random weekend thoughs (the Halloween version)

1) wear a costume (even a plain sheet will work)... come on put some effort into it!

2) you must give candy at your house if you are trick-or-treating... if I can buy candy for your kid... you can buy it for mine! Or go to the mall if you don't even want to try

3) parents costumes must cover/conceal their bodies, this is not the time to be wearing your sexy pirate costume you got for roll playing with the hubby. (scary I tell you!)

4) if you come to the house early, you get lots of candy, come late you only get one piece... not only is the candy running out, but who doesn't give out the crap stuff first and save the good kinds for the end just in case there are leftovers!

5) don't stick you hand in the candy bucket, you're likely to not get anything

6) don't tell me what kind of candy you want... I can almost guarantee you won't get that kind from me (bartering is allowed though)

7) don't complain about what you got right in front of me, I'll come down to driveway and take it back, (don't you know you are supposed to say thank you and then complain as you walk away?).

8) don't ring the doorbell after the lights are off and then complain when we answer and tell you the candy is gone (even if it isn't)

9) dragging your toddler around the neighborhood after their bedtime will result in tears, so why are you shocked that we did NOT do that with Blake?

Friday Video

Who needs Pablo Picasso?

Isn't this just the coolest pumpkin??


Flashback to last year....

my blog

I sat here for a while and tried to decide what I wanted to post about today. There is a lot going on in my head, but I'm not sure I want to write about any of it just yet. I think that maybe why I've had a crappy blogging week.

I'm one of those people who needs to get things straight in my head before I can explain it with others. Richard has come to realize that when I get all quiet it just means I'm trying to figure things out. I've had to learn to open up to him and let him help me deal with the questions I'm pondering. At the same time, I don't like to burden him with things that could be seen as mundane. I tend to let little things bug me when I don't have control over them. I know this isn't a good thing, but it's just the way I am.

The funny thing to me is I'm finding that my blog is the same way. When things are flowing in my life I have a lot to write about, but when I'm stuck on dealing with something or somethings in my head I feel like I have nothing to write about. Or that the things I have to write about no one would want to read. Most of the time I blog about what is on my mind or what I feel like talking about and don't usually think about what my readers would like to read (no offense). But, when I'm not feeling confident in my thoughts I start to question who would like to hear me talk about _____.

Anyway.... tomorrow is Friday so videos is what you get to see. Saturday is random thoughts (if I get them typed) plus I should have my new blog design up (hopefully)... and maybe a pic or two of the boys dressed for All Hallows Eve. Sunday scrapbook pages... yes I finally have a page again to share. Monday is Not Me Monday. So maybe, just maybe... by Tuesday I'll be more myself!

Is there a handyman in the house?

Before I met Richard, I lived on my own. I had my own tools and knew how to use them, but only used them as needed. But, now for the most part I don't have to, even though it is nice to know I can do things on my own if needed.

Richard is rather handy when it comes to woodworking. He made Blake's bed, which you've seen pics of in the past and he made our bed as well as assorted other things in the garage and in the house. His latest projects have been for the boys (ok so Blake's the only one who can utilize them right now, but Colby will soon too)

The first is something that I really wanted him to make... we are calling it the "kid holder". Blake loves to help out in the kitchen, but Richard doesn't like him standing on chairs. (Me... well I'm vertically challenged so I grew up standing on chairs all the time, and still do, so it doesn't bug me as much)

So here it is...



The second thing is the sandbox (which is Blake's birthday present!)



I don't always let him know how much I appreciate the big and little things he does to help around the house and with the boys, but I know he knows that we love him lots!

Prayers for MckMomma!

MckMomma is giving birth to McMuffin tomorrow!! Please send up a prayer that all will go well. There is a prayer vigil taking place go here if you want to sign up!

brrrr!

It's 48 here with a real feel of 42... could someone remind Mother Nature that I live in FL and it's only Oct not Feb!

update on Melissa

I got this e-mail from my friend Melissa...

Hi All

Today Melissa gave birth to Nicholas @ 935 AM his weight is 7 pounds 4 ounce he has n o heart condition. He is having Dif breathing and low blood pressure the doc’s think that it an infection caused from the delivery.

Thank you

Melissa

Continued prayers for both Melissa and Nicholas!

oops

for those who already looked at my not me post... I fixed the pics links so the pics are actually there now!

Not Me Monday (week 6)

Here we go again... another Monday, the last Monday in October if you can believe it. Time to look back and reflect on all those fun things you did... or didn't do this past week. It's time to realize that you are not alone in this crazy world. It's time to say I'm not perfect...

1. I did not say an extra prayer for my friend Melissa who is having a c-section for her baby boy today... and I did not say an extra special prayer for her son who may have heart complications.

2. I did not kick myself for posting that Colby's sleep schedule is getting better only to have it get messed up again... nope I would have learned already that every time I think it is getting better it gets worse

3. I did not finally give in and break into the Halloween candy.

4. I did not bake a batch of snickerdoodles only to have them eaten in one hour (recipe posted on Sat.)

5. I did not think my kiddos looked way too cute dressed up for the wedding on Saturday
















6. I was not shocked last Monday when I had over 300 hits on my blog.... most from the Not Me Monday people... wow!

7. I'm not sending a ton of prayers to MckMomma that she relaxes and enjoys the last few days before she finally gets to meet McMuffin!

So what have you "not" done? Post your Not Me's on your blog and head over to MckMomma's site my charming kids and join up in the fun!

snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles

Mix:

1 c. soft shortening

1 ½ c. sugar

2 eggs

Add:

2 ¾ c. flour

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

Chill dough 2 hours

Roll into balls then roll in mixture of 2 Tbsp sugar and 2 Tbsp cinnamon

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 10 min @ 350

(to bake bars put into a 9x13 pan and bake for 20 min -- I begin checking around 15 min for doneness)

random weekend thoughs

1. Congrats to Paul and Tami who are getting married tonight (that is my brother and new sister-in-law)

2. Snickerdoodle bars are so yummy!

3. Working out in the yard with Richard is fun, achy, and energizing

4. Watching the boys at the farm was fun... seeing Colby light up with the baby animals was something I didn't expect

5. Figuring out the we were keeping Colby up too late for him and that is why he was having trouble falling asleep was eye opening!

6. Having the temperatures be more fall like means we can open the windows and the boys can play outside more during the day

7. Trying to vote early and seeing a line of probably 100 people deep was shocking... and no I didn't stay to vote

prayers for a fellow blogger

My friend Melissa, who I know in "real life" is having her baby boy on Monday morning. At her last ultrasound, they discovered that her baby could have a possible heart condition. I ask that you send her and her baby boy a prayer!

You can drop her positive thoughts at her blog... sonias-workingmommy

Friday Videos

Bloggy Bling

I received this bling from Dana over at Just Talk
The rules are to pass it on to people who have been following you for a long time and then a new follower from another country.

I'm passing it on to:
Danielle at New Mommy Rant (Danielle was the first person to leave a comment on my blog)
Pam at Random Thoughts
Amy W. at A Family Story
LaskiGal at From the Cheap Seats
Andrea at The Laughs will go on

I'm not sure where everyone lives so I'm not passing it on to a new reader

__________________________________________________________________

I received two award from Keli over at Dream.Imagine.Live

Here are the rules:

Mention the blog that gave it to you and comment on their blog to let them know you have posted your award. Share 6 values that are important to you. Share 6 things you do not support.

Grant the prize to 6 people.

So here goes...
I value...
1. giving and receiving love
2. hearing laughter
3. peace of mind
4. time
5. my education
6. my relationships

I do not support...
1. hatred
2. prejudice
3. supporting another's vices
4. disrespect
5. dropping out of school
6. abuse

I'm passing this one onto: (I choose newer readers for this one)
A Mom's Heart
Baseballs and Tutus
A Thorn Among Roses
He & Me + 3
Honey Mommy
~JujuBoo~

I'm passing this on to all the blogs I follow... I know this one making it's rounds so if you know I follow your blog and don't have it already... it's yours!

Wordless Wednesday

LOTSSSS of pics! Not 1, not 2, but 3 slideshows from this weekend.... enjoy!!

interesting article

My husband actually sent me the link to this article last week, and I'm just getting around to blogging about it today.

Why moms get jealous when dads bond with kids

Now first let me say that no... Richard was not saying I'm jealous of his relationship with the boys.

When I first became a mom, I felt that I had to be involved in every step and thing in Blake's life. I felt that I was the mom, and I knew best. I quickly realized that Richard was fantastic with Blake and letting him take over some of the parenting made me a better parent. I had to realize that my way may work for me, but it may not work for Richard. As it mentions in the article "Trouble is, 'the more we control how dads do things, the less involved they want to be,'"and " 'I had to let go and let them have their own relationship -- he's a competent man!'"

In stepping back and letting Richard parent the boys in his own way, I realized that this provided the boys balance and allowed the boys to create different relationships with each of us, and in different ways. Richard and I have some set things that we do similarly... we have agreed on schedules, discipline techniques and some "wordage" we use with the boys. But, other than that Richard does things very differently from me, and that is fine!

I as a mother had to realize that Father can also know best. I am in no terms jealous of my sons' relationships with their father or his relationship with them. I realize that Richard is a lot more playful with the boys and enjoys the wild times. I also can be playful, but in different ways. But, I get to spend more time with the boys, being a stay-at-home mom, and I want the boys to have fun with Richard in the short time they have together each day. I want the boys to have a balanced life and their varied relationships with Richard and I will support this.

If I can suggest one thing to parents, parent your child in the way that is comfortable for you. Find a balance between the two parenting styles for the major "issues" whatever they are for your family. And everything else is just letting each parent be themselves with the children. Step back and watch your spouse and see what you can learn by watching the interactions between your children and your spouse. What can you learn about your own parenting from watching them interact?

Read the article and let me know what you think... are you jealous? controlling? laid back? Anything you want to change about your interactions?

Hug your spouse tonight and your kiddos and encourage these bonds!

159

that is how many hits I've already had today... can you imagine if they all commented?? oh and realize its only 3:30pm

Not Me Monday (week 5)

Here it is.... Not Me Monday!!



If you haven't tried this already... do! It's lots of fun

1. I did not get excited when I figured out that I could just give Colby his pacifier and he'd fall back to sleep in the middle of the night... nope I love waking up to feed Colby and then stay up the rest of the morning

2. I did not and still do not feel that every muscle in my body is sore from all the work we did on the sandbox this weekend... no I workout on a regular basis and wouldn't be sore from raking dirt and digging up grass

3. Richard and I did not enjoy our time out on Saturday night and spending time away from the boys

4. I did not have a crazy busy weekend and I'm not going to have a do nothing day today!

5. I did not forget what I was going to write on Not Me Monday... nope I remember everything that happens during the week and weekend

random weekend thoughts

1. Sand is messy, but fun

2. Seeing people eating food in the grocery store bugs me... you haven't paid for it... you shouldn't be eating it

3. The tv show The Doctor is fascinating to watch (plus Dr. Travis Stork is cute)

4. Fall in Florida is great... 60s for lows mid 80s for highs! We get to play outside a lot now without overheating

5. Figuring Colby's schedule is challenging, but we are getting there

6. Colby says that oatmeal is even better than rice cereal!

7. Richard and I are getting out tonight without the boys... this is a first since Colby was born

Bloggy Bling

I received this award from Elaine at Matters of the Heart. Isn't this the cutest award out there??

Along with accepting this award, I must answer a small serious of questions, and then pass the award on to five of my bloggy friends.

The Questions.

1. Do you have the same friends since childhood? Nope, I have one from college that I'm still in contact with but no one from my childhood

2. What do you value most about your friends? Trueness... if you can't be true to yourself then you can't be true to others

3. Are your friends sounding boards? depends on the person and situation

4. What is your favorite activity to share with friends? varies

That's it four simple questions. Now I am going to pass this on to five of my bloggy friends they get to do the same. It was really hard to just pick five, but here goes.

1. Amanda at The Family News

2. Pam at Random Thoughts

3. Danielle at New Mommy Rant

4. Dana at Just Talk

5. Amy W. at A Family Story

I got this bling from Amy W at A Family Story (foreverrrrr ago!)

This one I pass onto:
1. Elaine at Matters of the Heart

2. Andrea at The Laughs Will Go On

3. Baseballs and Tutus

4. Lisa At ~ JujuBoo~

Friday Videos

A peek in my kitchen ...

I was tagged by Tiffany at A Mom's Heart to do this meme. 7 random things in my kitchen:

Here's a glimpse of my kitchen:


I love my kitchen! It is the room I put the most focus on when we were building the house. Here are 7 of my favorite things about my kitchen---

1. My fridge


2. My double oven and microwave that actually is an oven too


3. My fun appliances


4. My 60/40 sink


5. My walk-in pantry


6. My island that holds all my baking pans


7. Oh and my laptop!


I tag: anyone who wants to participate... yep I'm being lazy!