unbelievable.

Came across this today, from this helpful site. Thought to myself how it seems like a lot of work...but it might be fun for kids. I think we'll save that idea for any future homeschooling that might take place in the Muth house.

you know you're getting old when...

Yeah. Today, I had to Google some slang. In order to take an online quiz about my pet peeves. WHAT?!?! Well, as they say, knowledge is power...and can I just say that I love Wikipedia? I do. I love it.

the second sign of my getting older is the tendency to go off on rabbit trails.

Giveaways!!!

Check out the stuff they're giving away here. But only if you have, like, a zillion hours. Or really need free stuff. Hurry, you've only got 'til Friday.

if you want something specific...

Sometimes I get a picture in my head of something specific that I want, and of course then I can't find it anywhere. I felt that way when trying to find a diaper bag for Aaron. I had something specific in mind and couldn't find anything like it. We had a nice diaper bag, but I found some fabric that might help me accomplish my goal, and figured out how this bag might come together. Well, I started the project about 6-8 months ago, but finally finished it yesterday. Here are pictures!

And here was the inspiration and tutorial. See comments for my changes to the inspiration bag.

the smell of success

Today, during our regularly scheduled after lunch potty sitting and book reading session, Aaron pooped. In the potty. It may have been a fluke, but hey, it gave me hope enough to know that we will keep this up. We've been trying this out (quite sporadically) for about 2 weeks. Which means, we've missed days. Maybe with faithfulness, this will become a more, er, regular occurrence.

Resource Full

First, MomAdvice is a great resource. I stumbled on it by "accident" but it's been a very valuable tool for me. There are tons of categories to utilize for help, and part of the website is a blog about random home related things. There is even a blog on meal planning with Aldi ingredients. Amazing!!

Second, The Grocery Game has proven to be a wonderful way to save money...Since subscribing a week ago, I have gotten 4 packages of feminine products, two tubes of toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and more for FREE because of this site. What this service does is match up store deals (even clearance items that are unadvertised) with coupons from the Sunday paper. Depending on your area, you may have multiple store ads available to you. In our area, Meijer, Kroger, Rite Aid and Walgreens are available.

Of course, this service doesn't happen to be free, but it is reasonable. For the 4 stores available in my area, the charge to subscribe to these stores is $25 billed every 8 weeks. It's $10 for the first store and $5 for every additional store. This is the charge for every 8 weeks, not every month. BUT you can try it out for 4 weeks for $1. ONE DOLLAR!!! Check it out! (It's definitely paid me back for the $1 I spent for the 4 week trial (I am in week 2).

Oh, and if you do sign up, make sure you type in my email address for referring you. (I can earn free weeks!!) (twomuthsatgmaildotcom)

help me find this recipe!!

Summer is upon us and for the past several years I have enjoyed making homemade shelf stable preserves for us to give away or use throughout the year. This year I am trying to find a recipe that does NOT call for any sugar or artificial sweetners. I would love to hear if anyone has a tried & true recipe that is either very low in sugar or has no sugar added. Again, I'm not really looking for a freezer jam recipe, but something that would be shelf stable.

Thank you!

don't blink

They told me it would happen, as I cuddled my freshly born son. They told me that time would start to crash and swirl around me like the disappearing waves of the ocean. That a year would pass like a week. Like a freshly made mother, I ignored their winking, smiling words. And here we stand on the brink of toddlerhood, and I realize that indeed, a year has passed.

One year ago today I was enjoying my freedom from my desk job, and was happily picking blueberries with mom and Shelley. Our house looked hopelessly removed from anything resembling the cozy home I had imagined during our first walk through, and I was praying that the baby would wait to be born until the drywall was up, the painting was done, and we could think about packing. I was 12 days away from my doctor's due date and trying to ignore old wives' tales about full moons bringing on labor.

I was exactly 3 weeks away from meeting Aaron.

Which means, my little boy will be turning one in three weeks. We'll probably have a small gathering (that he won't remember) and we might let him have something resembling cake to play in for the photos. And then, I fear, this cycle will repeat itself, and another year will pass as swiftly as this first with our child.

I've learned so much this year - thought about things I hadn't given a moment's time before - things like shots and feeding and elimination habits and sleeping and schedules and teaching obedience. I'm sure that the experienced moms out there just smile with that smile that says, "Just wait, honey" all the while thinking that I've only begun to learn, to grow, to be a mom.

Today, I pray hard. I pray for my child, that He will grow strong in every way, but most importantly that he will be born spiritually, and grow in grace. I pray for us as we practice parenting. And I pray that God will write these everyday moments in my heart, that I may treasure the gifts He gives.

fireworks and other explosions

Tuesday night, we packed up and went to the Bay City, MI fireworks with a group of friends from church. We got to sit pretty much right under the display, which was loads of fun. I don't think I really need to tell you how much Aaron enjoyed it - the look on his face in the picture really says it all. We were definitely relieved that he loved them instead of screaming...which could have gotten old FAST. (Thanks, Andrea, for this great photo!!)

On the 4th, we headed over to the Stephens' for a fun cookout with some more people from church. We ended the evening with a backyard fireworks display - it was so fun to watch the kids laughing and having a great time. It was also pretty funny to watch the adults in charge of setting off the fireworks. Aaron ended the evening with an amazing diaper explosion that stunk up the Stephens' whole house!! We are thoroughly exhausted here in the Muth house - thankfully, only one more day to get through until the weekend (and hopefully extra rest) is upon us.