Up before the Rooster

Here is a fun painting I finally got to finish (started it months ago, put it away...brought it out again...hehe). It is probably hard to see from the picture, but there is glitter on her wings. I love how this little fairy turned out. It is a 8x10 - flat canvas (verses stretched canvas), acrylic.

Here is our bathroom after it was ripped apart. It has been a busy and cold week, so new drywall is up, but taping and painting still needs to happen, then tiling floor and shower and wall and installation of fixtures...and more plumbing...so we still have a ways to go.

It's always nice to see a Woody wiz past you on a remote control car. boys. Speaking of Woody, whom Ben drags around everywhere with him, drops him in the slush, hangs him from the shopping cart, sleeps with him...etc... well, he just got a new bedding set. Aunt Mary is here for the weekend and Ben talked her into making custom blankets and pillows for Woody and Buzz. They are sleeping very comfortably in this freezing weather.

Isabelle and Ben love to listen to the book that Grandma recorded for them as a Christmas Present. The story is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, it is a recordable Hallmark book in which my mom reads the story to the kids. It is awesome and they love it!

Sure, don't let this adorable, sweet , calm little peaceful baby fool you. This little girl, kept me up half the night, I have no clue why and forced me to be up by 6a.m. (on a Saturday mind you!). I had to get up, I had no choice. She has been a pistol all morning (yes, I can say pistol cuz shes my little puddle duck). So anyway, let's just say, I would have seen the sun rise if it ever came out this a.m. I've had one cup of coffee and I guess it is just not enough. Good news is this should mostly be a non requirement day at home. It's snowing again and freezing, but we plan just to be at home and take the day as it comes. Have a few fun surprises (activities) planned for the kids today. I am hoping to get a few personal things done, but my expectations are not set super high. This weekend I plan on reading the book: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Only problem with this plan is that I really need to concentrate in quiet, to grasp and understand this subject...and I have a feeling it will be slightly loud here today. Wishing you a WaRm and BeAutiFul Saturday :).

A Little Birdie told me..-

Wanted to share some PAINTINGS with you . :) Above; is an Angel and Eastern Blue Bird painted with Acrylics on an 11x14 stretched canvas. Below: is a cute little bird with Olivia's name on a branch. I am starting to offer to paint personalized custom children's wall art and I have already got some interest which is so exciting because these paintings are so fun to create!

8" x 10 " on Acrylic Stretched Canvas

Here is my sweet baby girl with a cold wet washcloth on her head. Hey, we are just trying to keep cool in this horrible heat. :) hehe. Olivia is approx. 3 months old now and she is doing more and more every day. Sweet Dreams friends & family.

SnOw DaY

No School Today! Just lots & lots & lots of SnOw.

====MiSc. RoundUP====

We are in the midst of Christmas decorations. We got our tree this past weekend. If I remember correctly its a balsm fir. We did not chop it down this year, but got it at the grocery store for the going rate of 29.99. It's glorious though. I love how the kids put 27 ornaments on one branch. I love pulling out our favorite decorations from Christmas past...what joy. Still got more decorating to do but at least the process has begun. Along with the decor- our movies & music come out as well (O Holy Night my all time favorite song, A Christmas Story (with Ralphy) my favorite movie). What comfort and memories are wrapped in these delights. I don't have much shopping done at all though. That's been the hard part so far. Trying to shop without the kids...having ideas and...actually finding what I am looking for. I am considering skipping Christmas Cards this year for misc. reasons....which I know I would regret...I hope I can manage to send them, It would be weird not to. Other news: I had my 20 week ultrasound last week and I am proud to say that I remained completely strong and I did not find out the gender of this kid. Although the answer was right in front of me....I decided to keep this one a mystery. So folks...we won't know til this baby's arrival...pink or blue..? I've been reading lots lately. Just finished: The hour I first believed by wally lamb. Good but depressing. I also read a book about Christmas Miracles and also a book about How to Hear God (still reading this one). I have ordered from the library: Revolutionary Road because I saw the movie recently (netflix) and now I want to know some more in depth to the story. I am so excited (speaking of netflix), that Julie & Julia arrived today...I have wanted to see this movie since it came out, hopefully I can drug the kids later and watch it. Speaking of drugs , I should be on some because my throat hurts like heck. I am ill I believe but I am fighting it with every ounce of everything that I have got. So, I was going to bake with the kids today but I don't have any cream of tartar (which is a requirement) nor do I have walnuts. I don't know what I was going to do with the walnuts exactly, I just know I wanted to bake with them. Im not much of a baker. There are a few things I know but the rest is scary to me to be honest. This morning I whipped opened a can of cinnamon rolls to bake and I was quite proud that they turned out. Pathetic I know , but true. Ben has really been cracking me up lately. He thinks our tWee is so beautiful...and he has been sneaking into our bed because he doesnt want to have Whitemare's. He tells me that I am a nice girl and he likes me alot....so no matter what trouble he falls into, somehow he get's away. K, I've rambled and I have clothes to dry and maybe a nap to sneak in. Starm Warm & Well!

Rain & Puppet

The rain has been non-stop here. I don't mind the rain...but now I think I am ready for it to halt for a bit. Serioulsy it feels like we are living in Seattle. Maybe my husband should start building the Ark. Everything is Wet , wet, wet and dreary. I think I have to stop using the extra spider-man umbrella and invest in a real adult sized one. Speaking of nature, I am sad to see that most of the leaves seem to be falling off of the trees already. gone. No, I am not ready to let go yet! Can I sew, tape, glue or staple them back on? Seriously, just stay a bit longer. It's not time yet! Please wait around for a little while longer! I know that I should have appreciated you more while you were here. I knew that you wouldn't be staying. But, now that you are going away...I have a hard time accepting it...I just can't help but think that we need more quality time together. You should know that I'll miss you dearly.

Isabelle the silly singing puppeteer. Recently Isabelle made a witch puppet in Brownies, that she absolutely loves. Every day we have been getting a musical show. Isabelle has really been making me smile lately....with her imagination. She is singing and dancing and pretending about with her pigtails swinging in the air as she skips on by...and she reminds me of someone. I remember feeling and being how she is right now. I can picture the thoughts in her head as she goes about her play. I anticipate what she will say and do next as if it was coming out of my own noggin. She has been writing sentances in her journal, and drawing animals on her note pad....and pretending to lead school and church with her books in hand (o.k. class, turn to page 4...). Another joy that I have been experiencing latley, is watching Isabelle and Ben playing together lately. Helping eachother. Hugging and Loving eachother (don't get me wrong of course they fight too), but focusing on their postive actions, it melts my heart. I hear them tell eachother that they love eachother, I see them help eachother zip their coats and share snacks...I listen to their laughter. Their laughter is enough to take away any yuk from the day and let me just enjoy what is going on in the moment. Sometimes it is hard for me to concept that we will be welcoming a new family member in the spring. This new little person is going to have his/her special place in our home and hearts..and is going to create a whole new world for us. This baby is a blessing and I know that I can't wait to meet this amazing gift. I must admit that lately I have been having some anxiety about the changes that will come about...wondering how we will adjust and manage it all. I think feeling so sick has a lot to do with my reservations...but, I also know that we will somehow do it , it might not be easy but it will be wonderful. I believe in this. Sorry to get all mush and sappy, I think I will pour myself a big bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats with Cinnamon and begin the day! Happy Saturday...don't forget to take some time and watch the leaves fall and listen to the laughter.

Pink or Blue?...

...only time will tell! We are expecting number #3! (sorry I didn't have a better photo to go along w/ the news...but I really don't have any baby stuff around here!). I am a little over 11 weeks now and approx. due April 20th. So, in the spring we will be welcoming our new little love. Isabelle is thrilled beyond the moon, she can't wait to help take care of her new sibling and teach it (she keeps saying her although a boy would be just fine too. hehe) things. Ben is happy also, he is telling everyone he comes across. Every day they both share how excited that they are for this addition. Ben wants to name the baby Taco. I told him I will add it to the list. I've been pretty sick this time around, so it has been hard. I am hoping the nausea & tiredness lets up a little soon. I had a wonderful dr. appt in which an ultrasound was done and we saw a very strong heartbeat. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers these upcoming months for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Other ramblings:
It's raining and feels like fall and I love it.
I have been craving chocolate milk.
I finally sucked it up and paid a huge fine at the library for a lost harry potter movie.
Isabelle has gotten pefect 100% on her first 2 spelling tests.
I am really enjoying the new bible study that I am in, it is about the power of women's words.
I am also enjoying MOPS & MosaIc, two wonderful groups that I am in with the most amazing friends/mothers. I feel so blessed. :)
I have done NO crafts lately.
Progress is coming along on the house again: the fireplace is being worked on and the remainder of the house windows have been ordered.
Isabelle is loving ballet again this season (and will take part in The Wizard of Oz recital in Spring). She has also started Brownies and is very excited about all the things that are planned.
I am looking forward to anything/everything fall.
I think that is all for the moment: Happy Weekend friends & family!