Letters of Intent Friday: Dear Sweet Hostess Treats

Dear Sweet Hostess Treats,

How I miss thee!

I’m sorry I have not taken the time to call or write for I think about you often and miss you so!

I’m saddened to end our affair but there is just no room for you in the new diet my husband has brought into our home. And while there was no spoken ultimatum I knew I had to let one of you go and my husband does mean more to me.

But take heart, I know I’ll return every once in a while to partake in your delightful company.

With affection,
The dieting sweet tooth.

How Deceptive the Sun

How deceptive the sun on this bright sunny day
Shinning through my window, beckoning me to play
I stand in its warmth gazing at the world outside
Wrapped in my sweater no longer shall I hide
I open the door to drink in the fresh air
Knocked back by the frigid cold
I end up on my derriere!

Living like no one else success story: My second daughter's first birthday.

Living like no one else success story: My second daughter's first birthday.

We're on the Dave Ramsey plan, knocking out our debt, saving money and living like no on else.

We've learned to live on a budget (Dave calls it a Cash Flow Plan) and spend our money differently. We think differently causing us to live and spend differently.

3 years ago for B's first birthday, we invited all her little friends, ordered a cake and had refreshments. At the time I thought it a very simple birthday.

Paige's first birthday was truly simple! We invited two families we're close to, threw a couple pizza's in the oven and I made the cake. The best thing was her present from us, a brand new Laugh and Learn Learning Home! I did in fact say brand new but I did not pay the $80 MSRP, not even close. I found one "used in good condition" on our local yard sale site for $10.00. When I went to pick it up the lady selling it informed me there was a piece missing but it was still functioning. I gladly purchased the unit knowing Paige wouldn't care if it was broken.
I went on the Fisher Price website and attempted to order the missing piece and was slightly taken aback when it wasn't available. I called Fisher Price and they told me if I sent them the bottom of the unit, obviously sans the missing piece, they'd send me a brand new toy! I only had to pay the shipping for the piece I sent in, what a deal!

Paige's First Birthday Party:
Decorations: $0 (we didn't decorate, she's 1)
Food, including cake: $11.00
Present from us: $15.00
Living like no one else: priceless!

She's Already One??

What a difference a year makes, or even more so, 2 years.

My Paigie Bear is turning one! Where has the time gone?? I am sadden and filled with such joy! God has truly blessed me in allowing me to be her mother and watch her grow!

I remember someone telling me to make sure I take a lot of pictures of my "second" because when they're grown you always have more pictures of the first. With that in mind I made sure we did the milestone pictures with Paige as we did with Brenna, the biggest difference is we didn't get picture packages every time. So going up my stairway you will find Brenna and Paige's newborn, 3, 6 and 9 month pictures. Next week I'll be getting her 1 year portrait done and it too will be displayed on the stairs.

As I prep for her birthday I'm noticing many changes. The biggest being she's not really having a party. We've invited two families we're close with; which came in very handy when we had to switch from Saturday to Sunday early Saturday morning. B got a fancy store bought cupcake cake with her name on it. I made Paige's, and while it might not be as pretty, I think it's rockin'!

I think she'll like it and I'm sure her sister will too!

(While I have more to write on this topic, I have the munchkin in my lap at the moment and she's finding my desk WAY to interesting. Good night!)

The Quest for Rest!

I recently reached out to my Facebook friends for help with my present dilemma. The evening routine I've had has been a routine for a long time, but B has never gone down well.

I finally hit a breaking point prompting my plea for help; I was trying to keep the house calm and quiet so Josh could sleep after we got back from Disney on Ice. I knew B was excited but I wasn't prepared to deal with Paige being up past midnight. She was over tired and refusing to sleep and B was being... It was just a really rough night, I ended up sleeping on the floor with Paige which lead to a crabby Mama in the morning.

So I asked my FB friends for help and advise and had a wonderful response, great ideas and an out pour of support.

Last night I tried a new-ish routine. It was our same routine but I turned off the tv (normally used as background noise) as soon as I finished cleaning the kitchen. We cleaned up the downstairs and went upstairs to play. Normally I would fold laundry or do something while the girls played before bath, but this time I hung out with them in their playroom and read silly stories to them as they played, it was fun. The girls took a bath together but this time I pulled Paige out sooner and let B play by herself for little longer. Once the girls were both in pj's, we brushed teeth (have I mentioned Paige still doesn't have teeth?) and headed to their room. I made a cozy little spot next to Brenna's bed using comfy blankets and a pillow and B and I nuggled and read, Paige played with other books right next to us. *Paige nursed to sleep while B was reading to me then promptly woke up as soon as I set her down. So Brenna and I nuggled and read and even read a book to Paige. We discussed the day and prayed on the floor (normally this is done once she's in bed), we sang for a little bit and that was it.
Sure enough when it was time for me to leave she was sad and cried forever! She was up past midnight again. Paige nursed down in my bed around 10:30 or so.

Tonight I tweaked it just a little. First, I cut out her nap! I still turned off the tv after I cleaned the kitchen. We played for 30 minutes (downstairs this time), then she got a bagel and some milk. Cleaned up downstairs toys then headed up, straightened up the playroom and picked up their room. We do baths every other night so it was straight to pj's, brushed teeth, then off to the girl's room. Brenna read to me while I nursed Paige, who didn't got to sleep. We read one story nuggled in the spot then I tried laying them both in Paige's crib for the long story (I was hoping P would actually lay and listen), Paige wasn't a fan although she did remain quiet for the duration. Brenna did try to get me to stay longer and longer but I told her she had to go to sleep on her own if she wanted her sticker in the morning.
That's another thing I added, right before we headed up stairs Brenna mentioned she wanted an Ariel doll. I suggested we do a sticker chart and if she could go to sleep without a fight for two weeks I would buy her an Ariel doll.
So Paige and I came down stairs, within 15 minutes Paige nursed down and is still asleep on the chase. While I was typing this, Brenna rolled and knocked the remote to Paige's music player off her bed and the "thump" and the music woke her up. Lucky Josh came home right around the same time so he was able to help kinda defuse the situation before it became a big blow up.

Josh and I have decided to stick with this routine for week then reevaluate.

Everyday Ramble: Good Day!

I received Life's Little Instructions Calendar Volume XV daily desk calendar for Christmas from Josh's Aunt Pam. All the "Karll" girls got one, it really made me feel special! I've been enjoying reading them everyday and I think it's really cool knowing the other girls are reading the same thing.

I've been a bit behind since I spent a week in OK and just started reading and catching up.

I came across Wednesday January 13 and it reads, "Mediocre is not acceptable unless you're selling pizzas because even a bad pizza is pretty good."

That absolutely made me chuckle and want to share.


I had a lovely day today. It started with a nice service at church, albeit awfully sad as some people were giving testimonials on how God either hadn't answered their prayers or answered in a way they weren't hoping for. But they also all talked about how they have hope and have stayed faithful through prayer. It really made me thankful for all I have and I praise God for my babies!!!

The sun came out today and boy did I need it. It's been gloomy here since I got back from Oklahoma and the sunshine was a very, very welcome sight!
(Off subject ramble, if gloomy is in the heart, is it possible my own sadness kept the clouds around? I got happy today and suddenly the sun came out! It makes you wonder...) Praise God for the sunshine!!

This evening I got to hang out with some of my girlfriends at a Tastefully Simple party. It was so very nice to chat and munch and not have the kiddos around. It's funny though, we talked so much about labors and births and nursing, so even though the kids weren't there, we talked about them. Oh, I got to hold a baby baby, I think she's about a month old... She felt so tiny. It's hard to imagine mine were that small once. Praise God for good friends!

After a day like this the only thing left to do is kiss my husband, read a little and turn in. Praise God for my husband, my life, my blessings!

It helps that I've had Blessed Be Your Name stuck in my head all day long!

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
(Matt Redman, I think)

Ahhhhh, Vacation!

(This is the super condensed version of my January break as it's taking me several days to write and I really just want to get it posted already!)


I needed that!

6 full days with my fam in Oklahoma is just what the doctor ordered. It was supposed to be 7 but our lovely Chicago weather stayed true to form and the snow storm delayed us a day. So we ended up in Oklahoma on Friday early enough to help Mom set up for Granny's 80th Birthday Party!

The Party was a great success! Everything turned out great and most importantly, Granny had a wonderful time!!! I have so much more to say about the party but my brain is not working properly!

Had and AWESOME visit with my Sis! She is seriously, the coolest person!

The girls got to eat up crazy amounts of attention from everyone, especially Addison. She was such a big help. I think she should come live with me for a little while (probably after we transfer though) (no we don't know where we're going yet!). Or she and her Mommy could come hang with me some time this summer... I think that's a great idea if I may say so myself... You ever get the feeling you're just kind of rambling??

So, long story short, we had a great visit! I had a blast with my Mom and Sister and Granny (I have such an awesome family! I am so very blessed!!!)

Ramble: Susan

Let me lead simply with: I watch too much TV!

That being said, I became a Friends fan during high school. I own and have seen every episode more times than I care to count. Anyone who knows, knows Susan as "the lesbian." Well, I saw her on The Good Wife this evening and she looked amazing!

I don't think there is any real purpose to this post except I thought it was cool that I recognized her.

Oh yes, the exciting life I live!