Orphan Annie & Sick Family

The "Annie Wig" - So, Uncle Al...found the most amazing pefect thing to go with Isabelle's Annie Dress. A wig! At first she was scared of it, but then she wouldn't take it off at all, she wanted to sleep in it. I even let her wear it to store because she wanted to. She does have a negative comment though: that she doesn't really like the wig...cuz it's itchy. Now she just wears it occassionaly.

Sickness All About. Yesterday was a horrible day. We have all been feeling sick and I got the kids into the dr. WEll 3 hours later, I left there with 4 (3 for ben, 1 for Isabelle) perscriptions in my hands, but not before bursting into tears in the dr's office. I think I was so tired from no sleep for two nights, and I was overwhelmed by the news. Isabelle and Ben have strep throat, and Ben has an ear infection and a rash. It is scary to me that what seems to be a cold can turn into so much more so quickly. To be honest the last couple days have felt like a nightmare. I've been trying to get dr. appoints for noah and I because we believe we have strep as well. But, everyone is booked so I think we will have to go to a same day care place if we can. Even though I feel like total crap (just being honest), I am SO thankful that the children were treated and they have their medicine and are on the way to recovery. Isabelle is quite upset that she won't be going to school today because she was excited about the show and tell she was going to bring. Anyway, please say a prayer for my family, that complete health is restored soon.

Dumb Dog

I think this is my favorite book that I have made so far. It is a blank journal with coptic style binding. It has sold...so now I just have my memories and this lovely photograph.

This "spring break" week has flown by. Yuk weather, but what can you do?

On Sundays we try to take on a house project of some sort (the rate our house is at, we should take on a house project every day, maybe every hour) to at least make some kind of improvement. Today Noah suggested that we work in the basement. It is a horrible dungeon sewer moldy cobwebbed nightmare...noone ventures down there unless it is a complete neccesity. Well today, we tackled the beginning of emptying the entire basement out. It's just yuk down there and we think it would be best if it was completly empty. So anyway, worked hard and got a very good portion sorted out. Much went in the garbage, some went in the "sale/give" pile and then proud to say just a small portion is in the keep pile. I am all about decluttering my home and getting a handle and grasp on everything....an organizaiton....and this was a very good step to take. Feels good!

Today/night Noah made Lasagna from scratch, bread from scratch and salad..from scratch. It was a wonderful meal and I should not complain except....he left behind about 1005 dishes. I dont know where all the dishes came from? The basement? I didnt realize we had that many dishes. So anyway, I suggested that if we did it as a team that it would get done faster and be fun. Wow, was I wrong. Remind me to do the dishes by myself like usual. He returned several dishes to the sink , rejecting them in the rinse, saying they were not good enough. I commented that doing dishes with him was like being in hell's kitchen with gordon ramsay, except it was hell's kitchen Sink! Just when I thought dishes couldnt be any more tortorous (like when ben is pulling on me, hitting me trying to get me away from the sink) than usual....I have found a new high...or should I say low. Well, the good news is that the dishes are done. (for now)

Isabelle asked me today: If I got eaten by a monster, I'd never get to go to dance class right?

Ben doesn't say a lot of words, mostly: mama, hi, bye, wow, uh oh, ba, dah, etc.... but today he said...or should I say he sang very clear: dumb dog.... (we often sing that song and listen to that song from the annie soundtrack...maybe too often).

Well tomorrow regular routine of school and such starts...It's been a long day...I think I will go read for a smidge. Tonight we are trying a no tv night and I have to say I am really enjoying the quiet. I think we should do this more often. I keep reminding myself that we should set up some house rules like on supernanny.....of course if we don't watch t.v.....I will never know what grand advice supernanny may be passing out to desperate households....

goodnight.

A little Easter...

Ben Boo and the Blue Balloon

A Rambling of Misc. Thoughts - (as I just notice Ben is taking every kleenex out of the box...). I couldn't believe my eyes on Friday when I woke up to a winter blizzard! It was crazy! As I noticed my gas tank on E....I had no choice to fight a brutal element....as I stood there with the harsh whipping winds of ice snow slapping me in the face....I thought to myself...they like to say that Hell is a rather hot enviornment....I would think that it would be a brutal blistering cold like the moment I just had. Pure awful torture. Even with some new snow on the ground...Ive noticed the Robin's lately. They are back. Each bird has it's special something. I enjoy them all. I love how the robin....bobs...takes a couple bobbing steps...stops looks...and then continues on...again...just bobbin around the ground. I finally threw out our moldy pumpkins that we left outside and failed to get rid of before the snowy winter hit. It feels good to declutter (haha). Parent lesson learned: although it may seem to be a time saver to let your young toddler, eat and spoon his own pudding from a cup....it may be just slightly wiser to take the time to feed him yourself with this particuliar culinary delight....otherwise... chocolate pudding E V E R Y W H E R E. So, Noah was recently in a business meeting and his parnter was looking for papers and pulled something out from Noah's travel case....it was a half used bottle of baby rays barbaque sauce (curitosy of benjamin). About a week ago, we were looking all over for the barbaque sauce, we thought we had some left, but figured we must have used it all. Well when noah cleaned out his case for repacking, he didnt check the outter pocket... Yesterday ben stuffed a total of six books in to his footy pajamas and then walked away like a stiff little monster.... (please ignore my spelling errors today, for today I do not feel like checking my work). So thanks to Ben, I have a bruised bloody lip...he banged his head into my mouth last night...that was fun....but just a tad less fun than when Isabelle asked me what the spots on my face were and when they were going to go away (I am having some skin/blemish issues lately). She kept pointing in disqust, so that was lovely..Yes, motherhood can be so grand. Isabelle was trying to practice somersault's recently and she came to me upset...and said, I can do a somersault....but I am not sure how to do a wintersault.... Well....the Easter Holiday is among us. There is much to do. May your Easter be happy and God bless you.

That Leprechaun has struck again...

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. ~Adrienne Cook ( I know I have used this quote before, but I just love it!)

This time the Leprechaun turned the milk green and turned Isabelle's underwear green (or so she thought, when I layed out her clothes to wear, including green undewear that were in a pack she has not worn yet...immediately she came to the conclusion that the magic little fellow changed her white underwear to green. The tricky little fellow also left a box of LUCKY CHARMS for the kids. He also visited Isabelle's school....she told me that her class went to church and when they came back to the classroom...everything was tipped over and there was gold (chocolate) everywhere...there were some shoes left behind and a note for the kids. Tonight, we had the traditional corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and irish soda bread. Today was fun and enchanted. We are not Irish in the slightest, but I sure do feel lucky.

This weekend I went away with some friends to a conference that supports and celebrates the profession of motherhood. This national conference is called Hearts At Home and I found this weekend to be completely inspiring, empowering and truly wonderful. I have been reminded, I have learned and I have shared, I have cried and I have laughed so much. I recommend this event to any mother who has the opportunity to attend. I bought some amazing books written by some of the speakers and I cannot wait to start reading them. I was also introduced to the beautiful music of a Christian singer named Cheri Keaggy who performed at the conference. The first book that I intend on reading is: How to Live with your kids when you've already lost your mind (Ken Davis).

Silly little Children

Above: Yes, that's my son wearing Pink & sporting a dirty face.

Next, Isabelle had to wear the hat (she has to do whatever Ben does).

What Love for eachother! (It's either this or pulling hair...)

Isabelle, What do you like best about your little brother? When he don't pulls my hair. What do you like to play with Ben? Restaurant, dolls and I like dancing in the kitchen with my little brother, when you put the music on. What does Ben do that is silly? Takes all his clothes off and throws his diaper! What does Ben do that's bad? hurt me and hit me, make messes and don't clean up.

Tiny Butterfly Journal

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly,

"one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."

~Hans Christian Anderson

I came across this project on a craft site and I had to make it right away! I absoutley love this! It was so fun to make. It is a tiny little journal... It feels like it might fly away any moment!

Pretzel on the Pillow

These sweet thoughts from my daughter is what I am taking away from yesterday. Yesterday was not a good day overall. My theme song yesterday could have been the daniel powter song: Bad Day. But, it's over now. Today is new. :)

Lance had to get up at 4:30 a.m., so I've been up since. I should have gone back to bed, but then my mind wanders and I can't sleep anyway. I think my real reason is that I like this little quiet alone time. The calm before the storm. I savor it. Once the circus performers are up...it's crazy showtime!

March, Annie Dress, No more Bottle

Isabelle's very special gift from me for doing so wonderful with her writing/spelling.

She will not take this Annie Dress Off. It is very difficult for me to get her to change into anything else...I ordered it a little big so she will have it to grow in, but I don't know how long it will last if it is worn everyday all the time. haha

This is a personal project I am working on this month. My friend got the idea from a scrapbooking blog and we are going to try it. It's a tag album book. And you try to fill out a tag everyday for one month. "It's a month in the life." On one side you write a very short story, or tidbit of the day, on the other side you can put a photo or whatever you want. Freedom, no rules. This is the cover of mine and so far I have done march 1 & 2 and I must say that I truly aboslutely love this project, it is so fun! It is not overwhelming or time consuming, yet it lets me be creative and focus on my day/family for a few moments without the pressure of getting a big project done. At the end of the month, I should have a great mini album!

So, finally one of my favorite Months has arrived. The weather has seemed to slightly improved and so have our colds. Our big news is....I made Ben give up the bottle all together. No more bottles. Just sippy cups. He is SO not happy , it is not even funny. It had to be done. He was biting the ends, etc. It was just times. So I made him go cold turkey. He has dranken out of sippy cups before but not him milk, he has always demanded milk from his bottle. It was his comfort, his joy and I ripped it away from him as any good mother may do... He started out by whipping his sippy cups across the room in a rage throwing himself on the ground for a little tantrum ...but times have gotten better in the last couple days...I am glad we persisted through the hard times...because the kid got thirsty, missed his milk and eventually drank it out of the sippy cup.

The other day Isabelle asked me what "marriage" is. I told her it is when two people are stuck together for ever and ever. She asked me if they are stuck with tape or glue? If anyone knows this answer, please pass it on because I am clueless.

Oh man! I just looked out the window, it is snowing again!

A fondness for shoes & still more snow

Ben wearing Isabelle's Dorothy ruby slipper shoes.

Snow I woke up to this morning.

Beautiful....yet I am ready for it to go away....

School was cancelled today (even though Isabelle doesn't go on Tuesdays). Isabelle recently got a time out at school! I picked her up from school, we were drivng home and she told me: Me and Isa (her friend Isabella) got a time out today! For what? For running.... (she was embarrassed, yet at the same time proud of getting in trouble). Driving to school yesterday, Isabelle informed me that it was really FROGGY OUT. I said froggy? and she said yes, froggy! (I myself, I thought it was really foggy out, but what do I know).

In the first picture we see Ben wearing Isabelle's shoes...he loves to wear shoes, hats, purses, backpacks...

Saturday Morning Quick Steal

I feel like I have totally been neglecting my blog lately, the family is still sleeping (which will change any moment, if I am not too late already!) so I thought I would steal a few moments of proper thinking time to produce an update of sorts.

The kids have both been sick! ugh. Kept Isabelle home from school some, she went back on Friday, we are all thankful for that. Of course, Now I am feeling quite crappy myself, it was bound to happen. Speaking of bound. Above is a fun journal that I made to get me in the mood for spring!

I think the project we will take on today is cleaning and organizing the bedrooms (clothes have gotten extremily overwhelming) and Noah may paint the upstairs hallway & railing...so I must say that is exciting, and probably worth spending the day cleaning...just to get that done! That will feel good to have that done.

Coffee and Pajama Pants are two of the best inventions in the entire world. that is a true belief of mine.

Ben had his 18th month appt at the Dr. He wasnt feeling to good while it was happening, he was not happy and would not settle down for the nurse, so she never got his proper weight and such...so Im kind of clueless there, but overall exam, he is doing wonderful of course and we are so blessed and thankful! I must admit that Isabelle was an angel baby compared to Ben though...in regards to....trouble. I am calling him my little terror...his constant goal, is to climb, touch and destroy. I think my favorite moments lately are seeing Isabelle and Ben having fun together..coming up with little games and play and just giggling and sharing....(when there not fighting over the same item). They often remind me of Shel Silverstein's poem HUG O WAR, when they roll around on the rug and giggle.

Kindergarten....OMG, very soon, I need to register Isabelle for Kindergarten! She will be going full day, everyday and we are changing schools...so there is a lot of new coming after this summer. I can't believe how time flies away. Speaking of flies away, recently, Noah saw a huge BALD EAGLE right next to him as he was driving down a road by our house. He said it was amazingly cool.

We are still in Annie land here every day. Isabelle wants a hampster, that's her new desire. She talks about it quite often. How she wants a real one to pet and feed cuz she SICK of PRetend hampsters (we have a toy one in a ball that operates on batteries). I told her to ask for a bunny instead because I always wanted a bunny, but Noah always says no....something about Lance eating it.

Happy Weekend Friends & Family! When the kids get fully well, I will be taking their pics, I know I have not shared any in a while! Plus, I will be revamping my blog, there's lots of old stuff in the side bar! Fresh and New is on the horizon!

Snow Birds, Smelly Fish

Along with the endless snow, we have been getting endless birds! Snow has overwhelmed our area and we have had lots of school closings, event cancellations, etc. We have been hybernating this winter for sure! Tonight they are calling for below freezing weather with horrible windchills - joy. I keep telling myself that spring is just around the corner and we have so many wonderful things to look forward to. I read a quote yesterday, forgot the detailed words, but it was basically saying be IN the season that you are in and make the best of it. So with that, we are defintely trying!

So this morning, Noah gave Isabelle a hug and she ran to me and screamed daddy smells like the stinky fish we had for dinner! (grilled trout last night). - haha.

Valetine's Day is approaching and Isabelle wanted Barbie Valetines for some reason....so that is of course what I found! She will be filling them out herself this year so that is so exciting, seriously. They are not supposed to address the cards to specific friends so it's eaiser at distribution time, so they are supposed to address the cards to: Friend. So , I have been teaching her to write that. So now she knows to write her first, last and sort of middle name. ben's name and a few other words. She is right handed (Noah and I are both left, I think Ben will be left as well because he tends to color and such with his left).

On this winter day I have much household chores to tackle, I need to work on some custom orders for my shop and I think I will make bake some banana bread with Isabelle.

Oh I have some fun news! A publishing company is making a book about handmade greeting cards and they had a call out, so I submitted a few of my cards for consideration back in nov/dec. Well, I just got notification that they selected one of my cards to be included in this book! So, I think that is very cool.

Ben has been an extremily mischieveous little boy lately. I swear this kid's middle name should have been TROUBLE. But, he's so darn sweet. :)

That is all for now. Demands are calling (and whining and screaming). :)

ink&chocolate&COLD

Isabelle couldn't wait to try my new alice in wonderland stamps

...so I let her work on some projects. INK as far as the eye can see.
The little artist in creation mode.
Ben had to join the messy gang in his own special way (chocolate).
I couldn't wait to try my alice stamps either!

Life around here has been pretty COLD lately. It is artic freezing frigid bone chilling cold. We have been hanging in mostly at home. We have been fortunate to have some grand company this weekend so that's been fun and has changed up our winter duldrums a bit. It doesnt feel like a Monday. It feels like a Sunday. No school, no mail. I guess I have to wait another day for my million dollar check to come in. oh well. I'm in a scrapbooking mood, but dont have any new pictures to work with...awaiting on a snapfish order to arrive. Ben has been carrying around one of Isabelle's purses all day. Today he has been pulling Isabelle's hair and then she cries and he jumps on her and hugs her and laughs and then, Repeat. The annie soundtrack is on in the house right now...it's a hard knock life for us.... Ben hasn't been sleeping super great at all lately, so neither have I. I wish I could take a nap right now. So, I checked out the new super walmart that has recently opened in town and to tell you the truth of the matter, I felt a little overwhelmed by the store. Too big. Too much. After I left I realized that I even forgot to check out the section I really wanted to see (scrapbooking/crafts of course). It's snowing like crazy out there at the moment. Maybe I will make us some hot chocolate. Note to self: We need to purchase a humidifier. Sorry to ramble of mundane musings today, but I just feel in the mode of boredom and that cannot be altered at the moment and Ben is pulling on my arm so for now good day, keep well and warm and have a pleasant time of it. To bad it is so cold outisde, otherwise in the meadow we could build a snowman.

The year was 2008...

I have no NEW YEAR pics of the children so I thought I would throw a recent project that I made up for your viewing pleasure. This is a mini box of cards with love quotes on them.

I have not written in a while I realize, wow. I think I have been in the duldrums of the new year. Excited about the fresh start (new calendars, high organizing and other standard resolution type goals), but on the other hand...the bitter winter takes it's toll on the soul after awhile. Cabin fever gets a little overwhelming....and we have a long way to go. I will just try and make the best of it I tell my self as I start each new day.

The tempartures are going to be falling back into the below 0's. At least the sun is shining and we are warm inside at the moment.

The kids are doing swell. Isabelle now can offically spell and write her entire first name. I am so proud of her. Ben is talking more little words and understanding more and more. He tries to "help out" with daily routine as much as possible. Example" - If he finds Isabelle's sippy cup thrown on the floor, he picks it up and brings it to the sink! If he takes his coat off when we come in, he walks to the coat hook and gestures for me to hang it up there for him and of course he still has his obession with the garbage can. Although he mostly is throwing away garbage, we still have to watch him. Recently I found a book in there and also a baby from Isabelle's doll house.

Isabelle's current favorite show is ANNIE. She sings annie songs all day long and pretends annie scenes throughout the day as well. I have been so lucky to take on the role of ms. hannigan in Isabelle's play. Well, I guess it could be worse, I could of won the part of Sandy the dog, but that went to Ben.

I have a new obession myself. This year I am going to take on the skill/craft of book binding. I want to hand make my own books! Journals, notebooks...the possiblities are endless! How exciting! I guess this would be a natural interest of mine since I am so in love with the thought of a book in general. Ive always found binding so interesting...and now, I am starting simple, with the easiest techinques. I've just started my research, and Ive made a few easy items, and I have to tell you that it is so fun! I feel an addiction coming on. Someday, I hope to make nice books out of leather and such.....wouldn't that be the greatest? wow. So anyway, I begin this journey with great excitement.

I havent really made any new meals lately. NOah has been doing most of the cooking latley. He wants to. He enjoys the entire process (purchasing, planning, preparing (but not cleaning up of course). I get to make the occassional spaghetti or meatloaf, but thats about it. Some people think it is grand to have your husband want to cook. Seriously, it is nice to try his gourment meals and to get the break the from the kitchen duty in that aspect. But on the other end of the spectrum, he is making these fabulous meals that taste so great (that I really shouldnt be eating, like if I was eating my somewhat crappy dinners, I wouldnt be eating so much!), he likes to put a lot of spice in the meals so Isabelle doesnt like them half the time (ben will eat anything though), then there is eating on the scheudle he wants, these meals take a long time so sometimes we are getting the kids in bed later than I want and then the clean up is horrendous too. So, ladies - as this may sound like a great dream for some, trust me as I say, its nice, but I kind of miss being in control of that aspect of home life.

I am so excited that I have registered for a conference in March. It is called Hearts at Home. It is informational workshops and social gathering for Mothers. A group of my friends attend and I am so thrilled to be joining them this year. I hear that it is a very emotional and heartwarming event. The best part....NO kids allowed! hehe

Must be Santa

Look at this cute little red nosed Elf.

Visiting Santa. Ben is trying to evaluate the situation. Isabelle tells santa she wants ear muffs and a bathroom.

Ben finally decides, hey I don't like this.

Sibling Sweetness

Isabelle's school program. She is the unsure donkey in the front/middle.

Snow & Decorating of the Pine

A brief quiet moment with Ben as he decides

what kind of trouble he will be pursuing next.

Isabelle putting ornaments ON the tree.

Ben taking ornaments OFF the tree.

Isabelle being pulled in the SNOW on her sled via daddy.

These days of late have been extremily busy. On top of illnesses (yes, still!) and other things, we recently had an ice storm that knocked out our power for almost 24 hours! Oh Winter Bliss is among us. I can't believe how quickly Christmas will be arriving, I am so unprepared. I don't even know if I will get Christmas cards out this year...and if I do, they may not be homemade! (I know shocking!). Any HOOT, (owls are making such a grand comeback...well I suppose they never actually "Left"), that is all I have to report at the moment...my coffee is waiting and Alice in wonderland (aka Isabelle in her alice in wonderland dress) is waiting for her Juice.

2 turkeys & the night kitchen

Thanksgiving Day at Grandma & Grandpa's. We had such a nice holiday & got to spend time with lots of family this weekend! I am truly so thankful for so much.

3 bakerS in The NighT KitcheN (ben, belle, aunt mary)

Well we started baking for the holiday season already. The turkey decor isn't even down yet! But, it is never too soon to make cut out sugar cookies! I had to take a picture of these 3 stooges as they created the festive masterpieces. For some reason these fun, messy bakers remind me of the story: In the night kithen by Maurice Sendak (author of where the wild things are).

I can't believe there is Ice on our windows already. My new favorite at home coffee is: dunken donuts brand. Currently, Noah is making homemade cinnamon rolls this morning. Ben is still sleeping, Mary is reading nursery rhymes to Isabelle. I recently began reading a new book: Roasting in Hell's Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay. Ben's most recent Dr. Visit was quite a success for he is doing very well (aside from the fact that we all have colds to some degree right now). Isabelle's class made stone soup at school recently. Her job was to bring the barley. She talked about stone soup for a week straight, couldnt wait...after school we picked her up and asked her what she thought of stone soup...she responded that: it was yuk but I liked the crackers!

The Little Prince

Recently I went to a used book sale. I found an old copy of The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery. This is one of my favorite children's stories. What an amazing find, this book...not only do I love the musty old book smell...but I love the history of owners...I love when you open an old book and not only discover the story within, but also a little piece of who owned it at one time. In this copy of of The Little Prince there is an inscription from the gift giver and he is telling why he likes this story and is passing it on. ALso inside the book is a note from someone who owned the book, the note is about her "love" who I am assuming is her son. Also at the end of the book was an old newspaper article that I found delight in reading. This book, what a treasure for 25 cents!

So, I decided with a busy Monday coming (Isabelle School, Ben Dr. Misc Errands..) that I would try to prepare myself as much as possible for the morning, because morning around here lately...are anything but prepared. I dump my purse out in attempt to clean it out, get organized and I find...I can't believe this.... 12 pens! 12 pens! Am I insane? I was wondering where all my pens went. I ask myself am I a mental case? 12 pens? Normally, I carry 2 pens. 1 for use, 1 for back up, cuz you never know. This just shows how out of sync I have been lately. The normal me would never haul around 12 pens. Yes, I am a writing freak...but not in that way. So anyway, I am taking note (now that I have found my pens and can do so) that I need to slow down and concentrate a little bit more. I am not even going to tell you how much change I had in my purse!

Something that I have been feeling really bad about lately, is my lack of correspondence with family and friends. I feel like a total and complete antisocial neglector. <-- sorry if that is not a word or spelled incorrectly but I dont feel like looking it up. I apologize to anyone that has felt like I am not around anymore...I'm here! I'm just trying to find myself in all this mess! Seriously though, things have just been crazy and I really am trying to become better aquainted with my priorities and a somewhat schedule that is functional to be productive in all aspects of my life. Something that will really help my communication is that I have a new cell phone (living without one was quite an adjustment!). The best part of my new phone besides the fact that it is p i n k (I am trying to embrace more feminity as I have been lacking at that lately too), is that I have the best ring tone I could have ever dreamed of! The office theme song! Whoah, life is good.

These lovely Autumn days...

My friend Sally visited from afar (Minnesota) and while here, she did a photo shoot of the kids. Even though the elements (on the go children and wind) were against her, she got such wonderful shots! These are just two of her amazing photos! I love them all, so I will be posting more when I get them! :)

The last couple days have been so nice weather wise. Those perfect Autumn days in which the weather is crisp enough to breath soul into your step and warm enough to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors without heavy attire.

I just took the kids out of the bath. They smell so nice. The sun is setting. I think we are having leftover Gumbo for dinner because Noah has a meeting tonight. Noah has been cooking an awful lot lately. I tease him asking if he will ever let me cook again...maybe when he has a cold and has no taste buds. Well, he enjoys it and he by some miracle has been really helping with the clean up, so honestly, I don't mind one bit. Most things he has been making have been really good....well, except his meatloaf. It was way too salty. Oh well, they can't all be five star. So speaking of cooking, we finally saw the movie Ratatolli. Very cute little flick. Isabelle tells me the next time she goes to a restaurant she is going to ask for Ratatolli with NO matos!

The clutter of the house has been really getting to me lately. Today I spent the day attempting to do my best to change things up a bit. Clean, organize, switch furniture around. I feel better for now but as I speak the house is getting undone by the two little people whose job it is to keep me challenged.

My etsy shop has been keeping me quite busy lately. I have serveral custom orders lined up. This has been such a good thing for me but I personally need to make sure I keep a balance of all things...like the house has been in such chaos lately, that's why I took today to attempt some kind of major improvement. I also have been working on projects after the kids go to sleep and before they wake up, so I have not been sleeping as much as I should. I am not complaining at all, it has been such a good thing...but I like I said, I need to learn a good balance for family, home & business. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Speaking of, I should probably get off the computer for now! Stay Well & Enjoy these Fall days, for they are fleeting!

p.s. I just had to add this! I just picked Ben up and something rattled...so I unzipped his footy pajamas and found a little shaker toy, a little people horse and an half eaten apple!!! This kid is little a chipmunk storing things in his pajamas!

10 years

On November 1st, Noah and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. I have to say, WOW. I really can't comprehend that 10 years have gone by so quickly. A few jobs, houses, towns, dogs and kids later....here we are. Like all lives, some of the times have been hard, but all in all we have been truly blessed with our amazing family and we somehow get through the trials we face. In each other we find comfort and we find laughter. We find understanding...and we know that we are truly loved.

So, I thought I would share a few converstions/situations that I have had with Isabelle & Ben lately:

Isabelle: My friend Cake is going to be at the party. Cheryl: No, your friend's name is CaDe. No, his name is Cake!

Isabelle comes into our room in the middle of the night*** Isabelle: I can't hear the OWLS because DADDY is snoring!

This afternoon, I gave Isabelle a toy catalog that came in the mail and told her to circle the things that she liked so we could get ideas for a list for Santa Claus. Isabelle, returns later to show me the catalog and as we go through it, I notice that ALL the items in the catalog are circled.

Isabelle likes to pretend Ben is a puppy, she throws something and tells Ben to fetch. Ben goes and gets it and brings it to her and she pats him on the head and says good boy. She throws it again and he goes and fetchs again....they go on like this for awhile.

Isabelle's new obessions: getting a race car shaped bed and bringing an outside bird in the house to sleep with.

And Ben has turned into quite the escape artist...when he sees me coming with the diapers and wipes he high tails it away like you wouldnt believe...or if Noah tells him he is going to get him...then Ben goes and hides under the little kid picnic table and peers out laughing.

Ben does not like swings. Ben does not like his hair rinsed in the bath.

I'm very tired so I : Wish you well & goodnight.

Lions & Tigers & Bears Oh My!

The Yellow Brick Road Unwinds...

So, today at the local Picture Show, there was a special showing of The Wizard of OZ, how perfect for our costume choice this year! Isabelle Loves the Movies. Isabelle Loves The Wiz, Isabelle Loves her Costume, Isabelle Loves her Great Aunt Mary (who came with us) and Isabelle Loves popcorn, so as you could imagine, this was the perfect event for my little Dorothy. This was the first time I put in her in her complete costume. Noah went golfing, Great Aunt Margaret stayed home & played with Ben, and we were off to the show... It was such a fun experience. I couldn't remember the last movie I saw in the theatre to be pefectly honest with you. We've been watching The Wiz at home alot lately, so Isabelle just absolutely "knows" and enjoys this movie.

There was a few moments that I looked over at Isabelle watching the show, and I almost felt like crying. Not to get all sappy and such...but I just love to see her so happy and my mind simply can't wrap around the fact that she is this little girl now...no longer a baby...but more and more her own person everyday and that she is so beautiful. All in All it was a swell time.

Later in the day we went out to lunch at a chinese restaurant. When the waitress asked Isabelle what she wanted she answered: I would like a hot dog please. With ketchup.

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My Esty Store has been so great. Ive been working on a lot of paper projects lately. I have my first international customer! Someone from Australia is buying a book I made! I think that's really cool. (If I can figure out the postal/shipping correctly). The house is neglected. I wish I could hire someone to come deep clean and de-clutter. I am trying to gain some focus. I can never establish a proper routine. This chaos makes me feel like "if I only had a brain". But, I don't give up ...I don't give in. It's been so cold and dark lately. We've all been on the verge of sickness. I think I have been wearing the same sweatshirt for 3 days. I need to really pull out my winter clothes. My clocks are always off. It feels like autumn has gone, yet it has not begun yet... I can't believe Halloween is in just a few days. I even forgot that we are supposed to carve pumpkins! That will be fun with Ben I'm sure. Haha. Recently we have made several meals for freezing and we have actually used them so much lately...beef stew, chili, chicken soup (tonight). I must get Ben a proper stocking. Isabelle asked if we can make muffins tomorrow. I don't know if I have ingredients for muffins...oh maybe pumpkin spice muffins I do. I think once my head finally hits the pillow tonight, that I will be in a nice deep slumber. It's been a long day...a long week. Goodnight dear Friends & Family.