White Christmas

How often do we wish for a white Christmas? I think every year as a child you wish for a beautiful coat of snow on the ground to go out and play in! Well.......this year we are getting that childhood wish and then some! My area has a blizzard warning for the first time in almost 30 years! I am sitting here, sporting some awesome Santa Footie PJ's ( thanks Dad!) trying to make sense of this strange Christmas Eve.

1.) This year my husband has to work, for the first time with kids. We had both worked Christmas in the past when we didn't have kids but this year is different, we have had to alter our plans to work with his schedule. This schedule includes him having to be at work at 2am, in a blizzard!
2.) Due to this crazy weather we missed Christmas Eve service. I don't remember ever missing Christmas Eve service, ever! We missed due to hubby's long trek home from work and not really wanting to get the kids out in the nasty weather.
3.) No family on Christmas Eve, this is another first! The weather kept mom, her husband and brother in Lawrence.

So I have spent my evening watching movies and reading books with the kids. Once I got the kids in bed I started cooking. Not that I will be pressed for time tomorrow but more so because I have had all this extra time tonight. So as I have finished my "duties" for tonight I pray for all those working in this weather. I am thankful for those who sacrifice time with their families to do the jobs many don't want to do. I will be nervous as my husband heads out in about an hour to work for 12 hours in this weather and I am glad I am tucked safely away, in my house, wearing these crazy Santa footie PJ's!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Goodnight!

The Pioneer Woman

So my friend Julie and I decided to check out this book signing thing that involved probably one of our favorite people! The Pioneer Woman. I found her blog months ago through another blog, then became a fan on Facebook where Julie found her and became as obsessed as I am! So we hurried down to the Plaza after Julie got off work. It was a rainy, cold night but our spirits were not dampened. We got to our seats about 6:15pm and our wait began!

Then right on time she appeared! She was gracious as she answered all types of questions from people who were there to see her. Everything from her favorite pan, to what homeschooling curriculum she uses. Then after giving away some prizes, which of course I didn't win any, but that is ok because that is not why I was there, she began signing books. It was done by number, Julie and I were numbers 635 and 636! Yes we were in for a long wait, and wait we did. While we waited we watched her wonderful boys play and have fun just as little boys do.















While we waited we got the chance to have her husband, known as the Marlboro Man, sign our books and take a quick picture. He was friendly and gracious! Then we waited some more............finally they called for our group, around 11:00pm!

She was so friendly and welcoming, even at 11:30 pm! She looked beautiful in her dark purple velvet jacket! Thank you so much for coming to Kansas City and giving this stay at home momma a Girls Night Out that was much needed. The t-shirt was a great bonus!

Preschool and Beyond

So another big period of time has passed, I think about writing a lot but get distracted and honestly forget. We have had a lot going on around here that has kept us very busy! Tristan started preschool in August. It is only 2 days a week for 2 and half hours but he is loving it! It is good for mommy too. He is learning a lot and it has been good for his social skills. I love back to school time because it means the kids are in school all day! Makes doing things around town much easier! I then realize that we plan on homeschooling so back to school will have a different meaning to it in a few years. It won't be wrapped around buying new clothes and huge amounts of supplies, it will be a bit more simple. We will be more focused on setting up our school area, buying supplies to keep at home and what wonderful fieldtrips we will be able to take because the kids will be at home. I know this will be a challenge but at this point in our lives we cannot afford private school and we are just not sure we want to send our kids to public school. I have nothing against public school and actually feel the school where our kids would go at this point is really good and all I hear is good things but there is something public schools cannot provide, the spiritual guidance that is so important for our children. So I will taken on this challenge as long as it works for all parties involved.

So I took a break....

Obviously I haven't posted in a long time. I have been so busy that this has been put on the back burner. I am currently still trying to finish up my Medical Transcription course, it has been a test for me, I don't particulary enjoy the work but it is what will work for now.

There could be lots of changes in store for our family in the coming months. Things that will test our family but in the end should be beneficial for us all. I pray that we are making the right decisions but all we can do is pray that God is leading down the path he intends for us.

So good things, making my life easier right now. I signed up for E-mealz, yes this is something you have to pay for but so far it has been very much worth the $5 a month. It is also a Dave Ramsey supported website. At its simplest it gives me the meal ideas I could never come up with on my own. Also, last weekend I got to go to a diaper swap. This a swap sponsored by a local store Happybottomus. I got some great deals like a BRAND NEW LOOKING Goodmamma for $12, these normally retail for $35! A friend of mine went with me who is due with her first baby girl in November. She had previously asked me about cloth diapering and let me tell you she is jumping in head first! I was so excited that she was grabbing stuff right and left. She walked out of the store with a great variety of diapers to try. My other purchase was a roll of diaper liners. I had been wanting to purchase these for a long time but just never had. These have been awesome! Georgia got a diaper rash and previously I would have to use disposables because of the diaper rash cream I have is not cloth diaper friendly. Since I now have the liners I have been able to continue to use the cloth even though I am using diaper rash cream. The other added bonus, much easier to clean the poopy diapers.

Well, hopefully I can check in more often!

How Blessed we Really Are...

So during this whole soul searching time in my life I have come to realize how blessed I really am. Though things have been tough I am very blessed in my life. I have been working hard on my marriage, my faith and many other things. Money is tight but it is worth it to be home and raise my children. So during my Thursday morning bible study we did a service project to benefit our local multi-service center. For the first 5 weeks we collected diapers, formula and all things related to baby. Then the last 5 weeks we collected items for birthday bags they hand out to the families so the kids can have a birthday party. I have been in charge of this project and it has been very eye opening!
There are so many things not covered by public assistance that are very needed. One of the things that stuck out was diapers. What happens if the money just isn't there to get diapers for your child...you ask for assistance....what happens when those who provide assistance can't help. This happens quite often at our local service center. When they run low they severely limit the number of diapers someone can get on a given day. Today they were down to one package when we arrived. The family in there at the time got 6 diapers. Now we all know that will not last very long and they can only hope when they run out the service center will have more. Witnessing this is a reminder of how blessed my family and I really are. I have the money to buy diapers and wipes. I don't have to worry about where my next meal will come from. We are able to provide our family with basic hygiene items like soap and toliet paper. Many times we forget what are really needs compared to wants.
So next time you are at the store pick up that extra package of soap, toliet paper, diapers, wipes, non-perishable food item or many other items and donate it to your local food pantry or service center.

So a little more info...

So every marriage goes through its ups and downs. This happens to be a down time for us...probably the lowest we have ever had. So in hopes of getting us back on track I am doing The Love Dare. For those who saw Fireproof know what I am talking about for those who have not seen it I would suggest it. Yes, some of the acting and action is a bit cheesy but the message is a very good one. The Love Dare is a 40 day dare to improve your marriage. It is intense but I think will be worth it in the end. So I started the dare a few days ago, tomorrow will be day 5 but I decided that wasn't enough, I needed to do a bit more for myself. I have started, what I am calling the 40/140's challenge. While I am completing The Love Dare I am also going to get my weight back into the 140's.

So I took the dare....

So I took the dare in hopes to make things better. As of day 3.....I see why people quit. No matter what others think, my heart is completely in it. He may not see it now but hopefully in the end he will.