Sunday, September 30, 2007

Caleb, he's so funny!



Caleb was asking where we were when we were driving down in the cities, and Terry told him we were in Minneapolis. After a few minutes, Caleb said, "We are in mini apples?"

Terry was teasing Caleb a bit, and Caleb said, "Dad, that isn't very nice, you say I'm sorry to you." Terry (while laughing) said, "I am sorry, Caleb." Then Caleb said, "OK."

He is super hilarious when he is singing Skiddamarinki dinky dinky, Skiddamarinki do...

**My best friend, Jennifer, took this photo of Caleb~Isn't she amazing??

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Look what I can do!!


This is a picture of Madelyn's flexibilities! My best friend snapped the great photo!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Nine words women use

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up. (2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house. (3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine. (4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It! (5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.) (6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake. (7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (8) Whatever: Is an angry woman's way of saying go away! (9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Contests!!

Will blog for shoes is having a Dove Shampoo and Conditioner for Bye Bye Fry. Just leave a comment on their post between now and Friday, September 21, sharing what wacky thing(s) you’ve done in the quest for “Hollywood” hair.

5 Minutes for Mom is having some great contests! They are giving away the book : Beyond the Mommy Years. They are also giving away a Toddler Coddler and a Kids car organizer. Contest ends on Tuesday, Sept. 25th. They are also giving away a Chicco Stroller! Chicco is also running a contest during the month of September — They’re giving away 30 Strollers in 30 Days! Chicco is a high quality Italian brand and the Ct 0.1 stroller that 5 Minutes for Mom be giving you is a premier stroller in their line. Hurry, contest ends Sept. 28th. You have until Monday, Oct 1st to enter their Dyson giveaway! Dyson is helping to find a cure for Breast Cancer.
They have created a limited edition, oh-so-fashionable Pink vacuum and they are donating $40 from each sale to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Pinks & Blues is giving away a Peyton Manning Pro grip football. Enter this contest by Friday, September 21st. They are giving away 3!

Two Moms in a blog are having a big birthday blog contest! Here are the prizes right from their blog:
* A fabulous make your own stuffed animal kit from FunOnTheArk.com valued at $20.00
*3 month gift subscription to Menu Planning Central $60 valueMenu Planing Central is the premier all inclusive Menu Planning Website Online.They also offer an excellent complimentary Menu Planning Basics Report free at http://www.menuplanningcentral.com/order/go.php?r=242
* A gorgeous leatherette photo book that you make from your digital birthday photos compliments of photomemoriesalive.com valued at $50.00
* 10 handmade thank you notes provided by FunEvents4Girls.com valued at $20.00
That’s over $150 worth of prizes! Eeeeek! Spread the word!
But here’s the best part! Everyone who officially enters the contest will receive a $5 coupon code toward a free animal from funontheark.com Contest runs until September 30th!

Because I must blog is having a Chicco stroller giveaway! Leave a comment about what the Ct 0.1 stoller should be called...be creative! Enter by September 21st! So hurry!

Lille Punkin Reviews is giving away an adorable sling! They have quite a selection to choose from at Comfy Joey! Check this out! I know Maddie would love me even more with this wrapped around her! Contest goes until September 24th!

Thirteen wonderful smells of Fall!

  1. Fall leaves
  2. Fresh cut wood
  3. Firewood burning
  4. Rain
  5. Pumpkin Pie
  6. Pumpkin seeds
  7. Caramel apples
  8. Apple Pie
  9. Cool, Crisp morning air
  10. Turkey
  11. Leaves burning
  12. Hot Apple Cider
  13. Hot Chocolate

Monday, September 17, 2007

Kids are funny

Yesterday, I asked Caleb a question. He wasn't looking at me, and he didn't acknowledge me, so I asked the question again. He said, "I'm thinking."

I was nursing Madelyn on the couch today. Looking over at Caleb...guess what my little toddler boy was doing? He had his stuffed kitty to his chest and says, "Do you want to nurse?"

Caleb didn't want to go to bed tonight. He fought and fought. Well, during one of the yelling for Dad episodes, Terry opened the door and got after him. Terry took his "pack-pack" (back pack) and set it aside. Then Terry left the room. A few minutes later Caleb was yelling for Dad again. Terry walked in the room, and Caleb said, "That wasn't very nice, Dad." Terry asked him what wasn't nice. Caleb said, "That wasn't nice to take my pack-pack." **He is so cleaver.**

Sunday, September 16, 2007

WOW~

God has so richly blessed us by giving us kids. He really works through them...to "get" to us. Know what I mean? Lately, Nathaniel has been praying for the kids on the bus that speak bad language. Wow! That is so very awesome...aren't we to pray for others? He is such a missionary sometimes. This is his first time really riding buses, and I pray that he stays strong in his faith and convictions. He also prays for his brother and sister to come to know Jesus someday.

We were driving down the road, and Caleb said, "Mom, look at the sunset over there." Terry then asked him, "Who made the sunset, Caleb?" Caleb said God made the sunset. Then Terry asked him who made him, and Caleb said, "God made me special."

Friday, September 14, 2007

Woo Hoo...I won!

Pinks & Blues had a Back to School contest give away and they had 10 winners. Guess what? My name was on the list! I am very excited! Thanks so much for this contest Pinks & Blues, and thanks for picking me! I am truly grateful!

Attitude is everything...

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in
the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
"Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?" So she did and
she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "H-M-M," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?" So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEA!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything. Have a Good Day!
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......
Leave the rest to God
~Author Unknown

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Thirteen word plays for lexophiles




1. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

2. Police were called to a day care where a three-year-old was resisting a
rest.

3. Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all
right now.

4. The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.

5. The butcher backed up into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his
work.

6. To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

7. When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.

8. A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.

9. A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.

10. A thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened
criminal.

11. Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.

12. We'll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply.

13. When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U C L A.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Contests galore!

Pinks & Blues is giving away a Vintage A-B-C Onesie (size 6-12 month) from Jenny Norene Design. They also have the Hanes Kids back to school giveaway for 10 lucky readers.

Mums the Wurd is giving away a $100 gift certificate to Natural Pod's online store! Natural Pod makes natural products ranging from the baby stages to school-age children. Are you tired of all the recalls with the lead problems, and do you worry about what your kids put into their mouth? I am! Check out the Natural Pod website, and then enter this contest! I would love to win! Enter by September 19th.

Two other great contests that Mums the Wurd is having is: 1) a give away of $150 e-certificate so your child can be the most happenin' kid in school-or daycare with Zutano clothes! They've got sizes from newborn to 6T! This contest ends September 30th. 2)TeeWit would like you to stop by their site and do some shopping. They are generously offering one lucky Mums the Wurd reader a $50 eCertificate to their online shop! This giveaway will end on Tuesday, September 18th.

Mom4Life is giving away a Blush Topless Undershirt. It is like a tube top for your belly and can be worn before, during and after pregnancy. Use it to make any top nursing friendly or to add extra length for low rise jeans or for a fun layered look. Available in 14 different styles and in sizes 0-22+. Enter to have a chance to win by TODAY, Wednesday, September 12th at Midnight! So hurry!

5 minutes for Mom is having some great giveaways: a Gigi Blanki , and a Go Wireless With Our Rocketfish Giveaway. This is a sleek, slim-design wireless keyboard and mouse combination lets you leave behind the wires while you surf the web without compromising performance.
It even acts as a Bluetooth hub so that you can transfer files to other Bluetooth devices (such as your digital photo printer).
*Don't forget these:
Superdumb Supervillian is having a Giveaway! The Learning Tower on her blog. The Learning Tower is a stable place for kids to stand safely while helping you in the kitchen or wherever. What a great motivation for kids!
And Mod*Mom has many contests going on: enter by september 15:dyson :: pink vacuumsparkability :: infant transportation systemcadaco :: ultimate magic show sets (5)boon :: feeding products.
is having a La La lingerie contest give away. La La Lingerie offers lingerie, costumes, jewelry, hosiery, pasties, swimwear, clothing and shoes. There will be two prizes awarded! Contests ends Wednesday, September 19.

Mmm...tastes good (NOT)



Tuesday, September 11, 2007

To Drano, or not to Drano...

I know this may be a little weird, but it has worked a few times. You ever hear of taking the Drano test while you are pregnant? No worries, you don't ingest it, inhale it (please don't do that), you just add a Tablespoon of it to your urine sample. Well, I am not exactly sure if timing is a crucial issue with this test, or not, but I have done this with 2 of my pregnancies, and it was accurate. I know my friend Lisa has done this test with me when we were both pregnant this last time, and it was accurate. Here is what you do, when you are in your second trimester (for sure):

Pee in a cup.

Take the pee in a cup outside (for good ventilation) or, have someone else do step #3.

Add 1 Tablespoon of Crystal Drano to the cup.

Stand back, way back, and watch for the reaction it causes.


The results (usually) mean boy or girl. If there isn't much of a reaction, it is supposed to mean you will have a boy. If it has a big reaction and fuzzes up, it would mean you were carrying a girl. Here are the results from my test when I did it with Lisa.


Lisa had the one on the left, and my test was the one on the right. I didn't know if I was having a boy or girl, but Lisa knew she was having a boy. Obviously, we both had different reactions. She was having a boy. Well, a few months after she had her little boy, I had a girl. Having done this test before, and the results showing a boy (with having a boy), I was sold on the idea that this test works! Well, I have a friend that did this test when she was about 4-5 months along. She didn't get much of a reaction, so we thought for sure she was having a boy. Well, she just had her baby...and SURPRISE, SHE is a girl! Wow...so, maybe that Drano test isn't so accurate, or could the timing be a factor? Could our diet be a factor? I guess that is what we get for trying to figure out if she was a she or a he. :) Maybe God was teaching us a lesson. Who knows??


No name Nephew


My Sister and Brother-in-law just added the 5th baby into their family on Friday, September 7th. He is still without a name. My Sister and her hubby just cannot decide or chose one. I hope they come up with one soon, ....we pray that God will inspire them with a name for their baby soon! :)

Sunday, September 9, 2007

I won!


I am so excited to have won this book by Liz Curtis Higgs at Beloved MaMa's. I am really excited to get this and read it! Thanks so much! I think it will work on my heart. I love this statement: Flawed Women Loved by a Flawless God.

Friday, September 7, 2007

A few more contests to check out!

Blessed Nest is having a "must have" baby bundle give away. Three of the items are from their own product line: healing hand, woobie, and lip balm. You can see the other great give aways in the baby bundle give away. Contest runs from now-October 5th.

Adventures in Babywearing is giving away a sling from Rockin' Baby! This give-away ends 10pm Monday Sept 10.

Don't forget the contests I have listed on my other post!!

HSKubes’ Haven at Home is having a giveaway for a homeschool prize package to help kick off the beginning of their school year. She is giving away a big selection of products that would be terrific for anyone who loves nature journaling or sketching, including a one-year subscription to Birds and Blooms magazine. The contest closes Saturday, September 8th.

What do you want to be when you grow up


We make it a topic of conversation to ask our kids what they want to be when they grow up. A few years ago, I think Nathaniel was 5, I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He told me a pizza delivery boy. I think he just really liked pizza. Well, this just got his thinking cap motorized, because over the next year after that he told us what he wanted to be when he was all grown up. One of my favorite memories of this was when we were out for a drive. I noticed Nathaniel kept looking out the window at signs and as they passed by, he would turn around in his seat and keep looking at the signs. I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was looking at how signs were made, so he could be a sign maker someday. :) Isn't it fun when you get a peek into your children's thoughts and imaginations?






I asked Caleb what he wanted to be when he grows up, and he said, "I want to be a Super Hero!" I wasn't expecting that comment! It was really funny!
I am sure our kids will constantly change their minds over the years on what they want to be when they are adults. I just hope whatever venue they take, that it will be something that honors God and that makes them happy!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

ADD...or just being alert??




We were driving yesterday, and Nathaniel said, "When I was at Grandma's, we were watching Funniest Home Videos, and...hey look, baby calves!"

13 Ole and Lena jokes for 13 Chuckles

  1. Ole bought Lena a piano for her birthday. A few weeks later, Lars inquired how she was doing with it. "Oh, " said Ole, "I persuaded her to svitch to a clarinet." "How come?" asked Lars. "Vell, " Ole answered, "because vith a clarinet, she can't sing."
  2. Ole and Lena were so excited to get a new cellular phone. Ole was to call when he was on his way home from town. Ole called Lena when he entered the freeway. "Lena put supper on, I'm on my way home." Lena says, "Be careful because I hear some nut is driving the wrong way on the freeway." "It's worse than that Lena, where I'm at there are a hundred cars going the wrong way!"
  3. Ole, Sven, and Nels came into the bar. They were high-fiving each other, shouting, and generally having a celebration of some sort. "Line 'em up," Ole shouted as the party continued. They drank and carried on for hours. Finally the bartender’s curiousity got the better of him. "Just what are you celebrating?" he asked. "51 days! We did it in 51 days!" they responded. "What did you do in 51 days?" he probed. "Put the puzzle together," they replied, "51 days and the box said 3-5 years!"
  4. Ole and Lena went to the Olympics. While sitting on a bench a lady turned to Ole and said, "Are you a pole vaulter?" Ole said, "No, I'm Norvegian...and my name isn't Valter."
  5. Lena called the airlines information desk and inquired, "How long does it take to fly from Minneapolis to Fargo? "Just a minute," said the busy clerk. "Vell, said Lena, "if it has to go dat fast, I tink Ill just take da bus."
  6. Ole wore both of his winter jackets when he painted his house last July. The directions on the can said "put on two coats".
  7. Lars: "Ole, stant in front of my car and tell me if da turn signals are vorking". Ole: "Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No...."
  8. When Ole and Lena were young and in love they would got to there favorite spot to park. One night while parked hugging and kissing Ole asks Lena, "Lena how would you like to go in the back?""No," she replies. So they hug and kiss some more. Again, Ole asks Lena to go in the back. Lena replies, "Ole, why are you always asking me to go in the back, I want to stay in front with you!"
  9. Ole and Sven grabbed their poles and headed out to do some ice fishing. As they were augering a hole in the ice they heard a loud voice from above say, "There are no fish under the ice."
    Ole an Sven moved about 25 feet over and started to make another hole. The voice said a little stronger, " There are no fish under the ice."
    They both looked around and then looked up. Ole said in a humble voice, "Are you God?"
    The voice spoke back, "No ya idiots! I'm the ice rink attendant."
  10. Ole is so cheap that after his airplane landed safely, he grumbled: "Vell, der gose five dollars down da drain for dat flight insurance!
  11. Ole and Lena went to the hospital so Lena could give birth to their first baby. As Ole waited in the lobby, the doctor came out to inform him that he had some good news and some bad news. "The good news is that you have a normal baby boy. The bad news is that is is a Caesarian."
    Ole started crying: "Vell, I'm glad it is a healthy baby...but I vas kinda hoping it vould be a Norvegian."
  12. Lena stepped up to the clerk in the department store and said, "Can I try on dat dress in da window?"
    The clerk responded, "We'd really prefer that you try it on in the dressing room."
  13. Ole went to the doctor for a physical. After Ole was dressed the doctor came in and said "I am sorry Ole, but you are very sick and have only a few weeks to live".
    Ole went home with a heavy heart to tell Lena the news. After Ole told Lena he sat in his easy chair and Lena went to the kitchen. Soon a heavenly aroma came from the kitchen. Lena was making his favorite cookies! "Lena must really love me" he thought. Ole went into the kitchen and started to take a cookie. Lena slapped his hand away and said "Get avay! Dese cookies aren't for you, der for da funeral!"

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Wordless Wednesday

Future couple?

Past weekend of camping; etc.

We took our kids camping this weekend and it really didn't go that great. Terry asks me why we do camping when the kids are little. We came to the conclusion that we will probably just go to our destinations and do the motel thing while they are little. I think that is an easier way...even as much as I love to camp.
We did have a pop-up camper loaned to us for the trip, and I was thankful for that. It really doesn't get away from the feeling of sleeping on rocks, though, so if we ever owned one, I would supplement an air mattress. Terry and Caleb had fun cranking up the camper together, and that is the only picture I have from our whole trip! Oh well, can't win them all. Here are some things that started the camping excursion off to a bad start:

*Terry and I were snippy with each other, and I am still not sure why...

*I was trying to get Caleb to take a very much needed nap, and so he was super crabby...

*Caleb wouldn't let anyone help him with anything...he wanted Grandma (I love you C, but it was very frustrating)

*Maddie fell off the picnic table out of her car seat...It wasn't where I kept her, and I know that it was an accident, but it was awful! I was crying horribly and shaking like a bobble around toy!

*Caleb wouldn't take a nap for nothing!

*Caleb fell off the bed...

*Someone was very negative, and it is hard to shake once in the mode...you know?

*I was very emotional after all that, so I wasn't myself

Fortunately, after all this drama, we did have some fun. My brother- in- law and family came to the site, and it was great to see all of them. Caleb did FINALLY take a nap with Grandma's help. And...We had a great laugh that night!


Nathaniel loves to hunt for frogs, toads, salamanders, and anything that creeps the ground. Well, he had collected quite a few toads that day and had them in his habitat. He had them in his tent (he was going to sleep in his own tent, which is a small 1 person tent). Well, after he came back from the bathrooms, he went into his tent. Terry and I were in the camper right next to the tent, when all of a sudden we hear, "Oh Great!" Terry and I said, "What?" To which Nathaniel replied, "All of my toads got out and they are all over the place!" Well, we couldn't contain our giggles...and we told him to pick them all up, and put them back in the habitat. After a few minutes he said, "They got out again!" Terry then told him to let them all out. Then Nathaniel said, "Well, I am not sleeping in here." We asked him why, and he said, "Because, I am sure they peed all over my sleeping bag!" That just brought more giggles, as you can imagine. So, he brought his pillow in the camper and settled in on the bed. After a few minutes, he said, "Oh great! Another toad, and it's in my pillowcase!" This was so hilarious! It is really something you only see in a movie or on the Little Rascals! It was a hoot!
Earlier that evening, Maddie initiated playing peek-a-boo, too, and it was so cute! She was sitting on the bed and she put her head down to her feet and came back up. I said peek-a-boo, and she smiled and went back down. She did this over and over. It was precious! Then, that night after all the toad fiasco's she played peek-a-boo with Nathaniel again! Cutie!

*Update on my toe*

On Friday, I went in to the clinic to see about my toe. The doctor gave me two options, I can either wait it out, and let it "fall off," or I can have it removed. I didn't really ponder the two options, since removing it would mean less chance for infection and quicker healing time. So, I laid on the surgery table while the Doc inserted the LONG needle filled with Novocaine. OWIEEEEE! That hurts! He stuck in in the lower part of my toe on one side, then he had to move the needle back and forth (while it was still stuck in my toe) to get the Novocaine working. After about 5 minutes that side, then he took another needle, and did the inside of my toe, OUCH! That really hurts! I contemplated if labor would be nicer to me at this point...hmmm...
Well, once it started working, I felt like my toe was a hard ball at the end of my foot. After all that pain with the needles, he just barely pulled and off came my nail. He mentioned that I did a pretty good job removing most of it myself. Should I be proud about this comment, or what? :) Well, it is on the road to healing now. I am not sure if I will ever get a nail back...the wait begins.

More contests

So a Blonde Walks Into a Review is having a little giveaway of a $100 gift certificate to My Little Piggy's, "where designer style and fine quality meet for a playdate." This contest ends Sept. 10th.


Adventures in Babywearing is having a giveaway $50 gift certificate to Vincent Shoes! Who doesn't need some new fall shoes? Giveaways! Growing and Giving from Growing A Lifeis giving away a gift each day between Sept. 3-7. Go check out the prizes and find out how to enter.
Five Minutes For Mom is giving away an HP Photosmart Compact Photo Printer. I would love to win this, because we have so many photos to develop on the camera, we just don't take the time to do it. The guys over at NutsAndMilk.com are having a contest and are giving away $250 as the prize money. You can enter the contest just by blogging about them. Nuts & Milk is a blog on tech news & online tips & tricks. They require 50 blogs to participate in order to hold the contest, so please help them out!
Superdumb Supervillian is having a Giveaway! The Learning Tower on her blog. The Learning Tower is a stable place for kids to stand safely while helping you in the kitchen or wherever. What a great motivation for kids!
Beth from I Should Be Folding Laundry is giving away a pair of Ryka shoes, plus she's doing the same thing on her other blog, Tales From The Scales! mod*momhttp://modmom.blogspot.com/ is doing this contest, too. And if you don't win, Ryka is going to be giving away 30 pairs of shoes starting September 5th! I want to start my Leslie Sansone walking videos, so winning a pair would "rock on" as Caleb says. :) Pampering Becki is giving away a surprise design pendants from littleputbooks. Another mod*mom giveawayhttp://modmom.blogspot.com/ 5 ultimate magic show sets (with dvd) enter to win by September 15.
Pinks & Blues is having a Momma loves give aways Hanes for kids for 10 lucky readers! This is a back to school apparel package. This contest ends Thursday, September 13, 2007.
Bargain Hunting Moms is having a great contest that ends September 7th...go check it out! Win some tupperware!