Some interesting news.

This story made me smile. And this one made me glad I had a home birth. And this one?That one just made me laugh out loud. Riiiiiight.

I just blinked

Feels like I only blinked once, and it's Friday. (HALLELUJAH for weekends, however!) Seems like the same thing is happening to my second born son - I blinked and he's gigantic. Seriously, in two weeks he will be 3 months old. The changes are more obvious when they are tiny, I suppose.

Happy Reformation Day, everyone!

and it's a hair puller

Just when you have a day you think you can get caught up, well...it doesn't happen. Today is one of those days. Every once in awhile Aaron refuses to nap. I can use up all my disciplinary tactics and none of them result in a sleeping toddler. I know he's tired, he knows he's tired, and the only thing left to do is wait it out.

So I'm waiting. And, from his room, I hear this...

"My gog is...BIG, so srong an so mighty...nossing my gog tannot DOOOOO"

Name that song. Claim that truth.

"nossing" means "nossing" and that includes naptime.

Works of God Monday

This week, last week - God is at work! Our family has been a flurry of activity-driven, hold-on-tight days and nights. I feel like 2 weeks have gone by without my noticing. God has continued to provide for us - a half bushel of apples are waiting to be processed and I did not have to pay for them, Michael has work in abundance and a side job and still keeps on plugging away at our siding project. This weekend he actually started putting up the colored siding. I will post pictures, trust me.

Our days will soon get shorter, which will make after work progress on our house a little more challenging, but it would definitely be worse if Michael had "enough time" to get it all done because of a lack of work. I cannot say how thankful I am that Michael still has plenty of work! God is faithful.

So, how is He proving Himself to be faithful to you? It could be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Blog about it - then follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

just quit it.

OK I have to get this off my chest. Everyone seems to be over reacting to this very heated political race. I'm sick of the ads, I'm sick of the back and forth, of the negativity, the panic, the cheap shots, I'm sick of it all, and I just want to get the election over with already. I think it should be a law that a week or two before the election all political ads must stop so that we can have a second and breathe already before we vote.

Don't get me wrong, I like to have good discussions about politics as much as the next person, and I have Opinions and Thoughts that I share, too. But there are several things we need to think about here.

1. GOD is in charge. If the person you want to be elected does not get elected, this truth does not change: GOD IS IN CHARGE, and if you are His, you will be okay. He promises.

2. Part of the beauty of the American system is the balance of power. Just because someone is elected does not mean all of their promises and schemes and plans will become law. This is not a dictatorship. This is a democracy in a republic, and your senators and representatives check and balance the elected official. So before you get all up in arms about something that seems off the wall (and in my opinion, BOTH parties' candidates have some pretty wacko plans) remember this. This election IS important, but it's not the end or the beginning in and of itself.

3. You can't complain if you don't vote. (and really, should we complain anyway? Another discussion, perhaps)

4. You need to vote. When you vote, you are showing gratitude for our freedom and respect for those who fought for it, among other reasons. Vote.

5. You need to be informed about the issues. Don't vote for (or against!) someone based on things you've heard on TV or listened to on the radio - at least, not without checking out the facts for yourself. Decide what issues are the most important to you, find out where the candidates stand, and vote accordingly. For goodness sake, don't vote the way you always have just because you always have. Don't be lazy - do the research.

6. Read number one again. Take a deep breath. Repeat as necessary.

ooh, ooh, I can hardly wait!

The Fall Bloggy Giveaway Carnival starts tomorrow. Now all I need to do is figure out how to find time to enter...

and *sigh* I think that my 500th post giveaway will suffer another postponement. I don't really want 52 kajillion people entering to win something meant for you.

On a side note, I DO have something to give away that I might actually link in the carnival if none of you want them. I have 2 or 3 coupons for $3 off Enfamil Lipil formula - they are the catalina type coupons and I think they were all printed from Kroger, as soon as I scanned my frequent shopper card. Somehow they know I've got a newborn, and they're trying to tempt me away from my free method of feeding with coupons. I shall shun them!! They shall not get my hard earned (uh, er, Michael's hard earned) dollars!!

However, if someone out there needs some formula coupons, let me know! The first person to comment or email me can have them. I think they expire in December. I also have some coupons (2 $1 off) for Pampers EasyUps.

postponed

The 500th post giveaway has been postponed until next week. I'm still trying to think up something fun, appropriate to the occasion, and you know, that doesn't cost me more than our grocery budget.

Here's a reallycute photo to tide you over. Uncle Kris & Aunt Andrea sent Aaron a Curious George toy. Up until now, he's shunned all stuffed toys.

Up until now.

Aaron & George are inseparable. George has to sleep in a separate bed, though. Otherwise the two of them would be up all night, discussing Matters of Great Importance. It's so cute to finally begin to catch a glimpse of what Aaron is thinking. So thanks for that, Stephens'. We wish you could see it...

drool

And I'm hoping I win this giveaway, but if I can't, I want YOU to. Check it out - you can win $5,000 in Williams Sonoma stuff, AND you can enter every day.

Provisions. Can I get an AMEN?

You've heard how you can get Omaha Steaks to deliver quality ground beef for less than you can buy it in the store, right? Well, if not, be sure to check it out. I ended up getting 9 pounds of meat for 11.98. (I chose the 22.99 option) That is what I call a good deal. Last week I found boneless skinless chicken breasts at our local meat market for $1.49 and bought 20 pounds, so after my burger shipment, we will be eating VERY well for a very very long time.

Praise the LORD for His provisions!!

And while I'm praising the Lord for providing, I called Charter yesterday to see what we could do in order to get our internet/phone bill down. We've opted to get only the most basic cable package (it costs $4/month and saves us in the long run since we have "all three services" according to Charter)

Anyway, my call ended up reducing our bill by a little over $20/month! (the key is to choose "change or add to existing service" to get an English-as-a-first-language customer service rep) The nice rep I got transferred me to the "retention department" - who knew that even existed?! Sometimes it pays to call and ask!! (now I'm trying to figure out what OTHER BILLS I can get reduced around here...)

discounts!

You know I recently wrote about my friend Holley's magazine, Bella Scraps? Well, check it out - you can get yourself a little discount on this month's issue!

Works of God Monday

Works of God Monday is being held simultaneously with Migraine Monday in my head. I'll post later what God is doing, but until then...

What has God been doing in your life? First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this past week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

I'm It.

Lindsay tagged me for "sixth of sixth" where I'm supposed to post the sixth photo from my sixth album. We have photo boxes instead of albums. But we "only" have four. I have my own baby book, two photo guest books from our wedding, a photo book I made on MyPublisher.com and a half-started "insert photos here" baby scrapbook for Aaron. That's only five, and that does not count. However, I do have 20 (!!!!) albums on Facebook. How in the world did I get that many? Hmm.

So here it is, the sixth of the sixth, starting with the earliest album. I was trying to figure out how old Aaron is in this picture, and the best estimate is somewhere between 8-10 months. He's wearing only a onesie, so that's my major clue. He has ALWAYS been thrilled with playing ball, any type, anywhere, anytime. He's very coordinated, and I'm not saying that just because I'm his mother. He's seriously quite talented with throwing, catching, kicking, etc. He must have gotten his father's sports talent, as I have none.

This morning I went to the mall for a few things and of course, a free cappuccino, thanks to Holley's heads up. On my way through the mall, with a baby in the sling and a two year old in the stroller, I was apprehended by a kiosk-running hair guru not once but TWICE. Do I look like a lady of leisure who has time to sit and let you show me how fantastic your products are? I guess I need to try harder to look harried (that's for you, dad).

Happy Friday!

PS - look for a special giveaway next week in honor of my having passed the 500 post mark without ceremony or notice. *hitting self on forehead*

favorites?

We are always on the lookout for fun games to play as a couple (a nice switch from TV for stay at home date night) or when we get together with other couples (on the rare occasion THAT happens!)

We found Cranium Hoopla at a garage sale a year ago, but we tried to play with some friends awhile back, before they moved away and we cried, and there was a little bit of complaining that there was not a specific winner. We also like standards like Dutch Blitz and Scrabble.

So, what is your favorite 2-player game? Family game? Or do you have a closetful of games that you never use?

wherein I ask the benefit of city living

Last night, I went to church with Evan. The 3-in-a-row 9:30 bedtimes combined with his case of the sniffles had proved to be too much for Aaron to handle - at least, with a cheerful spirit, poor thing!

When I arrived home, I pulled into the driveway to see a SKUNK waddle across our driveway away from our trash cans into our fenced in backyard, crossing in front of the back door.

Needless to say, I was a little apprehensive about getting out of the van. My heart raced, and thoughts of fumigation and therapy caused perhaps more panic than was warranted. I was talking to Michael on the cell phone, and I'm sure my voice went up a few decibels.

"OPEN-THE-FRONT-DOOR-AND-I'LL-RUN-AROUND-THE-VAN-GET-EVAN-AND-COME-IN-THAT-WAY."

I made it. whew.

If we lived in the country, I wouldn't be concerned. But I knew the only way OUT of our fenced in backyard was the way he'd gone in, and let's not forget about our neighbors' German Shepherd. I didn't want to meet a spooked skunk, that is for sure.

This morning, I had a mess out front, trash from the garbage strewn about. That thing even had a lid on it. Sneaky skunk.

Boy am I glad he didn't feel the urge to defend himself. And I'll be really glad if the Lord allows our long term plan to move out of the city to come to fruition. Until then...anyone have any ideas to keep the skunk away?

if he did need a costume for anything...

Aaron's not going trick or treating this year. He's two, for crying out loud. He doesn't eat a lot of sweets, and hasn't ever had candy. I can only imagine what that would do to his veggie eating ways. Not to mention, I had a huge problem when I was growing up with uh, hugeness. AND I want to keep those baby teeth healthy!

Michael used to trade his sweets for chips at school. And so we all know who would end up with the bulk of the candy. (please notice the double meaning of that) The "I-just-had-a-baby-and-the-last-thing-I-need-is-candy" lady. Me.

But doesn't this adorable little outfit remind you of the McDonald's uniforms of our childhood? All he would need is a red visor and a nametag with the golden arches stamped on it. And of course, we'd have to teach him to ask about wanting fries with that.

So, this year we are staying home. We will probably tell Aaron about Martin Luther (a simplified version) and hand out candy to the neighborhood kids. Maybe they will actually come to our house this year since it won't look so scary. We will probably give them little booklets from church, too, that give the plan of salvation.

We have some friends who have some pretty interesting stories about growing up in a family that avoided any celebration at all on October 31 - and others who look back with fond memories on costumed days of candy collection.

So I'm curious. I know there are a lot of opinions out there, and I'd like to hear them! (of course, I'd love it if we could all discuss this in a civil tone) What does your family do on October 31?

Works of God Monday

The Will Galkin Evangelistic team is here this week, and I am really looking forward to what is in store for the week. It's fun to see my friend Stephanie again - we traveled together for a year and a summer while we were students at Northland, and now she and her husband are traveling with the team.

Yesterday morning was a great message on discouragement. I needed that one, for sure! It's so easy to know things intellectually - mainly, that life is about God and His glory - and then forget about that truth in a practical sense and become discouraged or distressed when our expectations are not met or our plans fall through. It was a big encouragement to me, just the kick in the pants (er, skirt?) reminder I needed. Also, I was thankful for the speakers in the nursery yesterday - I could catch the end of the message while I fed Evan!

Another blessing of the weekend is that we were able to sell off a lot of our junk and surpassed our "goal" for earnings at the garage sale. The proceeds will buy a double stroller! Hurray!

So, what has God been doing in your life? Will you share it?? First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this past week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

I am officially off my rocker.

Garage sale again this weekend! I didn't get everything out (ehem!!) at our last sale and so it's time to haul out the tables of stuff and the change jar and make some cash! It's Midland's annual Fall Citywide Sale, so if you live in the area, be sure to scope out the local sales! It's supposed to be 74 and sunny, so it'd be a great weekend to catch the last of the summertime deals. This time, our leftover stuff is going immediately and without delay to the Salvation Army. I like the way our garage looks sans the extras.

(and if you're out and about and want to, stop on by and say hello! I guarantee that I won't be giving birth this time.)

more quotable George

"Any day that starts out just smelling, and ends up with a cookie, is a pretty good day after all."

- Curious George

indignant

Clever marketing, I suppose you could call it, but I remember the first time I realized that a cap full was not necessarily the recommended amount of detergent per load. I felt a little bit ripped off. It's kinda like finding out that half a bagel is a whole serving. Or half a bottle of Snapple.

Here's the proof. In my case, the 51 load bottle would have been more like a 21 load bottle. Check it out.

Here are the instructions







And here is the line for the "small to medium" loads
I drew it on with a Sharpie to help me retain my eyesight -
the bar is not exactly obvious, for some reason.





So, whether you're doing the laundry, or trying to figure out who to vote for, I suppose it's better to read up on the facts rather than just doing as you've always done or making assumptions. In the laundry department, the soap goes twice or three times as far.

Works of God Monday

Is there anything better than watching God work? I don't think so! A few of you might remember that a year or so ago, I asked for prayer about a single mom and her two sons. We have gotten to work with both boys in our youth group and God has allowed us to be a part of what He is doing in that family. Watching them grow spiritually has been absolutely a joy, and this got even better on Wednesday night.

The mom stopped me after church and told me about a situation where God had put her in the right place at the right time to encourage someone in the Lord. She was glowing with happiness and delight that God had used her. And let me tell you, it was awesome to watch. I am praising the Lord for reminding us that He will use us as we are simply where we are supposed to be and when we are supposed to be there.

So what evidences have you seen of God's working? Share it here! First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this past week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

Double Deal Date Night

Michael and I went on a date last Friday. I planned it, and at the last minute, my plans fell through. What to substitute in our "hopping" city? An experimental trip to the local indoor putt putt golfing facility. (hey, we had a sitter and REALLY needed some time outside our house together!)

I half-jokingly said to Michael on our way out the door, "Hey, if you don't want to go putt putting, we could always hit KMart for the super double coupon sale!" Ha, ha, right?

Well, putt putt turned out to be fun, but mostly because we were together. 'Tis not a stellar course. And the smoke from the adjacent bowling alley filters in. It's especially smoky because it is the only bowling alley in Midland wherein smoking is allowed. Michael beat me by 12 strokes. We were both over par. I blame my loss on my husband's distracting good looks, but that's probably more information than you feel comfortable with.

Our game only took about a half an hour. On the way into the fresh air, Michael said, "So, wanna go to KMart?" After asking him about 7 times if he was sure he didn't mind, we headed off. Boy was I excited. Stores around here don't double coupons once you get past 50 cents, and KMart was doubling up to $2 last week! This, plus a bottle of extra strength Excederin (already given to my mom) is all the stuff we hauled away for a mere $18.36.

3 sets of shampoo/conditioner
Body Wash
Razors
Maalox
3 bottles of Visine
3 deodorants
Pledge, Fantastik, and Glade Fabric & Air
Trident
Advil PM
Hair gel
Reddi Whip
Propel

The double coupon deal could NOT have come at a better time. I've been refraining from the Walgreens/Rite Aid "game" for awhile now due to a lack of time, and my stockpile had shrunk to virtually nothing! Praise the Lord for His provision! (And for a fantastic husband who helped me search the shelves in our very own grocery store game show!)

digital scrapbooking...uh, oh.

My friend Holley is the editor for BellaScraps, an online magazine that highlights a variety of artists and techniques for doing scrapbooks digitally.

I am not a scrapbooker. Because of this: mess. storage. mistakes. redos.

Enter the digital age of scrapbooking. You can do it all on your computer. And as if that is not cool enough, it's not just scrapbooking - it's gifts, too. Actual stuff that people like, and use. Holley made the cutest onesies ever for a baby shower at church - she printed out these little graphics that she made and ironed them on plain onesies. I'm not kidding you, they are to die for.

So, BellaScraps is a digital magazine that discusses the possibilities for you, and each month it comes with free kits, which are sets of digital images that you can use to scrapbook on your computer. Or make amazing other things, if you're not into scrapping. You should definitely check it out. Christmas is coming - and homemade gifts provide a good value as well as of course the sentimental value.

The only problem is that I'm talking myself into a new hobby. Making cool stuff without getting glue on my fingers. Hmm. My kids might just get baby books yet.

you'd better plan on it!

I hope you have all registered to vote this year. Michigan's deadline is October 6, so if you are not registered to vote, give yourself a short lived guilt trip and then get the job done.

photos.

You can see more up to date pictures of our siding project here.

Photos of the boys are here.

I think I got that right. Happy Wednesday!!