stolen-love it...

"When you engage in work that taps your talent and fuels your passion–that rises out of a great need in the world that you feel drawn by conscience to meet–therein lies your voice, your calling, your soul’s code."–Stephen Covey

Tis the season...

Politics

I thought this was kind of interesting. Click HERE to find out which candidate you are most aligned with on hot issues for the upcoming election.

PeaceKeepers Cause-Metics

Ok, I just read about this and am loving the idea. I'm not a big make-up wearer, but I think this sounds like a fabulous place to spend my money if I were to do it on make-up.
"PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics is the first cosmetics line to give all of its after-tax distributable profits to women’s health advocacy and urgent human rights issues. PeaceKeeper builds a bridge between extraordinary women in the land-of-plenty with extraordinary women who just by chance of birth don’t have our resources or opportunties."
Click HERE to read more about them...

YEAH!!

Ok, there might be a blizzard coming, but that won't get me down. Today I received my FREE senseo machine in the mail and I am currently savoring a warm, frothy cup of coffee. So exciting!! :)

He truly loves it...

Proof that Brigg cannot get enough of golfing. This is his glovefrom last year...

Sticky mess

yes, that is silly putty. yes, that is my couch cusion. what do i do?

A day to recover

After a long weekend, I'm keeping Brigg home for one more day to recover. Maybe he can help me finish up laundry, pay bills, do dishes, etc today! Oh my...Brigg just looked over at me and said, "Mom I want to homeschool!" Ok, not going to happen. And I'm pretty sure he's thinking that "homeschooling" would involve a lot of SpongeBob and Playstation. He's pretty excited about getting a day at home.

The flu

Well Brigg did not let me down in my predictions. We were up the majority of the night. Not fun. But as of 6:45 tonight, he has not puked since 5 am. He took a SIX hour "nap"...I did not. I couldn't do it. I even laid down at one point, but my mind would not stop spinning with all the other things I should be doing. So I guess I am officially back to my pre-pregnancy self. No naps...EVER. He has eaten some crackers and some toast and drank some water. No more fever. So hopefully it's a quick bug and nobody else gets it! Off to finish Lysol-ing the whole house...

Ugh

I may be the worst mother on the planet. After a battle with Brigg regarding his "stomach ache", we finally got him to bed around 9:00. He woke up barfing his brains out by 10:45. He has now puked several times. It could be a very long night for this mommy...

Perfect day for baking bread...

It is FREEZING out, but it's nice a warm in here from the hot oven. I spent the day making a couple different kinds of bread. Paul walked in from work just as the timer was going off to pull out the last 2 loaves, so he and Lani sat down to eat some. They literally ate the whole loaf. This is a labor of love for me because really, I don't eve like homemade bread. I guess that just means more for Paul and the kids!

Happy Birthday Jody!!

I'm pretty sure there were only 2 things Jody wanted for her birthday...to get her twins home from Africa AND a tribute blog to her and only her. I really couldn't do much about the kids in Africa, but I figured I could give her some blog time here. So I was trying to look through pictures and see what I could come up with in the last year. And I found a few pics of some of Jody's favorite things...
#1...DOGS

#2...Trendy birthday lunches

#3...Gardening

#4...Pedicures

I also had a photo of Jody swimming...which she also loves, but I thought she might kill me if I posted a photo of her in a swimming suit on my blog AND I had a photo of her getting her eyebrows waxed. Hmmm...I decided to leave that one out as well. I found it very humorous that I had so many pics of her doing those things she so deeply "loves"!
Seriously Jody, I hope you know what an amazing friend, wife, mother, daughter and sister you are to so many. You inspire me to be better and I thank God for the friendship I share with you. Happy birthday, friend!!

Phase 3

A few months ago I posted info about breastfeeding mothers and milk donation. Shortly after Ayla was born I filled out an application. That was phase 1. They accepted me and sent me letters to get signed by my doctor and Ayla's doctor. That was phase 2. Apparently we passed that as well. So on to phase 3. They are sending a donor test kit that should be arriving in 3-7 days. In it I will feed a cheek swab so they can do a DNA test to match up with my milk. They will also be sending out at tech to do blood work. As long as that goes through, I should be up at pumping in about 3-4 weeks! So excited about this. I have been giving Ayla bottles every now and then to make sure it's not a big problem and she's been doing great with it. If you are interested in this program, click here to read more about it!

The Guy

Brigg has informed us that there is no school today because "Today is the guy's birthday." He keeps forgetting "The guy's" name. He asked Paul if he had to work today and Paul said yes. Brigg said, "What?!?! But it's the guy's birthday and by the time you get home you will have missed the party!" So maybe after I get this house in order, we'll celebrate that guy!! :) Just wish Paul were home to help us!

Oh Macer...

Macy, we are missing you and all your spunk already!!

Catching Up

There was a special service at church tonight and I went by myself. I left Paul in charge of all 3 kids. This is what I came home to at 7:30...

Crazy kids

There was lots of running, squealing, make-up and princess gear packed into our short visit...

The girls finally crashed hard about 11:00. (Yes, Macy IS buried under all those blankets somewhere!)

Cousin Time

We spent Friday night and Lisa and Tony's. The kids had a blast playing together...almost as much fun as the adults had playing together!

A Lucky Charm

At Christmastime, from the depths of Nana B's closet came a lucky charm...I'm sure intended just for today! It was Paul's old Chargers sweatshirt...and it fits Brigg perfectly!! It's a big day for the Chargers...and Brigg is ready to cheer them on in STYLE! :)

Phoebe

There is a little girl named Phoebe who lives on the other side of the world, but has somehow worked her way into the hearts of a family in Iowa and made us think. Last summer Jody's sister and brother-in-law, Joanna and Taylor, spent 3 weeks in Sierre Leone, Africa, visiting a friend and working with Children of the Nations. Upon their return, they had hundreds of amazing photos to share. One photo/story stuck out to me and I couldn't stop thinking about a 5 year-old little girl named Phoebe. Phoebe has cerebal palsy. She lives in a home that Joanna's friend, Sarah, worked at for a year through Children of the Nations. Phoebe does not talk and rarely interacts with the other children in this school. When I saw a photo taken of her my heart broke. And now, I cannot erase this little girl from my mind. A couple months after Joanna and Taylor's return, they informed Jody that Phoebe was available to be sponsored. That night I got online and signed up! We were sent a packet in the mail and we introduced Brigg and Nalani to Phoebe through her photo and a short introduction that told us about her. Over time she captured their hearts as well. Not a day goes by that we don't pray for Phoebe. I find myself thinking about her and praying that she feels an overwhelming sense of love blanketing her in her small room in Sierre Leone. We send letters monthly and they get read to Phoebe. We tell her she is loved. Funny how we thought we would do a good deed by sponsoring this child and in all reality, she has changed our hearts forever. Everytime we walk by her photo, we send up a prayer for her. Tonight I am thanking our Father for allowing this 5 year-old little girl on the other side of the world to break our hearts...
"Throughout history, an authentic faith has been marked by a compassionate reponse toward those the world tends to forget." (Gary Thomas)

Shopping High

I'm not a big shopper. In fact, I could go without shopping from anywhere other than my living room recliner for the rest of my life. But it seems as though it is a necessary evil. So I heard Penney's was have a huge sale on winter coats. I made a flying trip there and bought 3 winter coats for the kids for next year for $8.99 each!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! That has to be the deal of the century. Plus, I picked up a leather (ok, maybe not REAL leather, but you'd never know!) jacket for Paul for $14.99. I can't stop telling people about this! Maybe I need to get out more often...

I want to cry

If I have to put up with this weather one more day, I think I might just cry.

Personality Test

You Are An ENFP

The Inspirer You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends. You are also unconventional, irreverent, and unimpressed by authority and rules. Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives. You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're quite the storyteller! In love, you are quite the charmer. And you are definitely willing to risk your heart. You often don't follow through with your flirting or professed feelings. And you do break a lot of hearts. At work, you are driven but not a workaholic. You just always seem to enjoy what you do. You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist. How you see yourself: compassionate, unselfish, and understanding When other people don't get you, they see you as: gushy, emotional, and unfocused

What's Your Personality Type?

Experiencing his presence

My prayer for the day is to experience his presence and not get preoccupied with me...

"Our world is saturated with grace, and the lurking presence of God is revealed not only in spirit but in matter-in a deer leaping across a meadow, in the flight of an eagle, in fire and water, in a rainbow after a summer storm, in a gentle doe streaking through a forest, in Beethoven's Ninith Symphony, in a child licking a chocolate ice cream cone, in a woman with windblown hair. God intended for us to discover His loving presence in the world around us....We get so preoccupied with ourselves, the words we speak, the plans and projects we conceive, that we become immune to the glory of creation." (Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel)

Does it ever go away??

Question for all you runners out there....
Does that feeling of "I'd rather give birth than get on this treadmill and run" ever go away? If so, when?

What kind of mixed drink are you??

You Are a Margarita

You aren't just the life of the party, you are the party! You mix a good drink, bust out some great music, and know how to get down.

What Mixed Drink Are You?

Just processing out loud

So I just got our budget all in order and was feeling so very proud of myself. This is such an issue around here with Paul being the primary income. (I do a little paperwork, but nothing to write home about!) So the budget was all in order for the new year and then a couple things came up today and now we are back to re-working it. I feel like throwing in the towel sometimes. I love staying home with these kids and loving on them all day. But I have days when I think it may be better for everyone if I just got a full time job to make ends meet. After so many years of living so tight, you start to have these moments where you think you just want some breathing room. If what looks to be small changes in your budget can make you stress at night, you start to think you need to make some drastic changes. I don't know. Just processing here and I know it will all work out. But for the moment I am just stressed about it. Thank goodness for free therapy...my blog! :)

2 months

Ayla had her 2 month appt today. She is doing great...weighing in at 11 lb 8 oz, she is growing like a weed. She HATED her shots. I have never experienced that with my kids. Brigg and Lani really didn't cry for their shots. Ayla screamed bloody murder. It was so sad! Overall, she did great though. I can't believe it's been 2 months already.

Cinderella

Jody introduced me to this song the other night. I cried. I listened to it again tonight and guess what...I cried again. If this doesn't sound like Lani (and I'm sure one day Ayla), then I don't know what does. Spins and sways to whatever song plays. Oh my heart...


The Lyrics...

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting wearing the weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day and there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

Chorus:
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Verse 2:
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

Chorus:
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Verse 3:
But she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says, "Dad the wedding's still six months away but I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

Chorus:S
o I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She'll be gone.

Either/Or

Sometimes you have to make hard choices around here. It's either clean the house or get dressed and ready for the day. For today, we have a clean house...and Lani, Ayla and I are still in our jammies. Yes, I do realize it's 4:40 pm...

Our party animal

I don't think she really understands that although I love playing with her until 1 am, unlike her, I don't get to sleep until noon the next day!

These didn't show up

For some reason my last 2 pics didn't post. Anyway...
This is a chalkboard/cork board I got for my birthday. I'm thinking I need the person's job that made it. Those are all wine corks. Sounds like a dream job to me!! ( you must remember I am a teacher by trade, hence "Today's number and letter".)

And finally, my Product(Red) items. A nightgown and a handbag. So cute...and very comfy!

Some things I have used today and am LOVING!

This is a Chico Bag. Funny thing, I have been considering getting some for months online. But I still have these canvas shopping bags from King Soopers in Colorado. They are dirty and yucky and ugly, but they still do the job, so I haven't been able to justify spending the money on new ones. So for my birthday, my friend Robin got one for me. I love it! There is a little clip on it to hook it to your purse or whatever and the little bag you stuff it into is sewn to the big shopping bag so you won't lose it. And I think it's about the same size as a regular shopping bag. Hoping my old King Soopers bags rip out soon so I have an excuse to buy some more of these!!

Santa got me this very cute pink travel coffee mug. I think Santa is a hottie!! :) It's also a breast cancer research foundation item. Lately with all the running around I seem to be doing, instead of drinking my coffee from a regular coffee cup, I've been putting it in this so I can grab it and run...plus it keeps my coffee hot longer when I get sidetracked changing diapers! :)

Oooo, if you are in the market for an electric toothbrush, BUY THIS ONE!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It's a Sonic Care. Paul got this one for me for Christmas and it's great. My teeth feel SO CLEAN these days!!

Your turn...