Whats new

Whats new around our house in nothing much. We are swimming and that's about it this summer. The kids are glad to be on summer vacation but I think they miss school more then they will admit. We have been lucky this summer and Jeremy is home every weekend and that has been great! Fire pits and smores are plentiful! We are so excited for the fourth of July coming this weekend and can't wait for a weekend with family and friends!
I am finally 12 weeks along and feeling really good! My belly shot out a few weeks ago but thankfully has not continued to grow at such a rapid rate :) Although I am certain it is too early I swear I have felt definite baby flutter 3 times in the last week. I am seeing my doctor every week and I will see a specialist in a couple weeks to hopefully find out that the baby has a healthy strong cord and is a healthy strong baby. I also hope to get a peak at the gender while we are at it! :) Jeremy, the gender prediction man, has made his prediction for a boy. I have only seen him wrong once and am having fun window shopping and picking out all the fun baby stuff!This is a pic of the baby and it's likeness to Gazoo on the Flinstones :)

Banana Pancakes

My first try at from scratch banana pancakes was a success! They honestly turned out pretty good. We had them with butter and maple syrup. I also tried them with peanut butter and maple syrup and that was amazing. The recipe web site suggested using strawberry syrup, but ours was long out dated so we made due with what we had.

Things You'll Need

• 2 Eggs
• 2 C Flour
• 2 C Milk
• 2 Tbsp Sugar
• 4 Tbsp Oil
• 2 Tbsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 Bananas

I used 1 1/2 bananas. Mix it all together and fry ;)

Today I feel -random

• Way too irritable for my own good. Like flipping off random people on the road or facebook. A sure sign to me that this baby must be a girl. Way to much sassyness going on in one body!
• Guilty for feeling sick and tired and laying on the couch to much.
• Embarrassed because my house is a total mess and I'm blogging not cleaning. (in my defense I am also playing with Emma while I blog)
  
• Excited and fat as my belly takes on the early "is she pregnant or is that a beer belly" look.
• Blessed to feel so nauseous!
• Smiley when I hear Emma walking around singing "mommys having my baby, mommys having my baby" in her sweet little opera voice ;)
  
• Motivated to make banana pancakes in the morning. I hope they turn out!
• Stoked because I found an incredible deal on prescription sunglasses. And since I hate wearing my contacts, this is a much needed pair of sunglasses!
  
• Frustrated because the closest old navy is 40 minutes away.
• Overall, blesses and so happy :)
  

Eczema

Jacks blood test results came back negative for all food allergies! That is great news! However it doesn't explain all the eczema he suffers from. I finally figured out if I use a very mild, fragrance free, extra moisturizing soap and lotion and lotion him up twice a day I can keep it under control...kinda. On the advice of my sister I decided to give Nature Rich products a try. I was pretty skeptical, but started soaking him in the mineral bath, washing him from head to toe in the moisturizing soap, and using the moisturizing lotion. I am happy to report that after one week of use, he is almost completely eczema free. I am shocked how well it worked! I highly recommend it to anyone. I use it on Emma too (she has no skin problems) and her skin is SO SOFT!!!! It is unreal. I say try it...... tell me what you think! :)

Dairy Free Report

So Jack goes dairy free was much easier said then done. He was fine with it for the first few days and then the novelty wore off and it was just one big pain in his little butt! He was not having it when the weather suddenly got warm and he wanted to eat ice cream and have dinner at his friends house and eat like a normal little kid. So, I assessed the situation. My main reasons for trying this diet were for his behavior and the sever eczema he suffers from. Neither seemed any better. I took him to a specialist in Omaha who basically told me that due to all the allergies and pollutants in the world everyone is going to turn into hermaphrodites and the human race will extinguish its self. That is a little much for me. He would also have my 7 year old little boy eating nothing but organic grown from the earth diet. NOT HAPPENING! Jack would rather starve then eat anything from the earth besides, apples, bananas, grapes and carrots. He is a picky little man. Sad to say but he gets it from me. Needless to say Jack is back on a normal kid diet and just fine. When his blood test results come back and I know for sure what he is allergic to things might change. But for now we are managing his eczema with a new soap and lotion (made from the earth you know!!) and starting some allergy medicine and some other vitamin supplements. I will report back in a few weeks when we know if these things seem to be working.
I have a whole new respect for people who have food allergies!

Jack Goes Dairy Free

When Jack was a new baby he cried his little face off. Since I was allergic to milk and my mom was allergic to milk it was a no brainier to me that he was allergic to milk. I would put him on soy formula and wait the magic "you'll see a new baby in 3 days or it's not the problem" no new baby in 3 days. Moved on to many different formulas and never saw a new baby. SO....I finally stopped switching the poor kid around and accepted he was just colicky. Then when he was about 6 months old he developed both eczema and asthma. All while crying his sweet little face off. By the time he was 3 he seemed to have out grown the asthma and crying. But it turned in to busy little boy. VERY BUSY. Couldn't sit still, can't keep his hands to him self, loud, and hyper. He was fine through preschool and the first semester of kindergarten. But then we were constantly struggling with his hyper, impulsive, busy little boy ways. He has struggled with it all this year too. I have known deep down that he is allergic to dairy for years, but I didn't want to take him off dairy because I just wanted him to be a normal kid. Last year I started to really consider it when I learned that a dairy allergy can cause behavioral issues similar to ADHA. But I still wasn't convinced. After another year of issues I decided to talk to the doctor. But we had to see the PA. Who was OVER EAGER to hand out a prescrip for ADHD meds. After thinking about it all day and finding out that is cost over $300 a month and in big bold letters on the drug web site the first side effect I saw was SUDDEN DEATH I decided, maybe being dairy free was a better place to start. I'm not into SUDDEN DEATH. So I dove in head first to the dairy free way. It is not as bad as I thought it would be. It is more work at the store and slightly more expensive, but if it helps my sweet little man, then it is well worth it!!!
First I went to hyvee. I got a few bags of PLAIN chips, nothing with any kind of flavoring you know! Soy chocolate milk, soy yogurt, dairy free bread, apple sauce, fruit chews, and oatmeal bars. Just the basics for packing a lunch and having breakfast in the morning. Then this morning I hit the health food store for some more stuff. There is not much to choose from and unfortunately we have a very small store here, but I was able to find him some cheese, rice crispy bars, butter, and ice cream sandwiches. I also picked up a DHA supplement that is supposed to be good for helping kids stay focused. I went to walmart this evening to do our normal grocery shopping and was able to find a few more things for him. All in all I really feel like he is going to be fine. He is eating almost all the same things he normally loves just in a different variety.Here is what a dairy free lunch looks like. Peanut butter and Jelly on a dairy free bun (Jack loves anything on a bun) but of course the little jerks at school made fun of the bun, but I told Jack to tell them to zip it he loves buns!!!!!!!!!! original pringles, apple sauce, a fruit roll up and a juice.
See that seems super normal right???

March 30 Blog Challenge

A PICTURE:
On this very last blog challenge post, I am at a loss, I have no idea what to post a picture of.
I decided on a picture I have thought of in my head for a long time, I am not quite sure what I really want it to look like, and I am pretty sure I will never get it, simply because I am not really into tattoos. I think they are cute, but they are PERMANENT and that is what holds me back.
I want angel wings on my foot for the babies. One pink wing for Elizabeth and one blue wing for Thomas. Something like this....

March 29 Blog Challenge

3 WISHES:

Well first I would need to wish for more wishes! I would want so many different things. Mostly just cures for diseases, peace, happiness and kindness for all, financial freedom for everyone I know and love, a bigger kitchen :)
Good thing such a thing as 3 wishes dose not exist, because clearly I would have no idea what to be wishing for! :)

March 28 Blog Challenge

SOMETHING THAT STRESSES YOU OUT:

My biggest stresser in life is FINANCES! I am sure this is true for almost everyone. There always seems to be something. Just when we think we are ahead, something comes up and we go one step forward and two steps back. It is normal, I am sure of this. I know LOTS of people who say the same thing. So I just have to step back and remind myself, we have plenty!
I also stress out big time about my kids, their future, school, sports, dance. Making the right decisions so that I don't raise a couple of ax murderers! Just making sure they are happy and well taken care of, that I am doing my job right. WORRY WORRY WORRY!

March 27 Blog Challenge

PETS:

When Jeremy and I first met I had my heart set on a little brown and white Shih-tzu. I NEEDED one big time. So I bought a very over priced puppy mill puppy from a local pet store. She was a mess. While she was very cute, her personality was that of a spoiled princess. She made messes all the time and frustrated the poop out of me! Her biggest problem was fear of load noises, on 4th of July we forced her outside to do her nightly business and she got out of the yard and hit by a car. :( That was the end of our Phoebe Ann.
Jeremy also decided after we moved into our house that he needed a Black Lab. His friend gave him a puppy and he had NO TIME for her. She tore up our yard and tackled little kids. And pulled me down 3 yes 3! times in one walk. Sorry to say but Jesse had to find a new home with a man who could run her like she needed :)
Then in the sadness of the loss of sweet baby Elizabeth I decided I was ready. The kids were bigger and we wanted a puppy. So I scanned the ads for the perfect one and by the grace of God found her. We are now the proud family to one adorable brown and white shih-tzu, Lucy Belle. She is a perfect dog! Her brother Charley lived with us for a while when my dad was so sick but has now returned to live with my parents.

WE LOVE LUCY!!

March 26 blog challenge

A PICTURE OF YOUR FAMILY:

Here is us, the day we became a family of 4, the day we were blessed with not one child but 2, a perfect family :)
Here we are 3 years later, with 2 busy little kids not 2 little babies :)
The Love of a Family is Life's Greatest Blessing

March 25 blog challenge

PUT YOUR IPOD ON SHUFFLE, FIRST 10 SONGS:

Well first off, we don't have IPODS, we have MP3 players, or as Emma calls them E3P players. When I went to write this blog, I had a hard time locating mine, once I found it I found it wasn't working.... so I grabbed Emma's and here is what I got:

1. usher- omg
2. shake- your groove thing
3. so good- stroke 9
4. we will rock you- queen
5. big time- big time rush
6. how we roll- alvin and the chipmunks
7. lately- felonious
8. love story- taylor swift
9. shake it- metro station
10. walk away- chris clouse

Some of these, honestly, I have no idea how they got on there, J is the music guy and I guess he just put randoms on there...hope there are no bad words or talk of sexy time!

March 24 Blog Challenge

SOMETHING YOU HAVE LEARNED:

I have learned that the white/cheese/caramel pop corn from Colby Ridge is simply the perfect snack. I am sure it was created by the devil because once you start eating it, it is almost impossible to stop! Now, as a former Colby Ridge employee I have bagged way more pop corn then I ever care to think about so you might think I would be repulsed by the sight of it, NAH! I love it anyway :)

March 23 blog challenge

YOUR FAVORITE VACATION:

My favorite vacation is nothing fancy. It was when our family got to travel with Jeremy for work and stay in a hotel. We swam and played all day while he worked and at night we went to dinner and swam and played some more. J, God bless him, made sure he got me a room with a jacuzzi tub so I got nice long bathes. It was great fun although it was nothing fancy. Our kids still talk about it and the fun we had. Loved that trip so much!

March 22 bloge challenge

FAVORITE CITY:

My favorite city would have to be Lincoln. It is the only place I ever want to live, where I want to raise my kids, where I pray they will stay when they are older ;) I love this city because it's not to big and not too small. I know it, I'm comfortable with it, I love it!

March 21 blog challenge

A PICTURE OF YOURSELF:

I don't have pictures of just me. I am almost always the one taking the pictures, so it is rare that I am even in them.
So here is my favorite picture of Jack and I when he was 18 months old :)

March 20 Blog challenge

NICKNAMES:

Ham Sam -From my Dad
Booger/greaser- From my brother
Torbell Ann- From my sister
T- from LC
Babe, Babe Delish, mommy -Jeremy

I am sure there are many more that I am forgetting, but these are the ones I could think of.

March 19 blog challenge

SOMETHING YOU MISS:

My old body. Before the great weight gain with Jack, before the stretch marks and spare tire around my middle. Back when clothes looked good and took little effort to pick out because there wasn't that much to cover. Back before getting dressed in anything besides sweat pants and a t-shirt was a cause for distress. When jeans were comfortable and swimsuits were cute. AAAHHHH I long for a thin body again some day. Some day I will look like the old me. It's been 7 years, I think the odds are against me! :)

March 18 blog challenge

SOMETHING YOU REGRET:

There are many things in life I might have done differently. But to say I regret something meaning I wish it had never happened, not so much. If things hadn't happened the way they did, then I would never be where I am today, and that is such a good place to be! Hindsight is always 20/20, I like everyone else wish some things had played out different, I just try really hard not to dwell on that :)

March 17 blog challenge

SOMETHING YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO:

SUMMER!!!!!!!!!! DUH! I am sure if you asked anyone that question right now the answer would be the same. I am looking forward to no school, days spent outside, in the pool, riding bikes, and eating popsicles. AAAHHHHH sweet summer time..... :)

March 16 blog challenge

Dream House:

My dream house changes from day to day. The consistent thing I want in a new house is a bigger/open kitchen/dinning/living room space. One with a table that can be big enough to seat 12, but can be made smaller when we don't need it. I used to want 4 or 5 bedrooms all on the upstairs level, but now it would appear I would only need 3 (or 4 if I want an extra) I want a big master bedroom with a HUGE walk in closet and whirlpool tub. Jeremy wants to make sure we have a bar in the basement, I want to make sure we have a LARGE storage room :)
Honestly, we are pretty happy where we live. Yes there are things we wish were different or bigger, but it's a great house with wonderful neighbors and that can be hard to find!
So in general my dream house is a 2 story old/new house. By that I mean a new house that looks like it is straight out of 100 years ago but newly constructed. I love big old houses, they have a certain charm that todays houses don't offer.

March 15 blog challenge

A Bible verse:

For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope...when you pray I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me, I will be found by you." says the Lord..."I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."

Jeremiah 29:11-13
and psalm 32:8

March 14 blog challenge

A picture that you love:

Right now I am in love with this picture, because I think it is what my girls would have looked like. Lately Emma has been noticeably in need of a play mate and I think often of her baby sister only 20 months younger then her and the fun they would have had together.

March 13 blog challenge

GOALS:

Lots of things popped into my head when I sat down to write this blog. I have long term goals, short term goals, meaningful goals, and trivial goals.

Some short term goals I have are:

• loose the baby weight that I have been carrying around for 7 years now (off and on)
  
• clean out the store room and ditch the rest of the baby stuff.
  
• learn how to bake amazing cakes
• pay off all debt
  

Some long term goals are:

• keep the weight off
• keep all the reorganizing I've been doing, done
• buy/build a house with a bigger kitchen and all 3 bedrooms on the same level

Some meaningful goals:

• strengthen and maintain all the best relationships in my life
• find a full time job that will allow me to be there for my kids whenever I am needed and still contribute to our family
• be a better person to everyone, a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, & friend
  

Some trivial goals:

• find the time to get my hair cut and highlighted (it has been FAR too long)
• fix up the shack in the back yard for Emma's play house
• make a basketball court in the back yard for Jack

Kids Room ReDONE

It is DONE. I have redone the kids room for the LAST time. And I LOVE IT! I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. Here is a before picture.I finally sold ALL the bedding that I had collected over time and ordered the new quilts last week. (Jacks came in first as you can see in the before pic, I couldn't wait to put it on!) Friday night I painted over the disgusting green color, that I chose wrong the last time I painted and have hated since I started brushing it on. I chose the color very carefully this time. Flipping through many catalogs and doing many google searches. I finally settled on Beacon Gray. It was perfect. It only took me about 3 1/2 hours to move everything, tape, and paint. I let it dry over night and in the morning went to Target for curtains, navy black outs, and pink sheers, and bulletin boards. Came home and sprayed the boards, which Lucy promptly stepped on and left a paw print and pink paw prints there after. Then realized that I didn't have the correct hardware for the double curtain, so off to Menards! The next morning I nagged Jeremy until he hung the boards, shelves, names, and curtains for me. But of coarse it didn't go smoothly, why would it!? I got the wrong curtain rods, and the shelves were made cheaply and wouldn't hold up. SO, what should have taken J 1/2 hour took him almost 4!!! Sorry babe! BUT THANKS! Today I printed a new picture of the kids for above the dresser, and hit the 50% off sale at Hobby Lobby to finish it off. Here is the end result.Sorry for the phone pics. I was in a hurry :)