Madagascar... over and over and over and over

So my son has a new obsession... actually I think this is his first obsession! He hasn't ever really had a toy that he absolutely can't live without or a blanket he can't live without BUT lately from the time he wakes up in the morning to when he goes to bed ... well at least 20 times a day he asks to watch this movie... he obviously can't say Madagascar because he is only 18 1/2 mo. so he says "Mov - mov... " and he is refering to the song on there "I like to move it!" I too love this song and I am not kidding every time I watch this movie I see something that I didn't see before. It is super funny! It is a little dirty though... like the monkeys wanting to fling poo and the king tells them to shut up and stuff... I've got to say the entertainment for a toddler though is awesome! He loves the characters and they are all so over the top! I sure don't mind him watching it over and over but the first he says shut up I'll know where he got it from and we'll have to have a talk about it... as I'm sure we will about a lot of things that are on television. The song on there is good for housecleaning too! Gets you up and moving! I'm excited to watch #2!

I wonder what the neighbors think...

So yesterday we went to run errands. I am on Bunny Patrol for my cousin who is out of town so I go over to her house every day/ every other day to feed her bunny and goldfish - we also had to do a library run, a run to Ross (I heart Ross)! All in that buzzing around I got home to find that my house keys were missing. I took like a 1/2 hour to try and find them in my jeep and finally decided my boy needed lunch and I wasn't fining them SO all I could do was break in to my own house (as Ben, who has the extra key, was at work and unreachable at that time) So luckily the ladder was outside I found the only window in the house that wasn't locked because we had used it for Christmas Lights - put my ladder up against it, pried the window open and broke into my own house... you should of seen Daphnie's face! She was concerned!

I had to do this once before when I locked my own keys in the house... it was the Summer of 07 and my husband was at Boy Scout Camp. I had went outside after it had finally cooled off to do some yard work and spray off our back patio because there had been a storm and well some how ended up locking my self outside. I then had one of my nursery windows unlocked because we had been painting in there and I had to crawl through one of them. I'm not a small gal and to boot I was 7 months pregnant so that was insane! Barely Fit!

Yesterday when I did this I called my mom - I'm telling you I think I go brain dead when I'm pregnant... almost to the point of scary! It is super weird! I spent yesterday afternoon calling all the places I had been to see if my keys had been turned in... This morning I found my keys under Pauly's car seat... little stinker had got them out of my purse and flung them!

I've now broke in to this house 3 times... Thank God I've always found a window that wasn't locked... but now I'm wondering should I go around and lock windows or should I make sure I leave one open for myself... hmmmmm...

Attitude Adjuster!

When we were growing up my mom had a stick called the Attitude Adjuster! In puffy paint, she had "ATTITUDE ADJUSTER FOR SAMI JO, JODI DAWN, AND CASI JEAN" wrote on it! I actually can't remember - even one time getting spanked with that stick but it was there just-in-case! And it is a funny story to tell as and adult! My mom cracks me up!

But right now I need that stick... for myself! Although I feel like I am walking, breathing, speaking, eating all in slow motion because I am so tired... (totally feel like this!) I can't even think... (I got this way with my last pregnancy too during the first trimester) and I know I need to rest if I'm tired but I think it is almost a laziness now. I'm known for being lazy and I just can't seem to get out of my funk. Spring is here! I should want to do Spring cleaning and yard work. I've been trying to make sure to eat good and drink my water - not just starting now because I'm pregnant but I've been working and succeeding at this for a while. I used to be a list girl too... I would write my day down and get to work on it - checking things off as I accomplish them.

Being a stay-at-home mom is tough for me sometimes that way I guess if I let it because I very easily take on the attitude that who cares if I get dressed today - no one sees me, no one cares anyway! Why should I clean my house, I'm too tired .. .. .. .. is it nap time yet? or I'm hungry! I'm gonna puke!! I guess I just need to be patient and do what I can and the rest will come!

Something, of course, that always helps is waking up earlier than my boy and blogging and reading my Bible. I'm very thankful for my mom and sisters though who tends to send me little emails of verses and encouragement - I'll keep plugging along and I know I'll come out of this funk and feel better for it! There is lots to do around here and most importantly we have a very important guest coming to visit in about 8 months! :)

The Perfect Baby Handbook by Dale Hrabi

This was a book suggestion from a great friend of mine and I personally have not read it. It is being released today and you can read more about it here. It is by Dale Hrabi - from what I've heard about it it sounds like a fun read to learn about baby topics and how to handle them/learn more about your babies. There are so many parents out there that are so anxious when it comes to babies and raising them. In the beginning when I wasn't sure if I was truly doing the perfect things for Pauly in that perfect mother way - My mom mentioned to me that many idiots (even ones that I knew) had raised kids so she was fully confident that I could do it.

I'm sure you and your spouse have also had those moments after you have left those "said" people who you just aren't quite sure of their parenting ideas "Wow! Can you believe they raise their kids like that? They let their kids just run the show!" - I know Ben and I have! Some people are just nuts with their kids! Then the moment passes and we both are always thinking the same thing... are those people thinking the same thing about us right now :)

Amazon's Product Description included this statement -

The Perfect Baby Handbook provides much-needed comic relief from the pressures of modern parenting, and gives comfort to moms and dads who can say with a sigh of relief, “At least, we're not this bad.”

Misty Wagner at the Rainy Day in May Blog is my friend and she is the one that turned me on to this book... go check out her blog! It is a fun read!

I'm excited to read this book now for obvious reasons... the other day I went down to my baby book stash and grabbed a handful to get reacquainted with but if any of you end up reading this one or have already let me know what you think!

We loved it!

If you haven't went and rented the new Disney Movie BOLT! GO DO IT! We rented it this weekend and it was totally fun! Pauly is still pretty not interested when it comes to sitting down and watching a movie but he watched pretty much the whole first 1/3 of the movie! Could be because he is totally obsessed with dogs lately! We totally loved this movie and you'll just die when you see the hamster - he is hilarious! He was definitely Ben and my favorite! His name was rhino if that gives you an idea how funny it was! Anywho - just a suggestion for all those with chillens/grandchildren.

Remember my funk?

Well... about a week ago I figured out my funk... remember about two or three posts ago I told you all how I couldn't get out of bed and was so tired and just completely and utterly draggin' my butt! Well I found out...............

I'M PREGNANT!!!

If that won't put you in a funk I don't know what will! I am very very early in the process about 6 weeks along - we went to the dr. this past Wednesday and DID get to see the heartbeat and found out my due date is November 10th!

For most of you who know I did go through a miscarriage right before I got pregnant with Pauly - so this first stage I would really appreciate all of your prayers as far as everything going alright. This first trimester just freaks me out! BUT I do my best to not think bad about it and just remember to Give it to GOD!

We are super excited and I'm not sure if it really has hit me yet... but I'm getting more and more excited every day!

Think Spring!

I was fortunate enough to be raised around on a farm so when Spring rolled around we would see all the new life that the warm sunny days had in store for the world. New baby calves, lambs, and kittens.

Baby kittys my favorite - my sisters and I would always take our baby doll dress up clothes and dress them up in dresses and hats. They would just purrrr...

My Grandma Pattie had sheep when we were growing up and I loved visiting her lambing shed where a lot of the baby lambs were born. Sometimes we would have to take care of the lambs if something went wrong and we would feed them on the bottle. We loved helping her and later when we were a little older we got some lambs of our own.

For an alternate income in our home my mom raised bottle calves and sold them when they got bigger. We had quite a few and it was part of our chores to help her feed and water them.

Spring also reminds me of the smell of lilacs which is probably my favorite flower smell. My Grandma's whole driveway was lined with lilacs - purple and white ones. We had one smaller bush at our house. To this day I love the smell and I think they are gorgeous!

As many of you can relate I'm sure - Spring is when my hay fever allergy always flares up. When I was little there was always random pollen irritating me or there was a nearby farmer who was swathing hay or combining grain. Our little valley was just a huge sneeze for me... It was pretty common for my little face to be swollen up and I was trying to keep my hands down from itching my eyes out. I don't have allergies near as bad now - but I also live in the city. HUGE difference :)

Spring is also when High School Rodeo would start so many of my spring memories is of us girls on the road together going to rodeos. Listening to Patsy Cline and Dean Martin. Oh! and don't forget the practicing! We would ride every night almost all year long - My parents have an arena in front of their house. I would so love to go back and be a fly on the post and listen to the conversations between us sisters... and the arguments :) I'm sure it would be hysterical!

Casi, Jodi, and Sami (My sisters and me!)

Boo Hoo!

We are all sick here at the Melton House. We were all so stoked because my sister was going to come visit this weekend with my sweet little Macarti Girl. We were going to go to my Husband's Rugby Team's first game (he is coaching High School Boy's Rugby) and we were going to do a little visiting, movies, going for walks and all that fun stuff.

Oh how I wish they could still come. This croupy cold stuff just hit us on Wednesday around noonish and my poor little boy is just draggin'! He didn't hardly sleep a wink last night and went to sleep about 7:30 p.m. tonight which is about 2 hours before his bedtime... so I wonder when he'll wake up... we'll see if mama can get some sleep tonight. Speaking of which I better hop to it. Hopefully soon I'll get out of this funk and sick-o-ness and get back to regular blogging... Yes Krista girl - I too hate hate it when my kid-o is sick!!

Cute as a Button!

When I was a little girl, both my mom and my grandma Pattie had a huge container filled full of buttons. I would spend hours running my little hands through all of the buttons trying to find my favorites and just the feeling of the cold buttons in my hands and the sounds of them as I'd pick up a hand full then drop them back in the container. I am a huge fan of buttons and I love that you can do all sorts of fun things with them!

Below are some awesome ideas that people have thought up for using buttons in a different way rather than just the traditional to secure clothing. They're great!

This bow was found at bows2cute.com

These craft pics were found on ladyfort / sallyent's photostream in flickr. They have really cute stuff there - I couldn't find a business website or I would post that too. Very creative!

These buttons were placed so perfectly to fancy up a button sachet. These are found at the whiteaisle.com - I think these would be a fun party favor!

This was found at free-holiday-ideas.com

Great idea placing the buttons around the bottom of the cake! adds a ton character. This one is found at junebugweddings.com

I'm Back! Finally!

So... I haven't been blogging because our Internet modem died and they said they mailed it when they really forgot and we should of had it last Thursday but we just got it last night. The good thing is that since we went without Internet the company is going to credit $10 back to our account for when we went without and it was their fault!

It was totally strange not being able to have the convenience of checking things on the Internet and the I was really starting to miss being able to write on my blogs and to be able read some of yours.

BUT I am back and ready to get going again. Since my last post - Seems like not to much has gone on although some things have happened that are "in the works" right now so I can't disclose them quite yet... (Some of you know what I mean :)

Also my sister Jodi joined the blogging world so go visit her blog here - I can't wait to be able to read her blog of all the fun things that family is doing. I love her stories about her kids. They're hilarious!

I'm in a funk!!!

I just am! I don't know what it is or why I feel this way... I couldn't get up and going this morning - Pauly literally was playing on my bed for an hour - watching Handy Manny and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse when I finally got up and got breakfast - (granted he woke up right at 7:30 which remember the whole time change thing is sort of 6:30 in my mommy world)...

I do give myself a little credit tonight - I made yummy roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and steamed carrots for dinner.

Tomorrow my goals are to just get out of this funk and get going!! I always feel so much better... hopefully soon I'll get used to this time change :)

Tonight we are watching dances with the stars and so far both Ben and I are rootin' for the Gymnast!! Go Shawn!

Do you dare?

The other day when I was looking through some google images I found these three rooms that have very BOLD decor, paint and bedding! I just loved them and thought... Would I dare? Would you?

STOP and smell the roses...

With man this may seem impossible, but with GOD all things are possible.

Matthew 19:26

We had a pretty great weekend. We had a Blaze King Stove sell on Craig's List which put an additional $200 in our pocket and may all God's people say "AMEN"! We plan on using that and some of our tax money we got back to put into a garden and a little grass in our backyard. We will also put some money into a pump for a possible well Ben found on our property. That will surely cut down that darn water bill!

This verse above reminds me of new beginnings and what Springs has in store for our little home here. Yesterday when Pauly and I were outside playing I saw two robins pecking around in the lawn and I was so excited to see their ruby red breasts. They're gorgeous!

It got me to thinking about how impossible you would think it would be for a egg to turn into a bird. Such a beautiful metamorphosis. The robin's egg is a gorgeous shade of well yes blue... Robin's Egg Blue is one of my favs! The immaculate hand God has in every single thing BIG and small in our world. Whether we find it really important to dreadfully nonexistent and blah - it all cycles and changes and is beautiful and perfect because of his wonderful GRACE and impeccable plan and creation.

If it were all to stop what things would you finally notice because they went away or stopped? It is crucial to remember to open our eyes and appreciate everything we possibly can, because we never know when that one thing that we haven't appreciated might some day - be gone forever. Must have no regrets.

Photo by: Rosemary Cluley

I kiss the palms of your tiny hands and then lay them on my face.
I shut my eyes to savor the moment.
I love the feel of your soft precious skin against mine.
I grab you by your cheeks and pull you in for a big lip smooch.
I stroke your hair and help it all lay down, parted to the right.
You're my little man.
Your little arms swing back and forth as you run barefoot on our warn, sun kissed, wood floor.
I chase you through the kitchen, to the living room and on to your bedroom.
You trip and fall over the edge of the blue wool rug that graces the floor of your room.
I grab you up quick and hold you tight, your poor little eyes filled with tears.
You lay your head on my shoulder while you weep.
You squeeze around my neck with your tiny arms, still needing comforted.
The tears fade away and I inspect your little body.
You get a grin back on your face and you talk to me in that little adorable language you have.
I just nod and smile.
You grab your favorite book and plop yourself in my lap.
Your little head against my chest and your little hands in your lap.
You point at the pictures and repeat some of the words as I read to you.
You are so smart.
I wrap my arms around you and squeeze you tight.
We jump up at the same time and I hold your hand as we run through the house.
We play with the dog and you give her kisses.
She loves you.
You help me with the house chores as we wait for Daddy to come home from work.
Then suddenly we hear the door and you scream!
It's Daddy!
You run to him, he scoops you up and squeezes you tight.
His whiskers tickle you and you make a funny face.
You give him a kiss.
He asks you about your day.
You answer again in the little language you have.
He nods and smiles.
We eat dinner as a family.
You feed yourself with a spoon.You are doing such a great job!
We enjoy our night together wrestling, laughing and reading books.
Bedtime now and you kiss daddy goodnight.
You fold your little hands together ready to pray.
Your eyes shut and you are whispering a little prayer to yourself.
I pray with you and then give you a goodnight kiss.
I tuck you in and tell you I love you and that I will see you in the morning.
Soon, you are dreaming...

I kiss the palms of your tiny hands and then lay them on my face.

I shut my eyes to savor the moment.

I love the feel of your soft precious skin against mine.

I grab you by your cheeks and pull you in for a big lip smooch.

I stroke your hair and help it all lay down, parted to the right.

You're my little man.

Your little arms swing back and forth as you run barefoot on our warn, sun kissed, wood floor.

I chase you through the kitchen, to the living room and on to your bedroom.

You trip and fall over the edge of the blue wool rug that graces the floor of your room.

I grab you up quick and hold you tight, your poor little eyes filled with tears.

You lay your head on my shoulder while you weep.

You squeeze around my neck with your tiny arms, still needing comforted.

The tears fade away and I inspect your little body.

You get a grin back on your face and you talk to me in that little adorable language you have.

I just nod and smile.

You grab your favorite book and plop yourself in my lap.

Your little head against my chest and your little hands in your lap.

You point at the pictures and repeat some of the words as I read to you.

You are so smart.

I wrap my arms around you and squeeze you tight.

We jump up at the same time and I hold your hand as we run through the house.

We play with the dog and you give her kisses.

She loves you.

You help me with the house chores as we wait for Daddy to come home from work.

Then suddenly we hear the door and you scream!

It's Daddy!

You run to him, he scoops you up and squeezes you tight.

His whiskers tickle you and you make a funny face.

You give him a kiss.

He asks you about your day.

You answer again in the little language you have.

He nods and smiles.

We eat dinner as a family.

You feed yourself with a spoon.
You are doing such a great job!

We enjoy our night together wrestling, laughing and reading books.

Bedtime now and you kiss daddy goodnight.

You fold your little hands together ready to pray.

Your eyes shut and you are whispering a little prayer to yourself.

I pray with you and then give you a goodnight kiss.

I tuck you in and tell you I love you and that I will see you in the morning.

Soon, you are dreaming...

Tea for two - well actually three...

At my church our Women's Group has started a Mentoring Group. We started this group this past October. The idea was that this would a great opportunity for women of all ages learn to get to know each other better and appreciate what every woman has to bring to the table. For example: each group was made up of approximately 3 ladies of all ages. What we do is we meet once a month to visit and fellowship and then all the time we are praying for each other and then we once a week we also try and remember to drop each other a phone call or a note in the mail.

This last weekend my group met. Every time we meet we alternate between each other's houses and this time it was my turn and I tell you I had such a wonderful time preparing for this little get-together!

The theme for my party was "Tea Party". I called my mom for all the fun Tea Party sandwich ideas and I ended up making Deviled Ham sandwiches, Egg Salad sandwiches, Chicken Salad sandwiches, Cucumber/Cream Cheese sandwiches. I also made a Carrot Salad as a side. One lady brought a Green Salad and the other brought a wonderful Fruit, Yogurt and Granola Parfait! We had quite the spread and I made sure before we got back from church that my table was all set and I had a three-tier little holder that I put on the bottom cookies, then peanuts and the top I put little mints. Of course along with this wonderful spread we had tea, coffee and ice water.

I had went to the local thrift store and bought precious yet affordable tea cups and plates. They were all white and matched. They were $ .75 each. These played as my party favors as well!

We ate, visited, cried and prayed together. These ladies just mean the world to me and I'm so blessed to have them in my life! Have yourself a lovely little tea party soon!

and counting...

Church this Sunday was awesome! I was there alone - well Pauly was in Nursery (hopefully behaving) and the husband was re cooperating at home as he had worked 6 days and nights right in a row - he needed to just relax for a little bit! I don't mind going to church by myself with Pauly it can be a little challenging but overall I love going... period! The music was awesome - we sang old hymns like "In the Garden", "Come, thou fount", and "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" It was just what I needed... you know when you've got fogged over and your eyes aren't focused. It really hit me in church when I realized how blessed I am.

There are so many people right now going through so much loss, hurt and turmoil in this world. I think about those people and it really makes me realize how silly I've been, how petty, selfish and completely un-acknowledging Christ and what a blessing he is to have in my life. Without him I'm nothing and any frustrations or lost feelings I ever might have if I didn't have him would control my life... but because he is in my life I can give it to him and I know he will never leave me!

I'm counting my blessings this week left and right! From my alone time in the morning, to my patient and loving husband... to the fact that I have a perfectly healthy body and I'm hardly ever sick to my beautiful precious son. So many things- somethings big some things small! We can pay our bills, my husband has a job, I woke up this morning and my wonderful family, church family and friends...

The list goes on and on!

Cruise to my loo my darlin'

This was found on Wikipedia.org

Made by Velorbis

Can't you see somewhere on this one - belongs to: The Lady?

Made by Land Rover
All I have to say about this one is ... Yes! Please! http://www.rei.com/

Pinky Pinky Pink! Love Love this one!

I know it's a boy's bike but it is gorgeous!

A Bike Store

This color is so awesome!