Matthew's Trick

Where'd you get this glass?

I had a rough day yesterday. I've been feeling great for about a week, but yesterday that freight train was back.
I let the kids stay up late last night, because I knew that if they stayed up late, most likely they would sleep a little bit later.
They did, but I still had a hard time pulling myself out of bed. I told them where their breakfast was and lay there trying to wake up. They come in about twenty minutes later all excited...they had made me breakfast. .....

Cake crumbs and milk in a dirty glass.

But it was very sweet of them, and much appreciated by this tired mommy. Now that I'm up I'm feeling much better ..so hopefully today will be a productive day

Sadie

The costume that caused a lot of grief. It finally came and its awesome. :0)

Connor

Mr Tin-Man

Gracie

Miss Scarecrow. :0)

Matthew

Funny story about Matthew's costume. I found this at a garage sale last November. We had just found out that we were having a boy. Every one of the kids have been bought a stuffed animal by Aaron when they were born. I had stashed the costume away in a tote, and forgot about it.

The animal Aaron picked out for Matthew, was a lion. :0)

He's had his monthly picture taken with it since the begining.

Here's our little lion...

Oooooooh We're off to see the Wizard.....

Busy Busy Saturday

I had a photo shoot first thing this morning: www.mandyhowephotography.blogspot.com
It went really well! I was pretty excited about it.
I ran home after, unloaded the pics from the camera and out the door we all went to meet one of Connor's old classmates at the park for a picnic lunch and playtime.
After the park we hung out at Grandma's for a bit, and then headed home. Aaron left to go to the men's bbq and when he got there he called me and asked who was hurt. Apparently one of my siblings had gotten hurt, and dad left the bbq to take them to the ER. So I called grandma, and found out it was Caleb. He broke his arm. Aaron came home, and I went up to the hospital to see him. I stayed up there until they discharged him, then came home. Did the supper thing, and here I am. I'm wore out. Sunday's are always busy, and I am wanting to dress the kids up and take some formal halloween portraits tomorrow. We'll see if it actually gets done.

Yum!

I got this recipe for PB cookies from a friend on a message board. So easy! And very yummy. :0)

1cup Peanut butter
1cup Sugar
1 Egg

Mix all together, roll into balls, use fork to gently make cross in top. Bake at 350* for about 10 minutes.

If you need more than a dozen cookies, I'd double the recipe. They are quick and easy though!

New Matthew Pictures

There are a few 7 month shots of Matty over on my photography blog:

www.mandyhowephotography.blogspot.com

Sick :(

I woke up full blown sick this morning. One of those times when you go to bed fine and wake up feeling like you've been hit by a caravan of 18 wheelers.
I ache, I have a fever, I'm weak, my throat hurts, my head is pounding. At least I can still breath through my nose. Thats one thing to be thankful for.

By the by- how do you like my new layout?

Nice Quiet House

Aaron took the kids to AWANA for me tonight. So its just me and Matthew. All is quiet until I got and take him back out of the kitchen. And then he screams and me, and heads that way again. He's ready to explore. :0)

This has been a crazy week, but mostly I just am so thankful that I am seeing a slight improvement in my health!. I know I haven't been taking the meds to long (3 weeks?) And the improvement is ever so slight, but its there.

Is anyone else going to try and have a China-free Christmas this year?
We are. I can't guarantee for what other people have bought for our kids, but we are not buying anything for our kids this year that is made in China. Now, that means they won't be getting many toys, but I'm going to still try and make it fun. So far:

• They will each get one movie (thats pretty much a tradition anyway)
• I'm making each of them a blanket
• We've gotten Connor a computer game
• I'm looking for a work-at-home mom to make Grace and Sadie some baby doll clothes
• Each of the older kids is getting a Hide-and-Seek bag (this may actually go in their stockings, I haven't decided yet)
• Also in their stockings, I met a mama who makes candy- her suckers are completely dye free! So they will be getting this candy instead of chocolate. I know that Connor and Grace especially miss lollipops etc...but so many of the have red dye.

I'm kinda at a loss for Matthew though. I know that he doesn't really know the difference, but I would like to get him at least one fun thing. And then maybe some practical items for him to "open" :0) If anyone has any more ideas, let me know!

I'm raising a boy!

Yeah I know, newsflash right? It is just something that was reiterated to me yesterday.
I am raising such a boy!

Around mid-day yesterday, Sadie comes out to tell me that the toilet won't flush. Within an hour the entire bathroom is backed up, its nasty, stinky and gross. I can't get ahold of the landlord, and I can't do anything. No dishes, no laundry. Nothing. So we just have so suffer through it. Praying that everyone did their #2 before lunch, lol, we muck through the day.

Connor comes in and tells me he has to potty, I grab the key, walk to the bathroom with him , where he takes one look, then turns back to me and says....."I was just kidding"
Fast forward about thirty minutes, and he is now doing "the dance"

He looks at me with pleading eyes....."Can't I just go on a tree?!"

Ahhh, raising boys.


We finally got ahold of the landlord around 9pm, and roto rooter was here around 10. We now have a clean, working bathroom again. :0)

Seven....

The rules of this are:1. Link the person who has tagged you.2. Tell seven true things about yourself.3. Tag seven new people.4. Leave a message with the person you have tagged so they know about it. I am supposed to name seven truths about myself............. and tag seven new people.

I was tagged by Melzie

• 
  I am totally in love with photography. Head over heels. I cannot wait to get my good camera.
• I am trying so hard to lose weight. It just won't come off. Hopefully things will change soon. I worry about my future if I don't get the weight off soon.
• I'm not really enjoying homeschooling. But I'm very up in the air about what to do next year.
• I'm terrified of flying. Really. Anytime I even think about getting on a plane, I get all tingly and sweaty
• I bake hundreds of Christmas cookies every year.
• I love Eggnog. I have a carton in my fridge constantly while its in season. I get very sad after the first of the year and I can't buy it anymore.
• I would like to move to a better school district, but I don't want to leave our house. I love my house.

Now I tag anyone else who wants to do it. :)

New Matthew Pics

Have you seen..

this commercial? http://www.priceless.com/us/personal/en/pricelesstv/

LOL It cracks us up everytime....because thats Connor! LOL He has those goofy dances that you can't help but laugh at. :0)

Remember the Tru Dog video? It gives you a little glimpse of his "cool" dancing. :0)
I love that kid!

Tired

and I'm so tired of being tired. I lay awake last night. Couldn't sleep. I was tired. Very tired. But couldn't fall asleep for the life of me. I finally fell into a pretty decent sleep after looking at the clock at 3am. Last night was a pretty bad night. Usually I'm able to fall asleep by 1am.
But inevitably what happens is during the kids quiet time, I sit down to read and end up falling asleep. I still don't sleep heavy, and not more than 30 minutes so that shouldn't be what keeps me upa t night.

I've considered taking a tylenol pm or something to help me sleep, but I'm afraid of sleeping to hard and not hearing the kids. So for now, I lay awake. Trying to sleep, but sleep is slow coming no matter how tired I am.

Changing subjects I am also tired of the clothes that are lining the shelves waiting to be bought for little girls. This is a subject that gets brought up a lot in our home because of a family member with an opposing viewpoint. One that often buys clothes for our kids. One thing we strive to do is teach our daughters modesty. However, when I go shopping for clothes, especially for Sadie its getting harder and harder. Wal*Mart is even falling prey to a lot of immodest clothing lining the racks. Target has a few cute things, but its getting harder there as well. What I think is horrible is the places where I can find the most cute, little girl, modest clothing are the most expensive. Old Navy, Gymboree, The Childrens Place. This is why I tend to do most of my shopping on Ebay and at Consignment shops

For those of you with daughters- how do you feel about the selection of clothing we're being given for our daughters? Where is your favorite place to shop for clothes that actually look like they belong to a 7 year old and not a 17 year old?

Beautiful Bryana

Bryana and Sadie after the Miss Hallsville program tonight.

Friday

I had a pretty good day yesterday. Got quite a bit done. Today woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. The exhaustion is back, feel as if I can hardly keep my eyes open. My head hurts and I have 0 energy. And 0 clean clothes, so I have to do laundry today. I also need to mop and vacuum.
We're going to Hallsville in the morning for the western days parade, I'm hoping to be home early enough for Aaron to help me with the very little housework that needs to be done before tomorrow night.
Anyone want to watch a couple kids? lol We have errands to run tonight, and I don't know if I'll make it if I don't get to close my eyes for a little bit this afternoon. Hopefully the kids will do ok and play nicely while I lay on the couch.

What is it...

about a ringing phone that turns children into heathens. My day started out wonderful, and its not even 9am! I knew I was expecting a phone call first thing this morning, but I missed it the first time. Thankfully she called back, but when I picked up the cordless phone (off the base) it was dying so I had to use the corded phone. Having to use a corded phone is like inviting the kids to sit in a room full of candy. It doubles the heathenistic tendancies. They know you can't just get up and follow them around the house. So anyway, I take the call, Grace and Connor sit at my feet and fight. Loudly. I'm hissing at them to be-quiet-go-to-the-room-and-play-until-I'm-off-the-phone.
Its just gone downhill from there. Connor is having one of his bad days. Why? I have no clue. Is the weather changing?

Bedroom

These are pictures of our new bed set that we got on clearance at Target. $37 marked down from $150! :0)
I love it. Its exactly what I was looking for. :)

Wednesday

It feels like Monday to me. Aaron is sick....has strep throat. He took the day off yesterday to recoup. The dr put him on the z-pack or whatever. When he came in to say good bye this morning he said he was feeling much better.

Matthew is still sick :( Makes me sad. His poor bottom is just so raw. I gave him a bath with aveeno last night and it soothed him some. I know I have some butt paste around here, but I cannot find it. So I've been putting Johnsons 3 in 1 on him. It just doesn't work as well in my opinion.

I went grocery shopping yesterday, the holiday coffee creamers are out- eggnog included...which makes me happy. That means that real eggnog isn't far behind! WOOHOO!

Not really much else to talk about. :) Going to be doing some housecleanning today...left over tater soup for supper.

Insanity

(http://www.gocolorado.com/ex/aspx/articleGuid.46900b21-ef83-4a68-98bf-335d12a7a34d&pageNum=2/xe/article.htm ) Photo from this site. :)

I've often wondered what in the world would cause a person to want to wrestle an alligator.

I've figured it out- they are in training. Training to be parents to and discipline three year old little girls.

Not himself...

My little man is not himself today. He's had runny diapers for about 24 hours, and its beginning to take a toll on his bottom :(
He is very uncomfy, whimpering every once and a while, and sleeping more than normal. Even when he is awake his eyes don't have that twinkle that is normal for him. They look dark and sad. I'm putting in a call to the dr, as I'm unsure about how to treat/nurish him since he's a formula baby. In the meantime- say a prayer for my little guy.

Crazy Hat Night

Enough Said. :)

With a heavy heart

I ask you to pray for this family. I have never met them, but they are local to me. Our family has been praying them through this journey....and it has taken a frightening turn....please take time to lift this precious family to the Throne of Grace.

http://ashleyadamsjournal.blogspot.com/

Trip to Jefferson

We went out to Jefferson for my father in laws birthday yesterday. I of course took a ton of pictures. :0) They have a nice garden out there and the kids went out to help pick, and Sadie decided she wanted to try riding her bike without the training wheels....so we pulled them up and she gave it a go. She did pretty good for the first try...and has the bruised shins to proove it. Practice makes perfect. :)

Homecoming

This isn't the best picture clarity wise, but I love the way they are looking at each other. :)

My cousin was up for homecoming queen this past Friday. She didn't get it, but she was the prettiest one out there in my opinion. :) She has such a sweet spirit that matches her gorgeous-ness. :0) I can't believe she's a senior already.

6 months old

See I told ya I'd come up with some things to blog about. :P

Matty turned 6 months old yesterday! Can you believe it???? I sure can't Time is flying! I just love this picture. I don't know why. lol I don't quite know what he was doing with his mouth. I think I might have caught him directly pre-raspberry. I still think its cutie-pie. :)

My Little Reader

This is how I find Sadie most days. Curled up with a good book. :) A girl after my own heart. Says the mom who read two (yes two) books in 36 hours. *sigh* There's nothing like a good book. She's currently reading Junie B. The boss of Lunch.
I'm wanting to get her some of the Magic Treehouse (is that right LD?) books for Christmas. Right now she enjoys American Girl, Junie B, Amelia Bedila and we found her a Babysitters club little sister book at a garage sale that she enjoyed. Any other good book suggestions for her?
Are there any good Christian kids series out there? With all the toy recalls- call me a paranoid parent, but I am looking for any fun alternative to toys for Christmas gifts for the kiddos.
Leave me a comment with suggestions.

I'm back!

Yes I realize I've been gone for 11 days. Miss me much? Our laptop died, and guess what? We had a choice- send the whole thing to gateway to be fixed which would cost at least $167 - probably more, or try to find the part online somewhere. So anyway- we foudn the part online on ebay. Took our chances and ordered it. Now just waiting for it to arrive. Mom and dad are letting us use a laptop until it gets here though.
*sigh* I've missed being online. I do so much research etc on things. Plus friends from far away- this is how I keep in touch with them. So I've definatly missed everyone. But I'm back.
Not much happened while I was away..... everyone has been mostly healthy....Connor had a bit of a tummy bug about a week ago I guess. No one else got it though, so I'm not sure what was up with that.
And yes, I am well aware that I am posting this at 5am. I'm wide awake and just cannot go back to sleep. So here I am. Anyway, hopefully I can think of more to post later. :)

Of course we have a busy weekend planned, so I'm sure I'll be blogging about that.

Sadie's Christmas Wish...

Wait....What???

A friend of mine brought me a belated birthday gift yesterday. Some bath and body stuff- which I love. I have at any given time at least 5 different scents. So I'm unwraping the stuff last night and putting it away. And I notice a warning lable on the back of the bar of soap.

"DO NOT APPLY IN EYES OR ON LIP"

Lip? Which lip? Bottom or top? And I don't know about you but it just isn't a party until I rub a bar of soap in my eyes.

Bloglines

I've been thinking of this post for a month! LOL I'm just now getting around to posting it. Whats on your bloglines? :)

I have:

23 Photographer's Blogs
6 Friends/Familiy Blogs
1 Gossip (celebrity) Blog
7 Random Mommy Blogs that I have stumbled across
1 Weight Loss Blog
1 Cooking Blog (that is filled with recipes not suitable for weight loss!)
1 Blog that tracks the well being of a little girl I have been praying for for a long time. :)

So there you have it- My bloglines. I'll be more than happy to link if there are any you are particarly interested in seeing.

Whats on YOUR bloglines???

Connor

Today I'm having a very rough day with Connor. I'm short tempered because I have a headache. And stressing about some other things. So I know I'm not dealing with him in the best way. He's having a rough day as well. So I decided to create a post with 5 things I love about my buddy. :)

1. When he laughs his real laugh, its infectious.
2. He is extremely creative, and I marvel at some of the things he comes up with.
3. His goofy dances :)
4. His love of cooking. He loves to cook/bake and pretend to cook/bake
5. He really does have a heart of gold. He can be the sweetest child. :)

Ok: I had to come back and add a few more

6. His incesent love for all things band aids. I love that I have to hide them or he will cover himself in them.
7. He's always willing to be his sisters' prince charming :)
8. He's an awesome reader
9. He's a great cuddler

18 pounds & One tooth

I just weighed Matthew for curiosity sake, and he weighs in around 18 pounds. :) Big boy.
I discovered his first tooth last night as well. :) All that drooling has gone to good use.

Prayers

Can you believe its been six years since the towers fell? I was pregnant with Connor when it happened. Life was very different back then. My prayers today are with the victims' families and with our troups that are fighting to keep us safe.

That being said- I have to ask very vaguely for prayers for our family. We are going through a very difficult time right now. I am having a very hard time dealing, having a hard time eating/sleeping etc. I really don't want to go into much detail on such a public forrum, but we certainly need your prayers right now.

Saturday Update

Called the ped's office, got the call back telling us to take her to ER. She has Scarlet Fever.
Basically Strep throat with a rash. This is at least her fifth time in a 12 month period that she's had strep. We're planning a trip to see her doctor Monday- and then go from there.

Saturday

Soooooo.....Its Saturday. Aaron is up at the church working. We were all going to go, but Sadie is sick. :( She has a high fever, a bad sore throat, and a very weird rash. Its got me scratching my head and saying hmmmmm.

I'm in a funk. I really need to get out of it. I think stress is just getting the better of me.

Thats about all I've got to say today.

If Sadie stays sick, it looks like we'll miss our first E&E class of the new trimester. :(

Greetings from Rhode Island

A week or so ago, I emailed my two email loops asking people if they would be interested in sending the kids a post card representing their state to the kids. Imagine the kids surprise today when they recieved a BOX from Rhode Island. :) Included was a wonderful letter detailing the items she had sent, which included the state rock, a 16 oz bottle of the state drink, a deck of cards with Rhode Island on them, a lapel pin, some post cards, brochures etc. Very cool. :)

Saturday Afternoon

Anyone want to come help me finish painting our bedroom? I'm about 3/4 of the way done. We have a workday at church until noon- so it would be after lunch. lol

Merry Christmas!

Ok, not quite. But I did recieve the disturbing news this morning that Christmas is a mere 109 days away! Thankfully I've already started stashing things for my kids, and I already have grandparents gifts planned. Can't say anymore than that because Mom reads the blog. lol :)
Aaron on the other hand, rarely does. I just put in a bid in my ez sniper to try to win a Reggie Bush jersey for him. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320154861876&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=011

Beyond that I am clueless!

For the kids, I am making each of them a blanket. Connor was trying to cuddle on the couch with his only remaining baby blanket, and its way to short for him now. He asked me to make him another one. I've considered a knot blanket, but I'm afraid they would be to hot, so I may just make an extra large blanket like what I made them when they were babies.

We're also getting Sadie and Connor their own Bibles. I'm a bit clueless when it comes to Grace as well. Matty is easy. lol :)

Anyway, it will be here before we know it, and way before I'm ready for it. Although I love the season. The sights and smells of the holiday season. Just warms my heart.

Age is just a number

Today is my birthday. I am now 26. Aaron woke me up with a kiss and a Happy Birthday. And then mentioned that in 4 years I'll be 30. Honestly? The thought doesn't bother me.
He says talk to him in four years- and yeah, my feelings may change- but I doubt it. To me- age is what you make it. I dont tend to dwell on it a lot.
So anyway Happy birthday to me :)

First Real Meal

I've never started any of my babies on food so soon, but Matthew was reaching his daily maximum of formula quickly, so I went ahead and tried him on some. I knew that his tongue reflex was gone because someone *grin* fed him chocolate pudding about a month ago. lol

He gobbled that up! Anyway, I have fed him cereal with fruit before..so I tried him on real baby food tonight. Green beans, and bananas.

Holiday Weekend Pics

What what's Grandpa doing to Sadie?

Ooook- yes that is my child flying through the air. lol
Um, yeah. :)
This is what I got when I said "Ok everyone look here and smile!"

Heaven...I'm in Heaven...

...and my heart beats so that I can hardly breathe......

I think heaven will smell like The Candle Pantry Creme Brulee candle. Aaaahhhhhhhh.

A lady Aaron works with makes these candles and they are absolutely amazing!! Aaron bought me three of them, and some pretty fresh flowers for my birthday :)

Happy Birthday to You, and You, and Oh! Me too!

Its that time of year again. Labor day weekend, which signifies three birthdays back to back in our family. Aaron turned 31 yesterday, My brother turns 9 tomorrow, and I turn 26 Wednesday. Yesterday we went to my parents and grilled, and the kids swam.
Today we're having my in laws over, and we're grilling. I think my mother in law and I are going shopping. :)
Wednesday we're having a friend and her two daughters over, and I'm making Italian food. Yum!

I'll post pictures soon, but we're trying to get ready for the CCC sale in the middle of all the celebration, plus clean, catch up on laundry etc. Hopefully I'll have pics up by tomorrow. :)

Happy Birthday to all of us! :D