And the Thursday Thirteen Winner is...

Kristie of Kristie's Notes. Congratulations! As soon as I hear from you then I will send the prize out. If I do not hear from her within 48 hours then someone else will be chosen.

Here are the answers...
1. I S M K S C - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
2. I C U A M C - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
3. I H A B C W Y - I'll Have A Blue Christmas Without You
4. F T S W A J H S - Frosty The Snowman Was A Jolly Happy Soul
5. A I A M N C F A B - Away In A Manger, No Crib For A Bed
6. I H T B O C D - I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
7. O C A Y F J A T - O Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful And Triumphant
8. U O T H R P - Up On The Housetop Reindeer Pause
9. J O S N L Y E T W - Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Lean Your Ear This Way
10. O T F D O C M T L G T M - On The First Day Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me
11. S B R A Y L - Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Listening
12. I D O A W C - I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas (It is white enough now and can stop though!)
13. J T T W T L H C - Joy To The World, The Lord Has Come

BONUS A W H H O H - Angels We Have Heard On High

Thank you to all who played...Hope that you have had fun with this one. I will be doing another Tastefully giveaway again soon. In the meantime check out my other gveaways - Country Bob's and one coming in the next couple of days...

Happy 6th Anniversary!

Doesn't He Look Handsome!

As if December isn't busy enough, today my hubby and I will celebrate 6 years of wedded bliss. Granted there have been some disagreements but for the most part we have not had any major arguements. We both know that we are stuck with each other because divorce is not an option so we might as well get along. JK We met just over 7 years ago on a blind date - set up by a mutual friend. The ironic part is that both of us had sworn off blind dates because of past experiences and look what happened!

Now, after three kiddos and his work schedule, it is hard to find time for just the two of us. I would really like to work on that in this next year. My friend Lisa and her hubby made a 2008 New Years resolution to eat at one new restaurant every month...someplace that they had never been before. That was a great idea - I think I will steal it for 2009 - hope you don't mind Lisa and Donnie! That would at least give us two hours of talk time per month...

Happy Birthday to my big boy - D!

Dan's finger compared to his arm!

Today is D's 5th birthday...I can not believe that he was so little when he was born - 5pounds 3ounces. He was born 5 weeks premature and spent 10 days in the hospital. It was a very hard Christmas because we could not take our sweet little boy home with us. We actually spent Christmas at the hospital to be with him. We missed Christmas with our families that year. Dan's family graciously made the trek down to the hospital to spend a couple of hours with us even though they could not get into the ICU because the hospital was limiting visitors - it was a really bad flu season and they didn't want the babies to get sick! Here are some pictures of him along the way...

And today, you would never know he was born premature...he is a smart (sometimes too smart for his own good), healthy boy with a HUGE imagination. He loves to cuddle with his mommy and is also very sweet (most of the time) with his brother and sister. It is so fun to watch him WANT to learn how to read and various other things. He has been into Dinosaurs and Ocean Life lately and "thinks" that he is an expert at it. he can sometimes be the biggest pain in the **** but most times is a great joy in my heart! Here are some recent pics of him...

So - Happy 5th Birthday my wonderful firstborn - I love you!

Picture Tag

My friend, Jeannie from I'm Losing It! tagged me to play this fun game.


The rules of this game are as follows:
*Go to the 6th picture folder in your documents.
*Find the 6th picture in your 6th folder.
*Pray that you remember what it is about.
*Blog about it.
*Tag 6 people to do the same.


Here is my picture:

The picture was taken in April of 2005 and is of my nieces and nephews making silly faces. That is my D in the front looking back at them like they are crazy. All three of my nieces shown here have a birthday in April and so we were at their birthday party. We were getting pictures of all of them together on the stairs, when they were being goofy so I told them to make silly faces. One of my nephews at the time is not in there...now we have four more boys and two more girls to add to this picture. I will have to get a picture of ALL of them at Christmas time and post that. I love big families - especially when they are all so close in age so that they have someone to play with!!!

I am now supposed to nominate 6 more players but don't know if I know six more bloggers that Jeannie didn't pick...I guess I have to wait a bit until I get more familiar with some bloggers...

If you want to do this feel free...just let me know in your comments you are doing it so I can go to your site and check out your pictures.

TO BE CONTINUED.....

Thursday Thirteen #5 Christmas Songs with Giveaway...

Today I decided to do something different - yes, there is a catch - You can win some yummy Tastefully Simple product for your troubles. I am going to list 13 Christmas Songs (OR lines from the songs), but it will only have the first letters of the word. If you can figure out all of the songs you will be entered into the drawing for a chance to win. The prize is the Artichoke & Spinach Warm Dip Mix, Warm the Oven! Savory Dip Mix, Spinach and Herb Dip Mix and the Bountiful Beer Bread Mix - Retail Value just over $35.00 with Shipping and Handling. Perfect for entertaining your New Years' Eve guests or anyone in the cold to warm up a bit. Make sure if you are entering that I know who you are and have a way to contact you back in case you are the winner! (HINT: You don't actually have to know them to enter, that would require thinking - just post a comment!)


Here is an example: H A H J C would be Have A Holly Jolly Christmas


1. I S M K S C

2. I C U A M C

3. I H A B C W Y

4. F T S W A J H S

5. A I A M N C F A B

6. I H T B O C D

7. O C A Y F J A T

8. U O T H R P

9. J O S N L Y E T W

10. O T F D O C M T L G T M

11. S B R A Y L

12. I D O A W C

13. J T T W T L H C


BONUS 1: A W H H O H for an extra entry - need not have all thirteen to get the extra entry but you DO need to know this one.

BONUS 2: If you actually know all 13 enter another comment letting me know that you have all of them - I will be testing you if you do this!

BONUS 3: Blog about this on your site and let me know the link - or if you are not a blogger, email five of your friends this Giveaway link and copy me on the email. Make sure you come back here and leave a comment!

BONUS 4: Now if you have never heard of Tastefully Simple - you are missing out on yummy food - click on the name above and go to the website and check it out - come back here and post another comment telling me what your favorite product is - or what yummy one you would like to try - for an extra entry.

YES - that is a total of FIVE chances! Again, make sure if you are entering that I know who you are and have a way to contact you back in case you are the winner!

Giveaway ends on Saturday, December 20th at Midnight and the winner will be chosen by Random on Sunday and I will ship your package out to you as soon as I hear back from you. If you do not reply back within 48 hours another winner will be chosen.

Good Luck!

Comfort Foods - Made Better With Bob's

Country Bob's All Purpose sauce is pretty good as a sauce. I tried it over little smokies in the crock pot this past weekend. I like the smokies already, but I took seconds with the Country Bob's sauce on them. I made myself stop! Everyone at the party liked them, too. Even some that normally would not eat them. I have not tried a recipe from Country Bob's website or the pamphlet that came with the sauces yet but as I sit here I am finishing my second bowl of Chili made with some of the All Purpose sauce. I made it for a work potluck but find myself wondering if I could just keep it myself and bring something else??? Hmmm....okay - I will share.

Country Bob's is a Christian company that gives full credit to their CEO, Jesus Christ. I love that about their company. It is on the website and on the bottles. That is one of the reasons why I would like to promote Country Bob's site.

Would you like to try Country Bob's with your favorite comfort foods??? Country Bob would like to help you satisfy your cravings for some yummy new recipes. They are giving TWO lucky readers of my blog TWO bottles of All Purpose Sauce EACH. But if you are not a winner OR when your bottles run out, you can head on over to your local Wal*Mart store and pick some up.

Entry is simple...just head on over to Country Bob's website and let me know what recipe you would like to try with this sauce.

Giveaway ends December 31st at Midnight. I will email the lucky somebodies on New Years Day! What a yummy way to start off the New Year. You have 48 hours to reply before I pick someone else...

Rewards Received...

I have recently received an award and I need to say Thank You to my dear friend Sarah, from Sassyfrazz, who gave me the Marie Antoinette Award! Thank you Sarah! Sorry it has taken so long to acknowledge this. You are very thoughtful and sweet.

Here are the rules of the award:

1) Please add the Marie Antoinette award photo on your blog

2) Place a link to the person from whom you received the award

3) nominate 7 exceptional blogs to receive the award

4) put the links to those blogs on your blog

5) leave a message on their blogs to tell them they are the chosen ones!

Now, I have not been around the bloggin' world too long so I don't have 7 blogs that I frequent yet but would like to give this award to these FIVE great bloggers:

Daisy Crazy Living, Canoearoos, Bring Your Own Cheese, Movers4Life, and Sobeit

Congratulations - love your blogs...

Hey Baby - It's Cold Outside!

It is cold and blowing out today - didn't want to chance taking the three kiddos out. This is a picture looking out onto my deck right now. It started as rain, then ice, and then turned to the big fluffy snow. Now it is snowing again - not the big fluffy flakes - the yucky kind of snow. I love the big fluffy snow and probably would have gone out in it except that all that other junk came with it. Right now it is 16 degrees but feels like 2 with windsheild. Tomorrow, the high is only supposed to be ZERO and that doesn't include windsheild - so I guess we are not going anywhere tomorrow either.

So, then, I was planning on hunkering down in front of the computer with some more Russian tea to try to enter some more contests and hopefully win some Christmas presents while the kiddos were sleeping. But by the time I got set up and ready, K woke up and D came out of his bedroom to talk on the phone with Daddy - not taking a nap. That will help for tonight because then he will go down earlier but no chances of winnings - not that I have been successful anyway! C loves his naps - just takes a bit for him to relax and fall asleep.

K has a cold - hopefully she will get over it quickly. I do not like when the little ones are sick - I would rather be sick. She is a little congested. Here is a cute picture of her from LNO modelling one of Lisa's butterfly bows in her hair. She made lots of others that are cute as well. You will see more in K's hair that is for sure! Aren't they adorable! Isn't K adorable!!

My Review of Oscar the Pig - Mommy Goes to Work

Megan Calhoun recently finished her first book and has asked me to review it...which was perfect timing since recently I went back to work after having K. My boys, at least D, were ready to go back but still maybe a little apprehensive. I wish I had had this book when I first went back.

This book is for preschoolers who are experiencing separation anxiety - which can hit at any stage no matter what your child's personality. It is different from other separation anxiety books in that it allows and encourages your children to use their imagination. And, that is one thing both of my boys have - a huge imagination. It also gives them a sense of adventure - they may not know what is happening but that they can make things exciting.

The book starts with Oscar knowing something was happening but being a little apprehensive that everything would be okay. As Mommy is going to work she reminds little Oscar that he is okay and that he has meet his nanny before and Nanny Tutu has remembered that he loves trains and that she has an adventure for them. Then it's "piggy kisses" and Mommy is out the door to work. Nanny Tutu shares an adventure in China with Oscar and she helps Oscar feel comfortable in new situations. Oscar is kept busy until Mommy comes home and then he shares his day with Mommy showing her something special he has learned that day.

My boys loved the story...they are still when they play talking about going to China and Nanny Tutu. They loved the colorful pictures and ask to look at the book. The pictures are simple yet, colorful and catches the eye. The part I like about the story is how Oscar voices his concerns and feeling and the Mommy addresses those fears and shows Oscar that there is nothing to worry about. And how it shows that Mommy always comes back! The book is available at Amazon.com ($16-$18) or at OscarThePig.com. Even if your little piggy is not suffering from separation anxiety - it will be well worth the money.

Thank you Megan for letting me review your book!!

Ladies Night Out Christmas Cookie Exchange

Last night was LNO - and this month - being December - we did a cookie exchange. Yummy cookies! They were all sampled for my breakfast. Out of twelve people making cookies, only two did the same kind which are great because they are the Ritz crackers with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate - everyone's favorite!?!

We had so much fun last night...there were lots of new faces and all of us seasoned veterans (Pauline if you are reading this we missed you!). We ate, laughed, played games, laughed, chatted, ate, laughed so hard liquid almost spewed (several times), and ate some more. It is so much fun to get together and laughed. Lisa brought some new games that will be coming soon to a store near you so she could review them. They were fun games! K was such a good little girl through it all...someone even commented on how she never even heard her cry all night! She was cooing and talking, loving all the attention.

Group Shot...

Action Shot...

The boys were enjoying time at home with their favorite Auntie so I had no worries over them. They were hankered down for the night with snacks watching Frosty movies and the new Flight Before Christmas movie. They conned her into watching TinkerBell afterwards so they could stay up later because they didn't get to watch it all the last time she was over.

Looking forward to January LNO already!!

Where does time go???

As I sit here, sipping my Russian Tea that I made for tomorrow night's LNO (I had to taste it - so yummy), waiting for my two cakes to get done in the oven and it is only 11:30 at night, I think where has this week flown off to? My last post was actually done on Friday night and once again it is almost Friday (actually is by the time I posted this)! Let me give you a little rundown on what has happened.

Saturday Night was the Old Fashioned Christmas Dinner and a show at church. I (supposed to be Dan and I) hosted two tables with our GREAT friends Donnie and Lisa. We decorated one that was a little fancy for the ladies to eat at and then we decorated one Outdoorsie/Hunting for the guys to eat at. Once the entertainment started we went to sit with our hubbies - Thank you Anna for being my "date." I was getting a little afraid you were going to back out on me too. ;) Anyway, here is a picture of each of the tables...See if you can guess who's is who's?

Yep - You're right! Was it the beef jerky that gave it away or the orange on the guy with the four wheeler? Anyway, a good time was had by all - it was fun to hang with my girlies and visit with some old friends as well.

Sunday, I dropped the boys off at Donnie and Lisa's and "kidnapped" Lisa to go to the Granite City Sound Chorus Presents: Songs of the Season, a Christmas Tea. Our friends, Sarah and Jean were singing - along with an old friend that I've known since High School - yes, way back then LK! Here is a picture of the group...It is a little foggy because it is so stinking cold outside!!!

Monday and Tuesday I worked, Monday night I had a meeting and with the snow didn't get home until late. Tuesday night we stopped to get groceries because I still hadn't made my 12 dozen cookies for the Cookie Exchange and some of the food for LNO. Wednesday we were home and I know I did something - I just don't remember what it was. Wednesday night was AWANA, D went to cubbies and C & K were in the nursery with me.

Today, I baked my goodies for the Exchange, baked yummy beer bread some other food for tomorrow night. The Pound Cakes (almond and chocolate) came out of the oven about 20 minutes ago and smell so delicious I want to go grab a fork and start eating! Tomorrow I will finish the food for LNO and bag up my goodies...Lisa, Do you still need help decorating???

And of course, in there somewhere, I took care of the kiddos - feeding them, giving them a bath, reading stories, etc. Or actually, dealing with temper tantrums and tring to keep them from making too much of a mess (most days, I am not very successful at this). They like to make these "machines" or "contraptions" with anything and everything they can find. I usually trip over everything, if I even have the courage to attempt to walk across my livingroom. And then of course there is taking care of my Miss K - feeding her every three hours, snuggling with her, getting her to fall asleep, and praying she will always be the even-tempered, happy-go-lucky girl she is now.

Now I should really go to bed but I might just have to take a look see to find any good giveaways for Christmas before I go...that is after all what they make caffeine for isn't it?!?

Happy Birthday Dan!

This is the most recent photo I could find of him - I 'borrowed' it off of Jean's blog. That is her husband Ray on the left and Lisa's husband Donnie in the middle. And yes, for those of you who know him - Dan DOES sing Karaoke. They did a great job with the song, "Wake Up Little Suzy." The wives all wanted to know who Suzy was...maybe she goes with Dan's truck (see yesterday's blog!)

Anyway! Dan turns 45 today even though he doesn't act a day over 25. ~JK~ The Kiddos and I want to say a big Happy Birthday to you - way out in California. Just think, you can now cross off earthquake on the list of things to experience before you die. Crazy!! We love you and wish you were home so we could celebrate your birthday together.

Friday Funnies #1

D has been totally into making up words and then saying "That is spanish for ______." (Watches too much Dora and Diego!) Well, the last couple of days he has been using the word "hooker" with the meaning: something that has a curve or hook on the end. But some of the sentences he uses it in just makes me laugh. For instance, did you know that Captain Hook has a hooker. A couple of days ago, one of the boys asked me if Daddy's truck had a hooker. I told him, It better not or he won't be your Daddy anymore....

Thursday Thirteen #2 - What I love about Christmas time/December

1. Praising God for the real reason we celebrate this season.
2. Getting together with Family and Friends
3. Yummy foods - appetizers, meals, desserts...
4. Giving gifts to those I love - I don't expect any in return - I just love giving...
5. Christmas Music...radio stations that only play Christmas music.
6. Christmas lights - driving around looking at all the beautiful decorations (the boys love it too, they are sad when one has more on the other side then they have on theirs).
7. Celebrating the wonderful gifts God has given me because it is also when my hubby's and boys' birthdays are...the 6th, 20th, and 26th...and HIS Son's on the 25th
8. Seeing how my boys want to celebrate Jesus' Birthday this year.
9. We also are celebrating our 6th anniversary this year on the 21st.
10. Having an excuse to go SHOPPING!!
11. Watching the delight in my boys' eyes when they open their presents.
12. Receiving all the Christmas cards from loved ones - especially pictures - all cards go on my entryway closet until after the holiday season...any pictures stay on it all year until I am ready to start getting the new ones for the year. (I'll have to do a WW on it after Christmas!).
13. Rejoicing for another year of God's blessings and praying for another year of God's graces.

Isn't Christmas - "The most wonderful time of the year!"

Wordless Wednesday #4 - O Christmas Tree

Sitting on Santa's lap

Here we are sitting on Santa's lap - Sorry the picture isn't that great, it is from my cellphone. K was sleeping but woke up just in time to say "Hi" to Santa (at least she didn't cry!). D asked for a train and C asked for a set of sleighs - one for him, one for D, one for Mommy, one for Daddy and one for K. Isn't he sweet!

D had been having conversations lately with his dad on how there are a lot of fake Santas. After sitting on this one's lap he said, "Mommy, this one is the real Santa because I saw his white beard thingy." I know some of you may not do Santa at your house...but we make sure that they know what the true meaning of Christmas is!

More Kiddo Funnies

C has learned what buttons to push to get D to get upset. And, too frequently, he uses this knowledge. A lot of the time it is in the car when I can't separate the two. Here is the latest scenario...

We just pulled out of the garage to go to Wednesday Night Thanksgiving Service.

D: It is dark outside. I don't like the dark.

C: No it isn't - it is beautiful out.

D: No it's not - it is dark outside.

C: No, it is beautiful and sunny.

D: NO IT ISN'T - IT IS DARK.

C: Just beautiful and sunny. So nice out.

D: NO IT IS NOT, C!!

C: Yes, it is just so nice out.

Had to stop laughing to turn around and tell them to stop. Good thing Dan was driving.

Has It Been That Long???

Wow, it has been a whole week since I last posted. We have been busy...I worked Monday and Wednesday...Tuesday I baked for Thanksgiving...Wednesday night we had a Thanksgiving Service at church...Thursday we went to my M&D's for Thanksgiving...Friday we put up the Christmas tree and went to Karaoke...Saturday we went to Dan's M&D's for Thanksgiving and in the evening I went to our Pastor's 50th Birthday Party...today, went to church and finished putting the ornaments on our tree. Somewhere in there I also managed to address my Christmas cards. I just have to get my letter copied and stuffed in the envelopes then put stamps on them. I don't send out as many letters as I do just the cards so it shouldn't take long to finish them. They should be in the mail by Tuesday at the latest.

A Weekend with Firsts...

Well this is the weekend for first...at least for me, K and D.

For me - I think this is the earliest that I have my Christmas letter written. I also got my first Christmas card - KUDOS to Paula who is so on top of things! I am waiting for my cards and then I have to print the letters out...they will be in the mail shortly after Thanksgiving...

For K - this was her first time trying cereal. She wasn't very interested in it but she swallowed a little and spit most of it out. Not too sure she likes the stuff.

And for D - this was his first trip to the Emergency Room. Now, C is an old hat with already 3 trips in his almost 3 years but D's first. He has been trying to stick things up his nose but I have always caught him...today, I was reading the newspaper and heard him cry out in panic. I thought maybe he was having a bloody nose because there was some coloration by his nose. I could see panic in his eyes but he said no to the bloody nose. I looked closer...he shoved a M&M up his nose! He kept blowing his nose and a big chunk of chocolate finally came out but we took him in just to make sure nothing was still up there. He got a stuffed fish from the Doc and I think finally learned his lesson not to stick something up his nose because IT HURTS!

Mid-Week Hiatus

My hubby was staying at a hotel for work closeby that had a waterpark. The regular rooms were booked for the days that he needed to stay so they put him up in a suite. Let me just say it was "SWEET." It was huge...I should have taken pictures of it. It had a 12X30 "livingroom/kitchen area" and then the bedroom/bathroom area was just as big. It even had a huge jacuzzi tub.

Well, needless to say with a room like that and free access to the waterpark, he had visitors. We went down Wednesday night after work and stayed until Friday morning when he had to go back to the office. The boys played in the jacuzzi tub with some toys Thursday morning and when Dan got back from working we ate supper and headed to the waterpark...It was completely empty - we had the whole place to ourselves! So, Dan, if you ever get sent down there again - with or without the suite - we are coming during the week and not on the weekend!

Here are some pics...

Dan with all three...

The boys on top of Daddy...

Even K got into the water!!

It is so fun to watch the boys become less and less afraid of the water. C did a couple of headers into the water - which normally after one he would not get back in the water. This time he just wiped his face and got back in. The same with D. It was lots of fun!

My first win as a blogger!!

I just got back from a mid-week hiatus...more posted about that in a bit...to find that I WON!

Barefoot Mommy was hosting a giveaway from Family Inspired on the ETSY website. I won the Maddie Girl flannel doll set. Just like paper dolls only flannel instead. How fun...

Thank you Barefoot Mommy and Family Inspired for the giveaway! (Tried to get a pic but didn't work - Sorry!)

Wordless Wednesday #3 - An Albino Whitetail

Hemker Wildlife Preserve, Minnesota

Win 20 pairs of Baby Legwarmers...

You can go to Babysnazz and sign up to win 20 pairs of legwarmers for my child for Christmas...that is I guess if you are not going to use them. Just click on the link and enter her contest to win.

More funnies from the boys...

D has been having problems sleeping...he says that he can't sleep because it is too dark but doesn't want the nightlight on because he sees shadows. He had been waking up now and again with bad dreams so I would get up and tell him that everything was okay. About a week ago, K had gotten up to eat around 4ish and I had just crawled back in bed when I heard D call out. I thought, "Oh, No...not another bad dream - I am too tired to do this tonight." I got out of bed again and went into his room asking if everything was okay. He said, "Yes, Mommy. I just wanted to tell you that I was having a good dream." "That's good - keep having more of them." I said all the while thinking - you couldn't have waited until morning to tell me!

C loves to sing to his little sister and one of the songs that he always sings is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. However, being not quite three, he doesn't pronounce all of his words correctly. He says, "Tinkle, Tinkle Little Star" which I think is absolutely the cutest thing in the whole world, but don't want to correct him for fear that he will not sing it ever again! The funniest part of it is that he wants absolutely NOTHING to do with potty training...much to mommy's chagrin! K loves it when he sings it to her...she gets a big grin on her face and listens so intently.

Updates from Yesterday and Today...

Last night was LNO (Ladies Night Out)...so much fun hanging with the gals and playing games. Where else can you talk about chewy BO? I guess you had to be there! K was so good too. She slept through most of it and when I got home at 3am I fed her hoping she would cooperate some more with sleeping. She did - she slept for six more hours and Dan graciously got up with the boys so I got about five and a half hours of sleep. Dan usually gets up with the boys on Saturday...my one day to sleep in.

Today, Lisa had a HouseParty for Philidephia Cream Cheese, Aerobeds, Golf something and some music. I just went because I think cream cheese is one of the best foods invented - YUMMY. All we did was eat some yummy food made with the cream cheese, played a game that of course Paula won (again - had to be there) and chatted...felt almost like an extended LNO except I had my kids. These HouseParties are fun - they are sponsored by some big names and parties are held on the same day nationwide. I am trying to get a Ziploc one organized, if I get chosen. They send a bunch of the product, some gifts, coupons, lots of goodies, etc. We are all still a little jealous of Sarah, who did an awesome one for Fisher Price.

Anyway, K is getting fussy, I think she needs a little snooze...better run. I still have to finish the cake for my MIL's B-day, get everyone a bath and then get them off to bed so I can enter some more Christmas giveaways and contests!

All Night Long...

Yep - she slept in her crib all night long. We moved her out of her bassinet last night because she is getting too big for that...she kept hitting her head at the top... She has been sleeping very well at night - better than the other two did but last night was her first night in her crib. She slept from 10pm to 6am and then only woke up because I needed to nurse her before we went to work. She probably wouldn't have slept too much longer than that though. Here is a picture of her taken this morning...even the flash didn't wake her!

Wordless Wednesday #2 - Could have been worse!

(See Monday's Post)

Just a Cold Snowy Day

It is very cold outside and I think this will be the first time this winter that the snow will stick to the ground. It has been snowing off and on all day with blowing winds. I do not look forward to winter. I do like snow but don't like the cold it brings. I remember the January just after D turned one there was tons of snow on the ground but it was like 45 and sunny - now that would be a good winter!

I have been sorting through toys into buckets all day - well sitting with sleeping children on my lap too... I need to gather all the winter stuff for the boys, making sure it is washed and ready for tomorrow. I know I have pants for D, I just can't find them. I have four pants for C so he should be set. K should be set too...she's a little to young to be frolicking in the snow this year. Not looking forward to all this!!!! YUCK!

D was on a roll today...

Today, at work (I work at a daycare so I can still be with my kids but yet earn some money as well), D was in his room and all the other children were sitting around the table ready for lunch. I asked him what he was supposed to be doing. He said, "Yeah, Mom, I know." I asked him why he wasn't doing it...he needed to wash his hands and sit at the table so they could say the "wish" before eating. He said, "Yeah, Mom, I know but I needed to stay here and make up a story about these puzzles here." That is D - always making up stories about anything around him. We have been listening to a story on CD in the car...it's like any kids movie - you have to watch it at least 20 times a day...well, we listen to this every time we are in the car.

He also had a run-in with a door at work. Ended with a black eye - his first. Actually it was not his fault...the girl ahead of him was so excited to be playing outside that she pushed the door open too hard and it came flying back at him. It hit hard and sounded like it hurt lots. He wouldn't let me hold ice on it but it didn't swell up too bad. Just black on his eyelid right now. Daddy said he hit it again tonight on the chair. Never fails when you have an injury - you keep bumping the same spot over and over. Anyway, you will have to check out the Wordless Wednesday and I will post a pic of his eye.

Sunday Events...

Yesterday we went to have lunch with my Aunt...lots of fun. I need to go see her more. I feel bad but right now life is a little busy. Her's isn't though and I need to remember that more.

We also had a family date...we took the kids to go see Madegascar 2. So funny - I think it is more for adults but they make it in cartoon caracters to that we can bring our kids along. I don't want to give away all the funny parts...you will just have to go see it yourself. I for one will buy the movie when it comes out!!! It was only given one and a half stars but I would rate it higher. I never go by the ratings anyway.

Then we had to race home so my husband could break into his car because he locked the keys in it. He hit the lock button instead of the unlock button with the keys still in the ignition. Unfortunately, his other set of keys is lost somewhere in the house - somewhere where the boys were last done playing with them and we will never find them again.

C fell asleep on the way home and woke up at 8:30 - not ready to go down at 9:00. He fooled his Daddy and after Daddy went to bed he peeked around the corner and when I acknowledged him he came running out to snuggle on my lap. He fell asleep again around 11:00. That is why there was no posts yesterday...

Lizzie's Little Liah Baby Bows

Barefoot Mommy is hosting a giveaway of Any three clips from Lizzie's Little Liah Baby Bows-Comments need to be posted on her site by 11-15-2008. Check it out...if you don't want to win then I have a baby girl that would love to wear the bows! If you are going to purchase them - and I must say that the price is right...she is having an buy 2 get 1 free sale in honor of her husband coming home from Afganistan. (Many thanks for his service!!)

Check out some of the cute bows at Barefoot Mommy.

Win $500 for Groceries in our Prego FUN with FOOD Photo Contest

Check out the link for this fun contest at 5 Minutes for Mom.

All you have to do is either email the picture to them or post it on your blog and you could win a $500 grocery card for a grocery card in your area. It doesn't have to be spaghetti either...the photos can be anything to do with food - kids with food, animals with food, you with food - whatever you can dream up.

Here is my entry...it was hard to choose but this is one of my favorites from C's birthday - a nice little John Deere tractor by my friend Lisa. He was trying to share with me, that's my boy. D didn't really even dig into his first birthday cake.

Where was my camera?

I know where my camera was but I didn't have time to run get it and take a picture - even though it would have made a great one. Here is the scenario...

My boys both crawled in bed with me this morning but I wasn't really wanting to get up so I asked them to go get books and crawl back in bed to read them... Next thing I know - D runs in the room and yells "Mom, C has sunscreen all over him and he wants to go outside!" Now mind you, it is probably about 35 degrees out if that and it is cloudy, dreary, rainy out. I run out there and he has got sunscreen on his left arm, all over his pants, a huge dab in his hand and some on the carpet. As I get out there he looks up at me like - "Did I do something wrong?" I asked him where he found it - "I don't know." I asked him what he was doing - "I want to go play outside." I told him it was too cold and yucky out - "No Mom, it is bright and sunny out and I want to go play outside." He is always my glass half-full boy!

Gotta love him!

Thursday Thirteen...#1 Things about me...

1. I am happily married - almost 6 years now!
2. I have two handsome sons and one beautiful daughter.
3. I like to keep myself busy - sometimes too busy.
4. I have four older sisters and two younger brothers.
5. I am a Tastefully Simple Consultant.
6. I love the color red.
7. I am a night-owl and usually stay up too late!
8. I cry easily at movies.
9. My favorite season is Spring.
10. I love to travel...anywhere...
11. I love to spoil my family.
12. I am finding this harder than I originally thought.
13. My daughter is fussing and needs to go to bed so we can get good Christmas pictures.

Conversations in the Car

On the way from work to church - in amongst the screams, cries and giggles - I hear this conversation...

D: C, we hear by sound waves that move through the air.

C: Yes, sound waves.

D: These sound waves go in one ear.

C: Yes, one ear.

D: Then these sound waves go right through to the other ear.

C: Yes, the other ear.

D: That is right, C. In one ear and right out the other.

More screams, cries and giggles....

Now if these two can figure that out at almost 5 and 3...why can't grown men figure that out and listen better?

Wordless Wednesday #1 Brotherly Love

The Election...

As I am typing this - I have just turned it off the local channels 0nto one that does not cover the elections. I don't understand how reporters can call a state or district for a candidate with only 1 or 2 percent reporting in. I can not watch any more...just pray that it turns out the way that I think it should, because I am selfish. :)

Short and sweet.

Today, God allowed me to be a joy...

God allowed me to see his hand at work in helping my dear friend. It was obvious that His timing is perfect because otherwise things may not have ended as soon or as well as they have.

On Sunday, our Pastor ended his sermon with a challenge to everyone to watch and see how God was at work. He gave an example and said it was very obvious in that example...well, here is another OBVIOUS example of how God was working.

My friend's son went missing -when I heard this my heart sank. Our two Pastors looked all over town for him and could not find him. I talked to her several times that morning and asked if there was anything that I could do...she said that she was just cleaning to burn up some energy but that there was really nothing they could do... In one of the conversations she said that there had been a boy about her son's age that was seen walking on a highway by us but that she was waiting to hear from the police - they were sending a squad to check it out.

I wanted to do something to help...I called my husband and told him to pray but felt I could do more...At about 1:00, after feeding them, I loaded up the kiddos and started driving toward the highway where the boy was spotted thinking I could get rid of the helpless feeling I had. Less than a mile after turning onto that highway I saw her son walking down the road!!!! I was so relieved...now to get him to go home. It took a while for him to get into the car with me and then to go home. I asked if I could call his mom because she was worried about him - he agreed and wanted to go home.

What a joyful feeling it was to call my friend to tell her that her son was found! Praise God...had I gone a little before that I may not have found him...it was all God's hand in the situation. I am still praying for him and know that God will work it out.

God is good...all the time!

I have been told...

that I need to start a blog for the past year - or so because I have lots of blogging "material." I told my friends that if they came up with a name then I would start a blog. So here we are...


My children are my joys but they can also be the source of many "pains." My boys are very imaginative and are usually very loud. For the most part they play very nice with each other but my older one, D, needs to have everything go his way and my younger one, C, is usually compliant. It is when he has had enough that the joyful noise turns sour. My new little girl, K, is such a good little girl - so happy with those sparkling eyes, but when she gets hungry or upset -she too can make a not-so-joyful noise.

SO, there it is...my first blog. Hopefully you will come back again to visit me soon.