Can I just say that I LOVE IKEA?!? I have never lived so close to one before and it is one of our most favorite places.
In Kentucky our "hang out" place was Barnes & Noble. The kids would play with the trains while I read or checked up on emails, and we'd always take home a book or two. The BN here (in baby central, go figure) has NO chairs by the train table. Apparently they don't want you "hanging out" in their store. So...we had to find a new place to chill. And find one we did.
IKEA offers FREE childcare for one hour (at least for two of my three boys)! After our first visit Ethan said "this is better than Thanksgiving Point!" It is seriously genius. I can shop with only one little rugrat and it is impossible to leave the store without buying something (even if only their dark chocolate bar, YUM).
So, not only is there free childcare while you shop, but on Tuesdays kids eat free. That's right FREE. Monday they serve FREE breakfast until 11. And when we're out doing other errands and lunchtime approaches, we can swing by for a 50 cent hot dog and they all fall asleep on the way home.
They also have a huge train table with couches for me to sit. We could seriously hang out all day long with all the fun things for kids to do. We go at least once a week, although last week we went three times! I've got a long list of things to buy between now and when we leave here (might have to upgrade from a trailer to a full size uhaul!) and although I try to spread it out over my visits, it's impossible to get out with just one or two things!
I used to dread turning another year older, but the thirties have been the best years of my life (so far!) and I wouldn't go back to the twenties for anything. Plus, I have a reason to spoil myself!
I got these beautiful flowers from my handsome hubby. I feel so spoiled, he sent me two dozen
roses last month also! They smell heavenly and brighten my day every time I see them.
And this fabulous camera bag! No more hanging my camera off the end of the stroller and having it knocked to the ground when child jumps unexpectedly out of it. No more shoving it in the diaper bag and praying no sippy cups spill on it. No more forgetting my camera bag at photoshoots...Love it!
The other night Ethan wanted to sleep in my room. (I've made a deal with him that he can sleep in my room once a week.) It was getting late and he was still wide awake staring at the ceiling. I asked him what he was thinking about and he said he was missing daddy. So we talked about all the things we missed.
In the morning he drew this picture for me. I asked "are we sad?" he said, "yes, we're missing daddy and our house in Kentucky".
Notice the thought bubbles to a stick figure of daddy and a little house. So cute!
We're all just a little homesick for our daddy, our friends and our old home!
Then this morning, he handed me this little note. I love my little five year old artist.
Christmas came early for me this year. My handsome little three-year old knocked my camera off the desk and the lens guts popped out and my other lens was acting up...I was wanting a new camera anyway, so I went camera shopping...
I have always been a Canon fan and would really love to have the 5D Mark II, however I've decided to devote my time to my family rather than pursue my photography business right now, so I can't really justify that expense.
So...after much research it appears that Nikon makes better semi-professional cameras (although I still believe Canon makes better professional level cameras). So I felt like a complete traitor, but I made the switch! I sold all my Canon equipment (including my beautiful 70-200 lens) and purchased this Nikon D7000.
I was surprised at how easy it was for me to learn the buttons on the Nikon (kind of like switching from pc to mac) and now I LOVE my camera. I don't regret switching at all. It takes great pictures and I have been able to get some great shots even in low light. It also has video mode, which I honestly don't use much, but it's a nice feature to have. Here are a few shots I've taken lately...
Did you know that Santa was a mormon? He totally is. He came to our ward Christmas party last night. The boys have gone to Disney World so many times that they love anyone in costume, especially one bearing sweet treats.
Grant ran ahead before anyone could catch him and jumped up on his lap (even though a little girl was already there) he saw candy and wasn't going to let anything stand in his way.
Joshua's little face lit up the first time he saw Santa. He loves anyone in costume. You should have seen him following the Easter Bunny around last year when we visited the nursing home. It was hilarious.
My kids don't really know about asking Santa for things yet, but Ethan was trying really hard to come up with something to ask for. I'll keep their sweet innocence as long as I can!
In case you haven't finished up the rest of your Christmas shopping, here are a few ideas for the ladies and little ones on your list:
These stylish aprons from Sarah Sews with Love- and for a good cause! Purchase one for yourself or for a friend and know that you are helping a little boy receive his much needed diabetes medication!
I am making this for my boys (don't tell!) They will each get their own and can push together for one long table. Idea from Meet the Dubiens blog. It's the best I've seen and IKEA tables were on sale for $7/each!
I'm guest posting over at The Things I Love today! Kendra has some fabulous ideas for getting in the Christmas spirit from acts of service to Christmas books and movies and scripture countdown chains. Head on over to see what our family is doing to try and focus on Christ this Christmas!
P.S. the winner of The 5,000 Year Leap was chosen by Random.org and was comment #3 Annmarie (who just happens to be one of my best friends)! Congratulations! I will get you your prize ;)
I went to Festival of Trees this last week. There is such an amazing display of Christmas trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, and more! All the proceeds go to Primary Children's Hospital, such a great cause and a fun way to start the holiday season!
The Lego tree was a big hit with the boys, and fortunately there were lots of trains too!
I love this frame idea- I'm so doing this when I get my own house again!
My super active five year old has started taking Tae Kwon Do. It's so cute to see him all dressed up in his uniform learning Korean words and being complimented for yelling like the wild boy he is!
Have you started your Christmas traditions yet? What are you waiting for? December is HERE! Need some ideas? Kendra over at The Things I Love has some fabulous ideas for making Christmas special and especially for remembering what Christmas is really about. And I will be guest posting for her sometime this month! Be sure to check out all her great ideas, starting with the scripture countdown chain.
Do you have a say in what your children will or will not be taught in schools? Do you have a right to your child's medical information? Do you have the right to teach your child religious values? Should CPS be allowed to remove children from homes where there is no clear evidence of abuse?
There are some who assume that since the constitution doesn't specifically include rights for parents that means they don't have any rights. If you think you have the right to make decisions for your child, watch this video. Your parental rights are being infringed upon and this is just the beginning. Take a stand now before the generation of entitled children has so many "rights" that they start making decisions for you.
I am not a conspiracy theorist and I don't think the government is out to get me. I think that in this world there are a few evil people and a lot of dumb people. Unfortunately both types tend to gravitate toward positions of authority. Personally I don't want either evil or dumb people making decisions for me and my family.
Politics has never been something that interested me. I have been pretty content to live my nice little life and let the politicians worry about that boring stuff. It wasn't until I read Skousen's book The 5,000 Year Leap that my eyes were opened to the ideas and principles this nation was founded on and the deterioration of those fundamental principles. They didn't want the career politicians that we have today- they wanted people who loved this country and were willing to offer their services for the sake of it. I realized that if I do not get involved not only am I subject to the laws that those people make but I can't even complain about it because I sat back and watched it happen (or buried my head in the sand so I couldn't see it happening).
Unfortunately the majority of young voters have no idea about the principles this country was founded on. Many simply want a free handout and don't take the time to realize that someone (you and I) has to pay for it. If only they could see the future implications of a government that "takes care" of you. And the majority of voters that do care and that do have strong values and principles are often silent.
I have commited myself to pulling my head out of the sand, start paying attention and do something. You might think that as a busy mom you can't make a difference. But it is mothers who can and should be making these decisions. We care about the future generation because we are raising them. We have a right to decide the kind of world our children will grow up in. Politics is not something for professionals and academics, it's for us, the people.
It really doesn't take much effort. Simply educating onesself on the issues, researching and choosing a political candidate for president who supports values and ideas the founding fathers would approve of, and writing your congressmen on important issues. Don't leave the job of educating your children on political issues and the founding of America to the schools, you are their best teacher (clearly they didn't do a good job educating us about government and politics).There are also organizations you can join such as American Family Association who will email you about family related issues as well as provide information on what you can do to help.
Still not convinced this is important? Need a little motivation?
One reader will receive a free copy of Skousen's 5,000 Year Leap!
