I could if I COULD USE THE INTERNET. Ahem.

I am calm. I am calm.

I'm sure that somehow this separation is good for me. It's good to realize how much I depend on the internet…but I'd rather not think about the good it might be doing me right now. ;)

It is raining and therefore I cannot go outside with the kids to divert my attention. I have done some housework, played and read with the kids, failed at several attempts to give Logan a nap, made a few hair clips for Kaylee, sewed a dog-toy bunny back together…then realized I forgot to insert the squeaky part back in…darn, one less noisy thing around the house. I finished up some thank you cards, but will not actually mail them until I can get to the mailbox without the use of a boat, which I am guessing will be sometime this century.

I have thought of countless things that I need to do, only to realize that I need the internet. Of course I need the internet to post this blog, but I have to feel like I am getting something done by typing.

Alright, on to find more internetless projects. I will survive. I will survive.

Uninspired Inspiration

I'm feeling a lack of creative writing right about now. I want to be catchy, but honestly I'm having a hard time even getting my mind and fingers to connect. Backspace seems to be overused. I sit here and stare blankly at the screen, type a word or two, backspace…on and on the cycle goes.

I know that I am seriously behind in posting pictures. Let me explain. I have this new camera that's super cool. I am learning at the speed of a sloth how to use it. I also have the world's smallest memory card. To top it off, I don't know where the cord is to hook it up to the computer and I keep forgetting to ask Adam. So the few pictures I do have are trapped on the world's smallest memory card. Once they are freed I will share them with you, honest I will.

Until then…this past weekend…

We had a great weekend with Dana and her kids. Dana has been my best friend for, well practically forever. (Not to offend my other best friends, I do have several…she's just had the title for the longest!) We grew up together and used to teach each other how to turn on the light and paint walls. *wink*

We talked on the phone almost every single day and during the summer would spend as many nights together as we were allowed. Unfortunately for the past several years we have only been able to see each other twice since my wedding, once last summer when we took our vacation in Ohio, and this past weekend. (Side note: Adam suggested that our vacation last year be to Ohio so that I could see Dana. How many women have a man who takes them on vacation to see their best friend? Huh? Jealous yet?)

They were on their way to NC and stopped here for the night, so it was a pretty short visit, but we had a great time chasing the four kids around the house. The kids rode the train at the park, fed the ducks and played on the play ground. We were able to spend several almost rain free hours at the park, much to the kids enjoyment.

On the way back from the park we stopped at the firehouse for Adam to show Austin the fire trucks. He took him around the station, and Austin kept saying that he wanted to see the "guys." Adam kept saying, "That's me. I am the 'guy.'" Austin wanted to see the other guys…apparently Adam, off duty, wasn't quite good enough. So we went in and found one 'guy' who was doing very high tech firefighter stuff…changing the mop-head and cleaning the floor. Austin was satisfied.

Well, that's about it for me…all my ideas that are floating around in my head aren't seeming to be coming to the surface…I will write again soon when I can make sense out of it all. For now I am going to blame it on the fact that Logan has been waking up every two hours or so and will not stand for anything other than being fed. Yeah, sleep deprivation…that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

 

Funny Story

There are so many things that I need to blog, but until I have some extra time I will leave you with a cute little ole story from yesterday. We were driving to look for a new door. I glanced back to see what Kaylee was doing and saw her leaning as far forward as her seatbelt would allow and moving her fingers very quickly on top of her blanket.

 

"What are you doing, Kaylee?" (Of course Adam already knew what she was doing before I even asked.)

"I'm checking my oatmeal."

Oatmeal = email, in case you were wondering.

Gratitude attitude

I just returned from a great weekend away for a church ladies retreat. It was a sweet time with other sisters in the Lord, and although I am so glad to be back with my DH and babies, I am glad that I went.

Our speaker was Martha Lawley…amazing woman. I am still marinating over what she shared about, so that post will follow. …it will follow once I have had some sleep. Because you see, although ladies retreats are good for so many things, for this chick they are not good for sleep. It's only 8:30 and I'm pretty sure that I'll be asleep very.very.soon.

But before I allow myself to blink for too long, I am graciously accepting Liz's blog award for gratitude.

The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award

1.Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude *I'm going to nominate a few…perhaps not 10…

3. Link to your nominees within your post

4.Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award

5.Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.

Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude

 

The answer:

For me gratitude is a constant process of realization. I was actually thinking about some of the things that I am grateful for the other day before I received this award, so I am slightly prepared. *wink* In light of this past weekend however, my list has been added to.

Disclaimer: This is only a partial list. I honestly don't think I could ever capture (especially not now in my sleep deprived state) the entirety of my gratitude. So to go along with some other themes I'll do a top 8.

1. I am grateful that I am a part of the Bride of Christ. (I really want to write more on this one, but it will have to be another post.)
   
2. I am grateful for my wonderful husband who works overtime (which for him sometimes means 48 hours or more at a time) so that I can be at home with the children. He truly is my soul mate. He gets me (which is no small feat in-and-of itself).
   
3. I am grateful for my parents who show me love by lavishing it on me so much more than I even know. Among other things, my mom just told me that my daddy prays for my skin every single day. For a long time he fasted a day a week and spent some of his prayer time for me. My parents have both gone through serious sicknesses with honor and courage, all while giving God glory for every victory.
   
4. I am thankful for in-laws that are more like in-loves (thanks Karen for that phrase-at least I think that's the one you use). They have taken me in and also showed me love and support as if I had always been there.
   
5. Of course I am thankful for my kids. All three of them. (No, I'm not pregnant…) I am thankful for the two that I hold every day and for the one that my grandmothers hold in heaven. Babies, I am so honored to be your mom. I hope I do you proud.
   
6. I am grateful for blogging. I know, it sounds silly, but I am thankful for something that prompts me to write and post pictures of my kids and other things going on. Heaven knows I'm not much of one for consistent journaling, and although I love to scrapbook there is no time for it right now. I am thankful for the new friends that I have made through blogging, as well as some that I "stalk" who will probably never know that I exist, but because they blog I am able to pray for them ever.single.day.
   
7. I am grateful for my job. It is one that I truly love and hope to get really good at one day. ;) …I think I'm going to save the details of this one for another post too.
   
8. I am grateful that there are new mysteries and glories to be revealed in Christ every day if I will be in tune to Him and His Word.
   

 

Ok, so here are the people that I am tagging. I hope that you have a few minutes to do this. Mostly because I think that it is important to think of things that you are grateful for.

Carla, Davene, Cheryl, Sue, Kristen, Lauren and Terisa. :)

Pictures

Ok, so several of you have asked for pictures of my projects. I was actually on my way to take pictures of the blanket, with Kaylee's help when one of the neighbors came to the door to tell me the stupid dog was out again. By the time I put Kaylee in her crib, ran out of the house and got the stupid dog back into the yard and into the basement (ie: doggie time out) I had forgotten completely that I was about to take pictures.

So, all that said…I am getting ready to go to a church ladies retreat. When I get home, as long as the stupid dog doesn't roam the neighborhood again, I will post pictures. :) Thanks for being so excited to see them…really though, it's nothing fancy…just warning you now.

 

(sorry about all the font changes…I'm trying to see which one I like best.)

Minga's Machine a No Go

The attempt to use my grandmother's old sewing machine did not work out as expected. I figured that it might not be able to handle thick fabric. I figured it might be slow. But I was not expecting the smoke-ish stuff that was coming out. (You know, after taking a good 10 minutes to even figure out how to turn the thing on.)

Perhaps you are thinking that I should have looked online for a manual to show me how to use it.

 

I did, and do you know what I got when I typed in the model number:

Antique

Vintage

Collectable

I think that somewhere I even saw the date 1930…although I don't think this one is actually that old.

As much as I wanted to start my project, I really didn't want to risk burning my house down. I know, I know…I've had firefighter training, my husband is a firefighter, but we really don't want to practice those skills on our own house. I was a little sad that I was not going to be able to use Minga's machine. (That's the name that I made up for my grandma when I was very young.) I thought that it would have been a nice way to remember her. But if I start writing too much about her I am going to have a soggy keyboard, and this post won't be on sewing anymore…perhaps that will be another post.

 

So there sat my newly purchased fabric with no machine to sew it.

 

…until…

I found a great machine on Craig's List for a pretty good price. We picked it up yesterday and I made a small pouch for my iPod as a test run. It turned out pretty well. Today I made my project. A blanket. A.very.simple.rustic-looking.blanket.

But a blanket nonetheless. I'm sure my technique would make someone who really knows how to sew cringe. *Side Note* When I was buying some of the fabric for the blanket I was very honest with the lady who was helping me. I told her that I didn't know a lot about sewing and I didn't know anything about my machine. At the end, after purchasing the fabric she added, "Do you have thread?"

Ahem, I hope that I did not appear that ignorant as to what I was doing. :)

And now I am out of fabric. No more sewing projects. (at least until I get to the store to get more fabric…) Oh the possibilities…so many floating around in my head…

My New Project (I Hope)

Tomorrow I am going to try to figure out my grandmother's old sewing machine. I have never used a sewing machine before, but I am really excited about figuring it out and starting my project. I have some fabric that I am going to attempt to make into a simple blanket. But first I'm going to make a small bag for my iPod…just to figure out the machine and make sure that I don't completely ruin the fabric for the blanket.

 

If all goes well…look out…I may become a bit obsessed and sew as much as I can…as long as I can afford the fabric for it!

 

Change 'a Comin'

If you have visited my blog today there's no telling what form the header has been in…I'm working on it. It.is.a.slow.process.

I've downloaded who knows how many programs and effects, read numerous helpful and not helpful posts…

Perhaps one of these days I'll get something I like.

 

A Few of My Favorite Things

For me it is very easy to get bogged down in small details and stupid stuff. I don't mean to do this, it just happens. So I think that I am going to try to do a weekly post on something that I have done, or has been done to uplift me and hopefully will uplift others. This will help me focus on the many blessings that God has poured onto my life.

 

I'll work on creating a "name" for this mission and maybe if I can really get snazzy about it I will make a button...we'll see… :) Feel free to drop a suggestion.

 

For this first one will list 10 things that I like.

1. A good worship song. (So if you have a current favorite, let me know and I'll add it to my list. I am always looking for new songs to love.)
   
2. The sound of my children laughing. Seriously, this has to be one of the best sounds ever.
   
3. My growing stock of "good smells" from Victoria Secret.
   
4. Purses.
   
5. Massages.
   
6. Things of pleasing colors and designs. (Vague, I know…but I am sooo a color person.)
   
7. Aquariums.
   
8. Crafting.
   
9. Yard sales and good deals.
   
10. Coffee.
    

 

 

Of Eggs and Such

Every holiday I am reminded of how big Kaylee is getting. This year, for the first time, she was able to dye eggs, hunt eggs with her friends at church and eat more than one bite of chocolate.

Here we are getting set up and starting on the first egg.

 

Dipping in an egg…(with some help)

 

She was very interested in watching the egg change colors.

 

 

We all got in on the action…see that look of "don't splash that stuff everywhere!" smile on my face?

 

 

Finally, at the end Adam asked Kaylee if she wanted to try one of the eggs. Before he could do anything, she grabbed one and tried to bite it…with the shell on. He got one peeled and gave her a bite:

 

She did not love it.