Fashion

Katelyn got in the car today after pre-school very angry. She immediately told me some story about cheese.

" I not have cheese mommy. Pals have cheese. I not have cheese!! Abbe have cheese."

All of that was said in one rushed mad sentence while I was till buckling her in her car seat.

" I not have cheese. I have crackers. Cheese make me sick."

Yep, that's right. Since she is allergic to milk she didn't get the cheese that went with the crackers at snack time today. And boy I guess that really ticked her off- because snack time was an hour and a half before I picked her up and it was the first thing she said when she got in the car. Poor girl!! I feel like the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld- NO CHEESE FOR YOU!

The weather has been so dry here that her eczema has been very bad the past couple of weeks. Today I had to send her to school wearing her Baby Legs so she doesn't scratch her legs. When I picked her up her knees were filthy! It looked like she crawled around the playground!

See? The Baby Legs looked really cute with her shorts and shirt she wore to school today. What? You don't agree with me? Well, her Baby Legs are a cute green stripe and were nice and clean this morning. Her shorts are white and light green and the top she wore to school matched the shorts. So she looked very cute at school.

But what's that shirt she is wearing now you ask?

That's what she just HAD TO change into when she got home from school. She called it her Princess Shirt and kept twirling around with it on. It has matching pants that go with it but I guess she felt the shirt was enough. Such fashion sense already!

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CFBA ~ Book Review ~ Daisy Chain

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Daisy Chain
Zondervan (March 1, 2009)
by
Mary DeMuth


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary E. DeMuth is an expert in Pioneer Parenting. She enables Christian parents to navigate our changing culture when their families left no good faith examples to follow.

Her parenting books include Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture (Harvest House, 2007), Building the Christian Family You Never Had (WaterBrook, 2006), and Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God (Harvest House, 2005).

Mary also inspires people to face their trials through her real-to-life novels, Watching The Tree Limbs
(nominated for a Christy Award) and Wishing On Dandelions (NavPress, 2006).

Mary has spoken at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, the ACFW Conference, the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, and at various churches and church planting ministries. Mary and her husband, Patrick, reside in Texas with their three children. They recently returned from breaking new spiritual ground in Southern France, and planting a church.


ABOUT THE BOOK

The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance from a small Texas town in 1973 spins three lives out of control—Jed, whose guilt over not protecting his friend Daisy strangles him; Emory Chance, who blames her own choices for her daughter’s demise; and Ouisie Pepper, who is plagued by headaches while pierced by the shattered pieces of a family in crisis.

In this first book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper has a sickening secret: He’s convinced it’s his fault his best friend Daisy went missing. Jed’s pain sends him on a quest for answers to mysteries woven through the fabric of his own life and the lives of the families of Defiance, Texas. When he finally confronts the terrible truths he’s been denying all his life, Jed must choose between rebellion and love, anger and freedom.

Daisy Chain is an achingly beautiful southern coming-of-age story crafted by a bright new literary talent. It offers a haunting yet hopeful backdrop for human depravity and beauty, for terrible secrets and God’s surprising redemption.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Daisy Chain, go HERE

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Just Chillin ~

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Katelyn

I cut Katelyn's bangs last night.

Can you tell? Probably not. They still look a little long in this picture. But they were longer than that before I started. I also didn't take off alot because I have a fear of too short bangs. I hate too short bangs.

I kept her occupied last night by giving her her Little Mermaid book to read to Gavin while I was cutting. I even trimmed up the back a little bit to even it out.

We spent the morning playing outside today since the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Katelyn loved to ride on her little bike back and forth from our house to the neighbors. She stops along the way to collect acorns off the sidewalk and then puts them in the trunk of her bike.

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CFBA ~ Book Review ~ Tender Grace ~

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Tender Grace
Bethany House (February 1, 2009)
by
Jackina Stark


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I have also spoken nationally and internationally at many retreats and seminars and enjoy running into many readers and former students. I have written frequently for both Christian Standard and Lookout, periodicals of Standard Publishing. Years ago I wrote two non-fiction books, published by College Press, but currently out of print. These days, I’m exploring fiction. My first novel, Tender Grace, will be released by Bethany House January 30, 2009, and a second, Things Worth Remembering, will be released in October, 2009. I’m working on new projects, including a third novel, as time permits. Whether speaking or writing, I love the opportunity to tell about Him whom Jesus called “Holy Father” and “the only true God.”

She lives in Joplin, Missouri with her husband, and she spends most of her free time doing is reading and writing. That is what she usually do when she's not teaching, enjoying the children and grandchildren, or sitting on the back porch drinking a Diet Coke and watching her husband till the garden!


ABOUT THE BOOK

Audrey Eaton awakes at three in the morning and gets up to retrieve her husband, Tom, from the recliner where he has fallen asleep watching a ball game. But when she enters the living room and looks at his gentle face in the soft lamp light, she knows their time together is over. Grief attacks her until all she can think about is how much she wants her old life back. Determined to find healing, she embarks on a journey to the one place Tom and she always intended to visit but never did. Along the way, she discovers, through shared experiences with friends old and new, the meaning of the "tender graces" God provides each and every day.

I've quit reading--even bestsellers, even the newspaper, even my Bible. I've also quit listening to music. This lack of appreciation for things I once loved is beginning to define me. More mornings than I can count, I say to myself before I open my eyes, "I don't want to do this." In the days shortly following Tom's death, that made sense, but what does it mean now? That I'm in trouble? One of the best qualities of the former me was thankfulness. As I was trying to sleep last night, needing Tom to be curled up behind me, his left arm slung across me, I realized to my horror that I couldn't remember the last time I was truly thankful. I think of a line from an old hymn: "Awake, my soul, and sing." I miss Tom. I also miss me. Determined to find healing, Audrey Eaton embarks on a trip to the one place she and her husband always intended to visit but never did. When things don't go as planned, will she embrace the unexpected graces that guide her journey?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Tender Grace, go HERE

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Pretty Teef

Look what Santa brought Katelyn this year in her stocking:

Her very own Dora toothbrush. Now I am sure Santa only had the best intentions. I am sure he was thinking only of her dental hygeine and good brushing habits. Maybe he wanted her to feel like a big girl with her own cute little toothbrush.

I dont think Santa realized how much Katelyn would looooove this toothbrush. Like never-wanting-to-leave-the-bathroom-kind-of-love. This kid asks to brush her teeth like 15 times a day. I usually let her about 4 times a day. The other million times I have to direct her somewhere else so she forgets. Because once she is in there brushing- she wont leave.

She brushes:

and brushes:

and brushes:

and rinses:

and does her best to spit in the sink:
Then its back to brushing:
and talking to herself in the mirror:

and fooling around with the toothbrush:

All of these steps are repeated 10 times. Just try to get this girl out of the bathroom before she is done and the result is not pretty. So, I leave her in there and she usually wanders out about 20 minutes later.

She says " My teef so pretty!"

and gives me a big smile while I inspect her teeth.

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Bye Bye #5

Gavin came home from school Wednesday with his 5th loose tooth hanging on for dear life. Literally. This tooth has been on the verge of falling out for about 3 weeks now.

This is what it looked like:

It was sideways! shudder! We made it thru dinner without it falling out while he was eating. Then Ken asked Gavin if he wanted him to pull it out. To our surprise he said YES!!

So he swished around some ice water in his mouth and then Ken reached in and just plucked it right out! No blood or tears!!

The after picture:

So long baby tooth #5.

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Funny Friday

Have a great weekend everyone!

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WOW WOW WUBBZY ~ DVD ~ REVIEW

On February 3rd Wow!Wow!Wubbzy! released its newest DVD A Little Help From My Friends. Thanks to MomCentral Katelyn and I got to review this awesome DVD.

The DVD features six great episodes, all focused on the important values of friendship. This theme takes center stage as Wubbzy, a fun, lovable, curious little guy and his Wuzzleburg pals search for a lost Wiggle Wrench, escape a runaway Doodleberry Cake, build a Super Robot, teach Walden to boogie, and work hard for Wuzzleburg trophies. Together they discover the importance of positive values like confidence, cooperation, teamwork and above all, the meaning of friendship. The DVD extras also include two bonus episodes, music video, Kooky Kostume game, activities and sneak peeks.

Parents can get involved by visiting http://www.wubbzy.com/ where they can join the "Wubb Club," sign up for the newsletter, read the Wubbzy Blog, and listen to Wubbzy podcasts. The site also provides fun activities, recipes, printable coloring pages, and much more!

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CFBA ~ Book Review ~ A Cry In The Night

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Cry In The Night
Thomas Nelson (February 3, 2009)
by
Colleen Coble


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author Colleen Coble's thirty novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA award, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best awards. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending.


AWARDS:
2004 More Than Magic winner for Best Inspirational Romance
Without a Trace, Thomas Nelson
2004 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year



ABOUT THE BOOK

The highly anticipated novel that delivers what romantic suspense fans have long awaited-the return to Rock Harbor.
Bree Nichols gets the shock of her life when her husband-presumed dead-reappears.

Bree Nichols and her search and rescue dog Samson discover a crying infant in the densely forested woods outside of Rock Harbor, Michigan. Against objections from her husband, Kade, who knows she'll become attached, Bree takes the baby in. Quickly she begins a search for the mother-presumably the woman reported missing just days earlier.
While teams scour the forests, Bree ferrets out clues about the missing woman. But she soon discovers something more shocking: Bree's former husband-long presumed dead in a plane crash-resurfaces. Is he really who he says he is? And should she trust him again after all these years?
An engaging, romantic suspense novel from critically-acclaimed author Colleen Coble.

If you would like to read the first chapter of , go HERE

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Winter Sickies

It never fails come January and February our whole house gets sick. Every year. Our Florida bodies just cant handle this cold!!

It started last Tuesday when I woke up with an awful cough and sore throat. Then on Wednesday Katelyn woke up with a horrible cough and the wonderful pink eye. We got prescription eye drops that we had to use 3 times a day for 5 days. It took both Ken and I to get them in her eyes. Poor little girl would go running when she would see me with the eye drops.

Then Gavin was off to the doctor to get antibiotics for his ear infection that kept him up all night one night. Lovely.

He developed a cough around Friday but it has disappeared :)

I lost my voice around Friday also from my nonstop coughing and sore throat.

Guess where we were today? Back at the pediatrician for Katelyn who now has a double ear infection.

When will it end?? I still don't feel well, but life has to go on in this house!!

The weather is now warming up again to temps we are used to. Its supposed to be in the 80's this weekend. Maybe that will make us feel better!!

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CFBA ~ Book Review ~ Against All Odds ~

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Against All Odds
Revell (February 1, 2009)
by
Irene Hannon


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Irene Hannon is an award-winning author who took the publishing world by storm at the tender age of 10 with a sparkling piece of fiction that received national attention.

Okay…maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But she was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest conducted by a national children’s magazine. And she likes to think of that as her “official” fiction-writing debut.

Since then, she has written more than 25 romance and romantic suspense novels that have sold more than 1.5 million copies. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA award from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romantic fiction), the HOLT Medallion and a Reviewer’s Choice award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine.

Irene, who holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full. She is happy to say she has no regrets! As she points out, leaving behind the rush-hour commute, corporate politics and a relentless BlackBerry that never slept was no sacrifice.

In her spare time, Irene enjoys hamming it up in community musical theater productions. A trained vocalist, she has sung the leading role in numerous musicals, including “South Pacific,” “Brigadoon,” “Oklahoma” “The King and I” and “Anything Goes.” She also regularly performs with a six-person musical review troupe and is a cantor at her church (where she does NOT ham it up!).

When not otherwise occupied, Irene loves to cook and garden. She and her husband also enjoy traveling, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.


ABOUT THE BOOK

For FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Evan Cooper and his partner, dignitary protection duty should have been a piece of cake. Unfortunately, Monica Callahan isn’t making it easy. Estranged from her diplomat father, who is involved in a sensitive hostage situation in the Middle East, she refuses to be intimidated by a related terrorist threat back in the States…until a chilling warning convinces her that the danger is very real—and escalating. As Coop and his partner do their best to keep her safe, David Callahan continues his work—triggering an abduction that puts his daughter’s life at risk. And with every second that ticks by, Coop knows that the odds of saving the only woman who has ever managed to breach the walls around his heart are dropping. Because terrorists aren’t known for their patience—or their mercy.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Against All Odds, go HERE


WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

4 ½-star, “Top Pick” rating from Romantic Times BOOKreviews!

"Brava! Award winner Hannon debuts the heroes of Quantico series with a wonderful
array of believable characters, action and suspense that will keep readers glued to each page. Hannon’s extraordinary writing, vivid scenes and surprise ending come together for a not-to-be-missed reading experience.”
~Romantic Times BOOKreviews~

“I found someone who writes romantic suspense better than I do. I highly recommend Against All Odds as one of the best books I've had the privilege of reading this year. This is a captivating, fast-paced, well written romantic suspense destined for my keeper shelf. I loved this book, and highly recommend this author."
~Dee Henderson~ Author of the O’Malley Family Series

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Small Talk Six

I'm participating in a fun new meme hosted by MomDot. The topic for this week is:

6 Songs You Love to Dance To When No One is Looking!


Here's my list:

1. Footloose ( kick off your sunday shoes )

2. Rasberry Beret ( Prince )

3. Grease

4. Kung Fu Fighting

5. Last Dance ( Donna Summer )

6. Vacation ( Go Go's )


I LOVE LOVE LOVE all those songs. Makes me want to get up and dance right now just typing them.

To see other top 6's or make one of your own head on over to MomDot

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Funny Friday

Have a wonderful weekend everyone :)

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Wordless Wednesday

Sisters

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~~~ Awards ~~~

So yes, I am kinda behind on posting my awards I have gotten recently. I truly appreciate every single one!!

I received the Lemonade award from SigneSays , Thanks so much!

From Lydia at On The Verge I received the Life Is Grand Award.

I have to list 5 reason why I think Life Is Grand and pass it along to 5 other bloggers.

Life is Grand because:

1. For 48 weeks out of the year I live in beautiful weather

2. Gavin's 5th tooth is getting ready to fall out and he cant wait for the tooth fairy

3. Olive Garden alfredo sauce. mmmmm

4. Katelyn and I play tea party every day

5. they way the word "mommy" sounds in my childrens voices.

And I am passing this along to:

1. Georgie

2. Shanilie

3. Lisa

4. Shelly

5. The Happy Mom

I received the Friendship Award from Michelle at My Crazy Life With A Toddler.

The Friendship Award means:"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.

I received the Honest Scrap Award from Confesstons of a Mommy Blogger and from Bridget at Mama Belly Blog.

Here are the rules for this award:

a) List 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep! and

b) Pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

1. I have a very bad habit of eating late at night. Not good!

2. I sometimes leave laundry in the washing machine for days, then have to rewash it.

3. I love when everyone else is asleep in the house and I am the only one up.

4. I have a very very bad potty mouth. I hide it here on my blog.

5. When I get a blog award I feel pretty darn special.

6. When I get another follower, I get all giddy inside.

7. I really need to start exercising. Seriously

8. I could sit for hours reading other peoples blogs

9. I don't really like to meet new people.

10. I am sooo not a morning person.

And I am passing this award along to:

1. Wendy

2. Stacy

3. Regina

4. Lisa

5. Katie

6. Colleen

7. Georgie

Thanks so much to every single one of you who gave me the awards!!

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100th Day Of School

Today is Gavin's 100th day of school. He has been talking about this day for about 2 weeks now.


Why?


Because for some reason he thinks its the last day of school.


"Mom, do you know Monday is the 100th day of school?"


yes Gavin I do.


"I'm happy I don't have to go anymore because its the last day of school too."


Ummm? What????


He gets angry with me when I try to tell him that its not the last day of school, only the 100th. For some reason he thinks his teacher told him there was no more school after today.


Even last night when I put him to bed he asked me if Monday was the last day of school. Nope. Sorry!


Maybe I should have written a note to the teacher asking her to tell Gavin that yes, he should return on Tuesday.



Anyway- his class is celebrating the day by doing a couple of fun #100 games and projects throughout the day. Ending with a special snack. A note was sent home last week asking parents to send in 100 pieces of a small food item ( M&M's, peanuts, crackers, raisins ) that will be mixed together and then given out.


I waited until the night before it was due last week to remember to get it together. The only thing we had in the house that I could use was an almost empty box of Cheez-Its. I was praying the whole time that we had 100 left. After I was done painstakingly counting out 100 crackers I put them in a Ziploc bag and left them on the counter.


I then made the mistake of leaving the kitchen to use the bathroom.


When I returned the bag was gone. I of course go running into the back room to see which kid was eating the Cheez-Its.



I find Katelyn with the bag, but is she eating them? Oh no. She is banging the bag on the ground and smashing up the precious crackers that Gavin needs for school.

I grab the bag and hurry back into the kitchen to see the damage. About 20 of the crackers were smashed up and needed to be replaced. We had 5 leftover Cheez-Its to spare. Thank goodness. I guess that teaches me not to leave important stuff on the counter!!

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