Great CoffeeMate coupons..

If you haven't already seen this at Moneysavingmom..... go here for $1.50/1, then click down in the bottom left hand corner for a few more-- $1/1 and $1.50/2!

Edited: To actually include the link... Sorry!

Faith of a Child

This evening, Gabe had gone to work and I was working on my "Chocolate Cupcake" wall. (painting) The girls were playing together with Pinkie Pie (talking, singing, dancing My Little Pony).

Suddenly I hear a ferocious exchange, and Kiera start to cry. Long story short, Kiera had pushed a button, changing the program, and Melia was furious and pinched her cheeks- hard. This discussion had occurred earlier today- that if we fight over toys, the toys go away. So Pinkie Pie went away. Both of them were absolutely devastated.

Then, they walk into the dining room where I had sat my bowl of paint w/ the brush balancing on top. I follow them in, finding Melia playing with the brush (absent-mindedly, of course...) This conversation also had already occurred today- nobody touches the paint. Ever. So, we got swats on our hands. (I was starting to get a little worked up here....)

Now, Melia is a pretty good fit thrower, mostly because she has a difficult time settling herself down. And she was getting worked up too, so I helped her to bed, and warned that if she started a fit, she would get a spanking. By this point, I was expecting to here thumps and bangs as she worked herself up.

Kiera and I returned to painting, and after only maybe 2 minutes, Melia came out quietly with a completely different attitude. She said that she had prayed that God would help her to be good and obey Mommy. I was slightly, well, dumbstruck. And guilty. On her own, she had prayed for help from her Father, and He had blessed her with quick assistance. And she knew it. Then, she proceeded to tell me that she had also prayed that she would be able to help her friends be nice to her sister, because sometimes they aren't. And some of them have bad attitudes. This was a blessing for me, because you know how sometimes you wonder if they are going to pick things up from different kids? Even if it's some kid they don't even know on the playground, I wonder. But Melia notices the naughty trends, and she knows that she doesn't want to be like that.

Lemme tell ya, for a 4 year old, she impresses me. Especially when she remembers to pray, and I don't....

I thought this was Amazing....

As usual, read VERY slowly and consider!

Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us:

You call Me Master, and obey Me not.
You call Me Light, and see Me not.
You call Me Way, and walk Me not.
You call Me Life, and choose Me not.
You call Me Wise, and follow Me not.
You call Me Fair, and love Me not.

You call Me Rich, and ask Me not.
You call Me Eternal, and seek Me not.
You call Me Noble, and serve Me not.
You call Me Gracious, and trust Me not.
You call Me Might, and honor Me not.
You call Me Just, and fear Me not.
If I condemn you, blame Me not.
-- Inscription on a cathedral in Lubeck, Germany.

Four is a Great Age...

For us to be having another baby at. Melia is a crack-up!

Tonight, during dinner, she pipes up:
"Mom, I think brother can see that food going down."

Gabe laughed, and it took me a second to process what she had actually said. So clever!

(And then of course we had a little discussion about what he can see, light vs dark like when she closes her eyes and puts her hand over her eyes. She thought that was pretty neat. But still, he's in your tummy, and the food goes to your tummy...sooo? A different part of my tummy, honey....)

The next few months should be really interesting...!

Goji Berry Bush (or Tree? 8-10 ft!)

Here in the Henry Fields Catalog, I found they have Goji berry bushes for sale. This greatly intrigued me, as the "Red Juice," officially named Ningxia Red juice that I buy and swear by-- is made from wolfberries, aka goji berries. These berries are supposed to surpass any other fruit in antioxidant power.... and you can do just about anything with them. I would love to eat them raw, and dry them.... And the bush is only $12.95.

My concern is this, and I know it is "propaganda," but I wonder how valid it is, considering that some geographic areas are just made for growing power foods.... The claims of Ningxia Red are that the Ningxia province in China produces a "nutritional powerhouse.... the highest natural antioxidant levels, complete protein profile, and unique essential sugars, supported by remarkably high amounts of essential vitamins and minerals..."

My question: "Can I possibly grow a bush that produces this miracle fruit as well?" :-) Only if I market it as well as they do!

Prego Food- Another forgotten gem

Onions! The smell of grilling onions... OOOHHHHHHH yum!!!! Grilled red onions on pizza--- melt in my mouth delicioso!

And to think, not so many years ago I would not have touched one!

Preggers Update #2 for 22 Weeks: Stuff I forgot!

Heartburn. Lots and lots of heartburn. I will personally guarantee that this little fellow will share the boisterous head of hair that his sisters had.

And - how weird is this - Ziva (our doberman) is suddenly treating me like I'm the boss. This is COMPLETELY different from before, as Gabe's mom told us that she viewed Gabe as the boss, then her, then me- if she feels like listening. I asked Gabe if he thought it's because I'm visibly preggers (though I would have thought she'd have smelled some hormone difference before) and she recognizes me as the Alpha female? I don't know- I don't know dogs. Any ideas?

Melia, tonight as we were making brownies from scratch, says (because she thinks it's her turn to stir) "Mommy, I think baby brother is getting tired from helping you...."

The girls also got to see brother kick this afternoon- not sure what they thought, but at least Melia was smiling... ;-)

Prego Update: 22 Weeks

Hmm... What to put... Getting bigger. Officially made the transition to maternity clothes, and realizing for some reason I just don't have that many warm shirts...For sure a boy- I spotted it too ;-) Ultrasound measured 2 days ahead of schedule- safe there. Pretty active, but not too "bothersome" keeping me awake or anything. I have had some extremely sharp kicks to my pelvis area, which is different because Melia and Kiera were both head down most of the time. But he's still pretty little, so rolling around a lot I'm sure. (Babycenter says the size of a spagetti squash, but I don't know what that is.... although I have considered planting them next year! :-)

I was starting to have trouble sleeping when Gabe was home, but not so much when he was working... we figured out this week that that slight tilt to the mattress makes a big difference when I tilt on to my belly! Uncomfortable! So we put the mattress topper back on the bed and we'll see how that helps.

We've also started training the girls to let Mommy sleep more in the morning (unless preschool) to help them understand better when brother comes that Mommy will need to not be bothered when she's sleeping. (Thankfully, Gabe has totally stepped up and taken this on- I was harboring guilt over asking them to let me have some rest, but he has been MORE than supportive! How grateful I am for my husband!) He has also been really great in understanding my prego brain- lately in the afternoon, if I don't have a plan, nothing happens. If I mess up dinner, then I just can't think well enough to figure out something else to make (we ended up with PB&J...and then Subway...) I think I need to remember my Omega3s; baby is taking all my brain food! :-)

And how big am I? Depending on who you talk to: I am just starting to show, or I am nearly there. Take your pick. (Literally, a guy at work was counseling me to make sure if I feel weird or anything, let him know, he'll call the paramedics in a flash! And he'll hold my hand, but he won't deliver! Love the concern, but... it's a little early, dontcha think?) I feel like I'm bigger, but also that I'm growing differently. I also really think I am feeling hiccups. I remember them from before, a gentle rhythmic motion, but not this early! Do they get them this early or is it only later?

We'll Take Them...

Do any of the rest of you have those little "bath oil beads" that come in bath sets which dissolve in the bath? Specifically, ones you don't use, and won't use, and don't know what to do with?

I have your solution. Melia and Kiera love them, so I go through them pretty quick. My supply is running low. If you have some I can help you out with by taking them off your hands, I'd be happy to assist!

(Or, if you know where to buy giant packs on the cheap, then you'd be helping me!) :-)

Save this Junk Mail: Arbitron!

Gabe opened ours up, and there was $2 in there! Plus, if you finish a really easy survey, you get another $5!

Hey, it's seven dollars! That will pay for.... uh, umm. Gee... Pop and popcorn at the movies? Or a couple of Starbucks? Or another trip to Albies! Yea, that's it! More cereal ;-) Hee hee!