Christmas Music Link

Has it SERIOUSLY been over a MONTH since I've been blogged!?  Could it be the new house, self-induced concussion or Thanksgiving that slowed me down?  Put 'em all together and, yeah.

But to make up for it, here's something FREE for you! 

Look what I discovered while hangin' out on the world wide web today....a Christmas music link!

http://soundcloud.com/joshua-messick1/carol-of-the-bells-god-rest-ye?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook&utm_content=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fjoshua-messick1%2Fcarol-of-the-bells-god-rest-ye

You can buy Josh's CDs at http://www.joshuamessick.com/.  Nice!

Birthing Pumpkin - Is this creatively cute or imaginatively innappropriate?

Yes it's Halloween time, and there are lots of cute pumpkiny-fall things out there.  We're not big into Halloween at our house, and with a move there's not even a pumpkin peaking around my porch!  Horror!  *winks*

My cousin had this pic up on his Facebook and I just had to steal it.  Being a mom who obviously has given birth, this just struck me.  Honestly, I couldn't decide if it was hilarious or horrible? 

At first I looked closer to figure it out what it was.  Then I giggled.  Then I said, "Ew, uhmmmm.?" with my eyebrows raised, nosed crinkled.

Gotta give props for being "one of a kind" to the creator(s) of this lady-kin.

What do you think?  Please, leave me a post with your reaction.  I'd love to see if you're laughing or loathing.

Kitchen Inspiration

After hours of pouring over the internet looking for kitchen inspiration...here are some of my favorites!  Our newly remodeled kitchen has some finishing touches still needed - oh, and most importantly, it must be lived in!  *smiles*

Vintage.  White and grey.  Wood.  Stainless.  Industrial.

Hope you enjoy these pics, AND you get a general idea of what MY new kitchen looks like!  (To a more homey and budget scale, naturally.)

Heavenly Child

My Heaven baby was due this week.  Today I'm remembering and missing my baby.  I don't think you ever get over losing an unborn, no matter how far along you were. 

I'm remembering the positive pregnancy test, how I told Daddy, the belly pics on the beach in Hawaii, the nausea, when the bleeding started and then that dreaded moment when the doctor kept looking, and kept looking at the ultrasound.  The silence, the polite facial expression.  Evidence, without words, that my baby was in Heaven.

I got to "hold" my baby for 12 weeks.  Now Jesus will hold this child until I get to meet them in Heaven.  A great place to wait, don't ya think?

I love you, my little unborn, my Heaven child.

Some New Site Discoveries

During our new house remodel, I have basically been away from the internet.  Too busy with contractors, color and style schemes, I sadly gave up the blog/online world.  But, now after packing up more dishes, I've had a few moments to sit and surf!

Look at some of the sites I've discovered in the last 15 minutes...

http://www.thisismykea.com/

Awesome ways to personalize that wonderful, awful IKEA furniture!  I'm always wanting better quality, but always loving their prices.  Do I hear an, "Amen!" out there?  *smiles*  Between and rock and a hard place here.  (Vintage or antique, honestly, is so much better.)

And this cute kids decor and accessories site.

http://www.littlebabycompany.com/



And this clothing company we've just found...

http://www.hm.com/us/department/KIDS

Top - from H&M

http://www.hm.com/us/s/01P333

Long-sleeved top with printed design and appliqué at front and a roll-edge neckline.

www.hm.com

Scarf - from H&M

http://www.hm.com/us/s/01RSBI

Knit scarf with stuffed animal head on one end.

www.hm.com

Anyway, it's impressive how a few minutes online will get your imagination and creative juices flowin'!

Maybe these sites are old news to you - but for me - inspiration.

Reason for my silence...

We bought a new home! 

That's right - we'll it's not new, new - about 20 years old.  But it's new and lovely to us.

Remodeling is weeeeell under way.  Instead of stretching things out over the next few years, we decided to get it all done NOW!  *whew*  (Except for the master bath, that we'll have to wait on for a little bit.)

There are so many little details I didn't even know I had to think through!

God has led us to some wonderful craftsmen who do lovely work at good prices - we were even able to squeeze into our budget crown moulding in the entire downstairs, bead board in the breakfast room, laundry room built ins, window seats upstairs AND built in shelving in the reading nook!  Uh huh, affordable.  SUCH a huge blessing, and a it leaves me EXCITED to move in!

I have been taking pictures, just forgot to bring my card reader today.

As I have time I'll begin posting pictures of the remodel soon.

Did I mention the house sits on just over 2 acres?  *smiles*

Sippy Cup Product Review

For the most part, the majority of sippy cups claim to be spill proof. 

We've tried all of the above...literally!  *winks*  And ya know what? 

They all leak! 

All over the car seat or car floor, in the crib, the playroom rug, etc.

Totally by accident I stumbled upon a cup that lives up to it's advertising!

Mommy had finally had enough of bottles.  Granted they only came out at nap and bedtime, but it was time they were gone!  For two weeks I "prepped" my little girl that one day the bottles would have to go "bye bye."  That day came.  She hugged and kissed her night-night bottle and then was happy to accept her new Pooh sippy cup, to be used only at naps and for night-night.  (Whew!  Thank You, Jesus!)

Walking through the cup isle at Wal-Mart this was the only Pooh sippy I could find that day.  She's NOT "into" Dora or Disney Princesses so Pooh was my natural choice.  Leary of having ANOTHER leaky cup in her crib I watched this one carefully.  Miracle of miracles - not a drip spilled all night long! 

Lots of shaking and turning up-side-down and the like has gone into my opinion.  

So...stop spending your money on trying sippy cup after sippy cup....

 The Playtex Twist n' Click rises above all others!

You can buy this cup insulated or just regular plastic.  We have both.

So there you have my advise.  Cups are spendy.  Some kids are picky.  It costs a lot to keep trying and failing.  We have finally found one that makes Mommy and Baby happy!  (The price is still too high for little plastic cups I think, but they all are!)

If your kid prefers a straw, there is also that option available!  Neat!

Product Overview:
The Insulator - with the Twist 'n Click feature - simply twist the lid on the cup until you hear and feel the lid click closed, then you'll know the cup is 100% leak-proof. Designed For Baby:-Thin, tapered spout is ideal for little mouths-Insulated to keep drinks cool and fresh longer-Easy to activate - liquid flows easily when child sips-Stage 3-12+ months Designed For Mom:-Durable cup is 100% break proof-Lid is interchangeable with all Playtex Twist 'n Click cups-All parts are dishwasher safe-Patented spill-proof valve eliminates messes and is easy to clean 9 oz Cup

For the Disney Princess Insulated Cup...
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000026578452&pid=10694&adurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.overstockdrugstore.com%2Fpassthrough.php%3Furl%3Dproducts%2FPlaytex-Baby-The-Insulator-Twist-'n-Click-Spout-Cup%252CDisney-Princess%252C-9-oz.html%26prodid%3D10694%26cvsfhu%3D3130363934&usg=AFHzDLtydX67xpclVkuQr1Y6PsYTQqJ4Yg&pubid=21000000000391365"><img src="http://www.overstockdrugstore.com/product_images/j/078300057734.jpg%22/%3E%3C/a>

For the Disney Cars Insulated Cup...
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000026578452&pid=7543&adurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.overstockdrugstore.com%2Fpassthrough.php%3Furl%3Dproducts%2FPlaytex-The-Insulator-Twist-'n-Click-9-oz-Cup%252C-Disney-Cars.html%26prodid%3D7543%26cvsfhu%

**I was in no way compensated for this review.