Did someone say BREAKFAST?

Sunday
Morning came WAY too early! I went to bed on Saturday around 10 and was woken up MULTIPLE times by the Rental House across the street. They had car alarms going off for minutes on end multiple times at night. Sometimes I just wanna go over there and egg them (not that I would act on it, but the angry child in me wants to act out!)

Not everyone was able to make it to breakfast, but it was still nice to spend time with those that attended.
Sprout and her Grandma (mommy's momma)


The breakfast bunch - last time they gave Grandma Uncle's dish so everyone is double checking to make sure she got the right one before adding her salt&pepper!


My Grandma (Sprout's Great Grandma) taught her about "the BEE" that buzz's and gets ya in the nose (use your finger and make a buzzing noise). It's the cutest thing ever when Sprout does it...

Once again, it was a great sermon! Since BSF I started taking notes differently during the sermon - it's not always easy to "KEEP UP" but I feel like I listen better and don't allow my mind to wander as much. Because I am behind on my blogging I was able to find my notes!!!!
Big Idea: FILL up to POUR out. (Main points: Realize What You're Really Thirsty For, Show Up & Drink Up, and Flow Like a River, Don't _____ like a Reseviour).
Points that I want to share:
Everything in this life fades - EXCEPT for God
It is possible to be at peace without the trappings of the world (ex: greed, pride, etc)
Pray for others (AND ESPECIALLY FOR YOURSELF!!!!): "Oh God would you make me thirsty for YOU"
Dead Sea has no outlet... don't want to become like the Dead Sea (high toxin level and can kill people)- SHARE!

After service, I signed up for Women of Faith conference in October. Very excited and can't wait to spend time with friends and grow in my relationship with Him.

We went home and tried to get a nap in before work. Had a full shift closing the store. After work, I emailed my doctor because I haven't heard a SINGLE thing from her since our ultrasound (and we have to do a follow up ultrasound to get the necessary images that were necessary).


Monday
This morning started with a trip to Home Depot! Need to change our shower head and our hardware. Picked up the new shower head and hoping to get that changed tomorrow (ours leaks so wanna replace it...)

Then we headed to the Mall to meet a friend for a playdate (I had thrown one together a playdate for the park for a bunch of friends and we had MONSOON rainfall... ugh!). Well I got a chance to get some more maternity clothes and the kids got to play.



We got home a little later than anticipated and Sprout fell asleep in the car. Thankfully she still slept for an hour after I put her in her bed. We ate lunch around 4 (she had plenty of snacks prior to nap and we don't usually do this - trying to teach my kid flexability in circumstances). I had a little time to kill (worked on blog) and listened to a saved TALK on the dvr (it was the one from 7.4.11 with Donny Osmand). I have to admit I laughed REALLY hard and also realized that after this kid is born that I seriously need to work on my CORE muscles and begin hula hooping.

We had stopped by Taco Time so that I could get some lunch... you know the commercial right "Good good fresh fresh talk about the very best at Taco Time..."
Well - this doesn't look "fresh" to me...


Anyway when I met Hubs in the parking lot at work to do the "car dance" (only have one car right now that is car seat compatible) I found out that he was going to dinner with His Work Wife and her family (her brother, his wife and their daughter are visiting from out of state). Her neice is a few months younger than Sprout - apparently at dinner the girls were just cracking everyone up! Sad I missed it but like always, glad that my kid was good (especially for/infront of other people!) Here are pictures that were sent to my phone while I was working.



On my way home I broke the truck light... when I switched it over the knob came right off. Whoops!


However, I was thankful for a short shift and to begin my 3 day weekend!!! Hubs took a special order from me while on my break so that when I got off work I came home to have


Tuesday
I started this morning by relaxing/recooping and working on the blog (yes - the post with 72+ pictures!!!! While meandering the internet I found some interesting things on Pinterest can be a VERY dangerous website! Inspired me to start a Home Organization Binder.
So love this but not available anymore... *SUPER* sad face...

Grabbed some freebies from:
Here regarding Christmas!
Picture checklists here
Others from here, here, and here.

Some pages inspired me to create my own because I wasn’t going to pay for the ones that I found that were labeled as free... I *AM* cheap like that!

Since we spent the day at home I wasn't in a hurry to take Sprout out her jammies and she was having a GREAT time playing peek-a-boo with Baker! That's a smiling dog you see under the blanket!


We went out to Red Robin for dinner... it's a nice get away for us (not to far, laid back and family friendly!) Over dinner my husband and I are discussing Sprout: all her little antics and how fast she's learning. Well he proceeds to tell me "she repeats everything I say, it's like having my own parrot!" All I could do was shake my head and laugh...

Wednesday
Spent the day at home... found more things for my Home Organization Binder...Then on Wednesday I found this… oh the LOVE I have for Martha with all these LISTS!

Since I had a few days off I wanted to make sure we began working on the potty training again. I was in the "take on the house" mode and changed the showerhead, 3 loads of laundry and also cleaning the fridge. While I am on the floor cleaning out the fridge I see Sprout run across the house (she was in panties and a tshirt - tried making it easy for her). She made it to the potty and sat down... I praised her for her duties and realized when I picked her up that she didn't get her panties off. It's kinda funny and also kinda "oh geez" in the same breath! It's good that she recognizes the need for the potty but not good that she can't get her panties off on her own. Her and daddy went into use the potty and she pooped for him! Before bed we had one more accident but it's something that's going to take time. She does like being a big kid...


Thursday
Met with my brother and his family at the Zoo. We started at the Farm Animals because they always go to the otherside first.


Yes Sprout, go with your Uncle into Bug World (mommy doesn't really care for bugs...)







My nephew is his own brand of COOL

Even when he walks!


She is super cute even with crooked glasses!


We went to the dinosaur's... I walked Sprout RIGHT past the scary ones and had her looking the other way.











I wanna wear glasses too mommy


Penguins - Sprout loved them!





Had a yummy lunch...


And got to see the dancing elephant before we left!




Overall- we had a fun morning!


Friday
Was a busy BLUR... took the truck in to find out about repairs, then Hubs met a friend for lunch and I rushed off to work after. It was a busy day!

Saturday
For July, I made Strawberry Cupcakes! Don't they look D.E.L.I.S.H?! If you decide to make them, fair warning that there is an overabunance of frosting and is enough for a double batch of cupcakes!

Yes... there are about 72+ pictures on this post....

Sunday
During the wee hours of the morning (after work, while still chillaxing) found a website with date ideas! So... the next time I get a Friday off we are having a GROUP date night!!!!

My daughter has her daddy's sleep hair (he always wakes up with a mowhawk - it's funny and cute all in the same breath).


We *FINALY* went to chuch - and the sermon was SO good. A few tidbits that I am going to try to remember to help make changes in my life.
*****TIDBITS WILL BE SHARED LATER***** Due to the fact that I am trying to get a new learning system in place that I use for BSF. For BSF I take notes on notebook paper and have a binder for all my "collection". We get handed an outline but I have learned that I allow myself to not focus as much if I am not ACTIVELY trying to learn so have go to taking notes and not using the outline provided. Well - with BSF I had a designated notebook and on Sunday mornings I am running out the door so I grab a notebook (whichever one is handy/convenient) and use that. Needless to say my house is not very organized so I haven’t been grabbing the same notebook and if I remember correctly there were LOTS of things that I tried to keep up with so ended up using my system and some notes on the outline given just to keep up (our Pastor-man does fill in the blanks on the BIG KEY ideas).

Right before church I gave a friend a pillow I made. When I saw the original item and did the mental "dissect" of the pattern and had the material in mind that I wanted to do and who it was going to. I made this one awhile ago but have been tossing them around the house debating on when to give it to her (she is a good friend, pregnant and due just 2 days after me and helps a lot with watching my daughter...). Here is the one I made her (picture doesn't do it justice - it's really beautiful!)


After church met with a friend from MOPS to give her stuff for her SIL who lives back East and is due soon. I had material on hand so made a turquoise MOBY style wrap and some necktie onsies. As a thank you she graciously gave me a few passes to the Children's Museum.


Sprout fell asleep in the car on the way to meet with the MOPS friend. So even though I fought her for over an hour to get to sleep I realized it was a LOST cause. A friend that I walk with on Mondays was still in town after church so we met at the park so the kids could run (even though it was lightly sprinkling, not the whole time - just moments of rain). They had lots of fun!

This first picture is one that was take in the middle of the playtime but was the one I sent to HUBS (I like to send him pictures throughout the day of his daughter enjoying LIFE!)


We got the twirly things out… Our friend caught on REALLY quick on the twirling, Sprout on the other hand – didn’t quite understand (there are 9 months difference between the two, which is a BIG difference at their age/development!)




It had been sprinkling a little earlier so the play equipment was a little wet, but that didn’t stop them!


Let’s SLIDE!


Wait it’s wet…


Ya really gonna let a little water stop you from having fun?
NOT ME!


Ya really gonna let a little water stop you from having fun?

Back to the twirly gigs






On Sunday evening’s they do a music in the park so the band was setting up and doing mic check’s and a little bit of music started so the girls started to get their groove on! LOL




My kid took a REALLY late afternoon nap... totally crashed ON me on the couch!



Monday
I was hoping to make it to the MOPS playdate but sometimes a girl just needs to relax and not rush. A friend helped out in a pinch with childcare- Sprout had a good time. Here she is reading a Care Bears book and learning about her colors.


I made a BIG to do list of all the things that need to get done. It's so hard juggling it all and trying to get hubs to do his share (cause some of them I really just can't do). There is only about 50 items on the list to conquer... that's not too much- RIGHT?!

Tuesday
Met my brother and his family at the Children's Museum. Gave my new nephew (Tiny) his blanket that a friend made (so glad I can finaly share the picture)


I also made some onsies for Tiney


Brought his older brother a new shirt too and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY gift. I didn't take pictures because it was a small package of play dough and a few clothing items (some of it was more of belated birthday and the other was just cause).

Back to our day at the museum.... had a great time


This was our first stop... just checking it out!


Then we went into the "outdoor/wilderness" area... mommy was worried about smashing of fingers but let us learn and explore without getting in our way!!!


Learned how to camp! Going in was a lot easier than getting out (there were a few "almost spills" in this area!)



Cave exploring with my cousin!



Climbing up the rocky mountain...

Down we go (this was quite funny! I am a mom who allows her to try and learn on her own... she tumbled down this time but wasn't hurt)


Onto the water area where we could learn hands-on about things!




The coat looked like a GREAT idea but when kids play with water it MOVES on the toys and it created a funnel down his arm... just look at this picture and you can imagine how easy it was and how fast it happened!


I like to swim in the seaweed!


Slide down from the belly of the WHALE


This is my newest cousin TINY... he's only 2 months old and isn't too much smaller than me! It's ok - he's a healthy growing boy, we'll have fun together when he gets older!


Onto the new play area... time to climb and SLIDE!
I don't need help - I may be short but I have lots of GUMP and can do it!

This time I am gonna try to go down THIS way!


They had a building area in this section too!

Got Uncle to teach us how to make a few things...



Three little truck drivers!


I am GONNA reach it....


I will pay the toll for this bus ride!


Onto the DUNN LUMBER area!

Check out my new purse (a tool box...)


These are NOT the accessories I like to carry in my purse!


I will punch the time clock just like my mommy and daddy!


Momma - how DOES this work?!


I love the children's museum! The fact that the kids can go in and play with things - learning what happens when you push the pile, etc.


My Grandpa would smile seeing me with this toolbelt on!



Don't worry, I'll get us some lunch...

I didn't see it but apparently Sprout tried to eat it! YUCK!)



We only got a few hours of play in because I had to go to work... Monday night we were in a jam so I knew I needed to step up and offer to close. So, I am once again working a FULL, exhausting week!


Wednesday
I asked on my Facebook status for some recommendations for family campout next year (want to start an annual camping trip with my mom, siblings and our families). Want to create memories and have cousin time that will always be something to look back on with fondness... I grew up with cousins around at my Grandparents house - even though Squatty & I were the youngest and always had each other to play games with (until Cousin K moved over from Idaho).

While I was at work Hubs took Sprout to the park down the street. Even though she is so little she has such a big personality. I love who she is becoming (she loves her mommy but also likes to be independent and do things on her own - hope that we can keep the balance!) While at the park she also got her first major OWIE. At dinner (after I left when my lunchbreak was over...) she shared with Hubs "owie ELBOW" which I was really shocked and excited to hear! Picture of her owie to be shown later (I am a horrible mom and waited a few days before I realized how significant this was - WHOOPS!) Here is a picture of the little miss independent SPROUT.


Thursday
I made a second pillow and fought over making it back in June. Finally gave it to my coworker. Here's the pillow (the picture of the pillow just do not do it justice).


Friday
Sprout went to our cousins house to play today and she had such a blast. Her cousin C (who is ALMOST 4) was completely exhausted by the time Hubs picked her up. Here is a picture of all the fun she had with bubbles.


Had the big debate of "to rent- or -not to rent". There are so many factors and the risk of who we allow into our home with little ones makes it not worth it. It's frustrating because I miss all the extra's our previous renter helped with.

Saturday
FINALLY... a day off (5 straight days of 8 hour shifts is exhausting!). Woke up a little shaken up. I have strange pregnancy dreams and this one was back in time and involved people that were trying to kill my family (parents and Squatty). At the time I "happen" to not be home so was the only one sacrifced and not hospitalized. When my family got out they would not discuss the incident but I found out through a few things who had attacked my family (it was all part of our circle of aquaintences). Right before waking up my dad was killed by something else and I was gathering a shopping bag with a days worth of clothing for each person and running - my mom and brother weren't going to find out until we were on the road that we were going into hiding. The group that tried to kill us was all part of a huge MOB family.

I had to shake off the bad dream (Sprout doesn't need to be affected by my attitudes). It was hard because even though I can rationally say it wasn't real, the one thing that was real about it was that I no longer have my dad.

Started the morning with a stop at the craft store - needed a few things to do a test run on my Christmas gift.

Went to a friends BBQ (Hubs “work wife” BBQ), Hubs met us there after work. Sprout had a great time with the bubbles!
First she found some watermelon… it’s her favorite! I had to take it away because she wants to eat the WHITE part and the rhine – no honey, just the pink stuff!

They had a fun kids water play area set up… my kid just wanted to play with the ball!

As you can see she was NOT happy when the ball deflected cold water onto her…

Daddy knows how to make it all better with bubbles…

I know there are a lot of bubble pictures and they probably all look the same to you but as a wife, and a mommy I see the TEACHING and the LEARNING going on and it just makes my heart happy!







Remember that OWIE I told you she got at the playground on Thursday? You can kinda see it there on her elbow. We were asked by a few people if it was a birthmark or a cigar burn… if that’s a cigar burn I would probably be in jail for being a protective mom who won’t tolerate her child being hurt.

Sprout had a great time at the BBQ and it was nice that she didn't scream at G (for some reason she always cries for him!) - it helped that he had a popsicle he was going to share with her (whatever makes her "chill out" around him works for me!)

Over the week we also got a beautiful TY from my SIL's wedding. They live on the East Coast now. Sprout loves seeing pictures and yelling out her Auntie's name because she recognizes her.