Thrifty Finds...

Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good bargain. A good sale really gets my adrenaline going (no, seriously, it does). I frequent my local thrift stores frequently and love it when stores have an extra percentage off already reduced items :) Here are some of my latest steals:

Had to have this sweet little gal above as I used the same dishware when I was small :) Price: Five cents!!

Saltwater sandals! I've been looking for a cheap pair for our dolly girl (as I also had some when I was young), but these babies aren't cheap; about $30 retail--waaaaay too much for sandals in my opinion. Found these for $1.99!! And yes that is snow on the hill in the background. This mama's thinkin' ahead :)

That's what I'm talkin' about! A bit big for the little man, but it'll fit next fall/winter. Forty-nine cents!!

Brand-new Robeez from the thrift store: Ninety-nine cents!!! What a steal! For the little one, not daddy, haha, although he does love lizards :)

For my mom...

Praise Him with a dance!

A few pics....

...for the grandparents and family who want to see updates of the chiblins (and one of ma and pa):

Can you see the adoration in his eyes? He LOVES his big sis :)

Snow day!!

We've just started "doing school" because "I did school with Rachel at the table" (she joined her aunties, uncle, and cousin for homeschool one morning while visiting CA in December).

Snuggles

Little English lad

They don't feed me enough 'round here.

She's recently been inspired by Shirley Temple's dancing and singing :)

Quiet ramblings....

I love my life right now. It's raining outside and cozy inside. My children are sleeping at the same time!! Zucchini bread just pulled out of the oven. Hubs due home in a few hours. Maybe I should take a nap?? Or update this blog....it's been a month since I've posted anything!

We had a wonderful, BUSY Christmas trip to California...it was quite challenging traveling with 2 very small kiddos. They did well overall but you just have to be flexible for those extra diaper blow-outs, few naps resulting in an overly emotional 2 year old girl, 10 minutes of shrill screaming from a 3 month old while all the airplane passengers stare at you as you try to smile and shove the pacifier in further, really long lines at security, 2 check-ins, a carseat, 3 backpacks, 3 carry-ons, a purse, and a double Bob jogging stroller. Phew! We really enjoyed spending time with our families and we miss them. But it is really good to be home and getting into our own routine and schedule again.

I was just reading on a woman's blog that she picks a word each year to pray about, think about, and strive towards (such as patience, discipline, etc.). I couldn't pick just one so my words will be compassion and thankfulness. I pray that the Lord will soften my heart and help me to love others with compassion the way He does, and that I will be continually grateful for God's faithfulness, provision, and peace He tenderly pours into my life. What word/s would you pick? (It doesn't have to be super spiritual or deep--organization would be another I could've chosen!).


Here are a few pics and highlights from the last month:

The little one nursing her little one

                                   Building gingerbread (graham-cracker) houses with dear friends

                                                          The hubs deep in concentration

                                                 She loved her broom she got for Christmas!

             Spoiled by attention from all her aunties and uncles (and grandparents and great-grandparents!)

                                                                         Christmas Eve

                                                 Opening her stocking from Papa and Nana

                                                        Little man napping with Grandpa

                       Little man napping with Snoopy (upper left corner: handmade napkins for Nana and Papa!)

SO much fun with the lovely Taylor family

Little things I love...

-Clean sheets
-Lists (ha!)
-Apple crisp (esp. the topping)
-A full tank of gas
-Uncluttered counters
-Yellow lab puppies
-A hot bath
-Reading in a hot bath
-Reading in a hot bath with dessert
-Being called "Mama" and "Mommy"
-Yankee Candle's Fall scents
-Finding a great deal at the thrift store

...What're some little things you  love?

What I've been up to...

Parenting two children is exponentially busier than one. Let me just put that out there before listing what's been going on in the last 6 weeks (so you'll hopefully be understanding and sympathetic).  :)

- Changing diapers (one in cloth, which has been suprisingly easier than I expected, and one in disposables, which we are praying will not be much longer--see next sentence)
- Encouraging potty-training
- Washing diapers
- Running errands with 2 kids (3 hours to go 2 or 3 places--see next sentence)
- Running errands alone (6 places in less than 2 hours)
- Fighting a nasty cold that left me with a chain smoker's voice for a few days
- Suctioning the...err..gunk....out of my 6 week old son's nose as he is also fighting a nasty cold
- Dreaming about sewing and creating, but have yet to carry out that plan
- Eating for two, as I'm keeping my son alive with my milk

- Thanking God for my sweet and helpful husband, two wonderful children, and a life that I wouldn't trade for anything-- although I will be thankful once we find a routine and my 2 year old learns a little self-control (like not sticking her finger down her baby brother's throat...). Ahem. I will leave you with a picture:

New Baby!

Sheesh, it's been a looooong time since I've posted anything! However, life with a newborn and a toddler is crazier, busier, and more prayer-invoking than most any other time in my life :) And I'm SO thankful for my new normal...which is anything but normal now (although I'm assured by older, wiser mothers that a routine will eventually be established in say, 3 or 4 months!). Here are some pictures of the new love of my life, my son, Little JIG (initials only to protect my sweet children from weirdos out there who may happen to stumble upon my blog):

                                                     (black feet from getting footprints taken)