tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79145555899549260322024-03-05T01:59:18.532-05:00more on the other sidepunkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-11868196398315102622010-06-16T21:46:00.000-04:002010-06-16T21:46:50.901-04:00goodbye... and maybe hello again...Hey, it's my final post at "more on the other side"... don't be sad, it's not like I posted much anyway.<br />
<br />
I have started a new blog called <a href="http://punkinhood.blogspot.com/">punkinhood</a> that will chronicle the "life and times of punkin". So, if you're interested in reading about the details of life in the punkin'hood, feel free to check out the new place and subscribe!<br />
<br />
I promise I'll be <strike>trying to</strike> posting more regularly over there!punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-79745687553016131712010-05-09T20:36:00.002-04:002010-05-12T10:05:02.019-04:00happy mother's day 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7JHHB6NyNctDchGMVSY2nLB-D-qNAOd4NWCrflFLa_hxdE27Klh0vGgYNc2Z1Gk9c7Snw24EyBRpWVceywdBDwXZe9MwcLEvTgaJWS-DsTwAAIf_OvatizYqzswAuSwd9TUa_35_N8TF/s1600/IMG_3048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7JHHB6NyNctDchGMVSY2nLB-D-qNAOd4NWCrflFLa_hxdE27Klh0vGgYNc2Z1Gk9c7Snw24EyBRpWVceywdBDwXZe9MwcLEvTgaJWS-DsTwAAIf_OvatizYqzswAuSwd9TUa_35_N8TF/s400/IMG_3048.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm the luckiest mom in the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>I've added this post to Wordless Wednesday at </em></span><a href="http://www.twoofakindworkingonafullhouse.com/2010/05/wordless-wednesday-its-time.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>Two of a kind, working on a full house</em></span></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>and </em></span><a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/21788/wordless-wednesday-laugh/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>5 minutes for mom</em></span></a></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-59862212037246912272010-04-04T19:37:00.000-04:002010-04-04T19:37:08.733-04:00happy easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlYArjTjwY2XqoI1V_p-n0TJV7HA5rRqtHByzqylsROEmFz1UT__iGX6bheNmTg2IeRH4rtbEoiGFfKQUVhUJOWq31PXBIGyzFqhhaDcZd-OEF1J3nMzP0CyhT5X6AqRzh_nVgd4oq26k/s1600/cross2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlYArjTjwY2XqoI1V_p-n0TJV7HA5rRqtHByzqylsROEmFz1UT__iGX6bheNmTg2IeRH4rtbEoiGFfKQUVhUJOWq31PXBIGyzFqhhaDcZd-OEF1J3nMzP0CyhT5X6AqRzh_nVgd4oq26k/s400/cross2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>He is not here; He has risen!</strong></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-23648203041012146572010-03-16T16:41:00.000-04:002010-03-16T16:41:37.713-04:00sweet shot: winter favoriteI'm joining Darcy from <a href="http://www.my3boybarians.com/">Life With My 3 Boybarians</a> for her very first <a href="http://www.my3boybarians.com/2010/03/sweet-shot-day/">Sweet Shot Day</a> by sharing my favorite picture from this winter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcZ-iCTl9GPqYAqzIu0s0oub7ZVxM7K4uknkTYVJyJmSzGjolwO82O9r-mS_mpngFbL5AZgc0sIxw6v7cPi5G67FHEu4PiODgu4oaJ-tnNurAkwqDjudKn_Sa94F74d0ijqLonbDQpuNA/s1600-h/2010+January+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcZ-iCTl9GPqYAqzIu0s0oub7ZVxM7K4uknkTYVJyJmSzGjolwO82O9r-mS_mpngFbL5AZgc0sIxw6v7cPi5G67FHEu4PiODgu4oaJ-tnNurAkwqDjudKn_Sa94F74d0ijqLonbDQpuNA/s320/2010+January+081.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I just absolutely love everything about it (and have left it unedited).</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">To see more Sweet Shots,visit: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://my3boybarians.com/"><img alt="Sweet Shot Day" border="0" height="125" outline="0" src="http://www.my3boybarians.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/sweetshotbutton.png" title="Add your photo to Sweet Shot Dat @ m3b" width="125" /></a></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-21391319551735539682010-03-15T17:14:00.002-04:002010-03-15T17:16:21.262-04:00the end is near...Dear Blogosphere,<br />
<br />
It's the end of the world as we know it. And I feel fine... how about you?<br />
<br />
In the end, it won't have mattered how popular your blog was, how many subscribers you had, or how many times you were retweeted on twitter. It won’t have mattered how many friends you had on Facebook (do you even remember half of your “friends” from high school?) or what your Bejeweled Blitz score was.<br />
<br />
No, what will matter is what is left behind: <br />
<br />
- Yourself. Were you true to yourself? Now that your blog is gone, will people who read it know the real you? Or is there just an image of what you wanted people to think of you left?<br />
<br />
- Your family. Did you represent them well? Did you speak kindly of them? Or were you constantly sharing negative stories and causing people to form opinions of them that aren’t the opinions you’d really like them to have?<br />
<br />
- The relationships you made with people you hadn’t yet met. Are they genuine relationships? Or were they only formed to get you more page hits or to make you feel popular? Did they mean enough to you that you will pick up the phone and talk to them or dare I say write them a letter? Or will you still try to meet them, even if there aren’t any blog conferences left?<br />
<br />
Once the internet is gone, life will go on. Will you be content with what remains? I sure hope I will be. My goal is to be real, with hopefully a little humor thrown in now and then. But since time is ticking, I’ve got to go and print off my blog so it’s not gone forever (oh and play one more game of Bejeweled Blitz…)!<br />
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This post is an entry into <a href="http://www.mabel.ca/">Mabel's Labels</a> <a href="http://www.blogcontest.mabel.ca/">BlogHer '10 Contest</a>. It's based off the hypothetical situation: Electrical storms are going to wipe out the Internet (perhaps forever). You have one day left to write about your passions: what do you want to say to the blogosphere in 300 words or less?punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-19252855635203576352010-02-28T21:40:00.000-05:002010-02-28T21:40:07.225-05:00sunday reflection<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>You're Beautiful</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Phil Wickham</span></div><br />
<br />
I see Your face in every sunrise<br />
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes<br />
The world awakens in the light of the day<br />
I look up to the sky and say<br />
You're beautiful<br />
<br />
I see Your power in the moonlit night<br />
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright<br />
We are amazed in the light of the stars<br />
It's all proclaiming who You are<br />
You're beautiful<br />
<br />
I see You there hanging on a tree<br />
You bled and then You died and then You rose again for me<br />
Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne<br />
Soon we will be coming home<br />
You're beautiful<br />
<br />
When we arrive at eternity's shore<br />
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more<br />
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring<br />
Your bride will come together and we'll sing<br />
You're beautiful<br />
<br />
I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful<br />
<br />
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The lyrics are great, but if you haven't <em>heard</em> this song, you are missing out.punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-1877469975083892212010-02-23T22:18:00.000-05:002010-02-23T22:18:44.409-05:00silver and gold<div align="center"><strong>Make new friends</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>But keep the old</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>One is silver</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>And the other's gold.</strong></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">For anyone who is a former girl scout, sorry for getting that song stuck in your head, but it's been on constant play<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (in a round)</span> in my head for a couple of weeks.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">It all started as I drove away from my bestest friend's house a few weeks ago. It had been far too long since I had seen her. As in, she had a baby four months ago, and I hadn't met the precious little one yet <span style="font-size: x-small;">(yes, I am a bad friend - I'll spare you the excuses)</span>. And even while she was still pregnant, I can't really remember the last time we had any real time together.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">And no, she doesn't live hours and hours away. Just 20 minutes. Sad, isn't it? This is just one of the side effects of life getting in the way. And while I missed her, life was busy for both of us <span style="font-size: x-small;">(see aforementioned new baby for her... see many excuses from me that I'm not mentioning)</span>. But I didn't realize just <strong><em>how much</em></strong> I missed her until I was driving away a few weeks ago and that song popped into my head out of nowhere.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">You just can't replace a great friend. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">I've seen her twice since that first time a few weeks ago. And I'm just amazed at how our time together has been so easy and smooth. It's as if no time at all has passed. It's been wonderful.</div><div align="left"><br />
Just today, after my most recent visit with her, I told my husband how much I realized that our visits together are different than with any other friends. It was a simple visit - Punkin and I went over to her house, so Punkin could continue to get to know her two boys and give hugs to their new little sister and so my friend and I could just chat and catch up. She apologized for not really "stopping" the entire time we were there - she continued doing the tasks that she needed to do - and we gabbed and laughed the whole time. I told her that she didn't need to apologize - I actually think it's great that she's comfortable enough to not feel like she needs to "entertain" me. I just felt at home. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">I love how after all these months, we just fell right back into step with each other, as if we didn't miss a beat. I'm blessed to count her as a friend.</div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-44572779880014510022010-02-21T21:43:00.001-05:002010-02-21T21:43:48.844-05:00sunday reflection; advice neededSorry, no wise words today. No lyrics to favorite worship songs. No scripture or quotes from church.<br />
<br />
I don't have much to reflect upon except that lack of sleep is not good for anyone. <br />
<br />
If anyone has any wise words for <strong><span style="font-size: large;">me</span></strong> about how to get a three-year old to sleep through the night without waking up and walking down to my room over and over and over and over again, I'd love to hear them! Punkin goes to sleep on his own (as in, he knows how to fall asleep on his own), but once he wakes up in the middle of the night, it's like he no longer has that talent. If he does fall asleep quickly after getting back in bed, he typically wakes back up within 30 minutes (at the most) and is back down the hall standing at the side of my bed. When I walk him down again, he gets upset when I leave the room. It's like he doesn't want to be alone. And it's not like he says he's been having bad dreams or anything. I think he just wants to be with Mommy and Daddy. But WHY does he wake up SO MANY TIMES a night? That doesn't seem normal to me. Any advice? Any words of wisdom? Help? <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Oh, just don't tell me to lock him in his room... he'd tear down the door before he let a little lock keep him in.)</span><br />
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P.S. I am <em>loving</em> this season of The Amazing Race! Go Team Jeff & Jordan!punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-84578482941746984362010-02-14T23:16:00.006-05:002010-02-14T23:23:53.368-05:00sunday reflection; valentine's edition<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hosanna</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>by Hillsong</em></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I see the King of glory<br />
Coming on the clouds with fire<br />
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes<br />
I see His love and mercy<br />
Washing over all our sin<br />
The people sing, the people sing<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I see a generation <br />
Rising up to take their place<br />
With selfless faith, with selfless faith<br />
I see a near revival<br />
Stirring as we pray and seek<br />
We're on our knees, we're on our knees<br />
<br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size:115%;">Heal my heart and make it clean<br />
Open up my eyes to the things unseen<br />
Show me how to love like You have loved me<br />
Break my heart for what breaks Yours<br />
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause<br />
As I walk from earth into eternity</span></strong></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-3653156278720224202010-02-01T18:07:00.000-05:002010-02-01T18:07:35.245-05:0028 days of blah...Dear February,<br />
<br />
You are my Husband's least favorite month. You're cold. You're dreary. The lack of sunshine by this part of winter is overbearing. I know you're only 28 days long (most years), but for him, you last an eternity.<br />
<br />
For some reason, he also hates his birthday. Yup, it's in February. I don't understand this hate of the birthday, because starting March 1st, it's "Happy Birthday MONTH" to me! Anyway, he doesn't like his birthday or any attention that it brings. So, what am I supposed to do with that? It's no fun trying to celebrate someone's birthday who doesn't enjoy it. Oh, and this year, his birthday happens to be on Super Bowl Sunday. Typically, I'd say that was a good thing because we can go to a Super Bowl party and spend the day with his friends, with good food, good drinks, and a good game. But no, not this year. See, we're not Colts fans. Shhh... I know we live in Indy. That's part of the problem. Do you know how much media coverage there is about this team? When you're not a fan: It's so annoying. So that doesn't make things better. And given that we're not fans, it's not like we're welcome at anyone's Super Bowl party.<br />
<br />
So, February, let's make a deal. You bring the sunshine and warmer temperatures. And I'll try to get Hubs to even acknowledge your existence. Rather than him turning the calendar directly from January to March. That's right, his calendar is turned to March for two months in a row! Wait a minute... that means Happy Birthday Month(s) to me! Let the celebration begin! Maybe this February-hate isn't such a bad thing, afterall!<br />
<br />
love,<br />
punkinmamapunkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-59499812167926406202010-01-27T21:10:00.000-05:002010-01-27T21:10:11.974-05:00saying it out loudNot too long ago, I posted about wanting to be more <a href="http://moreontheotherside.blogspot.com/2010/01/ch-ch-ch-changes.html">intentional</a> in 2010. I think about this phrase quite a bit every day. Unfortunately, I've come to realize that just thinking about it doesn't make it so. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(If only.) </span><span style="font-size: small;">Guess I need to put together some more concrete areas I need to focus on and come up with some steps to guage my progress.</span><br />
<br />
So, in an effort to create some kind of accountabilty with my <strike>readers</strike> reader, I'm putting it out there and saying it out loud.<br />
<br />
Things to be more intentional about in 2010:<br />
<br />
<strong>Cooking</strong> - Menu Plan. Everyone's doing it - at least that's how it seems on the internet. For some reason, this is very daunting to me, but I'm not sure why. Probably because it's <em>planning</em>. Not something I'm terribly great at.<br />
<br />
<strong>Household Maintenance</strong> - Create a "schedule" that will include daily/weekly tasks that need to be done. Then <strong>DO IT</strong>. (I could also add <strong>Organization</strong> - Figure It Out. I hate being so disorganized.)<br />
<br />
<strong>Blogging</strong> - Do more than just "write posts in my head". Be devoted to spending time at the computer writing, rather than just reading everyone else's blogs.<br />
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<strong>Photography</strong> - Keep doing <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkinmama/sets/72157623032722859/">Project 360</a> - and miss <strong>less</strong> days (oops).<br />
<br />
<strong>Spiritual Life</strong> - Figure out the best plan that speaks to <em>me</em>. Not what everyone else says I <em>should</em> be doing, but what I know helps me grow in my relationship with God. Something I heard at a conference several months ago: "Jesus never journaled.". It's not just something that lets me off the hook, but the point is - don't follow any man-created formula for your relationship with God, but find the thing that works to draw me closer to Him.<br />
<br />
So, there's the start to my list. I know there's much more I could add to it, but for now, I think that's a good start. <br />
<br />
What about you? Anything you know you need to take action on rather than just think about?punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-4998283093668306712010-01-07T21:23:00.006-05:002010-01-28T22:55:54.497-05:00Project 365: 2010I got a new (<strong>awesome</strong>) camera for Christmas from the Hubs. I have a lot to learn about using it, so to help me out, I'm attempting to do Project 365. This means I'm planning to take <span style="font-size:85%;">(at least)</span> one picture a day every day during 2010. I'm sure I'll forget some days, but hopefully, I'll remember more often than not!<br /><br />Anyway, I may not post every picture on the blog, but I do have a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkinmama/">flickr stream </a>where I'm uploading them, so they'll be documented somewhere. <span style="font-size:85%;">(I also hope that taking pictures of our days will inspire me to write more blog posts -- <span style="font-size:78%;">no promises though.</span>)</span><br /><br />While I'm here, I may as well post the ones I have so far, right? Why not?<br /><br />January 1<br /><a title="January 1 2010 by cgh2010, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkinmama/4252531723/"><img height="250" alt="January 1 2010" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4252531723_7fc5276834.jpg" width="167" /></a><br /><br /><br />January 2<br /><a title="January 2 2010 by cgh2010, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkinmama/4252532791/"><img height="167" alt="January 2 2010" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4252532791_121c3065d3.jpg" width="250" /></a><br /><br /><br />January 3<br /><a title="January 3 2010 by cgh2010, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkinmama/4253303350/"><img height="250" alt="January 3 2010" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4253303350_6b35261ece.jpg" width="167" /></a><br /><br /><br />January 4<br /><a title="January 4 2010 by cgh2010, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkinmama/4253303760/"><img height="167" alt="January 4 2010" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4253303760_36e41b0726.jpg" width="250" /></a><br /><br /><br />January 5<br /><a title="January 5 2010 by cgh2010, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkinmama/4253304192/"><img height="167" alt="January 5 2010" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4253304192_798bd6ac6c.jpg" width="250" /></a><br /><br /><br />January 6<br /><a title="January 6 2010 by cgh2010, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkinmama/4252534437/"><img height="167" alt="January 6 2010" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/4252534437_0de2cd0cf1.jpg" width="250" /></a><br /><br /><br />January 7<br /><a title="January 7 2010 by cgh2010, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkinmama/4254890321/"><img height="167" alt="January 7 2010" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4254890321_698a899562.jpg" width="250" /></a><br /><br />These are all untouched photos, by the way. Another goal for 2010 is to get into photo editing!punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-43526130192749753212010-01-01T13:53:00.014-05:002010-01-28T22:55:09.048-05:00ch-ch-ch-changesI've never been a big fan of making resolutions at the start of the new year. To me, resolutions are things you promise to do or not do which you focus on for a few weeks and then as soon as something gets in the way, you leave them by the wayside. Once you break your resolution, there doesn't seem to be any going back. At least that's how it's always been to me.<br /><br />For some reason, though, I've been thinking about the start of 2010 for several weeks now... maybe even months. I feel a strong desire to affect change in my life in 2010. Not that my life isn't great and all, but I know there are things that I could focus more on <span style="font-size:85%;">(or less on)</span> and do more of <span style="font-size:85%;">(or less of)</span>, that would make me a better person.<br /><br />So, I've been making random lists of goals in my mind for awhile. Unfortunately, I haven't written them all down as they've come to me. But an overwhelming theme in all of these goals is to <strong><span style="color:#330033;">Be Intentional</span></strong>.<br /><br />I want to <strong><span style="color:#330033;">Be Intentional</span></strong> in everything I do.<br />- parenting<br />- marriage<br />- friendships<br />- serving God<br />- loving & serving others<br /><br />I am really going to try to focus on <strong><span style="color:#330033;">Being Intentional</span></strong> every day of 2010. To help me keep my focus, I decided to pick a "lifeverse" for 2010. I wanted to pick a scripture that I could think of daily that would remind me of what my overarching goal is for 2010. I actually found several.<br /><br />As I type this, I've settled on the following:<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#330033;">"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." <span style="font-size:85%;">Colossians 3:17</span></span></strong><br /><br />Some of the other scriptures that I'll use as supporting references are:<br /><br /><span style="color:#330033;">"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2<br /><br />"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" <span style="font-size:85%;">Colossians 3:23</span><br /><br />"Therefore, prepare your minds for action" <span style="font-size:85%;">I Peter 1:13</span><br /><br />"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." <span style="font-size:85%;">Romans 12:11</span><br /><br /></span>I'd love to have you join me in picking a "lifeverse" that is meaningful to you for 2010 - one that can inspire and challenge you. I'd love to walk this journey of change together. Please let me know in the comments if you're interested in joining me!<br /><br />Happy 2010! I hope the year is full of Love, Peace, Joy, and <strong><span style="color:#330033;">Change</span></strong>! When you look at me a year from now, I hope you don't see the same person!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">“This post included in Real Life’s </span><a href="http://www.reallifeblog.net/search/label/Your%20Life%20Your%20Blog"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Your Life Your Blog</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">”</span></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-43193503177046683562009-12-30T11:37:00.012-05:002009-12-30T11:58:43.500-05:00Christmas in picturesThis Christmas season was a lot of fun. Punkin really got into the whole Christmas season for really the first time. He wrote his first letter to Santa and left out cookies and water for Santa <span style="font-size:85%;">(yes, water - that's what he said Santa wanted)</span>. Though he didn't want to go to sleep on Christmas Eve <span style="font-size:85%;">(though, that's no different than any other night)</span>, he heard "Santa's sleighbells" during story time, which encouraged him to go to sleep with less trouble <span style="font-size:85%;">(along with the threat that Santa would pass by our house if he was still awake</span> <span style="font-size:78%;">- hey, whatever it takes</span><span style="font-size:85%;">)</span>.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Decorating gingerbread house with Daddy:</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421070951644061938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcad7ziwC38K5a_avlbbs1y8UGrDYh4bv1cmvclMcJSQHaq_MnwXNpcmqga6pY2ocmt2nBOCjjPCgzCd6f0rGNb-efD-UmFgb0LpJrhKB3ZNqJhKi8FPED6eP2Z-Mv9ygmN-cSiIjVs06/s200/DSC05350.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421071069545775618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsEvV8ahu64pZV09dYxDMuRycPxCji_Q-Jw0s6z60GCqehZsC4mcehmKRnW_076ikaLaDq9wHA_TXni8ompiEdaOz57v0VGeK62O4ao78PSE7XTD6jmE5lCiTyglwdFKkgNoGcyd6LsEc/s200/DSC05354.JPG" border="0" /><br />Oh Christmas Tree:</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421071466580774786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf97ICWP0Tby19XNfxHRaHPAezuHijs53NM-GMEmEmbYg4RkY6AX7cGPrA7C_Ek3cEw_ui4qdUt8UkoPiIdc6HBc0uz99Hsntq0dY_1s1JX7GwLsEA4jZDWENjXOP1xP5BOrAaawv-G5A/s200/DSC05357.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>The Stockings Were Hung:</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421071696562128418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil66eGVS1wbJ9aWI2T2iCWaCeiyu21CPjHOPEzRnsevnJQXDZF3HPdDdbky9mVdecY2iTFDk-MATr62VKn2ISXSHRnG8hZoUfRGti1lXX8faHldYZG08Z75jtcnctdfseXNDsxrlWVXeZ8/s200/DSC05362.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Santa's Message to Punkin:</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421071943297114962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0jc30J4oJ464R-Y3baoNNYWAHt0_FhNyO7msZRbG1MnWYE_JieYy-63PPZCmlY7w_-SFj_zS8goqYmAf7bmF-8HHf1I34JLLBNii_Q2EpRaBESOAebRo-5aQKlwUh7W7DitnG3qpfM1h/s200/DSC05361.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Merry Christmas Punkin!</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421072224494585826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7bFAtJ5cm1Yk8G3u_8n-71_uu5OZt-P-JFWp9Q_NT2xl7yy7xNmoDNsLO56MiNB3vAY-vNNVySOK_mhJ_MwkE1RRD8gdjqzan-4nZixvYVnus0Cmse3yK9amBUz1gfXAXl01P98y6FwM/s200/DSC05364+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Merry Christmas Papou!</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421072793299346242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-htyZJgihXfFwWbpKl_6O85m0lf5XcaW43hUju5nNELEU22-Q0KkIyj-c-81Wr0WT9hogMqf8T2DgafRgaxt0FmlvufkKn3AkFiKfDJPheEKm4bmqu1QxJJMj0m5ye0uE0YBMtmAn5O9/s200/2009+12+December+2+071.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Ooohhh...</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421073374194092450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJRKa7bq81WjZTqYsUX80w1Ab-JYE0QuUV6UOUb39MXiLcBYMiwIsoz6CyqLSnC5B0p9cMh7l45KrGSqVbkN76yTXb9Kc6VL0lpqwyDp3CFHkRATf9Ol1H_gVD83FgY4Ytmh8Z2ri8amr/s200/2009+12+December+2+123.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Merry Christmas Great Grandma!</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421073804500713682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5QYE7KDsi45gM5uDIUC83zSRiqj2qFf5TnJjK8H4Mdc6jaBQU2R-7VhQwP4M3VmXs3inFBUVehichz9oFlNn5fhz2dazf0P9S5bguWOpFrTkkfRMKNLoJ4zr8ihXLKqpS0apOo-W2IQ0/s200/2009+12+December+2+154.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Merry Christmas Everyone!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-42734168725761663362009-12-25T00:01:00.001-05:002010-01-28T22:56:09.349-05:00merry christmas<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinYQF6TVc9NfNbIJhyphenhyphenNTCh7xWupowtl62Uulu4SvNFCNJfnQcfogLl8pMYPWHJoE0njUdqmCfa8mOLHccFrQeBr0T0uj27XqBdBjpGCliJ_1Sat5S13X7zDA7EJNLqzgc2IErtwlv23lt/s1600-h/christmas.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419007966990863058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinYQF6TVc9NfNbIJhyphenhyphenNTCh7xWupowtl62Uulu4SvNFCNJfnQcfogLl8pMYPWHJoE0njUdqmCfa8mOLHccFrQeBr0T0uj27XqBdBjpGCliJ_1Sat5S13X7zDA7EJNLqzgc2IErtwlv23lt/s320/christmas.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." <span style="font-size:85%;">Luke 2:11</span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><p><br />Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. May you be surrounded by love, joy, and peace today and always.</span></p></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-37352305824708041332009-12-13T09:01:00.005-05:002009-12-13T09:41:35.783-05:00ketchup, catsup, catch-up<div>Wow, it's been a month and a half since I posted anything. I know I've never been a "regular" poster, but this is ridiculous.</div><br /><br /><p>Hopefully, over the next few days I can add some posts that provide more details on what's been going on here.<br /><br /><p>I still need to post some pictures of Punkin's <a href="http://moreontheotherside.blogspot.com/2009/09/three.html">new big boy room </a>that I referenced a couple of months ago. He's enjoying it, though having him out of the crib definitely presents some challenges. Getting him to go to sleep easily has been a struggle, as he often has to "go potty" - like 3 or 4 times within a 20 minute period, but we're working on it.<br /><br /><p>Speaking of "going potty", Punkin is thisclose to being fully potty trained <span style="font-size:85%;">(knock on wood)</span>. He is a champ in big boy underwear all day long. Our biggest issue is going #2. He's not a fan of doing that on the potty. I'm not a fan of him doing that in his underwear. He's still wearing pull-ups at night, so thankfully, he occassionally chooses to wait until then to do #2. But he's definitely not as "regular" as before, I'm sure because he's holding it in. But recently we've had some success with #2 on the potty, so hopefully that will continue. You'd think Punkin figured out how to create world peace with the celebrations we have around here when he does #2 on the potty. Miraculously, Punkin is usually dry in the mornings too. I thought that would be our biggest potty training issue - I've heard stories of boys not being dry through the night until around 5! So, I'm very thankful that he's doing that so well <span style="font-size:85%;">(knock on wood)</span>.<br /><br /><p>Okay, now that you know more about Punkin's potty habits than you ever wanted to...<br /><br /><p>Punkin also started preschool in November. He goes 3 days a week, all day. Punkin was in daycare from about 4 months until about March of this year. At that time, we pulled him out and shared a sitter with another family who had 2 boys. That was a great time for Punkin and the other boys. They really became good friends. Unfortunately, that family is moving to Pennsylvania, so we had to find another solution. While the sitter was great in helping Punkin try new foods (that's a whole other post), I also think it was a good time to find something with more structure and more learning opportunities. I was blessed to come across <a href="http://www.primroseschools.com/">Primrose Schools</a>. I was not aware of them previously, but I can't say enough good things about them. If you're considering a full-day option for your kids, I would highly recommend them. When I picked up Punkin after his first day, I asked him what his favorite thing was. He said, "EVERYTHING!" and proceeded to tell that to everyone we walked by. He's done some cute crafts as well. <br /><br /><div>Here's a picture of one of my favorites. </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sQTnzxFKW_rWdYp9yqAcQM34H9P_1gn9YP1K9towdd_vuKf70VxaPbF9va-QSaFV4yrryIZbFAGsp6infVLf_L7pZb8btdc6UJrEwXDhJdj9GTDGA4H6Bs8yhEqYO35D4pTbNvr4YtZ6/s1600-h/DSC05298.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sQTnzxFKW_rWdYp9yqAcQM34H9P_1gn9YP1K9towdd_vuKf70VxaPbF9va-QSaFV4yrryIZbFAGsp6infVLf_L7pZb8btdc6UJrEwXDhJdj9GTDGA4H6Bs8yhEqYO35D4pTbNvr4YtZ6/s320/DSC05298.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414729056648359010" /></a><br /><br /><div><br />It was done around Thanksgiving. It's a turkey made from an apple, fruit loops, orange slices, and marshmallows. So creative and so cute.</div><br /><br /><div>So, anyway, I'm sure there's a million other things I've left out<span style="font-size:78%;"> (like how Punkin got the flu after 1 week of preschool)</span>, but my brain can't think of anything else right now. My hope is that I will do a much better job of updating this blog. Because I kinda miss it.</div><br /><br /><div>Hope you are all doing well. Leave me a comment letting me know you're still out there!<br /></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-45586488882719853032009-10-25T19:07:00.002-04:002009-10-25T19:25:06.145-04:00sunday reflection<span style="font-size:85%;">Random things heard in church this morning. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm posting them here, so I don't forget them. Hopefully, I'll come back to them and think of them often.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">He doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called.<br /><br /><br />It is great, if God is in it.<br />Little is much, when God is in it.<br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br />Being attentive to the words & life of Jesus is absolutely <strong>necessary</strong> if you hope to get better at reaching out to others.<br />If we are going to go and DO, then we have to lay our burdens down and sit at the feet of Jesus.<br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br />Be ready, because a few moments alone with Jesus and you'll be off on a new adventure.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Choose what is better.</strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-34816235041749368692009-10-18T22:12:00.005-04:002009-10-23T21:16:21.768-04:00giveaway: harry connick jr, your songs** UPDATE: The contest is now closed. **<br /><br />Who doesn't love a little Harry Connick Jr? That man can sing!<br /><br /><br />His newest album, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Songs-Harry-Connick-Jr/dp/B002DYJAJ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1255918976&sr=8-1">Your Songs</a></em>, is a mix of cover versions that he sings with a full jazz big band and string orchestra.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394134268840706962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXDWr5k8SLvhYgyWRXc-DCGCqUKgQ5Q2lTBpreeZOT96dTiOupgJa5TU2i2vK1H4WjJXueSXymZ13MZP3KkJcK8_yLmc4vu-Nu-Ol-t3Zv_dkGAlLgYRUGYPwxUhNxGIAX9z1M0176HVA/s320/harryconnickjrcd.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here's the track list:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">- All The Way<br />- Just The Way You Are<br />- Can’t Help Falling In Love With You<br />- And I Love Her </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">- (They Long To Be) Close To You<br />- Besame Mucho (Kiss Me Much)<br />- The Way You Look Tonight<br />- First Time Ever I Saw Your Face<br />- Your Song<br />- Some Enchanted Evening<br />- And I Love You So </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">- Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)<br />- Smile<br />- Mona Lisa</span><br /><br /><br />Harry's voice is unmistakable. This CD took me straight back to high school <span style="font-size:78%;">(the good part of high school, anyway)</span>.<br /><br /><br />If you'd like a little Harry to enjoy for yourself, leave a comment below letting me know.<br /><br /><br />For an extra entry, follow me on twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/punkinmama">@punkinmama </a>and tweet about this giveaway. Leave a comment below, with the link to your tweet.<br /><br /><br />For another entry, subscribe to my blog in an RSS reader, and leave another comment letting me know.<br /><br /><br />The giveaway will end Friday night, October 23, around 8 pm EST (or whenever I get around to closing comments and picking a winner).<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Thanks to One to One Network for providing me with the CD for my listening pleasure, as well as the CD for the giveaway. The above post is based on my own thoughts and is not influenced by the sponsor.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-1347145087039890832009-09-27T17:48:00.014-04:002009-09-28T10:49:10.490-04:00three<div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386327677812034402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UXcYe7-y64fiSC1MmPAN4DxpX996YK7FZLeJjWxz8Jb2dOKuM0AohfQBGFSf-lb-SG0r8zFstP48cHawNlSTwxCBZEn-qiQnJ1QY-to92CLBAn6UAbTctOcV0a_St33e0mhAV_temkBW/s320/DSC02420.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="font-size:85%;">September 2006</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WK6R0V5be3JaJRyS-Lx9_LTJILt6mqRPzFOXVyYJSm7tTViTttOdGZbPObej14aPqQSgmffSU0FSa40yU3Uh-IdKEj7TzO5rMt18pGSyPIhn3zA3wz2EOrvu-1AXfJMget0lEFk1d-pN/s1600-h/DSC03291.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386330678752244562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WK6R0V5be3JaJRyS-Lx9_LTJILt6mqRPzFOXVyYJSm7tTViTttOdGZbPObej14aPqQSgmffSU0FSa40yU3Uh-IdKEj7TzO5rMt18pGSyPIhn3zA3wz2EOrvu-1AXfJMget0lEFk1d-pN/s320/DSC03291.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">2007</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyIEHtb59u8vU5acrTJ2qyqQfA_2Kxu47dUOMC7uXeUFERT12vn2cMKkimnVM-xOzkPbyP_GZW_GMix8ML07XHOVfWdKJ4AiBP3Aq2ActRvcfyOa9S_43Uvr7Lc3bPZ_aZEUdK2t8oUau/s1600-h/DSC04269.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386333528285168274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyIEHtb59u8vU5acrTJ2qyqQfA_2Kxu47dUOMC7uXeUFERT12vn2cMKkimnVM-xOzkPbyP_GZW_GMix8ML07XHOVfWdKJ4AiBP3Aq2ActRvcfyOa9S_43Uvr7Lc3bPZ_aZEUdK2t8oUau/s320/DSC04269.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">2008</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYKCgvyI9veh43CGbVgcuStIuG9d3-_7EWxHNkskeCshY7m_vEFfspPWWKPmeSbwC_22Stj26thiZrFfhzykwk-4dZZCWm84k6LZJKQK4ONS6zcsc5Z0hDSPOHmjeq0EpF32X9wyPrU0g/s1600-h/DSC05214+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386337283302070818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYKCgvyI9veh43CGbVgcuStIuG9d3-_7EWxHNkskeCshY7m_vEFfspPWWKPmeSbwC_22Stj26thiZrFfhzykwk-4dZZCWm84k6LZJKQK4ONS6zcsc5Z0hDSPOHmjeq0EpF32X9wyPrU0g/s320/DSC05214+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">2009</span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="left">Punkin has turned into a Big Boy overnight. On the morning he turned 3, he refused to even consider wearing a diaper. Unfortunately, the desire to pee on the potty didn't coinside... Buy stock in Pull-ups <span style="font-size:78%;">(you heard it here first)</span> , because I think he'll be living in them forever. They're the only thing he'll allow us to put on him. Somehow, the Pull-up equals big boy underwear in his mind. And he is suddenly afraid of the potty. Given the other things he's accomplished, I think I'm going to have to just let this one go... for now...</div><br /><div align="left">Punkin also moved into his new Big Boy Room <span style="font-size:78%;">(another post to come)</span> on his birthday. This included sleeping in a Big Boy Bed for the first time. I'm proud to say that it went very well. I did sing him to sleep <span style="font-size:78%;">(which I actually enjoyed... shhh... don't tell *him* that)</span>. The other unbelievable feat is that he didn't even ask for his paci one time. I had dreaded the "no more pacis" and anticipated a few nights of major crying before Punkin would sleep without it. Even though he had been telling me for weeks that turning 3 meant "no more pacis", I really expected some major withdrawals. I don't want to jinx it, but he's gone to bed the first night and taken a nap in his new room without even mentioning the word paci. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that in a few days, he doesn't suddenly bring it up and cry over it. (So, it's now 10:30 and Punkin is still awake... calling out every few minutes... he's not asking for his paci, but he's also not sleeping. <span style="font-size:78%;">How bad is it that I want to just give it to him so he'll fall asleep faster? )</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">He really is turning into such a big boy. But he'll always be <em>my</em> baby.<br /><br />Happy Birthday Punkin! I love you more than you'll ever know!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I've added this post to Real Life's </span><a href="http://www.reallifeblog.net/search/label/Your%20Life%20Your%20Blog"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Your Life Your Blog"</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">. You can read more great posts there.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-25756150367698170322009-07-22T13:52:00.007-04:002009-07-22T14:23:18.180-04:00wordless wednesday: camera play<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ3TwI7jTOJgo7ah_ZO9JW-0HLFVVL4tEHA9rzMR_nukVhKyaXhoVXOvASu3M3dCgRxvJeYAeJUg6Uvm2yQhSOB9o6F8N1ELJe38arcUb-vKQmaSbWhWmNffwv9H3QA43exxCF6_j0xhy/s1600-h/sam+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361348602095247666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 376px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ3TwI7jTOJgo7ah_ZO9JW-0HLFVVL4tEHA9rzMR_nukVhKyaXhoVXOvASu3M3dCgRxvJeYAeJUg6Uvm2yQhSOB9o6F8N1ELJe38arcUb-vKQmaSbWhWmNffwv9H3QA43exxCF6_j0xhy/s400/sam+3.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0jYRKZ4Ahxjy67L0tFq_oW4UxE-pGI8reTjZzWEGmU796hWImG6fveupy-bvK8NuLoJW4h21CVXDyOcIaXpo_wy8PZfdvYJAakcnrC4Ny-lfYy7X_UwHvejXc9j3YnZ-A-ijK16iCbdM/s1600-h/sam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361343938418786114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0jYRKZ4Ahxjy67L0tFq_oW4UxE-pGI8reTjZzWEGmU796hWImG6fveupy-bvK8NuLoJW4h21CVXDyOcIaXpo_wy8PZfdvYJAakcnrC4Ny-lfYy7X_UwHvejXc9j3YnZ-A-ijK16iCbdM/s400/sam.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361347374538769826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1zuoHcR3s5U7IUigL_Wq-zXSgys5f-PYtW07jFXDTy9-1lkWCPTM2Qt8Bueu5obSYAV7uEq97Vbah92aTLzI-Wkd-EoJE907DjGRV9-nVRYcj-R4XH1mHnMb42-NVhwz3nKKL5GJzep9/s400/sam+2.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361350330785120914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ryR5OqjjcYFfNlJYIBNlx54fU-Tdtwk1QeN2P0kb89zhZcnDfJSWQi4jDZesekL8nkXYj9T893yjsp6JG3-BUNB_5ox7Bv-CyKL9T-4UYJ3KMqk5jHr5lcl_aUcqgTv8zeuSqGZrCrtU/s400/sam+4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">If you haven't tried </span><a href="http://picnik.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">picnik.com</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, you should!</span><br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-32416679669741839362009-07-08T09:45:00.006-04:002009-07-08T14:56:36.684-04:00wordless wednesday: pool time surpriseFirst day at the pool this summer. Punkin was all smiles.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8PXyaDR1Y14jCPL1VB3mZPIaKvxQ_VwITUMkhj_44engelgK7SZjzO0hjHR8hcn2C9Pg5Yoz2ASeB-nDqT0XSd1befvwH_CUbgA47DCR9Qp8BtTYhkiMCCC5Fg0abuuDijk0AnVEn4IY/s1600-h/DSC04814.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356085495867265906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8PXyaDR1Y14jCPL1VB3mZPIaKvxQ_VwITUMkhj_44engelgK7SZjzO0hjHR8hcn2C9Pg5Yoz2ASeB-nDqT0XSd1befvwH_CUbgA47DCR9Qp8BtTYhkiMCCC5Fg0abuuDijk0AnVEn4IY/s320/DSC04814.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Weeks later when I finally was reviewing the pictures I'd taken, I came across this picture. I do not remember taking it or Punkin sticking his tongue out, but I thought it was so cute!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdm7nMdbiLgg4Xi47GX6vQRgkG4f3PssORHKRMlT5nrYktIlxEwRQFrNOT7vhb7JXAzgqQ43QMCsT7e7ZOsAdrTOmx2IwSVb9dDAltoHVpxOMUcPH9ntwAAv4izV9-r1tKmVLMuH_GnV3/s1600-h/DSC04815.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356085503708628962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdm7nMdbiLgg4Xi47GX6vQRgkG4f3PssORHKRMlT5nrYktIlxEwRQFrNOT7vhb7JXAzgqQ43QMCsT7e7ZOsAdrTOmx2IwSVb9dDAltoHVpxOMUcPH9ntwAAv4izV9-r1tKmVLMuH_GnV3/s320/DSC04815.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Find more Wordless Wednesday posts at </span><a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/6585/wordless-wednesday-my-sleeping-girls/"><span style="font-size:85%;">5 Minutes for Mom</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(No, I have no idea why it's "wordless" when everyone adds words.)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-79140346676402924332009-06-21T15:33:00.003-04:002009-06-21T15:57:37.190-04:00happy father's day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhJu0AL_Nfw0TXooBxSDCv33hHGrXUFoC7Hrp8fUefZmSyToHjhDyOfc0hosPTA44lu7OxI9216_Uvpsonzq9-I3IxcE3-fzSN5NKr-ZFBZ_HA5ceo_JuDqAsrCvNrPfb8zsZGdWLnXGB/s1600-h/MAINcropped_Mosaic.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349866708307252466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhJu0AL_Nfw0TXooBxSDCv33hHGrXUFoC7Hrp8fUefZmSyToHjhDyOfc0hosPTA44lu7OxI9216_Uvpsonzq9-I3IxcE3-fzSN5NKr-ZFBZ_HA5ceo_JuDqAsrCvNrPfb8zsZGdWLnXGB/s320/MAINcropped_Mosaic.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The Hubs is an amazing father. He is so involved with Punkin and takes responsibility for so many things that other husbands just assume that their wives will <span style="font-size:70%;">(or should*)</span> handle. I can't really express how much I appreciate him. I hope he has some idea of the huge help that he is to me. I know I wouldn't be the wife and mother I am without him.</div><div><br /><p><p><span style="font-size:70%;">*Don't get me started!</span> </p><p></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Picture thanks to queenofhaddock at </span><a href="http://theiveyleague.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Ivey League</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">. I won her giveaway for a free mosaic. If you've not visited her site, check it out!</span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-53265084550991525172009-06-05T23:17:00.003-04:002009-06-08T19:25:57.441-04:00shrink itOkay, so I've officially joined <a href="http://shrinkingjeans.net/">The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans</a> for their Shrinking Days of Summer Challenge. <p><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.shrinkingjeans.net');" href="http://www.shrinkingjeans.net/" target="_blank"><img alt="Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans" src="http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo145/rubyandroja/Shrinking%20Jeans/SDOS2.png" border="0" /></a></p><p><br />I am in serious need of motivation, so I'm hoping this challenge, in it's group format, will be just what I need.<br /><br />One way I hope to be able to shrink is by exercising <s>more</s> at all. I recently got the EA Sports Active for the Wii and have started the 30 Day Challenge. I haven't exercised in so long I almost forgot what it felt like to sweat so much! I've only done two days of the challenge so far, but man, it's kicking my butt! I'm so sore today, it's ridiculous. But it's a good sore.<br /><br />I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing and how my team (<span style="color:#cc66cc;">Team Violet</span>) is doing in the challenge.</p><p><span style="font-size:78%;">This post has been included in Real Life's </span><a style="COLOR: rgb(108,0,95); TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.reallifeblog.net/search/label/Your%20Life%20Your%20Blog"><span style="font-size:78%;">Your Life Your Blog</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-83486195859483321272009-05-26T14:24:00.011-04:002009-05-26T15:40:18.132-04:00show and tell: messyThis post is my first contribution to <a href="http://momsmarbles.com/2009/05/show-messy.html">Mom's Marble's</a> new "Show and Tell" feature. Go check it out and play along! <span style="font-size:78%;">(Though it may not be 100% what they're going for, I wanted to participate -and encourage you to as well- and hope to do so more in the future.)</span><br /><br />As some of you know, Punkin has "issues" with food - especially certain textures. He's also not a fan of trying new things most of the time. Whenever he does try something new, I get super excited. We do our best to get him to try new things/textures, even if it means we're "forcing" him to eat ice cream or other yummy (though nutritionally devoid) items. <span style="font-size:85%;">(We're so <strong>mean</strong>!)<br /><br /></span>Here's his first experience with pudding.<br /><br />Not too sure:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyJjt9FoZIvAvLwEIXdYYgoiKzfA6ojFMHn1iytKPxhyPO8TbB6hAlLJ5hTJfywQuLFAVI1xEV89AfKko763uGiBFacW0ZfZW1JLW9VEL5L37VkeRq9yNTMKj_oCocZvPulN9U3h9r6fS/s1600-h/DSC04588.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340201550884249330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyJjt9FoZIvAvLwEIXdYYgoiKzfA6ojFMHn1iytKPxhyPO8TbB6hAlLJ5hTJfywQuLFAVI1xEV89AfKko763uGiBFacW0ZfZW1JLW9VEL5L37VkeRq9yNTMKj_oCocZvPulN9U3h9r6fS/s320/DSC04588.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hmmm... this might not be too bad:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPlpi1nJBpGmILhf924WiSqlCVIe7tObiulKyWEC_lpJ73ZUXawnjoxD46iu-IWuBFxilaZGAKmXaY7TV8_yHf1cGRalqOWWI1_afGEYBRO6w5ITha_TRCp97F8Bl4ADhW5lkIw9FloNX/s1600-h/DSC04591.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-U1c-xufmo2ejSdnnD99XM1lTbZO3Qt7rB80QwcsJSqf83ZGKM9yk2o7KF1mgdnReyU-EhFV6PyFo8CgAnoY5ZrtrX82Bfh72FL46DskOBqLKeySjYdanT622HicTGBQWP6etcmVeXfD/s1600-h/DSC04584.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340201554963902066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-U1c-xufmo2ejSdnnD99XM1lTbZO3Qt7rB80QwcsJSqf83ZGKM9yk2o7KF1mgdnReyU-EhFV6PyFo8CgAnoY5ZrtrX82Bfh72FL46DskOBqLKeySjYdanT622HicTGBQWP6etcmVeXfD/s320/DSC04584.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Pudding is awesome (and MESSY):<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzK97KoZUEOdqLaIH65UeOtJIVEl3O6eSL806_aUrsczUq0x2SOi0TXjXwNP_SLmWt7bWjFMXbG013qgXrMIsnaVjVuQoMn6o7F1P1PZheROXCsL3Z9UvRz65eZtOazsvnRkTJM6AVZva/s1600-h/DSC04591.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340202356247878642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzK97KoZUEOdqLaIH65UeOtJIVEl3O6eSL806_aUrsczUq0x2SOi0TXjXwNP_SLmWt7bWjFMXbG013qgXrMIsnaVjVuQoMn6o7F1P1PZheROXCsL3Z9UvRz65eZtOazsvnRkTJM6AVZva/s320/DSC04591.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Having that mess on his face is quite an accomplishment. Though he did demand its removal within .5 seconds of the picture being taken!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.momsmarbles.com/2009/05/get-ready-for-show-and-tell.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJEE5whb_9Ioy5iDFtXtgLnfJCxV1ojo4cfaqT2RFSEUlFsVNWbQXGvxgLpRpjOGS4z-r4Lm21l24ivAh5Ymaf4LbCNfE65gFRol3LLRrxW4Jx-2VHwKx-1c7JEdEcfRAWn1f5pKL_vWa/s880-r/show&tell.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914555589954926032.post-13058553895563144252009-05-06T22:50:00.005-04:002009-05-06T23:24:15.230-04:00i...<span style="font-size:130%;">I hate:</span><br /><ul><li>when I yell at Punkin</li><li>that I feel like sometimes the only way Punkin hears me is if I yell</li><li>that when I make dinner <span style="font-size:85%;">(which is a rarity)</span> I expect applause and cheers and a parade thrown in my honor</li><li>when I make dinner <span style="font-size:85%;">(which is a rarity)</span> but it doesn't turn out how I hoped</li><li>that I'm disorganized and can't seem to hold on to the motivation to do much about it</li><li>that middle school doesn't feel so far away some days when I wonder if people like me</li><li>that this list has become self-indulgent and whiny</li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I love:</span></p><ul><li>that I'm married to the most wonderful man in the world</li><li>that Punkin loves to talk and ask questions (even if it is "why?" every 3 seconds)</li><li>Punkin's toes. Seriously, they're the only toes I've ever not thought were completely and utterly disgusting</li><li>that my relationships with my brothers have grown as we've all gotten older</li><li>that I'm actually looking forward to the day my parents move to the same town as me</li><li>that I've been blessed by the friendships of great women from my moms group</li><li>that God is faithful and loves me unconditionally</li><li>that this list makes the first list seem so <span style="font-size:78%;">small</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;">What about <strong>you</strong>? What makes your lists?</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7