This is the day. This is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice. Yes, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I'll be glad in it for this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Oh, this is the day. This is the day that the Lord had made.
It all started with an incredibly early bedtime for Auds followed promptly by a horrendous night terror. When Auds has these, she somehow gets this super human strength and my 6ft husband can barely contain her. This night terror kept her awake until about 1 and subsequently kept her brother awake as well. This caused us to miss prayer meeting and music practice.
We ended up going to bed around 3 and my husband woke up at 5, after his alarm went off at 430. Auds teeteed in the bed shortly thereafter. I put a towel on it and told her to lay back down. I scooted out at 6 praying that they'd sleep in so I could get some processing done. I worked on washing the diapers and cloth before I realized...
No such luck, both kids sauntered out shortly thereafter. We had breakfast and got ready for Tony's play class. Owing to his lack of sleep, he wanted nothing to do with the class. On top of that, an older sibling of a classmate slammed his face into the floor during bubble time. Yup. That was a blast.
We made a quick stop at the market to make some groceries and Auds threw a fit about the buggies. They were spaceships and not race cars like at the other store. I told her if she didn't want to get in, I'd leave her in the parking lot and pick her up on my way out. Don't call CPS, it was an empty threat. But she did get in.
Came home and made lunch and got a call that the A/C man was coming. We need a new unit. He washed ours and put in some freon to tide us over u til he could find a unit like ours. Woo hoo.
As I'm bribing the kids with a movie and trying to get a teeny tiny bit of work done, the dog somehow gets his collar stuck in his kennel in his sleep. When he tries to roll over and can't, he freaks out flipping the kennel, his gate, and literally scared the poop (and pee) out of himself. So I have to free and comfort a freaked out pit bull, clean up his mess (and we just ran out of paper towels. We're mostly cloth so we didn't have any more on hand), flip the kennel and gate back to their normal positions all while keeping two very curious toddlers out.
I'm convinced that God has a sense of humor when we get days like today. You know, the kind of days to keep you humble. And everything hits the fan at once so all you can do is laugh. And then your babies pretend to laugh with you. :) such a sweet sound that is.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Goodie Goodies
As promised, here are the adorable outfits I got for Auds for under $100...
She's got seven skirts. There are only 6 here because one has been placed in the car as a backup skirt should we need it. I've got a whole backup kit in there. Wipes, undies and clothes changes for the kids, etc.
Here are the seven long sleeved shirts we got her. For some reason this decided to post sideways and Blogger won't let me change it. Just crane your neck. Then call your chiropractor.
These are her adorable little dresses. The top is made of a comfy jersey knit and the bottom is a chiffon-y type of material. Top it off with a flower on the top and it's cute.
And here's a picture of Auds in the pink dress pretending to be Mittens Fluff 'N Stuff. Yes, she is wearing knee-high socks in the middle of July when it's nearly 100 outside. She's wearing her baby sister Bundles in my Beco just like Mittens does. Passing that baby wearing on to the next generation. Sorry it's a bit blurry, it's an Instagram that I snuck in church while a sleeping boy napped on me. Stealth operations leave no time for accuracy sometimes. ;)
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Call Me Old Fashioned
If anyone ever sees this post or it happens to go viral (highly unlikely, but it did happen to a friend of mine once), than it will likely cause a tiny stir. But I want to know what others think on the subject. So, here goes.
Are our children growing up too fast and is it our fault as parents? I've been discussing this with my friends and my husband lately. My husband and I are pretty conservative about most things. And that continues into our parenting. We are very careful about what our children are exposed to. We don't have TV, we don't listen to the radio, and we don't go to the movies. We do, however, have Netflix (stored with Lalaloopsy, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Veggie Tales), a collection of CDs, and watch a movie together every weekend night for "Family Nights." We believe, as strange as it may sound, that kids should be kids for as long as possible and not little adults - not that we condone a lot of "adult behaviors," either.
For example, I want my little girl to LOOK like a little girl. She wears smocked dresses, modest skirts, and age appropriate tops with sleeves. And, I won't lie, it shocks me when I go into a store and see skinny jeans, short shorts, and halter tops for toddlers and preschoolers. Toddlers and preschoolers. What exactly do they have to show off? I'm sure they just want to look like older sisters/role models/ friends/ mothers, but seriously? We're indoctrinating our girls with the message to show off their bodies from a young age. That scares me.
I had a friend recently lament that her daughter doesn't want to dress like a little girl any more and wants to wear more mature clothes and wear makeup and listen to the popular songs on the radio and playing with her own iParaphernalia - she's three - and that my friend doesn't feel she can stop her. My husband's question was "Why doesn't she stop her? She's the parent and can control what her daughter has access to and certainly what she does at that age." I agree with him. But how many parents do?
How many parents unknowingly expose their children to a downward spiral of sex-obsessed culture and behaviors from infancy because that is all the mass media and popular ideology throws at us? Are we supposed to have a laid back attitude and let our children expose the world and express themselves as they wish from the earliest of ages and not guide or provide structure for them? Is anyone else sickened by this as I am?
Take our media, for example. This is Lalaloopsy. It's a show about rag dolls who come to life and have the personalities of the fabrics they were made from (a ballet dancer, a teacher, a baker, a nap-lover -she was made from a pillow. Kindred spirit, I think). They plan surprise birthday parties to show their friends they care, they go on adventures, and they learn with each other. And, they're dressed as something relatable for little girls, I think. They're all modest and are known for their personalities and not their bodies.
These are the Bratz girls. They're marketed for the same age group. They're heavily made up, provocatively posed, and promiscuously dressed. Not to mention that their figures are not indicative of a healthy self image for a little girl. I can't say that I know what the story lines of these shows are because I'm so sickened by their appearance to even allow it in my home. We encourage our little girls to play with these dolls and watch these shows and then wonder why they would want to dress like that? How can they know any different if that's all they see.
My son loves trains, cars, and construction equipment. And I will be happy to allow him to indulge his interests even if they change to other things as he ages. But I will not allow him to spend hours watching sexually objectifying and foul language ridden shows nor play video games that make light at sex trafficking and violence. How has that become our new normal?
I have a young cousin who knew how to play every game and level of Grand Theft Auto before he could read. Before he was in first grade he was exposed to stealing, using women and murdering them for sport.
Thomas learns about how to help others and utilize the three R's - to be reliable, resourceful and really useful. He learns how to deal with others who pick on him and taunt him for his kind-natured innocence.
I'm not even going to post a picture of what I found while Google imaging Grand Theft Auto. But, based on that, which would you say is more appropriate for a toddler? A preschooler? Anyone, really, for that matter?
Our news reports are littered with horror tales of massacres, murders, drug abuse and prostitution and we wonder why our world has fallen to this state. Seriously? Have we looked at the children we are rearing and what we are teaching them?
If we encourage a little girl to dance provocatively and sing the lyrics to "I'm Sexy and I Know It" we shouldn't be afraid if she comes home pregnant at 16. We planted the seed for those behaviors and have to deal with the plant that grows.
If we allow our young boys to treat girls as lesser individuals and make light of drug use (or worse - see us doing it) then we shouldn't be shocked if he becomes a "baby daddy" with a habit living in our basement. Again, reap what you sow.
And let me say that I'm not judging anyone's parenting. We all have to do what we feel is right for our children. Some people, probably most, won't agree with my ways. And that's okay. I want to know what the motives are for others. And I know that I can't shelter my little ones forever and keep them in a bubble. They will have to go out and explore life and will run into these things. My goal, however, is to ingrain in them such a self confidence and self-love and love and respect of others that they won't see the temptation in the standard fare, but rather live their lives in their own skin.
Am I alone in thinking we should be bringing up our children in a way that would make them productive adults and not succumb to our cultures pressures? Am I wrong for my little girl to want to know what it's like to be respected for her ideas and personality than what she's wearing or how she shakes it? Am I wrong for wanting my son to learn how to be a gentleman and treat others with kindness and regard?
Or am I completely off base and old fashioned?
Are our children growing up too fast and is it our fault as parents? I've been discussing this with my friends and my husband lately. My husband and I are pretty conservative about most things. And that continues into our parenting. We are very careful about what our children are exposed to. We don't have TV, we don't listen to the radio, and we don't go to the movies. We do, however, have Netflix (stored with Lalaloopsy, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Veggie Tales), a collection of CDs, and watch a movie together every weekend night for "Family Nights." We believe, as strange as it may sound, that kids should be kids for as long as possible and not little adults - not that we condone a lot of "adult behaviors," either.
For example, I want my little girl to LOOK like a little girl. She wears smocked dresses, modest skirts, and age appropriate tops with sleeves. And, I won't lie, it shocks me when I go into a store and see skinny jeans, short shorts, and halter tops for toddlers and preschoolers. Toddlers and preschoolers. What exactly do they have to show off? I'm sure they just want to look like older sisters/role models/ friends/ mothers, but seriously? We're indoctrinating our girls with the message to show off their bodies from a young age. That scares me.
I had a friend recently lament that her daughter doesn't want to dress like a little girl any more and wants to wear more mature clothes and wear makeup and listen to the popular songs on the radio and playing with her own iParaphernalia - she's three - and that my friend doesn't feel she can stop her. My husband's question was "Why doesn't she stop her? She's the parent and can control what her daughter has access to and certainly what she does at that age." I agree with him. But how many parents do?
How many parents unknowingly expose their children to a downward spiral of sex-obsessed culture and behaviors from infancy because that is all the mass media and popular ideology throws at us? Are we supposed to have a laid back attitude and let our children expose the world and express themselves as they wish from the earliest of ages and not guide or provide structure for them? Is anyone else sickened by this as I am?
Take our media, for example. This is Lalaloopsy. It's a show about rag dolls who come to life and have the personalities of the fabrics they were made from (a ballet dancer, a teacher, a baker, a nap-lover -she was made from a pillow. Kindred spirit, I think). They plan surprise birthday parties to show their friends they care, they go on adventures, and they learn with each other. And, they're dressed as something relatable for little girls, I think. They're all modest and are known for their personalities and not their bodies. These are the Bratz girls. They're marketed for the same age group. They're heavily made up, provocatively posed, and promiscuously dressed. Not to mention that their figures are not indicative of a healthy self image for a little girl. I can't say that I know what the story lines of these shows are because I'm so sickened by their appearance to even allow it in my home. We encourage our little girls to play with these dolls and watch these shows and then wonder why they would want to dress like that? How can they know any different if that's all they see.My son loves trains, cars, and construction equipment. And I will be happy to allow him to indulge his interests even if they change to other things as he ages. But I will not allow him to spend hours watching sexually objectifying and foul language ridden shows nor play video games that make light at sex trafficking and violence. How has that become our new normal?
I have a young cousin who knew how to play every game and level of Grand Theft Auto before he could read. Before he was in first grade he was exposed to stealing, using women and murdering them for sport.
Thomas learns about how to help others and utilize the three R's - to be reliable, resourceful and really useful. He learns how to deal with others who pick on him and taunt him for his kind-natured innocence.I'm not even going to post a picture of what I found while Google imaging Grand Theft Auto. But, based on that, which would you say is more appropriate for a toddler? A preschooler? Anyone, really, for that matter?
Our news reports are littered with horror tales of massacres, murders, drug abuse and prostitution and we wonder why our world has fallen to this state. Seriously? Have we looked at the children we are rearing and what we are teaching them?
If we encourage a little girl to dance provocatively and sing the lyrics to "I'm Sexy and I Know It" we shouldn't be afraid if she comes home pregnant at 16. We planted the seed for those behaviors and have to deal with the plant that grows.
If we allow our young boys to treat girls as lesser individuals and make light of drug use (or worse - see us doing it) then we shouldn't be shocked if he becomes a "baby daddy" with a habit living in our basement. Again, reap what you sow.
And let me say that I'm not judging anyone's parenting. We all have to do what we feel is right for our children. Some people, probably most, won't agree with my ways. And that's okay. I want to know what the motives are for others. And I know that I can't shelter my little ones forever and keep them in a bubble. They will have to go out and explore life and will run into these things. My goal, however, is to ingrain in them such a self confidence and self-love and love and respect of others that they won't see the temptation in the standard fare, but rather live their lives in their own skin.
Am I alone in thinking we should be bringing up our children in a way that would make them productive adults and not succumb to our cultures pressures? Am I wrong for my little girl to want to know what it's like to be respected for her ideas and personality than what she's wearing or how she shakes it? Am I wrong for wanting my son to learn how to be a gentleman and treat others with kindness and regard?
Or am I completely off base and old fashioned?
Target Deals!
If you read the anything on the Internet at all, you've probably heard about the great deals going on at Target right now. And, boy, are they true!
While our Target was cleaned out of toys in a nano second, I was able to score some great clothes for Auds and pretty much complete her Fall/Winter wardrobe (sans stockings and shoes) for under $100! Yes, you read that right!
If you have a little girl, run, don't walk over to Tar-jay right now and stock up! I didn't look for little boys coz TB would very much rather stay naked and if he has to put clothes on he doesn't really care what it is and will wear anything. If it's not his Thomas the Tank Engine pj's, he's pretty apathetic.
Anyway, these are the summer clothes, but they are in great jewel tones which, in my opinion are always in style in the Fall. And these may not be feasible if you live in very cold climates. But, seeing as we live in a place where snow is a state holiday, it works for us.
I got....drum roll please... seven adorable skirts, seven long-sleeved shirts (four of them are white, because whites never stay white with little ones), and four precious dresses. For under $100. The skirts were normally closer to $10, but were marked down to $3.50. The dresses were normally $15, but were marked down to $7.50. The long-sleeved shirts were $5 a piece. If you add all that up, it would have been around $175 without tax. And we have high taxes on everything. People who live in areas where clothes and groceries aren't taxed, I am so jealous of you. Just letting you know.
Pictures to come after everything has been washed. Yes, I'm one of those people that has to wash everything before it is worn. I worked in retail in college. People are dirty, honey.
While our Target was cleaned out of toys in a nano second, I was able to score some great clothes for Auds and pretty much complete her Fall/Winter wardrobe (sans stockings and shoes) for under $100! Yes, you read that right!
If you have a little girl, run, don't walk over to Tar-jay right now and stock up! I didn't look for little boys coz TB would very much rather stay naked and if he has to put clothes on he doesn't really care what it is and will wear anything. If it's not his Thomas the Tank Engine pj's, he's pretty apathetic.
Anyway, these are the summer clothes, but they are in great jewel tones which, in my opinion are always in style in the Fall. And these may not be feasible if you live in very cold climates. But, seeing as we live in a place where snow is a state holiday, it works for us.
I got....drum roll please... seven adorable skirts, seven long-sleeved shirts (four of them are white, because whites never stay white with little ones), and four precious dresses. For under $100. The skirts were normally closer to $10, but were marked down to $3.50. The dresses were normally $15, but were marked down to $7.50. The long-sleeved shirts were $5 a piece. If you add all that up, it would have been around $175 without tax. And we have high taxes on everything. People who live in areas where clothes and groceries aren't taxed, I am so jealous of you. Just letting you know.
Pictures to come after everything has been washed. Yes, I'm one of those people that has to wash everything before it is worn. I worked in retail in college. People are dirty, honey.
Friday, July 27, 2012
What Do You Do?
What do you do when you don't know what to do?
Or, rather, what do I do when I don't know what to do?
Make it up as I go along! Oh, yes, I do! Fake it til you make it, baby!
And you know what? Some of my best ideas have come about that way.
Gluten-free vegetarian lasagna? Totally made up on the spot and totally awesome!
Salsa steak and rice? I was praying that one would come out well. Both the hubs and TB cleaned their plates, so that's a good sign!
Toddler tin can bowling? Oh, yeah! The kids...LOVE IT! It's a great way to reuse when your town is too small for recycling. It's a great way to entertain the kids for a loooong time. And it's a great way to freak out the dog and ensure that you won't be able to carry on a conversation. "Is there a national emergency going on around you?" "WHAT?! SAY THAT AGAIN! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" The only caution, if you only have tile in your house...this game will be reeaaallly loud. Just letting you know. In case you value your eardrums or anything.
Or, rather, what do I do when I don't know what to do?
Make it up as I go along! Oh, yes, I do! Fake it til you make it, baby!
And you know what? Some of my best ideas have come about that way.
Gluten-free vegetarian lasagna? Totally made up on the spot and totally awesome!
Salsa steak and rice? I was praying that one would come out well. Both the hubs and TB cleaned their plates, so that's a good sign!
Toddler tin can bowling? Oh, yeah! The kids...LOVE IT! It's a great way to reuse when your town is too small for recycling. It's a great way to entertain the kids for a loooong time. And it's a great way to freak out the dog and ensure that you won't be able to carry on a conversation. "Is there a national emergency going on around you?" "WHAT?! SAY THAT AGAIN! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" The only caution, if you only have tile in your house...this game will be reeaaallly loud. Just letting you know. In case you value your eardrums or anything.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Hi, Hello, and How Are You?
Hi, there!
I'm Stephanie. I'm a wife, a mother, and a photographer. If you're interested in the first two, stay right here. If you're interested in the last one, mosey on over to here.
That's me, if you're wondering. My husband doesn't like having his picture taken, but if you follow me on Instagram, you might find a shot or two.
That's my angel, Auds.
And that's my little ham man TB.
I'm Stephanie. I'm a wife, a mother, and a photographer. If you're interested in the first two, stay right here. If you're interested in the last one, mosey on over to here.
That's me, if you're wondering. My husband doesn't like having his picture taken, but if you follow me on Instagram, you might find a shot or two. 
That's my angel, Auds. 
And that's my little ham man TB.
I live in a small country town with a husband, two kids, two cats, a big dog, and a lot of fun. Oh, and a lot of azaleas and crepe myrtles, hence the name.
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