Friend Making Monday

Kenz at All the Weigh is now hosting FMM!
This week's questions are:

What was the most enjoyable part of your weekend? For me the most enjoyable part was walking to Gus and Paul's yesterday morning to get bagels. I carried Ben in his sling and Jon pushed the double jogging stroller with Madeline and Owen. They each picked out a large cookie and we got some fresh baked bagels. A great way to start the day!

List two or three material possesions you can't live without. Jeans for one. I live in them. Pepsi- it is my vice. And my strollers. With three kids I cannot live without at least one stroller!

Which days are you looking forward to most this week? I am looking forward to Saturday. We are having a tag sale and after it is over I get my playroom back to normal! I also can't wait for Friday. Madeline has her first dance class and we have a weekly playgroup afterwards that we live.

Share one of your more embarrasing stories. A few weeks ago I was at church and Ben got hungry. I got up to find a chair in the crying room. It was busy so I grabbed a chair from the back row, pulled it into a corner and started to nurse him. Well eveyrone was standing when I walked in. When it was time to sit down it turned out I had taken someone's chair right out from under them. It was silent so I couldn't even say I was sorry! I felt awful and it wasn't even someone I know so I coudln't joke about it. They walked away and got another chair before I could pull myself together and get up to give her back hers. To top it off, I took the chair of a 10 year old!

List your three must read blogs and tell us why we must read them:I love reading Martin Family Moments. She is a down to earth mom that I can relate too. She has four kids (which I am jealous since she seems to have it more under control than I do with three) and I love to read her blog.

No Time For Flashcards shares tons of activities for preschool age kids. I love the crafts and games she shares and found tons of ideas there when I was teaching Madeline her letters last year.

Confessions of a Homeschooler. She homeschools her four kids (well the youngest isn't quite school age yet). I found her when I began teaching Madeline at home last year instead of sending her to preschool. Madeline is going to preschool this year but I still get lots of ideas from this blog for crafts and activities to do with my kids.

Wow, narrowing it down to three was really hard!

Friend Making Monday

This week Kenz at All the Weigh is hosting FMM. I have visited Kenz's blog many times through FMM and I love her posts.

This week's topic is a back to basics get to know you. So get to know me!

I like....sleep. yes everyone likes sleep, but no one likes sleep like the mom of a 2 month old who has learned to sleep through the night. I am really liking sleep right now!!!

I don't like...wine (or whine) and beer. I have tried many different kinds and no matter what I still come back to the same conclusion- I don't like the taste. So hand me a girly drink and call me an expeinsive date at the bar (at least my husband does!)

I love...my kiddos and my wonderful husband Jon

I dream of...being the kind of mom my kids like when they are adults

I wonder...if I will have a fourth kid. yeah, yeah I just had my third 2 months ago and I am wondering about a fourth. It has been on my mind probably becuase I have a newborn, if I will have four like I once thought I would.

I know...going back to work next week is going to be hard. I hate leaving my kids but I know the hours I spend at work are necessary and also good for me. I feel like I am using my brain in different ways than when I am at home.

I went...to Maine a few weeks ago. We were there for a week and had a great vacation.

I have....lots of big plans and not enough time for them

I think...I need to change my eating habits and exercise more if I want to get rid of the baby weight

I regret...not working on my weight quicker after Ben was born. In almost 3 months I should have lost more than I have.

I do...need to get myself back on a schedule

I drink...WAY to much soda. I am trying to drink more water.

I wish...I didn't get anxious about so many things. It is a part of ppd that I just can't escape.

I am...a good mother. I am not perfect, but I am good!

I am not...going to forget to tell Jon and the kids that I love them every day.

I need...to make time for myself, even if it is only 30 minutes a day, to exercise.

I graduated...with my master in elementary education and I am so glad I did.

I hope...that my kids will appreciate that I was home with them while the are young, even if it means less material things. I hope Jon and I can teach them what is important.

I want...to get new rugs for my house

I sometimes...get stressed about things that I really don't need to be stressed about.

I always...hug my loved ones

I can...part with some of the baby clothes I have accumulated. Who really needs 40 onsies? (yes I said 40, and that is just onsies, in 0-3 months, not including outfits)

I work...as a mom

I cannot...go a day without something sweet to eat =)

I avoid...telling Jon when I am having a bad day due to ppd in hopes of not putting my stress onto him just before the school year starts.

I will...enjoy my life! It is the only one I get =)

To join in with FMM visit All the Weigh

Friend Making Monday

I am so happy that Amber over at Silver Lining is hosting Friend Making Mondays again! I missed them this summer.

This week;s theme is Today I...

Today...

I woke up feeling horrible.

I will not get things done that need to get done due to feeling horrible.

I am very greatful that Jon is still home on vacation so I can lay on the couch and do nothing while he looks after the kids.

I will still get a few loads of laundry done because if I don't do it we will have no clothes to wear!

I wanted to go to the Connecticut Science Center but we are putting it off until tomorrow in hopes that I will feel better.

I am watching Ben in his swing and loving how peaceful he is right now.


Visit Amber for more Friend Making Monday!

Friend Making Monday

Every week Amber hosts Friend Making Monday. It has been awhile since I participated but this week I actually have time!
This week's topic is list 5 things that you love (besides the obvious)

1. Diet Pepsi. Actually I love Pepsi but due to being pregnant and having gestational diabetes I have temporarily switched the love to Diet Pepsi.

2. Owen's new big boy bed!!!

3. The library. I know it sounds funny but I love the library, I get so many things free there and I am not afraid to try new books since there is nothing lost!

4. Baking. Not as much fun when you can't eat the stuff (gestational diabetes strikes again) but still tons of fun since my family enjoys the results

5. Spring.- what is not to love? nice weather, flowers, new leaves, animals....the kids playing outside without five (or more) layers of clothing!

Visit Amber for more FMM!

Friend Making Monday

1. Favorite things about Spring: getting to play outside and start my garden


2. What I'm doing for Spring Break: staying at home, working on the nursery and playroom, working on the garden, being thrilled that Jon is on vacation and planning Madeline and Owen's birthday party


3. Favorite Spring flower: it is a tie between tulips and daffodils


4. Do you have a garden? Yes,I just started all my seeds indoors yesterday!


5. If so, what do you grow. This year the plan is to grow: tomatos, zuchinni, grenn bell peppers, green beans, sugar snap peas, lettuce, corn, carrots, pumpkins, cantaloupes. Just a few things!


6. Do you do Spring cleaning? Kind of, this year I have to in order to get ready for baby #3. Usally when the weather gets nicer I start to sort through the kids clothes and get rid of things that are too small. Other than that, nope!

7. What is your weather *really* like right now? {Just b/c it's "officially" spring, doesn't mean that it feels like it for some of you} All over the place. Last week it was in the upper 60's and even 70's and sunny and today it is in the low 50's and rainy.


8. Snapped any weather related photos lately? Share one with us! nope not yet sorry!


9. What's your favorite thing to do on a sunny afternoon? since my kids sleep I sually rest, but once they are awake I love to take a walk outside with them and go to the park.

10. Favorite TV show right now? I got into Southland recently but I am really waiting for the Army Wives season premier again on April 11.

For more FMM visit Amber

Friend Making Monday

I am.... sitting here listening to the rain and catching up on reading blogs


I think.... my backyard is going to be all mud soon


I should... be working on mothers day gifts


I dream.... about going to disney world with my kids someday!


I want.... the baby hawk mei tai carrier I tried on yesterday but at $80 I gotta think about it...


I know... I have a lot of organizing to do before this baby comes


I don't like.... when I come home from the grocery story and find my dog has eaten a chocolate Easter bunny.


I smell... wet dog


I hear.... curious george on the television


I fear.... that something could happen to someone I love


I usually... like quiet rainy days, the are an excuse to do nothing!


I search... for many many toys that my kids lose (sorry, couldn't think of anything deeper)


I miss.... sleeping late


I always... am tired lately


I regret.... not traveling more before we had kids


I wonder.... how I will know when I am done having babies


I crave.... chocolate!!!


I remember... when Madeline was just born, four years goes by so quickly!


I need..... a maid. Well, maybe I don't need one but it would be nice!


I forget.... many many things these days if I don't write them down first


I feel.... content


I can.... be a good wife to Jon and mom to my kids


I can't.... please everyone all of the time, but I am okay with that


I am happy.... with my life


I lose..... my mind occasionally!


I sing.... to my kids and they like it (though I am not sure why!)


I listen... to my children talk to each other when I am not in the room. It makes me smile to hear their conversations


I shop..... at Old Navy


I eat.... all the time lately


I love.....my family

For more FMM visit Amber

Friend Making Monday

This week Amber asked us what our design style is. Well I took the quiz at Sproost. The first time I was
50 % Modern Elegance
50% Cottage Chic

For fun I took it again and the second time I was
100% Nantucket

I don't know what I am!

I guess these describe my style as how I would love my home to be. At the moment with a 4 year old and a 2 year old (and a new one on the way) I am a "whatever the kids cannot kill themselves on" kind of girl. I LOVE to dream of what my ideal rooms would look like, but between budget issues and child issues those dreams are a long ways off.

Right now I am re-doing my bedroom. It is not the room I want it to be. It is just the leftover room. The place where Jon and I happen to sleep. I do not like to spend time in there unless I am sleeping. And I want to want to spend time in there. So I talked to Jon and he said I know our budget and to go ahead and re-do it how I want to as long as we can afford it. He isn't happy with the room either. We talked about how it is messy all the time and cluttered (partly due the the ever present pack and play that cannot go anywhere) and how we ALWAYS close the door so company will not see it- not because we want privacy but because we are emabarrassed by it. So I have a plan and it involved minimal money and some elbow grease:
*clean out hope chest (done) to make room for clothes
*clean out dressers and downsize to one that Jon and I share (his idea). We talked about putting non-season appropriate clothes in storage and using my hope chest more for clothes to cut down on the need for two dressers and make more room.
*repaint remaining dresser
*purchase two nightstands and paint to match dresser- hopefully something from a tag sale or flea market to keep them cheap.
*buy new MATCHING lamps for nightstands (done- Target for $12 each!)
*re-arrange furniture
*new curtains and blinds. I am thinking of shears with roman blinds if I can find them for an affordable price.
*doors or curtains for closet (nope, ours doesn't have any!)
*re-arrange pictures on walls

I know this is not exactly what Amber was asking this week, but her question about our design style made me think about my plans and how I want something uncluttered, open and light. I will post before and after pictures when the room is completed (hopefully in the next month before we start work on the nursery!)

For more FMM visit Amber

Friend Making Monday

Every week Amber at {aefilkins} hosts Friend Making Monday. This week her question is:

What did you do this weekend? Confess it.

On Friday I sat around all afternoon and evening babying my sore body. I took the kids to a local childrens museum in the morning and spent WAY too much time on my feet and crawling around after them. Sometimes I forget I am almost 6 months pregnant. So The afternoon and evening were a wash of me resting while Jon did everything.

Saturday was better:

I slept in

We took the kids to the park to feed the ducks and Owen was VERY excited by all the birds

we saw. I tripped and fell up a few stairs while carrying Owen on the way out which was scary

but I got away with just a scraped knuckle and two sore knees.

We went grocery shopping and got it out of the way!

We took the kids for ice cream (free with coupons)

I got a 58 for my blood sugar (way too low!) after dinner so I got a scoop of REAL ice cream to

bring it back up!

Sunday:

I let Jon sleep in

We went to church in the morning

I went shopping and bought:

Madeline and Owen's Easter outfits

A new dress and new bras for me

New lamps for my bedroom which I am planning to make over (stay tuned for pictures

when I get it done!)

I cleaned out my hope chest and made a HUGE bag of sweaters that no longer fit to give

away

That was my weekend. Not super productive but a good time overall!

For more FMM visit Amber!

Friend Making Monday

This week Amber's topic is Valentines Day!

Jon and I are celebrating Valentines Day today. We were visiting his family for the weekend and by the time we got home yesterday we were tired. We knew we would be so Jon lined up friends to watch Madeline and Owen for us tonight so we can go out for a kid-free dinner and actually talk!

We did exchange gifts yesterday. Jon got me sugar free candy (yum yum yum!) and a gift certificate for a pedicure. I was shocked at the gift certificate. Usually we stick really small, like candy only. Last year he got me some new underwear from Victoria's Secret, just normal everyday underwear but I wanted the nicer stuff and won't always spend the money on myself so he did. But the pedicure this year is awesome! He told me he wanted to get it for my birthday but he got me the laminator which I am so excited about so he saved it for Valentines instead. He also said I deserve it since I am pregnant. And who am I to argue with that?
I got Jon new boxers. It is a tradition. Every Valentines day I go buy him new fun boxers. I don't know why, but I have been doing it for almost 10 years now, since our third valentines day together. The kids got Jon bags of candy that they chose for him at the dollar store and then helped wrap and hide them in the house.

We got Madeline and Owen new rainboots for Valentines. They picked them out and both picked monkey boots from Target. I am going to the dollar store today to get a few more trinkets for them, I know it is a day late but they don't realize it. I also got them gift certificates for ice cream cones at Friendly's (they sell Valentines at five to a sheet for $1 and the money goes to Easter Seals so I buy some for my kids, my niece and nephews and a few friends every year. Each Valentine is good for a free kid cone).

The only thing that could have made Valentine's Day better would be for me not to have gestational diabetes. It sucks most around holidays when everyone is eating yummy yummy foods, but following the diet is what I need to do to have a healthy baby. And now with more sugar free candy options it isn't as bad as it was four years ago when I was pregnant with Madeline.

For more FMM visit Amber!

Friend Making Monday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... lots and lots of rain. It is warm out (unusual for Massachusetts in January) but it is pouring!

I am thinking.... that I have mixed feelings about being back at work after my 6 week break. I think I want to start classroom teaching again and am hoping to find a job at the college level next fall. I like the job I have now, but I don't feel fulfilled doing it. And since I have to be away from my family to work I figure I should feel fullfilled if I can (pretty deep for a simple questions huh?)

I am thankful... for my family, for the new baby we are expecting, for my home

I am praying... for my sister in law who is having some tests later this week. for more patience for myself and for my brother to figure out what he wants to do with his life

I am reading... Unspeakable by Sandra Brown and The Walmart Effect.

I am creating... a new hobby for myself, preschool materials for Madeline and some home renovation projects for Jon to do

From the kitchen... not much since I am not home, my dad is watching the kids and they are sleeping right now (or at least they should be). Earlier today I had bread dough rising.

Around the house... kids are sleeping, computer has a virus, laundry is piling up, art projecst are drying on the table.

One of my favorite things... Boston Cream donuts (they are off limits until June...)

A few plans for the rest of the week... ultrasound on Wednesday!!!, dinner with my grammy on Saturday, playgroups with the kids, trying some new dinner recipes, making homemade donuts with the kids

For more FMM visit Amber

Friend Making Monday

This week's topics is projects that are on my list for the new year?

1. Turn the office back into a nursery

2. Have Jon finish moving all computer pieces into the new playroom (formerly our garage)

3. Repaint the living room

4. Purchase new windows for the house

5. Clean up the front walkway and paln some pretty flowers this spring

6. Increase my garden in size

7. Re-organizing my office space when we move it to include a craft area

8. Find curtains I like for the living room and kid's bedrooms

9. Work on my scrapbooks! I am two years behind in Madeline's and 1 year behind in Owen's.




For more FMM visit Amber

Friend Making Monday

Amber's question this week is:

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

This is a hard one for me since I am great at making resolutions and plans but not so great at sticking to them. So here they are in no particular order:

1. control my gestational diabetes through diet and semi-regular walks and hopefully avoid glyburide this time around

2. find a hobby I really enjoy, learn it and then stick with it (I am famous for trying something and then not making time for it...). I like knitting and want to get better at it, I also want to learn how to sew and maybe even quilt...

3. work at my blog, get more followers and maybe even monetize it... (suggestions for this would be greatly appreciated!!)

4. find a job teaching an education course at a community college in the fall (i love tutoring but I really miss teaching!)

5. continue to work at being a good mom and wife

6. contiue to raise happy and semi-normal kids =)

7. learn more about vaccinations and make informed decisions based on the information

8. stick to at least one (hopefully more!) of my resolutions!

Notice how lose weight at exercise more are not on the list this year? They usually make it to the top but I have no illusions about that happening until at least late summer (if then) so I will just leave them off the list this year.

Visit Amber for more FMM!

Friend Making Monday

Amber's theme this week is All I Want For Christmas.

All I want for Christmas is:

happy kids

healthy family

more sleep and energy would be nice =)

to see the bottom of my laundry pile (I know that is asking the impossible)

a continued healthy pregnancy

a happy husband

and a few new items of clothing would be nice (I feel like I am living in the same three or four maternity outfits these days!)

For more FMM visit Amber

Friend Making Monday

1. Favorite website: http://www.dltk-kids.com/ for ideas for the kids and facebook for me

2. Favorite color- blue, almost any shade (just look at the walls in my house!)

3. Facebook? {Post a link or share your name if you want some new Facebook friends!} yes, email or leave me a comment if you want my full name!

4. Favorite Christmas song? Silver Bells

5. Christmas tree: Real or fake? Real! I can't wait to get ours next week.

6. Hottest celebrity? Justin Chambers and Eric Dane from Gray's Anatomy

7. Favorite restaurant? Chilis

8. Favorite magazine? Redbook, just renewed for two more years

9. Favorite thing to drink around the holidays? Hot chocolate. This year it is supposed to be sugar free due to my gd diet, but it just isn't the same that way. I may have to cheat once or twice....

10. Favorite Christmas movie. The Grinch (which by request of Madeline we have been watching for almost two weeks now) and The Polar Express. I love both books as well.

Visit Amber for more FMM!

Friend Making Monday

This Week Amber asked questions about Thanksgiving:

1. Turkey or Ham? Turkey, no question!

2. Favorite side dish. Green Bean Casserole...hoping my mother in law makes it this year!!!

3. Favorite dessert. Apple pie with vanilla ice cream

4. Black Friday: Are you going or not? Not this year, we will be visiting Jon's family and I don't really know the malls around there. If I were home my mom and I would go

5. If so, what's on the top of your list? I may do some online shopping for Jon's gifts

6. Going out of town or staying close to home? This is an out of town year.

7. Hosting or helping? Helping

8. Name one family tradition at Thanksgiving. Spending it with family and watching the big balloon parade

9. What do you do after dinner? Chase my kids around =) and attempt to visit with family

10. What are you most thankful for this year? Jon, Madeline, Owen, baby #3 and that we have been lucky enough as a family to not have been affected as much as some by this recession.

Visit Amber for more FMM!!!

Friend Making Monday

Amber's question this week is

What is your favorite recipe around this time of year?

I have so many recipes that I love, but I especially love to make fudge around this time of year. In the past I have had disasters of great proportions with fudge. There is the "never solidified even when frozen fudge" episode, the "burnt to a crisp so badly I ruined the pan" episode and many others.

Then I found the recipe I now LOVE. It is called Foolproof Fudge. The name says it all.

Ingredients:

12 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips

1 can sweetend condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla

nuts (optional)

wax paper (for lining the pan)

Melt chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir while melting to ensure no burning.

Add vanilla and nuts (if desired).

Pour into wax paper lined pan.

Put in fridge for about 3-4 hours to cool.

Fill sink about 1 inch with warm water. Soak the pan for about a minute. Then invert pan over a cutting board. The block of fudge should come out with wax paper still attached. Peel the wax paper carefully. Cut fudge.

Enjoy!

This is not a recipe created by me. But I cannot remember where I found it years ago. All I know is that it is one of my most requested holiday desserts.

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Friend Making Mondays

This week's question is

What are your favorite candles/scents?

This isn't the fairest question right now since all of my senses are in an uproar so I will answer it with the scents I normally like.

My top five are:

cinnamon

apple pie

chocolate chip cookies ( I don't know if they make a candle with this scent, but they should!)

lemon (it just smells so clean!)

anything citrus

Visit Amber for more FMM!

Friend Making Mondays

This week's question is:

What is your favorite Halloween Candy?

This year we did not hand any candy out. We went trick or treating with friends and were not home. I get to raid my kids' candy instead....

Head on over to visit Amber for more FMM!

Friend Makin Mondays

This weeks question is what makes me happy?
Oh many, many things.

My family (they make me so happy we are expecting an addition in June 2010!!!)

Sleeping late and waking up to a clean kitchen

Fall leaves

The first snow (even if it is in October)

Friends

An empty laundry basket

Walks during the fall weather

Baking cookies


Thanks Amber for hosting Friend Makin Mondays!

Friend Making Mondays

This week Amber asked

What are your hobbies? What do you wish that you knew how to do?

My hobbies are:

reading

watching tv

scrapbooking

baking

gardening

write on my blog

Things I would love to learn to do:

decorate cakes

quilt

sew

knit- I know the basics but I don't take the time to learn more

Go visit Amber more Friend Makin' Monday