Oh this girl.

 

This little one steals my heart every day. 

She is...

walking, jabbering, pointing, laughing, playing, kissing, whining, smiling, eating, singing, and pretend reading all the time. 

Auggie Hope, you are precious to your momma.

I love watching you grow and learn new things.

Your first word was "Beast", which is Grammy and Poppa's dog. And now, everything is "Beast" - cats, dogs, old women....yea, we gotta work on that.

You love your blankeys - A LOT.

You love snacking and sippy cups.

Your favorite word right now is, "Momma" and you use it often. I love hearing that little voice walk into a room and say, "Momma, Momma, Momma". 

We love you. You are gift, a blessing!

And...it's a lazy Saturday

Around 10:30 last night I popped two Sinex pills. You know, the blue kind... basically Nyquil, only a different brand - I think Vicks puts this one out. I was super congested and had this weird tickle in the the throat...going on a few days. Needed a full nights rest so daddy's day off could be a fun filled one. So, meds down and off to bed I went.

My 3 year old woke up twice in the night in pain and after a Dr appointment this morning, it's confirmed, from an ear infection. I remember the first time feeling like I couldn't even open my eyes and somehow winding my way around our bed, down the hall and to girlies bed all with eyes basically shut. It's those amazing mom skills, I tell ya. Needless to say - the body didn't get the rest and it's almost in freak out mode because of how little sleep I got combined with those powerful pills meant to help me sleep. I tried to function normally when the kids woke up - but ended up sitting down on the couch with a spinning head - and falling asleep for a loooong time off and on. Brad just took care of everything while I dozed off and on. Crazy how out of control I felt. Could NOT wake up! I remember coming to for just a second and peeking out to see Daddy playing Polly Pocket with Ava... bless that man. :) But the point of this story is - wow, Sinex! you sneaky, sneaky, drug! Let's just assume I won't be going near those blue liqui-caps for quite some time. Clearly going to bed earlier and some nose spray would work 10x's better. Ahem.

It's around 2:30 Iowa time and the day has been just as snooze-ful and lazy feeling as it started. Brad and Ava had a Daddy/Daughter date to the pediatrician and Panera for lunch. Hubs brought home some Iowa sweet corn and stuff to grill later - bless him, again! I was even treated to a yummy Panera salad and a FREE Starbucks Refresher drink. Did you get yours? They are free from 12-3 today! Both girls are now napping and hubs and I are just enjoying the sectional in the quiet...with a little real-estate television on the tube. Million Dollar Listing just captures the imagination - we cannot believe the amount of $$ people spend on these HUGE houses!

Anywhoo, looks like the relaxation and calm will just carry us through the rest of this day. The house is tidy and a nice little rain came through earlier (I think) making it a leetle cooler. I'm thinking of busting down to the basement again later and continue turning it into a workout room. I got a lot cleared out a few weeks ago but still so far to go. I found a few more ideas on Pinterest that I'd like to use down there to make it more "pleasant".

 

 

Floor painting, carpet remnant, and storage...those are the main ideas.

 

Def looking to hang up an old ladder for clothes drying! 

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Hopefully you can get some {non-meds induced} rest this weekend! 

Discovery

I'm not a big heat girl.
I like my crisp, cool, fall days.
I love my rainy, gray, days perfect for baking and reading and all things calm and quiet. Brew the coffee, light the scented candle, turn on the soft tunes and the day is made for me.

One thing is holding true this summer - it's HOT. The only cool, crisp, anything, are freeze pops. And our occasional rain never lasts longer then 10 minutes and then it seems to be hotter and stickier afterwards. But, it's summer and such a great season to enjoy. I'm learning this. The rest of my family seems to be head over heels about the sweat-down-your-back weather, sometimes its contagious. Like today as I followed my littles around in the backyard watching them dig into life {and dirt, and dead bugs, and piles of rocks}. Sometimes I forget how much fun a simple back yard can be. No playground or fancy whatevers - just good ol' creation at its best, and driest, might I add. So...maybe there is more crisp after all :)

This morning we headed outdoors and spent most of the morning discovering the back yard. That wanna-be photographer in me came out as I kept finding pretty things on the "up close" feature of my dinky little camera. :)

Ava loves finding these. Takes my mind back to being her age and collecting them in a shoebox the WHOLE summer. Bless my mother for letting me keep the things. Not one will enter our home here :) 

Hide n' Go seek! I found her! 

The only "pretty" growing in our yard right now. But, we'll take it! 

Some serious Ant investigation going on right here. Augs gets really excited about bugs. 

Always wants to be like her big sister...

maybe in a few years, Augs. :) 

What a joy and blessing to be home with these precious girls and experience childhood all over again with them. I am so thankful today to be their Momma.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Good morning from Iowa! This morning I woke up wanting to turn on Christmas music... :) 

Instead, we had french toast while my children watched me sing and dance like a crazy lady at the stove.
It's Monday, after all, gotta celebrate the chance for a new week! 

Let's hop to it! 

The Weather:: 

High of 89 today - then we'll get two days of 86! I'm excited for the break in the HEAT. 

On my Reading Pile::

 "Julia's Last Hope" by Janette Oke 

"Strong Women Soft Hearts" by Paula Rinehardt

On my TV:: 

Some Disney Jr here for a bit. Then, it's going to be an "off" day. :)

On the Menu this week::

Monday - Beef & Ramen Noodle bowls

Tuesday - chicken enchilada bake & mexicorn

Wednesday - left overs day

Thursday - Chicken Chile stromboli

Friday -Penne with Zucchini & ricotta

Saturday - Taco baked potatoes

Sunday -Red beans and rice :)

On my to-do list:: 

-Continuing on with cleaning out and sorting the basement to turn into a workout room.
-clean the kitchen

-Laundry day!

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting, or creating:: 

Creating this workout space in my basement is turning out to be WAY more work then I thought. We have so much random down there... sorting is taking an eternity. Looking to create some storage solutions and maybe painting one of the walls. 

But, something that IS keeping me excited... I started cleaning and wiping down the antique buffet I was given last fall. Murphys wood soap wasn't exactly cutting it - so, looking for some good options to clean this old thing and get it in paintable condition. My first furniture redo project!

Homemaking tips:: 

Saw an idea on Pinterest last week that I think we might incorporate... involving recycling. Our area provides HUGE blue bins to put everything in, which is great for outside. But we need something indoors so I don't have to go out every single time I have one can to toss. And, as much as I love the target bag hanging on teh door handle look...  I think THIS would be ideal to keep in a basement, entry space, etc. Now...how to create on our budget :) How to you keep your recycling tidy?

 

Looking around the house::

Ava is playing Polly Pocket in the dining room, August is attempting to reach my dishwasher tablets under the sink {again}, living room looks...lived in. Blankets and toys and coffee cups prove we are alive and kicking around here. I'm loving my coffee table decorations of simple spanish moss and onion grass in a jar, tied with sisal. :) 

From the camera::

 Hubby serving the Lord in Haiti! In the words of one of our team members that went... "Impoverished people, powerful worship!"

On my prayer list::

Leading a devo tomorrow...feeling a bit "not good enough". Which is true - I'm not! But, the Lord sure can use us!

Bible Verse, Devotional::

Today I continued reading on through 1 Kings - now on the story of Elijah and Ahab. I love the portion of the story where the altar to the TRUE God is completely burnt up - and all the false prophets of Baal are executed! Justice! Do you believe we serve a REAL, TRUE, ACTIVE God? If not... go back to 1 Kings and remind yourself! :) 

On the night we aren't roasting.

It has literally been like a boiling pot around here lately. The temps have climbed in the 100's several days in a row with humidity to match - crazy, crazy, hot! I fear my cooling bill that should be arriving here any day. But, tonight... it's "only" 87. {sigh} It's wonderful. The air hasn't kicked on in at least 10 minutes.

It seems we are transitioning back to "normal" with daddy home now. The girls both have colds, which, is not my favorite thing, but, nothing a little Vicks and time on the couch can't handle. :) Tomorrow we'll start into a new week full of ministry, summer time fun, and cooler weather. I have a few things on my plate this week - presenting my first baby shower devotional on Tuesday night {eeek!}, church playgroup Wednesday, and then pedicures with a friend maybe this weekend! Whooo hooo! It's been a very long time.

I'm trying some new snacks with the girls this week that I'm pretty excited about. I found these little beauties in one of those super-healthy-organic magazines over the weekend - and, we are going to give them a shot! They were actually super affordable on Amazon. :)

 

 

Anyone try them? What did your kids think? I'm by no means ready or able to jump fully onto the super-healthy-all the time-snacks train...but, I think this will be a yummy start. :) 

All this rambling... must be a Sunday night where we actually had nothing to do. Ah, summer, it can be so wonderful.

Remember that one time I was in the hospital?

A year ago this week I was hospitalized. While no one knew exactly for sure what was going on... it was clear I was one sick momma. After being poked and prodded, plugged in, picc lined, and drugged, undrugged and redrugged again... I was sent home. 6 long days of hospital stay.

Right now this moment only one mark on my body reminds me of that time - my picc line scar. Just a small horizontal line on the inside of my right arm - where they placed the tube that went directly to my heart. I'm drug free, pain free, issue free and have been since the end of last summer. Always praising God for that!

While I haven't been dwelling on the past. It does come to mind. And sometimes the flood of emotion is almost too much. Tuesday night I sat with my little family under a black sky watching fireworks. With each pop and whizz I would tear up. This time last year I was watching fireworks on PBS in a hospital bed with a swollen face, void of my children and spouse. Alone. So this week I squeezed my three year old a little tighter as we "oooohed" and "aaaaahed" at the pretty lights above us. I marveled at my now walking, toddling, silly 1 year old - who at this time last year was a helpless 6 week old. Crazy fast.

I have to know and trust that the Lord will use that time for His glory...

This year I felt I had several reasons to give thanks and celebrate! Another year older, wiser, and hopefully another year to really enjoy this abundant life that God has given.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Around 11ish last night my knight in shining armor got home! I was waiting for him on our front porch steps - fighting off every type of moth, bug, and creepy crawly whatever in the 90 degree mugginess. Aren't I romantic? All for that first glimpse and wave!  He's home. This Monday is going to be a good one. :) 

The Weather:: 

The heat wave continues and we'll be in the mid to high 90's all week. Some days there is so much humidity I can barely breath. We've spend LOTS of time inside with the AC on. :)

On my Reading Pile::

 "Julia's Last Hope" by Janette Oke 

Just started it last night! I'm flying through these old Oke books!

On my TV:: 

3 year old is laying on Daddy's lap watching, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving"...In July. Hey, they are her favorite, so, it's ok.

On the Menu this week::

Monday - Chili slaw dogs and fruit kebabs

Tuesday - Chicken veggie salad

Wednesday - Grilling out! HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

Thursday - Philly meatball subs and sweet potato chips

Friday - Nothing planned, might use my Olive Garden gift card I got for my bday. :)

Saturday - Caesar chicken wraps and grapes

Sunday - Beef n' bean tostadas

Can you tell I'm cooking for adults again? :) YAY!

On my to-do list:: 

Oh, we are keeping it low key today and just connecting. I have some laundry to do {it is monday!} and I need to get to work on my "exercise room". :)

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting, or creating:: 

Might pick back up on the baby blanket I started... a year ago. Otherwise, I'm currently sorting through all my decor and looking how I can transform them into "new" looking things!

Homemaking tips:: 

Unfinished basement? Me too. Our home was built in 1914 and since that time no one has finished the basement. It's a great open space {minus the bugs, random BLUE toilet, and heater right smack in the middle of the room} and I'm hoping to turn it into an exercise room. I guess you can paint cement floors and walls with special paint to keep moisture out! News to me! I guess my tip is... use what you got. :) I have an unfinished basement that would make a great room to work out. We can't afford the gym, we CAN afford doing dvd workouts in our super cool {temp wise} basement.

Looking around the house:: 

Hubs is sacked out on the couch despite a 3 year old sitting on top of him. Little toys here and here. Daddy's gifts from Haiti scattered around us. A few blankets thrown across the floor. My stack of magazines and finished Oke books piled on the coffee table. Kids books on the floor... we surely do LIVE here.

From the camera::

The girls are THRILLED to have Daddy home at last. It was all hugs and wrestles and kisses this morning. I don't think we even noticed it was WELL before 7am. :) And, another one from the camera - 

This beauty. So so happy daddy is home. She is acting completely silly and I'm so glad to see that in her again - I think she was really struggling towards the end of the week.

On my prayer list::

Continued growth post-missions trip for the team, hubs health - not feeling 100% upon arriving home, power outages in Ohio where my family is, weight loss for me {sigh}.

Bible Verse, Devotional::

Continuing on in 1 Kings - now reading about Rehoboam and the line of David in continuation. Amazing to me how the Lord uses such weak, sinful, vessels - just like me! For his glory!