Archive for May 2010
- In: Life
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12 month photo project is a challenge started by Tara Whitney. Here’s what you do:
- Take a photo of your family once a month.
- Write a few things about that month.
- Make it into a book at the end of the year.
Is May ending already?!? That can’t be. Because if that’s the case, that means 1) Hannah turns 1 in two weeks 2) Jonathan is done with his crazy weekend MBA course 3) Julia had her tonsils removed and 4) I’m just standing here wondering “what just happened??!”.
Whew. Does time ever slow down? May has been a whirlwind of a month. Julia had an amazingly quick recovery from her tonsillectomy. The following weekend was Mother’s Day, so it was an extra bonus to have her feel so well. My Mother’s Day was really, really nice. Very relaxing and I felt extremely loved {the dozen roses Jonathan gave me did the trick}. Plus, the night before Mother’s Day, our dear friends, Matt and Kristen, gotten engaged. While we weren’t there for the proposal, we did get to spend time with them right before and after. It was a sweet time and we’re thrilled for them both!
As of today, Hannah took her first steps! She doesn’t go far {just 3 or so steps} but she’s “walked” several times between Jon and me. It’s a bittersweet moment in this mama’s life.
Jonathan’s career path has really been in flux this last month. He has been deciding whether to finish his PhD or to focus more primarily on his MBA. After getting some strong council, he’s putting his MBA classes on hold until he has finished the PhD program. Our family is now shifting our schedules to allow him more time to work on his research during the evenings. It’s going to be challenging having him gone more, but we’ve decided to do it in 4-6 week groups so that no one gets burned out. Hopefully the end will be here before we know it!
We spent Memorial Day weekend in Chicago. It was a blast! Despite the Windhamettes having such little sleep, they did really well the whole trip {although there might have been one too many suckers consumed to ensure obedience}. We spent a lot of time at festivals and in Millenium Park. It was great being away from normal life for a while, but Jon and I agreed, as much as we love big cities, we really love our little city life.
*Yes, I am totally wearing the same jeans as I did for last month’s family photo. Just realized that…
And the winner is….
Posted on: May 31, 2010
- In: Life
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Prickly Pine Cone!
Congratulations!! Check your inbox for an email from me and confirmation on preferred color {yellow}.
And as a little surprise, I decided to give away the other two colors: pink and purple. The 2nd and 3rd place winners are: Leah and Christine {of i Dream of Clean}. I’ll be sending you two an email soon.
I just wanted to “Thank YOU!”. Seriously, y’all rock. Yes, you. And you. And of course, you. My first ever giveaway was a total success and I can’t thank all you enough for the support you showed in participating. It might sound strange, but thanks to blogging I’ve been able to meet some pretty spectacular ladies. People I’d want to know, but wouldn’t have had it not been for blogging. And it has warmed my heart to have friends speak so kindly about me in such a public fashion. Thank you ladies for all your support and participation!
{Be sure to check out my flower hair clip giveaway!}
We’re staying in the more Spanish district of Chicago this weekend. Can I just say, I have a great love of Mexican/Spanish/Latino foods?? I think I could eat it every single day. And when it’s homemade and good, it’s good. And you can’t beat good Mexican. You just can’t. Even better than the food are the desserts. I love a tasty, warm ensaimada {sweet bread} with coffee. Hmm…
Hopefully, as you’re reading this, I’m feasting out to this with my daily joe:
Chicago, Chicago!
Posted on: May 29, 2010
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
{Be sure to check out my flower hair clip giveaway!}
I have a love of big cities. Thankfully, so does Jonathan. And from what we can tell, both girls seem to be pretty impressed with them too. So this weekend we are going to Chicago.
Here’s a list of great things to do in Chicago with kids:
1. Lincoln Park Zoo
It’s free and open to the public. It’s in the middle of the city {well, technically it’s not in the middle, but you’d think it was} with several entrances and exits, making it perfect for just popping in and out whenever you need. They do some pretty incredible water shows with their seals and their mammal habitat allows you to get amazing up close views of leopards, tigers, etc.
2. Chicago’s Children Museum
While a little on the pricy side {$10 per person over age 1}, it’s suppose to be one of the best museums to visit. There are 3 stories of fun to be had and it’s located off Navy Pier. The downside? It’s 3 stories of fun, meaning, you’re not going to be able to see it all in one visit. Our family is still debating if the girls are too young to really enjoy themselves this go around.
3. Navy Pier
While our girls are too small for the ferris wheel, it’s perfect for older kids. But, with all the candy shops, fast pace atmosphere and sites to see, it’s bound to be a hit for our people-watching kids!
4. Shedd Aquarium
We took Julia when we came to Chicago in November 2008. However, she was a little on the young side at the time but I think she’s going to love all the “fishies” this time around. The Shedd has thousands of displays of beautiful sea creatures, ranging from otters and whales to octopus and dolphins. It makes for great and fun learning experience.
5. Millenium Park
Millenium Park is more than just a park. They host concerts, festivals, free workouts and beautiful scenery, among other things. You could easily spend half a day musing around exploring the Cloud Gate, the Crown Fountain, and the Lurie Garden. It’s a great place and perhaps the site I’m most excited to visit.
Flower hair clip Giveaway!
Posted on: May 28, 2010
- In: Life
- 28 Comments
I was so happy to see just how excited people were for the flower hair clip to help jazz up ponytails that I thought it would make for an awesome first time ever giveaway!
You have a choice of three colors – purple, pink or yellow.
Here’s how to enter:
1. Leave a comment, telling me which color you prefer.
2. Blog about it, linking back to this post (then leave me a comment letting me know you did).
3. Facebook or Tweet it (then leave me a comment letting me know you did).
4. Refer a friend who leaves a comment.
You have until Monday, May 31, 12 CST time to enter.
You can get up to 4 entries to increase your chances of winning! I’ll be using Random.org to select the winner.
Let’s go on a Picnik
Posted on: May 27, 2010
- In: Life
- 4 Comments
{Be sure to check back tomorrow for my first ever giveaway!}
A few months ago, Jonathan introduced me to Picnik, a photo editing site. It’s completely free and easy to use! It’s owned by Google {which really is trying to take over the world}, so it’s earned lots of cool brownie points in my book. I love it and thought I’d share my love with you!
Here’s just a few fun things you can do:
Take an ordinary photo –
And add something fun. Play with the color, add text, graphics or just about anything!
You might have to click on the image to see that the heart reads “JMW & SEW 4-eva”. Yeah, that’s right, I’m kicking it old school.
Next time you want to add an image to your blog, check out Picnik and add a little spice to your photo!
Go visit Jill at The Diaper Diaries for more Things I Love Thursday!
Did we just move back to Texas?
Posted on: May 26, 2010
- In: Life
- 7 Comments
****Hosting my first ever giveaway on Friday!!****
The weather went from 53 degrees to 81 degrees in just over a week here in Iowa. Seriously? 81 degrees? Whew. I am not cut out for hot weather. Even after years in Texas, I still cringe at the idea of walking outside when it’s over 75.
To combat the crazy high temps this week, I made strawberry/banana popsicles. A couple of months ago, we picked up popsicles molds at IKEA for $1. Then at the beginning of this month, I scored V8 Fusion for dirt cheap. {Side note – V8 Fusion is amazing. You get a full serving of fruits and vegetables in every serving of juice. It’s like every mother’s dream come true.}
I poured the juice into each of the molds and stuck it in the freezer overnight:
Here is the finished product:
Sorry to disappoint if you were looking for an awesomely cute picture of the girls like these. But, seriously, these things are so good I’ve eaten half of them myself!
How to rock a super cute ponytail
Posted on: May 25, 2010
- In: Life
- 11 Comments
I always wear a ponytail. Well, maybe not always, but most every day. Yet they tend to get a little boring over time and don’t seem to be all that feminine and chic. I’ve experimented with the “poof” and currently I’m on the side ponytail kick. This weekend I decided to give it a little summer look by adding a cute flower:
All you need is a silk flower {real ones tend to wilt rapidly in the heat – especially when in your hair}, some hot glue and a button pin.
Put hot glue on the back of the flower, then glue the pin {needle facing you} to the flower. Allow to dry/cool completely. Once you’re ready to use, pull your hair back and stick the pin through a small section next to your ponytail holder {you could also stick it into the ponytail holder itself}.
The post you’ve all be waiting for…
Posted on: May 24, 2010
- In: Life
- 7 Comments
My house is clean!!
I hosted a baby shower on Saturday morning, so Jon and I spent Friday night {and Saturday morning!} finishing up painting and cleaning the kitchen. Jon actually finished painting at 8:30 am and the shower started at 9:30!
Here’s the end results of our remodel and the new wall Jonathan finished:
And for your my pleasure, here’s Hannah – who just had to have her picture taken.
Blaming someone else for my sin
Posted on: May 21, 2010
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
Yesterday, in a moment that was a grand fall from grace, I sinned against Julia. I won’t go into the details, because really, who wants to ever re-live sin? Let’s just say, my sin was ugly and shameful. What was even worse, was that even in the moment, I knew I was sinning and choose to do it any way. My thought process went like this: “If she didn’t do {insert two year old behavior} then I wouldn’t have done {insert sin}.”
Later that afternoon I realized I blame a lot of other people for my sin. I do a fabulous job of if-they-hadn’t-done-that-I-wouldn’t-have-done-that. It’s their fault I sinned.
Wrong.
I choose to sin. And yesterday, I knowingly choose to sin. Against my daughter. I can’t even begin to tell you what amount of disgrace and shame I felt. When I started realizing just how much I blame others {and awfully, but truthfully, my children} for my sin and bad behavior, I couldn’t help but begging for forgiveness. Forgiveness from Julia. Forgiveness from my Father.
I sin, because I choose to sin. Not because someone sins against me.
God forgives me, because He chooses to forgive me. Not because I deserve to be forgiven.
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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