The Kitchen

If you didn't see my post yesterday about living in a laundromat, click here! It felt so good to get all that laundry folded and put away that I had to take a picture of my success!  Doesn't this look so much better?

The funny thing about laundry is that your success is short lived. I already have to wash, dry, and fold another load!

The next chore that needs tackled is the kitchen. I should be embarrassed for even posting such horrible pictures! But I'm not.  So here you go.

I started one load in the dishwasher last night, but I have at least one or two more before all the dishes are clean. The floors need swept and mopped. Poor Mr. Blue probably needs fed! Good grief. Maybe I am a little embarrassed to show such pictures!

When it comes to cleaning the kitchen, I love to listen to Focus on the Family's Daily Broadcast while I'm working.  If you have a smart phone, check out their app! You won't be disappointed! This helps pass the time while I clean and it doesn't seem to be such a boring chore. What do you listen to while you clean?

Next chore to tackle: The Living Room

Love to all!

Gracie

I live in a laundromat

I had my gallbladder removed last Thursday. It was a minor surgery and the healing process has been amazing! Yesterday was the first day I attempted to get some things accomplished around the house since it had fallen apart while I have been resting.

The first chore I decided to tackle: Laundry

Why? Because I didn't have any clean underwear!

One section of my couch is piled high with clean clothes that I have been folding for the past two days. I think this is pile #5.  I have one more in the washer and one in the dryer. Once I am caught up I plan on washing, drying, and folding one load per day so I can (hopefully) stay on top of it.

I am starting a new chapter on September 1st. Zoe officially starts preschool and I will be a home school mom! I am nervous and excited about it. I know Zoe is going to do amazing and we are going to have a lot of fun together -- but what about the house cleaning? How do other home school moms do it? Please comment below and let me in on your little secret!

Next chore to tackle: The Kitchen

Love to all!

Gracie

Wishing and hoping and thinking and praying, planning and dreaming...

This morning I have been sipping on my coffee and enjoying the view from my living room window. Paul and I have been working outside getting our yard in shape, and we planted some wild flowers in my little pots as well as underneath our big window! I sure hope they grow...I want to see some beautiful flowers soon! You know how anxious I get about plants! :-) I never know if I'll be able to keep them alive or not! 

Happy Friday! 

This and that.

Source: bigicetees.com via Grace on Pinterest

We were able to get a sneak peek at our third beautiful little baby.  By looking at his profile we wonder if he will look like Max -- with Zoe's forehead.  We will know for sure soon!  Watching him move and kick on the screen made my heart yearn to hold him and give him snuggles!  Since Zoe has a nickname for Max (Bubba) we asked what the baby's name was.  She has been calling him Bobo.  Paul doesn't care for the nickname, but I think it's adorable!  We'll see if it sticks after he's born.

I look at the pictures I took of Zoe and Max yesterday (above) and I just melt!  I am so thankful God has blessed Paul and I with two amazing children so far.  I could not have asked for a better life!

Source: adammclane.com via Grace on Pinterest

Source: thehappyhousewife.com via Grace on Pinterest

I almost forgot to tell you about some changes in our house!  Since Zoe is now 2 I decided it's time for some chores.  Some may think she is way too young and I'm not being fair, but I want to raise Zoe and Max to be responsible kids (and adults!).  Also, Zoe LOVES doing her chores!  We go through the house together and follow our chore chart and make a game out of it.  She gets so excited when I congratulate her for being able to check things off the list.  By making it a game she does not begrudge having to put away her toys or help with the laundry.  She loves being a helper.  It takes a lot of patience on my part, but I know that one day she will be able to do it on her own and I'll miss the days when she needed my help.  I'm sappy sentimental like that.

What kind of chores do your kids have?

P.S. Thank you to everyone who commented about Zoe's birthday party!  You all are great! =)  I'm glad so many enjoyed my pictures!  Wish you could have been there!

A virtual tour

Both kids fell asleep so I took advantage of the moment and cleaned my living room!  I thought it looked so good I decided to take some pictures and show off my home. =)

When you walk through the front door this is what you're going to see -- my lovely red wall. ♥  I'm very proud of this wall.  Actually, this picture doesn't even do the red justice!  It is very vibrant without being obnoxious.  I love it.

Oh, the junk in the corner is one of Paul's and my summer projects!  We have been collecting different frames and we plan on spray painting them with some oil rubbed bronze stuff.. I don't remember what it's called exactly, but we did it to the lamp you see in the above picture and it looks spectacular!  One day we will FINALLY have pictures of our children and family on the walls. =)

Here is the other side of our living room.  The computer is on the far left.  That is where I work/facebook/Pinterest surf/blog.  The basket in the far right corner is holding hats, scarves, gloves, etc.  I'm not comfortable packing them up yet.  You never know when Montana is going to dump snow on you!

Oh, the box next to the lamp is there for me to pack up some things on the bookshelf.  I just realized I need some newspaper!

A closer look at some of the things in my bookshelf.  I love to go to Sally's and buy old looking books.  I have read some of the ones I buy, but lately I haven't had a chance to read anything.  They still look pretty on my shelf, though.

Here is our wedding sand, a shadow box showing our wedding invitation, and the vase is holding the flowers from my wedding bouquet.

So there you have it!  Welcome to my living room. =)  Now that I started this, I need to show off the rest of my house!  One day at a time.. one day at a time.. =)

Before & After.

Max is 6 1/2 months old and we're JUST NOW working on his room.  Oh the life of a college student!  Paul worked on the room during his spring break and we're so very close to being done.  There's still some minor things we need to finish, but as soon as Paul has time we will set up Max's crib and move him in.

So here are a couple before shots...

Zoe had to inspect the room to make sure everything was ready..

Our washer and dryer.  We went without washing clothes for two weeks.  It was a little bit of a nightmare.  I'm nowhere near close to being caught up, but I'm working on it.

And here are the after shots!

Paul and Kirby built a nice little closet for our washer and dryer.  We will put shelving and racks above for storage and little Max suits. =)  It will look so cute!

This isn't the best picture in the world, but I don't care too much since we're not 100% finished anyways.  We chose different colors for Max's room, but we did NOT choose pea green like what it looks like above.  He has grey and a lime green.  Like I said, better pictures after Max is moved in.

Paul thought it would be a nice touch to add a stripe through the room.  I think it was a good idea too!

Now that the room is mostly finished it's my turn to clean up the mess. o.O  I'm doing what Paul likes to call "the sweep" which means staying in one room till it's finished and then moving onto the next.  So far Max's room and the bathroom are as far as I have gone.  I may have overdosed on the bleach.

The kids are taking a nap so I may grab a quick lunch and then work on the kitchen.  Have a wonderful weekend!

What you've been missing

It has been brought to my attention that I have been missing from this blog.  I think quite the opposite!  Check out what YOU have been missing!

I love bringing both babies to bed, especially on a lazy Sunday morning.  They already sleep so well together.  I can't help but daydream about what my future holds -- seeing both kids snuggled up in one of their beds sleeping together because of a bad dream, or simply because they missed each other.

Hey, a girl can dream, right?

This house is full of so much life now!  Zoe constantly has me laughing till I cry with her silliness.  She is such a ham, and I know Max is going to follow in her footsteps.

Between the kids and my busy work schedule I haven't had time to blog or socialize on facebook, twitter, or even real life.  But I am slowly gaining more control over my priorities.

I took advantage of yesterday being a holiday and got my house in order.  What a relief!  It's not in tip top shape yet, but we're definitely getting there.

With all of the crazy busyness going on right now, Paul and I have made sure to keep the romance alive..  See?

We bought each other matching beanies.  Hee hee!

Prioritize



Source: moneysavingmom.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

I don't know how it is for other mothers, but for me, I have a hard time accepting the fact that I'm not superwoman.. yet. =)  I get so frustrated when I need to take a break because my body is still healing.  I wish I could just "shake it off" and run the marathon I feel like I can, but nope.  I still have to take breaks.  I feel like such an old person.  No offense to the older generation! =)

I get up around 7:00 a.m. and feed Zoe breakfast.  While she's eating I drink my coffee and either read my morning devotions or hop on skype with my mom so she can say hello to Zoe and Max before we all start our day.

When Zoe is done eating I get her and Max ready for the day.  Diaper changes, put on day clothes, you know the drill.  It seems like by the time everyone (including myself) is ready for the day, Zoe and Max are exhausted and take a morning nap.  How nice for them, huh?  I know everyone will say I SHOULD take a nap as well, but nap times are the best time for me to get work done.  So I take that time to fill out my permits.

When Zoe wakes up I get her lunch ready and then back to work.  After lunch is when it gets fun.  I try to work while keeping Zoe entertained with constant reruns of Veggie Tales when all she really wants to do is crawl into the bathroom and unroll all the toilet paper (I REALLY need to get a gate!).  By the time 7:00 p.m. rolls around I realize Paul will be home any minute so I run around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to figure out what to do for dinner.

After dinner is when I try and get the house looking decent.  That is unless Paul comes home with a movie, and then I want to spend quality time with my family till the kids go to bed.

I don't know.  I'll figure something out. =)

Oh, and when I do feel well enough, I totally want to lose my baby fat!!  I'm thinking zumba or something fun like that.

Welcome to my HUMBLE abode!

This is my floor.

And it's clean.

I don't know whose bright idea it was to invent white carpet, but whoever did should be drug out into the street and shot!  I should have taken a before picture but it was too disgusting and embarrassing to keep as a reminder!

We now have clean carpet, though, and I'm starting to think maybe I should set some ground rules in the house..

Would I sound like a total jerk and would you feel unwelcome if I asked you to take your shoes off before entering my house?

I know that people take their shoes off as soon as they get home to be more comfortable, but the minute someone else asks you to take your shoes off -- at their house -- that comfort you feel from taking your shoes off after a long, hard day vanishes.  Instead you start feeling insecure about feet smells, if your socks match (or don't match in this day and age), kicking yourself for not getting that pedicure you were thinking about getting for yourself a couple days ago, etc.

Forget it.  I may have just talked myself out of my own idea.

Well that was fun!

I forgot to let you all know ahead of time, but this past week Paul and I went to our very first Family Camp with our little family.  Actually, it was our first long road trip with Zoe so we were a little nervous as to how she would do.  But we packed her plenty of baby snacks, toys, and Jack Johnson.  Which reminds me, I need to get more of his albums because the two I have are now really, really, really old to me..

Zoe did great being cooped up in her carseat for 9+ hours.  She talked to herself or slept the entire way.  The only time she fussed was when she was hungry or poopy.  By the time we actually got to the lodge, though, she was very happy to be out of the car -- just like the rest of us.

I wish I would have taken more pictures than I did.  Zoe was the most popular baby I have ever seen.  Everyone loved holding her -- young and old.  She now has lots of best friends, adopted grandparents, and little boyfriends.  It's great!

During the whole week Zoe was so good and didn't cry -- except for one time.. I took her food away. =\  Everyone made sure to let me know that she was amazingly good for her age.  I am so thankful.  I don't know what I did to deserve it, but THANK YOU GOD!!!

Here are some pictures I took..  Of course they are not in order (thanks a heap you lame computer).

Zoe and I "under water" off the side of the Enchanted Highway in South Dakota.

Paul got attacked by a female pheasant!

Zoe LOVED camp food! The cooks made sure she sampled most everything they prepared. Thanks. :)

Camp was a blast, but I'm glad to be home. =)  By the end I was emotionally and physically exhausted.  It's going to take me a few days to recoop from everything and feel 100% again.  But it was worth it.  There were a lot of great kids that touched my heart and I hope to see them all again next year!

But until then, it's back to the daily grind for me.  I already worked since being home, now it's time to go to the grocery store and then head home to unpack and clean my house.  I have 9 days to get my house spotless before my FAMILY comes to visit!  I can't wait!!

"I could.."

Well I got to see Zoe's and my picture in the newspaper.  I laughed so hard because my face looked a lot like this guy!

Glen from The Ringer.
The title I used is also from Glen.

They were kind of small pictures so I don't know if I could put them on here without them being really fuzzy and not recognizable.  I still would like to cut it out and put in in Zoe's book, though.  Funny memories!

So Zoe is 9 months old now.  It seems like she's learning something new everyday.  I love it!  She actually waves with her cute little pudgy fingers, she loves to say hey, she has eaten everything we have given to her and she loves it!  I don't think we have to worry about her being a picky eater.  We do have a problem when we put the spoon down though..

Paul and I bought bikes and a bike trailer for me to wheel Zoe around in.  I have taken her on one trip so far and it was a lot of fun -- though she was so tired she was falling through the seatbelt and not trying to keep herself up. =\  The slight bummer with having such a tiny child.  Ha!

I feel this baby move constantly!  I'm pretty sure I will be birthing the energizer bunny.  I know he's taking all of my energy!  Between him and Zoe I am pretty much pooped all the time.  I will be 20 weeks in just a couple days, and when I am, I plan on taking a picture of myself.  I promise!  Now is the time to be better about taking pictures because this pregnancy is flying by faster then I though it would.

Today has been a rainy, dreary day so I haven't got much done but I will say this!  Ever since I have started charting everything I do during the day to make sure my house is clean, I have been doing so much better!  I'm so thankful I found something to help me out.  It breaks it down for me and makes it so simple so I'm doing better at keeping my house clean.  Thank you cleaning chart. :)

Well, that's about all I have to share right now.  Ta-ta for now!

Rome wasn't built in a day

So I have a little confession. It's not a big deal. We've all been there. And yet some of us (me) continue to struggle with it.

Cleanliness. Organization. Tidiness.

So I had a bright idea -- with the help of my MIL -- and am trying something new.

Kids need chore charts to show them what they need to get done everyday, right? I'm not any different. So I put together a chore hart for myself with everything that I need to get done on there. You know -- make the bed, pick up all of the laundry, start a load, etc. Today is my first day doing it and I think I found something that works!

There was only one downfall..

Braxton hicks.

Yes, yes.. I shouldn't have them yet, but I did because I was overdoing it. So I need to remind myself -- Rome wasn't built in a day, why should this be any different -- for a pregnant woman?

Tomorrow I'll try and get a couple MORE things done on my list, and then one day it will be easy peasy lemon squeezey for me to accomplish everything everyday.

P.S. Paul doesn't know about this.. :)

Home Sweet Home.. ?

It's been nearly a week since we have been home and I have to say.. I'm slightly depressed!  I love being back in my own home sleeping in my own bed and stuff, but in Arizona they are experiencing spring-like weather.  We came home to 6 degrees and 3 feet of snow.  Don't get me wrong, the snow is pretty, but I'm ready for heat!

Zoe did an amazing job on our flight home!  She loved reading books and playing with one of her new stuffed animals.  Eventually she fell asleep and slept through the whole trip.  Thank you sweet baby Jesus!

While vacationing the cleaning fairies worked overtime at my house and I came home to the cleanest house in the whole wide world.  Since being home, and since receiving the latest Good Housekeeping and Better Homes & Gardens magazines, I have been keeping it up and I love having a clean house.  I love it!

While on vacation I'm sure I gained 10 lbs so I'm off to Just Dance.  Have a great night!

Hot blooded! Check it and see.. I got a fever of 103

Note: Parts of this post are slightly personal.  For my few male readers, I suggest you skip this post.  For your own sake.  Thanks!

This past weekend was spent on the couch with a painful breast infection.  I believe it started on Thursday..  all of a sudden I had the chills, body aches, and I looked like I had a whacked out boob job- thanks to being engorged.  With a lot of rest, fluids, and plenty of prayers I was good to go by Sunday.  {whew}  Thank you Jesus!  Of all weekends I don't know why I had to choose that one to be sick!  It was our last Saturday before our big church fundraiser and everyone else was out of town save my sister-in-law.  Poor Mandalou!  I'll make it up to her.. maybe I'll buy her a coffee this week during the photo shoot!

Yesterday my little princess officially turned 3 months old.  There will be a photo shoot this week- with her pink Chuck Taylor's of course!  Though plenty some think we're crazy, Paul and I decided today that it is time to break Zoe of her pacifier.  I know, I know.. she's only 3 months old!  But she isn't totally hooked on it anyway.  We hold it in her mouth most of the time.  So.. no more!  Let's see how it goes.

Now that I'm back in business I need to make sure my house is picture perfect since the photographer will be staying at our house, and he arrives sometime Thursday.  {EEK!}  Psh.. no big deal.. I got it all under control..  {gulp}

30 Days of Truth will be coming up next!

I've got the itch

Here recently I have seen so many blogs of amazing moms who somehow find the time to be crafty.  They see something they like and they make it themselves.  All it takes is a little craft glue and 2x4s.  I have seen blinds, shelves, picture frames, and old chairs be turned into something amazing..

I want to do that!!

Thanks for the inspiration ladies!  There are so many things I have planned for my home.  One of them being hanging my husband's art in different kinds of frames!  I just haven't found the frames I'm looking for yet.. I'll know what it is when I find it..

Another thing.. I need to find the time.

 How do you find the time when you have babies?

I feel like I need to write a list or something!

Only in small towns

Only in small towns do you have a friendly relationship with your insurance agent.

I called our home insurance lady to ask if she could get me a quote for liability insurance for the daycare.  Before I could ask her, though, she wanted to know all about the family.

How are you and Paul after having Zoe?  Did you get my card?  I hope I spelled Zoe's name right.  I can't wait to meet her!

I literally was on the phone for 20+ minutes talking about things other than the liability insurance.

After I got off the phone I told my husband that I never would talk like that to our insurance lady back in Arizona.  That's one thing I love about small towns.  Everyone knows who you are, and you're genuinely a friend and not just another customer.

I love it..

What a weekend..

I wish I could remember everything that happened this past weekend.  It was a lot of fun!  I think.. what I remember of it was fun. :)

I do know that on Labor Day Paul and I went to "the city" on a spur of the moment.  It was a lot of fun!  We went to the mall, Paul checked out the guns, we ate gyros from a little Greek joint, I bought a pair of much needed jeans for $15, we shopped the whole mall as well as Old Navy.  Oh, get this, we even went.. to Home Depot.  I never thought I would ever voluntarily step foot in that place.  But I did.  I guess something magically happens when you own a house.. you want to go into that dreaded store, and you enjoy it.

I do know that this past weekend has been busy enough that I haven't blogged.  I just realized that it's Wednesday and I should be posting a picture for Wordless Wednesday.  Ugh.  Maybe next week I'll remember.. or have it tomorrow.

I spent the day with my sister-in-law and we have had so much fun!  Today was a lazy/movie day so we did nothing but sit on the couch and watch a movie.  She introduced me to "Young Victoria" and I have to say, it is definitely a new favorite!  I'll put it on my Christmas wish list.

We are now having our midweek service on Wednesdays instead of Thursdays.  Tonight will be our first night doing so.  It feels so much better; so right to have service tonight..  I am happy about this new change!

Well, that's all I have to say for tonight.  Hopefully by tomorrow I'll be more into the swing of things.. maybe.

Houston, we have a problem..

A flea problem.

We have no animals in the house.  The last animal that was in our house was about a month ago and we're not sure if he had them or not..  All I know is that they like me- really like me..  I'm thankful they have only been attacking my and not Zoe, but still!  I'm done.

It doesn't matter how many articles of clothing I put on, they still eat me alive.  I have well over 50 bites from the waist down.. very few on my arms.

I'm so disgusted!

Thankfully my wonderful husband will take care of the problem soon.  There's not much left for them to bite on me and I don't want them going after Zoe next!

Just looking at that little varmint gives me the creeps.  No wonder I'm not sleeping well!

Coming soon!

All it takes is a little magazine..

I remember when I was a little girl I would be glued to the television watching Martha Stewart and be mesmerized.. not because I liked Martha Stewart, but I loved how clean her house was.  I would jump up after the show would be over and clean the whole house in a frenzy.  I would even lay down blankets as rugs since we didn't have any, and a house just isn't a house without rugs!

For the record, I don't have any rugs in my house at the moment.

I've always been that way though.  I look at a magazine with organizing/de-cluttering tips or watch something on television with tips and go crazy.  I. want. that.

My husband discovered this revelation today after I picked up an old magazine with organizing tips and went crazy organizing and cleaning the bedroom.

He is seriously considering buying me a monthly subscription of the magazine.

I'll try and post before & after pictures tonight or tomorrow morning.  Until then, I'm off to the dollar store to buy organizers, baskets, etc!

Daycare Orientation

This was the busiest day I have had since Zoe has been born.  Wowzers.

I had to make myself wake up early since I had a WIC appointment at 8:30 in the morning.  Getting up was super hard since little miss Zoe didn't fall asleep till close to 1:00 a.m.  I got up and took a hot.hot.hot shower to feel awake enough to do anything.  I got Zoe and myself ready and we dropped Paul off before heading to our appointment.

I had an hour to spend at the WIC office before I had to run to the daycare orientation.  We were there for an hour and 15 minutes.  Yikes.  But this is what I found out!

1) Zoe has gained a lb. and an inch since birth!  My girl is now 8 lbs. 4 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long.  The lady was very impressed since they hope to see babies Zoe's age gain their regular weight back by this time.  What a girl!

2) The lady was "concerned" with my rapid weight loss.  I have lost all of my birth weight + 5 extra lbs.  I did my best not to laugh at her.  I wanted to say, "You should be doing a victory dance for me! How many women do you know lose all of their baby weight and then some in just 3 weeks after birth?!"  So she gave me a brief lecture of making sure I eat enough calories for the baby and myself.  Whatever lady. ;)  I'm doing awesome, thank you.

3) My iron is great but I still need to watch my blood sugar.  It drops sometimes leaving me feeling weak and dizzy.  No bueno!  So, obviously, I need to make sure I eat something.

That's about it for the WIC appointment.  When I was FINALLY finished I raced to HRDC for daycare orientation.  I was only a few minutes late.  Nice!  Orientation was from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and it was kind of on the long side.  Not gonna lie!  But Zoe and I got through it and I came back with a lot of paperwork to read.

There were 3 firemen that came to show us how to use a fire extinguisher.  Let's just say that they loved Zoe and the captain even asked to hold her while I practiced how to use the extinguisher.  I wanted to take a picture so bad but soon after they had to race out on an emergency.  Exciting!

After orientation was finally over I realized that I hadn't eaten.  I wonder what the WIC lady would say to that?  Zoe was starting to get hungry so I stopped by the family's house that way I could visit while nursing, eat some watermelon, pick up Noelle and then head to Earl's house to clean.

On my way I called Earl but he didn't answer for some reason..  I turned on his street and noticed it was blocked.  Ok.. ??  So I decided to go around the other way!  Blocked again.  So I called again and got ahold of Earl.  Thankfully he answered and I told him my situation.  I love that man.  He was very laid back about it and said he understood (he had no idea he was even blocked!) and that I could try again next week.

When I finally got all of my "responsibilities" out of the way my cousin friend and I headed to the mall for some girl time- and coffee!

By the way, the coffee didn't do what it was supposed to.  I'm still on the verge of falling over from exhaustion.

That didn't stop me from heading to Youth Night or what I'm currently doing- playing games with the fam.  What a sacrifice. ;)

Vote for Zoe!♥