Living Simply Saturdays - Scheduling

It is really exciting when you realize, all of a sudden, that God is truly changing you. I'm not sure where it began (though I think it's related to having 2 children now...that'll change you one way or another!), but I have started a journey with the Holy Spirit to make some changes in my living, my mothering, my wife-ing (not a word, I know), and my being.

So my latest sources of encouragement and inspiration have been other woman's blogs! Keeper of the Home is one that I only started reading a few days ago, but I am avidly reading and finding a kindred spirit :)

Here are some changes that I am making that have really helped me:

1. Getting up earlier.

I will admit that there have been days I've fallen behind on this one, but overall, I am slowly adjusting my body clock. I find that the days I rise before both children sets the tone for that day, even if all I manage to accomplish is taking a shower. A few days this last week I even got a cup of coffee, read some Scripture, put in a load of laundry...it's motivating me to try to rise even earlier! I love feeling prepared for the day.

2. Following some sort of cleaning schedule ON PAPER!

I'm using Motivated Moms Printable Chore List again. For a mom with two little ones, I definitely have not gotten every single thing done every day, but the KEY is that it gives me a goal. I consult the refrigerator when I am ready to do something, and there it is on the chore list - the things I need to do. I am a very scatter-brained individual, so I need that sort-of 'accountability' to keep my brain on-task.

It's funny, isn't it, that being *more* organized actually simplifies life?! Now, I need prayers that my motivation will continue, even when my enthusiasm wears off :-)

The boys' statistics...and the cutest picture ever!

Cole's 2 month statistics: Height - 24" (80%) Weight - 12lb. 10oz. (75%)

Graeme's 22 month statistics: Height - 33 3/4" (50%) Weight - 26lb. 15oz. (45%)

The pediatrician was wonderful! Didn't blink an eye about our delaying vaccinations - just had me sign the consent form. She said they both look very healthy. Graeme was extremely traumatized by the thermometer in his armpit...it would have been funny, except I felt so badly for the poor boy. Cole was just a charmer! Both boys were brave and sweet, as I know they are :-) We arrived 30 minutes early, and it's a good thing, because Cole apparently desperately needed more milk, then he pooped out the diaper. So imagine me in the passenger's seat of the car, with Graeme in the driver's seat "driving" (pretending, of course), a very long baby in my lap with poop all over his clothes...ah, these are the days I will look back and long for in just a few years ;-)

Now for the cutest picture EVER! I asked Graeme to kiss baby Cole. He loves to kiss us all, but he is very gentle with Cole. Probably because I'm constantly warning him to "be gentle". I guess I better get over that LOL! Two active boys aren't going to be tip-toeing around like little ladies I guess ha! Here are my sweet boys.

Graeme's Snow Day

Wednesday was our third "snow day" - roads not so great, too cold to go outside, Graeme had a cold....so we needed some creative ideas to keep us all busy (and happy!). Nonnie (my Mom) had some good suggestions. So here's a photo story of "Graeme's Snow Day":

First we whipped up some cookie dough to make cookies later. Graeme's favorite part? Licking the spoon of course!




After that, I brought the snow inside! It was more like ice at this point, but we had fun: eating it, making balls, throwing them in the bowl, saying "coooooold"....and of course, constructing a "mo-man"!



Graeme took a nap and then we were ready to cut the cookies out to bake and decorate. Momma is not the greatest icing color creator (yet). The colors were, shall we say...bright and creative! Oh well. They still taste good. Whenever I say "smile" and point the camera at Graeme, that's what I get - a huge grin :-D




Along with chores, cleaning up our mess, and taking care of Cole, that was our snow day!

Mercury Found in High Fructose Corn Syrup

Breaking story!

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/fresh-greens/2009/01/28/mercury-found-in-high-fructose-corn-syrup.html

Wow.

Some helpful links for mommas :-)

A neat article on scheduling from a momma with 11 children :-) I found lots of great ideas, and was inspired by a godly woman's advice...I'm still working my way through the article!
Tips on Making it through a Day without going insane!

I'm working on learning how to "coupon" to save more money. Then I'm going to try to see if CVS/Walgreens can work for me!
I found this article so helpful because it organized 7 steps to learning how to do all this, along with what the author felt were the most helpful articles on each step...saves a lot of digging around!
Shopping with Coupons: A Beginner's Guide to Saving

The Best Window Cleaner

I'm using this recipe and love it, so I thought I'd share! I knew to use vinegar, but adding the bit of dishwash liquid works wonders. Plus, this is completely safe to inhale, which is so important when cleaning with little ones around. (Oh, and it's super cheap, too!)

The Best Window Cleaner

Menu Plan Monday

For more Menu Plan Monday ideas visit Laura @ I'm an Organizing Junkie! There's a giveaway this week :)

Monday - Blackeye Pea Supperdish w/ homemade bread and salad
Tuesday - Grilled cheese & tomato sandwiches, spinach/onion/mushroom omelet
Wednesday - Stuffed peppers, baked potatoes, cheese biscuits
Thursday - Hot dogs, beans, chips, fruit
Friday - Breakfast
Saturday - Meatloaf (make one, freeze one), mashed potatoes, green beans
Sunday - Chili (from the freezer), cornbread muffins

Cole's 2 months pictures...and some of Graeme too :)

Finally having a chance to upload some pictures today! :) These aren't fabulous, but at least they're updates....I know the last one of Cole is blurry, but of course, the only picture I got of him smiling was blurry. He's sharing many smiles, cooing a lot, holding his head up for fairly long stretches, and discovering his fists - he even hits his toys on the playmat sometimes. It seems to surprise him and then he wants to try to do it again :-)

It was finally warm enough to take a walk yesterday. The double stroller was nice, though I don't have the hang of the fixed frint wheel yet.

Graeme has yet another cold! I knew he had to get some sometime, since the average toddler gets like 5-8 colds a year...we were due for some! But I hope this one does not last 2 weeks.

We have pediatrician appointments on Friday, so next weekend I'll post updated weights and lengths :)

Recipe Fun Friday

I thought I'd jump in for Nikki's Recipe Fun Fridays...if you share a recipe, please leave a link!

This week, I tried a new recipe that will be in my rotation regularly! It's "Maria's Stuffed Chicken Breasts" from allrecipes, with the following changes:

1. sauteed garlic & onion in olive oil,
2. used fresh spinach and threw it in w/ the garlic/onion until wilted
3. cut a "slit" in the fat part of the breast instead of usng toothpicks like the recipe called for
4. added some parmesan
5. cut the recipe in half b/c many of the reviews said it made too much, and I agree!

Served it on top of spaghetti and some garlic bread...mmmmm! It was fairly easy and quick, but looked and tasted very elegant.

i'm learning...

...that for my sanity and the good of my household, i need to get up earlier - my ambition is 5:30. I did 6:15 today :-)

...that the Biblical command in Titus 2 (older women teach the younger to love their husbands) uses the word for "love" that means warm, passionate, exuberant, adoring. As a woman, it comes naturally for me to love in a nurturing, even self-less way. It does not come naturally for me to be passionate and adoring...especially with a newborn and a toddler to care for :-) Yet that is what God knows my husband needs.

...that God is merciful and sovereign. Read this article!

...that newborn poop is not supposed to be green :-( Trying to determine why Cole's has been since a week after birth.

...that I need to go to bed earlier to achieve said goal LOL! Goodnight!

Coming to us on Thursday...

...our first brand-new appliance - an Amana washer, voted the consumer's best buy for a front-loader washer! We got a great deal on it at Home Depot yesterday, and I can't wait to have a working washer back in the house. It's going to get a super-testing because I'm going to have probably 10 loads to do in the first few days LOL!

Sickies and Family...

Just a note to those of you checking in - we've had family visiting and now sickies, so my blogging has taken a back-seat...should have some time in the next few days to download new pics and post some :-) Blessings to you and yours in this new year!