My convictions and such

I just thought I'd post something quickly before running off to Kate's shower at the church.

I want to be clear that the convictions I have about clothing, music, make-up, raising my children, schooling and all of the such are really just my convictions, and that's it. They are the convictions that my husband and I share and feel are right for us according to the Bible. I certainly don't want to cause anyone any grief over any of what I type here on the blog, either! A lot of it is my personal opinion, too. I also want to throw out there that I try and stay clear from legalism. Being free from legalism helps me to reach out to others, accept others choices as their own and not to worry about others intentions. I want to hope and trust that my friends intentions are good, but if they aren't, it's not for me to worry about. I hope that you guys follow me here.

I love that so many people read and comment on my blog, it's so fun to open up and read something someone has typed for me. It's also a scary thing typing on a blog. It's semi-permanent and everyone that you are aware is reading, are in fact reading plus more. I'm by no means this person that people should try and model themselves after -- so when I say that I want to redecorate, or check out this cool lip gloss or whatever, it's just what I am typing and am feeling for the moment.

I know that I didn't' need to say all that was just said, but I kind of want to set a late precedence to my blogging.

Have a really great Sunday, guys!!!

Quick Post: High-Neck Tank Tops at Target!

I was browsing Target tonight with my family (big family outing for us -- woo hoo!) and I came across Mossimo brand tank tops. These are adjustable, spaghetti strap, very high neck, racer back tanks. They are also very thick and really sturdy as well as feminine. I don't think that they claim to be a sports bra, although it appears as though they are, they are great. The best part: $8.99, yes ladies, $8.99. I didn't see all of the colors that they had, but I think that they were in their work out section with some yoga pants. It has a yoga-look to it. I bought a white one. I should have picked up two. Anyway, I thought that some of you ladies that like to wear tanks, and also like to be modest, may appreciate it. Have a good one!

The picture I am listing is the actual picture of the tank, and it's supposed to be a woman's tank and look feminine, but on this picture it does not! I promise that it's flattering!

Update on my schedule

Just thought I'd post since I wrote out my schedule. Things have been going well on the schedule, for the most part. Life has been really hectic the past week or so. I've been babysitting off an on for my nieces this week, so that didn't really work out then, but altogether it's been good. I think that the Fall we will have things going normally. It was really cute to see my children enjoying the different activities and having mommy be a little more interactive with them. I am a pretty interactive mom I would say, but having a schedule seems to make me feel busier with them, I guess, but it's a good busy and the time flies. The first day on the schedule Gabe and Camryn loved the arts and crafts time even though Gabe cried over not having yellow playdough and Camryn just pinched little pieces and threw them on the floor :-) I think it's so stressful to me to think about cleaning up after all of the activities (you know what I mean...when the cleaning up is so much more time consuming then the actual activity) and that's why I have put off having Camryn take part in the activity. Sorry, Camryn :-) It was also really great to have something to look forward to after the last activity we had -- even if it is to walk upstairs to get a snack. The schedule also went off course a little bit when Gabe started waking at 6 am and Camryn starting sleeping in until 8:30. They both will nap at 1 so that's great. The other thing to work on is not having bed time at 9 pm. What has happened in my house? I used to have my babies in bed by 7:30! Hopefully, it's just the summer. I'll post more but I wanted to make sure that I posted details about this so called "schedule" of mine. Ta!

New Project -- this could be fun!

Ladies, I've been thinking a lot lately about the state of my poor bedroom. My bedroom has never been a room where I put too much emphasis on the decor and the ambiance. Isn't that horrible? You'd think of all the places you'd want your house to be lovely, and romantic and inviting it would be your bedroom, right? Not mine. I can remember one time where I have had a cute bedroom and that was when we first moved out to Colorado -- and for about 9 months we had a cute bedroom. Not to be that one person that always shares too much information, but Chad and I are basically never in there. It's sad. I was reading on the Fly Lady Website today that your bedroom should be like an oasis, or a retreat...it should make you feel like you are on vacation. Huh? I feel stress in my bedroom! First of all, we have furniture that we don't really like anymore (but it's very dumb to get rid of it because it's new and in great condition) and we have new and very plush navy blue carpet. I'm not really a carpet kind of girl to begin with but if I have it, I'd prefer burbur and this is definitely not. The thing that stinks is that it's new and was just put in before we moved here. So, it's staying for a bit, I don't know how long, but it's not at the top of our list if you know what I mean. Also, my bed linens, pillows and duvet cover is green. I want to work with that. I want to keep an earthy, tranquil like theme to my bedroom. I have tons of ideas and money is very limited so I can't be anxious but I still need to be proactive.

I am going to take some pictures of what my bedroom is like tonight and post it. I will then start to show you my progress maybe week by week? I don't know. I was thinking of spending like $75.00 a month until it's finished. Does anyone else have their bedroom that needs work or another room in the house that they'd like to turn into a really cozy, cute room???

The Pony Tail Syndrome

You know what I'm talking about. We've all had it. I've had it a little too long. It's called "the Pony Tail Syndrome".

It's our safe place. Men love long hair right? Long hair is a virtue. It's a symbol of God's love for us women, isn't it? Our hair grows just like God's love. Let's hope not.

My safe place is gone. Bye-bye. I dropped my chunks of love like a bad habit. I'm really excited to show all of you. Mary Cook rocks my socks.

Here is why I decided to cut my hair:

My sister Becky got her hair chopped and it looks amazing. She couldn't decide how to cut it so she let the salon do it themselves and it ended up looking great. I was getting near leaving the house to go to Mary's and my conversation went like this with my husband:

C: Did you see Becky's picture of her hair that she emailed you?
B: Yes, I did. Did you, well I guess you did...what do you think of it?
C: I really like it.
B: Me too. It's pretty cute.
C: You'd look hot with your hair like that.
B: So, you think Becky's hot?
C: Beth, the hair looked good on her.
B: Honey, I'm kidding.
C: So, are you going to cut your hair like that?
B: I think so.

I kid of had to, huh??!!!

I walked in from getting my hair cut and Chad smiled really big and said "look at you!". He's never, EVER done that about any hair cut or style I've had.

Bye bye horse mane, hello sassiness.

Home Sweet Home!!!!

I finally took some pictures of our new home (first level only, I'm not that daring yet!) and thought I'd share. There are some minor things that we'd like to do to the home, but all in all, it was in great move-in condition and I feel SO blessed to call this home. After 7 years of renting, we feel ready. Thank you, Lord!

So many people showed up to help us move and to help me unpack and get organzied. Thank you, Thank you!

After uploading these pictures I found that my kitchen looks a tad busy. I think I'm trying to mask the jade swirly backsplash wall paper and the jewel toned flower border!

Anyway, I hope that you guys like the pictures and I can't wait to have everyone over to hang out :-)

My children and their needs!

I've known for a while now that I've needed to implement some sort of schedule with my family but had no idea when and where I'd start. Gabe lately (or always, I'm not sure!) has been a little on the crazy side. His latest thing is his outbursts of loud high pitch screams and tackling his sister or the dog. It's the strangest thing. He screams and then goes about business like he just did not interrupt the whole world. (yes, it's that loud) He's a very impulsive child. The tackling thing is funny too and I think he just wants that contact like boys want to wrestle. Chad and I (from the helpful advice of my sister, Laura -- she works with children and worked for 2 years with special needs 3 and 4 year olds) are getting Gabe a mini-trampoline so that when he has good behavior, he is rewarded by being able to jump. That will exert some of his energy and he will have fun. I can foresee some issues with this trampoline, but all in all, I see it as a good thing. Anyway, so here is our schedule that we are going to try:

Schedule for Gabe and Camryn:

5:30 - 6 am – Mommy wakes, has quiet time, gets the day prepared for the babies, gets dressed; etc.

7:00 am Gabe usually is up at this time. I feed him his breakfast, get him dressed, walk the dog together and Gabe feeds the dog for the day. We try and read a book or do something just the two of us before Camryn is awake.

7:30- 8:30 am – Camryn usually gets up. I feed her breakfast, change her and dress her. They will sometimes watch a video (rarely these days as they are not that interested in TV anymore) and they will play with toys together on the main level of the house.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: from 8:30 – 11:30 we have a babysitter so that Mommy can work in the basement in her office.

8:40 am - 9:20 am -- walk outside while the weather isn’t too sticky and hot. If it’s raining or too cold then we watch a video during that time.

9:20 am - 9:50 -- 15 minute increments (with a timer) of different activity. 15 minutes of Art (coloring or painting or playing play dough etc). 15 minutes of reading books to the kids.

9:50 am - 10 am – clean up toys

10 am - 10:15 am – snack time (pretzels or goldfish and their sippy cups)

10:15 - ? Here’s where that varies. If it’s a great day, we’ll go to the pool until about 12:30. If it’s a day where we aren’t going to the pool we may run errands like go to Target or to the grocery store or bank. We also may have some play dates during this time. Sometimes we’ll go to the Arena Club and do an activity there.

11:45 we clean up and Mommy fixes lunches.

12 pm we eat our lunch.

12:30 we play some sort of game. Hide and Seek, tickle game, turn on a fun cd and dance and run around. We wind down by reading only one book before we go to bed and take our naps.

1 pm - nap time until 3:30 pm. If Gabe is not napping well, he must take a quiet time during this time and read books or play with toys quietly. Mommy works down in her office, or cleans and does laundry during this time.

3:30 pm - 4 pm is wake up from nap time. I change them and give them a snack and their sippy cups at a table.


4 pm I try and get dinner going while they play together on the main level off of the kitchen.

4:45 I set the table and we have dinner at 5 pm.

5:30 pm Mommy cleans up dinner while Daddy plays with the babies.

6 pm - After dinner activity like either taking a walk outside, giving the kids a treat, running out for errands with the whole family; etc.

7 pm - bath time

7:30 - wind down with either a book or two, or a short video.

8 pm - bed time for Camryn and possibly Gabe depending on his nap that day. Gabe goes to bed no later than 8:30. If he does go to bed at 8:30 then he usually gets some play time alone with Mommy and Daddy after his sister goes to bed.
Please be praying for us as we are starting this on Monday. Please also pray that Karen is able to help me implement this when she sits. She may make me pay her more...eep! HA! Thanks, Karen, you're the best.