Random Uselessness

I can't brush my teeth with the water from the kitchen sink.  I know it's the same water that flows through my bathroom sink..but I just can't do it.

I don't like my seatbelt to be twisted.  Ryan is the same way; yet it is not something I taught him.

The mess free ketchup bottle is TOTALLY WORTH the extra cost in my opinion! 

Sometimes I snort when I laugh.

I was able to go to Argentina on a missions trip my first year at college.  On our last day there we got to go see the Colon Opera House.  I cried I thought it was so beautiful.  Seriously...who cries over red velvet covered chairs?!

Sometimes in the winter I sleep with my heating pad on to keep me warm.

My friends from college know me as Paige.  When I'm calling some of the friends I have now I have to catch myself from saying Paige at times. 


I can't whistle.  My husband finds it hiliarious when I try.


On occasion, when I'm at the doctors office, I will still "jump" to get up when there happens to be another patient called with my maiden name.

On that same note...my mom still occassionaly writes checks out to my maiden name.  The bank still cashes them. :)

I wish I could hire a cook.  Or at least trade "services" with someone who would make dinner for me.

Although it's gotten better, I have a bad habit of bitting my nails. 


I'm fretfully afraid of mice.  I will cry.


I have been coloring in my eyebrows with a brown eyeliner pencil for at least five YEARS now.  My husband just noticed last week.  Love him!!!

I *used* to think that Burger King was the Military's version of McDonalds.  Laugh all you want.  :)

Homemade {All-Purpose Cleaning Solution}

I finally did it!!!  I have mixed my own all-purpose cleaning solution!  I originally saw the idea just over a year ago when my friend posted the link on her blog here.  I have used straight vinegar water for cleaning in the past, but I loved the added benefits of the lavender and thyme. 

(Photo credit)

I had bought a bottle of all-purpose cleaner from the Commissary soon after we arrived here.  It was supposed to have a lemon fresh scent...but to me it seemed to resemble urine.  Gross.  I was ready to make this happen!  The original recipe is found on Herb Mentor News here.  I took the article's suggestion and ordered what I needed here from Mountain Rose Herbs.  My husband has never been fond of the vinegar scent and I wasn't sure how he would feel about the other two scents I would be adding, but I decided to go ahead and order some Lime Peel Extract as well to add to it.  I also loved that on Mountain Rose Herbs they gave explanations of the uses of each of the extracts as well as what other scents they blended well with.

I received the box about two weeks after I made my order.  Not too bad for shipping overseas.  The recipe states that you need 1 cup of the lavender and thyme, but I wasn't 100% sure on how much to order from Mountain Rose Herbs.  I ended up ordering the 8 oz bag of each and it was plenty!  I can easily get about five more rounds out of them (I think).  (I'm assuming they will last that long.  I have no idea if they come with an "expiration date".  I'm new to this.)  I paid right around $25.00, including shipping.  I'm sure if you look around your area you could find what you need local.  There are some things though where my time is more valuable than my money.  For me, paying the shipping was worth it!  For future use though (as long as it doesn't expire), I would probably even order the larger bags.

I have been using the cleaner for everything!!!  The vinegar smell was still super strong for Tim, so I watered my mixture down a bit and it still does a great job of getting all sorts of messes up.  I have already come to love the smell and easily associated it with my house being clean!  To be easy on my husband though I try to do most of my cleaning during the day when he is gone that way it doesn't bother him.  There are some times that I can't avoid it when he's home, but I'll just try and crack a window in the room and the smell doesn't linger long.

I was having trouble with major streaks on our bathroom mirrors using this solution though.  I'm not sure I strained the liquid well enough before putting in the spray bottle, which might be the problem.  I didn't want to fret over it though, so I just picked up another small spray bottle and just mixed some plain vinegar water and I've been using that for our mirrors/windows. 

One other thing I love about this is that it is a great encouragement to ideas realized!  Seriously.  I marked this ONE YEAR ago as something I wanted to do!  There are still many things on my list of things I want to try...homemade laundry soap, homemade bread, wood projects, vegetable garden, etc.  Not all of them will be accomplished tomorrow, but hopefully, over time, I will get to them.

Retirement?

It might be time to consider retirement for your shorts when your child asks....

"Mom, where are your pants?!"

My reply of course was...

"I have pants on, they're just shorts...see."

His reaction... "Oh."

Obviously he wasn't too bothered by the fact.  Tim says it's because they aren't used to seeing me in shorts.  Valid point since I wear capris a lot, even in the summer.  Plus Tim says that the shorts they wear are longer.  All the same.  I'm not sure I should wear those shorts anymore. 

They are what I commonly refer to as my "booty shorts".  (Not to hard to see the stretch in the boys' question having named them this.)  I call them that for a reason.  They are pretty-dang short.  Full coverage; but still short.  I used to wear them running. (that was a looonnngg time ago.  I don't participate in that craziness anymore.)  I would more often wear them around our dorm room in college or just around the house.  They are super comfy.  I put them on, and flip over the waist band to see where I wrote Timothy's name on them in our dating years (technically year. one.).  Not sure I want to give them up.  I love my booty shorts! 

It's still up for debate, but they might have to face retirement. 

Green Armor

This is just too good not to share now.

Yesterday, the boys had colored some birthday signs for Tim to hang up around the house.  Today, we had some time before we had to leave the house to go get Ryan from school and Colin wanted to color some more.  There was one sign left from yesterday that the boys didn't get to, so I told Colin he could color that.  He grabbed the box of markers and started on the "y".  I went to the computer to work on our photo album (for 2009). 

Let me share that a few moments before he sat down to color he saw this picture of Ryan from back in June 2009 where he had colored on his stomach with an orange Sharpie.

A few minutes later I asked Colin to go use the bathroom before we had to go get Ryan from school.  He proceeded to get down from the table and came over to show me this....

I couldn't help but laugh.  Seriously!  Who colors their whole arm green!  If you look at the first picture you can even see where he started to color in the "d" next to the "y", but apparently, he had a better idea in mind.  He was so proud of himself and his "armor"!

Just a few more pics for your viewing pleasure....

It really was magnificently epic! 

Thankfully it was a Crayola Washable Marker!  I didn't have time to clean it off completely since we had to go get Ryan but it definitely turned the tub water a light green later in the evening.

Confession:  Now if I had found that Ryan, back in 2009, or Colin today, had chosen to color all over the walls, or worse...the furniture, I know for certain I would have found very little humor in that creativity.  Yet, I seem to find it hilariously funny when they color all over themselves!  Something is wrong with that picture, no?!

Home Tour Grand Finale

I know I kept you in suspense this whole time.  I kept sharing pictures of the living room, and the bedrooms, but I know what you have really been wanting to see is the kitchen and the bathrooms!  NOT.  All the same.  This is the last of it.  I'm sure I'll post more pics when I get curtains hung or make a big change; but this should complete the overall picture.

The full bath...

We are very thankful to have the cabinets, double sink, and counter space.  A lot of European style homes, including some of the ones on post, just have a wall mounted sink...no counter or storage space at all.

And this is the heater in the bathroom.  I had to share b/c it's really a ladder in disguise.  :)  Ask any little boy.

And finally our 1/2 bath.  This one is located at the end of the hall, between the boys bedroom and our bedroom.  Within days of moving in we dubbed it as the boys bathroom that they use for brushing their teeth, etc.  Most of the time it also presents itself with a weird odor.  It almost smells like something inside the furnace is burning.  I keep the furnace as low as possible and that seems to help along with keeping the window open.  Having a second toilet is a huge blessing though!  One of my answered prayers for this house!

 

Nothing all that exciting, but that is it!  I will definitely share pics of the curtains when I get them up.  My goal is within 3 months from now!

One Last Year!!!

Happy 29 Dearest Hubby!!!

You are an amazing husband and father and I am so very thankful that God brought us together!  We celebrate today as this was the day that the Lord chose to bring you into this world!  We know that He has created you for a task and a purpose and we are blessed to be a part of seeing Him grow you and to see how you are seeking after His will for your life. 

I know this birthday won't be as great as last years, but I still made you a cake.  ;)

Praying that you get to hang around so that we can have amazing stories to tell from the last year in our 20's!

Ephesians 2:10 "For you are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do."

Work Order vs. Hubby

As much as I am thankful for the handy-man my hubby is, I am ever so grateful for the Work Office on Post!  This is the first time we have lived in housing and I've heard T.O.N.S. of horror stories as far as how long it takes to get a work order in to get something fixed.  We had a few things that needed to be fixed from the day we moved in, but I wanted to wait a bit, to make sure I had a good list before I called to set up the appointment. 

I called last week, and I had an appointment made within ONE week!  The appointment was set between 10AM and noon.  The workman showed up right around 10:30, and by 11:15, we had our screen door fixed, a working closet drawer, and two new closet bars!!!  No offense hubby, but I'm diggin' the timely manner in which everything was taken care of.  For the most part.  The dead bolt on our front door still isn't working, but he told me what part I need to order through a different office and then he will come back and fix it. 

I think at the same time for hubby...what a blessing for him to not have to worry about it!  He already works from 5 to 5.  For the most part, if I need something fixed, I can just call in a Work Order, it will be completed, and I can continue working in the home as needed.  I know every man needs to feel needed in his home and it's good for him to be able to fix things...but this is wonderful!  I love it!

Soon after the workman left, I pulled out the label maker my MIL got me for Christmas and I started organizing the boys activity closet!  So glad that drawer works now!!! 

Colin can now reach his own shirts!!

Later that afternoon/evening Tim and I rearranged our closets now that we have more hanging space!

A house runs much more smoothly when things are organized and everything has it's own place!!!  Grateful that it was such a stress-free process and that a few more things are getting crossed off our list!

March {In Pictures}

A morning game of Candy Land....

Three things.  Two hands.  No problem Mom! 

Just a sweet face...

Play-dough mustaches. (Can you tell from the nasty green color that the boys don't keep the colors separate?!)



Colin helping me knead up some Pizza Dough.



Ryan coloring on his new easel.

Ryan's Birthday Party.

Not too many times he is without his puppy.



Colin and his good friend Miss Kelsey.  (She wore her pink tu-tu for Colin because she knew he would like it.  hehe.)

 Birthday boy with chocolate frosting face and his new Super Soaker!  Can't wait till it warms up a bit more!

Colin isn't very helpful in carrying the groceries up the stairs, but he did decide to help me unload them this time...while wearing no pants BUT his gun belt!  :)



He lined everything up on the floor for me.  (Ignore the sugar cereal, chips, and white bread.)

Me Time

I'm sending you over to Making Home today to read an article about the topic of seeking out "Me Time".  It's an older post, but one that I think is worth the read.  I really appreciate the author, Jess, and her ability to talk about not only this topic, but others, based upon what the Scriptures say.  Her sincerity and honesty always seem to show through in her posts.

Enjoy! 



An Afternoon at the Playground {16 March 2012}

There are about somewhere between 6-8 playgrounds on post!  All within a 1 mile radius of our house!  There is one playground that I prefer though.  Half of the playground was made specifically for kids under 2, and the other half is for older kids.  Blaine loves to play on the playgrounds, but a lot of them are just too big for him.  I also love the fact that this particular playground has a rubber base, where as most of the other playgrounds have sand.  (Yuck!) 

(Please ignore all the out-of-focus, grainy-ness!)

Colin was being such a big helper to push Blaine (plus he was waiting to get in)!

And the absolute best face....

 Makes me smile everytime!

Finally Colin's turn!  He will swing at the playground the entire time if you let him.  He loves it!



I am still amazed at the bravery in kids.  I don't think I would ever want to go head-first down a slide.  Even one this size....

Easter...For Next Year

Does anyone else feel like they are always behind?  Easter was a week ago, I know.  The last few years I always feel like the holidays sneak up on me and we seem to be a week out and I'm scrambling to find good ideas of solid, Christ-centered activities for our family to make a tradition and ways to prepare our hearts.  Looking back at this Christmas and this Easter I'm ashamed at how little we (and more I) prepared spiritually for these great holidays that remind of us of our Great Savior.

I am allowing myself some grace though.  I realize that, although we've been married 7 years, Tim and I are still searching out the things that God is calling our family to do during these holidays.  I'm not sure there are a whole lot of people that have it all figured out before they have kids.  I think it is just part of the "learning as you go" thing.  As God is growing our family, He is growing our hearts and stretching us to be more thoughtful in how we prepare.  I feel like we are still "babies" in this area.  I realize that what we choose to do this year and maybe next, might be different than what will work for us 5 years from now. 

For the last few holidays Tim and I have also had A LOT of discussions on what we want to be communicating to our boys by how we choose to celebrate.  We want Christ to be the utmost and forefront of both Christmas and Easter.  The easy part for us was saying, we won't do Santa or the Easter Bunny.  The truth shall be known.  Just like Spiderman or Superman, they are fun characters; but they are not real. Christ is real.  He is enough to get excited over.  The hard part is all the other excess.  We cherish tradition and family time so we don't want to void the holidays of the other things that we enjoy.  We will continually seek the Lord for the balance he wants our family to have in these areas.

In the mean time, I have been putting a lot of thought into other activities that will help us remember what Christ did for us and to help us to remember to slow down and prepare our hearts to allow room for Him to speak.  We definitely didn't get around to all of these this year, but I figure this gives me a good jump start on next year.

The boys and I did read through most of  The Story of Easter:Read and Share by Gwen Ellis.  It has 13 (I believe) stories in it from Jesus riding into Jerusalem, the Lord's Supper, the crucifixion, resurrection, and His ascension.  The stories are paraphrased but have their Biblical references.  It's pretty short and sweet, great for a 2-3 year old.  Sometimes we read the actual Bible passage as well.

We also read An Easter Gift for Me by Crystal Bowman.  It was given to us as a gift last year.  It is a simple but great book, in a poem format, speaking the truth about Easter.

We attempted Resurrection Cookies with the boys this year as well.  There are tons of tutorials out there for these as well, but I'm sending you to Mama Jenn's as she is awesome and has a free printable for the project!  The activity in itself was great...the cookies themselves...not so much.  We can try again next year.

Another great alternative to try are Resurrection Rolls.  You can find the tutorial here.  They look real easy and super yummy!

For next year, I also ordered Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs by Melody Carlson.  This book is meant to be used in correspondence with the Resurrection Eggs (by Family Life).  If you haven't heard of Resurrection Eggs they are a great tool to use in going over the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.  You can order the eggs here or make your own version using this tutorial.

Another thing that I would like to try in the future is a Passover Dinner.  I know I participated in one as a teen, but I saw a friend link to this on FB the other day and it looks like a great kid-friendly version.  Depending on the ages of you kids, I'm sure you could shorten it as needed too.

There are TONS of other great hands on activities to do with your kids during the season of Lent.  You can check out Passionate Homemaking's List here.  Also, if you go here and scroll to the bottom of the entry you will find multiple links to other blogs with more than enough.

One of the things that I definitely want to be more intentional about next year is Lent.  Lent was foreign to me until I was a teen and was encouraged by a youth leader one year to give up something for Lent in preparation for Easter.  It's been a while since I've used that time wisely.  Some of the books/resources that look inspiring are Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter,  From Trail to the Tree: A Family Devotional for Lent by Ann Voskamp, and The Season of Lent from The Village Church (just scroll to the bottom to download the Lent guide).

How do you and your family prepare for Easter?!   I'd love to hear!!!

 

Master Bedroom & Craft Room

This is our room!!!

As most other things..still a work in progress.  We are 100% grateful we fit our bed!!!  With a few hooks I was able to covert our standing mirror to a hanging mirror.   I have a few empty frames that need some pictures.  I would love to replace our nightstands and our lamps.  Which by the way I saw the perfect lamps the other day, minus the fact that they were $55.00, A PIECE!!! I can't decide if I want to build a bed frame or make an upholstered headboard.  And I still need to decide on curtains so we can remove the trash bags from our windows.  (Makes me miss all those mini blinds.)  Most of the things that need to be done in this room though are more wish items.  Not sure when they will actually make it onto "the to do list".  :) 

And...the craft room....

It still needs more sorting/organization, but this is really clean compared to what it was last week.  I would love to get another small table to fit against the empty wall that allows a space for the boys to come and color/paint/etc. 

One closet full of puzzles, games, homeschool books, and other activities for the boys.  Still needs some good organization.  The drawer is currently broke, but I'm hoping they will be able to fix it this coming week.  It will open up a whole shelf if they can.

And the other closet was made into our cleaning/utility closet.