Happy Halloween, brought to you by Thomas and Friends...

WIWW {and a little bit about the weekend}

So, if you follow a mommy-blog or two, you'll know that there is a  Wednesday link-up over at the Pleated Poppy Blog called, "What I Wore  Wednesday". There are a handful of blogs I will check out on Wednesday,  knowing that 1) I like their style and 2) I am going to like their ideas  and get out of yoga pants at least once a few times during the week.

I have to just put out there that I still feel a little bit silly with these posts, but it has been fun and a good learning experience all at the same time (and creating this post is ten minutes of something I just have "fun" with during the day). And. I got an e-mail today thanking me for posting about the scarf (oh, hi, Kate ;)), so I figure, at least one person reads these! I only photographed one outfit this week, but I did manage to capture a couple of things about my weekend.

Cardigan: J.Crew (Jackie cardigan) I purchased this one about six years ago, wear it a ton and it is still looks brand new. It's a little pricier, but it's classic and it seems to be lasting forever... On that note, most of the staples in my closet seem to be J. Crew from way back in my working days, and it's because you are buying a quality item. But, there are always discount codes and sales, so take advantage!
Button-up: Old Navy (similar) I purchased this at the end of spring/beginning of summer, when I had a coupon. I had looked at it a few other times, and finally caved. Then, I wore it. And felt like a farmer. Hopefully this look is a little bit more subtle.
Belt: TJ Maxx (um, $4. Yup.)
Denim pants: Gap Outlet (are we noticing a trend)
Ring: H&M (went there this weekend. spent an hour and a half, at least.)
M constantly tells me, when I wear anything in addition to my wedding ring, "Mom, see ring? Mom, you see ring? See ring? M have ring?" Especially this one.
Shoes: Payless (AGES ago, long before I became a mom, they are wedges and have been around long enough to go from in style, to out of style, to back in style. I'd like to think that makes them vintage. But, more or less just a good buy. similar)

This weekend was kind of a whirlwind of activity. Friday afternoon Jon took the boys out to the farm to do chores and ride in the combine, and I ran away to Chicagoland for the weekend. Visited two of my very best friends. Spent Friday night catching up with one (eating some authentic Italian food and enjoying a glass of wine, or two), followed by Starbucks and some shopping on Saturday. Then it was off to a baby shower for my other friend. SO fun. Baby showers are the best. I could ooh and aaah over baby gifts all day long. Just something about fresh baby clothes, blankies and gear really gets me.

So, back to the shopping on Saturday. And the painting in the background of my photo. Y'all. Have you ever been to "Home Goods"? I died. Given unlimited funds, I could have gone CUHrazy in there. And, need to go back. Stat. It is owned by TJ Maxx, but it is all ... well... "home goods". Anyway, picked up the snazzy painting above. It just would not let me leave with out it. I mean, it begged. And then so did I. And it came home with me. Also? A little trip to H&M finished off the pre-noon activity. Now, time to meet Baby C (in eight short weeks!).

Quick update on the boys...

Can be found here... Enjoy!

WIWW... a word on tunics

So, if you follow a mommy-blog or two, you'll know that there is a Wednesday link-up over at the Pleated Poppy Blog called, "What I Wore Wednesday". There are a handful of blogs I will check out on Wednesday, knowing that 1) I like their style and 2) I am going to like their ideas and get out of yoga pants at least once a few times during the week.

Which, I discovered this week, is even more important, when I met someone that I had a kind of important connection to, and I had on black yoga pants and a fleece jacket... in public, and not to the gym. It's silly, but I was a teensy bit embarrassed.

There were three photographed outfits this week, and two of them were total duds. The really good part of that? I won't repeat them erroneously thinking they were super cute! Individually all of the pieces still work, but the way I had put them together, not so much.One thing that I am quickly learning, as I photograph my outfits, is that there are certain colors that just don't work for me and that patterns aren't really working well for me. I have a terrible habit of buying without trying on, because I think something is cute, in the store...


Tunic: Target, early spring
Necklace: Forever 21, two years ago
Skinnies: Gap Outlet (I have two pair of them, love love love. and... they're always at least 40% off)
Flip-flops: Target, probably two years ago, as well

What I learned from this outfit. It's super comfortable, but I need longer tunic tanks for underneath. With a sheer top, I am not a fan of being able to see where my tank ends and jeans begin. I think it breaks up the look.

Wore this to Kindermusik & the chiropractor (more to share on that later). So comfy.

Toddler Tuesday: The Extra-Cirriculars

I have been struggling with balance lately. The balance between staying at home during the day and the desire to be out. The struggle between staying indoors and tackling the to-do list or going outside and enjoying the sunshine. The balance between planned activities for the boys and "free play". A lot of it has to do with moving again. Trying to make new friends again. Discovering all the activities available for small children.

I feel like where we are at, there is so much. And, I don't know when things begin, where to sign up, what we should be doing.Are my children missing out on a great opportunity? It's overwhelming. And it tempts me to do nothing at all (that's kind of what I do when I get overwhelmed, I shut down).

And then there were mornings like yesterday's. M wakes up at 5 a.m. to go potty. Cries every time we try to put him back to bed. I decide, I'm wide awake anyway, mine as well get up with him. Leave for Kindermusik around 8:40, M decides he's tired. Doesn't want to participate. We leave class to re-group and try again. M hides behind O's stroller, I quietly lean in to encourage him to join the group, he smacks me across the face.

Cue: Judgmental glances from other moms.

Instinctively my hand grabs M's wrist, harder than I intend or would like. My heart cracks a little bit. M's eyes get wide. He screams. My mind races: what do I do? what would that mom do? does she think I hurt my children? do we leave, or would that make a scene? will they think I'm too extreme? will they think I'm a pushover if we stay? don't they realize he was up at 5 a.m., and really, I mean really, he's a very sweet boy? do they understand that we're just having a bad morning? Shortly thereafter, M climbs in to O's stroller and starts acting like he is a baby, and he's the oldest child in the class. The example setter. I look at my watch, still so.much.time.left.

Then comes the quiet song. The one where you hold your child on your lap and rock. And M snuggles right in. Hugs my neck tight, snuggles his little face in to the crook of my neck and my face gets warm and my eyes fill with tears. He whispers, "I love you, too, Mommy." I turn my head and fight off the urge to have a good cry right there in front of everyone (because then maybe they would really think I was crazy). And I feel convicted. My son is two. Soon to be three, but still two. And I love him so much. And I realize why do I care what these people think? I don't. 

And then I think "over programming". I'm going to be on the run with these boys for the next eighteen years. From one extra cirricular to another. I need to slow down and savor these moments where we don't have to be anywhere or do anything that we don't want to do at any certain time.

In His perfect timing, He used MOPS to send this message to my inbox. I'm going to pray over this message, and pray that you'll take the time to look at it. Because I think its relevant whether you are a mom, or not. Meet God right where you are at.

Pumpkin Goodness

sorry... camera phone.

A couple of weeks ago, Jon was out of town on a Friday night for a conference, so I baked the night away. Earlier in that week I had purchased four cans of pumpkin because every ounce of my being was craving pumpkin flavored things, even though it was still practically 90 degrees outside.

Topping my list was pumpkin scones. I was going to double the batch and send some to friends, but I had to make sure they turned out worth a darn first (read: I am absolutely not domestic and I am shocked that they did not taste like dirt). So, now that they turned out a success, watch your mailbox, Heidi (also, this post is for you).

Pinterest is like my new Google. I typed in "pumpkin scones" and found a beautiful photo of Starbucks look alike pumpkin scones, and a somewhat confusing to follow recipe (the only thing I changed was replacing half of the flour with whole wheat flour). Now, my frosting didn't turn out as beautiful as that of the scones pictured on the recipe site, but I'm assuming those aren't real scones anyway. And mine, combined with a steaming cup of cinnamon spice coffee, were so stinkin' yummy. {if I were to change one thing, it would be using milk in the icing because I think refrigerating these puppies was kind of a bummer}

So yummy that now this is on my wishlist. Gasp I am either becoming slightly domestic or old. Because the other items on my current wishlist are queen size white sheets and an area rug.

In other news: Last night I ordered the Leap Frog LeapPad for M for Christmas. And, I am so excited about it that I'm not sure I'll be able to wait that long to give it to him. Ridiculous.

Faith Growing Reads

At the beginning of October, I had the opportunity to speak at a MOPS Community Event (leadership training) for the greater Des Moines area. The theme of the event was "Your Life Speaks" and my speaking topic was simply "Lifestyle Evangelism". A broad topic, but as soon as I really put my hands together in prayer about what to say the Holy Spirit took over for me, in a big way. In the weeks leading up to the event, I would be sitting in church listening to the message, sifting through the verses in the Bible and I would hear "this would be good for MOPS" or "use this for your MOPS talk".

I have had opportunities to speak to crowds in the past. Hello, Master's degree. It was either paper writing or presentations, every day. And there were two semesters of teaching intro-level accounting at Drake. But this opportunity was different.

I have always loved sharing my faith in conversation, even if it is a complete stranger. You never know who's life may change when you let the Spirit speak through you. There is passion in conversation about Jesus. It's inevitable.

So, I spoke to this group of Mom's. A few days prior, Satan really started pushing against me. You're probably the youngest mom there. They don't care what you have to say. Who are you to speak about your faith, when you fail all of the time? You have the least leadership experience of any of these people. Your oldest kid is only three, how could you really have anything to teach these people. 

Well, lucky for me, Satan, this isn't about ME.

The night before, as I dutifully picked out my outfit, gathered my belongings and quadruple checked the address of the church it came to me that I should bring in some of the books {other than the Bible} that have grown my faith "Faith Growing Reads", if you will. And, because these four books have had such a great impact on my life, I thought I would share them here, too.

Love & Respect
During our first year of marriage, I worked and traveled for work, a lot. I lived and breathed my day job with a little bit of time to sleep and squeeze in some exercise. On one of these late evenings, I was listening to Life 107.1 and a Focus on the Family segment was on. The talk was moving enough that I immediately ordered the book they were talking about, Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. This book really grew my faith, most importantly in the area of being a wife and serving my husband. An eye-opener that I am so thankful God placed in my life in the very beginning of our journey as husband and wife.

Successful Christian Parenting
Coincidentally (but not, because God planned it), on another late drive home from work, mid-pregnancy with M, another Focus on the Family segment was on, this time John MacArthur, from Grace To You ministries, discussing his book Successful Christian Parenting. I loved this at the time, and still do, because it is not a "if your kid is strong-willed" or "if your kid is sensitive" or "change your child's behavior by doing this". It was simply, no matter who you are, where you are from, or what special needs you may have this is what the Bible says about parenting. I love anything that can point me right to a verse in the Bible for reference. In fact, now the book's title has changed to "What the Bible Says About Parenting".

Fearless
Max Lucado has the ability to grow my faith every time he opens his mouth or picks up a pen. But, of all of his books, that I have read, "Fearless" had, hands down, the biggest impact on my faith. I think as women we tend to fear {worry} more about things, both big and small. Many times, our fears or worries are so unrealistic and Satan is planting stories and ideas in our heads.


"Fearless" was placed in my lap by my amazing Bible study small group back in Des Moines. When this book was placed in my lap it was a very visible sign of God's perfect timing. Because we started reading it in January of 2010 and life in Des Moines was, for the most part, stable. But during the first six weeks of reading and studying this book along side of the Word, God rocked our world.

Jon's job security changed. The house we were planning to buy fell through. We started taking "Financial Peace University". We moved two hours from "home" and left our church family and friends, my sister, and life as we knew it to start a new journey. Oh, and all the while I was just about to give birth to sweet O. God knew all of this was going to happen, and He also knew that we could handle it with more grace because of the words he had given Max Lucado for this book.

Financial Peace
Dave Ramsey. The man's work has changed our family tree, if you will. Everything that you will read in Financial Peace is common sense, there is nothing in this book that is revolutionary information. But Dave has a way of teaching it to you and presenting the information that compels you to change and be a responsible steward of the gifts that God has given to you. And, speaking for Jon and I, to simply GROW UP. We started FPU at the same time as "Fearless", once again not aware of the rapid change ahead of us. We started it at a time where we did have fear. Fear of not having enough.

A little bit of "What I Wore Wednesday" {scarf style}

So, if you follow a mommy-blog or two, you'll know that there is a Wednesday link-up over at the Pleated Poppy Blog called, "What I Wore Wednesday". There are a handful of blogs I will check out on Wednesday, knowing that 1) I like their style and 2) I am going to like their ideas and get out of yoga pants at least once a few times during the week. {Actually, in all honesty, last summer/fall/winter I was in a serious funk of dressing in sweats. My main excuse is that in the late summer I had just had a baby, so I wore what was comfy and hid the tummy mush. My second excuse is that I was training for a half-marathon and if I put on my running clothes first thing in the morning, it was good motivation to get that day's training run done (even if it happened at 8 p.m. and I wore those clothes all day). My third excuse is that it just became habit.}

And then, I started looking in the mirror and not really loving what I was seeing. I decided to try the 30 x 30 challenge that Heidi and Kelsey had participated in, in the fall, conjured up by Kendi @ Kendi Everyday. Once I started photographing my outfits, I realized that a lot of what I was wearing wasn't really my style at all. I would look at the pictures and not feel that good about them. The challenge taught me quite a bit actually...

One, that it is okay to get a little bit dressed up during the week, even if I am a SAHM. It makes me feel better about myself, which leads to a better mood for taking care of my babes and being more productive at home. And that it's not shallow to care about your appearance. You know, so that when you go to the grocery store, you don't have to do the "duck and hide", you can actually give a confident "Hello!" when you see a friend or acquaintance. So, recently I "30 x 30'ed" myself again, mostly to spend a bit more time in my closet figuring out what is "my" style versus what I think is cute on others or at the store on a mannequin. And, because frankly, it's really easy to get dressed in the morning when your favorite basic pieces of your wardrobe are right in front of your face.

Also, the little bit of money I have received from taking clothes to consignment has been fun! And, if you are in my area, be sure to check out the local Goodwill for some other cute lil duds.

All of this to say... Today I am posting just a little snippet of an outfit that I wore, a couple of weeks ago, to go to dinner and a movie with a couple of mom-friends. The main thing that I wanted to photograph is this cute, and super simple, way to tie a scarf, that I, of course, found on Pinterest and quickly copied.

Inspiration from Basic Cravings via Pinterest.

Bathroom photography by me. You're welcome.

Scarf ... not sure, Target, years ago?

And, just because I said I was getting "dressed up" doesn't mean it didn't still involve a sweatshirt and tank. Hey. I wore jeans.

Perhaps I will keep these posts a habit. Maybe.

Little Pumpkins

We have had quite a whirlwind of a week, around here. Actually, the whirlwind kicked off back on September 30th, when M woke up in the morning crying because his "ear was broken". Sure sign of an ear infection. In the mean time, O's nose had been runny, but he was sleeping well at night, so I wrote it off... Until that morning.

1 pediatrician visit + 2 toddlers = 3 ear infections

That's right. M had one, and O had two.

Sunday morning, M's face broke out in to hives (including his eyelids) as did his inner thighs. Comfy, no?

Monday, back to the pediatrician to make sure the hives weren't the sign of something besides a reaction to the antibiotic. O feeling good. M back on prescription as directed.

Thursday, O's prescription causes break-your-heart-to-change-his-diaper rash and starts running a fever.

Friday, O naps almost all day.

Saturday, O doesn't want to be awake at all. Call pediatrician, he tells us to head to quick care quickly. Go to quick care and sure as the sun rises in the east (or is it west? I should google my facts before posting.) O perks right up and makes me question my gut instinct that he is sick. Sit in the waiting room for an hour (mind you, only one patient ahead of us) trying to prevent O from touching anything. 

Finally get called in where the nurse proceeds to take O's weight in kilograms and his temperature in Celsius. Forgive me for sounding abrasive here, but this is America and we're still not on the metric system. Right?

You know, now that I look back on it, it really doesn't bother me. But when I have been worried about my little babe for two days and then sitting in a waiting room for an hour, just give me his flippin' weight and temperature in terms that I can immediately understand. For real.

Longer story longer, both ears still infected. Switch prescriptions.

Fold hands, bow head, and pray.

Pray that he's healthy by Thursday for his well-child visit and pray to stop feeling guilty that there is something (anything?) that I could be doing differently to stop these ear infections. 

Luckily, my sister had already asked if she could take M for the weekend and go on some adventures. So, O was able to get lots of one-on-one time with Momma and rest in a quiet house and I think he's really on the mend. And M had SO much fun!

We are considering taking O to see a chiropractor. It may not solve any problems, but it certainly won't do any harm. I guess we'll see. I'm still thinking that some of the problems related to the excess fluid (ahem... mucus) have something to do with nutrition, but in the past week approximately 5,000 people have told me that tubes worked wonders for their children. Excuse me while I go wallow in guilt for not even thinking of having them put in when his adenoids came out {though in my defense it was never suggested, either}.




One thing I know, for sure. We will be slowing down this week. As much as I love MOPS and truly enjoy being out an about with my boys, enjoying this GORGEOUS weather, we'll be staying home this week. Avoiding the viruses (half, half, of M's Kindermusik class was out this week and the receptionist at the quick care facility mentioned how many fever/lethargic cases they have seen in kids in just the last couple of days) and enjoying some quality time, just us. Resting and restoring our health.

Oh, and... I updated my "About Me" page, finally.