Monday, May 30, 2011

Girls Night!

After we all went to the baptism service at Real Life Church tonight, The Hubs went to a friend's bachelor party (when I say bachelor party, I mean out to eat with a bunch of guys from our church family). With it being just Bunny and me in the house this evening, we had ourselves a girls' night. It wasn't all that different from any other night, we just added a little girly fun to it.

Ingredients to a girly girls' night:
  • Music ~ In this case, we made our own (Bunny is getting pretty good at singing)
  • Bubble Baths ~ We use Suave Kids' Naturals Head To Toe Wash in Soothing Lavender
  • Extra Pampering ~ A nice massage before dressing for bed, or a special pair of pjs
  • Pink ~ Pink Piggy Painted toes rock for both Bunny and me
  • Snuggles ~ Stay up a few minutes later just hanging out snuggling
There are no limits to girls' night. It can be as fun as you are willing to make it. Just relax and remember that you can always fall back on your normal routine if needed.


Bunny singing The Beatles in the bath tub:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=118824304869362&comments


Friday, May 27, 2011

These Moments

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. Photos - no words - capturing moments from the week. Simple, special, extraordinary moments. Moments I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moments' in the comments for all to find and see.





A Picnic In The Park


Yesterday, we went for a picnic. The Hubs made sandwiches and packed a picnic basket. He is just awesome like that. I got Bunny dressed and ready to go. After we stopped at the store to buy a watermelon, we drove just a few miles down the road to Jackson's Mill. One of my favorite places.




We walked the trail util we found a cool shady spot in the woods. Bunny wasn't really sure what was going on, but her eyes light up when she saw the watermelon. The Hubs sliced it and I got out the sandwiches.




I think Bunny ate her weight in watermelon.
I had to take her shirt off after the first few bites.



When we were finished eating, we cleaned up and went down to feed the fish and geese.
Bunny completely understood the idea and didn't even try to eat the fish food!




Bunny and I picked up a brochure and had one of our first homeschool lessons.




Then we took the self guided tour of the farmstead where General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson grew up.

It was an amazing family evening.
I can't wait to do it again soon!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

My Proverbs 31

 10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of real value. 12 She brings trys to bring him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar Kroger, Walmart, and The Bulk Food Store. 15 She gets up while it is still night, so she can get on Facebook; she provides food for her family unless her mama cooks and portions for her female servants.16 She considers a field and buys it garden boxes and has her husband build them; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard peas. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks her arms get tired18 She sees that her trading is could be profitable, and her lamp does not go out until late at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff crochet hook and grasps the spindle yarn with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor children and extends her hands to the needy other mamas. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple jeans and t-shirts. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate gas well, where he takes his seat among the elders well tenders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments playsilks and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes children with toys. 25 She is clothed with tries to show strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with the wisdom of her mama,and faithful instruction to her sisters is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed Mama, Fee, and Hanny; her husband also, and he praises her: 29Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. You are a great wife and mama30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city Heaven's gate.

Now, if this were only true all the time... ;)

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Bunny's BFF

(You don't have to watch this video. It is simply for listening purposes.)


To have a loving relationship with a sister...  



Is to have a soul mate for life.
~Victoria Secunda




Friends are relatives you make for yourself. 
~Eustache Deschamps

  

How do people make it through life without a sister? 
~Sara Corpening



The language of friendship is not words but meanings. 
~Henry David Thoreau




Is not a kiss the very autograph of love? 
~Henry Finck



Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood. 
 ~Louisa May Alcott



Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life! 
~Albert Einstein




A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart. 
~Heather Pryor

Sunshine is my quest. 
~Winston Churchill


Strawberry Season

 

Bunny slept late this afternoon. So, knowing that she would have a later bedtime, we decided to go to the Strawberry Festival!


















We took my sister, Katie, who Bunny adores.

Pointing to the giant smurf that was hanging above us.
Drinking her first ever sip of frozen strawberry lemonade.
She kept wanting more so we gave her icewater with a straw instead.
She was just as happy with that.


The Hubs playing a bottle breaking game.



Singing nuns.


When we got home, The Hubs had a headache, so he went to lay down.
Katie and I took Bunny outside.




We crossed the bridge...

And went to Poppaw's garden.




Bunny gobbled up the few strawberries we could find.




On the way back, we stopped to take some pictures in the field
(more of those to come in another post).



It was an awesome day and an awesome kickoff to strawberry season!

Friday, May 20, 2011

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

On That Note

So, I have a confession to make.

I, Hannah White, am an addict.

For as long as I can remember, I have been addicted to notebooks.

No joke, I am serious.

It all started when I was trying to hide my diary from my six younger siblings. I had three or four notebooks that I rotated through. I would hide each of them in a different place. So even if one was found, it would not contain all of my secrets.

This habit stuck with me and it has gotten a bit out of hand. Though I no longer hide them from little prying eyes, I still work out of several notebooks at a time.



These are just the ones I found in my living room!

TEN!


This is not even counting the ones from my bedroom, my bathroom (hey maybe that is where I wrote down the thing I was looking for), my purse, my kitchen, and  the ones that I have at Mama's house!

There is no rhyme or reason to my notebook system. I just pick up a notebook and write. Some of them are completely full, while others may have only a few pages taken up with my ramblings and thoughts. Some notebooks contain songs that I have written, while other have to do lists that I have made.

I am taking steps to fight my addiction, but it is a slow strenuous process.










Monday, May 16, 2011

These Boots Were Made For Walking

Bunny is officially walking!

Today while we were all eating snack and getting ready to go outside, she picked up a pair of rain boots by the handles and took off walking. My nephew, Monkey, was the one who noticed first. He said, "Fee, look at your baby!" I looked, and there she was a boot in each hand, walking. She crossed the whole family room and came into the kitchen where she was greeted by an applause from everyone in the room. She then smiled, turned around, and walked all the way back.


She has taken steps before, but this was the first actual walking long ditance.


Ever since then, she has been walking almost as much as she crawls.

 She is now a toddler.

Sigh...

Good thing that she is still a baby too.




I love my little big girl!
 

Shift Happens

(You don't have to watch the video. It is simply for listening purposes.)

Around here, Mondays are always a bit hectic. Even a bit manic. Everyone is overly tired and most of the children are cranky. We generally follow a rhythm that best works with our daycare. But on Mondays (and occasionally other days), so many are ready for nap time that we call a SHIFT!

Calling a shift is kinda like an calling an audible. We realize that this is not working and we make a change in the middle of our rhythm. We shift lunch time up 30 minutes. This shift can happen slowly over the duration of many of our activities, or we can call shift and suddenly be 30 minutes ahead of where we were. We have learned that, as long as we still do all of our normal things in our normal order, no body notices the shift in time. We eat lunch at 11:30 instead of 12:00 and head off for naps at 12:00 instead of 12:30. The odd thing is that the children normally sleep just as late as any other day. This only confirms our theory that they were overly tired and need a nap.

We all have rough days (especially Mondays) and need to shift things a bit. It doesn't mean that we are doing something wrong. It just means that, sometimes, shift happens.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

I Wasn't Me Before You

By: Kyle and Hannah White

Before I found You,
Life was all crazy and out of control.
Before I met You,
I was lost and all alone.
Before I knew You,
There was an emptiness down in my soul.
Before I loved You,
My heart wasn’t really whole!

You were waiting for me to come around.
For my hands to fold and my head to bow.
Back then I tried to ignore You.
Now I know that I adore You.
You teach me to live and You teach me to love.
You’ll be waiting for me in heaven above.
I don’t know a lot but I know this is true,
I wasn’t me before You!

Now that I’ve found You,
A weight has been lifted off of my chest.
Now that I’ve met You,
You’ve helped me clean up my big mess.
Now that I know You,
I can’t wait to learn the rest.
Now that I love You,
You make me want to be my best!

You were waiting for me to come around.
For my hands to fold and my head to bow.
Back then I tried to ignore You.
Now I know that I adore You.
You teach me to live and You teach me to love.
You’ll be waiting for me in heaven above.
I don’t know a lot but I know this is true,
I wasn’t me before You!

Before You,
I was drowning in an endless sea.
Before You,
I never knew a victory.
Before You,
I couldn’t even breath.
Before You,
I wasn’t even me!

You were waiting for me to come around.
For my hands to fold and my head to bow.
Back then I tried to ignore You.
Now I know that I adore You.
You teach me to live and You teach me to love.
You’ll be waiting for me in heaven above.
I don’t know a lot but I know this is true,
I wasn’t me before You!
Yes, I know I wasn't me before You!
Jesus, I wasn't me before You!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Bunny has been waking up a bit at night. I mean she has always waken up at night to nurse or for a diaper change. But now she has been waking up and wanting to stay up. I am sure it is molars. Deep down I know it is much harder on her than it is on me. But when we are in the midst of a crying, rocking, nursing, fussing, hour long battle to go back to sleep, it is hard on me too. It can be so frustrating for Bunny to be in pain when there is nothing I can do to fix it. All I can do is what I have been doing: Nurse pat, rock, nurse, pat, repeat. I have googled different ways to help her sleep, and I have found that a sippy cup of water sometimes helps her (especially when I am low on milk, and she is overly warm or thirsty). She also likes having a fan blowing on her, and strangely, she cannot sleep very long without pants on (?). Many people train their baby to sleep in a crib, However, when a babies are in pain, they don't sleep anyway. I would rather have bunny near me so I can comfort her better.

The truth is that I can take all of the crying, rocking etc, etc... As long as I get the "drunk" (when I say drunk I mean the whole eyes rolling, swaying, slowly drifting off to sleep thing) baby in my arms at the end of it all. It is a give and take, but I get more than I have to give. For me, co-sleeping has never been about all the good that come of it (though there are many wonderful pluses to co-sleeping). For me, it is all about the fact that I want to sleep with my baby. I want to hear her breath and feel her heart beating. I want to smell the lavender in her hair and wake up to her pouty little sleepy face every morning. I want all of these things and more in co-sleeping, and so far, I have gotten them. Even if I have gotten some sleeplessness along the way.

I love co-sleeping. I love Bunny. I love my life!

P.S. I still hope that those molars come through soon!

Friday, May 13, 2011

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
 
 

Monday, May 9, 2011

Giveaway!

Rainbow Ribbon Runner
from Enchanted Childhood Playthings


Our Rainbow Ribbon Runner is hand crafted and beautiful. It encourages physical exercise as well as imaginative play, and would make a lovely addition to any child's playthings.


To enter this giveaway, follow my blog, friend request me on Facebook, and leave a comment below. Comments will close at 8:00 am on Saturday 5/14/2011. The winner will be chosen by the luck of the draw and announced in this post that day. Thanks for supporting and participating!

THE WINNER IS #2 ~ MINDFUL MAMA!

CONGRATS!

Email me with your address so I can get you Rainbow Ribbon Runner mailed out to you!