Sweet Surrender

Save on Prescriptions With Walgreens

2012-01-17T16:00:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

Thousands of Walgreens pharmacy customers are feeling the pinch across the nation right now. Why? Because of failed negotiations between Walgreens and Express Script. After a year of negotiations that ultimately failed, Walgreens will no longer be a part of the Express Scripts pharmacy provider network. During negotiations, Walgreens did not seek a rate increase, in an effort to hold prices flat for their customers. Express Scripts however, made heavy demands, such as wanting to unilaterally define contract terms, such as what does and does not constitute a brand and generic drug. Express Scripts also proposed to slash Walgreens reimbursement rates to levels below the industry average cost to provide each prescription. Even they have acknowledged that excluding Walgreens from their netwrok will not save clients any money. In fact, costs will likely increase, since Walgreens offers competitive pricing and less expensive generic drugs more often that competing pharmacies. They also save by offering 90 day supplies of medications, rather than three 30 day refills. Express Scripts could also offer the 90 day subscription savings to their clients, except that it conflicts with their own 90 day mail order subscription program.

One of Express Scripts clients is Tricare, the health care program serving America's military and their families. In an effort to help these families, Walgreens offered to contract seperately with Express Scripts for the Tricare families and even guaranteed to match or beat the average costs per adjusted prescription of all other pharmacies in the Tricare network. Express Scripts rejected these offers and continues to do so.

This change became effective January 1, 2012. Express Scripts members are now being forced to seek out other pharmacies in order to use their in network prescription benefits. This goes beyond an inconvenience. It is a real disruption to the lives of many customers. If you take any prescription medication regularly, you know what a huge hassle it is to have to switch from a conveniently located pharmacy where the pharmacists are familiar with you and your medications, to a totally new place where you have to deal with strangers. Patients who have come to enjoy Walgreens many locations and convenient drive thrus are now dealing with an enormous hassle, but are seeing no savings for their troubles.

In an effort to help these patients and others struggling with prescription medication cost, Walgreens is offering a special discount on their Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. The $10 annual fee covers you, your spouse, any dependents under the age of 22 and even pets. Individuals can join for just $5 a year. Members receive a discount on prescriptions, and can save on over 8000 brand-name and generic medications. The discount also applies to flu shots, nebulizers, diabetic supplies and even pet prescriptions. Additionally members get bonuses when they purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services.

To find out if you are affected by this change check with your local Walgreens pharmacist. You can also check the back of their prescription insurance card – if it has Express Scripts’ name there, then you may be affected. If it doesn’t say Express Scripts, then you are not affected.

Stay updated on this situation by liking Walgreens on Facebook and you can also follow Walgreens on Twitter. If you routinely need prescription medications, stop by and talk to you local pharmacists about how the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club can benefit you and your family.

Random Musings

2012-01-16T02:06:00.003-05:00

I just renewed my domain name for this blog the other day. I've now had this same blog going since 2008. In about a month it will be my fourth anniversary writing here. As I have grown and changed, this blog has too. It's interesting to go back and read over posts from different times in our lives. There is definitely a great record of our ups and downs here. I get mixed feelings when I read back over it all. In some ways I feel good, because I can see areas in my life where I have really grown and changed, and those changes are evident in how I felt about things before and my perspective now. Other times I read over old posts and I feel sad, because I can see the rapid passing of time and no matter how hard I try I just can't seem to find a place of total peace.

Right now, I am at a good place in many ways. My doll business is doing well, school with the kids is going well, and everyone is healthy and happy. I have some personal goals for myself and the kids for this year and we are already well on our way to achieving them. I have future plans in place, and I've taken positive steps in that direction already as well.

This tangible record of years in our lives has been helpful in many practical ways. I have been able to clearly see many repetitive patterns and cycles in our lives and my own patterns of mood and energy. This has really helped me to keep us on a even keel. I can now recognize things like, "Okay this is just PMS hormones, I'm not really hating life." or "The kids are unruly because the weather is dark and gloomy and they're bored and restless." I guess I was pretty short-sighted before.

On the other side of that, some of the patterns we repeat over and over remind me of bad TV reruns, and I would change the channel in a heartbeat if I had some giant, cosmic clicker. But of course, I don't. So all I can do to make positive changes is to determine the desired end result, and then set small, attainable goals that will ultimately get me where I want to go.

And that's what 2012 is all about for me. Not the end of the world, but the beginning.

Free College Textbooks?

2012-01-06T21:36:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by MatchBook. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you looked at the cost of college textbooks lately? If someone can explain to me why they're so expensive, I'd appreciate it. I'd really like to know. I'd hate to think that some of our young people out there can't afford the books they need for their college courses, but the plain truth is, many can't. That's a sad state of affairs for the most wealthy country in the world, isn't it? One of many, but don't get me started on all that.

Anyway, now there is an alternative. MatchBooks is a project that takes the best (and most expensive) college texts and closely matches them, using the same chapter order, core concepts and key terms, so that students are without the assigned textbook can read FREE online. MatchBooks are written by leading scholars and created using a strenuous editorial process. They're peer reviewed by college professors.

How can it be, you ask? They do this with the help of Flat World Knowledge. Flat World Knowledge just happens to be the world's largest publisher of free and open textbooks. I'm liking them already. You can like them too, just go see Flat World Knowledge on Facebook.

Here's an example of how this all works. Say you're taking Psychology and need the text Psychology 9e by Myers. All you have to do is check out the MatchBook version. It contains the same number of chapters, in the same order, with all the chapter topics the same. Let's take Chapter 6 for example. Myers' is titled "Sensation and Perception". MatchBook's? "Sensing and Perceiving".

Not sure about you, but I can sense and perceive that this project will help out a lot of pysch students! Whether they straight up can't afford the text, or they happen to be without it, they can still complete assignents with the help of MatchBooks.

Vacation!

2012-01-06T02:43:00.003-05:00

Our Christmas vacation is over, and we've had a good first week back in our home school groove. As we've worked on reading, math, health and other subjects I've found myself daydreaming almost constantly of our next vacation, a trip to the little town of Avon, NC in May.

Avon is a little town situated on the lovely and magical Hatteras Island. When I was about Aspen's age, my family vacationed there regularly, and some of my most wonderful childhood memories are from there.

The pic above is the beach house that I'll be sharing with my parents and Ashley, Aspen and Abby for a week this coming May. To say I am excited about it is a complete and total understatement.

I am a beach girl down to my soul. Most of my happiest memories involved being at the beach. I am a different person when I'm near the shore. I've not been to the beach since May of 2006, when my parents remarried. I miss it terribly.

I can't wait to feel the sand under my feet, smell the ocean air and fall asleep at night to the sound of rolling waves!

Christmas Break & Curriculum Planning

2011-12-19T14:24:00.008-05:00

Today is the first official day of our Christmas break here, but there's no break for me. I am busy planning, printing, laminating and organizing for the new semester that starts January 2. I can't believe Aspen is halfway through first grade already. It seems only yesterday I started homeschooling Ashley and daydreamed of a time when Aspen would be old enough to participate. This past semester has been a challenge and I'm looking forward to the break to rest and regroup and go at some things in a different way. After trudging forward wearily for the last few weeks I sat down with Aspen and asked her why she isn't enjoying school. She said it's boring, that we don't do fun things any more. She complained that all we do is work. I wasn't surprised. She's right. When we officially started, Ashley was home with us much of the time. That allowed me much more time and flexibility in lesson planning. Now, with her working full-time and little Abby more active, we're lucky to finish a worksheet in each subject every day. And I have to agree with Aspen. That's boring.

So I'm going back to more games and hands-on activities in the hope that this will jump start her interest and give us back the sense of excitement we had before. For her phonics, I'm using Hooked on Phonics, which is great. I'm going to supplement and reinforce things she's already learned with a game I'm calling "Phonics Safari". I'm putting up words she knows all over the house, and then she has to "hunt" for the ones I specify, like words ending in "at", etc.

I also have some online math games book marked so we can start with a review and then I can see where her weaknesses and strengths are in Math. I'll decide from there what we need to work on next. I'm also going to start doing more in science and social studies. I've only touched on those kinds of topics so far this year since we've been concentrating so heavily on reading and math. Come to think of it, that's probably another reason she's bored. There's not been a lot of variety to what we've done. So, we'll remedy that too.

I'm planning lots of hands on science, which is her favorite subject. We've been watching a lot of Mythbusters, one of her favorite shows, and she's decided she'd like to have a Mythbusters party for her 7th birthday in March, so I'm thinking in between Jan and then we'll try out some of the myths we plan to test at the party, just to make sure we can scale the down to workable (and safe!) party games.

And of course, there's art, and music. She's playing violin, and in spite of her professed desire to play, she's a reluctant student. She complains that her fingertips hurt, but won't play enough to toughen the up. So, I gave her an ultimatum...play daily Monday through Friday, or the rented violin goes back to the music store. I certainly am not keen on paying $30 a month for it to sit unplayed. Today at our favorite home school store I came across one for sale for $70 which is an amazing deal! So I may buy one, and return the rental. That could be a HUGE savings, obviously and then we could relax a bit with it.

Anyway, that's about all for now. If I don't post again before Christmas, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!

Abbyisms, part 3

2011-12-15T17:50:00.000-05:00

It's been my habit over the last few years to keep a record of cute little things that Aspen and Abby have said as their language has developed. We call these uniquely her phrases and statements their "Aspenisms" and "Abbyisms". You can read more about these adorable moments for Aspen here and here. Abby's previous posts are here and here.

I'm well over due for an update on this for Abby. Her language really has blossomed in the last several months and she comes out with adorable stuff daily. A few of our favorites are:

"Diedo" This means Caillou, her favorite preschool show.

"Meow" Her term for cat, and also the name of her favorite stuffed animal, a little black and white cat.

"Ta cha" Gotcha!

"Me Did It"

"Taintu" Thank you

"Me tared" I'm scared, usually of the dark.

"Me high" She wants to swing, or go fast.

"Munny" This usually means bunny, another of her favorite stuffed animals.

"Barburst" Starbursts, her favorite candy.

"Wow" and "Whoa" Expressions she uses with glee or delight when she's surprised and excited.

Her use of the word "me" is slowly giving way to the proper usage of "I". "Me did it" is becoming "I did it." This makes me a little sad in a way, since it's just another sign that the baby is disappearing, and the little girl is replacing her.

Stay tuned for another update soon.

The New LG DoublePlay, check it out!

2011-12-15T16:00:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by LG DoublePlay™. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm still looking for a phone. I don't text that much, or use Facebook or Twitter too often, but when I do I use my laptop. I'd much prefer to be more portable. And, I need a phone for all the usual reasons, mostly for emergency use of convenience when I'm out and about with the little girls.

T-Mobile just came out with a new exclusive phone, the LG DoublePlay™. It's pretty cool, I have to admit. it's the first phone I've seen to have dual customizable screens. You can use them in tandem or separately which allows for easy multi-tasking. A full QWERTY keyboard slides out and there's also the cool new Swype feature.

My favorite feature is the built in 5 megapixel camera and 720p HD video camera built right in. That's higher quality that my first digital camera was, and higher quality than the camcorder I currently use. How hand would it be to have that all right on my phone? I might actually be able to keep up my blog! Snap cute pics/videos of the kids, upload 'em right to Facebook and embed them in a blog post, zip zam zoom. All while the kits scamper and cavort at the local park. Sounds like mommy blogger heaven, doesn't it?

As for keeping in touch with family and friends, and mostly my older kids, there are cool text/group chat features like Cloud Text and Group Text that enable chatting or texting with PCs or tablets and allowing for group chats with people using a variety of devices. I can see it now I'm at the park with the kids and I can text hubby on his phone, the older girls on their laptops or phones and arrange dinner out. How cool is that? I'm getting spoiled to the whole instant gratification thing devices like this offer, I must admits.

I don't use social networks or blog as much as I'd like to because it's just too time consuming to take pics/videos, come home, download them, then upload again, then write a post on my blog and embed them, plus write about it. But I'm thinking this new LG DoublePlay™ might just breathe some new life into my online social life.

How about you? How many hours do you think you spent texting or using social networks like Facebook or Twitter from your phone? Do you think this really cool new LG DoublePlay phone would change the way you use your phone for these activities?

Christmas Ornaments

2011-12-10T10:05:00.001-05:00

Today I wanted to share some more of my favorite Christmas ornaments with you. I started collecting Hallmark ornaments since I was about 16, with the vision of someday having my family's tree filled with them. After 22 years of buying one or two each year, that vision has been realized.

Jack Frosting
I fell in love with this one when I saw it, because it captures all the magic of the changing seasons and the beauty of winter.

Frosty Friends 1998
I started collecting Frosty Friends in 1987, after a sketch I drew of my hubby (to be) and me as Eskimos. I've not gotten one every year but I do have many of them and each is a treasure. They all remind me of that special time in our lives when our love was new and anything was possible.

Do Not Distrub 'Til Christmas
This one captured my heart because it reminded me of when I was a small child being tucked into bed on Christmas Eve. Cozy in my bed, I was filled with anticipation of the magic Christmas morning was sure to bring.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Puppies vs. Babies

2011-11-15T02:01:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Puppies vs. Babies. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you guys heard about this Puppies vs. Babies online contest? It's a fun photo contest going on over at Animal Planet. You decide first whether you think babies or puppies are cuter, and then you get the chance to vote for the cutest entrants in your chosen category.

Entries for Puppies vs. Babies are now closed, but you can cast your ballot up until November 23. I personally voted for babies, although I think the cutest of all are babies with puppies. I voted for baby James, because his little open mouth smile made me smile but all those babies are gorgeous. The winner in each category gets $5000.

If I'd known about the contest sooner I'd have entered this picture of little Abby. It was a lucky shot and one of my all-time favorites of her. We were just hanging out taking snapshots that night and she got amused about something and grinned from ear to ear. I took a whole series of shots and this was everyone's favorite.

Go on over to Animal Planet and vote for your favorite puppy or baby and be sure and leave me a comment about who you voted for!

Trusting Him, Day by Day

2011-11-08T15:12:00.003-05:00

I realized today that I've been angry and resentful over a lot of things for a long time. The main problem is, they are things over which I have little or no control. So my only choice, literally is to trust God to handle it all. I can't "fix" our marriage, but God can. I can't "fix" the problem of some dental issues I have that could cost thousands of dollars to correct. But God can. I can't "fix" debts and old bills that need to be satisfied. But God can. All I can do is do the best I'm able with the resources he's given me, and trust Him to take care of the rest.

As I write this, I'm confident He has the solutions to these and other much smaller matters, already in motion. I don't have to make it happen. I just have to trust and listen, and follow him day by day.

This song helps me to remember this, when I forget it, which is often. I hope you enjoy it.

When "The Love Dare" Isn't Enough

2011-11-02T16:24:00.003-04:00

Today I received a return on a labor of love, tenfold. Seven years ago when I first returned to God and went to church, my oldest daughter rebelled at many of the concepts, which were all new to her. Perhaps the most difficult thing about the Christian faith for her was total surrender to God, the concept of leaving things up to Him in matters over which we have no control. She comes by that diffculty honestly. I struggle with the same thing.

Those of you who used to read here when I was blogging more regularly are familiar with the marital issues my husband and I have struggled with the entire 23 years of our marriage. I won't rehash them all here because that's not really what this post it all about. It's about trusting God, when the person you should trust and love the most gives you yet another reason not to do either.

In talking about the situation with my oldest daughter today, I received a wonderful gift. She spoke in faith, and love of Jesus and gave me an answer from Him I'd been seeking, but not seeing for a while now. The answer that, I have no control of his behavior, not am I responsible for it. The answer that, in spite of his interference, my home can be a wonderful haven and my family can be content and happy. The answer that I don't have to follow any specific formula and wait to live until my husband finally "gets it".

The answer was so simple. All I have to do is trust God, follow Him in my own heart, and care for my children as He would have me do. That's it, that's all. He, God will take care of the rest.

There are no solutions for some problems. At least not, human solutions. Some problems seem overwhelming and set step by step programs do not apply. But God has a solution for everything, if we are willing to step aside and let Him take control. He is in control anyway, we kid ourselves into thinking we are, but that's really not true.

But when we step back and let Him take over, His will is done, and our hearts are filled with contentment and we are blessed.

Hallow's Eve 2011

2011-10-31T22:25:00.005-04:00

Just thought I'd share some pictures of "the gang" as we set off for Trick or Treating. After collecting way too much candy, we came home and ordered pizza and watched "Halloweentown".

Family Time @ The Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-31T14:52:00.008-04:00

Once again I've been remiss in my blogging. How can it be Halloween already? Time is just flying by at warp speed and I find myself trying to cram as much as I can into every day. It just feel like life is going by faster than ever, and I want to enjoy my girls every waking moment that I can.

I got the chance to do that last week, when my oldest daughter Kelly, showed up for a surprise visit. She didn't tell us she was coming, she just appeared Thursday evening around dinner time. It was wonderful to have all my girls together again. Rarely is my sense of contentment as strong as when everyone is here together. We had a ball while she was here. The highlight of her visit was a morning at the pumpkin patch and then a family cookout in the evening.

Here are my favorites of the tons of pictures we took.

More Black & White Cuteness

2011-10-11T03:50:00.002-04:00

I'm really having fun with the black and white imaging. I took this shot tonight while Aspen was shooting videos with Ashley's camera. Abby loves to get in on the action whenever any kind of camera is around, but she especially loves to watch herself live on video.

Pictures

2011-10-10T01:31:00.004-04:00

Just wanted to share a few recent favorite pictures of the little girls. I put these on my Facebook when we took them but I thought I'd share them here in black and white. I Love converting pictures to black and white. There's just something that appeals to me about it. It's nice and classy and makes me a little nostalgic for my childhood, when so many of our pictures were black and white.

Enjoy!

Sharing

2011-10-05T22:15:00.002-04:00

Interesting topic that's been on my mind lately. What prompted me to write about it today was a discussion in one of my writer's groups about who you share your stories with, who you don't and why.

I don't share my work with my family, for a variety of reasons. The main one is that I often deal with subject matter that would meet with (at best) rolled eyes and patronizing comments or (worst case) harsh judgement. And so I figure, why set myself up for that?

Yet, I blog and share my work and family life on Facebook and share my work in some of the largest most well-known forums on the web. Ironic, isn't it? The Internet offers a certain amount of anonymity, which is a good thing when you're putting your work out there for public consumption. And, with work, there's the added benefit of exposure, as I've seen work in my favor lately.

On the downside, I'm so over Facebook lately. Between the way they keep changing the site and the stuff people post, it's not nearly as fun as it used to be. And since I've been contemplating building a name for myself as a writer, I'd be concerned that somehow something I'd say on there would be taken the wrong way and damage my professional reputation. Not to mention that the aforementioned people I don't share with are all on my Facebook, so I have to censor what I share there as well.

I'm rambling, I know. I've just been contemplating this all the past few days and thought I'd get it out of my head and onto paper. Every one's thoughts are welcome!

Straight Talk About Cell Phones

2011-10-05T10:01:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

So I'm still cell phone shopping. I've become a tightwad, officially. I hate to pay a penny more than I need to for anything, and the cell phone industry is one area that's ripe for money waste. So many consumers fall Hook, line and sinker for the slick advertising and the false idea that you have to spend a lot to get a decent phone or reliable service.

One plan that's promising is the Android on Straight Talk. Straight talk offers the “All You Need” plan, which 1000 minutes, 1000 texts and 30 MB of web data. That's plenty for my needs. As a plus, 411 calls are included at no extra charge. That way when I need to Call a friend I don't have to worry about running up a high bill, since the “All You Need” plan is only $49.99 a month. Perhaps the biggest plus, for someone like me who is still trying to rebuild credit, is no credit checks and no contracts. There are no activation fees, reactivation fees or termination fees.

Another plus is that with Straight Talk Phones from trusted, quality manufacturers are available, including LG, Motorola, Kyocera, Nokia and Samsung.

Check out this video to learn more about the Staright Talk plan and see if it's right for you.

Time & Life

2011-10-03T17:05:00.003-04:00

Yeah, so I said I was going to get back to blogging. That's what I said anyway.

And then this kind of really cool thing happened. I've been working since May on a fanfiction story based on the TV show "Emergency!". It was my favorite show as a kid, and inspired me to later get into rescue work. Although I'm not active in EMS anymore, it's still something I'm passionate about, as are other themes I'm exploring in this story.

Right away I was surprised by the response I got. Praise, which is always nice, for my writing in general was a real treat. But the real surprise came with the intensely emotional response the main topics of the story (marriage, divorce, infidelity) seemed to bring out in my readers. So many of them left me reviews and messages in which they shared personal experiences.

Because of every one's input, the story grew into so much more than I originally intended. It's brought me an enormous amount of joy, and really has recharged my passion for writing. I've also met two other like-minded writers with whom I've become good friends.

Another surprising and delightful side effect of this is that it's opened some unexpected doors for me. Opportunities like the chance to get my arts degree in writing, and the chance to collaborate with someone whose work I really admire on my very first stage script are just a few of the good things that have happened.

Another gift, and perhaps the most precious one, this experience has brought me is healing. Within the story I've been able to explore issues from my own life and resolve them in my own understanding. Not only that, but the validation of my work has done wonders for my confidence, and inspired me. At the risk of sounding cliche, it's changed everything.

So, alas blogging may really take a backseat for a while. If you'd like to give the story a gander, it's called "If I Needed You" and can be found here. It's long and still a work in progress, but feedback and reviews are welcome.

Hopefully, more blog posts will be coming soon!

Gotta Get A Phone

2011-09-09T11:01:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TracFone for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Now that Ashley has her driver's license and her own car, she doesn't go a lot of places with us anymore. I'd gotten really used to having her, and her cell phone along. So, now I need to get one to have with me when I'm out and about with the little girls. I'm thinking about a TracFon because they're really affordable and have So many features.

There are no contracts, credit checks, activation or cancellation fees, which I like a lot. They offer s variety of phones, from super simple models all the way up to Smart phones. Payments can be made online or by purchasing cards at a variety of retail stores. You can choose from a variety of monthly affordable plans to meet your needs and get the most out of your phone. International calls are the same as domestic ones in most cases.

You can check out reviews from Real TracFone customers to learn more about their features and options. I'm always looking for ways to save money around here. A penny saved is a penny earned so I'm definitely checking into getting a Trac Fone for myself, If anyone reading has one, please leave a comment and let me know how you like it!

Six Days of Summer

2011-08-19T23:01:00.002-04:00

Six days left until school officially starts here on August 25. I am filled with gratitude that I won't be getting up at 6am to put my precious daughter on a school bus to send her off and let someone else take responsibility for her education.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not against public school at all. It's just not right for Aspen right now and I am so glad it's been made possible for me to trust my mama gut on that and keep her home for another year.

I'm excited to get started. She and her dad will be doing lots of science experiments together. He's really into that sort of thing so I am interested to see what he comes up with for them to do, in addition to stuff I have planned. I can't wait to get full swing into violin with her. And I'm really looking forward to getting her caught up with her reading and handwriting, two areas where she's been reluctant and had some difficulties. I have new methods to help her, and we've already seen exciting success with them.

I can't wait to post all of our fun activities here!

In addition to school, I'm really exited to welcome fall this year. It's been an insanely hot summer, with nearly a month straight of 90+ weather. I am really looking forward to more outdoor time with the cooler temperatures. I can't wait for (in the words of Pooh Bear) "hot chocolaty mornings and toasty marshmallow evenings".

I'm excited about all out usual autumn activities, like our annual trip to the farm to pick pumpkins and have horseback rides. Next weekend is Matthews Alive, our annual labor day festival here in our town, and although it will still be hot, it's a fun tradition we always enjoy.

I'm glad to be back to blogging and looking forward to sharing all of this with you!

New Beginnings

2011-08-17T16:01:00.002-04:00

Since my new (repeat) surrender to God's will, miracles have happened. They may seem small to other but to me, they're huge.

Through carefully engineered circumstances, He has made it possible for me to home school Aspen for another year. For me this represents a huge stride forward in a lot of areas, especially in communication and mutual parenting between the hubby and me. That in and of itself is a huge blessing.

I feel as though the weight of the world has been lifed from my shoulders, and in fact it has. Once again He has stepped in to bear my burdens and answer my prayers. I've decided to begin blogging again to share these blessings and my gratitude for them with whoever finds their way here to read about them. That too, I leave in His hands.

I wanted to do this post in order to share two milestones. One, my youngest little Abby, turned 2 back in July. I can hardly believe how quickly the time has passed since she was just a daydream, and then a tiny little newborn.

Second, Aspen (now 6) has been wanting to learn to play my violin since she was about two. We're finally in a position to rent one in her size, and we picked it up today. She's already had her first lesson, here at home with me, and seems to have taken to it like a fish to water. I'm thrilled that she wants to do it, and I can't want to get to each new lesson with her.

Miracle @ 1:44 AM

2011-08-14T02:05:00.004-04:00

I sit awake with my precious two-year-old Abby. We're trying to right our family sleep schedule to accommodate Aspen's new school schedule. She starts public in eleven days, and I have to get her and her baby sister off of their nocturnal sleep cycle. It proves to be a challenge.

I think about God. I'm angry with Him and I say so, not for the first time. And He listens, eternally patient. It must pain Him, when a child He loves rebels again and again. Yet I do. I don't understand why.

And I say so. God, I don't understand.

He sends me here, to this blog, where I have both glorified and denied him over the years. I find the link to Ann Voscamp's blog A Holy Experience. I always fine joy and comfort there no matter where I am with Him. Rebellious or obedient, her words always bless me. Today is no exception.

I read the first chapter here. I weep, uncontrollably and I know I am not here by accident. The wanting she so eloquently describes is the story of my life. Not the tragedy that she has experienced, but the want, the closed-fisted emptiness...it colors all my memories.

In recent months it has taken over. And I am far from God.

As usual in my need I use my creativity as a bit of therapy. Currently that is a fanfiction story I am writing and posting over at fanfiction.net. I use the old TV show Emergency! because it is a safe haven, a happy childhood memory, and I pour all my bitterness, anger and lack of gratitude into a story that, oddly enough, gets rave reviews.

And for a while, I am happy. But only when I am there.

The truth is I've only become addicted to the escape and the attention. But here, this morning, I stare at the computer screen and realize it's given me nothing of any real value.

In 76,572 words, I've said nothing of value. I wonder if I have said anything that has caused harm. I suspect that is the case, as that's how Satan works. His fingerprints here are undeniable. In 99 reviews, his evil intentions are glorified.

Last night about the same time hubby and I sat searching, together for the reason life seems so off kilter. I know the reason. He says we were happier when we lived at our last home, and we did better with money, home and life. I know the reason why. It's because I followed God, and I gave thanks daily for all we had, and He gave me the gift of contentment. He filled me, as only He can.

And now here, for the millionth time, I surrender my will to His, and beg Him to fill me again. And I'm grateful.

The clock reads 1:44 AM.

Dreams & Desires

2011-05-16T17:12:00.003-04:00

As I write this, I am three days late. Of course my mind is working overtime trying to hash out whether or not I could be pregnant. I do this everytime I'm late, but since we've not been careful recently and have been discussing another baby again, I find myself hoping we might be already on that path.

I don't know for sure that I'm three days late actually. I didn't write down when I started last month and so I'm making an educated guess based on when Ashley started. Even with a few days give or take, we still were right at the edge of my fertile days when we had any time alone, so I can't help but think the odds are against us.

I've been feeling ready to start any minute for three days now, since Friday (my guesstimate due date). I had the same experience with Aspen and Abby, and with Abby I had cramps for a good week or so past the day I got my positive test.

So really, I have no idea. I so want to be pregnant, but as always I don't want to get my hopes up too much and then be disappointed.

There is something so amazing and special about being pregnant, something that goes beyond the obvious wonder of creating a new life. Somehow all is right with the world, for me at least, when there is a little one on the way. I find myself longing for that again, a lot. And then there's the whole still wanting my little boy thing. I would be just as thrilled with a little girl too, but somewhere in my heart I really do want a boy.

For as long as I can remember I imagined myself as the mom of boys. All my dolls were boys and in all my daydreams and fantasies about my future life as a mom, my children were always boys. I think it's kind of ironic that I've produced four girls. I love my little girls and I have a strong bond with each of them, but still somewhere deep inside I long for my little boy. I know my hubby does too.

So, here I sit, wondering. Since I'm unsure of my cycle dates this month, I'm planning to give it until Friday before testing. For all I know I could be off in my estimation and not even be late. But, deep down inside, I'm hoping.

If you're reading this post, please take a moment to say a little prayer for us about this. I am overwhelmed with baby desire lately, but of couse I have to leave that in the Lord's hands.

Stay tuned.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-12T02:28:00.000-04:00

A Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-09T00:50:00.003-04:00

I am always so relieved when I surrender my own wants and desires to God's will after struggling to "do it my way". Today we went over to my parents' house for Mother's Day and all day I felt a huge sense of relief over my decision to give up the dolls. It's the peace that comes with eliminating needless stress from our lives, and the peace that comes with obeying God and doing what I know He wants me to do.

After we got home I started packing away my supplies. I have a cabinet in my dining room that I stored it all in, and that will be moved into our bedroom to my hubby's Lego area and he'll use it. That will make my dining room seem much more roomy and less cluttered, and that's a good metaphor for how I feel too. I feel like my heart has been "decluttered".

In place of the clutter is a feeling of peace and happiness, a warm rush of love for my family and rampant real baby hunger. Whether or not it's God's will for us to add to our family or not will be up to Him and I am trying very hard to leave that in His hands to work out, rather than to cave to the emotions and push my desire on my hubby. I know he has mixed feelings about that subject.

The point is that it's all in God's hands now, where it belongs.

Turning For Home (Again)

2011-05-08T01:51:00.003-04:00

After months of denial I am realizing that I cannot keep making dolls. I just can't. It takes way too much time, energy and money away from my family. I know that God's will for me is to be a mother and home maker and that I am to use the talents He's given me, artistic and otherwise, for that role.

The truth is that I am only truly happy when I'm caring for my home and family. But of course I do have interests and hobbies outside that realm and there's nothing wrong with engaging in them. My problem is I tend to go overboard on hobbies and it gets to where that's all I want to do and all that I think about and my household suffers. And the pleasure I get from the hobbies wanes after a time and I am left feeling kind of bummed and wondering why I feel unhappy and why the kids are acting up and the house is messy and the hubby is grumpy and the teenage daughter is acting resentful....and then I realize I've gone too far out on the hobby limb. And I have to take a break and come back to reality.

Sometimes I can just cut back, but sometimes I have to really pack it up for a while because the temptation is too strong. Reborning is like that, because if the dolls are sitting out and the supplies are right there I just can't resist. And for me I can't just reborn, I have to sell, and browse eBay and belong to guilds and forums and make videos, etc. It never ends, you know?

So here I am, this Mother's Day, reaffirming my commitment to my home and family and to God. Everything is totally out of whack here and this is the only way to get back on the right path.

God has been calling me back for months now and I've turned a deaf ear. I don't know why I do this over and over. It always happens when I decide I know what's best for me and try to run my own life outside what I know to be His will for me. It's bad enough that I cause myself grief, but my family suffers too and that is not right.

I hope I've learned my lesson this time.

A Night in the ER

2011-04-27T01:17:00.003-04:00

By now I know the drill, after 13 years of dealing with hubby's heart condition. It's always a case of hours upon hours of hurry up and wait. When he took an electric shock at work last night while working on an air conditioner, it was more of the same. The ER was packed and I couldn't believe it when he had a weird EKG and elevated blood pressure and they sent him back out into the waiting room! Thankfully he has recovered and all his tests were negative for any permanent damage or resulting injuries. They kept him overnight for observation.

I stayed there with him until 1am and then brought the kids home. They were wired and it took us a while to settle down to sleep, and then we slept until he called us at 2pm this afternoon to say he was ready to be released and to come and pick him up. So now out sleep schedule is all our of whack again. Not that it was normal before.

As I sit writing this, it's 1:21 am again and they are both wide awake, while I sit here barely able to keep my eyes open. I've done really well this week while I've been trying to cut back on computer time, but now I am sitting here with my laptop just to have something to keep me awake.

A funny thing happened while we were sitting in the ER. I had a desperate, overwhelming urge for another baby. Crazy, right? Thankfully, it passed quickly. I guess it had to do with being in the hospital and thinking about happier occasions we'd spent there, like the births of the little girls.

It's funny how my outlook can shift based on the present moment. Last night I was well rested and had a wonderful and fun day with the little girls. We had fun together, played, ran errands, watched TV, went to the park and just generally had quality time together. So sitting there in the ER, reflecting on that, the idea of another one seemed inticing.

Now, as I sit here exhausted and emotionally drained, dreading a Thursday morning dentist appointment and worrying about some dental issues Abby has developed, the idea seems terrifying.

I still think we're done. I just found it interesting how that came over me so suddenly and with such intensity. Still, the idea of another has it's appeal, I admit. Nothing fulfils me like mothering. I go through my selfish phases where I get too involved in hobbies or my own interests and then that stops making me happy and I realize yet again, that my kids are the only true happiness in my life.

I'm there right now. I've devoted far too much time to my doll making and things have gotten off track. Now I'm stepping back from that and refocusing my energy on the family. Yesterday was the first real day I was successful with that, since I had orders I had to finish up. And I guess that's where the baby hunger came from.

I wish I could master this elusive thing called balance. I either focus totally on home and family to the point of my own detriment, or I get involved in an interest and become obsessive about it and get slack on my homemaking or start to resent it. I am rarely in the middle somewhere.

I would love to hear from other moms on this. How do you manage? How do you squeeze in enough time to yourself to keep your sanity and still take care of the home and family?

Vlogging

2011-04-08T01:14:00.001-04:00

I decided just for fun to give vlogging, or video blogging a try. Hope you all enjoy this!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Can't Wait To Enjoy The Outdoors

2011-03-30T21:00:00.001-04:00

This post brought to you by Pier 1. All opinions are 100% mine.

You'd never know, with the cold, gloomy weather we've had here the last few days, that the official first day of Spring was March 20th. Thankfully it's supposed to warm up again this weekend and I really hope this will be our last cold snap of the season. With that in mind I've been thinking about ways we can fix up our patio and enjoy it. It's a small space, but a nice one and I have a few ideas on how to make it enjoyable for us and company.

When it comes to decorating, especially outdoor spaces, my favorite place to shop is Pier 1. They always have the coolest stuff! I'm considering a Swingasan chair for the patio. It's cushy and comfy like a Papasan chair, but it hangs kind of like a hammock. Pier 1 has them this Spring and they look so nice. The nice thing about one too is that if I wanted too, I could use it indoors too. Pier 1 has lots of furniture that is indoor/outdoor friendly and that's great for us since space and storage are always at a premium here.

With Mother's Day coming up, I've got Pier 1 in mind too. They have some super nice pampering gift sets and other cute decor items that will make great gifts for friends and family.

Also but sure and check out information on upcoming Pier 1 Tweetups in Atlanta (April 5th) and New York (April 20).

God's Minute

2011-03-22T22:23:00.004-04:00

I received a lovely family treasure today from my Mom. This little book sat on the kitchen table in my Grandparents' house for as long as I can remember, and they read from it faithfully, every day. It is titled God's Minute: A Book of 365 Daily Prayers Sixty Seconds Long for Home Worship. Long title for such a little book.

Inside the book is just what the title suggests, a short prayer for each day of the year. But to me it is so much more than that. To me it is a piece of my childhood and a connection to my Grandparents, both now with Jesus. It's ancient, tattered and taped together with an old piece of duct tape, and it smells a little musty, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Inside the front cover, penned in ink is this: "To our good friend and radiant Christian, Mr. C.B. Gore. From Marjorie and William Davies Xmas 1953" 1953. It was a different time, and so was the time when I would often thumb through this book while seated at Grandma and Charlie's kitchen table. That was my Grandfather, my Grandma's second husband, Charles B Gore. He was, indeed a radiant Christian, and the most Christlike person I have yet to know.

Taped inside the front cover is a page torn from a pocket Bible. It's a page from Matthew and contains one of my favorite verses: Matthew 14:31-32 which reads: And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefor didst thou doubt? And when they came into the ship, the wind ceased.

Inside each page has a date, and on the correct dates my Grandmother noted family birthdays in her small precise handwriting.

It is such a precious thing, this little tattered smelly book. And it gives me pause to hold it and to wonder, will someday one of my children hold something from my parents that will mean this much to them, touch them this deeply? I hope so.

Happy Birthday Aspen!

2011-03-17T20:48:00.002-04:00

Aspen is 6 years old today. I can't believe it. Where has the time gone?

Stay tuned for Scooby Doo Mystery Party pictures after Saturday.

A New Bedroom

2011-03-16T14:00:00.000-04:00

The girls' new furniture arrived last week, and there is now a bedroom in what was formerly our playroom/classroom. Here are the highlights from the day it all arrived.

I can't believe how tall she is!

Queen of the Bunks

Her very first Big Girl Bed

Cozy

Comfy

A New Perspective

Learning Games

2011-03-14T23:58:00.001-04:00

I love this picture. Aspen is playing an educational game on the Leapster. She's learning reading skills, but she and Abby both are learning much more important lessons from each other. How to interact, how to share and most importantly, how to love.

Abbyisms, part 2

2011-03-14T22:01:00.004-04:00

It's been my habit over the last few years to keep a record of cute little things that Aspen has said as her language has developed. We call these uniquely her phrases and statements her "Aspenisms". You can read more about these adorable moments here and here.

Last Spring I started keeping track of Abby's own "Abbyisms" here. Now that her languaage is really blossoming it's time for an update.

Names:

Mommy me
Daddy her dad
SisSis Aspen
Aaassh Ashley
Ahma Grandma
DanDad Granddaddy
marble! always said with glee, as she loves marbles
my ball! another excited utterance, since she loves to play with any ball and thinks they all belong to her.
baff bath
off off, usually meaning a show she was watching is over
un on
dis this, usually meaning something she wants

Stay tuned for more!

Answered Prayers

2011-03-05T22:39:00.003-05:00

When I prayed for God to determine the future of our family, I prayed for His hand in my heart. I prayed that if my desire for another child was in His plan, that He would make it happen. I also prayed that if it wasn't in His plans for us, that He would take away the desire.

He has answered those prayers. The desire has been waning, and I found myself relieved this past week when my period came right on time. Today my hubby and I talked about our lives, our family and our future, and decided that another baby, while a wonderful thought, is not the right thing for us.

It may seem selfish, but we came to the decision after realizing that we really would like some time in our lives for us. We've been raising children since we were 19 and 21. Each of our children has been a wonderful blessing, and we wouldn't change anything. But now that Aspen is turning 6 and Abby is just a few months away from 2, a non-baby household seems almost like a welcome relief. I find myself daydreaming of a diaper free existance. I look forward to more family time as the girls get older. There are a lot of things we want to do with and for our children, and we have future dreams and plans that would be much harder with another baby to care for.

I'm not as sad about this as I thought I would be. In fact, I'm at peace with it. It's that kind of deep peace you feel when you know it's God's guidance that has led you to the decision you've made.

I'm looking toward the future now with a renewed sense of peace and excitement. There are bright times ahead, times when Aspen will blossom into some independance, and Abby will be less Mommy-needy, times when my hubby and I can actually feel like husband and wife again rather that only parenting partners.

There are dreams we've talked about in the past that have been rekindled recently too, such as the possibility of someday owning and RV and traveling extensively, if not full-time, with the younger girls. I would still like to write, and continue my art dolls, and grow that into a full-fledged business to help my hubby provide for us. There are things he would like to do, and places he'd love to see.

I feel good about this, as though we were at a crossroads, and now that we've chosen a path, there is nothing but new possibilites awaiting us. It's a good feeling.

Our Changing Domestic Landscape

2011-02-16T20:05:00.003-05:00

We've lived in this apartment for almost a year now and have not hung picture number one on the walls. So, we vowed that with our tax refund, we would do some decorating and turn this generic apartment into a home.

Tonight I hung pictures of us on the wall in the dining room, and as I write this hubby is painting with Ashley and Aspen in what will become Aspen and Abby's bedroom. Some designer bedding we splurged on is stacked up waiting for the new bunk beds that are on order.

The changing look of our home is a metaphor for the changing landscape of our family. Changes are happening now, and will continue to happen throughout this year. Ashley is slowly outgrowing her need for us. I can definitely see the beginnings of the leave and cleave process as she spends more time with her future hubby and his family, time she used to spend with us. Today as I took down classroom things I came across our home school registration card, dated February of 2008 and I thought back to that time. Ashley was so grateful to be out of a bad school and home with Aspen and me, and we were excited about learning together. It was a good time, a happy time.

These are happy times too now, just different.

As we contemplate Ashley moving on we also dream of a possible new member of our family, and hope it will happen soon. We anticipate trouble from the extended family about it and so plan to keep it under wraps for a while. With each day that passes my desire increases, and so I just keep praying that God will fill my womb if it's in His will or remove the desire if it's not. Either way I must be patient and wait on Him.

Things between my hubby and me are good, better than they have been in the last three years. A big part of this is a change in me, because God is in my heart again. I have seen that a lot of our conflicts were me being selfish and petty. So often I would get my feelings hurt and stew and let it come between us, until the walls were huge. Those are slowly coming down now. Emotionally we are closer than we've been, and we are friends again, which is such a blessing.

The little girls are benefitting from my efforts to spend more time with them, present and engaged. I've cut computer time and doll making time and let minor things go in order to refocus on them. I am enjoying it so much, and I didn't even realize how caught up in unimportant things I had become. Even necessary tasks can be misprioritized as too urgent.

Things are looking up, and life is good right now.

Praising Him in Hard Times

2011-02-07T18:52:00.003-05:00

It's easy to praise Him when things are good. When things are not, it gets a little more difficult. We are having a tough spell the last week or so. Everyone is or has been sick, including hubby and me. Lots of other things are going on as well and while none of them are major in and of themselves, all piled together they are a bit of a downer.

I've found it tough to start the day with my Bible reading this week too. Everyone wakes up with immediate needs, and before I know it I am full-on into my day, and I've not touched my Bible. As I ponder our challenges I start to feel down and I know I need to focus on the Lord, and praise and thank Him.

An old CD, made way back in 2007, comes to my aid. I sing along as I go about my daily tasks and try to focus on the positive. I sing "Here I Am To Worship" and try to let go and let God deal with issues over which I have no control.

I sing "Amazing Grace" and try to ignore our upstairs neighbors as they pound on the floor with what sounds like a hammer. Their lease is not being renewed, they must be out by March 6. They think this is because of us. After trying unsuccessfully to bully the office staff, get my hubby in trouble at his job (he works where we live) and making empty threats, they have vowed to make life miserable for everyone in our building until they leave.

Other issues at Shawn's job worry me too, as he has expressed regret at returning to this property. Even after a year, things are still crazy here. I feel for him and lots of feeling come to the surfsce about how badly I wanted to return here and how it felt like such a deliverance to me. I stand convicted, because I have not been the woman God wants me to be. I pray a quiet confession, and try to repent in my heart.

"Take My Life" is the next track and I turn my thoughts to a possible addition to our family, and the coming days when I know I will also have to care for my aging parents. My Dad is having some difficulties that worry me but is reluctant to do anything about them. I pray that God will care for them and my own family through me and that He will constantly remind me to step back and let him.

I hand over my worries about money, a doll order I am having trouble getting paid for, an unsold doll on eBay, and other things which seem silly as I talk to God about them and then sing along with "Come Just As You Are" and "Day by Day."

After all my burdens have been laid at the Lord's feet I find myself soothed by the lovely "Grace Flows Down" and uplifted tremendously by "Sing To The King".

In the end God is in control. Even when it seems like life is out of control. Things may be out of our hands but they are never out of God's control.

I hope that this will uplift you as it has me:

Pure Motherhood

2011-02-03T22:55:00.005-05:00

Late into the night I held her tiny body close to me. She slept, her little chest rising and falling, her breath rattling through germ gunked nostrils, her little mouth open just enough to give the air passage in and out. Her sleep became fitful and she squirmed and cried out, "Mommy-" before sitting up, her eyes filled with the panic that comes with nausea at it's peak. I grabbed the towel I had handy to catch it and whispered "Mommy's here, just let it come up. You're okay, Mommy's here." Then she was done and I cuddled her close as her father wrapped the towel around the mess and carted it off to the laundry room. With it went a much needed dose of antibiotics.

The night went much that way, intermittent cat naps for both of us were punctuated by temperature taking, offerings of breast and sippy cup and thoughts of dehydration worried at my heart. Prayers were whispered for the precious baby girl lying ill and fevered in my arms. Deep coughs wracked her tiny chest too often for my comfort. More prayers, expressions of my fears to the God who is in control. I sent off a hasty email to my online doll group asking prayers there too.

Night turned into morning and we fell into a dead sleep, our bodies pushed beyond exhaustion. When we woke it was midday and fluids and medicine were our only thoughts, our top priority. I read email replies promising prayer and offering suggestions and I know the prayers worked because she ate lunch and kept it down and a dose of meds divided in half a short time apart stayed down. Sippy cup was our friend, filled with juice, water, tea or whatever she wanted. Any fluid was good for me.

After food and meds she perked up and played, and there was no more vomiting and no fever.

I am so grateful, and the trial of a sick toddler has put things in perspective for me. Things that were taking too much time, too much energy fell away, and I was alone with God and my baby girl. It is there we experience pure motherhood, undiluted by meaningless distractions. And we are reminded of that which really matters.

Saying It Again, and Meaning It

2011-02-02T18:11:00.005-05:00

I want another baby. There, I said it. Back in July, we decided not to have any more, against the desires of our hearts. The desire has waxed and waned since then. Recently, while the two older girls were out of town, Shawn and I took the time to really focus on the little girls, playing with them and spending lots of time together as a family. We had a great time and our love for each other really got a big, much-needed boost. It was only natural that our conversations came around to babies again, and we each reaffirmed our desire for more.

We talked about all the ins and outs and whys and why nots. We came to an interesting conclusion. When all is said and done, it is largely the opinions of others that have held us back from trying for Baby #5. Two of the biggest nay-sayers are our two older girls. I understand the reasons they are against the idea and respect their right to voice their opinions. But they're both moving on with their own lives now, and it's time for our reasons and our opinions to reflect our own desires and abilities.

Speaking of abilities, my confidence as a Mom has really gotten a boost lately, and most of that has come from Daily Devotions and being close to God again. The less of me I allow to get in His way, the better off I am, and the stronger, more patient, more loving a mom I am. When I step back and let Him shine through me, everything is different. With the older girls gone much of the time, I really had to find a way to be the best Mom I can, and that is how. Success through surrender, you might call it. I am loving motherhood again, and wanting more.

With all things considered, we've made the decision to "live dangerously" as hubby likes to call it. I prefer to say we're trusting God with this decision. That is, we're no longer preventing. What may come of this? Best case scenario: a healthy baby. If that baby happened to be a boy, that would be really special.

At any rate, I feel completely at peace with this choice and with where we are in our lives to be making it.

Stay tuned...

The Second Mouse

2011-01-30T01:01:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Victor Pest. All opinions are 100% mine.

Uploaded with Skitch!

They say the early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese! My hubby came home the other day his job as an apartment maintenance supervisor completely downtrodden. When I asked him what was wrong he told me the tale of a tenant who had gotten a mouse in their apartment and set out one of those horrid glue traps, and then demanded that hubby go over there and deal with the results. Said results were not pretty and my tenderhearted husband, who has a real soft spot for small furry critters, was heartbroken at the thought of how the poor thing had probably suffered before expiring.

I can't stand mice myself, but the idea of one suffering in a trap was pretty depressing, especially since that sort of cruelty is needless these days. There are far more humane methods of rodent control available. One such option is a Victor Electronic Trap. Victor is a leader in the pest control industry and carries a full line of products that are cruelty free, non-toxic, safe for kids and efficient. They offer everything from economical electronic traps to powerful electronic pest control devices that can help you protect your space from interloping rodents.

Right now Victor is offering a special promotion to help get you started. For just $99 you can get:

(1) Victor Electronic Pest Chaser Sonic Heavy Duty

(2) Victor Sonic Mini Pest Chaser Ultrasonic Rodent Repellent

(2) Victor Electronic Mouse Trap

Why choose Pest Chasers? Simple. They're kinder than traps, safer than poisons, and there are no dead rodents to deal with. Mice, rats and other rodents carry diseases, so disposing of them always carries the risk of exposure. The sound emitted from these devices can not be heard by humans or non-rodent animals, so you won't even know they're at work. You should see a reduction in rodents within about 6-20 days, and each unit has a service life of 5-7 years. You will need multiple units for multiple rooms since the sound eaves cannot penetrate walls or furniture. Victor Pest Chasers are the only units backed by laboratory research and exhaustive field tests and they are one of only two devices approved by the Canadian EPA due to their super strict standards on electronic pest control devices.

With these handy devices, you won't have to worry about that second little mouse, or the first one!

Modern Learning Enhances Today's Classroom

2011-01-28T10:02:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Collaborize Classroom. All opinions are 100% mine.

The face of education is changing quickly these days. The old landscape of students seated at their desks being taught by a teacher and from a book is slowly changing to something more in depth. Collaborize Classroom is one resource that is helping to expand that landscape to include online forums as learning tools. It is an online learning platform that allows teachers to branch out beyond the classroom to a structured and private online community. It's main purpose is to complement classroom learning by engaging students in online activities, assignments and discussions that allow for deeper participation in and out of the classroom.

Teachers can set up their own site in just minutes with just an email address. Each site is secure and password protected and only those invited to participate will have access. No private classroom data can be viewed without a special teacher password.

Collaborize Classroom also offers some great free teacher resources in the form of downloadable PDF files about managing student online forums, rethinking the role of the teacher for the modern day student, consent forms for forum use and many more. These are free at the site whether you sign up or not, and I really enjoyed the information provided in them.

With the economic troubles and financial burdens plaguing schools these days, Collaborize Classroom becomes an even more valuable resource, allowing teachers to do more with less. The simple web-based technology offers endless possibilities for blended learning that will surely enhance each student's educational experience.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

2011-01-22T18:02:00.003-05:00

This is my first time participating here in a long time. This is one of my favorite memes and today I want to share one of my favorite Steven Curtis Chapman songs, "Cinderella". I was listening to it today and I was suddenly overwhelmed with how much my beautiful third born daughter has grown. She's five now, going on six, and I am just in awe of how fast that has happened. This song is a beautiful reminder of how vital it is for us to cherish every moment with our little ones.

Be sure to click the music note logo to enjoy more wonderful soul inspiring songs!

Exciting Transitions

2011-01-19T22:17:00.004-05:00

Since Aspen was born five years ago, she has been sleeping not only in our bedroom, but in our bed. It was a situation born of necessity that became a habit and continued after Abby was born. Now, there are two beds in our bedroom. My hubby sleeps in one, and the little girls and I sleep in the other. Up until recently, it's worked for us, but it's time for a change.

We have set aside a portion of this year's tax refund to transform our playroom/classroom into a shared bedroom for Aspen and Abby. We have a set of bunk beds and a new dresser all picked out, and have decided on a surf/beach deco motif. By early February, the little girls will have their own room, and we will work on transitioning them into it.

I know the time is right for this because we are all excited about it. Up until now there have been obstacles and practical reasons not to do it. Now, Aspen is excited about it, we'll have the funds to make it special, and hubby and I are on the same page with it.

I have a strong feeling, a knowing, that we are entering a new stage in our lives. I feel like it will be a good time, a time of peace and family and faith. My daily Bible readings have brought me closer to God, and helped me open my heart and let Him in. I am feeling patient and loving in ways I've not felt in a long time and I know it is God at work in me, His love and Grace shining through me. I am grateful.

Life is good.

Tough Decisions

2011-01-14T21:25:00.010-05:00

I've written in previous posts about how I've decided to put Aspen in public school next Fall. She really wants to go. Or at least, she thinks she wants to go. My hubby, and older kids, and mother-in-law all want her to go. I thought I wanted her to go too, but now I am really having second thoughts about that.

My main reservation about it may sound selfish, but I am speaking from experience when I say, I am not eager to become a slave to the public school system again. I don't relish the idea of some system dictating my family's schedule, priorities and freedom. That may sound extreme but think about it. We have to get up at a certain time. Our days must be planned around school and homework. If we miss a day I must explain why, even though really, it's none of their business. I could go on, because this is a biggie with me, but you get the point. The school system has a way of invading your life. After three years away from that, I'm not eager to go back to it.

That is really only one issue with me and the home vs. public school issue. I originally chose home school because I want my children to be with me. I want to raise them, guide them, and yes, teach them. I don't really want their education left up to someone else.

I've been mulling all of this over in my head, and then today I saw this article from a home school graduate. This author sums up exactly what I want for my kids out of a home education. Her final paragraph, for me, says it all:

"I do know though, with completely certainty, that I liked myself a lot more as an unschooler. I thought I had more potential. I thought I could do anything, and I was excited about it. Maybe learning that you can't do anything is just a part of growing up. But maybe it's not. Maybe it's a part of being schooled."

If that's the case, as I know it is from both my own andmy older daughters' experiences in school, the my little girls will be at home.

Daily Devotions & Doing It On My Own

2011-01-12T19:13:00.005-05:00

In my recent post Priorities, I wrote about my need for daily Bible time. Yesterday I woke before the girls and used those few minutes to myself to start my day the right way, in the Word. I went straight to Psalms where Psalm 1 was a much needed reminder that putting God first in my life:

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates
day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Yesterday was proof positive of this. We had a great day. There was peace in the house, because there was peace in my heart and my demeanor sets the tone for our days.

Today has been more of a challenge. I didn't wake ahead of them and so I had to "squeeze in" my Psalm for today. It's been a more difficult day. Aspen has been uncooperative and whiny and woke Abby from her afternoon nap after I'd finally gotten her back to a normal nap time. In my frustration I was not very nice. Later I talked with her and explained that we have to consider others and not just ourselves, but I am not sure if she can understand that concept. Her behavior sometimes suggests that she doesn't get that at all, yet other times she is remarkably compassionate and helpful. I know she's a bit spoiled, and I'm to blame for that.

When it comes to parenting, I really do not have as much experience as you might think. I spent most of my older kids' lives at work. I didn't drop down to working part time until they were teens. So, this whole managing the littles on my on all day is relatively new to me.

Still, in spite of the frustrating moments, the joy of it is so worth the challenges. I feel like I am getting second chance to be the Mom I wanted to be for the older girls, and when I get impatient I have but to stop and think about that, and I can calm down and handle things.

Stay tuned for more about my rediscovery of motherhood...

Dreams

2011-01-11T22:29:00.003-05:00

Cindarella sang, "A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you're fast asleep....". A few nights ago I had a very vivid dream that has really stuck with me over the last couple of days. I was in my kitchen and I heard Aspen call out to me from down at the end of the hallway. I stepped out of the kitchen and looked down the hall to see her and Abby coming out of the bathroom. They were both older than they are now, and trailing behind them was another little girl, about the size Abby is now.

I've been pondering the meaning of it ever since. If Cinderella's words are true does it mean that somewhere deep down I still long for another child? I've gotten fond of saying that "this factory is closed" in regards to any future baby making, and I've been really freaked out whenever I ponder what it would be like if I had another child to care for. I already struggle sometimes with managing both little ones. I'm working on that, but another wee one certainly would complicate things. Of course, if it weren't for my current difficulties I wouldn't be opposed to the idea.

On the other hand, Ashley just got engaged and Kelly just started dating a really sweet guy who adores children, so perhaps that little girl was my future Granddaughter? I do believe in prophetic dreams. I do also believe that dreams can be the planters of seeds that lead to those self-fulfilling prophecies.

In the end this is one area where I know I really need to trust in the Lord over both my heart and my head.

Liven Up Those Old Recipes

2011-01-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

One of my goals for 2011 is to get back to regular menu planning. I stopped because, honestly, I was bored with the whole process and the same old recipes that I used over and over. Those recipes are family favorites though and there are a lot of them I do want to continue using. One way to liven up your daily menu is to add a new twist to old dishes, and reawaken your family's taste buds.

I like to change up old recipes by adding new herbs and spices and other ingredients. One of my favorites is TABASCO® Original Red. I know what you're thinking: Hot! While that's partly true, TABASCO Original Red is not about just making food hotter. It's about what that heat does to the flavor of your food. The combo of ingredients like salt, red pepper and vinegar are perfected in a 3-year aging process that produces a hot sauce with the uncanny ability to bring the most out of your food. Other hot sauces add their own specific flavor to food. TABASCO Original Red just enhances the flavor that's already there!

Take pizza for example. Have you ever added TABASCO original Red to your pizza? You can add it right on like a topping, or you can mix a bit of it in with your homemade pizza sauce. What happens is pretty cool. Well....hot actually. Suddenly, your sauce tastes more flavorful. Your pepperoni becomes super tasty and the whole flavor has the added umph of heat. It's Pizza Perfected! Do you serve pizza on game days? Add some TABASCO Original Red and go far beyond your guests expectations! Your Game-Day Party Menu will be the winner for that game!

Original Red was the first flavor introduced by the McIlhenny family back in 1968 and is still the most popular of the six sauces they still make today. Give it a try!

Priorities

2011-01-11T01:19:00.004-05:00

I feel like this is an issue I struggle with over and over in my life. Aside from being a wife, mother and home maker, I have a lot of hobbies and interests. Right now I am working on my doll making a lot and trying to build a business out of it. I know I've been devoting too much time to that recently and I need to take a step back and bring things back into balance in my home.

I love the art form, and painting is very relaxing for me. It's a creative outlet and a stress reducer and it leaves me with a sense of satisfaction that translates into a much happier Mommy in the house. On the other hand, there are certain aspects of it that I am struggling with as I strive to improve my skills. This has created some frustration for me, and that's not good. Plus, it's time consuming. I seem to do okay with the actual creating of the dolls, as far as managing my time. It's all the other things involved that I don't handle so well. The biggest thing is time spent on the computer reading emails and posts from the various doll forums I belong to, and the over 200 fellow doll artists on my Facebook friends list. In short, I spend way too much time on the computer doing doll related things.

Another reason I am working hard on this is because it could grow into a potentially good source of income, and as I mentioned in several prior posts, I really feel the need to have that in place. I'll write more about that later.

So, all this being said, I need to find a balance. My plan is this:

1) I am going to try to paint two dolls at once. This is a very efficient use of time because after each layer of paint, the vinyl parts must be baked for 8 minutes, and then they need to cool for another 8-10 minutes. If I have two going at once, those 16-20 minutes in between layers can be put to use painting the second one.

2) I am going to cut back on my groups. I am a member of 3 Yahoo groups, a forum and Facebook. I will leave 2 of the Yahoo groups, and only post of the forum when I have a new doll to show off. I will cut back to checking Facebook a maximum of twice a day, maybe even only once. On the group I am the most active in at Yahoo, I am only going to read the threads that apply directly to me or something I am interested in, and skip over the rest. That should cut my computer time down by more than half.

3) I am working on a routine for our days and I should be ready to give it a try in a few days. A routine and a daily To-Do list have really served me well in the past in giving us some structure and helping me make sure everything that needs to happen daily around here happens, and things that aren't as important can wait.

4) I need a lot more of God in my daily life. I go to church, but the rest of the time my spiritual life sits on the back burner. I am never happy for very long functioning that way. I slowly slip into surviving, not truly living, when I do that. So I am starting with returning to daily Bible reading, even if it is just a few verses. I find that when I make that tiny effort, extend Him that minute invitation, He will rearrange everything and help me in every aspect of my life. I need that help, daily.

Stay tuned for more to come on this topic!

Another Birthday

2011-01-09T21:37:00.002-05:00

In a couple of hours I'll be 41. This birthday doesn't feel nearly as monumental as last year when I turned 40. However, this year I am so much happier with life in general than I was then. We've now been back in the town I love for almost a year and that has been such a huge blessing. I am back in the church I love and that has done wonders for me.

I haven't blogged much this year. Not nearly as much as in past years. I think in a way I might be outgrowing this blog. I'm not sure how to explain what I mean by that, just that, when I began blogging back in 2007 (in my original blog) I was a much different person than I am now. I have grown a lot, emotionally and in the Lord. I've had ups and downs, made mistakes and struggled in many ways over the pages of this blog. But now as I sit writing this post I realize that the growth can be seen in these ways:

~ I appreciate the ups so much more than I ever did before, and I recognize the downs for what they are, just a temporary tough spot. I get through them now in more positive ways, with prayer, self-care and creativity, and time spent with my sweet baby girls. I no longer engage in destructive behaviors from my past.

~ I realize that the struggles really do make me stronger, and they strengthen my faith as I learn to lean more on the Lord and trust Him more and more with every adversity that He guides me through. I realize that the struggles are blessings, in that I am stronger and wiser on the other side of each one.

~ I forgive myself for my past mistakes, and for all those times, over and over again when I fail or fall short of where I'm aiming. I see myself differently, and I am kinder and gentler to myself than I have been in the past. I realize that I am only one person, and that my best really is good enough.

All these things add up to a lot of growth, the kind that cannot be measured by passing years and birthdays on a calendar. This is the kind of growth whose magnitude is realized in daily changes to my thinking and the way I live my life and relate to others. This is the kind of growth only God can prompt, and only by surrendering to His will can we achieve it.

I'm excited to see what He has in store for me between now and the time I blog about my 42nd birthday!

Flying Solo

2011-01-08T02:24:00.002-05:00

Next Wednesday the older girls are heading to Virginia for a few days. That means I'll be on my own with the little girls for the first time in a while. I'm looking forward to the change of pace. It's been great having the whole family back together, but 6 active people in our small place makes for lots of noise and clutter and it can be chaotic at times. I am looking forward to a quieter few days. Also, without her older sisters to amuse her ever five minnutes, Aspen will have to be a little more independent and that is something I've been trying to work on with her.

I am making a list of things for us to do that will be fun and keep us engaged with each other. It's a challenge to come up with indoor, free stuff but I have a few things in mind. One day we'll go to the library and I've decided not to schedule anything else for that day so we can take our time to play and enjoy it without rushing to get other errands done or be home by a certain time. I also hope to make a trip to our favorite consignment store for a few items we need, and I'd like to have a park day if the weather permits. I think it may be too cold for that though.

I'm also planning to do some quick and simple things and get everyone together for dinner again. We've gotten away from that since Ashley was working so much over the holidays, but I really have missed it. So this will be the perfect chance to reestablish that routine. Another routine I've already restarted is family movie nights. I joined the Disney Movie Club and we have 6 DVDs coming soon in the mail. I plan to make a big deal out of that and get everyone into an evening movie/relax as a family time. This worked well with the older girls when they were little and I want to get back to that with Aspen and Abby too. Our bedtime routine is really out of whack (again!) and I'm hoping this will help get us back on track.

I've often commented that it's great for Aspen to have three mommies, and sometimes it is so nice to have the help. There are some disadvantages though. One is that Aspen is a very smart kid and a bit manipulative and she knows just how to play us against each other. I usually pick up on it right away, but the girls often miss the clues and fall right into it. That usually leads to conflict. The other issue is that there are differing opinions between the three of us about certain aspects of parenting we disgree strongly about. The girls often try to step into the Mommy role, and that always creates conflict. Aspen wants them to be her buddies, not her boss and so she rebels when they do that. Then there is the inevitable conflict between them and me when we all have different ideas about how a situation should be handled.

I used to dread being on my own when Abby was really little, but I find now I am looking forward to it, and the days when it's just me and the little girls I find I am much more confident in my parenting. I'm more relaxed, and we usually have good days. I'm hoping this will be the case this time around.

Wordless Wednesday: Ming-Mei

2011-01-05T00:45:00.003-05:00

Ming-Mei is my latest work of dolly art. She is 28" tall, and is currently up for adoption on eBay. I hope you'll enjoy her pictures.

Quick Update

2011-01-05T00:19:00.003-05:00

2011 has started off with a small bump in the road...dental troubles! Yuck. I am so over tooth problems. I have a terrible toothache and will be heading off to the dentist in just a matter of hours. I expect to be told I'll lose the tooth in question. In the past I've paid hundreds of dollars for root canals and caps only to lose the tooth in question a year later anyway so this time I may just tell the dentist to go ahead and pull this one and get it over with.

I've had dental issues all my life. Dental hygiene was not something that was really stressed in my house when we were growing up, and as I grew into a teenager it was something I did, but didn't do well or often enough. Add to that my addiction to sugary soft drinks and you have a recipe for disaster.

Anyway, enough whining. I take full responsibility for the current state of my teeth. I'm planning to get very aggressive with that this year and turn my dental health around. Enough said on that.

It's 12:41 here and I should be in bed sleeping, but I have a minute to blog, which is something I don't have too often. I really miss blogging and I also want to work on rebuilding my readership in 2011.

What are your goals for the New Year? Have you started on them? How's it going?

More to come....stay tuned!

Wedding Bells!

2010-12-26T14:41:00.004-05:00

We had a wonderful Christmas here, and a special occasion became even more special. My daughter Ashley's long time boyfriend pulled my hubby aside, showed him a beautiful ring, and asked his permission to marry her. We were both surprised, but happy just the same. They have been together since they were both in 8th grade and his family adores Ashley. He's a sweet boy and clearly loves her very much. They're planning a long engagement, so we're pleased about that.

My parents were delighted too, and this very special Christmas in their new home became something really magical after Christmas dinner when he asked Ashley's hand. I have to admit, I am still in shock a little bit, lol...but it's a good kind of shock. It really did something for me, kind of put things more into perspective and helped me turn my focus back to family.

I'm not sure I'm ready to be a mother-in-law...but when I see this happy young couple, how can I give them anything but my blessing?

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T20:16:00.007-05:00

It's been a nice Christmas Eve. Shawn and I took the little girls to Target for a bit of last minute shopping and a much neede new pair of shoes for Aspen. Then we spent the afternoon at my parents house, just sitting around talking about everything. I have really loved having my parents here again. The entire holiday season has felt different with family nearby. Abby fell asleep when we got back, and by then the older girls had come home from attending the Christmas service at church. Shawn took the three girls driving around to look at Christmas lights, and I stayed behind and napped with the baby. It was a wonderful treat, to snuggle up with her, just the two of us and snooze for a little while. Naps are a rare treat and I really needed one. I awoke feeling refreshed and content.

Later it was time to make cookies for Santa. Aspen and the older girls had a lot of fun.

We allowed Aspen to open a Christmas gift early, a DVD of Toy Story 3. It was the first movie she got to see in the theater and she loved it, so we have plans to wrap up the evening with a family movie at bedtime.

Tomorrow holds the promise of more merriment with gifts here and then family time with my parents and Christmas dinner at their place. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I am thankful for each and every blessing He has brought into our lives this year.

Merry Christmas to all my bloggy buddies!

Muddy Buddies!

2010-12-22T03:26:00.006-05:00

Tonight Ashley and Aspen made these tasty treats to take in to work tomorrow. The recipe is simple but the results are fabulous. We got the recipe from Betty Crocker.

Muddy Buddies

Ingredients

9 cups Chex cereal of your choice
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1.Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2.In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3.Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

These are delicious and make a terrific Christmas present. They're great for filling all those adorable holiday tins, baggies and jars that are so hard to resist.

Frugal Tips: Generic Baby Formula

2010-12-21T21:01:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

As the economy continues to decline and American families have to tighten their belts even more than we ever have before, it's more vital than ever that we find ways to save money. A key area where families can make money-saving changes is at the grocery store. One really good way to save on the grocery bill is to use generic products wherever possible. Here we use generic brands of just about everything.

One of the products many families may be hesitant to try is generic baby formula. Many parents worry that they may be compromising nutrition by feeding their babies store brand formula Some major formula manufacturers have encouraged this belief with scary ad campaigns recently. However, this is simply not true. According to the Food and Drug Administration, all formula marketed in the U.S. must meet the same nutrient specifications, which are set at levels to fulfill the needs of infants. Although infant-formula manufacturers may have their own proprietary formulations, brand-name and store name formulas must contain at least the minimum levels of all nutrients specified by FDA regulations, and may not exceed any maximum levels which may be set. Generic and store brand formulas typically cost 25-50% less than name brands. The main reason for this is that store brands are not heavily advertised nor are they given away free to hospitals. That can make a huge difference for a family already struggling to make ends meet.

Recent recalls of Similac formula because of the possible presence of a small, common beetle have prompted many consumers to look at store brands as an alternative. I was a bit unsettled by the FDA's reaction to the situation. They determined that the recalled formula posed no immediate health risk but could cause babies to have irritated GI tracts. I'm sorry but that is unacceptable in my book.

At any rate, breast is best but if you formula feed or supplement, take some time to do a little research and give the store brands a try. You'll be pleasantly surprised and so will your wallet!

Sister Time

2010-12-21T00:55:00.004-05:00

Kelly, my oldest, is home for the holidays. Both little girls have been her shadows since she walked in the door and in the evenings all four girls have been doing things together like playing games and watching movies. It's been so much fun. We've been staying up late and having girls' nights after Daddy goes to bed. The little ones are loving the extra attention and I admit I sure am loving the extra company and help. These are a couple of snapshots I got of the four of them. I'm hoping for a posed portrait before Kelly goes home!

Natural Health & Eco-Friendly Living

2010-12-20T17:01:00.003-05:00

This post brought to you by Toms of Maine. All opinions are 100% mine.

Another of my goals for 2011 is to help my family live a more natural, healthy lifestyle. This has been a long term goal of mine for many years and each year we've made some good strides forward. One thing we've done well with and will be continuing to work on in the new year is switching to more naturally based, Earth friendly personal care products. Tom's Of Maine has helped us do that.

Tom's is one of the leading natural care products companies. They sell natural personal care items and their oral care line is one of the best on the market. We've tried a lot of different natural personal care products and it seems like they all fall short in some way, especially when it comes to toothpaste and mouth wash. We've found a lot of the toothpastes have a chalky taste that is a real turn-off. Tom's products have none of that. They're flavors are mild and the consistency is just as pleasant as the mainstream products, but they contain no artificial flavors, colors, fragrances or preservatives.

We especially like their Wicked Fresh toothpaste and mouthwash. Both use natural herbal ingredients to help fight cavities naturally and promote long-lasting fresh breath. I especially like the mouthwash, because it contains no alcohol and therefore does not burn like traditional mouthwashes. I can even get the 5-year-old to rinse with it with no complaints, which is great since she is prone to dental issues. I like using these myself because I am prone to dental problems too and I have seen an improvement in my overall oral health since I started with their basic toothpaste a few years ago.

If you haven't tried Tom's now is a great time to start! Right now at the That's Wicked Fresh contest page you can share your "Wicked Fresh Moments" for a chance to win some very cool prizes, including a $500 Target gift card. You can also join Tom's of Maine on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @TomsofMaine.

Have you already tried their products? If so, which are your favorites, and why?

Creating Christmas 2011: Pier 1 Imports

2010-12-20T17:01:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

Pier 1 Imports is one of my favorite stores, so it's only fitting to include them in my plans for the perfect holiday season! They have all the cutest things for Christmas decorating, entertaining and finding the perfect holiday gifts.

When I decorate for Christmas, I like to set a festive mood by replacing every day items with holiday theme ones. For example, I like to put out Christmas soaps, pillows, candle holders and more. Pier 1 is the one stop shop for all of these and more! I've always wanted to go all out on Christmas decor and I love the homey, rustic feel of their Gilded Forest collection. I'm especially fond of their little reindeer votive holders. How cute are these?

I already have lots of woodsy/forest theme items from our time in Colorado so I like to add a few things each year. I hope to one day be able to transform our home into a rustic cabin for the holidays!

I also like to patronize businesses that support the same charities that I do. Throughout November and December Pier 1 has made it easy for patrons to support Toys For Tots by providing drop off locations at their stores. It's not too late to help! Drop off a new, unwrapped toy or donate money at any Pier 1 store. You can also help by liking Pier 1 on Facebook. For every new fan they get, they'll donate $1 to Toys For Tots.

Where is your favorite place to shop for holiday decor and gifts?

Creating Christmas 2011

2010-12-19T00:37:00.003-05:00

Another Christmas season is about to close. Every year I say I am going to save up all year and make the whole holiday season really special. Every year I seem to fail at that. Now, that's not to say that our holidays are not special, because they are. We all recognize that it's not about gifts and Christmas activities and events. But it seems that every year we spend the season stressed out and broke. I'm over that. So, as I wrap up preparations for this year, I am working on next year too.

I started today while I was picking up last minute gifts at Michael's. Most of their Christmas items are on sale for between 40-70% and right now they are having an employee appreciation sale that gave us another 40% off on top of that. Talk about a bargain hunter's dream!

I got two baskets, two packs of Christmas cards, a nice set of cookie cutters and a spiral bound notebook for less that $20. Later Ashley and Kelly went back and picked up some more things at rock bottom prices. This gives us a great start on next year. I also started a savings fund for gifts next year and it's up to $50. Even if I only put small amounts in there throughout the year it should really make a difference for us come next December.

My Creating Christmas 2011 posts will be a regular part of my blog from now until then, so I hope you'll all stop by and share the fun with me. I'll be posting my savings progress, special projects, and all kinds of festive info.

In the meantime, I hope all of you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas week!

Looking To The Future

2010-12-18T00:44:00.002-05:00

I've been neglecting this blog, again. I have so much going on right now, that I think of blogging and then other things take precedence. I'm just about done with the Christmas shopping and preparations. I'm taking a break from doll making until the week after Christmas so I can finish getting ready and enjoy my girls while they're all here.

After Christmas though, I will be shifting into high gear on some things. On the home front I want to insitute a new daily and bedtime routine in our home, and my big project there will be to get the playroom/classroom converted into a bedroom for the little girls. By Spring I want to have them both sleeping in their own beds in their own room. I also need to buckle down on school with Aspen so I can be certain she will be ready for first grade in the fall. I'm considering contacting the school where she'll be going so that I can be sure I have all of the academics covered.

I also plan to get serious about my doll business and a few other crafts that can be money makers for me. Tonight I did some research and found that there are several doll shows in my area next year and I want to participate in as many as I can. It will be a challenge with the girls, but I have a very positive feeling about it. Making the dolls is something I really love to do and the income potential is very good if I can build a client base and a good reputation.

One of my goals for 2011 is to achieve some degree of financial stability for myself. I feel the overwhelming need to be able to provide for the girls on my own in case I might one day have too. This has been on my heart for a good while now and it only becomes more urgent as time goes by.

I have lots of goals for 2011, and I'll be posting more about them in the coming days and weeks. I hope you'll stop back by!

Times They Are A Changin'

2010-11-30T22:50:00.002-05:00

Yes indeed. As I sit here tonight I know with all my heart that it is time for me to make some changes in my life. I've come to some pretty big decisions lately and they are ones I never thought I would make. But as I contemplate them I know they are the right ones.

First, I am going to continue home schooling Aspen throughout this year, but next Fall I am putting her in public school. At first I resisted this, but I realize now that it was for many of the wrong reasons. My reasons for making this choice are mainly that #1 trying to teach her here is burning me out and isolating her. I went into this with all the best intentions to get her into groups and activities where she could make friends. That is simply not happening, and it's not likely to. I'm not exactly a social butterfly and I have a tough time getting out and about that way. I put it off and out it off. And #2 She has told me flat out that she's lonely and bored and wants to go to school. I feel like she is ready emotionally now, whereas back in the Fall I knew she was not. She was still clingy to me and wasn't anywhere near ready to spend several hours a day without me. That is changing though. She is growing and evolving. Since I made this decision and told her about it, she has been so much happier and is suddenly willing to do her work with me. I explained to her that she has to do her work here in order to be where she needs to be to start next Fall, and she is right on board. We did school yesterday with no fuss and she even said it was fun. That is a total turnaround from our prior struggles.

My second big decision is to return to work part time. I'm not 100% sure how I am going to work this out yet, but I know I need to do it. My hope is that I can get a job at the store I used to work at before we moved across town in 2008. Ashley is working there now and the manager has suggested I come back a few times jokingly, so I hope he might really rehire me when I'm ready. He's flexible so I know I could make it work.

I stopped working before because I couldn't count on my hubby to care for the children without getting impatient and snippy and dumping Aspen (then a toddler) on her older sisters. For some reason, having to care for her while I worked brought out the worst in him. To this day it is still a mystery to me. This time around I am planning to make some better arrangements, either by recruiting the older girls to help and paying them, or maybe even by finding a sitter. I know a lady at my church who cares for a little boy during the day, so I may ask her if she has openings or could recommend someone. Most likely the returning to work will not happen until Spring. Right now it would never work. Careful planning will be needed.

Even though these two decisions seem to run contrary to what I've worked for and wanted in the past, I feel that they are the right ones. I know these are changes that need to be made, and I feel good about them.

I'm still planning to build my doll business and pursue all the other things I've mentioned recently. I'll keep everyone posted on how it goes!

Playing With Baby Dolls

2010-11-17T22:43:00.006-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about dolls and the roles they play in our lives. When I was a little girl I loved dolls and I played with them right up through my early teen years. I always preferred realistic babies and I always wanted real baby clothes, bottles etc. for them. I wish reborns had been around when I was about ten or so. I imagine I'd have loved them then even more than I do now.

I remember being in love with babies from a very young age. I loved looking at magazines and catalogs and admiring all the cute babies. As soon as I was old enough to use the scissors I would cut out the pictures of babies and toddlers and pretend they were my children. Later dolls replaced the pictures and I played away entire days feeding and rocking and caring for my babies and daydreaming of the days when I would become a real mommy to real babies.

I did become a Mom and I've beem blessed with four beautiful daughters. My love for dolls never really went away and it was rekindled in a big way back in 2002, when a coworker brought in a reborn she had made. I was instantly smitten and wanted to learn to make them. At that time my two older daughters were preteens and I thought my years of having babies in the house were over. Creating reborn dolls really filled an emotional gap for me at that time, since I still felt the desire for more children.

That desire has now been fulfilled and I've been blessed with two more sweet little girls. Aspen is 5 years old and little Abby is 16 months, and once again I am actively playing with dolls. Having little girls again gives me the perfect excuse to play dolls, but the truth is that I enjoy it as much as I always did. Having realistic reborns to cuddle and care for is the icing on the cake.

Since I've been making the dolls again the girls and I have been actively playing dolls together and this is a real treat. Here are a few shots of Aspen with my reborn twins Gavin & Grace. They are available for adoption on eBay until Friday. Check them out here.

I'd love to hear from my readers on this. Did you pay with dolls? Do you still love them?

Essential Preparedness Item: Bourdreaux's Butt Paste

2010-11-17T18:01:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

I've only told a few people about my prepping, mostly family members. Most of them get it, a few don't . One person did actually look me right in the eye and say “Why?”. It's the reaction I expected from that person, and had nothing to do with what they think about preparedness, but rather a chance for them to criticize something I'm doing. My response? I pointed to my beautiful daughters, playing on the floor nearby and said simply, “Them.”

Prepping for little kids has been a challenge, especially when it comes to the one-year-old. Obviously the very young have special needs and can't simply do without the way adults can. To make the process of prepping for my baby simpler, I've tried to choose things that meet her needs but can also help other family members as well.

A good example of this is my stock of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. This stuff is amazing, and we swear by it for a whole variety of uses. Obviously, it's main function is as a diaper rash ointment and as far as I'm concerned nothing works as well as it does. I've had four kids so I have plenty of experience with similar products. I found Boudreaux's five years ago and we've had some on hand ever since.

I like the consistency of it, first of all. It is easy to smooth on and easy to wipe off. No having to smear it all over the place and then scrub it off later like some products out there. I also think it smells nice, and I like the way you can get it in tiny travel size tubes (think first aid kits and bug out bags here) or in a large jar for use at home.

As far as how it works, let's take a look at some of it's ingredients and what they do. First of all, it's 16% zinc oxide, which acts as a moisture barrier and has astringent, protective and antiseptic properties. Peruvian Balsam has mild bacterial killing properties and helps to increase blood flow to the affected area, thus promoting healing. Castor oil is soothing and helps emollient and astringent properties. Boric Acid is an antifungal, knocking down yeast often associated with rashes. The skin is also pampered and moisturized by the mineral oil in the mix. This stuff is literally like a mini medical kit for skin all in one handy paste.

As for other uses, Boudreaux's Butt Paste is recommended to treat the following conditions: abrasions, acne, chafed skin, chapped lips, feminine irritation, fever blisters, heat rashes, hemorrhoids, incontinent rashes, jock itch, minor burns, oral lesions, poison ivy, poison oak, psoriasis, razor burn and shingles.

We use it all the time for several of the things listed above, including mild sunburn. I think it's pretty handy to have around now, but I can imagine it would be even more priceless in an emergency situation. Not only are we stocking up on it for our personal use, but we think it might also be a good barter item too.

Just SPOT-ed the Perfect Gift

2010-11-16T21:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of SPOT. All opinions are 100% mine.

We all know the main reasons we carry a cell phone. They're convenient and they could. How many times have you called your family members on their cell phone when they're late or you haven't heard from them in a while, only to have it go straight to their voice mail? This happens to me all the time with my two older daughters and their cell phones. And I always worry and think the worst until they call me back. That's why when I came across this today and had the opportunity to share it on my blog, I was more than happy to.

SPOT Satellite GPS messenger is a new product that far surpasses cell phones in an emergency. It is a small device that uses 100% GPS technology, so it will work anywhere in the world, where cell phones won't. They're also trackable, in the event of an emergency. I can only imagine how many lives this little gadget will save.

If you have campers or hikers in your family or on your Christmas list, this is a perfect gift idea. It's also great for all your loved ones, for obvious reasons. For a limited time during the holiday season, if you buy the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger you'll also get bonus kit worth $50. The kit includes a coupon for 15% off Basic Service, flotation case for SPOT, micro LED flashlight, safety tips bandana, lanyard, safety whistle and a carabineer keychain.

Give yourself the gift of peace of mind this Christmas and pick up one today.

My Daybook: November 15

2010-11-15T12:15:00.003-05:00

It's been a really long time since I participated in The Simple Woman's Daybook so I thought I'd do one today. Hope you enjoy!

For Today...

Outside my window it's cloudy and kind of grey. It looks like it should be cold but it's really pretty mild.

I am thinking that I spend too much time on the computer, even though I haven't been blogging. Facebook is a real trap. It is a great marketing tool though! I just need to find a balance there.

I am thankful for such a nice day yesterday. (See prior post)

From the learning rooms Ugh. School work has become a battle. I don't know how we got here. I need to find a solution to this.

From the kitchen Fried chicken for dinner tonight. Hubby has promised to cook some yummy side dishes.

I am wearing Jeans, blue sweatshirt, socks and shoes.

I am creating reborn dolls. Waiting on a new kit to arrive today! So excited!

I am going nowhere except to pickup Ashley from work later. Trips out of the house have become a challenge lately with the littles.

I am reading a new tutorial on rooting hair on my dolls. Always striving to improve.

I am hoping little Abby's upset tummy will subside quickly today.

I am hearing Backyardigans and the little girls playing.

Around the house Clutter is sneaking in. I need to do a fast declutter sometime today.

One of my favorite things is Christmas shopping, which I need to get going on!

A few plans for the rest of the week:brainstorming ways to put the fun back in school, working on my next doll, decluttering. Need to figure out what I want to do for this year's Christmas card picture.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing my siblings and me somewhere around 1975. I'm the little one.

I Just Can't Seem To.....

2010-11-14T22:46:00.009-05:00

...blog.

I want to get back to regular blogging again but I just can't seem to do it. I come here and I feel like I have nothing to write about. Many of my favorite memes (and blogs!) are no longer there, so in a way I am starting from scratch. Sometimes I think I've lost my blogging mojo, but the desire to do it is still there so I'll break another silent spell with some random stuff.

Today we celebrated my hubby's 43rd birthday. It was actually a very nice day all around. The girls and I went to church and served in the nursery, which always puts a smile on my face. I gave our nursery director one of my business cards and she showed it to several other ladies who also asked for one. I gave out all that I had with me.

We surprised Shawn with Arby's (his favorite) for lunch and then everyone had a nap. Naps are such a treat for me these days! After that my parents came over and we had cake and ice cream and present opening. I did some housework and then got my latest baby auction ready for eBay.

It was a nice, low-key day, the kind I've really come to appreciate. Now as I sit here Abby is snoozing happily in my arms and Ashley and Aspen are playing in the school room. Blogging seemed a nice way to end the day.

I am really enjoying my doll making this time. I've been doing it since 2002 but I've taken long breaks in between. This time I am enjoying every aspect of it in ways I've not before. I think this is because I'm taking it slow and easy and allowing myself to enjoy the process and not just focusing on making sales. I'm approaching it as a hobby and looking at sales as a way to fund the next project and that allows me to take my time and truly express my creativity.

Also speaking of creativity....here are my Halloween digiscrap pages for today's Sunday Scrappin'. This is what I have done so far. I hope to finish those up soon.

My TA-DAs:

I used an adorable kit called A Boo-Tiful Night. My TO-DOs for the week are just to keep working on the Halloween pages.

Speaking of TO-DOs...I need to get my Christmas shopping list done, and then the shopping! After all there are only 41 shopping days left!

A College Degree For Mom

2010-11-08T19:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ashworth College. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hey busy moms, think you can't go back to school because you have to work, or you're too busy caring for your home and family? Think again! Online education is growing by leaps and bounds, and busy moms can now earn degrees totally online, in their spare time. Earning a degree can help you increase your income, prepare for a new career or get promoted in your current field. Earning the degree online will save you time, money and stress.

According to recent figures, Online College degree programs cost up to 88% less than programs at traditional colleges. In addition, you'll save on gas, child care and other expenses involved in physically attending a university or community college. Time spent commuting or in transit can now be spent completing course work and living your life as you desire. You can study whenever and wherever you choose. It's a win-win for everyone.

Ashworth College Featured by National Education Report offers more than 100 nationally accredited career diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree and Certificate programs. Today's hottest and most popular careers, including: Medical Billing, Web Design, Bridal Consulting, Interior Decorating, Human Resources, Marketing and more are all included.

Sound good? You can learn more by visiting the Ashworth Video Gallery where you can watch testimonials from real graduates who have made their lives and their family's futures brighter with online degrees. For all my home school readers, this is also a great option for your students who may need to work or who don't want to attend a traditional college.

Unconventional Art

2010-11-02T14:41:00.004-04:00

If Aspen was in public school, she'd be cutting and pasting, finger painting, and coloring with crayons. Here at home she does those things too, but she and Abby also get to participate in my art as well. This was a practice doll that ended up being Aspen's own reborn and she loved participating in making him.

I hope to pass on the art and my love of lifelike dolls to both girls.

Hallow's Eve 2010

2010-10-31T18:01:00.008-04:00

Here we are again, at the end of another Halloween. I've been in a bit of a reflective mood today, and tonight's festivities found me thinking back to a Halloween years ago. Back then Ashley and Kelly were young and they were our only children. Back then we'd thought we were done having kids, and truth be told, I was already planning my own future for when our oldest two girls were grown. On that particular Halloween, Kelly and Ashley both made plans with friends. Shawn and I sat there and ate dinner and watched The Great Pumpkin by ourselves, and talked about how holidays weren't nearly as much fun without little kids to share them with. That was the conversation that started it all and ultimately led to us having more children. Aspen was born about a year and a half later and then little Abby joined us last summer. Our lives have been crazy and chaotic ever since, but I wouldn't trade a house of little ones for anything in the world.

Here are some of the higlights of our festivities.

Bumps In The Road

2010-10-28T11:16:00.004-04:00

I love my little girl. Oh, how I love her! Words can't express how I feel about my third born daughter. Lately though, it seems we are always at odds. She is whiny, willful and rebellious. I'm weary of it and find myself impatient and annoyed a lot. Everything is a power struggle. She's not just this way with me but also with Ashley. Some of it is due to Ashley's new work schedule. Aspen is used to having her as her almost constant companion, and she's really feeling that loss. Also, since I'm now here most of the day alone with both girls, Aspen rarely gets me to herself, so she's missing that too. It's a tough situation because I can't count on her Dad to step up and help out on any kind of consistent basis. He'll spend time with her sometimes but it's not something dependable. Lots of times I don't even try to involve him because he won't do what I need him to do. Sometimes he becomes more a part of the problem than the solution. The tension between me and him is part of the overall problem too I'm sure. That's a whole post by itself.

The confident part of me knows that this is just a stage. It's an adjustment period for all of us and Aspen often deals with uncomfortable change by rebelling and pushing everyone away. We've been here before. It's just one storm in our partly-sunny lives. Meanwhile, the doubter in me worries. Bipolar disorder runs in my family. Is she already exhibiting signd of it? Or ADD? I worry about my decision to home school. Would she be happier in school? Is some of her unhappiness plain old boredom?

When I start worrying like that I have to really stop myself and step back and take a look at things. I remind myself that my reasons for home schooling are valid. It's not a decision I made lightly or on a whim. I also remind myself that the main cause of my worrying is often the misguided and unsolicited opinions of others. For example, my MIL is against the home schooling. She gives typical cliche reasons but the truth is that she's against it because it's something I'm passionate about doing and she has to try to knock me down. This has been the dynamic between us since we met. Again, a topic for another post.

In the end I have to shut all that out, because none of it matters. What matters is what is in my heart, which is a love for my little girl and faith in Jesus. In times like this I draw as close to both of them as I can. I remind her often how much I love her, and I pray that His love, patience and nurturing will shine through me and crowd out my human impatience.

Parenting is not easy. Single parenting, which is what I often feel I am doing, is harder. Parenting without Jesus is nearly impossible, at least for me. I want to be the very best mom I can be to my sweet, bratty, lovable, rebellious, crazy, awful, beautiful, delightful daughter.

Enjoy more...

Back to Blogging - Hopefully!

2010-10-27T21:57:00.005-04:00

First of all, thanks Mari and Amanda for your sweet words on my previous post. I know I can always count on the two of you for kind, wise words.

Now for a long overdue update! I've been neglecting this blog and nearly let it die, but then I decided that I really do still enjoy blogging. I've been really busy with other activities lately too, and that's kept me away from my blog. Plus, I've been active on Facebook, and that has kind of filled the blogging void for a bit. You can see my profile here.

The best thing that's happened is that my parents have gotten all moved in and settled into their new house five minutes down the road from us. I'm really enjoying having them here. Being around people who love me unconditionally and support my dreams and aspirations has had such a wonderful effect on my daily life. It's also been wonderful for the girls to be around other adults who adore them. I am so glad that they will be able to know their Grandma and Grandaddy well and learn from them. They are both talented and smart and I hope some of that rubs off on all of us.

With my parents love and support I've also gotten back into my doll making. I have a doll on eBay right now. You can see Baby Paul through Sunday. Please stop by and cheer him on! I've also been writing again, although that is slow going as usual. Still, it's been good to get back to some of my personal interests.

Home schooling has been slow going too. Some days we do very well, other days not so much. I expected that, and I'm just trying to be flexible while sticking to some time goals for completing certain things. Aspen is doing well, but has a lot of trouble concentrating and staying on task. I'm doing lessons is short bursts throughout the day and that seems to help.

I'm on my own with the two little girls a lot more than I used to be because Ashley is now working nearly full-time at Michael's. It's been great for her. She's socking away money for a car that she'll be buying from my mom, and nearly has enough saved to pay for it outright. The schedule changes, as well as having to divide my attention between both girls have proven tricky but we're adapting. It's a lot more challenging than I remember! Of course, I am 20 years older than I was last time I had two children in this age group. I'm thrilled to be home with them though.

Things have been a little rocky on the marriage front. I'm not sure really why except that everything leads to conflict. Sometimes it's me, sometimes him. I'm going through a period of personal growth and change and anytime I focus any of my energy on myself and my personal goals there is conflict. This has caused me to do a lot of real soul-searching and praying for guidance. I'll write more on this later as things unfold, but I've come to a few important decisions about just what I will and will not do and tolerate. It should be interesting.

Sweet Abby is growing too, way too fast! She is 15 months now and full of energy. She's so smart it's scary. She takes things apart and tries to put them back together. Sometimes she succeeds! She loves to draw and will drip her sippy cup and paint with the juice. I think I may have another artist on my hands!

I guess that's about all for updates right now. I have lots more I want to write about so watch for upcoming posts. I'm going to try to get back to posting at least a few times a week, hopefully more!

Thanks for sticking around!

Friends

2010-10-08T16:48:00.004-04:00

This may seem like kind of a downer post. I don't intend it that way. I'm just writing about something that's been on my mind lately that I'm sure a lot of other moms can identify with. Or maybe not, maybe it's just me. I'm talking about lonliness. I'm lonely.

Some might say, how can you be lonely? You have a hard-working hubby and four beautiful daughters. Your parents just moved in down the street. You have nearly 100 facebook friends and a few super sweet, super loyal blog readers even after you haven't blogged for weeks. You were welcomed back into your old church with open arms. How can you say you're lonely?

I am.

I am lonely for a best friend. You know what I mean. That one special girlfriend with whom I can share anything and everything without fear of judgement or abandonment. That person that I just click with and who clicks with me and we can laugh, cry and play together.

I had that. Three years ago. Has it really been three years? This time in 2007 I had a close friend like I described above. I screwed it up, and I have regretted it ever since. I made a bad choice, I was dishonest in a way that I loathe and wish so badly I could take back. But I can't and it's in the past now.

It should be in the past, but that empty hole in my life left by her cannot seem to be filled. In my low moments, when I really feel the need for a girl buddy acutely, I wonder if God is still punishing me in some way for that choice. Other times I tell myself that in the long run our friendship would probably have ended anyway, since there were key things we disagreed on. I don't know if that's true or not, but I'll never know. Most days I go on through life not thinking much about it. It's just that at certain times, I really need a friend.

If anyone is still reading, please share your thoughts. Have you ever had a time in your life when there was no best buddy and you needed that? How did you cope? Have you dealt with the painful end to a close friendship?

Thanks everyone!

Get Moving With PlayStation

2010-10-05T18:03:00.004-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PlayStation MOVE. All opinions are 100% mine.

We're finally having some Fall weather here and this has got me thinking about the coming winter. I need to get ready now before it's too cold for Aspen to play outside. It's already been a challenge entertaining her indoors while Ashley is at work and Abby is napping. I have got to get creative and come up with things other than her school work to keep her busy and active in the house this winter.

One thing I'm seriously considering is the new Move from PlayStation. The Move is the new motion gaming system for the PlayStation3. It boasts the most “immersive and realistic gaming experience” available. They offer a wide range of games with something for everyone. Experienced gamers and beginners alike should be able to find something to enjoy. The categories covered include sports, action, party, family, and shooters.

I know Aspen would love this. Now, y'all know I'm not a big video game fan, but I like this because it will keep her busy and she will be active and getting exercise. Plus, the whole family can join in. I can imagine cold winter nights spent playing together as a family instead of engaged in separate activities like we have been in the past. And hey, we call all use the exercise too since we tend to be less active in the winter months. I think we'd probably play the sports games since they'd offer lots of exercise, and the family games for the little girls so that we can all play together.

It's affordable too, which is a huge plus. For just $99 we can get the Move Bundle Pack and use our existing PS3.

I'd love to hear from my readers on this. How do you keep your kids busy and active in the winter? Do you have family game nights?

Sunday Scrappin': September 19

2010-09-20T18:01:00.004-04:00

It's Sunday again and that means it's time for Sunday Scrappin'. This is a GREAT way to get inspired, meet other crafters and share your creations, so please drop over and join today!

I admit, I'm late getting this post up, as it's now Monday. But, I was waiting for some finds to come through Paypal from my sponsored blog posts, so I could get this adorable kit to scrap my RV shopping pics from way back in 2007. This kit was just perfect, as you can see below!

My TA-DAs:

These are from back in 2007 when Aspen was just 2, and I had just begun to research RVs and the fulltime RV lifestyle. Now, three years later, Aspen is 5, she has a baby sister and the dream is still very much alive!

My TO-DOs:
Nothing particular planned this week as far as scrapping. My philosophy is "Scrap what you feel", so I'll see where the mood takes me this week. Happy Scrappin'!

New TV Technology From Tivo

2010-09-20T16:10:00.000-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of TiVo. All opinions are 100% mine.

We haven't had TV in our home since we moved in over here in February of this year. We do have Netflix, so we have some TV but we don't have cable anymore. I refuse to pay the high prices that the cable and satellite companies want to charge these days. Over the six years that we had cable with a local company here, our monthly bill rose $60.

With Fall coming, it would be nice to have someTV again. There's some cool new Fall TV shows starting, and old ones we did enjoy, stating again. With cold weather coming, we'll be outdoors less and that means needing more things to enjoy indoors. Getting cable again is not an option for us, but after reading about this cool new Tivo gadget today, I wish it was!

If you do have cable, you can maximize your TV experience with the new Tivo Primiere and Slide Remote. With this great new product from the Tivo folks, you can enjoy such terrific new features as a new HD user interface for optimized search & discovery and the ability to record up to 45 hours of HD programming. The unit connects to your cable service, replacing your cable box and giving you access the world's largest on-demand video store. You can even schedule recordings online or with your mobile phone! How cool is that?

If you're a TV lover, be sure to check out the Facebook Fan Page for Tivo and join today.

Would you love to have this cool technology? Even better would you like to have it for free? Well guess what? The Tivo folks are giving away a bunch of them. Enter to Win today! Hurry up, the contest ends on 9/22!

And hey, if you win, make sure to invite me over to watch okay?

My Studio

2010-09-18T00:40:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite art forms is creating lifelike reborn dolls. For those of you not familiar with this art form, a reborn doll is a vinyl play doll or blank doll kit that has been transformed using various techniques into the most lifelike doll possible. Realism is the goal. I was first introduced to reborn dolls in the fall of 2002 when a coworker brought in a doll she had made. I was instantly smitten and wanted to learn how to make them. She was kind enough to take me under her artistic wing and teach me the process. I've been creating them ever since.

I hope you'll all take a minute or two to check out my studio website: Blessed Beginnings Studio. Here's a little peek at what you'll get to see.

If you like what you see, please consider helping me promote my studio by adding my button to your blog.

Our Etsy Store is Open!

2010-09-16T16:26:00.002-04:00

Ashley and I have openned an Etsy store together. I hope you will all stop by and check it out!

Sunday Scrappin':September 12

2010-09-12T15:51:00.006-04:00

It's Sunday again and that means it's time for Sunday Scrappin'. This is a GREAT way to get inspired, meet other crafters and share your creations, so please drop over and join today!

My TA-DAs:
This week I continued with the June 2009 Astronomy pages. I reposted the first page that I posted last week just so you can see it with it's companion page. I found these pages a little challenging to do, because I didn't want the scrapping to take away from the images, but I did want that artsy digiscrap feel too. I'm pleased with the way they turned out. Enjoy!

My TO-D0's:
Lately I've been thinking about my dream of someday hitting the road in an RV and traveling the country. At different times in our lives that's been something we were actively researching and at other times it's been on the back burner, just like most big dreams. The other night I came across these cute pictures from 2007 when the girls and I went to an RV dealer to check out some models. We fell in love with the one they're in in these pics.

This week I'll probably scrap these and continue on with the Astronomy ones as well.

Have a great week everyone!

Teaching To Make A Difference

2010-09-09T18:55:00.003-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Woodrow Wilson. All opinions are 100% mine.

In today's tough economy, many people have decided to make a career change. Many others are considering alternatives to their original career plans. One of the hardest hit fields has been education. With schools cutting budgets all across the country, many schools in poor rural and urban settings are severely understaffed. At schools where strong, positive teachers are needed the most, they are found the least.

The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship is designed to change all of that. The goal of th program is to recruit, train and retain effective teachers for the students that need them the most. It provides recent college graduates in the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines the opportunity to further their education and make a real difference in the lives of students at hard to staff schools. Participants will receive a $30,000 stipend to complete an intensive master's degree program at one of fourteen different participating universities.

Potential candidates must have completed and undergraduate degree in one of the above fields by June 2011 and must have graduated with a 3.0 GPA or higher. They also must demonstrate a commitment to the program and its goals. Those selected will complete a field-based Master's Degree in teacher education. They must commit to teach for at least three years in a high-need school, where they will receive intensive and support and mentoring in the classroom.

Visit here to learn more: www.wwteachingfellowship.org and please also take a moment to review this informative and inspirational video.

Things That Make Me Smile

2010-09-06T23:40:00.006-04:00

The view from our playroom window, from the baby's perspective.
~

All the Hot Wheels gathered in their bin, my favorite one on top.
~

The way Abby never gets tired of the talking shape puzzle...

...even when she's getting tired.

Labor Day Weekend Photo Journal

2010-09-06T15:09:00.021-04:00

Another end of summer holiday weekend has come and gone. We spent it doing weekendy kinds of things.

Here in our town we have a festival over Labor Day weekend. We go every year and this year was special because we actually live back here now. Shawn and I took the little girls on Friday night to take advantage of wristband night at the carnival. Aspen had a ball.

She went on the Super Slide six times.

She rode the kiddie train (which she is quickly getting too big for!)

We bumped into some neighbors and Aspen went on a helicopter type of ride with her friend Maddox.

Our last stop was the giant inflatable slides, always Aspen's favorite.

Saturday Ashley and I went back with the little girls to check out the craft show and other fun stuff like Aspen's favorite, the pony rides. I can't believe how big she looked on that pony!

Saturday we also did a little fun shopping. Aspen got a tie-dye shirt she's been wanting for ages and Ashley got some super cute bottle cap earrings. We finished off Saturday with some festival food, chicken on a stick (yum!) and funnel cakes. Sunday I took the little girls again and this time we took my Mom & Dad with us. They had a ball too.

Aspen was especially happy to ride the ponies again, and once again I was told by the handlers that she's a natural. I've got to get this kid into riding lessons.

We wrapped up the holiday by going over to their house today for a cookout. My Dad blew up a little inflatable pool for the girls and they played in it and made mud pies. Hubby grilled some delicious burgers and hot dogs and we feasted and enjoyed all the pleasures of a day at Grandma and Grandaddy's house.

I hope all of you had a safe and happy holiday weekend too!

Sunday Scrappin': September 5

2010-09-05T11:09:00.003-04:00

It's Sunday again and that means it's time for Sunday Scrappin'. This is a GREAT way to get inspired, meet other crafters and share your creations, so please drop over and join today!

Is it really September already? Time seems to be passing quickly. We had a busy week here, and between school, our usual household tasks and helping out my parents as they get settled into their new home, there wasn't a whole lot of time for scrappin' (horrors!). I did manage to get one page done though.

My TA-DA this week is:

Last June we started studying Astronomy for the first time. Ashley had it as an elective and so we invested in a nice telescope. Everyone was so excited the day it arrived and this is the first in a series of pages about our first day learning to use it. Good times!

This week I am planning to continue doing Astronomy related pages, both from last year and this year, as long as that's what I feel like working on. I find that I enjoy scrapping so much more when I "scrap what I feel" as the saying goes.

How about you?

Earn A Teaching Degree Online

2010-09-03T14:36:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's been a while since I posted. Aspen's home school has been keeping me really busy with gathering materials and creating curriculum. I feel like I spend hours preparing lesson plans, and she blows right through them in a matter of minutes. It's amazing. I don't know how teachers in a school setting with multiple students do it! Some days I wish I had some formal training in teaching. If I was younger, and my kids were older, I might consider a teaching career after they were grown.

There are more and more opportunities for people to seek career training these days. Online education has really expanded and excellent programs are now available for aspiring teachers. One such program is the USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC program. It's open to current educators and aspiring teachers. Students have the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from an elite research university with the convenience and flexibility of studying online.

The program information includes details on the highly interactive online learning environment combined with field-based experiences right in your local area, as well as a groundbreaking tuition reimbursement program and scholarships.

The face of education is changing all over the globe, and tomorrow's teachers need to be able to keep pace with the new technologies and methodology being used, while still possessing a strong background in the fundamentals of teaching.

Students enrolling in the program can earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from an internationally renowned research institution with a 100-year history of educating teachers to be agents of change. The school itself has been ranked #22 in the United States, and #9 among all private universities by US News and World Report. The distinguished USC faculty has been recognized for their contributions to modern education and Rossier and the MAT@USC were awarded by AACTE for innovative use of technology in education.

If you're currently a teacher wanting to enhance your knowledge and skill, or you dream of one day being a teacher, check into this innovative and unique program today.

Sunday Scrappin':August 29

2010-08-29T00:00:00.002-04:00

Never Too Young For Hot Wheels

Love You Crazy

One Moment In Time

My TO-DOs this week are just to keep scrappin' with the flow!

Faith in Homeschooling

2010-08-24T21:33:00.004-04:00

School starts here tomorrow. Not just here in our home, but in the public school system too. Tomorrow would be the day Aspen started Kindergarten if she was attending public school. I find I have mixed feelings about that.

I am comfortable with my decision to teach her at home. This has been the plan since she was just a baby and my desire since before she was ever even born. In my heart I know it is the right thing for her. We started our Kindergarten in June. Academically she is right where she should be in some areas and miles ahead in others. I know homeschooling is the right thing for her.

A recent rash of comments to the contrary from several people has thrown me for a bit of a loop. A few weeks ago Kelly, my oldest daughter, went on a whole tangent about how she thought public school would be good for Aspen. This, from the child who hated school with a passion and dropped out, went back, and dropped out again. A few weeks ago my MIL made a few comments to my husband about were we sure we didn't want to let her attend public school, as though we were taking away something good from her. I know my MIL feels that way, but I thought we had established that it was our choice, this is what we were doing and the matter was closed to discussion. Even my hubby, who has been supportive and even praised me as a home school mom to his coworkers, has made a few comments lately about whether we should put her in school. I realize this is a big decision and that the fact that we're now doing it officially is probably a little bit intimidating, and that's probably the reason for his sudden uncertainty. Still, it was a bit unsettling.

I find that other people's negativity can really impact my confidence in homeschooling if I let it. I'm sure this is a common thing home school moms run into. I've learned that I can't count on the support of others to keep me going and inspired. I have to fall back on my faith in God and the knowledge that this is what He wants me to do for my children. I believe that with all my heart. I know that the only way to truly raise my girls to know Christ the way I want them to is to teach them at home and lead them by example. I also know, that when I am feeling low, and every one's negative input threatens to derail me, I have only to look to the Lord and He will give me all that I need to accomplish this task He's set before me.

2 Corinthians 9:8 says it all: "God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work"

What do you do to regain your footing, when the opinions of others make you question your parenting choices?

Sunday Scrappin': August 22

2010-08-21T18:28:00.012-04:00

It's Sunday again and that means it's time for Sunday Scrappin'. This is a GREAT way to get inspired, meet other crafters and share your creations, so please drop over and join today!

I love Sunday Scrappin' because it motivates me to try to do at least one layout each week, even when I'm super busy and life is hectic. This week I got a lot done, largely due to inspiration I found from participating in The Big Idea Festival over at Big Picture Scrapbooking. It's free to join and I've gotten so many terrific ideas, I'll never get them all done! Here's what I was able to do this week:

Rainy Days

Abby at One Year

I Laugh At Your Childproofing!

Beach Fest 2010, 2-page layout

Sisters

I Read My Bible

2010-08-19T19:47:00.002-04:00

I read my Bible, and Proverbs 22:3 tells me: “The prudent man forsees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”

I read the news. The economy is improving, they say. It's what they want us to believe. I watch the things happening around me and I know that isn't true. If it gets better it will get worse first. I grocery shop a little more. I store away canned goods and beans and rice and spices and so many things I take for granted now.

I read the news. Floods compromise drinking water, and over and over again grocery stores run out of water, and otherwise rational human beings scrap over it like wild animals over a fresh kill. I buy an extra case of it each time I stop at the store, and I learn how to purify questionable water with filtering, boiling and chemical tablets. I learn how to dig a well.

I read the news. North Korea threatens us with nuclear retaliation in response to naval exercises we're conducting there. I learn that my family and I could survive nuclear fall-out, and I scribble down sketches of how we could live in our laundry room for several days.

I read the news. Violence is on the rise. Homes are invaded, people are killed, or worse. I remind my husband to clean the guns, and we spend a day at the gun range. He teaches the girls about firearms safety.

I read the news. The Grid Act is dumped by the Senate. I set out to learn all I can about EMP. I read One Second After by William Forstchen, and I am afraid.

I read my Bible. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells me: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

And I am no longer afraid, but strengthened and comforted, and I go on reading, and learning, and preparing.

Enjoy more...

The Heavens & The Earth

2010-08-16T00:19:00.002-04:00

We'll be starting school again soon. We took a break after our ocean unit and will be doing an Astronomy unit for September. For Bible we're studying Genesis and the two subjects go hand in hand really well. I'm planning to introduce both with this video from the Apollo 8 lunar landing. I never knew they recited verses from Genesis during that momentous event, but this is so neat. Enjoy!

Sunday Scrappin': August 15

2010-08-15T12:41:00.005-04:00

It's Sunday again and that means it's time for Sunday Scrappin'. This is a GREAT way to get inspired, meet other crafters and share your creations, so please drop over and join today!

I love Sunday Scrappin' because it motivates me to try to do at least one layout each week, even when I'm super busy and life is hectic. This week I squeezed in this page with one of my favorite pics from back in March, shortly after we moved here. Aspen plays with the two boys from upstairs on almost a daily basis and this is a snapshot of the three of them enjoying the shade of one of the park toys. I used the Hopscotch kit again. I love this kit!

As usual I don't have any particular To-DOs this week, just to scrap when the mood strikes. Have a great week!

War

2010-08-12T21:49:00.003-04:00

There is war on my TV. It invades my home and I cannot stop it. Violence and blood and killing and evil, right here in my living room. I watch his hands on the controller, fingers moving swift and sure, taking simulated lives. The baby gazes at the imagery as she toddles his way, ball in hand. She rolls it his way, expecting him to return it. He ignores it, gunning down bad guys and dodging digital bullets.

Undeterred she eases into his lap and smiles up at him. He lifts his arms to let her sit in his lap, but his eyes stay fixed on the carnage across the room. She watches a moment even as I am already moving to get her. Not finding the attention she seeks, she moves to get out of his lap, accidently bumping the TV remote as she goes. I hear him scold her as he snatches it up and turns the TV back on, searching for the right channel. She looks to me, confused and I see hurt in her little blue eyes. Angry, I scoop her up and in my heart I claim her as mine and only mine, and retreat to safer ground.

A long time later he comes looking for us, his eyes clouded over with hours of death and destruction. He gives report on his success, and I refuse to reward him with a response. The little one's face lights up though, and she makes a beeline into his waiting arms. They interact lovingly, the past forgotten by both. The young are quick to forgive and maybe I should be too. But I am unable just this minute and so I leave them to their affectionate play to tend to household chores.

Tears fall on soft, warm towels and I pray. I pray for this man, this husband and father who does not know Christ. I pray for me, I pray for the children. And I pray for our world, where such things are accepted, and glorified, and oh so pervasive.

And I secretly plot to break the TV.

Enjoy more....

Sunday Scrappin': August 8

2010-08-09T14:32:00.004-04:00

It's Sunday again and that means it's time for Sunday Scrappin'. This is a GREAT way to get inspired, meet other crafters and share your creations, so please drop over and join today!

For Abby's birthday party pictures I decided to try putting more pictures on one page. I was inspired by the photo frames kit I found at Cottage Arts. I love how they went so well with the kit I got especially for her birthday pictures and some other projects I have planned. It's Hopscotch from Shabby Princess. So, without further ado, here's Abby enjoying her first birthday cake.

I don't have anything planned this week, just intending to scrap what I feel, as the saying goes.

Post-Modern Life: Are We Cheating Ourselves?

2010-08-07T16:02:00.003-04:00

As a homemaker in post-modern America, I have it easy compared to my own mother. She had it easy compared to her mother, and so forth. Each new generation of domestic engineers has been blessed with tools that make our job a little bit easier, a little bit faster, a little more convenient. But lately I find myself wondering, does all that really make it any better?

My grandmother washed dishes by hand. I load them in and out of my dishwasher, usually twice a day. Grandma washed clothes by hand and hung them to dry. I load them first into my washer, then my dryer. My mother sat down and wrote letters on paper in her own handwriting to keep in touch with distant loved ones. I drop emails with digital pictures attached. Mom cooked simple meals with basic ingredients. I cook by browning meat and adding the contents of a box labeled "helper". When I needed to learn about something, I asked someone to teach me or did research at the library. My kids flip on the Internet, type in what they need and bam! there it is in a few seconds. Our post-modern methods are quicker and easier, but are they really better?

I think many of today's homemakers are missing out on something vital. There is therapeutic value in doing things the old-fashioned way. I believe the rhythm of hand dish washing is calming. Involving the children is more fun when there is sudsy water involved. Washing clothes by hand is tiring, but the exercise is beneficial, physically and emotionally. Cooking from scratch is more work, but what a warm and wonderful labor of love! There is also a certain grounding we get from simple activities like handwriting a letter or reading a book. We learn more when we research things for ourselves than if all the answers and reasoning are provided for us. These old ways of doing things make life more real and tangible than it has become today.

Perhaps more importantly, we have become so dependant on our modern conveniences, that we are slowly losing the ability to function without them. It's with this in mind and a hunger for simplicity in my heart that I am trying to turn back the hands of time in our home.

I have already begun cooking more from scratch and building a pantry of staples. We've dropped microwave popcorn and taken to popping it on the stove from plain seeds. It's so delicious in its pure form! I want to start drying some of our clothes on a drying rack outside and hand washing dishes a few times a week with Aspen. It's a small start, but I feel good about it.

What things do you enjoy doing the old-fashioned way?

In This Quiet Stillness

2010-08-06T21:58:00.004-04:00

Life has been too noisy lately, every moment of every day abuzz with activity. Birthdays, projects, planning. Always something to do, someplace to go. I'm tired. Even as I write this it is neither still nor quiet in the house. But I need these precious few moments, and so I have stolen them, tucked them away under noise drowning headphones. Music plays, a beautiful melody: Mazzy Star's "Into Dust". It soothes me, calms my soul and helps me sit still with my thoughts. In the stillness they sort themselves out and I see and hear and feel them as I am normally unable to.

This music is mine and Abby's, music I softly swayed my hips to in preparation for her birth. Music I hummed to as I absently stroked that growing belly and tuned out the chaos around me. Music I lost myself in as my body labored to deliver her. Music that played as I met her for the first time. Music I rocked her to sleep to in a darkened room, her tiny body cradled against me. It's as beautiful as the dance we danced to it, the dance of mother and child.

We've said we've made the decision not to have any more. Practically speaking this is the best decision, for reasons financial and practical. Reasons of marriage and siblings and dynamics and how much work one mama can handle. Our heads say we're done. Our hearts say otherwise.

Days rise and fall with the boundless energy of my little ones, punctuated with chores and teen things and bills and laundry. Some days are beautiful, some days I pray for bedtime and fall into bed exhausted, a young child under each arm. And as I drift off, thoughts of the one that might still be hover around me, just as they do for most of those crazy days.

I still want her. Or him. Him would be really special. Either way the desire is still there and still strong. When the practical falls away, and I silence the voices of those who would gasp in horror at the idea, and I am left with only my bare naked heart, I feel that desire so strongly.

A stomach ache off and on this week almost made me want to test. Breastfeeding my little ones has always been reliable birth control for me, and as Abby is still going strong, the chances are slim enough that I've not bothered, but the thought stirs up all those wanting feelings.

I have no answers. I have only my faith in Jesus and my prayers for Him to take the wheel on this road. And I have this beautiful music. Enjoy...

Enjoy more Imperfect Prose here.

Happy Birthday Abby!

2010-07-30T00:33:00.005-04:00

My baby girl is one today! Where did the time go?

What does "Made In America" mean today?

2010-07-29T19:48:00.004-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ramblers Way. All opinions are 100% mine.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about America and the values it was founded on. I fear if our Founding Fathers could see what our country has become today, they would be sorely disappointed. One of the saddest things that is taking place in this modern society is the death of small towns, and with them, so much of America's rich history and culture. As more and more Americans live in cities, small town values are slowly being lost as well. Community, quality and the value of an honest day's labor are just a few of the things that are losing meaning for the modern generation. Something else that's been almost lost is the idea of a sustainable lifestyle.

For years now, my family and I have been making a concerted effort to purchase products that are eco-friendly, healthy, natural and Made in America. This can be challenging, both because of a lack of American made products, and the high cost of most eco-friendly, sustainable consumer products. One company we've been using for a while now is Tom's of Maine. We love their toothpaste, deodorant and other products. When I was offered the chance to write about their new project today, I didn't hesitate.

Ramblers Way Farm is committed to helping revitalize American small towns, and doing business the old-fashioned American way. They source, grow and produce fine woollen apparel using 100% domestic resources. They're keeping money and jobs right here in small town America. Located in downtown Kennebunk, Maine, their new corporate office is in a refurbished building that was originally built in 1792 and their operation today is a perfect illustration of what our modern world needs. The building itself has been restored to its original condition, thus preserving part of the town's history and culture. It has also been modernized to meet today's environmental standards. They have even achieved Gold Level Leed Certification. The LEED rating system recognizes projects that implement strategies for sustainable green building, and Gold certification is reserved for those demonstarting a real commitment to high standards.

Of their new business, Ramblers Way Farm, Tom and Kate Chappell have this to say:

"We started Ramblers Way with a desire to re-imagine wool as a next-to-skin, superfine fabric, to warm and comfort people of all ages and walks of life. Just as importantly, we sought to create a company and products that exemplify the values and beliefs which we hold dear. We create superfine worsted wool garments, while maintaining high standards of ecological responsibility, community involvement, and customer satisfaction. We've created a company that pays homage to America's rich history as a textile producer, while breathing new life into the domestic wool industry, through our collaboration with farmers and producers around the country."

The Chappell's business and environmental philosphies, in my opinion, exemplify exactly what “Made In America” should mean in our modern world, and I can't wait to try some of their new products. I hope some of you will too. I also hope you will each take a look at your buying habits and look for ways to support the new Made In America today.

The Times They Are A Changin'

2010-07-28T21:45:00.004-04:00

Yep, it's that time again. Time for a bloggy facelift. If you've been reading here for any length of time then you know I have to have a change of bloggy scenery now and then. This time I chose the rustic cabin look and feel because it reflects some of what I've been feeling lately. I've really been feeling a pull towards all things simple, natural and of home. The little cabin in my new header is a fairly good representation of my dream home of late. I've had dreams and thoughts of a simpler, more peaceful life for my family. Since we can't just up and move to a cute little cabin in the woods right this very minute, I am striving to simplify our lives right here in our small-town-that's-part-of-a-big-city apartment. I'll be sharing our journey as we take steps to transform our noisy, modern convenience dependant lives into something more self-sufficient, and maybe even old fashioned. Stick around, it's gonna be great!

Sunday Scrappin': July 25

2010-07-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's Sunday again and that means it's time for Sunday Scrappin'. This is a GREAT way to get inspired, meet other crafters and share your creations, so please drop over and join today!

I've been busy with other things that I've not done much scrapping. The past few days I've been hungry for some creative time and these two pages are the result. Last summer we did Astronomy as part of our homeschool curriculum, and the girls loved it. The two pages are the first in a series on our stellar studies. I used an adorable kit called Fly Me To The Moon.

My TA-DAs:

My TO-DOs this week are to organize some more photos into my DigiProject files. Thanks for looking!

Saving Money With Generics

2010-07-24T15:18:00.003-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

As the economy continues to decline and American families have to tighten their belts even more than we ever have before, it's more vital than ever that we find ways to save money. A key area where families can make money-saving changes is at the grocery store. One really good way to save on the grocery bill is to use generic products wherever possible. There's a terrific articles on this today over at Wallet Pop. 10 Products to Always Buy Generic suggests ditching name brand cereals, over-the-counter medications and pantry staples like flour and sugar. If you shop at stores like Aldi, you already do this and the savings are obvious. Most generic products are either identical or very similar to pricey name brands. Here we use generic brands of just about everything.

One of the products many families may be hesitant to try is generic baby formula. Many parents worry that they may be compromising nutrition by feeding their babies store brand formula. Some major formula manufacturers have encouraged this belief with scary ad campaigns recently. However, this is simply not true. According to the Food and Drug Administration, all formula marketed in the U.S. must meet the same nutrient specifications, which are set at levels to fulfill the needs of infants. Although infant-formula manufaurers may have their own proprietary formulations, brand-name and store name formulas must contain at least the minimum levels of all nutrients specified by FDA regulations, and may not exceed any maximum levels which may be set. Generic and store brand formulas typically cost 25-50% less than name brands. That can make a huge difference for a family already struggling to make ends meet.

If you're unsure, do some further research. Compare the ingredients of your favorite name brand formula against the store brand next to it on the shelf. You should see few, if any, differences. Talk with your doctor also. In the end, breastfeeding is best for your baby, and extended breastfeeding is beneficial to your baby's health and your wallet. If you choose not to nurse, or to supplement with formula, do your research and decide what you think is best for you and your baby.

In the meantime, try out some other generic items and see how much you save!

Milestones & Decisions

2010-07-20T14:43:00.006-04:00

I'm feeling older the past few weeks. Time is marching on all around me. My oldest daughter, Kelly, made her first solo road trip from VA to come visit us. It seems like just yesterday she was my baby. Ashley turned 18 on Saturday. It seems like just yesterday she was my baby. Aspen lost her first tooth yesterday. It seems like just yesterday she was my baby. Abby is walking, self-weaning and cutting molars. It seems like just yesterday she was my baby. I don't have babies anymore. I have a toddler, a young girl and two beautiful young women.

With Abby's first birthday looming, I am nearing the end of the baby years of my life. We've made the decision not to add any more children to our brood. While our hearts still wish for more, the real truth is that we can't handle any more. It's all we can do to provide for our family financially and emotionally now. I'm at peace with our decision. I know that our future will be much brighter and better for each family member if we shower all of our love and attention on the beautiful blessings we already have.