Honest Scrap Award

I got this Honest Scrap Award from a fellow blogger Shash. I have really enjoy reading her blog and I hope you check her blog out as well Sasher's Life. Thanks for the award!

What I have to do with this award is write 10 random honest things about me and then pass it on to 10 other bloggers. So here are my ten random things.

10 Honest things about me

1. I love cleaning, my house is not always how I would like it now that I have kids but I still enjoy cleaning.

2. I love to bake. I am really getting into making and decorating cakes.

3. Organizing is one of my favorite things to do. I try and organize our house a couple of times a year which includes throwing out or donating what we can't or don't use anymore. 

4. I have had more knee operations then most professional athletes (four in total to date)

5. I grew up in a bigger city but have always wanted to live in a smaller town outside of the city.

6. I learned to drive on a 15 passenger van. (I come from a large family)

7. I love a good cup of tea

8. Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks

9. I love cozy blankets, my husband tells me that we have enough but I always want more. 

10. I love working with people with special needs. I get energized helping them discover who they are and what they can do. (before we had kids I was a care worker)

I would like to pass this award on to:

1. Reflections of a Navy Wife  (she is a new blogger and is jumping in with both feet, go check her out)

2. Surviving Little People  (a mom who I met through a mom's blogging site, she is a busy mom of six)

3. Just Thoughts  (Amanda went to college with my husband and I have only met her though the blogging world, our kids are close in age and we have a lot in common)

4. Colin, Jinny and Liam's Life  (Jinny & her husband also went to school with my husband. Even though I have only met Jinny in person once I think that she is really fun and wish we lived closer so we could hang out)

5. The Bear Family  (my sister-in-law's blog. I love reading her blog and seeing pictures of my adorable nephews)

6. Let the Chaos begin..... (I went to high school with Jenn and we have re-connected through facebook/blogging)

7. Little Miss Sunshine  (again someone I have only met though the blogging world. My husband went to school with her and her husband)

8. Big Brown Blog  (Erin is a great blogger and I wanted to give her this award. She just had a baby girl last weekend so she may not be able to respond. Erin's son Cole is a couple of weeks younger then my daughter. It's nice having another mom blogger who is going through the same stages as I am) 

9. Inside BruCrew Life  (Jocelyn is a stay-at-home-mom and pastors wife. She has a fun blog that I enjoy reading it)

10. Tara's View of the World  (Tara is a wonderful blogger and always look forward to reading her blog. We have only met in person once, however we have talked on the phone and over the internet lots. One day we will be able to sit and have a cup of tea together)

I encourage you to go and check out these blogs. These moms are wonderful woman and dedicated moms who write about their lives as mothers. They have been an encouragement to me as a mother and I hope that you have a chance to read and be encouraged by them as well.

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My giveaway for a $40.00 gift certificate at CSN Stores is closing on May 12. 

Go here to enter, there are only 49 entries so your chances are good.

Honest Scrap Award

Mother's Day

My Mother's Day

This morning on our way to church my husband went to Starbucks to get me a Mother's Day cup of chai. I really enjoy a good cup of extra hot chai. In fact I start most morning off with a homemade cup of chai or tea of some sort. 

It's always nice when I can have one from Starbucks!

After church we came back home and after lunch my husband did some cleaning while I had a wonderful nap. I enjoy a good nap and always feel refreshed when I wake up.

Chris then made dinner (ribs, fries, salad and a chocolate dessert). 

My children have been telling me all day "I love you mom" and "pretty mommy" and my son has come too me at different points saying

"Happy Mother's Day Mom, your beautiful!"

They also gave me these beautiful cards they made.

Chris told me that both David & Jaclyn had specific ideas for the card they were making. 

I love my little family very much and I am a very happy mommy!!

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Mother's Day

Wrist update

This morning I went to my doctor to get the x-ray results on my wrist. I talked about my wrist/hand issues here.

It turns out that its not broken, which is a really good thing.  However, I did end up bruising my bone, muscles and tendons pretty bad. Apparently, what this means is that I have to keep it in a brace for the next 2 to 3 weeks. I will also have to ice it three times a day and keep it elevated as much as I can.  I was also reminded not to lift anything that's heavy so that I allow it to heal properly.  This should be interesting with two young children that don't always understand practical considerations like "I can't do that" or "mommy can't lift you right now".  It will also mean that I won't be doing that much cleaning for a while, but my husband is willing to do all he can, so it shouldn't get that bad.

Basically, I have to treat my wrist like it is broken, even though it isn't, so that it can heal.  At least I don't have to worry about a cast.  All this because I broke my wrist when I was 12 rollerskating. Good times!!
Thanks for the concern and prayers.

Wrist update

broken, doctors and cleaning

I am having a hard time this week. I haven't been able to get anything done that I was initially planning.

Last Thursday I was playing on the floor with my kids, we were playing one of those games where I am sitting on the floor while David and Jaclyn run at me to give me a big hug and kiss and I would return it by tickling them! At one point they decided to "attack" me together and I lost my balance with both kids on top of me. I put out my hand to make sure that we didn't all fall over, unfortunately that was also the end of our game. 

I had instant pain in my wrist and hand and have been having problems since. I have broken both my wrist in the past so I have a wrist brace that I put on that night and have been wearing since. Then on Monday I went to the doctor to have it checked and my doctor thinks that I broke the scaphoid bone in my wrist. Tomorrow I have a follow-up appointment to find out about my x-ray results.

I am really hoping to get some answers about what is wrong. Even if that means getting a cast put on or continue wearing my brace. I just want to know, because not knowing sucks! The pain has been increasing as well as spreading over the last few days. My fingers are going numb and I am now having pain all the way up to my elbow.

Meanwhile my house is in some serious need of attention. I have 3 baskets of clean clothes that need to be folded and put away, my floors need to be vacuumed and my kitchen needs to be cleaned. 

It's amazing to me how much cleaning builds up when you are unable to do clean anything. 

I have tried to do some one handed cleaning but unfortunately after only a few minutes my wrist/hand is throbbing and I am in a lot of pain. 

My wonderful husband has been trying to keep up with everything when he gets home but there is only so much he has been able to do. Tomorrow is his day off and he is planning on getting some of the cleaning done for me. I have an amazing husband!! 

I will update again tomorrow after I get home from my appointment.


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broken, doctors and cleaning

My Girl

The other day I was in the living room talking with David when I heard some noises coming from the kitchen. 

This is how I found my daughter

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My Girl

Potato Head Family

The way my children see our family, made with Potato Heads

Jaclyn, David, Mommy and Daddy.


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Potato Head Family

You Can Be Everything God Wants You To Be - Book Review

Book Description
God made only one version of you. He custom designed you for a one-of-a-kind assignment.
You are heaven's Halley's comet; we have one chance to see you shine.
You offer a gift to the world that no one else brings. So find it and bring it!
And when you do, both you and God will smile.

My Review
I received a copy of You can be Everything God Wants You to Be by Max Lucado from Booksneeze.

The main message of the book, to look for the calling that God has equipped you to do, and not try to be something you are not made for, is a great and needed message. I loved many of the points made by Lucado throughout the book, and some phrases came out as real gems, capturing the point well. Like many others who have worked with youth, I have seen many people trying to be like someone else, and it doesn't work with their talents and gifts and I have seen the heartbreak as they see themselves not able to do what they want. The world's adage of "you can be anything you want to be" can really encourage people to pursue goals that don't fit them and often do not satisfy themselves even when they can get there. So for that reason, my overall feelings towards this book are positive.


My issues with the book come mostly out of the formatting. There are "chapters" breaks roughly every 3 pages, in each case Lucado switches gears somewhat to explore a new part of his point. Throughout my reading, I often felt that the last portion was not fully developed and even sometimes reread the previous pages to see if I had missed a portion to explain for the lack of development. It seems to me that this book may have been rushed to print before it was fully ready, a good rewrite to flesh out more of the points would have made this book better and more effective in engaging people's lives and making the book more applicable for more than a quick read by new graduates.

My only real issue over the content itself was concerning the lack of any allowance that God may develop new gifts, passions and talents; or change the ones he has already given, throughout someone's life. The lack of this allowance might straitjacket people into one specific role past the time when they might be most effective and fulfilled within it.

All that being said, this book was enjoyable and would be a great gift for a new graduate or college student. I would give it a 3 out of 5.

I am a member of Thomas Nelson Publishers Booksneeze program. Thomas Nelson provided me with a free copy if this book in exchange for my review of this book and I am not required to provide a favorable review.

You Can Be Everything God Wants You To Be - Book Review

Pretty Computer

My wonderful son decided that my computer needed to be pretty so he put some princess stickers on it.

This is what he told his dad: "Mommy's a girl and needs a pretty computer"

Don't forget to enter for your chance to win a $40.00 gift card for CSN Stores here

Pretty Computer

CSN Stores Gift Certificate Giveaway!!

I was recently contacted by CSN stores to host a gift certificate giveaway. 

CSN stores has over 200 + stores online to shop from and some of their items have free shipping so I would recommend when shopping at their stores you look for the FREE SHIPPING written under the item. Here are some of the wonderful products that they sell Toddler Beds, Toys and Cookware.

I would highly recommended you to go over to the CSN Stores main web site and check them out for yourself.  

David would love the Toy Story bed

 and Jaclyn would love the Princess bed.

I however am having a hard time deciding what will be my first purchase from CSN Stores.

I was not paid to write this post but CSN Stores is providing this giveaway.

WOULD YOU LIKE A CHANCE TO WIN A $40.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO CSN STORES???? 

 * For your first entry simply go over to http://www.csnstores.com/ and then come back here and leave me a comment on something that you like!

For more entries you can do any of the following - make sure that you LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT for each entry!! :)
Please remember to leave me your email contact so that I am able to contact you if you win!!

1) Become a fan of CSN Stores on Facebook
2) Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect
3) Add my button to your site and leave me a link
4) Share this giveaway on your blog or facebook and leave me a link
5) Follow me on Twitter

CLOSED

Winner has been notified by email.

 This giveaway will remain open until May 12 

available to US and Canada only.

Winner will be chosen by random.org  and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or I will choose another winner.

CSN Stores Gift Certificate Giveaway!!

You Want How Much????

I am really frustrated right now! For over a year now I have been trying to have our couches fixed. Let me explain to you a little about what that has been like for me and my frustrations. It all started when we put our belongings into storage when we were moves during my last few weeks of pregnancy with Jaclyn.

We moved into our new place and three weeks later Jaclyn was born. When Jaclyn was two weeks old I was sitting on the couch nursing her with David sitting beside me watching a movie. I looked over at David and that's when I saw them. I had silver fish crawling on the back of my couch. For those of you who don't know what I am talking about they are these really gross insects that hatched in my couch when it was in storage. Here is a picture

 I was so disgusted that I got off the couch so fast. In one hand I was still holding Jaclyn as she nursed and in the other I had David. Then I called my mom upset that I had these bugs on my couch and I had a new baby and a young toddler not to mention Chris was working. Did I mention that I had a c-section with Jaclyn and that I was still not allowed to hold anything heavier then my baby or clean. I called my mom and she came over to help me clean and figure out what to do next. On her way over my brother Jeremiah called her to say he was on his way over for a visit. My mom explained my situation and he said he would meet her at my house. When my brother arrived at my house the first thing he did was get the disgusting silverfish infested couch out of my house. Then my  mom and brother cleaned my whole house for me, such a blessing!

Chris and I had some money saved at the time, we decided to go and buy some new couches with our money. Chris and I have always wanted leather couches so we figured that now would be the best time to buy them. We had a budget and we new that we could stay with in it.

We found a beautiful dark brown leather set of couches that we both loved and they were in our price range. We bought them!!

After owning them for one year I noticed one day that our love seat had a small tear in the seat. I contacted the company that we bought it from to have them fix it, after all I did buy the warranty. After having a tech come out and look at my couch I was told that the damage was not their responsibility but was a manufactures defect. I then contacted the manufacturer and they told me that it was not their problem either. For over 8 months both myself and Chris have had many conversations with both the company and manufacturer and after months of getting passed off to one manager to another we were told that it was MY problem and that I was responsible to have it repaired. Even though BOTH companies admitted to me that my couches were made with faulty leather.

Over the last few months I have been looking for a local company that would be able to fix my couches and not cost me a ridiculous amount of money. Most companies I have talked to have told me it will cost me $150 to have someone come out to my house and then give me an estimate. I figured if its going to cost me that much just for an estimate then they will be over charging for a repair as well. Then yesterday I found a company who could do an estimate for me over email, all I have to do is send them pictures of the damage. I was thinking, great finally a place that will have decent prices. I received an email today with my estimate. 

Here is the breakdown for my repair:

repair:     $1650.00

pick-up/delivery:     $170.00

taxes:     $????

Total Cost:     $1820.00 plus tax

That is crazy!!! I only paid $2000.00 for my couches new. As wonderful as my couches are they are not worth $4000.00.

After over a year of talking with different company about my couches I have decided to make custom covers for the seats of the couches. I am determined to make my couches look fantastic with there custom covers. I am not sure as to when the covers will be finished but when they are I will post some pictures of the final product. 

I am now looking for ideas on color and fabric.

What type of fabric would you use? What color?

You Want How Much????

Silly Talent

"look mom, no hands"

Silly Talent

Comics

Last summer I found Mickey Mouse comics. I bought some thinking that they would be great when we were in long car rides or stuck somewhere and I needed to entertain the kids. Every time I have brought them out in the past the kids didn't seem that interested in them. The other day I had the comics sitting on the counter and was planning on putting them away for a little while until the kids were older.

I went to do some laundry and when I came back this is how I found my kids.

Both David and Jaclyn ended up sitting and reading their comics for almost 30 minutes.

I am planning on keeping the comics around for the kids and maybe even see if there are more available.

Its funny how some things kids learn on their own, especially boys.

Yesterday we were getting David some new socks and let him pick them out. Out of all the socks there he picked Batman, now he doesn't know who Batman is he just thought that he looked cool and wears a cape.

Comics

Pre-School

Pre-School

Ukulele

Both David and Jaclyn love music and we thought that we would teach them to play an instrument. The other night Chris did some research and found Ukulele that would work perfect for a first instrument for them. .

Chris's idea is that I would teach the kids how to play as part of the early pre-school that I am currently teaching them. The only problem with his idea is that I don't play an instrument, sure I understand some of the basic ideas behind playing but I still don't play. When I was a kid I took piano lessons for about six months but that was a long time ago. Since then I have picked up a guitar a few times but never really made music.

I have wanted to play the guitar for a few years now, I figured now would would be a good time to learn. 

We bought a book called Teach Yourself To Play Ukulele. My plan is to teach myself at night and then I will be able to teach the kids how to play. This should be a fun hobby for us to learn together, the kids and I are excited to play together.  

David is starting to figure things out

Jaclyn loves her pink ukulele and loves that she can make her own music

Chris brought out his base to show the kids, they were really excited to see that daddy plays an instrument!

Ukulele

My Sleeping Boy

This afternoon during nap time David came out of his room half asleep holding his pillow so I picked him up and put him in my bed to finish his nap with me. As soon as he was covered he promptly went back to sleep. 

Here are some pictures I took of him as he was starting to wake up.

 

David is such a good sleeper and will sleep just about anywhere. He has even slept on the floor of a friends house when we were visiting, all the matters to him is that he knows that I am close.

My Sleeping Boy

Ready for Spring!!!

I feel like between the four of us we have been sick a lot lately. 

We will all be healthy for awhile and then someone gets a cold or flu and shares it with the rest of us. Thankfully spring is here and summer is coming!!!

My family is ready to play in the sun and have outdoor picnics and go camping. David has been asking every day if it is time to go camping. The kids are also excited to play on there bikes and go to the park on a regular basis again. We are ready for the next few months and spending as much time outside as possible.

Here are my sick kids on the floor all tucked in watching Toy Story 2 and ready to fall asleep again. 

What are your plans this spring??

Ready for Spring!!!

Lists, lists and more lists

This week I have been doing a lot of planning and organizing. Now I am a list person, they keep me organized and I love being organized!  I have list for everything from what we are doing this week, shopping, menu's, cleaning, sorting, packing and just about anything I can think of that needs to be organized. 

So far this week I have been sick and just feeling gross all over. So the kids and I have not been spending a lot of time on the couch reading books, building with lego and watching movies..............and writing lists! 

I have so much to do right now that I don't know where to start.........well I do know where to start I just wish I had more time in the day and wasn't sick to start!  Here is just a few of the things that I have on my list: cleaning/organizing, packing, quilting, cake making and then I have the other stuff on my daily schedule to keep up with. 

So where should I start? 

Do I clean and organize all of our belongings to be ready to be packed. (we are moving in the summer.)

or 

Do I finish some of the projects I have going for quilting? 

or 

Do I make cakes? I have two cakes coming up that I am making. But how much can I really do before the event that the cake is needed for?

So here I am blogging about all that I have to get done in the next two months and all I really want is to feel better and not have a headache anymore.

So this afternoon I think I will start to tackle one of my many list and slowly check things off!!

Lists, lists and more lists

Sleeping Mask

I know that I have put up a lot of pictures of Jaclyn sleeping lately and its only because she is so darn cute when she sleeps. 

 Here is yet another picture of her sleeping, well actually she is pretending to sleep. She took one of our sleeping masks and put it on during her nap the other day........funny girl!!

I will be posting more pictures on David soon I just need him to sit still long enough to take a picture.

Sleeping Mask

Menu Planning and Saving Money!!

As a stay at home mom of two young children living on one income I am always looking for ways to save money.  Chris and I would love it if I could stay home full time until the kids are both in school and even then I will most likely only work a part time job. Since this is something we as a family have decided I do everything I can to save the money that Chris makes. Chris is a pastor and as some of you may already know pastors don't make very much money. Right now Chris has taken some time off from full time ministry to get him Masters degree. He is working right now but as you can imagine working a full time job and saving for school doesn't leave very much extra money with a family to support as well. 

All that being said I wanted to share with you some of the ways that I have been able to save money.

I have tried making different dinner menus over the last few years and most of them I have to say I didn't stick to for very long. Then I started using the one I have now and I love it!!

What I am doing now is using a leather book that I keep my menu and shopping list in. On one side I have a printed monthly calendar and on the other side I have a note book where I write our shopping list. I try and write my menu at least two weeks in advance. Most of our meals balanced and healthy, I also like to have a fun kid type dinner every week or two.
Some of the things I have done to save is by using the weekly flyer in our local supermarket. As much as I can I buy store brand, buying locally grow or organic is also a great way to save money (at least where I live I can buy some of our fresh foods organic or locally grown for cheaper). I also plan my menu with some of the food I already have in my house rather then buying all new products that way I only buy what is on my shopping list rather then buying things I might use in the next few weeks.

Since I have been using this menu system I have been saving an average of $100-150 per month, that is on my groceries as well as in gas because we are not running out to the store to buy that item that we forgot or to buy a whole meal at the store. I also know in advance what I am making for dinner and my family is eating healthier and I am not stressed during the day trying to figure out what I should make for dinner. 

Some of the other ways I save money it by going to different coupon sites to get coupons for the places I am already shopping at. Here are just a few of the sites that I have found for Old Navy, Michael's Crafts, Printable Canadian coupons, More Coupons and there are so many more coupons online all you have to do is look for them. 

I am big believer in saving money and still living well as a family. I hope that some of these tips or sites are able to help some of you out as well. 

Have a Fantastic Day!!!

Menu Planning and Saving Money!!

Home Made Ice Cream

On most days I ask the kids what activity they want to do that day. Usually it will be something like pre-school, baking, cooking, crafts or something else creative. Yesterday when I asked what they wanted to do David said "lets make ice cream!"  I then started the process of looking for all the ingredients, I was missing two. The kids and I went for a walk to the store but still were unable to find one item. Chris then picked it up after work last night. This afternoon after their naps we made vanilla ice cream!!

Here they are making there ice cream!

They enjoyed it and asked that we make it again sometime!!

Yummy!!!!!! 

This was a really great activity with David and Jaclyn. They were able to be a part of every step and it only took about 10 minutes from step one to eating!

Home Made Ice Cream

Our Easter Weekend!!

I hope that everyone had a nice Easter! 

Our family had a nice family weekend. We spent time together and talked about Jesus and his life here on earth, his death and resurrection. I love talking to my kids about the bible because they have so many questions and want to learn more about who God is and what he did for us. David is at an age now where he is starting to understand more about God and prayer. For example the other night David was having a hard time going to sleep. He called me into his room and asked me to pray again so that he could have a better sleep. After I prayed he said "thanks mom, I feel better now" and he rolled over and promptly went to sleep.

As a christian mother I am filled with joy as I watch my children wanting to learn about Jesus and growing in their own faith!!  We had a wonderful Easter together!!

We also went out to visit some friends of ours who had a beautiful baby girl in January. As always it was a great visit with them but not long enough. It was wonderful to see them with their baby girl they are fantastic parents! Jessica is a very blessed little girl to have parents like Tim and Sharolyn who are loving, caring and some of the most compassionate people I know!!

 

Here are some pictures of the kids taken on Sunday!!

Our Easter Weekend!!

On the floor again....

This afternoon when I went to check on Jaclyn during her nap this is how I found her.

She was having a hard time falling asleep this afternoon. I wasn't even sure if she was going to sleep at all.

I love her position it looks as if she feel was either rolling around on the floor and fell asleep 

or like she just gave up and passed out where she was.

My Sleeping Beauty!

On the floor again....