Up and Down...

I was just thinking about how I have gotten used to interrupted sleep... here is how my typical night goes: 7 or so, Sweet pea settles down after an hour or so of fussy fighting sleep; I put her in bed. Luke watches "a show" with Poppy; he gets sleepy and I move him to his bedroom with Sweet Pea which they share. I clean the kitchen, pick up toys, blog a little; lay down to go to bed around 9. Sweet Pea cries, I get up and feed her. She goes back to sleep. 12am or so, Luke will wake up, come in our room. He sleeps a little but kicks too much so I go put him back in his bed again. Sweet Pea fusses at 1... I get up, give her the paci and turn on her mobile/ go lay back down. Then up again for the paci once more- then she goes back to sleep. 2:30 or so I get up to feed the baby again so her crying doesn't wake the others up. Go back to bed/ now Wayne can't sleep and is watching TV for awhile. 4am Sweet pea fusses again- give her the paci. Up again to nurse her at 5. EVERYONE is up and raring to go by 6am!!

Wow that makes me tired just thinking about it! Not even complaining, this is just a "normal" night for us. Neither of my kids are good sleepers. Maybe they will be sleepy teenagers who sleep until ten one day :) Think of me when you are up for a glass of water- I'm probably up too!

"Fall" in love...

Love this one below... that contagious smile

A little grumpy :)

What do you think of the "tie" shirt? I absolutely love it. Find it and others here

at SuperSweetCreations!

And Sweeters!! She has such a happy smile too

Sweet Saturday

Are you reading MckMama's blog yet?? She is the best Jesus loving mom with 4 kids under 4. Her photography is amazing and her kiddos are too cute! Check her out. I prayed for her newest son Stellan lots before his Miracle birth and their story touches many hearts.

AND... the garage sale went great! We pulled in $260- Woo Hoo!! So that makes Jessica LeValley the winner of the $25 Barnes and Noble giftcard! Email me Jess at lesinva@gmail.com and I'll get it out to ya!

And enjoy this sweet pic of Jaden and Sweeters at the garage sale!

They both took a little snooze together :) He had the taggie football and she the taggie blanket. I actually got choked up at how sweet they were sleeping there together- tears and hugs. Love our little babies.

2 Stylin' Mom's Yard Sale--GIVEAWAY!

2 Stylin' moms Yard Sale- Brand Names-- THIS SAT 8-1!!!!

Lots of women's and men's clothing! (under armour, nike, express for .50-$3) Baby boy 0-18months. 3 strollers and some toys. Several high end purses, coach wallet. Polo shirts for $1 each. High end men's suit pants and several jackets. Bath and body/ Victoria's secret. Come and see!! '
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Sal and I are having us a yard sale! Wayne keeps giving us a hard time about how we aren't going to make any Christmas Money :) So GUESS how much we are going to make and leave your guess in the comments below. Whoever is closest gets at giftcard for BARNES AND NOBLE ! ! !
Tell your peeps.

Giveaways!

I love Giveaways... and 5 Minutes for Mom has lots of 'em! I hope I win as I usually never do :( I used to joke b/c Wayne and I like to play Bingo, you know at the bingo places you see at the side of the road... it really is fun! Just make sure to sit in "non-smoking" and DON'T talk on your cell phone while the caller is calling- bingo ladies are very serious and may just hiss you out of there! Oh, I digress... so all the times that we have played in the last 6 years- I have never won, boo-hoo. What are the odds of that??? Maybe this is my time!

Stuffing to Impress!

I keep forgetting to post this recipe for Thanksgiving stuffing. It could quite possibly be the best ever recipe... sure thing everyone will enjoy!

Awesome Sausage, Apple and Cranberry Stuffing

1 1/2 cups cubed whole wheat bread
3 3/4 cups cubed white bread
1 package Bob Evans sausage W/ sage
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
Fresh rosemary
Fresh thyme
1 of "your favorite" apple, cored and chopped
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
3/4 cup turkey stock
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350. Spread the white and whole wheat bread cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until evenly toasted. Transfer toasted bread cubes to a large bowl.

In a large skillet, cook the sausage and onions over medium heat, stirring and breaking up the lumps until evenly browned. Add the celery, sage, rosemary, and thyme; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes to blend flavors.

Pour sausage mixture over bread in bowl. Mix in chopped apples, dried cranberries, parsley. Drizzle with turkey stock and melted butter, and mix lightly. Spoon into turkey to loosely fill.

**MY NOTES: I used only whole wheat (two small loaves from Harris teeter cubes easier than a large one) and cubed it and left in my kitchen for a day or so so it naturally dried (no need to toast!). Be generous with the herbs and cranberries- yum yum. I baked mine (can't trust me with the turkey), so in the pan you have to add more chicken stock (I could not find turkey) so it doesn't dry out! Keep checking to make sure it doesn't dry out!

Yummy!

Been making this recipe and it is EASY, FAST... and is gobbled up by Luke way better than chicken! And thin pork chops are only like $3-4 at Walmart

Sage Porkchops w/ Fried Apples!

1 tsp. dried rubbed sage
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
4 thin sliced boneless pork chops
1/2 tsp veg oil
cooking spray
1 tsp. butter
4 cups sliced peeled apples (about 4 medium)**
1 Tbs. brown sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of salt
** cut apples lengthwise so they look like circles and cut the core out of middle!


Combine first 3 ingredients., and sprinkle over pork. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add pork; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove the pork from pan. Cover and keep warm.

Melt butter in same pan over medium heat. Add apples and remaining ingredients, and cook 5 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Serves apples with pork. This is soooo yummy!

Prayer

As I walk through my life I can definately see the hand of God and his faithfulness to me. I also see how prayer was and is a BIG means that God used to pour out grace on a situation or trial. I can think of several specific times when I was in the midst of trial and could not see ahead, that as I humbled myself and shared with others my struggle and asked them to intercede for me-- God met me and "fixed" things in ways I would not have believed he could. I tear up thinking about that even with my lack of faith, thinking God cannot help 'this'... he still does and can! He is a mighty God and is working all things together for my good.

A mother, Angie, did a post about how she prays for her children. And I thought, wow, I want to be a mother with that same heart. One who sees that the most important thing I can teach them is my love for the Saviour. Here are her suggested prayers, at 7 times during their day you can pray these outloud over them. I am going to do this next week!

1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)
2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)
3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)
4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)
5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)
6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Philippians 2:14-16)

She has a little button too on her post if you like the idea!

BabyWearin'

Did you know November 12-18 is International Babywearing Week! I love slings... I had a Kangaroo blue fleece one for Luke; and now a Hotsling for Sophia. Took her to the beach at one week old:
I like using my sling in the grocery store, and on walks. Everyone thinks it is so cute... you get a lot of oooos and aaaah's. See Adventures in Babyslinging and Nonny and Boo to meet more moms and enter the sling giveaway!

So Wear your baby! They love to be by mama :) Sophia is really mama's girl now with us spending all our time together. She will realize quickly if I leave her and gets this bottom lip stuck out and starts crying like 'where is my momma!". Makes me feel very loved Sweeters.

Dress Sale

Hanna Andersson has a sale on Christmas dresses... $40-50 dresses for $19! You only have until Sunday! (and you could sell it next year on ebay for $10-15 at least!)

UGGs ! !

What do you see here? A cute baby- and my new pair of UGGS! Thanks Chris, Jess, and mom! I have already been rockin' them all night. No socks- like Christina said is the best way. And they are not "fuggs" (= fake uggs) as Kaela informed me. How funny is that! Can't decide if I like them best in or out- I think both are great. Can you feel my excitement!!!!

Leggies

LOVE me some leggies...

I declare Marin, Kim's Abigail, Bethany's Adelee, Sarah's Grace and Jess's Dayton all need a pair! Yes Jess the boys can rock the leggies too!

Find them on etsy shop http://knottybabywear.blogspot.com/

Making Great Strides

So we are over the hump on the pooping ! ! ! ! (knock on wood) I caught him in time on thursday... and we made a huge deal. I made up this song--- you mom's can appreciate this: poo-poo on the po- tty (to a congo line tune) and he liked that and sang along and did the train with me around the house. And then does this bow, and says "clap for me momma", which I always do!

To make an even bigger deal I took him that night to Toys R Us to pick a special toy for reward-- ended up getting a small toy train set b/c he likes playing with the one at the store so much. But then friday after school he went in his pants again :( So Wayne stuck to taking the train away, and no watching Johnny Quest on TV with poppy (which he loves). He was very upset; I wanted to cave, but Wayne was firm thank goodness. Because Saturday morning- he told me before he had to go which is HUGE! He would always hide when I wasn't paying attention so I couldn't catch him. We had to take the train away again yesterday afternoon-- but he got it back this morning!!! So I think we are getting there. Never new one could be so happy about pooping !

Little costumes...

We had a good time yesterday at 'The Holy Ghost Weiner Roast' (church alternative to Halloween at the Triple R Ranch). We ate hot dogs, sat by the fire because it got COLD ! Went to The Hunt Family Fiddlers concert... Luke was dancing around and making everyone laugh as always. They called some people up on stage; and then he kept telling me he was going up there (on stage)-- no fears! Didn't stay too long because it was late and so many people. Enjoy the pics:

Our Little Lady Bug

Woody... he was having a hard time walking in the cowboy boots, thus the funny faces

"The cutest cowboy I know"

Oh This one is Priceless!

Here is Sweet Pea all bundled up in the stroller with her Princess Paci. She was content the whole time we were there!