Playdoh Pretties?

I wanted to start sharing my large batches of playdoh with my friends so...in thinking of how best to share I came up with this idea. I save all containers---it's sort of a teacher curse, I think. Anyhew, I like how these Cascade containers open but they don't provide a great seal. Since I always recommend keeping playdoh in Ziplock anyway...this worked. AND...I could include the recipe on the container. A little bit of scrapebook paper and wahlah!




I keep large amounts of varying colors in an ice cream jug. So, while I was at it, I prettied it too!

Marriage Monday...

I decided to join the bandwagon/permalink from Chrysalis' site once again. I even linked myself all up this time. (Thanks Beckie for the assistance attaching the buttons to my page!)

Chrysalis says- "Essentially, tell us what you've discovered about the importance of romance and intimacy to your marriage."

I've realized that I never fully understood the importance of romance and intimacy in marriage before our children were born. Sure, I liked the romance and intimacy--and sure we probably had more time for it all but NOW I see the importance of "toning down the tension, and tuning up the tenderness." It builds us up and makes us stronger!

We've really committed, after the birth of our second child, to go on a monthly date. I know, I have friends who go weekly--and I'm awed and amazed-- but monthly works best for us. We're both home bodies, bookworms, and self proclaimed nerds...so time alone in the evenings after the kids are in bed is also wonderful to us. I created a little seating area in our master bedroom and it has become our quiet spot...away from the TV and noise of the ever running dishwasher!

I reached a point where planning everything about the dates was grating on me so I volunteered to set the date and babysitter if he'd plan the date. WOW--was he ever up to the challenge. I now call him my date night guru! Cheap dates or expensive...it's just good to get out. We focus on each other..and for a tiny bit forget all the responsibilties on our shoulders. We love each other--"Oh yeah, I remember you!"

We've found that regular open conversations about the "tensions" in our lives helps them to not grow to unreasonable levels. Also, tuning into each other and planning to be tender helps us respond better to "stressful" news!

It freaks me out to be considered a "marriage counselor" in any way...but if someone can benefit from the things we do...I'm grateful!

Diaper Cake Recipe

I made a diaper cake for my friend's baby shower tomorrow. This is the second diaper cake I've made. I received one for each sweet baby of my own--and think they are soooo cute! The surprising thing is that they are soooo easy! No joke, really!

I'll even share the recipe....

Diaper Cake Recipe

67 diapers--I use Luvs size 4 because Luvs are almost white and kids are in 4s the longest.
Three spools of ribbon.--I chose pink and purple grosgrain, and a thin pink polka dotted.
1 Package baby wash clothes--I chose a mixed girl pack.
1 pack Ouchless hair ties.--cuz they're light pastel.
3 rubber bands--one normal, one medium and one LARGE.
Cake Topper--I chose cute pink shoes. I've done bows and that requires skills!
Cardboard Circle--Mine is ~18 inches and is covered with alum. foil.
Scotch Tape--I only used it for securing under the ribbons.

Roll Diapers--top inward--so they end up square. Yes, it takes a while to roll 67 but you'll make it!
Put a hair band around halfway to secure each roll.

Group Tiers

Top Tier--1 in center, seven around--total 8 (Normal Rubber band)

Middle Tier--1 in center, six around.... (Medium Rubber band) add twelve---total 19

Bottom Tier--1 in center, six around... (LARGE Rubber band) add 13....add 20---total 40

Total Diaper count...67.

Assemble tiers--set them on top of each other and smooth washclothes around for added color. Tuck them under the rubberbands--cuz it'll all be hidden by the ribbon anyway.

NOW THE FUN PART...

Decoration:

Use wider ribbon and scotch tape to wrap cake and cover rubber bands. I went around with two different colors just to make sure you couldn't see them.

Make bows. As you can tell, mine are sort of quaint but cute!

Use hair things or baby clothespins, etc. to secure ribbon to rubber bands...if you're interested in extra security and cuteness.

For boys...wrap the ribbon vertically then you don't have to worry about bows or security as much.

Be free and fun with this. I planned on doing another bow for the top but saw these shoes and fell in love with the idea. It turned out cute.

Viola--a cake!

Darren made a little cardboard circle for Emma--and Caleb enjoys snatching it from her and running! Very funny! I asked her why she was yelling and she said, "He, him--he took my Seekle" I couldn't figure it out. She said, "Ya know, like a triangle!" Ohhhhh!

Politics, politics...

I can't stand this time of year. Don't get me wrong...I'm proud to be an American--and I always vote (prego or carting kids along, rain or shine, etc.) It's times like this I wish we paid money for TV 'cuz I'd be watching Fox and not the liberal media that comes in on my bunny ears! Ugh--they are horrible! Unbiased, my foot! They don't even follow their candidates lead on this whole Bristol Palin issue. Leave it alone...man! As I try to change my language--and how I think about wording my feelings on all issues--I guess I'll say, "THEY ARE ACTING LIKE BIG MEANIES!" See, I didn't attack them just their behavior!

I'll be voting McCain/Palin--for many reasons. Probably top on the list is I'm incredibly, completely, totally PRO LIFE! Both have shown real fortitude on this issue. McCain has adopted children and Palin has a Down Syndrome baby and a supported pregnant teen. I hope she blows everyone's socks off tonight with her speech!

However, all of my opinions aside...I would be remiss to not mention that none of this politics stuff means a "hill of beans" in the grand scheme of things. God is in control. Jesus Christ is the only answer to our country's problems--our eternal salvation. Set your site on any politician and you'll be disappointed one way or the other. I think we should be involved but there isn't any point in getting all hot and bothered about what we can't control. Don't worry, I'm really talking to myself. I need to be reminded that I'm not in control of these elections, this country, or anything else. God is in control! I need to be faithful to Christ, above all!

I listen to my Dad's sermons online and I thought I'd quote him.

"Man, we get really excited about politics. These politicians...I don't care who they are, what party they're in...They are not going to get it done folks! They are just human beings. And the system is corrupt and there are all sorts of things that are going to happen BUT Jesus Christ provides everlasting life. And even if we achieved a perfect society, people would still die and go to hell. But not if they believed in Jesus Christ and were saved."

I was challenged to question myself about how I present Christ in my life to others. I know I readily discuss politics but am I as excited about Jesus Christ? I know a Man who rose from the dead, who provides everlasting life! Am I as excited about Jesus Christ as McCain/Palin?

OOOoooo allergy meds....

My allergies have hit with a vengeance this year! It seems that every other Fall I can't breath through both nostrils!

Argh...sniff sniff snorK!

My head is snap, cracklin' and poppin'! Soooo, I took allergy meds and now I'm dizzier than a coot!

And...this leads me into various weird creative thoughts!

For example, Darren sat me down with calendars and marked out the time that he will be away in the next two months...first to China and then to Chicago. So, of course, I'm already bemoaning the fact that he's going to be gone. But, here's where the drugs kick in, now I'm singing that song from Shrek in my head, and yes, aloud....

"Oh, I'm all alone, there's no one here beside me....My problems have all gone, there's no one to deride me. But ya gotta have friends..."

My version...
"Gonna be all alone, no one here beside me...My problems not what's gone, there still here beside me. I really need some friends..."

Weird, and then ridiculously funny! I "wrote" some similar songs while nursing my newborns and still on pain killer Narcs. Good grief! Maybe I should go lay down for a nap.

Sniff, snork, ugh!

Featured Father...

My Dad recently wrote a great blog that I thought I'd share with ya'll. I thought it was a good example of an easy idea that kept me thinking and looking at myself.

So, what kind of pen are you....?

Pens That Won't Write
by Pastor David Denny

I pick up a pen to jot down a note.
Some pens write and some pens don't.

What now? My pen is skipping.

I write over the line of words again - and again. I press harder. I scribble in the corner of the page. I shake the pen.

I try again.

It makes me wonder how the Lord feels when He tries to use me in His service. Sometimes I serve well to spell out God's glory. Sometimes I dry up and God's line is blurred by my inconsistent life.

Maybe that is when I feel pressured because the Lord has to press harder on me to get His work done. Maybe that is when I find myself retracing my steps to get it right - or even scribbling in a corner until I get done skipping.

I like a fresh new pen and a clean sheet of paper!

I want to be that fresh new pen in God's hand on the clean page of each new day!

No skipping. No blobs or blots. I'll be ready and responsive to His every impulse. I'll put down exactly what He intends. I won't fade out early. I want every word and action to follow my Master's will.

(Psalms 19:14) "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer."

Allergic Scare!

Last night we had an allergic scare with poor baby Caleb.



Right around bedtime--about 8--he started to itch his face and turn red and hivey. We'd just given him Zyrtec so I wasn't too keen on giving him Benedryl (I now know I can do that if I need to) so when he got raspy I decided to run him over to the ER about two minutes away.



As I carried him in he started having convulsions so they took him from me. He was laid out on a table--being prepped for an IV--and I was scared! They had me help hold him down--I hate that but wouldn't think of leaving my sweet baby either. They stuck him for the IV and he screamed and then threw up everywhere.



The Dr. saw this happen and said it was some sort of reaction where your body produces the adrenaline it needs to open the airways. Caleb got rapidly better at this point. He was given a steroid shot in his thigh and then threw up again--all over me. I now am the happy owner of small blue scrubs! They gave him anti nausea meds and we waited for an hour while his vitals got better.

Many things they said for next time---call the squad, use the Epi pin, get him off soy, don't take risks!

SO, today we saw the allergist and we are off soy and on some other things to help clear him up. It's soooo scary but I'm just praising God he is okay! Poor sweet baby. Thanks for you prayers!