Awesome Thomas the Train DVD Giveaway

Thrifty Nifty Mommy is having an awesome giveaway for the new Thomas the Train Dvd! If you are like me and have little ones they are crazy about Thomas' the train! I have 2 wonderful little boys who just love everything about Thomas the train! This movie would make a great stocking stuffer for them :)

http://thriftyniftymommy.blogspot.com/2011/09/thomas-friends-day-of-diesels-dvd.html

Kissaluv giveaway!

Kissaluvs are my favorite diaper and they are having a great giveaway on their facebook page for 3 of their OS marvel diaper covers. So, come on over to their facebook page and enter to win some fluffy goodies :)

Lenten Cleaning

As part of prepping for Easter during Lent I will be deep cleaning, sorting and organizing our home. The last move left our home in shambles. Our belongs are disorganized and it is very hard to keep the house cleaning because of this. So, I plan to bring peace to our home for Lent. Below is the schedule I have set. My hope is that by putting it to "paper" so to speak we will be able to stay on track and have a peaceful home.

March 9: Kitchen
March 10: Dining Room
March 11: Clean out fridge/pantry
March 12: Living Room
March 13: Sunday
March 14: Paul's Room
March 15: Bathrooms
March 16: Laundry Room
March 17: Master Bedroom
March 18: Office
March 19: Kid's Birthday Celebration
March 20: Sunday
March 21: Office Closet
March 22: Master Bedroom Closet
March 23: Go through clothes
March 24: Sort Books
March 25: Sort Toys
March 26: Yard Clean-up
March 27: Sunday
March 28: Clean out Van
March 29: Clean out Storage Shed
March 30: Clean Vacuum
March 31: Sort Papers
April 1: Clean Windows
April 2: Clean Front Porch
April 3: Sunday
April 4:
April 5:
April 6:
April 7:
April 8: Paul's Birthday
April 9:
April 10: Sunday
April 11:
April 12:
April 13:
April 14:
April 15:
April 16: Have all Easter Stuff purchased
April 17: Sunday
April 18: General Cleaning
April 19: General Cleaning
April 20: General Cleaning
April 21: Holy Thursday
April 22: Good Friday
April 23:
April 24: Easter

Remembrance Day

Dear Steven,

Yesterday marked six years. It is mind boggling to realize it has been that long since we said goodbye to you. It feels like it was just yesterday that I listened to the message informing of your death. It is still shocking that you killed yourself.

I hero worshiped you. With the certainty of a young girl I believed I knew everything about you. How wrong I was...you had demons that in my youth I could not even begin to understand. Demons that chased you till you could run no more. I wish things had been different for you. I wish that you had been able to find the peace and help you need here in this world.

So, much has happened in the last six years. I meet a wonderful man- who I believe you would have liked immensely for the simple fact that he makes me happy. I have two wonderful little boys- our oldest shares your name for his middle name.

I wish you were with us still.

Love,
T

Hopes for the New Year

2011 starts in just a few days. 2010 has been a good year for us but I'd love for 2011 to be even better. A dear friend lost her husband in October and it has really made me consider what I want for my family. I want to us to look back and have lots of memories of quality family time together. I don't want to look back and see lots of wasted time; wasted opportunities. So, with that in mind I want to commit to this blog my hopes for this year.

I want:

- To make better use of our time. My time as an individual and our time together as a family.
- Make it to the gym at least 3 times a week
- organize our belongs and finally unpack everything
- do more sewing
- travel and do fun activities as a family like camping
- learn how to garden
- make better choices with our spending.

Christmas Day Book

Outside My Window

Snowy...lots and lots of snow. I've never seen so much snow in my life.

I am Listening to

the soft breathing of Trumpet; who is sleeping in my arms.

I am Wearing

A pair of

I am so Grateful for

I am grateful for the wonderful Christmas we have had. For being able to see the joy of my children's faces as they celebrated the wonder of our Lord's birth.

I'm Pondering

Once, in Royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for his bed.
Mary was that mother mild
Jesus Christ, her little child.

I am Reading

Nothing but looking forward to starting Elizabeth's Foss, "Small Steps"

I am Thinking

My hopes for the upcoming year for my family.

I am Creating

Taking apart diapers to change into snap closures.

Towards a Real Education

Working with Captain to further his language. Each day he seems to pick up a new word. His speech therapy is going fantastic.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

|Organizing and moving all the way into the house.

To Live the Liturgy

Enjoying the beautiful Christmas season the church gives us.

I am Hoping and Praying

For clarity on if I should go back to school

For a good upcoming year.

Around the House

re-thinking how to organize- going to buiold a number of these: http://ana-white.com/2010/11/laundry-basket-dresser.html

From the Kitchen

It's foraging time...emptying out the pantry. Re-thinking eating habits for the new year.

One of My Favorite Things

Enjoying a cup of tea in one of my new mugs M got me for Christmas. http://www.pfaltzgraff.com/Penguin-Skate/PNSKT,default,sc.html

Captain this week

He is talking up a storm. He is in love with his main Christmas gift- a Thomas the train set. He has played with it non-stop since he

Trumpet this week

He has 2 top teeth coming in. He wasn't to interested in unwrapping his gifts but has really enjoyed playing with his new toys. He is going through a very clingy stage. It's hard but hopefully it will pass soon.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week

Enjoy the snow

Thanksgiving Daybook

Outside My Window

It's dark and chilly. I've stayed up late to see M off to work and work on a Christmas stocking.

I am Listening to

the heater run and NCIS LA playing on the television.

I am Wearing

A comfy gray cable knit sweater and black lounge pants. I am ready for bed.

I am so Grateful for

I am so grateful for my family and so much more. I am truly, truly blessed.

I'm Pondering

the role of wife, mother and being a daughter and how they all fit together.

I am Reading

Meridon by Philippa Gregory. It is part of the Wideacre Trilogy. I've much enjoyed reading the series and I am looking forward to having the chance to finish this last one.

I am Thinking

Many many things. Christmas, Advent, an upcoming trip in the new year home for a wedding. About the nature of those we love and that they can the most difficult parts of our lives. Of all the progress Captain has made in his therapies.

I am Creating

A Christmas stocking for my newest niece.

Towards a Real Education

Working with Captain to further his language. Each day he seems to pick up a new word. His speech therapy is going fantastic.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

Prepping the house for Advent season. It's just us this Holiday season but I want our home to glow with joy- even if it is just for us.

To Live the Liturgy

I am prepping for the start of Advent on Sunday and for St. Nicholas Feast Day. I want to bring our faith alive for my little ones.

I am Hoping and Praying

For my friend Cher- who along with her 2 little ones is celebrating their first holidays without Husband/Father.

For M and our family that we hear good news back from the Officer board.

Around the House

It's a mess and in need of organization.

From the Kitchen

Banana bread, apple pies, pumpkin- lots of pumpkin, turkey, rolls....it's the holidays so there is lots of goodness in the kitchen

One of My Favorite Things

Waking up to the smiles of Trumpet in the morning and his warm body snuggling in my arms as we sleep.

Captain this week

He is doing fantastic in his therapies. Some of his new words are: yogurt, more, his therapist name (this makes me a little sad as he hasn't said mommy yet) and purple.

He willingly put a tooth brush in his mouth and brushed his teeth multiple times this week- which is huge for him.

Trumpet this week

He is still working on those top 4 teeth. He has started standing solo- so its only a matter of time before he starts walking. He is a great cruiser and has gotten really fast via crawling.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week

Thanksgiving Dinner
Ordering the last Christmas present
Working on Christmas stocking
Put up outdoor decorations and dig out Advent stuff.