Getting Excited!

4 and a wake up!
The girls and I are heading to Oklahoma for Labor Day and the countdown has begun! This will be the Second Annual Labor Day Weekend Bash. Last year was a luau, this year will be a fiesta! I'm looking forward to being able to play this year (I was pregnant last time).

So excited!!

Mommy Blogging

There was a report on the news this evening on Mommy Blogging and product review. Some mothers are receiving free merchandise and even money for reviewing products and blogging, posing the question, can you be impartial if you're receiving something in return?
I don't have the answer, but it would be nice if you were wanting a product to review and the manufacturer provided it for you. Personal integrity would of course fall on the individual. Who knows...

Good night.

Rave: "The Stranger within our gates"

On our way home from Colorado we stayed the night at the Western Inn in Council Bluffs, Iowa. From the outside this place looked like a dive and I was a wee bit nervous as Josh pulled up. Josh checked us in while I sat with the girls, he came and got us and gave me a key... yes, a real key, not the little card to which we've all become accustomed; my trepidation grew. We opened the door and I was delightfully surprised, it was quaint, clean and very modern with a mounted flat screen TV and an updated bathroom. I settled in and began to relax.

On the table between the two beds I found the following note...
To Our Guest
In the ancient time there was a prayer for "The Stranger within our gates"
Because this Hotel is a human institution to serve people, and not solely a money making organization, we hope that God will grant you peace and rest while you are under our roof.
May this room and motel be your "second" home. May those you love be near you in thoughts and dreams. Even though we may not get to know you, we hope that you will be comfortable and happy as if you were in your own house.
May the business that brought you our way prosper. May every call you make and every message you receive add to your joy. When you leave, may your journey be safe.
We are all travelers. From "birth till death" we travel between eternities. May these days be pleasant for you, profitable for society, helpful for those you meet, and a joy to those who know and love you best.

Needless to say, I felt the Spirit within those walls and slept very well.

What a Day!

Today started off GREAT! While going through the coupons I found some for things that were on my shopping list that I don't normally buy. I went shopping early enough that there wasn't a lot of traffic in the parking lot or in the commissary. Once there I found even more coupons, 3 dollars total coupon savings. Wednesdays at the commissary are "Wacky Wednesdays," they usually have pretty good deals on various products (free lysol one day). At one point the line got so long the manager randomly picked someone waiting and gave them 10 dollars. They also sometimes play "Lucky Customer," where they choose a register and a random person wins a chunk off their grocery bill, I've actually seen them give up to 50 dollars off. Today, however, was 25 dollars off... I WAS THE LUCKY CUSTOMER!! I spent less then 40 dollars on a weeks worth of groceries!

The rest of the morning and into the afternoon was just kinda fun and happy! I got to take a nap with the girls.

Josh came home for dinner, fun and happy!

Brenna got to play at Grace's, fun and happy!

Anna watched my girls so I could run to Walmart, fun and wait... Not so much fun and Paige was really NOT happy. We are learning that Paige is suffering from a bit of separation anxiety. I was really hoping she just didn't like the church nursery but after today I'm sure she just has an attachment to her mommy and daddy. I guess we'll be working this over the next, well, however long it takes.

After Paige calmed down and took a nap, B and I hung out and had some more fun. When it was time to go to bed Brenna decided she and Paige needed to sleep in their matching cow pj's (I'm really hoping to get a picture in the morning).

So now, my babes are asleep, my dog's at my feet and I just rescued a spider and set him free outside. All in all, it's been an AWESOME day! Thank you Lord!

Good Sleeper

I was amazed when Paige began sleeping through the night at about 7 weeks old. Brenna didn't sleep though the night until almost 2 years old. I wasn't really sure what to do with all that rest. The answer now is very clear, enjoy it! Paige no longer sleeps through the night.
Since birth, Paige has slept in our room in a bassinet and, consequently, Brenna ended up in our room as well since she has to be where the action is. Well, Little Bit no longer fits in the bassinet and since she was trying to roll in it we deemed it was time for her to move into her room. WHY OH WHY?!
Paige loves her new bed and her new room, so much so that she loves to be awake when she's in there. She loves to wake up at 4am and thinks she's supposed to nurse since hey, she's awake. I feel like I haven't slept in a week, oh wait, I haven't.
The upside to all of this is Brenna wants to sleep wherever her little sister is and now sleeps on the futon in Paige's room.
Advise is welcomed.

P90X

One week down and 11 more to go. I have survived the first week of P90X! This is an extreme work out program, cardio and strength training, I'm not sure of the best way to describe it but to say even the yoga kicked my butt. I'm looking forward to the day it doesn't hurt so much. =)

Alternative Medicine

I've been plagued with headaches just about all my life. Both migraines and what I like to call background headaches, these are the ones that are there all the time hanging out in the back of your head and are so mild you learn to live with them and don't even worry about taking anything for them. Here in Great Lakes we have a headache specialist who I finally went to see. He wanted to put me on an everyday prevention type med and after a bit of nagging agreed to putting in a consult for an MRI. Although he said the medication wouldn't affect Paige I was a bit apprehensive and decided not to start the meds. After several stressful weeks and crazy headaches I changed my mind. I started the medication on a Friday and decided by Sunday I didn't want to take it anymore, Paige slept constantly and it felt as if my milk was drying up. My sister suggested I try acupuncture.

With the help of a friend I found a local acupuncturist (who gives a military discount, woohoo). I felt better after the first session and after the second session my background headaches were gone! I can't wait to see what else we can accomplish.

I started doing research on other homeopathic remedies and came across Baltic amber. A friend of mine has a necklace for her daughter and says it has made a big difference with teething. It is said Baltic amber, when worn against the skin, can help relieve pain and strengthen the immune system. I'm very excited to try it. A woman I met at a babywearing meeting suggested Inspired by Finn and by mentioning them in my note I'm able to get a 20% discount. You can have it too by using the code save20. Inspired by Finn I'm getting Brenna and I each a necklace.

I'll be sure to keep you posted!