New Digs...

In case you don't know, I'm going to be transferring all my blogger stuff over to my new place on wordpress.

http://www.thefaeryinn.wordpress.com

I Want YOU...

...to help me decide which of these should go on my wall. I took some cute portrait shots of Bubbers for his 1 year wall shot, but I can't decide between these ones. I also can't decide if I need to try and take more. So...I numbered all the pictures...please either pick a number or tell me I should take more before I decide.

Your participation is critically important! These are the kinds of decisions I just can't make on my own anymore. How to decide between cutest, cutest, and cutest is beyond my scope.

For my techincally challenged and/or silent, yet avid, readers: To vote...just go to the bottom of this post, and click on the "Clever Quips" link...I don't care if you vote anonymously or anything. I won't count email votes!!! Oh. And vote as much as you want, as long as they're in separate comments...I'm not going to count 'em up until Friday night. Let's say...6pm my time (one hour ahead of all you Oregonians)! I'll post the results on Saturday.

So. Here they are:

Paper Brain

When I was in high school and college, I functioned really well when I learned how to use a day planner. I abandoned the use of my paper brain after I got married - life just wasn't that complicated any more. Then I had kids.

I am now feeling a burning need to have my brain at my fingertips again. But, instead of buying some fancy-schmancy overpriced leather-covered paper brain...I am going to make my own. I have lots of ideas - most of them stemming from this post over at Simple Mom. I'm excited to do this project, and can't wait until I start using my paper brain!

So much of my home organization is scattered - I have the dinner menu on the fridge, my address book in the desk, my appointments on a wall calendar, and the rest in my head. Not a very good system for me. I'm overwhelmed by all that needs doing - especially now that I've added homeschooling to my repertoire.

What...was I thinking? :-)

I am so inadequate for this task of motherhood...let alone teacher! But...like Sara told me earlier today, maybe God wants me to grow and stuff. Yeah. That's probably it. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I believe Sara is right.

So, I'm growing. And it's kind of annoying. And grand. All at the same time. And I'm getting a paper brain.

Please tell me I'm not the only one God is forcing to grow...please!

Lookee What I Can Do!

He's actually been doing this for a few days now, but this is the first picture. Now that he started, he is pulling up on everything. Of course. Oh! You'd also probably like to know that he crawls up on hands and knees now instead of that "toe-powered" inchworm thing. Pretty cool!

Have a blessed Sunday!

An Outdoor Adventure with Granny & Grandad!

A couple of days before they left, we took Granny and Grandad up to the campground where we spent a weekend camping in June. It was still gorgeous up there - green and lovely! Not as many wildflowers, but still fresh and clean and natureful. (Yes, that's a word. It is now, anyway.)

The main reason we went up is because the kids insisted on taking their grandparents to see the Dragonfly Pond trail. So, we threw the fixin's for hot dogs & s'mores in the back of the van and headed up.

We had our picnic first, while dodging sugar wasps. We ended up wandering about as we ate, as this seemed the most effective deterrent. We also mad friends with a couple of beautiful grey birds who boldly flew within feet of us to watch us with their little eyes, obviously expecting their due in crumbs. We obliged. (I know, I know...stop glaring at me.) And the kids were enthralled!

Grandad stayed right on top of making sure the s'mores made their rounds as soon as the hot dogs and an adequate quantity of potato chips had been consumed. He's a sweet tooth. A man after my own heart! We are soul siblings when it comes to chocolate. Very cool.

After that, we headed up to the highest point in the park to show them the view, which they duly appreciated. On the way down the hill, Grandad's true character was revealed. He started a pine cone war. He took no mercy on anyone. So, we spent the larger part of the downhill stretch feverishly trying to hurtle them back at him as fast as he was launching them at us! The kids had a blast! The girls kept following him around, and hitting him point-blank in the behind, all the while yelling "I got you in the boooooty!!!"

Turbo just laughed and launched pretty much randomly at him, and got lucky a few times. He. Loved. It.

Of course, we had one war wound. Levi was carrying Bubbers in the baby backpack, and neither Granny or I thought to commandeer him before the bombing started. So, during one fortuitous moment in which Levi bent to select a cone, and Grandad hurled a big one at him, Bubbers' head was placed at just the right spot for him to take the cone full in the face.

Yes, he's fine. It just took a teeny bit of skin off on the side of his face - no real injuries, I assure you. I, feeling like the worst of mother for not having foreseen this, immediately took over carrying my baby boy, and he quickly calmed down. Grandad kissed him all better, and all was right with the world again.

I'm kind of bummed I didn't get a picture of that, actually...sick as that may be. It was his first real owie, and I didn't document it. Such is the luck of the fourth child, I guess!

Of course, we stopped at Dairy Queen for ice cream on the way home. Bubbers thought that more than made up for his sacrifice! And the kids fell into bed that night almost as exhausted as the grown-ups!

Well...I hope you've enjoyed this narrative as much as I've enjoyed finally writing it down! Here are a few pics of our mountainous adventure.

Around the House with Granny & Grandad

A week after Granny & Grandad flew to Alabama to help Lolly birth Baby #3, here I am, posting about their week-long visit. A week full of work and laughter. Crazy kids and crazier grandparents. Good conversation and even waffles!

Those of you who know Grandad know that it is virtually impossible for the man to sit for more than two minutes together. Thus, there were several big projects completed while he was here. He and Levi worked nearly everyday on something...fixing a section of fence that blew down this winter, replacing shingles on our shed, shovelling gravel, yanking up old plastic. Glorious, messy, physical work. It was great!

We also had fun letting the kids help make Double-Delight Peanut Butter Cookies. Of course, I had pre-made the cookie dough myself - no way I'm paying out the ear for refrigerated stuff! Those cookies were evil. Just evil. In a very yummy way!

We also celebrated Bubber's 1st birthday after they got here. Grandad did the honors of baking the chocolate cake for me so I could go on a hot date with this guy I'm married to. (We saw Kung-Fu Panda at the dollar theater and had nachos at Denny's. I loved it!) I frosted it in light blue, with a crescent moon and shooting star. You don't get to see the whole thing because I didn't bother to edit out his real name.

Levi & I got him a ball and a set of nesting blocks. The $0.97 ball was the hit of the party! My little boy loves anything that rolls, and when he saw a ball almost as big as he is, he about had a little boy heart attack! It was all he was interested in the rest of the night. The blocks held very little charm. Until the next day, when he discovered how much fun it was to knock them down right after big brother had stacked them sooo neatly!

Granny made him a set of letters spelling his name, like she's doing for all her grandkiddos, and I was so thrilled! I just wish you could see the details better...well...here. See for yourself:

Amazing, isn't it? I wish I could show you the rest...Darn the internet and all its weirdos! And my probably futile attempts at anonymity. *shrug*

The rest of the time around the house was spent in reading stories, conversations about everything, walking to the park, catching up on chores (is that ever really possible?), and just being a family.

It felt wonderful, let me tell you! I am so grateful for my in-laws. There are so many women who just don't get along with their mother-in-law, to say the least. For those of you for whom this rings true, Granny & I discovered a magic remedy. Pray.

For her.

Pray that God blesses her, touches her, fills her with himself. And leave it at that. Take your negative thoughts to Jesus, lay them at the foot of the Cross, dust off your hands, and leave them there. For heaven's sake - leave them there.

And always, always remember: "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11. No matter what it is - let it go. Forgive. Seventy times seven. You'll be surprised at how beautiful a person they become once you just give up "trying" to like them.

Anyway...here's a slideshow of pictures of us around the house:

Stay tuned for one more post!

Weekend Linkityness

High Definition (aka: Reality) ~ One Thing.
This has nothing to do with TV. If you only read one of my links this week - this is it.

The Last Word on Kids and Cash ~ Kiplinger.com
An article about how to teach kids about money by age group. I haven't finished reading it yet, but what I've read so far, I've liked.

The Never-Ending War on Advertising ~ Get Rich Slowly.
Very interesting article that I think highlights the need for self-control and self-discipline when it comes to financial decisions, and how much of that can be influenced by advertising. Great article.

There's not much this weekend, because I finally finished editing pictures, and I'll be posting tonight!!! Aren't you just on pins and needles now??? :-)

Have Patience, Have Patience...

I know I promised a real post by now, complete with pictures. Well, apparently I'm a goll-durned liar. Hm. I honestly haven't done it because I'm not done editing the pictures! I found a cool thing on my editing program called "hue & saturation". And it's causing much ado!

So...if you will continue in your patience, you will be well-rewarded!

At least, I think so.

Ok. Well. I'm not sure how to close this little ditty, so I'll just say...bye.

The Other Side of the Glass - A Birth Movie for Fathers

100 Things:

The Official Version

1. I love Jesus.
2. I am obsessed with birth.
3. I want to be a midwife when I grow up.
4. I gave birth to four children within the space of four years and two months - no twins.
5. I love fairies. Very very much. Especially these, and these.
6. I am greatly annoyed by the sound of chewing. Any chewing. Even polite, mouth-closed, normal chewing. I cannot eat with anyone in absolute silence, because I can't stand the chewing. (Don't worry if you're at my house though - there's plenty of noise to cover it up!)
7. I love a good back rub. And my hubby rocks at it!
8. My two boys are each named after dwarves in Lord of the Rings lore.
9. CS Lewis is my all-time favorite author. Period.
10. My other favorites are Jane Austen, Tolkien, Francine Rivers, and Dickens.
11. I love freshwater pearls. Any pearls, really, but freshwater are my favorite.
12. My husband bought me a necklace with a freshwater pearl on it for Christmas while he was in Iraq. (Everybody say "Awww!")
13. I love the Psalms. David's especially - they seem just as schizo as my own prayers.
14. I am officially a homeschooling mom. Despite my better judgement...(tongue in cheek)
15. I am a labor doula - trained, not yet certified. I should have my certification by next June.
16. I don't know everything. I just think I do.
17. Everyone is entitled to my opinion. :-)
18. I talk a lot. A LOT.
19. I am learning to sew, crochet, embroider, and do other crafty stuff.
20. I can cook from scratch - and so can you. If you can read, you can cook. Very cool.
21. The only convenience foods I buy anymore are chicken nugget-type stuff for quick lunches, and Cheerios for the baby.
22. I use cloth diapers, and make my own wipes. (Wipe solution: 1Tbsp baby wash + 1Tbsp EV Olive Oil + 1 Cup warm water = Very frugal solution. Use either flannel squares with finished edges, or half a roll of soft paper towels.)
23. I love McD's fries. Always have. Always will.
24. Chocolate is my other husband. The darker, the better.
25. My best friend shares my first name, and I have half of her middle name.
26. I am the oldest of three girls.
27. I can quote probably 99% of "The Princess Bride".
28. My favorite line from that movie to use in everyday life is "It's possible, pig." Great for use when the answer to a yes or no question is in the affirmative. Throws people for a loop.
29. Another good one is "It's conceivable, you miserable vomitous mass." Not as much snap to it though.
30. Love me some Monty Python too. I like this skit. And this one. And this one too. And especially "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".
31. Actually, I find I enjoy most British humor.
32. And slapstick comedy, a la Dick Van Dyke, Carol Burnette, Don Knotts, Tim Conway, Lucille Ball, etc...
33. Because of my hubby, I like some anime stuff.
34. I am trying to build a personal library, but it's pretty slow going.
35. I didn't care too much for "The Notebook".
36. I love "Sense & Sensibility" and "Pride & Prejudice". (The A&E miniseries, not the Keira Knightly version.)
37. I played World of Warcraft with my husband for almost a year - just to see what the big deal was. (This was before Baby #3 entered the picture.)
38. I liked it. But I just don't have time.
39. His video game playing is no worse than football watching on Monday nights, yet so many people assume he's lazy/addicted/jerkified because he plays. Please don't.
40. I am a sentimental fool.
41. Yet I don't necessarily cry at the drop of a hat.
42. I used to oil paint in high school, and I miss it. One of those "Things I Hope to Do Again When the Kids are Older."
43. Favorite colors are greens & yellows.
44. I once told my 5th grade class that President George HW Bush was a friend of our family, took us for rides in his limo, and bought scooters for my sisters and I. For show and tell, of course. I couldn't let everyone else have something to show and tell and not have something myself.
45. I love the spotlight.
46. But I also love to share it.
47. I can sing. Loudly. And pretty well.
48. I would say I have a small gift in my voice - nothing that would sell records, but enough to bless people around me.
49. I played Maria in "The Sound of Music" in high school. The highlight of my life until the day I became a mother.
50. I love being creative.
51. I love being outside.
52. I love camping. In a tent. On the ground. In the rain even.
53. I love snapdragons, lilies, and miniature roses.
54. Wildflowers too. Places where fairies live, you know.
55. I love the smell of rain. Especially in the mountains, where there is a lot of pine and fir trees. Talk about delicious!
56. I love the ocean. The Pacific, to be specific. (Neat little rhyme there, don't you think?)
57. I want to sky-dive for my next birthday.
58. I need to convince my husband that I'm not going to die doing it.
59. If I go, I will sooo post a video for you.
60. I am known as "the birth lady" at my church. I love it!
61. My name is Tiffany. And I am a birth junkie.
62. I'm gradually turning into a hippie. Sort of.
63. I believe that toes were meant to be free - and I only wear socks when I absolutely have to.
64. High heels are against my religion.
65. But I still really want to try some - if only I could learn to walk in them! (Any tips?)
66. I like to have red toenails in the summer. But I usually forget.
67. The rest of the year I don't care. At all.
68. I think I actually want to buy the PedEgg and try it. (Any of you tried it?)
69. I love the fall season. The colors, the smells, the air, the spice of it is just...just...perfect.
70. I love thunder. It's like God's laugh.
71. Babies are delicious. I make sure I kiss at least one a day for health and happiness.
72. I want a dog. But not yet.
73. I'm getting a clothesline this spring.
74. I'm ready to wean Bubbers, who is 13 months old now.
75. He's not ready though.
76. I would like to wear my wedding ring again.
77. I can't because my fingers are too fat.
78. I want to lose enough weight to stay healthy and give me "room to spread" when I hit middle age in twenty years.
79. I do Kegels.
80. I like placentas. I think they are waaaay cool.
81. I am an excellent procrastinator.
82. I must have music playing all day long.
83. Although I prefer "rock out" stuff in general, I find myself playing worship music more and more. It often saves my sanity.
84. When I run errands, and my kids are driving me crazy, I put on some rockin' tunes, and crank it up. Never fails to get us out of our rut and enjoy each other.
85. I have no decent sense of direction.
86. I am a bookworm.
87. And a fast reader. Loan me a book, I'll be done in a week flat.
88. I love making my kids' birthday cakes.
89. I finally figured out how to bake a cake from scratch in this here high altitude place.
90. I fish for compliments from my hubby. Blatantly.
91. For example: "Honey, I need you to tell me I'm pretty." You may think it's not the same, but it works just as well. They need the reminder, and are usually all too happy to sincerely oblige.
92. I love my husband.
93. I respect my husband. Deeply.
94. My kids are the cutest ones on the planet. I know, cuz I look at 'em everyday. :-D
95. I miss Looney Tunes.
96. I love Shirt.Woot.com.
97. I hate laundry. Not as much as I used to, though.
98. One of my favorite feelings is waking up to a clean kitchen in the mornings. This is something I am working on. A lot.
99. I don't care if you come by without calling first. As long as you don't care what state my house is in when you come!
100. I like cheese. All kinds.

Well, there you have it. My 100 Things. I hope you enjoyed yourself. If not, too bad. It is what it is, okeeday? I had a hard enough time narrowing it down to 100. I just let myself ramble. It's what I do best.

If you have something you think I should have included...would you be so kind as to leave it in the comment section? (aka: the Clever Quips link below.)