Took Ben to the ER last night....

He fell asleep in his high chair on Monday night.

Monday night Benjamin started getting a runny nose.

Yesterday, he woke up stuffed up, with a runny nose and a little bit of stuff/ crud in one of his eyes. I cleaned it off, thinking it was some of the snot that he had wiped across his face in his sleep.
His appetite was down a little, but who wants to eat if they are stuffed up? I put him down for his nap, then headed into my afternoon shift (2-6pm) at work.

I came home an hour early as Bill had a meeting he had to go to, and when I got home Benjamin was still down for his nap. That was a little unusual as he usually only sleeps for 2-2.5 hours, not 3. But if he wasn't feeling well, then he was probably just tired.

I went up to get him and he was moving around like he was awake, but his eyes were still closed. Then I realized they were closed because they were crusted closed with goop and crud. Green goop stuff. I took a warm, wet washcloth and cleaned his eyes so he could open them. I then noticed that his face seemed puffy and redder than normal.

I had Bill take Ben to the Urgent Care center (at 6pm)  and they thought it was an allergic reaction to something, but they weren't sure what. He hasn't been exposed to anything, he hasn't had any new foods, etc. They suggested we go the ER immediately. I had to get friend to come and take me, as Bill had the keys to both vehicles. My friend graciously came and took me and Rebecca and Jacob to the ER, then took Jake and Rebecca back home to watch them.

5 hours later, we were finally seen. Seems that our little guy has an upper respiratory infection, an ear infection, and was having an allergic reaction to the infection. While we were there, they gave Benjamin Motrin, Tylenol, a steroid, and Benadryl. Within an hour his face was less red from the rash and was less puffy. 

We finally made it home at 1:45am.

Benjamin is now on an antibiotic for the infection and a steroid for the allergic reaction. He seems to be in much better spirits today. He is still a little puffy and one eye was crusted shut this morning. Hopefully this illness will go away as quickly as it came on.

Sickness has invaded once again

Last week, I was very quiet on this here blog of mine. I had good reason....

Hubby was sick! Over the course of the week he had a sore throat, fever, and congestion in his nose. He ended up going to the doctor on Friday morning, after his eyes became really red and crusty Thursday night. Turns out he has a very contagious sinus infection that had moved to his eye. He was put on medicine and told to not return to work for 48 hours.

That meant that I had to disinfect everything in the house....couch cushions, all the throw blankets in the house, pillows, handles, door knobs, counters, remotes, the laptop, etc. I probably did close to 13 loads of laundry this weekend.

Sunday he seemed to be a little better, so I left him with the boys while Rebecca and I went to church and to the grocery store.

Sunday night, Benjamin started getting a runny nose......

This morning, he woke up covered in snot and just not feeling well. His appetite has been down all day and he has been kind of cranky and just wanting to be held. It was a good thing I had today off of work. Tonight, he had his last bottle and proceeded to throw it up all over his bed just as I was laying him down to sleep. Then he threw up more all over the floor....

So more laundry is getting done as we speak.

I am praying the other 2 kids don't get it, and that I don't get it.

I am so ready for summer and to get these sicknesses out of my house.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

It is Monday again, which means that it’s "Happy Homemaker Monday," a project which is hosted by Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Each week, she hosts "Happy Homemaker Monday" as a way to highlight what is going on in her world. This week I have decided to join in....So here is a little glimpse into my world on this Monday!

 

 



The Weather:::
Yesterday was GORGEOUS!!!! It was almost 70 degrees and sunny. Today it is raining and in the mid 50s. Still it is not snow and it is not freezing so I am okay with it.

Right now I am:  
Writing this blog post. Watching Benjamin cruise backwards around the living room in his walker. Listening to Jacob at the kitchen table trying to get the last drop of yogurt out of his yogurt cup.

Thinking:
That Daylight Savings Time is kicking my behind. I so did not want to get up this morning. It will be nice to get out of work when it is still light though.

On my reading pile:::
Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

On my tv:::
The Bible (DVRed it last night so I can watch it this week)
I am also hoping to get a bunch of shows off the dvr this week as we only have 6% left on there.

On the menu for this week:::
Monday -  Pizza crescent rolls and green beans
Tuesday- Breakfast for dinner (waffles, french toast sticks, fruit)
Wednesday - Pot roast in the crockpot with potatoes, onions and carrots
Thursday -  Manwich sandwiches, corn, fruit
Friday - Macaroni and cheese and fruit
Saturday - ?????
Sunday - ????????

On my to do list:::
Laundry, laundry and more laundry
Take trash and recycling out to the curb
Organize bills and pay them

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
I am trying to come up with a first birthday cake idea for Benjamin's b-day in a couple weeks.

Homemaking Tips:::
Do a quick clean up of the main living areas of your house before you go to bed. When you get up in the morning you will be greeted by a clean house, rather than more to-dos.

Looking around the house:::
Breakfast dishes are still on the kitchen table. Benjamin has toys all over the living room floor where he has thrown them. The kids' art table has a coloring book open to a half colored page and has a magna doodle on it covered in an artistic creation!

From the camera:::

Bill and  I on Saturday night. We were headed to a dinner auction for our daughter's school. The theme was 1920's speakeasy!

On my prayer list:::
For marriage and relationship strengthening and understanding. For a friend as she is coming up on then end of her radiation treatment for breast cancer, but is now dealing with lymphedema. For my mom, as another tumor was found and removed from her bladder. For my husband as he is entering into a couple VERY busy weeks!

Bible verse:::
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

So there you have it...a little glimpse into my Monday. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Cakes on the brain! (Photo heavy)

Every Friday for the past 3 weeks and for the next 3 weeks, I volunteered to make 2 cakes for my daughter's school's fish dinners. I like to bake and I have been making simple 9x13 cakes with sprinkles ontop.

Last night as I was frosting this week's cakes, I was thinking about birthdays coming up...(my mom, my brother, my father in law, and Benjamin's 1st) and if I needed to make cakes for them. I am not sure what design I would make for any of them....that got me thinking about cakes I have made....and how I do not have the pictures of them in one place for easy reference.

SO.....I decided to organize them today into a post here on my blog :) Maybe now I can just find them easily for reference, and maybe you can get some inspiration. Let me know if you do. :)

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have any special hobbies? Do you like to decorate cakes?

Lemon-Lime Spritzer from R.W. Knudsen (Review)

One of the things that I have been trying to focus on this year is to drink more water and less pop.

I will be the first to admit that I am addicted to pop. I drink way TOO much of it. There is something about it that just calls my name.....I like the taste, the energy that it gives me is great, and I like the bubbly sensation that you get from the carbonation.

But I am trying to give it up. I really am. I can get great taste from green tea or by adding some fruit to my water. I actually have more long lasting energy from drinking water. But sometimes I just miss the carbonation feeling that I get from pop.

Well enter.... SPRITZERS FROM R.W. KNUDSEN!

As a Naturally Savvy blogger, I was recently given the opportunity to try the Lemon-Lime Spritzer from R.W. Knudsen.

 

 

I love the idea of having the carbonation without all the added stuff in pop. Spritzers to me are a much healthier alternative.

 

However, in all honesty, I was a little disappointed in the flavor of this spritzer. It was too tart for me, although my husband loved the flavor.

 

Spritzers from R.W. Knudsen are available in a wide variety of flavors, including cranberry, peach, strawberry and many more. I will definitely be trying out other flavors to find the one that is right for me.

 

Disclaimer: I received a product sample in exchange for a honest review as part of the Naturally Savvy blogging program. All opinions are my own. 

My to do list for today

Early yesterday they were calling for around 8-9 inches of snow in my area starting around 1pm.

So I went into work early thinking that maybe, just maybe today we would get a snow day. (I work at a school). I was already forming a gigantic to-do list in my head.

I left work yesterday at 6pm and it was doing nothing.

Went to bed at 11pm...it was just starting to snow lightly.

When I woke up this morning, we got maybe 2 inches. Nothing to write home about.

So much for a snow day from work....

I still have a lot to do though before I go into work later.

Mainly, cleaning and organizing this....

My desk area has become the dumping ground of stuff. It is a mess from doing taxes, figuring out bank accounts, etc. IT IS A MESS. And I don't feel like I can figure out budget or make any payments on anything until it is clean. So that is my goal today. Hopefully I will be back tomorrow with after pictures and lots of progress to report on this to do today.

What are you up to today? Do you have an area that you are cleaning and organizing today?

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

It is Monday again, which means that it’s "Happy Homemaker Monday," a project which is hosted by Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Each week, she hosts "Happy Homemaker Monday" as a way to highlight what is going on in her world. This week I have decided to join in....So here is a little glimpse into my world on this Monday!

 

 



The Weather:::

It has been cold and cold, and did I mention...cold. :)  The sun is out today so that is a blessing. We are supposed to get a lot of snow tomorrow and Wednesday though. Doesn't winter know that it is March and the snow is supposed to be done?

Right Now I am:
Trying to do a million different things before work....  

Thinking:

That I hope work isn't too bad today. That I am glad that I found shoes to match my dress for the dinner auction. That I am grateful for how hard my hubby works for our family.
 

On my reading pile:::

Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

On my tv:::

Cartoons (for the kids)
Sports (for hubby)
Cooking shows and country music videos (for me)
 

On the menu for this week:::

Monday:  Pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, pineapple
Tuesday:  Taco bake

Wednesday: Ham slices, broccoli and rice casserole, mixed veggies and fruit

Thursday:  Chicken in a bag, potatoes, corn

Friday: Mac and cheese for kiddos, Fish dinners from our church fish fry for hubby and I

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Pot roast, potatoes, onions, carrots in the crockpot, crescent rolls
 

On my to do list:::

Laundry
Plan blog posts for the week
Catch up on reading   

Looking around the house:::

The boys are napping. There are piles of things to go through around the computer. Kitchen has kind of been straightened up.

From the camera:::

My little crawler. Cannot believe he will be a year old in less than a month.



On my prayer list::: 

For healing in marriage and relationships.

Bible verse, Devotional:::

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

There you have it. A little glimpse into my life on this Monday. Hope everyone has a great Monday!

 

 

February Goals wrap-up

Today is the last day of February. I wish I could say that I am sad to see February go, but I really am not. This was NOT a good month for me physically (was sick for more than half the month), mentally or emotionally. I have a lot on my mind and am really just not in a good place. I am really trying hard not to let myself get depressed. It is hard though.

One of the things that I am just trying to let go of is my lack of progress on some of my February goals. I did so well in January, then this month everything kind of took a back seat.

For the final update for February, here is how I did.....

FINANCIAL GOALS:

• Spend no more than $300 on food. ~I don't have an exact figure, but I am sure it was close to $360 spent on food.
• Spend no more than $150 on household supplies (trash bags, diapers, etc.)~ I spent right around $130 
• Look into cheaper auto insurance~ NOPE
• File 2012 taxes~ DONE
• Open new checking account at a different closer bank (as ours has decided to start charging us fees of $18 a month for the same service we have been getting for free.)~ Opened account, but have not been able to transfer direct deposits, etc. so will have to pay one month of fees at the old bank.

　 DECLUTTERING GOALS:

• Take pictures of and list baby items on Craig list (swing, bassinet, jumper, etc.)~NOPE
• Declutter our master bedroom~NOPE

　 PERSONAL GOALS:

• Work up to drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day ~ Working on...gave up pop for Lent so am working on replacing with water
• Menu plan each week from pantry first, then around sales ~NOPE
• Lose 4 pounds ~ I am actually down 6 lbs from the last time I weighed myself.
• Give up pop and sweets for Lent ~ Ongoing. Gave up pop, fast food, and chocolate and candy.

So there you have it. Out of 11 goals, I accomplished 4. That is not okay with me. March is tomorrow and it will be a new month with new goals. I will do better in March.

Did you make any goals for February? Care to share how you did?

Girls with Swords (book review)

Girls with Swords: How to Carry Your Cross Like a Hero

From the inside cover:

If there ever was a time for women to be armed, it’s now.

Yet the Word of God is a sword we often are more comfortable studying than wielding. It’s time we give girls swords and watch them connect heaven to earth. Worldwide, women are the targets of prejudice, sex trafficking, abuse, and even gendercide. Lisa Bevere writes that these attacks say more about who women might be in the future than who they have been in the past. In Girls with Swords she explains a spiritual enemy is seeking to disarm women on every level. It’s time women become the heroes God created them to be and stand—courageous, discerning, forgiving, and wise.

Creatively forging the imagery of swords, the Word of God, and the Cross, Girls with Swords will teach you:

• How to speak the language of heaven on earth
• What it means to intercede
• What it means to carry your cross
• What it means to be discerning
• How to disarm the enemy
• Why women are the enemy’s target—and why God needs them to be heroes

It’s time to take up your sword and be a hero.

My thoughts:

The premise of Ms. Bevere's book is that as women we are called to be warriors for Christ against the devil. She argues that as the offspring of Adam and Eve we are the ones that the devil has targeted and there are plenty of examples in today's world about how he is getting us away from Jesus. Bevere uses MANY biblical references, terminology that has to do with swords and fencing, and combines these with today's issues to show us how we as women are called to be warriors for Christ.

I felt like this book would have worked better if it were a speech given by Ms. Bevere, rather than a 200 page book. To me the message was repetitive throughout the book and took away from the imagery and the urgency of the message.

I tried. I really did. I tried to like this book. I tried to read it and not think that I have heard all of this before. I tried reading it and not fall asleep. I really did. But it didn't work. This book was not for me. It felt like a Religion text book that I would have read for a class during my undergraduate days (yes, I majored in Religion) rather than a book I would choose to read as a 30 something mother who is trying to strengthen her religious beliefs in this time in my life.

Disclaimer:
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. All opinions are my own.

Pocket Your Dollars (book review)

Pocket Your Dollars: 5 Attitude Changes That Will Help You Pay Down Debt, Avoid Financial Stress, and Keep More of What You Make

From the back cover:

When it comes to money, attitude is everything

Carrie Rocha, founder and owner of Pocket Your Dollars.com, one of the most popular sites on the web, shares the secrets that will help you change the way you think about money. Seven years ago she and her husband were surprised to discover the mountain of debt they'd accumulated. They knew they'd have to make big changes. Thirty months later they were debt free and have stayed that way ever since.

How did they do it? It wasn't through a step-by-step financial program or spending plan. It turns out, budgets can't fix everything--real change takes an attitude adjustment.

You too can triumph over the pitfalls that lead to financial stress. With practical help in every chapter, including real-life examples and easy-to-use self-assessment tools, you'll soon understand what Carrie discovered: Lasting change can start today.

My Thoughts:

Pocket Your Dollars: 5 Attitude Changes That Will Help You Pay Down Debt, Avoid Financial Stress, and Keep More of What You Make by Carrie Rocha is the first financial book that really makes sense to me and seems to offer ideas and philosophies that I can actually put into place. Often when I read a financial book it seems to be written for people with LOTS of money and LOTS of debt. My husband and I live paycheck to paycheck and do have some debt that we would love to be able to pay off, but we need a plan in place and some assistance in how to do this. Pocket Your Dollars is one of those tools that we need.

I think my favorite part and the part that really hit home was Rocha's writing about the "WHY" she personally was in debt at one point and not the I am in debt and I don't know why cycle that so many other authors seem to write about. I love how she identifies the 5 attitudes that have to be identified and dealt with before you can begin your own journey to financial freedom. For me the 2 that hit home the most were "If Only I Had More Money" and "I Deserve a Treat."

The first part of the book explains the "Why" behind our going into debt. The section that follows offers advice and skills that we need to change our attitude that are the whys we got into debt. I love the idea of changing your self talk to reflect what your goals actually are. Instead of saying you deserve a treat for example, you can change that to " I work too hard for my money to have it go toward a leak in my budget."

The final part of the book, Rocha lends us some budgeting advice that makes sense. These include hints and tricks to make your expenses lower and while she offers suggestions she does not advocate one method above others. She knows that her readers are all different and that different methods work for different people. I love that she acknowledges this.

I LOVED this book. I think it has a lot of practical advice and really speaks to the why so we can do something about it. I will be using this book a lot during the next few months as I try to lower our budget and make a plan for getting out of debt!

Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sunday Night Chit Chat

Time once again for Sunday Night Chit-Chat...hosted by our friend Carla! 

 

To play along simply start your post with a photo or quote... Copy and paste the starters and link up to Carla so she and others can visit you and see what you've been up to!

SO HERE GOES:

 



Crazy kiddos!







What are you.....

Reading?

 

 

 

Watching?

 

Last night I kind of, sort of watched "Dark Knight Rises" with hubby. He watched it and I was working on the computer getting taxes done. Hubby has hockey on and Jacob is not happy because cartoons are not on.

 

Listening to?

 

The sounds of the household. Benjamin is crawling around playing with a car. Jacob is crying. Bill is explaining to Jacob that there are no more cartoons tonight. And Rebecca is splashing around in the bathtub. It is a normal Sunday night around here. LOL....Music to my ears.

 

  

Cooking/Baking?

 

Today I made pumpkin muffins! YUMMY!!! I also have been making 2 cakes each week for Rebecca's schools Friday night fish fry each week during Lent.

Happy you accomplished this week?



 

New bank account was opened. Checks are ordered. Taxes are completed and filed.

 

Looking forward to next week?

 

4 day work week (one good thing about working in a school, you get teacher in-service days off). Shoe shopping next weekend with a friend of mine for a dinner auction that we are going to in a few weeks. I have a dress, just need shoes and maybe a purse.   

 

Thankful for today?

 

The health of my family. Seeing a friend's husband having a near death experience with e-coli this week has really put my health in perspective to me.   

Bonus question: What item is currently on the *TOP* of your wish list right now?

Right now there are 3 things that I would like to get soon... new glasses for me, a new computer chair with a back on it and a new comforter set for our bed.

 

So there you have it. A little glimpse into my world on this Sunday night! Hope everyone has a wonderful week and remember to link up to our wonderful chat host Carla! :)

Goodbye to Yesterday (book review)

Goodbye to Yesterday: Part 1 (The Discovery - A Lancaster County Saga)
is book 1 of an exclusive 6-consecutive-month release Amish serial novel.

From the back cover:

When Luke Stoltzfus loses his job at a furniture store in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, he is given an opportunity to learn a new trade from his uncle who lives in Indiana. Despite his wife's reservations, Luke jumps at the chance and makes plans for a quick trip to Middlebury.

Along the way, Luke meets with tragedy, and life as he knew it will never be the same.

Despite all odds, will the faith and love Luke and Meredith share be enough to bring them back together again? Or will Meredith begin a new life with another?

My thoughts:
The storyline is great and the most positive aspect of Goodbye to Yesterday: Part 1 (The Discovery - A Lancaster County Saga) It is engaging with just enough drama to keep the reader engaged and wanting to read more. I fell in love with the sense of reality that is being faced by Meredith and Luke as they face life with unemployment and a shrinking bank account and the ups and downs of newlywed life. I felt that I could relate to their story.

There were parts of the story that took away from the storyline though. There were several bouts of dialogue that felt repetitive and were dull and just didn't feel like they fit.

The other thing that took away was the story was the format. This was the first time that I had read a novel that has been published in parts. To be honest it kind of caught me off guard, as most books that I read have a definite ending, even when they are part of a series. Goodbye to Yesterday: Part 1 (The Discovery - A Lancaster County Saga) is not like that. There is no definite ending, instead there is a cliffhanger ending that is supposed to lead the reader to buy and read the second book. And to me that was a major flaw in this book. This "book" seemed more like something you would read in a magazine each month or watch in a mini series on TV. For me it does not work in book form. Because of this I am not sure if I will actively seek out the other parts of this saga. I don't think it is that worth it for me.

Disclaimer: This book was provided free of charge by the publisher and Handlebar Marketing in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Our Valentine's Day 2013

Life has been super busy so I am finally getting around to blogging about our Valentine's Day.

This year, both Bill and I had to work.

Bill had to work in the morning. Then I had to work in the afternoon. That night, my sister came over so she could go to the movies with her friends, as they did not have school the next day.

As soon as I got home from work, Bill had to leave to go do an interview for a story he was writing.

So what did we do together for Valentine's Day?

Well, we ordered Chinese food for takeout (Bill picked it up on his way back from his interview) and we ate by candlelight in the dining room, while the kids played and watched cartoons in the living room.

Bill and I, Valentine's Day 2013, taken by Rebecca

The kiddos playing and watching cartoons while Bill and I enjoy our dinner by candlelight in the next room

Yummy Chinese food!

That is how we did our Valentine's Day this year. It worked for us! And as parents of 3 kids ages 6 and under, I think it was kind of romantic and low key, just like us!

Then as another surprise, on Saturday, I woke up to a dozen roses and a card! Thoughtful and lovely from dear hubby!

So, what did you do for your Valentine's Day? How do you show your love for your significant other?