My First Contest

My friend offered this, and since it is my first blogaversary I thought I would do it. Three people who respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- It'll be done this year.

4- You have no clue what it's going to be.

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

I will draw the winners in one week and post them on my blog. You could win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! Good luck!

We Joined the Ranks

We did it, we bought a minivan on Saturday. Sure it was Valentine's Day and most people were doing romantic things, but we went out car shopping...with the kids. We had been looking on the internet and deciding the features we wanted, price range, and make and model we prefered. Then we got our tax returns this week and Tim decided we should go purchase our vehicle before we spent it on little things. So out we went in the snow to be harrased by used car salesmen on V-day with our two disgruntled daughters in tow. We did find a Honda Odyssey with the features I wanted and in the price range Tim wanted (meaning we didn't pick up a car payment). Lydia LOVES the van and is excited to finally have a "cool" car like her friends. She continually opens the garage door to make sure our van is still there. We had to lay down ground rules too that we don't get to watch a movie every time we get in the car. Only on long trips. Now Lydia is asking when we get to go to Washington. Tim wants to go out and fingure out all our new toy can do, and I'm just trying to fingure out how to park the huge thing. I'm glad we got it before the baby's arrival and that we found something that suits everyone. Tim, if you are reading this, you still owe me a Valentine's day though!

Six Years!

Sunday is our 6 year wedding anniversary. I still don't know how I was so blessed to get to meet this wonderful man and that he actually fell in love with me!! He is my perfect match in every way. Some of the ways we match...
1- He's tidy. I never had to ask him to pick up his wet towel off the bathroom floor, or put his dirty clothes in the hamper. He likes things in their place like I do. I know...nice huh.
2- I like to cook, but dislike doing dishes. He doesn't like to cook, but doesn't mind doing dishes.
3- I like to entertain. After we've had guests over we both just start cleaning and it's all back to normal in no time. Daunting tasks seem like no big deal when he's working beside me.
4- He likes my laugh, and I think he is hilarious!
5- His dimpled smile makes me melt.
6- We are both frugal. He loves the good deals I find, and I don't worry about him spending behind my back.
7- I love to talk to him and get his perspective on things. He always sees options I don't and helps me find good solutions.
8- He's smart and always improving himself. I learn a lot of things from him.
9- He works hard. I know he will always do what it takes to provide for our family.
10- He loves me, and I love him.









I love being married to this man and look forward to many wonderful years to come with him!!!

It's a BOY!!

We had our ultrasound today and everything looks good and healthy. When the Dr. walked in he asked Lydia if she wanted a brother or sister, she answered that she wanted a brother. Upon returning home she drew a cute picture of her reading a story to her baby brother. She's very excited. I'm excited of course, but a little apprehensive about raising a boy as opposed to a girl. Tim is walking a little taller and VERY excited about getting a son. He's envisioning coamping, hking, golfing, and rebuilding old cars with his son. He's a little worried about his boy being hen pecked with so many older, spirited girls in the house. We went to Target to pick out an outfit to celebrate. It went something like this:
Angie: Oh cute! How about this one.
Tim: No way! We aren't going for cute here anymore.
Lydia: This one is cute! It has hearts.
Tim: Ummm, I'm the authority figure now on clothes for the baby. This is the right one.
Angie: Isn't this one cute too?
Tim: No, this one. You may need to run clothes by me before you buy them for my son.

He said "my son" a lot today. For a moment I was a little scared he wouldn't take his girls on the fun adventures they enjoy so much with him. Then he bought a sled and asked the girls if they wanted to go sledding today. So, all is well in our household. We are excited to welcome this baby boy into our home in a few months.

So, what are some of the little differences you've noticed between raising sons vs. daughters?

Fancy Lydia

Lydia and two of her friends went to a Fancy Nancy tea party at our library on Saturday. For those who don't know, Fancy Nancy is a great picture book series about a little girl who loves to dress up fancy and use big fancy words. Lydia LOVES them and was thrilled to go to a fancy tea party.

They got all dressed up and were given rings, a necklace, and a tiara (a fancy word for crown). Then they were seated and played a game deciding if an item was fancy or plain. Next they learned some fancy french words and then recieved their refreshments of pink lemonade and a cupcake with pink frosting and sprinkles. Lydia was concentrating so hard on keeping her pinkie up while drinking her lemonade that she spilled it all over her lap! She and her friends had a great time though. I love this little community and the fun things they have for families to do.

Settling in for a Long Winter

As I look out my window and watch the snow falling yet again, I think of how long winter really is. The only redeeming quality of winter is Christmas, and that takes place 4 days after winter begins, leaving up with 3 months of unwanted winter wonderland. Add to that continued nausea, constant headaches, backaches, and a cold that won't go away, I need spring (and this baby) to come already! My poor girls want to enjoy things, but lets face it, mom is really boring right now. So, here is my question to all of you out there. What do you love about winter and what do you do to beat the winter blues? (Heather, I don't want to hear anything about Mexico here either!)

A Joyful Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas filled with family and memories. This year my mom and sister came from Washington to spend Christmas with us. They added such an element of fun. We went to Gardner Village, saw Christmas lights, made cookies, read stories, ate treats, and played games and with new toys.

Dad got a multi-function ladder and a new Makita drill set (it has a long involved name that means something like a Red Rider Bee Bee Gun with Compass in the Stock, but I don't know it). Lydia's favorite things were her Tinker Bell things. She now thinks in fairy.

I got Cruicut cartridges and a new knife set. Ali's favorite thing was a computer (like Daddy's!). It keeps her from playing with Tim's so much. She's a gadget girl, she can navigate Tim's ipod touch better than I can. We're starting to save for MIT now.

So, everyone's wildest dreams came true and Lydia is now working on her list for her birthday (in June!). Lydia also insisted we put candles on the cake and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. I love Christmas time and all that comes with it. I'm so grateful my mom and sister were able to come and share it with us. They made the holidays perfect. It is always sad to see it go. We hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season as well and that this year brings a lot of joy!!