tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195126348715122212024-03-13T13:11:56.058-06:00...But I'm Fambly!Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.comBlogger329125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-4566946328883746842012-09-12T10:58:00.001-06:002012-09-12T10:58:44.740-06:00Rainy day...Today is our first rainy, fallish day this season. I normally am a sunny weather person, but every once and awhile I love a good, snuggly kind of day that makes you want to read books in your pjs on the couch and eat warm baked things. (These days make me miss living with my mom, cause now I have to do the baking.) <br /><br />We woke up late to the sound of raindrops. The boys slept in since there was no sun to wake them up. Then we, minus Tyler who had to get dressed to go work for awhile, put on sweats and made French toast. Now the boys are watching Curious George and playing with cars and bulldozers and I'm tucked under a down comforter, catching up on the world on my phone. Later Tyler will be back, being that he can't really work in the rain. We can all snuggle in and take naps. If the photoshoot I had scheduled this afternoon ends up being canceled, I may never even change out of my sister's cozy sweatpants and my brother's worn-out tshirt. (My siblings love how I steal their clothes...or not.) <br /><br />Yay for days I can cuddle up with my boys and watch the rain out the window! And now I'm feeling a strong urge for fall fashion. Boots and scarves anyone?<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-57071665748890937112012-08-27T14:37:00.001-06:002012-08-27T14:37:44.205-06:00So, I guess I have to start potty training?I am not really one to share stories of my children's um, bathroom mishaps, with a public audience. I tell specific people, but realize that the general population probably doesn't care to know about such things. And in Jack's life, we've had lots of stories. God apparently decided just to throw me in deep when it came to bodily fluids and motherhood. And he's given me grace to deal with it every time. If you'd told me pre-kids about some of the things I would have to clean up, I would have told you that I would have just burned the house down or something. I even hate the word "potty." It is on my least favorite words list along with "hubby" and "panties." But, I think I'm about to start using it a lot. Jack is going up force me to potty train him it seems. (I was quite willing to give him another 6 months or so.)<br /><br />A few minutes ago, shortly after he was put down to nap, I heard him crying and went in to find this: <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/08/27/2387.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/08/27/s_2387.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />(Sorry older Jack who may see this someday. But just keep in mind the following story and then maybe send your mother a thank you card. Or money. Or jewelry. I've got other stories I haven't told yet, so be nice to your mama!)<br /><br />He apparently felt the need to pee, took off his shorts and dry diaper and decided the best course of action would be to climb up on his shelf and pee on his cd player. Why the cd player? Maybe he's trying to tell us he wants an iPod? I guess a cd player was the closest thing he found to a toilet? I can see a few similarities, if I imagine really hard. Oh the mind of a two year old! <br /><br />Tyler happened to be home and I called him in and we both just kind of stared at Jack, who was staring at us, and tried not to bust up laughing. For me, one of the hardest parts of being a mom is not laughing when I shouldn't. That and cleaning pee out of a cd player, and the shelf, and the toys on the shelf, and the carpet.<br /><br />We had a talk about not taking diapers off and toilets and asking for help and such. But I've said all along that I won't start potty training until he shows me he's ready. And though this is one of the worst and funnier incidents, we've had similar ones recently. I think a message is emerging. <br /><br />Pray for me and send me gifts of Clorox wipes.<br /><br />The end. <br /><br />Except it's more like the beginning...<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-73995283295908225162012-06-21T23:44:00.001-06:002012-06-21T23:44:20.021-06:00Jack's 2nd Birthday...On May 9th, my oldest baby turned 2! In some ways, it is hard to believe he is so big and in others, it is hard to remember him being so small. He's such a little man now. Full of lots of thoughts and observations. Talking to him and listening to him all day is really fun! He's become my little bestie.<br />
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He started out the day super duper early for some reason---maybe he was excited about his birthday? Mommy doesn't get up at 5:30, so he got to play iPad in my bed for awhile while I took a little nap. Since the iPad is one of his most coveted activities and he's not allowed to use it very often, that made his day. I remembered to snap a picture with my phone, in order to keep my tradition of a picture when he first wakes up on his birthday.<br />
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Daddy went and got his favorite breakfast: doughnuts--with sprinkles! And we made it all fancy with a candle. I told him we could do anything he wanted to that day and he chose going to Grandma's house--which is what he asks for every day. She does have a fun house and he loves hanging with his uncles and Nen and Grandpa too! So we played at Grandma's and had mac and cheese for lunch--another favorite. Then he had a birthday nap! When Daddy got home we took him to Target to pick out a toy. He was in awe of the fact that he could get one. He wandered up and down the aisles saying "get this one. or this one." With some guidance from us, he chose two little construction vehicles---we have a whole fleet of them and they are the favorites of both boys.<br />
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Then we had his favorite dinner--nachos. Got to love that my go-to easy meal is his favorite! And then we went and got some "ice-beem" as he calls it and he was super excited that he got his own bowl and could pick the flavors and toppings. He had the grossest combination of things I've ever seen, but he loved it.<br />
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Since Jack's birthday was in the middle of the week, we had a celebration with my family on the following Sunday. Months before, I saw a pin of a bulldozer cake on Pinterest and I knew that that was Jack's cake. A "Bo-bo" cake, as he called it! (Sometimes he still asks for bo-bo cake.)</div>
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First we did some playing outside at Grandma's and feeding the chickens and goats. Jack loves feeding the animals and exploring the barnyard. Uncle Dut has taken him back there for adventures and taught him to carry around a stick to remind Bunny, the slightly crazy goat, who is boss if she tries to butt him. It's funny, she totally respects him and never messes with him when he has that stick. (Which I cannot say is the case for me. Which is why these pictures are on the other side of the fence. She's weird, I'm not a fan.)<br />
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And Grandpa always takes him to feed and put away the animals. A few weeks ago, he was back there while Grandpa was working on something in the barn and he left the door open and Jack decides to feed the chickens. He goes and finds a bucket, marches into the barn and finds the barrel with the chicken scratch and scoops some and goes out and throws it for them. Then he went back and did the same thing for the goats with their food!</div>
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I need to get chickens while he thinks these chores are fun. I know from personal experience that the novelty wears off early!</div>
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I couldn't resist a picture of him and Auntie Nen. He misses her so much. He tells me every day that when he gets a little bit bigger he is going to go to Fiji with Nenny.</div>
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He is such a sweet boy. He has his two year old tantrum or disobedient moments, but he really is so sweet. He loves to cuddle and give me "nose kisses" and "regular kisses". He loves to read books and has memorized several and will randomly recite the entire book while he's playing. He sings our bedtime songs very loudly and off-key. He loves, loves cars and trucks and bulldozers and trains and any vehicle of any kind. One of his favorite shows is Mighty Machines on Netflix, which was from when I was a kid. He also loves Curious George--both the books and the show. Tyler and I are sick of the Curious George stories we have, we read them so often! He loves his brother. He calls him "Bummy," "Bummy-Bum," "Wi-am," "Wi-am John," and randomly the other day, "Bummy John." Poor Liam. What a nickname! They play together all the time--laying on the floor playing cars or duplos or trains or even swords. Liam wants to do whatever Jack does and Jack is very kind to him.<br />
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Lately he has begun to spontaneously pray for us. I was sick the other day and resting in bed and he came in and said "Dear Jesus, thank you for our bodies. Please help Mommy feel better. Amen." We had a scary choking incident with Liam recently where he swallowed a piece of plastic and was choking and throwing up stuff and we couldn't get it out for quite awhile and I was praying out loud as we tried to help him and Jack joined in, "Dear Lord, Thank you for Bummy choking..." I guess he takes how we are supposed to give thanks in all things seriously! :) I am so thankful to see God's grace in his little life. I know it is only by His work that Jack has interest in such things and we are praying that He continues to work in Jack's little heart and show him his need for a Savior!</div>
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And finally it was time for the long-awaited bo-bo cake! He did a great job blowing out his candles and he loved the Happy Birthday song. Unlike last year, where he cried when everyone sang. Our family's rendition of the birthday song really is pretty bad. Hopefully the boys take after Tyler in the singing department...</div>
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He always says, "Ummy, ummy!" And, thanks to his aunt, when he really likes something he says it makes him "Happy, happy, happy!"</div>
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And, to top it all off, he got a shiny red tricycle from Grandma and Grandpa, which he loves and calls his bike.</div>
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He loved his birthday so much that, even now, he asks when he can have it again. He also tries to trick us by telling us things like, "I get a special treat, it my birthday." or "I don't take a nap, it my birthday." Oh, how I wish that actually worked. I would use that excuse too!<br />
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We love you so much, Jack-Jack!Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-68139105035775425602012-06-21T22:07:00.002-06:002012-06-21T22:07:21.316-06:00Father's Day...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2010</div>
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2011</div>
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2012</div>
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(Right as I was taking this one, Jack was pulling the trigger on his gun and seconds after I got shot in the face, haha!)</div>
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Tyler is such an amazing Daddy to his boys. They love him so much...but not as much as I do!Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-4491880115323421382012-06-15T14:58:00.001-06:002012-06-15T14:58:52.012-06:00Boys and trains and things...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/15/2595.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/15/s_2595.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Him. Could he BE any cuter? My sweetness is getting so big. He doesn't crawl-crawl, it's more of a crawl-scoot-worm combination, but he's getting wherever he wants to go. And he sits up by himself. Last night he was crying and I went in to find him sitting at the end of his crib, peeking through the bars.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/15/2596.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/15/s_2596.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />And he's babbling. Yesterday he said "bwah!" I am pretty sure that is short for "beloved mother" and so I win the who's-name-will-he-say-first contest. He's so ticklish and giggly and he loves Florence and the Machine. Truly. He doesn't cuddle anymore unless he's eating or very sleepy. He pushes away from me to turn and see what is going on around him. He's going to be very busy very soon!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/15/2597.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/15/s_2597.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Today we went to the Colorado Railroad Museum with MB and her boys. When we were building our secret tree fort at age 12 and tried to trick my dad into deeding the property it was on to us so we could ban boys from it, I doubt we ever imagined that someday we'd be going to see trains with our 4 boys, age two and under.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/15/2598.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/15/s_2598.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> But they are fun and they had fun and got very dirty--well the oldest two at least. Jack is napping very well after climbing up and down and running from train to train.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/15/2599.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/15/s_2599.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Jack is such a little boy. I love it. It makes me sad that he's getting so big, but he's so fun! He speaks pretty much like a regular person now and so we have conversations. He loves when I show him how to do things or explain something. And my newest favorite thing is that he sings. It's so funny--very loud and off-key, totally the kid that we always put far away from the microphones during kids choir, but he's two so I doubt his pitch problems are long-term. We sing at bedtime and so now after praying he launches right into song. So cute. He also has lots of his books memorized and so he "reads" them to us. It makes for a very cute bedtime routine between the reading and singing.<br /><br />These boys are the best. I'm so glad they are mine!<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-44296222071819132912012-06-04T14:38:00.001-06:002012-06-04T14:38:03.557-06:00Tidbits from recently...(The pictures are completely random.) <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2306.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2306.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2307.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2307.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I am already missing my sister. She's only been in Fiji for a day, but I miss her. My parents' house has an empty space without her. And the girls are way outnumbered. I stayed up late Saturday night texting her until she took off from LA. And she emailed me when she got there to tell us all that she made it. I'm just hoping her Internet situation allows us to text or talk decently often. It's going to be a long time till October without her! But God is already doing cool things with her--I'm excited to see how He uses this trip in her life!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2308.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2308.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2309.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2309.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Speaking of God doing things, lately I am having a hard time sitting back and letting Him do His thing. I keep wanting to jump in and just hurry things up a little! But, learning to trust His timing is good. Not easy, but very good!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2310.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2310.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2311.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2311.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2312.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2312.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Liam has been sleeping through the night most nights. It is wonderful. He also started having some rice puffs while we eat and thinks they are pretty cool but would really love of we'd pass him some of that tasty-looking stuff the rest of us are eating. Jack often does try to share and so Liam has also had chips and popcorn and strawberries. Not exactly allergy or choking-friendly but he's still alive.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2313.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2313.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2314.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2314.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Jack's new favorite phrase is "what was that?!" He keeps asking to drive my car, so i told him he couldn't until he was big like Uncle Casey. Now he always tries to climb into my seat, saying, "I'm a little bigger now!" And he loves swimming in the kiddie pool. He's got the cutest little farmer's tan going on (he must have his Daddy's skin cause I don't tan!) and so I've been letting him run around shirtless to even it out. Shirtless little boys = adorable.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2316.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2316.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2317.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2317.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2318.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2318.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />And, to conclude, a story. The other night, we were sitting on the couch, having just finished a family movie evening, when we heard the distant sound of bagpipes. So then we went outside and snooped around and realized it was coming from the church parking lot behind us. So then we spied through our window and saw that there was a bagpiper and a drummer standing in the parking lot, playing in kilts. Then Tyler realized that the bagpiper was his secretary from his old job's husband. Randomest thing ever.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2319.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2319.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/2320.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_2320.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />...Except for maybe this post.<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-26214102358556185112012-05-26T06:30:00.000-06:002012-05-26T06:30:01.364-06:00My little sis...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One week from today, my baby sister leaves to go live in Fiji for the next few months. Yes, she really is going to Fiji. I think it sounds weird because Fiji is one of those really random, faraway places you would tend to say if you were joking or exaggerating. And people like to tease her because a tropical paradise-type island doesn't exactly sound like the hardest of mission trip places. Way to serve God while hanging out on the beach, Jennifer. </div>
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But, seriously, I am oh, so very proud of her and the woman she is growing to be. I know that God is going to use her trip in amazing ways in her life and the lives of those she meets! However, she is not allowed to meet or change the lives of any boys because Fiji is too expensive to visit like, ever. </div>
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And man, I'm going to miss her! We hang out almost every day and have Tuesday night girls' nights and we run errands together and get together just to eat things and do so many things. I'm going to be quite lost without her. And Jack and Liam are too--especially Jack who loves his Nen. (Or Uncle Nonnifer, as I encourage him to call her.) And even Tyler finds her pretty spiffy. Okay, very spiffy. We will all be counting the days until she is with us again!</div>
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One of her requests before leaving was to do a little photo shoot--she loves them! And I get to dress her up like I have a real live Barbie, so I love it too. Her friend Brooklyn came along with us and we just ran over to the park near our houses. The two parks closest to us are some of the prettiest parks ever, with the most amazing views. I love where we live! </div>
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Here's some pictures...</div>
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<i>You wish you had her moves...</i></div>
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<br /></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-65787047608419272672012-04-30T22:10:00.000-06:002012-04-30T22:10:02.565-06:00Today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The boys love playing in "Band-pa" and "Mama's" yard. (That's what Jack calls them)</div>
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Oh, I love this child. Upon random mouth inspection today, we discovered tooth #2. I don't think my plan of keeping him a very small baby is working.<br />
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He likes to nibble on grass. He also really wants me to start solids with him, but I am resisting. Jack, however, has already started solids with him--first foods he chose for Liam: popcorn and nachos. Both times he was very offended when I took it away.<br />
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Jack loves "bouncing like a kang-A-roo!"<br />
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And he loves the new climbing/slide toy Grandpa added to the yard.<br />
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I have no idea what the egg carton is about. But he could tell you. He talks SO much. It's so much fun and very entertaining!<br />
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<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-9607375786408162452012-04-28T23:12:00.001-06:002012-04-28T23:12:40.074-06:00Six months...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/28/3516.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/28/s_3516.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Today I sat in a hospital room and snuggled with a dear friend's newborn little boy (Jett, who is adorable!) and I couldn't believe that it was six whole months ago that I was in a hospital room, snuggling MY newborn little boy. How has time gone so fast?<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/28/3517.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/28/s_3517.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Liam John, my Sweetness, our Bummy boy. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/28/3518.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/28/s_3518.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />He brings us so much joy. He is almost always very, very happy--with giggles and smiles and yells of happiness. Except for the lesser times when he is very, very sad or, slightly more often, very, very mad. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/28/3519.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/28/s_3519.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />He is a child of extremes--very passionate about whatever he is feeling. I love it. He's not as easy as mostly mellow Jack, but he's got this little spirit that I love. Someday that spirit and stubbornness is going to accomplish something wonderful.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/28/3520.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/28/s_3520.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br />He loves his Daddy and wants to be just like his brother and he really loves Mommy--so much that he puts up a grand fight about being put to bed in his crib at night, as he prefers my arms for bedtime. (and somehow, lucky for him, he always manages to wake up in them every morning. I'm a sucker for baby cuddles.) And, oh, well he's just the cutest thing ever. I love him! <br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-28186202362062111262012-04-25T09:49:00.001-06:002012-04-25T09:49:43.921-06:00Why God gave me boys...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/25/1392.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/25/s_1392.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I just saw a bug and told Jack "Oh yuck, a bug." and he goes running off to his room and comes back with a toy sword saying "I kill bug with sword for Mommy!" <br /><br />Yes! Look out bugs, I've got a bodyguard...with a sword.<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-24417005246045852472012-04-18T13:12:00.001-06:002012-04-18T13:12:03.123-06:00Attention...People of the whole wide world,<br /><br />Go make these:<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://luluthebaker.blogspot.com/2010/10/carmelitas.html?m=1">Carmelitas</a><br /><br />I made some last night and this is what remains...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/04/18/1855.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/04/18/s_1855.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I think I like them best cold. And for breakfast.<br /><br />You're welcome.<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-51009312076401249422012-04-11T16:23:00.000-06:002012-04-11T16:23:13.795-06:00Liam Lately...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This poor child. I have barely written down a thing about him since he was born. Hopefully somewhere deep in the foggy depths of my forgetful mommy brain, I've managed to file away all the little baby details that I love to remember! Bummers is five months old now. That is impossible, yet true. Here he is on Easter, looking super fly.</div>
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He was rocking a very cute faux-hawk. Which I loved, unlike his brother's REAL mohawk that his daddy gave him last month when I was sick in bed.<br />
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Things got a little teary and then Jack got his first buzz cut. Poor kid never has any hair! But I still love Tyler. Back to Liam...<br />
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Little brother is starting to get all roll-y--mostly from his tummy to his back, sometimes the other way and sometimes he does a few in a row. He can sit by himself for about 2 seconds. His biggest mobile accomplishment is he can now scoot backwards and has traveled pretty far this way. He also is getting up on his hands and knees for a few seconds at a time. Oh, please no crawling yet! Stay my baby forever!<br />
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He is teething in a major way---drooling, fussing, chewing on anything he can get his mouth on. And he very firmly believes that he should sleep with Mommy still at night and can instantly wake from a dead sleep to loudly protest being put in his bed. We're working on that, though I am cherishing those snuggles, because I know this season is short!<br />
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He is really so very fun. He is a smiley, happy guy, unless we displease him or deny him something his little heart so very much desires--and then the fire comes out! He definitely has opinions! Most of all, he loves, loves his brother. If he is on the floor getting to play cars with Jack or sitting in his highchair at the table with Jack or anywhere where he feels like he's a part of what Jack is doing, he is super content and happy! He loves to bounce. If you hold him so he can stand, he just starts bouncing. Our little kangaroo. He wants to do all the big people things. He wants to play with iPhones and type on keyboards and play with Jack's bulldozers and drink out of my water bottle. He is mesmerized by screens, much more so than Jack even is now. (I guess he's Daddy's boy!) He likes to chat and coo and giggle. He loves the bath--he splashes and kicks his little legs. He found his toes the other day and likes to munch on them.<br />
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And I'm sure I'm forgetting things, but he is just so sweet and handsome and we all love him so very much!Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-13394108634895680562012-02-29T13:07:00.001-07:002012-02-29T13:07:20.370-07:00An email to my sister...I once read a how-to-blog post by the famous Pioneer Woman and in it, she said that she writes her blog posts as though she were writing a email to her sister. <br /><br />I happen to email my sister several times a week, even though she lives four blocks away. I send her things I want her to bake, which is odd because she doesn't bake. I send her funny pictures and articles and things I find on Pinterest and Groupons she should buy and ugly, old pictures from our childhood and every so often, a picture of Colin Firth, because she loves him. And I send her random snippets of conversations that amused me. <br /><br />Like this one: <br /><br />To: Jenny Lawler<br />From: Melinda Shaw<br /><br />Conversation that is real...<br /><br />Ty and I, a few minutes ago.<br /><br />M: so when I was washing my face, I remembered that last night I dreamed I had a mustache. A mustache. It was horrible. And the worst part is that I didn't know I had one. Like I went to wash my face at the end of the day and looked in the mirror and I had a mustache! Isn't that horrible?<br /><br />T: horrible.<br /><br />M: and all I could think of is how I was walking around and talking to people all day and no one told me I had a mustache. It was like food in your teeth, only facial hair.<br /><br />T: you had facial hair on your teeth?<br /><br />M: no. I had a mustache. On my face.<br /><br />T: oh.<br /><br />M: it was so embarrassing. That no one told me. If I had a mustache, would you tell me?<br /><br />T: probably not.<br /><br />M: What!?!? Why?!?<br /><br />T: it would be funnier that way.<br /><br />M: no that is mean. You must promise to always tell me if I ever have a mustache.<br /><br />T: ok.<br /><br />M: did you ever think your wife would say that? I never imagined myself saying that. What an odd phrase to say. Isn't being married to me interesting?<br /><br />T: oh, it's interesting.<br /><br />M: sometimes I wish I could be married to me just to experience the joy you must have.<br /><br />T: oh, yes, joy...<br /><br />The end.<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-63416509357857721842012-01-26T12:10:00.001-07:002012-01-26T12:10:06.994-07:00My new favorite lunch...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/01/26/1840.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/01/26/s_1840.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />My newest favorite lunch is grilled cheese with avocado and a fried egg. Sounds a little weird. Tastes super yummy. Only bacon could make it better!<br /><br />-- Post From My iPhone<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-71883335390310548712012-01-24T13:04:00.001-07:002012-01-24T13:04:31.544-07:00A peek at today...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/01/24/2248.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/01/24/s_2248.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />-- Post From My iPhone<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-53809950380063081032012-01-21T11:33:00.001-07:002012-01-21T11:33:37.615-07:00Things I'm liking...Two books: <br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0525952470/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1327170410&sr=8-1">The Meaning of Marriage</a> by Tim Keller<br /><br />And<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1433507781/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1327170480&sr=8-1">Jesus + Nothing = Everything</a> by Tullian Tchividjian <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/01/21/1576.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/01/21/s_1576.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />That I can make Liam laugh-I found his ticklish spot. Also, I probably said this before but the poor child is known as Bummy. It's Jack's fault. The whole family calls him that.<br /><br />My seester's re-vamped <a target="_blank" href="http://calliesblueskies.blogspot.com">blog</a> that now is mostly dedicated to my favorite topic: food.<br /><br />Speaking of food, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mamalovesfood.com/2009/06/baked-potato-soup-slow-cooker-style.html">this</a> Slow-cooker Baked Potato Soup recipe is quite good.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/01/21/1577.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/01/21/s_1577.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I went on a date with my boy and he bought me these slippers. I love them. They are like secret slippers cause they look like cute shoes and have a sole so when I run outside my feet don't get wet. BUT, they are lined with fur! It's like some fuzzy little creature is cuddling my feet. They keep my feet nice and warm which is helpful since I despise socks. I may never wear other shoes again. (and they were on clearance! Tarjay!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/01/21/1578.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/01/21/s_1578.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />And I'm liking conversing with Jack. The other day I asked him what a deer says and he said "Um, 'oh dear!'" He "um's" a lot. That is totally my fault. But I love it!<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-87586352496531711132012-01-20T16:06:00.001-07:002012-01-20T16:06:09.390-07:00A few new housely things...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/01/20/2192.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/01/20/s_2192.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Curtains! Ok, you can't see them that great. The light was bad, but I didn't feel like waiting till later. You get the general idea though. And I like that you can't see that I need to hem them. Feel free to place bets on how long they will remain unhemmed.<br /><br />Annnndddd.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/01/20/2193.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/01/20/s_2193.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />A cute new light in the kitchen! Happy story: I had been thinking about buying this light but it was like $50 or something and so I was waiting till we had the money. Then I went to Ikea and found MY light, as good as new, in the as-is section for $9!<br /><br />And now I want to redecorate the whole house to go with my lovely light and floaty curtains.<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-36151715480455785942012-01-17T16:35:00.000-07:002012-01-17T16:42:12.335-07:00My Mommy...Today is my mom's birthday, she is turning 25...times two.<br />
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As I am now a mom myself, I have a new and greater appreciation for my mom. I understand better how hard she has worked for us and what she means when she tells us that we are like pieces of her heart walking around. I get now why she gets all teary about things I used to tease her about. And I have enormous gratitude for her being pregnant and giving birth to all of us after having my own turn at it!<br />
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I look back on my childhood and appreciate how much work it must have been to have 4 tiny kids and a husband traveling all the time and to be homeschooling and holding everything together. I have so many amazing memories from being little and knowing how intentional she had to be to make those happen for me motivates me to do the same for my kids, even when these "little years" get overwhelming. Pretty much everything I do as a mom comes from what I learned from my mom. I'm so grateful for her example. I feel like any admirable attributes I have as a mother I have learned from watching her. I remember her truly delighting in her children. She would always get down on the floor with us to play, read us book after book, and let us get messy and try all sorts of things. I don't ever remember her telling us we couldn't do something cause it was too loud or messy--instead she just told us to take it outside. She encouraged our imaginations. Sang us silly songs all the time. Turned up the music loud and danced with us. Always let us help her with what she was doing, even if it made it take five times longer. Taught us how to turn the mundane into adventures. We loved even just going to the grocery store with her because she made it fun---letting us get samples, pushing us crazy in the cart down the aisles, letting us ride the penny horse at the end. She sent us outside all the time and let us do things like tube down our ditch, wander back in the fields behind our house, shoot bb guns and chop wood with axes, pull each other in sleds on the riding lawnmower, have picnics on the roof and walk to the corner store for candy. She grew up surrounded by boys and has always seemed to understand so well how they work. I want to remember these things for my boys. When my brothers were restless during school she would send them out to run around the yard or jump on the tramp or even to dig a giant hole in the pasture. She would read out loud to us and let us play with legos or color while we listened. She was committed to helping us learn how to learn and to love it and would try method after method for some of us until she figured out what worked. As a child I remember feeling bad for moms that had to go to work all day because my mom had so much fun at home with us. I know now that being at home with kids can have very hard moments, but I don't remember her being overwhelmed or exhausted. I remember her joy.<br />
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I was always "my mother's daughter" as people would say. I take that as a compliment, that people would think I was like her. She has always been one of my best friends. From taking me to tea parties and watching Anne of Green Gables and playing dolls with me as a kid to now shopping (and may I just say, she is the most stylish mom I know!), reading magazines and talking on the phone every single day--I love hanging out with her. In fact, everyone does. I have never had a friend who didn't like my mom (or my dad) and I don't think my siblings have either. I have been told "your mom is so cool" more times than I can count, by people of all ages. People love to be with her. On any given night, her house may be filled with any number of people. They are sitting on the couches, out on the patio, gathered round the island. There are many things that draw people to her---she likes to have fun, she is easy-going and easy to talk to, she will bake her famous cookies at any time of the day or night, she likes to feed people. But all those things flow out of something bigger. Mostly, people love to be with my mom because she loves them. She is one of the greatest examples of how to love others that I know. She is always doing things to serve and encourage others. When you talk to her, she speaks out of love for you. She wants to learn more about you and your heart so that she can better care for and pray for you. She carries so many people on her heart and lifts them up in prayer. Her life is one of love and service and laying down herself for others. And that also flows out of something bigger---her love for Jesus. She has a relationship with God that provokes and inspires me. I want what she has. As I have come to understand the Gospel more and grown in my own relationship with God, I have grown increasingly grateful for a mother who lives a life passionate for her Savior and demonstrates his grace to her children. When we fail and fall, she points us back to the Gospel. We know she stills loves us, no matter how badly we screw up and she reminds us that more importantly HE loves us, no matter how badly we screw up. That we have complete obedience in Christ and God looks on us as his children. Even more than she loves her children, he loves us as his. And that is the biggest reason why I want to be my mother's daughter. Why I want to be like her, as a mother and just in life. I want to know God the way she does and live a life that reflects his love to those around me.<br />
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As I write this, I began to realize I am pretty much writing a list of all the things I hope to be as a mother and as a woman. There is the old joke about women trying not to turn into their mother. That isn't the case for me---nothing would please me more. She is the best and I am so grateful for her and how God has used her in my life.<br />
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Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-27782448048608529272012-01-06T23:18:00.000-07:002012-01-06T23:18:06.112-07:00Our little fambly...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Instead of getting Christmas cards together this year, I had a baby instead. But here's a little belated family picture. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Martin Luther King Day--pick your holiday!Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-38966752496324344502012-01-06T09:24:00.001-07:002012-01-06T22:56:56.364-07:00A new season...We are back from a week and a half of wonderful fambly time in Dallas for the holidays. I hope to post some pictures here soon.<br />
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Yesterday was a really big day for us. Tyler quit his job. The job he's had for almost six years.
We both grew up, at least for a large portion of our lives, with dads who owned their own businesses and had their offices at home. Looking back, we are so grateful for all the time this afforded our dads to spend with their families. They had the flexibility to arrange their schedules to do things like help with parts of our schooling, coach sports teams, be present for almost any special event or activity and most of all to just be involved more in our daily lives--be it finishing up a little early to play with us, taking a few minutes to address a discipline issue, or eating breakfast and lunch with us. We are grateful for the sacrifices they made to be able to do this. Since the beginning of our marriage, we have both hoped that one day Tyler could have a similar work situation.<br />
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Tyler's current work situation has become more and more time consuming. His role in his company has grown and evolved over the years to be more demanding and yet, as our family has grown, he has had to take on side work in the evenings to help supplement our income. While we are grateful for all these things as a means of provision, our family time has been affected. Every day, he leaves early while we are still asleep and doesn't get home till dinner and then often has side work to do from after dinner until late at night and often for parts of the weekend. I am so thankful for a husband who is willing to work so hard. But, I miss him!<br />
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So I am also thankful for a husband who is willing to step forward in faith and follow where we believe God to be leading us. In three weeks, Tyler will be finished at his current job and will begin training to work with his dad's company here. This new job will allow him to have his office here at home and will give us more family time and hopefully much less stress for Tyler. (not to mention, we really love our boss!) We have been praying about this for about a year and though a big change like a job is a little scary, we are trusting that God will provide, just as He always faithfully has! We have seen Him working in some big ways related to this transition already!<br />
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We are thankful and excited for this new opportunity and would appreciate your prayers! I am so excited that in a few weeks, I can actually eat breakfast and spend time with my husband before he goes to work without having to wake up at 5am to do so! (did I ever do that? No. It's dark then.)Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-43797036201880719512011-12-15T10:37:00.001-07:002011-12-15T10:37:18.285-07:00And the parent of the year award goes to...We picked up Jack from nursery on Sunday and they told us that his shoes were too small. I guess he started crying and acting like his feet hurt and then when they took them off, he started rubbing his toes. I took him to the store to get new ones and discovered he's a size 6. And we'd had him wearing size 4's. Poor kid!<br /><br />Also, a funny Jack word from this morning. I'm mostly just including it cause I want to remember for when he grows up. Liam and I are sick with the flu now and so Ty is home to be with Jack and take care of us. He found Jack running away from the open pantry with a bag of marshmallows. When he stopped him and asked him what he had, Jack said "Mama-hos!"<br /><br /><br />-- Post From My iPhone<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-48502423568625869732011-12-13T11:03:00.001-07:002011-12-13T11:03:19.011-07:00The flu and food...Today I have a sweet boy with the stomach flu. And my stomach is feeling a tad odd too. I think we shall spend our day cuddling and watching movies and reading books. Hopefully everyone will be healthy soon!<br /><br />But, speaking of the flu, that reminds me of food. Ok, no, that's gross. Anyway, I have been enjoying getting back into the normal swing of cooking and getting to start trying all the ten million recipes I bookmarked while I wasn't cooking excitingly at the end of my pregnancy. <br /><br />I have two recipes to share...<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://luluthebaker.blogspot.com/2011/09/cheesy-vegetable-chowder.html">Cheesy vegetable chowder</a>. I love that this is the sort of soup that you can kind of just throw in whatever veggies you have around. It was good and it was even better leftover in my opinion. I don't know if the flavored had melded more or what. Note to those who are GF--I use GF flour in stuff like this all the time and it works fine!<br /><br />Annnddd...<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://gimmesomeoven.com/slow-cooker-shredded-beef-tacos/">Slow cooker shredded beef tacos</a>. These were amazing. The beef has the best flavor. A couple notes. One, I didn't do the whole browning-glazing-steps-on-the-stove part cause, well I didn't feel like it, especially having to wash more dishes and I sort of forgot to thaw the roast ahead so it was frozen solid. I just threw everything in the crockpot with the frozen roast and once the roast wasn't frozen, stirred everything around a bit. It worked great, I just cooked it about 8-9 hours. Also, I used two chipotle peppers and it had a nice little spice to it, but next time I'll use three or four cause we like a lot of spice!<br /><br />So, go eat one of these, unless you have the flu like us, in which case I would probably not and I'm sorry.<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-13440001828738773262011-12-02T10:27:00.001-07:002011-12-02T10:27:33.878-07:00Friday favorites...A Very She and Him Christmas. (and Zooey Deschanel period.)<br /><br />Gunmetal nail polish.<br /><br />The library. Books from the library. And snowy days with naptimes to read said library books. And not going outside when it's 19 degrees.<br /><br />Comfy sweats for cozy days at home. They were my sister's team warm-up pants her junior year and I stole them. I never understood sweatpants before them. Plus wearing them makes me feel young, cause maybe people think I'm still in high school. And that I'm a basketball player. Maybe not...<br /><br />And most of all, these two.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/02/1601.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/02/s_1601.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/12/02/1602.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/12/02/s_1602.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-83845437942059203942011-12-01T20:46:00.001-07:002011-12-01T20:46:32.263-07:00PS...I made <a target="_blank" href="http://asmallsnippet.blogspot.com/2011/03/spicy-thai-noodles.html">this</a> tonight for dinner and it was very good. Though if you're serving it to children only use 1 tbs of red pepper as it was too spicy for Jack and he generally has a high spicy-ness tolerance. It was actually on the verge of being spicer than I like too and that's saying something. So, 1 tbs is probably best. And I added shredded chicken, which I highly recommend doing.<br /><br />That is all.<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719512634871512221.post-46206092054935430552011-12-01T20:34:00.001-07:002011-12-01T20:35:05.585-07:00Question...Ok, blogging friends who have iPhones, what app do you use to post from your phone? I was using blogpress but it seems really glitchy lately. I've been nearly finished writing a post on it several times and it just crashes and loses everything. I just wrote a little (ok, longish) update and lost the whole thing and now the app won't even stay open. The things I liked about it were that you can arrange pics easily and insert links. Blogging from my phone during nursing sessions is the easiest way for me to keep this place semi-updated, as I only get on my computer a few times a week, so I'm looking for something new if anyone has suggestions!Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08953861856094001809noreply@blogger.com0