.... to the men who have joined our clan

 This is my brother-in-law, Andy.

He is easy going.

He is funny.

He keeps the party going.

He is a great daddy and uncle.

He puts up with my sister.

He fits into our family and I am so glad he is there for all of these crazy events...

crazy...because our family is crazy (on scale of 1-10...probably an 8).

This is my husband, Ed.

He does the drive.

He makes a mean Bloody Mary for all those in need.

He takes it all in.

He has a beard that seems to be going over well with all.

He puts up with me for a wife.

Best decision I have ever made.

We love them for who they are and what they add to our family.

Tackle it Tuesday - Winter gear organization

I used to participate weekly in these 'tackle it Tuesday' things and then it fell to the wayside...and with all the nesting I have been doing I feel like maybe I should celebrate and share some of the hard work I have been doing.   So I am hoping for the return of Tackle it Tuesday....at least until baby #3 arrives!
As winter has begun here in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, we have had to pull out our winter gear. 

That means more than our fair share of mittens, gloves, hats, boots, and scarves.  The last couple of years I have used a laundry basket system under our coat hooks.  One smaller laundry basket held our shoes and boots and the other laundry basket held other stuff (hats, mittens, gloves, bike helmets, etc).  But when it came time to leave the house and grab mittens I was found hunched over digging and swearing (under my breath of course) about why we can't find matches for any of our gear. 

A friend, Jessie, shared with me something she found on one of her favorite blogs called, Organized Junkie.   Jessie ordered one of these lovely holders and gave it a try and has found some significant satisfaction with this new way to organize all the winter gear.  Looking closer at the Organized Junkie's site I found this post that gives you even more ways to use these hanging holders to organize stuff.  Check this out!

So a couple weeks ago I put this on my Christmas list and then I decided that it wasn't going to be something I wanted for Christmas.  It was something that was going to help our family, and for $13.99 + free shipping,  I could get it on Amazon - NOW!  So I ordered it. 

It arrived a week ago and Henry and I finally filled it this morning.  For now it hangs over our laundry room door.  But Ed is not a big fan of things hanging on the doors so I am going to have him mount it on the wall behind the door.  I know it isn't pretty or cute.  But it is going to rock our world when it is time to leave and the boys have to quickly grab their hat and mittens. 

I am prepared that they aren't going to put things away in the right spot, and I don't want them to when their mittens are wet.  But, when we are about to leave the house and we are searching for mittens and hats - and I am starting to lose it...especially right now bending over and digging through the laundry bin we have used in the past, I can see this solving lots of problems.

I plan to take clothes pins to clip the wet stuff on the outside of the pockets to dry. 

Jessie has found hers to be very useful and successful!  WOO HOO! 
It also allowed me to get rid of one of the bins that sat under the coat hangers so now the winter boots have a place to sit instead of where they are dropped. 

We'll see how this works. In the summer we can put shin guards, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, swim suits, hats, etc.  The possibilities are endless!

What will you tackle today?
This post is linked to 5 Minutes for Mom's Tackle it Tuesday post.

Need help...Elf on a Shelf...

This weekend my mom presented me with this fun package:

Elf on a Shelf

I have heard of it. I have heard many parents rave about it. And I am so excited to give it a try.

 Charley is totally motivated by the idea that Santa is watching, but Henry doesn't seem to get it, and almost boycotts it by giving another whack, saying NO a little louder, refusing to clean up or help just a little more adamantly, and it is driving me nuts.

So tomorrow, December 1st...I plan to have our Elf arrive....but I am wondering how you are supposed to present it? How does it appear in your house? There really isn't a clear direction sheet included and I want to do it right so it is magical and works for the next 25 days. I do know he is supposed to be named and then each morning he is to appear in a new place to watch over the boys. 

Like my sister said, this time of the year the boys might drive me a little nutty every day with the anticipation of all the Christmas excitement.

So do share! Either comment or email me your Elf on a Shelf advice...good or bad.

This time of year it is worth the drive...

I have put blogging aside for a few too many days to relish the family. I am disappointed that I didn't do a Thanks post of some sort. I haven't pulled out my camera much...and life just keeps getting busier, even though I swore that we would commit less and savor more.

Our Thanksgiving travels provided numerous moments where I caught my breath and realized how much I have to be grateful for. Family, friends, family, health, children, health, family, and the experiences that we are able to have because we make the effort.

This time of year always gets busy with travel. I grew up getting to see everyone.... great aunts, cousins, grandparents, friends...and our family Christmas moved to any day that worked for our family. We still had the lazy day in our PJ's, opening presents leisurely, playing with our new toys and gadgets, and enjoying the holiday cozy and together. But sometimes it didn't fall on the actual holiday. Mom wrote a letter to Santa and explained where we would be and when we wanted Santa to visit.

So this year for Thanksgiving we were so blessed to be able to spend a Thanksgiving day with Ed's family and another with my family. Both are so special to all of us that I can't imagine not being at both. It does mean we spend a lot of time in the car. But sitting back and watching Charley totally in heaven playing with is second cousins, devouring a sampling of the many desserts at Aunt Katy's, slipping in to see my Grandpa spur of the moment, playing games with my family until the wee hours of the night, watching Ed nap in the middle of it all after he makes everyone a spectacular bloody mary, and listening to the pitter patter of three little boys run laps at my mom and dads - these moments are all worth the time spent driving.

This year the boys didn't need to watch any movies during our 14 hours in the car. Amazing. And don't ask what they did because I really have no idea how it happened.

We are home now and we are getting back into the routine, which always takes a few days. Everyone is moving a little slower and crabby from all the routines that got thrown off.

But again, this time of year, more than any time of the year is when I like to see family. And being pregnant this year throws a twist in things. The 14 hours at 32 weeks went okay, but man did I have some aches and pains...it makes me fear the travel coming up around 36 weeks. We'll just have to wait and see what the doc says.

But it was good. The turkey. The green bean casseroles. The sweet potatoes. The pie. The cards. The reconnecting and catching up. The moments of quiet and the moments of chaos.

Thanksgiving was good.

And now as I get back into a groove...I will resume a more regular blog routine. Lots to share. Advice needed. Life to reflect on. And thanks to be given.

But for now...grilled cheese to make, soup to heat up, and my feet will be tapping...I threw three songs that are pretty rowdy on my blog playlist...if you need a little pump up cleaning music...give it a try.

Wednesday's Wonderings....

I can neither confirm nor deny that this afternoon I threatened to never take the boys to another movie in the theaters if they didn't give The Princess and the Frog a try here at our house. 

And during this movie, I can neither confirm nor deny that I sat down, put my feet up, and was sleeping within 5 minutes. 

I can neither confirm nor deny that the snow is now coming down by the foot. 

And during this snowfall, to get rid of the whining that was surrounding me, I  can neither confirm nor deny that I threw the boys outside for a little bit of fresh air. 

I can neither confirm nor deny that earlier today I asked my husband to pick up the rolls that we are in charge of bringing to Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.  Adding that to my things to do list would have put us arriving home for lunch at 1 and that was unthinkable to the three of us.

I can neither confirm nor deny that I whipped through a  drive thru to grab us each something off a dollar menu for lunch.  And now I am too embarrassed to ask Ed to bring something home for dinner, because I hate cooking the night before we head out of town. 

I can neither confirm nor deny that I drag my boys to the salon to get my brows waxed.  And they are completely entertained sucking on a dum dum pop and watching me be tortured. 

I can neither confirm or deny that I bought a small box of Marshall Field's mint chocolates for someone for Christmas.  But, letting them sit out for over a week, in a visible place...was too tempting and they are now gone.  Nope, can't confirm or deny that. 

I can neither confirm nor deny that I can almost eat an entire Tombstone pizza during this pregnancy and I prefer it to homemade or take out pizza. 

I can neither confirm nor deny that a pull up diaper went through our washing machine.  Although, the irritation that immediately emerged in my mood might confirm this occurrence.

I can neither confirm or deny that I just shouted outside to my 2 and 6 year old to start shovelling.

I can confirm that I was inspired to write this post after reading Pioneer Woman's post today. 

What can you neither confirm nor deny?

Mistakes for Tuesday...

Ed had all his hunting clothes piled by the laundry room...so what would any normal woman do...Yep, I washed them because looking at a pile of blaze orange is not my favorite decoration. So tonight, when he got home he asked me with wide eyes...

"Did you wash my hunting clothes?" - him
"Yes." - me
"With soap?" - him
"um, yeah, that's how I wash clothes." - me
"Noooo...you don't wash hunting gear with soap." -him
"Oh, why? They turned out nice." -me
"because then they smell like soap and I will never get a deer." - him
"Oh, sorry. I didn't think they smelled great when they came out so I almost washed them again. I don't think you have to worry." - me

Oops! But maybe next time he shouldn't pile them in the laundry room with jeans, flannel shirts, and socks...but, I do know now...at least for the moment.


Second, I posted my last Grace without spell checking and got distracted right after hitting publish. So I apologize for all the spelling errors. I think I fixed them now.

On a positive note...I made a last minute dinner recipe tonight and everyone loved it. It included spinach, noodles, cheese, and red sauce. I will post it soon. Ed and I watched our picky eater Henry eat it with no problem and we were happy.

Grace in Small Things...

1.  Filling the drawers in the baby nursery with Dreft smelling little cozy things.  Nothing beats that smell...well besides the baby smell  combined with it.

2.  Gaining control of the boys behavior by separating them for a good 20 minutes...sorry Raina that you had to listen to me raise my voice. 

3.  Fresh air - we walked to school today and even though it was below 20 degrees...the sun and fresh air were refreshing after a cooped up weekend.

4.  New rolls of wrapping paper that inspire the season to wrap and give and bring smiles to people's faces.

5.  A friend found out she is having a boy today!  Crazy that she knows and we don't.  So excited for them.  And so crazy that she has two girls and now a boy...so it is possible.  I say that because the idea of this little "thumper" or "soccer player"  or "heavy metal head banger" being a girl makes me shake my head because it just isn't possible...although today I can consider that possibility a little more. 

Grace in Small Things

1. Henry was finally convinced to wear Charley's old Hannah Anderson slippers. Darn cute...sorry no picture.  Here is a link to similar slippers...his are orange and black tiger striped.

2. All the cleaning and reorganizing was so fun to come down to this morning...if only I had unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher...then it would have been REALLY fun. But finding grace in what we did get done yesterday, and it was a lot.

3. Boys sleeping good despite runny noses, pneumonia symptoms, and bathroom runs.

4. Ed returns today from his hunting weekend. Drive safe my man- the roads could be slippery today. We have travel coming up this next month, that we are hoping can go smoothly with all the possible weather, health, and pregnancy challenges - but we will be together as a family of 4 for only 8 or 9 more weeks!

5. A late day Target run in PJs to get a new humidifier for the boys room really tested my patience - and I probably came off as a lousy mom to many of the people that passed us in the aisles....but this morning we don't need anything and can cozy in for another day of recuperation...

I will get my camera going again today.  Maybe I can add a picture of those darn cute tiger slippers on the busy feet of the my still 2 year old.

Oh, and in a recent post I said that Ed was smug about the name Anna...not because we picked that name but because there were others thinking the same as him.  We have not picked names and we won't share until baby is born!  Got to keep the anticipation strong! 

Unexpectedly, life is good this Saturday morning...

Why is it that when your children/or child is sick sometimes, just sometimes, life just is calmer and more peaceful. Maybe it is because your expectations for the day are more relaxed. Maybe it is because you expect the puke path, crabby kids, runny noses, etc. and can be surprised by the lack of kid energy, the burst of mama patience, and the fact that you have no desire to go anywhere.  Which impacts the day in such a way that LIFE can STILL be good when little ones are under the weather.

Charley's doc appointment yesterday was memorable. Nothing in his stomach plus an unexpected 103 temp had him hurling Tylenol all over the doctor's floor. Yes, first time for the public doctor's office vomit episode. Luckily, it was Tylenol, half a pear, and a half of yogurt so the damage was minimal. The doc diagnosed him with pneumonia, a first in our household. My pregnancy brain went into overdrive and I couldn't keep the things she was saying straight and had her write things down. Because the Tylenol didn't stay put she opted to make my world easier and give him a shot of his first two doses of the augmenton (probably spelled wrong).

We made it through Target to get some much needed items and then headed home for cozy cartoons, cuddling, and hopefully a good night rest. He slept well last night. His fever stayed lowish and there was unexpectedly very little coughing. This morning he woke up and ate breakfast and played. We tried his first dose of the meds, the thing I have been fearing due to horror stories from friends and family, and all is good. I gave him only half the dose and then waited a half hour and finished it up. I think that was a good plan.

So this morning while they played and are now relaxing and watching a movie I got some much needed nesting done. I am cleaning out kitchen cupboards and tossing all the tops and bottoms of containers that don't match. I have found random crap that isn't even used or needed. And man, it feels great. I reorganized the cupboards and pantry to make it easier to access things I use regularly. I wiped out drawers and washed pot holders and holiday towels.

When there are 9 weeks left, before chaos ensues and someone who generously volunteers to be our person/people that are willing to let us call them in the middle of the night, in sheer panic, as baby number three begins it's voyage here...you realize that the house needs to be ready for that person to come and be here. And when I arrive home from the hospital I don't want to think about cleaning. I want to enjoy the curled up cuddle moments, while balancing giving my boys some much needed attention and getting a little rest myself. So the nesting has begun and it must get done while I can still crouch down and bounce back up with relative ease.

So this Saturday that could have been the worst Saturday, has so far been very peaceful, productive, and pleasing. I hope you are warm and enjoying it, however you choose to. Christmas shopping, Thanksgiving hostess cleaning and prepping, visiting friends or family, celebrating your son's 6 years of life, sitting up in the quiet of a tree stand contemplating baby names while waiting for the "Big One" to appear...Enjoy, breathe deep, and as long as you aren't cleaning up a puke path be oh so thankful that life is good.

Life. Is. Good.

Friday MORNING Thoughts and a winner!

Winner of the Novica $30 online gift card is comment number 19:
 
Anonymous said...

I really like the men's leather bracelets. I think I'd get one for Cory.
Kim K.
November 13, 2010 1:52 PM

Please email me at fortheloveofnaps@gmail.com if you haven't heard from me yet.  I have the code you can use TONIGHT while you sit sipping a glass of wine, with cozy slippers on, and online shopping. 

1.  I was supposed to start volunteering in Charley's classroom, helping with Guided reading groups, and I even had someone set up to watch Henry...but Charley was up all night coughing.  Taking him in to the doc - mainly because I don't want Saturday to come and have us sitting for hours in the germy urgent care.  It will be a day filled with too much screen time.  But it has been a wonderful week and they have watched very little TV.  So I will aim to keep them content and calm.

2.  I am determined to finish going through our baby clothes bins, washing the needed items, and folding them neatly into the drawers.  They should at least start out fresh and folded, right?  Number three deserves that.

3.  Baby has been kicking so hard and so much lately that it is actually keeping me awake at night and causing me anxiety.  I am thinking it is just a busy time in there.  But I still wonder if the vanilla latte did that...and I can't keep myself from worrying that it is struggling when it does that. 

4.  I have organized some of my thoughts on play with my boys.  The last couple of afternoons I have set aside time to be non distracted with them.  We have played games, done crafts, read books, wrote letters - and that little bit of time where I give them my full attention has been so good for my soul and their evening moods. 

5.  Tea is kind of good.  I am liking it.  Time for a cup.

6.  I have loved hearing all your baby name thoughts.  Ed is looking really smug since many of you mentioned the name Anna...and he really likes that name. 

7.  Anyone out there watch Private Practice?  I do and I am verging on not allowing myself to watch it anymore.  The topics they cover are often very tough ones to think about.  They do an amazing job of making you sympathize with both sides of such controversial issues.  I like seeing issues from both sides of the experience.

8.   Well it is 8:01am and it is time for that glass of tea, a phone call to the doctor's office (hope those receptionists are in a good mood, I HATE calling and getting a crabby one!), and the boys are asking for oatmeal...which is a good sign that they are hungry. 

More later!

Grace in Small Things

1. Fun play dates that include little Henry and lots and lots of giggling!

2. Friend chats in the middle of the afternoon - I remember my mom pacing the kitchen with that long telephone cord stretched as she stirred the pot and chatted with...whoever! I appreciate the middle of the afternoon friends that call to just catch up.

3. Dropping Charley off in the morning, I am brave and am not afraid of the carpool lane. I shout, "LOVE YOU CHARLEY! HAVE A GREAT DAY!" He yells back "Love you too!" and then huffs his way up to the building with his all too huge backpack! Brought tears to my eyes today - I have a child old enough for everyday school. Wow!

4. Friends that offer to watch Hank so I can ease my stress and get some volunteer hours in before baby is born. Nothing like leaving your expiring teaching license renewal to the last minute. In the next two- four months I will be having a baby, living on little sleep, squeezing in some volunteer hours, and taking two classes! WOO HOO! At some point I will be able to indulge in a glass of wine!

5. Our afternoons have been flowing with outside snow play, a holiday cartoon from Netflix, a craft, Thank you letter writing, and free play. The library has been on our list of places to go but it just never happens....and that is okay.

Links I Love with some rambling thoughts...a little early

I am posting this early because I have had a moment this afternoon during a very BOYISH play date.  They have been talking Star Wars, Lego's, battles, and  Lord of the Rings (which has my jaw hanging open because with NO exposure Charley is keeping this conversation going for over an hour).  How do boys sit and discuss "the plan" for hours with very little knowledge...I guess it is just their way of preparing for the years of bull shi*ting over a beer. 

My friend Sarah sent me the link to this coupon clipping lady's post on Starbucks!  They are offering some yummy free drinks these next couple weeks!  Who doesn't like a yummy warm beverage while sitting in the carpool lane, showing up on a bitter cold morning at work, or popping over to a friends house for a play date.  Or just imagine...escaping the throws of mommy life to wander the mall at a leisurely pace, taking in the holiday shuffle, without any little helpers who are begging for a snack or needing you to yank them from a store in tears because they REALLY HAVE TO HAVE a certain toy.  Instead, you balance a White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha in one hand while slipping a scarf that is 40% off in the cart for yourself - because....tis the season to indulge...at least that is what my Grandma Dort would say.

____________________________

This time of year can get so overwhelming with the amount of commitments and fun stuff going on.

Holiday parades, program and pageants, Christmas cookie baking, shopping, wrapping, and decorating,  spur of the moment holiday happy hours after work, cookie exchanges, work dinner parties, the normal day to day responsibilities slowed down by bitterly cold temperatures or falling snow, and the list goes on.

Once again Clover Lane posts some wisdom that makes me feel better about all the things I have said no to, yes to, or am contemplating my RSVP.  It is so important to enjoy this time of year with friends and family - but I think sometimes it is so easy to get wrapped up in the other people's desires that you lose focus of what works and is do-able for your family.  And I am determined to sit with a cup of cocoa, with the Christmas lights sparkling, feeling this baby kick, while listening to my boys putter with whatever...a little more this season. 

Here is just a bit from Clover Lane's recent post:

"Here's what I want to tell my younger self, and all of you who may be experiencing the same struggles I did:



1. Whether you have one child, or two, or five, remember that their are times and seasons of your life, where you are "allowed" to step back and just survive day to day without adding more to your plate.


2. Be confident in having the knowledge that only you and you alone can decide when your family can handle any extra commitments.


3. Learn to say no without guilt. Offer to do what you can do easily...that means with no stress.


4. Don't compare yourself with others. What one person seems to handle with ease (notice the "seems" part), is maybe not what you can handle. We all have different talents, and we all have different stresses and thresholds. We also all have different support systems behind the scenes.


5. Be kind to yourself and in spite of what the world tells us all today, do not underestimate how much work it is to be a mom, just by itself, without all the extra things we feel pressured to do today."

____________________________

 
My friend Jessie recently shared a favorite blog of hers called the Organizing Junkie.  I found this post about Time Management to be slightly inspiring.  I say slightly because let's be honest...we drive home from work, or approach the bewitching hour after being with our kids all day and have this vision of getting all the home stuff  done, eating a healthy dinner with the family, and engaging in some precious time with our little ones.  But moods don't flow smoothly.  There is too much on the list that we get overwhelmed.  By the end of the day we are tired and snappy....I could go on.  And I do, with my sister on a daily basis via email, as we attempt to figure out how we are going to conquer the notorious chaotic evening.  So I say this article is slightly inspiring because I read it nodding my head and saying, yes!  but in reality, I will ponder those thoughts but return to the same old same old momentarily.  Happy Wednesday evening!

____________________________

Tonight your chance to win $30 at Novica.com comes to an end!  Get your name in NOW! 

"I can't know."

My son, my Henry, you are nearing 3 years of age and you delight us with your little big personality.  Your expressions are priceless.  The things you choose to do and say crack us up.  Lately, if we ask you something and you don't know the answer you say:

"I can't know."

I absolutely love it.  And I know one of these days someone is going to correct you in a way that has you realizing that the answer should be "I don't know."  

I love how "I can't know." seems so innocent and honest.  And often it makes more sense...sometimes the questions you are trying to answer could be answered better "I can't know."  because you are only 2.  Something we forget all the time around here.

So this Monday morning....
I answer "I can't know."  to many questions...

Why when we have 100s of Legos to build with, do the boys have to have an all out battle over one teeny tiny yellow piece, steering wheel, or helmet?

Why when little ones disrobe to get dressed do they get a burst of energy that has them flipping and flopping, spinning and sprawling, all over the place.  Making it nearly impossible to get them appropriately covered?

Why when I was on my own all weekend could I pop out of bed at 4am to pick up, clean, and organize...but on a Monday morning when my little boys wake at 6:10 do I drag (yes, rejoicing because they made it past 6 today)?

Why did the first half of my pregnancy seem to waddle  along so slowly...and now that I am literally waddling is the speed picking up and 10 weeks is going to go so fast?

Our neighbor gave us some of his kids' old sleds and a snow board....why is my first instinct to hide that snowboard far far away?  

The other day Charley and Henry were sitting pondering the toy catalogs we have collected in the last week or two.  Charley noticed that a few items were in the Walmart, Target, and Toys R Us books.  So I told him to compare the prices...from there I said, he could cut out the items and we could make a chart showing the items and how they compare in prices...I got super excited.  He looked at me and this time said, "Nah,  I will just look."  Why do I still have these teacher ideas that come out and pump me up so much that I almost sat down to do it myself.  Even with just the Cub and Rainbow ads...great number comparison activity.   Why?  Because you can take the teacher out of the classroom but you can't take the...ya, ya...I will be back...someday!  But when...I can't know. 


Why aren't more readers popping over here and trying to win $30 at Novica.com...hmmm...The 30 can be used on a gift and the shipping involved in the purchase... here is a link to some of the gifts they recommend that are under 30!  The shipping on my necklace was...$3.95...so you can get yourself something and not have to pay a thing! 

Why does the flu shot have to be such a stresser for me.  This year the things that I am worried about is a newborn, kindergarten germs coming home everyday, and the list goes on...Is it the right choice to get it or not get it.  I really can't know.

Happy Monday!
 

Baby Names - let me hear from you!

As I am writing this I want you to know that I love that our world gives us choices. 

To each their own!

But for Ed and I we have chosen to keep the sex of our baby a surprise for all three of our births.  I think this time Ed would have found out if I had any desire.  But I didn't.  The surprise is my favorite part of pregnancy.  It gets me through those last pushes.  It gives me such a thrill to call friends and family to share the news.

I am VERY Obviously pregnant at this point and the most asked question is, "Do you know what you are having?" 

And I sadly have to explain no.  I love the response I get after - I love finding out if others had the personality, desire, patience, etc. to find out or keep it a surprise.  I love knowing what their reasoning was.  Some find out because they just can't stand not knowing.  Some find out so they can be more prepared with their nursery etc.  Other's find out so they can make it more real with their other children.  The list goes on and on. 

I think the main reason most people don't find out is the sheer excitement and anticipation of not knowing.  It is the one surprise in life that NO ONE can ruin for you, after your ultrasound of course.  I think it keeps everyone anticipating the arrival so much more.  I love pondering the idea of a girl one day and a boy the next.  I love being able to dream of boy and girl names...

Which brings us to the big question...

What will we name this third little miracle?

Throw me your ideas, desires, wishes, names you love or hate? 

Ed and I have not had a "serious" discussion about the name yet.  We both throw out name ideas here and there.  I have some definite favorites...but nothing is decided! 

So do share...inspire...

Making it last...

 This morning I woke up in a quiet house to full blown WINTER.

Recently, my sister wrote a blog post about visiting my grandpa with my brother and others. They went with the intention of interviewing him. They asked him all sorts of questions - for which he answered or couldn't answer.  I cried while reading her post because I missed being there.  Granted, if I had been there with my clan things would have been more chaotic.  But the moments of hearing those details must have been amazing.

In her post she wrote:

During a quiet time my brother said to all of us "see, this is why you should write about your life". It totally clicked with me. Even if you don't think you have done anything special or out of the ordinary with your life (no matter how old you are), someone will want to know about it. You may have children, grandchildren or great grandchildren who won't be able to picture the life we now lead in 20-60 years. We may forget the mundane or normal things we do each day that would seem so interesting to our family in years to come. Those details that we will probably forget could paint images of our past for those in our future. Even the little things such as favorite meals, what you would do with an extra $100, what the Holiday's were like and what your cell phone was able to do for you.

When I read this I realized why I blog.  I started out just playing around with the whole blog thing.  And then I shared it with family.  And I realized how quickly and easily I could take a little conversation, an outfit, a moment of my life or my boys life, and I could jot it down to better remember - to make it last. 

I have had friends who have said things about how my boys aren't going to read all of these blogs - and I let that statement sink in, my heart a little heavy, and then I thought about it more and I have a feeling that in the not to far off future my boys are going to love going through my blog and reading about all the little things they have grown up learning, doing, experiencing. 

Not to be a downer, but I also think, if something were to happen to me, I love knowing that they can look back at this blog and read it and hear my voice.  They can hear my struggles, my joys, and my thoughts on motherhood. 

I think of the future and ponder the idea of a daughter-in-law who would find it interesting to know the little details of how their Love grew up.  I know I love hearing and seeing glimpses of where Ed came from.

Blogging for me has become a place where I can find the moment(s) during the day that I want to remember, forget, change, grow from, share, reflect on, and know that in a year or 10 years I can go back and maybe remember a little better. 

 I think I will remember the little things that my boys do and say, or how they say or do something, but there is so much and so many stages.  So I blog so I can remember. 

This post titled Realizing Life said,

The next day I moved through the house with different eyes. I saw the busy hum of what we were about with fleeting but tangible beauty. It won’t last - can’t last - and will be gone before I know it. So I began to make note of things I saw, felt, and cherished. A scrap of paper here, a note on my calendar there, and some plinking away on the keyboard at day’s end. It took some time. But how could I not? Writing it down makes it last.


Blogging helps me feel like it will last. 

 

Links I Love on Friday and a GIVEAWAY!

Head on over to my Review and Giveaway blog to find out about a new giveaway to splurge on something for yourself or check someone off your Christmas shopping list - while supporting an artist from around the world.

Christmas is coming and the stress of what to add to your houses toy collection begins. I am soooo dreading the thought of adding more crap to our house. I do think we are pretty good about buying thoughtful, imaginative toys. Toys that grow with the children, that challenge them, offer a variety of different experiences...I loved her list. Many of them are favorites in our house.


Inspiration - right here!

SMACK! This post made me realize that life is going to change for me in a couple months. And I do think I have the advantage that this is my third and I will be all that more relaxed. But loved being reminded of all of Shell's advice!

UPDATED- COMING SOON to ONE of YOU!

I added a new opportunity at the bottom of this post! 

I was asked to review the online CSN store experience by spending $35.   I decided since it is the season of giving Thanks - as a Thank YOU to the people that read, comment, email, follow, chat, and listen to me and my blog ramblings ...I went shopping for ONE of you.  In the next couple of weeks I will be giving away one of these Baggallini bags.  I got you a BLACK one.   I have a brown one...I received it from my mother in law a few years ago for my birthday and it is still one of my most used purse/carry bags.  It leaves both my arms/hands free for my boys. 

So stay tuned!  Because you might be sporting a black one of these in time to do your last minute holiday shopping...when having two hands free to carry all the shopping bags is vital! 

When the bag arrives I will post the giveaway on my review/giveaway blog and a winner will be selected from one of the comments on that blog post....but I will also include people that comment on one of my upcoming blog posts, maybe this one...to be determined randomly once the giveaway has begun!  So if you have a thought in the next few weeks - make sure to leave a comment!  And if you leave your name or email I can respond back to you.  It makes blogging so much more fun! 

Happy Thursday! 

HOWEVER, TODAY YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO MY REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY BLOG AND ENTER TO WIN $30 towards something at Novica online store. 

Time well spent...

On Wednesday night last week my mom was driven to the airport by her son-in-law, Andy. He dropped her off. She flew just under an hour and was picked up by her other son-in-law, Ed. I poked my head down to say hello but had already gone to bed. But this is what I felt like when I heard her arrive!

  My boys knew Grandma Barb would be here when they woke up on Thursday morning.
Both were very excited.  Lately, when we have had people visit Henry still gravitates towards me helping him put on his shoes, take potty breaks, zip jackets, hold hands, and the list goes on.  But after several days into the visit my mom and him really connected when she took him into our backyard to swing.  And I guess he exclaimed this three times:

It always takes my breath away when a child honestly tells you that he is having a great time, is happy, or is thankful.  And knowing that Henry was happy running around the yard, taking Grandma's hand, and letting her put on his shoes was HUGE.  This coming weekend he will venture north with daddy to visit Grandma Charlie and I have a feeling that all this Grandma time recently should help him enjoy a weekend without mama!  

During my mom's visit we took it easy, stuck around the house, walked Charley to school, ate at a restaurant or two, played games, started Christmas shopping, relaxed, and more.  

My two favorite outings were unexpected because the weather this past week has been insanely incredible for Minnesota.  We had temps in the 60's.  We hit up two of my favorite parks.  We fed fish, muskrats, ducks, and squirrels.  

We walked and talked.

We played hide and seek.
Had ice cream.
Didn't have to wear jackets...

It was a great visit.  And because it was a longer visit there wasn't a pressure to go! go! go!  As the visit was wrapping up it hit me that the next time my mom comes to visit there will be another little person squealing and grunting in the background.  And I will be operating in the state of a fog.  And that time is going to come really fast!  

After we dropped my mom off at the airport we all were a bit sad.  I have always wanted to park near the airport and watch airplanes take off right over our head.  So I pulled off and found a lot behind a building and we got out and watched 5-10 planes take off in a 10 minute span...and even I had to let out a squeal.  WHAT A RUSH!

It was a nice distraction from the knot that grows in my stomach after my family leaves.  Charley knows that I am sad after my mom leaves.  Ed knows that I am usually an emotional wreck.  But even with the emotions that hit that evening - it was such a good visit.  A treat.  And only a couple weeks and we will get a fantastic weekend filled with family and food.  So like many friends told me, I will enjoy having things settle back into somewhat of a regular routine,  and be thankful for such a wonderful visit.  Thanks mom for coming, hanging out with us, going with our flow, putting up with all our moods and demands, and taking time off from your busy life. 

Grace in Small Things

1. Nephew time!

2.  Temperatures that are so incredible it is unbelievable.  Today Henry and I joined one of my friends for lunch and we sat outside on the patio!  November 10!  November 10!

3.  This baby is kicking NON-stop.  Most of the time it is just fun little kicks but once in a while it hurts or jabs just the right spot and has me cringing or running to the bathroom! 

4.  Charley had a 2 hour late start this morning.  And when this happens he either doesn't have school or has a longer day and gets to eat lunch and spend the afternoon at school.  Today was his day to have lunch and afternoon school - he was so pumped and excited. 

5.  It is really dark and just started pouring out!  Love it!  If only I could pour myself a glass of red wine and put my feet up....maybe I will put some OJ in a wine glass and just pretend :)

What's for dinner?.....Chicken Cordon Bleu

I joined our neighborhood MOMS Club when I started staying home with Charley, when I was pregnant with Henry.  And I have gained so many incredible friends, experiences, connections, etc. from joining.  My participation has ebb and flowed.  There have been stages where I was more active and other times when I didn't do much at all.  But that is the wonderful thing about the club...it works for each stage of parenting you are in. 

After I had Henry I was in the overwhelmed stage and the club has a CARING Mom's group that makes meals for people when they are going through something that could make meal making a last priority.  When Henry was born - feeding the family wasn't the first thing on my mind.  Shower, sleep, sanity - those were the things I was focusing on.  Caring Moms supplied our family with a bunch of yummy meals for 2 weeks after baby came.  Delivered hot and ready to eat or cool and ready to pop in the oven.  A blessing! 

I learned from being part of this that when a mom or spouse is struggling with something that makes dinner preparation difficult or at least a second thought - having a friend drop off a meal can be priceless.

My friend Sarah dropped off this meal and I have made it for my meal group and my family on a regular basis since that cold January evening when she popped in, got a peek at baby Henry, and reminded me that MOMS Club was there if I needed anything else.  Blessed.

Chicken Cordon Bleu:

Wrap 6 chicken breasts (I cut them in half) with a slice of Swiss cheese and then a piece of sliced ham.

Place Chicken in a greased 9 x13 pan.

Mix 1/2 cup milk and 1 can of cream of chicken soup. 

Pour over the chicken breasts.

She says to melt 1/4 cup butter, toss with 2-3 cups of croutons.

Sprinkle croutons over chicken soup mixture.  (I skip the butter part and just throw a package of croutons on...usually flavored.)

Bake covered, about an hour at about 350.  Although, depending on the thickness of the chicken etc.  Sometimes it can take longer.  The last few times I have made it I noticed that an hour was more than enough time and my chicken was verging on being over done.  I think because I cut the breasts in half. 

I like to uncover it and broil it if the croutons aren't crisping up.  Only for a few minutes!

This post is linked to What's Cooking Wednesday at Turning the Clock Back.

Works for me Wednesday - Pencil entertainment

When in doubt...

find all the pencils in your house that need to be sharpened.

And put your little man to work...

what boy doesn't enjoy taking a blunt object and making it sharp?!

This post is linked to We Are that Family's Works For Me Wednesday post.

Ed conquers Home Depot with E-bug!

Ed reminded me on Friday that it was Home Depot's Kid Workshop this weekend when Eli was visiting.  I reminded him that Raina said Eli was a busy boy and that he probably wasn't ready to sit still for this (I hadn't seen him since the end of July).  Ed insisted that he could do Eli if we all helped with Henry and Charley.  DEAL!  When we got there Uncle Ed hoisted Eli onto his lap and put a hammer in his hand and away they went.  I have never seen two more serious builders. 

While Ed was being Uncle Ed with Eli...I was supposed to be helping Henry...however, he was doing pretty well on his own.

Aunt Raina took on Charley and they were busy assembling the spice rack.

But when Charley proudly presented his finished product they realized that they had done something wrong.  So Daddy disassembled , Charley reassembled, and the rest of us all giggled.  (Seriously Raina, so funny, and I have had to have Ed take over when I am helping due to the same types of things). 

After all the building we wandered the aisles waiting while Uncle Ed got a few necessities.  My mom and sister wandered off with the three boys and I stood watch at the center of the store nibbling Halloween packets of M & Ms.  When everyone was missing for far too long I wandered deeper into the store and found the three boys sitting and sharing a snack together. 

What a fun outing - and so special to have Eli there to add to the excitement!