And More Yapping...

We made a quick trip to the library again today. We haven't been for a few weeks, even though I had said it would be a weekly thing. The mister did much better this time around, but only stayed in his stroller for a few minutes. He wanted to roam around. I did convince him to walk around for a bit while pushing the stroller. That was cute.

They have a little play computer at the library, and the mister LOVES...LOOOOVES Computers, so he was thrilled, to say the least, to see one that it was okay to play with and bang on.


I thought the miss would be excited to help me pick out books. But she spends her time on the computer, at the block table, doing puzzles, or sitting on big chairs while looking through books.



I even let her get a couple of dvd's, including a version of Alice in Wonderland, which is currently one of her favorite movies.

There was one day last week, that for a few hours, every time I asked her to do something, she'd dramatically curtsy and say, "Yeeeesss, your majesty", just like Alice in the movie. I must say, it was enjoyable to get that response while asking something of her, as opposed to, "I don't want to", "No" or a silent response meaning that I was being ignored. I am quite bummed that her little curtsy response only lasted for a few hours. But it was nice!

It was very pretty out, as we headed to the car, so I decided that we'd take a little stroll down some memorial path that loops around the library. The miss was thrilled, because there were still some patches of snow on the ground.




Oh, and I have to share this gorgeous God created masterpiece with you all. I received this picture in my email today.

Here's what the email said.... sorry for the all caps...
"THIS IS A FIRE RAINBOW - THE RAREST OF ALL NATURALLY OCCURRING ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA.

THE PICTURE WAS CAPTURED THIS WEEK ON THE IDAHO/WASHINGTON BORDER. THE EVENT LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR

CLOUDS HAVE TO BE CIRRUS, AT LEAST 20K FEET IN THE AIR, WITH JUST THE
RIGHT AMOUNT OF ICE CRYSTALS AND THE SUN HAS TO HIT THE CLOUDS AT PRECISELY 58 DEGREES."

Isn't that gorgeous?

Okay, I am done with the yapping for now.

Weekend Update

Well, folks, on Saturday, it was a lovely 76 degrees and very sunny. In fact, it was hot. Yes, the gal who moved here from Arizona, considers 76 hot. But when the sun is shining, it can be quite warm.
Then on Sunday, the weather took quite a turn, as it was 34 or so degrees and snowy all day long.

And it is now warming up again, and we should be in the 60's and low 70's all week. I tell you what, the weather in this city is something else.

The miss attended a "princess, fairy, necklace" birthday party for Tiff's daughter. Each girl was given a tiara and wand, which all of the girls loved!!! Here's the miss donning hers.


On Sunday, I got into a super cleaning mode and worked my bootie off around my house and then headed to work from 4:00-11:15. So yesterday, I must admit, was a lazy day, as I was recuperating.

I came on my blog today, and saw that I was awarded this wonder woman award:


from sweet miss Jen

Thank you so much for this award. Although, I have many days where I feel like I am not doing as well as a mommy or a Christian or a wife. But I do try, oh I do!
Thank you for recognizing me as a wonder woman. And also know that I couldn't do it at all without God in my life, that's for sure.

And now, I am given the privilege of passing this award on. There were two gals that came to my mind right away...they are:

Tiffany
and
Sara

These two mommies are also military wives and currently, their hubbies are in Iraq serving our country. I have been through a year long tdy that put my hubby in Korea, when my miss was a baby. I know how hard it is to have your hubby away, especially when you have kids.
I know that these mommies are doing all they can to stay strong for their kiddos, at moments when they just want to break down and cry. I know they have gone through children's birthdays and will go through the holidays without their hubbies, and I know how difficult that is.
These gals are amazing women, amazing wives and incredibly amazing moms. Being a military wife is a sacrifice, not only in sacrificing time with their hubbies, but in also putting aside their emotions to make things as perfect as they can be, given the circumstances, for their children.
So, you wonder women, I salute you! :o)

Psalms Sunday

Psalm 50
A Psalm of Asaph.
1 The Mighty One, God the LORD,
Has spoken and called the earth
From the rising of the sun to its going down.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God will shine forth.
3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent;
A fire shall devour before Him,
And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.

4 He shall call to the heavens from above,
And to the earth, that He may judge His people:
5 “Gather My saints together to Me,
Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”
6 Let the heavens declare His righteousness,
For God Himself is Judge. Selah

7 “Hear, O My people, and I will speak,
O Israel, and I will testify against you;
I am God, your God!
8 I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices
Or your burnt offerings,
Which are continually before Me.
9 I will not take a bull from your house,
Nor goats out of your folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is Mine,
And the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the mountains,
And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you;
For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.
13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls,
Or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High.
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

16 But to the wicked God says:
“What right have you to declare My statutes,
Or take My covenant in your mouth,
17 Seeing you hate instruction
And cast My words behind you?
18 When you saw a thief, you consented[a] with him,
And have been a partaker with adulterers.
19 You give your mouth to evil,
And your tongue frames deceit.
20 You sit and speak against your brother;
You slander your own mother’s son.
21 These things you have done, and I kept silent;
You thought that I was altogether like you;
But I will rebuke you,
And set them in order before your eyes.

22 “Now consider this, you who forget God,
Lest I tear you in pieces,
And there be none to deliver:
23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;
And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God.”

Reading this Psalm, I focused on verses 14 and 15...
14 Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High.
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
What I take from this, is God's faithfulness to us. All he desires more than anything, is that we would come to Him, pour our hearts out to Him and that in our times of trouble, we'd run to Him, so that he could deliver us.
And it's so simple for us to do, really. Yet, I know I, many times, yap to my friends or loved ones first about such things, before running to my God. I instead need to be on my knees with my God.
May this week be filled with plenty of quiet time with you and God.
Have a great week and I'll see you on Sunday with Psalm 51.

Quilting Thursday

Well, I hung out at Tiff's on Thursday to work on a quilt I am making for the miss for her birthday.
This quilt I have pretty much done on my own and I have messed it up in a few places, but oh well, right.
Here's the top of it so far....I didn't make the tinkerbell border wide enough, I discovered, so I am not sure yet what I will do about that, whether I rip it out and sew a larger piece on all over again, or if I will add more to it, but any ol' way....

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The mister had fun practicing to be a big brother, with Tiff's youngest baby.

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He did really well with him, until he conked him over the head a few times with a marker.

My mister throws tantrums a lot. He likes to get his way, as do most kiddos. Usually, he will throw himself down wherever he is and bang his head against the floor as he screams. One point at Tiff's house, he had a tantrum while playing with some pots and pans, so he flung his head into the pan and screamed bloody murder. So what did mama do? Well, I took a picture of course.

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And yes, I know, brown shoes don't really go with his outfit. If you'd like to send me a pair that you think would be better, I can give you my address. :o)
Well, we are off this afternoon to a friend's birthday party. I will be sure to take some pictures.
See you then.

Harvest Time - Fun Ideas for the Kiddos

Pumpkin Dough Recipe
- 5 1/2 Cups Flour
- 2 Cups Salt
- 8 tsp. Cream of Tartar
- 3/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 1/2 Cups Pumpkin Spice
- 4 Cups Water
- Orange Food Coloring

Combine ingredients in a large saucepan.
Cook over low heat until it reaches a play dough consistency.
Let it cool.

Taken From Mailbox Magazine

Homemade Applesauce Recipe
Homemade Applesauce
Ingredients:

* 6 firm apples
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1/2 cup water

Directions:

1. Peel and cut apples into chunks.
2. Place apples in a skillet with a lid.
3. Sprinkle sugar over apples and add water.
4. Heat, covered, on a medium heat for approximately 15 minutes. Half way through the cooking time, check to make sure the water has not evaporated. If so, add 4 tablespoons of water and continue cooking with the lid in place.
5. When apples are very soft, remove them from the heat.
6. Mash the apples with fork, and serve warm.
7. Refrigerate unused portions in an air-tight container.

Found at Suite101.com

Decoupage Pumpkin Craft

Pumpkin-Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwiches

Pumpkin Milk Shake


1 cup ice-cream
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup pumpkin (From 15 oz. can)
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

In a blender container, combine all ingredients. Cover and blend at high speed until smooth. If desired, garnish each serving with a dash of pumpkin pie spice.

Learn about the Pumpkin's Life Cycle

Okay, that's all for now.

Psalms Sunday - Psalm 49

A Wisdom Psalm.

Psalm 49
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
1 Hear this, all peoples;
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 Both low and high,
Rich and poor together.
3 My mouth shall speak wisdom,
And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will disclose my dark saying on the harp.

5 Why should I fear in the days of evil,
When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
6 Those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the multitude of their riches,
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother,
Nor give to God a ransom for him—
8 For the redemption of their souls is costly,
And it shall cease forever—
9 That he should continue to live eternally,
And not see the Pit.

10 For he sees wise men die;
Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish,
And leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever,[a]
Their dwelling places to all generations;
They call their lands after their own names.
12 Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain;[b]
He is like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the way of those who are foolish,
And of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah
14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave;
Death shall feed on them;
The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning;
And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave,
For He shall receive me. Selah

16 Do not be afraid when one becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dies he shall carry nothing away;
His glory shall not descend after him.
18 Though while he lives he blesses himself
(For men will praise you when you do well for yourself),
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers;
They shall never see light.
20 A man who is in honor, yet does not understand,
Is like the beasts that perish.

So many today strive to fill their homes with lavish things. A big screen TV, a fancy pool or a huge spa. And while we may want these things, because we think they will make us happier, I think a part of us wants them to show them off to others. Isn't it funny, how after a big screen TV purchase, you want to invite the friends over to watch the next football game. You want to boast of your purchase. Why is it that we are like this? Why is it so important to us to have the "in" things?
No, I don't have a big screen TV, nor do I want one. But I have purchased other "things" before, like a Dooney & Bourke Purse, and thought, oh people will see it and love it and be jealous. And that isn't very Christian of me, now is it?

I think it is so important, for us as parents, to raise our children differently. It is hard in an instant gratification society. It is hard, when we want to lavish gifts upon our children, because we like to see them happy. But I think it is important for them to realize that "things" aren't important. That having the brand new toy on the commercial that was just watched, isn't important.

I think instead, we should be teaching our children the best ways to save money. And I think it is important to focus more on our relationship with God, than on our relationship with the nearby shopping malls.

Because in the grand scheme of things, all the stuff we have, is just stuff. And most of it, doesn't last. The big TV's eventually break. The spas aren't used anymore after the newness wears off. The brand new car you just "have to have", loses it's new car smell rather quickly and not to mention a big chunk of value, when you drive it off the lot.

As Solomon says, it's all meaningless. It really is. No offense to those who have purchased a big screen TV.

What's important is our relationship with God. Because I would rather enjoy eternity with my Savior in a mansion built for me, than spend my time all wrapped up with money and "things" here on earth.
And I want my kids to live in the same way, and for them to pass that trait onto their kids.

And it's a struggle, because I wasn't raised that way. I am getting better at how I spend my money, but I am nowhere near where I want to be yet. But I am working on it.
Just like I need to work on my relationship with God, everyday, because I have been slacking there as well.

"Give me neither poverty nor riches — feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God." (Proverbs 30:8-9)

"A million “well done’s” on earth will mean nothing without the ultimate well done of our heavenly Father on that great and glorious day." Darlene Zschech

Pumpkin Cookies

So, we baked pumpkin cookies today. No, not made from pumpkins, just shaped like them. Here's some pictures.....



Rolling and tasting the dough

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Making Pumpkin shapes, or thinking about it.

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Waiting for them

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Decorating them

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Eating them

Pickin' Pumpkins

Well, we trekked out to a pumpkin patch today with Tiffany and her kiddos. Unfortunately, there were slim pickin's, because it's been open for almost a month now. But the kids still had fun. They loved the hay ride. It was super hot though, well hotter than we thought it was going to be, and I think us moms were worn out by the end of it. I know I was.
I also bought some honey crisp apples at their store and they are pretty yummy. I hadn't even heard of honey crisp apples before. They smelled so good though, so I knew they'd taste just as good.
I didn't get any pictures of the miss with the pumpkin we picked. But, I'll take some more pumpkin pictures throughout the week and post them. On Monday, we are going to bake Pumpkin cookies and frost them and adorn them with fall sprinkles. And I think later on in the week, we may carve the pumpkin we picked today.
Since we were in the wrong field, and not where the little pumpkins were, I took the miss to Safeway afterwards to pick out a few little pumpkins. I think we will do a craft with one of them, next week.
Anyway, enough rambling, here's the pics. I didn't really get many though, sorry.

The miss and Tiff's son, "Turbo", waiting for the hay ride.

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Me with most of the kiddos....searching for pumpkins

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Heading back on the hay ride

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>
The mister was pretty content picking hay from the stacks. He was so engrossed, I couldn't get him to look up for the picture

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More Hay Ride fun

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Two worn out kiddos

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So Very Gorgeous

So gorgeous...and it makes me long to live back East again someday.....
The hubby's company is really big in Virginia....so I guess in years to come we could always transfer.
I mean I do love it here too, but nothing compares to back East. It will always be "home" to me.
Click for Fall back East

The Mister's First Hair Cut

Well, I took the mister to get his first hair cut today. I would do it myself, but I destroy hair, I do. When I tried to cut the miss' hair around 16 or so months, I gave her a mullet, seriously. The first time I cut my hubby's hair, with clippers, I messed it up so badly, he had his best friend help him shave his whole head. That was not a pretty sight. So, I leave hair cuts to the professionals.

I was a little bummed, because I thought he would get to sit in the cool race car, for his first cut, but no such luck. They plopped him down on a little booster on top of a regular salon chair, where I had to keep one hand on him the whole time to ensure that he didn't fall off.

He was a little concerned at first and reached out for me to hold him. But then the nice lady stuck a dum dum in his hand, and he was fine. That was his first sucker too.
He did really well with it and LOOOOVED it.

He really enjoyed the clippers, leaned his head into them and zoned off for awhile. Maybe if we are having a rough night at home with him, we should break out the hubby's clippers. I mean that boy was relaxed, you should have seen it.

Okay, lady, are you sure you know what you are doing?

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And they even gave us this cool thing that will definitely go in his scrapbook someday, when I sit down and actually do it.
I did color over his name on this particular image for the purpose of posting it on the blog.

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Oh and while we are posting pictures.....here's the mister sitting at the table yesterday eating his breakfast. Gone is the high chair. Hello booster seat.
And he does a great job at feeding himself when using a spoon.

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So, this is what I am getting the miss for her birthday. It is a wooden princess castle doll house. It opens up to almost 3 feet wide.


And if we were really rich and had tons of money to blow on a bed, she'd get this....

It's pretty cool, isn't it. But, there is no way I am spending $700 on that!
Oh well.

Oh and then my friends who have experienced the cabinet in my home which I have named...the cabinet where everything falls on you, will appreciate this picture.

It is now organized. And all of the craft supplies, paint and things that used to be piled up in there and would knock you in the head, upon opening the cabinet, are now in that plastic bin. However, I will eventually organize them into many separate bins, with paint in one, glitter in another and so forth. But for now, the things I most commonly use during craft time with the miss are in that box.
I know that Sara will appreciate that picture.
Okay, I am off to put some laundry away.

The Miss' Birthday Wish List

This is for the familia, who wanted some gift ideas for the miss. I took her to the toy department at Target today, and here are the toys she picked out. (These are all links by the way. You can click on each item to see a picture and description.)


Barbie Island Princess Twirl and Whirl Tika Elephant

Disney Princess Enchanted Tales Tea Cart

Disney Royal Princess Gem Princess Horse...either Cinderella, Belle or Sleeping Beauty

My Little Pony Skywishes Pony

FurReal friends Kitty Cat (I have seen this at Wal-Mart)

Our Generation Equestrian Horse

Imaginext Adventures Pirate Ship



And here are a few clothes ideas

Oh and Levis 4 regular jeans fit her well.
Carter's Raglan Horse Nightgown

Sonoma Horse Sweatshirt

Sleeping Beauty Smock tunic

Psalms Sunday - Psalm 48

Psalm 48
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God,
In His holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in elevation,
The joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.
3 God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge.

4 For behold, the kings assembled,
They passed by together.
5 They saw it, and so they marveled;
They were troubled, they hastened away.
6 Fear took hold of them there,
And pain, as of a woman in birth pangs,
7 As when You break the ships of Tarshish
With an east wind.

8 As we have heard,
So we have seen
In the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God:
God will establish it forever. Selah

9 We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness,
In the midst of Your temple.
10 According to Your name, O God,
So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let Mount Zion rejoice,
Let the daughters of Judah be glad,
Because of Your judgments.

12 Walk about Zion,
And go all around her.
Count her towers;
13 Mark well her bulwarks;
Consider her palaces;
That you may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this is God,
Our God forever and ever;
He will be our guide
Even to death.[a]



I love the last verse......
For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.

God is our guide, our refuge and our strength for all eternity. Even in death, even through death, and even beyond death, He will be there.

He makes our paths beautiful. He blesses our lives. He fills our hearts with gladness.
And right now, tomorrow, years from now, at our death and when we are in Heaven for eternity, we will praise His name.

How great is our God!

Quick Update

Sorry again, that I didn't post a Psalms Sunday today. I will do it tomorrow. I had a bit of a distraction today, and now, honestly, I'm just too tired to dive into a Psalms Sunday post.
Well, last night after work, around 11:00 P.M. I noticed I had been bleeding and this morning I was still bleeding, so I called my midwife. It wasn't a lot of blood and I didn't have any cramping or back pain, so honestly I wasn't too worried, but I was a little concerned. I never bled with my other pregnancies, at least not this late in the pregnancy.

I did see online that it can be common and most of the time it isn't a problem. There were several possibilities for why the bleeding was occurring. She felt it would be best to do an ultrasound to make sure the baby and the placenta were okay.

We are fine. Everything looked great. The baby is very healthy and active. The heart rate was great. My blood pressure was good. The placenta looked good. So we think it was just cervical bleeding, which can be common in pregnancy. Obviously, if it continues, we can check into it more. But for now, I really feel like everything is okay.

And although I am only around 16 weeks, the "parts" are there and visible and sometimes you can or can not see them this early. But, our little guy sat there spread eagle showing his boy parts for the world to see. So, yes, I am having a boy. Well, we are 90% sure.

I will of course have a diagnostic ultrasound done at 22 weeks, where we will be able to confirm. But honestly, I don't think there's any mistaking it. She even centered in on the parts and checked to see if it was cord, by having it show the blue and red blood..those who have had ultrasounds know what I am talking about, and well, it wasn't cord.

So, the mister will have a little playmate close to his age.
Any ol' way...I just wanted to share. I have lots of ultrasound pics that I'll scan in at some point and share with you all. They are small though, so I am not sure how good they will turn out, but we'll see.

I am just so thankful everything is okay and the baby is doing well. It's always so nice getting to see the baby. Ultrasounds sure are fun.

I did take a couple of pictures of the miss at her dance class yesterday. I promised GG that I would post them.

That cute little gal next to the miss introduced the miss to her daddy as her good friend. The miss told me it was her best friend at dance class. And after class we met up with the cute gal and her mother and both girls told each other what their names were. They were good friends who had no clue what each other's names were. LOL They were cute.

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They only leave the blinds on the window open on the first class of each month. So here's the miss saying a quick hello. And notice her friend right next to her. I realized that in each picture from class, that cute little gal is right by her side.

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That's really all I was able to get for pictures. The miss likes to do goofy poses now...which make for some interesting pictures... like this for instance.

or this...


These were taken a few months back with one of the older day care kids I watched this summer for a couple of weeks. Do you love the dusty keyboard? I need to start playing that thing again.

I think she looks like her Aunt in that last picture.

Anyway, I am going to call it a night. I've been taking it easy today, understandably, and I think I want to continue my laziness for a bit longer, before going to bed for the night.

I'll see you tomorrow for Psalms Sunday on Monday. I promise!

Picture Day Featuring: The Mister

Okay, so I'll post pics of the miss this weekend. For now, here's the mister, who yes, needs a haircut.


The mister eating breakfast this morning

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On the computer with daddy during daddy's lunch break today.

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He wants to walk, but he's scared.

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No More Day Care

Well, it's Tuesday and I have been free from doing day care in my home since yesterday. I have been enjoying it. Yesterday morning, I took the kiddos to the library, which may be our weekly Monday excursion. The mister was bored there, because he didn't want to be in his stroller....he wanted to be crawling around. So, I let him crawl for a bit, but when he decided to just take off, I placed him back into his stroller. The miss was excited to pick out books, until she saw another little girl playing with the lego table. She quickly joined her and together they made a big castle. So, I picked out books for both kids, in a bit of a hurry, since the mister was fussing and we headed back home.
We got play time in together. We went for a nice long walk around the neighborhood where the miss picked fall leaves, pine cones and flowers to take home, and I got one
room thoroughly cleaned while the kiddos napped. I decided to focus on one project a day. Today, my goal is to fold all of the laundry and maybe put a big chunk of it away. We'll see how it goes.
I have finally gotten my energy back. I am in my second trimester, and already I am noticing a difference. I am not tired anymore. It could also be due to the fact that I don't have 6 kids running around my house anymore.

Today I went and got the rest of the fabric for the miss' quilt that I'd like to finish for her birthday, that is a month away. If I work on it everyday, I should be fine. And we ran to the grocery store for some diapers.

The miss and I read Horton Hears a Who after lunch and now both kids are in their rooms for nap time. Once they awake, we will have afternoon snack and craft time.

During craft time yesterday, the kiddos made a fall wreath out of paper leaves that we are sending off to GG and Papa. We sent a little craft off to my mother-in-law yesterday, and so today we will make something for my parents. They seem to have fun with it. The mister loves to color.

We may also try to go on another walk today, but it may be a bit shorter than yesterday's, because I have to work tonight. I am working tomorrow night as well, but that isn't too bad.

The hubby works right down the street from the house, so he comes home for lunch each day, which is so nice and the kids get so excited when he walks through the door.

So, things are good. :O)

I also need to finish making a blog design for a gal. I have been working on it for way too long now. She is pregnant too and was also very tired during her first trimester, so hopefully she understands why I have been taking so long. And now that I am back to my energized self, I will get cracking on her blog.

Well, tomorrow I'll post some pictures and tell you the crazy work story from last week at the hotel. Talk to you then.