Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A NEW for us!

I am so excited!  I can't hardly type...lol.  Hubby and I just bought our first house!!!  The house has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with an unfinished basement.  I can't wait to get moved in.  The house is a new build that hasn't been lived in yet.  It has been sitting empty for a couple of years.  It has some cosmetic problems (ie; cracking where the sheetrock wasn't properly taped) but with able bodied people around we are going to fix this before our things arrive from storage on the 7th of January.  It will be a busy couple of weeks getting things in order so that the movers can move in all of our stuff but we are ready for the challenge. 
We got to show the kids the house today and they are in love!  The went around to each room claiming it as if they actually got to choose it...lol.  I love those guys! 
Right now everything outside is completely snow covered but we know we will have a beautiful view in the back because of the pond that is located on the rear of the property.  It is a small run-off pond but we think it is great that we don't have a direct backyard neighbor.
The neighborhood has many kids.  You can tell because of all the playgrounds in the backyards and the numerous trampolines.  Today we even saw a bunch of kids (probably about Butterfly's age) playing outside. 
We are so excited about our new place, I can't even tell you.  This is the first property that we have ever owned and couldn't be more proud of it.  Soon we will make it our own with new paint (since we have to re-do it anyways) and our own flair. 
Wish us luck in our do it yourself project!

<3 Alison

Monday, December 27, 2010

Pizza Hut Story

This is starting become a pattern that I do not like!  So much has happened and I haven't written about it.  What is wrong with me?!
I posted on FB a while back about an incident at Pizza Hut.  I thought I should start there....
So...here we go!
It was a Friday night.  The kids and I had been cooped up all week.  I thought, what a great opportunity to get out of the house for dinner and enjoy seeing things other that the four walls of my parents house.  Apparently, I had a momentary brain lapse and forgot that you should NEVER allow the FIRST outing after a week inside to be in a restaurant where it is highly recommended that you stay in your seat.
We get seated (and yes I am using that term loosely) and we have the two girls on either side of my Dad, Bubby on the end next to me and my Mom on my other side.  My Dad is really good at keeping the girls in line so I was very ok with them sitting next to him.  We put our order in and it is THEN I realize that I have AGAIN made a carnal mistake.  I didn't bring ANYTHING for the kids to DO while we wait.  You would think that this was the first time I had ever been out with children!  Oy.
So, I did what any self respecting mom would do.  I opened the diaper bag to see what I could scrounge up from the depths of the bottom of the bag.  Lo and behold, I found a kids magazine for Butterfly...THANK GOODNESS!  And I found a few sheets of crumpled paper and a very sticky pen for Bee.  Bubby was occupied with food I had brought for him...which he ran out of much too soon and waaaaay before our pizza came.
Unfortunately, the magazine was an old one and Abby had done everything in it and heard the stories about thirty times.  Bee quickly became bored with the sticky pen and crumpled pieces of paper.  So the craziness continues.  Up and down and all around.  And then it happened...someone I knew from high school walks in the door and are seated right behind us.  OY!  Of course she has a family now and they are all acting like angels with their coloring books and crayons. 
Much of the rest of the night was a blur of sit down and be quiet, trips to the bathroom, passing Bubby around and hurrying out the door after the adults had a slice or two of pizza.  The girls didn't TOUCH their pizzas.  Sigh. 
We get back home and put the kids to bed...and then finish our dinners in peace.  Next time I have the brilliant idea to go out after a week of being stuck in the house, would someone please come and knock me up side the head?!
This is just one of the many adventures as of late.  I will post more often to catch you all up.  Hopefully I will have pictures soon to add as well.  :)
<3 Alison

Monday, December 13, 2010

Is it really only 2 weeks until Christmas?

I find myself this year stuck in a long dark tunnel with only a spark of light in sight.  I have always loved Christmas.  I love the hustle and bustle of the season, the shopping, the stories, the family, and most of all celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus our Lord.  This year, I sit here two weeks from Christmas barely able to remember the true meaning of Christmas and none of the hustle and bustle done.  And frankly, no desire to do the whole hustle and bustle of things. 
I love to bake and I have yet to make a single Christmas cookie.  I usually have multiple projects for various people completed or started with my sewing machine...again...nothing.  I usually have an advent wreath with candles and the stories that correspond ready for my kids, again...nada. 
I truly need a Christmas miracle.  I feel like a scrooge.  I don't want to help anyone decorate or bake or go shopping or wrap presents. 
Ironically, as I sit here and type this post the song, "Where are you Christmas?" is playing on the online radio.  I wish I put the joy for the season.  Maybe it got packed away with the rest of the house and is sitting in storage.  I desperately want to enjoy the season, I just can't figure out how. 
So, here is yet another post that leaves me wondering what to do.
<3 Alison

Friday, December 10, 2010

A crisp winter afternoon

...and I sent the girls out to play in the fresh Minnesota snow today.  It was a glorious 30 minutes of quiet.  My dad was here and he watched the girls through the window so I could go take a shower and Corbin was sleeping.  When I got out of the shower I had just enough time to make a cup of tea before the first of the girls wanted to come back in.  Bee's mitten had fallen off and she fell in the snow.  Her hand had, and I quote, "icicles on it!"  Such a sweet little girl.  Butterfly wanted to stay out longer but she got bored without her sister and came in as well. 

This weekend has much fun in store as long as the winter weather isn't too bad.  My mother in law is performing with her church for a Christmas dinner.  We are all looking forward to that.  Then on Sunday Hubby and I are planning to head to the "city" and do our Christmas shopping.  It is going to be a great weekend, even if we get snowed in.  We will all be together as family.  That is the best part about Minnesota winters...the togetherness that you get in a blizzard. 

I am hoping to get some more cookies made this afternoon but my back is starting to act up so I might have to put them on hold until tomorrow.  Here's to hoping that a quick nap will fix it. 

<3 Alison

Monday, December 6, 2010

Long time no blog!

It has been a while since I last blogged.  I am sorry for leaving you all so abruptly.  There have been many new developments.  One of which is that of a house!   We are actively house hunting.  We have found a couple that we like and are contemplating how to go about choosing the one we want.  The market is rather small where we are looking so our options are limited (we are talking 2 here people)...lol.  But that is ok.  We think we have figured out the one that we want but time will tell.

Last week Hubby's grandmother passed away so we have been dealing with the emotion of that.  It was a hard weekend for all of us.  But we know she is in a better place and that she is free of all that encompassed her here on Earth.  She is with our Heavenly Father and her twin sister.

The kids are still loving being at Grandpa and Grandma's and love visiting Mimi and PopPop.  I think this week we will head up to MiMi and PopPop's for a few nights.  We need to get some Christmas cookies baked so we can have something to share with our friends!  I hope that we can get enough made.  I am very disappointed that I didn't remember to grab my Christmas cookie recipes.  Guess it will be a year of all new recipes!  Watch out you are all my guinea pigs now!!!  :D

I hope to be able to share some of my favorite recipes with you...once I find them that is.  :)

<3 Alison

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Giving Thanks

Today is Thanksgiving.  And I have much to give thanks for.  For one, I am so thankful for all of the kind and encouraging words I received after my last entry.  You all made me feel so loved and that some of you have been in VERY similar situations and survived.  So thank you for giving me hope.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I am thankful for our families.  I am thankful that both my husband's family and my family live close together so they can share the load as we continue to look for housing.  I am thankful that our families get along and are willing to share holidays so that everyone gets their time with us.

I am thankful for my hubby.  I am thankful that he has a fantastic new job that he seems to be in love with.  I am thankful that he takes the time to come and see us every weekend even when the weather is icky.  Side note: Yesterday on the way home from work it was icy and he was rear-ended.  I am sooo thankful that he is alright, with nothing but a sore neck for personal injury.  We are sad to lose our second vehicle but he is looking forward to finding the next one.  I am thankful that my hubby is a fantastic father.  He is so wonderful with our kids.  Watching him with them is so heart warming.  I am thankful that my hubby treats me better than he should. He is an amazing man of God.  I love him with all my heart.  Thank you God for giving me this man.

I am thankful for my kids.  I am thankful that each of them brings something different to the table.  Butterfly and her intelligence, Bee and her spunky attitude, and Bubby and his all boy-ness (is that even a WORD???).  I cannot imagine the world with out them.

So even though I may have my Debbie Downer days I still am quite thankful for what I have.  God is good and he has been good to us.  He continues to show us his mercies.

<3Alison

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Surviving

That is what I call it.  We are loving our families and are very grateful for their generosity to keep us while we are looking for a place to live.  With that said, I am really missing my house...or any house that I can call my own for that matter.  The kids are doing great.  They are loving being able to see their grandparents.  The first week we stayed at the hotel, then at the end of that week we stayed at my in laws, then to my parents, then back to the in laws this week.  Next week we will go back to my parents.  I am not sure how long I will be able to keep up at this pace.

I had a realization this week.  Last year I bought a new Christmas tree and decorations.  I was sooo excited to put them out this year.  Alas, with the new circumstances, I will not be able to do so.  You see they are sitting in storage in a town about 3 hours from us.  I also have no place to display said decorations and tree.  I know it seems like a small thing and I won't have anything to put away after Christmas either, but it is something I look forward to every year.  I am pretty bummed. 

Hubby has been staying at the provided temporary housing so he is closer to work and that has been a good thing for him.  We miss him like crazy though.  We talk to him every night on Skype so that helps but the kids are having a really rough time without him.  So am I. 

Sorry for the Debbie Downer post tonight.  But this is kind of where I am at.  I keep trying to remember that God's plan is the best plan and he knows what I need right now and apparently it is for us to be very close to family.  So I pray that I can remember that.  And that I can be a gracious guest.  And a helpful guest.

<3 Alison

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Tinker Toys, Matrushka Dolls and TV ~ OH MY!

This is what the week has consisted of.  Lots of Tinker Toys, Matrushka Dolls and TV (please forgive the spelling, I am not sure how to spell it.  The dolls are the Russian stacking dolls that fit inside one another).  We have been staying with my parents this week, it has been great!  All but yesterday things have gone well.  Yesterday the kids got a bit...ummm...rambunctious? and well it was a rough day.  But other than that they have been great.  Butterfly loves Tinker Toys, Bee loves those Russian dolls and Bubby just loves being around both of them.  All the while they are all watching Playhouse Disney.  Then in the afternoons we let them play outside (of course AFTER we bought new winter garb for them all because it is STINKING COLD in Minnesota).  They have loved every minute of it.  They keep asking when Santa is coming.  You see in Ohio it would snow mostly around Christmas time.  Here, not so much.  LOL! 
So that is a mini-update on us.  Hopefully soon I will remember to take pictures and will be able to share them with you. 
<3Alison

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

What a Journey!

The last time I posted I was preparing for our trip to MN.  Now we are in MN...well, Iowa actually, since that is where the temporary housing is for us.  But close enough!  So here is a run down of our trip.

Thursday the moving company sent the people to pack up our house.  They did a great job.  220 boxes later all of our stuff was ready to move. 
Friday at 8am our driver and truck arrived.  He started to do inventory and mark the big stuff that wasn't boxed (aka, furniture).  The loading guys were supposed to arrive at 8:30 to start loading stuff.  8:30 came and went, 9:00 came and went, 9:30 came and went, 10:00 came and went...We were beginning to wonder.  10:30 came and went, 11 came and went...finally one guy arrived.  He had overslept.  Oy.  What an excuse.  About 20 minutes after he came he got a phone call.  The other guy had a flat tire, on the W. Broad St. exit.  For those of you who know where I live...you know that W.Broad St isn't very far from my house.  In BAD traffic to get there and back it would MAYBE take 30 minute.  Well, an HOUR later they BOTH finally show up.  This was after our driver called the company and said, "I am ticked off, the shipper (aka, ME) is ticked off and something needs to be done about it."  By 6pm, all of our stuff was loaded (including Dan's car).

We were in an empty house, with three kids, an air mattress and some sleeping bags.  We went out to dinner at a local Bob Evans...remind us NEVER to go to THAT one again...Hubby and I were up not feeling well periodically through the night.  Oy. 

Saturday morning we got up and began the finishing touches on the house.  Hubby finished painting and touching up while I took care of the kitchen.  The kids were entertained by running around the entirely empty house.  Our plan was to leave early that morning.  Unless you consider 2pm early we didn't succeed in that.  We drove a few hours, realized how tired we were and pulled over at a hotel about 5 hours away.  We ordered pizza and hit the hay.

Bright and early (yes, on the day that we do the daylight savings time switch) Bee wakes up coughing...which leads to vomiting.  Oy.  So at 5:30am we are all up and cleaning up the mess and getting everyone settled.  By 6 we were good and I took Butterfly down to breakfast.  Hubby stayed back with Bubby and Bee.  After I returned Hubby took off for breakfast and I prepared the room for our departure.  By 8am we were off again.  Only an hour behind schedule, not to shabby.  The rest of the day entailed us trying to explain to Bee why she couldn't eat what we were and fits of crying.  She eventually did eat some applesauce and jello. 

We finally got to where our temporary temporary housing was going to be....well, where we THOUGHT it was going to be.  Hubby had gone in to get our room assignment.  I stayed in the car with the kids.  He comes out and has nothing in his hands...no key, no paper, nothing.  Oy.  We were told to go to the WRONG location.  So back in the car we go and off to the RIGHT location...in the dark...with sketchy directions...and no point of reference.  After passing the place twice we found it.  And boy were we glad that we did.  We unloaded a few things and headed BACK to the car so we could go have dinner with Dan's family and mine. 

On Tuesday morning we were to check out of that hotel and move to our real temporary housing.  Of course this story wouldn't be complete without another one of my kids getting sick...this time it was Bubby.  Poor guy.  He didn't want to eat much of anything yesterday.  And then last night it hit me too.  So far Hubby and Butterfly are the only two to escape this one.  Here's to hoping it stays that way. 

We sure packed a lot into this last weekend.  Here's to hoping our house hunting stories will be less adventurous.  We could use some normalcy.  :)
<3Alison

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Preparations

When a new adventure is placed before you, you try to prepare for it.  I am fully convinced that no matter how much you prepare for something that there will be another thing that comes up that you don't expect. 
Even though there are things that we don't expect we need to remember that God ALWAYS has a plan.  He ALWAYS knows what is going to happen and when it is going to happen.  His masterful plan is wonderful.  He can see the FULL picture where I can only see a snapshot. 
When I am faced with trying situations and am trying to prepare for things I hope that I can remember that God's plan is always the best plan. 
<3 Alison

Monday, November 1, 2010

Emotions were running high

Yesterday was our last Sunday at our church.  We have been attending our church for 5 years and became members shortly after that.  We have made so many great memories with the people there.  The women's ministry events, VBS, Sunday school for all of us, the baby showers, the weddings, the church work days, and let's not forget all of the Bible studies.  I knew it was going to be a hard day.  I knew I would likely cry.  What I didn't expect is when I would cry.  I made it through the service, I made it through talking to many people about our move.  It wasn't until I was saying goodbye to our middle school and former middle school students that it really hit me.  I realized for the first time that some of our former students were now seniors and would be graduating this year.  I realized that I would be leaving my kids' favorite babysitter. 
I have been through so much with these kids.  We went through a church renovation where we held class wherever we could.  For a time we were in a hallway and in part of the old kitchen.  I think for a time we met where the little kids are now.  But through that renovation we were given a room that our students just loved.  We made it our own with couches, coffee tables and much conversation.  
This church has been with us through the birth of all three of our kids.  They have been there as we needed an extra hand to hold a baby during the service.  They have been there through the laughter and through tears.  Our church family was our family.  We had holidays together, we celebrated birthdays together.   These memories and these fabulous people will always be in our hearts and on our minds.  We pray that God would continue to bless you.
I still can't believe that our time here is over.  It is all still very surreal.  We are leaving on Friday.  We are closing the chapter on this part of our live and opening a new one. 

Friday, October 29, 2010

Trick or Treat Night!

Last night was Beggar's Night for us.  First, I took the kids to Chick Fil A for dinner because Hello Kitty was there for the evening.  The girls LOVED it.  Bubby didn't care...lol.  They had their nuggets and then got to play in the play area for a bit.  Then we headed home to get ready to go trick or treating.  They had such a good time.  By the time we got home and finished getting everyone ready Hubby was home and we could all head out.  Butterfly went as Wonder Woman, Bee went as Snow White and Bubby was a monkey.  They were all sooo cute!  They came home with a ton of candy and had lots of fun going to get it.  Bee was still a bit slower than her sister but they both had so much fun!  Maybe next year I can do trick or treating without a stroller! 
Here are some pics of our evening.  :)





Happy Halloween everyone!
<3Alison

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Happy 5th Birthday, Butterfly!

My first baby girl is turning 5 today!  I cannot believe that she is already going to be 5.  Here are some pictures of my baby girls first five years.




















My oh my how my baby girl has grown up.  She is a beautiful little girl and I can't wait to see the young lady she will turn into.  I love you so much Butterfly!
<3 Mom

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

I can post this now!

We are MOVING!  Hubby got a new job in...get this MINNESOTA!  We are thrilled to be able to move closer to family.  We will be much closer to both Hubby's family and mine. 
As we near the date of our move we are forced to come to grips with the fact that we are going to be leaving so many wonderful people that we have grown to love over the last 5 years.  So many of our friends and church family will be missed greatly as we venture on in our journey. 
We pray that God will keep them safe and keep us safe as we travel the distance.  We will truly miss all of you and hope that you all will find time to come visit us.  We certainly will find the time to come and visit you. 
There are not enough words to express the gratitude that we have for all of the families that have treated us like family.  We didn't have any family out here so the warmth that we felt when others welcomed us into their homes for the holidays was amazing.  Thank you! 

We pray that God will use us in more amazing ways as we open a new chapter in our lives.  We pray that what He has had us do here will continue to be blessed.  Without God none of this would have been possible.  God's hand has been in this experience since we began it.  He has told us no, not yet and ok, it's time.  And now as we move forward we look to Him for guidance in what He would have us do next.

Thank you for your friendships.  Thank you for your time.  We have truly been blessed.
<3 Alison

Saturday, October 16, 2010

I've been away!

Last weekend, Hubby's cousin got married.  He and Butterfly were in the wedding.  They looked great.  And now, Saturday, we are starting to get back on top of life.  It is an 18 hour drive...one way...to get back to where Hubby and I grew up.  So this was no small undertaking when we agreed to be a part of this beautiful event.  We left on Wednesday night (much to the dismay of our families who were expecting us to leave Thursday) and arrived around noon on Thursday.  We did all the fun wedding stuff and left on Monday morning to arrive back in our state around 4am on Tuesday.  What a haul.  :)  But it was all worth it.  My man looked hot, my big girl looked all grown up.  My little two were as cute as could be.  The bride and groom were stunning.

This event really brought home how much we both miss our families.  We miss the closeness, we miss them watching our kids grow up.  We rarely get to go visit, because of the drive and the cost.  We hope that we will be able to be back home for Christmas but that might be pushing the envelope a bit.  We may not get home until spring again. 

To all of our family, we miss you and we loved seeing you.  Hopefully we will see you again soon.

<3Alison





Monday, October 4, 2010

Good Monday Morning!

I hope this post finds you all well!  We are having yet another rainy day here.  It seems like it has been this way for a while.  But we had a very dry summer so I am not complaining. 

We are getting ready to go on a trip to Minnesota/South Dakota this week.  It is always such a challenge to find things for the kids to do in the car.  This summer Hubby installed a DVD system in our mini van and that has been a huge lifesaver on these long car trips. 

I try and pull some toys out of the toy room a week or two ahead of time and put them in backpacks that the kids are going to have on the trip.  Then it is like they are playing with a new toy with out having to go buy the new toy.  Of course, we do buy a few new things from the dollar spot at the store but that is about it.  We bring coloring books, crayons, magna doodles, Polly Pockets, Littlest Pet Shops, other small toys, and even some dry erase boards and markers. 

I know several of my friends on Facebook have mentioned other things they bring for their kids but what do you bring on your long trips?  How do you keep your little ones occupied?  How do YOU keep occupied? 
Hope you all have a wonderful start to the week. 
<3 Alison

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Pumpkin Butter Dip

My cousin's wife, Rachel, posted this recipe this week and it sounded sooo yummy, I had to try it.  We have been eating it with our apples that we picked last weekend.  Let me tell you, soo good. 

Pumpkin Butter Dip

3/4 cup pureed pumpkin
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together.  Enjoy!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Rain, Rain Go Away!

Today is a rainy, dreary Monday.  So I thought I would do something productive.  I finally got around to hanging those spiders on my front porch.  They are SO stinking cute!  I love them! 

Next up is making some chicken noodle soup for dinner.  I have some leftover chicken from a dinner last week to use up and I love making chicken noodle soup.  It is a comfort food for me.  So, in honor of my comfort food day here is the recipe that I am going to be using for our dinner tonight.  :)


 Reames Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
1 pkg (24oz) Reames frozen noodles
4 cups slice carrots
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced (cooked)
8 cups chicken broth
4 tsp. dried parsley
2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 cups sliced celery
2 bay leaves
2 cups chopped onion
1/2 cup flour
4 cups milk, divided
Preparation:
In a large pot, add chicken, chicken broth, parsley, thyme, pepper, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Add noodles, carrots, celery and onion; return to a boil. Reduce heat and cover; simmer 20 to 30 minutes or until done.
Meanwhile, in a liquid-tight container, combine 1 cup of milk and flour; shake well until smooth. Add to noodle mixture with remaining 3 cups milk. Continue cooking over medium heat until thickened and heated through. 

I hope that you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does.  I have made a couple of changes but if you want the original recipe you can check it out here.
<3 Alison

Friday, September 24, 2010

Back to normal...for a day.

This week has been CRAZY!  On Saturday Bubby was diagnosed with Pertussis (whooping cough).  So from then on we have been in isolation.  Hubby and the kids all had symptoms, while I, on the other hand, did not.  So I was the only one allowed to leave the house.  We had 5 days of very close family time.  I never knew our house could be so small.  LOL!  None of them were REALLY sick, though.  We all were put on a round of antibiotics to make sure if we were carrying the bacteria that we would kill it and not spread it further. 

Since pertussis is a communicable disease we were contacted by the health department.  I had to tell them everywhere we went, why were were there, how long we were there and if Bubby came into contact with anyone.  Talk about a long phone call.  The week prior to his diagnosis was the busiest week of the school year so far.  Oy!

At any rate, today was the first day we were all allowed to leave the house.  So the kids and I did errands and Butterfly was finally able to return to preschool.  She missed it so much!  I cannot even TELL you how many times she said, "Mommy, today is a school day.  But I can't go because I have the bugs."  Poor thing was so sad.  When I dropped her off at school today she was THRILLED and went right in to her class...no problem. 

I must sign off now, time to get up Bubby and Bee so we can go get Butterfly from school.  Hope you all have a fantastic weekend.  We are going apple picking so I should have good pics and some fun stories to tell by next week.

<3 Alison

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Meet my Creepy Crawly Friend!

Being stuck at home this week with my kiddos I have had more time to cruise some new blogs to me.  I found this fabulous blog via my friend Samantha.  I found this adorable little guy in one of her older posts and HAD to make him.  I made one change that makes this a bit less messy and I LOVE how they turned out.  :)  Here are the original instructions if you would like them.

Here are mine:

Creepy Crawly Spider

Supplies:
black yarn (I used Red Heart)
black pipe cleaners (4 per spider)
googly eyes
pink felt (1 sheet)

fishing line
hot glue


1.  Wrap yarn around 3 fingers.  Get a good amount (about 2 inches) worth on your fingers.

2.  Take yarn off of your fingers and wrap yarn around the center of the 2" section...like so...

3.  Keep wrapping yarn until you have a "ball" type shape.  It might be flat, it might be round, it might be oval...all of which are o.k.  :)  DO NOT CUT THE TAIL!


4. Take 4 pipe cleaners and place them under the "ball" of yarn.  Continue wrapping yarn around the "ball" of yarn and the four pipe cleaners until the pipe cleaners are secure on the bottom of the "ball".

5.  Snip the yarn and tuck it into the bottom of the "ball" of yarn.

6.  Bend the pipe cleaners so they look like spiders legs.

7.  Using your hot glue gun place two small dots of glue on the front of the spider and place googly eyes on top of the glue dots.  Remember, the glue WILL be HOT!

8.  Cut a small smile shape out of the pink felt.

9.  Using your hot glue gun place a small line of glue where the mouth should be on your spider.  Then place the smile-y on your spider.

10. Take the fishing line and tie it to the top of a couple pieces of the yarn on the top of the spider.  Cut it at the length you want the spider to hang.

11.  ENJOY!  :D

Hope you like how these little guys turn out.  My kids LOVE them!
<3 Alison

Monday, September 20, 2010

Just call me the NOT stay at home mom

Last week was FULL of stuff for us to do.  Too full if you ask me.  Every day I thought I had planned less but more and more got put into each day.  I filled the tank of my mini van on Monday night/Tuesday morning (can't remember, go figure!) and by Saturday my low fuel light was back on.  When I normally only use 1 tank every week and half to two weeks, this was a MAJOR week of driving to and fro. 

At the end of our week we took the kids to the zoo to enjoy the fall weather and see some fun animals.  We had some kettle corn and caramel apples too.  It was a fun afternoon.  We then headed to Kroger to get some food for dinner and pick up a few other things.  While we were there I got a phone call from our pediatrician.  Now let me tell you, when you get a phone call from your pediatrician on a Saturday, it is NEVER good news.  I thought she was just checking to see how Bubby's ears and nose seemed to be, since we had been in just the day before that and we were waiting to see if we needed to fill a prescription.  But no.  We had also had a culture taken to test him for pertussis (whooping cough).  And guess what, it came back positive.  So as I stand there frozen in my steps trying to listen to what she is telling me I am racking my brain trying to figure out where Bubby could have picked this up.  We have been EVERYWHERE this week. 

Butterfly, Bee, Bubby, myself and Hubby are all on antibiotics now.  I have upped our vitamin intake and added probiotics in again.  Yesterday the girls and Hubby started feelling icky.  Coughing, sneezing, and just feeling run down.  I held off til last night.  And now today I feel as if a truck has run over me.  I am just feeling run down at this point with a little tickle in my throat.  But man.  This is NO fun.  Thankfully, we did catch this early and we have NOT had to endure the horrendous coughing that normally comes with this awful bug.  But we are keeping a close ear out for it as it can sneak up on you.

So how was your weekend?  Do anything fun?  Let me live vicariously through you!  :D

Monday, September 13, 2010

Lots of New's...

Life has gotten me busy again.  It is amazing how we can get so busy so fast.  But the kind of busy I am doing now I feel good about.  It is my busy, and it really doesn't affect the kids that much.  I am doing lots of bows as of late.  That is so fun for me. 

We are also starting BSF.  For those who don't know BSF is Bible Study Fellowship.  This year the study is on Isaiah and it is brand new to everyone.  I am SO excited.  Each of the kids has a class they are going to be in and they will get to learn a Bible lesson as well!  I am SO happy about that! 

We have also started attending AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) at my best friend's church.  Every Wednesday night I tote the girls to their church and they get to learn about the Bible and have fun with other kids their age.  They LOVE it.  Big bonus is each week they are to memorize a Bible verse.  I get to memorize it too because as I am teaching it to them I learn it as well!  I love it!

Another new adventure for me is working out.  I am not a huge fan of working out.  I actualy don't like it at all.  But I have come to a point where I know I need to do it.  I am young, I am able and I NEED to do it.  There are a whole laundry list of medical problems that are known in my genetics and I want to put them off for as long as I can.  So with the help of my best friend I am going to be losing this weight and getting healthy!  So, hopefully by the time summer rolls around again (yes, I am already starting to look forward to summer) I will have a new wardrobe and a new healthier me.  :)

Thursday, September 9, 2010

So how did you do?

Our last challenge was to take time for yourself.  Did you get a chance to take time for yourself?  I did!  I got to go out and do some shopping!  I went a few places and did a few things...all...by...my...self.  :)

One of my favorite things to do is find a deal.  I loove shopping the clearance aisles and sale racks.  My mother in law has shown me an art of doing it.  When she and I get together we have a GREAT time and find TONS of deals. 

When I went shopping this time I went to Kohl's.  I found they had a 60-80% off rack.  That is like a dream to me!  And to top it off I had a 15% off everything coupon...including sales/clearance!  So I was in hog heaven.  Now just because it is a sale and I have a coupon doesn't mean I buy everything in sight.  I am very selective.  I found three tops that I loved!  They are, of course, the same style but in different colors, because once I find something I like and looks good on me (yes I tried them on) I buy in multiple colors.  At any rate I walked out of Kohl's with three new tops (in brown, green and purple) for 3.33 a piece!!!  I spent $10!!!  That was it!  I love it when I find deals like that. 

And now if I can find a cardigan that I love to go with them I can extend their life through the beginning of winter.  YAY! 

So what did you do for you?  Do tell!
<3 Alison

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

New Adventure! and a second Challenge

Hubby's car was broken.  It ate 2 quarts of oil in one week, last week.  So a problem that we were planning to face a little later down the road, faced us this weekend.  All day Saturday Hubby worked on getting the thing apart.  Saturday night he took a break and we got to go out on a date.  Sunday he worked all day on it again.  By Sunday evening I was done.  I wanted to spend some time with my hubby.  But knowing that he had to get his car fixed, I went out to the garage and asked him if there was anything I could help him with.  I expected him to say no and politely (or not so politely) ask me to go away.  But, to my surprise, he did not.  He said, well SURE!

So for the next few hours I stood next to the work bench.  I cleaned and scraped parts clean and my hands looked like I was a grease monkey.  For a while I even crawled under the car to clean...well, something.  It was big and oily and over my head. 

This was a world I have not stepped into before.  But for the pure fact I wanted to spend time with my hubby, I chose to leap out of my comfort zone and try something new.  Now, I don't want to go and spend every weekend in the garage cleaning parts and smelling of oil and grease.  But I do want my hubby to know that if he needs me I am here.  I can do the work and I can do a pretty good job of it.  :)

I think it is important for us to remember that we need to give and take a little.  I know there are so many times that I want to do what I want to do and my family comes along for the ride.  Let's go to the mall.  Let's go to Target.  Let's go to the bookstore.  It was a very refreshing moment to step into Hubby's world and try it out for a while.  It was a great place to visit and I think I will visit again.  I just don't want to visit it every weekend.  :)

This weeks challenge...I want you guys to do something that you normally wouldn't do.  Maybe it is doing something with your hubby that is out of your comfort zone.  Maybe it is talking to a stranger.  Maybe it is getting up an hour early to do a bit of quiet time.  Whatever it is, just try it.  See if you like it, you never know, you just might.

When you do your challenge, post here!  I want to hear all about it.  :)
<3 Alison

Saturday, September 4, 2010

My oh my!

How long it has been!  I have been a busy momma setting up my new esty.com shop.  I have been making bows like a crazy woman!  With the Labor Day weekend upon us it seems like the time is already slipping away.   It is already 1:30 on the first day of the weekend, where did the time go??? 

Butterfly has already completed her second week of pre-school and both she and Bee have attended their first week at AWANA.  Bubby is doing great as well.  Walking and jabbering away.  Someday he will talk and we won't be able to keep him quiet. 

Today Hubby is working on his car.  Sadly, this poor car is not going to make it too much longer.  We have had this car since he went to college (a '97 Grand Prix GT) and it has been through a lot.  This week Hubby had to put 2 quarts of oil in it...sigh.  He is trying to put a fix on it so we can limp it along until we can get Bubby off of his formula and onto something else.  Wish us luck!

At any rate that is us right now.  Hopefully I will find time this week to do another update.  For now go check out my Babes in Bows and Beyond blog and etsy site!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Busy

I am looking for a new groove.  Since Butterfly started preschool last week I am still searching for a groove for the other two.  The younger two still need a nap and I just started babysitting for someone yesterday again, he gets dropped off at 3:15-3:30.  Abby needs to be picked up between 3:05 and 3:15.  So the parents of the little boy I watch and I decided it would be easier if I picked him up after I got Abby.  Let's hope that I can do the picking up easily and without incident.

Our current schedule is something like this:
Up and dressed by 8am
Beds made and rooms picked up by 9am
Free play until 10am.
Kids can watch a movie or continue free play until lunch (they usually continue to play)
Lunch at 11:30
Drop Butterfly off by 12:40 at pre-school.
Bee and Bubby in bed by 1pm.
Pick up Butterfly from school by 3:15.
Pick up Little Mister by 3:30.
Let the kids play outside until dinner.
Make dinner.
Dinner is at 6:30 or whenever Little Mister gets picked up.
7:30 bedtime

This is just a typical day.  This doesn't include a playdate, or shopping trip, or anything.  It is just our typical day.  And we are busy!

Mom's are always busy.  The term stay at home mom is just a myth if you ask me.  I am not sure there is a good term for what I do.  I am mom and that, in itself, is wonderful to my kids.  We don't just stay home.  We go to the park, to the zoo, to the store, to appointments, and occasionally out to eat.  We go and have playdates and go to birthday parties.  And now, as I am moving into a different stage of life, we go to school.

One of my friends on facebook had this quote on her status:

"We feed a misguided sense of significance when we make the assumption that if a person is busy he or she must be important or, to turn it around, that to be important a person must be busy. If we are honest, we will see that underlying all of this busyness lies an inevitable awareness that we have begun to lose a sense of what our actions mean, and ultimately, what our lives mean." Gordon T. Smith


How powerful is that?!  Why do we keep ourselves so busy?  Is it because of what the quote says, that we want to feel important?  What does God say about being busy?  

Let's investigate that a bit.  In Titus 2 we hear Paul writing to encourage Titus, a fellow believer.  He is instructing Titus in his journey with establishing a church that Paul had started in Crete.  Paul wanted to make sure that Titus knew what qualities were admirable in church leadership.

From Titus 2:3-5 -

 3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 

Let's look at verse 5...to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind...

I wish I was busy at home.  But rarely am I at home.  God is calling us to be at home.  Now I don't want anyone to take offense to what I am saying.  I am not saying that if you have a job you need to quit and be barefoot and pregnant at home.  I am not saying if you have other outside interests that you need to quit doing those.  What I AM saying is that we need to reevaluate our priorities.  Do we honestly need to be doing as much as we are?  Do we need to have school, sports, music, shopping, playdates, going to do this or that, as much as we do?  I am not expemt from this question.  We do a lot of stuff.  And that is just what it is, stuff.  I don't think we NEED to be doing most of it.  I think we want to feel important so we fill our lives with busywork.  

So take a look at your life.  Evaluate your situation.  Do you feel run down and burnt out because you are doing so much outside of your home?  Are you just making busywork for yourself?  Let's take a minute and reflect.


Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog today.  I really appreciate any comments that you may have, whether I agree with them or not, so please post them!  :)  <3 Alison

Saturday, August 28, 2010

God's Plan ~ Waiting

As a kid I heard somewhere that God can be like a stop light.  Sometimes he gives you the Green Light (the go ahead), sometimes he gives you a Red Light (Stop!), and yet other times it is Be Patient and Wait (Yellow).  I am good with the green lights and doing better with the red lights.  But those pesky yellows are starting to frustrate me. 

I know what I want.  I know what my hubby wants.  We both agree that it would be best for our family.  But God is saying, just be patient...wait. 

God's timing is always the best timing.  I am reminded of Hannah's struggle with bearing children.  God blessed her through her persistence and continuous prayers.  Eli, at one point, thought she was drunk on wine because she was so enthralled in prayer.  Now what we are waiting for is not a baby.  We have three beautiful children that we love very much. 

God knows our hearts.  God knows what we are seeking.  God knows when and where and how he is going to make this work, whether it is the way we would like it or whether it is something completely different.  In my heart, I know that God has been preparing us for what is ahead.  I just hope I can wait for His timing.  Because God's timing is ALWAYS perfect, whether we see it or not. 

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Many Hats of Alison and a CHALLENGE!

This is something that I am realizing more and more as my kids grow older.  I have many hats.  I am a Mom, a Wife, a Housekeeper, a Cook, a Chauffeur, a Personal Assistant, an Organizer, an Event Coordinator, a Support System, and oh yeah, I am a Woman. 

I chose my career.  I chose to be a stay at home mom.  And most days I love it.  But, like most jobs, there are days that I don't.  I dislike when working moms and dads don't give credit where credit is due.  I chose my career, you chose yours.  I respect what you do, why can't you respect what I do?  Do you honestly think that I sit at home and eat bon bons all day?  If that is your portrayal of what a stay at home mom/dad does, then you are in for a RUDE awakening.

My husband is great.  Just last night, while talking with a friend about stay at home parents, both my hubby and our friend gave immense credit to those who can stay at home.  They both admitted that they could not be a stay at home parent.  They actually made sure I came back in the room to hear that point...lol.  But it was nice to hear.  It was really nice to hear that they both value their wives (our friends wife is a stay at home mom too) for what they do.  It isn't often that we hear the value of our work. 

Most days our kids are up at the crack of dawn (and I am VERY thankful that my hubby get the kids fed so I can catch a few more winks before I have to get up) and are into everything from that point on.  It is Veggie Tales, Barbies, Polly Pockets, and playing house.  All the while, I am trying to clean the house, make the food, and keep any fighting at bay.  Not to mention doing the laundry, getting it folded and put away.  At my worst, which is right now, I pull the clean dry laundry out just to shove another load in the dryer and walk away to tend to something else, whether it be a crying kid, a hungry kid, an appointment we are now running late to...you get the drift. 

I love my kids, I love my husband, I love my famliy!  But I forget that I need love too.  Now, don't get me wrong, my husband and kids love me immensely!  And they show it to me daily.  I just don't always remember to show myself love.  I am my own worst critic.  I see all of my flaws.  I see all of the things I wish that weren't there.  I hear all the things that I think.  I know my heart.  I know where my faults lay.  And because of all of that, I forget to love me.  I forget that God has created me to who I am.  He has brought me through life specifically to be at this point.  He knows what he is doing and HE LOVES ME!  So if God and my family love me, and show me daily, why is it so hard to love myself? 

I wish that at the end of the day I could sit back and think, ya know what, I did good today.  I fed the kids, clothed the kids, bathed the kids, kept them semi happy, and now that they are in bed, it is time for me.  But that isn't how most days go.  Most days it is, the kids are in bed now it is time to finish everything I didn't get done or re-do the things I did get done.  I need to go clean the bathroom again, I need to finish folding and putting away the laundry (wait, kids are in bed I can't put it away, that will have to wait til tomorrow), and the dishes, and the kitchen......

I am going to challenge myself, and you!  I am going to challenge us to take one evening, afternoon or morning (where ever you find the time) a week to take care of you.  It doesn't have to be an afternoon at the spa or anything huge.  Just find something to do for YOU!  Read a chapter of a book (cuz if you are lucky that is about as far as you will get before someone needs you...lol), go paint your toes, go sit in a bath, go for a run/walk, listen to your favorite CD, whatever it is, do it for you.  If you find you have the time go to the bookstore or coffee shop or, heck, Target. 

I want to know how this goes so I will ask next week.  Good luck!  I hope that we all find a few minutes this week to take care of us.   Have a good weekend!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Mish Mosh and a recipe!

Ok so I have a hand-full of things for you guys today.  Just stuff I have been meaning to put in a blog post but there never seems to be a right time...so here it goes...lol.

Bee had her 3 year old appt today at the doctors office...she did great.  Only one shot and she only cried for a little bit...ok SCREAMED for a little bit.  Then I gave her smarties and the nurse gave her stickers and those tears drier up faster than the Red Sea. 

Bubby had a follow up GI appt today as well.  Yeah, smart mom right here, I scheduled 2 doctor appts on the same day (2 hrs apart) and one on each side of town.  Durrrrrrr.  Anyways, he is doing great!  We are moving him from Neocate infant to Neocate Junior.  Since he is one now he can have the big kid Neocate.  Unfortunatley, we had to do another blood draw.  They want to check a few levels on him and make sure that everything is functioning properly.

A couple of weeks ago a friend of my from church asked me if she could feature me on her blog.  So I said yes!  She is featuring the different crafty things that I do.  So here is the link to her blog so you can check me out...oh and her too...  ;)  Thank you so much Janet!  You rock!!!

As I am writing this I am eating one of my FAVORITE summer snacks.  Chips and FRESH salsa.  My mom made it when I was growing up and I loved it then and still love it now.  Here is the recipe.

Fresh Salsa

2-3 small-medium tomatoes
2-3 green onions
6ish sprigs of cliantro
1/2 lime (just gonna use the juice)
pinch of salt

Dice the tomatoes and green onion.  Then finely chop the cilantro.  Add all these ingredients into a bowl.  Sprinkle with salt and squeeze the lime to extract the juice onto the tomato mixture.  And DONE!

You can eat it right away or  you can chill it and let the flavors meld a bit before eating.  ENJOY!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

I have a PRESCHOOLER!

I still can't believe it.  Today was Butterfly's first day of Pre-School!  She said she loved it!  When I got home from running and errand with two kids I sat down (since the littles went to nap) and watched a show.  By myself.  With out anyone getting out of bed 30 times.  With out anyone needing this or that.  Everyone did what they were supposed to!  I was SHOCKED!  But I enjoyed the show!  Here are a couple of pics of Butterfly on her big day!  :)

New Creations!

So I have been busy working on a few new things.  BOWS!
I think it is because Butterfly actually gets to wear her bows somewhere so I am inspired to make more.  So here are my new creations.


So those are a few of my new creations.  I have quite a few more bows you should check out.  I just opened up a shop on etsy.com.  Check them out!   You can also find me on Facebook as well!

I will be opening a new blog for my shop, Babes in Bows and Beyond soon so be on the look out for that.  I am so excited!  :)
Thanks for reading! <3 Alison

Monday, August 23, 2010

They grow up too fast!

Today is my last day with all three of my children in my care full time.  My baby girl has grown up.  She is going to pre-school tomorrow.  Four days a week from 12:45-3:15 she will be at school.  I am so excited for her.  She is going to a wonderful preschool and is going to learn a lot and have tons of fun.  I am going to get a chance to spend time with my younger two as well!  This is going to be great. 

Even with all of these advantages in mind I am still sitting here wondering what it is going to be like to not be apart of my little girls every waking moment.  Up until this point I have been the primary care provider for her.  I am mom, if something goes wrong, she comes to me.  If she needs a drink, she comes to me.  But now, she won't always come to me.  She will go to her teacher.  She will go to the aid in the classroom. 

We thought about homeschooling Butterfly.  But when this opportunity came up for her we thought that perhaps this would be a good experience for all.  Just because she is going to preschool doesn't mean she can't still learn from home.  I will continue our Bible lessons and reading as well as what she is given at school.  Tomorrow there is sure to be many pictures taken and probably a few tears shed, most likely from me.  I think that the younger two and I will go and do something special tomorrow afternoon to take my mind off of the big change that is ahead. 

I love you so much Butterfly!  You are my best Butterfly ever. 
XOXO ~ Mommy

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Happy

Have you ever just felt happy?  Today has been such an amazing day.  I cannot even explain it to you.  The kids were not perfect.  They have been arguing and fighting all day.  But despite that today has been terrific.  I got to spend the morning with a good friend I haven't seen in ages.  This afternoon I got to talk to a new friend about cloth diapers.  I just got off the phone with one of my best friends and I just feel energized.  I feel like God put these people in my life today to remind me that he is still there for me.  That he still cares for me and that he only wants good for me. 

There has been much negativity around me as of late and I am so glad that God is reminding me that he creates everything for good.  That even though I have gone through a hard time that he is bringing me out of it and he is giving me the opportunity to serve others.  Even if serving others is putting in a phone call to a friend, or texting someone to let them know you are thinking about them, or having a conversation with someone about something that is going on with them. 

I am so blessed.  More and more I have been feeling the presence of God in my life.  I have been seeing Him in everything that I do.  I feel as if someone has removed a curtain from the windows in my life and is now letting the light shine into me again.  I feel as if I am coming out of a haze.  God is so amazing.  He put up a shield for me when when I needed it.  He protected me when he knew I couldn't handle it but he held me through the tough times.  He let me go when He knew I was ready.  What an awesome God He is. 

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Another Domestic Day!

The domestic bug has bitten again.  Today I am making and canning salsa.  I am SO excited.  This salsa recipe my mom has made for years and my family loves it.  My mom always gives us salsa so we usually don't make it but I really wanted to try it this year.  So I am!  With this first batch of tomatoes we are doing salsa and I think with the next batch I am going to do some spaghetti sauce.  I am so excited!  I wish I had a bigger plot for tomatoes so I could do more so it would last us longer.  Rest assured, Mom, we will still need the salsa that you want to give us...lol.  :)

While the salsa is cooking I am going to be working on a couple of projects.  I am in the midst of making a diaper clutch and still perfecting that envelope system bag.  Then I have a skirt to work on for Abby as well as a couple more dresses.  I have my work cut out for me but I am loving every minute of it. 

Thursday, August 12, 2010

I saw God in my laundry

I know, it is a strange title but it sums up a lot.

This week has been rough for me.  There has been a HUGE emotional roller coaster that I was on.  It made it's highs and lows and bumps and curves.  And tonight, it stopped. 

I finally had a surge of energy at about 11pm tonight.  So I walked up the stairs and stumbled over the mountain of clean laundry that I had been avoiding all week.  It has been sitting there, waiting for me to deal with it.  We kept tripping over it, I occasionally kicked it because it didn't bother to do itself...lol.  But as I sit there folding the laundry, with said energy burst, I realized how my life was like my laundry. 

There are always things in our lives that we don't like to deal with.  So we push them aside and hope they go away.  We don't want to deal with the problems.  We don't want to deal with the emotions.  We just plain don't want to deal.  So the problem gets bigger, just as when I avoided my laundry, it got bigger.  If we don't deal with our problems they get bigger and bigger and BIGGER!  And soon they may become unmanageable.  Now thankfully, my laundry is still at the manageable state.  :)  I took a break from folding because I needed to jot my thoughts down but will quickly finish up the folding before I head to bed tonight.  And will put it away in the morning as to not disturb anyone's sleep tonight. 

God reveals himself in so many unique ways.  I just never thought that he would use my laundry to teach me something. God often uses my children to teach me things, even if it is to step back and smell the flowers...or as the case may be...the pepper plants...lol.  Never give up a chance for God to show you something new.  Think about it.  Where have you seen God lately?  Is He is YOUR laundry too?

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Vacation Bible School

This week my girls have the opportunity to attend a Vacation Bible School (VBS) at our church.  They are having SUCH a good time.  Several of their little friends are attending with them as well.  It is so nice that each of my girls has a little friend attending in their group at VBS.  They come home telling me stories of what they did and the stories they learned.  We are even listening to the CD of music.  I have to say, it is quite catchy!  :)

While the kids are at VBS I have had the opportunity to chat with a couple of the other moms and we have gotten some really meaningful conversation in!  I love it when God puts things in place like that so that not only can our kids grow in their faith but that I can to.  God is amazing. 

This is the first year in four years that I have not directed the VBS at our church.  I loved directing VBS, but I felt that God was pulling me in a different direction, so I passed the baton.  I must say, the new director is doing an AMAZING job.  It looks like the kids are having SO much fun.  The decorations are amazing.  I from the way my kids come home and talk about it, I KNOW they are learning about God and His word. 

Great Job Ms. Erin on a FANTASTIC VBS!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Who do you lean on?

When things get tough, who is there for you?
Who do you go to when you can't seem to find up?
Who is your strength?  Where do you turn?

Today, I turned to all the wrong places.  Not to say that turning to our friends is bad but ultimately, where should I have turned?  I should have turned to God and it is only now in the quiet solace of my home, with the kids in bed and the washing machine washing do I remember that I could have avoided all of this stress, had I just turned to Him.  Why does it take a 2x4 to get it through my head sometimes? 

God loves me!  He cares about EVERYTHING I do.  He doesn't want me to be stressed out.  He wants me to remember he is there for me ALL the time.  Not only if I have been especially good that day, not if I have prayed 30 times that day, but He is there all the time.  If I would just remember that I could prevent myself from soooo much added stress.

In 1 Peter 5:6-8 it says: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.  Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

In context, this passage was written to the churches in Asia Minor.  They were being persecuted at the time Peter wrote this letter to them. 

As I reflect on this passage I think of my day today.  It was NOT an easy day.  I had to face some of my demons.  You know the kind, the ones that give you that knot in the pit of your stomach.  They make you want to run away and hide.  I wanted to scream and shout and throw a fit, and to an extent, I did. I know my friends are there to support me.  I know they are there to help me through tough times.  I feel like I have been over burdening them lately though.  I think I have been going to them instead of to God.  I LOVE my friends.  They are fantastic!  We do lots of GREAT things together.  But even so, have I been neglecting the most important relationship that I have?  The one with the Almighty Saviour?  As the song goes, He calls me friend.  And what kind of friend have I been to Him? 

So, I am going to memorize 1 Peter 5:6-8.  I am going to keep that verse close to my heart.  I am going to program it into my phone so I will always have it with me.  I am going to program it into my heart.  I am not going to let the devil prowl around me anymore. 

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Happy 1st Birthday, Bubby!

Bubby is 1 today!  I cannot believe it.  A whole year has passed.  Where did the time go?

One year ago today I woke up around 4:30am knowing I needed to go to the hospital.  After getting the girls arranged at a friends house, my hubby and I headed to the hospital.  Once we got there and settled we knew that today would be the day.  We also realized that we pulled classic third child problem...we had left the camera with the girls at our friends house.  We called and asked them to bring it by on the way to work.  Ahh, all was good.  I am not known for short labors so we figured we had til at least noon.  But things progressed VERY quickly.  By 7:20 Bubby entered the world!  A short hour later they took Bubby to the NICU.  That had to be the most heart wrenching thing to do.  He wasn't breathing right.  His O2 stats were terrible.  So away he went and I eventually went up to my room.  Hubby went with Bubby to be his advocate.   Bubby ended up being just fine and after a 3 day stay at the NICU we went home.  

I cannot imagine our life without him.  He is such an amazing kid.  A few hurdles later, he can now eat some normal foods and is gaining weight like a champ.  We are so proud of him.  

Happy 1st Birthday, Corbin!!!