Miscellany Monday- Gift Edition

I'm feeling a little miscellany! I can't remember what magazine it's in, but they ask what you would do with a $100!  And you can't say pay a bill or something "responsible" like that.  Here is my birthday wish list/if I had a 100 extra bucks to spend!


1.  A new running hat.  I have some old golf hats, but I want one with the dri fit stuff.  The sun can get hot on my dark haired head!

via

2.  Some bamboo crochet hooks!  Please?  I would love to try a few.  Maybe size G & H?!?!  I'm getting a little callous on my one finger from the hook  I use trying to make little booties!

via

3.  Yarn- lots and lots of yarn!  I would probably spend my whole 100 bucks on yarn.  Especially if I had it in time to shop at the Lion Brand Studio in NYC.  (I still can't believe I leave for NYC in less than a week.  I should probably do laundry...and maybe shop for groceries so my kids don't starve...and maybe see if I can fit everything into a carry on so I don't have to check a bag....so much to do...)

What I made my baby's blanket out of!  Love it! - Cotton Ease.  I bought this in NYC the last time I was there!

A little Homespun for a project of my own!

I have been a little overwhelmed with crocheting lately!  I have been making a few things to try and sell and have let it consume me.  I wasn't having fun for a while.  Now, I just want to have fun and take my time with my projects.  I love making hats and would love to have an Etsy Shop or sell things but I don't know if that's where I'm suppose to go with it.

4.  Depending on how much yarn I bought, my 100 bucks could be gone by this point!  As usual, I would probably spend my money on my kids.  I would love to take a day trip to the Mall of America and the Children's Museum.  Thankfully we have a season pass to the children's museum courtesy of my family as a gift.  We could use our money to stop at the yarn store on the way (HA) and get some fun things at the mall!  Maybe we should do this even with out an extra $100 soon!

5.  A quick addition (added later).  Hamburger keepers.  My friend had these last night.  A-maz-ing!  Anybody know a tupperware person!  I was so envious of D's hamburgers!

That was pretty easy!  Before I think about my own birthday, my big guy turns 4 in less than two weeks (my birthday is a few days later).  I'm also sure my little guy will finally walk while I'm in NYC!  Oh well!

My almost 4 year old!

My goal on the plane is to finish their blog book!  I think 4 years of journaling deserves to be printed!  Then I better catch up on their photo books.  I'm only behind 2 (one for each of them).  

Linkin up for the day with Carissa!

Miscellany Monday- End o' vacation!

It's the end of our vacation!  Off we go north.  I did hear they had to mow our grass while we were gone.  Does this mean spring has sprung in Minnesota?  Here's the crazy we've been up too!

I'm joining in with Sarahndipities and her Make Something Monday!  I finish it and not a moment to soon.  The is my sister and her new husband holding my labor of love for their wedding gift.  

35 granny squares in shades of purple.  The pattern can be found here!I enjoyed this project.  I used to find granny squares boring.  I just didn't enjoy joining them and dreaded that moment so I stayed away from them.  This and my square a day in May project have changed my mind!  I've found a few new ways to join them and decided that it actually doesn't take that long!

These aren't all of my favorites, but I needed to start some where!  It has been a very miscellany two weeks for us being away from home.  First seminary and visiting friends followed by my sister's wedding!  My oldest owned the dance floor.  He was ready to dance from the day my sister explained the wedding to him!  Poor baby boy couldn't make it past the food.  It was his favorite part.  He just kept eating.  He finally passed out (probably from too many sweet potato chips) and managed to miss the cake eating.  Thank goodness for my inlaws.  They came as our personal baby sitters (and part of the extended family).  They happily kept my kids under control and took them home early so we could dance the night away!

The wedding was an interfaith ceremony!  My brother-in-law is Jewish.  We had both a Rabbi and Pastor (my husband) present to marry them.  It was very interesting.  One thing I found very moving was the Chuppah (pronounced Hoopah).  You can kind of see it in the picture above of my family.  It symbolizes the home the couple will make.  It has open sides to show the importance of community and participation in each other's lives.  It also had 4 friends and family standing at the wall and corners of their symbolic home; they are the foundation upon which the structure of their lives rest.  Friends and family fill the home.  The roof symbolizes the importance of what is beyond ourselves and the presence, in our hearts, of those whom we love who cannot rejoice with us today.  (The description of the chuppah is taken from their marriage ceremony)  

The other very moving part was the blessing from Numbers 6:24-26.  The Rabbi and my husband read it in both Hebrew and English. And yes, my brother-in-law did stomp on the glass after the blessing and kiss. It was a beautiful way to end the ceremony. 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Linin' up with Carissa too!

Miscellany Monday- Busy Week!

On my Lenten journey I said I was going to give up the lazy habit of hanging out in my pjs all day.  If being a mommy is my job then I needed to act like it.  So far so good.  Why?  Because this is the first day in almost two weeks (or maybe even 3) that we have no where to be.  I posted on facebook that I was not leaving my house unless there was a fire.  I should probably change that.  We will do our normal stuff in town.  I haven't walked to the post office/bakery in weeks.  I'm anxious for the baby to wake up from his nap so we can get going!

Sarahndipties Flower Garland

My list of projects just keeps growing!  I love Sarahndipities website and her pattern for crocheted flowers and garland.  I was even featured on her blog this week for my post on the green cleaner I tired. I have a few of my own projects up my sleeve but can't seem to settle on which one I want to finish.  Too many unfinished projects makes me crazy!  I have 3 to finish this week and a giant list in my notebook to start on!

I love this picture.  My boys in the sand pile.  Thank goodness for spring, swing sets, walks, baseball, grills, and bikes!  I even saw the day care kids from across the street out for a walk.  I hope this picture lasts all summer (minus the coat and hat)

I started a new cleaning list.  I had been using Motivated Moms for a few years and it was great and still is.  It just doesn't fit my lifestyle right now (read, not been home for a whole day in a few weeks).  I want to check every dang box on the list and it doesn't work that way.  I just never had enough time.  So I came up with my own list using a template I found on the internet and input what was most important to me.  I needed to feel a sense of accomplishment.  Here's to washing, folding, and putting away two loads of laundry everyday....

Two peas!  The baby loves banging on the windows and big brother decided to help him!

Big brother got to spend the day with Pa on Friday.  Little Brother had an appointment in the cities for a procedure.  The end of his troubles are either near (we find out the results on Friday) or even further away (we are back to square one after this). We are just taking it one step at a time and I'm super thankful the little brother wakes up from anesthesia blurry eyed, but content (very different than his screaming big brother!).   I'm also thankful for a father who is retired and will come entertain the Bops.

Here's to another busy week and I'm going to take advantage of being at home today!

I'm linkin' up with Carissa!

What I am? Thankful

What I am?  Thankful!  

My miscellany thankful post!

• Thankful for a day off with my hubby!  My mother in law came and played with the kids all day on Friday.  My hubby and I spent the day hanging out.  I crocheted while he chauffeured me to the Mall of America.  We each got some new things we needed.  Like pants two sizes smaller than what I was wearing!  We finished our day seeing "The Adjustment Bureau".  It was a wonderful day!
• And if that wasn't enough, my mother in law stayed Saturday morning so I could work on the closets and garage sale things.  Thankfully the weather cooperated and she was able to stay until almost two!  I sorted 6 totes into 3 and the rest is in a pile for the indoor garage sale I purchased a table at.  My hubby and I both cleaned our closets and our bedroom is becoming more of our personal sanctuary as we speak!
• I'm thankful for the book we're reading in my bible study!  What Your Counselor Never Told You has been eye opening to me and we're only through the 2nd of the 7 deadly sins.  I'm so thankful for the group of ladies that has been meeting for 2 years now.  This book has been really good for us!
• I'm thankful for my family time last night.  The Bops filled his sticker chart and we just had to go out and buy his prize!  A good time in the car and a nice family dinner out after our Target run.
• I can see the swing set!  Thanks be to God.  The snow is melting.  I don't care how windy it is, my boys (and their mama) need to swing!
• I'm super thankful for my two boys.  I love watching them dance to this song and sing!  

Linkin up with Carissa!

Random- very random!

I've been working on so many projects lately that I feel like everything in my life is miscellany!  Here are some very random things from my life...

1.  My hubby answers the phone "Hello, Pastor {insert FULL NAME here}"  Even if I answer it and just told him who it was on the phone.  My one friend finds this hysterical!


2.  My son can now use the computer.  He loves Disney Junior.  He can work the mouse like nobody's business

3.  It's not even 10:00am and I've already run the dishwasher once.  This tells you how very very far behind I am!

4.  I have less than two days to prepare for the rest of my week.  I have today at home.  Then tomorrow, it's off to MOPS and Wednesday we see a specialist in the cities for my son followed by a fast trip home to get ready for Wednesday night worship.  Finally, on Thursday we leave for Nebraska for my sister's bridal shower.  Whew.  I'm tired just thinking about this!

5.  Our boys high school basketball team made it to state.  They are undefeated.  As in 30-0 baby!  The majority of players and coaches actually go to our church.  This is what makes my hubby's job so fun.  He will head down one day to cheer them on at state.  

6.  I made a yummy recipe or two from this website!  I love it.  The skinnytaste lady, Gina, is amazing.  Yummy recipes including gluten free, most are made with "real food" and they all have weight watchers points and nutrition information included!  I would highly suggest the "Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken" and "Chicken Pot Pie Soup".

7.  I have lost over 15 pounds!  Who's counting though?  I'm excited I've had to retire two pairs of jeans that I could pull off without unbuttoning!

8.  I've been crafting like crazy!  I linked up with Sarahndipities today and posted about my latest project!  I also have almost 18 squares of the 35 needed to finish my sister's wedding throw.  I must keep moving!

Speaking of moving, the baby can pretty much get where ever he wants worming style.  This means I'm having way too much fun hanging out with the boys to work on said projects!  Oh well.  This miscellany has been super fun!

Linkin' up with Carissa! 

Miscellany Monday- Scissors Edition

This is what is happening beside me...

My son is working on his scissoring skills.  He sure loves preschool but doesn't like the "school" stuff that comes along with it.  Like learning how to cut, write, listen to directions. You get my drift.  So I'm just happy he's practicing.  I'm only a little concerned about his fingers.  (They are safety scissors!).  And  the picture is from my computer so it's showing the mirror image, but he is left handed. 

- My mom came this weekend!  Talk about a good time...She surprised the Bops and came in to get him from preschool.  He loves that.  He was so excited about class that day that it didn't register for a minute that she shouldn't be there.  Then we went shopping.  Still no dress for my sister's wedding rehearsal dinner or shoes for the wedding.  Happily though my bridesmaid dress needs a major overhaul.  14 pounds lost will do that to ya!:)

-I can now deposit checks online at my bank using my scanner at home.  I'm amazed and excited by this.  People have probably been doing it for years, but my bank just got caught up.  There is a fee, but for us, that fee is definitely less than making an unplanned trip into town to get to the bank!

- I wrote this post and now the kid has proved me wrong.  He's still not crawling or walking or anything, but he's worming!  He's so cute.

-Do you cook bacon in the oven?  Yeah, first time I tried it, it worked great.  Second time?  Small grease fire in the oven that required a box of baking soda and a lot of yelling.  Then my mom helped me clean it up.  Thanks Mom!

-It's suppose to be warm this week.  So warm that my hubby and I are planning 4 or 5 runs each.  I can't wait for it to be 40 degrees.  It was 15 yesterday.  Brrr Cold if you ask me.  I'm also starting zumba tonight.  Thanks, H for talking me into it.  See you there!  I'm sure it will be a blast.


Linkin' up with Carissa or else this post wouldn't make any sense!

Miscellany Monday-NO to the Pigeon!

P

We got a package in the mail today!  It involved the DVD of one of our kids' favorite books.  "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!"  Oh my gosh.  This book makes my kids giggle.  My sister found it when she nannied for two of the cutest kids in the world.  (They were the cutest kids that is, until I had my two boys).  The DVD is great.  It has a "read along" that has both of my children yelling NO and the baby shaking his head like crazy!    

via

I

I am certain my cold has turned into a sinus infection.  Thankfully the doctors office can get me in this afternoon.  I can't be sick tomorrow.  I have a giant MOPS project for our meeting in the morning.  The baby is finally over pneumonia and the two other "guys" in my life and fighting a virus (which is probably what I started out with.)

G

Golly, I'm pretty sure the parties these last few weekends wore us out.  The birthday baby is now officially one and has two teeth to show for it!  We had a "friends" party yesterday.  It was a good time for the kids to come over and play and the adults to get a chance to talk!

E

I'm working on a crochet project for myself, along with a throw for my sister and her fiance.  I love using scrap yarn for things.  I find myself overwhelmed with all of the things I want to try.

O

I'm going to toot my own horn!  I've lost 10 pounds.  Holy cow.  I was eating way to much before.  I've also realized that I just have to drink water unless it's a special occasion.  Finally, I just have to keep the kitchen clean.  The cleaner it is, the less I want to eat and mess it up!:)  

N

Not much else is going on now.  Just wait until Lent.  Things will get crazy here.  Besides Lenten services I'm fairly certain my friend H has talked me into taking Zumba Class through our community ed program.  I'm also certain that the half marathon is coming up faster than I want to imagine since it just keeps snowing in Minnesota!

Linkin up with Carissa!

Fireman Sam is in the house...Miscellany Edition

Wow.  It's been a long time since I've posted a miscellany post.  I feel miscellany most days though!

*Ever heard of Fireman Sam?  He is in the house.

via

We have been watching him non-stop since my dad bought it for the Bops at Christmas.  The Bops is very into fireman, fire stations, fire trucks!  He sits on the couch with his fire truck beside him while watching the Fireman Sam DVD.  It makes me laugh...

*Ever tried on of these?

via

They are amazing for so many reasons.  #1- I'm on weight watchers and they are 3 points.  That's perfect for a snack in my purse.

via

  #2 (and the most important).  They taste like the Girl Scout Cookie- Samoa or Carmel deLites- I'm not joking!  

*Have you ever tried this workout?

via

I find her slightly annoying, but there is nothing annoying about the work out.  Quick and slightly painful.  My arms are still shaking and I can barely pick up my baby after I do it!  Thankfully this DVD and another of my favorites has helped me lose 8 pounds.  I find this amazing because (for whatever reason) this is the first time I've had to lose weight in my life.  Or at least the first time I've wanted too!

*Let the countdown begin- less than 4 months to the half marathon.  I'm thankful for the work outs (like above) but I need to actually run or the half marathon won't happen!  I'm hoping by the end of the week the temps will be up and we can get outside to start training.  Luckily my plan is for 10 to 12 weeks of training.  I've still got plenty of time!  But when the temps are like this....

it actually makes you really want nice weather so you can get a quick run in (you know outside, without the kids running around).

Have a great miscellany day!  Thanks Carissa.

Left Overs Anyone?

Wow!  I wish I had a few pictures to share of my dinner party from last night, but that didn't happen!  So, let's get all miscellany for today, because my mind is a little scattered.

~~~~~
It was a great church council dinner party.  I love hosting this thing.  We invite the council and significant others over to our place for a little get together.  This year we had 26 people enjoying soup, salad, and cheesecake.  The party high has finally faded and now I will just continually run the dishwasher until I go to bed tonight!  I'm just thankful for some leftovers so I don't have to cook.

~~~~~
Chewy has been scooting around and going in circles.  I think he's so cute!

~~~~~
The Bops is great at puzzles.  His brain amazes me everyday!

Funny Bops story.  If I graded him on his behavior at church, today was a solid C!  Daddy asked him when he got home if he listened to the lessons.  He said NO!  Did you pray?  NO!  Did you sing?  NO!  I wish Daddy would have asked me.  My answers were pretty much the same.  Oh well, we just keep going and at least the Bops knows what those things are.  He really likes the offering guys though.  You know, the ushers!  Again, his brain is amazing.

~~~~~
I'm going to try to exercise 4 times this week!

~~~~~
I can't believe I have a kid old enough for pre-school.  We are looking at getting Bops ready to go for next fall.  Decisions and new things on the horizon!  The place we are looking at does drop in preschool on Friday.  We are going to take him this week.  He is so excited.  I'm anxious to see exactly what happens and how he does before we actually have to register for next year!

~~~~~
I told my hubby I want a picnic table.  I'm not sure where this came from?  I mean the backyard is covered in a drift higher than my pre schooler.  I must be dreaming of nice weather and getting the grill out!

~~~~~
Check out my giveaway.  It ends Thursday and is super easy to enter!


~~~~~
Check out the miscellany over at Carissa's.

Miscellany Monday- Christmas Board Game

This is your Miscellany Christmas Board Game.  I promise you'll win!

• A wonderful Christmas Eve service to a full house.  I sang a solo and performed with the choir.  It was a wonderful evening.  I really felt "the Christmas Spirit".  Move forward 5 spaces
• My son is loud in church.  He asks me repeatedly how my song went (even though he heard it).  He also responds out loud to Daddy's sermon.  Daddy asks "This is it? This baby is it? To a people of faith we answer- YES!" (dramatic pause).  During the pause my son yells out YES!  Cute, funny, and totally the Bops.  Move forward 1 space.
• Finally the Bop falls asleep after the sermon not to wake up again until we put him in the car.  Move forward 1 space.

• The baby Chewy won't close his eyes during the whole service.  Move back 1 space.
• Open presents Christmas morning before worship!  Move forward 1 space.
• The Bops performs his own three year old show during my solo at church Christmas morning.  This one was a little obnoxious.  Move back 3 spaces.
• A week or so ago we bought ourselves a Christmas present.  We had saved and finally paid our taxes (raise your hand if you're clergy and have to pay your own taxes...UGGG!) We love our new TV and have been watching movies after the boys go to bed.  It's enjoyable.  Move forward 2 spaces.
• Finish lots of crocheting projects while watching the crystal clear picture on my TV.  Move forward 2 spaces.  

• Find out that your in laws didn't know you had purchased a new TV.  They had purchased you one as a big surprise Christmas present.  They find out through the grapevine of facebook.  You feel terrible.  They love giving gifts and were so excited!  Move back 25 spaces.
• To help not ruin your in laws love of gift giving, you offer them the excitement of giving the shared toy from both sets of grandparents themselves.  This leaves my parents with some last minute shopping to do.  Move back 5 spaces.
• Realize you are loved and your parents will be here with gifts no matter what...Move forward 10 spaces.  
• Cook a small Christmas Ham in your crock pot for Christmas dinner.  While talking with you mom on the phone, your crock pot sparks (like someone tossing a cigarette out a car window), burns a hole in your counter, and fails to work because the cord is broken.  Move back 25 spaces.
• Your husband happens to be on the phone with his parents and mentions the broken crock pot.  Christmas is saved and mother in law might come with a new one.  (Which is nice because she bought the old one too).  Move forward 5 spaces.

That was our Christmas in a nutshell.  More to come since we are still celebrating this week.  The best part?  The reason we win, is because the story doesn't end now.  The Christmas story doesn't end with the baby.  It ends with the man, on a cross, saving the world.  Offering sweet sweet grace!  

Linkin' up with Carissa!

It can get crazy- miscellany monday

It can get crazy in a pastor's family around Christmas.  Or any church working family for that matter!  Here is my crazy...

1. 6 days until our open house!  We live in a parsonage and just feel it is a great way to say thank you to those who work so hard to keep our house up and running during the year.  Yes, the parsonage is our home but it is the church's house.  At least that's what I think.  So inviting people in is not a big deal to me. Plus, I love doing things like open houses and parties.  I know this might not be for all clergy families, but it works for ours.  If I didn't love baking and decorating, I probably wouldn't do it.  I only have one more batch of cookies and one batch of nuts and bolts to finish.  (See recipes coming soon....)  Then it's the little things, getting the big coffee pot, getting apple cider made, napkins, and the final clean up!

2.  We celebrate the Day of St. Nicholas at our house instead of Santa Claus.  This might change as the boys get older and all of their friends are talking about Santa, but the story of St. Nick is a good one.  A small boy was upset and St. Nick asked him what the matter was.  He told him his sisters would not be able to get married because their father could not afford the dowry for them.  So that evening St. Nick snuck into their home and left enough for the sisters to have a dowry.  He was a kind and giving man.  People began leaving their shoes by the door in hopes that St. Nick would bless them as he had blessed this other family.  That is where the tradition of stockings came from.  It changed from shoes to socks somewhere along the lines.  The church celebrates the giving spirit of St. Nick on the 6th of December every year.  My hope is next year I have my act together and we can actually get a name off of a gift tree and "give" as St. Nick did to someone else so the boys can learn and realize the true meaning of giving.  Hopefully we can still do that this year, but I would love to tie it all together next year!

3.  I think we have successfully potty trained the big one.  I know we will still have accidents but we haven't been in diapers in almost a week.  Talk about crazy....

4.  The little one now does "so big", "peek", and "head" for us.  He also yells a lot.  We both find him amusing.

5.  In all the craziness our lovely baby sitter was able to come over last night.  The hubby and I snuck out to have Chinese and had 2 blissful hours uninterrupted by kids. We came home and they were fresh from the bath and all ready for bed.  What a great night.

Linkin' up with Carissa.

Miscellany Monday

Winter is here!  Let's see if I can make some coherent thoughts.   The snow and ice always seems to cause my brain to fog up!

1.  Yesterday we had to cancel church- about 20 minutes before it started.  We didn't realize how icy it was until my hubby left for church.  He got there and everything is a sheet of thing ice.  We didn't want anybody to fall so we called it off.  The Boppers cried.  He loves going places and doing things.  He also hates it when we say we're going to do one thing or another and it doesn't happen!  It was a nice day at home though.

2.  I have officially started my cookie baking for the open house.  After an epic fail with my cookie press I went with an old stand by.  My lemon sugar cookies turned out great.  I also did a batch with orange.  They were okay.  The butter was a little soft so the baking process took a while.

3.  We went to a train show this weekend.  I wish I could describe exactly what my boys look like when they see trains.  Even Chewy can't take his eyes off of them.  The trio stood staring at the model trains for almost 2 hours!

4.  The best part of the train show day was the deal I got on The Boppers Christmas present.  We were playing at the Lionel exhibit and I saw it.  A Lionel Percy engine.  The Bops had seen it in the catalog before and just went nuts.  It was marked down almost 60% at the exhibit.  (This is a good deal, Lionel engines are a little expensive).  I asked the guy about it while hubby and the boys were playing with a train nearby.  He said it was broken.  I was a little disappointed.  He then showed me a tiny little decorative thing in the back that had been broken.  He asked how much I would give him for it.  I remained quiet having NO IDEA how much to offer.  The thing would still run on our track.  It wasn't technically broken. It just needed some glue!  He made me an offer and I took it.  In the end I got the Percy engine for $80 LESS than the original price.  Do I get some kind of award for that?  My hubby said I got a great deal . I was nervous because I didn't want the Bops to see so I just bought it without talking to the train expert in the family.  Luckily it will work and all is well!  I can't wait to see his face Christmas morning.

via Lionel

5. Enjoy a wonderful week waiting for Thanksgiving.  We are heading out to my hubby's gma's 90th birthday party!  We hope the snow holds off so we can make it the 12 hours or so south.  It should be a great week.  

Link up today and keep the snow away!  Thanks Carissa.  

Things to know- Miscellany Style!

1.  I've been gone almost a week now.  The Boppers has been asking to go back home a few times in the last day.  Good thing Daddy is here to get us.

2.  We had a great time in Nebraska.  I love visiting my parents.  I enjoy just sitting around while the boys are napping instead of cleaning etc.

3.  My sister is traveling with Les Miserables.  Her and her fiance will be on the national tour for a year or so starting soon.  I can't wait to go see it and hear them play.

4.  Chewy seems to be struggling with something...teething, new trick, growth spurt.  He's been having good days and cranky days.  Good sleeps and terrible ones.  Good eats and not so good eats.  Now he is having a fever.  His poor hands and feet are hot!

5.  I'm still not done with the CC season.  I have some small things to finish up.

6.  Since we got a shed I need to get the house organized.

7.  #5 and #6 means I should probably call day care and see if the boys can get in a few times this next week.

8.  Chewy doesn't like MOPS as much as The Bops and I do.  He cries a lot.  Probably because it's nap time and he's going through some attachment issues with his Mommy.  I miss out on a lot, but I know that will end soon.

9.  I am way behind on posting my 365 pictures and uploading.  Here's to finding an hour to do that....

10.  I like my parents new house.  I wish I could keep my house this organized and clean.  Probably when the kids are gone it will happen.

11.  My son left the DVD player going.  The little tune from the main menu of his DVD "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" won't stop playing.  Why is that the soundtrack to my life?  A little annoying song playing over and over and over!

miscellany giveaway getaway and go away!

Here we go!

Giveaway!  Hope on over HERE and check out my beaded giveaway.  Super easy to enter, just leave a comment.

Getaway!  It seems I'm planning some getaways this summer.  I'm already excited and I'm hoping it will help winter pass quickly!  (We have snow in the forecast this week.)  In April we head back to seminary for our 3 year class reunion and continuing education.  It should be a fun time as all of our families will be back together.  Then my sister gets married in Nebraska.  I'm hoping to run a 1/2 marathon the week before her big wedding.  Just added to my calendar is my sister's wedding reception in NYC (where her fiance is from) sometime in June.  We know I am going for sure, but we're not sure if my hubby will be joining me and/or the kids.  I have a fear of taking my kids to NYC when they are this little.  I'm very much into having them ride in car seats.  Anyway, after that we are traveling with some close friends out to Glacier National Park in August for a week of vacation.  Also tentatively on the agenda is the MOPS National Convention.  We'll see what I can get done this summer!

GO AWAY!  I would love to go away right now, but we're still doing the busy fall thing.  Cross Country is almost done, confirmation has started, advent is just around the corner.  So while I can't go away, I can tell you the squirrels in my attic have finally gone away.  We got some one out here to help us and we have caught 3 squirrels in the trap.  I haven't heard one in the attic in a few days.  I can't seem to make the laundry go away or the dirty house, but some things never change!

Happy Monday!

Link up with Carissa!  It'll be fun....

Hello Monday!

1.  Finally.  Finally, the baby slept.  He went from 9pm-6am without me having to go in and soothe him at all.  I don't know what we did, but I'm thinking it wasn't us.  I'm also thinking it might not happen again.

2.  I would have loved to sleep from 9pm-6am but the show Hoarders could seriously mistake my house as their next taping.  So, I stayed up and worked a little bit.  I feel nothing was accomplished.  Why oh why do things keep getting out of control!

3.  This stuff is amazing...I am not kidding.  Maybe you haven't tried dry shampoo or if you have you did the powder in a bottle kind that reminds you of baby powder.  This stuff is so much better! No, they aren't paying me to tell you this.  I am just in love.  It's a spray bottle.  It works so much better.  You should seriously try it!  It made my Sunday morning go a whole lot smoother!  Tresemme' I love you!

via

4.  Look at my matching babies.  I love dressing Chewy in outfits that I remember the Boppers wearing!

5.  I'm doing a Bead for Life "party" during our church bazaar.  I'm so excited.  I think the beads are so pretty.  I also love helping out a good cause.  What could be better than helping women make a living?  

That's really all I've got this Monday!  Link up and see what everybody else know on this great Monday.