God Moves Mountains and Mammas

I have been so excited and scared to write this blog! It seems too good to be true and my heart trembles at how great and awesome our God is! I have the most exciting news to share and am bubbling over to shout it out! I wanted to make sure the most important people knew first and all roads were cleared before announcing it. Let me start back last February...my friend Clint came to see me in Lampasas and brought me the book, "Supernatural Ways of Royalty" by Chris Vollatton and Bill Johnson (see here)and it rocked my world! This was during the most spiritual growing time of my life and the Lord was rocking my world! Anyway, in the book they were talking about the school at their church, Bethel and my heart almost pounded out of my chest. I knew that is exactly the kind of place I wanted to be as a teacher and exactly the kind of place I'd long for Kya to get an education! Figured that was another crazy fantasy and it would never happen in a million years, so I just stocked it away in my fantasy file. I just prayed that I would be obedient to whatever God wanted for me! I just let go of all control I thought I had over my life and and allowed the Lord to lead me in all areas. Well, through a series of closed doors, I knew that Lampasas was not going to be the long term plan for us (I had an instinctual feeling about this from the get go). At the end of May, I began a Daniel Fast and praying daily with two other women (saints named Heather and Gail). We were on our faces before God, begging Him to show us where He wanted us. My heart's desire kept repeating over and over that I wanted to be a part of Bethel and I wanted Kya a part of it. I wanted her to be taught to be a world changer and a mighty royal woman of God. So, we prayed about it, asking the Lord if that was in fact where He wanted us. I randomly called the school at Bethel and asked if they were hiring teachers for the next school year, and lo and behold...they were. I filled out the long application that asked me deep rooted questions and was very honest about what has been happening in my marriage. I figured that alone would have been a reason a church wouldn't hire me. In spite of my insecurities, they asked me to do a Skype interview and called that afternoon asking if they could fly me up to Redding for an interview in front of their school board. I am pretty sure I almost passed out in sheer excitement! I went in June and stayed with the Assistant Principal, who amazed me, and got to attend the Kingdom Culture Conference after my interview. I got to experience life at Bethel and felt such a peace there and knew it was the place for us! They offered me the job the last night I was there, and of course I accepted! The school board, the principals, the staff I met, the campus,the curriculum, EVERYTHING I saw was exactly what I knew the Lord had put so deeply in my heart long ago! I am not going to say it's been easy on my family and me moving so far away, that'd be an understatement! However, I was blessed with the most amazing parents in the world who love and support me and have never left my side! I'm incredibly blessed with a sister who is my rock and goes above and beyond to help me and is my biggest cheerleader and encourager! I also am blessed with a group of friends who love, support, pray for, and encourage me more often than I probably deserve! I am fortunate and blessed that Nick, in all of our mess, has been so kind and loving regarding this news! Of course, we're all sad about the distance...but the strength in these relationships is strong enough to surpass the greatest of distances! So, Kya and I will be moving to Redding California in a few weeks and starting school at Bethel! I will be teaching a 1st/2nd grade multi-level class and Kya will be in Preschool. Come up and visit us anytime! Blessings!

Saddest Blog Yet

I suppose it is time. I've been avoiding it. I've been thinking somehow this made it even more official. Not really sure....
A lot of people know, but I know there are a lot of others who don't. How do you tell a mass amount of people something like this? In our media age, do I send handwritten letters to everyone who I care about, but haven't exactly talked to in person in the last few months? I don't know. I don't even know if it's appropriate to blog, but this is my way of avoiding that awkward conversation that inevitably arises when I run into someone or they see something "strange" going on.
I'm extremely sad to write that Nick and I are getting divorced. It is incredibly tragic and a loss I cannot begin to describe. We've been separated for over 6 months and Kya and I have actually moved to Lampasas in the hill country were I was able to get an elementary teaching position.
There is a reason God doesn't like divorce; the division of two joined together, should not be separated and at times has felt like losing all my appendages would have been easier and less painful. Our loving Father does not like his children in this kind of pain.
I will refrain from salacious details as it is quite honestly, private and out of regard towards Nick. He is Kya's father and I will always try my hardest to respect and protect that.
I just ask for prayer. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and I know His everlasting, loving arms have been around Kya and me during this time! However, there seems no happy ending to this and no child should ever have to go through this. Please pray for Kya, that her spirit is strengthened and protected, that she will rise on wings of eagles and not stumble because of this. Please also pray that Nick and I will act in the fruits of the spirit during this extremely hard time.
blessings, tawny
James 1:2-4
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
1 Peter 5:10
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Lazy Days of Summer Sewing

I love to sew...like LOVE to sew! You'd think if I loved something so much, I'd be doing it all the time, but no, I don't do it near enough. I over-analyze every stitch and usually my OCD tendencies and perfectionism get the best of me and I scrap my half done project. Seriously, I have a stack of "almost completed" projects. It's quite ridiculous.
SSSOOOOO....this is my goal for the summer: I am going to sew at least five days of the week all summer (unless I am out of town). Here are the rules I've made for myself:
1) No nit-picking and critiquing. NONE! I'm going to be happy with what I produced and not tear it apart no matter how much it might kill me.
2) It can be simple hand stitching to taking a couple of days using an advanced pattern as long as I'm doing something sewing related!
3) (This is the hardest one)I have a little bit of a fabric addiction, like should probably attend an FA meeting if available. A couple of years ago when I first started sewing, I was given 11 trash bags full of fabric. (Check out my fabric armoir that really is organized...sorta

I have way too much of it, so here's my third rule....No fabric buying UNLESS it is from a thrift store or garage sale (those are the best vintage finds anyway, right?). I will allow the occasional notion, but that's it! I'm going to use what I've got and just try to be as creative as possible.


Here's the first week's results.

Monday- I actually sewed about twenty flags for a lady from church running a summer boy scout camp. I didn't get a pic, because they would be seriously boring!

Tuesday- Bathroom Curtains (Can't break rule #1, though I try not to cringe every time I go in the bathroom)

Wednesday- Yo-Yo's (Super easy, hand sewn and perfect for throwing on bows, etc.)

Thursday- Pillowcase Dress for Ms. Kya (used from a long ago thrift store find, fabric scraps from the apron I made Tiffany, and the camera strap I made for Jade). Kya specifically asked for pockets (because she loves finding coins, rocks, various small toys and putting them in her pockets only for me to remember as they are clanking in the dryer).

*Yep, that was the best picture I could get of my silly girl in her dress

Here's a hairpiece/bow I made for her out of the extra scraps and my bow stash. Sadly enough, this thing took me probably twice as long as the dress.

Friday-A matching dress for Kya's "baby". She was over the moon excited to have a matching dress with her cabbage patch kid. I had no idea! She's already requested more. Seriously, my rule number one would have been out the window with this one, but Kya's joy made it feel like I'd spent a hundred bucks. The baby even got her own bow (yeah, that might be actually some of the OCD coming out again in me.)

How cute are they together?

There you have it. I'm hoping by blogging it, my goal will be that much more attainable. I'm also hoping some of my sewing girlfriends will want to do this too (ahem...Addie). I'm making a little list of easy /fast sews and gifts I need to make, so that I won't have an excuse one day of not knowing what to make.
Hopefully, I'll become a better seamstress and FINALLY get some much needed gifts out!

Dear Rolly Polly's Residing in my Backyard (or various parks we visit)

My sincerest apologies on your possible demise! The three year old knows not what she does, she means no harm. You see the the child that used to loathe all bugs, now has a fondness for them. Not just a fondness, but an unadulterated love for all crawling creatures! If she sees you, she will pick you up, hug you, squeeze you, rock you, and sing to you. You will not survive this love fest and she will be deeply saddened and somehow shocked about this. It is an unbridled joy that cannot be contained and actually quite sweet.
So, here's my advice to you: If you hear the high pitched giggles, get away as fast as your tiny legs will take you, lest you become Kya's latest victim.
You have been warned!

In Case you Hadn't Heard the Big News...

I know it's probably on everybody's mind and it's really HUGE news...
well, it was to me.
Did you know that now Nutella -everyone's favorite Hazelnut butter- is now in a large family size.
Technically, I don't really need a "family size" of Nutella because I'm the only one who eats it (yeah, I don't let Kya eat delicious pieces of heaven such as Nutella, because I feel sure she'd never go back to the all natural organic crap peanut butter she normally gets); but I just couldn't resist buying it.
Just thought I'd share the joyous news with everyone!
Blessings!

Hoppy Easter

Being the God fearing woman I am...or like to think I am...or rather strive to be...okay moving on; I have been trying to teach my three year old the importance of Easter (we went through all of this at Christmas as well).
I am of the mind frame to still enjoy the festivities of a holiday (Easter bunny, Santa, gifts, egg hunts, etc.); however, it's vital to me that Ms. Kya knows the real reasons of all the seasons.
So, after talking to her about why we celebrate Easter and letting her watch a couple of Easter VeggieTales, figured it was in the bag.

This was our conversation:
Me: Kya, why do you think we celebrate Easter?
Kya: EASTER EGGS!
Me: Uh, no.
Kya: Hmmm..jelly beans.
Me: No, no quite.
Kya: I don't know
Me: It's all about Jesus!
Kya: Oh. Ok.

Two minutes later

Me: Kya, why do we celebrate Easter?
Kya:(Triumphantly)THE EASTER BUNNY!!!!

Grown Up? Questionable

For the past twenty minutes, this is what I've been doing. Playing with, ahem....I mean organizing Kya's dollhouse. The toddler is asleep, yet here I am making sure all parts of the doll family were in their respective places. It didn't dawn on me that no self respecting thirty something-ish woman should be playing with a dollhouse...alone, until I found myself saying aloud, "Man, I really need a couch and possibly a bookshelf".
And yes, this is my entrance back into the blog world.

An Homage to Toddler Tantrums

Let Her Cry
(Sung to the tune of Patty Griffin's, Let Him Fly)

Ain't no talking to this child
She has a pretty other side
Ain't no way to understand all the tricks she tries
It would take an acrobat, I've already tried all that
I'm gonna let her cry

Tears can move at such a pace
When we tell the Wiggles "bye"
You know there's marker on her face, but you can't recall just when or why
There's really something to a fit
I just want to cuss right through it
I said, I'm gonna let her cry

There's no mercy in toddlers
No rest at all in tantrums
Of the choices we are given, reasoning's no choice at all
The proof is in the outcome, if you break before she gets her way
But you must enjoy her naptime, or your mind will blow

And there ain't no talking to this child
They've been trying to tell me so
It took a while to understand the beauty of just saying "no"
'Cause her pitch can sound just like a bat, I'm already immune to that
I'm gonna let her cry
I'm gonna let her cry
I'm gonna let her cry

**This was created on a day when Kya decided to try every "terrible 2" move in the book. She's back to her usual sweet self now...most of the time.**
**The above picture was taken by Jennifer Lankford (portraitsbyjenn.com) and I feel rather sick that I love this picture so much, when clearly my child is unhappy. She just looks so cute though!**

Fa-la-la-la

To say the last month has been not so great would be a tragic understatement. However,I know that there is still so much good God has to offer us and joy has been such a gift from my Father that I don't want to ever lose sight of.
My piano students have begun their Christmas music and it is so much fun to watch their enthusiasm! I absolutely am brought back to when I first started to play Christmas music and wanted to play every song I knew. One of my students, Maddie, started her Christmas music at the end of September because she really could not wait! I told her she knew that it doesn't put her in more favor with Santa if you start your Christmas cheer early.
I've actually found myself humming and singing again...and it's Christmas music.
I've composed two lists of my ALL TIME FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!

Traditional:

10) Joy to the World
9) What Child is This?
8) The Holly and the Ivy
7) The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
6) Angels We Have Heard On High
5) Do You Hear What I Hear?
4) O Come, O Come Emmanuel
3) Carol of the Bells
2) O Holy Night (I like the very traditional version, but love Barlow Girl's too)
1) Go Tell It On The Mountain

Non-Traditional:

10) Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)
9) Face of love-Jewel
8) Mary Did You Know?
7) Last Christmas-Wham!
6) All I Want For Christmas is Us-Jason Mraz
5) Mele Kalikimaka-Jimmy Buffet
4) The Night Before Christmas-Amy Grant
3) Grown Up Christmas List-Amy Grant (Yeah, you should probably just buy this c.d.)
2) When My Heart Finds Christmas-Harry Connick, Jr.
1) I Celebrate the Day-Reliant K (With Lyrics, "And the first time that You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior, And the first breath that left Your lips did You know that it would change this world forever", how could you not love it?)

Now, I want your lists. There are so many songs I'm sure I forgot. So, if you wouldn't mind adding them to the comments section.
I made a playlist of all these songs at the bottom of this blog. (I'll add yours too)
Also, on Itunes for this week (December 8-15), they have a free Christmas album of about 20 songs with every type of song. Ranging from traditional, mariachi, country, and for bluegrass fans, an Auld Lang Sine for you!
EnJOY!!!

Love to all of you!
Merry Christmas!

Joe: Servent of the Lord, Father, Son, Fiancee, Friend, and Navy Pilot

This was an email I sent out a little while ago concerning Joe.

The Coast Guard found Joe's body today in the cockpit of his plane about 40 feet deep in the water. I don't really have much more detail than that.

This past Friday and Saturday, I was overwhelmed in sadness and questions. I just could not understand why God was not hearing the cry of thousands or letting the Houston family and Jenn (his fiance) wait in such agony. On my knees in worship Sunday morning I was crying out and praying for the Houstons, Jenn, Asher (his son), and all those who could be turned away from the Lord because a miracle was not being seen. I was then overwhelmed, flooded, and humbled by the whisper of the Lord confirming in me that Joe's family and beloved were going to be okay. Better than okay. They were going to be such a pillar of His strength, mercy, and love. They were going to change the world as we know it. Then, a peace of knowing that there was no place in this entire universe Joe would rather to be than embracing his savior, his God, his friend. How could I be mad? How could I question? I was embarrassed I had done so.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Joe loved God more than anything in the world! We don't understand why Joe's purpose was to leave earth so young (he was to turn 30 tomorrow), we don't understand a two time deployed soldier dies needlessly on U.S. grounds, we don't understand why his child will be without an amazing father, we don't understand when parents have to bury their children, we don't understand why he wasn't allowed to meet his fiancee sooner and have a beautiful marriage before this time. The list could go on and on, but God's ways are not our ways. Sometime this past year, Joe sent an email praying Psalm 120 over his son. I would encourage everyone to read it, it's pretty powerful.

I sought Joe's guidance a couple months ago in a spiritual matter on suffering and I think it's an appropriate time to quote him: "While I am not a glutton for punishment, I believe suffering is absolutely necessary in this life to guide us toward dependence, growth in discipline, and a hope of things to come. The world is supposed to be a crappy place so that we can find life in our hope through faith of the day we will be delivered from this temporary place and taken to our Father. I would not be the man I am today without the intense and regular suffering that I have been subjected to ...I am forever grateful to my Father for His lessons, discipline, gentleness, and sense of humor."

How could you not love a guy with such a beautiful heart?

So, why did a bunch of people send and spend their money, prayers, food, and precious time over something that had already been finished? Why did God not answer to a miracle that thousands upon thousands prayed for? Wouldn't His glory be revealed so much more through a miracle? I can't answer that, but I do know that the Lord did some amazingly awesome things throughout the past three weeks. His signs and wonders never ceased!!! People's lives were changed, people's hearts were softened and opened to God, the saints were in unison in praises their King-what music to His ears! We may not see the miracles, but we trust they are there because we have a miraculous God! Jehova Elyon (Lord most high)!

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that I am grief stricken. My heart is despondent for the loss his family has endured. I'm distraught that I don't get to hear Joe laugh or give wisdom and that I won't get to be at his wedding or see him father more awesome children. I can't imagine what his family is going through. Please keep praying for them. Nahum 1:7 says, "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted". (Matt. 5:4).

What an amazing comfort and peace his family and friends have knowing EXACTLY were Joe is. There is no doubt, no question, Joe Houston is in his spiritual body among the heavens having a blast! Please do not let this season pass. I beg you to not let a day go by that you do not have that same confidence or share it with someone you love that doesn't. We have lost one of the most precious souls on this earth....DO NOT LET IT BE IN VAIN! Worship and adore his God, give and receive the peace that passes all understanding.


Thank you again for all who prayed, searched, hoped, gave, and sacrificed....we are proud to call you family.

Joe

I know this is my first post in a while....having a hard time being clever.
Check out Joe's blog. www.findjoehouston.blogspot.com
Blessings to you all!

This little piggy went "WHEEEE" all the way home.

This weekend, I casually asked Nick if he needed or wanted anything (i.e., a drink or food) and he gave his usual quip response, "A week off with pay would be nice".

Well, I'll be darned if he didn't get what he wanted. The school district closed for over a week due to so many cases of "possible" swine flu, not even confirmed cases.

Quick, someone ask me what I want.....(it seemed to work well in his favor).

Oh and that is NOT Kya kissing the pig, although when I was sent this picture I had to do a serious double-take. Yes, the baby oddly resembles my curly-haired cutie, but the fact that I let her do this to dogs is what threw me. Yes, it's disgusting, yes, probably dangerous. But it's just so dang cute when she does it and she is so giggly and happy (and the dog usually is too) that I can't help myself from letting her have a few smoochies. I justify it by the fact that I had a fourth grader two years ago win at the science fair proving once again, that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans. I wonder if this is true of pigs. Ah, I'd probably let her kiss a pig too....AFTER the piggy flu is over!

Thought while running today...

A blog as per request by my Mamma:

He (a.k.a. God) is the thief of my heart.

Now, if only I could find the thief of the "boogie-sucker", I'd be really be eternally grateful (ok, maybe just really, really happy).

Happy Week to you all!

If you think you've had a bad day....

I'm sure I can beat it...or at least be somewhat comparable.

***WARNING***
This post will be T.M.I. If you are easily offended, DO NOT read on. If excrement of any kind does you in, you have been warned!!!!!

My story actually begins last night around 10:30 when we got home from a great time with friends. We had only thought we'd stay at their house for an hour, two tops. Ended up staying three +. I didn't put the puppy dogs in the bathroom for such a short time, just in our bedroom. Though they have handled this well for that stretch of time in the past....this time was different. I opened the door to let them out and saw what looked like a tub of water had been poured on my bed. I immediately looked up to the ceiling. Nope, we hadn't added a second story with the bathroom above our bedroom, the roof had not collapsed under the tormental rain that obviously was from a cloud measuring 5 feet in diameter directly over my house, and nope we still don't have a waterbed. I stood there shocked thinking how could a dog or even 3 dogs urinate that much??? A quick whiff told me they indeed had and of course, I had laid out all the delicates I had previously washed and hung to dry right smack in the middle of the soiled bed (If I smell like urine, I didn't pee on myself, it's probably my undergarments). I ripped off the comforter,sheets, and bed pillow to find that it had in fact soaked through to the mattress. So, Nick and I are tag teaming washing Kya and putting her to bed and getting the linens soaked and washed.

It was about this time that I noticed something odd on Kya's bathroom floor. What the @$*#^&??? ANTS! We are prone to them on the island....we are even more prone when daddy leaves a wet diaper in the bathroom trash can (um...hello? Diaper champ babe) and I leave a dirty outfit of Kya's in front of her door (so I wouldn't wake her from her by going in and putting them in the hamper). That or they could have possibly been going for the earless Easter bunny as well (read on to find out what this is). It doesn't take these little boogers long. There were probably 1,000 sugar ants marching ever so perfectly in two lines from a tiny whole in the hallway baseboard to the diaper laden trash can and the food soaked clothes. Hated to destroy such determination, but not really.

When we were getting ready for bed, I heard Nick say the two words I hate, "OH NO!" Oh yes, these sweet poochies of ours had found the box of the 10 inch white chocolate Easter bunny I had given Nick that he had only eaten the ears off of. It was on the bedside table, now it was on the floor, empty. So, as we are laying on the guest bed, I'm massaging the puppies tummies and Nick's researching the affects of white chocolate on canines until two in the morning. Turns out, not as bad as regular chocolate. Number one symptom...excessive urination. Case solved.

Nick had to leave early for work this morning, so I thought I'd sleep just a little bit longer. Apparently, Olly's digestive tract thought otherwise because I woke up to the nastiest poof of flatulence on my face and causing my hair to flutter up. It was definitely time to get up!

Thinking that it was good I had gotten up so I could work on reports...Kya decides to wake up over an hour and a half early. Enough Said!

When I bring Kya to the kitchen to do our morning routine she has her hand so far in her mouth, I briefly considered entering her in a "freak talent" contest. Quickly remembered that she has been trying to cut teeth (she likes to do this in bulk, 3 or 4 at a time-so it's EXTRA miserable all at once. Isn't she sweet?). I put her in her high chair and though I've never actually seen the movie, clips from Exorcist really were being reenacted right here in my dining room. Kya was throwing her head back in fourth in circles, spewing her milk, slinging snot, waving her hands in the hair or throwing them in her mouth. I shoved teething tablets into her mouth when she did the open mouth screaming and hand flying. Nothing...still seems possessed. Food wasn't working, milk wasn't working, water wasn't working, even ice wasn't working! I broke down and gave her Tylenol. Said a prayer and just watched the show while drinking my Instant Breakfast (with whole milk-yuck!).

Exactly 7 minutes later, the demon of teething left her tiny body and she looked at me, tilted her head, smiled and said, "more". I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or seriously consider an exorcism. As I'm basking in the first sounds of peace and am feeding my sweet Kya yogurt, I hear another sound. Is that...wretching? I look to the couch. So, it was Olly who ate the white chocolate bunny! Olly's so thoughtful too, he yakked all over Nick's shirt rather than the couch or floor. I scooped up the vomit polo and shook it out in the sink. Chunks of partially digested white chocolate, dog food, and ???? combined with the smell of it caused me to blow my own chunks on the shirt as well. I DON'T DO PUKE!!! Kya didn't get anymore yogurt, we switched to fruit.

So, teething toddler gets distracted easily, but quickly loses interest when her gums burn. So, we fed the fish, played with toys, danced, etc....when all that failed to distract her for more than 2 minutes, I went to my last resort, the "go-to". I'm sure every mother has one and every one's is different. I actually have two: The Wiggles and a shower/bath. Figuring I could kill two birds with one stone, I'd get my shower in with her. So, my happy little lamb is blissfully playing in the shower while I held her. She only whimpered a few times, but quickly forgot when we'd "taco tongue" the shower water into our mouths and blow "zerberts" on each other's neck.

All of a sudden, Kya lets out one really big whimper and a slight scream, I'm thinking her hand is caught in a bundle of toys in the frog pod. I'm not sure which came first, the sound, the smell, or the feeling of a giant poo-poo ball rolling down my side and leg before landing on the shower floor. I'm frozen in shock (obviously, I'm not quick to react at shocking situations and freeze-up instead). I was shaken out of my mouth ajarred position when I felt, "blump, blump". Two more little presents, then Kya saying "ahewe" (in toddler terms, "Wow, I feel much better"). I stood up slightly yelling in a high pitched mommy tone, "bath all done, time to rinse off". The baby did not like this and pulled her "go-to" move by laying her head on my chest and singing to me. She rarely does this for Nick and I, therefore, we eat it up when she does. So, instead of getting out of the fecal-filled bathtub, I just hold my precious angel and sway enjoying every second of this bliss. Then, the smell overpowered me. I looked down and realized we oddly resembled some sort of tribunal sacrifice with Kya's three poodle orbs encircling my feet. I maneuvered both of us out of the tub, into towels, and got my sweet, excrementing tyke into bed for a nap.

This was all before noon.

Notes to Self

Notes to self (e.g., lessons I've learned this week):

1) Blackberries and 14 month olds...not an advisable(or clean)combination. Just F.Y.I.
They do stain...EVERYTHING!

2) Wal-Mart + Corpus Christi + Easter Day = the end of the world as you know it!

3) Giving an 86 year old a manicure will make her act 70 years younger, sass and all.

4) If your toddler pulls the box of cheerios out of the pantry and you don't put it away before you go on a bike ride with her....your three dogs will eat the ENTIRE box of cheerios (and some of the box), then lay around all day with giant bellies. (side note..somehow they still have enough appetite to lick said baby's face off after her lunch though.)

5) Telling your husband how much you enjoy him working out in the garage is great for his ego (even if your real reason in doing so is because it has made him take more showers).

6) DO NOT...I repeat, DO NOT do the following: a) be too prideful to buy an appliance from scratch and dent...or to spray paint your vent hood to match(it really did turn out looking great!) b) assume that since you work all day, everyday being a stay at home mom that when the husband has off will mean you'll get a day off sometime in there too. This will not happen! c) invite ten people over for a special Easter dinner without having any food and needing to grocery shop the day of Easter (see point 2). d) take your blessings for granted for one millisecond. :)