The distorted reality of blogland

Sometimes I think about taking an internet break or at least a facebook/blog reading break. The reason I consider this is because the way life can appear out in blogland or from facebook updates can be so discouraging. I notice that when I read too much stuff online, I can tend to feel a little down. It can make me feel like I'm just not good enough...... My house isn't as clean, I'm not as thin, I'm not as organized, I'm not as fun, or creative or funny and the list could go on and on.

However, I think we all need to remember that people don't usually write about the fight they just had with their husband or the messy tupperware cupboard that no one sees. We (myself included) like to write about the positive things. I need not let all the stuff I read get me down because, it's not the whole picture of reality.


So, in case I've ever made anyone else feel less significant, I'd like to set the record straight with just how imperfect I am!


~I'm not as organized as I wish I was.
~I love being a stay at home mom but, sometimes I miss my old job, a lot.
~My marriage isn't perfect.
~When I'm just home during the day with Judah and Paisley, I often spend the day looking like I just rolled out of bed.
~I don't read my Bible as much as I should or pray enough but, I'm working on it.
~I stress out about little things that don't really matter.
And SO many more things!!!!

On a positive note....here is a picture of a little girl that to me is just perfect!

A quick ramble over coffee

Our Christmas weekend was wonderful but, I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I should have. Judah loved opening his presents and he is entertained this morning playing with his new toys, specifically his new tractor that I found at the Farmer Supply store. We spent good time with Jeremiah's family on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning, we did Christmas at home, just as a family and I baked the Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls for us. Delicious!

Christmas afternoon we went over to my sister's house and did Christmas with all of my family. I learned that as much fun as Christmas is for little people, it can also be a little challenging for them. Having to share toys, being away from home during naptime, lots of people, sugar, oh my! I think Judah did really well though and I know he had fun.

Yesterday morning we stayed home from church and just stayed in our PJ's. I started sorting through old toys and organizing Judah and Paisley's rooms. I don't like when there's stuff that needs to be put away and things that need a "home" so, I started working on cleaning our house up from Christmas. I pulled the bassinet out of Paisley's room and had Jeremiah put it in the garage. It's SAD to have the bassinet back in the garage. It means that our Baby #2 is already getting bigger. Paisley now sleeps in her crib and not in the bassinet in her room. She is getting older and the bassinet is back in storage for when we have another tiny baby (not anytime soon!).

Yesterday afternoon I headed out to snag some Christmas decorations that are on clearance. I love having a few new things to put on the tree each year but, I don't love full price so, I go out after Christmas and see what I can find for at least 50% off. I found a few fun things and then I headed home because it was windy and cold and I had Paisley with me.

This morning I woke up not feeling well. I think all the late nights that I pulled getting ready for Christmas are catching up with me. I don't want to be sick. I feel like I have a lot to do. Our house seems messy to me from all the Christmas stuff. I go to see the midwife today for my 6 week postpartum appointment, even though it's been 9 weeks. I don't like that I have to get weighed after the Christmas weekend because I ate WAY too many sweets. I'm ready to get really serious about loosing this dang baby weight.

I'm looking forward to taking all the Christmas stuff down and starting a new year. I think 2011 is going to be a great year. I'm thinking about my "resolutions". Do you have any New Year's Resolutions?

Paisley Rae is 2 months

Paisley,

Yesterday you were 2 months old! I can't believe that it has already been 2 months since the amazing day that you were born. The day you were born was one of the very best days of my life! You have turned into such a happy, smiley, content baby. For awhile there, you were pretty fussy in the evenings and it was hard but, you are so much more content now. You love to look at us and smile and "talk". You say all sorts of cute baby sounds and I just love it. You like to look at Judah and smile at him. He says "Hi Paisley!" and you seem to really love it when he talks to you.

The last time you were weighed was on the 14th and you were 12lb. You are getting really chubby and I just love it. The clothing size that you wear is 3 months and diapers, size 1-2. We've started putting you down for your naps and at bedtime awake and you hardly fuss while you put yourself to sleep. At night, you still wake up once or twice to eat but, you go back to sleep right away. I feel that you are on your way to becoming a very good sleeper.

You bring so much joy to our lives and I'm so thankful you're part of our family. You are our Sweet Pea and we love you!!!

Stockings

This is the first year that Judah is actually able to enjoy anything about Christmas. I wouldn't say that he understands it yet but, he does think the Christmas tree is pretty, he loves looking at Christmas lights and I'm sure he'll love opening presents. We've talked a little about Christmas being Jesus's Birthday and I know he doesn't understand it but, it still feels like it's the right thing to do.

We've also mentioned Santa Claus. In my family, we never "believed" in Santa. I knew the presents were from my parents and that Santa was a fun pretend thing. However, it was very different in my husbands family. He believed in Santa when he was little. They left cookies out for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.

I don't think either family was necessarily "right" or "wrong" with the whole Santa Claus thing. I think it's just important to really know the true meaning of Christmas and as long as Judah knows that, then I'm just fine with him believing in Santa, I'll even encourage it. :)

So anyway...since this is his first year enjoying Christmas, I decided to have Judah & Paisley's names put on their stockings. I think they turned out SO cute and next year I'm going to have mine and my husband's done as well.

Candy Cane Cookies

Candy Cane cookies are a cookie that my husband grew up with. I think it was one of those recipes that his mom often made during the Christmas season. I made them with her once and I thought they were good. Not anything totally amazing but, good. Well the other day, Jeremiah mentioned that he'd like to have some candy cane cookies so, yesterday Judah and I made some. We had so much fun. I sat him in his highchair with his Christmas bib and he dumped everything into the bowl for me. He says "I'll dump it in!".

While I rolled the dough out to make the cookies, I let Judah have a small amount to play with. We were listening to Chris Tomlin's Christmas music and after the song ended, Judah clapped and said "Good song!". He just cracks me up!

Here they are, right out of the oven. I think they actually turned out pretty cute. They were super easy and I only made half of the recipe so, we don't have too many in our house, waiting to be eaten.

After dinner Judah had one and I think he liked "Christmas Cookies!"
Candy Cane Cookies

Mix together:

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. shortening

1 c. powdered sugar

1 egg

2 tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. salt

Blend in 2 1/2 c. flour.

Divide dough in half and stir 1/2 tsp. red food coloring into one half.

Shape 1 tsp of each dough into a 4 inch rope. Place a rope of white dough and a rope of red dough side by side, press together lightly and twist. Curve top down to form candy cane shape.

Bake 7-9 min. at 375 and remove from cookie sheet immediately.

Christmas Tradition- The Lights of Christmas

Last weekend we headed out to the Lights of Christmas with Judah and Paisley. As a couple, we've been many times before but, this time it almost felt like it was my first time. Seeing Judah's excitement about everything was the highlight of my evening. Of course, the doughnuts were beyond amazing and the lights were incredible but, Judah was so into it and I loved that.

Paisley was warm and cozy in the Moby, she slept almost the entire time.

The next morning when Judah woke up, he went to the door and said "Lights of Christmas???". I think he really wants to go back.

There's a baby under that scarf.....

This picture isn't related to the lights but, I had to post it. My little Sweet Pea has become such a happy and smiley baby lately. I find myself spending so much time just sitting with her and acting like a total goof, just to get these little smiles out of her.

Happy pictures

Lately life has seems complicated. There are just a bunch of little things that are going on that make things seem hard. One of which is our two dogs that have decided that digging under the fence and escaping is a fun idea. I don't exactly enjoy packing Judah and Paisley up just to drive around our neighborhood to find Rosie and Fritz, the dogs and I've been doing that all too often lately. It's embarrassing, irresponsible and it just can't keep happening.

So, when things get hard, I often don't blog because if I do blog, I'll just be a big whiner. I have fun things to blog about though so, hopefully I'll get the time soon and make it more of a priority.
In the meantime, here are some recent pictures that are making me smile.
Paisley has been smiling up a storm and it's hard to catch it on camera but, this evening, I caught part of her smile. I love it!
Also, can I just brag and say that I think this little girl is getting so strong? I can't believe she can hold her head up like this already!
Here is a picture of an ornament that my mom bought for Judah when we were in Leavenworth 2 summers ago. One of the most fun things about decorating the tree is bringing out all the ornaments that have special meanings. I want to start a tradition of getting Judah and Paisley a new ornament each year and writing their name and the year on it. I think it'll be neat to have all the ornaments from each year for them and someday when they have their own homes (a very, very, long time from now!), they can have their ornaments that we've bought over the years.
Now, here is a picture that really makes me smile. My mom, with her 5 desserts on Thanksgiving. We had Thanksgiving at our house and it was really fun. Watching my mom pile her plate full of just dessert and enjoy it made me happy. She is so thin and fit so, I'm giving myself permission to blog about this.