Em's bridal shower....

We had a wonderful time at Emily's bridal shower... It was a lovely day... (Omg until it downpoured like mad and flooded everywhere... oh yeah and tornadoes... did I mention them? But that all happened after the lovely bridal shower, thank goodness!) Mandy thought of making a scrap book for Emily, so we each got our picture taken, and she was totally on top of getting us the pictures in our email right away, so I am so thankful to share this cute one of us...
We played some games and just hung out with each other... My sister got to be one of the toilet paper brides... and totally would have won, but Em had to make it a tie... I can understand why! ;)
We had such a great time~

51 People? Are you even kidding me?

So I have kind of a funny story. I have been trying to get rid of our huge lug of a piano for like ever... We have had it for a couple years now, and I would like to paint in our apartment, and redecorate a bit (oh and did I mention have more space?) but can't do anything with the piano in our way. I have posted it once before under the "furniture" posting on craigslist, and only had two inquiries but no sales... So, I recruited help from church and was going to move the thing, with my helpers to St. Vincent Depauls in Oconomowoc. I called them and they said "oh sure we'll take your piano"... So ok, yay, I got it all set up with my helpers, and called to confirm dropping off the piano. Well just so happened that the General Manager, who I am not too fond of now, answered the phone and said "We don't take piano's, they are too heavy and no one wants to buy them because they are so heavy." "Ok, well why did the last person tell me that it was OK for us to drop it off... I have recruited help and we are ready to bring it." "Well cancel your help. Sometimes people that don't know what they are talking about answer our phones.".... Oh snap. I was really annoyed at that. So then I had the discussion with my husband as to what we should do with this thing. He said, "Let's just take it apart!"... Ugh sure that sounds easy, although with how frustrated I am with the whole thing, I would really love to use a sledge hammer! J/K... Anyhow, so my sis did some helping with calling around to places to see if they would take it, and she got nowhere fast with that. So she kind of encouraged re-posting on craigslist. Ok, sure. So this time I posted it under "free" and "furniture"... Posted it at 4pm yesterday....at like literally, no joke, 4:02pm, a nice lady emailed and was like "I'll take it!" she wants to come and see it first so I made an appointment with her to come check it out today! Anyhow, of course I didn't realize I would even be dealing with a first come first serve...because I have gotten as of now 52 emails inquiring on it. Some people want dimensions, but there have been a huge percentage of the people that are like "When can I pick it up?"... are you serious? I had one guy offer to come and get it from me last night... SERIOUSLY? I, in a way, wish that I could have taken him up on that offer, and have that huge portion of our apartment open floor space this morning, but the lady is coming today... at about 1:30pm. Please pray that they take it. I know that they aren't prepared to take it right away today, but that they will come this weekend. Oh my gosh, and if they decide against it for some reason, at least I have 51 more options! Oh I am so thankful. Lord you have really blessed me in this small (but very huge and heavy) thing. I appreciate it sooooo much! Yay for craigslist... Oh! And I sold a stroller this morning too! Wooooooohooooooooo
Oh yeah... reminder.... pray for my Grams please (pls read previous post if you haven't yet)
Blessings,
Sara

Sooo sad.....

I called Grams today to find out how her tests went yesterday... and turns out not so good. She needs to meet with a surgeon, on Thursday. I don't know many details.
Please pray for healing, and that it would be nothing. Or something that is cured.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for putting this amazing role model in my life. Grams has been the person that has always tried to instill religion in our family, and it worked. She is someone I truely admire. Someone who is wonderful. She adores our family, and helps me take care of my kids. I pray for healing in her today, God. Please show the doctors how to care for her and give her exactly what she needs to be well. She is such a healthy person. Sometimes I don't understand you, God. Please help me to make clear the things that make no sense. Lord I pray for Grams now, and ask that you please heal all that she is experiencing. God, please...

In Jesus powerful name...
Amen

Potty Training!

I just finished reading a good potty training book, and I have been working hard with both kids to carry out what the author of the book recommends for successful potty training. It is totally working! I have been lucky enough to get to know a person who strives to be a "natural mommy" and she owns her own business... she has been really gracious and sent me a trial package of cloth diapers. Not sure yet if they are for me, but she asked that I give it awhile more to try them out... Here is her website to check out http://rgnaturalbabies.com/. Anyhow, I am thinking of stocking up on undies for both kids and undie covers for while we play outside because accidents are bound to happen. For Adalai's first birthday, my Father in law, bought my kids a time out bear. He is super cute, he has an egg timer in his tummy... anyhow, instead of using him for time outs (which we have plenty of around here ;)) we set his tummy to ding when it is time to sit on the potty. (Thanks Em for that suggestion! Worked wonders!) And they were both dry in undies for at least three or so hours. I was so proud of them. So there is a chance that instead of wearing cloth diapers, or diapers at all, that we are going to just use undies instead! Hopefully at least. I do want to do the "green" thing tho, so if I decide to stick to using disposables for nap, while we are away from home, and bedtimes, I am going to try and be disciplined in buying the eco diapers from Target... and organic or eco friendly wipes also. I know, I am kind of a nerd when it comes to stuff like this, but it is important for me to try and do my part to keep this world as clean that is in my power, as it can be for the sake of my children and grandchildren to come... Anyhow, that is my story with the kids for now. We are working on potty training, OH and taking Adalai off the pacifier because seriously if the girl can be potty training, she needs to give up the paci. She is kind of stubborn tho, she refused to take a nap yesterday because she didn't have that thing in her mouth! Now that she is getting top teeth, she needs to give it up. So, we are taking it from her at naptime first, and then bedtime after a couple days. We are going to stick to a stuffed animal that she can have instead.
Anyhow, other then that, we are busy this week, but it is the good busy. We are seeing my friend Jenny for breakfast, visiting with Grams, and Bible study and park... so that is all fun stuff, and my S-I-L's bridal shower is this weekend which will be a good time!
Well for now I should go because it is gloomy out and I want to get the kids outside for a walk before the rain starts. Have a blessed day!

Outside

I am so happy that the weather is getting nicer. I am sure I have written this before, but I am seriously so excited. It has been wonderful because Wyatt's little buddies from next door come, and I am the mom who gets to sit outside with them. There are usually about 5 including mine that hang out in our yard. It is kind of a blessing to be the one who gets to referee, but I really enjoy to sit in the grass with a book. It is wonderful! We are so busy lately, that it is my time of peace. It has been a very long time since I have felt actual peace at being at home. I used to be so anxious to hang out around the apartment, which is another reason it is a blessing that my kids are the youngest, because I actually HAVE to stay outside while they play, which doesn't give me the option to be in the apartment fussing over what needs to be cleaned/organized/whatever...
I finished the book of Joshua this evening, which makes book number 13 in my quest to read through the whole Bible. I have switched back to reading the NIV translation. My poor Bible is all duct taped, and written in, it is a total mess, but oh well, I love the worn in look!
I am off now to journal, relax, and watch a movie!

5 Year Anniversary

Saturday was our 5 year wedding anniversary... I was so blessed to spend the whole day with my husband and children (we actually don't spend a lot of time as a whole family sometimes) and we hung out together for the morning, since everyone is still sick! And then went out shopping, we decided to try and buy the kids a toy train set (which turned out to be a better deal online, but need to wait for it to ship now!) when we got home from shopping, we put the kiddos into the stroller, and took a walk to one of our favorite restaurants Senor Tomas... Mmmmm it was so good! We got to sit on their patio, which was really nice with the kids, and then went home and spent the rest of the day playing outside and watching movies together! It was absolutely lovely! I am so thankful to have off today with Ben. We are going to spend most of the day with family... we are heading to my Mom's and then spending the evening with my M-I-L. We plan to watch a movie with Sherry and Neal. Last night I was so excited to spend some time with my sister in law and Kira... I made Summer Turkey Chili, and we got to eat together. It stormed last night, but looks like the weather could be turning nice today (not sure, haven't checked the forecast yet). Anyhow, it looks like we have a busy busy summer coming up, which is always good for me, as long as it isn't too busy. I have been able to really appreciate the time that we have been able to spend hanging out around the house and stuff lately. In the afternoons, it has been such a blessing to spend mainly the whole evening outside in the yard with the neighbor kids. We take books outside and they take turns reading to our kids, and they ride bikes and slide on the slide. It is wonderful! I try to get some chores done while they are playing too, but I have to keep a close eye on them, so... Anyhow, hopefully the kids coughs go away soon, they seem to be getting worse only at night or when they go down for nap time and stuff... Ben is still feeling kind of crummy too, and I can't believe that I have gotten away with just having a bit of a stuffy nose! Woah!
I have now finished Deuteronomy, which is really exciting... and I am now onto Joshua, which is just the continuation of the Moses story. I am happy to be getting as far as I have in my Bible reading, just worried that I am not taking as much away from it as I should. I can start a more in-depth study of it, once I take the Bible Assessment tool through our MDP program... Well that's all for now~!
Happy Memorial Day!

Coke or Water?

I think I have posted this before, but thought I would post it again....

WATER

#1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
(Likely applies to half the world population.)

#2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak
That it is mistaken for hunger.

#3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%.

#4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs
For almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of
Washington study.

#5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

#6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of
Water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain
For up to 80% of sufferers.

#7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term
Memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on
The computer screen or on a printed page.

#8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of
Colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast
Cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop
Bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water
You should drink every day?

COKE
#1. In many states the highway patrol carries
Two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from
The highway after a car accident.

#2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke
And it will be gone in two days.

#3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the
Toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour,
Then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes
Stains from vitreous China.

#4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers:
Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds
Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

#5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour
a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble
Away the corrosion.

#6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola
To the rusted bolt for several minutes.

#7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into
The baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake.
Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix
With the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.

#8... To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke
Into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run
Through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen
Grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your
Windshield.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
#1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid.
It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric
Acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major
Contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.
#2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup! (the concentrate) the
Commercial trucks must use a hazardous Material place
Cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.
#3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean
Engines of the trucks for about 20 years!
Now the question is, would you like a glass of water?

Or Coke?