Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday Brandon & I celebrated our six year wedding anniversary...SIX YEARS!  It's hard to believe that it has been that long already!  The time has sure flown by!  It doesn't seem like it was really all that long ago but I look at our wedding pictures and we both look so young and I suppose we were!  I had barely turned 18 but just eight days before the wedding and Brandon is two years older than me, so barely 20 himself on our wedding day.  What a wonderful day!  Some funny memories (now they're funny, not so much at the time!) from the wedding:  during our vows I started stumbling over my words during the "for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse..." part and our pastor chimes in to try and lighten things up and ease my nerves and says something along the lines of "but hopefully for richer!"  Then later as we were trying to light our unity candles someone beforehand had cut the wick so low that as we tried lighting it the wax from our candles kept drowning the wick so we could not get the unity candle lit!  I was so embarrassed and silly me thinking "I hope people aren't thinking this is a symbol of how our marriage is going to be!" but once again our pastor jumped in making me feel a lot better and said "like a good marriage it takes a little work."  Later when we were doing the cake, when Brandon gave me my bite a small piece fell down my dress and on first reaction Brandon started to reach for it but then realizing it had gone down the dress already wasn't sure what to do and of course everyone is watching during this part of the reception so he was quite embarrassed.  I went in the other room to try to fetch this lost piece of cake and Brandon starts to follow but my dad teasingly yells "you better not!" only to embarrass us even more!  What a day!  We went to Disney World for our honeymoon and it was so cool to experience so many firsts with my brand new husband!  Until that trip I had never ridden on a plane, never been so far away from home, never seen palm trees and never seen the ocean, never gotten a tattoo and never driven in such crazy traffic!  Somehow we discovered a place that let people as young as us rent a car (I think most places you had to be at least 25) so we were able to save some money by not having to pay for a cab everywhere we went and it allowed us more freedom of where to go.  One day while there we took a day drive to Clearwater on the coast and hung out at the beach.  One week was certainly not enough but it gives us reason to go back again someday...and this time with our children!

July 24, 2004

Big hairy deal!

Jordan's hair has been getting so long and I LOVE it!  I am able to do so much more with it than a goofy single ponytail off the very top of her head.  I have even managed to French braid her hair too!  I really wish I had a picture of it because I was so proud that she sat still long enough for me to do it and it turned out really good and managed to stay in all day long!

In other news...I had an early birthday present of getting to see our next baby!  Everything is looking good and the baby is measuring perfectly with the estimated due date, which is February 22nd...two days after Jordan's second birthday.  I was a little upset about that at first but since there is nothing we can do about it, I think it is quite funny.  I love how you can see the baby's legs in the picture!  At one point during the ultrasound she got a side view and I could see a little arm too, it was so precious!

Garden pals

A few weekends ago my generous dad came over to rototill my very sad garden and helped me get it started by planting some things.  Jordan had a great time helping him!  (just kidding, he was all done and just pushing it back to his truck but she really did enjoy herself...she was quite proud).

I don't know what I would do with my dad each year because I am a terrible weed-picker so by the time the season comes around to plant each year my garden has become so over taken by weeds its not even funny.  He hauls his tiller over every single year to do this for me then always sticks around to help get my plants and seeds into the ground.

This year we are growing about 8 tomato plants so I can can and freeze some not to mention make loads of spaghetti sauce and salsa and the like to keep us well supplied even after summer has passed.  We also got an ancho pepper plant, parsley and basil then I planted some zucchini, summer squash, winter squash, water melon, two kinds of pumpkin, onions, peas, green beans and I think that's all.  And I've got my strawberries growing strong still!  This is their third year with us.  The three plants I bought three years ago have spread so much they take up quite the chunk of my garden and the actual berries are bigger this year than they have ever been!  I have plans to move them out of the garden to a special area of their own so they can grow and spread as they please but I have to be honest, I am quite nervous about the transplant because I just don't want to lose any!  A friend of ours gave us a huge container of raspberry starters this year that seem to be growing quite well also.  Maybe next year they will begin bearing fruit (certainly not holding my breath on that for the first couple years)!

One of these days hopefully I'll get around to taking a picture of my garden to share with you all, but don't expect it, you know how terrible I have been about blogging lately (for which I apologize).  I am hoping to pick back up on the blogging every monday like I used to do but we'll see if that ends up happening.  I have so many things I want to blog about it's quite overwhelming.  BUT as you wait for me to get in my blogging rut again go check out Healthy by Choices who is hosting a giveaway for a favorite book of mine, in fact I've mentioned it on here before, The Unhealthy Truth by Robyn Obrien.  Get over there quickly because the giveaway ends tomorrow (sorry, I knew about it a couple days ago but am finally getting on here today)!

An epic tale of Jordan and Mommy:

Nature Walk

Our loot after a walk home from a friend's house

Normally when we go for walks Jordan rides in the stroller.  She really enjoys it...she really enjoys anything that has to do with the outdoors.  Every once in a great while we will take a little walk either to a friend's house just a block away or sometimes just a little stroll around the block in which Jordan actually gets to walk too.  As I'm sure you can imagine, these walks though short in distance can take nearly as much time as a walk where Jordan rides in the stroller.  Sometimes it is fun to have that change and I can always use this as a reminder to slow down and really appreciate Jordan and life and to discover details of the beauty God has created all around us.

Two days ago Jordan and I were hanging out in the front yard tossing things into the puddle at the curb when we saw a city bus coming down the street.  Jordan LOVES the buses that pass in front of our house (in fact every time we are inside and she hears one she always makes sure to tell me that a bus just drove by) so when she saw it coming she stopped what she was doing and began pointing excitedly at the bus.   To our surprise it stopped right in front of us and the bus driver opened his window and waved to us and said hello.  It was sure an exciting start to our day.  Jordan was thrilled!

Jordan and I planted flowers on Wednesday in the long planter area we've got in the front of our house.  I'm never sure what will and won't come up so I just planted every single seed from every single flower pack I had in the hopes that something will come up!  Jordan was quite the little "helper" digging in the dirt as I planted.  She was digging in the same spot nearly the whole time so I thought I was safe to just go around her until the very end...well...she decided to switch spots after a while...then switched again later.  I might have three bare spots in the planter but I may end up with flowers on the ground right in front of those bare spots!  We've not even had to water our flowers since they've been planted because it has been raining, raining and raining some more.  We are thankful for the rain watering our little seeds!

Jordan in our backyard a couple weeks ago

On another note, I'm beginning to dislike June.  It seems that June is the month that takes all my friends away from me!  Last June my very best friend and her husband and son (who is just a 6 weeks older than Jordan) moved back to Minnesota to be closer to her family.  This June, the military is moving my other very dear friend and her husband and son (who was born on the exact same day as Jordan) to Texas.  I'm very grateful for phones and blogs and Facebook to keep us connected.  My Minnesota friend and I still talk very frequently and follow each other's blogs to keep up with each other but sometimes it really stinks when you just need a friend to call up for any reason such as:  going for a walk together or to swap babysitting so you each have a chance to just sit on your couch and do nothing for a while or to have someone to dog sit when you go out of town or to hug when you are really feeling down and words just aren't enough.  You can't do any of that over the phone.  Ok, I'm sorry to be such a downer and I really need to stop because I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and wallowing in self pity.  Most of all I am thankful for these friendships and that they are still so strong even with so many miles between us.  I'm so thankful that God has brought these ladies, not just ladies, their families too, into my life!

Reading

I don't have any pictures in this post because I didn't intend on writing but as I've been sitting here doing a few tasks that have needed to be done on the computer Jordan was doing something so sweet I couldn't resist not popping on and sharing the story.

I'm sure I've mentioned on here before that Jordan is quite the bookworm.  I am so thankful she likes books so much!  This morning our roles are reversed; as I sit here on the computer she's been reading ME a story.  I hear her "sniffing" so I look down and she's pointing to the bunny in her book smelling a flower.  I excitedly acknowledge she is correct then go back to my computer tasks only to then hear her "blowing" so I look down and she's pointing to the bunny blowing the dandelion seeds through the air.  "Great job!  That's exactly what the bunny is doing!!" then back to my computer work.  Next I hear her trying to get my attention and when I look down this time she has her hand on the side of her head which is cocked to the side and her other hand points to the bunny who is laying down to sleep.  

I love my little girl!  I have so many more stories about her that I intend to share on here one of these days.  Thanks for listening to my story today!

Sorry I have been absent from the blogging world for a while (even when it comes to commenting on all of your all's blogs).  I've been trying to limit my computer time lately as it can so easily become a time absorber for me and because I've also been reading a lot of books, educating myself on many things but most importantly the effects of food on our body...not just food but the type of food here in the US that has been genetically modified, preservatives and colors added, artificial sweeteners and the like.  I HIGHLY recommend everyone read the book The Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O'Brien...actually I am BEGGING you to read this book, especially all you mommies out there.  I really don't even know where to begin in telling you about this book so I'll just pray you read it to learn all that I have learned.  She writes in a way that is very easy to understand which is very nice since the information provided is so critical for us to know about.

On a completely different note I thought I'd share some pictures from a few weeks ago when we had some terrific weather...then we got some cold and snow for a couple of weeks and finally as of this weekend things have started to warm up again (we've even fired up the central air!) and I'm really hoping this time it is here to stay.  Last time we were so spoiled going to the park nearly every day and when not at the park we were in the backyard so much that when that snow and cold came back we had no idea what to do with ourselves!  I noticed a difference in all our attitudes when we were cooped up in the house after that week of freedom and warmth not to mention that the gloominess can sure make a difference in mood as well.  So we had to figure out how to keep busy and distracted from the aweful weather.  We did so by going to the library's story hour, attending a Bible study at church, reading educating books, playing chase around the house, having another once a month cooking day and many other things.  But we are SO glad the sun is shining again so we can slap on the sunscreen and play outside all day long!  Speaking of sunscreen, if you plan to be outside a lot this summer you'll want to check out Healthy by Choices that tells you all you need to know about sunscreens that are safe to put on your and your kiddo's body and why most are NOT safe, you may be surprised!

She loves wearing her sunglasses!  I consider them our instant ticket to a huge smile.  Sometimes after a while of wearing them the correct way though she decides to switch it up and wear them on the back of her head for something different.

Favorite outfit...already?????

I didn't know that kids developed an opinion on clothes this early but Jordan has definitely decided that she has a favorite "outfit" already!  

We have been VERY blessed by a friend of the family who has been loaning us her daughter's clothes (her daughter was born one year and one month before Jordan so the sizes are perfect for each season!) since Jordan was first born.  Such a huge blessing as we have not had to buy ANY clothes or shoes for Jordan (except for a couple of completely irresistible outfits here and there).  Anyway, we just did a swap this past Friday (me giving her back the clothes Jordan has outgrown and she giving me clothes that her daughter has outgrown).  I know I'm getting into too many details here but those of you who know me well enough know that's exactly what I do...I tend to repeat myself and get into way too many details that are probably completely unnecessary for a story but somehow in my mind seem necessary.

But, anyway, this bright pink fuzzy vest was in the new supply along with these cute brown fuzzy boots and Jordan has sure taken a liking to them!  She wore them three days straight and she even insisted on wearing the boots with her red Pooh skirt...it was quite the combination...big boots with a little skirt; she was quite the site running around the back yard!  She still wants to wear them all the time.  I find them both laying around the house all the time!  In fact I found the vest in the bathroom today and her boots in her new cardboard box fort that she's been loving too!

I included the picture above because she just cracks me up in this picture!  I can't look at it and not laugh!  And it has her box in the background, her new "fort."  The dog bed came in it and she's been loving it up ever since, putting all her stuffed dog toys in it and crawling in herself.  It's very cute how entertained she is by it!  And YES I did say dog bed.  Jordan has an obsession with dogs.  Whenever she sees or hears a dog, be it real or stuffed or a simply a picture, she will start panting like a dog and gets super excited.  We took her to McDonalds for the first time yesterday and in the play place there was a picture of a dog and ever time she went past it to go down the slide she had to touch it and when other kids were there she had to tell them about it.  We printed off a couple pictures and hung them on the wall in her room right by her crib; she loves reminding us they are there whenever we go in to get her after a nap.  It's a pretty cute obsession and we made the decision to get her a dog.  We thought a lot about it, slept on it and thought some more and we decided to go with a harlequin Great Dane.  The mommy dog won't be impregnated until June so we've got a little bit of waiting to do before our doggie actually arrives and we are trying to wait patiently but it's so hard!  The dog is in Washington so we get to take a little trip at the end of the summer to go pick it up so that'll be a ton of fun!  If you want to see the mommy and daddy of our to-be puppy check it out here.

By the way, I just want to add that I've been working on this post for almost two weeks now (started it on April 21st) and I was having major problems adding pictures...well it turns out it was my own fault, I was trying to upload pictures in the wrong format.  It was definitely a learning experience but I apologize to all you readers out there having to wait and wait simply because of my own silly error.  

I didn't know she could do that!

A couple weeks ago my mom was over and all three of us were playing in Jordan's room while I was clearing out her dresser of too small clothes (which made me very sad, knowing she will never wear those adorable clothes ever again).  My mom happened to notice a pacifier under her crib clear on the other side by the wall.  It's been there for months so I made the comment "It's okay, she doesn't know how to get under there yet."  Boy was I wrong!  A little while later we look over and see some little feet peeking out from under her crib.  I guess she DOES know how to crawl underneath her crib!  Here is the "play-by-play" action!

I didn't have the camera in the room with me the first time so after she came out with it I tossed it back under the crib and ran quick as I could to get the camera.  I barely made it back in time before she was turning around to come back out with her "prize."  I let her play with it just for a few minutes so all that hard work wasn't for nothing (especially since the second time was entirely because of me).  It was really funny because she walked over to her bedroom door, opened it and laid the pacifier on the ground right outside of her room then shut the door...then she'd open the door again pick it up, lay it back down, shut the door again...and repeat!  She actually didn't care when I took it away from her; I think it's because Nana was there.

Naturally healthy

I've been trying to make some healthy decisions lately for my family.  I've really become more in tune to these things since I've had Jordan.  Now we could still definitely eat a lot healthier than we do but these healthy changes I've been making are not all in the food we consume but the products we are using instead.  Now I do have to add that since I've gotten my new Vitamix blender we have been getting in a lot more fruits and dairy lately with our daily (sometimes multiple times a day) smoothie.  I've been quite surprised how these natural alternatives to everyday products we use are actually quite frugal; now some of these might cost about the same as the store bought product but most of them are actually cheaper.  I've been making my own face wash, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner, and yogurt & cream cheese.  If you're curious and would like to read about my experience on each thing than keep reading, otherwise this post might be very boring for you and I will not be offended if you skip over this one.

I've been using the face wash since November 2009 and I can definitely tell a wonderful difference with my face.  I no longer need to wash my face twice a day, before bed each night is perfect.  I break out much less, in fact, I've only gotten a zit twice since I've started this method.  I love the smooth texture of my face, I don't even use foundation anymore because my face is just fine on its own!

I just made the deodorant this weekend but so far I love it!  I knew I've needed to switch for a long time now because of that darn aluminum they put in antiperspirant but I got a really good deal and had stocked up a while ago.  Finally I realized I needed to do it regardless because my pits were feeling dry and itchy after putting on the store bought stuff after my showers.  I can't even tell a difference between homemade and store bought when it comes to sweat and stink but I CAN tell the difference in that my armpits aren't dry and itchy anymore!

The toothpaste, oh the toothpaste, well first of all I have this thing against artificial sweeteners so I'm not using the Stevia suggested in the recipe and I know sugar would counter the whole effect so I do it hardcore without any sweetener.  Let me tell you the taste of this is terrible!  But it gets the job done and once I spit and rinse I'm perfectly happy with the result and because I use the peppermint oil I still smell good to the rest of the world.  I will continue to use this because it's cheap, better for me and it does a great job getting my teeth clean and my breath fresh.

Now the shampoo and conditioner, or the lack thereof, is really cool too!  The pain about it is that I have to make a new batch every week but I love the result enough to continue and really it takes less than five minutes to make so it's not a burden.  Anyway, this one was a hard adjustment to make because it felt like I was just pouring water on my head because it doesn't lather like shampoo but as I've been using it for a while now I've gotten used to it and can actually feel the difference between water and water mixed with baking soda so I know where its at on my head and if I have enough.  At first I was completely overdoing the conditioner since I couldn't feel it but that was another thing that I've learned and adjusted along the way.  And after reading that kids don't really need their hair washed I've quit using baby shampoo on Jordan's precious head and just give it a good massage with my fingers and water of course.

Last but not least I made my own yogurt in my crock pot on Friday.  I'd been curious and wanting to try this one for quite a while but we just don't eat yogurt much but now that I have my new blender and we've been having smoothies on a daily basis I decided it was finally time.  Making yogurt is SO easy!  And I think my favorite part about it is that you can then turn that yogurt into cream cheese just as easily!!!  We all know how expensive cream cheese can be and this is a really cheap alternative!  It's so amazing to me how this process works and how this is exactly like store bought yogurt!  Just incredible.

I hope this blog post wasn't too boring for you guys but I really wanted to share my experiences to make you all aware of the simple and cheap ways we can impact the environment, our lives and our children's lives and so that you know someone who has actually done these things and enjoyed the results.  I hope I made sense!