Christmas

This years Christmas felt so different. No extended families house to go over too, no running ourselves all over town. We woke up, opened presents and just played all day. It was great. The kids got loads thanks to all of the aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
I loved just sitting around and watching my children make there own Christmas memories. And then it hit me.....next year we will have 3 and be a family of 5. Wow. Can't wait for that. Sorry for the lack of pictures. Mitch had the camera.

Nutcracker

Makena was able to be in the Lake Erie Ballet Nutcracker at the Warner Theater. It was amazing. Being backstage was very interesting. And Makena did great with all of the rehearsals, late night shows, costume change, and waiting time backstage to go on. I'm so proud of her. My cute little Sheep. The last night we were able to go out in the audience for the second half and watch. I gave her a rose and a little fairy outfit to show her how proud of her I am. She was glued as usual. Something about Ballet makes her so glued. But I'll do whatever it takes if she loves it.

ITS A BOY!!!

We woke really early for a 18 week ultrasound. We were all holding our breathe wondering if it would be a boy or girl. Mitch got his wish. He is so happy, he did a little dance. lol. Now I have a lot to do...design the nursery, make blankets, think of a name...etc. Wow. Better get busy.

Made Liquid Laundry Soap

Well I have been making my own dry powder laundry soap for a while. But for some reason it wasn't really measuring up to the demand of the loads I was doing. So I decided to try the liquid. A little more effort, but not much. Well I used this recipe

Soap:
1 cup washing soda (I use Arm & Hammer)
1/2 cup borax (I use 20 Mule Team)
1 bar soap
Approximately 3 gallons water


Make sure that you use a 5 gallon bucket. Anyways. The whole 4 gallons on soap cost me $1.50. Now I know that is worth it. And I make my smell really nice with lavendar oil in it.

Happy Birthday #29

Just wanted to say I love you too my sweet hubby. Who is working his everything off in pharmacy school. He is under tons of stress and I really appreciate him. Love you honey. Have a great birthday.

Finally an update!!

Here are just a "few" pictures of what has been happening. We had a great time with Halloween. We carved pumpkins, the girls named mine JOJO. It was alot of fun.
Brinlee had her 2nd Birthday. I made her a Mickey Mouse Cake and everyone sent her presents. Thanks to everyone that did. She loved them all.
Then Thanksgiving. Which for me was a really hard holiday this time around. We are away from both sides of the family. :(. And with all of these hormones...I really tried hard not to cry. But we have great friends. We got together with them and had a huge meal. It was a lot of fun.
Now we have just set up for Christmas. It is really getting a lot more fun the older the kids get. We have made snowflakes for the windows and can't wait for the snow...whenever that is going to happen.
A lot has been happening. So I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Oh yah the bump is growing as well. I'm 15 weeks now and are finding out the sex of the baby on Dec 31. So watch for my post, or phone call.
love you all.

Shelby Update

The vet called and told me that Shelby has "Copper Disease". She is going to have too be on meds for the rest of her life. Well they didn't tell us that they cost $500.00. You read that right $500.00 for a 2 months supply. That is about our rent. Holy Cow.

Our poor puppy

About 4 weeks ago our dog Shelby ate chicken bones...I know...not just one..but 10. Yah I freaked out to. So we watched her close and did everything that we were told. And she passed them fine. But on the 21 I had noticed that she was a bit bloated. And wasn't really acting like herself. So I figured to get her a once over. Called the vet and we raced in. Right when I got in them rushed her back for x-rays. It was a little intense. Then the vet came in and asked me to look at them. And wow that was one messed up x-ray. She had a huge mass that they didn't know what it was, bloated intestines, and her Colin looked bad. I started to cry. Thank heaven the kids were coloring and didn't notice. So I called mitch. We opted to do the surgery. We weren't going to let my sweet girls go home that day not knowing if Shelby would ever be coming home again. Five house later they did the surgery and found that everything looked fine. The chicken bones had done no damage. But they found the reason for all the swelling. HER LIVER. It is enlarged. She has some kind of liver disease. We are had a biopsy done. And will hear back this coming week. We are hoping for the best. We have had her for 6 great years and hope to have that many more. Keep everyone posted.

We Are Pregnant!!

For all of those that don't know we are expecting again. Just went today and got to hear the heartbeat. It was so sweet. I'm due May 23rd 2010. That feels like forever away...but it will be here before we know it. oh...mitch is hoping for a boy. lol.

Home Depot Saturdays

On the first Saturday of the month Home Depot has a "kids kraft korner". This time we made (well I did) a firehouse money bank. It is totally free. They had the firehouse dogs, free popcorn, and we even got to sit in a fire truck. It was a great morning. The kids really look forward to it every month.

Makenas 4th Birthday

My baby turned 4. I always cry at these things. Happy becuase she is getting so big, not to mention proud of her. We had a Fancy Nancy cake that I made. It was great. Just a little family togetherness.

My Mom visitiing

My mom came into town and we had a ball. We painted the girls room pink, made curtains, did crafts, hung lights, went to Niagara Falls, and went to see the beach. It was great. Thank you mom for everything. Lets not wait a year again to see one another. :)

What have we been doing?

Well here is a picture of the house that we live in. It is right across the street from the school.
Makena started Ballet at Lake Erie Ballet School. She loves her teacher. And is truely a perfectionist.
And lots of other fun pictures. Enjoy!!

Getting rid of the old with a discount

Cash for baby product clunkers

Mom buy baby products store The “Great Trade-In,” a program launched by Toys R Us this week, aims to get potentially dangerous used baby products out of circulation, and to raise awareness of the importance of being vigilant about potentially unsafe children’s products that may still be in the marketplace.

The program allows people to bring their used car seats, cribs, and other faulty products of any brand to Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores between Friday, Aug. 28th and Sun., Sept. 20th, 2009, in exchange for a 20% off coupon good toward a new baby product purchase. (You do not need to buy the same item you returned.)

Products that may be traded in include used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers and travel systems, play yards, and high chairs. The coupon is good towards purchases in these categories from more than a dozen participating manufacturers.

Made my own dish washing soap

This was supper easy. And since I already had everything I thought why not. So what you need is:
1 cup borax
1 cup baking soda
2 Tbsp. lemie shine (great for hard water)

We mix all the powder and wham there you go. I already had the baking soda and the borax from making my own laundry soap. So this cost me about $3.00. It cleans far better than the powder that you get. And there is no residue on the top of the glasses. Oh and I fill the "jet dry" thing with vinegar. It is great. Can't pinch your pennies to much while in grads school, right?
Oh the lemie shine is just with the laundry detergent stuff. If you can't find it you can use "One Koolaid pink lemonade packet". Sounds wierd. But it works.

We are in!

So we are in our new house and getting settled. It is sooooo much nicer than the last place. I really need to post pictures. We are literally right across the street from the school. So we don't need to use mitchells car. Wonder why we dragged it all the way here. Anyways....we are loving everything about it here. And have made some great friends and are keeping ourselves busy. I know that that I seriously miss Kansas. And when the two years hit...we are coming back. Will post pictures soon.

Moving again

Yes that is right. We just got a call from student housing (which told us that there was no way that we would get a house this year) saying they have a house. Which is more up to date, extra bathroom, A/C, bigger kitchen,right across the street from the school, saves on gas, back yard is nice and flat, there is a raised bed to plant a garden..etc. Their is so much more in this house. And in the end we will have saved over 6800 dollars. So breaking the lease and moving again in less than in a month is a pain. But worth it. I'm sorry there are no pictures. We have been a little overwhelmed out here. I can't wait to get back to a schedule.

We made it.....and an update

Well we are here in Erie Pa. It was a long but decent trip out here. Though it was like 20 hours. Gross. We did some interesting things on the way. We stopped in Columbus, Indiana to do some geneology about my Uncle David who passed away as a baby. I hope that trip gave some closure. Then outside of Cleveland we realized that we were 1 mile away from Kirtland Temple. omigosh. So we stopped and saw it..which is owned by the RLDS church or "Church of God" or something. But the visitor center was great. What a spirit there is.
Well when we got to Erie...I couldn't reach my landlord. Called the office and they said that he was out of town. WHAT!!! So they sent someone out to have my sign the contract. See 5 people own this proporty together. the one they sent out happens to be a contractor. So we pointed out tons of this that needed to be done ASAP. And I haven't ever seen something come together so fast. He even put us up in a hotel for the night. We still have people coming in and fixing odds and ends.
Mitch is at Orentation today and tomorrow. He is really nerous. Couldn't really sleep. I know that he is going to do great. He just needs to get in the swing of things. We all do.
Makena is doing a free class at the Lake Erie Ballet Acadamy. She is so excited. We got her some secondhand ballet things and she wants to wear them all day everyday. Ballet just suits her. I really can't see her doing something that isn't dance related.
Brinlee is brinlee. My climbing boxes, climbing chairs...did I mention that she climbs and that she is SOOO MISCHEVIOUS!! But we love the little hug bug.
Other than that everything is great. I hope that I'll be able to post some pictures soon. Still unpacking and getting everything and everyone in there places.

GREAT RECIPE MAGAZINE

Alright, I'm not one that subscribes to magazines. But I was headed off for a trip and grabbed this one "Taste of Home". Never heard of it?...neither had I. Since I got it I have made home made meatballs and pasta, hot fudge cake in a crock pot, manicotti Mexican stuff....etc. All of these recipes are great. And the best part is...I don't have to make it to see if it is nasty or great. These recipes go through huge taste tests. So I know that they will be great. Has tons of categories and every recipe has a picture. Which is the main reason I don't make some things...I want to know what the food I'm going to make will or "should" look like. So if you haven't noticed I love this magazine. And I found a FREE COPY FOR YOU!! Go to TasteofHome.com/freeissue. Just put in your info and wham a free issue is coming to you in 4to 6 weeks. I love free.

Disney World Overload

This was our trip too Disney World. Wow it was the best vacation ever!! We had more fun then we ever thought we could. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa.

ABC'S

I was going through all of my videos. And I came across Makena at 2 singing her ABC'S. It is soooo sweet.

What a wonderful man

Do you ever have those days where you know that you married the right man. I always feel that way. But today it was a little different. I feel as a woman that some times we give more than we get. And today I had a wonderful surprise. I was at Pottery barn kids story time with the whole family. Mitch disappeared for a while. I thought that maybe he went to a more "manly" store. So I didn't worry. Then he was gone a while. When he showed back up he looked guilty about something. I didn't know what until I got in the car. There was a GAP bag in my seat. I NEVER shop for myself. So he decided that he would get me a few things. Jeans, two shirts and some shorts. It was just the gesture of buying me something out of the blue. It was so nice that all of these years have gone by and after two kids I still fit in a size 2 jeans!! I we love each other more than ever. Wahoo.

Erie Trip

Well I just got back from Erie a couple of days ago. And let me tell you. I have never been so stressed in my life about something. I had only three days to find...
something close to the school (5 min. away or less), 3 bed, 1 or 2 bath, playroom for the kids, backyard, garage, allows dogs, and reasonably priced. Doesn't sound to hard right? lol. Well maybe not if I lived in a BIG city. But this is a town where I was looking for a needle in a haystack.
The first two days I must have called 30 people, and viewed 20. Everything was overpriced and didn't allow pets, cheat and in the getto (seriously I didn't even get out of the car), one place was $1000.00 and I was walking over garbage. Nasty...and I told the guy. lol. One of my talents is sticking my foot in my mouth.
But the second evening I got a call back about a little single family home that was everything on the list. THANK HEAVENS! So I got in the car and went over to the house. Perfect. Now all I have to worry about is STUDENT LOANS.

Sorry So Long/ It's been crazy!

Alright...I'm sorry this has taken me so long. What have we been up to. Well we are just packing up the house, going to the doctor, dentist, appying for student loans, having a garage sale, going to Disney World, going to Cocoa Beach in Florida, and now finding housing out of state.
Yes we have been busy.
We had a great time. We got to take Makena to a Cinderella dinner. It had all of the Cinderella movie characters. Prince Charming even kissed Makena on the cheek. It was a great. Then the evil step mom came over and hit on my father in law. LOL. He was a great sport about it.
Seeing the beach for the first time was amazing. We are going to have to go back
soon. I loved it.
Now I'm off to find some housing in Erie. Gosh I only have 3 days to do it in. I pray I find something decent.

MADE MY OWN LAUNDRY SOAP

I know that this sounds weird to some. But I have been buying the "Tide 2X concentrated stuff with Downy" in it. Do you know how much that costs? Like $28.99. Holy crap that is alot. I do about 4 loads a week or more. And that does add up. My sweet sister was telling me about how she put vinegar in her wash. And then I thought....why can't I just make my own soap? Seems I'm not the only person who thought that. The Internet is full of blog and info about it. I made my own and now I WON'T GO BACK!!!

RECIPE:

1/2 C. BORAX
1/2 C. WASHING SODA
1 BAR ZOTE SOAP

Shred the Zote soap in the food processor. Then add the other ingredients. And mix together. And wow you have done it. That easy. Use 1 TBSP for half or lightly soil clothes and 2 TBSP for heavy loads. Little goes a long way.

Your probley wondering how much all of that cost. Right? Well..
Borax-$2.89
Washing soda-$2.00
Zote-$0.69

Total=5.79

So get some guts...go save some money and do it!!! You'll be glad you did.

WE ARE MOVING TO PENNSYVANIA!!!!

Well we have been excepted to Utah and Pennsylvania School Of Pharmacy. After much deliberation (five seconds) we have decided to move to Pennsylvania. We are so excited. This was our #1 choice with Pharmacy Schools. Great education and not that much $$$. So we are doing the best for our little family, and once again picking up and moving. I love moving to new places.
At last we are not in "limbo" anymore. We are able to plan the next 3 years.
I was so excited that I ran over to mitchells work and made him open the envelope. When we read it I was holding Makena and I started jumping up and down. Her shoe fell off and she started crying. Why? Must have had something to do with the jumping and screaming I was doing. Then on the way home I was "happy crying" for about 20 min. These last two years have been great and horrible in the "trials" area. I'm so glad that we are moving forward in our lives.
I want to thank everyone for believing in us and praying for us. It means alot to us knowing that we have amazing family and friends that care so much about us. We love you all.

USN

We just heard that WE GOT IN TO UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN NEVADA!!! Wahoo. Or as we call it "Utah". We are so excited. But in no means have we given up on Pennsylvania. We are just grateful to be getting into anywhere. Thank you all for your prayers for us.

Alot to talk about.....

Well alot has been going on. First...Makena got to read to a therapy dog. It was great. It is a program that the library sets up to make children more excited and confident in reading. She loved it.
Then some sisterly love. Next we flew kites. Doesn't sound like much right....except we were in a severe weather watch for high winds. Both of the kites broke with in 10 min. lol
Some cute pictures with Makena loving Shelby.
Whats baking. Funny story. I decided to make a "marble" cake. So the girls helped. After everything was done and in the oven. I was confused never making one before and saying "I don't understand how this is suppose to be a marble cake?" Then I lifted the box and thought "That is a little heavy for an empty box...and then I saw it....the chocolate pack. lol That was the worst blond moment in a while. About as bad as me gluing my fingers together. LOL. Good times.
We have a mama bunny nesting under our porch! We told the kids it was the Easter Bunny.
The Blizzard! We have been having awesome weather. One day was 80. Then just yesterday we had a blizzard with 6 in. of snow. So we thought this morning was the last time to go sledding and found a great hill. Good times.
Decorating for Easter. Now I'm not really a big decorator..well Christmas I am. But I thought that the kids would like to. So we made paper egg cut outs. Colored and put them all over the front windows and inside of our door. It was alot of fun.
And this long shpreal wouldn't be complete with Makenas many crazy face photos.

UPDATE!

Good new/bad. It was a UTI. Which is good because now I know why she was doing it. And bad that she is holding it. Which we are having a really big talking to about. And stuffing her full of water.

HELP MOTHERS!!

I have a problem. My Makena has been potty trained for almost a year. And she has gone through the normal ups and downs of that. But just in the last week or so she holds her #1 to the point where she can't make it to the potty. And is starting to hold #2. Well I don't know if this is for attention or maybe she doesn't want to go because she has a UTI. She does scream when she has an accident. She says that it burns her legs. I really am having a hard time with this. And as everyone who knows me....I'm short on the patience. I have told her that if she wants to pee on the floor and can't make it to the bathroom then we are going to put her back in diapers. Which is freaked out about, "NO WAY MOM" she said. She I'm begging anyone that has any advice. I think that I'll take her to the doctor to get the all clear on the UTI. But I'm going crazy. HELP MOMS!

UTAH

USN interview

We just returned from Utah. We had a great visit with all of our friends and family. It was so great to see how much things are the same and how things have changed. Davids kids (my brother) are so big. My cute sister in law is pregnant. Which I keep seeing really cute things that I want to buy her. My cousin who is expecting her second little girl...Emma is so sweet Katie. Saw my friend Shane that I haven't seen in 3 years. A my best girl Crystal who I can never see to much of. We even swung by Mitchells old work to say hello. There is so much to say. We loved it.

But now the whole reason that we were in Utah...THE INTERVIEW!! Well it was a little bumpy before the interview. The hot water got shut off and I forgot Mitchells dress shoes. But he got there on time. He said that it went really well. That the interviewer told him "great job". So he was feeling very confident. We should hear back yes or no by May 15.

Thanks again to my dear grandmother who let us stay with her. She is the rock of our family. A true gem. I love her more than I can express. And thanks to my mom for helping me at the airport and the adorable dresses!

Already an exciting year

Well this year Mitch and me had alot of hope for. Making New Year Goals...get into pharmacy school, have more fun as a family...etc. Well so far it is working out. Mitch has got two interviews already lined up. One for USN in Utah, and LECOM in Pennsylvania. We are super excited. And well for more family fun we are headed to Utah, and off to Walt Disney World in the summer. Life is looking up. :)

She can READ

About a month ago Mitch order "Your Baby Can Read" off of the TV of all places. It has a free 30 day trial. So what the heck ,right? And this is the results. Now on to more words. Kena is also learning how to write her letters. Getting so big.

Swimming Lessons

Makena just started her swimming lessons. Mitch could teach her (being that he was a swimmer in High School). But it is the experience of being in a class and listening to a teacher that is great. And being with children her own age. She loved the class.

Funny Pictures

Just some shots of the girls. Mostly for there funny faces.

This is for you mom

My mom made these adorable winter dresses. My girls have worn them a couple of times and everyone always comments on them. Thanks mom!!

Once again...the ER

Yesterday was a normal day. Went to the store and ran a couple of places. Driving to the last store Brinlee started crying for no reason. So I would sing and talk with her. Makena was a great little helper at singing too. I hurried at the store then I noticed that Brinlee was getting hot and a cold sweat. I left the store and headed home thinking that she was coming down with something. Just as I pulled into the driveway..THROW UP EVERYWHERE!!! I turn around and screamed. Poor baby. Took her in and bathed her. Then I noticed something wrong. She was breaking out in a rash all over. Not just a rash but with white bumps..like hives. It started spreading very quickly. And she started itching. Called mitch at work. We agree to go too the ER. And thought that she was having a allergic reaction to something she ate. As I was getting into the car with the two kids Makena says "mommy I didn't throw up in my car seat". Such a sweet heart. I told her thank you and explained I needed her to be my big helper. As I ran in she said "it's okay mommy, its going to be okay". What a smart, and wise child. Brinlees "Rash" spread all the way head to toe and her ears look like elf ears. The ER doctor said it could be alot of things...food, something she touched. We got some meds and headed home. Today we are doing great. She is still a little sick, but mostly back to herself. What a trooper.