Humor Me!

I don't know if I want to laugh or cry.

Tonight Mike arrived home and we had an early dinner, as I had a small list of things I wanted to do and get out of the house for a little fresh air.

1. Pick up laminate flooring offered on Freecycle.
2. Return shredded moldy cheese to Costco.
3. Return things to Fred Meyer's.
4. Get Coffee!

A bit before we leave the house, I like to make sure the babies are fed (nursed) and happy - there's nothing worse than 4 upset kiddos in the car! Well, Christian decided to throw up all of his dinner on my shirt and in my lap - I'm used to him spitting up, but he really threw-up! And was really crying. He was having a not-so-good time today, really fussy. I realized he hadn't pooped in a few days, so, I tried to help him with a suppository - it took 3 suppositories (and pee all over my couch and multiple layers of wipes) to make this little kiddo feel better.

Ok, so the throw-up, pee-pee and poop incidents were done with. Perhaps we could get in the car and get my list of things done?

I really wanted some Coffee, really bad, you know, the $4 coffee that that I like to treat myself to about once a month when I can make it out of the house, and we passed about 4 coffee houses, and they were all closed! I ended up compromising and getting a drip coffee at Breeze-in, but was so out of my element that I didn't know what I was doing and didn't really get what I want. Coffee Flop!

So, we did end up making it downtown to pick up the laminate flooring pieces, but it didn't fit in my Explorer! Ugh. Duh! I hate wasting gas! Now Mike's got to take his truck tomorrow to pick it up.

On the way home we drove past Costco, which was closed as well, LOVELY!, so Mike will have to exchange the moldy cheese tomorrow, or maybe Saturday, whenever they end up opening!

Wow, this evening has gone smoother that I expected (hah!) - at least the kiddos were all content (and sleepy).

At least the last stop at Fred Meyer's was a success and all items we wanted to return we were allowed to return (now we had a whopping $13 extra to spend) and I really need another shower rod (which I will explain in the next post).

I Hope that your New Year's Eve was just as exciting as mine!

Diaper Disappointment

Most of you know that I (almost) exclusively use cloth diapers.

Having three kiddos (well, soon to be only two) in diapers, you can imagine how many I go thru and how many loads I wash and dry each day.

I have been very happy with Kushies all-in-one diapers, except for now - now that I've been using them for 5 months (the first month I used disposable - since babies were too small for the Kushies I had).

I have noticed that they are really wearing out.

I think the main problem is that living here in Lovely Juneau, I have to dry them in the dryer, and that EATS the outer lining producing little holes, first along the legs of the diaper and velcro areas. I have to say that I am rather disappointed, I would line dry them, but here that might be next to impossible - say 10 out of 12 months!

However, now that I am accustomed to changing cloth diapers, I hardly use a liner, which I used in the beginning (the kind that helps peel the poop off and then flush down the toilet), and am going to switch to regular cloth diapers and use a Snappi with a wrap as my other Kushies diapers wear out.

To try to extend the life of (what I have left of) my Kushies I am going to attempt to "line dry" them in my bathroom. We have forced-air heat and I figured out if I put up another shower curtain rod over the middle of my bathtub, I can hang those diapers to dry, and it will take about 24 hours to dry. However, I will still have to put them in the dryer for a few minutes so they're not board stiff. I'll take a picture for you and add to the post when I get it put together (hopefully tomorrow!).

No Greater Joy

http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/magazine/

I highly recommend reading and subscribing to this free magazine. Articles usually focus on chid training and marriage. I recieved mine in the mail yesterday and have already read it cover to cover!

Making Christmas This Year

This year we didn't put up our tree until the week of Christmas, and then took it down last night, next year I want to put it up closer to Thanksgiving. I really enjoyed having Christmas this year. It was rather special, as I tried making most of my gifts in the kitchen or on the sewing machine.

We misplaced our box of ornaments and lights, so I decided we didn't need to buy any, we could bake them! I used a salt dough (I think it's the same as home made play dough) and let the kids help me roll it out and cut out ornaments with cookie cutters. I'm kicking myself for not taking pics of the kids when we did them. Here's a few of the ornaments:

My Grandma Carolyn sent me these flowers:

Which was perfect as my centerpiece for Christmas Eve when Mike's brother and sister's family came over for dinner. I baked a ham (for the first time) and it turned out great! Here's a pic of the boys (and Connor had already gotten into the cookies - as evidence is on his face!)

I also made several batches of Cinnamon Rolls, of which some were successful and some were not, I need to make these more often, and not just during the holidays!

These were some of the crayon/coloring bags I made for my nieces.

This sewing project was my favorite - canvas tote bag. I made about a dozen of them and really had fun picking out the ribbon for the handles.

I also enjoyed making these mixes to hand out: Corn Bread, Swope Bread and Salt Dough.

Michael Jr. helped me with the ginger cookies, he had a lot of fun and called the dough, when he rolled it, 'dinosaur poop.'

Here's the stockings I made for Jr. & Connor - next year I'll make stockings for the twins.

Here's my first crayon/coloring bag that I attempted - which I adore, and sent to my dear sister, Jasmine!

This is a garbage sack for the car (or truck) that you put on the back of the chair and hangs off of the headrest.

Well, I sure had fun this Christmas, but will start A LOT sooner than I did this year to get some of those cooking and sewing projects done so I can get more sleep next year!

I will post pictures of the boys opening their gifts on another post.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Fruit Of The Spirit

With four kids constantly needing my attention, as well as my husband and frequently forgotten dog, I find it rather challenging at times to maintain composure.

I find that the more I practice these fruits of the spirit, the happier I am, and the happier everyone else is as well.

For a constant reminder of how my attitude should be I have the following verse in my kitchen and read it several times a day:

Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Connor's new pants (I made them!)

I am so excited! I sewed my first pair of pants! Connor has a problem fitting his pants because he's got cloth diaper bulk and it's hard to pull up and pull down his other pants (it wouldn't be a problem if he were wearing disposables).

Anyway, I am just so thrilled that I completed such a sewing project. Of course, I had a few bumps, I was so excited about sewing that I wasn't careful when I kept being interrupted and wasn't paying attention to the knee pads I sewed on - so the 2nd knee I put on I forgot to sew the 2nd circle around and sewed the pant legs together, so I had to rip the stitches out TWICE! First because I wasn't paying attention, and 2nd because I sewed them back up without sewing around the circle!!!

If you're interested in making a pair for yourself or your kiddo, here's a link where I got my inspiration:

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/08/repurposing-boys-lounge-pants.html

Pictures

It seems like I'm taking fewer pictures these days, these are of the few that I've taken since Halloween. Twins will be 6 months on December 18th!!!

A Homemade Christmas (Crafty Blogs To See!!!!)

It's been a while since my last post, and I've been rather busy! I've been preparing for the Christmas Holiday trying to use my craftyness this year. I have decided to make all gifts either in the kitchen or with my sewing machine! So you are all put on notice! LOL.

I have recieved a lot of inspiration from the following websites that I highly recommend checking out:

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/ - you will miss out if you don't check it out!!!!

and

http://www.skiptomylou.org/ - another absolute must!!!!

and

http://makeitfromscratch.blogspot.com/ - more great ideas!!!!!

I will eventually post pictures of my craftyness, but not till the season is over - since they're all gifts to be given, I don't want you to see them here yet!

Financial Bondage and Purposing To Be Debt Free

OK, so here's my second post on Jim Sammon's Financial Freedom Seminar we've been watching and reading. I'm going to try to keep it short because I'm so excited to be sharing some new resources I found in the Internet and want to get to updating my budget sheet right afterwards.

After several sessions, we have learned that the first thing we need to do is give it all to God - letting him be in control, after all, we are only stewards of God's gifts to us, including finances. We needed to tithe properly. I never did understand how to tithe until after this study. It doesn't mean picking an arbitrary amount and writing it on a check every week to put into the collection plate - it means giving exactly 10% of your 'first fruits' - before taxes, insurance, etc. are taken out. Plus, it means to tithe ANY amount of money that comes to you - yes, that means 10% of your bonus too, if you get one.

So that was our first 'correction' we made - tithing correctly - giving God our 'first fruits.'

Also, learning more from scripture about how we are stewards of God's money and that we need to be using it more wisely, in all ways, meaning that we examine each purchase we make, not to mention - using CASH and not going into DEBT for any purchase for any reason.

Purposing to be DEBT FREE is our next step - and I found a wonderful online source of a 'Snowball' spreadsheet - showing how to pay down your debts starting with the debt with the lowest balance so you can see (and celebrate) debts being paid off. It's really amazing, really. After you input all your debts it shows (among other things) how the 'snow ball' works, when your debt will be paid off, and an amortization schedule like the one you get when you sign up for that mortgage.

Just to clarify - a 'DEBT' is considered any bill that is unpaid - including: any and all loans (personal or bank), medical bills, utilities, the local hardware store charge account, etc.

Speaking of mortgages, this spreadsheet can probably help you figure out how to payoff your mortgage quicker as well (when paying more than what your regular monthly payment is required).

The new website I found tonight: http://www.christianpf.com/
The article that has the link for the spreadsheet: http://www.christianpf.com/snowball-your-way-out-of-debt/

Before I Was A Mom

Thanks to KC for forwarding this to me tonight! I had read this before, but it's been a while and I really love it! Not sure who actually wrote it...

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a mil lion pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom .

Taco Soup with TVP

Well, I can't say that I'm a health nut or vegetarian, but I like to try new (healthy) things, infact, I've had this 'TVP' for about 6 months and have finally decided how I wanted to try it out. So, really, it took me a while to test it on Mike. Hah. I did pretty good I'd say - as I asked him what he thought it was before I told him - and he thought it was ground turkey. Yeah, that was pretty slick on my part! But he ate it AND enjoyed it, had seconds too.

Some of you may wonder "what is this TVP?" - it's Texturized Vegetable Protein, and has been used as a 'filler' for years with different meat products and used as a substitute, as it has the same texture as ground beef (or turkey) - but it's tasteless and needs to be marinated or spiced-up. It also has similar nutritional value as beef, but without the fat. It's also CHEAPER! You can find it in almost any nutrition section, I bought mine at Fred Meyer.

I thought I'd throw together something from the pantry for dinner tonight and this is the recipie I thru together (this turned out to be awesome!):

TACO SOUP:
1/2 onion chopped
1/2 green pepper chopped
1 cup TVP reconstituted in 1 cup of boiling water, let set for 5 minutes
1 1/2 Cup Black Beans (you could use any bean you wanted, I guess)
1 Beef Boulion in 1/2 cup boiling water water
3 cups V8 Juice
1 1/2 Cup frozen corn
2-4 TBS Taco Seasoning (season to taste)

TOPPINGS:
Shredded Cheese
Sour Cream
Tortilla Chips

DIRECTIONS:
Saute onion and green pepper in oil, add beans and reconstituted TVP and Taco Seasoning, cook together for a few minutes, add V8 Juice, Beef Boulion, and frozen corn, taste and add seasoning if needed, let simmer for about 15 minutes.

Memories - Part I

I recently reviewed some pictures that Mike put onto my new laptop and thought I'd post some 'memories.'

Live Fire Training

In the picture above Mike is on the far right, standing tall.

Yesterday Mike participated in a live fire training on Douglas. There are supposed to be a couple more in the spring.

Also, on Saturday afternoon he went to a house fire off of El Camino which had started in the livingroom.

He's VERY tired from Sunday's training, as he was gone from 7am-6pm.

I copied these pics off juneau empire's site below: (there are a lot more pics to see...)

http://spotted.juneauempire.com/photos/index.php?id=1894618&page=1

http://juneauempire.com/stories/102609/loc_509170122.shtml

Teaching Children how to Give

Recently with the Tsunami in Samoa - I have seen an opportunity to show Michael Jr. what it means to give to those in need. Because he can understand (for the most part) I explained what happened in Samoa and told him that "the water destroyed and washed away these people's cars, homes, clothing, food, toys, books..." and that we were going to go thru things in our home that we don't use that those in need would put to good use. He was very eager to share and suggested that we give some of his toys and cars to those children in need, and I let him pick out what he wanted to give, as I was doing some of my own gathering of items around the house. Several times a day he thinks about what has happened in Samoa and asks me questions and suggests "maybe people in Samoa need (fill in the blank)" and I find it has been a wonderful way to involve his little (big) mind in thinking about meeting the needs of others.

(There is a local family collecting donnations to send to Samoa via AML - let me know if you want more info on that).

Also, today in checking my email, I had come across the following article that I recommend (a short read) that is appropriate for this holiday season: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/spiritual_growth_for_kids/teaching_servanthood/gimme_gimme.aspx

How do you take opportunities to share with your children the importance of giving to those in need?

Drawing Closer to God - Financial Freedom - Part 1

Mike and I have been doing a bible study on Financial Freedom and it's amazing! It was on back order when we purchased it, so we've been waiting about two months and it finally came in the mail. We've only watched the first session - there are 20 sessions in all - and we've skimmed thru the 'Men's Manual.' The first session is "Learn What It Really Means To Be Financially Free," and is eye opening. It has a twenty question quiz "To What Degree Are You Financially Free?" and then gives 20 factors, scripturally based, showing how scriptural principles affect financial freedom. It also shows you how to identify evidence of financial bondage.

There are listed many factors of financial freedom which include the following:

Knowing God's purpose for money
Knowing how to Tithe properly
How to keep out of Debt
Living within your income
Learning how to live in abundance and in need
Knowing the potential of your home and developing it
Create a good family name
Avoid Partnerships
Avoid Slothfulness

Some scripture to ponder:

Deuteronomy 8:18
"But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth"

Philippians 4:12
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want"

Hebrews 11:6
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him"

Romans 13:8
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law"

John 16:23-24
"...I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name...Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete"

Malachi 3:10
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, "says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

2 Thessalonians 3:10
"...If a man will not work, he shall not eat"

Proverbs 19:15
"Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry"

Proverbs 6:10-11
"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man"




I highly recommend this study: http://store.iblp.org/products/FFSP/

4th of July Pictures - Finally!

Well, the 4th of July was just two weeks after I had the twins, so I couldn't make it, but my parents took the boys and Chris and Lindsey helped out. Mike was walking in the parade with the fire department (see picture - closest to middle of street wearing his gear). I sure missed a good parade!