Where have I been you ask?

Well... a few different reasons why I haven't been keeping up on this here blog this last week!

1. I've been working hard on Momma In Flip Flops2, taking up a lot of time. Thinking it might be time to add on a second mom. Getting ready for the big Cloth Diaper month in November. Don't miss it!

2. The Bloggy Carnival is in full swing and seriously once you start entering the contests, you get addicted... very, very addicted. Just one more I say... and then there are 5 more up on my task bar to enter. Yep... serious addiction. Don't miss out, it ends Friday!

3. I'm making our own cloth napkins, not a lot of work, but it does take time. Landen and Amelia have been helping, and no they are not perfectly square. They'll work though. Cream with red stitching. I'm going to make some more with different stitching too.

4. Attempting to keep up with the necessary things to get done around here. I made it through Landen and Amelia's dressers to discover we need to buy another tote for clothing that's too small. Almost finished with my clothes. Have you ever noticed that woman have so many clothes because we are so many different sizes? Pre pregnancy weight, just pregant, big pregnant, post pregnant, post pregnant still to fat to fit into pre pregnant clothes, regular clothes. Yep.. we need a lot of clothes!

5. Getting ready for Halloween. Pumpkins carved and Halloween costumes done! No I didn't make them. LOL!! Landen's did need a few things done to it since it was a cheapo one from Walmart and Amelia's crown had to be made smaller. I know, I know, she was going to be a witch. Well I fell in love with this princess costume when it went on clearance. Whatever, she's my first girl. Next year she WILL be a lion from the costume Landen used. Hee,hee. Enjoy pictures!

That's the main things that have been keeping me away! I'll be back to my regular scheduling posting have the bloggy carnival and whatever else we have coming up. =)

Love Being a Mom

Oh yes, I love being a mom! This video has got to give some of you a good ol' smile. I can't take credit for finding this. I first saw it on Right here in this moment blog and had to let me readers view it. Enjoy being a mom!!! Have a blessed weekend.

Examples

Yesterday we made our regular trip to story time at the library. I have to admit I do get sick of going every single week, but it's almost over and the kids love it. Amelia is already singing and loving the Tick Tock song, I think she looks forward to it more than Landen and she isn't even to the 18 month age that they start the kids at. It's just so cute!

Well I was surprised to have a local Children's Music place do the 45 minute story time. What they do is incorporate music into your child's life and it was geared towards children of that age. I absolutely loved it and so did Landen and Amelia. We sang, did all kinds of music with shakers, danced and I loved how the teacher kept instructing how parents are children's number 1 role models so if we're just standing there then they aren't going to want to participate. I know for myself at story time I get totally into it, we have so much fun and sing really loud. However, I never really pay attention to the other parents, until yesterday. The instructor kept saying it over and over - if you don't do it your kids won't and as I'm looking around people were just sitting there, intimidated to sing loudly and dance around. It just made me think about how people are so on that whole 'social' thing and I don't agree that your kids have to be around other kids to develop social skills and things. My kids are very social, but I think I'm pretty social. I'm not afraid to talk and jabber, or get down and do all the fun things even if I look like a fool. I know everyone is different, but have people ever thought maybe they aren't that social, that's why they're children are that way? Just like with manners - we always say please and thank you along with other things and we get asked, how come Landen is already on that, do you really get on him. No, not really - we use them and it's just natural. I know this could get into this big lengthy post, but we are the number one examples in everything, not just faith, but socialization too. =)

I loved the music for the kids and how she explained how music touches your whole body and then she was saying how you remember all these songs and you thing of that time when you listened to that. It's so true, there are tons of songs I listened to in college and they have no appeal to me now, I actually dislike them. That's for another time.. but I never thought of music that way. We listen to it all the time and it makes me want to try harder to find good stuff, not just my kids but for me too. =)

How Cute Is That!

Landen woke up last night (as usual) and called for his Mommy. Is just depends who he wants and no he hardly ever sleeps through the night. Who does? I don't! Anyway.. so he calls for me and I go in and lay down with him. He looks at me and goes "I went to sleep and we didn't say prayers" (he fell asleep on the couch) so he started telling me who he wanted to pray for (half asleep) and during our Hail Mary prayer he starts snoring. If that doesn't bring a smile to a mothers face at 2:30 in the morning, her son waking up because he forgot to says his prayers. Aww!

WW: The Munchkins

Don't you love when you grab the camera and aren't expecting anything and it turns out so cute? This picture captures them just exactly how they are. Landen is always cheesy and Amelia is just along for the ride. Love it!

Babywearing Quotes To Share

We did some great shopping today; got some amazing deals and of course Amelia was riding in style in the Beco baby carrier. I just have to add two funny quotes I heard from people, along with the regular "look at that" and stares from people that have obviously never seen a child being carried in a carrier before. If you don't want to get noticed, don't wear your baby in the mall! =)

"Look at that monkey" - from a little girl. Her parents had to tell us sorry for staring and as they were walking away - "It's a monkey." Ha ha!

"It's a backpack... it's a babypack" - a family thought it was quite neat to see a baby on your back! It was like they wanted to come up and try her on for themselves!

These made me laugh today so I thought I'd share!

I really do have the sweetest children

I know we all think we have the cutest, sweetest, greatest kids and that's how it's supposed to be, but in my biased opinion I really do think I have the sweetest kids ever!!!

Does this picture not melt your heart? They kiss all the time because they love eachother and no I didn't tell them to kiss! Awww!

Super Andrea

Because I have nothing better to do... really! Wouldn't I look hot as a blond? Or a brown/blond? And ... I know you love my spandex. =) Check out my Super Andrea video here and make one for yourself while your at it! Ha ha ha ha! Thanks to Kristen from An Ordinary Life for showing me this one. Hee,hee!!!

She's Walking

Amelia is finally walking... right at 15 months she decides to just take off and now is walking everywhere instead of crawling. Only 5 months later than her brother, but what do they say - all kids are different, right? She's so cute, you forget how cute they are when they're taking those awkward steps getting wherever they need to go. =) So, what do I do now about her getting on top of the table and chairs? It never ends! In other exciting news, the girl is talking so much more, and you know what she wants a lot better. Fun, fun!

Photo Phun

I saw this on Sharon and Mandy's blog and thought - "oh how cute, I'll just see what our picture is." I was laughing so hard I had to participate.

6th Folder: August/September 2006. Yes we're trying to stay organized and get these on a disc. Ha ha ha!!


Landen wearing my old nasty broken sunglasses! He's just over a year old.. doesn't he look goofy? Oh I just love my family!!!!!!!!!!

Respect Life Month

October is Respect Life month and I've been wanting to write something on my blog about it but haven't known exactly what I want to write. It sometimes seems like I'm playing a broken record when I'm constantly talking about it and I have the same readers that I do - but oh well I guess!

Today though I felt happy and sad at the same time while fighting the battle to end Abortion. See, today was the day that so many (or so little) took part in the Life Chain across the USA and Canada. I've been meaning to take part in this many times before but have always made an excuse (sadly) or I didn't know about it because nobody told me. Today my family went to do our part - Kurt, Landen, Amelia and I! I was so proud of Kurt for being there, so proud of the kids for being so well behaved and Landen actually held the sign sometimes. "Pray to End Abortion" - "God is Prolife" we stood as silently as we could, some in prayer, spreading out as far as we could (which wasn't far), with some rude nasty comments from passing cars that were greeted with a smile and many honking horns from supporters that I just wanted to say - "Please stop and stand with us." It made me happy and mad at myself for not making a commitment in the past to do this, but know now I won't make an excuse anymore. It also makes me sad how it can be asked, and made public and so few people respond. I told Kurt today and I know it's not like this for everyone - but is there really things more important? Can you not take 1 hour out of your Sunday to stand together on such an important issue? I'm not pointing fingers and I will not judge any one's heart but I wish someone would have told me sooner how powerful this message could be if just more people were together. What does it say when only a handful of people are trying to spread the message? I know it says something, but on another hand it also says very little. I just wish I could have scooped up more people myself, spoken to more people's hearts and gotten them there. I also think it's sad when almost everyone there is elderly and only a couple of families.. common, show what your saying when your saying "life" these precious gifts.

I signed up to join our Pro-Life committee last week and one of the ladies about started crying - "Praise be to God" - a young woman joining. I know God has been telling me for a couple of years to get active in this and finally I listen, but it just about brought tears to my eyes. Will I be the only young one in this group? That's fine, but what's wrong with our young people, what does that say when only elderly are taking the time? Sure, maybe people don't have time, but I'm sick of hearing not have time for important issue. Sure, don't have time for donuts or something, but important things? Once again, not judging anyone just a bit mad at myself in wanting to make more of a difference and just now trying. God will defeat this evil, but we can't just stand around doing nothing about it.

Please, if you only have something negative to say about this post, please refrain... I don't have the heart to hear it right now. =( This is my blog and this is how I feel right now.

A little music please

La la la la la la... guess what I'm ddddoooiiiinnngggg today? Going to pick up my double jogging stroller. That's right, you read it correctly.. we're finally going to get one and it doesn't require me to drive across the state or to spend a million trillion dollars. My friend Teri is getting one more to her liking and she's going to sell me hers. La la la la la... I even had a dream about it last night. I'm excited, no more pulling the wagon up and down those hills or worse running with the wagon! Tomorrow it's supposed to be super nice and you can bet we're gonna be out ... maybe we'll try the dog trail thing we haven't tried. Here's a picture of it! Thank you, Thank you Teri!! You're awesome!

My sister has a Blog!

My sister Rebecca got a name picked and has her first blog up and going. Check her out at Rebecca's Rendezvous and welcome her to the blogging world!

Gonna Freak Out

I think it's hilarious when you find out what you say a lot when your kids start telling you!

I've heard this more than enough times today....

"Dad is going to freak out.... because"
..we got Sleeping Beauty
..my bear is dry
..his sandals are on my hands
..the door handle fell off...

Oh and believe me there is more. Ahhh... what else do I say? =)
No, the freak out is freaking out in a good way... most of the time!

WW: Combine Time

Landen had the best time riding the combine at my parents house. The only talk we have here lately is combine/tractor/farming talk. Today we found all these tractor combine books at the library and Landen has to sit and show one of his friends how that's grandpa's tractor but grandma drives it and Uncle Kevin if Grandpa says. Oh my gosh, the kid remembers and thinks he knows it all. "When are we going to ride combine again." Times likes this I really wish we lived closer!

My kind of commercial

I know this commercial is old but I saw it again and it always makes me smile! Enjoy. =)

Oh The Stink

Dumb Cubs got swept, second straight year.... no more baseball. =(

Now I must begin my suffering of Hockey.... HELP!!!!!

I wanna wear woolly tights too...

Oh how fall has come entirely too soon. Summer just started and we're definitely back in the full swing of fall. It's chilly here... Amelia is wearing woolly tights, we're in sweatshirts and jeans. This is not my kind of weather... I always think fall is my favorite but summer is definitely what I love the most. I love those hot days where you have to worry about sun screen and trying to keep cool. I would way rather try to keep cool that try to keep warm.. mostly because I never get warm. The trees are all starting to turn, they look so beautiful. I'm anxious to get some great pictures to maybe fill Christmas cards with... I always say that and it never happens.

Landen and I pulled all our fall/Halloween decorations out from the basement today. He's been having fun running around the house screaming at the pumpkins. We put up orange lights and a few little sticky things.. we don't have much but it's still fun to have a little change. I bought some mums for outside, as my other flowers are slowly dying off. I love color and need it as long as possible. This last week we made a butterfly garden.. well the start of one. We made a corner fence in our front yard and I planted two butterfly bushes and will be adding more plants that attract butterflies next year. I can't wait!!! It's going to be gorgeous and anything to attract more butterflies and hummingbirds the better. =)

We finally made it to Children's Adoration again this month. Over the summer we missed a lot because we either had plans or I forgot. Oops! It was really nice even though Amelia insists on climbing the stairs to get to the alter. She's quite the frisky little thing and was making everyone laugh. Unfortunately it seems that our Children's Adoration group is getting smaller. Things that I love never seem to attract other people, sadly. On that same note - I was actually able to sit through the entire mass last week thanks to my wonderful husband who took Amelia out. Oh my goodness it was great. Father spoke right to my heart about Stewardship and I went into today to get the sheets that I had thrown out before. Right now I'm going to sign up to make a dish when there is a funeral and help with the pro-life committee. I'm not sure how much I can do with the pro-life but I felt like I wanted to do that two years in a row so I'm going to take the plunge and do it. I know the lady in charge pretty well and she knows how I am with my kids so the things I can't make I'm sure she'll understand. Plus I have some good idea's I need to get out there!!! And as for giving more money - I think we need to be more giving in that way so I'm going to start trying.

Since this is more or less a post of my thoughts - I've decided to stop concentrating so much with La Leche League. I'm the only one doing the work for the enrichment meetings so I'm going to collect all my information and hand it over to the leaders at the next meeting. I said I wasn't going to be a leader so I need to quit acting like one or something. I will be glad to help but I'm not going to take it on myself anymore. I really hope that we're able to do some of the things we've thought of because they'd be so great!

Just a reminder... I have a Mei Tai giveaway this week on my review blog. Enter if you haven't already. This week has been slow over there - I didn't schedule some things in for review and then some didn't fall through, but I've got new things going up at least three times a week until mid November so check back often. I'm excited because A LOT of places have been e-mailing me for reviews now; it took awhile but it's taking off. I also submitted my info to the girls at Simple to start working with them. If I get picked; which who knows as I bet a lot of people submit I'm going to quit Props N' Pans. I like doing reviews for them but I won't be able to hand three and I'd much rather review for Simple. =)

Have a great weekend!

WW: Scenary

I'm really not one to take pictures of the scenery without someone in it and if I do - I always end up deleting it before it even gets downloaded. I've had this one for awhile now and something about it I love. It reminds me of Deer season, the corn just getting ripe in the background, the sky is peaceful.. I just really like it a lot! Taken at my in laws house when Landen was running in and out of the tree's.