1.2.3. strikes your out!

Even though we were in a heat advisory Tuesday we went to the Riverhawks game. It was faith night and we had free tickets I had gotten several months ago so I wasn't about to skip it, plus I really was looking forward to it - I've never been to a baseball game before.

We all had a great time and it cooled off quite a bit. Landen and Amelia both got a ball, one from a little kid that obviously got it during batting practice and when we were leaving an older boy gave us another. We got hot dogs and ice cream and the place was so clean and safe the kids were able to go up and down the stairs and I wasn't freaking out the whole time. We had great seats too - just a few rows up from the wall and next to third base.

Ready to catch the ball!

Someone was safe!
I don't remember why he go so excited, but it was hilarious!Look at that sneaky grin, she finally got to go to the wall with brother!

Last week I took the kids to Fun Zone with Teri and her kids. It was hot but the kids enjoyed the petting zoo, painting a pot and getting their face painted. We then headed to the park, where the all wore themselves out. Just what a mother loves!Landen wasn't mad, he was just being a stinker, making his usual weird faces.

Sidewalk Rosary!

Landen and Amelia both love the DVD we got them for Christmas - "The Best of Little Children". It includes the rosary for children and it's watched almost daily here because they love it so much. For the past few days Landen has been begging for us to make a rosary in the driveway like they do on the DVD. You'd think when I child asks you to do the rosary you'd jump right up and do it, right? Well that has not been the case. Yesterday though the kids and I made one while my feet literally burnt to crisps from how hot the driveway was. We kept running back and forth to the pool.

Catholic Giveaway!

I wanted to let all my readers know that aren't typically into the reviews and giveaways that I had the opportunity to work with Amanda from Lighthouse Catholic Media on a book review, Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly, along with two CD reviews of The Shroud of Turin and Untold Stories of the Last Three Popes.

The CD's were very educational and I learned a lot. The book was by far my favorite and one of my top must read books. I don't get a lot of time to do extra reading, but I'm so glad I was introduced to Matthew Kelly and this book - I really want to strive for holiness being the best version of myself. I really encourage all my friends and family to reader this.

On my site Momma in Flip Flops2, I am hosting a giveaway for the book as well as two cd's of your choice. Click here to enter, it's really simple for those of you who aren't regulars. Visit the site Lighthouse Catholic Media, then come back to my site, click on the comments and state what you found on the site that you would like. Make sure you leave away for me to contact you!

A Zoo-berrry Good Time!

Kurt and I took the kids to Brookfield Zoo yesterday, it was a lot of fun and one of the things we had planned to do this summer before the next little love comes along. Amelia is still talking about the crocodile and monkeys, Landen mostly the dolphins and the motor tram. I'm so glad they had a good time.

Last weekend we went to Sara and Jakes and visited the little festival that was going on. We decided to let the kids ride on a few rides - something we haven't done in the past. They both loved it and I'm sure will always be asking now in the future. We also watched the parade and got tons of candy - the beginning of parade and festival season. I love summer and all there is to do!

Enjoy the video show of our fun!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

WW: A Facial & Storytime

Last night I did facials with the kids, don't worry it was completely natural. Amelia was loving it.

Can you tell story time has started up? My mouse and lion are just too cute to not show off!

Are You Really Organic?

... Yep, I didn't think so. Read this post. You may be a bit surprised to find that many who 'think' they are... really aren't!

Children at Mass

Just today I was talking to my mom about bringing your children to Mass and how I really believe it's very important, as I believe it's very important to attend as a family as often as possible.

I'm not sure where this stemmed from, it's just been on my mind a lot lately as I get closer to having the baby and the thought crosses my mind that perhaps Kurt and I should attend separately and leave Landen and Amelia at home. It crosses my mind, especially when we have a particularly eventful time at Mass, but I always come back to the same thing - no, they will go to Mass.

As I was making my run through some fantastic blogs that I don't get to read up on enough, Kate from Momopoly had her recent article she wrote for InsideCatholic.com on why she believes you should bring your children to Mass. She writes so eloquently, but what she says is exactly what I wish I could write out on paper. I agree with her completely and I urge you to read her article as well. It's wonderful!

For the most part our church is pretty family oriented I would say. However we usually attend the 10:30am - (in my words) Family Mass. Mostly families and I do believe people know what to except when coming. Attending Saturday night or even 8:00am I feel a bit awkward because of the occasional strange look - that I seem to think means, why are you here. No I am not going to let my children scream but they aren't going to be able to sit perfectly still for that long. They enjoy reading, singing, and responding loudly, which I hope will soften those people's hearts that think this is nothing but a distraction.

What do you do? What do you not-allow? I am particularly interested as we gear up for baby number 3 and only two adults. We only allow religious books and on occasion religious coloring books/activities. No toys and absolutely no food (I'm sorry but don't get me started on the food thing.) I'm hoping to baby-wear this baby as much as possible and have decided that I will not be retreating to nurse - nursing is a gift from God and shouldn't be hidden (yes I always nurse discreetly.)

Please read Kate's article. I'm curious as to what you think.

The belly at 32 weeks!

Big, round and beautiful! Let me tell you ruched shirts make you look fantastic and not fat at all.

I'm working on some creative photo's, I need a photographer. Anyone have any neat suggestions? I really want to have some good ones for this baby and time's a tickin' here.

I found out this week that two of my good friends are going to have babies - everyone is having babies!! Congratulations, I'm so happy for you both. =)

New Bathroom!

We pretty much finished up the bathroom upstairs today. I still need to get a few minor things, but the new tile, hardware, painting, light fixture, mirror, curtain and shower curtain are up-dated! It looks absolutely beautiful - I love it! So clean, crisp and fresh. Unfortunately my mind was not on top of things and I don't have any good before pictures. The carpet (yes, carpet in the bathroom -ick) was blue, the walls just a light cream, the ceiling had cracks, the fixtures were horrible.

I'm definitely most proud of my beautiful shower curtain and curtain, I made them myself! What's even greater, I made them both for almost 1/2 of what the one shower curtain was that I wanted SO badly. Also the lovely tile work that Kurt did. It looks great!

Enjoy the pictures!Those are the before and I realize half of the walls are already painted. Oops!
The after pictures. What do you think? Do you like it?

I love this quote!

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home. - Mother Teresa

Pregnancy!

I wanted to get a pregnancy photo for this week and it didn't happen. I'm 31 weeks now and man does it feel good. There is something mental to me about hitting 30 weeks - I feel like it's not that much longer.

As I mentioned before I feel like I'm kind of in that nesting stage, ready to get things in order. I'm anxious to get the baby things out, but I'm holding off until July. There were a few things out and Amelia just doesn't get it that they aren't hers. She wants to wear things and when she can't get it over her head she freaks out.

I'm starting to notice my stretch marks again. I'm glad they aren't purple though and I can live with them. We had our visit/appointment with Jean and my mom last week. It went pretty well. My muscle separation isn't doing so hot though and now I get to wear one of those lovely belts. I'm working on some exercises to strengthen and we'll see what happens. This has really made me feel motivated to work really hard at strengthening my stomach after the baby though. Kurt informed me he will be very sad if we can't have anymore children, so I'm being good about wearing the belt and doing what I'm supposed to do (as often as possible). Darn genetics! (Not that it's even close to being bad enough to not have more kids at this point.)

My body is getting into that elasticity stage - oh so not fun. My hip has been doing some crazy things, but I remember it being like this before so I know it will at least go back to normal. The throwing up is still way to consistent here, so I'll be excited to get that out of the way as well as the acne that was under control and seeming to flare up again. I'm also happy to say I've gained 40 pounds already. Ha ha ha to me. This whole third baby, you don't lose your fat curse better not be true. Oh and those darn charlie-horses have really started - better get on that calcium.

The contractions seem to have backed off, they were pretty fierce for awhile. I've been really trying to drink more water though. Those lovely cervix thunderbolts have started - whoazer, those are seriously just not right.

Lets see - other news - Landen informed me that the babies name will be "baby-kunkel" again today. I explained to him the names again but he is persistent. I hope he doesn't call him/her that later. We do have names picked out, but I'm going to wait to post them. I know some people know them though. =) They're perfect!

That's the up-date. It's so strange how your body turns into some sort of shell and you don't even recognize it when your pregnant. Not a bad thing, just the way it is. Oh and the baby loves to kick my ribs now - that's just how big it is. I was informed we aren't having a 'little' baby. =) Just how we like um - big and fat!

Have a great weekend.

Okay, I lied!

Yes, we are updating our up-stairs bathroom and when I get my review stuff done (which for some reason has been taking me far to long) I just don't feel like doing anything else on here.

The bathroom is going to look beautiful - I found a shower curtain I had to have for $25 dollars. No, I didn't get it but found the same fabric and made it for less than $8. I was pretty excited about that. I'm hoping to go and get some of the same fabric to work on the curtains. I bought all new hardware and we're working on getting that up. Kurt is hopefully going to lay the new flower tile tonight and the painting is pretty much finished but the ceiling. I hope to have it done by next week for pictures. I've been wanting to have this room done before the baby and it's going to happen.

I think I'm into that nesting period of the pregnancy. I don't know what I 'really' think about the whole 'nesting' term but lets just say I've been doing some major clean outs. The bathroom, my closet and drawers, the kitchen and a lot has been getting thrown out. Common, if you haven't thought about it in years, then it's just cluttering. I'm so-not-a-pack-rat!

Landen asked to move his room into the toy room so I did it. He is now sleeping in there and he has his dresser. I moved some of the toys out but realized that children really have too many toys. I'm pretty sure I didn't have this many toys and it's unnecessary. Eventually a lot more are going to have to go - no room. He asked if he could have fire engine curtains so I need to get on making those, it should be pretty simple. I didn't realize until about a week ago that the baby will need a dresser - hmm - gotta look for one of those.

There's a little around here update for you.

Busy..

We're updating our bathroom... no extra time for blogging.. updates to come!