While it would have been nice to enjoy an Easter with a frilly dress, blue skies, and warm weather....That's not how it went down here. Unfortunately I didn't get around to making or buying an Easter outfit for Bug and our weather was quite dreary (but warm-ish at least). Instead we threw on some muck boots and headed out into the mud and wetness to have our egg hunt and play in the rain and puddles.

 Her hair gets so curly in this type of weather!!!

 Egg hunting was put off for a bit to admire that beauty of a worm! Holy smokes! Is it a worm or a snake?

All in all it was a delightful day spent with our little family. Happy Easter and we hope yours was as great as ours!

The BIG one!

Here is the BIG post where I tell you all that I've kept from you in the past two months. I know, I know...it HAS been too long.

Christmas:
What can I say? It was GREAT! I would show you ALL the great pictures that we have, but...well...umm... my DSLR camera battery was dead, so I used the old camera and was snapping away only to find out that only the first SIX photos that I took saved onto the SD card. For some reason all the other pictures didn't save! It wasn't anything to do with the SD card because it works fine. It just the stupid crappy camera that was dropped in 2 feet of snow last year! At least the video camera was charged up and worked perfectly!!

The Hubba-Bub's brother and his family came up from South Carolina. We ended up having a great time with them and the kids. Bug has been calling all her babies "Baby Tin-Tin" ever since and is CONSTANTLY requesting to see their pictures on facebook. It is really cute! We spent most of the post Christmas time at his parents visiting with them. We had a great time New Year's Day playing the wii. Let's just say I kicked butt in Just Dance II. I'm sure we'll have to have a rematch next time we all get together again...(maybe this Summer?!)



House Woes:

1. The dishwasher "broke" just after Thanksgiving. We bought a used on off CL and installed it. It didn't work. Come to find out it was because our dishwasher was the problem after all. It turned out to be a wiring problem with the house. The next day the Hubba-Bub and Bug worked diligently at fixing it and installing the old dishwasher. Now we have the CL dishwasher sitting in the baby's room that still needs to be cleaned out and prepared for July arrival.
2. Next up the oven stopped working! The Hubba-Bub hasn't really had time to look at of fix this because it isn't high on his priority list with all that has happened since. We have been using the crockpot for our oven cooking. We need to buy a toaster oven, but I always forget when we're out and about, but I think one of my coworkers is going to give me one because he messaged me of facebook. Patience is kind!
3. The outdoor wood furnance (outdoor wood stove that heats the house and the water) had a hole in it and was leaking water. The Hubba-Bub spent one day trying to fix it and finally did only to find out that the other side of the stove was FULL of holes that would require a new sheet to be put on and the old taken off. Not really a winter project. In order to heat the house and have hot water he had to cut the wood smaller to fit in the indoor wood stove (that we weren't using) and hook up the LP gas to the water heater. It was a fantastic weekend! Good thing I had Monday off thanks to the the wonderful Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because when we woke up the water was FROZEN! I think we've  Finally got everything with the heat and hot water heater fixed and working the way it should be.

Grad School:
Did someone say it is that time again? GAK! It is. This class that I'm taking is proving to be one of the most challenging courses that I have taken in my ENTIRE professional education. I'm to complete two units, read 7 chapters, 2 large assignments, and 3 discussion posts within the first week of class. Can you say stressed? Not to mention that I'm having some REAL issues with the textbook. It is written by William Glasser the Choice Theory guru. Well, let me just say in theory Choice Theory is great and possibly in reality too, but the examples he gives to illustrate this in his text are weak and take leaps and bounds for them to prove what he is saying. Like I said, I'm having real issues and being that the rest of the course will be focused on this book and another (Dear God, please let that one be better) I'm already fearing the rest of the course until I finish April 29th.

Sorry no pictures. This has actually taken me 3-4 days to write between a whole new array of things to fill a BIG blog post with. Will I ever get caught back up again?

Wishing you a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween!

I wish I had a cute photo of Bug in her costume, but she just didn't want to get in it today.  We didn't got trick or treating because I think she is still too young for it and we DO NOT need all that sugary goodness around the house waiting to be eaten. I'm hoping to snap some tomorrow and will post them under this. Sorry to say that you'll just have to deal with my cuteness for the night. Oh darn, I know!

Aren't I so cute?! I swear I was born in the wrong decade.

I really wish I had some pictures of Bug to post in her adorable little costume. (I thought I had some from the day we got it, but I can't find them ANYWHERE!) Unfortunately I didn't make it this year; I found a really good deal online and couldn't pass it up. Posting Halloween photos on Halloween is so cliche anyways, right?

I'm finally getting down to posting pictures of Bug in her costume. I don't know what her deal was though; she didn't want it on, but of course when it was time to come off she didn't want to take it off.

 The green circle isn't part of it . That's a sticker I was using to bribe her with.

It worked as you can see.

4th of July

Our 4th of July was quiet, but I loved it that way. There was no rushing around from house to house to make sure everyone ELSE was happy. Instead we concentrated on what WE wanted to do and DID IT. :) Yes, we're selfish like that (only once in awhile though). We spent the day as a family goofing off in the morning and then went swimming down to my mom's because it was so hot we couldn't stand it. When we were done pruning ourselves we headed home for a S'more feast! We spent the rest of the night by the "camp fire" eating s'mores, running around the yard chasing each other, and laughing.

Swimming with the baby, because we can't do anything without a baby these days. :)

Getting ready to jump!

Ice cream pit stop on the way home from swimming.

S'more time!

Yummy!!!

Playing with Buddy (Mom's dog) while we had our fire and treats.

Upset because we told her "All done". Poor girl.

We didn't go see fireworks, and we were ok with that because we were having way too much fun to stop, get the car loaded up, and go. I love my little family.

I hope you're 4th was as fun and love filled as ours was. Thank you to all those who fought for our freedom and continue to fight for it!

Valentine's Day!

I cheated a bit and opened my V-Day present a day early. Of course only because my hubba-bub begged wanted me to. The darling hubba-bub bought me a necklace from Kay's. It's pretty dazzling if I do say so myself.

See I wasn't lying!

Valentine's Day has been pretty uneventful. No special outings, no special meals, just some simple family time.  I did manage to get some peojects done though. I've been working on a nursing cover for a friend, and I finished it today! I also finished a matching high-style burp cloth for her!(These were both my first attempts at bias tape) On that topic [bias tape] I didn't have any, didn't have a fancy maker, and the local quilting store didn't have one either. I bought a satin pillowcase set  because it was cheaper than buying fabric at the quilt store & they don't carry anything but cotton there. Then I cut it into 2" strips, and then found this tutorial online which helped me make my tape!!!

Want a peak at the gift? (It looks better in person, it is hard to tell the top from the bottom edges in the photo)

 

The burp cloth (folded in half hamburger-style)

 

 Two down...many more gifts to go before it's full ;)

I also have an order being placed for some custom onesies and wipes cases. I was able to whip this cutie out today too with the help of lil blue boo 's template. And the kicker? I sewed the buttons on with my sewing machine! and only broke one needle and one button in the meantime. 

 I love these fabrics! The bottom fabric is more of a brown color with gold metallic polka dots (hard to see in the picture).

 

Love Debt.

In my many attempts to distract myself from grading papers, I often find myself perusing the world of craft blogs. (As I'm sure you've noticed) One of the blogs that I found today is called Love, Actually; a blog devoted to "creative ideas for love on a budget." Can you seriously get any cuter than that?

I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for ways to surprise the Hubba-bub with my love. I love this idea from there. 

I have seen these at stores before, but these are just sooo much cuter!

I think I might make my own version of them and lovebook cover for the man of my life this Valentine's Day. We usually aren't very big celebrators of Love Day, but I'm thinking this year it would be nice to make gifts for each other. After all, they are the ones that mean the most, aren't they?


What are you plans for fast approaching Valentine's Day? Do you have any traditions?

'09 Resolution Weigh-in

You might remember this post from a year ago tomorrow? Well now it's time to weigh in on how well we did at working towards and keeping those resolutions.

The first resolution on the chopping block is debt. Oh debt, debt, debt, you four letter word, you.
Well I can't say that we paid of 2/3 of it, but we did make a substantial dent in it. I mean seriously, what was I thinking when I said 2/3? Oh I know, I was in my la-la land of if we spend NO money and put it ALL towards debt, then we CAN afford for me to STAY HOME with BUG! I still sometimes fall into this fairy tale land of mine where I think it might just be possible, but then am smacked harshly back into the reality of things. One day...one day...

Moving onto the second one....becoming better people? Who am I Miss. America? Seriously, c'mon I can do better then that! Well in response to "becoming better people" I suppose we failed miserably. No, we didn't commit atrocious crimes against humanity, but we didn't work to save humanity either. Sure we did our little here and there, but nothing too extravagant or out of the ordinary. We did grow as people, became more enlightened, but whether this was in the way of becoming better people or not, that I don't really know. There's always next year...


Well we didn't really do too bad considering we usually never even make resolutions. I'm having a hard time coming up with resolutions to make for 2010. I'm still not sure yet. Maybe I'll make a resolution to make a resolution, or is that cheating?

Christmas

Christmas was a lot of fun this year. Bug was old enough to enjoy the present opening and would get excited over her presents. (More details and pictures on her blog)

Christmas Eve Nick's parents came over for his birthday and to have Christmas. They said they'd be over at around 6 pm. At about 4 we got a phone call from Sears saying that our order was ready for pick-up. I drove like a madwoman to Bing. to pick it up. Surprisingly the roads were pretty empty with cars. I met more traffic coming back then I did going. It must have been all those husbands out shopping for their loved ones at the last minute. Back to the story though, I arrived to Sears to pick up his tool chest, and they only had the bottom half! OYE! I was a bit frustrated, but at least he had half of it for Christmas morning. I figured while I was up there I'd swing over to Gander Mtn. to pick up gift cards for my cousins for their Christmas presents. I walk in and a young man at the customer service desk asks if he can help me (I must have looked a bit frazzled), so I asked him where the gift cards/certificates were. Then he told me......they had none; they sold out a couple of hours ago, but they should get some more in on Sunday. Alright I thought, and grabbed a pretty neat gift for my one cousin and figured I would get the other one something later. I didn't have time to look around the store really because I had to get home for Nick's birthday and Christmas with the in-laws.

I'm on my way home when Nick calls and asks where I am because his parents have been there for over an hour! They were able to come over early because his dad got done with work early. Eventually I arrive home and we are able to start the festivities. They bought Bug a four wheeler and she was riding it all over the house when I came in the door. She loves that thing! She also got some clothes, but was more entertained with the boxes that they came in. Silly girl, one day she'll learn. Nick and I got a power tool set from his parents, which was the perfect gift because we are always borrowing theirs! The only thing was that I had bought Nick one for Christmas too! When I opened it I was like "Yay! Power tools!" but I couldn't hide the confusion from my face. The confusion appeared because I was thinking, "Crap! Tomorrow morning he's going to open his, do I have time to go exchange it? No! Shoot!" It all worked out though :) I'm so happy we now have power tools. I'm making my honey-do list even longer; I'm not too sure that makes Nick very happy. :)



Christmas morning was the best it has been in awhile. We had bought a ball pit for Bug and blew it up Christmas Eve. In the middle of the night she woke up and so I brought her in our room for the rest of the night. When she woke up in the morning I had her walk out into the living room and she walked over to the pit with a big smile and kept looking back as if to say, "Mom, do you see this? Where did this come from? Can I play in it?!" It was the cutest thing. We continued opening our presents from Santa and then started getting ready for dinner down to my Mom's.



Dinner at my Mom's was tasty as always. It was a good time spent with family and some of mom's friends. Bug got a couple of baby dolls and some boots :) She LOVES her baby dolls, although Nick and I find them a little creepy because they both talk/coo and one even crawls. Cute and creepy at the same time.

We have one "Christmas" left and that is with my Dad's side of the family. All in all it has been a good holiday season. We are thankful for all that we were able to give and able to receive. We hope your Christmas was as merry.

<3 Attack

I was just getting ready to take a picture of Bug in front of the fully decorated Christmas tree and she was pricked by branch and came running to me. Just as she did the tree started coming tumbling towards us. I quickly pushed her out of the way and moved myself. There was no way I was going to try and catch it...no gloves, coming down fast, prickly needles....ha, yea right! Then there was a big "CRASH!" I found a sock of Nick's nearby, and used that to pick the tree back up. Right now it is being propped up by the loveseat until Nick gets home and he can fix it. Until then we have a Christmas tree that is fully disarray. There are a bunch of bulbs off and the ribbon, that pain in the butt ribbon, is all over the place and needs to be completely redone. Yippy! The good news is that no one was hurt and only one ornament broke.


Maybe our tree isn't feeling so merry?

Christmas Tree Up!

We finally put up our Christmas tree. I am glad we did because I have been itching to do it for awhile now. On Thursday Nick called me on my cell on my way home, but I didn't have good reception on the mountain (go figure) so I couldn' t hear him. When I got home I called him, and he said he called to see if I would stay in town so we could get a tree. Well I wasn't going back into town, so I just told him to go pick one out. It will probably be the last time I let him pick out a tree without Bug and me...He came home with a blue spruce (which I don't really care for), and while the one side of the tree is nice, the rest is ummm...barren. It's ok though, he meant well. We set up the tree that night and started getting out our Christmas decorations. I started stringing the lights around the tree and only made it 3/4 the way up. We were out of lights! I wasn't going to back into town so the tree had to wait.

The next night I had a girls' night planned with my coworkers. We were going to dinner and then to watch the play "The Producers". It was an excellent time, but needless to say I didn't get home until 12:30 am on Saturday.

FINALLY... after two days of having a half-butted decorated tree in the living room Bug and I went to town to get more lights and some more ornaments. I don't know what happened to all the ornaments we used to have, but I can't find them! We came home and started decorating the tree. I was wrapping the ribbon around the tree and all of a sudden it started leaning!!! The tree almost fell over 3 times before I could get to the base and secure it more. What a fiasco! The good news is that the tree is up, but there is bad news....I'm lacking about 6 ft of ribbon to finish off the top.

Calla's eyes lit up when she saw the tree all decorated. (She was napping while I finished it up) Her eyes lit up and of course she went over to the tree and starting playing with ball ornaments. I can't wait for Christmas! I can't believe it's only 13 days away, I wish it was closer, but I don't because I still have 90% of my shopping to do. I know what I want to get, but I have to go get it. I'm finding that this year is much different then past years. I used to be 90% done by now, and did most of my shopping online. This year I'm the complete opposite. I am doing most of my shopping in the stores. I think this is because I like going out with Nick and Bug to have a "date" where it's just us and doing something as a family. I think the next time we will go shopping will be this coming weekend, but I don't know if we will take Bug. It all depends on whether or not we can find someone to watch her. It'd be nice to go on a date just Nick and I.

It's Christmas Time!!!

I can't believe that Christmas is right around the corner. I have so much to make and buy. Jeesh! Not to mention that we still need to get our tree. I'm hoping we can get it this weekend and decorate it. I think we are just going to buy it from the Boy Scouts this year and then next year when Calla is older we will go cut ours down.

Part of me can't wait for Christmas to come, but yet part of me can because I hate rushing time. I can't wait because it should be really fun with Calla this year. We still aren't sure what we want to get her. I have ideas, but I don't want to spend a lot of money, or get her a bunch of toys either. She's only 1 and already has enough toys for a baby army. I could just look at it as if we are stocking up for when we have another....but that is a thought that won't be until next year.

I plan on making a few gifts for Bug (name pillow, elf doll, etc.), gifts for my best friend, and I was thinking of making a gift for my mentor at work, and also for the LTA that shares my room, not to mention I was going to make a gift for Bug's cousin. Hopefully I can do it all, because I really like giving handmade gifts over buying them. I think there is just more meaning in it.

I have to say that Nick is worst than the biggest peeker kid ever! He tried figuring out what he's getting by "decoding" the list I had made. Well he did "decode" it pretty well and actually got 6 of the 9 gift right, but it's a good thing I was thinking on my toes. I convinced him it was something else. He's such a brat!

Boo!

I haven't written on here in awhile and finally have the time and the ambition to. I have been searching the internet for my next craft project. Well I've found so many that I can't keep track of them all. I do have to take pictures of Bug's birthday present (a horse). I am really pleased with how it came out!

The past weekend was Halloween. We decided we would carve our pumpkins Saturday night because we weren't going to have any trick or treaters, and we weren't taking Bug out. Here are our pumpkins:

Nick carving away at his mummy. So serious.

From left to right. My ghost/boo. Bug's gremlin. Nick's mummy.I think they turned out pretty good!

I also made Bug's Halloween costume at the last minute. I wanted to make a lamb costume for her, but thought the owl was cute too. I had the supplies for the owl, so guess which one won? You guessed it. It really does look much cuter in person, for some reason the camera makes it look so flat.

We couldn't pull the mask down further because she'd freak out. She kept ripping it even like this!

Me being silly with Bug's mask on.

When we finished all the silliness, we roasted our pumpkin seeds. Yummmmmy! They came out delicious. I can't keep my hands off them.

Independence Day more like Dependence Day!

Our July 4th was very eventful in terms of health. Calla was running a fever since the day before. We were working on managing it and keeping it down. So every couple of hours we would drug her up with medicine. She was quite pleasant about the whole thing, thankfully.

I got the genius idea to clean out the spare bedroom and make it, um...a spare bedroom! You see it has been our "collect-all" room mostly for Calla's things, but none the less it was driving me INSANE!! I hauled out all the things in the room and then it started happening... My eyes were doing this weird thing where they were flashing squigglies wherever I looked and I started feeling dizzy. I told Nick that I couldn't do any more and grabbed a pillow to lie down on the floor with. I started getting a HORRIBLE headache. It was a throbbing pain above my eye. It continued to worsen. Nick had me take some migraine medicine and go lie in bed. It didn't help. So a couple hours later I hopped into the bath because I had a gut feeling it would help, and it did. For a little while at least. When I got out of the tub it started back up again. I took more medicine and still no relief. Finally I got up walked around and started bawling my eyes out because I felt so strange! I was dizzy, my head hurt, and whenever I stood I felt like vomiting. Nick said we should go to the hospital, and so we got ready and headed out. On our way we pulled over so I could throw up a couple of times. Wouldn't you know? I started feeling better!!!! Instead of going to the hospital we went to CVS and got some pepto for my upset stomach that I now had. We returned home and I rested for a bit before starting night duty with Calla.

That night Calla was energized to the max. I don't think I have ever heard of or seen a child that gets energized from a fever except for her! She wouldn't go to sleep for anything! I don't mean that she was cranky and miserable, oh no...just the opposite. She was wide awake, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Finally around 1 she fell asleep. I was exhausted!

Thank goodness for Nick! He took care of both us. :)