Vehicle Upgrade

For the last several years I have been driving a Chevy Cavalier. I have loved it. Frankly it was the nicest car I'd ever driven. Before that I had been driving a beat up old station wagon that I bought in high school that was being held together by the 30+ bumper stickers plastered on the back! So, the Cavalier has been good to us. My husband bought it shortly before we got together and its been a good car. But since we had Joe its just felt more and more cramped. It has bucket seats in the front so we could only fit five people in it and that was a squeeze because of the boys' car seats in the back.
We had been talking about getting a minivan for awhile but we both wanted to be able to pay cash for one instead of financing something. So we were taking our time saving up and expected it to be awhile longer before we reached the designated amount ($6000-$8000) we thought we would need to get what we wanted in a van.
Well a few weeks ago some friends of ours sent an email out our church saying they were getting rid of their Grand Caravan. It had nearly all the things we were looking for in a van. The miles were a little higher than what we were originally but the price was nearly a quarter what we were planning on. We took a couple days to test drive it but it didn't take us long to decide this was just what we were looking for.
Its been a few weeks now and the boys and I are very happy with it. There is so much more room for us to move around and to put our belongings. Whoever sits in the passenger seat doesn't have to hold the diaper bag anymore! I can actually take friends and my siblings with us when we go places now! I am thankful that we waited and were able to take advantage of this blessing. This is so much more family friendly and we could not be happier with it!

*these are not photos of our actual vehicles

Big Five

Here are the results of some dumb personality profile quiz I did on facebook. Why do I let myself get sucked into doing these stupid things all the time? ;-)

View Full MyPersonality.org Profile

0 50 100	%
Openness	75%
Conscientiousness	69%
Extraversion	69%
Agreeableness	69%
Neuroticism	56%

Trait Explanations

In order to interpret your raw trait scores, they were compared to the first 350,000 people to complete the full MyPersonality Big Five questionnaire. This allows the way that you described yourself to be put in the context of how other people respond to the questionnaire. You should remember that there are no fundamentally good or bad personalities, as each trait description has potential advantages and disadvantages. To help you reflect on these, you have also been given some questions which ask you to consider the implications of your trait descriptions. Other people viewing your personality profile will not be able to see these.

Openness

This trait refers to the extent to which you prefer novelty versus convention. Approximately 58% of respondents have a lower openness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is aware of their feelings but doesn't get carried away with their imagination either. You might say that you embrace change when it is necessary while still resisting it when you think it is not, and that beauty is important to you, but it's not everything.

Reflective question: When do you think that tradition is important, and when is it time for change?

Conscientiousness

This trait refers to the extent to which you prefer an organised, or a flexible, approach in life. Approximately 65.5% of respondents have a lower conscientiousness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who avoids foreseeable trouble through purposefully planning, and achieves success through persistence. From your responses it appears that you are reliable and prepared for life's challenges.

Reflective question: How do you feel when you are working with someone who is disorganised?

Extraversion

This trait refers to the extent to which you enjoy company, and seek excitement and stimulation. Approximately 61.8% of respondents have a lower extraversion raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is energetic and active. Your answers describe you as someone who enjoys and actively seeks out social occasions, and that you especially enjoy talking with a big group of people.

Reflective question: Do you prefer to be busy all the time? Why?

Agreeableness

This trait refers to the way you express your opinions and manage relationships. Approximately 61.8% of respondents have a lower agreeableness raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who people get along with easily. Your responses suggest that you would say you are considerate and friendly, and think that other people are generally honest and decent.

Reflective question: Is your co-operative preference ever taken advantage of by others?

Neuroticism (Emotional stability)

This trait refers to the way you cope with, and respond to, life's demands. Approximately 78.8% of respondents have a lower neuroticism raw percentage than yours. From the way you answered the questions, you seem to describe yourself as someone who is generally calm. Based on your responses, you come across as someone who can feel emotional or stressed out by some experiences, however your feelings tend to be warranted by the situation.

Reflective question: Which situations make you feel under pressure and which situations do not?

Progress

Joe has been busy lately. He is more active than we've ever seen him. He's rolling all over the place and with much more purpose than in the past. He is so interested in toys and is much more willing to stretch outside is comfort zone to try to get things. He topples over in an effort to reach a toy or something whereas before he would only attempt to get things that were easily within his grasp.
He is getting better at self feeding. His pincer grasp is improving. We changed his sippie cup from one with handles to one without. He has transitioned really well to the new cup.
Joe has been rotating on his tummy alot more. He has also been getting onto hands and knees and rocking back and forth, even unassisted . That is kind of a big deal. Its a step closer to crawling which is something we hope to see him do in the fairly near future.
Its been good for me personally to recognize the progress he has been making. Because I am with him almost all of the time it is difficult for me to see how far Joe has come. We are happy to see him continuing to progress. Hopefully it is just a taste of what is to come for our precious little guy.

Sketches

I know I've posted about this before but it bears repeating. I like to use sketches when laying out my scrapbook pages. Its a nice base to start from and then you can customize to make it fit your own style along the way.Here is a recent page I did for my friend Sniz's challenge. She chose the layout and a few of us are all competing to see who's page is the best. We'll see. I do think I had creative use of the M&M's logo from an ice cream treat carton. I like using things like that from around the house.
Some of my favorite places to get sketches are:

Page Maps

Scrapbooks Etc.

Ally Scraps Design Team

Creating Keepsakes Sketches PDF

If you have favorite places that you like to get sketches let me know! If you want to check out other paper crafters check out Sunday Scrappin'!!

Rewarding Experience

Have you ever heard of Sheltering Wings? It is a shelter that provides emergency housing for women and children suffering from any form of domestic abuse. They help to build stable and independent lives through essential programs offered in a supportive and Christ-centered environment.
My church has been supporting them for years and I've given to the clothes drives, etc. But recently God put it on my heart to use my talent for photography for His purpose and I thought of them. I got in contact with Sheltering Wings awhile back and arranged to spend a day at the park taking pictures.
I spent nearly eight hours at the park that day. The weather was beautiful, thank you God! I was blessed to have another photographer join me and together we met some very special women and their families.
I did not ask alot of questions because I know some of their situations are particularly sensitive, but in the short time we spent together I felt much hope and appreciation. I feel honored to have been able to give them this small gift.
I would like to ask that you take a look at Sheltering Wings website and consider getting involved in this vital ministry by supporting them. It might be a gift of supplies or food or clothing. It might be your time volunteering at the shelter. Organize a fundraiser at your church or organization. The possibilities are endless. Maybe you do not have the time but you do have money. Please pray and consider in what way you might be able to help.

Bad Mommy...

My son is exhausting me. He is in the "why" phase and literally questions EVERYthing I say. But that isn't the primary frustration. Nate is about to turn four years old and he is very, very resistant to potty training. We have tried lots of methods of motivation: charts, treats, stickers, prizes... the list goes on. We have seen minimal progress over time.
I have only tried underwear once or twice because why give myself the extra work of having to clean them out when he clearly has no interest in keeping them clean?He still throws fits when told to go potty on the toilet. He still refuses to even tell me after he's pooped in his diaper or pull-up. He is very intelligent and we have every reason believe that he is fully capable of being potty trained.
I've resorted to (somewhat) desperate measures. When he was little Nate had a reaction to anything red: tomato sauce, strawberries, watermelon, etc. He would get serious diaper rashes. Some were pretty ugly. So we proceeded to avoid giving him anything red to avoid the skin irritations that followed. But no more. I am no longer protecting his behind. He is eating spaghetti sauce, strawberries... all the things that we used to keep from him he is now eating. I am hoping that the bottom discomfort that follows will help motivate him to do his business where it belongs. Wish me luck. Or just pray for me because I'm sick and tired of changing a kid's diaper who knows better but is too lazy to actually do anything about it.

Artscow!!

Ok, so I've blogged about this before but it bears repeating! Artscow.com has an even better promotion going on now than they did when I joined! 1200 Free Prints for joining!! Ah! Plus 3 8x8 photo books! Seriously. I have been using them for over a year now and have been very happy with the quality of the prints and other photo products that I have bought. And when your free prints run out their prices are really great too. Check them out HERE. Don't forget to check out other Works For Me Wednesday posts too!!

Father's Day Crafting

Here are the cards that I made to match the gifts for my DH and both our dads. Nothin' too fancy... but they're guys... its not like they want fancy anyway. Check out other Father's Day crafts at Sunday Scrappin'.

Love Quotes

I love my husband. Sometimes its hard to find words to describe it. So if you ever need help finding the words here are a few suggestions. ;-)

"Love, like a river, will cut a new path whenever it meets an obstacle." -Crystal Middlemas

"How blessed I am that I can walk beside you, lean upon you, and live within the warmth of your love." -Roy Lessin

"Love is like a mountain, hard to climb, but once you get to the top the view is beautiful." -Daniel Monroe Tuttle

"Love is friendship set on fire." -Jeremy Taylor

"Love is a decision, not an emotion or feeling, that if made from the heart will outlast anything..." -Raul and Samantha Juarez

"Love is the most abiding power of the world". -Martin Luther King

"Love does not dominate; it cultivates". -Goethe

"You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." -Amy Carmichael

"Life is a journey from one point to another. You know where you will end up, but you don't know what route will get you there." -Jennifer Robinson

"The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, or rather loved in spite of ourselves". -Victor Hugo

"Only love lets us see normal things in an extraordinary way." -Anonymous

"A house is made with walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you want more Love Quotes check out The Intimate Couple.

Sunday Scrappin' Page of the Week

I didn't get around to doing much scrapbooking this week. Once Lehi's Challenge was over (I didn't win... but that is ok because Toni did and totally deserved it!) I fizzled out. I'm running out of photos that I want to scrap. I'm going to have to put in an order soon. Anyway, I did get this page done of some of the many pictures of us at the museum.
Check out other crafters' work at Sunday Scrappin'.

What's New...

So last Friday I took Joe to IU School of Optometry to get his vision checked (again). We saw an intern and a supervising doctor. They did similar things as last year (showing Joe pictures to see if he looks in the correct direction, looking in his eyes with their little lights, dilating his eyes and checking his true prescription, etc) all with the same result. Joe's eyes are working just fine, slightly farsighted but that is totally normal for his age. They can find no reason for his lack of eye contact. So, while its good to know his vision is good, but its not real helpful at this point.
Joe had blood drawn in January for some genetic tests. We were told they were extensive tests that would take awhile. So after awhile I called and tried to get the results. No one got back with me. So I called again awhile later. They said the doctor was on vacation and that he'd look over the results when he got back. No one got back with me. I tried again last week and the girl I talked to said there was no record of me ever calling before. She said she'd email the results to the genetic neurologist we had seen for him to interpret and then she'd get back with me.
Well, she did get back with me on Monday. Only not with test results. She said that there was no record of the tests ever being done. She said we'd have to come in and get his blood drawn again and have it sent away to do the tests. No apology. No nothing. Just matter of fact. I was very unhappy to hear that. Isaac called Clarian West where we had the blood drawn and checked their records (which is connected to Riley and they have access to). They did a few tests in house but did not even draw the blood that was supposed to be sent to a special lab for testing. Then he called Riley again. They said that on Friday the doctor would discuss the results of the tests that were done, and we'd have blood drawn then for the other tests.
So... we just got back from our appointment with the genetic neurologist. Basically there is no news. Just more tests that are normal and got blood drawn for the tests that were supposed to have been done already. I felt a little better about the blood test mix-up after the doctor was apologetic, even a little embarrassed by the whole thing and double checked the new test orders to make sure the were getting done correctly this time. We are testing for Angelman Syndrome. Seizures seem to be a big sign/symptom of Angelman's and Joe has never had any. The doctor does not think Joe has traditional Angelman's but might have an atypical kind. There is no cure for this. But we will just have to wait and see. Beyond these tests he said further (and probably invasive) testing would probably be more for our benefit than for Joe's because if it is something like a mitochondrial disease or something there may be no cure or even treatment.
I've been uncharacteristically calm following this visit to Riley. I'm usually a mess after these kinds of doctor's appointments. I guess I got it all out of my system before the appointment this time. ;-) That and I had a couple of good friends praying for us. Thank you all for your continued prayers concerning Joe.

7%

I got this as a forward and thought it was worth sharing.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry

9 Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come..

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'.

I'm in the 7%

Remember that I will always share my spoon with you !

Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves

Check it out!

My friend, Jess and my sis, Lauren recently got an apartment together with another friend. I'm a little jealous because part of me misses living with girls since I grew up with three sisters and lived with lots of roommates in college. But that is beside the point. They are two beautiful women who are currently between relationships. So just for fun they have decided to do an experiment and blog about it. If you are interested in checking it out CLICK HERE. They are new bloggers so please give them some comment love!

New Moon Trailer!!

I can't wait for New Moon to come out this November! Me and my other Twilight friends were all pretty excited to see the new teaser trailer. Check it out!

The Things They Say!!

The other night my family was over and we were all just hanging out and talking. My sister was talking about her husband's job and the traveling he has been doing and somehow said: "Miami sucks."
Of course Nate would pick up on that!! Only he said: "My Yummy Socks!!"
So I tried to hold back my surprised laugh, as I was a little exasperated at my sister for saying the "s" word in front of him so I gave her a little slap on the leg.
Nate of course mimicked that too, proceeding to smack my sister's leg also!
It was all I could do to hold back my own embarrassed laughter and explain to Nate that Auntie should not have said what she did and I should not have hit her as I did and neither should he. The rest of the family continued to get a little kick out of the whole situation. Sigh... isn't that special?

Baseball Deal!

My bargain buddy Lehi shared a deal with me that I had to share! Check it more details HERE!

The Cincinnati Reds are pleased to offer a valuable package for families and fans alike – back again in 2009: the Meijer 4 for $54. Fans can purchase four View Level tickets, four regular hot dogs and four 24-oz. soft drinks, all for just $54.

Great Reds baseball, great value and great fun – all in one convenient package!

Available for all Monday-Thursday games only at reds.com, the Reds ticket windows and ticket kiosks at Great American Ball Park, Greater Cincinnati Meijer stores, and by calling (513) 381-REDS or (877) 647-REDS. Tickets must be purchased in increments of four (4).