Having some fun and things to come

I've been keeping pretty busy at home, but my heart is at peace.  It's all good things. 

I have taken a dive into my bible and been embraced by His Word.  I crave it and yearn for it.  Have you ever had days like that?  I stay up later than I should just soaking it in, letting Him guide me where I need to be.  I'm devouring every book I can find on faith and the goodness of our wonderful God.  I can't get enough and the more I read, the more I want to read.  It's amazing!  As I write this, I feel that I should be reading instead.  It's such an undescribable feeling. 

We spent our Saturday decorating our home with all kids of Christmas goodies.  We came to realize we have 6 nativity sets ranging in sizes and 6 advent calendars.  You can never have enough of those, specially since we stick little treats in every day for the boys.  Liam is counting down the days until December starts.   I have two memorable moments this past week:

#1:  I was looking through various ads getting ready to do my Black Friday shopping and I must have been commenting outload about some of the prices of things.  Charlie loves to grab the newspaper and sit next to me, pretending he's reading, too.  I went to kitchen to get a drink and I suddenly hear Charlie exclaim for the living room "Three thousand dollars!  I want one!".  Mind you he's 3 and has no concept of money yet.  He doesn't even know what $3,000 is but he said it.  It was so funny because when I looked over at him, he was holding the newspaper up as if he was reading and I couldn't see his little head.  It was quite a moment.

#2:  After listening to a plethora of Christmas music last night, I decided to pull out the Wiggles' Christmas DVD.  They boys love the Wiggles and even Liam still dances along to them.  After the first DVD was done and the second began, Liam looks over at me and says "Mom, I'm so glad the Wiggles believe in God."
Well, at least we all know what kind of music we can listen to in heaven!  Kids crack me up.

I'm anxiously awaiting my neurologist appointment on the 2nd of December.  Hopefully I will then know if I need to start the medication or not.  I just want some answers, that's all.

Then, on the 3rd, I'll be celebrating 10 years since I was diagnosed with cancer!  Whooohooo!  It's a big landmark for survivors!  I thank God everyday for allowing me to have these past 10 years!

Well, my friends, please don't forget to leave me a comment.  I love to know when someone drops by.  My blog has been a little lonely lately.

Love,
Carolina

Christmas "Wish" list

I saw this post at my friend's blog and thought it would be fun. 

If money was no object, what would you want to get for Christmas (it doesn't count to write things like "health and world peace".  I mean if you had Donald Trump as your father, what would you ask for?)

Here is my little list for Donal Trump (LOL).

#1: Neat Receipts:  This is an amazing invention.  It scans your receipts and then separates everything on it into catagories.  This would make budgeting so much easier and easier to keep track of tax information.



#2. A trip to England. I've only been in the airport but have always dreamed of exploring the country and castles. Someday....



#3.  One Starbucks drink a day for a year.  Pure Bliss....


#4.  Bathroom cleaning service once a week for a year.  Just the bathrooms, I can take care of the rest. The joys of having boys, I guess.



Okay, is it sad that the only things I could think of are these?  Seriously, that's all I would want if money was no object.  I'm so happy with my life right now, that there is absolutely nothing I long for. I love my 900 square foot townhouse, my espresso machine and of course, it goes without saying how much I love my family and friends.  This was a fun post because it really made me think about things and those fun little extras of life.  I can't wait to hear what you have to as Donald Trump for.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...24 November, 2009 from Carolina's Daybook

To participate, click here.

Outside my window... overcast and cool, probably in the 30's.  It's absolutely beautiful to watch the sun come up!  I also love having it go down early around 4:30pm.  It makes this season so much more "romantical" as Anne Shirley would say.

I am thinking... that I should get going on my Christmas knitting.  I still have to finish one set of hat/scarf for one niece, work on two more nieces and one nephew.  I'm having so much fun!  I actually get to relax doing this while the kids play!

I am thankful for... the snuggles I've been receiving from my kids.  I know they will outgrow them soon and I want to enjoy them as long as I can!

I am wearing... I'm still in my PJ's about to hop in the shower to take the kids to school.  Liam has had half days this week due to parent/teacher conferences.

I am remembering...how fond I used to be on scrapbooking but ver glad that I was able to "let go" and realize there was no way I could possible scrabook every single picture I've ever taken (I take a lot).  It's such a nice feeling to be able to let go of something that caused so much stress.

I am going... to write some much needed letters to some wonderful pen pals.  I love writing letters and I'm glad that they do, too!

I am reading...nothing in particular.  I was going to wait until I finish my holiday knitting before diving into another book.  I really need to work on those gifts since they will be going all the way to Georgia!

I am hoping....to be able to finish my Black Friday shopping list so I can relax and just wait for the fun day with my sisters and mom. 

On my mind... my messy house.

From the learning rooms...reading, reading, reading!  What else is more fun to do in this weather?
Noticing that... my energy is way down since I stopped exercising this week.  Hmmmmm...my body is telling me something!

Pondering these words... Mom, you are funny... Liam said that to me this morning.  I love to make them laugh.

From the kitchen...bread and butter.  My creative breakfast.

Around the house... piles of papers, as I am organizing to file away the 2009 papers and make room for the 2010 pile.  :)

One of my favorite things~ my latte in the morning.  I love Mr. Barr for making them for me!

From my picture journal...made a few years back.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...16 November, 2009 from Carolina's Daybook

To participate, click here.

Outside my window... wind and rain.  I love this weather!  I have pulled out all my warm, fleece PJ's and snuggle every morning with my kids on the couch, after they wake up and while they are still a bit groggy.  I so love these moments!

I am thinking... about how sad I feel that my mom's group will not be meeting again until January.  Our most recent bible study has ended and we are all getting geared up for the busy holiday time. This past study was so good.  We have all come out stronger and with our head held up higher, because we were reminded of Who's daughter we are!

I am thankful for... my health.  It seems that since I have lost the 16 pounds, I have had so much more energy.  I'll be seeing my neurologist on December 2nd, and that is when I should find out if I'm going to be on multiple sclerosis medication or not.

I am wearing... my new size 12 jeans (hee hee), a brown long-sleeved Eddie Bauer shirt, my soft brown socks and a big smile!

I am remembering...how much fun my little sister and I used to have in our backyard when we lived in San Diego.  We practically lived back there and on our roller skates.  I had Smurf roller skates and Elena had Strawberry Shortcake.  I'm talking way back when the original cartoons were new.  Now, I see kids with a Smurf t-shirt or He-Man and they've probably never even watched an episode.  It's funny!

I am going... start reading a new book tomorrow. My wonderful mother-in-law lent me tons of books this past summer while we were visiting them in California and I haven't had a chance to read them.  Now that I'm done with my bible study, I'll have more time to read leisure things.  It's going to be nice cuddling on the couch with a cup of tea and this crazy weather outside!

I am reading...Captivating by Stasi and John Eldredge.  I've had it for a while but never finished it.  I'm so glad I picked it up!  It goes well with the study we just did.  I'm almost done with it.

I am hoping....I am a good steward of our money this Christmas and that I'm able to shop wisely and get good deals.  I'm so glad Shawn introduced me to the Bargain Jargon.  I've gotten some good deals thanks to that blog.  Thank you!!!

On my mind... All my grandparents.  I miss them.

From the learning rooms... Liam is practicing his drawing.  Brian has been giving him lessons and he's getting pretty good at it.  Charlie is working on writing his name. 

Noticing that... Liam is outgrowing everything all of a sudden.  He's shot up like a weed.  Charlie is growing too but not at that rate.  Now, Charlie is going through the "I don't want to eat a lot" phase but Liam is going through the "I can and will eat anything in sight.  He even had muscles the other day at a restaurant and loved them!  He now insists he wants to try sushi.  I think we'll start with a California roll.

Pondering these words... Charlie saying in his sleep "Yeshua (sp?) , it's so nice to see you".  Cool...He's only 3!

From the kitchen...Left over everything.  I'm not in the mood for cooking and there is plenty of food left over from my birthday celebrations.

Around the house... getting my house ready for the Pampered Chef show I have this coming Thursday.  I'm so excited to have some girlfriends over and eat some yummy food!

One of my favorite things~ the loving and beautiful birthday card I got from my husband!  I love you Mr. Barr! 

From my picture journal...Obi wan and Yoda with a cat!

Lightsabers and boys

Yoda (Charlie) and Obiwan (Liam) battle with their invisible lightsabers.  They dressed up for Awana tonight but couldn't bring any "weapons" so this is them practicing with just their hands.  Sorry the quality is not so great but you get the idea.  Cell phones aren't always the best way to get shots but they sure come in handy!  I can't wait to get a better shot of them. :)

Simple Woman's Daybook

To Participate, click  here

FOR TODAY...October 26 from Carolina's Daybook

Outside my window... wonderful autumn rain.

I am thinking... that we should carve our pumpkins tonight.  We forgot to do it this weekend but I'm very glad we didn't do it earlier.  All the carved pumpkins in the neighborhood already have decomposed.

I am thankful for... this being the last week of October.  That means that after the 31st, I should have Mr. Barr at home more since he will be done with 40 days of Life.  I'm so proud of him but miss him so much!

I am wearing... jeans, pink shirt, red hoodie and my comfy socks.  I'm also wearing my glasses seeing that someone gave me pink eye.  hmmmm.....

I am remembering...how tasty my latte was this morning.  I think I made it as good as Mr. Barr makes them for me.  You know how delicious things taste when someone else makes them for you.  I'm looking forward to my morning lattes again, Mr. Barr.

I am going... to sew Liam's Halloween costume tomorrow but I'm clearing the way for the sewing machine today.  I've never sewn clothing before but my mom has and she's spending the day with me tomorrow while both boys are at school.  It should be simple.  I got a pattern for a bath robe and bought some brown fleece.  He's Obi-one (I can't spell) from Star Wars.  Charlie will be Yoda.  Very cute!

 

I am reading...Me, Myself and Lies study by Jennifer Rothschild.  Very good.  I'm actually doing the work one week ahead.  I couldn't stop.  At least I won't stress out about not having the study done in time for our bible study on Wednesday.

I am hoping....we don't get sick this fall.  I have so many acquaintances her and in Florida who are suffering from the swine flu, even one hospitalized.  I don't think I have every bought so much hand sanitizer in my life.  My kids are well trained!

On my mind... I'm trying to think of new Christmas card ideas.  I'm going to be doing another craft show this December and need to get going on making those right away.  With the kids around, I have to work as much as I can because you never know when they will require my assistance.  :)

From the learning rooms... Liam is learning all about the different kids of apples we grow here in Washington state.  He got to try out 17 different kinds at school the other day.  Charlie is staring to write his name.  It's all very exciting!

Noticing that... I'm getting lots of wrinkles.  They are nice wrinkles because they are due to me smiling.  Smiling is always a good thing so I welcome these wrinkles with all my heart!

Pondering these words... Liam said "Mom, Adam and Eve didn't have belly buttons.  They weren't born from a womb."

From the kitchen...It's good ol' Spider Man Mac & Cheese for lunch today.  I love having boys and the noises they make as they eat those funny shaped noodles.

Around the house... Nothing.  The weather is way to autumn-like outside for me to focus on anything but drinking tea, reading, writing letters and napping.  The house will have to wait until another day, after I enjoy this wonderful autumn day.

One of my favorite things~ chicken stew.  I plan on making some more for dinner tonight.  Yummy!  I love homemade stew! 

From my picture journal...the Christmas toy catalogs are pouring in the mailbox and the boys are looking at them every day and circling their wish items.  I remember my sister and I pouring over the Sears catalog toy section.  We used to spend hours on it, just like my boys do now.  How sweet!!

Young children at home

I was reading some blogs that participated in the Simple Woman's Daybook and came across Joy's blog.  It was great, specially this post I copied from her. To visit Joy click here
This is what Joy had to say:


Here are some things you can count on if you have young children in the home:



1. Never going to the bathroom by yourself. Kids have "mommy bathroom radar", and as soon as you cross the threshold of the throne room, little feet come running.

2. Your coffee, tea, or other special drink, meant to be savored by you alone, will inevitably be guzzled by one or all children.

3. When you are dressed up and heading out, you can count on being smeared with peanut butter as you are walking out the door.


4. The second you sit down to look at a magazine or read a book, plan for at least one child to have something important they just have to tell you.


5. The moment you answer the phone, expect that every single one of your children with have a dire emergency, and thus will scream as loud as possible to let you know about said emergency.

6. At least once during a meal, anticipate a spilling of someone's drink, especially if you have served someting other than water. The stickier and smellier the drink is, the more likely it is to be spilled. Also, every time you use a nicer tablecloth you increase your chances of messier spillage.

7. When you are about to enjoy intimate time with your husband, you can predict that at least one child will wake up having had a nightmare.

8. Just as you are sitting down to answer e-mail, you can depend upon the fact that your newly potty-trained child will need to be "wiped".

9. If one child gets the stomach flu, bank on said stomach flu taking up residence in your home, until every single member of your family has been duly visited. Cancel all engagements for the week, and stock up on Lysol and paper towels.

10. For all the interruption and inconvenience that life with small children brings, lean on the fact that you will never want it any other way. The blessings far outweigh the annoyances and sacrifices.

Now, I want to hear from you....what are your funny Mommy Facts to add? I look forward to reading your comments!