Wonders of Garlic!

I am happy to announce that Abbi is over her latest sickness. This year has been something terrible. 90% of the people I keep contact with are sick or were sick! Jonathan isn't feeling the greatest right now. He and I both seem to have an ear infection, something Abbi had as well when she was sick. Jonathan went to the Doc. Saturday and he is now on antibiotics. I on the other hand refuse to do so. Last night, my ear was hurting so bad I was almost is tears. I went a grabbed a garlic clove, cleaned it and stuffed it in my ear. (not real deep; just enough so it doesn't fall out:)) My girls thought it to be quite hilarious. I must say I did look pretty funny. *grin I also crushed another garlic and down the hatch with water it went. Within 15 minutes I was up and about sweeping my livingroom & familyroom floors. Within an hour the pain was almost completely gone. This afternoon it started hurting again, so I swallowed a couple teaspoons of crushed garlic and it amazes me how quickly this God given herb gets to work. I learned about it's wonderful properties at www.bulkherbstore.com under the "garlic" section. I have now made a believer out of Jonathan; he is sitting here with a garlic clove sticking out his ear- hehe - since the antibiotics he is on right now if not giving him too much relief after taking them for 4 days. I also stuffed 3 capsules with the fresh garlic for him, since he won't take garlic any other way. :)

Well, Abbi is sitting here "mmmoooommiieee... mooommmiieee.... mommiiieee!!!!" needing my attention so I must go. :)

Don't play with your Gum!

Do you ever tell your kids "Don't play with your gum"?! I do. AND what goes around.. comes around. The other day I am sitting on the couch looking out the window.. thinking and out of bad habit I start stretching my gum, twirling it around my finger...back in my mouth.. thinking some more... back and forth I go with my gum; something I catch myself doing when I am in deep thought. And so I was playing with my gum, and all of a sudden I realize Emma is talking to me.. so I focus in on her- with her left hand on her hip, her right hand pointing a finger at me, she was saying "don't play with your gum mommy!" *grin - uh oh - I was busted!

I said.. "that's right.. that is very bad.. your right.. mommy shouldn't play with her gum. I won't do that anymore". :)

Abbi's Dilemma

Well, today is Sunday - this afternoon at 3:30 we were supposed to celebrate Abbi's 2 yr. birthday. Jonathan and I had to call everyone this morning to inform them that the party was off. Abbi awoke about 2:00 this morning and started to cry. Jonathan went in to check on her only to come back and tell me; "Abbi threw up .. what did she have for supper"? Being so tired, my mind was still in a fog I had to sit there a minute to let everything register and think.. "uummm.. I think she had sphagetti.. and umm.. apple sauce.. and chips.. milk.. oh my .. she ate alot. That must be it. I drug myself out of bed, thinking I would change her bed sheet.. all would be well and we will all go right back to bed. I turned the hall light on, walked in her room only to get hit by a strong smell of puke. It was everywhere! A BIG puddle in her bed.. on her blankets, puppy, snuggle bug, her pajamas.. her hair.. the floor. My first thought was.. "Lord help me". I used to have a pretty strong stomach, until I had kids. I got real sick with both of them in the beginning of my pregancies, so it seems as though my gag reflex kicks in quite easy these days. I had Jonathan bring her to the bathroom as I started running the bath water, and then gagged over the toilet as I undressed her. After getting her bathed, dried and into fresh clean cloths - I brought her into our bed.. only to have her puke again. Thankfully most of it was on her cloths. It was now 2:30 in the morning and I didn't feel like jumping in the shower myself. I once again changed her cloths and laid a towel under us, where a bit of the mess managed to slide off her cloths and onto my bed. After all of that I laid down beside her thinking it was all over. Morning would soon come and all would be well. She kept throwing up throughout the morning -- we ended up going through about 3 bath towels .. we all slept in til about 10:00 - and Abbi was acting like she was just fine. So I thought perhaps it was her supper after-all, not setting right with her. After breakfast that came up too. Shortly afterward she started to run a lowgrade fever. She went down for a nap about 1:00 and slept for about 3 hours. After eating a couple of bites of food, I could tell her fever had gone up and I gave her some motrin. Shortly after that she fell asleep on Jonathan and they both dozed off on the couch for about an hour. Her fever has gone down and she seems to be perfectly fine. We have been praying for her and trusting God for her healing. She is now at the kitchen table, with Daddy and Emma playing with some homemade playdough that Emma and Daddy made about a week ago. They are making pancakes, cookies and pizza. :)

I can also tell she is ready to start "bossing" again. Her cousin Noah is in Columbus at the moment and as of this evening, she keeps asking me about his whereabouts.

Abbi: Where Noah at mommy?

Mommy: He is at Auntie Lisa's right now

Abbi: Wisas'? (Lisas')

Mommy: Yes.. at Aunt Lisas House

Abbi: Ohhhh... awight ... (alright)

And of course... 5 minutes later we go through the same conversation all over again. :)

Back to normal

I am now feeling back to normal but under the same token, busier than ever. We went on a 10 day vacation, and things have not been "normal" since. The same day we were coming back from vacation Emma came down with the flu. She threw up in the van on the way home and only a few days later, Abigail came down with the same thing. Her body didn't take the flu as well as Emma's did. After a few days of runny nose, coughing, fever, and Abbi clinging to me ..... we had to take Abigail to the ER where they told me her fever was 105.5! After catherizing her, poking her twice, doing a couple of x-rays and running a bunch of tests they told me she had RSV.. was dehydrated and to MAKE her drink. They put her on a IV which she hated. Everytime a nurse would come in the door, she would throw her lil' arms around me start crying and held on tight. I felt so bad for her. My poor husband was trying to comfort us both as we were both bawling. She didn't eat for 2 and 1/2 days and would barely drink. She wouldn't even take popsicles. What was I to do? I got to praying... the very next day she started eating AND drinking! Within 2 days she was back to normal and roaming about the house, singing her ABC's and "twinkle twinkle little star". :) BOTH girls are now doing much better. Emma is back at school now, after a 3 week absence. She is happy to be back at school and I am even HAPPIER to have both my girls back! Abigail has quickly become her little bossy self again. Her little cousin in staying with us for a while and she hears me tell him "no" alot so she has taken it upon her self to boss him around.. she she goes around saying...

Abigail: TOOPPP (stop) Noahh... TOOOPPP...

Noah: NO! I'm not gonna stop!

Agigail: TOOPPP

Noah: No! I'm not gonna stop ...

and back and forth they argue until I can't take it anymore and ask them BOTH to STOP! :)

My BABY will be 2 years old in 6 hours and 8 minutes. I think I am going to just go to bed and cry myself to sleep. I can't believe my baby is 2! *sniff* We will be celebrating her birthday this coming weekend.

As usual I have lots to write but not enough time. I think I will just go cry.. because my BABY is TWO... yeah..I know..I've got issue's!

Until next time... God Bless!

We're home!

Well.. Jonathan and I, and the girls of course :) made it home Tues. night. We had a wonderful time down South and am already looking forward to going back down again. I am hoping it won't be another full year. I managed to unpack and do laudry all the very next day. Usually it would take me about a week. eekk. It was such a good feeling to get everything tucked away so quickly. Since we arrived home at 10:00 at night Emma and Abbi went straight to bed not even realizing we were home. When Emma awoke the next morning she started running around the house singing "we're home" - a song she made up. :) She was so good while we were on vacation, I didn't even think she missed home. But - apparently she did and was happy to be home. The only thing - or rather person I should say, that she missed was her Auntie Lisa. Daily, she would say.. "Mommie.. I miss Wisa" (Lisa) :) Lord willing, Emma will get to see her Aunt Lisa this coming weekend.

Ever since we arrived home, the weather has been rather mild. Quite unusual. I expected to come home to snow on the ground and freezing cold weather, as usual. But, this year it was different. It's been in the 50's and 60's - until today. We had rain all night last night, and the temperature has changed dramatically. We awoke this morning, to find the creek overflowed into our back yard. Emma was excited to see it. I said.. "Emma - look out the window".. With her sweet eyes all big.. she goes "wow.. mommie - that's neat.. we need a boat!! haha I took a picture this afternoon, and will be posting it in the next blog. We are supposed to get up to 1 inch of snow, but so far, it keep snowing off and on with nothing sticking. It has been extremely windy - and part of our gutter on the back of the house fell down. Well - I must ski-daddle for now. I haev alot of accomplish while the girls are napping. :)

The Big day!

Well .. today is the big day! When my honey gets off work, we are headed down South! I can't wait to see everyone! It's been a whole year since I have been home and it feels much longer than that. Jonathan and I loaded all the wheat, corn and all the other stuff last night. We were worried about not having enough room. Once we get the luggage in there, we will be cramped but we will survive. :) Emma helped me pack her suitcase last night so she is all ready to go. She said she was bringing her little lamb along. She loves "Mary had a little lamb" and when she pretend plays she say's "I'm Mary" and off she goes and plays with "little lamb". :) Abigail is sure to try and take her host of stuffed animals and blankets. I am going to have to keep things at a minimum because the more you take, the more you have to keep up with and God forbid we should leave "puppy" or "snugbug" behind.

We have had alot of rain in the last few days and the creek is up. WAYYY up. We are supposed to be getting some snow today - needless to say I am glad I'm leaving. I am sooo ready to see SUNSHINE; something we don't see often enough up here during the cold months.

I better get going. I still have Abbi, Jonathan and myself to pack.

The joys of traveling

Two days ago I said I will "blog more later" and I never got back. *sigh* I have been very busy. 2 more days and Jonathan, the girls and I are leaving for our trip! I have been cleaning house like mad, determined to come home to a clean house.

This evening, after Jonathan came home from work we rushed right back out the door - for the 1 hour drive to the "Country Variety Store". This is where I get my whole wheat berries and a bunch of other GREAT stuff from! :) They have the best Amish cheese and candy! Anyways - the weather was nasty and we weren't sure we were going to make it, but thankfully we did and I puchased my 200+ lbs. of wheat and a "bunch of other stuff"! No, No - the wheat wasn't all for me. It's for 2 of my sisters and my dear mother. :)

On our way home from the Country Store - all of a sudden I was having second thoughts about the long drive ahead of us. I am busy "helping" Jonathan drive, when I can't help but tune into Emma and Abbi's "argument" :

Emma: no! mine!

Abbi: NO! MINE!

Emma: no! mine!

Abbi: NO! MINE!

Emma: no! mine!

Mommy: *thinking... "oh Lord - what are they arguing about now??"

Abbi: NOO! MY BUUTS! (boots)

Then it hit me... Emma took her rain boots off and set them in the middle between herself and Abbi, and Abbi was quick to claim them; or atleast try to. :)

*sigh* Tis the joy of traveling.

I wonder what they will find to argue about the whole way down South?!?

Well - it is 10:45 so I better get me some sleep. Another long day ahead tomorrow. I have so much more to write, but it will have to wait for another day. :) Emma and Abbi are doing too many cute things these days. I can't keep up!

Busted!

This past weekend, the night before we were leaving for Columbus to attend my nephews 10th birthday party (HAPPY B-DAY JARED!!) I was in the kitchen making Whole Wheat Cookies (YUMMY). Once I started the mixer I thought it strange that Abbi didn't come running around the corner to "help mommy" as she usually does. So after a few minutes of no sign of her, I decided to venture out to make sure she's just fine. No sooner do I turn the corner I find her sitting on the floor, cutting paper! haha... the look on her face was so funny - she was NOT happy when she was busted! Funny how, I never took the siccors from her and said "NO" but yet she still somehow knew that she was doing something she thought she wasn't supposed to do. I don't mind her using Emma's "kids" siccors because it causes her to be creative. :) I just had to grab my camera and take these pictures - they are priceless. She was so concentrated with cutting the paper she didn't realize I was standing there until the flash went off. :)

On a seperate note - Abbi will be 2 years old 1 month from today! WAAHHHHH *sniff sniff* My BABY girl is growing up. :(

Bri, Hailey and Cody will be here soon, so I must go. Will be blogging more later!

Don't step on the ducks!

Three women die together in an accident and go to heaven. When they get there, St. Peter says, "We only have one rule here in heaven ... don't step on the ducks."

So they enter heaven, and sure enough, there are ducks all over the place. It is almost impossible not to step on a duck, and although they try their best to avoid them, the first woman accidentally steps on one. Along comes St. Peter with the ugliest man she ever saw. St. Peter chains them together and says, "Your punishment for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to this ugly man!"

The next day, the second woman accidentally steps on a duck, and along come St. Peter, who doesn't miss a thing, and with him is another extremely ugly man. He chains them together with the same punishment as the first woman.

The third woman has observed all this and, not wanting to be chained for all eternity to an ugly man, is very, VERY careful where she steps. She manages to go months without stepping on any ducks, but one day St. Peter comes up to her with the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on ... very tall, tan, muscular, and with good hair. St. Peter chains them together without saying a word.

The woman remarks, "I wonder what I did to deserve being chained to you for all of eternity?" And the guy says, "Well, I don't know what you did, but I stepped on a duck."

* Hope you got a good laugh - as I did. :)

Another Typical Day

Today was another rather typical day. It's 7:45 and I am sitting down for what I believe to be the first time today. I went to bed late last night,(again) and had interrupted sleep by Emma 2 times, not to mention the constant nightmares I had. (one of those nights) For some reason Emma decided to wake up and come crawling in our bed. Something she has never done before. After about an hour she said "I'm going in my own bed". A couple hours later she woke me up because she needed me to help her get her pajama's on right. She had the sleeve's turned inside out so she was having a bit of trouble getting dressed after going potty.

It was a most beautiful day today! It reached 65 and sunny. Will probably be the best day we have for months to come. I baby sat as usual, and it was nice to take all the kids out again. Even 8 wk. old baby Cody enjoyed the great outdoors! :) He is so cute! Makes me want a BOY!:) But.......... girls are sooo sweet!! After sitting down not too long ago, Emma comes to me, throws her sweet little arms around my neck and said, "I wuv you sooooo MUCH!" It was sooo sweet!! And of course, Abbi tells me that every night... "Goo nighhh.. I wuv yooouuu". Nothing sweeter than hearing those words from my sweet little girls!

If I wasn't so tired I would make another batch of soap. I have only made 2 so far, which I am happy to announce that we have started using my first batch and we love it! Lathers soo nicely and for some reason I no longer have to use lotion. :) Jonathan won't go back to the "store bought" soap. My 2nd batch "Coco Butter Almond" is still curing, but makes my laundry room smell delicious. I can't wait to try that one out, which has a couple more weeks to cure.

I think my next batch will be "baby grand". A super mild soap for my babies. I also plan on making a shampoo bar real soon. Hopefully I can get these done before going home for Thanksgiving.

Abbi is demanding my attention so I must go. :)

Abbi's Snugglebug

For those of you who do not know who "snugglebug" is - (read the story below) I am including this picture - snugglebug isn't the handsome fellow in this picture... that is my husband. :) Snugglebug is the little guy on Abbi's back pack. This picture was taken in July, but I wanted to include it to introduce "Snugglebug". On this particular day Abbi was all ready to go shopping with her Daddy, and of course she had to bring Snugglebug along. :)

*notice: the date is wrong on the picture; it should be 2006

Ok.. now I am going to bed FOR REAL!

Abbi's latest adoption

This is Abbi's latest "adoption". She found this little "puppy" - as she calls it, in the bottom of the toy box yesterday and hasn't let go of it since. For those of you who know Abbi - you know how much she loved her "snuggle bug" and would sleep with NOTHING else! Well, it looks like she adopted the puppy into her Abbi/Snuggle Bug family. Tonight she went to sleep with BOTH. :) Speaking of sleep it is 12:33 A.M. eekk.. I better get to bed! :)

Fall - gone already!

Well - seems like Fall's spectacular colors have come and gone too quickly. This is about all that is left of the beautiful leaves on the trees. This picture is our creek that runs along the back of our yard. I am already looking forward to Spring, when the birds will return and I can go sit on the brick wall and "bird watch". It's so sad to see all the leaves gone and Winter setting in. Usually this time of year I do look forward to the first big snow fall. For some reason - I am not looking forward to it this year. I am however looking forward to going home for Thanksgiving! :)

You make me sad

This is a story that happened a several days ago, but I kept thinking I must blog this - so I will never forget it.

When Emma does something "bad" or doesn't listen and do what I tell her I say "Emma.. you're not listening to mommy and that makes me very sad" - which in turn she follows directions because she dislikes making me "sad". So the other day she asked me if she can have icecream. I said, "no honey - you can't have icecream right now because it's almost supper time and I don't want you ruining your appetite". She looks up at me, with tears in her eyes and her arms stretched out at her sides and said "Mommy.. you make me so sad".

?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

:)

Fellowship and Giggles

Today turned out to be a chilly, but beautiful day! My friend Miriam and her daughter Rachel came over and spent a few hours with us. We had lots of pictures to look at and alot to catch up on. We had a delicious lunch - and wonderful fellowship! Emma, Abbi and Rachel all got along so well. The house was full of laughter and giggles - music to me ears. :) Emma and Abbi just went down for thier naps. They will be lucky to get an hour in; when Jonathan gets home, we will have to rush out the door to Stephen and Aaron's basketball game, which they are playing in Lima tonight. So I better get going and tidy up the house, while I can.

Busy Day

Right now, it is 10:16, my girls are sleeping and it is 27 degrees outside- supposed to drop down to 22. My lemon tree is out in the sunroom, which is not heated - hopefully I will rememeber to bring it inside before going to bed. I am too lazy to do that right now, and too cold. Today was a rather busy day. It started with taking Emma to school, doing laundry, cleaning house, having someone come over to give us an estimate on 3 picture windows that need replacing. (especially 2 out of three, which lost thier seal) It pays to get more than one estimate. This guy is almost half of what another guy wanted. One thing we have found out is that windows AREN'T cheap! They leak cold air so with Winter weather upon us they MUST be replaced :(

I am having a friend over tomorrow for lunch so Jonathan and the girls helped me whip up a batch of whole wheat cookies! They turned out great! YUMMY! I will have to get up and knead a batch of bread before heading off to Emma's school for a 9:30 meeting. So - I am thinking I better get to bed. :)

Little Mommy

Abbi is up from her nap and doing what she does best, outside of being ornery. Being a little mommy to her baby - with Hot Chocolate all over her shirt. :) She loves kissing, and cuddling her "babies" and "Snuggle Bug". (Snuggle Bug is her snuggly stuffed lamb she sleeps with) :p

I just had to take this picture and blog it!

Turtle Creek Fleamarket

This past weekend we went to a fleamarket down below Dayton called Turtle Creek. It is a big fleamarket and we covered alot of ground. I found a few necessities such as fresh organic apples, turnip roots and fresh farm chicken eggs. The apples are divine and the eggs are scrumptious!

Jonathan and I have also been looking to buy a bike trailer for the kids and we found one that looks like this one. But- we only paid 35.00 so we got a much better deal. :) It was a nice little weekend trip - of course the girls had to go away with something too, so they each bought them a little bouncy ball with a string on it - courtesy of thier own money. :) I am having company over tomorrow for lunch, so I must get off the computer, plan and clean while my kids are taking thier afternoon naps. :)

*COMING SOON: About; my 2nd bacth of homemade soap.

Child Like Faith

Emma loves going to school and each morning she wakes up ready to eat breakfast, get dressed and rush out the door for School. Yesterday morning, we were actually running ahead of schedule so after her getting dressed, we didn't rush out the door. So - she goes ...

Emma: Mommy - come on.. let's go to school

Mommy: wait honey - it's not time yet

Emma: yes it is

Mommy: no honey - we can't leave now... your teachers aren't at school yet. It's too early.

Emma: *sigh* Mommy...

Mommy: yes?

Emma: Let's pray that my teachers will come to shcool - and then they will be there and we can go!!

How sweet is the faith of a small child. *smile*

Recent picture of the Girls

Here is a recent picture of the girls. I thought I would add this since I haven't sent a picture out in a while. They are sitting on the steps that lead into the sunroom, Abbi eating a tomato out of our garden. Her and Emma both LOVED fresh tomato's and I sure loved watching them eat 'em. :)

 

Zoommm...

Wow - I can't believe it's been so long since I last sat down and wrote in my blog. I have entered the world of cold pressed soap making and herbs! All my research I have been doing has taken' up my free time. I have learned soo much - and it's been an exciting experience. I made my first batch of soap almost a week ago. It looks as though it turned out GREAT! - However - we have to wait 3 to 4 weeks for the soap to cure before we can try it out - and that will be the REAL test! I am now waiting for some essential oils to come in so I can make a fancy "food for your skin and hair" type bar. The first cp soap batch I made was just a basic soap. No scent. I didn't want to waste any extra ingredients until I know for sure what I am doing. Making cp soap isn't hard, you just have to pay special attention to detail. I have also made an all-natural whipped shea butter - which turned out great. It's made with organic, unrefined shea butter - which has many healing qualities. It leaves my skin so soft. I especially like it for my face.

I am looking forward to Spring. (so sad since Winter is not even here yet *sigh*) I have already decided I am going to do away with the flowers in my "flower garden" and turn it into a "herb garden". I will be starting my seeds indoors as I do every year, but this time it will be herbs instead of flowers. Well - I am sure I will plant SOME flowers. I can't let my front yard go to rubbish. hehe I usually plant orange marigolds, zinnia, coleus and impatience. I will probably do the same this year, but just drastically cut the amount.

Now I am just waiting to make it to the pharmacy so I can purchase some food grade glycerin to make an echinacea tincture for my girls.

Speaking of my girls - they are both doing GREAT and GROWING too fast. :( Emma still loves going to pre-shcool, and Abbi still misses her terribly while she is gone. Our coversations go something like this about every 5 minutes while Emma is gone:

Abbi: Mom! Where Meh-ma (Emma) at?

Mom: Emma is at school - I thought I already told you that ( she asks me the same thing as soon as we step foot out of Emm'a classroom, when we drop her off in the mornings AND in the van on the way home)

Abbi: Coolll?? (school)

Mom: Yes.. at school

Abbi: Ooohhhh.... Where Daddy at? Mow?

Mom: No - daddy isn't mowing right now - he is at work making glasses to help people see better

Abbi: wok??

Mom: Yes honey - daddy is at work and Emma is at school.

Abbi: Oohhhh....

5 Minutes later...

Abbi: Mom! Where Meh-ma (Emma) at?

...........................................................................................

*smile*

She is so cute... but just SOOO persistant. Just ask her Auntie Lisa - she has seen it first hand!

Emma is having fun at school and now I am back to baby sitting. I had a six week break because the girls mom, had a baby and she was on a 6 week maternity leave. I had plans for my break.... painting the sunroom, my bedroom, my laundry room, and the closet therein .... needless to say I got NOTHING accomplished. I still had the girls 2 days out of the week. The mom still wanted to bring them since they were so crazy about playing with Emma, and visa versa! Now, the mom is back at work, and I am back to babysitting 4 days a week. Another week and I will have thier baby brother too!

Well , I need to go - Abbi is awake and calling from her bed. I still have so much to write so I will have to come back later. :D

Typical Sunday

Well .. today was another typical Sunday. It was nice, and relaxing. It was another beautiful cool day.

We got up this morning, got ready for church, went and picked up a friend and his kids and took them to church with us. After church, we had lunch at thier home. We had chili, which was VERY good!

They have a huge apple tree.. the apples were delicious. I was told to get as many as I like. Sooo....I got enough apples for 2 pies, came home, made them.. and YUMMY! They turned out GREAT!! Nothing like a good warm Apple Pie with Vanilla icecream! :)

Now... It is 11:19 and I am headed off to bed.. am very tired. Tomorrow is Monday.. wow.. how time flies...

Evening Drive

Well - here I am again. I haven't written in my blog for the last couple of days - not too much has been going on. Today, was another beautiful day! The kids were out most of the day. I also babysat as usual. While Emma and the girls were playing out in the backyard, Abbi and I made Pumkin Muffins, a recipe from my sister Doina and they turned out delicious! All the kids had them for snack, and we had more after supper for dessert! I can't wait to try them with wheat flour. I am out of wheat. I hope to make it to the Coutry Store this weekend to buy more.

After supper this evening Jonathan had a brilliant idea! We all jumped in the van, and went out to one of our reservoirs. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! We took a wonderful country drive -- the weather was so nice and cool, the sun was setting behind us and there were cornfeilds on either side of us....just lovely.

When we got to the reservoir we walked about half a mile. The kids walked most of the way, but then both needed a "piggy back ride" before it was done. They were getting tired. They enjoyed seeing the seagulls, and the 1 duck. Suprisingly there wasn't more. As the sun was setting, the purple martins started to come out. It was beautiful! We sat down on a big rock and watch the fish jump up.. and the sun set. It was a beautiful relaxing evening. We hope to do it again sometime real soon.

Blackberry Thief

Today, I was sitting at my computer, (laptop) at the kitchen table. The weather was nice so I had all my windows and doors open. My two little girls were playing (having a picnic) out the side door on the stair step. My next door neighbor comes over, stands in the door and calls my name. When I looked up, to my delight he was holding a bowl full of blackberries - and to my embarrassment, lil' Abigail was out there playing with no diaper on- no panties... no.. nothing. I was immediately embarrassed. So I walked over, graciously accepted the black berries and was sure to quickly explain why Abigail was naked. "I am in the process of potty training this one" I said. "Oh, Oh, - o.k." was all he could seem to say. I wonder... what kind of impression did that leave? Only time will tell - I guess I have to wait until next summer when blackberry season comes along.

I took the blackberries inside, quickly searched the internet for a blackberry recipe. With alittle bit of luck, I ran across a delicious recipe at: http://www.allrecipes.com . I measured out enough berries for the Blackberry Cobbler, washed them and set them aside. I turned around for no more than ONE minute, and low and behold.... this is who I found in the blackberries....



So, needless to say, I had to remeasure and wash.. ect. :) Even with all the obsticales, I managed to get it done. It was delicious! Jonathan gave it a 5 out of 5 rating. :) We had warm cobbler over vanilla icecream. YUMMY! You can get the recipe here. Just a note: I cut back 1/4 cup of the sugar, and it was perfect! Not too tart, and not too sweet. When all was said and done, this is what it looked like:

On a seperate note: Abbi is now on day 3 of her potty training. I think she is starting to get the hang of things. After many "accidents", this evening after wetting her panties, she immediately took them off and went and sat herself on the potty. :)So she is starting to realized what the potty is for. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Potty Training Abbi

Well, I did it. Today was day one of potty training Abbi. She was more than ready, always asking to go potty and even attemping to undress herself. She has been doing this for about 3 weeks now, so I decided it was finally time to start the potty training process. We will see how this goes. She will be 20 months old tomorrow! I set her on the potty several times today, and she went teetee once! Needless to say, I was much more excited than she was - but it was a rather good day. She sat on the potty with no problem. Hopefully tomorrow will go just as smooth.

One a seperate note, when my kids went down for a nap today, I was able to do some bird watching down by our creek. The weather was AWESOME and the birds were active. I seen several cedar waxwings down by the creek. I was excited to see them for today may be the last I see of them since they will be migrating soon.

Abigail's Report

Abbi is almost 20 months old - she is doing and saying so much these days! Where do I start? :) Today she learned that she can pedal this car and get from here to there. It has become her favorite new toy.

She has become quite the little parrot repeating almost everything you ask her too- and many words just on her own! Her favorite things to say is:

"I do it" (she wants to do EVERYTHING on her own)

"go away bug" (speaking to the flys that manage to come thru the door)

AND

"come on mommy" (if I ask her to go get something, she always asks me to come with her)

She says too many words to list. She knows the names of all 3 of the girls I babysit - including 2 of the neighbor kids that come over to play with Emma once in a while. Thier names are Alana and Douglas. Last week - we were in my bedroom - Abbi was sitting on my bed and I was next to the bed folding cloths. It was a nice cool days, our shades were up and the windows open. I am sitting there folding cloths and Abbi goes "mommy! lana - dougas", and I looked up and she was poting out the window. I looked over, and seen Alana and Douglas riding by on thier bikes. Up until then I had no clue she even knew who they were! Every day she is saying something new... she just amazes me.

Her favorite thing is to sit down and write. She will sit down and write for long periods at a time. She must also show me her picture every 5 seconds. :)

She asks me to go potty on a daily basis. I set her on the "big" potty, but she hasn't accomplished anything yet. One of these days I am going to get serious about it, and I think she will catch on in no time at all! Her favorite part about sitting on the potty now is getting wiped. (even though she doesn't do anything - she still wants me to wipe her) :)

Emma's Report

Emma - she is a sweetheart! She will do anything to please "mommy". She is always full of smiles, hugs and kisses! She is so good at playing with her sister. The picture above was taken this morning, as Emma was giving Abbi a ride on thier pedal car.

This past week while Lavinia and Michael was visiting, I realized that Emma LOVES babies! Having the little baby on her mind, this morning at the breakfast table we had an adorable conversation that went like this:

Mommy: I love my babies, Emma and Abbi! And oh yes - and I love my big baby, daddy too!

Emma: Nooo - my daddy!

Mommy: Ohh - ok.. so he is your daddy - not mine?

Emma: YES

Mommy: Yes - that's right. Do you rememeber pawpa and buna (grandma) from Uncle Sam's Wedding?

Emma: yes

Mommy: Pawpa is my daddy, and buna is my mommy

Emma: ooohhhhh

Mommy: and do you know Grandpa Ed?

Emma: yyyyyyesss

Mommy: that's daddies daddy

Emma: (thinking... thinking.. thinking) hmmm... daddy was a baby???

Mommy: yyess.. he sure was. Daddy was a small baby at one time

Emma: (eyes a glistening) Mommy! I held daddy?!?!?!

Mommy: haha .. no sweetheart, daddy was a baby loonnngg before you were born.

Emma: oooohhhhhhh

David Michael

Well.. my sister Lavinia, her husband Michael and thier new precious lilttle baby, David Michael came to see me and spent almost a week. Below you will see alot of pictures that were taken while they were here. Over the next few days I will try and add a few close up pictures.

I'm finally back!

It's been so long since I have last wrote in my "blog". My girls are growing up so fast, I have every intention of keeping it up as to what is going on in our neck of the woods. If I slack off any, be sure to contact me at: info@discountinvitationshop.com and YELL at me!

Spring is here!

Wow - I can't believe it's been about 4 months since I have last "blogged"!

Spring is finally here. The daffodils have come and gone and the tulips have bloomed and are fading out. The grass is green and the trees are coming back to life. The lilacs are also in full bloom. This is my FAVORITE time of year!

I spent most of the day out in the yard looking for new birds that have arrived. I have seen 4 news birds in just 2 days! The Eastern Phoebe, Yellow Warbler, Tree Swallow, and last but not least the Black and White Warlber! This has been very exciting being that I have not seen a "new" bird in over a year! Oh wait.. I did see an Eastern Towhee a few weeks ago. :) I will be on the look out for more birds and post them as I see them. :)