Multi-tasking

Short post but had to record this...

Mike said he brought some water to bed last night, then put the glass on the floor next to it. Next thing he knows, I awake and say, "Don't leave that glass on the floor." Dumfounded by my abilities, he asks, "Why?" Just to see if I really am that talented while half asleep. I answer, "Because you could get cut." I promptly return to Dreamland, never missing a beat.

And I don't remember a thing! :-)

Ha! Take that! I even multi-task in my sleep!

A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That

(the above post title said in the tone of Inspector Clouseau)

Yes, I got a new look! Shabby Blogs has the cutest background choices :)

I got the ambition to change it all up at 11 o'clock at night. Isn't that how it always happens?

Anyway, the new background kind of sums up what I'm really interested in right now...sewing and crafting. I'm not that much a scrapbook/card-making kind of girl anymore (when I was single) as much as I am a homemade blanket or crocheted leg warmers kind of girl *wink* Or at least I'm getting there. So many patterns, so much material, so much yarn out there! Who can resist?

I have to watch out, though. I've learned from the past that I can get easily interested in something and get just as quickly disinterested. Thus, I've been delving in slowly. Making sure, after a few months, that I'm still interested in "whatever it is". Thankfully, I'm still enthralled with sewing, crocheting and cloth diapering as I was months ago.

When I was a girl, I made my first little pot holder. But my little hands and mind couldn't go past that. At the time, I was thoroughly involved in sports...having absolutely NO patience for any of it. I think as an adult there are some areas you mature in, task you develop patience for. Crocheting is one of the many!

My husband find it quite amusing. But his latest query to me is where we are going to put the sewing machine my mother is giving me (so she can buy a new one). I'm at a loss myself where to store it, but one thing for sure, it's coming to live with us!! My mom has graciously offered to service and oil the machine, for which I am grateful.

I'm so excited about buying new furniture. I love a good piece. I used to really like IKEA (okay I still do, don't get me wrong), but you have to admit, their furniture is cheap. ANYWAY, my husband has helped me to see it actually pays in the long run to get a good quality piece. Thus, my addiction to craigslist. And we have just recently acquired a gorgeous, espresso-colored buffet/dresser/tv console sort of piece that I will have to post pics of, if I can find my camera cord. Then, tonight at Costco, we found the exact computer table/side table we have been searching for! It was the last one, too. Score.

Next up, we need to purchase a new printer. Sadly, ours gave up the ghost the other night. We are looking at a laser, either hp or Brother. Anyone have any recommendations? We know the toners are more expensive than ink cartridges, but you don't have to change them nearly as often. Mike likes the printing speed better as well. I would greatly appreciate any input.

We also need a new desktop. Not a very easy task to up and buy one. Truth is, our hearty computer consists of a small, but mighty (!), Dell laptop. It has proved itself faithful and true. It's 5 year-old frame is wearing thin and we need something a little less portable and indestructible. What I really want is an iMac. I know, big dreams. And I almost feel like I need to whisper-type that because I know my husband wants just another Dell, or hp. And I didn't need to notice as I walked in for my chiropractor appointment that the entire office had just revamped their computer system with....iMacs!!! Of course, I asked all kinds of questions.

Then I texted Mike to let him know. :P

No, no. Honestly, I am very easily pleased and would be grateful for anything! I just want it to be better than a laptop!

I need to hit the sack. I should have been in bed, what?, an hour ago!

Cheers to the New Year 2011. 'Tis been a grand one so far!

Just signed up my daughter for ballet. She is THE happiest girl on the planet right now. Spinning and twirling around the house. We just went to Target and bought her a leotard and tights. Then we headed to the consignment store and got her another cute leotard (complete with skirt) and shoes for about 1/3 the price at the regular store. Yep, just checked. She's still twirling :)

Katie has finally decided to be interested in regular food. Pureed doesn't do it for her, I guess! So her diet the past couple days has been rice, banana, corn, and squash. We're headed to the store to buy some more things like avocado, whole milk yogurt, and perhaps some organic teething biscuits. It's also much easier to feed her since I assembled the high chair! We've had this thing before Brilla was born. But we also received one of those chairs that goes in a regular chair, so we used that for Brilla instead. Now we have this snazzy new high chair that I have to clean up, ha! Actually, it's not that hard. It has wheels, too, so I can move it around the best spot by the table. She loves being part of the family at the dinner family. Too cute!

I just received a NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants) letter. I am a certified legal assistant (paralegal) and have been for about 3 years plus. However, in order to maintain my certification, I have to take continuing education courses. I don't mind the courses. They are very fun and pick my brain. Plus, they are online now. But they cost money! And lots of it. About $75 per course. Anyway, the letter was letting me know they are extending my certification for another year (was going to expire 1/31/10). Now I have to decide if I want to keep it! Truth is, we plan to have more children, so I will not be working outside the home (Lord willing) for quite a while. And I have never used my certification. For about 2 years before kids I looked for an open position, but none were available. I'm very much tempted just to let my paralegal status expire. But 'tis sad, seeing all the work I have put into the past (especially in law school) be gone with the wind. Hmm. Any opinions?

I am loving this break week after Christmas. No Bible study. No piano lessons. No big commitments whatsoever! We have been playing with new toys (okay the kids have), crocheting ( I have), watching our new DVDs, making dinner, and just enjoying time together. Wish this could go on forever!

If I don't post sooner, Happy New Year to you and yours! And maybe I'll get a new background and play list for 2011!!

Christmas Over? Not Really!

Christmas is over! I still don't want to take down the Christmas tree, nativity and lights. Let's keep them up for another week!

We had a delightful Christmas. Exhausting, but delightful.

Christmas Eve was at my mother-in-law's. This is the night we all open gifts, so we hauled ours in and placed them with all the others under the tree. We had a scrumptous dinner, complete with prime rib. My mom makes the best. Boy did the kids get it good this Christmas! Brilla had more gifts this year than usual. I went a little crazy. Really, I didn't spend much money, but throughout the year, I kept piling stuff up. So her favorite thing was the dress-up stash. She has been in oddly sized dresses ever since Christmas! Can't get enough of being a princess or a ballerina.

Little Katie received some sweet things too, but her best part was being snuggled and cuddled by her fans all weekend. No alone time whatsoever...a baby's dream! Of course, we are paying for that now. The late nights (getting home at 12:30) didn't help either. This little darling is catching up on a bunch of winks. Tonight she feel sleep in my arms at 8:00 p.m. That never happens!

On Christmas Day, we all gathered at my sister-in-law's home. She had it beautifully decorated.

We stuffed our tummies with my caramel pecan sticky buns, Scotch shortbread and other goodies. We also had the best salmon made by my s-i-l.

The gifts I received this Christmas were perfect. A huge puffy white coat with fur-lined hood from my husband, a new 2011 planner and Hello Kitty pjs from my parents and bros, a new phone (free!) to myself, and a myriad of little things from friends and family.

You know, I actually have more fun giving gifts than receiving them. Sure, I really do enjoy the surprise of the gifts. But I love, love giving exactly the right thing to the right person. This year I really invested some time because because I crocheted many of the gifts...some scrubbies for my mom, soaker for Katie, hat for Brilla, hat & scarf for a girl friend, and an afghan for my grandma-in-law.

The Christmas celebration was delightful. And as I reminisce about the last few days, recovering from the holiday, I think of the phrase "...and man shall live forevermore because of Christmas Day". Praise Jesus!! He came as a human babe, who later died on the cross and rose again, so that we too could have life. And have it abundantly! We will live forever with Him in Heaven! Hallelujah!

So Christmas isn't over...not really!

Full of Thanks and Beyond

It has been so long since I posted last! I have been incredibly bad at writing regularly. I'm going to change that.

We've had a thrilling even happen over here. Brilla trusted Jesus as her Savior the Tuesday before Thanksgiving! We were both in the kitchen, I was washing dishes, and she started telling me different things about Jesus, etc., like she always does. But then it changed. She earnestly was telling me what she believed about Jesus.

"Mama, I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that He died on the cross for my sins and that He came alive again."

"What about your sins Brilla? What about them?"

"Sometimes I ask Jesus to forgive me for my bad sins in bed. Jesus took them away from me on the cross!"

We then delved into a conversation because I wanted to know if she sincerely believed all these truths she was spouting. How do you really know if your 4 yr old is genuinely interested in being saved? Is it just a fun thing to impress Mommy with all this knowledge? All these questions were running through my brain. I didn't want to force my daughter, but I didn't want to bypass a very important moment. As I sent a quick prayer to God about what to do, the Holy Spirit gave me His peace. He led me to pray with Brilla. She confessed her sins to Jesus and asked Him into her life. It was awesome. Then, she excitedly babbled to her infant sister, "Katie, I asked Jesus to forgive me and He gave me a new heart."

As each day passes, I see further evidence that Brilla's belief in Jesus is real and genuine. She keeps asking probing questions about Heaven and hell. And without a doubt knows she's going to Heaven. Yes, she's 4 and has a long road to maturity in the Lord, but don't we all? She will have seasons of her faith. Even to the point of depression and discouraged and immaturity at times. I've even gone through that. I have prayed for my daughter almost every night that she would come to know Jesus at a young age, and she has. I'm thankful, but I know the prayers don't stop here. In fact, they have just begun.

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I can't tell you how good it feels to be back on schedule again. With the snow and holiday giving us a good two weeks off, I have been spoiled with Mike home helping with the girls and chores around the house. He's even started changing cloth diapers! He even cooked green bean casserole! (I know that's the easiest thing in the world to make, but hey, that's a huge step for my husband :)) Needless to say, I was hesitant to get back to real life on Monday. On the contrary, I have loved every bit! I was able to get to the gym, we did school work AND we even cleaned up the house. Monday is always a catch-all day, but I'm thankful for a healthy body to get things done. Did I mention that I was sick for a WHOLE week before Thanksgiving? My fever/migraine/flu lasted from the minute we got home from Disney World to the next Wed/Thurs. I've never had a bug like that before and am very thankful it's gone.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, let the Christmas festivities begin! We are looking forward to our Christmas tree hunt this Saturday, as well as a Christmas party the same weekend. Then we have our company Christmas party the following weekend. Meanwhile, I am crocheting many gifts this year, so my fingers have been flying! I'd like to post some of my work once I'm done. One of my projects I hope to finish soon is an afghan for my grandma-in-law and a soaker (diaper cover) for my daughter.

Toodles!

It's Been Forever!

Did you miss me?

My last post was close to before Amelia's birthday. We had a wonderful day/weekend remembering her. I cannot explain the utter peace and rejoicing in my heart I felt during that time. It was honestly a happy occasion, not coated in sorrow as the last two years.

I received the sweetest card from a close friend letting me know her prayers and thoughts were with me on that day. You can't believe how much that meant! My husband was very sick then, so just the girls and I went to church on Sunday. I was tempted not to go...but you know, it's amazing how God works, because the sermon was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. It was about Heaven and all the amazing things we have to look forward to. Laster, we went to the cemetery with a dozen roses, sang a hymn, and said a prayer. It was beautiful. Once again, we saw Mt. Ranier from her spot, clear as anything. Thank you, Lord, for gorgeous weather.

It's kind of a strange feeling. Like Amelia went to be with Jesus so long ago. It's only been two years. Yet, other times, when I walk down memory lane, the feelings are fresh as if they just happened.

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Today was a sunny, crisp Fall day. I didn't have any students, so a walk seemed perfect. I wrapped K in the Moby, B packed her babies in the wagon and we headed down the street to the playground. If I had been all by myself, I would have taken a lot longer stroll, but I could tell my tired-out daughter wasn't ready for a 2-mile walk. Once we got to the playground, B wasn't the least bit interested in playing....she wanted to study states (the school has a US map on their playground)!! Seriously, my kindergartner, spent 20 min asking me all the states, just soaking in all the different names, where they were, which relatives lived where, and what was popular in each one.

But this is my girl! She is a thinker. I have a feeling she's going to be quite intellectual when she grows up. At home, she never wants to watch TV, only home videos. I'm usually the one who asks if she wants to watch something. And if she does, she lasts about 5 minutes before she has a project in mind. She loves to help. In fact, I had her mopping the floor the other day! She was totally focused. Spent 30 minutes on it, without a peep. And when I cook in the kitchen, she is at my side with a stool. I want to hang on to these moments! Truth is, she's a huge help. Especially with K. Dashing here and there to get me things. She even wants to start changing diapers. I'm giving that one some thought yet :) Her favorite things are to sing to and play with Katie. And she kisses her sister all the time. Seriously. At her bday party, in between each gift, she had to go and kiss Katie. Hilarious! She also loves school. Especially Math. She's rather do Math and Art than Handwriting any day.

I probably sound like the annoying Mom boasting with pride. Believe me, we definitely butt heads, and I mean, we have some major clashes (we're two of a kind -wonder who planned that?!). We are both learning character and that is healthy. But I'm just so thankful for who my daughter is growing to become! And I also love her just because she's mine :)

As for Katie, she's 6 months if you can believe it. She's already starting to sit up long periods all by herself. Her other new thing is holding on to her toes during diaper change time. My heart just melts at her beautiful smile. And my youngest is a chubby one!! I will be sad when she thins out! She has blue eyes (still) and very auburnish hair. I'm still holding out for red! No teeth or sign of crawling yet. Really, I don't mind. We are going to start real food here pretty soon though. Katie, as opposed to Brilla, loves the TV and computer. This girl is glued. She lives in her exersaucer, on her tummy and sitting up on the couch.

Did I ever share that I'm currently addicted to cloth diapering? I am. I don't really know how it happened, but all of a sudden, I watch ebay and craiglist for cute dipes. I now know words like organic bamboo velour, snappiable, and soaker. Most of my extra money goes to cute cloth coverings for my daughter's behind! I know, it's crazy. But true. And very, very cute!!

Next post I will have to delve further into the topic and even post some pics of my stylin' diapers. Woohoo!

Heavy Heart

My heart's heavy tonight. I just found out about a couple splitting up because the husband was having an affair. I'm so sad and my heart aches for their children. How do you tell a child Daddy doesn't love Mommy anymore? Although I know God hates divorce, He never intended it...God hates unfaithfulness and he doesn't intent it either. Life is so broken.

Someday Brilla is going to want some answers on why this happens. While growing up, I underwent the fear of my parents getting divorced. Thank God, however, they have stayed together for 30 years, especially when all odds were against them. Fortunately, my husband's parents, when he was younger, promised and assured he and his siblings that they were not getting a divorce and would always be married. A promise which they have kept to this day. Do you know how reassuring that is to a child growing up in a world full of unbroken promises?

My husband and I have made the same promise to our daughter. By God's grace, not our own strength, we'll stick together through this life's ups and downs.