Plastic vs. Reusable Bags

Back in March I posted this on how I have switched from plastic grocery bags to the reusable bags. I continue to do so and am thrilled with how easy it is and how FEW bags of groceries I have to carry in. It really has made my life easier and is helping the environment so much. Anyways, I recently received this slideshow on why we should stop using plastic and figured I'd post again on this topic and encourage anyone who hasn't to give it a try.

99 days to go!

I'm so thrilled to be out of the triple digits! 181 days finished only 99 left to go! Yay! And this time next week I'll be in my last trimester. Yahoo! I'm really starting to feel like the end is near as my doctor now wants to see me every other week and of course, hitting my third trimester.

Pregnancy is amazing and I feel so blessed with this miracle...but it is SOOO much harder on my body then I figured. I'm seriously only getting about 5 hours of sleep - even though I'm in bed or trying to sleep for at least 8-9 hours. I get up to go to the bathroom at least every hour and 1/2 so no stretch of sleep is longer than that. I am also a stomach sleeper and sleeping on my side is just next to impossible for me. This little boy also seems to hate ANY pressure I place on him so if I get even a little bit tilted on my stomach he kicks and kicks and kicks. I can't wear certain clothes either if they hit him in the wrong spot cause that seems to upset him too. Picky, picky!

I absolutely LOVE feeling the baby kick but it is starting to get a little bit stronger and now it wakes me up at night too. This little boy is VERY busy at night. I find myself laughing in the middle of the night though wondering what the heck he is doing in there. He kicks me all over but it's definitely strongest on one side so I "think" I know what position he is in - but that is the other game I play with myself - wondering if it's a headbutt, a hand, or a foot kicking me. In fact, I think he still has enough room to do complete flips so I could be totally off. I also love that John can now feel the baby cause I feel like we can share in the baby a little more. I'm hoping that Joshua will be able to feel the baby soon...but the baby definitely kicks the most at night when he is asleep.

Other than painting and washing stuff the baby room is pretty done. Joshua loves to play in 'baby bwovers room". So I'm glad he is getting excited although I think he might be a little disappointed at first when all the baby does is lay around. So that is the pregnancy update for now.

Energy Savings

With gas prices going up and seeing a new report about how prices for electricity are going to start climbing as well, I've been looking up some ways to try to save energy around the house not only for saving money but for the environment. Here are some of my findings...

1. About a year ago we put up Gila Window Film. Which is a film you can get at your local hardware store. It reflects heat and UV rays. Once we got the hang of installing it we put it on all the back windows of our house where we get the afternoon sun really badly. It has made a HUGE difference. We use to not be able to keep the blinds open in the afternoon due to the heat/sun and now I keep them open all the time. It really works and does not tint the windows very much at all - so our view has not be obstructed. I HIGHLY recommend the stuff!

2. I just saw this article on Frugalchoice.com on ceiling fan efficiency. I'm the queen of ceiling fans and found it really interesting that in the summer keeping them on constantly does not increase your A/C efficiency.

3. We also installed energy savings bulbs in all of our lamps. I still need to find those for our can lighting since we have a lot of those.

4. We put in a digital thermostat to program for different times of the day. As well try to keep our AC at a higher setting then normal - which is tough right now being pregnant and HOT!

5. Unplugging appliances not in use is tough but something I've been trying to do more of. It's amazing to think they are still draining energy even when they aren't on.

Here are also some websites with great tips:

• Saving Energy
• US Dept of Energy
  
  I'd love to hear ways that you are saving energy!

A mind of his own

Joshua has certainly developed a mind of his own. Most recently, we could not get him out of a shirt. So we had to let him wear the shirt over his PJ's as a compromise. Doesn't he look so precious & hilarious!

Printer

Our printer has been broken since February. It's been quite a pain in the neck. So finally HP was suppose to send us a replacement/upgrade since they could not correct the problem. Well, it finally arrived last week and it was the wrong printer. So then, I called to tell them it was incorrect and they said the correct one would arrive the following day. Nothing came. UGH! So I called again and they said someone would call me back in 48 hours. No one called. Double UGH! So today, I finally spoke with someone who says that tomorrow I should FINALLY have my printer. YAY! So I'm all excited in hopes that I will once again be able to print things off. It's amazing how much we depend on the little things like a printer and when they are gone we feel so helpless. What did we do before technology?

Random Stuff

First it is HOT HOT HOT. It's suppose to be close to 100 tomorrow. 100! Yikes! So today we are off to try to find me a maternity bathing suit so we can go to the pool tomorrow. Joshua is all about his baby pool right now and wakes up first thing in the morning saying - Back in POOL!

Our garden is growing fast! It's fun to watch. I can't wait till the vegetables start to grow. I'm hoping to get a lot tucked away in the freezer as well as start making freezer meals for myself in late August for when the baby arrives.

John felt the baby kick for the first time this week. I just started crying when he said he felt it. I've been feeling the baby for weeks but of course, it's not as easy for me to get John to feel it. First because it's so sporadic and then it's not always hard enough. When the baby kicks really hard you can see my stomach bump a little. It's amazing to experience God at work in such a magnificent way.

We continue to be busy even though I thought things would slow down in the summer. Lots of play dates and time outside even though it's so hot. The last week in June I'm teaching VBS and hoping that my sciatica will hold off a little so I can do it - so please be in prayer about that. Usually if I make sure to sit a lot it doesn't bother me too terribly - but some days there is no rhyme or reason to it. The other day I really didn't do much and couldn't even stand up it hurt so bad. It is no fun! I'm hoping lots of time in the pool will relieve it and keep Joshua busy busy.

Finally, I had a training class yesterday so John stayed home with Joshua. I was so tickled to come home and find lots of surprises prepared for me. John and Joshua had picked out some very beautiful sunflowers for me. Had made a delicious pork chop dinner & made chocolate covered strawberries!! I always feel so blessed to have a husband that is so involved and am so humbled when he surprises me - just because!

Insurance

I calculated today how much we pay a month for health insurance for our family of 3. Each month we pay $650 through John's work. So thankfully, that means they are paying a portion of the costs. We still have $25 co-payment at the doctors and our prescriptions are $50 a pop. I'm totally shocked when I look at that number - $650!! That is $7,800 a year! Thankfully when we become a family of 4 later this year, the cost will not go up. BUT...it just makes me think - no wonder so many people in America cannot afford rising health care costs. I'm thankful for insurance and wouldn't want to not have it but my goodness, it is a lot of money. I feel so blessed to be able to have it for our family but again am just astonished when I look at the number and feel for so many other people who cannot afford to have insurance.

Garden

We finally got our vegetable garden planted. I can't wait for the plants to all start popping up so we can watch them grow. Joshua planted all the seeds and was a big helper.

Joshua's Room Makeover - Finally DONE!

We finally finished Joshua's room this morning. I think it looks really good and we really trimmed corners to save money. First by repainting a 30 year old bed red to look brand new. Then for art we had Joshua paint pictures and framed them for over his bed. Of course, we painted ourselves and I was able to find a great bedding set at Target for a good price.

Baby Blanket

As I mentioned in this post, after making some burp clothes for the little guy growing inside me, I decided to make a baby blanket using this pattern. It turned out really great, is super soft, and was very easy. I made 3 burp clothes and the blanket in 1 hour 15 minutes. I have more material left and am going to attempt to make a diaper/wipee holder next. I would say the 5 burp clothes (I made 2 earlier) and blanket cost me total about $8-10.

We've had a busy week and I haven't had much time to blog..so here is a picture! The 2nd picture is a flower arrangement picked and arranged specifically by Joshua for our dinner table.

Pregnancy Pic - 22 weeks

So when it's your body you really have no idea how much you are showing until you take a picture. I can't believe that I'm showing this much!! I mean I know my belly is getting bigger and I absolutely have to wear maternity clothes now but when you look at it like this it's amazing! I am TOTALLY having a "OH MY GOSH - I'm actually pregnant" moment!

Burp Clothes

I've gotten so behind on craft projects so I really enjoyed getting some done recently. I needed to get some gifts made for my brother's baby shower this weekend...so I made some burp clothes and made a few extra for our baby too. I'm also going to make a baby blanket using that cute choo-choo material with this pattern.

Chicken Salad

I have been craving apples through most of my pregnancy but now I'm onto Chicken Salad. So I figured I'd post a picture and this simple recipe for it since I'm eating it 2-4 times a week right now. Thankfully John humors me and let's me continue to fix it for dinner even though it has become a little excessive. :)Chicken Salad

• 2-4 breasts of boneless chicken (depending on serving size)
• Italian dressing
• Lettuce greens
• Salad fixins'

Marinate chicken breasts in italian dressing for about an hour. Grill until done. Cut up and serve warm onto of salad greens. I use lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, & cheese. You can use any salad dressing you like! Easy and delicious!!!

Strawberry Pickin'

This past Saturday we went Strawberry picking. Joshua had a blast! One of his favorite lines right now is "This way!" - as you can see by the first picture. He also loved picking the green strawberries - even though we kept telling him to only pick the red ones. Then, after picking the green ones, he would say, "Sorry green one." He had a great time also petting the farm dog!

Washing cars!

This is actually what we did last weekend...but I'm a little behind. Joshua had a great time helping daddy wash the cars.

Conversation Boxes

For our next MOPS meeting I'm in charge of creating the craft. We are making Conversation Boxes for the dinner table. I found some craft boxes at Oriental Trading company and we will be decopaging them then filling them with questions. I found this great resource for dinner topics and thought I would share. Sorry I don't have a picture.

http://parentsempowered.org/resources/conversation_jar.pdf

Naptime

Naptime at my house starts at 2ish. Joshua gets to pick out a few toys to bring to bed and then he does this fancy flip to get in his bed that signifies the beginning of naptime. (It's a flip over his bedrail - pretty fancy really. :) ) Anywho, he then proceeds to sit in there and play anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour before finally falling asleep. IF he falls asleep. I have the joy of listening to his little mind at work during this time. It's hilarious to hear him talking to his toys cause he talks NON-stop in there. I always know it's about time for him to fall asleep when he starts telling all his toys one at a time that he loves them but bye-bye and then I hear a CLUNK as he throws the toy out of the bed onto the floor. It really is so sweet - but I guess he is practicing tough love - you were a good toy but you have to go. "Love you little red car, bye-bye little red car"...CLUNK.

Yesterday - updated

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my mom's death. I am so humbled by the many people who stopped to call me or write me yesterday. One of my dear friends had us over for dinner Sunday night and gave me a beautiful windchime to remember my mom. I am especially humbled that my mom's small bible study group is having a celebration in her honor tonight that they have invited us to. My mom was such a special lady and it's nice to know that even though she is gone she is not forgotten!

UPDATE: The celebration last night was absolutely wonderful. We were the guests of honor and were made to feel so special. First, there were about 15 "grandmothers" all spoiling Joshua. They even had some balloons for him that made his night. They started by saying a special prayer for my mom then we feasted on appetizers, a delicious dinner that they had made of chicken, roasted potatoes, squash casserole and more. Yummy! Then as if I wasn't full enough had a strawberry trifle for dessert. Next, they made a special presentation to me of a memorial brick that they had bought in honor of my mom to be placed in our church's courtyard. Finally, everyone shared stories about my mom. It was so wonderful to hear all those great stories of my mom and how she had touched each of their lives with her service and humility. It was a really special evening and I could not be more thankful for all they did. They are each such a blessing!

Poke Cake

One of my favorite spring/summer recipes - especially during strawberry season.

Poke Cake
1 white cake mix (prepared by directions in a 9 x 13 pan)
1 small box jello
1 tub cool whip
cut fruit of your choice

Prepare cake per the directions and let cool. Poke with a fork every one inch throughout the cake. Mix jello with 1 cup boiling water. Pour over cake and refridgerate one hour. Top with cool whip and serve with strawberries or other fruit.