Happy Homemaker Monday - 2/10/14

Hello readers!  I can't believe how quickly February is moving along.  A lot quicker than January did.  I had a very busy weekend and am now enjoying some down time while little one is napping, my son is in school and my hubby is at work.  I like this quiet time but I can only enjoy it for a few minutes since tons of housework is calling my name.  So I guess I'll spend my break by doing another week of HHM.  Joining with Diary of A Stay At Home Mom.

As I look outside my window:
It's so sunny and bright which makes me happy but snow still covers the ground.  I hate to complain but I'm so ready for this snow to end; however, I'm hearing we could get another storm on Wednesday or Thursday.  Ugh!  Last week we had a really bad snow/ice storm which caused a lot of people in my area to lose power.  Some are still without power.  It's awful.  Luckily ours only went out for a few hours.  My son only had two days of school last week because of it.  I really, really want spring.  Wait, forget spring, I WANT SUMMER!

Right now I am:
In the process of finishing the laundry and putting all the clothes away.  The pile of clothes reached higher than the hamper.  In fact, it was taller than me.  Seriously, how can a family of 4 make so much laundry?

Thinking and pondering:
About my plans for Valentines Day.  I want to make it as special as I can for my loved ones.

On my bedside table:
I should change this to "on my end table in the living room" because that's where I keep it - my Bible.  I've been concentrating on reading Scripture above anything else lately.  I really need to.

On my TV tonight:
I'm not really sure but I bet it will be Cake Boss if there is a new episode on.  I'm sure my husband and son will be playing on the Wii.

Listening to:
The humming of both the washing machine and dryer downstairs.

On the menu for this week:
Yes, I actually have this prepared.  Of course, this can change.

Monday - eating out tonight
Tuesday - Tacos
Wednesday - chicken and rice soup
Thursday - pork chops with a side of veggies
Friday - pizza and a special Valentines cake for dessert
Saturday -
Sunday - something in the crock pot so there will be plenty of leftovers for my hubby to take to work for lunch.

On my to do list:
Finish laundry/put away clothes
Sweep and vacuum
Meet hubby after work to purchase some new household appliances.  Yay for the tax refund!
Sort and put away kids' clothes that no longer fit.  Buy them some new clothes.  They both recently had a growth spurt and are in desperate need of clothes.
Bake heart shaped cookies for my son's school Valentines Day party.

Plans for this week:
Buy new appliances
Last minute Valentines Day shopping
Clothes shopping
Take little girl to the library
Prepare for what could possibly be another snow storm later in the week ... EEEK!

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting or creating:
Nothing specific.  I wanted to do some Valentines Day crafts with the kids and I found a recipe for a cake I wanted to try for Friday.

My simple pleasure:
Peace and quiet

Lesson learned the past week:
You know, I think I've learned quite a few lessons last week but I will share one of them.  I realize that I haven't done a very good job when it comes to considering my husband's feelings.  I always thought I did but an argument we had on Saturday morning really showed me that I don't, or at least I don't as well as I should.  He is always willing to go out of his way to help when I need it and I need to THANK HIM more for that.

Looking around the house:
The usual toys scattered everywhere.  Our pet cockatiel is resting on his perch in his cage.  He used to stay downstairs but I decided to move him up in the living room so he can be close to us.  He was easily being neglected down there.

From the camera:

Icicles hanging from our backyard deck from last week's storm.

Prayer list:

My niece Beth who is now passed her due date.  She is expecting a little boy who will be named Logan.  

My husband as he prepares for surgery next month and that he may get the comfort and healing from the pain he's been dealing with for a very long time.  

I don't like to be selfish with prayer but I have really been praying a lot for myself and that I can work on being better at patience and forgiveness of others.  

Bible verse/Devotional:

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus or Lord" - Romans 8:38-39

My Favorite Love Story

It's February and Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  You know, I never cared for Valentine's Day until recently.  I always thought it was just another day, even after my husband and I married.  We should show our love every day of the year instead of setting aside one day for it.  Well, let me tell you, I have come to LOVE this holiday.  Yes I do show my husband and children how much I love them every day but what's wrong with having that one day to do something extra special for them.  All of them.  Not just my husband.  I include my kids too!

Well, since it is soon time for that special day I thought I would reserve this month, or at least the next few weeks, to talk about my marriage and the topic of love.  It seems I haven't written too much about that on here.  So yes I'll write about my favorite love story.  Mine. 

It all started the winter of 1998.  16 years ago.  Wow time flies.  I had finished my first semester at community college and wasn't set on going back.  I'll spare you the details as to why.  I wasn't in a good place in my life.  It was terrible.  I wasn't a good person and I wasn't doing very good things.  My life was headed nowhere.  So I decided to give myself another chance and start fresh.  After seeing a commercial for a community college in the neighboring county I decided to give that a try. 

 

Little did I know that once I entered these doors to the new school that my life would change.   Forever.

During my first term Rob was in his second term.  We had one morning class together but never talked.  I think the only time we ever made contact with each other was when he picked me up and took me to the school on a rainy day.  First term students had to park in the church parking lot a few blocks away and as I was walking toward the school he stopped and gave me a ride the rest of the way.  We were both quiet.  I didn't know him.  All I knew was he spent a lot of time hanging around a bunch of preppy, ditzy-type blonde girls who were dental assistant students.  I hung out with another group.  Once I was in my second term and he was in the third those ditzy girls had graduated and were gone.  So he joined another group of pals to hang out with and eventually I hung out with them too.  Out of all the people in that group there were only four of us that really clicked.  In fact, we formed a fun little clique which consisted of me, Rob, Adrienne and Carol.  

The four of us hung out a lot after school.  We did a lot of fun things together including sleepovers (yes Rob joined in too), a Hershey Park trip, several trips to the mall and whatever else we could think of to do.  It was a fun time.  I had a blast.  

At this point in time Rob and I were nothing more than just friends.  He had a girlfriend who he seemed to be madly in love with.  I also started dating some guy but that only lasted a few months.  In fact he broke up with me on the same night Rob's girlfriend broke up with him.  Ironic.  This all happened after finishing up our two years of business school.  Seeing that my friend was heartbroken over his first real relationship I decided to be a supportive friend and help him through it.  We spent a lot of time together.  At this time I was struggling to find a full-time office position and he was working night shift as an auditor at a Hampton Inn.  We hung out almost every day, talked on the phone and over the computer a lot.  I guess you can say at this point we were best friends.  Nothing more.  

Rob really took me by surprise one evening during a drive when he confessed his feelings towards me.  He liked me.  I mean he really liked me.  I was definitely caught off guard by that conversation.  I had no words.  I know it took guts for him to admit his feelings and I'm sure he was scared by my silence.  I didn't know what to say.  He had been such a good friend to me and I felt nothing for him aside from that.  I didn't want to ruin the friendship.  I just couldn't see us being anything more than what we were.  

And apparently his crush on me was no secret.  Everyone had known about it for a long time.  Even when he was with someone else.  They could tell.  I was completely clueless I guess.  

We continued to be friends for awhile.  He was a great guy and so much fun to be around.  He made me laugh, listened to my every word; a guy like no other guy I had ever known.  It wasn't until we were hanging out at the lake near his house that I realized exactly what kind of guy he was and how awesome he was ... and then it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I did have feelings for him.  I was in love with him.  Why did it take me so long to figure it out? 

Rob and I had so much in common.  One being a love for God.  I was never looking for a partner but I knew if I did I'd want someone who loved God as much as I did.  I always enjoyed his sense of humor and the way he doesn't care what others think of him.  I knew I didn't deserve a man like him but I snatched him up anyway.  We knew we were meant to be more than friends and made an official relationship which quickly turned to an engagement.  We married one year after that on May 18, 2002.  

I love to tell the story of how we met and how we became more than just friends.  It's my favorite memory.  The two of us aren't perfect and our marriage is far from perfect but it's been great.  We've surpassed many obstacles and challenges and yet we are still here making it all work.  It truly is my most favorite love story.  

Make Time For Marriage

Since it is February and Valentine's Day is just 10 days away (eeek ... I LOVE Valentine's Day) I thought I would take this month to devote my blog in talking about my relationship with my husband and anything related to the topic of love.  It seems I've focused so much on talking about the kids and being a mother that I haven't written much about my marriage. 

When my husband and I got married almost twelve years ago it was just the two of us.  We spent the first five years as a couple and were easily able to focus on each other at all times.  Then our first child was born and our second came three years after that.  We were no longer a couple.  We were a family.  I had always wanted a family with Rob and I'm so blessed.  However, even though we do have children it is still important that we take time for each other.  We're still very much a couple. Taking the time to focus on just the marriage helps keep our bond strong.  Plus, there will be a time when the kids will grow and be out of the house and then it will be just the two of us again.  I refuse to let our marriage fall apart in any way while we are in the process of raising our kids.  It can very easily happen that way and it has for a lot of couples in this world. 

From the moment our kids wake up they are our main focus and priority.  We feed them, dress them, make sure their teeth are brushed, cuddle with them, play with them, educate them, discipline them, praise them, feed them some more, bathe them, brush their teeth again, read to them, tuck them into bed ... and then ... it's just the two of us.  We usually just snuggle on the couch and watch a show together before we head to bed.  It's late and we're exhausted but we both know it's important to have that alone time with each other and it's great.  We don't get many chances to leave the house for dates so we take advantage of that extra hour or two at night before going to sleep.  On Fridays we have a special "date night" as we call it ... but we don't leave the house.  It's fun.  We don't mind.  We always tell each other we love the other one, even if it's in a random e-mail or phone call while he's at work.

I believe my husband deserves the same amount of time and attention that my kids do.  So with Valentine's Day around the corner I'm dedicating this month, or at least the next few weeks of blogging, to him! 

"Marriage will not thrive unless both husband and wife are committed to making their relationship work. That means you should both make the time for each other, rather than let other things crowd out what truly matters. Do not let your busy lifestyles crowd out what is really important, and that is your marriage." - Sophie Spyrou WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER BE TOO BUSY FOR YOUR SPOUSE

Happy Homemaker Monday - 2/3/14

Hello everyone!  I hope you are enjoying your Monday and had a good weekend.  It went fast.  Saturday I took my son to a kid's bounce around place that relocated and yesterday we went to church and then stayed home to watch the Superbowl.  Today it is snowing and I'm enjoying having my son and husband home.

Joining Diary of A Stay At Home Mom for HHM. 

 As I look outside my window:
It's snowing!  I woke up this morning to find that school for my son and work for my husband had been cancelled because of the snow.  I'm not sure when it started but it's been snowing all day.  It's beautiful but I'm ready for warmer weather. 

Right now I am:
Taking a little break to type this up.  My hubby is doing taxes and both kids are napping.  My son usually doesn't nap anymore but he's had a very whiny and irritable attitude this morning so I made him.  We also had some time to play and shovel earlier.  It's so peaceful right now.

Thinking and pondering:
About the blogs I want to write up for this month.  Since it's February I had a few ideas to write things on the topic of love.  I love Valentines Day and what better time to write about my marriage (which I haven't done much of on here yet) and what I've learned about love.  Stay tuned!

On my bedside table:
Well, it's on my end table in the living room - my Bible and A Marriage After God's Own Heart by David Clarke.

On my tv tonight:
Never too sure but since it's Monday I guess we'll be watching Cake Boss if it's on.

Listening to:
The dishwasher running.

On my to do list:
Laundry
Clean

Plans for this week:
This Friday and Saturday I'll be hanging out with my mom while my dad and a friend of his will be going to an outdoor show.  Since my mom's stroke almost two years ago she can't do much on her own and can't be left alone.  Aside from that I really don't have any plans set yet.  I think it's going to be a week of snow.  I would like to take my daughter to the library sometime this week and again on Thursday for story time.  She loves story time. 

My simple pleasure:
Blogging

Lesson learned the past week:
It's something I've been trying to remind myself of over and over.  That it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of me.  Only God is the one I need to live for.

Looking around the house:
A mess of toys.  Did you expect me to say anything different?

From the camera:

 

Prayer list:

My hubby as he prepares for surgery next month.  

Bible verse/Devotional:

 "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." -- Psalm 34:1

Throwback Thursday - College Friendships (A Reason, A Season, Or A Lifetime)

This month marks 16 years since I started classes at a nearby business school.  I had already attended a community college for one semester and that didn't work out well so I decided to go elsewhere.  My life was in a really bad place back then.  I was doing things I don't even want to think about anymore.  That part of my life is over and done with ... and I'm glad.  Going to business school was a fresh start.  A chance to start over on a clean slate. 

Copied this picture from their website.  Sorry it's blurry.

Little did I know that once I entered those doors my life was going to change and I would receive more than just a business degree.  I would gain friendships that lasted a lifetime (well, a few of them at least).  

Since the school was located in another county I didn't think I'd run into anyone from high school but I did.  One girl.  I won't give her full name so I'll just call her A.  A and I were only acquaintances in high school but once I started at college we became really close and best of friends.  She was very much different from the other people I had hung out with.  She was a Christian and helped me to find a relationship with God.  Eventually we started hanging out with a group of people and in that group was the man I later married.  He was in a relationship with someone else and we were only friends throughout the entire two years of school.  There was also another girl we were close to.  I'll also refrain from using her full name and call her C.  The four of us spent a lot of time together in and out of school.  It was a blast.  

A few years after graduation A decided to move on with her life and didn't include us in it.  Suddenly we were nothing to her.  So much for being best friends, huh?  Even after all of that drama I still am thankful to have had her as a friend during that time and to have someone who introduced me to Christianity.  I miss her but I have learned that people enter our lives for a reason and sometimes it's not meant to last forever.  

C is still very much a big part of our lives.  We have seen her through a horrible relationship, having a child, meeting a new and wonderful man, marrying that man and having two more children.  She's the one I know I can count on and I've always been there for her.  We've shared some great times.  Of course because she's busy with working a full-time job and taking care of a family of 5 we don't get the chance to see much of each other ... but I know she's the friendship that will last a lifetime.  

Then of course, there's my husband Rob.  At some point after graduation we spent a lot of time together and decided that we wanted to be more than just friends.  We became an official couple and then Mr & Mrs in the spring of 2002.  

C actually introduced me to this poem years ago and it's really helped me to understand why some people leave our lives while others stay:

A REASON, A SEASON, OR A LIFETIME

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you
will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have
come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason
you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our
desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things
you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the
person, and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said
that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Author Unknown

I'm thankful for all of my friendships, even the people who never stuck around.  I don't completely blame A for what she did.  I know I played a part in her decision to not be friends with me.  If I could go back and do things differently I would; however, I realize that no matter what I would have done or what I would have said she wasn't willing to try and make our friendship work ... and that's not a friend I want to have.  A true friendship is worth fighting for after all, isn't it?

I often think about those two years spent in business school.  They were great times.  I was getting my education and finally figuring out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.  I had a fun part-time job in a Hallmark store and had lots of fun with these friends.  It was a time when life seemed carefree and amazing.  Rob and C must think I'm crazy whenever I say I miss those days but I do.  

I love how life turned out.  I really do.  But some days I wish I could go back to 1998, even for just a little bit. 

The Tedious Journey Through Potty Training

I certainly do not want to be one of those mothers who feel it's necessary to rush my children into potty training.  I believe the little ones will figure it out in their own time and it doesn't have to be the minute they reach the age of two. 

My son was only one month shy of turning three when he was potty trained and that did not include night time training.  I was in no hurry and I knew he'd start using the potty when he was good and ready and I wanted him to be comfortable with the process.  At age two we bought a cute little frog potty and also a Cars themed potty seat for our regular toilet.  I introduced them both to him by telling him what it was for and having him try it out here and there.  My son has always been pretty smart and never gave me an issue with anything so I'm sure he would have trained a lot sooner if I had pushed him.  But I didn't.  Not until he was close to turning three did I realize I had to make a better effort at getting him to use the potty regularly.  A friend of mine said that she had her son wear underwear and stopped using diapers.  That worked out well so I decided to give it a try.  Little ones are used to going in their diapers and it becomes a habit.  Also, I don't like pullups.  They are the same as diapers except it's easier to pull them up and down.  They are also expensive.  So I decided to buy some underwear and give that a try.  It worked like a charm. 

He wore his underwear and I had him sit on the potty every fifteen minutes or so.  He got the hang of it rather quickly.  Only one wet accident, which had him very upset with himself, and he was trained immediately.  We could even take the 40 minute trip to my parents' house without any accidents.  By his third birthday he was trained. 

I have a feeling my daughter's experience with the potty will be quite different.  At some point around the start of turning two she did go a few times and we clapped and cheered for her.  I really thought she was going to be consistent and be trained early but she gave up rather quickly.  Again, I didn't want to push her or force her.  She'll also get it when she's ready and willing. 

She's 29 months old and still not interested nor willing.  That's okay, right?  They say girls are easier to train then boys.  (Insert laughter here) That's certainly not the case in this house. 

My daughter is very indecisive.  She'll tell me she wants to use the potty but as soon as I take her into the bathroom she says "No, go in my diaper!"  Then I take her out of the bathroom and she points to the bathroom and cries for the potty.  Then again it's "no potty, in my diaper."  She's also very strong-willed and wants to fight me over everything.  It's okay though.  She's not quite two and a half yet.  As much as I'd like to say bye-bye to diapers I know my daughter will be potty trained in her own time. 

I did buy underwear for her.  Size 2T Disney princess underwear that I thought she would love and be willing to wear.  I slipped a pair of Rapunzel undies on this morning and she did well for awhile.  She refused to sit on the potty and I had hoped she would at least tell me if she had to go.  After a few hours she did tell me.  She held her legs together and said "go potty."  I grabbed her and we ran to the bathroom and I sat her on the potty.  At first she fought with me but then she sat down and I clapped for her.  She didn't do anything but I wanted her to see my excitement in regards to her effort.  She gave up after a few minutes and left nothing in the potty.  Well, then I came to find she had already peed ... on the floor in the living room.  Ugh.  Underwear trick = Fail!

I'm not willing to get frustrated over this.  Potty training comes easy for some little ones but not others.  Like I said, it will happen when she's ready and I'm okay with waiting.  

Happy Homemaker Monday - 1/27/14

 Good morning readers and thanks for stopping by!  I decided to get HHM started early.  I usually do this while my daughter is napping and my son is in school but he has an early dismissal today and will be getting home before I lay the little one down.  I will be busy with no time for myself.  I'm hoping this week turns out better than last.  With all the snow we had my son only had school on Thursday and Friday.  He also had a cold and then passed it on to my daughter who is still fighting it.  When she's sick she doesn't sleep well.  It's been rough but we made it through thanks be to God.  

So here we go, linking up again with Diary of A Stay At Home Mom. 

As I look outside my window:
The sun is bright but it's a bitter 28 degrees outside.  That actually feels like a heat wave compared to how cold it has been lately.  Snow is laying on the ground. 

Right now I am:
Drinking coffee, typing this blog and watching The Fresh Beat Band with my two year old.  It's her new TV obsession and since it's on early in the morning we DVR it and she can watch it anytime. 

Thinking and pondering:
My husband will be having hip surgery in March and he won't be on his feet for several weeks after that.  I'm more than willing to do all I can to take care of him while taking care of the house and kids but there are some things around the house I'd like to get done beforehand.  I am not so good at showing my emotions to him but it really is hard for me to see my husband in this condition.  He's gone through a lot of physical pain throughout his life. 

On my bedside table:
My Bible
A Marriage After God's Own Heart by David Clarke.  I bought this book just before getting married 12 years ago but I thought it would be good to pull it off the bookshelf and read it again. 

On my tv tonight:
Probably Cake Boss and Bakery Boss which seems to be our usual Monday night viewing lately, but we also skip around to other channels to see what's on. 

Listening to:
The Fresh Beat Band.  It's a show on NickJR with four people who sing and dance.  The tunes are kind of catchy.  My husband teases me because I get into it so much. 

On the menu:
Tonight we will be meeting my parents, again, at Chuck E Cheese.  I swear my parents love the place more than my kids do. 

On my to do list:
Finish laundry
More organizing and cleaning

Plans for this week:
Chuck E Cheese
Story time at the library on Thursday.

January is such a boring month for me.  I'm so glad it's almost over.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:
Nothing this week.

My simple pleasure:
A hot cup of coffee.

Lesson learned the past week:
It's important to forgive others even if they don't deserve it.  Not for them but so I can have peace for myself. 

Looking around the house:
My daughter is sitting on the couch drinking orange juice and watching her show.  Toys are in it's proper place for once.  I love a clean house!

From the camera:

Prayer list:

~My husband's physical healing.
~Strength and wisdom in knowing how to deal with my very strong-willed and indecisive two year old.  She is constantly changing her mind on what she wants.  "I wanna go potty" Then I take her into the bathroom and she says, "I don't wanna go potty." So we leave the bathroom and she yells. "I wanna go potty."  She's like this with everything and it drives me crazy.  She's also a tough girl and has no trouble verbalizing her frustrations.  It leaves me feeling so mentally exhausted.  My son was never this way at age 2.
~My son and how to deal with his own behavior issues.
~Constant prayer for my spiritual walk and the spiritual life of my children.

Bible verse/devotional:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." - Galatians 5:22