Christmas 2014

Eczema treatments for my mini me

Elizabeth had always had sensitive skin. Since she is a picky eater I can't very well do an elimination diet easily, so we look externally. 

I started with bath time & switched to Aveeno & Dove sensitive. I wash her down w/ clean water when she's done and limit her baths to 2x/wk. I follow w/ cetaphil for eczema. She always wears her hazelaid necklace 24/7 besides baths. We even switched hand sanitizer to one that is alcohol-free to avoid stinging and over drying her skin. 

Her skin has improved over the last week. While there is still room for improvement, she is not scratching her skin open anymore d/t itches. Horay for that!

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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Decorating chocolate dipped pretzels. 

Stay @ Home VS Working Moms

I think there is some debate at times as to the working mom vocation vs the stay-at-home mom vocation.  I don't personally care one way or another.  I have made my decision and it works for my family.  It may not work for others. 

I heard this the other day: working moms: treat your job as your hobby.  Stay at home moms: have a hobby.  You need to do something for yourself.  You don't need to be 100% self-sacrificing and then snarl at your kids because you're "doing all this for them and they should appreciate it, dammit." (insert sarcasm font)  I know a lot of stay at home moms who read, knit, cook/bake (above and beyond the normal 3 meals/day), make homemade "stuff" to sell and profit, study their faith and attend daily mass, etc. 

I tend to analyze what I do to be more efficient and productive to spend more quality time w/ the family.  We eat pretty healthy, but if I can make instant mashed potatoes vs cutting the potatoes, cooking, smashing, and whipping to spend an extra 10 min w/ my child playing a matching game, instant-potato on.  I have also started to spread out my weekend chores throughout the week so instead of 4 laundry loads on Saturday, I do them t/o the week.  Maybe I'm losing "ME" time at night or in the morning.  BUT - my babies are only babies for so long.

Can I put my makeup on a little faster? Can I wake up a little earlier and empty the dishwasher?  Can I ask my family for help?  YES I CAN.  I can lay down my pride in thinking "I can do it all" and ask them for help.  I can let the floor go one more day w/o vacuuming if it means one more game of tickle tag.

This isn't a conclusion.  This whole process is a journey.  I haven't quite got it perfect - it takes daily dedication.  First I needed to find my hobby and while I love to read, sing, play music, exercise, I found I already have a main hobby - its my work.  I'm treating it as such because I love it; it interests me, it challenges me, and it encourages me to socialize, learn, and grow, and above all I get to do God's work and help people.

Airport Christmas Fly In

Lifeline Helicopter 

Mrs. Clause

Meeting Santa

We love our walkie-talkies & tent. Thanks Santa!

First Cavity for Doc

Elizabeth had her first cavity filled today. She was very brave. I smiled through my pain to put on a brave face for her. Even though the dr wiped away a tear or two, she held still as I rubbed a supportive hand on her leg - the closest I could be.  She had no gas, a little novicane, and a big nap afterwards along with a bag full of stickers. The dr did SO well at talking her through the whole process. 

Mama's little baby loves shorting bread

My little cooks making pink pancakes

Happy Thanksgiving

Auntie Kim's 'melting snowman craft'

Gingerbread house making w/ Matthew

Sharing Grandpa's Pie

17 months old and celebrated w/ Joy-Joy's 1st Pedicure

Tea Party

Cheers!

 What else to do on a snowy cold night than have a tea party?
Next night, Mom was tead-out so Daddy and the girls had a camp fire in the yard and roasted marshmallows.  They were smelling like smoke and covered w/ gooeyness, but happy as larks.  (No pics since I was not in attendance, but let the 3 have their Daddy-Daughter time.)

Hostess Doc, Pooh, and Daddy

"DOC" Elizabeth Angel Brooks Turns 4

Elizabeth turned 4. She knew she was having a party, but had not seen the decorations or who was coming. Daddy took her out for a special Daddy/Daughter birthday morning and when she arrived home, every was there to yell "surprise", which was her favorite part, she told me later.  I can't believe my baby is already 4.  What a smart, spunky, sweet little girl I have on my hands.  She is truly a blessing. Happy birthday, Punkin!

My Birthday

For my birthday we spent the night at The Edge. Elizabeth had so much fun and is a little fish. Felicity got cold, but had fun riding the lazy river with mommy. 

We introduced the girls to fooseball and pool. The breakfast was awesome and kid friendly. 

The next day we did some shopping and went to the incredibly-windy lake walk. Felicity loves the wind and the breakers were so huge. 

All in all turning 33 was a fun filled day. Thanks to my beautiful family for the beautiful & thoughtful gifts and for being so good to me. 

Stain remover: peroxide & dawn

1 part Dawn to 2 parts peroxide. Tried it on 3 old stains on my white uniform. Doubted it would work, but it was either try it or throw out the polo shirt b/c I had tried everything else w/o luck. 

GUESS WHAT?! It worked. I also washed it w/ my "whites only" and mixed in a little Oxiclean White.  The Oxiclean white made my socks and towels super white too!  I doubted it would work so that is why I didn't take b4 and after pics. But I can once again wear my shirt to work w/o covering the stains w/ my name tag!

Yes, Jesus Loves Me!

A Weekend Away...

David and I spent time together in Duluth, with an overnight at the Sheridan, took in a movie, did LOTS of shopping and did LOTS of walking. I love the girls so much, but it was nice having some one-on-one time with my hubby Hubie. 

We had awesome food @ the Olive Garden, Pizza Luce, and Pick Wick. 

Costumes

Just monkeying around

My New Kitchen Favorite

Ceramic pans. Stated to be safer then Teflon and cooks w/o use of oils. Not safe in the dishwasher but cleans easily.  Here I cooked an egg w/ cheese. The cheese kinda cooked on hard. After an hr I just washed it off , no sticking. Love it & highly recommend. 

Autum is coming too soon

FIrst day of Sunday School

Normally Sunday school begins with Pre-K and that is at 4 years old, but Doc was invited to start early since her birthday is right around the corner.  She was SO excited and wanted to take the bus.  I was invited to be teacher's helper since there are 14 kids in her class.  We had a good time on Sunday and learned about families and sharing!

Words

Felicity, at 14 months, now says mama, baba (bottle), dada, Doc (Elizabeth), thank you, er (here-as she shares), and her new favorite: tickle tickle. 

She gives high-5's, does so-big, likes to over exaggerate her blinks, and plays peek-a-boo by covering her ears. She started taking indep steps 5 days before her 1st bday and is now running and loves being chased. 

She adores her big sister and they play so well together, but she also likes playing by herself at times. She now has 11 teeth and is just over 20#.  

Bemidji Trip to re-roof for the Parks' family

Happiness is ...

Hearing your 13 m.o. giggling at 4 am in her sleep and having your spouse reach over and squeeze your hand. 

Happiness is...

Having your 3 y.o. on your shoulders, picking chokecherries for Gramma, while your hubby & #2 ride the 4-wheeler around the property on a beautiful summer night. 

Easier Pickle Rounds

Instead of spreading the cream cheese, I put a few dollops, placed Saran Wrap over the cheese, rolled it, then removed to roll up the pickle. Two wraps per pickle. Refrigerate for a few hours befor slicing. Spreading is so much harder. I liked this much better. 

Time is a Flyin'

13 months, 9 teeth and this little girl can now get into a lawn chair by herself. Yikes!