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Our family is packing up our house for a big move to Texas. We leave next Wednesday, so we are working hard to get everything squared away in time. Thankfully, a lot gets done when Jonathan is at home and we can work together. But, I’ve still found that there are some lessons we’ve learned NOT to do when packing up your entire house.
1. Pack up all your toys – While it might seem like a great idea to clean up the toy room, it’s dangerous territory when your two toddlers have nothing to play with.
2. Pack up all your medicine – Sure, you haven’t been sick in months, so why do you need 3 bottles of NyQuil? Trust me on this – packing up all your medicine is like asking to get sick.
3. Have your oldest get pink eye – See #2. Told you I was asking for it.
4. Have your youngest get pink eye – Could I really expect her not to get it, since big sister is all she has left to play with {see #1}?
5. Get sick yourself – See #2 and #3 and #4.
6. Start The 30 Day Shred – I blame this fully on Alicia’s amazing results. Once I saw her before and after pictures, I went out that afternoon and bought 30 Day Shred. I’m on day 5. And I’m really, really sore.
7. Volunteer for anything – I volunteer for things before I even think. It’s a good habit that comes at bad times. Thankfully all my friends are gracious enough to overlook when I back out of my responsibilities at the last minute {Sorry friends!}.
8. Be hard on yourself – Let’s just say I haven’t been the greenest human lately. Or the most time conscious. Or the most loving. Or the most hygiene prone. Or anything else I strive for.
9. Be overly hard on your kids – Moving is hard for kids. They don’t fully understand what’s going on. And while it’s frustrating to explain for the fourteenth billion time what it means to “pack” I need to cut the girls some slack.
10. Not ask for help – I’m blessed with friends just waiting to help us. And I take advantage of it when I can/need. And that means thankfully I have dinner provided for us every night this week. Can you say awesome? {Thanks friends!}
What are some of your packing tips? Any crazy stories of packing with little ones?
Visit Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
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{Be sure to check out my Eco Natural Soap Giveaway!}
I started coloring my hair when I was 14. You name the color and I’ve probably colored my hair that shade at least one {yes, even purple and fire engine red}. But in 2006, I cut all my hair off and Jonathan asked me to keep it natural.
Last weekend, on a spur of the moment, we colored my hair. I love it. I secretly believe I was always meant to be a redhead. Very fitting to my personality.
Eco Natural Soap Gift Giveaway!
Posted on: November 12, 2010
- In: Life
- 28 Comments
Christmas is right around the corner. Have you started on your Christmas shopping? If you’re like me, you’ve still got a few people left and aren’t sure where to find the perfect gift.
Splish splash in the bath! {photo credit}
Want a gift that is unique? Want a gift that is earth friendly? Want a gift that smells really, really good? You’ve come to the right place! I am super excited to be hosting another Eco Natural Soap giveaway! They will be giving one lucky person two soap bars and a lip balm to give as a Christmas gift!
I can’t tell you how much I love Eco Natural Soap. I’ve been using their shampoo, body soap and shave bar since August and have already gotten some of their products as Christmas gifts for family. One of their newest, seasonal products is a pumpkin spice bath & body bar. It is divine. It acts like an moisture rich exfoliating bar – not too harsh, but leaves your body feeling smooth and refreshed. Not to mention it makes your bathroom smell like wonderful spiced pumpkin. *sigh*
One lucky winner will receive two bars of soap {of their choice} and a lip balm {of their choice}.
How to enter:
Mandatory entry: Visit Eco Natural Soap and leave me a comment telling me what you’d like and who you’d gift it to.
Additional entries {leave me a comment for each}
– Follow me on Twitter {@sadiewindham}
– Tweet/Facebook this giveaway
– Visit Eco Natural Soap’s new blog: Eco Friendly Homemaking
You have until Tuesday, November 16th at 11:59 PM CST to enter!
*Disclaimer: While I was provided with products to try from Eco Natural Soap, all opinions are mine!
We Are Moving to Texas
Posted on: November 11, 2010
- In: Life
- 20 Comments
In what has been one of the craziest Windham adventures yet, we have decided to move back to Austin, Texas. We will be moving Thanksgiving week. There are a number of factors as a basis for this decision, as there are with any big move. Three main influences in taking us back to Texas are:
1. Spiritual direction – God is calling us to a place where we can minister to our (extended) family, to our past, and mostly to Him. We know that God is moving mightily and drawing us to follow Him there.
2. Family – Being closer in distance to our family while surrounding ourselves and our girls with our/their heritage.
3. Work – The reason for “why now” is that Jonathan will be employed and that’s important for him and for our family as you might agree.
Now for the hardest part:
For nearly six years I’ve lived in Iowa. And over the last 5 years our friends here have become family. They have been with us through life and death. They have been our support, our encouragement, our lives. I would not be the same person without them. I’ve shared many tears and laughter with each of them; building memories and relationships that I pray stand the test of time.
So, my sweet Iowan friends, we are heading south for the winter. Please know each of you mean the world to me. I treasure your friendship and thank God that I have had you all in my lives.
Now to leave you on a funny note, I give you this:
Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
I’m Not Here, I’m in Florida!
Posted on: November 10, 2010
- In: Life
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Well, I personally am not in Florida, but my blog post is! I’m writing a guest post today for Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking. You might remember her from her guest post a couple of weeks ago. I just love this girl and am so looking forward to meeting her at Blissdom this January.
If you are visiting from Alicia’s site, hello and I’m glad to have you! Here are some of my favorite posts for you to enjoy:
TMI, or For Girl Only – Seriously
– I’ve gotten a lot of slack for this over the last 17 months, but I love it!
Honest Thoughts on Being a Housewife and a Mother
– I never thought I’d be a mom and a housewife….
In Memory of Brittney – My New Symbol of Hope Tattoo
– My third tattoo means the most to me.
Top Ten Favorite Movies
Posted on: November 9, 2010
- In: Life
- 9 Comments
I love movies. I think it stems from my great love of watching television. But I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t watch movies on a regular basis. Jonathan and I have spent a lot of time discussing our all time favorite movies {which is actually almost as fun as watching them, since you get to relive it!}. Without further ado, my top ten favorite movies of all time:
1. A Christmas Story – I quote this movie more than any other movie. And thanks to TBS’s movie marathon on Christmas Day, I’ve seen it more than any other movie.
2. Elf – Will Ferrell. In Tights. Enough said.
3. Meet the Parents – An equal favorite for Jon and I both, this movie is a classic comedy of showing just how wrong everything can go when you first “meet the parents”.
4. You’ve Got Mail – Such a happy movie. *sigh* Maybe I’m a sap, but I just love Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks together.
5. Labyrinth – The main character shares my name. My younger brother had just been born and I was struggling with the adjustment, just like the movie plot. Expect the Goblin King never did take Fletcher away.
6. Ocean’s 11/12 – Both movies are funny, action packed but not too crazy and just plain witty.
7. Bourne Trilogy – I’m a fan of action thrillers. Ones that make you think and stay with the plot line. And the Bourne movies do that so well.
8. Love in the Afternoon – I had a huge thing for Audrey Hepburn when I was younger. I watched so many of her movies, and LitA was my favorite.
9. Harry Potter Series – While I’m waiting on pins and needles for the 7th movie to come out {next week!!}, the first 6 have been really great {though not as great as the books}.
10. Family Stone – A dysfunctional family getting together for Christmas. Yep, pretty much sums up my entire family experience.
Pretty random list, I know. What can I say – I like a variety of movies.
What are some of your favorite movies?
Visit Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
No Sugar is No Fun
Posted on: November 8, 2010
- In: Life
- 16 Comments
I spent the month of October taking a break from sugar. I wanted to explore what effects sugar was having on my frequent headaches. I realized these two things:
1. Sugar DOES increase the frequency my headaches.
2. My headaches are linked to hormonal changes.
When I first started my experiment, I had no headaches for two weeks. Then as my cycle shifted, I got some intense headaches for two days. After that I was back to normal. Once I started eating sugar again {which was the last week of October} my headaches came back. This unfortunately coincided with another hormonal shift, so I can’t fully blame sugar for the headaches. However, I can say that the duration and frequency were higher while I was consuming sugar than when I wasn’t.
Where will I go from here?
I’m not sure yet. I’m back on sugar for now. But I don’t want to be – I’d like to substitute with agave and honey. I’m looking into raw sugars and whether I might have more luck with it since it’s not processed as heavily {any thought on that??}. I’m slowly stocking my agave supply for cheap, thanks to Rachel. I think if I can get a good handle on not having sugar in the house/having a good supply of substitutes than I will make the switch full time.
What are your suggestions??
- In: Life
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I lost Molly tonight.
The girls and I went to the library late in the afternoon and Hannah asked to take Molly along. I allowed it. At one point she set Molly down and I reminded her to hold on to her. The girls played, I read. And we left.
When bedtime came around the “great Molly hunt” that happens every night began. Like a punch in my gut, I realized Molly got left at the library. No sweat, right? We’ll just go there in the morning and all will be well, right?
Sure. Maybe most rational people {like Jonathan} can think that way. But not me. No, I’ve spent the last hour searching for a replacement Molly. All I can think is “What mom, what good mom, loses her daughter’s favorite bear?” What if someone took Molly? What if she’s gone forever?
Told you I’m not always the most rational person.
What if? Well, Molly is just a bear. And keeping track of a bear doesn’t actually show my ability to parent {right? please say no.}. And Hannah might have some sadness if Molly doesn’t resurface, yet I’m sure in time it’ll get better.
We said a prayer tonight that Molly would show up tomorrow. As soon as the library is open we’ll be there. Here’s to trusting God for Molly Bear!
*Update – We went to the library as soon as it opened this morning. I ran in alone, searched all the spots that we had gone yesterday before asking at the children’s desk. They had nothing and sent me to the main desk. I anxiously asked if they had a bear, and the librarian said it didn’t sound familiar but that she’d check. Lo and behold, I spotted Molly as soon as the lady opened the cabinet doors! Praise the Lord!
Hannah squealed when I came back out to the car with Molly in hand. She is one happy little girl: http://twitpic.com/34fhw4
Putting God First
Posted on: November 4, 2010
- In: Life
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I’ve been challenging myself lately to stay connected to God through actively reading His Word. Being a mom, it’s easy it let my relationship with God take a backseat. The girls wake up during my morning quiet times, I need to do chores during naps, and by the end of the day I realize I’ve spent no time with God.
This month I’m reading through the book of Psalm. Start to finish. This means reading 4-6 chapters a day {not always an easy task!}. It’s only week one and I’ve been faithful, making it a priority in my day. Part of me thought that in doing this my week would go much smoother {girls acting like angels, house clean, dinner making itself} but it’s been the opposite. My house is dirty, the girls are coming off their travel highs and dinner, sadly, has yet to make itself. But, and that’s a big but, my attitude about it all is so much calmer. Sure it bothers me, but in a oh-man sorta way, not a I-can’t-handle-it sorta way. Being immersed in the Word reminds me of what’s important – my relationship with Christ, my family and my friends.
This newest adventure just might be the best one I’ve had in a while! I can’t wait to see how God reveals Himself to me this month.
Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
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I made these cookies Monday for Jonathan’s coworkers. They never got delivered, so I’ve taken on the arduous task of disposing of them before they go bad {in others words, I’m eating them all}. And it would be a shame to not pass along this amazing recipe to all of you.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, and egg. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Dissolve the baking soda with the milk and stir in. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Add vanilla, chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 10 minutes or until lightly brown and firm.
Absolutely delicious. Every time I open the container a wave of pumpkin fills the air and it’s a-maz-ing. I do highly recommend eating them with a glass of milk, because they are super rich!
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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