Boats & wraps

I always love finding easier ways of doing things.  Easier ways that really don't take a whole lot of effort or money by me.

So I am going to share one with you, something that has made my summer a whole lot easier!!

Paper Boats

Yes, totally lame and silly and not at all environmental (don't report me to the EPA)

But so much easier for serving meals and snacks, yes, like all lunches and dinners and every time guests come over, this is what we eat out of!

Why use them, do you ask?

It has saved me about a million hours of cleaning, dish rinsing, and dish washing (so there, I am being environmental, using way less water!) So I have had more time for other stuff, like my girls!

Not kidding I ordered about 1000 of these from amazon, and they were so much cheaper, less bulky than paper plates, and so much more fun!  

Look perfect for all meals even spaghetti!

I accidentally ordered the really small boats at first, ones that are for like 1 bite to eat, so I had to reorder. But I have used the small boats for snacks and smaller meals.

Big Boat, small boat, boat boat boat!

 

Snack sized 

I think you can get them at Sam's club, but we don't have a membership there and if Costco had them I would be sure to buy them there ( you hear that Costco?)

I use them every time we have guests over!  If you have been over to dinner at our house this summer you have eaten out of one of our classy boats.   And if you haven't eaten out of one of our classy boats it just means you need to come over!

I take them to the pool when we grill out, they are easier, cheaper, and less bulky.

I take them on hikes, bikes and with trikes.  Well, no, none of those, I just felt like this blog needed a rhyme. 

They have simply, just made my life easier.

So here's to boats!

You want to help make my life easier too?  Well, I need some advice.  I need a good Wrap/sling for when the baby comes (like to carry the baby). I  have a feeling I am going to need one a whole lot more.  I had the moby wrap with Sarah and didn't love it..... I had one with Maya too, the Hot sling, but it wasn't all the great.  So I need a good wrap, that I can understand how to use, and put on myself and put the baby into it myself, that is safe.  

What are your suggestions?

More than a Room, Maya's own room

We decided Maya needed her own space when we moved, so we gave her her own room.  And it has been such a healthy and good choice for her at this time in our lives!

Her room has taken time, but slowly has come together.

When I decorate my children's room it is more than just decoration,  I spend time thinking about my kids, what they are like right now, what is reflective of them.  But more than that as I decorate their rooms I pray over them.  When I paint, I ask for the Lord's guidance in my child's life, that their walls will be a place of safety and protection.  I don't make it complicated, simple prayers for my children, it is really nothing profound.

the curtain fabric is from fabrics.com, my sister Danae made the "Maya name" and I did the art on the wall.

the hooks are from Ikea

this used to be Maya's crib, now converted into a full bed.   Art work done by me, photo is an engineer print from staples, Duvet cover from ikea

  I did simple art using canvas' from hobby lobby, some cut out scrap booking paper, ribbon and mod podge, about $7

When I was painting Maya's room the song, "Amazed,"  by the Desperation band, kept going through my mind, I even played it as I painted.  And this one phrase just kept standing out to me, so I had to put it on her wall.

"You dance over me, while I am unaware"

I just think it is such a picture of God's hand in our life, he rejoices over us and so many times we have no idea.  I want her to know that the Lord celebrates her life!

I did let Maya participate in some of the decorating also, when I say participate, it is more like a guided participation.  When I went to pick out paint colors, Maya picked dark purple, forest green and yellow........ ummmm no!  So I just gave her a choice between different pinks and grays, and I also let her decorate her bulletin board the way she wanted with what photos she wanted.

Maya really wanted to pose for some photos in her new room

she really wanted one with the blanket

her dress even matches

Pretending to sleep

my sweet girl!

I want my home to be a place where people are welcome, and feel safe, where the Lord's presence is sensed, where needs are provided and love is felt.  I want it to be more than words written on the walls, but what is actually present. I want this for my children and for anyone who visits.  Sometimes I get it wrong and worry to much about how it "looks" or whether or not it is "clean" enough, I am still working on priorities and what really matters, like these precious children of mine.

7 months Pregnant (with little man)

Yesterday we took off Sarah's diaper so she could  go poop in the potty, and she did!!!

1 minutes later, while her diaper was still off, I see her in the corner of the living room trying to push out more poop

I quickly grab her

But a large piece of Poop falls from her booty onto the floor

I step in it

Scream

and then pee my pants because it grossed me out so bad

Awesome!

Welcome to being 7 months pregnant with a 1 year old who doesn't like to wear diapers anymore.

Still loving it though :O)

just wish my bladder could hold more

that acid wasn't bubbling up in my throat constantly 

and that maybe my due date wasn't coming up so quickly

I am closer to being 8 months pregnant, but with being so busy and out of town lately I didn't have a chance to grab a photo of my actual 7 months pregnancy date, that's ok though!

I have photos at 30 weeks with my previous pregnancies, take a look!

And 7 months with Sarah & baby brother  

I am definitely bigger, but am ok with that. It's the 3rd pregnancy I have had in the 3rd trimester and I am sure to be bigger, plus its a boy!

And about that Boy, we have a name, and are pretty certain on it, we just aren't sharing it, we are keeping that one thing a secret for now

And Maya, she loves him so much and does this on a daily basis.  It is one of my favorite things

EVER!

7 ish Months!

 

The 4th

Last year we missed out on our annual Kansas City adventures for the 4th of July.  This year we returned and it was great!  The 4th of July is like the quintessential summer day!

Time with family

Mostly spent outside

t's hot

and bounce houses seem to be a standard

There is usually always some kind of water involved

 

Lots of BBQing &

Eating some kind of melon

Lots of fun!

Best day of Norah's life

 



with bubbles of course
 

Blowing stuff up

And celebrating our freedom

I love it! it is one of my favorite days, with some of my favorite photos