8 weeks

8 Weeks of school down!  Wahoo!! 

Ally wanted to hold the board too. 

This week was Clifford the Big Red dogs birthday. He turned the big 5-0! Fifty, can you believe it? I enjoyed reading about Clifford when I was a little girl. It's fun seeing Aubrey enjoy these books now. 

The school's book fair is coming up in a few weeks and I'm excited to go with Aubrey and pick some new books out. I remember how fun book fair's were growing up. Speaking of new books, we ordered some book order books and should be getting them soon. I love reading and I'm so glad that Aubrey enjoys it too!! 

19/30 {Where would you live?}

19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

Gosh, I don't know why this was tough. I can think of where I DON'T want to live. Not in a cabin in the mountains. I am not a fan of the great outdoors. Not really anywhere too hot. Not out in the country. I don't want to be alone and that's what I think of with the country. Not a big city. I don't think I could do snow. Or places with tornados, those just scare me! 

I think near the beach. I think a small beachy town. The small town needs to have a grocery store it can't be a super teensy town. I love the beach. There are so many special memories at the beach. A house right on the beach. The ocean as my backyard. Hearing the ocean as I wake up. The waves throughout the day and calming me at night. If I was a runner, I would want to go for a run next to the ocean every day. Playing with the kids on the beach. Sand castles. Digging in the sand. Ok, definitely the beach!! 

Cloth diapers

I want to be the first one to say that I STILL cannot believe that I cloth diaper Austin. Allyson is cloth about 40% of the time. I'm working on that. I just can't jump into her stinky poop. I know, I know Austin's poop will get that way too. But it's a gradual change. 

So how did I make the switch? Funny thing is I went to Target, a Target I NEVER go to, to buy diapers and walked past an endcap thing with some Charlie Banana diapers that were 50% off. Oh they had diapers, insert, liners, cloth wipes and swim diapers. Soo cute but eww cloth diapers SO GROSS! I walked past them on to my diaper aisle and grabbed a box of diapers and put them in my cart. It hit me how much I was paying for diapers that I was going to throw away. Diapers I would need to come back here in a little over 2 weeks to buy. Spend another $35 on more diapers. That was just for Austin. Not including Ally's diapers. I walked back over to the display. 6 diapers for $50 bucks. I quickly texted my friend Allison. She's has been an incredible help to me on my cloth diaper journey.

DO IT!! Was her text.  I threw 4 boxes in my cart and was ready to begin my not so scary journey to cloth diapering. Walked down the kitchen aisle and picked up a garbage can to be my diaper pail.

That afternoon and next few days I spent time texting Allison for what in the heck to do. In between I was looking at the internet on how to start. What in the heck is prepping diapers and Why do I need to do that? A special laundry soap? Stripping diapers? It can be a lot to take in but I had Allison to help.

I started with Austin and I just love it. I don't regret doing it at all. In fact I wish that someone would have told me how easy it is, I could have been doing this with Aubrey or Allyson. Austin is still EBF so it's been a breeze doing diaper laundry. I don't even really notice the extra washes. In fact doing diaper laundry makes me happy. Crazy talk right? True story though. Since buying the Charlie Bananas I've added prefolds and flats with covers into the mix and I am actually more in love with the flats than the CB pockets. I want to talk more about that another time soon.

There you have it. My start to cloth diapering. I love it and wish I knew about it sooner.

18/30 {Forgiven}

18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?

That's a tough one. 

I would have to say my biological dad. He hasn't (and isn't) the best dad out there. I haven't spoken to him in many many years. I carried around this hurt for a long time. I struggled with why I should forgive him. He hurt me, I should get an apology and then be able to forgive. One day I realized that for this pain and hurt to go away I needed to forgive him. Jesus forgave me for my sins, surely I can forgive someone else. I wasn't able to forgive him to his face but in my heart and to my Heavenly Father I was able to forgive him. That day, a heavy burden was lifted from my shoulders. 

17/30 {Thing you wish you were}

17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

I wish I was better at speaking in front of a group. I HATE speaking in public. Even small groups not standing in front of a large group. Hate it, hate it. Introducing myself. Hate it. Wish I was better at it. Seriously just typing all this give me anxiety. *sigh*

Week 7 and Apples Day

I can't believe we are in the seventh week of school. Aubrey is still loving school. She is one of two people in her class that can count to 100. She can identify numbers 0-100 in random order. She can write them. We are still working on writing them nicely but she can do it. She can read. She's just growing in so many ways I can't even believe it. I look at our weekly pictures and I just can't imagine how quickly this year is going to fly by. I mean I feel like it was just the first day of school. Pretty soon full day school! YAY!! :)

Today was Apple Day! The kids were all asked to bring in an apple and they were going to be doing some fun things today. I was lucky enough to be able to help out. I love helping in her class. I love seeing how she acts.

They read a few books about apples. They graphed the apples that they brought in by color. They had their apples as a snack. They were cut open in half so you could see the star inside the apple (I forgot about that!!) They made a puppet. It was just lots of fun and exhausting. Wow being in a room with Kindergarteners is exhausting. I don't know how you teachers do it. There were two teachers and another Mom in the room too. It was just insane. I wish I had 1/2 the energy of some of those kids. WOW! I got to see just how different boys act than girls too. I cannot wait to see how Allyson and Austin act in school.

Allyson didn't like the idea of Apple Day so she wanted to erase it. Stinker!!

2u2 Tuesday

How old are they?

A. Austin -  5  months 

B. Allyson - 22 months 

What activities are going on this week? Helping out in Aubrey's class on Tuesday and Wednesday. Winco. Target and Costco this week/weekend. 

What challenges are we dealing with this week? Austin's sleep issues. Ugh. He has trouble sleeping in his PNP. Tummy sleeping, back sleeping, or side sleeping it doesn't work. I think him rolling around is causing him to wake up. Who knows. I feel like I can make up a thousand excuses for his crummy sleep yet I can't fix it. 

Any milestones reached this week?

A. Austin -  He's got a tooth!! Tuesday he had his first taste of avocado! Pictures to hopefully come soon. 

B. Allyson - Her words are being more clear. She's becoming quite the talker! 

How are you feeling about having 2u2 at this point?

Likes: Seriously never a dull moment around here. Allyson is quite the little climber. She climbs and then screams for me to get her down or off of whatever. Screams.

Dislikes: It's never really quiet around here. Someone is always screaming, yelling or whining. 

14/30 {strengths}

14. Describe 5 strengths you have.

1. I'm a loving wife and mother.
2. Multitasking Queen over here
3. Trustworthy friend
4. craftiness :)
5. Determined. If I really put my mind to doing something/learning something I can do it.

15/30 {Animal}

15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

If I had to choose I'd be a fish. Hanging out in the water all day. Swimming around. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming. 

16/30 {Accomplishments}

16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?



1. Being married almost 8 years. We've had good times and a few bad but we are in this forever!! 

2. Raising a beautiful, confident, and independent little Aubrey. She's grown into such a wonderful little kid who is now a little kindergartner!! 

3. Breast feeding Allyson. It was such hard work getting her to eat. Waking her, pumping for her, tube feeding her, and sore nips. I could have easily thrown in the towel and there were a lot of times that I wanted to but I stuck it out. I breast fed her until almost nine months.

4. Starting to budget our money and sticking with it. I'm still learning, still make mistakes but making that leap and budgeting and writing down everything has been tough but well worth it. 

5. Choosing to follow Jesus. Changing my life around for the better. Best decision ever! 

13/30 {weaknesses}

13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.

1.  Chocolate. When I was pregnant with Aubrey I started to crave chocolate. That craving hasn't really ever gone away. Now I'm a fat girl who loves chocolate. Dark chocolate. Mmm... I'm actually eating some Dark Chocolate Almonds with sea salt and sugar from Trader Joe's. If you haven't tried them before go run and get some. You won't be disappointed. 

2. Choosing to look at negative things in a positive way. I am the glass is half empty person. It's so much easier to see the negative in things. So much easier to complain. I really need to make that choice to see the good. See the positive. 

3. Things that are personalized. I love it. Maybe it's because growing up my name wasn't a common one. I can think of one time I found my name on these barrettes. We were at Knotts Berry's Farm. 

4. Not saying NO enough. I like to help out. I don't like to say NO even if something will be too much. I don't want to disappoint. 

5. Public speaking. Or just speaking in a group. I can't do it. It gives me anxiety just thinking about it. 

12/30 {Day in my life}

3:05AM Austin woke up. Diaper change & feed him.

3:20 AM I go to lay him in his PNP. He's dead asleep. The second his head touches the mat he's awake. I try to shhh him. Paci & patting his back. He's awake! Smiling, kicking & talking. I'm tired so I leave him & lay down. Around 3:50 AM As cute as his sweet cooing is, I scoop him out of his bed & bring him in bed with me & he's out in minutes.

6:00AM - Allyson wakes up screaming. Since Austin's in my arms he's now up too. Diaper changes & Out to watch some Little Einsteins & nurse Austin. He's too excited to really eat.


7:00 AM Aubrey is up.

7:30 Breakfast time

7:50 Austin's ready to eat. Rush to get everyone out the door at 8:21 a little later than usually. We quickly walk to school.




8:35 bell rings hugs & kisses. Fight with Ally to get back into the stroller & we head home.

8:55AM We are home & my little man nurses to sleep. Lay him in PNP so I can start housework

Start laundry. Allyson screams like a crazy woman because I don't let her come out & start the laundry. This insanely loud screaming wakes Austin up & it's barely been 10 mins. So Big A is up & we decide to run to Target.

9:30 AM get to Target. A gift for my niece, toothpaste & dishwasher stuff is all we need. We only came out with one extra thing! Yay!

10:40 AM Savemart for broccoli.

11:20 Home put clothes in dryer. Start another load. Diaper changes for both kids. (I know I'm missing going to miss posting about diaper changes but trust me between the two. I'm always changing someone.)

12:00 Lunch for Allyson & I

12:20 Pick up Aubrey from school. Thursdays she goes to lunch in the cafeteria. Come home. Change & nurse Austin. Fold laundry. Put second load in dryer. The girls are playing nicely in the playroom. Rare!



Austin bounces in the jumper for a bit.


1:45PM Lay Ally down for a nap. She's been refusing to nap the last two days. I sing her songs say good night & walk out. Withing minutes she's screaming. I put Austin in the bumbo & start dishes.

He's having a great time with his teether & screaming away!!


2:00 I'm finished with dishes & listen at Allyson's room. She's not making noises. In praying she's asleep so I can put Austin & I down for a nap too.

3:15 My phone ring and wakes me up. Austin and Allyson are both still asleep and as much as I wanted to sleep more I got up and did another load of clothes and straighten up the house a bit. I started cutting up and prepping dinner early, tonight is Bunco Night!!

4:30 Allyson wakes up.  I'm a little scared to see what mood she wakes up in. Lucky for me she was pretty happy. We change her diaper and give her a snack so I can finish up dinner. Austin wakes up soon after. Diaper change and feed him.

4:45 Aubrey takes a shower before dinner. Aubrey puts her PJs on. She's soo independent. She's always gotten dressed by herself. But it just feels so crazy to tell her "hey go take a shower" and she does it! She's already for bed when Daddy comes home.

5:00 Dinner time! Aubrey eats broccoli Cheese Soup. I have a little bit, I know there will be some yummy food waiting at Bunco. Allyson eats yogurt. I cannot wait for the picky eating stage to end.

5:30-6:45 I give Allyson a bath and change her into a cute little night gown. I take a shower and get ready. In between all of that keeping Austin/Allyson and Aubrey happy/quiet/calm.

6:50 Get all of Austin and my stuff ready for tonight. Make sure I have the diaper bag packed. Jammies, diapers, blanket, burp cloth, toys and pacis. Time to feed the little man again.

7:15-20 Get everything in the car. Say good bye and good night to the girls. Conrad comes home. Say hello, thank you and good bye!

7:30-10:40 BUNCO!!!

Came home around 10:45. Austin had slept for a bit at Bunco. He played for a little on the floor while Conrad and I caught up.

11:15 Austin was changed,fed and in bed.

11:45 I head in to go to bed and my little guy wakes up. I try patting/shhing/all my tricks. Nothing works so I scoop of the little man to snuggle in bed.

The long night begins ...


-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Kinder Week 6

Here is Aubrey this week!

We took these on Tuesday September 11th, 2012. I really wanted to talk to Aubrey that day. I really wasn't sure how to start that conversation. I didn't want to scare her. So we just left it as 11 years ago some people did some really bad things and we won't forget all those that were lost.

11/30 {Pet Peeves}

11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.

1. Bad drivers - Come on people. Watch the road. Put down your phone. Leave early. Drive safe! 

2. Liars - Enough said.

3. People who think that just because I'm a Christian I should be perfect. I've never claimed to be perfect. I don't think I'm perfect. There is one perfect person and He died on a cross for me so I don't have to be perfect. 

4. Participation trophies - I don't think that you should get a trophy just for trying. If you get one just for trying what is there to strive for? Why even try?  

5. I hate that some parents let their kids do some things so early. Why not let them be kids? My girls are going to hate me I'm sure. They aren't going to wear make up at young age. Clothes? Ugh girls clothing now makes me sick. 

6. People that chew gum with their mouth open. Yuck!! 

7. The news. I haven't watched it in awhile but just seeing previews is more than enough for me. It's so depressing. Killings, robberies, just BAD news all around. I hate it. 

I'm over this listing business and 10 things? Seven is good enough for me. 


Tomorrow ...well actually Friday. Will be a typical day in my life. 

10/30 {Embarrassing Moment}

10. Describe your most embarrasing moment.

I can't think of anything that is like OMG how embarrassing. 
but I do have this little bitty ...
Not too long ago my gas light came on in my van. I drove for a few days. Conrad kept bugging me about getting gas. You see where this is going right? So one night before Target I decided ok I'll go get gas then head off to Target. We live a mile away from the gas station. One mile. Yep... I didn't even make it half way. I had to call Conrad...Guess what happened?? He wasn't so happy. Thankfully he was able to come save me. 

2u2 Tuesday

How old are they?

A. Austin -  5  months 

B. Allyson - 22 months 

What activities are going on this week? 

What challenges are we dealing with this week? A sick mommy. No fun. I have a runny nose and just don't feel to well. I haven't gone to the store this week or planned a menu yet :/ It' going to be a take it easy week. 

With Allyson talking more now she thinks just because she can say it means she should be able to do it/have it/eat it. Lots of fits from her lately. 

Any milestones reached this week?

A. Austin -  He reaches for his binky and puts it in his mouth. YAY!! 

B. Allyson - Knows the difference between her binky and bubbas. If we try to give her his she says NO! and turns her head. It's so stinkin' cute. 

How are you feeling about having 2u2 at this point?

Likes:  They make me smile. No matter how awful I'm feeling or what kind of day I'm having my kids make me smile. 

Dislikes: Having 2 small kids that need your attention is exhausting enough. Being sick and taking care of kids is a million times harder.

Now pictures :)

Little Allyson has figured out how to climb onto the chairs. 

Do you see that insane amount of drool?? It's so gross!! 

My twinsies 

Just playing on the floor 

9/30 {10 influential people}

9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.



1. My Mom - My mom has gone through so much in just her life before being a mother it's crazy. She had a rough childhood but she pulled through. She got married and pregnant at 20 with me and 23 with my brother. My biological dad and her relationship wasn't always the best and even though it was going to be tough for her (and us) she did what she had to and got out of it. She got remarried and had my sisters. Has overcame so many obstacles and STILL is yet she has such a great attitude about it. She knows that she had to go through some of those other things so she could become a stronger woman/wife/mother. Everything my Mom does, she does for her kids. There are so many times growing up I remember my Mom going without so we could have that SOMETHING that we just HAD to HAVE! My Mom truly is amazing. 

2. Conrad - He encourages me to be a better person in so many different ways. He has amazing self control. He has taught me how to argue and disagree in a respectful way. I was brought up in a house where whoever had the loudest voice wins! 

3. My kids. I know this sounds crazy. But really they make me want to be the best mom that I can be. They are so forgiving still. So loving. No matter how upset I can be they still love me. No matter if I'm beaten down by my day they are there with loving arms. I want to make sure I'm always returning that unconditional love. Not just to them but to everyone. 




I only have 3 people. This really is a lot harder than I thought it would be. 

8/30 {5 passions}

8. What are 5 passions you have?


1. Jesus. Trying my best to live like Him. Love like Him. Serve like Him. 

2. My family. Being the best wife that I can be to Conrad. Trying to be the best Mom to my children.

3. Craftiness of any kind. Sewing, Cricut fun, or anything with a hot glue gun! 

4. I love taking pictures of my family. Whether it's on my iphone or using my pretty camera. I love it. I have said this countless times but I really need to 

5. Reading. I really do love to read but I can't remember the last time I've read. I've started so many books  but haven't had the chance to finish them. 

7/30 {dream job}

7. What is your dream job, and why?

I'm working my dream job. It's a 24 hour, no sick time, very little vacation day. I get paid in hugs and slobbery kisses. I'm a Stay at home mom. Growing up I didn't want to be a SAHM but there wasn't anything that I really wanted to be. After getting married I wanted to have kids and when I was pregnant with Aubrey I knew I had found my dream job, being a mommy. Raising kids in my opinion is one of the most important jobs. Raising children that are going to be our next leaders. I'm living my dream job and I feel so blessed to be doing so. 

6/30 {Hardest thing I've ever experienced}

6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?


Postpartum depression.

It was hard for me to accept the fact that I was suffering. To seek help. To want to talk about it. I'm still not too ready to talk about it but I have accepted it.

5/30 {happiness}

5 things that make you happy

1. Jesus and his love for me.

2. Conrad 

3. My kids smiles, giggles, and laughs. 

4. Kids bedtime 

5. Cloth Diaper Laundry. I never thought laundry would make me happy but it does.

4/30 {16 year old self}

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.


1. Don't be so hard on your mom. She's trying her best. Everything she does, she does because she loves you. 

2.  Don't worry about what other people think. It doesn't matter what they think of you.

3. Try harder in school. Just because you aren't going away to a 4 year college doesn't mean that you shouldn't try.

4. Don't waste your time on boys. 

5.  Learn to cook NOW. Your husband will really appreicate it. 

6. Get more involved at church. You won't regret it. 

7. Stop comparing yourself to others. You aren't them. You are you. You are beautiful just the way you are. You are an amazing person. Believe in yourself! 

8. Enjoy the time at home with your sisters. They aren't going to be little much longer. 

9. Really think about stuff before you do it. Think about the consequences Heidi!! 

10. Don't be in such a hurry to grow up. 

3/30 {Relationship with my husband}

3. Describe your relationship with your husband.

I know how cliche it is but Conrad is my best friend. He is always there for me. Through the good, bad, and the ugly. He knows everything about me. He can tell that something is wrong without me saying anything. He is my safe place. I know that he loves me no matter what and I love him no matter what too. We can laugh, joke and play just like the days that we were first dating. Our relationship is a lot deeper than when we first started dating. 

We are now partners in this crazy parenting journey. He and I don't always see eye to eye on certain things but I feel like we do a great job of compromising. He's my team mate and when I need a break he's right there to jump in and manage the craziness. 

This month is our 9 year dating anniversary. Crazy!! 

22 months

1. How old? 22 months
2. Doctor’s appointments?: November 5
3. Stats:
1. Weight:
2. Height:
3. Clothes size: 2T
4. Diaper size: Size 5
5. Hair color: Blond
6. Anything else?
4. Milestones:
1. Teething: All of her teeth came in that I could see. She's started drooling again so maybe the 2 year molars?
2. Talking: She has just started talking..finally!!
1. New words: Daddy, Mommy, Nannie. Putting 2 words together. More please. Uppa please.
3. Potty Training: We haven't started yet. She's not ready but we are talking about it to her. She sees Aubrey going. I'm hoping it's going to be a monkey see, monkey do kinda thing.
4. Anything else?
5. Things she likes:
1. Toys: Legos
2. Books: She loves laying and reading at night with Aubrey and I. She likes just about anything.
3. Songs: She loves anything. If it has hand movements she likes it more. Itsy bitsy, Jesus loves the little ones.
4. TV Shows/Movies: She LOVE the Little Einsteins.
5. Other Activities: She loves going for walks. Swinging on the swing at the park.
6. Things she dislikes: Not being able to watch Einsteins. Not being able to go play outside when she would like to.
7. Sleeping: She's having her days. Last night she was up at 2,3, and 5AM. Screaming. Maybe her teeth? Nightmares? She did this a couple weeks ago.
8. Eating: She is a really picky eater which is crazy because she used to be my good eater. She doesn't eat much through the day.
1. Favorite Foods: Yougurt, cheese, ketchup, fish sticks and some times bananas.
2. Not so Favorites: EVERYTHING else.
9. Nicknames: Nothing new

1. 
   

2/30 {3 fears}

Describe 3 fears you have and explain how they became fears.

1. Something happening to my family. I know it's a common fear. Nobody wants anything bad to happen to our loved ones. After my traumatic birth experience with Austin, hearing that the cord was wrapped around his neck, blue and not breathing. My own problems going on. I know that Conrad feared for both our lives. I feel like my fear has heightened since then. 

2. I'm afraid of getting into a car accident. Not because of my driving but because of other people. People are so careless and crazy. People driving and trying to text. Running red lights. Speeding around people. It scares me. I drive around 3 precious little lives in my van and I drive carefully. I leave early when I know I need to be some where so I don't have the run red lights and speed. 

3. I'm afraid to speak in front of people. Even if it's a group of people I know. I don't know where this fear actually came from. I've always hated speaking in front of people. My tummy gets in knots. A lot of the time I actually cry too. Ugh just thinking about it is giving me anxiety. 

Kinder week 4 and 5

I'm not sure why I am still taking weekly pictures of her. Oh I know. It's something that we both like. She has fun posing. I like that time just her and I. We will see how long I continue to take them. 

She is loving school. 

Just off the top of my head

She can count to 100

She knows all the letters and sounds (she's known them)

She can spell a few colors. 

She can correctly write her numbers 0-4

At night when we read she can sound out sooo many of the words. I'm so incredibly proud of her. 

My little smarty pants!! 

1/30 {20 random facts}

 List 20 random facts about yourself.

1. I gave my life to Jesus on November 4, 2000. 10 years later I gave birth to my sweet Allyson Grace.

2. I've never been out of the country.

3. My favorite TV show that isn't on TV anymore is Friends. I could and have watched it for days and days. I quote things from Friends. It's ridiculous how much I love this show. I didn't watch it when it was actually new on TV though. 

4. I love the number 4. I was a little sad that Austin wasn't born on the 4th. 

5. I only listen to Christian music. 

6. I didn't get my driver's license until I was 21 and married. 

7. I love family traditions

8. I cannot wait to decorate for Christmas. We switched around the living room and playroom and I'm so excited to have the fireplace decorated. The stockings hung... I know it's barely September. Mmm and peppermint mochas and hot chocolates. 

9. I like to sleep with a ton of blankets. 

10. My favorite drink is Cherry Coke. 

11. Speaking of Starbucks. I went there yesterday in hopes of getting one last Coconut Mocha. NOPE! All gone. All the fall drinks are there. I tried the Salted Carmel Mocha Frap. Yummy!! I want another. 

12. I love having things organized and labeled. Sadly my life is chaos and things are not as organized as I would like. 

13. I am the oldest of four kids. 

14. I never thought that I would be one to cloth diaper my kid but now I am and I LOVE it. I wish that I would have done it with both Aubrey and Allyson.

15. I love Ecards. Oh, how they make my day so much brighter!! 

16. I really love to sleep. I miss sleeping in past 8am. I love to cuddle underneath my blanket. Lots of pillows. Ahh sleep. 

17.  I still love Britney Spears... don't hate.

18. I have been 5' 2" inches tall since 8th grade. 

19. I'd rather text than talk. 

20. I have baked potatoes in the slow cooker for dinner. I love using the slow cooker. I need to find more recipes to use this winter.