Purely Happy

"And try Me now in this"

2011-10-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

This has been a hectic month. My hubby received a new job working as the youth pastor at the church I grew up in as a child, which in turn is allowing us to relocate to a new home. Yay! I love where we live now but very excited about the new place as well. We have been painting and cleaning at the new place for the past week. Today they are tearing out old carpet and next week putting in new stuff. Tomorrow we move all our little stuff over next weekend all the big stuff. Its kinda crazy around here.

Here is a few pics on what's been going on.

About a month ago, when it was still in the 80s, I took Charli to the Nature Center. They have put in a whole new kids area.

She got to build things

bang on things

get messy in a MASIVE sand box

And try to figure out how this shovel worked.

We went to the Buhler Frolic, Charli got to see her first parade, and I bought my hubby his first potato gun (regretting that one haha). It was a beautiful day out.

Since we are moving and it frosted, we went out and picked all our green tomatoes off our four plants to save and turn red. Here is a look at our bounty

And the weirdest one

I was reading Malachi 3 the other day and verse 10 has really been on my mind

" "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,

That there may be food in My house,

And try Me now in this,"

Says the Lord of hosts,

"If I will not open for you the windows of

heaven

And pour out for you such blessing

That there will not be room enough to

receive it. "

I think so many times I/we get stuck on blessings being money, to pay off bills, go buy nice stuff or whatever one does with it. Thats what society has conditioned us to believe, that money is everything. That day we were picking our tomatoes I had a laugh out loud moment, literally. This verse came to mind as I was filling up a third brown grocery bag of tomatoes. "there will not be room enough to receive it" Where are we suppose to put all these tomatoes while we wait for them to turn red?!?! What a blessing. I felt this was quite the literal example of this verse. As for now we are rotating them, inside, outside, warm spots, in the sun. Trying all the tricks recommended to us. We will be making alot of salsa, spaghetti/pizza sauce and diced tomatoes. I have to remind myself that the Lord's blessings come in so many different ways.

How has your fall been so far?

It wont be long until Nov.

Time is going to fast.

Costumes

2011-09-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

I am debating on making Charli a Halloween costume or just buying one. My mother made our costumes every year and they were some of the coolest costumes ever! I wish I had some pics of them, but fortunately for you I don't (on hand). There are so many cute handmade ones out there to choose from, or get inspiration from.

This

owl costume

She could be

Princess Leia

I do love this

Little Red Ridinghood costume

Ha ha this

Sack of Taters will definitely have to be for the next babe

With Spaghetti being my favorite food I might take

This one into consideration

make my own variation of it :)

This is probably the cutest one I have seen but way way way out of my price range

Here is a picture of Charli last year at Halloween

Im pretty sure she is the cutest bumble bee ever! Don't argue with me...

Which one is your favorite? What are you dressing your kids/dogs up as this year? or are you?

Jonathan & Golden Delicious

2011-09-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I picked up our two bushel's of apples that we had ordered. I'm so excited. On my list next week I'll be canning apple sauce, apple butter, apple jam and spiced apples. Mmm, it'll be good. I might post some recipes if I remember. Last week we canned 10 quarts of pickled okra. I think we only have six jars left. They were pretty great. Just wanted to share my friday excitement with you. Its going to be a great weekend! I'll leave you with a short clip of Charli eating a whole apple. Peeled of course.

Isn't she adorable?

Happy Friday!

Beautiful Things

2011-09-16T05:10:00.000-07:00

This wonderful song is stuck in my head

Perhaps stuck isn't the right word because that would imply I want to get it out of my head,

which I don't.

I have locked this song in my head.

There it shall remain.

Have a great Thursday!

*Edit: Just saw that it is Friday ha!
Have a great Friday!

So many tomatoes!

2011-09-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

I have been checking my tomato plants twice a day in hopes that there will be some red ones soon.

No red ones yet. Just lots and lots of tomatoes.

They are getting so big and beautiful. I can't wait much longer, the anticipation is killing me!

Charli has been loving to color after breakfast. It has been so fun to watch her just scribble away.

It has been so beautiful out this past week. We have been leaving all the windows wide open. We bought Charli some chalk and found some bubbles which are now played with on a daily basis. After she gets done drawing on the sidewalk she tries to draw on the grass, but then gets so frustrated because nothing will appear. Somehow she manages to draw on the tree.

We bought a dozen baby chicks too! Our friends are keeping them with their chicks and taking care of them. But, we get to see them a couple times a week. Charli was able to pet one the other day. I'm not getting attached though, because we bought them to eat when they get fat enough. Yep, we are going to spend one of these beautiful Sat. butchering our chickens. We aren't bringing along Charli of course, I'm not sure what that would do to her psyche at such a young age. I'll get some pics of them on our next visit.

The fair starts tomorrow!! I'm so excited. My husband doesn't understand why everyone in this town is getting so excited for the fair. We are going Sat. and as soon as he eats some of that delicious once a year food, he will know why we get excited. Not to mention all the free junk at the booths!! Like paper fans, bookmarks and magnets! We will be heading over to the free food sample booths. Ah! Can't wait.

Did you know they have fried butter at the fair? Yes, fried BUTTER. My gag reflexes just kicked in while I typed that. They also have Krispy Kreme hamburgers. Yep, you read that right too, a hamburger placed not between two buns but two Krispy Kremes. Won't be getting that either. I will be getting fried snickers and maybe try the fried kool-aid because I can't wrap my head around how they fry kool-aid. Does anyone know? What will you be eating at the fair?

Can I get a "Woop Woop" for Fair Food!?!

Anger, Tomatoes and Hats

2011-09-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

As most of you know I'm a pretty mellow person. It takes a little bit for me to get angry at something. Also, I don't really want this to be a place of griping and grumbling. But, since I'm super angry I'm letting it out. I think it is more pregnancy hormones. Ok, so now that I think about it I'm not really anger more so than SUPER irritated at our car insurance company and lack of simple responsibility to let corporate know that we are covered instead of just leaving it in there own local system where no one else can verify that we were insured during time x and time y. They seem annoyed that I have called only twice about getting this solved. But, no now that one of the Credit Union ladies has explained to me that the local insurance place has to do all this stuff, I will be calling every hour, on the hour until this is solved. I hate dealing with people, specifically over the phone. If they could see my face and my death stare this would be solved now.

15 minutes until I call again.

On a lighter note, I wanted to show a pic of our tomato plants

There are only four plants there. They are taller than James, who is 6'3'' ish and wider that 3 grown adults standing next to each other. They have been this big and beautiful all summer! We have received a whooping four tomatoes off of them. Yes, all summer. It has been soo hot that the buds are not setting and no tomatoes are forming. But, last week it got cool in the night and buds began to set!! We can see little tomatoes sprouting up everywhere! I'm so excited. I have BIG plans for them! Like spaghetti/pizza sauce, salsa, tomato paste, diced tomatoes and of course BLT's or as I like to have them BMT (bacon, mayo and tomatoes). ahhh the anticipation is killing me.

Charli somewhere found one of her hats from when she was a newborn and had to wear it yesterday afternoon ALL afternoon. Here is a little video of her showing it off (once she goes off camera you can stop watching its uneventful after that)

Don't mind the mess in the living room, we like to live in there.

Well after venting (sorry about that, and thanks for listening/reading), seeing my tomato plants and watching Charli model a hat, I feel a billion times better. Not to mention I get a package from AVON today so... those that ordered something will be getting your goodies this weekend! woop woop!

Just thought of something else to put me in high spirits, James has a 3 day weekend!! Yay Labor day and Yay State Fair with fried snicker bars!! next week.

4 more minutes then I call again

Chasing Charli

2011-08-31T12:59:00.000-07:00

I had to post this video of me chasing my girl after the last post I posted because its just soo funny.

Also, Charli got some crayons and a coloring book today. She was very happy.

This is her first work of art :)

And her second, on her pillow.

This is the last post today. I'll leave everyone alone.

My baby is growing too fast!

2011-08-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

Its been quite a summer! Im ready for fall and cool weather to get here. In fact tomorrow, Sept. 1, I'm setting out all of my fall decorations, in hopes that seeing it will trick my mind into thinking it is cool outside. Perhaps, I will even buy some fall leaves and sprinkle them in my yard, so that when I look out the window it will feel like fall. No. I'm am decorating tomorrow though.

Welp, I no longer have a baby. I have a toddler. At least I'm assuming that is what I have to call her now that she is toddling (walking) EVERYWHERE. The day before her birthday she just decided she was going to walk and she did. Now, I sleep very well at night because she wears me out. Luckily, the drawers and cabinet doors are older and hard to open, I won't have to baby proof those for a while!

Charli turned one exactly a week ago. Wait, is it Tues today? (pause) Nope, just checked my calender it's wed. Let me redo that first sentence. Charli turned one exactly a week and one day ago. I don't like it. My baby is growing up. (tear) We had a little party for my little girl that was duck themed and she loved it. I don't really know if she did, I don't think she knew what was going on. But, I loved it :) Here are some pics: (unedited b/c I am lazy)

Charli's duck cake made by Dawn

The yummy cupcakes! (also made by Dawn) and ketsup

Lol not sure what face the bday girl is making.

Don't have to buy anything for Charli for a while (thumbs up)

She wasn't really into eating the cake, more so hugging and kissing it.

Until it was put into her mouth

Even the dogs wished her a Happy Birthday

There is my big girl :)

I'll leave you with a final picture of her toddling. She can go pretty fast when I chase her.

Its a game, she thinks it funny.

Shoo Fly

2011-07-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

We have had family in and out and been visiting family over the past few weeks, therefore my posts for the remainder of the summer might be sporadic.

I have been hand sewing this quilt top for our queen size bed this summer:

I don't like how it is turning out. I'm ripping it apart and starting over. I'm still going to do the star thing but just add a bit more. I'm using these things called quilt patties but, I'm not buying them, no, I'm making them. Quilt patties are a pattern that you can put the fabric over and it helps with hand sewing. Bad explanation I know. They are $20 for 50 of them, plastic ones that is. I went and got business cards that Ill cut the corners off of to make the diamond shape. There price $3.99 for 250. Ya, I think I won that one.

On to more important things, Charli got one of her fang toothies in. And, her birthday is next month. Crazy I know. *tear.

Here is a terribly blurry picture of Charli with her first pony tail, which blends in with the carpet. So sorry it is blurry she was too excited about it to sit still.

No she is not crying she is smiling.

James bought me a dutch oven for my birthday :) and I made this

My first loaf of artisan bread. You know where it is hard on the out side and beautifully fluffy and light on the inside. It was amazing. But, it takes about 24 hours to make. It is worth it... sometimes.

There is a fly in my house.

Charli is chasing it.

Now I'm going to kill it.

oodles of noodles

2011-06-27T16:52:00.000-07:00

Alright friends and family, I took a break from blogging for a bit, but now I am BACK! I know, your ecstatic.

Please read this fast like on the opening of Glee. Or you can read it slow, its up to you I suppose :)

OK, here is what you missed at the homestead...

Chelsey (yes that is myself, yes Im referring to myself in the third person to make this sound like the run down in Glee, so let me start over)

Chelsey has been baking her buns off in the kitchen (no pun intended)

Plus...

oodles of spinach noodles that FAILED because they were too thick.

Charli went golfing for the first time and didn't complain once on 9 holes.

She also got a new toy that she has been pushing around the house

Chelsey's mother found this at a garage sale for $2.

Charli can also drink from a hose now, while only inhaling the water twice.

And James is trying to sell this,

which he wants you to buy.

And, thats what you missed at the Homestead.

Homemade Bread

2011-06-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

My first batch of Homemade bread was a success!!

I really enjoyed kneading it, surprisingly. The armoa from homemade bread was much better for my husband to come home to than cooking vinegar lol. As quickly as we are going through both of these loaves, I might have to invest in a Kitchen Aid mixer and get the kneading attachment. Perhaps in a couple of years... There is also an attachment to grind your own grain to make fresh flower mmm. I can smell the bread cooking now. Ill get that attachment a few more years after I get my mixer. So, in about five years I could possibly be making the best bread EVER! (well, that I have ever made).

Looks beautiful eh? James takes his with butter and Ill have mine with peanut butter and honey mmmm. Ill clean the flour off the counter later.

And Charli takes hers however we give it to her! Usually toasted.

I dont know if I will ever go back to buying bread from the store for our own little family. These two loaves have spoiled us. I think it will be a new hobby of mine.

Do any of you have any good baking from scratch recipes you wouldn't mind sharing?

Rain Drops of Drool

2011-05-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

Today, I was laying down holding Charli up over me and flying her like an airplane. It was entertaining, we smiled at each other and she made her happy noises as she was soaring through the air. I'm watching little balls of moisture accumulate on her top lip. And the moisture accumulation continues to grow. Until the molecules split. I am then watching a giant ball of saliva descend towards my face. Not being able to set Charli down and move fast enough it lands right above my lip, spreading like a rain drop hitting dry playground equipment. And then another drop comes, and another, and another and they just keep coming and wont stop! Ok so maybe only a couple more followed the initial one. I set Charli down and as I began to wipe my face off this occurs...

Charli you can even make slobbering on my face a great experience. Thank you.

Overcoming Stairs

2011-05-24T06:19:00.000-07:00

Our baby turned 9 months old yesterday! It is crazy how time flies!

We celebrated by having a garage sale (not yesterday but a couple of days ago)

It was not all mine, well majority of it was my parents. Most of it was sold. There are still a few things that we want to sell and some bigger items like a 3yr old stand up washer and dryer (works great, just wont fit under the cabinets in the wash closet) if anyone is interested.

Charli can climb up the stairs now.

I did want to redeem myself for the whole vinegar incident I told you about recently. I don't want it to seem like I suck at cooking, because I dont always :) ha. I made Parmesan shrimp with spaghetti last night

It was insanely good! If you are ever lucky enough to let me cook for you, I'll make this. Possibly.

The weather is suppose to be crazy today. After the Joplin tornado, Im a bit paranoid. It being that close to home made it a bit more real. We will be driving through there this month on the way to visit family, which will make it even more surreal.

Climbing out

2011-05-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

This weekend I went to go get Charli from her nap and found her like this

I suppose we should move her mattress down again. Don't want the little booger escaping now.

Story A: She was also climbing up her walker the other day and was trying to get into the seat. She was so close when her foot slipped off, her little arms shot up into the air, her body tightened up like a toothpick and she fell off her walker and rolled several times on the floor, all the while her arms still straight up over her head and body tight like a tootsie roll. I waited a minute for her to begin screaming, but the tough little nugget got into crawling position shook her head and headed back to try and get in the walker again. I couldn't hold back the laughter, the fear I felt while it was all happening but the reassurance she was ok, the event turned into a rather humorous one. She is one tough cookie (gets it from me).

Story 2: Not to brag on myself but I have become quite the chef. I haven't burnt water in months! I decided this past week I was going to try some really crazy dishes. Most of them turned out good. But last night I was going to make some Harvest brown rice with apples, cranberry's, walnuts, goat cheese. The picture looked amazing. I was tired yesterday (thats what Im blaming it on). The recipe called for the brown rice to be cooked in apple cider vinegar to get that apple flavor cooked in well. As most of you know the vinegar part isn't the most pleasing to the nose, plus when one is simmering it, the smell tends to continue to get stronger. I was quite worried about the intense smell of vinegar aroma that was slowly burning the hair inside my nose. I continued to check the recipe and sure enough I was doing everything right. By the fifth time of checking I noticed I had added the word vinegar in my mind. A light bulb turned on in my head and remembered when we were shopping this week that I was not able to find the apple cider in the store and was going to take the dinner off the list, but forgot. So, being the inexperienced chef, I figured maybe, just maybe the rice would turn out ok, therefore I let it continue cooking. James came home and took a nice big waft of the highly anticipated home cooked meal and inhaled the strongest vinegar sent (I cant even describe how nasty it was, by this time Ive been inhaling this sent for the past 40 min and cant smell it anymore). He had to step outside, I had to open all the windows and turn on all the fans, and sadly put the rice in the compost pile out back. We ate Hog Wild.

Lesson for the week: One can't substitute Apple Cider Vinegar for Apple Cider. It just does not work. NO.

Roses are a bloomin

2011-05-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

Charli's top tooth is beginning to poke through! The only way she seems to find any relief is by sneaking under chairs and chewing on the metal...

Exhibit A

She is officially pulling up now too!! I think she wanted to play in her walker when I found her.

Exhibit B

Our rose bush had its first bud of the spring on it as well

Exhibit 3

Would you like to hear (or read) some bittersweet news? Im gonna tell ya anyway. We traded in my car that I have had since my senior year of high school :( it was hard watching it go. But, on the sweet side we now have a great new, to us, family vehicle!

Baby Wipes

2011-05-09T11:52:00.001-07:00

Most of you know that James and I have gone cloth diaper and love it!! . I have decided to take it a step further and make some cloth wipes which makes it easier because we dont have to have a separate container to throw the disposable wipes into, now we can throw them all in one!

Here are the steps I used incase you want to try it:

Materials:

*Cloth (im sure any kind would work but we had extra terry cloth and it works pretty well, and its cheep if you want to buy some)

*Sewing Machine

*Water

*Jar (We used a pickle jar)

*favorite baby soap

*favorite baby oil

Step 1:

cut your cloth into squares mine are roughly 5inx5in. If you get the terry cloth then just cut it into quarters.

Step 2:

Seam up the edges that might fray.

Step 3:

Have your helper layer the cloth slightly on top of each other and roll tightly, as shown above.

Step D:

Mix 2 cups water, 1 T Baby bath and 1 T baby oil in pickle jar. Shake. and put the roll of cloths in. Pull up the starting cloth from the very middle and they come up like regular wipes. Just wash with the diapers.

It might seem like alot of work but, it might have taken me fifteen minutes to cut and sew, with the help of Charli another 2 min to mix the solution and roll up the cloth. Im sure one could use a left over square wipe container and then you wouldn't have to roll the cloth. You dont necessarily have to roll the cloth for the pickle jar either, I just cant get my hand all the way down in it :) I have been testing these out for a few weeks and really like them. Charli doesnt seem to get diaper rash as much anymore either and the crude come off pretty easy. Let me know if you have any ideas on making wipes or anything for a baby.

Monday #2

2011-05-09T11:38:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday! I figure I would post something every monday and sometimes more through out the week depending on what is going on. Yesterday was mothers day. Charli took me shopping :) and then we had a wonderful dinner with the whole family that evening at Chili's. Oh man was it good!!

Charli's top tooth is coming in and I think it is quite a bit more painful than her bottom ones that came in because she sure is crabby! The only thing that calms her is taking her outside or helping her walk around the house.

Our herbs are growing beautifully, at least none of them have died yet! I do have a plant inside that is wilting, its sad. Charli helps us in the garden by eating things and playing in the sprinkler water

Ill leave you with this video of what Charli and I do during the day

Back!

2011-05-02T07:31:00.001-07:00

Ello Friends and Family,

Now that I'm not working with those that I worried about seeing my family and child, Im ready to blog again.

Updates: We moved from Missouri to Kansas. With so many from Missouri that we are missing as well as others in other states that we are not able to see, Im starting up this blog to keep everyone up to date on what our little family is up to. More so on Charli :)

James received a great job here in Kansas delivering gas. I also am able to stay home with my baby girl and we are both absolutely loving it. Im discovering how much I love staying home, although I enjoyed working too, I am discovering things I loved doing and am starting them up again (sewing and scrapbooking) as well as other things such as becoming frugal, loving to do laundry (I know not many people enjoy this chore but I look forward to folding the warm clothes fresh out of the dryer in attempt to leave no wrinkles). James and I also planted some herbs for the first time and are excited to watch them grow. At my folks, they planted many veggies that we are going to help garden. James is working quite a bit, but is home every night, and enjoying the home cooked meals that Im experimenting with. He has also been enjoying working on the yard and attempting to make the lawn like green carpet :)

Charli's first tooth poked through last week, now another is poking through! She has been quite crabby and taking lots of naps. I made some teething biscuits out of baby cereal, flour and juice that she Loves! Would take a picture of her teeth but, she wont let me open her mouth, except to brush her teeth with the little finger tooth brush. Charli is also loving being read too. Her favorite book right now is 'I love you through and through' as well as the books that have flaps with things hidden behind them, if that makes since. She is crawling everywhere! I had to baby proof the house about a month ago. She is also able to pull up on lower things to a standing position and is able to walk with assistance. Time is going to fast. She had her first Easter and went easter egg hunting. She would pick up the eggs and eat them, well attempt to lol.

I will be posting pics of what we are up to through out the week or month, Ill try to stay up to date on this. I need to include some of our duplex because so many of you are asking about it! That is all I have today, Charli is asleep so Im going to organize something.

Happy Trails

Dear Readers,

2010-10-28T04:57:00.000-07:00

Dear People that read my blog,

I am going to have to resign my postings of pictures of my baby girl for a while, due to me being paranoid about creeps on the internet. But, I will however send you picture updates via. If you would like picture updates by email because you do not have facebook (Grandma) or because you refuse to use it (Anna) let me know. My email is chelseybuttrey@yahoo.com. Otherwise you will just have to enjoy our family pics on facebook. Although, it is much more fun to share them on here. Maybe one day...

I will still share updates on what our family has been up to, so don't abandon me completely. Plus, once every blue moon there will be a picture or two.

That is all.

1st day back to work

2010-10-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day that I went back to work after having Baby C. Im really looking forward to my new job. Its what I had been working toward those 4 long years of college. It was quite tuff leaving my little one at home, but she will be home most of the day with her wonderful daddy and a couple of hours of the day at a pretty great day care. Leaving her is much easier since I know she is in good hands.

My orientation was a little over 2 hours away. I had to leave my home at 5:30am in order to make it there by 8. And of course Baby C was up and eating a little before 4 am (thankfully my amazing husband took care of all the other feedings last night). Needless to say it was a long day, and Im pretty sure I had more coffee today than I have had in the past year. Its 8:30pm and as soon as Im done writing, Im headed to bed. I feel old.

My mother in-law came down to stay with us this week as well. What a blessing! She is helping the transition of me starting my new job a little easier by helping us out, while we get used to our new schedule for our family.

We went to Ks. this weekend so that Baby C could meet some friends and family. It was quite a weekend for her, meeting a new person every couple of hours, being passed around and showered with kisses all day and having alot of tummy troubles. Not to mention the 6 hour drive there and back. She slept almost all day today (except when I got home and played with her)! She had so much fun though! My parents had her grinning from ear to ear every time they picked her up.

Oh wait, that was them grinning from ear to ear every time they picked her up :)

My husband got her to smile her first real smile this weekend as well. It was sooo cute! I got a nice side pic of it on my mom's camera. She usually opened her mouth and squinted her eyes when she was trying to smile but, this time it was a full out grin. Too cute!

Tomorrow I have more training, Im not sure how much training I have to do. My boss said it would be less than normal due to the fact that I had done this work before. I can't wait to get started and be on my own! Working with children and their families is what I love doing! Im so glad God gave me this job :)

Finally here!

2010-09-08T18:23:00.000-07:00

Our beautiful baby is finally here!

Baby C

arrived on Aug 23.

Isn't she gorgeous?

For those that are wanting to know... labor was great! I had contractions for 5 days. They broke my water on the 5th day, then I had her within 4 hours. It went smoothly.

Birth is such a beautiful thing.

Then it was time to go home.

Baby C's going home outfit.

Laying on the quilt I made her :)

Baby C's first time in a car seat.

For Baby C's first week we had our dear friend Shelby from Simply Shelby Photography take some pictures.

Baby C also got to take a picture with all of her cousins.

Yes, they are all boys.

Needless to say Baby C has had an eventful first couple weeks of her life. I have more pics to upload and more stories of her experiences to tell. But not today, I don't want to make this post too long.

It is absolutely mind blowing that we have a child now. It truly does change ones life, in greater ways then I could have ever imagined. I now have the joy of feeling a different kind of love that I have never felt before. I honestly don't know what I did before her. Everyday we wake up and she seems to have grown overnight. Its only been 2 weeks, and it is flying by way to fast. I only have 3 1/2 weeks left with her before I start my new job. It will be a bittersweet day. Ill have to get in plenty of picture time with her! Which means lots of scrapbooking :)

And now I will leave you all with our first family picture

Finally here!

2010-09-08T14:52:00.001-07:00

Our wonderful bundle of joy is finally here!

Charli Raeann

Aug. 23

7lbs 2oz.

20 1/2 inches

For those that are wondering labor was great! I had contractions for 5 days then they finally broke my water. Once that happened she was here in 4 hours! I can't even describe what it is like carrying a child for 9 months then suddenly holding her in your arms.

Baby C's quilt

2010-08-11T12:36:00.000-07:00

So, Im now 37 weeks pregnant and ready for Baby C to come at any time. The house is scrubbed top to bottom, her clothes and diapers are all organized, bags are packed for the hospital, there is nothing more that I can think of to do except sit and wait. The days grow even longer with my husband asking me if my water broke every time I get up to use the bathroom. lol We are both getting so anxious.

I finally got the thank you cards for everyone that came to the baby shower in Ks. done. I've decided I won't make thank you cards anymore, they take way to long. Here they are...

Also...
Baby C's quilt is done!!! I was so excited to get the call from the lady that did the quilting saying it was done. I got beautiful flowers and swirls quilted into it.

I also attempted my first time binding, luckly you can only see the flaws if you really study the quilt. I am absolutely in love with Baby C's quilt!

Quilting is officially my new favorite hobby!

Next to scrapbooking, of course.

Oh I just remembered what else I needed to do!

Make contact lists for the parents and in-laws to call when Baby C arrives. I love our families.

Any other suggestions on what needs to be done before Baby C arrives?

34 Weeks!

2010-07-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

By tomorrow I will be 35 weeks along in my pregnancy. It has been great so far! I am really feeling her start to tumble and try to get into the head down position which is really uncomfortable, but I love feeling her move! My doctor said everything was normal and looking great. We still have a few more weeks and the anticipation is killing us!

Here is my week 34 photo, I have expanded quite a bit, but I still wish there was a little bit more room for her.

We are slowly getting all of our baby stuff together. Not really sure how much or what we need specifically but we are trying lol. The baby showers are a great bonus though! Here is a few pics from the one that was thrown for me in Kansas (where my side of the family is).

A few gifts :)

This beautiful one my cousin made me

And we played a few games

Also I got the top to my quilt done!! Now Im going to take it to a quilt shope here in town to get it quilted. I can't wait!

P.S. We got a new puppy.

His name is Titus.

Until next time, Ill be in the AC.

First Sewing Project

2010-06-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

Since we found out that we are having a little girl, I have been taking my sweet time deciding on the color scheme that I want for the baby quilt that I am going to make our first born. Keep in mind that I have not sewing anything besides a hole in some pants since about 7th grade home ec class.

We finally made it down to Ks. where my parents live and went to the Hobby Lobby there in town. Fabric was on sale! So, I decided it was time to make a decision. They had fat quarters bundled up with four matching patterns for a very good price. I saw one with the cutest prints and then bought some solids to match.

Low and behold my fabric choices for my babies quilt

One of the lady's at church makes beautiful quilts all the time! So, she is walking me through all of this. I decided to make a 42 inch by 42 inch blanket with a 9 block pattern. Each square that is apart of the 9 block is going to be 2 inches. Which means I will need to have 49 blocks done. Making that 441 two and a half inch squares cut out of my fabrics, which is alot of cutting.

Arn't they gorgeous?

After the cutting step I paired all 441 squares in blocks consisting of 9 squares in each block. Leaving me with these lovely sets.

Now I finally get to start sewing all the blocks together!!

I am SO excited to get my first quilt done for my baby! As I get more blocks done I'll post some more pics :)

Update on my pregnancy: I am going to be 30 weeks on sat. Which means we only have 10 weeks left!! I absolutely love being pregnant! Especially since I haven't had to go through the nausea and all that stuff :)

Until next week...

have a super great weekend.

21 weeks

2010-04-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

My husband and I did the big ultrasound yesterday and found out we are having a GIRL!!! We really weren't hoping for one or the other but, now I can start buying girly things :) My stomach has just now started to show and it popped pretty good this past week. Here is a photo of my tummy at week 20

and here is a picture of my tummy at week 21

As you can see our little girl has grown alot!!

13 weeks

2010-02-24T11:23:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, Im still not quite in the habit of keeping this thing up to date.
My apologies.

My husband and I have made some really big changes in these past few months. I would provide pictures but, I am borrowing the in-laws Internet and forgot to bring my camera over to upload pictures, so just use your imagination :)

Over Christmas we went to go visit my family in Kansas. While there we took a pregnancy test and found out we are pregnant!! Right now I am 13 weeks along (the baby is 6.7cm) and have ultrasound pics but, you will have to wait to see those. It was soo crazy seeing our baby jumping and kicking inside me! What a blessing this baby is for us. For those that are wondering I haven't been nauseous or anything. I did have a few spouts of heartburn though, and Im gaining weight at a rapid pace. More will be to come on this when we learn more...

At the end of January we decided to move back to Missouri. We enjoyed our time in Arkansas but, we missed family and with me being pregnant we wanted to move back. We still owned a house here which we moved back into. And, now I am job hunting. I have a couple of prospects and just praying that God gives me the right one.

Until then, I am being quite lazy at home, only unpacking the essentials. My scrapbooking is unpacked but the dining room table is still cluttered with stuff, which I suppose I should put away soon.

As for our new puppy we got in Arkansas, a week after we moved back he ran off and didn't come back :( We called around but no one had or saw him. I think we are only meant to have one dog.

Been a while...

2009-12-18T09:02:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted anything in quite a while.

MrB and I haven't been doing much of anything.

We got all of our Christmas decorations out

Went camping

Saw family

Got a German Shepard

Went to a dear friends wedding

Saved my sister from stampeding horses

Last but not least, tried to take a picture where my handsome husband wasn't making faces.

That we did not succeed at!

What are you doing for Christmas?

Brick Roads

2009-11-23T18:51:00.000-08:00

Then mental health center that I work for has sent me to Little Rock, Ar. for a couple of days to attend a conference. This is my first time here and my what a big town it is! It boggles my mind at it massiveness. I have been to bigger cities with my parents before and them driving. Its a completely different experience on my own.

There are so many beautiful things here. I went to the Old Union Train station today. There were brick roads every once in a while, old buildings with beautiful architecture and a nice atmosphere.

I ate at a place called Mimi's Cafe. Oh man was that some good food!! They brought out 3 different types of bread before my dinner, which were amazing. Then when my order came (I ordered country fried steak) there were two country fried steaks and a mound of mash potatoes plus veggies. Reasonably priced and alot of food! I took literally half the food with me back to my hotel. But, not sure what Im going to do with it because it can't sit in my car for 8 hours during my meetings tomorrow or 3 more hours in the car with me on the way home. hmm...

Next trip to Little Rock, I am going to try and come a few days early and explore. There is not much to do when it is dark by the time the meetings are over. Except find a Target and get Christmas shopping done!

And finally, I would like to thank my TomTom, because without it, I would probably have ended up in Utah or on coming traffic.

Thank you TomTom, thank you.

2009-11-21T08:43:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I hope this makes you laugh as much as I did!

That is my handsome husband, our dog Butch and me :)

Merry Christmas!

Trains

2009-11-20T21:11:00.000-08:00

I was driving home from work the yesterday and discovered one of my favorite scenes.

I looked out to my left and was racing a train next to me. I was going just a little bit faster which humored me.

Seeing a train and racing it while I am driving is one of my favorite things. Especially while the sun was setting behind the woods, that was beyond the train.

I would have taken a picture for you but it was hard enough to drive 70 mph while staring out the side of my window :)

and I can't find my camera :(

4 loads of laundry down, 5 to go

2009-11-17T15:05:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, how could just my husband and me have that much laundry!?

We went on a four day camping/hunting trip with some new friends that we have made here in Arkansas. I had about 4 loads to do before we left but I figured I would wait till we got back to do them. Added on top with sleeping bags, blankets and everything else we took that smells like camp fire.

This was a much needed trip for the both of us. Since we moved here I was working many different hours during the week. We saw each other at various times throughout the week. (Sometimes only on his lunch break). My husband has been planning this 4 day get away for a few months and it finally arrived! Its great how God works. Instead of me going back to a job where our schedules are conflicting, tomorrow I start my new job where we will get to have evenings together now.

Our camping trip was great. We had four days out in the wilderness, getting up before the sun, hunting, coming back to some amazing grub and enjoying each others company. I also had many first time experiences this weekend.

Experience #1 I went hunting all by myself (I normally sit with MrB). I know it doesn't sound like much of a feat but, its quite scary walking into the woods alone, getting lost on the way to my stand, knowing there are wild hogs, alligators, king snakes, rattles snakes and coyotes roaming around, waiting to eat me. Then I finally found my stand!! After 30 min. What victory that was!!! While sitting in my stand 14 feet above the ground in a tree, I spent time with my Lord and what a calming peace He has created in the woods.

Experience #2 I maintained a fire yesterday after I got back hunting, around 10am, and for the rest of the day. Let me tell you, it was a blazin too! I didn't go hunting this morning but stayed back to help prepare breakfast for the others that went hunting. And yes, I started a fire all by myself. When it did start going out, God sent a breeze and it began to roar again.

Experience #3 We camped with a few older couples. The women were amazing cooks! Monday night I volunteered to make some homemade stroganoff which I haven't done before (camping also was another challenge, not all of the accommodations one is used to in a kitchen). The ladies were such a help. The stroganoff was a-mazing. One of the ladies is going to start giving me cooking lessons. Ill be able to make the good southern dishes in no time! I also got a couple of good desert recipes. They are super easy! I'll be sure to post them after I make them.

All in all, it was a magnificent weekend. My husband and I are going to try and plan a quick weekend camping trip every other month for our own sanity and romance. It was a great last, long getaway. When I start my new job tomorrow, Ill be on a six month probation with no annual leave. But I will get holidays off and weekends now :)

I was spoiled with yummy camp food every night these past 4 days, I want to make my handsome husband something yummy tonight again!

Happy cooking!

A blessing

2009-11-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

My husband and I took a huge leap of faith in August. He took a job as an Associate Pastor and we made a 7 hour move away from our families. I had assumed with graduating with my B.A. in May that I would have had a job within a few days. Our reliance was completely on God to meet all of our needs, and he did. Within three weeks of moving here I still did not have a job. I needed something in the mean time because we could not live off what we had saved up for to long. I ended up getting a job at a restaurant which I have had alot of experience working in and do enjoy it. But, I was just so ready to take that next step in my life and use the education that I have work so hard for. Going to school full time, being married, working full time and being a youth pastors wife can get quite exhausting. Three months into us living here I am still working at the restaurant.

I worked at a school in our last location and loved it! But, I wanted to work in more of a psychology relm because that is what my degree is in. There was an opening at a mental health center in a town 25 minutes away. The job was working in one of the schools in the six countys that they serve. To make a long story short, three interviews later God blessed me with this job today. Not only that but the county that I will be working in is the county that I live in!

I was coming to terms with the fact that I might be working in a restaurant for a few more years. And, I was ok with that, the people were great and our bills were being paid. God had other plans.

He is sooo good.

"Delight yourself also in the Lord and he shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 34:4

What a great God we serve!

Cold Hot Tea

2009-11-05T07:34:00.001-08:00

I tried out a new flavor of tea today. It was just regular green tea with some pineapple extract in it. The aroma was magnificent and the taste was quite soothing. Although, I have let my hot tea get cold. But, Im finding that it taste very good cold as well. Unfortunately, the aroma is gone along with the soothing effect. In my opinion Tea is always better hot, there is so much more to experience.

My husband is a youth pastor, and has been at this church for only a little over two months. I feel that it is important for me to become part of leading the group as well. It is quite hard getting established with young adults. Every new youth group we must start from the beginning forming relationships with them. It gets rather discouraging in the beginning because not many of them are ready to open up in front of the new leaders or their peers. We realize that it takes time to form special bonds with them in order for them to feel comfortable and share their stories and knowledge (especially the shy ones).

Last night I felt the ice was starting to break. Some of the youth had retold what we have been discussing for past few weeks! I know it doesn't seem like much but when every week you talk and they stare at you as if you have a booger on your face the whole time, you feel like you are getting no where. When they give you a sign that they have been paying attention and start involving themselves, well, the feeling is quite like climbing mount everest. I think, I have not done that but Im sure its the same feeling. I think every youth pastor and their spouse go through this when moving to a different church. The kids have to be around you and feel you out before they are able to open up. But, when that first sign of ice breaking occurs, great things begin to happen.

God is good.

Vinegar

2009-11-03T18:01:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been infatuated with researching the life style of the past. The old home remedies that were once used but have been replaced by chemicals and quick results. I am slowly trying to incorporate some into my lifestyle. Not, all at once though, I tend to get overwhelmed or frustrated and give up if I try to change to much at once. I realize that many people are still using these, but it is all new to me :)

Through all this searching I am finding there are so many uses for vinegar. I have replaced fabric softener with white vinegar. I figured I might give it a try and see what happens. I was worried that the oder of the vinegar would stay in the clothing but, I gave it a try anyway. I added one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle of the clothing I was washing and then dried. Surprisingly, the clothes came out quite soft and no vinegar oder! It cut through the oil and grease stains on my husbands jeans (he works on cars) surprisingly well. Needless to say this is one alternative to fabric softener that I will stick with.

I also tested the method of cleaning things with baking soda as well. I sprinkle a little on the wash cloths and the kool-aid and coffee stains come off quite well. Its a bit more scrubbing than if I would have used clorox but, I feel alot safer using the baking soda. It also made the inside of my microwave look brand new!

The vinegar in the wash also helps clean your hoses and such on the washing machine.

Happy Cleaning

Saving Money

2009-10-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

Blogs are quite difficult. I want to write but, I just don't know if what I write will make sense to anyone. But, I will keep trying. I have been quite lazy these past few weeks and haven't done any scrapbooking or cleaning for that matter. Therefore, I have nothing to display. Although, I could display some old scrapbooking pages I have done.

I have also added an ad space closer toward the bottom of my blog. These ads are supposed to be designed around what the blog is consumed with. I was looking at the ad and there were sites (good ones mind you) for scrapbooking and card making tips and techniques. In between those were websites on how to boil crawdads.

I apologize for my blog being so random. It fits my mind set though, whether that is a good thing or not.

On to more important things, my husband and I are really trying to cut down on our money spending. It has dawned on us that we just spend way to much money on groceries and things when it is not needed. Bottom line, we don't know how to shop smart. I have received many great tips on how to shop a little smarter and I am trying to put those into effect. Such as planning out my meals one week at a time and shopping just for that week. I have also found a recipe for homemade liquid laundry soap which ruffly costs about $2 per 5 gallons you make. As soon as I test this out and find it successful then I will let you know how its made. I don't want to post anything on here that really just doesn't work.

I will continue blogging on my new money saving discoveries down the road. Partially because I feel a need to and am very proud of myself when I save a bunch of money and partially because many of us are going through a rough time financially and there is comfort in getting good quality things while saving alot of money.

P.S. My dear friend Meagan introduced me to a website www.sierratradingpost.com where there is great savings on excellent pieces of clothing, shoes and things for your home.

Mud Bugs

2009-10-24T15:01:00.000-07:00

thefreedictionary.com definition of a mud bug: see crayfish
Crayfish:1. Any of various freshwater crustaceans of the genera Cambarus and Astacus, resembling a lobster but considerably smaller. Also called mudbug; also called regionally crawdad

Yes, a crawdad is called a mud bug here in southern Arkansas. These little crawdads arn't found just in ponds and streams here. They also live in the ground because of how much rain we get. And, when it rains they dig their way to the surface leaving this

and not just in a few places but the whole yard, leaving a muddy mess and destroying the plush grass that we still have

I suppose we get our revenge at the next crawdad boil.

First things first

2009-10-23T12:39:00.001-07:00

My husband and I had recently moved to Arkansas where he took an Associate Pastor position. It has been rather difficult finding a full time job. Therefore I am only working part time, and since I am out of school now I have ALOT of time on my hands. I have recently discovered the art of scrapbooking and card making. This is the first card that I made.

Well, its more of a letter card I suppose. But, Im pretty pleased with it and it was sooo much fun making as well! And yes, purely happy cards inc. will be my company name one day :)

Happy Trails