Locks Of Love

After close to 2 years of growing my hair out, I just couldn't take it any more and had it chopped off. At some point during those 2 years I decided to keep growing it out and donate my hair to Locks Of Love. They ask that you send in 10 inches of unbleached hair (colored is okay, just not highlighted). They do except shorter amounts, they sell those off for money which in turn helps them to keep the program going.

I didn't think I had any where near 10 inches...turns out I had 10.5 inches cut off! Whohoo!

Before:

After:

(not the best after picture, but I'll blame that on the photographer, 

I'm sure it has nothing to do with the lack of sleep in my life)

I love my new do. Nicole over at Zo Hair Salon cut it and she did a FANTASTIC job. I've had this cut on and off for many years and she cut and shaped it perfectly. It feels weird to brush and shampoo it, but other then that it is so nice to not get it caught in my coat zipper or have it all tangled up in the morning.

Menu Monday

I didn't make a menu last week. That was a bad, bad decision. No matter how much I hate sitting down and making the weekly menu, in the end it is SO WORTH IT! I'm getting back on track this week.

Meatless Monday -- Creamy Lemon Pasta with Mushrooms and Asparagus

Tuesday -- leftovers

Wednesday -- Turkey Sloppy Joes

Thursday -- leftovers

Friday -- Chessy Vegetable Chowder

Saturday -- leftovers

Sunday -- Raid the 'Frig Night

Busy, Busy, Busy

It's been a wild and crazy couple weeks over in our little world. I sometimes don't even know where the days go to, but they seem to fly by. Full of daily mundane life activities (grocery shopping, cooking meals, cleaning/picking up the house) and equally full of playing outside in the wonderful sunshine we had for weeks, t-ball games and practices, planting and caring for our 2012 garden, hair cuts, house projects, visiting with friends and family and enjoying hanging out and being a crazy family of 4.

Adalyn turned 18 months this weekend. I may be a little bit biased, but I think she is pretty darn cute. That cute little thing doesn't hold still for more then 3 seconds at a time. She knows what she wants (or doesn't want) and has no problem letting you know what that may be. She is starting to form some words (hi and bye are used very often) and I often think she says other things, but of course she won't repeat anything on command. She also barks like a dog, which is just plain awesome. She learned that trick from Arli.

Her sleeping continues to be up and down, but all of her teeth have finally popped through which has helped in the sleeping department. Getting her to consume food is a challenge. I haven't figured out if she just can't hold still long enough to eat, isn't hungry, it's connected to her sleep issue, or is just a toddler. Maybe it's a little of all of it.

I hope to be back up and blogging this week. I've got lots of family news to share.

Almost Wordless Wednesday -- Picture Round Up

It seems that my time for blogging has disappeared and my camera is full of fun pictures. Here is a little "almost" wordless Wednesday picture round up of what has been going on at our house lately.

Adalyn trying on her brother's space suit hat on. 

Of course, you need gloves with that kind of outfit.

It's very difficult to eat in, too.

 

 

 My girl has been crashing out in the car unexpectedly lately.

There is a duck on Kenny's car!
He started out on the roof, then went to my car and then to Kenny's.
We haven't seen our ducks in about a week or so.

I really need to get Shane a button that say's "I dressed myself today". He picked this outfit because he "had meetings" later in the day. It was also a 65 degree day out, too.

Adalyn and Arli eating lunch.

This past week I took the trays away, now the big girls eat up at the counter.

Adalyn was being a goof.

She is signing cold in this picture. 

I have no idea what was cold though.

Menu Monday

We had a super duper fun and busy weekend. The Celebrating Women Fair went off well and we also  had a great time visiting with family while Kenny's Aunt and Uncle were in town. Now the sun is shining, my house is a mess, I'm starving, Adalyn's napping and Shane is in quiet time, but yet I have no inspiration or motivation for dinner plans this week. Let's see what I can come up with. A trip to the grocery store for some fresh items would be very helpful.

Monday -- Dinner pretty much isn't going to happen tonight between Kenny rushing home to take Shane to his baseball game. When they return around 7:30 I am then rushing off to a board meeting. Guess we'll all just be fending for ourselves this evening.

Tuesday -- Penne Rosa (this looks really good, but not sure I'll have all the necessary ingredients to make with out a trip to the store)

Wednesday -- BBQed Hamburgers (we finally got a new BBQ and I'd love to try it out if the weather holds)

Thursday -- Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps

Friday -- Broccoli and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Saturday -- Leftovers

Sunday -- It's Mother's Day...no dinner making for me!

Converstions with Shane

Me: Are you going to go to Vacation Bible School this summer? I need to sign you up today and want to make sure that you really want to go.

Shane: Yes. I'll be five right?

Me: Yes, you'll be five when you go. You'll be happy when I drop you off?

Shane: Yes, five year old's don't whine, right?

Me: Yep, you are right. Five year old's don't whine.

Shane: Will I be able to go to Vacation Bible School when I am six?

Me: Yep, you sure can.

Shane: I won't whine when I am six either. When I am ten I REALLY won't whine, because ten year old's are really big and they don't whine at all!

Me: Yep, that sounds about right to me!

I'm documenting this conversation to remind Shane of his "promise" of no whining when he turns five and beyond. I can't wait for his fifth birthday!!!!

Wordless Wednesday -- an extra dinner guest

Celebrating Women Fair

I'm hosting a huge event at my house in a couple weeks (Saturday, May 5th from 2-4pm). I'm not sure exactly how it all happened, but I'm excited to have 10 vendors here. They are all small business ran by Mommies looking to make extra income and be as hands on as they can with their families, too. I love supporting local Mommy run businesses. With Mother's Day right around the corner, stop by and get your shopping done all while supporting awesome Mom's hard at work.

Check out this list of companies!

Close To My Heart                                                Thirty-One

Jessica Booth                                                             Beth Delescavage

Pampered Chef                                                            Stella and Dot

Heidi Noggle                                                                Nicole Snider

Usborne Books                                                          Scentsy

Jennifer Bretsch                                                        Samantha Witt

Mary Kay                                                                        Uppercase Living

Dayna Hall                                                                     Nicole Roberts

Blessings Unlimited

Tami Blue

Plus, an exclusive clothing line!

  

Even more exciting is that we will have 11 prizes to give away, including a HUGE        grand prize basket. 

Visit the Facebook invitation page for more details.  

Wordless Wednesday -- She Cracks Me Up!

Take Steps, Be Heard For Crohn's and Colitis

Are you ready to join me!!? Walking Madness is looking for new team members. We'll be walking in the Take Steps, Be Heard For Crohn's and Colitis walk on Saturday, June 9th at 3pm. It's a causal 2-3 mile walk around Magnuson park.

If you aren't local and can't join me feel free to swing by my donation page. Every dollar helps to find a cure for Crohn's and Colitis.

Sensory Processing Disorder Part 1

I've been putting this post off for months because I just don't feel like I can do it justice. There are so many little details and thoughts that I want to add or things that I want to say, but I just feel like they'll all come out in a jumbled mess. I've decided to make this a series to help get the information out in a nicer fashion.

Let me begin here....

After living with Shane for 4.5 years and ending most days with confusion and frustration towards his behaviors and feeling frustrated by the continued response from society that he will "out grow it", we decided to get a consultation from his Pediatrician. I spent a good chunk of time talking with her about what we were seeing and feeling about Shane. She didn't have any out right thoughts, but we came up with a plan and from there I was able to find help for him.

After working off the "plan" that his Doctor gave me, I was able to do some calling and researching and decided to have him evaluated by an Occupational Therapist. I really had no idea what the outcome was going to be, but it was a place to start and we had hopes we'd get some answers. Because we really didn't believe Shane was "just going to outgrow" what we saw behavior wise day to day.

The evaluation showed that he had Sensory Processing Disorder. Phew....we weren't crazy. There was something going on and we can help him with it! That was an awesome feeling.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)? Below is a video made by an 8 year old boy who has SPD. It's broken down so simply and perfect. Please watch and I think you'll get a great idea of what SPD is.

Stay tuned for Sensory Processing Disorder Part 2.

Menu Monday

I'm going with a two week plan this time around because Kenny's parents will be visiting at the end of this week, so I figured if I get this week and next week figured out it will make things tons easier. Of  course, I'm sure there will be revisions, but I'd prefer to be over planned then under planned. Online cooking schools can also teach you mouth watering recipes perfect for all occasions.

Monday -- leftovers from last night

Tuesday -- Baked Chicken and Rice (from the freezer)

Wednesday -- leftovers

Thursday -- Lemon Garlic Spaghetti

Friday -- Baked Potato Bar

Saturday -- Taco Bar

Sunday -- Spaghetti

Monday -- Salmon and Halibut (grilled if we can find ourselves a BBQ, who knew it would be so hard!?)

Tuesday -- Pizza and Salad

Wednesday -- Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Thursday -- leftovers

Friday -- Tuna Casserole

Saturday -- leftovers

Sunday -- Raid the 'Frig Night

Dotty For You

To celebrate National Scrapbooking Month, in May, Close To My Heart is offering this awesome paper packet called Dotty For You from now until May 31st (while supplies last).

 
This paper packet has 24 cardstock weight patterned paper with different prints on both sides. It's valued at $19.95, but it can be yours FREE or for just $5!
 
There are three ways to get this pack:

• Place an order of $35 or more from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book and add the Dotty for You paper pack for only $5.
• Host a gathering with sales of $400 or more and in addition to your already wonderful hostess rewards, you will also receive the Dotty for You paper pack FREE!
• Join Close To My Heart as a new Consultant and receive a Dotty for You paper pack FREE!

Look at what you could get from $35 and coordinate it with this cute and versatile paper packet.

Paradise Baker's Twine (Z1702) $4.95

Paradise Paper Flowers (Z1710) $5.95

Smoothie Mini Medley Accents Collection (Z1697) $4.95

Sunset Mini Medley Accents Collection (Z1338) $4.95

Keepsake Felt Alphabet (Z1696) $5.95

Color Ready Accents (Z1718) $5.95

Sparkles in blue and green (Z1327) $2.95

Total: $35.62 and you get the Dotty For You paper packet for just $5!!

Stay tuned for Dotty artwork coming soon!

Conversations With Shane

We've had our fair share of rough days around this house. Today wasn't one of those though. I want to remember some of the simple little things Shane said today so on those rough days I can look back at them and remember not all days are a battle.

During lunch today (which was chicken rice soup and canned pears...yay...sometimes you do what ya gotta do).

Shane: This is the best day ever and this is the best lunch ever.

I honestly have no idea why today rocked so much in his little mind. Prior to lunch we had spent an hour in the car to and from the emission test place. Guess we should do that more often?!?

One of the oddest things about today was that Kenny didn't come home after work. He had an evening meeting a couple hours away. This happens every now and then. Those days can be really, really long!
 
During dinner, which was just Shane and I since Adalyn had already gone to bed and Kenny was gone.

I asked Shane what he wanted for dinner. He said the noodles from last night (I was throw off by this request since he hated them last night). 

Shane: I'm going to try my noodles now.

Me: Okay, that would be awesome.

Shane: Mmmmm, they are really, really good!! I like them a lot.

Me: Aren't they yummy. I like them a lot, too. I'm so proud of you for trying them.

Shane: I knew you were going to say that. It makes me happy to do the right thing.

My heart melted!

Later into dinner.

Shane: It's a lot of fun when Daddy and Adalyn are gone.

Me: Oh, but we have fun when they are here and we love them lots.

Shane: Yes, but it's so quiet when they are gone. There isn't as much talking and noise.

I really didn't have anything to say to this statement besides the fact it screams his Sensory Processing Disorder (more to come on that soon). But the comment made me chuckle.

It was an pretty awesome day considering I had the little buggers from 7:30am until bedtime all by myself. I even took Shane to his baseball practice with Adalyn in tow. This day I'll remember when I want to pull my hair out and am counting down the minutes until Kenny gets home from work. 

Wordless Wednesday -- Obessed with Baseball and Catchers