Archive for August 2010
A biker family
Posted on: August 31, 2010
- In: Life
- 6 Comments
At the beginning of the summer we bought a second bike seat for Hannah and since then have been a biking family! It took Hannah a couple of rides to get use to the helmet, but now the girl loves it! {Despite the face in the photo – she was super tired.} While August hasn’t been nearly as crazy as July, it seems to have flown by all the same. We started the month off with our anniversary trip to Minneapolis. Then Grandma moved in and we all got sick. Not quite a highlight of the month, but what can ya do?
Jonathan celebrated his birthday this month. Thirty-two years. Wow. In a good way! It took Jonathan a week or two to fully recuperate from his July work schedule. But now things are “normal” and we’ve been enjoying having free {is that even possible} weekends. Julia seems to be getting smarter by the minute. She’s gotten really good at repeating everything she hears. Let’s just say, I won’t be saying c-r-a-p any more. For real. Not cool to have your two year old immediately repeat that word. Oops. As for Hannah, she went a little crazy on us this month when she decided to teeth four {4!} molars. At once. Whew. Thankfully after 7-10 days she was done. She now has her four canines coming through, but it doesn’t seem to be bothering her nearly as much {mama does a happy dance!}. As for me, I’ve been sewing up a storm. Well, not really. I’ve only made one other apron – for Julia. However, I have a friend who just gave me some fabric and asked that I make her a couple of aprons. I’m pretty excited. 🙂
- In: Life
- 2 Comments
I’m hosting a natural soap giveaway, ending tonight {Tuesday, August 31}. I thought I’d share with you the top ten reasons to use all natural shampoo.
1. Methylisothiazoline, or MIT – Never heard of it? Well, it’s a chemical used in many shampoos that have been linked to neurological damage. Neurological damage. From a shampoo. Crazy.
2. Sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS – The second ingredient in PANTENE Pro-V shampoo is SLS. SLS just so happens to be a proven skin irritant. That we put in shampoo. Then put on our heads.
3. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose – A semisynthetic used as a lubricant in shampoo. Oh, and as a thickening agent. In food. Yum.
4. Mineral Oil – Mineral oil clogs your hair follicles, making the natural release of oils from your head stick to your roots, thus giving you that “oily hair” look {when in fact, your hair isn’t dirty}.
5. Fragrances – I do like me some good smelly stuff, but there is no real FDA regulation of what chemicals make up the fragrances in our shampoo. I don’t like smelly stuff more than my health, that I can tell you.
6. Artificial (Synthetic) Colors – Have allergies to food dyes? Did you know your shampoo has dye in it too? And most of these dyes are made up of coal tar, a known carcinogen.
7. It’s hard to go ‘poo free – Summer of 2008 I stopped using shampoo. {I just heard a collective “WHAT?!“} While it took my hair a while to get use to the change, I loved it. I stopped when I got pregnant with Hannah, because my hair went totally crazy and started falling out. I haven’t gone back to ‘poo free, just switched to all natural shampoos.
8. It’s nice to know what’s on your skin – Just like people want to trace their food from the farm, I like to know who and how my skin care products are made. Eco Natural Soap does a great job of showing you.
9. It’s affordable – A bar of shampoo from Eco Natural Soap is only $3, and when you follow their recommended storing method a bar will outlast a large bottle of chemical shampoo. For $3!
10. You have a chance to win 2 bars of soap and a body balm – Want to try out all natural shampoo and soap? Well, here’s your chance to win 2 bars of soap and a body balm from Eco Natural Soap.
You only have until 11:59 CST TONIGHT {Tuesday, August 31} to sign up for your chance to win!
Visit Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
Waiting on the Lord
Posted on: August 30, 2010
- In: Life
- 3 Comments
{Be sure to check out my Eco Natural Soap giveaway!}
Have you ever waited for something? I mean really waited? What does it even mean to wait, especially in our have-it-now society?
In the last few days I have begun wondering what it means to wait upon the Lord. Psalm 27:14 {NLT} says: “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
Psalm 37:7 {NLT} says: “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.”
I have a hard time being brave and courageous when asked to wait for something I want, or to receive an answer to a burning question. I begin doubting whether what I want/need answered will actually be provided. I question God, His true faithfulness, and can begin to feel overwhelmed and defeated. But once I get past the fear of waiting, I almost always move quickly to action. I begin taking matters into my own hands. I start acting on Sarah’s power and not God’s. In my actions {and even more in my heart} I say, “God can’t, but I can”. I try to move mountains, speed up time, change people’s thoughts and play God. Talk about a tough role to fill!
This weekend God gripped my heart. I asked a question, one whose answer either way will bring me joy and gladness. And He asked me to wait. Patiently. With bravery and courage. He will answer me. He will act. I need only wait.
- In: Life
- 7 Comments
{Be sure to check out my Eco Natural Soap giveaway!}
I love food. I’ve never been a salad-on-a-date kinda girl. Give me steak. Give me pizza. Give me real food. I stumbled some posts this week with recipes of foods I just have to make. Seriously, it took all my will power not to make them the moment I read them!
Healthy lemon bars – Nothing says fall quite like baking. Can’t wait to give these bars from Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking. {I’m drooling on myself as I type.}
Sushi – I made sushi once in college at some dorm activity. It did not go well. But, Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking gives such amazingly simple steps for making sushi that I’m going to give it another go. Do I hear sushi party at the Windhams?!
Steak, twice baked potatoes and roasted eggplant – Emily at The Adventures of Miss Mommy wrote this really great post about having dates with your mate. She shared tips on setting up a dating coop and was even so kind as to share her date night meal – Steak, twice baked potatoes and roasted eggplant. Talk about a yummy dinner! Especially without kids. 😉
Be sure to visit Mandi at It’s Come 2 This for more Saturday Stumbles.
Happy Birthday Jonathan!
Posted on: August 27, 2010
- In: Life
- 4 Comments
{Be sure to check out my Eco Natural Soap giveaway!}
Today is Jonathan’s birthday. I have to say, I am truly amazed by his life. Sometimes I think of all the series of events that brought him this far, that have brought us together. It’s quite humbling and quite literally a God thing. Jonathan’s life is a true testimony of God calling out for the lost, long before the lost even know He is there. Jonathan’s life is a living example of true Christian faith. I see his struggles, but I see him turning to God for help. I see his continual quest to be like Christ, in his faith, in showing grace, in loving others and in loving his family. I could not have asked for a more perfect husband for myself.
{And of course, the girls are always delighted by their daddy!}
I love you Jonathan. You’ve been the best thing to ever happen to me.
*P.S. You can count this as your birthday card. 😉
- In: Life
- 58 Comments
I was approached by Alicia Hicks, owner of Eco Natural Soap. She asked if I would be interested in trying out some of their products. Of course I said yes and was beyond excited! I requested a soap bar and a shampoo bar. And a few days later, I received my package. To my surprise and delight, Alicia had given me a second bar of soap, a shave bar and lip balm {on top of my original request}! Just how awesome is that?!?
The first night I tried the shampoo, Lavender soap and shaving bar. I was pretty intrigued as to how a bar would work for shampoo {would it lather, would it clean, would I even like it??}. Seriously, it worked amazingly. I wet my hair, rubbed it all over and it just lathered right up. As for the shave bar – it made my legs feel silky smooth. Actually, my thought at the time was that they felt like butter {in a soft non-gross sort of way}. Here are a few family comments:
– “Wow, the peppermint soap makes my skin feel tingly and awake.”
– “A bar shampoo? Whoa, this stuff really works.”
– “That smells good, mama {about the lavender soap}.”
Our family has loved our Eco Natural Soap products. I’ve gone through a slew of natural shampoos and not found one I like as much as this one. Beside the niceness of the product, I love being able to know what ingredients are put in each item {they are listed on the back of the wrappers}. I love supporting a new company and especially one based out of my hometown! And finally, they have great prices making it worth buying all natural over any other brand!
And here’s the best part:
Eco Natural Soap has agreed to sponsor a giveaway on my blog!
The winner will receive two {yes 2!} bars of soap and a balm of their choice!
Here’s how to win:
1. Leave a comment telling me which Eco Natural Soap bars and balm you like.
2. Facebook and/or Tweet it and leave a comment telling me you did.
3. Blog it and link back to this post and to Eco Natural Soap.
4. Refer a friend and have them mention you sent them over.
You have until Tuesday, August 31st at 11:59 PM, CST to enter!
For more Things I Love Thursday, visit Jill at Diaper Diaries. And for more Try New Adventures, visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking.
*Disclaimer: While I was provided with products to try from Eco Natural Soap, all opinions are mine!
- In: Life
- 13 Comments
Thanks to Jonathan for setting up my mother’s corner, I have an entire sewing area to work on #2 on my 30 before 30 list, sew a dress. I started working on my first apron and many mistakes and thread later, I have a finished product:
{Notice I have flour all over it? Already getting good use out of it!}
I think it’s pretty cute. I got a big kick out of having an apron with an apron pattern. 🙂 Although, don’t look to closely at the seams. Let’s just say, I still haven’t mastered straight lines.
I’ve started on an apron for Julia and I’m hoping to be done later this week. I’m still not confident enough to even buy the fabric for my dress, but I did pick out some patterns from Hobby Lobby last week when they had McCall patterns for 99 cents. Maybe a few more aprons in and I’ll tackle the dress.
Mothering with a timer
Posted on: August 24, 2010
- In: Life
- 12 Comments
One of my biggest mama-ing tactics is to create order for the girls. It doesn’t have to be clean order {like I’d want} it just has to bring calm to chaos. The best way I’ve been able to do this over the last 2 years is by using my kitchen timer. Sounds strange, but it is a miracle worker! When I set the timer, the Windhamettes know that the timer trumps all {even fits – sometimes…}. Here are my top ten ways of implementing the timer:
1. Sharing – When both girls want the same toy, I set the timer and make them take turns. Once the timer dings, they give the toy up until it’s their turn again.
2. Quiet time – We aim for daily quiet time, where for a specific time they girls sit quietly reading/playing until the timer goes off. This might bring me the most calm in the midst of chaos. I love quiet time.
3. Playing – Before bedtime, we set the timer so the girls know how much longer they have to play. There’s no arguing about when it’s time to be done, since the timer declares that the activity is over.
4. Finishing eating – Julia might be the world’s slowest eater. Ever. At almost every meal I set the timer to let her know she needs to finish her food before I clear the table.
5. Cleaning – This is more for me than the girls, but I set the timer and clean until the timer dings. Once that time is done, there is no more cleaning {except dishes} while they are awake. It helps me keep a balance of not cleaning all day.
6. Time out – Come by my house during the 5 o’clock meltdown and you’ll most likely find Julia in time out.
7. Resting – Some days the girls {read Julia} just needs a break and some rest. Perhaps she didn’t nap well {or at all}, so I make her lay down on the couch for 5-10 minutes and rest.
8. Waiting – We’re working on having the girls wait. Patience is a virtue, right? Seeing me set the timer helps them know their waiting isn’t going to last forever {even thought at times Julia is convinced it will}.
9. Learning numbers – I will point out the time and numbers to the girls and then start counting, explaining the numbers to them. Not sure it’s totally set in, but Julia did count to 10 this morning, so maybe it’s helping!
10. Transitioning – Moving from one activity to the next, I want to give the girls a heads up. I set the timer and when it goes off we move on. The switch tends to go much smoother than abruptly changing activities.
Visit Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
My New at Home Getaway
Posted on: August 23, 2010
- In: Life
- 9 Comments
For the last couple of months, I’ve been daydreaming about having a mother’s corner. Just a little nook all to myself for reading, sewing, relaxing. Jonathan and I agreed that the best spot in the house would be the laundry room. It gets the least traffic {especially from the Windhamettes}, is rather large and has a door for more privacy. The only draw back is that it looks like this:
Not exactly what you would call homey and inviting. But Jonathan said with some paint and rearranging, he could make me the best mother’s corner possible. And about 6 hours later, this is what we had:
The laundry area
My sitting area
We painted the floor and started on the walls {mostly focused on my corner so that it would be completed first}. And if you couldn’t tell the amazing difference just of the floor, I’ll show you:
Before
After
Amazing, right?! Just one more reason my husband rocks. Rather than relaxing on his well earned day off, he works all day just to create an area for me to relax. Seriously, he is always this awesome.
Chicken {Curry} Soup for the Soul
Posted on: August 20, 2010
- In: Life
- 7 Comments
As some of you might have read from my twitter update, I made Chicken Curry Soup this week. It was a first attempt {and one of Jonathan’s favorite soups ever} so I was a little weary of how things might turn out. Because of that, I didn’t take step-by-step pictures like I have before. However, I did get the finished product:
Oh man, this stuff was good. It was spicy and filling and perfectly curry. Yum. I had read several different recipes in order to pick and choose as I needed {if we didn’t have an ingredient on hand or if I thought another ingredient sounded better}. Here’s what I did:
Chicken Curry Soup
1 pound of cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
2 quarts of chicken broth {you could do half broth/half water}
1 onion chopped
several small potatoes, cut into quarters
2 carrots, cut {or baby carrots equivalent to large ones}
1/2 cup mushrooms
1 14 oz can of coconut milk
4 tablespoons curry powder
1 tablespoon ginger
salt to taste
Saute the onion and chicken {if chicken isn’t cooked} until chicken is cooked and onion is translucent. Add onion, chicken, carrots, curry powder, ginger and salt to broth/water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and add potatoes, mushrooms and coconut milk. Cook until potatoes are done {about 20 minutes}.
This was such a basic recipe. There are several more things I could have added and plan to the next go-round. But even without all the bells and whistles of a restaurant curry soup, it still tasted really great {even the next day for lunch!}. Two things I would change: 1. Not forgetting to add salt to my broth {again}; 2. cut down on the broth/water. Jonathan and I both agreed that it was too watery and that it would have been thicker if there was a better broth to milk ratio. Just little tidbits to tuck away for this fall when we start making soups several times a week.
For now: Bon Appetit!
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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