My New Look UPDATE

*A little more advertising for Mandarin Design...the scrolling marquee and the writing above my profile (Psalm 121) are both courtesy of advice from this site. There is an endless supply of fun things you can do! I've been having a blast and be prepared, I will be continuing to tinker with things on my blog. Let me know what you guys think!*

Let me know how my new look looks on your computers! Let me know what you think too.
Thanks.

Also, I can't seem to figure out why my comments are so much lower than my name, the time, the word "link" and the pencil...any suggestions?


FIXED IT! It's almost perfect...

If you're having problems viewing some things on your screen as far as having to scroll to the left or right, change your monitor settings to 1024x768...unless you need the stuff on the screen to be really big!

FYI...

Help is on the way

Ok, this isn't deep but it could be a big help.

For those of you who are working on your own blog design I have found a site with a plethera of information and really cool things you can do.

Click HERE. It is called Mandarin Design and I haven't tried anything yet but I am planning on it.

Hope it helps!

Inspiration

Ok, Lori has really inspired me to write what I'm about to write.

Throughout my day of chasing my little one, cleaning the house, cooking, laundry, and running errands, I have an endless amount of time to think about things. I am always pondering something I've heard either on TV, from someone in the store or something I've read online. I always have opinions, ideas and feelings but I have no outlet to just discuss these things. I also hesitate to share my deeper thoughts and my feelings, not just on my blog, but really with anyone besides my hubby. For several reasons. First and foremost I guess I get embarrassed. I'm not sure of what. I feel that many times I'm missing something. There is just something I don't get and when someone points it out I feel so silly for "contributing" my 2 cents. I guess I'm kind of nervous to stir things up too. I don't want to offend anyone, ya know? I get nervous (probably not the right word) that someone from another viewpoint will have more knowledge and I won't be able to adequately defend my viewpoint.

It's actually taken a lot just for me to post this.

I've been doing a LOT of thinking and "inventory" of my life and who I am lately. I was raised in a Christian home and grew up in the church. I am sure of my salvation through Jesus Christ and I love Him but I feel like I have just a superficial relationship. Just the bare minimum. I don't prioritize my prayer time and quiet time. I haven't had a prayer time or quiet time..ever really. I mean, here and there but no consistency (story of my life). I want more. I am going to our Women's Bible Study every Tuesday morning now. I am actually participating instead of just sitting back and listening. I am trying to grow and learn. I am trying to sit down every day and do the "homework" and actually get something out of it, not just answer the questions.

SO....I'm trying to go deeper. I, BY NO MEANS, am as eloquent as Lori. But she has inspired me to discuss my thoughts that are deeper and to not be afraid to open myself up a little bit.

I don't know what I'm saying exactly. I'm trying to go outside of my safe box that I've come to treasure and take a step toward growing both intellectually and spiritually. Don't expect anything big! And please feel free to comment and correct me and disagree with me, that is all part of growth.

Ok...I'm going to publish this now....I think.

Amazing Kid

If you haven't seen or heard about this kid you need to. What a cool story. I searched the internet for video of it and found this news story.

TTT - On Time for Once in My Life

(1) Purple is my Favorite Color (Pink is pretty much tied for first)
(2) Chocolate is my favorite ANYTHING (Dark Chocolate to be exact)
(3) Outback Steakhouse has my favorite steak (Rockhampton Ribeye, Medium Rare)

I have NEVER EVER EVER gotten anything different. Yum Yum

My Big Brother

If you have interested in adoptions check this out. My brother is an awesome writer and is now writing for this website.

Here it is...

Who's Watch is That?

Maybe she should have my watch....I think she might fit the name a little better!

The drama: I took the keys to my desk away from her...
The drama queen: My 18 month old daughter...

She actually put this watch on by herself without me telling her what to do with it and she wore it around for a minute.


I think the name fits!

She is really the Drama Queen in our house....

Wonder where she get's it from...hmmmmmmm....

Against my better judgment....

I had to share this despite my feelings about how I look. My daughter is just tooooo funny....this $60 toy is the solution to all of our climbing problems, let me just tell you!

Humble Apologies and Sincere Thank You's

I have received emails and comments that I haven't responded to in the last week or two. I also haven't been commenting like I want to on you all's blogs.

I am sorry. I like to let people know INDIVIDUALLY that I appreciate what you've said.

I truly TRULY appreciate all your comments and I totally intend to respond to your emails tonite.

I have been trying to focus my mornings on cleaning so I have some time in the evening to blog and email. It just NEVER works out that way and I have only enough time to read some new posts on you all's blogs.

You ALL have been so sweet and thoughtful and HELPFUL!

Thank you so much!

I am nervous now about the bed thing with my youngest (who BY THE WAY...is 18 months TODAY!) We got a video monitor and rails and we have a spare twin bed...and now I'm pausing and thinking....I'll know when it's time. As far as potty training...I read to get a potty and have her get used to it, seeing it, sitting on it...whatever, but not to push it. I think that's what I am going to do at this point.

I NEVER mind helping those of you who have had questions about how to do things on your blog. I will always do my best to answer your questions. I don't know everything whatsoever and what I do know I learned by poking around and figuring it out so my ways might not always be the "textbook" way.

Ok, so there you go. So if you've sent me an email or commented with a question I will be going through and trying to answer you tonite and tomorrow. If you as me a question in the future PLEASE don't feel like I'm ignoring you or not interested in what you've said because I AM!

OK....I just had to say that. I'm sure it doesn't matter too much to most of you but it's been in the back of my head for days to get back to you guys so this is a start!

:-)
YOU GUYS ROCK!

Five Favorite Foto's Friday (FFFF) - My Oldest

Here is a picture of my oldest when she was about 3. She is now 12. Today we sent her off to the mountains to snowboard. She was so ecstatic to get on the bit charter bus with her friend. I can't believe she's old enough. It is a church trip and we are very comfortable. She is in a group with 6 other girls and an adult leader. UGH....they are they until Monday....She took snowboarding lessons last winter and she will take some lessons tomorrow. She loves it! I know she'll have a blast.

Here she is with her daddy a year and a half ago.

My mom-in-law took this picture about 2 years ago.

Here we are a year and a half ago. I 3 weeks away from giving birth to my baby.

This is my oldest about 3 years ago. I can't believe how much she's grown up since then.

Three Things Thursday - Late Edition...

Better late than never right? e-hem....I always think I'm gonna do my TTT in the evening and then the evening comes and goes and then it's the next morning....funny how that happens.

OK....

(1) I find it hard, nearly impossible, to resist the urge to see try and figure out what is happening when I see police/ambulance/fire trucks. If it's an accident, if they are at a house I happen to be driving by, if they are at a business....it doesn't matter....I'll drive by several times if I can. I'm obsessed with solving EVERYTHING! Usually, however, around here it's a drunk who's fallen face first on the sidewalk or a meth lab getting busted...

(2) My hubby calls me detective Stephanie and jokes with me about the police detectives needing to consult with me.

(3) If I hadn't met my hubby and gotten married I would've probably become a prosecutor for the District Attorney's office....I'm fascinated by what makes crimanals commit their offenses. If I wasn't a scaredy (sp?) cat I would've absolutely been a police officer or maybe even pursued being a criminal profiler for the FBI.

I think I have the best job on earth now. Daily I have my own mysteries to solve....what's that smell? who left this out? who put this here? didn't I JUST clean this room????

I love my life!

For My Blogging Friend Kristina

Kristina is needing some encouragement so in addition to the comment I left on her site I wanted to share some pictures with her. Her is my daughter at 5 months and about 20lbs....

Here she is now....

Terrific!

I've always been told I seem more mature than my actual age...I thought I'd finally caught up.
I Guess not!
Oh well.

You Are 36 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

It's All In The Name

This is the beautiful watch my hubby gave me. I love pink and I love sparkles so it fits....but, as I was looking it up for the picture I found out it's called "Drama Queen"....hmmmm....

Me and My Valentine

Here are me and my wonderful husband (isn't he a hottie!) I really like this picture except our pose. I set the camera up and we took it with the timer so I ran back and he had his coat on so I made him take it off really quick and turned and smiled....that's why were standing kind of funny. His arm is around me but it looks like we're just standing there.
We had a wonderful dinner last night at a really fancy restaraunt while my mom watched the little one. We ended the night with a trip to Babies R Us to get a new video monitor, bed rails and some really cool plug covers (thanks Meghan!).

My hubby got me a beautiful pink and sparkly watch and some really beautiful jewelry (i have it on in this picture).


We had a whole lot of fun!
I hope you ALL had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

When to Start...

Can you believe that on Friday my little baby will be 18 months!?!?! I sure can't!

So here's the questions....

When did you guys start potty training and how successful was it?

I know boys are way different than girls. From most moms of boys they are potty trained most successfully around 3 or a little earlier!

When did you guys decide to switch to a big girl/boy bed? This child is getting so tall and is now attempting to climb out and our pediatrician said that is the sign that it might be time. But what if she wakes up in the middle of the night. I don't know that she would come to our room...I worry about her getting into things, even in her room, if left unattended long enough. My main concern are the plugs in her room that have things plugged in. We have a toy chest in front of one and a small wife bookshelf thingy in front of the other but she can move it. I guess the solution is to come up with a better solution huh? Do I shut her door or should I leave it open....a gate? We have to walk right by her room on our squeaky floors to go to the bathroom so if I put a baby gate on it she might start waking up when we have to go by....

HELP! What would you guys do?

THANKS!!!!!!!! I'm glad you guys like my new look.

Ok, Ok...Now I'm really done!

Ok you guys. When you have a minute let me know how it looks now. It looks fine on mine but I guess it doesn't on all computers.

THANKS!

Done for now

Ok, I'm done messing with it for now. Let me know what you think...be honest!!!!

Working out the bugs

UPDATE: I fixed the comments issue...I still have the issue of my sidebar and the big space between my title and the first post....any suggestions are welcome!!!

Well, I changed my template.

Bear with me. (like it will really bother you terribly!)

The comments for each post are on the post above it for some reason and my sidebar stuff is at the bottom.

I have to feed my little one and get her down for nap then I will work on it more.

Until then I hope you like what I've done so far.

Veronica...to answer your question. I just have learned stuff by trial and error, looking up in blogger help the questions I've had, and just looking at the html in my template to see how things are typed up. I don't mind questions AT ALL, there is no need to apologize...but I don't know if I even know what I'm doing really. I just mess around and figure things out!

Talk to you all soon!

Three Things Thursday - The Saga Continues

Sleep Update....TTT Style

(1) For the third day in a row my daughter is napping in the living room. It's like a miracle right before my eyes!

Tuesday=3hours

Wednesday=2.5hours

Today=1.5hours so far!

(2)She's going to bed at 8:00 everynight and waking up twice....this I can handle.

(3)We're keeping her out of the nursery for awhile because she keeps getting sick after she goes.

My word cloud

Notice there is every form of the word "SLEEP" in there!!!

This is courtesy of Jenn and MrsFish.

Go here

Although you can order a tshirt with your word cloud on it, you can also right click on it, save it as a picture file and upload it to your blog too! It's kind of fun!!!

TTT coming up...I promise. I've missed the last 2 weeks...I'm gonna get booted if I don't straighten up!!!

The Pictures Below

My mom-in-law took my oldest shopping for a few things for her upcoming ski trip and ended up buying her a new snowboard with everything that goes along with it. On the shopping trip they came acrossed the cowboy boots seen in the second picture.

Aren't my girls cute!

My Snowboarder 

Cowgirl Baby 

Another Tagged

Christy tagged me FOREVER AGO and I'm just now doing it...better late than never! Sorry Christy!

I'll try and keep this going.....

2 Names you go by:
1) Stephanie
2) Mom
2 Parts of your heritage:
1) Dutch
2) French
2 Things that scare you:
1) spiders!!!
2) heights
2 of your everyday essentials:
1) God
2) Chocolate
2 Things you are wearing right now:
1) tshirt with Pebbles on it
2) capri sweatpants
2 favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment):
1) Shawn McDonald
2)Superchick
2 things you want in a relationship (other than love):
1) security
2) romance
2 Truths:
1) God is amazingly consistent
2) My family is the best!
2 physical things that appeal to you in your husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend:
1) Smile
2) Eyes
2 of your favorite hobbies:
1) playing on the computer
2) taking pictures
2 things you want really badly:
1) to buy a house with a lot of acreage for animals and a garden
2) to finish college
2 places you want to go on vacation:
1) Greece
2) All across the United States visiting amusement parks and historical places
2 things you want to do before you die:
1) watch my girls grow up
2) graduate from college
2 ways that you are stereotypically a chick:
1) I hate spiders
2) I love the color pink
2 things you are thinking about now:
1) I need to do my housework
2) It's kind of cold in here
2 stores you shop at:
1) Walmart
2) Walmart
2 people you'd like to see answer these questions...
Again, I know you think it's the easy way out but I love reading these things so
EVERYONE on my blogroll is tagged!!

Tagged

I was tagged by Faith and kinda by Gwen:

10 years ago...
I was 19 and had just quit college after my first semester.
I moved out for the first time into a townhouse.
I was working at the Ground Round.
I got in a terrible car accident (right around Valentines Day)
I was starting to make some really bad decisions for my life!

5 years ago...
I had been dating my husband for 3 months and we were already talking about getting married.
I was going to a very good college and getting my feet back on the ground.
I quit smoking.
I was working at an HMO processing claims.
I was beginning to make some really good decisions for my life!

1 year ago...
My daughters were 6 months and 11 years old.
My baby girl was about to stop sleeping through the night.
I was still getting used to having a young child (I still am getting used to it!)
We were living at my mother-in-law's house.

Yesterday...
I began attending a women's Bible study at church!
I was on the computer.
I cleaned my house.
I played with my youngest.
I watched American Idol, House and Boston Legal.

5 songs I know all the words to...what song DON'T I know all the words to? I love music!
Extreme Days - TobyMac
I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe
Beauty For Ashes - Crystal Lewis
Revolution - Kirk Franklin
Fireproof - Pillar

5 Things I'd do with a million dollars...
Tithe
Pay off the rest of our debt
Buy a house (for us and our moms)
Take a trip
Go shopping!

5 Places I'd run away to... (with my family of course)
Greece
My room (maybe this one without the family)
Walmart
the beach
Any amusement park

5 things I'd never wear...
one of those short skirts that are so popular. How do you sit in these things?
These sunglasses. Uh, just cuz I find them rather unflattering.
tattoos...too much commitment!
These shoes...I know they probably work and are great but they are just funny looking to me.
Makeup like her. I don't think I need a reason.

5 favorite toys...
My computer
My camera
My mixer
My toaster
My daughter's Dance Praise...trust me on this, you need to get this!

5 favorite books...
I'll get back to you. I haven't read in forever...except for board books.

5 greatest joys...
My hubby
My oldest
My youngest
Getting married
Giving birth

5 people to tag for this...
Everybody on my Blogroll... seriously

Ok, So Here is An Update

Notice the life of the party in the background

So, yesterday I gave up and got the baby out of her crib.

At 7:00 Friday night we were finishing dinner, about to eat birthday cake (the tailend of my 12 year old's birthday celebrations) so my mom and my mom-in-law were here. The baby began dozing in her high chair...FIRST TIME EVER! She slept there while we ate cake and laughed and talked, then she woke up and I held her, then I put her on the floor in the living room (i stack up about 4 thick folded blankets so it is nice an comfy) she woke up twice the whole night...this is good.

Then Saturday, after I gave her a bath (with the assistance of my wonderful hubby), again, she was on the Living Room floor as I was covering her in vasoline (very VERY dry skin, lotion will burn) she began to doze and fell sound asleep right there, in a diaper and wrapped in a towel, so I left her...I covered her and she slept for 45 min.

Saturday evening my hubby took both girls so I could sleep (again, isn't he wonderful, I got to sleep for 3 hours straight!) and he ended up leaving the baby with my mom-in-law while he and the oldest attended a meeting for a Youth Ski Trip at church. When I called my mom-in-law at 7:45 she said the baby was dozing. My hubby and oldest picked her up at 930 and when they got home the baby was sound asleep in her sister's arms. She woke up a bit later and when I took her she fell back asleep in my arms. I put her in her crib where she slept for 4 hours!

She woke up around 1:15 (an hour and a half ago)...I nursed her and she fell deep into sleep. When I went to put her down she began to cry again and I figured I'd let her. After 15 min I went in and spent about an hour, not picking her up but just singing and then laying her down OVER AND OVER, much to her objections, but I just sang and kissed and hugged, but didn't pick her up. Finally, I told her I had to go night-night and left....oh the lungs that child has....she screamed and screamed....for 8 min...now there is silence. (She is in her crib, hooray)

I came to the living room because when she is crying I am really restless, but it has been 15 minutes so far. I just heard her make a noise but I think she's still sleeping. I will go back to bed in a few minutes when I'm absolutely sure she is sound asleep. I hate going in and out of sleep.

Oh goodness...she is in there chattering...silly baby. It's 3am!

Oh well, I think I won this battle...pray for the next one!

My Lot In Life.....

seems to be my 17 1/2 month old daughter's sleep issues. Since 5 1/2 months it's been a struggle. Problems began when she began teething. She went from sleeping through the night to waking up several times. I would nurse her back to sleep...by 12 months I was weaning her to almost no nursing during the day and just at night....3-4 times per night...

I had to get her to fall asleep on her own because I had never taught her that...I nursed her to sleep. She began going down for naps and bedtime without nursing but still woke up several times in the middle of the night. Then I realized I just replaced nursing with standing and rocking her in my arms...I was still putting her down asleep. Once I got her to go down awake she was only waking up once or twice a night... I can handle that for now....then she got the rotavirus...that knocked EVERYTHING OFF BALANCE..

For the last 3 weeks we got back into our routine again..then she got this stupid cold. She's been congested and has a cough. She hasn't wanted to nap or sleep in her crib at night. I've indulged, since letting her cry only made the congestion worse and the coughing worse...

The last 2 or 3 nights she's woken up for 2-3 hour spans...she sleeps if I nurse her or rock her but as soon as I put her down she starts yelling and will yell for hours.

Today I've decided she is well enough to start training AGAIN...she's been yelling, talking and kissing the stuffed animals in her crib, yelling somemore and then she's silent..all for the last hour. Now she's saying "no" to something/somebody. Anyway...once we get back on track she sleeps like an angel but she's gotten several colds and that stupid rotavirus and it throws it ALL OFF!

It's enough to drive me batty...I feel bad for her...I know she desperately needs sleep but if I keep nursing her and rocking her to sleep and then just hold her while she sleeps, she'll NEVER sleep on her own again. It gets her back into that habit...

I'm just really venting. I keep feeling like I've failed. Why can't she just sleep. She's done it before. What have I done wrong? And sometimes, when it's 230am and she's awake I feel like I'm being punished for something. My hubby has been so supportive and encouraging but I don't feel like this is normal. I know kids have sleep issues but this bad? Maybe it's not bad. It just seems like it will never be normal. As soon as we get good something messes it up and it's like the reset button is hit and we have to start over.

Ugh...

Thanks for listening.

Beware...Long Post

I feel like many of my fellow bloggers are being attacked. So many of you have expressed in your blogs how you are struggling in different areas of your lives and how many of you are feeling exhausted, alone, depressed, stressed and hopeless.

I always find comfort in music and I've found a site, thanks to Dana, that you can upload music to and then put a link on your blog. I wanted to share this song with you all."


Click here to Listen to 'Susan-Ashton---Psalms-121'
Upload Video and Images - Putfile

Don't give up. Don't give in. Don't let the enemy win.

Do you know the story in 2 Kings about Elisha and his servant. Here's a summary...

Elisha was a prophet. Israel was at war with Syria. Elisha was telling the King of Israel every move that the King of Syria was going to make. The King of Syria thought there was a traitor among them because Israel was always one step ahead. His servants told him about Elisha. The King of Syria sent his people out to get Elisha. They surround the city where Elisha was with his servant.

15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

18 So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

19 Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria.

20 So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!

When you are feeling like you are alone and surround by the enemy, you think you have no help, no hope, no weapons....OPEN YOUR EYES!

I always think of Psalms 121 as being a good verse to go along with this story.

1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help?

2 My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.

NO TRIAL ENTERS YOUR LIFE WITHOUT FIRST TOUCHING THE HAND OF THE LORD...

HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING, EVEN WHEN WE DON'T.

HE WANTS US TO REST IN HIM AND HAVE FAITH...

One of my favorite groups and most beautiful songs is Beauty from Pain by Superchick.

The lights go out all around me

One last candle to keep out the night

And then the darkness surrounds me

I know I'm alive

But I feel like I've died

And all that's left is to accept that it's over

My dreams ran like sand through the fists that I made

I try to keep warm but I just grow colder

I feel like I'm slipping away

After all this has passed

I still will remain

After I've cried my last

There'll be beauty from pain

Though it won't be today

Someday I'll hope again

And there'll be beauty from pain

You will bring beauty from my pain

My whole world is the pain inside me

The best I can do is just get through the day

When life before is only a memory

I wonder why God let me walk through this place

And though I can't understand why this happened

I know that I will when I look back someday

And see how You've brought beauty from ashes

And made me as gold purified through these flames

Here and I am at the end of me (at the end of me)

Trying to hold to what I can't see

I forgot how to hope

This night's been so long

I cling to your promise there will be a dawn

Click here to listen to 'Superchick---Beauty-From-Pain'

My Guestmap and Email

I just realized my Guestmap was missing...please click on the button to the right and mark your place if you want.
I've also created an email address just for my blog so feel free to email me. It's located on my profile page.

I've been messing with this blog all morning, now I have to do some housework before I go crazy.

Just Relaxing

This is what my little one is doing this morning. Watching VeggieTales laying in the middle of the floor, eating cheerios and drinking water. I was sitting here on the computer and when I turned and looked this is what she was doing. She's too funny.

My Chatterbox

I'm removing my chatterbox. Every since I put it on I'm getting pop-ups when I go to my site. I'm guessing it's from that, plus...It's not that exciting. It's kinda cool but you can just comment on the posts and it's not real-time messaging so you can just sit an have a conversation with somebody. I just wanted to let you know!

I've been feeling better now for 16 hours. (since 330 yesterday)....Thank the Lord.