I am loving these!

Today in the mail I got these little beauties....
These are called "Skywriting Earrings". I had some birthday money that I used to purchase these from Etsy. Have you heard of this website? It is amazing! Everything listed on this site is handmade from very talented individuals. I love these earrings because they are dangley yet still dainty, they have three different shades of blue beads so that they can be worn with many different items.

The person I bought these from, TriLei Designs, felt badly because it took a while for her to confirm my purchase (which really wasn't that long - I ordered them Jan. 16th and got them today), so she threw these in as a Thank you!

How kind! And I really like these as well. Can't wait to wear them.

Aahhh...smoothies!

Smoothies are probably my favorite thing to make with frozen fruit from last summer. I put some frozen strawberries and frozen blueberries in the blender, along with a banana, some yogurt, a few ice cubes and some juice - today pineapple juice. They are delicious!!

My two lovely assistants

Aahhh! Sweet, cold and very refreshing!

I've been a bit under the weather; just a cold virus but it has been a pretty rough one. I have the usual cough, a little congestion, low grade fevers, aches, chills and thee worst sore throat EVER!! Now granted when I have a cold, the sore throat is by far the worst symptom for me personally - it's just plain annoying!! My voice is pretty hoarse, sometimes only a whisper (which is not good with two rambunctious boys!) Yesterday Andrew said "What is the matter with your talking voice?" This particular time my throat just feels raw and last night I couldn't sleep because it hurt so much to swallow.

So I decided to go have a checkup and make sure it wasn't strep. It takes a lot for me to go to the doctor. I haven't been to a doctor (besides for my OB/GYN visits) for probably 9 years! I was pretty sure this was just a virus especially since Andrew was sick last week but because of the way my throat felt, I just wanted to know for sure. Anyways, the rapid strep came back negative (still waiting on the other strep culture). I guess this is good but if I had had strep, then she could have prescribed an antibiotic and I would soon feel better. If it was strep, there would be a reason why my throat is soo sore, scratch that, painful! She did give me a decongestant that will probably just make me feel loopy!

I haven't had much of an appetite. But anything cold and smooth feels really good on my throat - hence the smoothie. I have also been eating more than usual amounts of yogurt and ice cream. I've also been drinking some hot tea in the evening. Last night I actually just drank some hot water. (this is something my Mom and sister often do) I was sitting on the couch drinking my hot water, the TV was on and I felt myself becoming very sleepy....I saw my reflection in the TV and had to laugh at how I looked a lot like my mom! :) Sitting up, holding my mug, yet nearly asleep and I think it was probably only 8:30 or 9!!!

We are getting lots of snow right now. We got a couple of inches last night and then it started snowing again around 4 this afternoon. I think they are calling for 7-9 inches for us in the next 24 hours!! I'm kind of looking forward to it, hoping Chad can stay home and be snowed in with us! It seems like this winter we are getting much more snow than usual. But in winters past, it seems like snow would come, then it would all melt before it snowed again. This winter it just keeps piling on top of the snow that is already there! Stay safe and stay warm!!

"Come and see me Dad."

This is a phrase that Chad would say in the middle of the night when he was having leg pains/growing pains. When he talks about this and says this phrase it is almost chant like; quietly, slowly said over and over until his Dad would come see him and rub his hurting legs.

I find this very sweet. That Chad, with hurting legs, would simply say "Come and see me Dad". That he requested his Dad. That his Dad would come and rub this little boys' hurting legs.

Andrew might be experiencing some of these same leg pains. Only his response to these leg pains is quite different than what Chad describes his.

Last night was a rough night. Andrew woke around 10:30 maybe. Just crying and crying. His cry is not a little whimper, it is very loud and with great emotion. Chad went into his room but Andrew wouldn't talk to him, just cried and then eventually settled down.

He woke again sometime later crying. I went into his room and I couldn't get him to talk to me either. He again settled down. I don't know if he really wasn't awake. He would cry and thrash around in his bed.

He woke again crying. This time thrashing around and occasionally saying Ouch. It was actually a little scary. I didn't know if he was having a bad dream or if he was hurting some where and just wouldn't tell me. This time I got him to talk to me, though I'm not sure how awake he was. At one point he said with quite a bit of stuttering around "I want to be at home in my bed." I told him he was at home in his bed. Then he said "I can't do this anymore". Can't do what Andrew? "I can't keep going around and around in circles." He then seemed to wake up a little bit, gave me a hug and said he wanted to be in our room. I told him he could come to our room but he couldn't keep crying like this. (Chad had surgeries today.) So he came to the sleeping bag in our room, which we are really try to get him to stop doing but desperate times call for desperate measures.

He slept for a little bit but started squirming around again and crying. Chad took him back to his room. This time he did tell Chad that his left leg hurt. Chad rubbed it for a little while and when Andrew had settled back down, Chad left his room.

But then he was awake again in a matter of minutes! Chad told me that Andrew said his leg hurt. So I gave him some Ibuprofen and rubbed his leg and his one arm too for a little while. Then he finally slept the rest of the night.

I talked to him about it a little bit this morning. He said he does remember his leg hurting. Poor guy. I hope tonight is better. Perhaps a little Ibuprofen before bed wouldn't be a bad idea. Actually the past few nights he had had Ibuprofen at bedtime because of a fever and cold....Hhmmm.

Before & After

Tonight I went and got my haircut. I try to make appointments when I don't have to take either boy along with me. I love getting my hair cut. It is so relaxing to have someone else shampoo, cut, blow dry and style my hair. It actually makes me a little sleepy.

I hadn't had my haircut since the end of Sept.-it was way past time for a cut. I tend to go in phases where I let my hair grow out and then cut it off. I was debating about letting my hair grow longer than it was....after over analyzing this decision (like I do many things- for instance I really need to get Andrew's preschool application in for next year but I can't decide if he should keep going in the afternoon or if mornings would be better) I decided to cut it off. I think I look better with shorter hair. When my hair is long it kind of reminds me of a lion's mane. It is red, curly and tends to get rather large! I enjoy being able to put it in a ponytail though.

These pictures are definitely not the most flattering pictures of me especially since I was the photographer, but at least you can sort of see the new cut.


Too bad that once I wash it the curl/frizz will be back. I can straighten it but I find it a little hard to do and too time consuming. Maybe every once in a while I will straighten it for a change.

A little summer mixed in with winter

I saw this on my cousin's blog, David's Girls; right away I knew two little boys who would enjoy this. Often Andrew likes to watch a show on TV while Carson naps but yesterday I told him we would do something special. Andrew had also been asking if he could play outside. Andrew has a cold and it is a little chilly to be outdoors for very long.

After Carson was in bed, I told Andrew what we could do. He was really excited. In fact once I had one sink full of snow, he said that was enough snow because he wanted to start playing right away. I did fill up the other sink with snow as well. Andrew enjoyed filling a bucket with snow, we made a small snowman-which he then smashed, and played with toys we typically play in the dirt/sand with.

After Carson woke up, he too enjoyed playing with the snow. Thanks for sharing this great idea Sara!

We then needed a little snack. While spending time in Cote D'Ivoire West Africa during college for our Study & Service Term (SST) I developed a love for mangoes. They were amazingly delicious in Africa. I don't very often buy them here because I am very disappointed in there taste. But yesterday while at Kroger I saw one that looked really good so I bought it. And it was good!! The boys and I shared this one. Andrew ate it, said it was good, but always had a strange expression on his face after each bite. Carson loved it! He kept making his happy noises while eating. While eating this mango it took me back to Africa, the fellow students I was there with, the family and people I met there and the warm (ok, HOT) sun and beautiful scenery. I'm feeling more and more ready for warm sunny summer days!

Chia Shrek

Andrew received this Chia Shrek for a Christmas present from Uncle Ben and Aunt Kristy. (How many of you are singing "Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!"??) I don't think I have ever experienced a Chia before, well maybe one of my teachers in grade school might have had one but I don't remember for sure. We have had lots of fun watching Shrek grow his hair. As I took the picture on the left Andrew said "I'm going to say 'I don't know about this'."










Have you heard that Chia seeds are supposed to be healthy for you to eat? A good source of Omega 3s, I guess. That just seems too weird to me, to eat ch-ch-ch-chia seeds!

Coffee Cake

I received a Cuisinart food processor from Chad as a Christmas gift. I watched the "how to" DVD the other night. It explained how to use the food processor and then demonstrated many recipes. I was really looking forward to giving it a try.

I used it on Tues. afternoon to slice some carrots and chop up some onion for a casserole I was making. It worked wonderfully for this! I also used it for some potatoes, which I won't do again because it chopped them to fine for what I was making. But it would work great for potatoes for hashbrowns or potato salad.

One recipe that was demonstrated was for a "Coffee Cake". These looked so delicious! I had to give it a try. I am not much of a pastry baker; rolls and pies intimidate me. I was a little skeptical to use a food processor for dough or baking needs but I was impressed how well it worked and it was so easy! The "Coffee Cake" looked more like cinnamon rolls to me. They turned out really well. They were quite tasty and I guess they were more similar to a coffee cake then cinnamon rolls because they were a little dry, they weren't quite as gooey as cinnamon rolls/sweet rolls. I would think (?) this recipe would work with a mixer as well.

Yum!

Coffee Cake
1 pkg dry yeast
2 T. sugar
1/4 cup warm water
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup cold milk
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp. salt

Filling
2 T. melted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins or dates, cut in 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup pecans (I didn't put the raisins/dates and pecans in per Chad's request)
1 tsp. cinnamon

To make the dough, dissolve the yeast and 1 T. sugar in warm water in a 2 cup liquid measure. Let stand until foamy. Whisk together the sour cream, milk, egg, and vanilla extract and add to the yeast mixture.

Use metal blade to process flour, butter, salt and remaining 1 T. sugar for 10 seconds. With machine running, add liquid ingredients through the feed tube in steady stream as fast as flour absorbs them. After dough cleans inside of work bowl, continue processing 40 seconds more to knead it.

Shape dough into ball and place it in lightly floured plastic food storage bag. Squeeze out air and seal bag. Let rise in warm place until double, about 1 hour.

Roll dough on lightly floured surface to rectangle about 20 inches long and 12 inches wide. Brush with melted butter. With remaining butter, brush inside of 9x13 inch pan.

To make filling, use metal blade to process sugar, dates or raisins, pecans, and cinnamon until coarsely chopped, about 45 seconds. Spread filling over dough. Roll dough up, jelly-roll fashion, from long side. Use sharp knife to cut rolled dough into 3/4 inch slices. Place slices in pan, cut sides up and let rise until doubled.

Preheat oven to 375 and bake coffee cake until golden and bubbly, about 20-25 minutes.


I am looking forward to using the food processor to make salsa this summer! It will save a lot of time instead of chopping ingredients by hand.

The visitor

We have a visitor in our bedroom. No, I'm not referring to Andrew...though he still ends up in our room in his sleeping bag at some point during each night.

No this visitor is in our wall. We first heard it almost a week and a half ago. Chad woke me up and said "Do you hear that noise over by the desk?" me-"No." Chad-"keep listening." I heard it. Chad-"Do you think that something is in the bird feeder?" We had just moved the one bird feeder up close to the house right outside our bedroom window. me-"as opposed to it being in the house by the desk? Yes, I think it is outside" So when we heard it again, Chad grabbed his flash light and looked out the toy/sun room window that makes a corner with the wall of our room. Nothing at the bird feeder.

We assumed it was a mouse or something in our wall. Yuck. We were leaving that morning to go to my parents for the weekend. I thought we would come home to a house smelling of rotten animal, but nothing when we came home.

One night last week we heard it again. This time it sounded like it was in the wall directly behind our bed. It was rather faint, but you could just hear tiny movements. The sounds were gone almost as quickly as they came.

Last night was much different. Either this thing is growing or was just much closer to my head. It was quite loud. We thought for a while that it was in the one floor vent by my side of the bed by the sounds. This all is a little comical. Neither one of us wanted to get out of bed or turn on the lights, but we eventually did. We couldn't see anything but we kept hearing it move. We finally moved the one clothes basket/hamper on top of the vent and tried to go back to sleep. It was a rough night! I would go back to sleep but then wake up whenever this thing moved.

Andrew came in our room. He went to sleep like normal. Later on he said a little panicky "Dad? Is that you? What's the sound?" (He is used to Chad getting up in the morning and walking by him to get to our closet to get ready for work.) I didn't respond because he sometimes talks in his sleep and if we just don't respond he goes back to sleep or becomes quiet again.

I've never heard it throughout the day but I am today! We haven't heard any animal sounds, like chirping or squeaking but I have heard it moving a lot today. And now it sounds like it is in the wall again. It sounds kind of like a bird with the fluttering movements. In a way I feel bad for the poor little animal (whatever it is), it's been in there at least a week and a half. But on the other hand, I want this thing out of our house NOW!!

As Chad was saying good bye to me this morning we heard it move. He said "Why don't you get that thing out of here today." Sure I will get right on that! He did call the heating and cooling company today and spoke with a receptionist who said she had to call someone. We haven't heard back from them. I have no idea how this thing got in the wall or duct or where ever it is but I wish it would find it's way back out!!

Andrew's two bed-time songs

Every night as we put Andrew to bed he chooses two books for us to read to him. He then chooses two songs for us to sing together. These songs used to change each night but for the past I would guess couple of months he chooses the same two songs.

1. The B-I-B-L-E.
The B-I-B-L-E.
Yes that's the book for me.
I stand alone on the word of God.
The B-I-B-L-E! BIBLE!!

2. "The Buckeyes song" aka Carmen Ohio (Ohio State Buckeyes Alma Mater)
Oh! Come let's sing Ohio's praise,
And songs to Alma Mater raise;
While our hearts rebounding thrill,
With joy which death alone can still.
Summer's heat or Winter's cold,
The seasons pass, the years will roll;
Time and change will surely show
How firm thy friendship O-hi-o.

Yes, he knows this by heart. Perhaps that is because Chad sang this song to Andrew as his lullaby as an infant. You know some people would sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Jesus loves me or Go to sleep or in my family the made up tune Bobby boo, but Carmen Ohio was Chad's lullaby for the babies! Andrew has sung it for his preschool teachers who are Ohio state fans several times. At least his love of God comes first with the Buckeyes coming in second. :)

The night that Andrew was so sick last week, he made a funny comment about the Buckeyes. It was in the middle of the night and he had been throwing up but really wanted a drink of water. At first I told him no because I didn't want him to get sick again. He was really persistent about wanting a drink. So I gave him one. Not five minutes later he was asking for another one. I told him no and Andrew said "Fine, then I'm not going to like the Buckeyes anymore!!" Chad and I tried to suppress a chuckle in our half awake - half asleep state!

My birthday continued...

Yesterday afternoon I told the boys that when Chad got home from work we were going to go out to eat at a restaurant for my birthday. We went about with the rest of our afternoon. Chad came home and was greeted by two very excited little boys. Andrew said "Dad we are going to McDonalds for Mommy's birthday party and we can play in the play area!" WHAT??? So I guess my definition of going to a restaurant for my birthday and Andrew's are just a little bit different! He was a bit dissappointed when I told him we weren't going to McDonalds but I just told him he can choose the restaurant when it is his birthday. He seemed ok with that.

We had an enjoyable dinner at Ruby Tuesday. The boys did well, we don't eat out that often. We came home and had some Dairy Queen ice cream cake that Chad brought home. Quite tasty. Here is a pic of the two little boys and I.

Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my birthday. I woke up to a fresh blanket of bright white snow on the ground. It is so pretty. I put up our living room shades and saw our next door neighbor finishing up the last bit of our driveway with his snow blower! I waved and mouthed "Thank you!" (no need for Chad to buy the snow blower he has thought about.) I turned on the TV and saw that Andrew's afternoon preschool class was cancelled for the day. So thankful for all these things. I don't particularly like to drive in snow covered roads.

I looked out in our backyard and saw a finch for the first time at the finch feeder Chad received as a Christmas gift. I got out the binoculars to see it up close and make sure it was a finch. Then I took this picture through the window. Not the best picture but I didn't want to step out onto our snow covered deck to take a picture.
I asked Carson "Did you know today is Mommy's Birthday?" He got this puzzled, then angry look on his face. He said "No, Abby's!" Our niece Abby's birthday was Dec. 27th and we were at her party. So apparently to Carson it is still her birthday and not mine.

Andrew wondered when we were going to have a party for me. I told him that we weren't going to have a party. He was not happy with this answer. I said "Well, we already had a party when we were at Grandma and Grandpa's on Sunday and we ate cake..." (my mom asked what kind of cake I wanted. I requested a white cake with a layer of chocolate pudding on top and then a layer of cool whip ~ something she often would make for us) Andrew still wasn't happy with this. "Well, when are we going to have another Birthday party?" I tried to explain that adults don't always have parties like children do. He didn't buy it.

Chad called a little while ago to wish me a Happy Birthday. He also wondered if we wanted to go out to eat tonight for my birthday. He knows me so well! I will almost never pass up an opportunity to go out to eat and not cook!!

The boys wanted to go outside and play in the snow. It was only 26 degrees out and I tried to explain that it was quite cold out. Nope, still wanted to go. So we all got bundled up and headed outdoors. There is something so cute about little guys all bundled up in their coats, snow pants, hats and gloves. They both were throwing snowballs at me. Andrew was picking up the large chunks of snow and those really kind of hurt! So I suggested he throw them at the bricks on the side of the garage instead. They both loved this.Snow ball headed your way Mom!!

The wind up...

Check out that huge chunk of snow mid air above Andrew's head!

We didn't last outside for very long, probably took longer to get all bundled up! Just kidding. The boys warmed up with some hot (warm) chocolate.

One the way home from preschool yesterday it was snowing, really windy and quite cold. Early in the day it had rained and then some freezing rain. Andrew asked "Can I ride my Gator". I told him no because it was cold and snowing. Andrew said "Why does it have to be winter everyday!" I have felt like this before too, but usually not until March!

and so it begins...

I have mentioned before about finding it difficult to fit exercise into my daily life these days. I have many excuses, but I won't go into those. I had considered a gym membership and the YMCA seemed like the most logical choice since they are the only one in the area that has free childcare with membership. The down side of the Y was that this particular Y doesn't offer too many different classes, which I really enjoy when exercising.

So I opted for some exercise DVDs instead. We have been members of Columbia house for the last 4 years. I really have only bought the bare minimum to complete the membership agreement. Last month they sent me information about renewing my membership (because I haven't been buying any!). They offered (this is the same deal for new members too) 8 DVDs for 49 cents each plus shipping and handling. You have to buy 3 DVDs at regular club price ($19.99, I believe) over the next 2 years to complete the membership agreement. I decided to buy an additional one now for $9.95 and only have to buy 2 more in 2 years. It is annoying to have to decline the director selections each month, but much nicer doing it through email/on line than the snail mail I used to use when I first joined the club. So each DVD, with the shipping, averaged out to $3.53. Not bad. Much cheaper than a gym membership.

I did the first work out this morning, Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. It was great. A 20 minute workout. I like that this DVD had 3 different levels (I was a little embarrassed that I thought level 1 was difficult enough right now ~ I am really out of shape ~ walking just doesn't do it for me) and it was a circuit of strength, cardio and abs. The boys played and then imitated me some. Hopefully I will enjoy the other DVDs too. This way I won't get bored with just one workout!

After dropping Andrew off at preschool, Carson and I went to Kroger for some groceries. I stocked up on fresh fruits and veggies. Right now, at Kroger you earn triple fuel points when purchasing fresh produce. An added bonus! I really just want to be healthier and if I lose some weight while changing my lifestyle that would be great!

Christmas Picture Collages

Last year I started making a Christmas picture collage with all of the Christmas pictures we receive in the mail. In the past they would decorate our refrigerator but that got to be too much for one refrigerator (or too much for me!). So I now use this bulletin board. I took down all the pictures from last year and replaced them with the ones from this past Christmas. We have this bulletin board in our eat in kitchen area and I love looking at all the smiling faces everyday and remembering all our friends and family. Thanks for remembering us with your Christmas cards!

The down side of gathering with lots of people this time of year

There were some illnesses in both of our families, a nasty stomach bug. Tisha and Anna had it while we were with Chad's family. My Dad had it the Saturday before Christmas, Mom got it Tues. before Christmas, Tim got it early Friday morning, Justin got it Sunday & Monday....do you see where I am going with this? Yep, Carson got it Tues. and I got it Wed. Carson & I didn't have any vomiting. I do not like to vomit, but believe me there were times that I wish I could have! I think I would have felt better. I spent most of the day on the couch or in our bed. Luckily Chad was home by two that day after morning surgeries.

I retreated to our bedroom after Chad came home. Carson was so sweet. He would come in our room every once in a while, crawl onto our bed, lay down on Chad's pillow, cover up and say "Hi Mom. Hi." He would lay there a few seconds and then take off. Sometimes he would lay down and do this new thing of his...he makes an O shape with his lips, moves his tongue around from side to side in his mouth, and moves his fingers like he is playing an air piano or something. I think he would do this just so I would smile at him. Too cute.

I was feeling a little better later in the evening. But Andrew started complaining of his stomach hurting at bedtime. The poor guy vomited (and I'm not exaggerating!) every 45 minutes from 10pm - 4am! I felt so bad for him! What were you doing New Years Eve? Hopefully not cleaning up vomit like Chad and I! Yesterday he layed around a lot, was able to watch more TV than normal. Here the boys are snuggling and watching a show in our bedroom.


Here the boys are watching a DVD. The funny thing is, the one Carson is holding no longer works. (Why do we have it? I don't know.) He wanted to hold one just like Andrew.
We are all doing much better today. Still don't have our appetites back completely. But Andrew was running around this afternoon and evening; playing, laughing, telling silly made up jokes, picking on Carson and tackling Chad. He's baaack!!

So far Chad has escaped the illness, we hope it stays that way. We are heading to my parents again tomorrow for my Dad's family Christmas gathering if all goes well tonight.

When wrapping Christmas presents, do you...?

Wrap them with beautiful paper and elaborate bows - 1 (12%)

Wrap them nicely but without fancy bows - 3 (37%)
Just make sure the package is covered - 4 (50%)
Use gift bags or decorative boxes - 0

I would like to say that I wrap them nicely but without fancy bows but perhaps I lean more to the just make sure the package is covered. I don't put bows on the presents because most of the gifts we buy we take in the car and travel with them. Therefore the bows would be smashed. I used to make little gift tags out of the wrapping paper or buy little gift tags/adhesive tags but this year I brought out the black Sharpe and wrote directly on the paper!