10 Smile Tuesday

Let me just start off by saying what a hard time I've been having lately. The peanut is just really testing me to see how far she can get and their have been many late nights lifting my hands to God asking for strength and wisdom. I've been reading Sheperding a Child's Heart again, trying to glean everything I can from the experience of other's who have gone before.

So, I thought I might have a hard time coming up with all the smiles, but then, yesterday happened and I think I might have one or two from that...

1. A surprise! So yesterday morning, 9am to be exact, my doorbell is ringing. I'm in a little nightgown, big belly, no bra...not pretty...so I throw some clothes on and go to the insistent door ringer. There at my door is my MOPS steering team, with a video camera, tiara and a bunch of smiles to sweep me away for a day of pampering and a makeover. They had my husband and my close friend, Carrie, in on it too. Carrie took the peanut for the day so I would just be able to relax and enjoy.

2. Just as an added laugh, you all know the peanut is potty training so she has been running the house diaperless lately, let me tell you how I told her not to come to the door with me but her pitter patter of little feet followed me and that little stinker is all over those pictures white butt and all. Cracks me up!

3. The first stop on the tour? This adorable salon here in town, to get highlights and lowlights and a cut. Oh, so cute, and so needed. My hair has been looking straggly for so long and this is just what I needed for a pick me up!

4. Next stop? Lunch at O'Charley's with the girls. So nice to hang out and chat about "stuff" without having to chase the peanut throughout the restaraunt. I just got to enjoy my yummy yeast rolls and potato cheese soup in peace, so great!

5. Then? Off to shopping where we picked out some new bras, two outfits and a pair of jeans. Holy cow, that was so great. And the best part was getting something I normally wouldn't because the girls were there to encourage. They are great outfits for church which is so nice since everything I own seems to be perfect for the park at this point!

6. More to come. So, we ran out of time yesterday so I get to look forward on Thursday to makeup, jewlerly and new shoes. Is this totally crazy? If you are wondering why, our speaker this week is going to be talking about beauty and taking care of yourself and so they wanted to do a makeover on someone. Apparently I needed one bad, so, ladies, if you want one too, just look like me! LOL

7. Last days of summer. Sunday was still warm enough out that the peanut and I got to spend some time outside just enjoying the warmth, and, a sundress!

8. Less than 13 weeks left!! Man, time does fly!

9. A box. It's amazing how much fun one little box can make...seriously...it has been entertainment for the last week now. Crazy! We bought a glider for when the baby comes (found a super good deal at Babies R' Us this week!) and that box has been in the living room just creating laughs and giggles all week. Sadly, it is a big box so it has to go this week. :(

10. Decorating. So I am finally getting around to doing the nursery. We had had a pretty cheap crib for the peanut and we just didn't feel so great about using it again, so we've been lookin for a deal on a nice, sturdy, convertible crib we knew we would keep for years to come. We actually found one at a second hand kids store in town on Saturday, only it wasn't second hand, it was brand new! But definitely over $100 savings then if we'd bought it in store. Good stuff! We also bought a pink and green bedding set that is too cute and girly for the nursery. Used, but you'd never guess. $50 for a blanket, 2 sheets, comfortor, lamp, diaper stacker, bookends, mobile, wall hangings and a bumper (which I won't use). Isn't that crazy? So now we just need the dresser and we are set!

11. And one for good measure! On Friday at the MOPS steering committee meeting I must not have been looking so good because I walked in, the coordinator looked at me and said, "Go home, I'll take Lilla for the day...get some sleep!" And she did!! I had an entire day to just sleep and it was fantastic!! What a special and much needed blessing. I am so really appreciative for that!

12. Okay, one more. Friday night I drove out to my sister's for a girl's night in with her MOPS group where we all made bracelets. Mine is brown and gold and seriously pretty. I'm loving it!

What are you smiling about today?

Ten (+3) Smile Tuesday

We have been having some good, and busy days lately. Lots to smile about so here we go....

1. The peanut has been walking around the house bursting out into this song lately so you know I had to capture it on camera for you...adorable!



2. Another trip to the zoo. Yep, this is what happens when you have an annual pass and your child loves the place. We definitely got our money's worth of the zoopass!

3. The peanut's haircut. Not a tear was shed, only giggling was heard by all in the store. It probably didn't hurt that she got to see in her choice, Lightning McQueen and that Spongebob was on the tv, but she did great. And, came out looking pretty cute to boot!


4. Happy birthday to you. Sunday was a birthday party for the peanut's cousin and our goddaughter, Happy Birthday Jasmine, and all day long the peanut just kept singing, "Happy Birthday to yooooouu!!" So cute!

5. Pony rides. Jasmine's birthday party had a real pony at it, no joke! So, the peanut got to ride on a pony, she could not wait and loved it! She couldn't wait to do it again!

6. Bunnies. There was also a petting zoo which contained a real bunny, which the peanut absolutely loved! Such fun to see her cuddle and love him like she was his own!

7. Friday night and friend and her daughter came over for some fun playtime for the girl's. They got in the peanut's "ride" and drove all over the field next to our house. I didn't have my camera but it was so cute to watch them drive around in the peanut's Gator with such joy and amusement!

8. I bought this little cart full of peek a blocks at a garage sale for the new baby but the peanut loves it so much I just let her pull it around the yard and build "towers" with it. Such fun!

9. On Saturday we drove an hour and a half to the nearest IKEA store and got some great stuff for the kids. It took us four hours to get through that store but boy do I love it there!!

10. We also made a trip while we were in the city to this huge Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy store and got some serious deals. For instance, their Gap Maternity pants were $4.99!! I couldn't believe my eyes. Totally worth the drive if you like those brands, which I personally do. I am a Gap girl so it made me happy!

11. While we were at the Gap store I had to go to the bathroom (I mean a pregnant girl has to pee!!) so I took the peanut in with me. She insisted on holding the toilet paper so I asked her what she needed it for, she looked at me and serious as a snake said, "I wip-a your butt." I almost fell over laughing so hard. She is too funny!

12. MOPS. Friday we had our second MOPS group and it is just going so well. We have really tried a different format this year and it seems to be working out so well. I am enjoying getting to know the new moms and being part of such a great team!

13. Apples. We went to the Apple Orchard on Sunday and got some yummy frozen cider shakes, elephant ears and, of course, apples. We didn't pick any since there were so many people there, but we are going back today to actually let the peanut have the experience. I've been making some yummy recipes with them including apple pie and pork and apple skillet. Yummy!

What are you smiling about today?

Check it out!

My real life friend, Amanda, over at Blessings All Mine, is having a giveaway to celebrate her new Etsy shop. Here is some linky love for her, please stop by and enter!

Wordless Wednesday - Cousins

To join in or see more pictures, go to http://www.5minutesformom.com or http://www.wordlesswednesday.com

Oops...10 Smile Tuesday a day late

Ah, a day late and a dollar short, as my grandpa used to say! :) We were super busy yesterday from start to finish though so I thought I might get a little sleep before posting. I'm looking forward to stopping by your blogs and seeing what's going on in your lives lately too!

Here has been what's keeping me on my toes...

1. Making the yummiest chicken pot pies. Ah, I love fall, it makes me want to cook! So, I've made two chicken pot pies in the last week, one for my family and one for another. Yummo! So, so good!

2. Overalls. We have lots of overalls for the peanut for this season and boy does she look way too cute in them. Here are a few of my favorites...


3. Cousins. The peanut has gotten to spend quite a bit of time with her cousins lately and she has been having one good time!

4. Zoo. My sister called me Monday morning for an impromptu trip to the zoo. Of course we said yes as the peanut has a love for animals and for family. It was a perfect fall day and there was basically no one there as it looked like rain all day. Good times!!

5. Daddy knows best. On Sunday I was visiting a friend at the hospital, waiting in the waiting room and trying to keep the peanut busy by playing with her when I suddenly heard a pop in her arm. She kept complaining of wrist pain so I started the check in process at the ER when my husband joined me. He kept saying he thought her elbow had popped out of the socket, as it had twice before. I finally caved and let him try to pop it back in. Sure enough, that's exactly what it was and, after two hours of unnecessary pain, her arm was back to normal in a flash and we saved $50. Yep, he can be right sometimes too! :)

6. Arky, Arky. We had such a busy day on Saturday that Sunday I just got lazy and didn't go to church. I decided to do a Sunday school lesson with the peanut at home though about Noah. We talked all about the ark, the flood and the rainbow. We then sang some songs and colored some pictures of Noah. Two days later I was telling a friend about it and started asking the peanut questions to see if she remembered any of the story. Here is how our conversation went...
Me: Lilla, what did Noah do?
Lilla: Built an ark
Me: Who was on the ark?
Lilla: The animals
Me: What happened after the animals got on board?
Lilla: It rained.
Me: What happened after it rained?
Lilla: A rainbow!!
Who says you can't teach a two year old? Amazing!!

7. Baby bump. I am now at 25 weeks along and my belly is starting to really show that baby underneath it all. It's just so precious to watch it grow and dream about the day she will be in my arms!
8. Getting out. So my husband, who is a stockbroker, was able to make a couple of really good moves in the last week due to the unstableness of the market and we were able to reduce our debt by 40% in one week!! OK, that doesn't include student loans and mortgage, but I am thankful to God to see this huge chunk of weight just gone!!

9. Seasons change. I have so enjoyed the change of weather in the last few days. It's been cooling down and since my favorite thing to wear is a comfortable pair of jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt, I am in heaven right now. Good stuff!

10. Friends. This past week has brought about a lot of opportunities to spend time with friends who have kids the same age as the peanut. What fun it has been for both her and I to have girl time. What's not to love?

What are you smiling about today?

My aching back

So recently I have been telling the peanut I can't pick her up as often because my back has been hurting. Totally true as I have normal backpain and with the added pull from my big ole belly, it's not good to be lifting this extra 25 lb. kiddo. Still, I do, as she is short and needs to be lifted for some things.

Anyway, she has been wanting more and more to do things on her own lately. "I do it by self Mommy", is what I hear all the live long day. Particularly to get out of my car, which sits pretty high, so I still stand nearby.

Well today, I was in a bit of a hurry to get her out and in the house when I began picking her up. She replied, "I do it by self Mommy...your back hurt." Oh, she kills me!! :)

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

My sister in law just sent me this recipe. I am so trying it, so you know I had to share it with you!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons cake flour ( that's plain flour, not self-raising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) a small splash of vanilla
essence
1 coffee mug

Put dry ingredients in mug mix well
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla essence, and mix again.

(you can also do all the above in a bowl and then pour it in your mug)

Microwave for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top
of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT!

10 Smile Tuesday

So, no pictures again. I broke my small camera so I've just not been taking pics lately. I need to get back on the train. We've had a good, and busy week! So here are my favorite of the smiles:

1. MOPS. It started again this week and it was so nice to get to meet the new moms I've been in contact with as the hospitality coordinator and see the returning moms again.

2. Making our first craft. The night before MOPS 4 of us got together to get the first project ready. We made journals for notes on the adventure. They turned out really cute and it was just fun to hang out with the girls and laugh and get to know each other in the process.

3. Family. On Saturday we were garage saleing when I ran into my sister-in-law and brother-in-law so I wound up spending the rest of the day with my sister-in-law. It was nice to have girl time as we left the kids with our husbands, went to a baby expo and then had a late lunch with another friend of hers.

4. Halloween costume. Saturday we also went to the mall to get the peanut's Halloween costume before this particular one was gone. The peanut chose it online and then again in the store, wait until you see the pics of her in it on the day. Tooooo cute!!

5. Tomatoes. I've had a plethora of tomatoes all of a sudden and it has been so fun. I just eat the cherry ones out of the garden and I made tomato sauce for the first time ever. Now it's sitting in my refrigerator just waiting to be used. Yummo!!

6. Old Friends. On Sunday I got together with an old college friend I haven't seen in over a year. Although we are not in the same place in life, it's still in many ways like yesterday. He's very dear to me and I was glad to see him.

7. Double date. I've been getting together with another 3 girls from our MOPS groups recently for playdates with our kids. There are two boys and two girls and they are just all cute together. They were all sitting at this little picnic table together with a boy and a girl on either side and we were all joking about their double dates. Funny!!

8. Carrie. After our playdate today, the other girls left and Carrie and I decided to take our girls down to the horse farm down the street. We started talking and three and a half hours later I finally went home. I just love my friend and I am so thankful for her.

9. Getting Jiggy with it. This baby is a mover and a shaker. I am really starting to see the baby move inside my belly now. It's so precious to just sit and watch my belly move up and down, love, love, love it!!

10. Twinkle, Twinkle. The other day I was singing to the peanut at bedtime when she broke out into Twinkle, Twinkle little star. I had no idea she knew how to sing it and she went through the whole song without missing a beat. It was totally adorable. Gotta love it!

What are you smiling about today?

I let her

While at a labor day party this weekend the kids were running around the yard, being kids and having fun. One of my nieces, pretty close in age to the peanut, was kicking the soccer ball around with another older niece. I could see the peanut chasing them around the yard, wanting to get in on the game too. They seemed oblivious to her as she went from one spot to another trying to be a "part" of it all. Suddenly I noticed her stop and kind of look down as if she just felt excluded and didn't know what to do.

My natural instinct was to get up and say, "Include her too please!!", but I didn't. I sat and sadly watched her try to figure it out on her own. My heart broke as I sympathized with those feelings of hurt and exclusion. I didn't want her to experience any of that, not yet. I let her though.

I let her because I know I cannot protect her forever. I let her because I cannot always jump in and be her Saviour. I let her because I know she is going to have to grow up at sometime and there is going to be a lot of rejection in her life. I let her because there is injustice in our world that she is going to have to face on a daily basis in her life and I want her to know how to. I let her because I love her and want her to become a strong woman who can take care of herself when the time comes. I let her go in one small way.

And then that night, I gave her an extra hug or two and I let her know that she is loved.

10 Smile Tuesday

Yep, I totally know I'm just not doing much of the blogging thing lately. It seems like things are just busy, but not really great blog material kind of days. Just living life, if you know what I mean! However, we have had some great smiles lately, so I will continue my smiley tradition, and share them with you. Sorry for the lack of pictures but I really am trying to be more involved in the moment and less behind the lens lately!

1. My husband has off on Wednesdays, so when we woke up last Wednesday he said, "Hey, do you guys want to go to the Children's Musuem today?" Of course we could not pass that up, so, we went and had a great time! The peanut got to play in the water, the sand, be in a marching band, go down the slides, be a Dino and ride on a carousel. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera (which was not on purpose!) so I didn't get any of those fun pictures. Trust me though, she had a blast!

2. Unexpected surprises. While at the museum, I hear my name called out, turn around only to see one of my very dearest friends, Claudia, whom I never see anymore since becoming a stay at home mom, standing there. She has a 1 year old and brought him there for his first visit, and it just happened to be the day I was there. Thank you Lord for unexpected surprises!!

3. A date. My husband and I had tickets to go to this outdoor symphony for the past couple of weeks and this was the last week to use them, so we decided to go on Thursday night before the weekend rush. My very good friend Carrie was kind enough to offer to take the peanut so Michael and I grabbed a chicken dinner from Kroger and had a lovely picnic while enjoying some fun music and outdoors!

4. Lost and found. While at the symphony, my husband had my cellphone in his pocket and somehow it fell out. We searched forever, in the dark grass after everyone had left, but couldn't find it. Of course it was hard figuring out where we sat after everyone was gone. We prayed God would help us to find it as we didn't want to replace it but it was nowhere and the battery had died. My hubby went back during his lunch hour the next day, praying the whole time, and low and behold, there it was!! Thank you Lord for answering prayers!

5. Sales. On Saturday my father in law gave me a bit of a break while I went to the outlet mall, by myself, which was fabulous. I was able to find some new work shirts and polos for my hubby but my favorite purchases were for next summer. I bought each of my girls matching dresses, and of course cried in the middle of Osh Gosh b'gosh when I realized they were for my "daughters." Unbelievable that this three will be becoming four in just a matter of months!

6. Come out! Last Wednesday I woke up to the peanut standing by the side of my bed pointing at my belly saying, "Baby, come out!!" I couldn't help but crack up!7. My best friend. The peanut has been calling her favorite people her best friend lately. She has also used this as a reason to chase the dog under the bed, as in, "But she's my best friend!!" Well today she hugged my belly and said, "Baby in belly, dat Anna." She then proceeded to put her face up to my belly and say, "You my best friend." I almost cried!!

8. The peanut's favorite question lately is, "What doing?" She also says, "What happened?" (By the way, as I was just writing that she said, "What happened?"!!) Anyway, we were having dinner out the other day and she clear as a bell said, "Daddy, what are you doing?" We were both shocked at the clarity of it when Michael replied, "I'm waiting for dinner." The peanut then replied in an eye rolling kind of way, "I knoooooow." Oh, we laughed so hard.

9. On Sunday my husband's family had a cook out and the guys had a golf tournament. So the girls decided to do a craft and made these adorable shirts for the kids that said, "It's how family is done." and then had all the family members sign it. I hope the peanut treasures it as she gets older!

10. On Sunday we went to my parent's for a labor day picnic. It was so nice to be out by the pool, enjoying the fresh air and family and just having a relaxing time. As a bonus my mom and I went shopping afterward for sales and I got a bunch of stuff for the peanut for next summer (or if she continues on this slow growth trend, the following summer) for way cheap! And it is good quality stuff, you gotta love it!!

What are you smiling about today?