whoops...

I'm pretty sure I've blogged about this t-shirt of Justin's before, but I can't find it right now...

Well...I remember there have been a few times we have been out and decided to get some Japanese food, only to realize that Justin is wearing this shirt, so we quickly decide on an alternate means of sustenance. Tonight, however, with the combination of our empty refrigerator and the rain, I called in Japanese takeout for Justin to pick up. Poor guy didn't go through the drive thru. Of all nights, he walked right in to the restaurant wearing this shirt! Thankfully our food had already been boxed up, because I'm pretty sure it might not have remained uncontaminated if it wasn't. With good cause! He may never be able to step foot in the local Japanese restaurant again. As for me...they can't keep me away!

This shirt might need to be in our next yard sale!

when tuesday becomes your monday...(+ update)

...so we left right after church to go to the lake with Justin's parents on Sunday. (Much needed after a weekend of yard work and yard saleing). We had a wonderful time and got home last night around 8. I fed, bathed, and put down Elijah, then decided I needed a cookie and some milk while Justin was finishing up more yard work. (pics to come later!) I got some milk and realized it was rather warm....(yuck)...then I checked the fridge. Sure enough - warm things all in the fridge and the freezer. Our ice cubes were water...the ice cream wasn't even cool...that bad. Not exciting news to a women who just went grocery shopping (majorly) on Friday and we haven't even eaten any of the new stuff I bought. Tons of yummy groceries were thrown in the trash last night.

I hope the repair guy can have some good news at 11:00. I'm hopeful, but not dumb....we'll see.

...what a rainy Tuesday that feels like Monday!


* Update *
The refrigerator repair man has come and gone. Thankfully, we do not have to buy a new refrigerator, just a new part. Also, he informed us that the ice maker (which hasn't worked since we moved in) just needs to be completely replaced (for only $150), so it looks like I'll keep "making" my own ice for now!

I was saddened when I checked our banking account today and saw that my grocery shopping purchase from Friday had not yet even cleared at the bank. How unfortunate...all that food wasted. And to think...I just used $16 worth of coupons that day...I was so proud of myself. It hurt to have to throw out the uneaten chicken, Stouffer's meals, and ice cream...but it killed me even more to throw out the milk I was storing for Elijah. That is really unfortunate! (to use Justin's favorite word!) Anyway...we are blessed...and I'm glad to not be purchasing a new fridge!

fantastic finds

My friend Sheila has found some "Fantastic Finds" online - homemade items that are very unique and impressive. This time, she's not only found an amazing craft, but a heartwarming story as well. Check out her blog and even enter for a chance to win an incredible "Frame a Name."

I would be lying if I said I don't want to win!! haha...I need something great for Elijah's walls with his name on it. Since we didn't decide on his name until the day he was born, I have nothing personalized! ...but good luck to you too! And hurry...you only have til Friday!

7 quick takes friday

1.

When we moved to Elkin over a year ago, I was determined to choose a beautiful comforter for our bed. I looked and looked, and ended up spending way more money than I should have, but I was pleased with what I found. Apparently Jazz hates it! Because since I have owned it, that poor comforter has been drycleaned at least 4 times. (That’s over 20 bucks each time! Ugh!) Why, you ask? Because Jazz just LOVES to pee on it. Not only that, but it is forever ruined with runs in it because of her toys that I repeated tell her not to play with on the bed. (I know, I know! She’s like my first child!) Well, the other morning, Justin was already in the shower and I awoke to the sound of Jazz heaving next to me. (Yes, we have let Jazz start sleeping with us again). …somebody please pick my Mom off the floor if you are with her… I was alert enough to know that doggy throw-up would be more easily cleaned off of the pillowcase than a blanket, so I shoved the pillow up under her. (Later Justin said, “Why didn’t you just throw her off the bed”…again, barely alert here!) At the last minute, though, Jazz turns her head and vomits right on my (beautiful, satin) comforter. UGH! Back to the cleaners…unbelievable…I’m gonna have to assign a whole budget category to cleaning my comforter.

And yes, I hear you…we should just stop letting Jazz on the bed…but I’m a sucker!

2.

I love to make lists. In fact, I literally make a list for EVERYTHING. I love to see things checked off or crossed out during the day. So why, since I am staying at home do the lists just seem to glare at me louder and louder as I accomplish less and less? It was nice when I could make a list at night, planning for the next day, accomplish a few things in the morning, then leave the list behind as I went to work, returning to it later. For some reason, I am despising lists lately as they continually remind me of what I am NOT getting done while I’m at home all day.

I wish I had a list of all my outings/fun things I want to do in a week. Maybe I should just start one and pretend I have a life outside our home!! Anyone wanna volunteer to be on that list??

3.

I’ve decided that Monday needs to be “Crockpot Dinner Night” because I have piano lessons from 5:15-6:15 and Justin goes to play basketball at 7. Any good crockpot recipes out there?? I have found that those can be the most discouraging new recipes to try out because you are literally waiting around all day to find out if it’s gonna be any good or not! Please share!

4.

Since being at home with Elijah, I have gone through different spurts on the internet. Some days I could care less about getting on and find facebook/blogging/e-mail to be of no interest. Then there is this week…I have been addicted to being online. Maybe it’s because I’m actually getting some more sleep now and getting more time to myself during Elijah’s naps. I don’t know. I just know I’m gonna have to set some ground rules for myself. Mostly, this week, I have been addicted to this blog. I set out to be a Babywise mom with Elijah (more about that later) and this blog is AWESOME!!! I have spent hours reading, so now that it’s Friday and Justin’s day off, I have to make up for all my slack. No fun!

5.

Today, I’m going to pick out some tomato plants and herbs to plant. We had a pretty big garden last year, especially for new gardeners, but this year we’re gonna tone it down a bit. Unfortunately, right now I’m not eating tomatoes because they negatively affect Elijah, but I’m hoping to try them again soon and find that they don’t bother him. I’m excited to have fresh herbs for the first time. Any suggestions on those are welcome!

6.

Here’s a picture of Elijah from last Friday when my friend Sarah visited us!

Hard to believe he’s 11 weeks old now.

7.

I’m excited for my first Mother’s Day on Sunday! Elijah will be dedicated and our parents and my sister are getting to come to church with us. I’ve looked forward to this day and I want his dedication to be a reminder to us constantly of Who Elijah truly belongs to. These verses have been my challenge as we continue to raise him:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Happy Mother’s Day to you all!!

my little houdini

Elijah woke up at 5:30 this morning after about 6 hours of sleep. When I walked in, I was initially confused in my sleepy state because my son was completely turned 180 degrees from where I put him down. I had found him up at the top of the crib, turned sideways before, but this move completely baffled me. No wonder he has no hair on the back of his head...(don't be fooled by the front views)....he's been scooting around in his sleep! Elijah looked a little confused, too, because he kept staring at the wall, like I was supposed to be greeting him on that side of the crib. Poor thing! I decided to put his "bumpers" on the sides of him again to keep him in place.

Is this usual to be so weirded out when your child does something new, no matter how small it is? I guess I'm gonna freak out when he flips over! ...But, really, I love it! ...He's so precious, no matter what he's doing!

do re mi fa sol la ti do!

I have always loved the Sound of Music since I was a little girl...I just loved to sing and this is just the ultimate musical. I either wanted to be just like Julie Andrews as a little girl, so I sang all the time. Pretty much any hairbrush or remote in sight became an instant microphone. My poor sister had to be my audience many a night as I sang away.

I guess I get my love of music from my parents. They have always sung in the church choir while I was growing up and really encouraged me to play piano and sing.

We definitely hope to instill a love of the Lord (#1) and a love of music in our children, so it has been fun to watch Elijah respond to music as enthusiastically as he has.

Like I said yesterday, my mom came to watch Elijah for me on Thursday night. Before I left, she was entertaining Elijah with (her rendition of) Do, a Deer since Justin and I have been singing solfege to him so much. My sister and I always kid my mom about having her own dictionary because she can make up some interesting words. This apparently rings true in her songs, too.

She knows I took some pictures, but I don't think my mom knew I was video taping her. Sorry mom!! You and Justin are the ones who have made it on my blog singing....way to go!! Without further ado....Do, a deer....

7 quick takes friday!

1.

So...Justin hurt his ankle on Monday night playing basketball. Thankfully, we already had a set of crutches in the attic from previous incidents like this. Let's face it - when we started dating, he was on crutches...so I signed up for these little accidents!! It seems to be healing well, so that's good.

2.

Elijah slept through the night (8-9 hours) from Saturday night to Wednesday night!!! Last night he only made it to 5 am, but I'm still so thankful! My precious 10 week old is doing pretty good. He likes to sleep like his mom and dad!

3.

I feel like I left my job to stay at home with my son and do laundry. Was there this much laundry when I was working?? I know I've added the cloth diapers to the load, but those seem so easy compared to everything else! Whew!...now if I could just keep up with the ironing.

4.

My mom came and stayed with Elijah for about 5 hours yesterday while I was at a church event. I'm so thankful that she was able to come up and she was great (of course) with Elijah. Stay tuned for a hilariously cute video from her visit that I'll post tomorrow.

5.

One of my best friends from college, Sarah, is coming to visit today!! I can't wait...she hasn't seen Elijah yet and I'm excited for her to meet him. She's driving up from Georgia as I type this! Yay Sarah!!

6.

I'm excited to be playing some "background music" tomorrow for a Mother/Daughter tea hosted by the Arts Council in Elkin. I don't get to play piano a lot lately, so I'm excited for the opportunity (even though I have a lot to still prepare tonight) and hopefully it will mean some good contacts for piano students in the Fall!

7.

I'm planning to organize a community yard sale for May 16th. Be in prayer for this because I'm kind of using this as a way to meet all of our new neighbors. God has given me a burden for our neighborhood and gave me this idea as a way to jumpstart relationships with those around us. I hope lots of neighbors will be excited about this.

Have a great Friday!!