tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34257970036350675442024-03-14T01:49:27.263-04:00Love grows best in little housesLeahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.comBlogger743125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-42792047619611607102012-05-10T12:19:00.000-04:002012-05-10T12:24:39.435-04:00Things that make me happy...I haven't posted in a while. Mostly because Facebook and Pinterest are my online obsessions now, and well, blogger is actually difficult to use since they changed everything. But I decided it was time for a post....things that make me happy. Haven't done one of those in a while! ;)<br />
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So here goes...a list of things that make my heart sing with joy...<br />
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-the light dusting of freckles across the bridge of my daughter's nose<br />
-secret inside jokes between josh and i <br />
-perfect 60 degree sunshine filled days<br />
-when Reagan's friends greet me with "Hi, Reagan's Mom!!"<br />
-emails from REAL people! <br />
-lemon infused organic olive oil<br />
-homeschool curriculum catalogs<br />
-pretty purple, yellow and orange pansies that seem to multiply overnight. <br />
-a good night's sleep and waking up without feeling tired<br />
-cheap books<br />
-having God touch your heart and break it open to the needs of others<br />
-finding out you're useful<br />
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those are just a few of the things i'm happy and thankful for today.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-27119364399772270692012-04-19T21:10:00.000-04:002012-04-19T21:10:08.434-04:00Going healthy....Some things I've noticed since we've been trying to eat healthier/go organic. <br />
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#1--I FEEL better when I stick to the healthy eating plan (notice: NOT DIET). I feel like crap when life gets busy and we frequent the fast food drive through.<br />
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#2--Eating healthy takes TIME. Meal planning, shopping and preparation all take time. This is definitely something I need to work on. I need to get some good healthy freezer meals put up for when I am completely out of time. <br />
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#3--I've been conditioned. I feel horrible for spending 1 hour of actual work making a meal. I've been brought up in a society where the faster we can throw dinner together, the better mom and wife we are. Oddly enough, I don't feel bad about spending that amount of time on facebook..just more guilty in that case. Obviously my priorities need some SERIOUS changing. <br />
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#4--Organic bananas don't ripen quickly. Make sure you take this into account when you buy them. They stay green for a looooooooooooooooooooooooooong time (unless you throw them in a sack with an apple..even then, they don't ripen quickly). <br />
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#5--Organic bread, on the other hand, goes stale very fast! It's better to make your own, but then again--see #2. <br />
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#6--It's hard to have shelf-stable snack food that is organic...at least I've found that to be true. Working on seeking more snack/kid friendly options. <br />
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#7--There aren't many organic, whole milk options I can drink. They all seem to taste 'funny'. This is after a life-time of drinking watered down skim non-organic milk. The only milk I truly LOVE and could drink constantly because it's just that good, is Kroger brand organic milk--Simply Truth Whole. It's fantastic. <br />
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#8--Sometimes organic is over-rated. SERIOUSLY over-rated. I would much rather have the words 'chemical-free' on my food than 'organic'. This is where my new favorite flour comes into play: Wheat Montana Hard White Wheat. SO GOOD. <br />
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#9--Sometimes 'natural' doesn't mean natural. Check labels. Check sources. <br />
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#10--Sometimes you just have to let go. If you can't find organic or vegetarian fed chicken thighs and that is what the recipe calls for and you don't want to sub chicken legs--then, just get the Tyson chicken thighs. Try not to do it too often, though. <br />
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#11--Sometimes that organic label really ticks me off. I'd almost rather buy Laura's grain fed beef than the organic beef at my local Kroger. The cost of that little sticker is outrageous. <br />
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#12--I still have no idea if organic is better than local or local is better than organic. Can't I just have local chemical-free? I really need my own garden. <br />
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I think that's it for now....I'm sure more is to come later......Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-54972692070011092272012-03-20T12:31:00.002-04:002012-03-20T12:38:01.990-04:00Spring! Spring! Spring! sang the Robin. <br /><br />Anyone want to guess what book that line's from? Oh, come on--it's easy...and old one that all of us are sure to have read!<br /><br />Takers? Anyone? <br /><br />Ok, I'll tell you. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Bunny-Little-Golden-Book/dp/0307930092/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332261303&sr=8-2">Home for a Bunny</a>. One of our favorites. Which reminds me that I need to dig it out and read it to Reagan tonight since it's...say it with me people "THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING"...WOOHOOO!<br /><br />Did I mention we've been trying to sell our house since the fall? Yep, hasn't sold yet. And we fired our realtor..and now we're meeting with a new one. I really hope it sells soon. I'd love to find a new house and get settled BEFORE another winter hits..not this winter was bad by any means..but it's just so much easier to move in the Spring or Summer. <br /><br />Just so you know, I'm going to completely change the subject here--this is a totally random post. Have you seen Amazon lately? I'm not really digging the new layout. It's....different. I hate change. <br /><br />Which is weird since I'm usually the one pushing for it in our household. ...which leads me to....<br /><br />We're still pursuing adoption, but now through the Foster Care system. We met with our Social Worker and OUCH--the amount of paperwork required is staggering. We didn't have to complete nearly as much for our adoption home study. It's going to take at least a month or two to complete everything. <br /><br />So, if anyone is even still reading this blog, please say a prayer for us.<br /><br />I think that's it for now. :)Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-77593003775399969612012-03-09T09:24:00.003-05:002012-03-09T09:28:27.980-05:00March MenuWe're really really trying to be healthy...as many organics as possible (and chemical free when I can find them!) No processed, made from scratch, real WHOLE food. So this is the menu plan for March. It took 3 hours to put it together, then printing out the recipes, then the grocery list. Then another 2+ hours for shopping and putting away. It was EXHAUSTING. <br /><br />BUT--I'm hoping in a few months I'll have a steady list of repeat, good healthy food that my family actually likes and I'll be able to whip up the menu and the grocery list fairly quickly.<br /><br />NOW--if only grocery shopping were so easy!<br /><br />March Menu Plan <br />Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken, fettuccine, sauteed kale-THIS WAS A FLOP!<br />Chicken picata, pasta, vegetable or salad<br />Classic Tomato Soup with grilled cheese sandwiches<br />Chicken Nuggets with mac and cheese and vegetable<br />Cabbage beef stew<br />Tacos with Mexican rice<br />Spaghetti with bread and vegetable/salad<br />Chicken Pot Pie <br />Italian Pasta Bake, vegetable <br />Bean and cheese burritos, salad<br />Sloppy Joes Cornbread Casserole, vegetable/coleslaw?<br />Crockpot bbq chicken with buns (homemade-look for recipe) and carrot fries <br />Crockpot Orange Chicken, rice, vegetable<br />Italian Baked Spaghetti Squash, vegetable, bread <br />Roast Salmon and pasta <br />Cauliflower soup with bread <br />Meatloaf with cauliflower herb mash<br />Cabbage beef soup with bread <br />Lemon Garlic Tilapia with pasta/potatoes with vegetable<br />Collin’s Lentil Soup with bread<br />Granny’s Beef, Potato, and Onion Casserole<br />Farmhouse Chicken with salad/vegetable<br />Fried Chicken Legs with pasta/potatoes and vegetable<br />Bacon wrapped bbq chicken, potatoes, vegetable<br />San Fran Slow Cooker Chops, rice and vegetable <br />BBQ Chicken, bacon-y bok choy, pasta----THIS WAS GREAT!<br /><br />Breakfasts:<br />Personal Sized Baked Oatmeal Cups with individual toppings <br />Apple Pie Breakfast<br />Eggs and Toast<br />Fruit/Yogurt<br />Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie<br /><br />Desserts:<br />Chocolate Banana Ice Cream---THIS WAS BETTER SUITED TO A SMOOTHIE!<br />Cookies<br />Cranberry Bars <br /><br /><br />Snacks:<br />Peanut butter balls <br />Bread-homemade<br />Nut Buttery Popcorn<br />Fruit<br /><br /><br />Lunches:<br />Cheesy Rice and Bean Burritos <br />Sandwiches-peanut butter, tuna, egg<br />Grilled tuna quesadillas <br />Split Pea Soup<br /><br />Drinks:<br />Tea<br />Milk<br />Water<br /><br />If anyone is interested in a recipe, let me know and I'll find the link!Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-56187292917389345702011-12-12T11:58:00.003-05:002011-12-12T12:00:17.002-05:00Overheard in our house latelyMommy: We're going to Starbucks to pick up a snack really quickly.<br />Reagan: Can I get a bumpy road cake pop?!<br />-----------------------------<br />Reagan (while crafting): Now I get to glue baby Jesus's head on!! (?!)Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-22127534467409776232011-12-06T21:08:00.004-05:002011-12-06T21:28:32.186-05:00Christmas GiftsSince I put Reagan in preschool two days a week this year (yes, we still homeschool--three days a week!), I needed to make teacher's gifts and classmate goody bags. After scouring <a href="http://pinterest.com/">pinterest</a> for some ideas, I settled on these two--<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/34832597087568813/">Hats</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/34832597087576885/">Cupcake Socks</a>.<br /><br />I put my own twist on both and wa-lah! The results are below! I have to say I had a blast and the gifts were simple and inexpensive to make. Breakdown is below:<br /><br />2 pack of socks (each teacher gets a two pack!):$3.17 (60% off clearance sale at JoAnn's)<br />1 pail: $1.19 (60% off clearance at JoAnn's)<br />Cellophane paper, red pompom on hand (I picked up the cute checkered ribbon at JoAnn's as well for 60% off--but it's the same pattern they've had for years..I stock up every year after Christmas usually!) <br /><br />Total cost for each teacher's gift: UNDER $5!<br /><br />Hats: $1 each at the Target Dollar spot<br />Cocoa: $1.00 for 10/packs<br />Marshmallows: $2.50/bag (I only used half the bag that I had purchased for our own use at home!)<br /><br />Cost per classmate: approx $1.21 (made 12 goody bags)<br /><br />LOVED MAKING THESE!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0hf82bq3MB3Eiu6dM7ii16ZGF9hvBfTmF3Jnd3GTg-mrRqZHOUkGP_YgeC0ojGMgbSkLP6NRE3RuSVVQEftyx2Ag7qTuM55BLWBS9bZHyzQciQp4ddvNpqjvLsmAgca-nwUnZzcTP0I/s1600/cupcake+socks.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0hf82bq3MB3Eiu6dM7ii16ZGF9hvBfTmF3Jnd3GTg-mrRqZHOUkGP_YgeC0ojGMgbSkLP6NRE3RuSVVQEftyx2Ag7qTuM55BLWBS9bZHyzQciQp4ddvNpqjvLsmAgca-nwUnZzcTP0I/s320/cupcake+socks.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683204800714499426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-gwS3vHm6G6f6KRflMhHWI0bYrMdytYUMMwAeJHwAGfpFO27vFQwNwvKtnerYuxxYVmWXkI7NWP6nlSFctyTBSpO0cG4HfE9QxUfHbIrwUFN-vOlhfoH_yGa-e_2FpgY7RA69HOgMCs/s1600/teacher%2527s+gifts.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-gwS3vHm6G6f6KRflMhHWI0bYrMdytYUMMwAeJHwAGfpFO27vFQwNwvKtnerYuxxYVmWXkI7NWP6nlSFctyTBSpO0cG4HfE9QxUfHbIrwUFN-vOlhfoH_yGa-e_2FpgY7RA69HOgMCs/s320/teacher%2527s+gifts.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683207160032367362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQg2tL4LrwBf_1T1cIVyt-_nyo90JXpEF17xsUHMiNjC1DcDAKKDrKHOm73wOXWeLnXDqA7hUfboYveEhXuzUYVF53N2QrxqyzP1fTHXAYuOPvFCeGh9rzLrAK7l0f89yhBbLZyM33v-g/s1600/classmate+gifts+finished.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQg2tL4LrwBf_1T1cIVyt-_nyo90JXpEF17xsUHMiNjC1DcDAKKDrKHOm73wOXWeLnXDqA7hUfboYveEhXuzUYVF53N2QrxqyzP1fTHXAYuOPvFCeGh9rzLrAK7l0f89yhBbLZyM33v-g/s320/classmate+gifts+finished.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683204794836685714" /></a>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-28124882900906162412011-11-06T21:15:00.002-05:002011-11-06T21:15:52.603-05:00Thankfulness Challenge Day 6Thankful for the wisdom of others and that they can pass on that wisdom to us freely.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-73453056010484777592011-11-05T00:00:00.000-04:002011-11-06T21:15:12.381-05:00Thankfulness Challenge Day 5Thankful for books :) I just love books! And thankful for a country where they are soooo plentiful! More than I could ever hope to read....Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-2420855611088921372011-11-04T00:00:00.000-04:002011-11-06T21:13:44.975-05:00Thankfulness Challenge Day 4Thankful that we're able to provide for our family...there are so many who can't :(Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-5649936570721972932011-11-03T09:52:00.002-04:002011-11-03T09:54:11.634-04:00Thankfulness Challenge Day 3Today I'm thankful for the continued nice weather we've had throughout the fall and the fact that we've stayed safe throughout all of the storms and 'freak' weather that we've had throughout the US this year.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-26532450032993822842011-11-02T13:07:00.002-04:002011-11-02T13:08:45.975-04:00Thankfulness Challenge Day 2I'm thankful for amazing foilage and small towns where I can feel safe raising our family and happy knowing at any moment I'll run into a friend.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-57425340421862902682011-11-01T00:00:00.000-04:002011-11-02T13:07:32.270-04:00Thankfulness Challenge Day 1I'm thankful for my husband, who loves to do dishes and loves me even when I'm not loveable. I'm thankful for my daughter who is my special gift from God and whom I love more than anything.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-32548881392736023962011-10-16T21:13:00.003-04:002011-10-16T21:28:32.119-04:00Daddy-ism!I ran to the office for a few hours today and when I came home, Josh had just finished giving Reagan a bath and was making dinner for her. He was, of course, a proud devoted daddy taking care of his sick little girl. <br /><br />A sick little girl who not only has a nasty respiratory virus, but also has a bit of red, irritated chapped skin--for which we'd been giving her baking soda baths (tip! it works wonders!) Josh was so proud of himself for remembering to put baking soda in the bath and since we had just run out of the box I keep in the bathroom, I asked off-hand "Oh, you found another box?" <br /><br />Josh: "Yep, there was one up on the shelf next to the laundry detergent."<br />At this point I stopped. "Where???" <br />Josh: "Up on the shelf next to the laundry detergent..you know, you had a big box up there."<br />Me: Um, no, honey, that wasn't baking soda.<br />Josh: Yes it was. It had the Arm & Hammer label on it.<br />Me: (slightly panicking at this point) Um, no, it was washing soda. CLEANING soda--you're not supposed to put it on skin. <br />Josh: I'm sure it was baking soda.<br />Me: No. Stop. Just show me what you used.<br />Josh: See? This.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa2nvGabxmG-7e2lMbAXKb3Id2nBWtIi_mScuwdObdhy2NbCBWXJbr0_w1H8tk0X5MAhxiWpXo1rBkLKqK2Ird0FUvE_8WrxLaMthr5AZ7FW62STgOigIeHBnvIRKveDM5kaDwu3qWrc/s1600/washing+soda.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa2nvGabxmG-7e2lMbAXKb3Id2nBWtIi_mScuwdObdhy2NbCBWXJbr0_w1H8tk0X5MAhxiWpXo1rBkLKqK2Ird0FUvE_8WrxLaMthr5AZ7FW62STgOigIeHBnvIRKveDM5kaDwu3qWrc/s320/washing+soda.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664265376657386466" /></a><br />At this point, I I'm alternating between panic-because Washing Soda is different from baking soda..and is in fact more caustic and can IRRITATE skin and oh yeah, you're not supposed to swallow it and Reagan has a bad habit of blowing bubbles and swallowing some of her bath water (gross I know, but she picked it up in swim class!)--and hysterical laughter. <br /><br />Josh picked her up and rinsed her in the shower quickly and she came out no worse for the wear...perhaps a little cleaner than usual, but without any ill effects.<br /><br />I got a good laugh because..well really...Reagan was fine and...aren't our guys just really cute when they're clueless? :)Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-30251773418248875372011-10-01T10:48:00.003-04:002011-10-01T10:50:26.409-04:00Reaganism!Yesterday Reagan was completing one of her workbook pages. This particular page was matching rhyming words. One of the pictures showed a little man wearing extremely tight pants (the word to rhyme was "tight"). <br /><br />Reagan looked at the picture thoughtfully and said "I wonder why he's wearing such tight pants?" Then she shrugged and said "Oh, he must be a drummer!"....WHAT?!?!?! lol!Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-49423140130803645692011-09-11T17:05:00.001-04:002011-09-11T17:05:22.849-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMNNJSGJHv5v5SamlWXl1EbjmxcFStVqsjVJoLn4X1liHfkgZQku8D8oLnG3n83py-dU4TxWPOuTfGoThfM5zLZB9jhV7irJliMnA1av5JaAZGPCFTj3KHZYSC3wFLA7oxagPZhSTFRU/s1600/9-11decalmag_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMNNJSGJHv5v5SamlWXl1EbjmxcFStVqsjVJoLn4X1liHfkgZQku8D8oLnG3n83py-dU4TxWPOuTfGoThfM5zLZB9jhV7irJliMnA1av5JaAZGPCFTj3KHZYSC3wFLA7oxagPZhSTFRU/s320/9-11decalmag_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651211099293261010" /></a>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-16701402562711565572011-08-16T09:04:00.002-04:002011-08-16T09:06:30.501-04:00??Has it really been a month since I posted??? Argh. For a while I was so good at posting several times a week...now, life just seems to run away from me. News here is that we are STILL waiting to find a child to adopt--infant, older child..whatever! We just want to add to our family!
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<br />And we're starting back to 'home'school on August 22nd...eek! I'm excited! I'm a nervous wreck! Check out our homeschool blog to see how things are progressing by clicking the button on the left!Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-61425864065947973682011-07-21T19:02:00.001-04:002011-07-21T19:02:14.002-04:00BoysToday Reagan had several friends over to play. One of them happened to be a little boy, I'll call "J". J is a little boy that she had a crush on when she was 18 months old (he is a little over a year and half older than she is.) She would follow him around and do everything he was doing. They haven't spent much time together in the past two years--J has been attending preschool and then Kindergarten this year so Reagan spent more time playing with his younger sister. <br /><br />But today they were all together. And J drew her a picture and hung it up in her bedroom. A picture of Reagan and J together. A picture that included a "R" at the top...a heart....and then a "J". <br /><br />I happened to notice the heart while Josh and Reagan where playing camping tonight. I brought it out to show him and ask Reagan about it.<br /><br />Mommy: Reagan, is this the picture J made for you?<br />Reagan: (shyly, ducking her head) Yes.<br />Mommy: Is that you and J in the picture?<br />Reagan: Yes.<br />Mommy: Is that a heart between the R and J?<br />Reagan: (again, shy, nodding)<br /><br />Daddy is sitting stone-faced through all of this and says "You need to watch that boy." I walked out of the room to hang the picture back up and heard Josh saying to Reagan "Remember, Reagan, no boys til after college." She shook her head emphatically NO and said "Oh, Daddy, you're so crazy!"<br /><br />OY. VEY.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-31064155738408457232011-07-18T06:12:00.002-04:002011-07-18T06:13:07.486-04:00BagelsDear Someone/Anyone,<br />Please start making blueberry bagels in the "mini" size. This would make breakfast so much easier.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-4617182056116812192011-07-17T20:48:00.002-04:002011-07-17T21:05:55.159-04:00What do you use when your child is sick?Reagan's asthma is acting up again. I will say we've had a good run of her not getting sick for a while...which has been awesome. But I think combined with the horrible heat and humidity we've had, along with our extremely busy schedule--it just all caught up with her. <br /><br />So I decided I would post my list of things I send Josh to the store for (and that I really should keep in the house no matter what!) when Reagan comes down with something. It really is a great list and helps keep both of us sane!<br /><br />--Several boxes of tissues--both lotion and non-lotion (mostly because I hate using lotion AFTER your nose is already chapped, because then it just feels greasy..so I always want to have both!)<br />--Up to date prescriptions for your child (including those they use only when sick--make sure those haven't expired!!!)<br />--Lots of Gatorade and juice (Welch's grape has TONS of antioxidants)(this time Josh purchased powder Gatorade, which is a GREAT idea!)<br />--Straws!<br />--Humidifier<br />--Popsicles<br />--A can of chicken noodle soup (even though homemade is really best sometimes you just don't have "time" to make it from scratch!)<br />--Children's Tylenol and Ibuprofen (must have because you can alternate them to get a high fever down quickly!)<br />--A <strong>good</strong> quality thermometer--we like a temporal scanner thermometer (and always have a backup thermometer in case one quits working)<br />--Favorite or new movie, lots of good books and even a small inexpensive new toy stashed away (helps alleviate boredom!)<br />--And of course, a good working relationship with your child's doctor(s) and nurses and their emergency number so you can call and ask questions or get your child in quickly if necessary.<br /><br />Some other tips that I've found helpful:<br />--A good book/quiet movie for mom (If you have one child or a child that is sick frequently, you'll find you spend lots of hours at their bedside/next to the couch watching them sleep, checking their temp and basically trying to be quiet. This will do wonders to alleviate YOUR boredom! My personal recommendation is any Jane Austen movie or frankly, any book!)<br />--Baths. Baths are soothing and even more wonderful if you can put some Johnson's eucalyptus bubble bath in the water or lavender bubble bath to help relax your child. (Note: Moms should be wary of using Vicks type medication with children who have asthma..it may exacerbate their breathing issues).<br />--Rubbing your child with lotion. When your child has the flu, you can do a ton to relieve body aches by simply heating some lotion for a few seconds in the microwave and then rubbing them down. <br />--If your child is suffering from stomach flu, rotavirus or any other tummy/bottom ailment, invest in a small trash can, double lined with plastic grocery sacks-easy to dispose of; disposable underpants/pull-ups (great for when there are uncontrollable spasms); and diaper cream for those same issues, even if your child is potty trained. <br />--Half of a strong onion, cut in half, next to your child's bed makes a great all-natural decongestant and allows your child to sleep much better!<br /><br />Hoping this list helps someone else out!Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-44072987772910895622011-07-05T06:55:00.003-04:002011-07-05T06:57:21.499-04:00Words I Never Thought I'd Hear.....When I woke Reagan up after a very busy and late weekend (although we tried to put her to bed early last night), she rolled over and groaned: Can't I sleep just a little more? When I said, no, she had to get up because she had camp today, she groaned again and said "I wish they didn't make it so early!"<br /><br />LOL!<br /><br />Even better was when I told her to go say bye to Daddy (he is spending today at home!) and he groaned about being woken up; Reagan collapsed on the pillow and said "yeah, I feel that way too."<br /><br />zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz................................Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-15758154570976959112011-07-02T09:54:00.000-04:002011-07-02T09:55:08.227-04:00My heart hurts today. I miss you, Pritsha.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-79409647837040781022011-07-01T13:43:00.002-04:002011-07-01T13:43:55.289-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj71Yl4FzeLfO0jOgFe3VScQf72ZUFLZrGFpU02cahSaFTIfceX-gjs3f20RlQR1R7Qchof6ct-yNRlSFomObgr7o__oZ3GPO-tKtP0vc56ddN90bLCTbsc3Bu0b59iAxBYLkkGE2SuI/s1600/flag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj71Yl4FzeLfO0jOgFe3VScQf72ZUFLZrGFpU02cahSaFTIfceX-gjs3f20RlQR1R7Qchof6ct-yNRlSFomObgr7o__oZ3GPO-tKtP0vc56ddN90bLCTbsc3Bu0b59iAxBYLkkGE2SuI/s320/flag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624441034448451154" /></a><br />So thankful to be American.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-81911665959971917732011-06-23T12:38:00.003-04:002011-06-23T12:40:58.420-04:00Food stuff!Just tried a delicious new "recipe"! Reagan and I loved it! So simple:<br /><br />Whole wheat tortilla<br />Peanut butter<br />Granola<br />Apple slices<br /><br />Spread the peanut butter on the tortilla. Sprinkle with granola and apple slices. Roll up! DELISH!<br /><br />Oh, and for those that love lemon as much as I do (because seriously, lemon is the.best.flavor.out.there.--you have to try Kroger's new Lemon Wafers--vanilla wafers, with LEMON. *DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL*Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-66878467564576964082011-06-21T14:04:00.003-04:002011-06-21T14:05:55.810-04:00It's the First Day of Summer!!WOOHOOO! And although it's only the afternoon, Reagan and I are WHIPPED! We spent the morning washing the car (and getting soaked), playing on her water slide, making and playing with chalk paint, having a picnic and eating rootbeer floats while watching the clouds float by. <br /><br />Great summer day! (And now let's hope she takes that nap!!!)Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425797003635067544.post-76230176723998529242011-06-06T08:23:00.002-04:002011-06-06T08:24:24.463-04:00Official Breaking Dawn TrailerOH WOW!!!!!!!! I can barely wait for this to be released!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uycOpnYnd5g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05177192800408612179noreply@blogger.com0