I have to say, I am looking forward to 2010. There are lots of plans and lots of changes for myself and my family this coming year. Positive changes. Big changes. Even though I will be entering the new year with a crashed computer, I will come out of 2010 better than going in. :-)

I have a few errands to run today and lots of catching up to do with the house. So I will go for now.

That Ol' Time Feelin' of Christmas

I have the sweetest, most thoughtful mother-in-law. She sent me a box of her old christmas tree ornaments that was on her tree when her kids were little. My husband remembered a few of them. Some of them were made by her father in Scotland. He made many things. He made a radio for them to listen to during the war. He made a machine for her to work her arm every day when she had polio as a child. He worked with wood also. This man was a very handy man to have around. His workmanship is so good, that I cannot tell which ornaments were made by him and which ones were store bought when my husband was a child. Can you tell?

I recently went to Walmart at 9pm at night thinking I was going to miss the crowd. I was hoping. That wasn't the case. I was browsing the book and magazine nook to find something to read. It just so happens that I was in luck this time. You see, our Walmart isn't a SuperWalmart. Our book and magazine nook is just that, a nook. The selection isn't that great. However, that night I found a few gems.




A Christmas Visitor by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer; and The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren who also wrote The Purpose-Driven Life.

The Good Wife's Guide
by: Good Housekeeping

I've seen this ad circulated for quite a few years now. I still like it. It shows the life of the times in that era. Today's housewife gets no respect. People look down on a housewife in today's time. Back then, you were looked up to and respected. It seems to me that women are not getting much respect whether or not they hold a job or work at home. Either way we're not very happy.
This is the season to be happy! Be joyful onto the world. Let the earth rejoice and sing!




Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Enjoy the lights that sparkle and shine for us to remember... What are you going to remember. Those yummy little sweets that your loved ones made for you when you were little? How about those shiny presents that sat under the tree?




Oooh. There were twinkling lights and bright shiny ornaments on my christmas tree when I was growing up. I use to sit at the bottom of the tree looking up through the branches and just watch the lights dance. That was my favorite spot. It was so magickal looking through the array of lights and color. I still love it!




This year I wanted to do something special. Something different. Something that the kids would remember and enjoy. What did we do? We bought a real tree. I have never experienced a real tree for christmas and I wanted my kids to know what it was like. To have the smell of pine throughout the whole house when waking up. I have to say, it truly is a remarkable thing. Now I have to admit that I have been debating this for quite a number of years now. We did have a prelit fake tree that we've used for years. But the lights quite working so we threw it out last year. So this year was our opportunity to go either way. We could always buy a prelit tree on clearance after christmas when they all go clearance we reasoned with ourselves. I was a little hesitant about the shedding. I've heard stories about how the needles were always a mess on the floor. And being the O.C.D. person I am about little stuff like that all over my floor, I didn't know if I could overlook something like that. But let me tell you... I LOVE LOVE LOVE this tree! I can handle the needles on the floor. I vacuum them right up. Not even every day. And when I vacuum another room, it fills the air with fresh pine scent too from the needles in the vacuum bag. So not entirely a bad deal if you ask me.


Now you go on out there and find you a real Christmas tree before they are all gone! Put all your ornaments and lights on it and go wild. Do something different than those magazine pictures. Make your tree special to you!

Have a Merry Christmas y'all!

Tired. So very tired this morning. I have weaned baby from breast to bottle and formula this past weekend and so far she is weaned rather smoothly. However, those middle of the night feedings are not what I am use to. This is the earliest I have ever weaned onto the bottle with formula for any of my kids. I have come to love the ease of breastfeeding at night and sleeping with my bundle of joy next to me. But now, when she wakes from hunger... I have to get up, walk half asleep to the bathroom, mix her formula which is more clumpy than it is during the day, and pour into her bottle, and then walk half blinded from the lights back to bed and then get baby girl and feed her. Oh, but the fun doesn't stop there. Then there is burping, hoping she doesn't wake fully, and diapers if there is a messy diaper... it continues. I love my baby girl and I'm loving having the energy during the day to get my house on a routine and clean now that I've switched her to formula. So I am just learning to deal. I did order one of those handy dandy day and night bottle warmers from Amazon. It will be so much smoother using one of those because you can store 2 bottles in the rear part of it and it will keep it cool for me! How cool is that? I have Amazon Prime, so I have 2 day free shipping! And oh how I could use that like right. now. I also ordered more of the bottles that she tends to favor. They are the Playtex Ventaire Wide. My last baby loved those too. These are suppose to be a little easier for baby to switch from breast to bottle with the "wide"ness of it. They are also BPA free for those of you following that.


This is what I am going to be doing a lot of today. Computer time. (I broke that lock/unlock thingy off the key chain a few months ago. The hole for the ring to go through is broken. Does anyone know how much those thingies cost? It's a Ford.



And a lot of this.
The only thing I have on my to do list today is:

1. fold and put away laundry
2. clean inside oven (already have the cleaner sitting in it)
3. ... wow. I thought I had something else to put here. I guess I really am taking a rest day.
   

I am using this day to relax. I am still really tired and it's almost lunch time. This is just going to be one of my rest days. I need it apparently. The sun is in and out of dark clouds most of the day. I washed the outsides of the windows this morning since it was cloudy. I'm glad I got that done. Some of them were quite dusty and dirty. The baby is in her swing napping and the girls are in the living room watching Dora the Explorer's Christmas episode. I've got bath towels in the dryer and a handmade crochet blanket my grandmother made for my husband in the washer with a homemade crochet baby blanket a neighbor made for the littlest one here. The next load to wash today is my bed sheets and that is all I'm doing today. Dinner is thawed in the fridge just waiting to be grilled or broiled. We're having steak for dinner. Not sure what sides will be fixed with it, but that won't be a problem. I may even make some homemade bread again tonight. Last night's bread was really good. Okay, off for my nap on the couch with the girls.

Wow. What a day today! I got a lot done considering I have an 8 week old baby here with me. She has been napping a lot today.

Here is a snapshot of my day today.

Woke up at 5:30am.
Took medicine
Helped take trash to curb for trash day
Saw husband off for work
Checked email, facebook (family emails on it too)
Nursed littlest one then laid in swing for morning nap
Spent quiet time on computer before waking oldest up for school
Woke R up for school, takes his medicine, sock hunt and off to school
Straighten living room floor ready to vacuum
Girly Bear wakes up and santers downstairs
Vacuum living room floor (pine needles from tree)
Nursed baby girl again and down for nap again
Then Monkey Girl comes downstairs and change her diaper and get her dressed
Baby Girl wakes up fussy, so get wrap on and snuggle her in the wrap and walk outside to calm her down
Walk to neighbors house to visit for a few minutes
Come home and fix breakfast for the girls (grilled cheese sandwhiches this morning)
Lay Baby Girl back in swing
Start dinner and get it simmering on stove
Continue with laundry, sorting, folding, ironing, hanging, ect.

None of this is in complete order. The laundry for instance, is an ongoing thing. Little bit here, little bit there, and then put away. Also, nursing Baby Girl is an on again off again ordeal also. The diapers between the two keep me on the floor a lot too.

Christmas Joy!

I love this time of year. (I like all the seasons for their own reasons, but this is my favorite.) The lights and the smells just make my heart go pitter-patter. Having a fireplace glow with the warmth of the logs burning. Watching the faces of my children in awe as they stand at the tree with the lights and decorations hanging. Cooking the special dishes that comfort the little tummies for time to come. This is the time of the year that is all about comforting and joy. This is why it is my favorite.


Here is one of my Christmas favorites:

Christmas Joy by Susan Branch

Nature is beautiful. There are little surprises if you are willing to look. Don't just keep walking by life. Don't be stuck in that rut. Don't keep to your same routine.

Don't just get out of bed and continue your daily routine. You might pass by something wonderful!

As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, we are drawn to the insides of our home more. Is your home comfy and a welcome respite from the demands of the day? I try to have some holiday scented candles started in the morning to help me get going in my day. I love the smells of apple cinnamon while I'm cleaning. The scent of cinnamon is a natural mood booster. And let's face it girls, there are days when we could use any extra little kick in the rear to get us going!



Around mid-day, once my oldest gets home from school, I will blow out the candles. I will light them again later towards the evening when I hear from my hubby to let me know he's on his way home. I want the house to smell inviting when he walks in after a long, hard day at work. Working in the military services is not the easiest job out there. So I try to keep things calm here at home. But that isn't always the case with a newborn and 3 others running around. Lol.

During the day, I will get as much cleaning as I can get done. I will have the kids dressed in clean clothes. And hopefully have something taken out to thaw for dinner. If it isn't a growth spurt week or just a fussy day for the newborn, then I have time in the mornings to start preparing supper so that in the evenings when it is not so calm, I can get it going one handed. Usually because I'm nursing as I'm cooking. That is why I get the 2 handed jobs like chopping vegetables. Laundry still isn't in the routine yet, but I'm working on it. Weekends seems to be when I can get the folding done. Baby Pumpkin is only 5 weeks old now. So I'm not really stressing about not being able to get my usual routine done in one day. Right now I can get one day's routine done in one week. It's just the sanity cleaning now. What I call "sanity cleaning" is only the stuff that has to be done in order for me to not lose my mind. It's different for every person. My number 1 biggest, is toys all over the living room floor. They have to be picked up. I do not like my living room floor with toys strewn and left there to step on. What is your number 1 cleaning thing that HAS to be done for you?


I love the picture above with the apples being peeled. I try to imagine what that housewife is preparing the apples for. Does she have kids that need a snack? Is she baking a pie? Or she might be preparing a treat for her husband once he comes home from working out in the fields all day. The grapes in the sink are rinsed and draining to be added to the apples for a light snack to go with lunch. What story does this picture say to you?

Just look at this precious face! Oh isn't she just darlin'? This sugar plum of a little baby is most likely our last baby. She is our 4th delivery. So I am trying to just soak up this little pumpkin and enjoy every bit of babyhood that she is going to give us. My little 22 month old decided at about 18 months that she didn't want to be the baby anymore. She was already running around with her older brother and sister. She went from saying about a handful of words to asking us questions and telling us what she wanted. In sentences! Talk about a shocker!

My new obsession is YouTube. I have watched how-to's on bread making, laundry soap making, folding a fitted sheet, among many others. You can find a video on just about everything. Did you notice that I said "just about"? That's because I found what You Tubers haven't made a video of! You Tubers is what everyone is called that watches the videos to making the videos. And since there wasn't a video on You Tube for what I was looking for, I made one myself. And what is this video of that I made? It is a video of my Homemaking Binder.

Let me tell you why I made a video of my Homemaking Binder. I am going to update mine. I haven't updated it in 2 years. While most of the routines are the same, a lot of it isn't. I've had 2 more babies since then. So my routine is a little tweaked to accomodate them. I wanted some ideas on what to include or maybe even a new and better way to make it. But there was nothing there. So now there is. My very own little piece of the world. Also my very own You Tube video!! Yay! So please, go check it out and tell me what you think!

I'd also like to ask you how do you have your binder made? What do you include in it?

Installing a Husband

Baby is here!!!

She's absolutely adorable too! We are getting use to each other and getting our day routine started. My lovely husband went back to work this week and it's just been the kids, the baby, and I trying to get our own rhythm for our days. Growth spurt for week 3 has kicked in and she nurses seems like as soon as I decide to get up or lay her down in her bouncy seat. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks we will get a routine down and I will be able to lay her down at some point during the day. I'm hoping. But she's so utterly and adorably cute!

I do get to sit down at the computer for a while. And while sitting here, I started perusing the blogs I have saved in my folder of favorites. I came across a new blog and it had the cutest post! The blog is called EKM's Epigrams. Here is the post:

Installing a Husband

Dear Tech Support, Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, and then installed undesirable programs such as NBA 5.0, NFL 3.0 and Golf Clubs 4.1. Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. Please note that I have tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail. What can I do? Signed, Desperate DEAR DESPERATE, First, keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system. Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme.html and try to download Tears 6.2 and do not forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update. If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5. However, remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1. Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Farting and Snoring Loudly Beta. Whatever you do, DO NOT under any circumstances install Mother-In-Law 1.0 (it runs a virus in thebackground that will eventually seize control of all your system resources.) In addition, please do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend 5.0; program.These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0. In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance. We recommend Cooking 3.0 and Hot Lingerie 7.7. Good Luck Babe! Tech Support

Now how cute was that?! I am going to have my husband read that when he gets home. I think he will surely get a kick out of it. Go check out her blog!

I found this on a blog today and it's so goofy it's cute! You try it!

I loved my neighbor because that's how I roll!


Pick the month you were born:
January-------I kicked
February------I loved
March--------I karate chopped
April----------I licked
May----------I jumped on
June----------I smelled
July-----------I did the Macarena With
August--------I had lunch with
September----I danced with
October-------I sang to
November-----I yelled at
December-----I ran over

Pick the date you were born on:
1-------a birdbath
2----- --a monster
3-------a phone
4-------a fork
5-------a snowman
6-------a gangster
7---- ---m y mobile phone
8-------my dog
9-------my best friends' boyfriend
10-------my neighbor
11-------my science teacher
12-------a banana
13-------a fireman
14-------a stuffed animal
15-------a goat
16-------a pickle
17-------your mom
18-------a spoon
19------ - a smurf
20-------a baseball bat
21-------a ninja
22-------Chuck Norris
23-------a noodle
24-------a squirrel
25-------a football player
26-------my sister
27-------my brother
28-------an iPod
29-------a surfer
30-------a homeless guy
31-------a llama

Pick the color of the dress or blouse you are wearing:
White----because I'm cool like that
Black-----because that's how I roll.
Pink-----because I'm NOT crazy.
Red------because the voices told me to.
Blue-----because I'm sexy and I do what I want
Green----because I think I need some serious help.
Purple----because I'm AWESOME!
Gray-----because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.
Yellow---because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars
Orange---because my family thinks I'm stupid anyway.
Brown----because I can.
Other-----because I'm a Ninja!
None------because I can't control myself!

How to Find Happiness in Homemaking
Fascinating Womanhood by Helen Andelin

1. Accept Drudgery. It's true that there are good parts to a job and there are bad parts to a job. I know that for myself, I will need to learn to accept the bad parts along with the good parts. Just like in marriage.
   
2. Don't Become Crowded for Time. I can name a few things that eat up my time. Being online on my computer is my number 1 time eater. I wouldn't call it wasting, but it does eat up time that I could be spending cleaning or outside playing with my kids. Take a moment and think about what is eating your time. Is it a club that you are a part of? What about phone calls, Facebook, or even the TV or sewing?
   
3. Go the Second Mile. Going the second mile, or beyond the call of duty, lifts the burden from work and makes it easy and enjoyable. Women who give just enough to get by never enjoy homemaking.
   

What can you do to make your time being a homemaker better?

I promised a continuing post for Monday and here it is Thursday with no such post. I'm sorry. I will post it soon.

Taking it easy today. I can't do too much around the house or outside of the house. If I do, then my sciatic nerve starts to really hurt and then I'm down for most of the day if not a couple of days. So it really limits me on housecleaning. I have to get use to seeing toys and dirty clothes on the floor. My abilities are limited to what and how much I can do in one day. I'm learning how to get things done. I enlist the help of my 7 year old a lot more. Plus, I'm trying to get all the baby things out and put away before it's time to get ready for homecoming, birthdays, and the holidays! I'm learning though. There is a small window of opportunity for me in the mornings after Ryan has been dropped off at school. So I get as much done during this time as possible. Being pregnant, this is when my energy level is the highest.

I'd love to hear how you got through your days when you were pregnant!

Saturday

What's on your agenda for today?

I have a Skin Care Class for my friend/neighbor today. We are having it at my house instead of hers. Which is fine with me. I love getting the girls together. And I absolutely love love love makeup!

After being sick for 2 weeks with a really horrific sinus infection, I haven't cleaned up around the house much. I had a cleaning lady coming by yesterday to clean my house since I was sick, but she was a "no-show". It really bothers me when someone says they are going to be here and they don't call or text letting me know they aren't coming. Especially after confirming that they are coming!

So now I am enlisting the kids to help me get it together in time for "Girl Time"! We have the kitchen to get sparkling, the living room to be straightened up and vacuumed, the bathroom a good scrub down and the entryway floor and the kitchen/dining room floors vacuumed and mopped. I use an attachment to vacuum those floors since they are on both sides of my living room floor. That way I'm using my vacuum at the same time and then I'm done with the vacuum.

Lots to do and not that much time to get it done! I will talk to y'all tomorrow! I go to church on Saturday nights so we have all day Sunday to relax and rest. Just like the good Lord wanted.


Edited to add: God has blessed me today! I called a friend of mine down the street to watch my kids for me so I could get down and dirty cleaning my house for this class this afternoon. She said of course. When she came by, she instead came inside and helped me clean! I got so much done in the short amount of time that she was here. While she was tackling the dishes that accumulated over the week, I was vacuuming and mopping the floors. Wow does all that make a difference! Now my sciatic nerve is pinched and I can't walk, but the floors look so good for company. And since I will not be actually doing the class, my director is for me, then I don't need to stand. I can sit and watch and take notes. Yay!

My daily life is in a rut.

I wanted to share a little something I read last night with all of you. Here is the excerpt.

"The Domestic Goddess serves faithfully as the understanding wife, the devoted mother, and the successful homemaker. She is skilled in the feminine arts of cooking, sewing, cleaning, organizing, managing a household, caring for children, handling money wisely, and interior decorating. Not only does she do these jobs, she does them well, going beyond the call of duty, doing more than required.
She is a good manager of time and values. She is not necessarily the most perfect housekeeper in town or the best cook or even the most mother. But, she does succeed in her overall responsibility in the home, dividing her time and devotion between husband, children, and homemaking, putting the emphasis where it counts the most--at the moment. Of course. she may be the best housekeeper in town or the best cook. It all depends on her situation. But she is not a Domestic Goddess if she spends most of her time cleaning, while neglecting her family, or hours playing with her children, while neglecting her housework. She balances her time to meet the needs." -Fascinating Womanhood by Helen Andelin

Now it's the last two sentences that get my attention. I haven't read that part before. Most things are telling me how to be a good homemaker but never point this out to me. Finally I can see how one should not be a detriment to the other. I am glad that someone has pointed out this very important fact. How can I be a good homemaker if I am neglecting my children all in pursuit of a clean house. But I can't neglect my house and give my children all my attention either. They need to see and learn how to clean and run a house. I was never taught how to run a home. Or how to clean, cook, or even do laundry. I want my son and my daughters to be able to run their own homes. I'd like to continue to add what I've learned.

The Domestic Goddess
1. Does her jobs well, beyond the call of duty.
2. Is a good manager of time and values.
3. Adds feminine touches to her homemaking.
4. Adds warmth to her household.
5. Honors her role in the home.
6. Is happy in her role, fulfilled.





Now Monday, I will add How to Find Happiness in Homemaking. Enjoy your weekend!

Happy Kids, Rainy Day

I so love how the kids can make a box fun. I remember those days when I was young. I didn't have very many opportunities with boxes though. My mother was quick to put the boxes in the trash, outside. I try and give my kids that creative fun and let them play with a box that is pretty big for about a couple days. Or whenever it starts to lose shape, whichever comes first.

I don't remember what cartoon was on at this moment, but the two of them were completely engrossed in it! The baby was taking her nap at this time. Which for her is a rarity, much less a long one that she took. I sure paid for it at night. She didn't fall asleep until way after my own bedtime!
They crack me up with their little hide-a-way! By the way, that pink chair that my son of mine is sitting in is a princess chair!
I couldn't pass up this little yummy treat for my kids (and myself). Thanks to my good friend and neighbor for this idea she did last weekend at her bbq in our driveways. The strawberries are in season right now and Costco had bananas too that looked so yummy! The kids and I ate all of them by the end of the night.


Poor little bumkins are tired by nightfall. Which, for those of you not from southern California, is after 7pm at this time of year. By August it will set after 8:30 sometimes 9pm. It gets really hard putting the kids to bed when the sun is still pretty high and they want to stay outside to continue playing!

We are getting into the groove of not having hubby around so much. It's not fun or nice, but it's coping. We still miss him very much, but we still have to continue on. (Love you Babe!)

Sugar Pie Farmhouse

I have been following this blog for quite a few months now. Even before she got this spiffy new web site to showcase her talents! You have to check it out! She does product reviews of the best southern goodies. Plus, her recipes just make your mouth water. Around the holidays she has the most amazing decor. (Her home is quite the attraction even on other non-holidays.) She has a true passion for helping other stay at home moms do the best they can with the help of God. She has inspired me on many of occasions to spruce up our military housing digs. And of course, how can you deny pie!

My husband serves his country so that people can enjoy their freedoms and liberties that are taken for granted every day. There are 2 wars that our country is helping to fight right now. There is potential for another one with North Korea any day now to add to our already fighting men's worries. What the every day civilian does not realize is that the men and women serving our country do not get to choose to fight this war and not that war. They do not get to choose which country they will help with. They cannot change their minds after completing boot camp once a war has broken out and say "oh wait, I didn't sign up to fight when a war is raging!" It doesn't work that way.
Our men and women leave behind their life for this country. Every single one of them has a family of some sort that they leave behind. Some have a spouse. A spouse with kids. Parents. Grandparents. Friends. The list is endless. And our men and women do not always live in the physical United States. We live all around the globe still serving our country. And our spouses leave us to go on their duties while we are still living in other countries or our own country.
Being a spouse or family member of someone in our military is not easy. It is by far a really hard role to be in. Our military offers support though. So fret not. Those in need just have to reach out for it. It cannot be forced upon someone that does not want anything. Free will is exactly what we serve for.
I write this only to help others that are going through the same thing. To help those understand that do not. To release. There are many things that go on and many levels of dealing with a separation. Some cry. Some hibernate. (I do this.) Some get super busy with crafts, projects, volunteer work, work, activities. I blog.

Please pray for the families of the killed members of the helicopter crash this past Sunday night. So far, according to the news, they still have not found 2 of the 5 members. At this point, they are considered dead, but still trying to locate them for identification. This is a sad time. We, as members of the helicopter community in the Navy, understand that this can happen. There still isn't a reason for the crash that is being "released" yet to the media. Please keep these families in prayer or vigilence. Whichever your religion or beliefs has you do. Thank you.

I officially hate Blogger now. I am trying to copy and paste my post from Word like I always do, and I have a long list of errors. I even switched it all to the font from the drop down menu. Same thing. What a pain!!!

They just opened up a Sonic Drive In near my area!! I have been wanting and wishing for this day for 4 years, since we moved here. We are going here for dinner as soon as my dear, dear, tired, and exhausted hubby gets home. This is my all-time favorite place EVER! I love my husband.

Spring

It is coming here! Yesterday was already in the mid-80's. For me, that's hot. But I should be use to it coming from Texas.

Well, those of you that are still experiencing snow... I have a wonderful spring-y type thing for you! Cynthia over at Cynthia's Cottage Design is having a give-away just in time for spring. So hop on over there and enter.

Wednesday Mahem...

Here is my enormous to-do list for today:

• clean up tornado wrecked kitchen In Progress
• clean downstairs bathroom
• change sheets on our bed Done
• clean out 20 gal fish tank and switch fish from 55 gal to 20 gal, rocks, live plants, and check the filters. In Progress
• clean up back play room
• switch dressers in back play room, turn over baby dresser to make the top a changing station. Rearrange the dressers.
• can peaches and plums, freeze kiwi Gathering Supplies
• ever mounting laundry

And I have no idea how to get all this done today. I watch another baby girl about the same age as my baby girl during the day. So between them and my 3 year old, getting my 6 yr old to school in the morning, making breakfast, getting naps (including myself), then getting lunch, I have an hour or two before picking up my son from school. Then it's a short rest time for the girls and then I have about an hour or two before the mom picks up her girl. By that time it is after 3pm. It's almost time to get dinner going. I wonder where my day goes. Just writing it all down makes sense to me now. I'm quite busy just with the dailies.

How does your day go?

Cupcakes.

Ahh. Yummy. Cupcakes.

In light of the upcoming holiday, St. Valentine's Day, I will be making these scrumptious yummy desserts for my son's class. Of course, I will be making more than needed for his class, seeing how my husband and his friend will be devouring them before they make it out of the door. So my goal is to make about 40 of these yummy things. I'm perusing the internet for the perfect recipe. I will also be filling the insides with a yummy filling also yet to be found. So if you know of that killer recipe, please send to me! I have a bunch of 1st graders that will be forever grateful. Okay. Grateful for the afternoon! Who are we kidding?

ps. My 3 year old still watches Polar Express at least twice a day. Yup. Scratched and all by now.

Whew! What a day I had yesterday. After getting up and getting my day started, I finally looked at myself in the mirror and saw that I was completely covered in a rash. Ugly too. One of my medicines that has been prescribed to me has a probability of a fatal rash. So after viewing my rash and freaking out internally, I calmly called my poor husband and told him he had to come home right away and explained why. Then I proceeded to get all my kids dressed and my oldest off to school with a friend that walks by every morning. Once the kids were all dropped off, we headed to our military ER. They checked me out and said yes, it was from this medicine I am on, and yes, it can be fatal, but the allergic reaction has various degrees of it for everyone. Mine, so far, isn't fatal. So the doctor on call gives me 3 more prescriptions with directions on how to take them and then proceeds to tell me 3 reaction signs to keep a watch out for that signals a more serious tone. Great. Thank goodness I am alright. Other than the crazy itchy rash all over my body from head to legs. I am trying so hard not to itch everywhere knowing that once I do, it's all over and I won't be able to stop until I'm bleeding.

Once we got home, I went straight to bed and slept most of the afternoon. It was great. I still have my rash and it still itches like crazy, but my face isn't so red and I don't feel as hot as I did yesterday. Maybe it will be gone by the weekend. Not that it matters much.

Speaking of weekends. My poor husband has to work again this Saturday. Last Saturday he worked for 13 hours. Gotta love the military. (joke.)

My little toddler-becoming a preschooler, is in total love with Tom Hanks' Polar Express. We watch this movie at least once a day. If we let her, it would be three times in one day. I like the movie and all, but bless her heart, three is too many for me. But here we are this morning with her favorite movie playing. It did give me time to get breakfast ate and done, cleaned up afterwards, and now some free time for myself before I start on my next task. Laundry. So for those of you who have not yet watched this movie... save it for a nice cold winter night close to christmas. Curl up under warm fuzzy blankets with your youngins, and drink a hot cup of cocoa and enjoy the christmas spirit this movie has. It truly is a magical movie!

This past month I have been perusing the blog world. Sometimes I come across a blog that I just can't by without checking for an update. Warm Pie, Happy Home is one of those blogs. RuthAnn is just a sweet heart and opens up her home and shares her recipes with everyone. She's a tradition housewife with a country heart. You should rush right over there and check her out! Not to mention she has my dream kitchen! Right down to the stove.

Today is the day after rain. The sun is shining brightly reflecting off the stucco houses here with the dark looming clouds blowing away in the background. I love it. I've got the windows thrown open. Laundry smells sweeter and I've got one of my candles going. Pumpkin pie from Walmart. It's a nice, crisp day. Even my two cats love it. They are running around the house doing their cat olympics and taunting each other. Between the kids and the cats, there is always something that needs to be picked up. (One just lept over my head from the couch! My hair moved.)

Have a wonderful day today. Enjoy the rest of the week! I may get to post again this week, but we'll see. I'm hoping to get a lot accomplished this week. Maybe a few loaves of bread and a pie if I have enough apples left.

And here it is almost 8pm and my husband is still at work. This is the life of the military. Dinner has been done and the kids are getting rambunctious. These are the nights that I will not miss when he retires from the military. I love my husband and only a strong love can handle being a military wife.

2009 Obama Inauguration

Today is the long awaited day for so many hopeful Americans. I didn't vote for him. I do want to say though, that although I did not vote for this man, he is my President now. I support every single one of my Presidents. It is not an easy office. There is a reason why they are the ones in that office at that time they are in office. He has spoken of many hopes and dreams of many people. I hope that he can follow through on them. I also hope so many blessings and opportunities for the Obama girls.

As the country stands still for the Inauguration speech, the whole world watches.

I can tell you from personal knowledge that even though the new Commander in Chief is being sworn in, his military is not stopping any work to watch. The military never sleeps nor stops functioning. This man is my Commander in Chief. My husband has to go and do what Obama commands him. Let there be wisdom and compassion in each one of Obama's decisions. The weight of the world, literally, is affected by our President's decisions.

Beautiful benediction.

Go to Whitehouse.gov

Can you tell that I love this man?

It's the middle of January and the leaves are falling off the trees around here. It feels and looks like the beginning of fall. The weather is nice still warm, the sun is shining, and the leaves are falling. This does not look like the end of winter/beginning of spring.

I have my first photo booking. A wedding. I'm nervous since it will be my first and a wedding is a big deal. I have 2 weeks to read up on some techniques and angles. I'm loving looking through all the flickr wedding photos. Good inspiration there.

Okay peeps. I'm off the enjoy the rest of today with my family. Have a good weekend!

This is the smile that I adore! Complete and udder All the troubles really do just melt away and become insignificant in the presence of this smile.



When I see these photos of my precious youngest, it reminds me to enjoy the little moments that pass by. The little golden nuggets. Without them we would drown in depression.

Well, I have to go now. My middle and outspoken and determined baby is wanting some cereal.

Happy Birthday my baby!

You are now 1 years old!

My baby is no longer an infant anymore. She's now, on cue, walking. She is so adorable as she carefully takes her steps. Her birthday party was Saturday and we only had our closest friends that live by us come by. She had a great time. She is my light of my world. Her smiles and laughs erase all negativity at that moment in time. Happy Birthday Precious!

There's a lot of catching up I'm doing with the state of my home. I have been working on making this place a home and a refuge from the world outside our door about a couple years now. I wasn't progressing there for about 6 months because of depression while my husband was deployed. I didn't have the right medicine and I didn't have the energy to find a psychiatrist and psychologist at the time either and my family doctor isn't specialized. (I hesitate to state what I deal with for the stigma's that society has placed. I am Bipolar and ADD with, of course, some OCD.) She only prescribes what I've already been told to take when I originally had the military psychologist. So now I'm actually doing much better and can get it going during the day. I've learned some key triggers to help me get started in the mornings so I don't snap back into no energy or motivation.

1. The first thing I do is turn on all the lights as I walk through downstairs. It's still too dark outside to open any curtains.
2. The second thing I do is start my coffee or grab a Cherry Pepsi. This I need to take my medicine. (I take thyroid medicine also and that cannot be taken with food for an hour afterwards.)
3. At this point, my husband and his friend that stay with us is getting ready for work. I make sure they have everything they need. Lunch is grabbed and not left behind. Phones are charged and in hand to take with them. Truck is started and warming outside. Uniforms are good and in hand. Then I stand outside with them and chit chat as they wake up and smoke their morning cigarette. (I do NOT smoke. And never have my entire life!) Then I stand out and say by as they leave.
   
4. The next thing which is very important to me- turn on the TV to the music station. Not the regular cable mtv, or vh1, or cmt. The other ones in the 900's. During the week its country. Fridays and sometimes Thursday its rock. (My poor hubby does not like country, a.t. a.l.l., and he married this little Texan girl!) So I wait until he's gone before I subject him to that cruelty. (LOL)
5. At this point my day can go one of two ways. Really good or just okay. Really good is when I go straight to the kitchen and start cleaning. I start my morning list in the kitchen. Then start laundry. (Trying to get into the habit of a little laundry every day. We are sooo behind.)
6. By 6:30am my day can be going really well still if my baby is still asleep. If she wakes up early at this time, then my day has drastically been delayed and I really cannot seem to catch up and then I get discouraged and aggravated by the fact that I'm discouraged and defeated and my day is now pretty much over cleaning wise. I will try to do a couple more things when she naps. Or if she is content playing on the floor without me, then my day is restored. (Yes, I know I should not get discouraged and aggravated, but I haven't been able to tackle that part of me yet.)
   

I can normally finish my cleaning by 10 or 11am. It takes that long because I do morning wake ups for 3 kids, breakfast, bottles, diapers, and cartoon. I get the kids going with their morning routines they like. Now remember, my son's school still hasn't started back after Winter Break yet. Not until next week. So this is his last week of vacation and it's going to be a whopping 88 degrees today! It's going to be a pool day today. (In the middle of January! Gotta love southern California.)

Well, I'm off to get started. Have a good today!

Well, well, well. Lack of motivation now for months. When does it end?!

I've got to snap out of it and get it together. My to-do list if really long. And my creative spark is sparking. But I can't do anything with a mess around. Weird I know.

I'm sitting here and while blogging, I'm watching Giada on the Food Network. She shoot a Corn Cannon!! She has a target on the back of a tanker type truck. Oh! I so had to hit the DVR record button so I can show my Huney when he gets home from work. You talk about a project for him and his friend to try and make.

I will post more often. Promise.