Highlights of 2010

Dear 2010,

Thanks for being the best. Ever.

(Happy Birthday Kate:April 7,2010)

(Pouring our Basement Wall: October 2010)

(Putting Our Barn Up: October 2010)

 

I wish everyone only the best in 2011. (Wow, that is weird to type. Right?)

In 2011, I resolve to:

1. Simplify. I want to weed out what I don't need/use. I want to be able to focus on what matters.

2. Get in Shape. I really don't care if I lose weight, as I don't even know how much I way now. But I do want to exercise. Exercising makes me feel better. And I want that.

3. Be more financially aware. This kind of goes along with simplifying my life. I just don't want to spend what I don't need to spend. We are building a house, and I will need all the extra cash for that.

Also, I want to be a good mom, daughter, wife, and friend.

So this Christmas I have decided to boycott China and any other country that I do not believe uses safe practices. I am leaning toward all American Made and homemade items, but there are a select few items that I want to buy made in countries such as Germany. So I will be scouring Etsy and my yarn stash and trying to match each personality with a quality gift rather than a gift card.

What are your go-to Etsy stores?

So hopefully throughout the season I will be posting some of my favorite finds and makes for holiday gifts.

For my mom's Birthday, I have been eyeing these gorgeous necklaces from Allora Handmade for $37

Basically all of her stuff is completely gorgeous.

Have a fantastic day!

Meet Me in Louisville

My miscarriage was one of my toughest darkest times. Out of that I am so grateful to have found the amazing strong women who have also suffered from Miscarriage or Pregnancy Loss. It seemed if I could talk to them about my hurt and maybe focus a little more on their hurt, I could get through it. I didn't have to explain to them that I didn't know why it happened, why my body failed me. I didn't have to explain why such an early loss or that I didn't do anything to cause this. Or that it just sucks and is not fair. My miscarriage has helped define who I am today and the friends I have met through such a low point in my life are some of my best friends.

We met on the internet and gradually, I have been able to meet with them in real life. And they are just as awesome in real life…and have some of the cutest babies I have ever seen.

This weekend I met up with two friends, Alice, whom I have already met several times and we have sooo much in common, and Jen, whom I had not yet met. We met in Louisville and went to the zoo and out to eat.

Jen's Daughter Kennedy is 7 ½ months old. Alice's Daughter Harper is 7 months old. And Kate is 6 ½ months old.

It was a great time to be with people who have been through what I have been through and we all have beautiful babies to show for it!

6 Month Letter To Kate

Baby Girl,
I used to dream of what you would be like when you were born and 6 months old and all the milestones in between. You have exceeded everything I could have ever imagined. Now I dream of who you will be as a toddler. I dream of what kind of friend you will be, what will be important to you, what you will name your first dog, what will be your favorite color. The list goes on and on. One thing I know is that in real life you will always shine brighter than my wildest dream. Your smile can light up a room.
Oh, your smile. Next to your belly laughs, it is probably my favorite thing. I love how when you smile, your whole face lights up. Your eyes smile. Sometimes your eyes smile and your mouth is serious. That is when I think that you already have a mischievous side, like you are up to no good.
You move around a lot. It is an efficient army crawl. My favorite thing about it is that you will crawl to me when you see me. I love that I am your comfort.
You are ready to take on the world, little girl. And although it is bitter sweet, I promise I will always be by your side to help you up when you fall down or to hold your hand when you need a hand to hold. And I will be your biggest fan.
You will always and forever be my baby girl.
Love,
Momma

3 Reasons today is a good day.

1) Kate slept 10pm-6:15am. I think I might have my little sleeper back after a whole weekend of good sleeping! I didn't think this would happen since she also slept 3+ hours in the afternoon. Yay!

2) I have easily trained our dog to not get on our bed (after sleeping on it his entire life) and to go in a kennel when we are gone (after running loose his entire life) He is not happy about either, but he does not whine. And it makes me feel more clean all around. Which makes me happy.

3) Our new ministers at our church arrive today. Our church has needed new ministers very badly and I think our new husband-wife team is the perfect answer!

In other news:
*My brother is 27 today. Yay for him, boo for making ME feel old (turn 25 in 10 days)
* An anonymous (and not so skilled) golfer shattered one of our sunroom windows yesterday. 2 times in 2 years. I know it is a  risk we take, but no apology or anything...either time.


Happy Monday!

Going Green.

I have been trying to find ways lately that I can go green. For me to consider it, I don't want it to be a major lifestyle change, since I have enough of those going on right now. I just want something simple that will make a difference. Hopefully, there will be something you can do on here too!

*Cloth Diaper. I chose to cloth diaper my child for many reasons, one of which was keeping diapers out of a landfill. Others include: Money, less blow outs, less diaper rash, and not putting chemicals near my child's sensitive skin. And really, It isn't that big of deal. Some extra laundry. The "gross" factor hasn't bothered me yet...and let's face it I gag over dog poo.

* Cloth Wipes. Because if you cloth diaper, you might as well use cloth wipes...you are already doing the laundry anyway. I just carry a squirt bottle with water in my bag. Very rarely do I put a little baby soap in it, but I have done that before.

*Unpaper Towels.  We have decided to start using washcloths (pack of 18 for $4.00 at Wal-Mart) instead of paper towels. I have ordered A wet bag to hang off the stove. I'll put the dirties in there, and wash them when it is full. Again, not a big deal.

*Recycling. Our community recently got a recycling program. Currently we put out 2-4 bags of garbage A WEEK. With Recycling, it is my goal to get down to 1 bag or garbage EVERY OTHER WEEK. You read right. I did not stutter. Sounds drastic, but this recycling company accepts a lot of stuff and you don't even have to sort. So again, not a big change.

What are some things you are doing to go green?