Living a Healthier Lifestyle - one of my goals for this year

A friend of mine, Lisa Chalfant, who I highly respect has done so well with making strides for a healthier lifestyle for her family. The title of this post is a link to her blog where she talks about a book she highly recommends. I am currently going through a 6 month workout book she also recommended and by the time I finish that I will be ready to transition to this one for a longer term lifestyle. I will probably go ahead and incorporate some of the information it has about eating while I'm doing my current workouts. So if your interested in making some chagnes for a healthier lifestyle for you and your family. I highly recommend checking out Lisa's blog.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

This was a previous post that I'm reposting for some friends.

I've heard people talk about making their own laundry detergent, but I'm not into spending hours to save pennies. However, I saw a lady pick up a box of Borax in the grocery store and I ask her about it and she told me she tried it and it works well. She also mentioned it took 5 minutes to make it. It is better for the environment as Planet Green even supports it. And to top it all off, it cost about $2.04 per batch that cleans about 48 loads.

You can also use the Borax to clean your bathrooms, counters, etc... Apparently it works better than most laundry detergents and the same as Tide with Bleach Alternative. Here is the recipe for the powder I got off of beingfrugal.net. You can make a liquid, but I'm trying this first.

Here’s the recipe:

1 bar bath soap (I used Fels Naptha b/c of the cleaning power)
1 cup washing soda (I used Arm and Hammer washing powders)
1 cup baking soda
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

I shredded the soap with my processor first, then ground everything together in my food processor. If you want a different scent, use whatever bar soap you like.

Use 1 Tablespoon for a full load.

I've washed enough laundry now to give you an honest opinion and I LOVE this powder detergent.

Why you ask?

It was super easy to make, taking me a careful 5-10 min tops, and it did NOT dull my food processor.

It has some softening to it naturally, so I use less softner too. I love, love, love the way the clothes come out of the dryer. Clean and super soft. Much like you buy them, without all the dryed up wrinkled cuffs and collars. It is the best laundry detergent I have used AND it is the cheapest. I highly recommend it and will be using it for a long time.

Another tip I had read that worked amazingly. Use a slice of the Fels Naptha bath soap dipped in water to rub on a stain as a pretreat right before you wash it. It got out spaghetti sauce from Emery's shirt.

Bottom Line: I'm a fan!

Little Moments

I have so much to post about on here with Grady's 1st B-day and Bella's 6th B-day, but I didn't want to wait to tell about today. My niece Abby and her husband Jim and technically their little Lydibug too gave Bella a Toys R Us gift card for her birthday. Everyday since Bella has asked me 20 times a day when we can go shopping. So, today we went to let her spend it.

When we walked in I told her to grab whatever she liked and put it in the basket. Then after we had gone through the whole store, we'd pull everything out and let her pick her favorite. Off we went. She examines tons of stuff but only chooses 4 things. As we are looking at everything, Emery says about 6 times "Mommy, I want this today, pllleeeeaassse?!!!" Each time it's a different toy and each time I tell her, "No honey, we are not spending any money today. We are here to let Bella pick out her gift from Abby and Jim. Remember? We'll comeback when it's your birthday. O.K.?" She was very compliant and didn't harp on not being able to get anything.

So when it was all said and done we were down to 4 stuff-tee-d animals (as they call them). We went through what she would spend and what she would have left with each one. There was a snow leopard on clearance and if she got that she could get her favorite, a lynx-type cat, too, but would have nothing left. That was her decision.

I told Emery now that Bella was getting 2 cats, I'm sure she would let her play with one so they could play together with them. She was excited then too!

Bella was soooo excited. She took them up and ask me if she could hold them and not put them into a bag. I said yes, just tell the cashier. So we went up and she handed them over. The lady said, "of course you can" and gave them back to her. Bella then hugged them both tightly and

held the snow leopard out to Emery, "Here you go Em, this one is yours."

(me) "Awwe that's so sweet Bella. See Emery now you can play with one."

(B) "No mom, I'm giving it to her."

(me) "Bella, when you give something to someone it's no longer yours, it's theirs."

(B) "I know mom. I felt in my heart that Emery's heart was sad and I decided to buy her this leopard. But I wanted to wait till after we bought it to surprise her."

(me - tearing up) "B, are you sure? That's your birthday money. You don't have to do that."

(B) yep

wow. I'm still tearing up.

9 Years!

So today is our 9th Anniversary. So much has happen so fast. I can still think about our wedding like it was last year. It was beautiful and I so wish the girls could have seen it. It is in tough times like we are in now that you really appreciate the other person's love, commitment and sacrifice. I am grateful for 9 years of Jamie sharing his life inside and out with me. He is awesome. He loves so selflessly and is a wonderful husband and father. I love how he will sacrifice his desires if he knows it will bless someone else. He is a man committed to his family and loving us well. He protects us in a way that we all feel totally safe and secure when he is around. He leads me and challenges me into a deeper walk with our heavenly Father. I wish I could give him the present he deserves. 9 years of thankfulness leaves me looking forward to more.

I'm thinking of an animal....

Our favorite car game has become "I'm Thinking of an Animal". (thank you cousin Audrey)

You think of an animal then describe it in short clues until someone guesses it.

We play this so much. When we first started Emery was about 3ish. So she would start out saying the same thing over and over again. (much like Dori on Finding Nemo) She then went to this phase where she'd start out "I'm thinking of an animal that lives in the jungle...." We'd all shout out something different and she'd say YEA! to whichever answer she thought was the best. Now we are finally able to play for real. Although it won't belong till someone else can join the fun!

Emery at 4 and a half!

She is growing so tall! She's 97% in height for her age at 43". She has such a sassiness about her too. Such a princess! She would still take a nap almost everyday if I made her lay down everyday. She plays hard and sleeps hard. She is a natural entertainer and loves to make people laugh.

I've been amazed at how much she has learned this year with school too. She can read simple books and count really well. She gets the concept of adding and can do simple single digit adding. Her handwriting is really good too. Crazy considering she shouldn't start K this year but next.

When Em was little she didn't talk much at all. But now...the child talks ALL the time. She has to give 30 sec updates of whatever is on her mind to whoever is near, and if no one is around she goes and finds someone...or yells it loud enough for you to hear. And you MUST respond or she will say it over and over and over and.... till you do.

She says all these cute words repeatedly that just make me smile.

So before I forget, I wanted to list some of them....

Darlings - refers to all kids that belong to someone - She often asks grown ups. "Where are your darlings?"

Loops - refers to muscles - "Mommy when will I get loops on my arms?"

Nexterday - "Mommy can we go to Nana's house nexterday?"

she say "purt" instead of put

Em,

Just want you to know I love you! You have natural leadership and a kind and compassionate heart. Such a beautiful princess. I pray you would grow in your hunger for God. I pray you would begin to recognize God's voice in your heart. I pray you will live all the days of your life free from others opinions and see yourself as God sees you.. his little princess!

Grady @ 10 months

Grady has been one busy boy this month. He started walking! For the first 2 weeks he'd take a few steps here and there and then he realized he could do it and started walking between us and now he is walking from room to room.

He climbed out of his exersaucer one night while we were eating dinner. The boy is so strong! He is starting to say more these days too. He's started a"All Done"and "Bye Bye". He'll wave Bye Bye too. He got his 3rd and 4th teeth this month. They are the top front 2.

I also weaned him from nursing this month. Bittersweet. He did really well. The first feeding was hardest for us both b/c I'd just go get him and we'd both lay back down in my bed, he'd eat and we'd both go back to sleep for another 30-45 minutes. So that extra sleep was hard to let go of as well as the cuddle time.

He's been at the 94% in weight, 85% in height and 61% in head circumference. He is trimming up and looking way too little boy. I want him to be my baby for a little longer! He's not even 1 yet and he looks so much like a 18 months old. At the same time it is so fun to see him being such a boy, just wanting to wrestle with daddy and climb anything he can.

Mother's Day 2010

Sorry, no picture of me and my kiddos this year again. Somehow that always ends up being forgotten. Other than that it was a simple, wonderful, joyful and happy mother's day. I got to start my day with some beautiful flowers and the sweetest cards that I will keep forever! Some highlights included lunch Hibachi style. All our kiddos love it and I love the food, so it's a big win in our fam and a special treat. Bella loves to catch the food in her mouth and tries to predict what will happen next. Emery loves the fried rice and the soup and the FIRE! Grady loves the fire and the food!!! We came home and I got to just go play with the girls in the back yard. We got out their softball stuff and I "taught" them some lessons on hitting and throwing. They both did really well. Emery was so cute, it took everything in her to wait for the ball to get to her. Most of the time she swung so hard so quick that she would be on her second twirl by thee time the ball got to her and would sometime hit it. Then we took a break and came back to a game of tag. Jamie brought Grady out and he was giggling watching us run around chasing each other. Then we all came in and rested while watching The Lion King and Grady napped.

We headed over to Gana and Pop's house for a quick visit. Grady walked around the back yard bare footed while uncle Tyler played baseball with the girls. They wanted to show off their new skills! Then we got to see Kristen, Brian and Avery! Grady and Avery are so cute together. He's so big and rough and strong and she is so petite and graceful and sweet. It really has been a wonderful day, mostly due to the hard work and kindness of my wonderful husband. Thanks handsome!

April 2010

I guess I should start titling my posts like this considering I might average one a month! I can't believe it's been a year since we moved back to GA. What a whirlwind it has been. This time last year we were trying to figure out what God was doing with us and where we should have this baby due in 5 weeks! It's still hard to believe that all happened.

Since then, we have been in survival mode. doing whatever it takes to live and fight against the enemy. One of the most encouraging things God has shown me is that sometimes it's nothing we did or didn't do. Sometimes we suffer from the sins of others. The consequences of sin reach far beyond the individual who commits it. It's a rippling effect. God in his love rescued us while the damages were small. I don't think I have ever had more confirmation in such a short amount of time about anything in my life as I did when God told us leave. Still it was hard. Although I was only there for a little while, I dearly miss some of the godly women I became friends with. The girls still talk about their friend that lived 2 houses down from us.

Anyway, it seems like the days have flown since Christmas. Birthdays in January, taxes done in February, Grady ear infections January and February, he cut his bottom front 2 teeth, became totally DEBT FREE in March!!! Just when I thought things would slow down a bit, all the girls in the house got a stomach bug at Easter. Followed by our only car dying, then car shopping. That's always fun when you have no idea about future employment! Grady took his first steps this past month and is getting his two front bottom teeth in now. He is one happy baby!

The girls are growing so much too. Bella will be 6 in a couple of months. She has learned how to read well, addition, skip counting by 2s, 10s and now 100s. She's a lefty when it comes to handwriting. Science is her favorite subject. She is always drawing too. She's started to learn some piano and is doing well sticking to her homework. She is the little mama to Grady, Emery and she tries to be to Jamie and me.

Emery is doing really well too. She turned 4 in January. She has resolved herself to doing "school" too. She is writing really well, she loves counting, she reads simple books and has gained lots of confidence since the beginning of the year in coloring, drawing and reading. Emery seems to make up new words every so often. Our favorites are "Nexterday" and "Whobody". Like "Whobody wants to play with me?" and "Can we go to Nana's house nexterday?" Priceless! She is our princess. Always ready to dress up and dance or twirl.

Well, Grady is up from his nap, so I must go. See you next month! ;o)

Grady's New Face

He is 9 months old. 24 lbs and sooo much fun! He jabbers constantly, gives high-fives, waves and says bye-bye. He is walking holding on to stuff, but isn't convinced he can get from here to there without crawling yet. He is learning how to obey when we say "No No..no touch!" and he sometimes responds with "nononono" and a big grin!

His newest face is so funny! He does it to get your attention and to make people laugh. I finally was able to catch it today at breakfast with the camera. I love this kid!

Supplying our Needs

I know its been awhile since I've posted and so much has happened. Lots of funny stories, milestones with Grady, holidays with family, and lots of struggles. I look forward to sharing some of those soon, but for now I have to give God the glory for being who He says He is.

He has been faithfully providing for us in this time of need and today we are rejoicing. Our car has had the check engine light on for almost 2 years now due to a bad sensor in the gas tank.. Last year we were in SC and they do not require an emissions test to get your tag. This year though we are back in GA and it was time to deal with it. We were told 2 years ago it would be atleast $250 to replace the sensor.

We have not used credit cards in over 4 years now in a commitment to get out of debt and stay out, but this time it looked like we had no other choice. So this morning Jamie went to the mechanic and he said we had a leak in the gas tank that he took care of and told Jamie to go over to his friend's shop where he'd take care of the rest. 20 minutes later we had our emissions and only had to pay $20! Done. Thank you Father!

Our God is supplying our needs according to His riches. Phil 4:19

Be Blessed

Thanksgiving Goodies!

This and this are what I'm taking to our family get-together this thanksgiving. Thank you, Pioneer Woman and Paula Deen! Yum!

I made a calender for our homeschool wall for November and put little cut outs of fall-ish and Thanksgiving-ish things all around it. On Thanksgiving Day I put a little pumpkin pie. The girls saw it Nov 1st, and since then have assumed Thanksgiving is the day we make pumpkin pie.