Today is your day ABBI! LOL

Today is floral design day! So let's celebrate! Put a fresh bouque in your house, ok well here that won't be possible! LOL! Maybe just a new arrangement of fake ones. Or just go get someone you love some flowers from the florist! LOL!

Carly Smithson was great last night!

I know I don't have too many ppl reading this that are Idol fans, but still I have to say Carly was so amazing last night on IDOL! Even Simon loved her and said she was the one to beat this year! WOW!
Simon thought that Brooke was singing "your so vein" to HIM! She probably was! LOL!
Well Amanda wasn't great last night but I voted for her to try to keep her on because I think she has talent just has been sick so I wanted to try to keep her in the running for now to see what she can do!
As far as my fave girl Kady, she didn't do too bad last night. I don't know why I like her so much really? She has a good voice and talent. I just kinda picked her from the beginning, and I guess I should probably stick by her, at least for now. Although I honestly think it will come down to Carly and David Archuleta! They are both awesome!

2 David's were awesome tonight on Idol!

Wow, I couldn't believe how awesome 2 of the David's(Archuletto & Hernandez) were tonight! Especially David Archuletto(sp?)! Wow that young man can sing! His voice is so sweet and clear! He is so so so humble! He blushes every time the judges talk about how great he is. It is so sweet to see how he responds to them! I hope he goes a long way in this! He is definately my fave guy in this!

My Fairytale Come True!

Today was a gorgeous day out side but for some strange reason after we already woke the kids up for school, and they were really hard to wake up, they delayed school 2 hours! Whatever!?

Anyway I was wondering in my head, WHY?

Then it dawned on me, God did this to show me that my kids can behave! After their horrible behavior at a cub scout event last night, they blew me away this morning!

The girls played together for 2 whole hours with NO FIGHTING (all the while doing odd jobs as I asked, no qualms)! AMAZING!

Mark practiced his chess for a while then offered to help me with anything I needed! Scratching my head, I asked him to get the vacuum and do the basement (which BTW is a huge open room where our guinea pig resides, which gets very messy with bedding from his cage)! He happily did it and did it well! I am so impressed!

Still in shock I loaded them up and drove them to school! WOW what a morning. I am still scratching my head wondering what is going on with them? Maybe they had a change of heart after everything I really don't know but I love days like this, I hope it continues!

BTW I was so excited too when Ethan comes up to me and holds a little bouncy ball up and says "BALL" plain as day! Then 2 seconds later brings me a book and says "book" very plainly as well! First time I have ever heard him say either of those words! YAY!

FAIRYTALES DO COME TRUE!

Did you know tomorrow is "Tell a Fairytale Day"

Well don't forget to tell a fairytale tomorrow! Sit down with your loved one and tell a fairytale. If you do share which one with me tomorrow please. I would love to hear which is your favorite!

Ladies Weekend!

A couple of friends and I went to Des Moines and had a ladies weeekend. We stayed in a motel and went to a chick flick on Friday night! Ate at cold ? creamery! YUMMY! Then the next day we shopped till we dropped and ate at Olive Garden (my fave restaurant)! It was so nice! loved it! We hope to make it an annual event!

Presentation went great!

We did a great job...well I kinda just chimmed in and helped but it was great lots of interest and such. We went way over time though! I guess that is a sign that it is good if there are lots of questions.

Not to be redundant...but more stuff on Babywearing!

Great things about babywearing

What are some of the really hard things about parenting?
Your baby seems to need you all the time
It can be tricky to get much else done, other than care for your baby
You want your baby to be as happy and content as she can be.
Sometimes this seems really hard - tiring and frustrating
It can be difficult to have much of a life, while so much of your time is taken up with your baby




Babywearing's great for you:
Cook dinner during the "arsenic hour" and soothe your baby at the same time
Do the gardening, chores, socialise, even dance, while providing a stimulating learning environment for your baby
Breastfeed hands-free while on the phone or shopping
Keep your baby close and happy while playing with your toddler
Get some exercise (walking) while your baby sleeps
No need to lug around an awkward, heavy carseat, or battle getting a stroller into your car, onto a bus or up stairs.





Babywearing = keeping your baby happy + getting on with your life
It's also great for your baby:
Babies cry less. Research has shown that babies who are carried cry (on average) 43% less overall and 54% less during the evening hours (1). In cultures where babies are carried almost continuously, babies cry much less than those in non-carrying cultures (2-6).





Good for baby's mental development. Babies spend more time in a "quiet, alert state" when carried - the ideal state for learning. Their senses are stimulated while being carried (yet there is a place to retreat too). When carried, your baby sees the world from where you do, instead of the ceiling above his crib or people's knees from a stroller. And the extra stimulation benefits brain development.

Good for baby's emotional development. Babies are quickly able to develop a sense of security and trust when they are carried. They are more likely to be securely attached to their care-giver/s (7) and often become independent at an earlier age (8).




Good for baby's physical development. By being so close to your body's rhythms, your newborn "gets in rhythm" much more quickly. Your heartbeat, breathing, voice and warmth are all familiar. Research has shown how this helps newborns (especially premature babies) to adapt to life outside the womb (9).
Good for babies whose mums are depressed. Babies who are not held need more verbal interaction and eye contact, just to be reassured that you're there. Carrying your baby is a great way to connect with her (and provide stimulation too) without the "burden" of having to interact (10). Of course your baby is "right there" to enjoy whenever you feel like snuggling, kissing or talking.
It's great for other people who look after your baby:
Partners who work away from home, relatives and babysitters all have a ready way of connecting with and soothing your baby when they wear him too!

Many people are discovering how well babywearing works in their lives. Try it for yourself and see!

P.S. none of these pics are our kids!

Some Facts on Babywearing

Baby Wearing


Baby wearing is common in many cultures around the world. Due in part to the promotion of slings in attachment parenting books, in stores and on the Internet, more and more American parents are learning about baby wearing. The sling is the most practical, comfortable and versatile method of carrying your baby. Unlike front pack type carriers and back packs, slings can be used for newborns and toddlers alike. Slings make breastfeeding easy and discreet, and slings are much easier on the easily wearied arms and backs of parents.

The Benefits of Babywearing


Wearing your baby helps you develop a secure mutual attachment.

Babywearing increases parental sensitivity to a baby's needs.

Babywearing simulates the sensations of pressure, motion, warmth and security of the womb.

Carrying your baby in a sling reduces her level of stress hormones.

Babywearing can greatly reduce crying and fussiness. It also helps your fussy or tired baby fall asleep.

Babies sleep longer and more comfortably when in a sling.

Sling babies have a reduced incidence of colic and are less susceptible to vomiting and excess spitting-up.

Toddlers who were/are carried in slings initiate separation sooner, and become more self-reliant.


Babywearing has been shown to strongly benefit premature infants and lower their mortality rate.


Parents who wear their babies can more easily accomplish daily activities, tasks and chores.

The natural movement and stimulation provided by being in a sling promotes neurological development.


Babywearing gives children the message that they are safe, secure and loved.

Babywearing is the most comfortable way to hold a baby. You can use a sling on your shoulders, back or hip distributing your baby's weight evenly.

Wearing your baby in a sling provides her with constant and easy access to breastfeeding, and makes nursing in public easy and discreet.

5 Love Languages

JR and have been motivated by our preacher to read the book "5 Love Languages". We bought it several years ago but never read it. Have you read it? Any comments about it. We did start it and skimmed it but never read it cover to cover. I am hoping it will help us learn how to better serve one another and love one another in a way each of us can receive it better and understand what we are trying to communicate. Pray for us in this endevor please. LMK if you have read it and any comments please.

Ethan new discovery!

Well it's hard to believe Ethan is 17 mo already but he is! He has discovered zippers now! He has woken up 2 mornings in a row now with no pajamas on because he unzips his feety pajamas and takes them off! I am just thankful he hasn't taken off his diaper!(I know he can, he has done it before!) So if anyone has any ideas on how to keep their jammies on when they get to this stage that would be great! Thanks for any comments in advance! HELP!

This Thursday is our Babywearing Presentation!

It's kinda nice I am not really that nervous about this one! We did a presentation 2 weeks ago and also we have done the babywearing one before so it will be a breeze for me because it makes things a lot easier when you have a passion about something! Babywearing is something I definately have a passion for! I am actually pretty excited about this one! YAY! I will post and let you all know how it went when I am done!

We finally got a video camera!

I am so excited we finally got a video camera! I have wanted one for years and we got one this year with our tax return! I can't wait to figure out how to use it and record all sorts of school programs and dance recitals and such! It will be so much fun!

My sister's bf and their new baby! Isn't he adorable(the baby)!

This is my sisters baby and her boy friend. I just thought I would share a photo of the new addition to our family a couple of months ago. Isn't he absolutely adorable! What a cutie! His name is Liam! Which is Mail if you spell it backwards and Travis is a mail man. The funny thing is they didn't know that when they picked his name they just picked Liam and realized it later on. That cracked me up!

Happy Valentines' Day!

I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Valentines Day! And to remind you about the best and biggest love gift we could have ever gotten was from Jesus. The ultimate sacrifice. Cost more then any diamond your loved one could ever find and purer and clearer in intent then any diamond as well! His Love is the biggest a greatest gift we could ever get or give for Valentines! So share your wealth with as many ppl as will listen! We truely are wealthy with what he has given us through His son! So don't ever forget that Valentines gift! Love you ALL!

Went to O'hana's Steakhouse!

Just wanted to share our trip to O'hana's for Valentines! Check out JR's blog for our group pics. But I wanted to post about it. I thought it was so much fun. We had a blast. It was fun listening to his humor and watching how he cooked a flung the food around. And cut it up.

American Idol winner 2008! IMHO

I just wanted to see if there were any American Idol fans out there? This is the women I predict will take it all home! IMHO!

Cloth diapering presentation went great!

Well the clothe diapering presentation went really well. It helped that my partner was quite a talker! She did a great job and I just kinda chimmed in when I had a few things to say or she needed me. So I was very releived. We went over time so that was another sign we did good. There were lots of questions and I think we may have converted at least one mom and made several others seriously consider the option. So we will see what happens. Our babywearing presentation is on February 21st. I am more excited then nervous about this one because we have done it before. If anyone has any other questions feel free to ask. I love to help ppl understand the benefits of wearing your child. The bonding is fanominal! Ethan just loves to cuddle in a carrier and that is the only time I can get him to slow down enough to cuddle! :)

God's Valentine!

Makes you think?

I am doing a cloth diapering & babywearing presentation

My friend Amanda and I are doing a cloth diapering and babywearing presentation for a mom's group we are part of. The cloth diapering is this Thursday so I will let you all know how it went. I am kind of nervous but Amanda is good at stuff like this so that eases my mind a bit. Pray for me.

Lex and her betrothed! LOL

This is just a photo shoot I did last year of Lex and her betrothed!

On cowboy day at their pre-school! They had a blast!

Ethan 1st Birthday!

I know these are a lil late but I stared this blog after his b'day and thought you would all like to see these pics! I love to see 1st birthday pics myself! His birthday is September 18th.

Ethan's 1st Hair Cut!

Ethan's first hair cut went pretty smooth! He was trying to see what I was doing though! So he kept turning his head to me. LOL Anyway, it was getting very long in the back! And very curly!

What a cutie pie! I can't believe how big he is getting!

This one was taken shortly after Christmas!

Well today is super Tueasday! Any predictions?

I am thinking today will end up with Billary for the Dumbocrat. (which if she becomes the next pres. I might just have to find a new country to move to...LOL) Honestly though I can not figure out who will end up with the Republican. I wish we could get a Christian man in office! That would be awesome. Our country needs someone who is strong on his principles in there! LMK what your predictions are?

Kids had a great time with their first "shopping" day!

They all had fun picking out what they wanted to buy with what they earned. We did this on Sunday afternoon. I think with Mark being the oldest he really gets the concept of how much he has compared to the work he did and what he was able to buy. Plus he was the only one that saved any "money" for later use. The girls just had to spend it all! Funny thing is they all chose something eddible! Candy to be exact! They must all think I deprive them! LOL! I hope this continues to work well. Mark is definately getting it. He has started feeding squeeky (our guinea pig) without being told. Also making his bed! YES mission accomplished! (with him at least)