tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31756330529471041052024-02-18T23:58:55.615-05:00Memoirs of a Minivan MomJenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-62632277986721005872014-04-18T20:55:00.001-04:002014-04-18T20:55:52.970-04:00Homeschool Egg Hunt<p dir="ltr">Our wonderful group of homeschool friends put together an amazing Easter event. There were egg relay races, yummy snacks and treats, and a huge egg hunt. We had a wonderful time today! We love celebrating holidays with our friends.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">With 4 children there are bound to be messes and things broken.  I imagine this poor house cringing at the childrens' screams and laughter as it is usually the one who takes on the most abuse. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Today was yet another notch in the frame, so to speak, as the curtain rod was yanked out of the wall. Of course I asked who was responsible. Won't you guess it? </p>
<p dir="ltr">"Nobody" strikes again along with his accomplice "Idunno". One day I will catch this dynamic duo but today, unfortunately, is not that day.<br></p>
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<p dir="ltr">To celebrate the beginning of our butterfly journey I stayed up and made a Garden Sensory Bin.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I cut "grass" from green construction paper (we have a possible grass allergy in this house and this is less messy). The "dirt" is black beans. I bought an 8 pack of bugs from the dollar store (love the dollar store). Also the flowers are from the dollar store. The butterflies I purchased are from one of those tubes and I bought it on insectlore.com to be sent with the butterflies.</p><p dir="ltr">I took the flowers and bent the bottom and masking taped it to the bottom of the bin. Then I layered it this way: black beans, bugs, grass and then I added the butterflies all over.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I didn't expect our real butterflies to be shipped so quickly! I was very impressed.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Time to hit the library and start a project on butterflies. That in addition to recycling will be our focus for the end of April and for Earth Day.</p>
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text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fzEoXZRFNj4lYlDNHd0IcyA8W-FsL1rXgCPugN4YGcTY_bgVKUJvYU_hfjLIkEbtECt05_2oFgs73LsBFJchVFIX73weXt4h_97xmMoTHrsc9sRNoaeZvTe6LBccURG5KGwjp2ZHBbc/s1600/20140416_212443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fzEoXZRFNj4lYlDNHd0IcyA8W-FsL1rXgCPugN4YGcTY_bgVKUJvYU_hfjLIkEbtECt05_2oFgs73LsBFJchVFIX73weXt4h_97xmMoTHrsc9sRNoaeZvTe6LBccURG5KGwjp2ZHBbc/s640/20140416_212443.jpg"> </a> </div>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-80069116075302838772013-10-10T23:30:00.000-04:002013-10-10T23:31:38.723-04:00Our Pursuit to HomeschoolSomeone recently asked me what we have given up as a family in our pursuit to homeschool.<br />
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First my answer was:<br />
<span data-reactid=".r[uneh].[1][4][1]{comment663859533633534_664388330247321}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span data-reactid=".r[uneh].[1][4][1]{comment663859533633534_664388330247321}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">Mostly the same things I gave up to become a Stay at Home Mom: Cable, some extra curricular activities, only one car in our family now, we pay for the school-aged children's lunches now whereas before they had free lunch at school. </span></span><span data-reactid=".r[uneh].[1][4][1]{comment663859533633534_664388330247321}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span data-reactid=".r[uneh].[1][4][1]{comment663859533633534_664388330247321}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[uneh].[1][4][1]{comment663859533633534_664388330247321}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">We cut back on family vacations and date night money, but you know what? Our family is extremely blessed and happy. I wouldn't change it!</span></span></span><br />
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Then I thought about it the rest of the day. There is so much more to this.<br />
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This is my new response:<br />
<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">We gave up driving 2 HOURS a day with little ones in tow for the 30 min drive to and from school to drop off and pick up every day. We gave up bullies and negative attitudes towards learning. We gave up teaching to the tests! We won't let our children be just a number on a chart. We gave up parent teacher conferences every other week and fighting with the teachers, principals, and the school district (ESE Director was on my speed dial) because my kids were being left behind (one too Gifted and one with delays- Dyslexia and Speech) We gave up the struggle of over an hour of homework during the cooking dinner hour AFTER their 6 hour days when neither were learning anything because it was not their learning styles or interests and it is just too long of a day to not have time to play...15 minutes of recess is not enough in my opinion. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">We gave up fundraisers and paying for uniforms and school pictures and $200 lists of school supplies PER KID per year. We gave up on last minute bake sales and volunteering in classes other than our kid's class because that just wasn't allowed. We (my daughter really) gave up the idea of needing a cell phone at age 7 "because everyone else in class has one". We don't have to bring our kids to school sick out of fear that the school will send the truancy officers to our house because we have pulled them out too many days that year for doctor appointments, even though they were for pink eye, strep throat, and the flu which are all just causes. Nope. We don't have to worry about driving home to pick up the forgotten lunch box or hearing lectures about homework not getting finished because our son passed out after too long of a day at school at age 5. We finally have a sense of PEACE and LIFE and JOY and LOVE for learning. Our son who had acquired a hate for reading during Kindergarten in public school so profound that he would cry or tantrum every time we were going to even sit down to read now smiles and will participate and is reading easy books on his own and he is so proud of himself. We are too!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> Whatever sacrifices we may have given up to homeschool are completely worth it in those moments when your kids are enjoying books and learning and discovering new things. Such precious memories our families will carry on for a lifetime. I'm so happy we made this decision to homeschool! </span><span class="emoticon emoticon_smile" style="background-color: #edeff4; background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yQ/r/zazNn_L1jRw.png); background-position: -119px -732px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; color: #333333; display: inline-block; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; height: 16px; line-height: 14px; vertical-align: top; width: 16px;" title=":)"></span>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-57612432685054140942013-07-20T16:25:00.000-04:002013-07-20T16:29:34.393-04:00Socializing our Homeschooling Family<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;"><b>"You're going to</b><i><b> Homeschool</b></i></span></span><i><b><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">!"</span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">What about<i style="color: red;"> </i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_trUKUzrhk_eZB5aYgC1h_AQB36zQ1k5hQGRcfgc7JRP2uMoWgJc71M_ahHanaM7n7lzGcik8-4g9VXqiuQa1fZlY7iG1uyghbh2-vUtdisn5ZOsye1caw2VpM2NM5Nwjh0-I26xdocQ/s1600/th_cr_socialization.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_trUKUzrhk_eZB5aYgC1h_AQB36zQ1k5hQGRcfgc7JRP2uMoWgJc71M_ahHanaM7n7lzGcik8-4g9VXqiuQa1fZlY7iG1uyghbh2-vUtdisn5ZOsye1caw2VpM2NM5Nwjh0-I26xdocQ/s1600/th_cr_socialization.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiSXk4LjZ0WT3PVk0tGVKULwytQLJVBj9Pa3nA6LPu692lPy7X1a-j4VFljb47VWHUxDnCZSFnDFlGxaIKsPtHr42WuNJcGpfXrUdJCD1aknHaw8vx9TcDa2IVUTk6FO_XJeMeviedIQ/s1600/socialize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiSXk4LjZ0WT3PVk0tGVKULwytQLJVBj9Pa3nA6LPu692lPy7X1a-j4VFljb47VWHUxDnCZSFnDFlGxaIKsPtHr42WuNJcGpfXrUdJCD1aknHaw8vx9TcDa2IVUTk6FO_XJeMeviedIQ/s1600/socialize.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That is normally one of the first questions out of the mouths of family, friends, and strangers.</span></div>
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To me it is actually a little silly. I feel people are no longer in touch with the education system and are basing this worry off their own personal experiences which are far from what school is today. I remember having actual "down time" and playing games in class like "Heads up 7 up" or having "free time" on the day's agenda. We would talk at lunch time with our neighbors. I remember playing for half an hour on the playground and talking with my friends throughout the day, whenever the teacher wasn't giving instruction. <br />
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<b>That no longer exists!</b></div>
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My children barely socialize at school and when they do it is forced or completely inappropriate. They get to school early and are forced to sit criss-cross applesauce and NOT TALK! They are not allowed to talk in class or play games with their class because the teacher is giving instruction more often and/or there is no time in the day for the teacher to have the freedom to do such things. They cannot talk to each other while walking to the next location be it the library, lunch room, or specials. Speaking of the lunch room I went to have breakfast and lunch with my kids on several occasions and all you hear in the lunch room is the aides telling kids to "Hurry up and eat your food." "Be quiet! You should be eating not talking." Not one kid spoke with their neighbor. By the way if the kid gets their food quickly they may have all of 10 minutes to eat. Talk about a stomach ache! Either they didn't finish and are still hungry or they ate too quickly and now their belly hurts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihdNS-K5MG19hdhpCi6HcPYg7lAbGaA32TiuNz9lFDJgvYcV3GZ4-zjD3H3DQ2dCMFxpJe4ryUCz2S_A4wcU5CZkXZAbAZ2qtYYAK2GkPLb1l_sS7bOPvSLo3KnBxf-iuX0nPQvrsDVw/s1600/stomachache.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihdNS-K5MG19hdhpCi6HcPYg7lAbGaA32TiuNz9lFDJgvYcV3GZ4-zjD3H3DQ2dCMFxpJe4ryUCz2S_A4wcU5CZkXZAbAZ2qtYYAK2GkPLb1l_sS7bOPvSLo3KnBxf-iuX0nPQvrsDVw/s1600/stomachache.gif" height="141" width="200" /></a></div>
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They can talk during their 10-15 minute recess, although this is where much of the bullying goes on, but that is for another post. Finally they get to come home and while sitting in the car rider line they are told they are too loud or not to talk again. In addition to this, my daughter came home with many inappropriate stories about things her peers had seen in rated R movies. She can describe the Texas Chainsaw Massacre to you in detail even though she would never be allowed to watch that movie under this roof. She has stories about eyeballs falling out and going down the drain. Once two classmates of hers went into the bathroom together (where was the teacher?) and played Bloody Mary. My point is that when they are being socialized it is not necessarily the socialization you would hope for your child. I don't even let my kids watch the news and there is a reason for that. I don't need these unsupervised kids introducing them to such things when I am trying to guard their hearts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3KD96IGWLVfE0rijxzzViu-t9KKaHNuyfxzSMEYDnZpg5s-BMSMIW3TruLttMRMnimmSQwSK15XxPf-dGCo2GwKWlZ46wXS2BYaOFDrl28E8O-LhKEAhe03-T6F8KX8POcGVDLV2PPE/s1600/65769e67ce5571ca396b8ec8df19ff39c9c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3KD96IGWLVfE0rijxzzViu-t9KKaHNuyfxzSMEYDnZpg5s-BMSMIW3TruLttMRMnimmSQwSK15XxPf-dGCo2GwKWlZ46wXS2BYaOFDrl28E8O-LhKEAhe03-T6F8KX8POcGVDLV2PPE/s1600/65769e67ce5571ca396b8ec8df19ff39c9c.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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I guess my point is that schools are not really the place for socialization now-a-days. If you ask my kids about friends they are going to bring up the kids in scouts or sports or clubs they are part of. To me that is true socialization and socialization does not have to be forced or occur with only their peers. It is good for them to learn how to communicate with people who are older and younger as well. After all, one day they will be out there in the world working alongside other individuals of varying ages. Traditional school does not prepare them for those situations.<br />
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<u>Back to the original question:</u> </div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">What about<i style="color: red;"> </i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_trUKUzrhk_eZB5aYgC1h_AQB36zQ1k5hQGRcfgc7JRP2uMoWgJc71M_ahHanaM7n7lzGcik8-4g9VXqiuQa1fZlY7iG1uyghbh2-vUtdisn5ZOsye1caw2VpM2NM5Nwjh0-I26xdocQ/s1600/th_cr_socialization.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_trUKUzrhk_eZB5aYgC1h_AQB36zQ1k5hQGRcfgc7JRP2uMoWgJc71M_ahHanaM7n7lzGcik8-4g9VXqiuQa1fZlY7iG1uyghbh2-vUtdisn5ZOsye1caw2VpM2NM5Nwjh0-I26xdocQ/s1600/th_cr_socialization.png" /></a></div>
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Well my kids have been being socialized since birth. </div>
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We are part of a wonderful group called:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR3lKXStGL1_XkbG_wh5tfr9OIDzPd0cZ4KhuNlyquMetq1VczmgiqhCsyb6Wemy5YkYg9mSQ-5MacjQj_uRHluyItvTdEegTVBMtIMh1MGqRipZrexXOBpjtAm8WNzhSpdSIniGG1RU/s1600/MOPS_square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR3lKXStGL1_XkbG_wh5tfr9OIDzPd0cZ4KhuNlyquMetq1VczmgiqhCsyb6Wemy5YkYg9mSQ-5MacjQj_uRHluyItvTdEegTVBMtIMh1MGqRipZrexXOBpjtAm8WNzhSpdSIniGG1RU/s1600/MOPS_square.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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It is a Christian group for mothers and their children ages birth to 5 years old. We learn about topics interesting to us with wonderful speakers, discussion time, and we always have a creative activity to go along with it. While Mommy is having her time the kids are all learning, playing, and doing crafts as well. They have had the same group of friends for years. Now that I have 2 older children who have "aged out" they will be helping with the littler ones. I am on the leadership team so we are there weekly for a few hours and they love it!</div>
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<b>Our oldest is part of Girl Scouts and is a Brownie this year! </b> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxhJsCT7LTgz1P1nb573MhO4DpU4vLzgVoQWAzfCzzOc6c2SQrh7wSrRjLPWuhg0WHyPiq_y2j3C06SbA_Py49BdrmxOKAoavRUJ97rdxMFAZ1tMIbGwYp_xNoDEGtV6JnGPF-ELxAM0/s1600/Girl_Scouts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxhJsCT7LTgz1P1nb573MhO4DpU4vLzgVoQWAzfCzzOc6c2SQrh7wSrRjLPWuhg0WHyPiq_y2j3C06SbA_Py49BdrmxOKAoavRUJ97rdxMFAZ1tMIbGwYp_xNoDEGtV6JnGPF-ELxAM0/s1600/Girl_Scouts.jpg" height="200" width="193" /></a></div>
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We are very involved in cookie sales and service work, as well as camping and crafts. </div>
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She also took part in a<b> Dance Group</b> where the dancers for a high school bring in younger girls and teach them a routine and then the girls get to take part in a half time show during football season. She loves that! <br />
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<b>We will also be taking part in Sunday school at church and also another church program called: </b></div>
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which is basically scouts at church where you learn verses to earn badges and do lots of fun activities to go along with it. They will be taking part in AWANAS while Mommy is part of a Bible Study. Win. Win.<br />
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<b>Our daughter will be taking an Art class this year once a week that we are very excited about.</b> </div>
She has a passion for Art and wants to one day sell her artwork in a gallery or at art shows. Her uncle and grandfather (my husband's brother and father) received full rides to art school if they wanted it. His whole family is very artistic and she seems to have inherited that, which is very exciting for me. I can't draw anything to save my life! She will be working on canvas and with oils and charcoal and mediums I know nothing about with 9 other students grades 2-5. She will be the youngest and she will be able to socialize with other students who have this same passion with her. So exciting!<br />
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Our oldest son will be in AWANAS, helping with MOPS, Sunday school at church, and we are trying to get him into:<br />
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and maybe a sport, although he has not yet decided on anything he wants to do yet. He also has 2 days at Speech a week where he has 45 minute private lessons, so our plate is getting a little full.<br />
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Our youngest 2 sons will be in Cubbies (AWANAS), MOPPETS, and Sunday school at church.<br />
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In addition to these things we have signed up for 2 local homeschool groups. They have monthly Art field trips and other various field trips and events. They have a science fair every year, book clubs, yearbooks, spelling bees, ice cream socials, dances. One has a group setting up a Field Trippers group for grades K-4 which we are getting in on too.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">How can anyone ask us about socialization?!</span></b></div>
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The way I see it, that is the least of our worries. Maybe we should be worrying about the students in traditional public schools. We had girls drop out of our troop this past year because they could not do Girl Scouts and get their homework done and their FCAT (standardized test in Florida) HOMEWORK PACKET. Something had to give and it was the positive self-confidence building group where they socialized in a safe and appropriate setting. That is really sad. Then again testing is all schools care about in Florida anyways. Sigh.<br />
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<b><b>Again we are so excited about this upcoming year! </b></b><br />
<b><b>We are already a part of so many fun things and we can get involved in even more now.</b></b></div>
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<br />Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-5240363751420686542013-07-19T14:51:00.003-04:002013-07-19T14:51:50.017-04:00Homeschooling!!!!!We have officially become a HOMESCHOOLING FAMILY!<br />
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I have always been open to the idea and after 3 years of consideration and circumstances we are standing on the threshold of our first year of homeschooling in this incredible journey of parenthood.<br />
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I must admit I am overwhelmed and excited all at the same time!<br />
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We have 4 little ones and we will be homeschooling them all. Today I will give everyone a brief description of our little ones and where they are at.<br />
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Our oldest is 7 and technically will be in 2nd grade, although we had her tested this year and was completely unsurprised to discover she is Gifted. Unsurprised as she has always been ahead of the crowd in academics, usually 1-2 grades above other kids her age and in some subjects above 2 grades. She excels in anything creative and artsy and we have signed her up for a fancy weekly Art Class this school year. She also loves Girl Scouts. If left to her own accord, she loves researching and writing reports (normally about animals and right now about dinosaurs!) Her favorite pastimes are riding bikes with daddy, baking with mommy, crafts, and reading.<br />
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Our second is turning 6 in less than 2 weeks and will be in 1st grade. He is Dyslexic with Speech delays but, with the exclusion of Reading and Language Arts, is above average in every subject, particularly Math. He was building equations and teaching his peers math lessons in Kindergarten! Our sensitive guy is very athletic, active, and hands-on. He is a fantastic "outside the box" thinker! He absolutely loves movies! His favorite pastimes are playing with magnets, dressing up like superheroes, and playing pretend with his "guys".<br />
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We also have a very intelligent, almost 4 year old Preschooler. He knows all of his letters and letter sounds and today he spelled "C-A-T" and came to show me. I can't believe he is already building words! He is a puzzle MASTER and loves to tinker with things until he gets it just right. He can do simple addition and subtraction of numbers 1-10 and can count to 20. He is just beginning to show interest in writing, particularly his name, which we are very excited about! He loves playing outside! He is very athletic and is a very concentrated thinker. He is a born leader and sometimes I feel he would have preferred to be the oldest or only child. He likes his quiet time and is an "animal whisperer". His favorite pastimes (besides puzzles!) are "reading", cuddling, petting his kitties and puppies, and helping mommy.<br />
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Our youngest is 2 1/2 years old and we are working on potty training right now. We are pleasantly surprised that he can count to 25 already! He is currently working on shapes, colors, and letters and really enjoying the sensory bins we have created him. He is extremely silly and loves to make people smile. He loves to just jump into whatever anyone is doing and participate, unfortunately he regularly is the "bad guy" during superheroes since nobody else wants that "job", but he doesn't mind. He loves his siblings and playing whatever games they like. His favorite pastimes are looking at books, playing outside, being held by Mommy (ALL the time), and watching shows. His favorite show is Magic School Bus right now.<br />
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With 4 completely different learners and personalities I am a little overwhelmed, but we feel this is the right place for our family and we know that this will greatly benefit them.<br />
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We are so excited to start! <br />
We are using July as our "planning" month as we set up our school and get this year planned out.<br />
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I'll go more into our PLAN next time! Just wanted to make an announcement today.Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-87537572636155988762012-08-06T12:52:00.000-04:002012-08-06T12:52:29.820-04:00My EPIC Dinner Party<div style="text-align: center;">
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">My Dinner Guests!</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I could invite any 10 guests to My Dinner Party, I'd invite:</span></div>
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<strong>1. Ryan Gosling</strong></div>
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Every dinner needs eye candy!</div>
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<strong>2. Tom Delonge</strong></div>
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Every dinner needs musical entertainment...and eye candy.</div>
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<strong>3. Jesus</strong></div>
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Every dinner needs interesting discussions and I have a few questions for this guy...</div>
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plus he'd probably have an interesting discussion with my next guest...</div>
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<strong>4. Nostradamas</strong></div>
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Just for kicks I'd invite him to see what he says about our "future"...</div>
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like having a psychic palm reader, but BETTER!</div>
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<strong>5. Lady Gaga</strong></div>
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Everyone at my party would be styled by Lady Gaga and receive fashion advice.</div>
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<strong>6. Chef Gordon Ramsey</strong></div>
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That way we can critique his cooking and yell if we feel so inclined. </div>
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<strong>7. King Henry VIII</strong></div>
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I have to see what this guy was really like! I really hope he looked like he did in the show <em>The Tudors</em>! Who would marry this man after he already killed so many wives?! I'm convinced there's something the books aren't telling us!</div>
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<strong>8. Stephen Colbert</strong></div>
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Every dinner needs comedic relief and maybe we'd hold a political rally his in honor.</div>
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<strong>9. Christian Grey</strong></div>
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Why not? It's my party and he's rich so maybe he'll bring a nice gift for the hostess...</div>
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and/or EYE CANDY!</div>
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<strong>10. The entire cast of Big Bang Theory</strong></div>
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YES I'm cheating! But they will make me so happy! I picture them like the above picture at my party, but dressed Lady Gaga style. :)</div>
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So there you have it. I know you're all jealous of my EPIC party right? </div>
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Happy thoughts...</div>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-60150265163033238162012-05-31T10:56:00.008-04:002012-05-31T11:31:59.728-04:00One Sweet, One ScreamingHow can kids be so different?<br />
Jackson runs in this morning telling me that he had a dream that he was a baby squirrel and I was his mommy squirrel and I kept bringing him acorns. <3 <br />
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As I type this Jack is sitting next to me rubbing my arm. He is always the SWEETEST little boy.<br />
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Joshua on the other hand took every single book out of the bookcase in the boys' room closet. EVERY book. I told him if he made the mess he needs to clean the mess. Well he didn't clean it up by the end of the night yesterday. Today he has been in there for 2 hours (and counting) kicking and SCREAMING.<br />
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Can you tell he is my strong willed child? <br />
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We will go to the library once he cleans it all up...if he cleans it up. If not he will be in his room until dinner. My will is stronger than his! Last time this happened we had a 3 DAY strike on our hands. When he becomes a teenager can I just move away? Please?Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-61068131260480599032012-03-12T13:49:00.000-04:002012-03-12T13:49:12.324-04:00Spring Cleaning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIM5OJqzXmx_JMrWI_6gk6CiBV44oPYCer9Tr6FzXm44UTw_cJ5_Ncj2cbS7PP3Vynd7Zo2_N21_nvIBHwSg5ti5kLAtkivsf-jbspwJafG52KqmilTeLmVRkadYyBXfsP9CL2couAOCw/s1600/SPRING-CLEANING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIM5OJqzXmx_JMrWI_6gk6CiBV44oPYCer9Tr6FzXm44UTw_cJ5_Ncj2cbS7PP3Vynd7Zo2_N21_nvIBHwSg5ti5kLAtkivsf-jbspwJafG52KqmilTeLmVRkadYyBXfsP9CL2couAOCw/s320/SPRING-CLEANING.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Does Spring Cleaning make you feel like NESTING during pregnancy? It does for me and when I'm ampted up on cleaning I want to get it all done.<br />
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<u>What I have done so far:</u><br />
Go through kids' wardrobes<br />
Go through A's closet<br />
Go through A's toys and art supplies<br />
Go through activity cabinet (includes play doh bin-EWW!, coloring books, art/craft supplies, educational toys)<br />
Go through entertainment center<br />
Go through books in bookcase and spread around bedroom<br />
Go through kids' bathroom vanity/medicine cabinet<br />
Go through DH's bathroom vanity<br />
Garage<br />
Organize entry way/go through shoes<br />
Go through my closes<br />
Powerwash house<br />
Porch<br />
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<u>What I still need to do:</u><br />
Replace craft supplies- glue, markers, printer paper, construction paper<br />
Replace toothbrushes<br />
Go through my bathroom vanity<br />
Deep clean shower and shower/tub<br />
Recaulk bathrooms<br />
Fix wall in kids' bathroom<br />
Put up towel rack in kids' bathroom<br />
Toothbrush holder in kids' bathroom<br />
Fans<br />
Air filter<br />
Our closet (WORST SPACE EVER in this house! Everything without a home ends up there.)<br />
Go through DH's clothes<br />
Garage Sale<br />
Dust/clean nooks<br />
Clean both fridges<br />
Go through boys' toys again<br />
Fix boys dresser<br />
Touch up paint in kids' bathroom, boys' bedroom, living room near window and bar top, and plates behind doors<br />
Go through kitchen cabinets/get rid of any appliances we haven't used<br />
Set up filing system for paperwork<br />
File paperwork in filing cabinet<br />
Better organize/find place for cleaning supplies<br />
More hooks in laundry room for purses/bags<br />
Buy more towels for beach/pool<br />
Plant some flowers by front of the house<br />
Buy valence/curtain rod for kitchen window<br />
Replace kitchen hardware<br />
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Anything I'm not thinking of?Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-63541776342349973222012-03-12T11:04:00.001-04:002012-03-12T11:07:59.744-04:00Cut my nose off NOW! Do you ever mentally feel energetic and ready to accomplish a task, but your body just doesn't match up to that level of energy and ambition? This is me every day lately. I have chronic sinusitis and have since my early teens. It was better while I was pregnant, you know for the majority of 5 straight years, but now after 15 months of having my body back, FINALLY, it is going back to this terrible sinus infections all the time state and I'm just not ready for it. <br />
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Can I please have my pregnant body back? Okay just kidding. Pregnancy is so hard on my body in other ways, but when you feel like you want to saw off your own nose due to these excruiatingly painful 2 month long infections you start to think this way...maybe I can live without a nose?...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHm2nCRseCw7evWilcpA04G3ikGIlGMHNZ1pKroB_4RXUoJu4cNEYgybAJz8x2Bxyf2EQ1-Vxj6tt-6DUANEbaiY80CdFt_u3SmjqdqjatawZzTHHA6cGhRuh3973Y64pNhRMAhLKqII/s1600/cut%2520your%2520nose%2520off%2520to%2520spite%2520your%2520face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHm2nCRseCw7evWilcpA04G3ikGIlGMHNZ1pKroB_4RXUoJu4cNEYgybAJz8x2Bxyf2EQ1-Vxj6tt-6DUANEbaiY80CdFt_u3SmjqdqjatawZzTHHA6cGhRuh3973Y64pNhRMAhLKqII/s1600/cut%2520your%2520nose%2520off%2520to%2520spite%2520your%2520face.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Why am I bringing this up? Spring cleaning. I feel motived. I'm amped. I'm ready to go! All these spring cleaning blogs have me in the mood and when I'm in the mood it means we better get on top of this NOW because it doesn't happen often. At the same time I'm drained. <br />
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Ready for a laugh MOMS?!<br />
I went to the Dr. and they asked me how many days I've rested to try to get over this. <br />
HA!!!!! I laughed at them! They must be joking right?! No. Straight face. Well Dr... I have 4 kids under the age of 6 what do you think? I'm lucky if I can sleep at night. Period. I mean 5 hours of sleep is a good amount of rest right? Apparently not. I thought it was good. :(<br />
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Let's hope I start feeling better, not just for myself but for my kids too. Apparently fatigue and irritability are main symptoms of this and let me tell you I can definitely agree with that. I never yell at my kids and during this extreme bought I have going on I've yelled more than I think I've ever had at them. Poor things. Please let me get better God so I can keep my self control. I want to be a good mom and wife again. Thanks to my hubby for being so sweet and loving me through the tough annoying wife segment here. ;)Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-65746451763099109932011-10-12T12:38:00.000-04:002011-10-12T12:38:32.230-04:00School Mom, Harder than it looks!I have been so overwhelmed with all of the things that come along with school aged kids. It seemed easy on paper. Drop your kid off at school and pick them up. I'll have 2 in school and I'll only have 2 at home. It will be like it was when I had the 2 little ones at home when I only had 2 kids. We'll go shopping, go to the park, go out for coffee with my mom. I organized and organized and organized again. Everything was in place; schedules, menu plans, organizations we'd be part of and not be part of.<br />
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It wasn't enough.<br />
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Nobody explains to you how exhausted you'll be. When you have little sleep and an additional workload to conquer every day you're lucky not to fall asleep during the day when you should be watching the toddler and infant. I'm not a big coffee drinker and never have been. I guess you could say I'm a "social coffee drinker", because I must admit when I go with my friends to Starbucks I will get a Carmel Frappucino occasionally. Let me tell you though, I understand my mother on a whole new level now. <b> </b><br />
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<b>I have become addicted to coffee out of necessity.</b><br />
I strongly believe coffee should be something moms can use as a tax write off at the end of the year. It is a work expense! I go through 4-6 cups of coffee on a normal day just to keep up with the driving, the cooking, the cleaning, the refereeing, the homework and after school snacks, the bedtime routines...not to mention the mental exhaustion with dealing with the school system, the teachers, the other moms and just the plain politics of it all. I'm a night owl, but by 6pm I want to curl up in a little ball and drift off into dreamland...of course my night doesn't end at bedtime and I am always up late anyways. It is inevitable. By the time I can get to sleep I'm so stressed out that I can't shut my head off and I guess I'm admitting a guilty pleasure here but to de-stress I do something horrible. I watch awful reality tv and eat and eat and eat. Now usually it's just whatever was for dinner that I never got to eat because someone spilt their milk and someone else wanted seconds and someone had a temper tantrum because they didn't want to eat and someone else needed more to drink and by the end of it bath time has arrived. >_<<br />
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I am not complaining. I love that my kids are gaining their independence and are so proud of themselves. They have friends and self-confidence and are very artistic, creative, and intelligent and are able to let those qualities shine through more then being at home with 3 siblings. I guess what I have come to realize is that my life is transitioning into a new phase. I'm sad to turn the page, but I am excited about the next chapter. My babies are growing up, but they are more amazing every day. As far as my new work load...I'm trying to learn to love my new life, establish a new routine that works us, become more family oriented around our home, and survive it all. I have cut down on the organizations we are part of and the extracurricular activities. I have come to realize that you can't do it all and shouldn't do it all. Our family is number one and that needs to be the priority, not helping out whoever asks the most or seems the most desperate. <br />
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Priorities have shifted. I no longer look for mom friends to join me on my journey. We are all so different and I just embrace that we come in and out of each others lives and if that person can inspire you, even for just a few months, they were important and will always be important. We shape each other. We encourage each other. We support each other. My top priority is not finding a mom in a mom's group to ease me through my loneliness and cheerlead me in the right direction. I don't feel lonely anymore. I feel empowered. The other moms have lifted me off the ground. They have given me wings to fly. I'm flying solo in motherhood and I don't mind. My journey is different and we should never compare, but I do know I will see my friends from time to time on this journey that we all take.<br />
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The hardest thing about my new chapter of motherhood, SCHOOL MOM, is that I'm starting over. I have to learn new rules and figure out who I am and what I hope to accomplish. I need to shift into a new mode. What an important role I have taken on in my next chapter. I hope I can do it to the best of my ability. I hope I can get better at it. I am so lucky to have been given this opportunity in my life, but I feel like I'm a first time mom. How different my life has become...Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-5968897580836815432011-08-09T12:54:00.000-04:002011-08-09T12:54:06.357-04:00Supplementing The Hubs Income<b>Everyone could use some extra money, especially Stay At Home Moms! </b><br />
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Living on one income in a two income society is difficult. Yes we can save money with coupons and being thrifty, cutting utility costs and reducing your bills, and living on a cash budget, but that only gets you so far. I am starting to think that with 4 kids and all the extracurricular needs/wants that go with each one or just the fact that this family would like a little money for an entertainment budget, we may need to start supplementing my husband's income. I must be crazy to think this with how busy my days are and how exhausted I am at the end of the day, but crazy never stopped me. :P <br />
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The question is: What can I do from home to make a little extra cash every month, without disrupting my family's lives. Bonus points for incorporating my kids in this as to teach them real life money making skills and the value of money.</b><br />
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I know there are all kinds of businesses out there geared towards Stay At Home Moms where you sell a company's merchandise, which is regularly overpriced and you have to sell to your friends and try to get your friends to start up their own "business" to form some type of pyramid scheme. I know all too well. I've been approached about these by friends and strangers. I've watched my friends get sucked into these, spending more on the "parties" then the profits from the party. The time and effort seems unjustified. Plus do I really want to open my home up to strangers and have them around my children? <br />
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Another common job that is suggested to me on a regular basis is a home daycare. I know I could do this and do well with this (look at my experience! haha), but is this really what is best for my children? We already have 4 small children, so I could really only take in one child because if there was an emergency or I needed drive somewhere that is all the car seats my minivan will carry. My children would have to divide the attention I have for them with another person. The parents and I may not view parenting the same or they may send their child over while sick and if someone in our house gets sick it turns into a 3 week cycle until everyone has been sick and I have to sanitize the house like crazy after every bout, which I'm sure many of you can sympathize with. How good of a caregiver would I be to all these children if I'm sick and I have 5 (or more) little ones to care for? Plus, I'm certain my marriage would suffer as a result to my exhaustion. No thanks. I think I have enough little monkeys on my plate for now. ;)<br />
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I can't do telemarketing or any phone related job, because...well let's face it, little kids in a completely tiled home makes for a very distracting background. I'd be continually putting someone on hold and this also takes away from my children's wants/needs, so that's out.<br />
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Mystery shopping...can you imagine shopping at a store with all these kids and trying to complete an actual task, besides keeping the kids all in one spot without breaking something while dealing with the inevitable temper tantrum over a toy, boredom, or the sibling who won't stop touching them...NO THANKS! This is why grocery shopping either takes two people or requires my husband or I to make a run out by ourselves. <br />
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Baking. My mom's main side job as a single mom was gourmet baker. She made desserts for restaurants and made good money, but the thought of it is very daunting. The marketing for it and the licensing now required for it would probably not happen. Needless to say, I have a hard enough time making 3 full meals and 2 snacks daily for my family. I feel accomplished if I can fit in a brownie or muffin mix occasionally. I don't think I'm cut out for it like my mom was.<br />
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The one thing I seem to be somehow talented at, to the point that I have family members and friends seeking out my "expertise" on regular basis, is reselling old things. Somehow I seem to have an eye for picking up things at garage sales or family's homes for cheap or free and selling them to make a much larger profit. After moving into our new home I took one week selling unwanted/unneeded items we had in storage and made $1100, which went to buying a minivan 2 weeks before my fourth child made his appearance into the world (Thank God!). When in a bind I can usually come up with a couple hundred dollars in a couple of days. I've never really looked into bettering myself on this and I use Craigslist exclusively to make this money, but now I'm curious. Can I make more by buying things from garage sales and selling them on Ebay? I've read some people buy off Craigslist, things like collectibles, and resell on Ebay as well. Maybe I should start thinking about Estate Sales or Storage Units and making profits on them, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing these things without really researching what to do and look for. I'll have to find my niche.<br />
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It's hard not to think this may be my solution. It doesn't affect the kids negatively, although space would be a concern. The pros seem to greatly outweigh that though. The children would learn real life skills with the ability to make their own money and also they could learn the value of money in a more hands on way. Just think, we are making a transition in this society from an Industrialized Economy to an Information Based Economy. Maybe it is time I hop on the bandwagon and introduce these skills to my children while they're still young, so that it is second nature to them. Added bonus: this is probably the greenest career I could take part in, so my children can learn simple ways to protect the environment and do it without giving it much thought when they're older because they've always been around it. I think this is something I could actually enjoy, once I learn more about the ins and outs of Ebay, auctions, and storage unit sales.<br />
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What supplemental income tactics have worked for you best?<br />
Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-5092916482903162842011-03-07T10:29:00.000-05:002011-03-07T10:29:57.332-05:00Meet Me Monday<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span>Meet Me Monday</span></i></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>Every Monday I'll answer 5 questions about me, so that you all can get to know me better. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><br />
</span></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>These questions are courtesy of:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNtLvtizlu49bP3TSHjJMc3vTcMNwEGsW6d3BvfkjYFotg0zPVm65HVp5yvJOtl5SScGsRjvz3nJy44Jy34-MQ01eX3bKkjW7eIShJ0P92LtlFnioOPVzO7Q-ByGV7k9F8mS9KkugNHg/s1600/MeetMonday-1-1.jpg" /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>and the idea is thanks to my friend at <a href="http://drewdeniparker.blogspot.com/">Northern Skies</a>!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. What is your favorite way to eat potatoes?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU3_pMfpMblJTDel_mx_8mkWm23-QstxPlZOtoHiblZ2igFnREyeIlZ3cv8TYkIVl-Jw5eKf8TYAAwutXKz6sPDnFaE97XtLxlcziRlaxsyjgqbFjeDa18jET9gjTbA_CwlBiKYMiR8Q/s1600/bakedpotato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU3_pMfpMblJTDel_mx_8mkWm23-QstxPlZOtoHiblZ2igFnREyeIlZ3cv8TYkIVl-Jw5eKf8TYAAwutXKz6sPDnFaE97XtLxlcziRlaxsyjgqbFjeDa18jET9gjTbA_CwlBiKYMiR8Q/s320/bakedpotato.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Baked Potato...is that boring? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love love love baked potatoes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. What was the last package that was delivered to your house?</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOxjCCweW1GXLwnM-gEYPJNpaMVxKeZgEyU6D2KJldB0CU3xnbYEe-0ZzB0JYBp5U9F8PtC1L6FDx-WA2GgeSuHTXox-xdZTRy0jAbxCPT5ZsTVXZZt7uzlLam8gebXGM4132FLZaTAU/s1600/mail+box_full.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOxjCCweW1GXLwnM-gEYPJNpaMVxKeZgEyU6D2KJldB0CU3xnbYEe-0ZzB0JYBp5U9F8PtC1L6FDx-WA2GgeSuHTXox-xdZTRy0jAbxCPT5ZsTVXZZt7uzlLam8gebXGM4132FLZaTAU/s320/mail+box_full.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Hubs bought a part for the van...had to fix my window that wasn't going up and down like it should. Boring, huh? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. What is your favorite scent that you love to smell?</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6C2sYPUxum9Cgwo8i4wD_Rac2oMzjCFzEbswtYFGdbqiyybtCBEDo1mjAay0nmXRFQR4PssZkFCiXacWJlqFkMH3iJriaf_akp8-fylNgudyxYhhUOPKsOo-hjqOkV9lnIQlD1zJhsgs/s1600/330516-cookies-baking-in-oven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6C2sYPUxum9Cgwo8i4wD_Rac2oMzjCFzEbswtYFGdbqiyybtCBEDo1mjAay0nmXRFQR4PssZkFCiXacWJlqFkMH3iJriaf_akp8-fylNgudyxYhhUOPKsOo-hjqOkV9lnIQlD1zJhsgs/s320/330516-cookies-baking-in-oven.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Chocolate chip cookies in the oven. Mmm!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
4. Do you smoke?</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijsQGwr1TNcGcEf2sS9bmlu2BonRtXVrOz-cmdFodboJWLso0iJVi_qWtzBWhLo_IQJ5ZfvGRo1q54s_OWMXF9GM4zJ2XUaqtbP6XKdp4mw9EdndO_UzXq9rZRPT8EGhgxkVtbtdHX4s/s1600/1194984910238730787no_smoking_sign_domas_jo_01.svg.med.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijsQGwr1TNcGcEf2sS9bmlu2BonRtXVrOz-cmdFodboJWLso0iJVi_qWtzBWhLo_IQJ5ZfvGRo1q54s_OWMXF9GM4zJ2XUaqtbP6XKdp4mw9EdndO_UzXq9rZRPT8EGhgxkVtbtdHX4s/s200/1194984910238730787no_smoking_sign_domas_jo_01.svg.med.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Are your parents married or divorced?</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOHs-MId0TCV_Aw-SHDoZdlUc0QDDbA9O8XG7AyCPr2gRCSDrw2m_wyYMgmMFenr3duu3Tjnwqm-cLw1XUiQ0ZAaQ7hgBii5bpKR5HP2noP9k87tDefTvwU8RwOlkr_BpJ40g4N6Smi4/s1600/divorce460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOHs-MId0TCV_Aw-SHDoZdlUc0QDDbA9O8XG7AyCPr2gRCSDrw2m_wyYMgmMFenr3duu3Tjnwqm-cLw1XUiQ0ZAaQ7hgBii5bpKR5HP2noP9k87tDefTvwU8RwOlkr_BpJ40g4N6Smi4/s320/divorce460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Divorced since I was 5. My mom remarried 6 years ago though.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Join in the fun by heading over to <a href="http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20Me%20On%20Monday">Meet Me Mondays</a> and linking up!</span></span></span></span></div>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-26909252047466448622011-03-01T14:02:00.004-05:002011-03-01T14:06:54.687-05:00My Launch Pad!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">My Launch Pad </span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm taking part in:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnKYPv-KGsKwUOlJ2Dl4usjBb_LYUkYtkq8PHjjW2s6K39fht8z9Et4VHo6veoKFH_yrYsQwbLzZsifQf78JEhVeCTfWrVlExd7zt_-SSrVCmtPtkpRn0ozZBlFnXjvsTkJJdfFc3fks/s1600/weeklychallengebutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnKYPv-KGsKwUOlJ2Dl4usjBb_LYUkYtkq8PHjjW2s6K39fht8z9Et4VHo6veoKFH_yrYsQwbLzZsifQf78JEhVeCTfWrVlExd7zt_-SSrVCmtPtkpRn0ozZBlFnXjvsTkJJdfFc3fks/s200/weeklychallengebutton.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I'm coming in a bit late, so this week I'm going back to week 2 and taking part in the launch pad since that is what I desperately need to organize.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What's a launch pad? </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, it's the term used to describe the place in your home where you have everything all in one spot to help launch you on your day. It can also be a landing strip as it's usually by the door that's used the most and stuff gets piled on it. The idea is to keep it organized and make sense so family members don't have to hunt for anything or think about where something is.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>BEFORE</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK2lNHmseEd-B5l0HDgXA8HZV0bDb72hDTksfGpQ2kH8mNtlevy6mjbmbPBD2x8QGu8I4gn59geR39dhI42tAdYNm79CwxQNhzs4k2hS892lBTT5A5Bm6XV5XWHRENFJ_fq60djA7-1g/s1600/IMAG0422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK2lNHmseEd-B5l0HDgXA8HZV0bDb72hDTksfGpQ2kH8mNtlevy6mjbmbPBD2x8QGu8I4gn59geR39dhI42tAdYNm79CwxQNhzs4k2hS892lBTT5A5Bm6XV5XWHRENFJ_fq60djA7-1g/s320/IMAG0422.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had this table behind the couch (picture is after moving it to the other wall). The baskets were full of diapers/wipes, baby blankets/bibs, and baby clothes. I had a newborn, so it made sense to keep those things close instead of running room to room every 5 minutes, but now I don't need them as readily available with him almost 3 months old. Time to change things around!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">AFTER</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Za5IP9pX-MzafxF0kLFGI-o4W8tpGqaYNUYoCQdU_t959iiobyGHuBlebfZKfECbuuBeVAsOjBNve-sYZOKFmu6MTv26pOOm4SgewCaLXkSY90sxUXR-td1TRXORfzfz74ltFQ_gIxg/s1600/IMG_4101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Za5IP9pX-MzafxF0kLFGI-o4W8tpGqaYNUYoCQdU_t959iiobyGHuBlebfZKfECbuuBeVAsOjBNve-sYZOKFmu6MTv26pOOm4SgewCaLXkSY90sxUXR-td1TRXORfzfz74ltFQ_gIxg/s320/IMG_4101.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSWLvKVlxQjqWtVEbxWR4E_hxwAvrZ1OD_6ccBjcdaVgHSFGJ3gTDmg-WePpckaqoGSDrvsHH9I4agFeXgn8kJqWpkB-BmROckV_fTFKxBJZ-peK07KRjwQWdXZkl2P29-M6VjPQp11Q/s1600/IMG_4102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSWLvKVlxQjqWtVEbxWR4E_hxwAvrZ1OD_6ccBjcdaVgHSFGJ3gTDmg-WePpckaqoGSDrvsHH9I4agFeXgn8kJqWpkB-BmROckV_fTFKxBJZ-peK07KRjwQWdXZkl2P29-M6VjPQp11Q/s320/IMG_4102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Before the shoes were thrown about in a vinyl bin which collected lots of dirt. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnimKF48dkv4OKo5Jzr6anPplVOKcs0s2LlHvVBYj_2gOOEevlGYDRBcHlepjOtKpVrctFF482fNUomOXLPsPhROBVyVYtK8bsl9nMrNC92r5-rL11qe65hcarAisl67fsA95KiAmJVQ/s1600/IMG_4104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnimKF48dkv4OKo5Jzr6anPplVOKcs0s2LlHvVBYj_2gOOEevlGYDRBcHlepjOtKpVrctFF482fNUomOXLPsPhROBVyVYtK8bsl9nMrNC92r5-rL11qe65hcarAisl67fsA95KiAmJVQ/s320/IMG_4104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shoes and Out the Door Items! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The shoe rack, which I LOVE, is from Costco! The top holds my diaper bag (black backpack) so I can fill it as I need and have it ready, and the bin holds everything that is on the way out (my daughter's backpack for school, clothes to replenish the bins of extras in the van, items to return or bring to friends/family, ect.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1J-5oAIfrLuElpCCfEAvFXKqksXO09HIaOh7dMHdbjOuXOv1uMrbP_jddpggOzyAEryPbffKq71wIhTJZlmXWKyzUjIQxUEbHXJXULWUrRtWIZNtobPSzPBzw7nFJWNbR4st8bhXgVTs/s1600/IMG_4107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1J-5oAIfrLuElpCCfEAvFXKqksXO09HIaOh7dMHdbjOuXOv1uMrbP_jddpggOzyAEryPbffKq71wIhTJZlmXWKyzUjIQxUEbHXJXULWUrRtWIZNtobPSzPBzw7nFJWNbR4st8bhXgVTs/s320/IMG_4107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Launch Station </span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;">The white basket is extra baby supplies. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The blue bins contain potato heads and puzzles (easy access to pull it out when things are getting crazy!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgZDvGu09LPUQnwf2vKXdbs4xv233VELE-VkMXwlCmfhM5tYBxiiK1M4M856OuqNhQstfKafr2UmuOWaP7v25l9C9FzWExqCMlkH85t3Fic6EI9p_Bx_OgWLTm0Yw3qT1Q8H4paQvA8M/s1600/IMG_4109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgZDvGu09LPUQnwf2vKXdbs4xv233VELE-VkMXwlCmfhM5tYBxiiK1M4M856OuqNhQstfKafr2UmuOWaP7v25l9C9FzWExqCMlkH85t3Fic6EI9p_Bx_OgWLTm0Yw3qT1Q8H4paQvA8M/s320/IMG_4109.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Mail Sorter</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>My categories are:</u></div><ul><li>Incoming Mail</li>
<li>Outgoing Mail</li>
<li>Coupons</li>
<li>Bills</li>
<li>File</li>
<li>Notebooks (I'm going to keep my finance/to do notebooks here)</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXRp299GP0HjEzgG5j90X6nCGj9PyLaaNN2ei9JJh3FddoGTpGHUAkrnIJAwBI6fGcgBBJcV8t_9nd9DnIGnMvZCHIcLrlAYxvs6EIULWLipAUrHg2Vk30_tWR5Ok9cElF5RBg8ilbmI/s1600/IMG_4110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXRp299GP0HjEzgG5j90X6nCGj9PyLaaNN2ei9JJh3FddoGTpGHUAkrnIJAwBI6fGcgBBJcV8t_9nd9DnIGnMvZCHIcLrlAYxvs6EIULWLipAUrHg2Vk30_tWR5Ok9cElF5RBg8ilbmI/s320/IMG_4110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The STUFF Basket </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this basket! Great find at a garage sale one street away from me! </div><div style="text-align: center;">This basket is for keys, wallets, phones, ect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfV2cUy3ib8YUTNSVB9vPE1VX8-Yymz48gvHBtNo3gFexZQKP6hE7y2MFBY7d227xBOtZOFG8nt0jw5xVAcSYnCom0wR92b9OlNvM7EasFBKTDYBEX8u_N84VRrWRGoCujRQG30iERc8/s1600/IMG_4111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfV2cUy3ib8YUTNSVB9vPE1VX8-Yymz48gvHBtNo3gFexZQKP6hE7y2MFBY7d227xBOtZOFG8nt0jw5xVAcSYnCom0wR92b9OlNvM7EasFBKTDYBEX8u_N84VRrWRGoCujRQG30iERc8/s320/IMG_4111.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lastly is the Library Bin. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">We go to storytime at the library once a week and the kids know this is where all library things go before bed every night. I keep the cloth bag in there with the receipt that has the book and movie names, so I can easily grab everything, double check that we have everything, and throw it in as we're running out the door. This really cuts down on wasted time during the week finding books and gives the kids a place to keep these special items. They learn to respect the books more and distinguish between their books and the library's books. Plus it saves us money, which I always love, since we aren't late anymore...or worse...loosing items. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZWFz1C7YScaOCoz-X0-G1Ec0djQUGrCkrkgD3ewdRi6SMPUpZph29lXLDsq8WOxRrnkD51CNmxmQxb0CLnTxlAgmQ1Q5hLBua3Im223Xfl7ZJ-Z-GrzX6PqIspWzppZIYGV4OaQ1RoU/s1600/yay-773135.jpg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZWFz1C7YScaOCoz-X0-G1Ec0djQUGrCkrkgD3ewdRi6SMPUpZph29lXLDsq8WOxRrnkD51CNmxmQxb0CLnTxlAgmQ1Q5hLBua3Im223Xfl7ZJ-Z-GrzX6PqIspWzppZIYGV4OaQ1RoU/s200/yay-773135.jpg.gif" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">So there you have it. Our new Launch Pad. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It honestly does "Help us launch out the door". </div><div style="text-align: center;">We may need some prettier baskets, but at least it is functional. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The only thing left is finding something on the huge open wall to decorate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I love our new launch pad!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Za5IP9pX-MzafxF0kLFGI-o4W8tpGqaYNUYoCQdU_t959iiobyGHuBlebfZKfECbuuBeVAsOjBNve-sYZOKFmu6MTv26pOOm4SgewCaLXkSY90sxUXR-td1TRXORfzfz74ltFQ_gIxg/s1600/IMG_4101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Za5IP9pX-MzafxF0kLFGI-o4W8tpGqaYNUYoCQdU_t959iiobyGHuBlebfZKfECbuuBeVAsOjBNve-sYZOKFmu6MTv26pOOm4SgewCaLXkSY90sxUXR-td1TRXORfzfz74ltFQ_gIxg/s200/IMG_4101.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now it's your turn! <br />
Head over to <a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-weekly-challenge-is-finally-here.html">A Bowl Full of Lemons</a> and sign up for the 21 week challenge!</div>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-31635429044252392702011-02-28T14:03:00.000-05:002011-02-28T14:03:03.845-05:00My New Inspiration<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>My New Inspiration is...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwkD1Au0pbott1HC1me9zE4OMKRQKVhC9rAgpYbbs_dpT5qlguAFHzVWqngkElmGJRJY5xwYIUuQ515BcacFWWGFCayKlwtvmQM21XP5d3s3ph_fWm_4fyZy3qhCjL-O6PN1geEoi9R0/s1600/moms-group-circle_425x282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwkD1Au0pbott1HC1me9zE4OMKRQKVhC9rAgpYbbs_dpT5qlguAFHzVWqngkElmGJRJY5xwYIUuQ515BcacFWWGFCayKlwtvmQM21XP5d3s3ph_fWm_4fyZy3qhCjL-O6PN1geEoi9R0/s320/moms-group-circle_425x282.jpg" width="320" /></b></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ALL OF YOU!</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">As the mother of 4 children under the age of 5, organizing, cooking, cleaning, teaching, and developing a functional household is a never ending task. I'm constantly trying to make big decisions and little ones and my mind is always working on the next idea that will bring function and happiness to this family of 6. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98Os5Rpv7Ov20z_nJ7wXqW_u-Q8ofaeoJppGxq_5mlpt17hyG2XQdbv0U-8ktGVp1gIFGZJ8szOsX_tkXFCG17YiciswKW-yUruM73qZUOqJyfwmNMH9xSiRWzUOn_ELm2T4qAfLme7s/s1600/happy+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I just joined the blogging world and I must admit I admire so many of the mommy bloggers I'm meeting. You are all my inspiration. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvQOazpFC-i5XRpKfa7j61LF-F8qK2iGrRZ5Fvzgdt6uO6d2OowF4IfJYGVhmXUAZtdXjQ8NtBtSFSZ5jrat49OebdPIHNBZs_vPzq78REAFuFYBeCM5VDxBktKDw8BTsVDKnvHtyPFI/s1600/mommy-blogger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvQOazpFC-i5XRpKfa7j61LF-F8qK2iGrRZ5Fvzgdt6uO6d2OowF4IfJYGVhmXUAZtdXjQ8NtBtSFSZ5jrat49OebdPIHNBZs_vPzq78REAFuFYBeCM5VDxBktKDw8BTsVDKnvHtyPFI/s320/mommy-blogger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">We just moved into our new home in November, a house! An actual house with a yard and a porch and a garage and the whole shebang! Now you may all think I'm joining in the home ownership deal a little late with 4 kids, but I am utterly excited that it happened before our first started kindergarten. I'm very proud of us. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98Os5Rpv7Ov20z_nJ7wXqW_u-Q8ofaeoJppGxq_5mlpt17hyG2XQdbv0U-8ktGVp1gIFGZJ8szOsX_tkXFCG17YiciswKW-yUruM73qZUOqJyfwmNMH9xSiRWzUOn_ELm2T4qAfLme7s/s1600/happy+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98Os5Rpv7Ov20z_nJ7wXqW_u-Q8ofaeoJppGxq_5mlpt17hyG2XQdbv0U-8ktGVp1gIFGZJ8szOsX_tkXFCG17YiciswKW-yUruM73qZUOqJyfwmNMH9xSiRWzUOn_ELm2T4qAfLme7s/s200/happy+house.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">With this new proud feeling I'm feeling I just want to keep an </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">organized, clean, happy, and family friendly home..</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>I know it will happen. I have 4 sweet lovies to motivate me. </b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Everything I do is for them after all! </b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykdObAKprWVY_Q2zFCkA6eEwVx6QjoXspTQsGERZWo3kYl0MAuEfCS360p5yJbEn3mHH9zSEryuQhTvOr84d7gAXTIWi5R2PcEnF0nhdoS8aWjwy-_qkBVBF_E9THSNwLDVj2-h5JnJQ/s1600/inspiration+point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykdObAKprWVY_Q2zFCkA6eEwVx6QjoXspTQsGERZWo3kYl0MAuEfCS360p5yJbEn3mHH9zSEryuQhTvOr84d7gAXTIWi5R2PcEnF0nhdoS8aWjwy-_qkBVBF_E9THSNwLDVj2-h5JnJQ/s1600/inspiration+point.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>I thank all of you for your brilliant ideas, creativity, heart, and mostly for inspiring me to be the best "me" I can be. </b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>It's official. I'm a:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUZkeMnvD1pRHf0hZ1Xz4-DcmzAgFCSRCVHQuiseVB9MqxmovaaE64YsyBSQQGuysZO5YB4vTosjYTTj4vKahOEPi47khCYGr-3i6gqzzLPd6C_-Bj992TtoAQFH8HANSPg3wvTAAEPk/s1600/Mom_Blogger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUZkeMnvD1pRHf0hZ1Xz4-DcmzAgFCSRCVHQuiseVB9MqxmovaaE64YsyBSQQGuysZO5YB4vTosjYTTj4vKahOEPi47khCYGr-3i6gqzzLPd6C_-Bj992TtoAQFH8HANSPg3wvTAAEPk/s200/Mom_Blogger.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I plan on having weekly projects in our new home on my path to an organized home and blogging about it, so stay tuned! </span></span></div>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-36117651307353360692011-02-28T00:07:00.001-05:002011-02-28T00:07:01.069-05:00Meet Me Monday<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Meet Me Monday</span></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Every Monday I'll answer 5 questions about me, so that you all can get to know me better. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>These questions are courtesy of:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNtLvtizlu49bP3TSHjJMc3vTcMNwEGsW6d3BvfkjYFotg0zPVm65HVp5yvJOtl5SScGsRjvz3nJy44Jy34-MQ01eX3bKkjW7eIShJ0P92LtlFnioOPVzO7Q-ByGV7k9F8mS9KkugNHg/s1600/MeetMonday-1-1.jpg" /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>and the idea is thanks to my friend at <a href="http://drewdeniparker.blogspot.com/">Northern Skies</a>!</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. What are you wearing right now?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLa791St05PXeZR5LbsBpd7U732-C95yh1HEFU0wEXT9IZoRjYi3O2hhuiO6LVF16Y2gn5p7s4uwKcIS4IKlTIDdCnirkeSPVHy8g6pdqzi5yDzAOgRlj_56DyWtegEsQN29EZz45B44/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLa791St05PXeZR5LbsBpd7U732-C95yh1HEFU0wEXT9IZoRjYi3O2hhuiO6LVF16Y2gn5p7s4uwKcIS4IKlTIDdCnirkeSPVHy8g6pdqzi5yDzAOgRlj_56DyWtegEsQN29EZz45B44/s200/images.jpg" width="149" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jeans and a tank top </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
2. Do you have any freckles?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgQizgGIazwmq3tHUP-cqd6dj0iTuda6vnmy1TvU57aVhGBYofm2kAjjjy8yVJcNm13mPGDgxfakohlD25S7n0qG1J8ht7u9r9ORjB59pvJ-pI0mTgnrDgfgJ8yr4gvhsRCLMHBPp23w/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgQizgGIazwmq3tHUP-cqd6dj0iTuda6vnmy1TvU57aVhGBYofm2kAjjjy8yVJcNm13mPGDgxfakohlD25S7n0qG1J8ht7u9r9ORjB59pvJ-pI0mTgnrDgfgJ8yr4gvhsRCLMHBPp23w/s200/index.jpg" width="200" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some freckles </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
3. What is your favorite Lifesaver flavor?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjMy7zQCXC-g1c2qZekP01v0t5npMOUGlDp-B7LA4to7_jC5xUKH35Z0fn4VGx97gbkM4cSLHTj1m_qlfSQLzwJ8DlrUamabLKbigYEVKOBV5RAkD9SRZZPFu-6uFHEaK9kEBkK8zf1I/s1600/lifesavers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjMy7zQCXC-g1c2qZekP01v0t5npMOUGlDp-B7LA4to7_jC5xUKH35Z0fn4VGx97gbkM4cSLHTj1m_qlfSQLzwJ8DlrUamabLKbigYEVKOBV5RAkD9SRZZPFu-6uFHEaK9kEBkK8zf1I/s200/lifesavers.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pina Colada</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. What is the last movie you saw in the theater?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X_FKZW4U6FK9Z-K441kew8YJJG4JXUhWfqRlBDvewmB1ygPj1RF4mRvtenlJd3CCVyoZUizG29b9Rftr_GEnDz9JSduuU-AgouW-TXrM-bjkkdvbdIYeAMm7mpRi-HVNfRniND0m4oM/s1600/Toy-Story-3-Movie-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X_FKZW4U6FK9Z-K441kew8YJJG4JXUhWfqRlBDvewmB1ygPj1RF4mRvtenlJd3CCVyoZUizG29b9Rftr_GEnDz9JSduuU-AgouW-TXrM-bjkkdvbdIYeAMm7mpRi-HVNfRniND0m4oM/s320/Toy-Story-3-Movie-Poster.jpg" width="226" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Toy Story 3...yeah...it's difficult to find time and a babysitter to go to the movie theater so we normally watch movies at home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Would you rather live without tv or without music?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQHhYf4rC2_2zDvZtk1Q7kSpu6Z5wD4lDFc-4vsLNo1Zb7NF6J0sIHClkRFrb8HIAhDqweMOol32lXmHYOjGzsDUGUjnkAdhm_tem8kKWR4opgl60kluare1YUfxql88aCocKqJIwSb0/s1600/Music-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQHhYf4rC2_2zDvZtk1Q7kSpu6Z5wD4lDFc-4vsLNo1Zb7NF6J0sIHClkRFrb8HIAhDqweMOol32lXmHYOjGzsDUGUjnkAdhm_tem8kKWR4opgl60kluare1YUfxql88aCocKqJIwSb0/s320/Music-4.jpg" width="320" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'd rather live without TV...but that would be difficult! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>Join in the fun by heading over to <a href="http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20Me%20On%20Monday">Meet Me Mondays</a> and linking up!</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-51979995420532388622011-02-22T19:32:00.001-05:002011-02-22T19:36:06.865-05:00The Screecher<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The Screecher </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Yup. I was blessed with one of those screecher children. You know the kind. He screeches when he's happy. He screeches when he's tired. He screeches just to hear his voice. Having a house with tile throughout just amplifies the screeches. Sometimes I just want to screech back. If you can't beat him, join him. Right? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGykiG2wcuHHCTvjlP8FazrlbDIVadyxZ9NnCtiVhrOoPzP3f01PNS4fY2gSc9j8h4vpfBL4W2M5vk0jrAKDjns9n_Sdp5HVTlJWEA_EyiPpicOyx1OlL9OImqxgG2olPWREqCx_omt44/s1600/6a00e54ee5cc5b883300e55388a3b98834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGykiG2wcuHHCTvjlP8FazrlbDIVadyxZ9NnCtiVhrOoPzP3f01PNS4fY2gSc9j8h4vpfBL4W2M5vk0jrAKDjns9n_Sdp5HVTlJWEA_EyiPpicOyx1OlL9OImqxgG2olPWREqCx_omt44/s200/6a00e54ee5cc5b883300e55388a3b98834.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Now besides the occasional headache and the looks from random people in public I didn't find this to be a big deal until the other night when I was getting ready for bed. I kept asking the hubs, "Did you hear that?" "Okay. What about that?". I swear I heard the screecher. Apparently I'm loosing it. My body is surrounded by quiet for a few moments in time and it instantly starts fabricating screeching noises. Someone please save my sanity!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Sincerely,</div><div style="text-align: left;"> The Mom with the Screecher</div>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-47194044726021054232011-02-14T09:59:00.006-05:002011-02-14T12:46:26.530-05:00Meet Me Monday<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since I'm new here I thought I would start off with Meet Me Mondays. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every Monday I'll answer 5 questions about me, so that you all can get to know me better. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These questions are courtesy of:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNtLvtizlu49bP3TSHjJMc3vTcMNwEGsW6d3BvfkjYFotg0zPVm65HVp5yvJOtl5SScGsRjvz3nJy44Jy34-MQ01eX3bKkjW7eIShJ0P92LtlFnioOPVzO7Q-ByGV7k9F8mS9KkugNHg/s1600/MeetMonday-1-1.jpg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">and the idea is thanks to my friend at <a href="http://drewdeniparker.blogspot.com/">Northern Skies</a>!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Did you get any Valentine's Gifts?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmPEFdzGJzqusH7l7hS7zuzaifmaMC3gIXQYoZtk65eGrDGsG9UYA_H-izl31brMES8OHM12harRTchH5roDrUiAMbhcccVG8ahWXMSUVcyAQtaQHYsGPDPnYytZsyWCNDY71xzQUsVw/s1600/110209_sweetheart_food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmPEFdzGJzqusH7l7hS7zuzaifmaMC3gIXQYoZtk65eGrDGsG9UYA_H-izl31brMES8OHM12harRTchH5roDrUiAMbhcccVG8ahWXMSUVcyAQtaQHYsGPDPnYytZsyWCNDY71xzQUsVw/s320/110209_sweetheart_food.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Outback Steakhouse</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We weren't able to find a babysitter, so we order curb side carryout and had a nice dinner just the 2 of us when they were all in bed. We both enjoyed a night off of cooking and the yummy food. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. What is your favorite topping on something toasted?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE5tJvH42SXMVGVk9fqsk-gRu49LGfeIO9T0631vPoTDuZamyXLUb1z4v2JR8tJ9DpN-exxEo1lKyXK74dVmRj_jtdmlaIW4VaWykrvFq0MXR5IvB2y0PrEmFRSa-SwDVWMXcxKuLUxw/s1600/apple+butter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE5tJvH42SXMVGVk9fqsk-gRu49LGfeIO9T0631vPoTDuZamyXLUb1z4v2JR8tJ9DpN-exxEo1lKyXK74dVmRj_jtdmlaIW4VaWykrvFq0MXR5IvB2y0PrEmFRSa-SwDVWMXcxKuLUxw/s320/apple+butter.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Apple Butter- Yummo! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Do you pick out your outfit the night before?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsrHOFyNI5QerFxSPC2u82dJRR1PaMYwgVgN8nZsmSnnpaHfAFGw-0qtRU4klboMZs9-W36RFYRzJrEl9A3rWsKu_NfvCYzh2arv9ZX7RMop5O7nszjLhbrxddjs21ox2JKbiekaULoI/s1600/girl+looking+at+clothes+in+closet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsrHOFyNI5QerFxSPC2u82dJRR1PaMYwgVgN8nZsmSnnpaHfAFGw-0qtRU4klboMZs9-W36RFYRzJrEl9A3rWsKu_NfvCYzh2arv9ZX7RMop5O7nszjLhbrxddjs21ox2JKbiekaULoI/s320/girl+looking+at+clothes+in+closet.jpg" width="210" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I used to and would like to, but right now I have so little clothing that fit (transition from just having a baby 2 months ago) that I usually am washing my clothes the night before. Need to get this under control!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. What food item do you absolutely despise?</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIsVSlTGTwvB4vb-_Xjf_1-0PPNp3wqHeyjpKz7esfGp0RJQffddmcEipgnr_D7QEtT9x7Uyjxqp0CCDsYCcSyyesIVfwrL4OvkP7PwdsCZnHEI_L8pdiU5hixN5SxIXzZ14CWE9ryuU/s1600/bbq+ribs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIsVSlTGTwvB4vb-_Xjf_1-0PPNp3wqHeyjpKz7esfGp0RJQffddmcEipgnr_D7QEtT9x7Uyjxqp0CCDsYCcSyyesIVfwrL4OvkP7PwdsCZnHEI_L8pdiU5hixN5SxIXzZ14CWE9ryuU/s200/bbq+ribs.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ribs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXix6CmWgTJ05wBXjdKDH0egum1sDuXiZ89_qFzuw753wmRrhW5l0Be2PxC-cpYsTPxdk3MS1FQWQ4-Gi82vJ_Nv1DAmr-taYM8pqufU3ePoi1e-qI7s1accGtZZgyNQ141KiyF3_NxA/s1600/ham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXix6CmWgTJ05wBXjdKDH0egum1sDuXiZ89_qFzuw753wmRrhW5l0Be2PxC-cpYsTPxdk3MS1FQWQ4-Gi82vJ_Nv1DAmr-taYM8pqufU3ePoi1e-qI7s1accGtZZgyNQ141KiyF3_NxA/s200/ham.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ham</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8bPZlsNZ1rqL_kfIccivFGEK9ZaFgGsjf1VwCs-KnVkVin7rIm_sk8toViTsoCzUfo6Wou8vv9nFxwitDsQqQ-K8SvnZs9P9kJjhSgXBHTzOebOmNLrGhuM-uXwvs_0VGe4MiVOsFVY/s1600/pork+chops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8bPZlsNZ1rqL_kfIccivFGEK9ZaFgGsjf1VwCs-KnVkVin7rIm_sk8toViTsoCzUfo6Wou8vv9nFxwitDsQqQ-K8SvnZs9P9kJjhSgXBHTzOebOmNLrGhuM-uXwvs_0VGe4MiVOsFVY/s200/pork+chops.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pork Chops</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Really I just despise anything from a pig...besides crispy bacon and pulled pork.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. Righty or lefty?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUOHtiPS0NKQVZZoETnlqhSfCwe5bMOVktADgKO9pRkReRjhPPCosqRNd713946zxh-oAgmzDWJff5P-bcET31izwEHADAzR-hRJyCQkrqhcI0B3-jO9TjhKuexI2gIRi1nsrtjyhSIg/s1600/right+hand.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUOHtiPS0NKQVZZoETnlqhSfCwe5bMOVktADgKO9pRkReRjhPPCosqRNd713946zxh-oAgmzDWJff5P-bcET31izwEHADAzR-hRJyCQkrqhcI0B3-jO9TjhKuexI2gIRi1nsrtjyhSIg/s200/right+hand.gif" width="200" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Righty! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Join in the fun by heading over to <a href="http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20Me%20On%20Monday">Meet Me Mondays</a> and linking up!</span></span></div>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-31259116978867565622011-02-10T20:41:00.005-05:002011-02-14T11:33:50.332-05:00Mommyland, Return to High School<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mommyland, Return to High School </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Is it just me or do all moms feel like the art of making mom friends is just too much work? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXOHojaaasL5ZbQhvh-gd0t0B5wY1hJ46XDdkEjjDWA0e1mC7VV38LhmBG-JIqKUObdfdbRJr46H-0nIHH2z-FgUQpz8hBWqBA-R7zdKETDKSWh0JmbQr1pO_A-8XTGAotNb5LoaHDk8/s1600/avery-jessup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXOHojaaasL5ZbQhvh-gd0t0B5wY1hJ46XDdkEjjDWA0e1mC7VV38LhmBG-JIqKUObdfdbRJr46H-0nIHH2z-FgUQpz8hBWqBA-R7zdKETDKSWh0JmbQr1pO_A-8XTGAotNb5LoaHDk8/s320/avery-jessup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">When I'm around other moms I always watch what I say, making sure I put the best "me" out there and making sure I don't step on any toes or hurt anyone's feelings. Most likely this is a result of years of mommy friendship drama. I've lost many friends over things I didn't even know I'm doing or things that weren't my fault and now I'm overly cautious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZVsTwTUKffBUZg5P1Pah-8s8qnjzTr0yXHGIp29c15lFgGJ1zM3WNVjd3rYfBTuQ4iwluCenOs-9QjFWRPP3m9p8o073JIFeAFmpmcPQ_y5-NnbiZj7-YW20brHr1kahPb58jpcCXUI/s1600/you-stole-my-thunder-700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZVsTwTUKffBUZg5P1Pah-8s8qnjzTr0yXHGIp29c15lFgGJ1zM3WNVjd3rYfBTuQ4iwluCenOs-9QjFWRPP3m9p8o073JIFeAFmpmcPQ_y5-NnbiZj7-YW20brHr1kahPb58jpcCXUI/s400/you-stole-my-thunder-700.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There was the one time I apparently "stole my best friend's thunder" because I showed my ultrasound pictures before hers at a playdate when I didn't even know she was pregnant. That grudge lasted 8 months and now if we talk it is more of a casual in passing thing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCzD0ss8_WBNXqWWSP7A1SrnXABspAp5JRDs5vxAUaKN8Iu2R9dI6K5M4EG8qnx2oV4bjBbl6XLas_6Yh-RP_QI0RLhnZJs_jnI7UsfmGcAt0m_Zh4lMDZErfypIYsDqHs3kXRK2aqgg/s1600/woman-with-ultrasound-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCzD0ss8_WBNXqWWSP7A1SrnXABspAp5JRDs5vxAUaKN8Iu2R9dI6K5M4EG8qnx2oV4bjBbl6XLas_6Yh-RP_QI0RLhnZJs_jnI7UsfmGcAt0m_Zh4lMDZErfypIYsDqHs3kXRK2aqgg/s200/woman-with-ultrasound-image.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There was another best friend who de-friended me when she found out my husband had done something stupid. I didn't even do anything to her. Wow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90NfY9tuu7s_KcGSf6n_Vv7kJWxqxl6KizNtmmub_x7pDlN_4jYxcd86ppnXzoz_dV0K0U6zjD42YEdVKy8rehUpo4L17uyR0fpGPQveizSWq6JcKdmwQ6a7Ud2-4lksmgepjc-bACZY/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90NfY9tuu7s_KcGSf6n_Vv7kJWxqxl6KizNtmmub_x7pDlN_4jYxcd86ppnXzoz_dV0K0U6zjD42YEdVKy8rehUpo4L17uyR0fpGPQveizSWq6JcKdmwQ6a7Ud2-4lksmgepjc-bACZY/s1600/untitled.bmp" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Plus I've had many mom friends who fed into the drama, made everything about them, and compared everything from kids to how clean our houses were to medical issues to personal parenting decisions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFvUKwwCFYaCtda4eTVg2v2n5VxBh9jc0_jbUGKf78Rl_DLODMavxuxfLUW7ioZ-XCJC56NzGVm1iv-3rWnLfrEhE4Ebs7jW2frLOywYIaG5HjURXvIHoJ5CAocUCV9lWmHiAOM4Z6NQ/s1600/angry-woman-pointing-280x280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFvUKwwCFYaCtda4eTVg2v2n5VxBh9jc0_jbUGKf78Rl_DLODMavxuxfLUW7ioZ-XCJC56NzGVm1iv-3rWnLfrEhE4Ebs7jW2frLOywYIaG5HjURXvIHoJ5CAocUCV9lWmHiAOM4Z6NQ/s200/angry-woman-pointing-280x280.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I almost always walk away wondering if I said everything right. Did I talk too much? Did I not talk enough? Did I say anything that would upset her? It's more work to find mom friends than anything I've ever imagined. Seriously! It's a full time job. Every time I get a friend who I think is a best friend something happens.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is it just me or are most moms just high school catty girls with low self esteem putting on a front of how they are better then the rest of us? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqm0F570P-bDadZZyOMCQt813KLJ1FVgEk8aDtiI5R25-2kn8JfOvC4OLywYvZJkZ09Fie5wfECgIGG6z_ZKV_-tlZSggWJmuP_oYwdJjdS-qfsi_yRE5rAHK2jXf9N8iKKAwvAA2Z_M/s1600/mean-girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqm0F570P-bDadZZyOMCQt813KLJ1FVgEk8aDtiI5R25-2kn8JfOvC4OLywYvZJkZ09Fie5wfECgIGG6z_ZKV_-tlZSggWJmuP_oYwdJjdS-qfsi_yRE5rAHK2jXf9N8iKKAwvAA2Z_M/s320/mean-girls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It is a "high school world" out in Mommyland! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finding that best mommy friend is more difficult then finding a husband! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvays7W4eukJhsYujzBvJ6FFwL9m8ylor5IkTWCmMmvN3E-Q8LK9GX8_Hcr8gAwYR0CuhCSgaRrkGs_QZUItN9iPotBR78sMpxtjDa3GawStoImKDF1CiAR902NZRFnk2gfyjNnmoeCa0/s1600/mom_thinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvays7W4eukJhsYujzBvJ6FFwL9m8ylor5IkTWCmMmvN3E-Q8LK9GX8_Hcr8gAwYR0CuhCSgaRrkGs_QZUItN9iPotBR78sMpxtjDa3GawStoImKDF1CiAR902NZRFnk2gfyjNnmoeCa0/s1600/mom_thinking.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>You start to wonder, "Do I really need friends?"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm about to give up on the whole thing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGr8cgr-uDVF_VH2tvgYLkRjsDwcOtZhG-qgKHXpdeesYGhMwgq4UO-s_cv1H4aPvmyEZTgFBxDKkcEI5k3G7EXk_BieDZZaVrqMOCNvsd5wcENFVdTnUOnF_Rn_PlxrMPD8hyrtH1Hc/s1600/vlcsnap473599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGr8cgr-uDVF_VH2tvgYLkRjsDwcOtZhG-qgKHXpdeesYGhMwgq4UO-s_cv1H4aPvmyEZTgFBxDKkcEI5k3G7EXk_BieDZZaVrqMOCNvsd5wcENFVdTnUOnF_Rn_PlxrMPD8hyrtH1Hc/s200/vlcsnap473599.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I may just become a hermit with my kids. ;)</div>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-87707629150039465972011-02-10T01:02:00.003-05:002011-02-14T12:52:00.006-05:00Chocolate Seeker<div style="color: #e69138; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Chocolate Seeker</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRz2oC8clrONsQvLObMSTPB9-yEUCHquKIW3fEdas1NCZEJsG1JUeybdPsXWw50rkw-iUOYwjUjJ1ZonZllT3cWECWQK0f2l2StlRv6vANijvVLHHi_G2NnFdm8KMe-Bw_wJzUsnRAp3g/s1600/Hershey%2527s+Kisses+Chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRz2oC8clrONsQvLObMSTPB9-yEUCHquKIW3fEdas1NCZEJsG1JUeybdPsXWw50rkw-iUOYwjUjJ1ZonZllT3cWECWQK0f2l2StlRv6vANijvVLHHi_G2NnFdm8KMe-Bw_wJzUsnRAp3g/s200/Hershey%2527s+Kisses+Chocolate.jpg" width="142" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> My oldest son just started potty training and our most helpful incentive has been Hershey kisses. We started off with one every time he went potty to get the ball rolling and we are now down to one a day if we have no accidents. Anyways, I keep Hershey kisses in stock. Well my daughter (who is 4 1/2 and potty trained) wanted to get in on the deal too, so we are giving her one at the end of the day if she goes in the potty throughout the day (I'm hoping this will help her "holding it all day at school" issue). Well since I have been regularly finding Hershey wrappers and chocolate mouths around the house, I decided it was time to hide them in a drawer with boring things, like phone books. Out of sight, out of mind, right?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> This morning after peeing in the potty my sweet daughter came up to me and proclaimed that she peed in the potty and is getting a Hershey kiss. Like any smart mom I said, "What Hershey kiss?" To which she replied (while laughing at me), "The ones in the drawer silly!" First I hid those while she was at school, so how did she know?! She's turning in to quite the snooper. Now my mom <i>always </i>told me about when I was a little girl. Apparently the thing everyone remembers is that I would find the Hershey kisses no matter where they were hidden...behind things in the back of the fridge, up in a cabinet tucked away. Now I have a very perceptive little girl, but is this chocolate seeker thing genetics? Hmm... Like mother, like daughter?</div>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3175633052947104105.post-49304993805982586982011-02-08T21:46:00.001-05:002011-02-14T13:00:33.554-05:00Why a Minivan Mom?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Why a Minivan Mom?" </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span>you may ask. Well let me first start off by saying I have fought this long and hard. I loved my Toyota Camry. I loved having a car that was all mine, but as most things go...I sacrificed fun for functional. That's how it works when you're a mom. I know old me is rolling her eyes and muttering "how could you?!" under her breathe, but she just doesn't understand the life of a stay at home mom with 4 kids under age 5. It is a necessity and (I can't believe I'm saying this) I actually LOVE my new (okay its 9 years old) minivan! That's right folks. It may be white and it may have bench seats, but OMG how did I live without it? Well I guess it's official. I've joined...the dark side. Yes. I am a minivan mom.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kDg-7QQkumfweCNOLC0d18YPvfJel-mrFzbgfcWkoYEEEKJUQdR8tcJASuX30D9mQGGnZw5TCeJ2WiunoUF-VGeBYCMB-UZbtxf0DKYMzfazbXE7fh-cr-6d0YJhTq2QnVnqm9es7cM/s1600/125940287v6_150x150_Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kDg-7QQkumfweCNOLC0d18YPvfJel-mrFzbgfcWkoYEEEKJUQdR8tcJASuX30D9mQGGnZw5TCeJ2WiunoUF-VGeBYCMB-UZbtxf0DKYMzfazbXE7fh-cr-6d0YJhTq2QnVnqm9es7cM/s1600/125940287v6_150x150_Front.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jenniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694047921274737333noreply@blogger.com2