Things I've learned...

Things I've learned from my children this year--I mean, this month...dishwashing detergent is fun to dump on the kitchen floor and play in like sand...get out of your robe in the morning because you never know when your child might call 911 to test the process and a policeman might come to your door without warning...picking up and sorting through Cranium after a toddler has found it, takes at least a half hour, which is 30x longer than it took her to 'play' with it...don't ask your toddler who ripped the book, because she will just blame it on her dolly...pay attention when your toddler says 'uh-oh'...pay attention whenever it is quiet for more than a few seconds...come to think of it, the more you pay attention, the better!!!

Potty Training

I have been busy potty training Baby Cate—can’t believe how easy this is going. She is 23 months old. Pinch me, am I dreaming? I still hesitate to mention this to anyone, lest it be a false alarm. However, it has been 3 days and she has only had a few wet accidents. I certainly wasn’t ready to potty train, but she asks to go potty all the time. She wants to sit there all day, I think. A few times, she has cried when I’ve taken her off the toilet. So, I finally pulled out the thick training undies, and some cute Barney and Pooh panties big sister used, and rewarded her after her success at the potty on Saturday. She is telling me when she needs to go, but, mostly, I am reminding her to go every so often (half hour-hour, upon waking, after eating). We went to town today for 3 hours, and she came home dry; she is dry after naps. I put diapers on her at night; she hasn’t been dry in the mornings, yet. My two older children potty trained quickly when they were ready, and were dry all night, but this wasn’t until 2 ½. Well, this timing has worked out well; with Jess and Drew at Grandma’s the past couple days for Spring Break, I have been able to concentrate on a potty routine with Catherine. She has been so excited and happy, to be the only child for awhile with all Mom’s attention, and to be treated like such a big girl! She’s been singing, dancing, wiggling, playing, tickling, teasing, and cuddling with me. It has been so much fun!

That's A Whole Lot of 'Proud'

My husband surprised us with this email he sent from the airport, while leaving for a business trip this past week. It is very sweet. He actually is very good about writing us notes (with illustrations for the kids) and leaving them on the kitchen counter in the mornings, but this personal email was different. He had even included a smile face and rose graphics at the end. The kids love that stuff; and they love their dad. I love their dad, too.

"Good morning/afternoon/or evening.......when ever you log on next.

Not sure the last time the kids received an email, so thought I might include them in one.

Jessica - thanks for the beautiful drawing of the horse, and the great message, your cursive is getting really good. I am so proud of you! I am looking forward to softball!

Andrew- thanks for the wrist band, I have it packed in my bag around my socks. I will put it on if I get to go running this week. I am so proud of you! I am looking forward to working with you on riding without training wheels!

Catherine - thanks for getting up with me this morning, and sneaking a bottle (thanks for letting me know that is what you wanted, and don't let mom know, she probably thinks that you no longer need these). I am so proud of you! I am looking forward to more basketball!

Tami - thanks for all that you do, and the berry cobbler. Save some for when I get home. I am so proud of you! I am looking forward to working with you this weekend.


Have a great day! I love you all, Dad/Jim.

Happy First Day of Spring!"

Perfect Irish Oatmeal for St. Patrick's Day

Steel cut oats are the best kind, in my opinion. This recipe is how I make it: 4 cups water
1 1/3 cups milk
1 T. butter
1 1/3 cups steel cut oats
1/2 tsp. salt
I soak the oats and water in my largest kettle overnight, covered with a lid. In the morning, add the milk, salt, and butter, and bring to a boil over medium heat (the largest kettle is used because oatmeal tends to bubble up quickly on me, and this lessens the mess). Reduce heat to low; simmer gently, until the mixture thickens, about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with dried berries, brown sugar, or maple syrup.

Beautiful Things

So, what if I make the purpose of this blog my own spin off Martha Stewart's quip, "Good Things" and Oprah's "Favorite Things", and include random lists of my favorite things as I discover them?--products, organization, project ideas, inspiration, recipes, menu plans, crafts, tips, tricks, shortcuts, lists to live by, seasonal helps, etc. These kinds of discoveries excite me, and I think most women, when they aren't snickering at those of us who love 'all-things-homemaking' because it's coventional, would find that many of these items excite them, as well.
Additionally, this blog may contain journaling of events from my life, and lessons I am learning. At this point, I am not sure if I will ever share this blog with those I know, (because of the 'snickerers'), but, we'll see how it goes. I was thinking that it would be a good way for those who care to know me, to keep up with and know me (and our family) better. And it would be great to impart wisdom or inspire others, as an extra perk.
With that said, this blog is not to impress, or boast, or try to be who I am not, but it is, contrarily, about me being me: my love of lists, organizing, details, writing, and much more all coming together in one place--yes, blogging is just up my alley; at least, whereas emails can be 'forcing it' on people, this is slightly less 'in your face'. Love it, or leave it...

Get Out On the Right Side

It is so important how we begin each day. I cannot overestimate this. Getting up early, while the house is still quiet, to give the first part of each day to God is the best thing I can do to live a beautiful life. When I spend time with Him in prayer and His Word, my days are: smoother, filled with greater joy, marked by a better ability to cope with difficulties, calm in the midst of the storm, peaceful. The more I do this, the more I rely on Him and not myself. Things get done, my attitude is right, and I am able to be a greater example to my family. I am continually working on consistency in this; disciplining myself to keep to a healthy routine and create rituals in my life that foster the best life I can lead.
I think we sometimes put too little thought into the day-to-day decisions we are making, when in reality God has a plan even in the little things. Little things add up, and can create habits we do not want. But, even a seemingly small thing, like what time I set the alarm clock for (and how many times I change it), affects my ability to make the best choices, if it leads to me putting off seeking His wisdom for the day. Take time to listen to what He wants to tell you, focus your mind on Him, then let Him lead you through the day.