Watch out for the Target dollar bin

Imagine this....Mommy and Gramma are out with the boys at Target. Gramma wants to get a little something for her four grandsons. She looks through the dollar bins at Target and sees this:

Harmless looking enough...or so we thought.

My boys each had their own color. They were so excited to hold their package...and they each checked out all by themselves.

The thank-you's to Gramma were overwhelming on the ride home. Gideon was so impatient to get into the package that he kept screaming "Hurry up! Hurry...quickly!"

We got home and the boys each had fun playing with their dinosaur. It lit up and blinked on and off in different colors.

Gramma was so happy that she was able to bring such joy to her grandsons.

Until one of the dinosaurs popped and began to leak fluid. Gideon was distraught. We figured we would just give Jamison's to Gideon. He would never know.

I quickly got the unopened dinosaur from the van. As I walked up the stairs, I read the back...this is what it said:

Now the question is...do I get the leaking hazardous waste of a dinosaur out of the garbage and deliver it to a hazardous waste plant? Do I just let it continue leaking poison into my trash bag? Will I get arrested for not following the rules on the package that clearly tell how to dispose of it?

The hardest part was collecting said hazardous waste from the boys and explain to them why we were getting rid of them.

Poor Gideon:

He definitely took it the worst.

Gramma has promised to take them back to Target and get a new non-toxic dinosaur for them to play with.

I just hope that the fluid that leaked out onto Gideon's hand doesn't have any long term affects.

We've registered...and not a moment too soon!

Last night, John and I finally decided to register for the Band of Bloggers. Today is the last day for registration, so if you are attending TG4G, and you have a blog....be sure to check it out!

As of right now...there are 3 book giveaways!

Here is the list of bloggers that have registered so far:

1. Timmy Brister - Louisville, KY
2. Justin Taylor - Wheaton, IL
3. Tim Challies - Toronto, ON
4. Thabiti Anyabwile - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
5. Mark Lauterbach - San Diego, CA
6. Abraham Piper - Minneapolis, MN
7. Frank Turk - Siloma Springs, AR
8. Trevin Wax - Shelbyville, TN
9. John Kang - Tigard, OR
10. John Hollandsworth - Kingsport, TN
11. Mike Hall - Raleigh, NC
12. Chris Larson - Lake Mary, FL
13. Mel Duncan - Greer, SC
14. Nicholas Kennicott - Guyton, GA
15. Joe Holland - Kosciusko, MS
16. David Kjos - Hazen, ND
17. Kelly Kjos - Hazen, ND
18. Tim Ellsworth - Jackson, TN
19. Carlos Griego - Albuquerque, NM
20. Joshua Gelatt - Indian River, MI
21. Neil Cox - Carmel, IN
22. Zach Nielson - Albuquerque, NM
23. Greg Schneeberger - Albuquerque, NM
24. Ryan Wood - Tacoma, WA
25. Darryl Dash - Etobicoke, ON
26. Greg Austin - Kirkwood, MO
27. Marc Backes - Nixa, MO
28. Annette Harrison - Milwaukee, WI
29. Les Harrison - Milwaukee, WI
30. Michael Daily - Ashland, VA
31. Reid Monaghan - Franklin, TN
32. Brian Boone - Monterey, CA
33. Todd Gaslin - Fisherville, KY
34. Trent Hunter - Louisville, KY
35. Scott Anderson - Minneapolis, MN
36. Ricky Alcantar - El Paso, TX
37. James Kinnard - Wheaton, IL
38. Jonathan Leeman - Washington D.C.
39. Washington D.C.
40. Scott Lawry - Montgomery, AL
41. John Kuvakas - Warrenton, VA
42. Yogi Taylor - Mobile, AL
43. Jerry Wall - Billings, MT
44. Tom Ascol - Cape Coral, FL
45. Richard Barcellos - Owensboro, KY
46. Sam Waldron - Owensboro, KY
47. Andrew Randazzo - Knoxville, TN
48. Stephen Newell - Louisville, KY
49. Steve Burlew - Harrisburg, PA
50. John Swaska - Cape Coral, FL
51. Tony Kummer - Madison, IN
52. Owen Strachan - Highland Park, IL
53. Keith Throop - Bloomington, IL
54. William Haughery - Millersville, PA
55. David Kotter - Louisville, KY
56. Douglas Davis - Glendora, CA
57. Arthur Sido - Alanson, MI
58. Daniel Slavich - Louisville, KY
59. Stephen Jones - Yucca Valley, CA
60. Jake Stutzman - Muscle Shoals, AL
61. Chris Braun - Stillman Valley, IL
62. Jams Kubecki - Westfield, IN
63. Kevin Janes - Louisville, KY
64. Bobby Gilles - Louisville, KY
65. Aaron Marshall - Louisville, KY
66. Gordon Thiessen - Kearney, NE
67. Collin Hansen - Carol Stream, IL
68. Tyler Kenney - Minneapolis, MN
69. James Lee - Romulus, MI
70. Jonathan Colegrove - Romulus, MI
71. Josh Reynolds - Hastings, NE
72. Michael Dewalt - Grand Rapids, MI
73. Steve Weaver - Lenoir City, TN
74. Jeremy Weaver - Lenoir City, TN
75. Garry Weaver - Titusville, FL
76. Michael Haykin - Dundas, ON
77. Don Elbourne - Bay St. Louis, MS
78. Joshua Etter - Langley, BC
79. Frederick Eaton - Surrey, BC
80. Timothy Massaro - Hilliard, OH
81. Kerry Gilliard - Ellicott City, MD
82. Jon Maxim - Painted Post, NY
83. Alex Leung - Toronto, ON
84. Dave Bish - Exeter, UK
85. Peter Cockrell - Worthing, UK
86. Kevin Giddings - Petrolia, PA
87. Jason Meyer - Pineville, LA
88. David Cimino - Lenoir City, TN
89. Joe VonDoloski - Vanderbilt, MI
90. Terry Delaney - Louisville, KY
91. Scott Lee - Louisville, KY
92. Charlie Albright - Louisville, KY
93. W. Hank Balch - Louisville, KY
94. Daniel Cruver - Travelers Rest, SC
95. Anthony Diehl - Dunbar, WI
96. Mike Seaver - Charlotte, NC
97. John Moody - Mount Vernon, WA
98. Drew Dixon - Louisville, KY
99. Stephen Altrogge - Indiana, PA
100. Mark Altrogge - Indiana, PA
101. Justin Buzzard - San Carlos, CA
102. Matt Perman - Minneapolis, MN
103. Jason Kovacs - Charlotte, NC
104. Bryan Lopez - Albuquerque, NM
105. Phil Awtry - Columbus, NE
106. Clint Humfrey - High River, Alberta, Canada
107. Beth Covington - Lexington, KY
108. Scott Lamb - St. Louis, MO
109. Shannon Jordan - Johnson City, TN
110. John Jordan - Johnson City, TN

The kicks are a-plenty

You see, a few weeks ago, I began craving the infamous Cinnabon. As I searched to see where the closest Cinnabon was, I found out it was just way to far to justify the drive.

When I mentioned to my dearest husband that there are two Cinnabons located at the Charlotte airport, and that he was going to be flying in and out of that very airport in just a couple weeks, he said he would be more than happy to pick me up one or six, lol.

Fast forward to last night, he arrived home from his trip to Minnesota...and he brought be my precious delectable treats, complete with extra frosting!

Needless to say, me and my girl are quite enjoying this sugar overload. Every time I take a bite, Payson is kicking. I like to think they are kicks of love for the Cinnabon...not the fact that she is probably getting all hyped up on the sugar, lol.

Mourning

Robert E. Lee to his wife, October 26, 1862 concerning the death of his beloved daughter, Annie:

“I cannot express the anguish I feel at the death of our sweet Annie.
To know that I shall never see her again on earth, that her place in
our circle, which I always hoped one day to enjoy, is forever vacant,
is agonising in the extreme. But God in this, as in all things, has
mingled mercy with the blow, in selecting that one best prepared to
leave us. May you be able to join me in saying ‘His will be done!’
…I know how much you will grieve and how much she will be mourned.
I wish I could give you any comfort, but beyond our hope in the great
mercy of God, and the belief that he takes her at the time and place
when it is best for her to go, there is none. May that same mercy
be extended to us all, and may we be prepared for His summons.”

I read this quote and thought it worth sharing.

LTDchix Giveaway...

We haven't received a response from the chosen winner...so we have picked someone else!

The winner is: Melanie! This is her comment on the original giveaway post:

Well, with only two chillin's, there are some I can't quite relate to, but there's some I definitely can...

1. Laundry Mom: I do laundry almost every day. And like 3 loads every day (thanks to my son who spits up all the time...and to my husband who wears something once and then tosses it in the laundry...and to my daughter who smears her food all over her pants...and to me who gets spit up all over from my son...) (Short sleeve, XL, Avocado)

2. Cleaning Mom: I'm not a mom who has a hired cleaning lady. I'm the hired cleaning lady, though I don't get paid...well, monetarily, that is (hugs and smiles count, right???). (Long Sleeve, XL, White)

3. Minivan Mom: I can relate to this, now that my hubby just bought us this appliance...er...I mean automobile. I love my van! (Long Sleeve, XL, Aqua)

Thanks again to all who entered!

The Infamous Placenta Story

When Haddon was born, we videotaped his birth. I have recently watched this video, and can I say that I could feel the pain.

There is a funny story on that tape. You see, my parents were able to visit and be here for the birth of Haddon. It was a long week. Each day meant I was that much further away from my due date. It's always fairly depressing when you refer to your due date in the past tense.

The week before Haddon was born, it became a joke about eating the placenta. Yeah, I know, GROSS! Apparently, the hippies used to do it way back when. Nowadays, they just bury it and plant a tree on top of it and use it for fertilizer.

One afternoon, I actually googled "placenta recipes"...just for my dad.

The look on his face was one of pure disgust.

Well, on the videotape, John tapes the full delivery of our third little boy. He then follows him to the bassinet as the nurses wipe him down and clean him up. If you look close, out of the corner of your eye, you can see a nurse walk by with the placenta in a container.

(FYI: it is necessary to examine the placenta and make sure it is fully intact or there can be infection in the uterus)

At this point, my lovely husband makes the comment "Hey, we want to keep that to throw on the bbq".

Nice, real nice.

Laughter ensues from all the nurses as they try to decipher if he is really kidding or not.

Needless to say, it makes for a memorable moment caught on video. I was completely oblivious that this conversation even took place. I was too busy basking in the fact that the pain was gone and all was well with my newest addition.

The reason I tell this oh so hilariously disgusting tale, is because I found something that reminded me of this placenta story.

If only I had known about this 3 years ago.

Shopping hiatus

Okay, not really...but it's hard not to want to shop, when you realize there will be a little girl in your household in a few short months!

My week has been extremely busy. My house has been overloaded with boys and messes.

I'm also trying to prepare for the upcoming visit with my parents!

I hate that I'm becoming one of those bloggers that only post once or twice a week.

Don't worry, it won't be long until I wow you with my intellect and internet finds.

And stay tuned as I choose a new winner for the giveaway I held here a couple of weeks ago. We haven't had any response from the winner, so there will be a new one!

Did Jesus spend Saturday in Hell?

By John Piper

The Apostles’ Creed says, “[He] was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead.” There are many meanings given to this phrase. I simply want to ponder the traditional interpretation that Christ went to the place of the dead to preach the gospel to Old Testament saints that he might set them free for the full experience of heaven. This is the view of the Catholic Catechism and many Protestants as well. I don’t think this is what the New Testament teaches.

The view is based mainly on two passages in 1 Peter.

Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, (19) in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, (20) because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. (1 Peter 3:18-20)

They are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; (5) but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (6) For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” (1 Peter 4:4-6)

With regard to 1 Peter 3:19, I take these words to mean that Christ, through the voice of Noah, went and preached to that generation, whose spirits are now “in prison,” that is, in hell. In other words, Peter does not say that Christ preached to them while they were in prison. He says he preached to them once, during the days of Noah, and now they are in prison.

You can read the rest of it here.

The Lord's Prayer...

I just got this sent to me in an email and I had to share :) (thanks Teana!)

What every reformed baby girl needs...

Since I now know that we are moving into the realm of pink, I decided to just take a look at the sales at Gymboree.

I know what you're thinking...already???

Well, as a matter of fact YES!

When I saw this...I knew it was a must-have.

Every little reformed girl needs to have a tulip sweater...do you not agree??

Working my way towards a basketball team, you say???

Um, not this time.

It's a girl.

I am in shock...I don't even know what to say or think.

After four boys, I didn't even think this was possible.

I even had the ultrasound tech check a few extra times, just to make sure.

There was no doubt....ALL GIRL.

I don't even know what to do with myself.


40 week gender shot: (updated Aug 2008)

WFMW...How to clean your kitchen sink (and almost anything else!)

Last spring, we redid our kitchen. It came out lovely and the sink was just great...all nice and ivory and perfect. See for yourself:

(this picture was before it was even usable....see how clean?)


Then life happened.

A pan was left to soak in the pretty ivory sink and left a rust stain. Multiple stoneware dishes were cleaned in the pretty sink and left brown marks where it rubbed against the ivory.

There was no amount of scrubbing that could take away the marks.

Even when the lovely ivory sink was completely clean, it didn't really look it.

I was so sad....until I remembered!!

Duh...um, what about using a Magic Eraser???

I didn't even have to scrub...just a light wipe and all markings were gone. It was at that point that I noticed even the parts of the sink that I thought looked clean, really weren't.

But now they are...thanks to Mr Clean. I owe ya!

I was so excited, I wanted to scream it from the rooftop. Other moms know the feeling that I speak of!

The rebellion has started...

I have a doppler...I don't use it as much as I have in the past, but I still like to hear the heartbeat and see how fast it's beating.

This morning, I laid down to hear it, and placed the wand on my belly.

This baby of mine would immediately kick the wand...which I could feel strongly. I could also see the wand getting pushed up...and I could hear it on the doppler.

Then this baby would move and dodge the wand...until I found the heartbeat again...and the same scenario would happen.

Baby Payson is already rebelling against his/her mommy!

(I was cracking up about it though)

My dear sweet baby

It's like a secret language that is developing between us.

With each small kick, I feel your presence.

As I lay my hand on my growing belly, I feel your poking and can't help but smile.

These are moments that a mommy can never forget.

I love that when I sit to rest, you remind me that you are there.

Alive and growing...

It's like nothing else matters.

It's just my baby and me...

Boston Creme and Red Velvet Cupcakes

I am sooo making these for dessert on Easter! I'll probably make a red velvet cake too...YUM!

Boston Creme Cupcakes

1 1/4 cups cold whole milk
1 (3.4-ounce) box vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
12 pre-made cupcakes baked from a cake mix
1 cup heavy cream
1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels
1/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Combine milk, instant pudding mix, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat mixture with a hand mixer for 2 minutes, or until it thickens. Place mixture in refrigerator for 15 minutes. Spoon filling into a pastry bag fitted with a medium-size plain tip. Fill cupcakes with vanilla pudding filling by inserting tip into top of cupcake and squeezing a couple of tablespoons of filling into each cupcake.

Heat cream in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edges. Remove from heat, add chocolate morsels to pan, and whisk until smooth. Spoon or drizzle glaze over cupcakes, or dunk the tops into the glaze. Refrigerate until set, at least 1 hour, before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.


Red Velvet Cupcakes

For the cupcakes:
15 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
13 ounces granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
3 eggs
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons red food coloring
1 1/4 teaspoons vinegar (white or apple cider can both work)
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 cup water
For the cream cheese frosting:
1 1/2 pounds cream cheese, room temperature
1 pound butter, room temperature
2 pounds powdered sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract


For the cupcakes:
Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a bowl and set aside.

In a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix oil, sugar, and buttermilk until combined. Add eggs, food coloring, vinegar, vanilla and water and mix well. Add the dry ingredients a little bit at a time and mix on low, scraping down sides occasionally, and mix until just combined. Be sure not to over mix, or the batter will come out
tough.

Line a 16-cup cupcake pan with paper liners, scoop the batter into the liners and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.

For the cream cheese frosting:
Whip the butter and cream cheese together in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until creamed. Gradually add powdered sugar to the mixture and scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and mix until combined.

The frosting can be used right away, or stored in the refrigerator up to a week.

Frost cooled cupcakes with the cream cheese frosting.


I'm undecided about whether to make Red Velvet Cupcakes or one big cake...I'll be sure to take pics either way!

And the winner of the Living The Dream Giveaway is....

Laura: The (Almost) Amazing Mammarino!!

The guidelines were to comment on what shirt you most relate to and why. This was her response:

DEFINITELY LAUNDRY MOM!!!!

Recently, I started going through my mountain of special needs laundry: sweaters, frou-frou church dresses, and the worst - the dreaded stain pile. I don't mind doing laundry, but I DESPISE stain treating. (It doesn't help that I'm a perfectionist and will wash an item 67 times to get out a nickel-sized spot of mustard.) Because of this, I conveniently get all the laundry done except the stained clothes. The pile kept growing and growing until it threatened to topple over and smother us all. Seeing that we enjoy breathing so much, I decided to chip away at the pile. I made some startling discoveries:

- I was further behind than I had thought;

- There were several boy's outfits in the stain pile sized 24 months and smaller (my son currently wears a size 6); and

- I've discovered quite a few hand-me-downs that will fit my 2-year-old little girl (my older daughter is in second grade).

As much as I hate constantly doing laundry, though, I feel so blessed to have a washer and dryer! My most horrible childhood memories are from our bi-weekly trips to the laundromat. Oh, the agony! The torture! (And that was just from the cigarette smoke and country music!)

It's pretty darn nice to be able to throw a load in on the spot when your little urchin urps last night's ravioli all over his white sheets.

And to be honest, it's a blessing to have these piles of laundry. It means that I'm blessed with the little tykes who wear them! I truly am "Living the Dream!"

The other two I like are referee mom and minivan mom (they're pretty much tied for 2nd). My t-shirt size is XL. Thanks for telling us about these great shirts and notecards!

I want to thank everyone for participating!

It's not too late to get your own shirt! Just visit LTDchix, and they'll be more than happy to take your order! Remember to mention this site to receive 15% off!

Living the Dream GIVEAWAY!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!

(This post will remain at the top of my blog until the Giveaway is over on Saturday!)

What works better than a MOMMY GIVEAWAY!!!



A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about some t-shirts for moms from LTDchix.

I was surprised to see an email from them, asking me if I wanted to do a giveaway on my blog...and of course, I accepted!




Here's what you have to do to enter:

*Head over to LTDchix and find your 3 favorite choices from their selection!

I would have to say that my favorites are:

Referee Mom
I feel like this every single day...only add on a couple more kids!

I also like the Cooking Mom, the Shopping Mom, and the Mini-van Mom!

I love that you can get assorted notecards, if you can't decide which one you like best!

*Leave me a comment on which mom you relate to best and why. You can also mention your top 3 choices and what size you need!

*Make sure you can be easily contacted...whether it is through your email address or your blog!

This giveaway will end on Saturday, March 15th!

If you decide to order a t-shirt or notecards this week...you will also receive a free tank top!

Just be sure that in the comment section of your order, you say that you found them through the giveaway from Shannon at A Reforming Mom!

You can read more about the company here.

Whether it's you or someone you know...aren't we all Living the Dream? I know I wouldn't change it for the world!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!

Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

I am the only one in the house that will eat it. That definitely was no deterrent when it came to what I wanted to eat. I mean, really, what goes better with temperatures in the 70s than soup?

Here is the recipe:

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half-and-half
2 cups chicken stock or bouillon
1/2 pound fresh broccoli (I used some frozen broccoli too)
1 cup carrots, julienned
salt and pepper to taste
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar


Directions:

Saute onion in butter. Set aside. Cook melted butter and flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly and slowly add the half-and-half (this is called making a roux). Add the chicken stock whisking all the time. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat until the veggies are tender for 20-25 minutes. Add salt and pepper. The soup should be thickened by now. Pour in batches into blender (I used a food processor) and puree (you can leave some chunks in there if you prefer that). Return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese; stir until well blended.

This serves 4.

I doubled it, with plans to freeze some for later :)

ENJOY!!

As I ate lunch...

I thought of the Melting Pot.

Nutritious, eh?

Hey preggos...get you tutu's and leotards ready!

A dozen pregnant women wanted - for ballet

By Kate Kelland

LONDON (Reuters) - Far from being heavy, lumbering and clumsy, pregnant women are often fascinating, beautiful and serene, according to the artistic director of one British ballet company.

And to prove it, Balletlorent is recruiting 12 pregnant women to star in a dance production alongside six professional ballet dancers.

"MaEternal" will be performed in the northern English city of Newcastle in May and is offering the 12 who get through the auditions "a chance to share with an audience the beauty of what it means to carry the life of another within you."

Artistic Director Liv Lorent, who, coincidentally, is pregnant herself, says she has always been keen to combine trained dancers with people from all ages and stages in life to make her ballet productions richer.

"I've done projects in the past where I have invited all sorts of people -- children, old people, builders, footballers doctors, all sorts -- to take part," she told Reuters.

"This is another development of a long-held wish to mix up the different physical types in my choreography. The shape of people changes the way they move, and I like that very much."

She notes the stark contrast between the typically lithe light and muscular physique of a dancer, and the softer, rounder contours of a pregnant woman, and delights in it.

"You can't get a 25-year-old size 8 ballet dancer type body to move with the weight, the gravitas or the sheer cheerful spirit a pregnant woman," she said.

Lorent promises that no previous dance experience is necessary to audition for a part in MaEternal. The only requirement is that anyone wishing to take part should be up to 32 weeks by the time of the performance on May, 14. Beyond that, she says, the risk is too high of unplanned dramas on stage.

As well as recruiting 12 pregnant women, Lorent has also signed up Lynn Campbell, an active birth therapist who runs pregnancy classes in and around Newcastle, to advise on the movements and abilities of expectant mothers.

"Pregnant women do sometimes feel heavy and weighed down by all the changes, but sometimes they also feel fascinating and beautiful and amazing," Campbell told Reuters.

"Culturally we don't always have the words to celebrate the beauty of pregnancy, and although people are often fascinated by it, they don't know how to express that, so the say things like "Aren't you big!"

"So this is a real opportunity for pregnant women to be seen in a new way."

Who wants to join me?