Elf yourself

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9556857648

Too funny!

What would you be doing?

Lately I have been thinking, and trying to improve myself and my habits. One of which is cleaning. I struggle with this so much. I can cook anyone under the table...I love it, but cleaning and maintaining a house that's another story. I have been doing some thing faithfully thanks to the help of fly lady such as making sure the sink is empty at night and cleaning the bathroom daily. I still struggle to keep up with little messes though. I was reading someone else's blog and something I read really made sense to me. She asked "What would you be doing if your husband were home watching?" Would I be sitting her on the computer? Cleaning? Playing with the kids? It was a really interesting question and made alot of sense to me. I think alot of times I give myself permission to slack off since Phil is gone alot. I can justify the mess because it's only me and the kids here. Then when I know Phil is coming home I stress out trying to tidy up and make things perfect! What a pain! I am attempting to live by that statement now...."What would you be doing if your hubby were home?" Hopefully it will motivate me to be better and do better since I know I am not up to par in this area. Thinking that he could walk in any minute can be big motivation! Hopefully I can stick to it!

Exhaustion

I don't know what my deal, but for the past 2 days I am EXHAUSTED! I mean can hardly keep my eyes open. I have fallen asleep by 9 o'clock each night and was still tired when I woke up! I hope I am not getting sick. Thanksgiving is a week away and I so don't want to be sick! Last year I had laryngitis for Thanksgiving! It was the first time in my life that I ever had it and it was awful! It hurt more than I expected, and I could not take anything cause I was pregnant with Ethan. I don't know why I just told you all that......but anyway! LOL!

Here is a picture from today. I am not the only one who is tired! Ethan was in his jumperoo eating a Zwieback toast and he passed out! haha! Too cute!

Veterans Day

First of all I want to say thank you to all the military and former military out there. Hopefully most of you are all enjoying a day off because these men and women are willing to defend this great country! As a former Navy wife I know how often these men's sacrifices go unnoticed. We take for granted the freedoms we have because of what these men and women are out there doing! Thank you all!!!

There is no school today because it is Veterans Day. It's cold and dreary out so I think today is just going to be a pj day! Although no matter what the baby always seems to get dressed in clothing other than pajamas since he is quite messy! Speaking of the baby, I can tell he is going through a growth spurt! Just a couple weeks ago he was down to 20 ounces of formula a day along with 5 jars of baby food and whatever "people food" (as Emma calls it) he could manage. This morning however, he ate 2 baby bowls of banana oatmeal, and has already drank20 ounces of formula and it's only 10 o'clock! I am afraid to see what he will be eating when he is a teenager! YIKES! He will eat us out of house and home!

Other than that we are getting excited for Thanksgiving next week! I can't believe it's already here! The past few months have just flown by. I have Christmas gifts to wrap for my nieces and nephews (we see them every Thanksgiving and do gift exchange then). I just ordered my nieces gift last week and I am really hoping it arrives here on time!

Tomorrow is MOPS! YIPEE! Last time they had it the kids were sick and I could not attend. The baby has a runny nose but it's clear so I think we are ok to go tomorrow. I really love my kids, but I SO look forward to that 2 hours alone with other adult women! I never do anything without my kids, even when Phil is here I rarely go out by myself so its a nice treat to get away without the kiddos.

So that's about all that's going on here. We have a busy week this week but that's good because it makes the time fly by!

Snow Day

Today is our first snowfall and Emma is so excited! She woke us all up this morning screeming "It's snowing, can I go outside?" She loves playing in the snow. So I dug out all the snow clothes and out she went! She has been out there for at least an hour now. She is not like me when I was a kid. I would come in every 5 seconds cause i was cold. Emma on the other hand needs to be bribed to come back into the house! Her and all the dogs love snow!

Here are some pics of her outside!

What a blessing!

My husband just called. He is working with his boss today out on the road and he called to say that his boss wants to take our whole family out to dinner! How awesome! I don't have to cook and we get a meal we don't have to pay for! Thank God! What a nice treat for us tonight!

Thankfulness

glitter-graphics.com

As we are approaching the Thanksgiving Holiday I sat back and reflected about all that has gone on in the past year. I have a fantastic husband, wonderful children, and a great home. God has been good to us. 2 years ago I was at an all time low with the miscarriage of my second child. I never thought I would get through that time. It was by far the most difficult thing I have dealt with in my whole entire life. There were many times I didn't know if I could go through one more day. But God is good. He was with me, and comforted me and gave me a promise of a son. I looked back on my journal and I had written about a dream I had about my son (before I was even pregnant). I wrote that this little blonde haired blue eyed little boy, who looked different from Emma was in a jumperoo jumping away in the living room. A very cute, sweet, little boy. I forgot about this until recently when someone very close to me had a tragedy in their lives. It tends to make you reflective of where you were. I read this and I couldn't believe that I had that dream. Here I am 2 years later, and I have my son, and we just happen to have a jumperoo that he loves that was purchased just a few months ago. God fulfilled his promise to me. I am not saying I am psychic or anything, but it seems that God tends to speak to me in my dreams. There have been many times when I have dreamt something and months or years later it comes true. It just amazes me how good God is. How he provides for us, and heals the deepest hurts. I am so thankful for all of my children and glad that I have received healing for my baby in heaven. I am just so happy with life and grateful for every single moment I have. I am glad that bad circumstances can always be turned to good, for God's glory. Though at the time it's hard to see how any good can come from things, but in my life I have seen the worst things come around full circle. We weren't promised a life without pain or hurt, but we were promised that God is with us and in control. He knows what is best for us. He loves us unconditionally and knows what he is doing. And now that I can see the full picture I know all my pain was worth it, and I wouldn't trade any of that because it's made me who I am. And I hope through all of it that God be glorified, because I truly am nothing without Him. I look forward to all the other surprises he has in store for us. And I trust that He knows best and is faithful every time.

Halloween

I loaded these in the wrong order! The first picture is when we were done trick or treating. Emma made out pretty well! She caught on and started asking for something for her little brother as well, so she got DOUBLE what she should have! She'll want to bring a baby with her every year!

Ariel and Sebastian!

Sebastian!

My Little Lobster

Ariel had trouble with that gorgeous hair all night! She's a bit disheveled, it must be hard becoming a real live human!

Ariel and Sebastian before leaving the house.