Pampered Chef

I'm hosting a Pampered Chef catalog party.

If you are interested in looking at the product or ordering anything, let me know and I can
send you an e-invite.

I have sent some invites out already, but I may not have had your current e-mail, or one at
all.  

All orders need to be in by Feb 5th.

Great news!!   In the month of February, all non-glazed stoneware is 20% off.   So if you've
been wanting to get a bar pan, or round stone...now is the time to do it.

Resolution?

So my mom in law wrote: "The bad thing about resolutions is that we usually fail at them."  and since I am almost expected to fail, I can say that my New Year's Resolution will be to slim down on my stuff.  pre-baby clothes, knick-knacks, furniture, ect.  (Nathanael, I warn you, don't get your hopes up.)  I would also like to finish up some unfinished projects: Amy's blanket, Ivy's blanket, scrapbooks, ect.

Getting out of credit card debt, budgeting and sticking to it, and creating a schedule that keeps the family moving forward are also somethings that I have in mind.  (I think my list is getting to long, but maybe I will at least accomplish one of them?)


Other than things that I can make happen, I'm hoping for a better year.  A LOT happened last year that I'd rather not think about.  I know that my life changes daily, but last year it changed dramatically.  I did however have some wonderful travels and experiences, but I'm glad to have my family back together, and a dresser and closet to get my clothes out of instead of a suitcase.

Hope everyone has a wonderful start to their new year.

Reading...

I started teaching Ivy again. We haven't been practicing reading for sometime now. I was very excited to find out that she remembered everything that we had learned. She even learned 1 new sound and 7 new words today (and the book recommended spending 3 days to do all of them. O "awe" and HOT COT POT COP HOP TOP and POP!! She can now read 18 words!  

We will review again when daddy gets home, again around dinner, and then before bed.  I'm very proud of her!

Dear Grandma Rose.

Grandma,

I think of you often and wish you were here,

I don't always understand and it's not always clear.

I know that life on Earth must end,

But I feel I've lost a very good friend.

I wish my children had the chance to grow up close to you,

I have wonderful memories from when it was just us two.

I miss talking to you about cooking, sewing and gardening,

I begin to call then realize you will not be answering.

Today you would have been eighty-three,

But instead you passed and now are free.

Free from sickness and suffering,

and to know this, it comforts me.

You will not be forgotten.  I love you.

Funny Story

Nathanael and I are sitting here watching the office.  We have already watched 3 episodes since the children have been put to bed.

Just about a min ago, Ivy comes storming out from the hallway (stating in a sassy teenage voice) "Either fix it, or turn that thing off!  It's keeping me awake."  She listens to stories on CD to go to bed, and there must have been a scratch on the CD...Nathanael reported it was only on track 2.

Guess you had to be there to hear the way she said it.

Our Appointment

We had our 1st Baby Dr.s Appointment, and everything went well!   I was surprised at how big the baby
actually was already.   Well it's really only the size of a grape (length wise), but the legs and
arms were defined.   We could also see the heart beating.   We didn't actually get to hear the
heartbeat this time, but I think they will do it next month.   They did this ultrasound to check
how accurate my due date was, and to see if there was more than one baby.   The results,
my due date is June 18th, and unless someone was hiding, we are only expecting one.

Today I actually had more energy than I have the last 3 weeks, so I hope it continues that
way.

I will miss you Grandma Rose.

Thank you to those who I've talked to here recently, who have shared there thoughts and feelings of my grandmother.  I am going to miss her, and it is going to be hard for me, as I'm sure others in our family, to get through the holidays this year.  For those of you who knew Grandma Rose, knew what a wonderful person she was.  There is so much that I have learned throughout life, that I learned from her.  She aided me in cooking, knitting, crocheting, sewing, and cross stitching, but most importantly, she taught me how to love and serve others.  She was a wonderful grandmother and friend.  I have only happy memories that come to mind right now, and each one makes me miss her more.

I would like to write more about her, and some of the memories I have, but I will save that for another time.

Nathanael, the kids, and I will be traveling to Ohio in the next couple of days for the services.  Please keep my family and others who are traveling in your prayers.

Please Vote.

My sister made this layout.  She says, if you like it vote for it, I say even if you don't like it, still vote for it!  I love it.  What's not to like?  So vote for it!

http://www.penscrappers.com/2009/10/29/pink-princess-amy-robinson/

Scroll down.

Counting this one, there are 4 new posts. they are a little out of order though. I'm a little behind on posting the pictures, hope you enjoy looking at them.

Birthday Celebration.

Ivy turned 4 September 15th while I was in TX with Nathanael. Since neither of us were able to be there with her to celebrate, we decided we would celebrate after we moved into our new house. The night before Ivy's birthday celebration, we let her spend the night in our room while Nathanael and I transformed her room from this:

To this:

When we were finished we felt like this:

We sneakily transfered her from our bed to her new bed.

Around 6:30ish AM Ari woke up and I couldn't get him to fall back asleep, so we decided to let him wake Ivy up for her surprise.

She didn't move a muscle, but I may have heard a moan.

After a few more "happy birthday's" from Ari and a ton of flashing pictures from me, she finally woke up.

She dressed as a princess for the day.

I made her close her eyes until she got into the dining room where daddy and I had decorated for her birthday.

Does anyone see a theme? Ivy LOVES pink!

A princess isn't a birthday girl without the hat right?

Ivy picked out triple chocolate cake with whipped strawberry icing. She didn't know that it was going to be a special 2 tiered princess cake! :)

And if all that wasn't enough, she was able to celebrate with Nana and Papa :)

There was a LOT of pink that day. Even today the pink is hard to get away from. Whenever the sun comes in through her window (which is all day when it isn't overcast outside) her room glows pink to the point where it floods out into the hallway.

The night ended with sparklers and hugs.

The move...

That is a big truck!

That is a handsome driver!

That looks like a big mess.

That is an empty storage unit.

That is going to take a LONG time.

So far everything has been in one piece. Slowly but surly the boxes are getting unpacked.

Seeing the kids.

I think the pictures tell most of the story. Enjoy!

It is good to be back together!

FRUSTRATION AGAIN!!!

Why can't I upload pictures???

The next step.

Yesterday Ari picked out his "big boy underwear" not to be confused with "girlie panties". His most exciting find was the ones pictured here, but he also got some plain briefs and some boxer briefs. Yesterday was his first time wearing the underwear. So far, 2 for 2 have been peed in, but I'm hoping that he will start to realize the feeing of being wet, and run to the bathroom. We'll see. He hasn't been honest after having the accident, but I'm sure we will get there a step at a time.

Up Date.

It seems we will be able to move into our new house on 1Oct09 <---That's the way the military does it! They even talk that way and it makes me have to stop and think about what they are saying. I ask "what??" a lot!

The next couple of pictures are from TLF (temporary lodging facility)

The kids have a bedroom!

Nathanael and I have a bedroom...

(It shows that he is not used to sharing a bed...he is a bed hog!)

The kids are doing well.

Ari and Ivy have been enjoying PBS Kids.

Ivy is enjoying having her Daddy around.

We are thinking about holding off on a Netflix subscription, and instead putting Ivy in ballet. Yesterday at the library we got out a movie called Baby Ballet, and she put her tutu on and was dancing all over the living room. She doesn't quite understand the concept of "learning" and wants to just start twirling. It was priceless to watch her follow along with the girls on TV.

Sick....?

Not sure if it is the sniffles or allergies. Ivy, Nathanael, and I have it.

We are in our Temporary House until our future house is cleaned and painted.

We currently do not have any internet connection, except if we go to the library, which is a little difficult with the kids. So...Pictures and updates will be scarce until we get internet at our new home.

Sorry!

A new season.

Fall is coming up quickly, and this year is coming to a closing faster than I realized. It has been a crazy year for many that I know. For me and the kids, we have spent the last 8 months living with our car, and the things that I could fit into it. That season is coming to an end. I'm currently in Wichita Falls, TX. I'm in a hotel room, and if I look up into the mirror, I can see my husband asleep in bed. He has worked very hard and deserves a good rest. Tonight he will graduate from Tech School (at the top of his class!) and sometime around 2pm on the 17th, we will make our way back to the east coast and reunite with our children. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY IVY!).

I'm looking forward to MANY good changes. The most obvious will be Nathanael being with me and the children. The 2nd most obvious, having our own home. I hope there will be many other changes in me as well...(diet, excerise, productivity, and so many more.)

Thank you to EVERYONE who has seen us though these 8 months. Those that housed and fed us, and those that poured thier lives into ours. We are truely greatful for your love.

Excited, Nervous, Gittery...and everything else.

Today is September 12, 2009. Tomorrow morning I am starting my 20hr trip to TX. The day has finally come where I get to bring my husband back to live with his family again. I dont' even think that I can explaine the joy I am experiancing. It is actually hard for me to think about the next few days because my heart starts to flutter, and I feel like I don't have control of my body. My stomach starts to turn, and sometimes I even feel sick. I'm just going to take it easy today, try not to think about everything, and get a good nights rest. I'll take everything a day at a time. Texas here I come!!

Life.

It's been so long, and there is so much to tell. I haven't been blogging as often as I used to. I have found the one liners on Facebook have been easier to keep up with, and make me feel productive, but I know its not true. I end up spending more time on there than I should/would if I were actually posting something to read.

Time is winding down, and everything is getting closer to reality for me. Once tomorrow comes, the kids and I will be one week away from another road trip. My time in Ohio carried on much longer than I ever expected it to. It has been a long hard road for the children and I. God has truly blessed me with 2 wonderful children. Ivy pushes the limits at times, but deep down she brings great joy to my life. There have been many trials that I have gone though since Jan. My past has been questioned, relationships torn apart and some restored, my emotions have been up and down, and my nerves have been shot over and over again. The one person that I would feel most comfortable leaning on and crying to has been 1000 miles away. It's been hard.

I've learned a lot though. I've learned that I am strong. I have begun to realize my purpose and place as a mother, wife, sister, daughter, granddaughter, and niece. Most of my life, I have felt that I needed to go along with the flow. I could state my opinion, but it didn't really matter, it wasn't going to change anything. I've learned that I am responsible for me. I am responsible for my children, and that is all that really matters. I can't change what others around me think or feel about themselves, the situation, and I certainly can't change what they think about me.

I'm going to leave Ohio, not knowing if I will ever get to see my grandmother again with life in her spirit. That is the only reason that I don't want next Monday to come. That is the only reason that I have stayed in Ohio as long as I have. I love her so much...and will miss her more than anything. I can't imagine my life without her. I know mine will go on, but there will always be a void once the day comes where she is no longer with me. I haven't been able to visit with her as much as I would have liked to. The hospitals and nursing homes aren't the easiest places to be when you have two young children. I want to thank my father and stepmother, and my mother and sister for making those times that I was able to sit by grandma's side possible. I haven't given up on her, and I know there is nothing my God cannot do, but I don't know when I will be back to Ohio again. There are no plans in the near future to return at this point.

Once I leave Ohio, I will be in Rock Hill for almost 2 weeks before I venture half way across the US to pick Nathanael up from TX. I'm so very excited for the day to come, when we are all in Charleston together. The children miss their father so much. I miss my husband more than ever. Nathanael has been without support by his side for 7 months now (8 by the time I pick him up). When we arrive in Charleston, we will celebrate Ivy's birthday that will have passed while Nathanael and I were in TX. Thoughts of getting her a bird have crossed my mind. She has also recently voiced that she would like a tea set that she can actually use to drink tea.

I'm so very thankful for my family. My husband and my children are wonderful to me. They are able to frustrate me beyond belief, but in the same breath bring tears of joy to my eyes. God has blessed me more than I could have dreamed. The rest of my extended family has been amazing. Spending hours on the phone, or face to face, they have let me rant and vent and some how always calm my nerves, and help me to see the truth. I am thankful.

From here on out, I need to take a deep breath, take everything a day at a time. If you are reading this, I ask that you keep my family in your prayers. We all need a little boost of strength to get though this next month.

If you are my friend, I thank you for standing by my side.

If you are my family, I thank you for holding me up.

To my children, I thank you for making me laugh.

To my husband, I thank you for loving me.

To my heavenly father, I thank you for putting these people in my life, and for all you've done and will do.

Frustration

I've tried two different times to upload pictures today, and both times I got an error screen that said Bad Request.