Monday Movie Review

  A movie that satisfied mine and my husband's tastes equally; my love of "people stories" and his for overcoming odds and SPORTS.  The movie was Radio starring (again) Cuba Gooding Jr and Ed Harris.  Family friendly from age 10 and up for instances of bullying and emotional drama. Language was fine and no sexual content. 

"Football coach Harold Jones befriends Radio, a mentally-challenged man who becomes a student at T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, South Carolina. Their friendship extends over several decades, where Radio transforms from a shy, tormented man into an inspiration to his community." from IMDb






Teachable moments:
All these are great questions to ask durring, or after viewing the movie.
What is the worth of those who are mentally challenged.  Do they have a place in society?  How has this movie changed your views about the mentally-challenged?

How do we respond to bullying.  Are you a "follower"? What would it look like to stand up for someone who was being bullied, who couldn't defend them self?

What is real friendship?  Is there someone in our life we should extend real friendship to? What would that look like?

What did those who loved Radio receive from him?

What is regret? How can we learn from past mistakes or missed opportunities to help?   How might have Radio's life played out had Coach Jones not extended friendship? How did his friendship change Radio's life?

How do forgiveness, and mercy manifest in this story?

Forgiveness is the renunciation or cessation of resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, disagreement, or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution
Mercy : compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence.

This movie as of the date of this post is available on Netflix instant streaming.

Enjoy your family time,

Jessica

I Need Some Quiet / Play Dough Recipe

I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! HERE, PLAY WITH THIS!

Have a half an hour time slot in your day that demands your focus but it seems to be the time the kiddos squawk, whine, and run amok? I call it roosting. Where we live, in the fall, we get a tremendous amount of crows.  In the late afternoon they start cawing and collecting together in large numbers. They fly from their perch in great big clusters and swarm a bit only to land back in the same tree and repeat 50 million times. It all seems very random and frenzied to me, but I'm beginning to think (observing my boys) that this is what the crows must do to get all their energy out so when the crow mommies tuck them in they will sleep through the night.

I need to make dinner, the roosting begins. Something like this:

I'm wielding a knife chopping veggies, there are two little boys clinging to my knees and pulling on my pant leg. The phone rings, one of the big boys comes in to forage for food minutes before dinner. I start to correct.  The door bell rings, older boy #2 is asking if his friend, who's followed him in the kitchen carrying a box of dirt and matching shoes, can play and "do we have any chips?" and "what do worms eat exactly?"  and by the way "did you sign that really important thing that's due tomorrow?" and "do you know where it is Mom?  I haven't seen it since school and I forget what it looks like."  and oh my, the baby is stinky.  Again.  The three year old has something of importance to the ten year old and I hear the verbal tug-o-war escalating in the next room. It could be over a bag of chips.  I realize I'm holding the phone. "Hello?" 

Sound familiar?  Much of the chaos is circumstantial, and perspective is everything.  To every thing there is a season, right?  My goal is to keep calm in these harried times, and demonstrate to my big guys how to handle difficult circumstances.

So when things get crazy and the kids are roosting, please don't forget to pray. Pray out loud so they can hear you. Don't you want them turning to the Lord in the very midst of their trials?

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

Then...get out the play dough, random kitchen utencils and cookie cutters,and  put on some praise music.





When the neighbor comes by to pick up her son (the one with the dirt) she comments "You are so creative! Your kids are so good. Your home is always so calm."


.


Roll up your sleeves girls. We're making play dough.  It is so easy-peasy and really fun. Have the kiddos help knead. Trust me, you will love LOVE the way play dough contains and occupies kids of all ages. Even the baby plays in his high chair.  Praise the Lord, he doesn't try to eat it, although when he's done he will throw it on the floor :)

You are going to want to make a batch in every color. And maybe one with glitter.  And did you know you can add some extracts for scented play dough? How about essential oils? hmmmmmmm calming lavendar??



Ingredients needed:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons cream of tarter
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• food coloring
• peppermint extract (or scent of your choice)
• glitter if you want sparklies but use the really fine glitter.

1. Combine all ingredients except coloring, glitter and scented extract in medium saucepan.

2. Stir continuously over medium heat until smooth and pulls away from sides of pan. Remove from heat.

3. Plave dough ball on counter or cutting board and begin to knead when cool enough to handle.

4. Work in a few drops of extract or scented oil at a time making a depression in dough so it doesn't roll off onto counter. Add a few drops at a time until it smells enough to your taste. (but, no tasting!)

5. Divide in halves or fourths and add in coloring a few drops at a time, as you did the extract/scented oil.  This would be the time to add glitter also.

6. Store in quart size storage bags, or my favorite, these:

                                .

This dough will last all year. I have not had mine dry out, but I do toss it out when it gets to be crummy and hairy from multiple drops on the floor.

Here are some fun play dough ideas:

My boys love playing with plastic animals in play dough.

Construction vehicles. Brrrrrrrum!

Google eyes!

This is a great way for little ones to learn their letters and big guys study vocab/spelling.

. 

Wednesday Wishing

10 Wednesday Wishes

Wish I had more time to give myself a pedicure.
Wish I had a banana tree in my backyard that produced 3 ripe bananas a day.
Wish Matt and I could be together in our dreams at night and dream that we are sitting in our chairs on the beach holding hands.
Wish I could get the grout in the hall bath really clean and maintain it.
Wish we could replace our windows.
Wish the rats would stay out of our attic this summer.
Wish I was better at math.
Wish I were brave to share the gospel to my neighbor.
Wish I wasn't such a control freak about laundry and let the boys help.
Wish I will make time to visit my Nana this week.

Matthew 6:33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  well, maybe not the co-dreaming with Hubby, or the banana tree, but wouldn't that be cool?!

Monday Movie Review

Gifted Hands the Ben Carson Story


available at this date on Netflix instant streaming



This is one of the best movies I've seen all year.  Family friendly in content above age 7 (for some medical drama/surgery and two family argument scenes, racial opinionated character, and one teenage fight.) All very tastefully portrayed and great  teachable moments (press pause and talk about it!)  Movie time can be treated like "book time"  ; hold your place and ask questions. It is a great way to stay engaged as a family while watching a movie.

This biographical story follows Ben from boyhood to adult, overcoming obstacles of circumstance and learning to gain control over his anger and frustration issues. Although he deals with anger as a weakness, he is a sweet boy/ man who has a wonderful support system in his mother and evident faith.    Although sin no longer reigns in us (as Christians) it does still remain in us and we have to choose what to do with that sinful nature. What a great discussion point.  On more than one occasion in the movie, Ben prays, seeking the Lord's help to deal with his anger.

This one is on my TO BUY list. It is clean, has great spiritual relevance, teachable moments, sweet RESPECTFUL boys, and a mother like no other.

*I always preview movies before showing my boys and I encourage you to do the same regardless of how "family friendly" I deem it to be.

Jessica

Family Friendly Movies and Legacies

I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. Psalm 101:3

One thing I will not abide by in my home is trash movies and television. Call us conservative, old-fashioned...but I won't allow the following(among others) when it comes to media entertainment:

Immodest dress. ~ Enough boobs already! Is it just me or is there a shocking lack of cami's on screen?!

Disrespectful children to parents/adults.~ This happens in so many "kid" movies.

Cursing and swearing. ~ Why? Too many movies are ruined due to lack of vocabulary on the part of the writers.

Broken home.~ does EVERY movie family have to come from a broken home? Can we be fair and have HALF of movie parents married? And boyfriends/girlfriends sleeping over?! REALLY.

Snotty, grumpy teenagers~ Children don't automatically turn into trolls incapable of productivity,love and respect for parents when they enter puberty. They actually can be enjoyable, helpful, respectful, self-controlled and caring. (soap box statement alert) Parents  have to "step up a notch" in their parenting at this time instead of allowing bad behavior patterns to continue.

http://www.pluggedin.com/movies.aspx   A great site by FOCUS ON THE FAMILY that review current in- theater movies as well as old ones. It gives a breakdown of content both positive and negative. 



A  Short list of movies that we enjoy watching together:

Lord Of the Rings
Star Wars
Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Arc and Last Crusade *with kissing scenes skipped
Hidalgo
The Black Stallion

National Velvet
True Grit - old and new versions
Napoleon Dynamite
Facing the Giants
Night at the Museum
Matilda
Swiss Family Robinson
Polar Express
Charlotte's Web
Babe
Amazing Grace
Narnia movies
National Treasure movies *kissy parts skipped
Ken Burns Documentaries; America Story of Us, and Baseball
Fiddler on the Roof

Girly Picks:
Anne of Green Gables
Emma
Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice

As you can tell, I have all boys. I do make a point to take an interest in what they watch. Likewise, I will not watch anything that I would not in good conscience view in front of my boys. I recently had an epiphany; my possessions are telling of my character. Do my books, dvd's and music choices reflect character I want associated with myself? If I were to leave this earth while I had children at home, would what I left behind leave the kind of legacy I would want? Or, would going through my possessions cause confusion, contradiction or reveal my own compromise? How will I be remembered? This was VERY helpful to me in clearing out the media cabinets! I filled a few boxes for the garage of movies and books. 

Yes, some of the shows we enjoy have scenarios or judgments on behalf of the characters that we as a family do not stand behind.  So I make every effort not to let an opportunity for family discussion to pass by. Even though I have not liked pressing pause at an exciting part of a movie initially, we have had some wonderful heart to heart discussions that have been the highlight of family movie night.

Psalm 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name


http://www.pluggedin.com/movies.aspx


Jessica

Titus 2 Fellowship, fun, frugality night.

Heading out to make laundry detergent with my church small group ladies.

Here's the recipe:

HOME MADE LAUNDRY SOAP

use 1-2 tbsp per load

1 Cup Borax

1 Cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda

1 4.1 ounce bar of Ivory Soap, shredded

Combine ingredients stir well

Safe for H/e Machines

 

Found these cuties from www.yumuniverse.com and I love the vinyl application

 

Cheap food that's good?!

Enjoy!

Good, Good Friday!

Grandmas in the Kitchen

I first repainted with flat paint. (yay) In the hurricane are a collection of wooden spoons, one from each grandma. The RevereWare pots were my mothers.

Maybe  why I like having their pictures,cookware and recipes around me in the kitchen is because that is where we did most of our visiting; in the kitchen preparing, setting out and serving food.

Before: I had frame some recipes handwritten by Mine ans Matt's Grandma.

After: I was moving things around and this ironwork found a new home. These letter magnets I found last year at Michael's and fell in love, especially with the price,the whole alphabet for under five bucks (at regular price) imagine using the coupon !  The R is for Grandma Ruby, and he N is for Nana. I associate so many memories with food it is great to be able to have these recipes and recreate some fond memories. One is for Ruby's sweet pickles. They are the "bee's knee's" sliced thin on a tuna sandwich.     

RUBY'S SWEET PICKLES

1 GAL jar dill pickles

cut ends off, drain

9 CUPS sugar , 2 CUPS vinegar

(dissolve together)

Pickling Spice tied in cheesecloth

(I used the whole package, about 1/2 cup)

Cut pickles in large chunks and put 1/2 in jar

Add Pickling spice, and cut rest of pickles

Pour sugar mixture over, refrigerate

Turn jar every day for seven days

Put in smaller jars

We then slice thin for tuna sandwiches. I like mine with cottage cheese :) minced into a relish in beans is also really good.

             

Great resource

 Click on for more info

The Laundry "Room"

In an earlier post I gave some garage solutions, and shared some pics of my new utility storage rack and chest freezer. It's been a month or so and I am loving having my freezer.  I am buying cheese and bread in bulk and frozen organic bagged veggies and fruit on sale. When grass fed beef and free range organic chicken goes on sale I can stock up, yay! I am enjoying the visibility ok the storage rack especially for canned goods. 
  I recently moved some cabinets and long counter we had purchased for our schoolroom into the garage. We have the baby in what was the schoolroom and didn't have a place (so we thought) to move out the furniture.

This is working amazingly!! Even Matt says it feels like a REAL laundry room.
I say just wait until I get a cute rug and counter top for washer dryer and cute glass canisters for my detergent and........



This is my progress so far:


My laundry room (in progress)
I can hardly look at the floor without cringing. I know, it is the garage, but it is also my laundry area and I spend quite a lot of time in that little space. On the lookout for a cheap rug, hopefully checkered or one I can paint.










 Here are some inspiring pics for the finished area

Too cute










There's those canisters....and bead board may be the thing to finish the wall behind washer/dryer hmmmmm...of course I need a shelf, a good sturdy one.

Let's see what I can find at garage sales tomorrow morning!

And then, the flu. Things I've learned these pased two weeks.

1) When kids are sick, keep bowl/bucket close by, lay sleeping blanket spread out on the floor if you have carpet.

2) If vomit gets on the carpet. God bless you. It's just really, really, bad. Use a cloth to soak up the best you can, and remove "chunks". Borrow, or go out and buy a mini steam vac of some kind. Don't use soap/solution, only very hot water. Vac and vac, and vac. Spray with vinegar/water solution and fan dry. If it was a "big mess" like ours was (twice) than after you do the above, call professionals, they can usually come out right away. This is was the case with us and such a blessing as we ALL were sick.

3) Spray the vinegar/water solution (about 1 part vinegar, 2 parts water) all around, it disinfects and dissolves odors.

Fost-Adopt Journey Part 1

A passion of mine is encouraging women in their roles as mothers. There are no "simple solutions" in deciding to have children, but perhaps  the "simple" act sharing our story will bring someone encouragement.

I also want to chronicle our journey as we bring another blessing into our home, this time through fost-adopt. I feel that to begin, I need to give a small history of  how we came to this place.

I will never forget a conversation I had with Matt when we were engaged. I remember we were in the car, driving to church. We were talk/dreaming about the future. I told Matt I wanted three born-to-me children, and then I wanted to adopt. I was so surprised how adverse Matt was to this statement.  Three sounded like an awful lot of babies to him, an adoption was a total crap shoot, you never know what you are getting yourself in to.

Very shortly after we were married we were expecting our first blessing. This pregnancy was soon followed by another and by the time we were married three years we had two adorable little boys. One for each of us. 

We were very young, and struggling financially. We had bought a home before we were married based on the fact that I had a job; now I was home with the babies and things were tight. Looking back, we were a lot better off than we thought. Things were just not going as we expected.

The decision was made for Matt to have a vasectomy. This seemed like the first grown-up decision we had made as a married couple. We really didn't have any opposition from family or friends. We had a tiny house, and small car, and smaller finances. How could we fit another baby? Matt was working long 12+ hour days and as much as I loved being a mommy, I was completely overwhelmed.

Our second born was 3 months old when Matt had his surgery.

Whether we were "out of God's will" in our decision is of no consequence to me now.  Although I do believe we could have been talked out of having the surgery, we weren't. It happened and we were happy with the result. It is part of our story.

When our youngest turned four, a desire began to grow in me for another baby. Matt was very settled with how things were. He wasn't insensitive, but he was very firm in his resolve. My desire would not go away and became at times a driving force. I watched videos of the boys as babies, I cried over pictures. Several times I brought up the subject with Matt, but he would not be moved. Each time he refused to discuss it further, I felt such grief over the loss of a baby that only existed in my heart. In my heart,  I related with Rachel in the Bible who told her husband Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!”Genesis 30:1

I decided to follow Paul's example in scripture (2 Corinthians 12:8-10), and after three different occasions of asking the Lord to take this desire from me, I left it in His hands. It was so hard to leave that desire as an offering before the alter, but I had to, somehow, get some peace. I would live with this unmet desire believing that if it was meant to be, God would work in Matt's heart.

 The following year was so hard. We had trials of every kind; financially, family dramas, marriage issues. It was easy to believe we were not meant to have any more children as our lives seemed chaotic. That year was like one long storm. In the midst of it all, our friends were having babies, so I had to endure several baby showers. I even hosted a few of them. By some technical error, I was placed in the nursing mothers group in Bible study that year. A friend had a baby and had to return to work and wanted me to babysit three days a week.  Now there were baby things in the house again, and as much as I loved this baby, the desire for a baby of our own only grew. I knew I was being tested. I just had no idea what the desired outcome could be. Strength in character? I was trying to quench my desire but being bombarded with babies and pregnant mommies was only making it worse. Why was I to suffer so? Why wasn't I satisfied with the beautiful family I had? As faithfully as I could, I kept my struggle between me and the Lord.

Imagine my total shock, when one day Matt asked me to look in to the cost of a reversal for his vascectomy. There aren't words to explain how I felt. I truthfully don't have much to say about it because I was in total shock and my memories are a blur!  All I can say, is that it was the Lord that changed Matt's heart.

Fast forward five years, and we have two more precious boys. We are completing requirements to adopt through foster care. I'm overwhelmed at God's grace. Looking back we can't hardly believe that coming out of such a stormy season, we have been brought to this place. My heart and my husbands are changed.  God only know's what the future holds as far as how many more children will come into or be born into our home. I feel as much a spectator as a participant, and I am completely satisfied with that.

Son #3

Two years later, precious son #4









I look forward to writing Part 2, as our story developes.

Baby sleep solutions follow-up

It's been a rough week.  Aaron is a very determined little boy. I'm not sure if all this crying has made many strides toward our goal of putting him to bed awake, at the same time each evening. Well, we are getting him down earlier, that's something. And last night he went down for my mom without a peep! Perhaps it's ME. I'll have Matt try putting him down this evening.

 He just does not give up easily. I'm going to take that as a strength in character that will bless him for years to come.

His name does mean MOUNTAIN OF STRENGTH.

What are your baby sleep solutions?

Baby sleep solutions

I am working on getting my little guy to go to sleep while awake at nap and night time.  I have let some bad habits form and am paying the price.  My current method disrupts the peace in our home My last words to my older boys are often short and frustrated. This is not good! I have sought their forgiveness and their support as I close this chapter of our lives, hurah!

The ferber method is basically what I have done with all the boys, although I didn't follow any method or buy any books. This just matches what we have done pretty closely as far as putting the baby to bed while awake and allowing hime to cry for a bit. Although, we don't let the babies cry for longer than fifteen minutes, and I do pick them up and soothe them. Gradually, within a week of being consistant, they stop crying when we put them down.

 .

What exactly is the Ferber method?

In a nutshell, Ferber says you can teach your baby to soothe himself to sleep when he's physically and emotionally ready, usually sometime between 3 and 5 months of age.

He recommends following a warm, loving bedtime routine and then putting your baby in bed awake and leaving him (even if he cries) for gradually longer periods of time. Putting a child to bed awake, says Ferber, is crucial to successfully teaching him to go to sleep on his own.

I expect this to come as a shock to my nearly 1 year old :) but starting tonight after bath and singing songs and praying with brothers, he is being rocked and put in bed. I expect he will cry quite a lot. I do know from experience that it will be worth every tear! Mine and his :)

This is what 5am looks like for Matt and I.  The little ones are in the habit of waking at 5.  I will have to work on this sleep issue another time. Often Seth is in bed with us as well. Good times. I love the "stalker" haha. 

garage solutions

I'm actually excited to walk in to my garage this week.  Have I ever said that?  We are in the process of going through the garage and getting rid of things, and making a laundry station and pantry area. This passed weekend we were given a small chest freezer, and storage shelves. Whoo-hoo!

Now at the back of the garage I have the freezer and storage for house paper products, humidifiers, and serving dishes. I pulled a long dresser that was at the back of the garage parallel to the washer and dryer, making a laundry room (as close as I can get to one). The dresser has 9 drawers that store (among other things), my tools, extra dishes, off-season sheets,batteries and laundry supplies. Three laundry baskets sit nicely on top of the dresser; one for unders and towels, the other for regular wash, and a small basket for "smalls" like baby socks and nursing pads (TMI?).

 Simple Solutions:
  *Trash can next to the dryer. No-brainer, right? well, it took me about 10 years to 'get' this one.

  *Towel on top of freezer. This keeps the lid from getting dusty. Just throw in the washer monthly.
 Fold a towel to fit on top of you fridge in the house as well and no more ugly dust blanket on top.

  *Keep dirty clothes in laundry room/area. I have my boys bring dirties to laundry station right after their nightly shower, sort unders/towels from regulars and put in baskets. I don't like dirties hanging out in hampers. This forces me to keep up on laundry, usually two loads per day.


Here's my garage. I plan on some hanging storage for above the freezer for plastic, paper grocery bage and my reusable grocery bags. On the wall to the left of the freezer we are going to install a um, thing (have no idea shat it is called!) to hang my broom, dust pan, Swiffer and steam mop.

I found these inspirational pics online. Love the pegboard! I can see now that even a small one would be so useful next to the washer/dryer.

This other pic, I just had to share. I don't think it is for me, but I had not seen this before. A garage screen door!!! Would love to hear from anyone on this. I don't know what I think other than, wow.

This last pic apeals to my contain-a-mania. :) 

Keeping on budget

I'm often asked, "How much is your grocery bill?"  In this economy, and especially in single-income families, keeping and staying on budget is more crucial than ever.  When I was first married 13 years ago, we had budgets, but they were more like standards and guides than actual budgets, and they weren't policed at all.  Ever go to the ATM to draw $$ and found that you had negative funds? That happened to me, a few times. Today in my home my budget and bank records are checked daily and there isn't a trip to the store that isn't calculated. It is a daunting task and a frustrating reality at times, but there is a comfort in knowing what to expect and  knowing  I can use my gifts to serve my family in this area.  Family finances are indicative of stewardship. Bank statements don't pull any punches, do they? 
    Finance is an area that a husband and wife should approach with much prayer, and honesty. In our house, I am "in charge" of finances, but Matt is absolutely the head of our home and that includes the $$$$. We pray about bigger purchases and for God's provision. We keep eachother accountable. We view Matt's salery as a stewardship from the Lord.
   We are nearly debt free (aside from the house).  With our tax return we are paying off credit cards and Ben's braces. This frees up nearly 300 a month to be applied to the car payment. We are prayerfully on our way to car pay-off in two years. We still have a need to keep our credit card for emergencies until we build up two month's expences in savings. This "emergency fund" is something that we have not had before but really REALY would like to have, God willing, of course.
  

Here are a great link: a cash envelope tutorial. She also sells the sets laminated,  on Etsy

 http://kelleighratzlaff.com/featured/free-envelope-template-and-a-tutorial/

Here's some of mine. Cute, huh? Having cash on hand is a great way to keep on budget. The envelopes make it easy to see how much, or how little, there is to spend.

To answer the grocery budget question; I budget 700 a month for groceries and non food items like paper products, shampoo, baby wipes etc. I coupon and sale shop when I can.

Philippians 4:19 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Christ Jesus."

Love...believes all things...

  While at church this past Sunday, my mind wandered (for a bit) thinking back at this past year at our church. We first visited in January of last year, and wow, it has been a whole year. Anyway, I was thinking how much we have grown together as a couple this past year and found myself thinking, "I wish our pastor would have married us all those (13) years ago.  I would love it if our pastor led us in rededicating  our vows in this church..." And then I sighed because Matt is not the renewing/rededicating type of guy and our pastor probably doesn't do that kind of thing anyway.

   Well, on the way home in the church parking lot, Matt looks me in the eyes and proceeds to tell me before God and all the kiddo's in the car, "I want you to know that I just love you so much. I want you to know that I love that I get to see you growing closer to Christ and watch you become who God created you to be, and like our pastor said this morning, it excites me and I am so blessed to be a part of it., to witness this miracle, of you."~ My Man. Says this to me with misty eyes.
and I felt....renewed, rededicated, and practically in our church.

This is the quote that we heard in church. Well Matt heard, I was daydreaming of renewing our vows...

“Within the Christian vision for marriage, here’s what it means to fall in love. It is to look at another person and get a glimpse of the person God is creating, and to say, ‘I see who God is making you, and it excites me! I want to be part of that. I want to partner with you and God in the journey you are taking to his throne. And when we get there, I will look at your magnificence and say, ‘I always knew you could be like this. I got glimpses of it on earth, but now look at you!’” (Timothy & Kathy Keller, "The Meaning of Marriage")

Me and my dream-boat.  Keeper of my heart. You are so much more than I would have ever thought to ask for. I'm so blessed to be yours.

Outing Bag

Mommies need any 'edge' available.  A nanny would be amazing, right? A Grammy is great and there is strength in numbers among friends. What has made all the difference for me is my Outing Bag. It is my as close to a nanny or personal assistant as I am going to get, and it REALLY, really makes all the difference. That said, it needs to be packed and ready to go.

Here is a pic of my Outing Bag.

First of all and Best of all it is giant. I literally put my mini cooler in it when we head to the park.

It has two wonderful outside pockets to stow my keys, sun glasses, cell and lip gloss~ what else does a girl need, right? 
Three inside pockets hold my wallet, hand sanitizer*, lotion, Mommy snacks, bottled water,and sippy cups.

The GIANT inside holds diapers (wet bag too if I am taking cloth) wipes, nursing cover,baby snacks,sunblock bag,extra baby clothes. There is room for library books, my mini cooler, sweatshirts and coupon organizer. On Bible study days it holds my Bible and notebook with room to spare.

My mom had a friend make this for me for Christmas. Since I have been using it (stocking it) it is that much easier to get up and go because I have everything I need for a quick trip to the store, library, day at the park.


Here it is all packed and ready to go.







My head is not "made-up" yet so I intentionally cut it out :)