it’s that time of year again…

 

 

Can you believe it?  School has started again, where did the summer go?  This was our first Summer that I didn’t have daycare here at Green Acres.  I did help a couple of my Mama friends with there little boys.  C and J were great play dates for Cameron and Henry.  I only kept them 1 – 2 days a week and they are a part of the family here.  They have been in school with Cameron since the beginning at STM.  We had all kinds of adventures, mostly around here but none the less adventures were had.  I really kept control over “gaming” and TV time.  We have been blessed here in Missouri with a very mild Summer.  In fact reminds me of the Summers of my youth in Seattle.

As the new academic year begins so does a new chapter for our Junior Mint.  He has started Pre-Kindergarten at STM in Ms. Patty’s class.  He is finally in school with his big brother, which is pretty cool, and going full days for 3 days a week.  He loves it.  I did very well dropping him off on Monday this week.  (Cameron started the week prior.) 

I wondered what I was going to do with my time for 3 days a week.  Hmm, well lets see I am volunteering like crazy at school, working on building my nail clients again, blogging again and oh my most favorite part is reading.  I have time to read again for pleasure.  Who knew?

 

step back a pause...

As the Holidays are upon us I am forever reminded this last week to take a moment to pause and reflect on what is important in life.   The important things in life are not the house you live in, the car you drive or the type of clothes on your back.  What really matters is how we live our lives daily.  Can you lay your head on your pillow at night and answer the question "Did I live my life to the fullest and respect those around me?" If you can answer "yes" then maybe we are on the right track.  The important things in life are your family, friends and faith in what you believe.

 Mr. Miller and I have been on a "spiritual journey" of late.  We have been reminded and inspired to remember all the blessings that we have in our lives.   Two of which are very sweet little boys that warm our hearts daily. 

 

 
Yes, they can stress us out too but we have decided to try and count to 10 more often, step back and realize that they too can get as frustrated at situations like we do.  It is important to remember that they are sponges and will do what they are taught and repeat what they hear.  Henry learned a song in preschool for his program and he keeps singing it and I am reminded daily by my 3 year old that what he is singing is so true. (At least for this family)

"Jesus in the family,

Happy, Happy Home!"

In light of the tragedies this last week I am asking that we all hug our children a little tighter and pause to realize what is really important.  Remember that we all need to take care of each other.  I can't help but think of the golden rule that we all have learned as children ourselves,

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you..."

 

the birth of fluff…

I talked last week about some exciting new things happening in my world.  Well here it is:


My business partner and good friend, Kristen, and I opened a Cloth Diaper Boutique in the heart of Old Shawnee Kansas.  We are operating inside of Heart to Heart Creations at 11004 Johnson Drive.  You can find out updates and information right now here.  Our website is still under construction but will be live soon for our online business at Fluff Diaper Boutique  Here is a brief bio about us.

“Fluff is a Mom owned, and operated Cloth Diaper and Natural Parenting boutique located in Heart to Heart in Shawnee, KS. We offer popular commercial brands in addition to products produced by local talented Moms and Dads. We also offer an online store with baby registry at www.fluffdiaperboutique.com.

We offer many different styles and ways to cloth diaper that little bottom in your life. Together Kristen and Maeghan they have over 20 years in retail experience and they have over 5 years of cloth diaper experience.

Kristen Marquis the Mother of 4, 3 girls and 1 son, has enjoyed using cloth diapers for her youngest child. She is an eco-friendly and natural parent who believes in the importance of taking care of the earth and our children as respectfully as possible. Kristen is the Head Merchandiser and brains on the behind the scenes business.

Maeghan Miller is the mother of 2 boys, when she had her 2^nd over 3 years ago she knew she was going to use cloth and hasn’t looked back. She is also the WAHM behind Green Acres Closet Woolies. Maeghan will also use her experience in Marketing Fluff inside the store.

Based on own experience of getting started in Cloth, Kristen and Maeghan share a vision of teaching parents and others that cloth diapering doesn’t have to be a chore. It is fun and fashionable, earth friendly and in this economy cost effective. We don’t claim to know everything there is to know about cloth diapering but we will share what we do know and offer you an exciting journey into the world of Cloth Diapers. “

Kristen and I have prayed and worked very hard for this dream to come into reality.  It hasn’t been an easy road but we took our “post it notes” from God and knew that he would help us achieve our goals.  Thank you doesn’t seem enough to say to our parents, friends and neighbors who have supported us on this journey.  Here are a few pics of this journey.
Getting fixtures ready.  We really wanted to concentrate on up cycling if we could, garage sales for some and with the exception of the washboard, washtub and 2 cans of spray paint we were able to keep our costs down.



The door has been in my basement forever and I found the changing table at a Garage Sale for $7.  Kristen’s Mom gave us the paint and well the labor was provided by Mr. Miller and his sidekick Mr. Dutcher.  As for the little hands they were kept busy with wipes cleaning off the dust.





Before:

After:

1st Communion

In April the 2nd graders at St. Thomas More celebrated their First Holy Communion.  It was a very beautiful day filled with many emotions.  Being that we are Episcopalian, Cameron received a special blessing from Father Don.  We were joined in this event by the Deacon and Pops, Gigi, Mimi and Poppa, Aunt Erika and Uncle Randy (his Godparents) and his cousins – Nate and Makennah. 

 

 

 

Cameron and C were very sharp dressed men.  They are not afraid to sport the bow ties.

Cameron and our sweet little friend, Miss H of the MG’s.

Cameron had a special honor of presenting the gifts.  We didn’t let Gigi in on the surprise.  We knew that she would love this honor.  She is a very proud Catholic of 92 years.  She traveled from Newton to share in this special day for Cameron and his classmates.

These kids did an amazing job and worked very hard to get to this special day.  My heart was definitely full that day.  Father Don kept referring to them as “little lambs” and on that day they definitely were, all 64 of them.

 

meet ringo!

Meet Ringo!  He is Henry’s pet firefly.

We had an amazing evening with the MG’s and Mr. Mitch last night.  Cathlin and I decided that an evening on the patio was in order for these 2 Mama’s.  Grilled Chicken, Pasta Salad, Broccoli Slaw, fresh fruit and veggies followed up with Cathlin’s amazing chocolate chip cookies were just was we needed.  It was such a joy to watch how Miss A was so excited to help her Mama in the kitchen.  She arranged the fruit on the trays so beautifully and even made lemonade ice cubes for the nuggets to enjoy in their drinks. She is quite the Martha Stewart for a young lady of 10.

Ok, so yes there was wine involved for us with laughter, tears and shrieks of joy from our nuggets as they ran the yard.  I love the friendship that we have built with this family.  These little girls have definitely won a place in the heart of all the Millers, the parents aren’t so bad themselves.  I call Miss A and H my daughters from another Mama.

Miss H, the youngest of the MG’s and Cameron’s classmate,  helped Henry catch a fire fly.  She even let him borrow her bug bracelet to bring him home.  Henry decided to name him last night and he even slept on his night stand.  Thankfully Ringo was still alive this morning. 

The boys want to catch some friends for Ringo tonight.  How can this Mama say no? 

our easter sunday

I thought I would take a moment to share a few memories from our Easter Sunday 2012.  I know better late than never, the truth is that April has been so busy I am just now getting to all of my pictures.  We had a lovely day.  The boys started out looking so handsome.  At least I got a pic of them before Henry took a “digger” and we went to Church with grass stains.  The life of a Mama with a 3 year old boy.  We spent the day in Topeka with my family.  My sister Erika was in on the surprise that we were coming for church not after.  Mimi was very surprised.















My oldest niece, Nichelle, turned 21 on the 7th so we celebrated her birthday on Easter.  Henry shared her special pink cake. 

I hope you all had a Blessed Easter Sunday such as we did.  It was so wonderful to be together with the family celebrating that our Lord had risen.  He had risen indeed!

what’s happening around here today…

 

::  Spring cleaning, trust me I am feeling my age after scrubbing the kitchen floor on my hands and knees.

::  Peanut doing what she does best.

::  Finding all of the new awakenings in the yard.

::  Washing diapers and getting to put them out for a sunbath.

::  Painting a file cabinet that I found in one of my Urban Treasure Hunts.

::  Baking St. Patrick’s Day cookies with my Cameron and Henry.

::  Enjoying this amazing day!

yesterday...

Yesterday was going very well.  Lot's of sunshine, production in Green Acres Closet, totally prepared for my STM 4 All Meeting and Henry gently playing along side me wherever I was working.  I left to get Cameron and as well pull in the school parking lot Henry fell asleep as usual so I decided in the 10 minutes of peace to myself I would check my emails.  That is when I let an email ruin my day.  I say "let" very strongly.

I had a reader leave a comment that was not what I would call respectful to me, my family or my way of raising my family.  It immediately sent a black cloud over head.  I tried to hide it but my sweet, gentle Cameron figured his Mama out.  As we were sitting there waiting our turn to pull out I felt this warm little hand on my shoulder, which for a child with Asperger's says a lot.  I take every touch as a blessing and savor them.

His soft voice said, "Mama are you mad?"
Me:  "No Cameron, Mama is just a little sad."
Cameron:  " Why?"
Me:  "Because someone used some words that hurt me, I will be OK."
Cameron:  "I am sorry, Mama.  I love you, does that help?"
Me:  " More than you know Cameron!"

Last night I was checking Facebook and had some very sweet comments about my Leftovers post.  Thank you my sweet friends, you defiantly were a big part of turning my frown upwards.  OK God, "post it note" 1 received.

Then this morning I was doing my "blog stalking" and I came across a new favorite, Passionate Homemaking , she brought things into perspective for me.  This was my "post it note" 2 from upstairs.  She talks about Ma Ingall's and some words of advise she gave to Charles.  In an episode Pa had done something to anger her and it was growing deep inside of her.  She finally had enough and said to Pa "It's such a waste of time to be angry at you!"

No truer words ever spoken.  I let this person ruin my day.  Why?  Why did it matter?  Lindsay you are so right.  Feeling sorry for myself didn't improve the situation and it was a big WASTE of my time. I should have stopped and prayed for her.  I am praying today for her.  I am hoping that whatever trials she is going through she can find solace in.  I am a good Mother, Wife, Friend and Person.  I took a moment to re read Proverbs 31 this morning and Proverbs 31:25 is so true here.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come



So yes, I am smiling again this morning.  Laughing at life's little lessons and how I need to stop and realize that people are people.  I know that I am doing what's right for my family and me.  We try to serve God, help our neighbors and I know I can go to sleep at night knowing I served my God with grace and dignity.

finally!

This is what we looked outside and found this morning.  Wahoo!  Finally some snow.  Good for the morale at Green Acres.  Mr. Miller will be selling the ice melt today.  I get a day with my boys due to the forecast of freezing rain coming in and to top it off it is now officially a pajama day!

::this moment::



~ a brief moment from our vacation over Christmas.

we had a celebration this weekend!

This little man is turning 3 tomorrow!
We had lots of family, great friends, good food and sock monkeys!  Let’s not forget anything that I could find in Red, Brown and White.  Thank you to Mimi, Nana and Pops for helping this Mama who was under the weather give her little Monkey a great party!

better late than never…

We adventured to Valdosta over Christmas to see Nana and Pops…
The boys got a very special Christmas present this year.



We had a great time.  At first they were very reserved so we decided that the adults might be more excited than them over the whole trip.  We developed our own battle cry.  “Where are we going?  We are going to LEGOLAND”!
Finally the boys gave in and joined us in the cause.






The day was full of fun and adventure.


We learned where Legos came from and how they were made.



Henry rode his first amusement park ride with Nana.


Mr. Miller and Pops kept watch over us all.



Cameron got to see a few friends from his favorite Movie.


Mama and Mr. Miller got to enjoy watching the boys and their Grandparents have a ton of fun making lifetime memories.


We saw a beautiful sunset and some great fireworks at the days end.




Legoland was a Blast and Thank you Nana and Pops for a great Christmas!