Trick or Treat....

Trick or Treat

We Look real Neat

We Got way too much good stuff to eat

My Momma does say

that if it don't go away

she will have a big price to pay

For crying out loud

Those dang Snickers she chowed

And for that she ain't too proud

For her buttocks now looks like a jello jiggler going floppity flop

And the love handles....have you heard the term "Muffin top?"

The candy has now got to go

Before she stoops to an all time low

Somebody help find that discipline she does know

Because everytime we turn around

We hear the "hands in the candy" sound

Momma shouts, "Look what I found!"

And pulls out a Snickers again

Is this the unpardonable sin?

So now we hide the candy in a great big tin

Praying she won't let herself in

Momma it's for your better good

PLEASE stay away from the sugar food


Ok...I really wrote that for myself.  Hoping it would be self motivation to KEEP MY HANDS OUT OF THE CANDY JAR.  Darn Halloween!  But I do have the cutest trick or treaters on the block!

This year we had a Bride, A Pink Poodle, and A Black Cat.  No Theme this year...sniffle sniffle.  It was the first year Steve hasn't dressed up with the girls.  They both had admandent ideas this time about their costumes.

My Sweet little Trick or Treaters...

We did have a fun Halloween.  My inlaws were in town from PA so they got to participate in all the fun.  I love having girly girls so dressing them up was half the fun for me.

Harper's Dedication

A couple Sunday's ago, Steve and I had the privledge of dedicating our sweet Harper Sophia to the Lord.  By dedicating her, Steve and I acknowledged and made a committment to the Lord that we were going to raise her by teaching her about Him and training her up as the Bible commands us to.  It also means that I will pray on a daily basis that Harper will come to know the Lord as her personal Savior and grow up to do mighty things for Him!  Heaven knows she is already a little powerhouse who needs little sleep!  HA!  Along with her dedication, I picked up a verse that I wanted committed solely to her on this day:

Ephesians 3:19-20
(add ins by me...)

"Harper I want you to know that Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you, Harper, will be able to know that love.  Then you, Harper, can be filled with the fullness of God.  With God's power working in you, Harper, God can do much, much more than anything Harper could ever ask or imagine."

Harper's Dedication Day.  She looked so cute but didn't feel well at all.  Her first time being really sick:(  Hence her runny nose!

Storms....

Do you remember that song that we used to sing in Sunday School when we were little?  Ok here it goes...umhmm...(me clearing my throat)....Ha...good thing you really can't hear me huh? :)

The Wise Man built His house upon the rock
The Wise Man built His house upon the rock
The Wise Man built His house upon the rock
And the Rains came tumbling down!

The Rains came down and the Floods came up
The Rains came down and the Floods came up
The Rains can down and the Floods came up
And the House on the Rock stood firm

The Foolish Man built His house upon the sand
The Foolish Man built His house upon the sand
The Foolish Man built His house upon the sand
And the Rains came tumbling down!

The Rains can down and the Floods came up
The Rains came down and the Floods came up
The Rains came down and the Floods came up
And the House on the sand went SPLAT!

So Build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
 build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
And the blessings will come down!

The Blessings come down as the prayers go up
The blessings come down as the prayers go up
The blessings come down as the prayers go up
So build your house on the Lord!

I was reminded of this song as I was listening to one of my favorite speakers, James MacDonald who is doing a series on the family.  On the family during hard times.  Isn't it awesome how God uses random things and people to speak through you when you really need it?  And sure enough...he uses simple children's songs to inspire you....well at least me:)  As I was listening to this sermon series James Macdonald said something that I LOVED.
He said, "EVERY family goes through storms.  No family will beat the odds of getting off easy here.  We will all encounter some type of storm in our family lives.  And until the storms come, every house on the block looks good...it all looks the same.  It is only when these storms come can you determine which house is built on the rock and which is built on the sand.  It is only when these storms come that it is apparent if your family is built on TRUTH."

It is my prayer that Steve and I are building our home on truth.  The "sand" is the easy way to do family and quite honestly when I feel like I don't have any energy to stand up let alone "train up my child" or "work on my marriage" the "sand" is the most appealing way to do things...and do them quick.  But building my home on the Truth...on the rock..takes time...it takes perserverance...it takes energy.  But it's the only way our family will make it through these storms...and I know that when I ask the Lord for supernatural energy to do this...He will show Himself mightly.  He already has:)  Both Steve and I are committed that we want to build our houses on the rock...and not take the easy way out.  Maybe this is why God allowed these storms to come into our lives.  Maybe we were drifting off path and starting to get lazy...maybe our house was turning into sand.  But not anymore...we are refocused.  We are moving forward.  As my heart wants to grieve all this hard stuff going on around me, I can hear the Lord's still small voice telling me, "Sarah, look in front of you.  Not to the right or to the left."  It's His way of telling me to endure building this house up with a firm and not shaky foundation.  It's His way of telling me that "He works all things for the Good  to Those who love Him."  And I will trust in Him.  Because He is TRUTH!

Lord guide my feet and my mind in a direction that will lift my HOME and family up to your glory!

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger......

 I hope.....


I have been absent.  again.  sigh.  But quite frankly the reason is....well....I haven't wanted to blog.  I haven't wanted to share what is really going on.  I haven't wanted to act like everything is ok too.  Because it's not.  I'm really struggling.  Our family is reallly struggling.  It's been probably one of the hardest times our family has had to go through.  And while I don't feel like I am up to sharing what is going on, I do ask for prayer for us.  I realize that every family struggles....and I will be the first to tell you that our family is obviously not exempt from these.  And as we are going through a difficult time, I can't imagine those families who go through these times without the hope of our Saviour.  I honestly couldn't make it through the day without His encouragement and His Word that has told me that everything will be ok.  That we will be ok.  God is really tugging at our roots and breaking down all facade that have masked our true identity of who we once thought we were.

When I really needed to hear from God, He spoke.  It was loud and clear and completely directed at me.  And completely brought me that peace when I needed it most.

Isaiah 41:4
"Who caused this to happen?  Who has controlled history from the beginning?  I, the Lord, am the one.  I was here at the beginning, and I will be here when all things are finished."

Isaiah 41:9b-10
"I have chosen you and have not turned against you.  So don't worry, because I am with you.  Don't be afraid, because I am your God.  I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you."

Isaiah 41:13
"I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, and I tell you, "don't be afraid.  I will help you."

Thank you Jesus for your love and comfort...and most of all your soverignity. 

It's during these times that I will admit...the journey to joy is hard to find.  When all around me seems to be crumbling and what I thought life would be like is completely not.....I have to choose joy.  How do I do that?  Well...I will get back to you once I figure it out myself.  All I know is that I am going to have to make a conscience effort each and every day...maybe each and every hour. 

But I do know...God gives me the strength to do everything.  And that He who began a good work in me will continue it until completion....and it's those truths that I have to hold on to.


Well on a completely different note...I have never blogged about my baby's first birthday.  Now that was a joyful time.  The birthday girl was the smash of the party, of course!  She LOVED her cake (now I know for a fact that she is MY daughter!  HA!)  She had no problems digging right in.  And she did get into opening her presents too.  It was a lot of fun.  We had a Diva party for her.  Complete with a pink leopard print foofed out cake I made for her.  :)  It was a low key party (the poor third baby never gets the big shindigs like her oldest sister got!), but it was super cute!  I wish we could do it again soon.  Here are some pics...



The Birthday Girl!



The Diva Birthday Cake!



This Girl brings me TONS of joy!  :)!!



She shoved in her cake!



mmm...purple icing!




Brining in her mini cake!




This is the theme I got the cake idea off of!

Well we had a lot more pictures of the birthday party but I am not patient enough to deal with blogger upload right now!

New Uses for Ordinary Things...take 5!

So yes...I have been absent this week.  It's been busy again...not even a moment to sit.  And well..something less fun came up too...maybe that will be a blog post at a later time.  But for now..a new use for an ordinary thing! 

So Here is our Ordinary thing or things....

Paper and a Permanent Marker!!

Now...who doesn't have these things right?!  But did you know that besides the usual writing and drawing...One could do this?

drumroll Please....



A CENSOR for your husband's Sport Magazines!

I mean...come on  ESPN magazine.  There is not very many magazines that my husband can subscribe to anyway without gross..tempting pictures.  And now...you have followed suit as well. ESPN's annual "body issue" I guess.  It features...rather revealing photos that well...lets just say after 3 kids I would not fare well in this issue...HA!   Well..I took matters in my own hands.  And did you know how much fun censoring can be?  You can find that you have a whole bunch of talents with just a pen and a permanent marker...

Look what all you can do while censoring with a marker and paper...

Write LOVING notes to your husband while he reads....

Become your own fashion designer with just a marker and paper!

And become your own stylist....

Ok Steve...you may now read your magazine....:)

Coming soon...pics of Harper's 1st birthday party!  It was a blast.  But she is now up from her nap..screaming.  So I will have to upload later!!

To my sweet baby on her first birthday....

Harper Sophia,

I can't hardly believe it's been a year since I met you face to face for the first time. My, how fast a year flew by.  They say with each child it seems to go faster and faster, and I can say I am totally experiencing that.  I never knew how much joy a 3rd baby could bring to my heart until you walked into my life.  (or should I say "popped" into my life...ha!)  You are so big now...from this first little picture of you in the hospital's cradle.  You've come a long way in a year.

So much about me has changed as a mother too in a year.  It's funny how with each consecutive child, my mothering seems to adjust and reinvent itself.  I now have permanent bags until my eyes...HA!  That's right Harper.  Mommy sure didn't get a whole lot of sleep this past year.  But you are so worth it.  What I wouldn't give to cuddle you...even in the middle of the night.  I am also a lot more laid back in my mothering style.  I don't go by "the books".  I go by "what is best to survive".  And lean a lot on my instincts.  3rd time around I have learned to just trust my instincts.  Usually they don't fail.  And I am trying hard to just cherish you.  Not wish your baby time away.  Cherish holding you every second.  Cherish watching you feed yourself.  Cherish everytime you look back at me right before you know you are going to be naughty (umhmm..electrical outlet..need I say more Harper?) HA!  I have learned that it's ok to be tired all the time.  This is just a stage of life...that will soon pass way too quickly.  I have also learned, and maybe most important for me, that I cannot be "supermom".  I don't have it all together.  My house is not spotless a majority of the time.  I get stressed easily.  I can't have a lot on my plate.  And it's ok to have a frozen pizza for dinner every once in a while.  I am trying too hard to keep up with everyone else trying to do this, do that, get you involved in this, get you involved in that.  Maybe I am thinking that if I don't you will be behind intellectually or something...I know that is not the case.  Through this year Harper, you showed me that all I need to be is be a loving mother to you....you don't need all that extra stuff.  You just need me.  And not a stressed out me. 

You are so fun right now.  You are starting to say all sorts of words.  "Buh bye!", "Momma", "Dadda", "ALL done!", "Nigh night", "HIIIIII".  You also nodd your head when you want something.  I love it!  You wave bye bye and now you just started pointing.  I think it's adorable.  You started crawling at 11 months, and you are into EVERYTHING.  You especially like opening and closing the cupboards in the kitchen. You are sleeping better these past few nights...going to sleep around 8 and not getting up until between 7 and 8am.  YAH!!  Such a big achievement for you!!  :)  And such a relief for Mommy!  You are still very much a mommy's girl and I hope you always are.  I love the cuddles.

You love to cuddle all your stuffed animals.  You love your Minnie Mouse that is in your crib.  You sleep with your arm around her every night.  I hope you always love to cuddle. 

You are always so great in the nursery or anywhere we go anyplace.  You hardly ever cry and just love to sit and observe.  But if you do want something....you definitely let us know.  You are a lot more laid back then your sister's were and are just content with watching everyone.  Pretty soon you will be right there playing with them.

Harper...God made you so special and unique.  What a precious gift God has given me over this past year!  I can't wait to see your personality blossom and see what interests God has given you.  Thank you for teaching me so much about myself and about God through you.  What a blessing it is to be your Mommy.  I love you so much!  Happy 1st birthday my sweet little Harper.  I am so proud of you!

Birthday Week...

My whole life I have dreamt of being a mom.  I remember my little pudgy hands pushing a stroller around pretending I was the mother of 11 children.  I remember the clank of my little wooden high chair when pushing the tray down getting ready to feed my baby for the upteenth time that day.  I can so easily visualize playing house in my living room...ordering my older brother to play the daddy (which rarely I could convince him to do).  And then when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up?  It was simple.  "A mommy" was all I would reply.  I dreamed for the day when I would have that child of my own to rock to sleep, to feed in a high chair, and to take on stroller rides around the block.

About a year after I got married, I vividly remember going over to my parents for a Sunday evening meal.  I was complaining to my mom about grad school and working full time...felt I had too much on my plate.  I remember my wise mother saying as she placed her arms around my shoulders, "well honey, you are setting yourself up for a great future."  And my reply..."Yes, but Mom, all I really want to do is be a wife and mom right now."  Kids, at that time, were not on our radar (little did I know I was unexpectedly pregnant though!).  Even then, I had that yearning of pushing my little baby in that stroller.  And cuddling that little baby in my arms.

Well, God abundantly blessed me by making all those dreams come true---TIMES 3.  I am forever grateful for the gifts He has given me in my girls. 

But today..I am struggling.  It may sound very up surd to some.  Maybe a little over dramatic to others.  But can I admit that I am struggling that my seemingly last baby is turning 1 this week?  When children dream of being a mom...when I dreamt of being a mom...I dreamt of cuddling that little newborn.  Now...every stage of my girls is AWESOME and so much fun.  But can I grieve that babyhood for me is coming to an end?  I don't want it too.  I LOVE having a baby in my arms.

Isn't kind of ironic that while you are celebrating firsts during that first year of a baby's life...you are also celebrating lasts?  I mean...last time you held your baby's neck to support it's floppy head--she learns to hold it upright.  Last time you worked so hard to get a burp out--she overcame it.  Last time she would wear that adorable outfit that your mom got for her (which meant so much to you)--she outgrew it.  Last time you would be feeding her in the night--she endured it.  Last time she sat still in your lap--she found independence.  Last time you would open a jar of putrid smelling baby food--she learned better.  Last time she would sit in that little whale bathtub--she outgrew it.  Her last back and forth in that swing she spent so many hours in--she moved on.  Last time you could take a shower without fear--she became mobile.  Last time she breastfed---she didn't have time for it anymore. 

And while I am so excited to celebrate my baby's 1st birthday, I am also grieving that this year has gone by so fast--most of it while I was in a blur. And while I am so elated that my baby is achieving all of her milestones and appreciating her God given personality that is coming out, I am sad.  Sad that my baby will now be a toddler.   Sad that most likely I will not have those "firsts" again in my life.  Sad that I know the innocence she has as a baby, will ever too soon be stripped away by the cruelness of this world.  I wish I could hold on to that baby forever.  To shield her from all that hurt that slaps us once her independence hits her.  To keep cuddling every cruel word away.  Keep kissing every mean look off.  To sing off every little bruise. 

But I can't.....

That's not the way God designed this life.  If he had us mother's holding on to all of that, we would have no need for Him.  So I pray...I pray hard that as Harper grows and experiences some of that, that God will "cuddle" every cruel word said to her, that He will "kiss" every tear that those mean looks cause, and He will comfort her in her pain of this earth.  I can't do it all...and I am pretty sure that is why God designed this life as He did.  To push us to depend on Him...not on our Mommas...

So as I am grieving through this...I am also swelling up with joy.  Joy that my baby is learning so much.  Absorbing how cool this world is.  Enjoying how much the little things in life can bring one so much joy.  Today for Finley it was being able to push her own grocery cart at the store.  Those little things that bring us so much joy.  And Harper...well...I can't wait to see her personality bloom.  Excited to see how unique her character is and God's fingerprints all over her.  And even though I miss those "first year" stares with those big blue eyes looking up at me as if I am the only thing that matters in the world, I will bottle up the here and nows of her little being. I will miss the senseless babble that I awaken to every morning coming from down the hall.  Soon that senseless babble will form into words...and I can't wait to hear those words "I love you Momma!" coming from those sweet little lips.  I can even say that I miss those nighttime feedings where I can get full range snuggles from Harper without having to tend to anyone else...where she actually fell asleep in my arms.  But soon...even Harper...will learn that sleep is a precious commodity in life....:)

So even though I grieve, I am so excited to watch my baby blossom and fly into the world with abandon.  Because I will always be there.  Always be there to watch...and most importantly to catch....

Thank you God for this incredible opportunity....

Let them Eat......SOAP!

So...a bit of an update on the new uses for ordinary things---the bathtub.  Well lets just say that that new use lasted us....about a day.  Somebody figured out how to turn on the water.  Yeah...we were in a bit of a soggy mess.  So today...again...I had to get ready for the day.  With a whole bucket of toys outside the bathroom door, Harper decided to crawl on in the bathroom.  Here is how I found her....

Umm...Yes, that is soap.  She had opened a box and got it out.  No...I was NOT washing her sweet little mouth out with soap.  She hasn't gotten that naughty yet!  But needless to say, since the soap smelled ever so fresh and nice, Harper decided she must sample a bit of it....

Ugh...this is not tasting as fresh as it was looking....

Hmm...Not so sure about that stuff.  What is all about that after taste?

YHEW....after taste is  not that tasty....Look...even the soap got stuff in my teeth...

Well...maybe it wasn't so bad...let me try just one more time....not sure about this...

Ok OK...I am sure!  Get this stuff out of my mouth!!!

Mommy...I promise I will never talk back to you....ever....

disclaimer - I normally do NOT let my children eat soap.  But..I just couldn't pass up a good picture.  Plus the soap was only in her mouth for a second.  I totally wiped out her mouth.  NO soap was digested before any of my sweet relatives get mad at me!  HA!



New Uses for Ordinary Things-Take 4

So I thought I would continue my series...new uses for ordinary things.  This idea popped into my head today while playing with Finley.  She actually inspired it.  She has a very vivid imagination.  Plus, she loves making me look like a fool. :)  But I just couldn't resist blogging about it today.  You know I realize these ideas are not rocket science...but I get excited when I can find some very "cheap" entertainment.  Ok...so here is our new use for an ordinary thing.  Well..actually this "ordinary" thing has a few different uses.  And I bet you could come up with a few of your own if you haven't already! 

Here it is....

A CANVAS BOX! 



Super exciting, right?  I am sure we all have this type of thing somewhere in our houses.  We at the Snavely house, have a lot of these.  They are great for the person who does not live inside an "organized mind".  HA!  This is my idea of organization.  Stick anything and everything in these canvas boxes.  Put it on a bookshelf and call it done.  But did you know that these canvas boxes can serve other purposes as well?  Purposes to fully entertain your 3 year old and 11 month old?

So our new use for this ordinary canvas box?

drumroll please.....

Please forgive this photo.  It was taken by a 3 year old....

Slap two paper eyes on it and you are automatically a robot!  Endless laughter for a 3 year old.  But in order for this to fully work you have to talk like this:  "FIIINNNNLEY....takke. me. to. your. leeaader." And movements must be very exaggerated and sharp.  I'm telling you what...getting the type of laughter I got from this 3 year old, was worth every bit of looking like an ever loving fool....

And she even got to try it out....




umm..disclaimer...putting a canvas box on a toddler's head is in no way shape or form like putting a plastic bag on one's head.  No robot was harmed during this entertainment segment...Thank you.....



Ok..another use for a canvas box?  Well this one came out of the mind of little Finley.  She thought of this one all by herself!  She LOVES to play salon.  And why wouldn't a canvas box serve the purpose of a salon dryer!!!!

A SALON DRYER!!!!

And if that isn't enought fun ideas for this box...with a baby it's endless amounts of fun...look here....You can....

Get IN AND OUT of it!

Or You can play Peek a Boo in it!!!

And best yet...what Harper loved about the ordinary canvas box???  This ordinary thing also becomes.....

A DEATH RIDE!!!!!




Actually Harper LOVED riding in it. 
And no baby was harmed during this ride....

 Now...what can you use your canvas box for???

Sweet Moments--Finley Edition...

The purpose of my blog is for me to never forget the joy that my three girls give me. I want them to read back over these entries someday and KNOW that they brought me the most joy in my life that I could have ever imagined. Because...well..I am sure if you saw me on a day to day basis these days, I have to remind myself to be joyful. The monotony of the day to day life with young ones, the over looming cloud of change just above us, and physical exhaustion can be overwhelming at times. I need to remind myself to stop...and to savor the sweet moments...

Hence...Sweet Moments--This one is Finley edition...

Finley was sitting with me at church this week. She was tired. It was a cloudy, gloomy, rainy day, and she didn't want anything to do with Sunday School. I wasn't going to push it. Plus, I was yearning to cuddle with my 2nd born throughout the service. It's not very often where she will sit still in my lap. I could feel Finley taking everything in. The sounds of worship. The beating of the drums. The clapping of hands. And most importantly, the warmth of her Momma's arms embracing her without any other competition. I was soaking it in. Throughout the sermon, she was starting to get restless and wanted to sit in the chair next to me. As she got down, she was carefully observing all the other people around us. Couples young and old sitting next to each other, carefully listening to what God may have them hear. Some with arms around each other. Other's tending to their babies. After Finley got settled in her seat for some time, I got absorbed in the sermon. In my own thoughts. Soon I felt a tiny warmth go across my back. It was Finley's arm. She was putting her arm around me...just like those around us. Pretty soon she started patting my back as well. Such a precious feeling for a Momma. Seeing a way a child learns and processes. Seeing the others do this around us, Finley knew this was a symbol of love and adoration for the other. Oh, how I ate up this sweet sweet moment.

Then today, Finley woke up. Her unruly hair stumbled into my bathroom as I was getting ready.

"Hey baby! How did you sleep last night?" I asked.

She replied, "well..not good. I had a bad dream."

"You did? What was it about?" I pondered. Very concerned as she usually gets me up if she had a bad dream!

"Well..I dreamed that you didn't give me a hug...."

Break.my.heart. That poor baby did have a bad dream! I assured her that I indeed gave her a hug in her sleep as I do every night. But just to think that a mother's touch can have such profound effect on those little ones. Today..she has been getting some extra extra hugs!!

An Apple a Day....

So unlike a lot of folk, those great homemakers I know you all are, I tend to not be as domestic as the "common homemaker". Yes, I do make my own bread and I love to bake...but I don't garden, don't cook gourmet meals, don't iron, and don't dust. And I already admitted I don't like to clean. Well, this weekend I wanted to do something I have never done before--attempt to make applesauce. Now..this may be a no brainer to make for most of you, but for me...it was a new adventure. A new experience. My friend in Virginia inspired me. She served us one evening before we moved this delicious pink applesauce. I have been craving it ever since. So since fall is right around the corner, and my husband has been begging to go to the apple orchard..I happily obliged.

We woke up Saturday morning to lightning and pouring rain. The ordinary person would just assume we would have to cancel our little morning trip. But nooooo, my lovely husband was bound and determined that we would still go. Whether we got soaked or not, we were going to get those apples. He was determined we were "hardcore"---(no apple pun intended).

So I got my apples. I thought I would share with you our little adventure in applesauce making.

Off to the Orchard we went. This is the only picture I got of us at the orchard because of the rain. I think we were the only people there besides the workers. HA! We did get some good apple cider donuts though! For me that was worth the trip and getting wet! :)

The Farmer in the Dell..The Farmer in the Dell...Hi HO the Apple O the Farmers in the Dell...

We got our Apples. I got 10 pounds of Cortland Apples. I wanted to get pink applesauce and this is what my friend used.

Next we sliced the apples. No need to peel them!

Threw them in a pot with a little water....and cooked over medium high heat. Does it ever make your house smell like fall!!

The Peels come right off as you cook them. We let the apples cook down until they were really mushy!

And then with a potato masher...we mashed the heck out of those apples. That was fun! :) It took out a lot of my frustration...a good stress reliever! :)

And voila...PINK applesauce with no food coloring...(it really is not as chunky as it looks in this picture...)

I had visions of applesauce making all day. So I got my tupperware containers, I got all my apples. I had visions of gift giving of pink applesauce for Christmas, new neighbor gifts, and a year supply of my own family's consumption. Ummm...look what 10 pounds of apples made me.... Umm...applesauce making is soooooo overrated.....

New Uses for Ordinary Things-Take 3...

Here at this household, we strive to become creative. We strive to be creative so we can survive. Surviving means a variety of things to us. To my husband, surviving means obtaining the latest bit of technology...( honey bunches...do we REALLY need to get a PS3. Yes, Yes, I understand that you feel your call of duty is to play Call of Duty..but really?) ,. For me, surviving means going through a day without getting poop on my hands.

So for today's New Uses for Ordinary things, I am combining a little a both--technology and my sanity....

Ok here it is....an Ordinary thing:

An I-POD

In this day in age, I would assume most of use have and use an ipod or an mp3 player on a weekly basis. This little bit of technology has made life a-bun-detly easier on getting my own "bun" in shape on the treadmill. But did you know it could be used for this??

Drumroll Please......

A New use for an ordinary thing---take 3....

An I -(don't hear any whining or asking for junk) Pod

Let me tell you folks...this little bit of technology has served it glorious purpose within the confines of the grocery store (aka-hell on earth with little ones...)

Here is how you use it...

-Get a pair of headsets that look like they were invented in 1981.

-Insert headsets in I-(don't hear any whining) Pod.

-Place gently on 3 year olds year.

-Turn on "Jesus" music.

-Crank the I - (don't hear any whining) Pod's volume halfway. This way it is really funny to hear the 3 year old when she does try to tell you something. It is very loud. HA!

-Place 3 year old in basket of the cart. (Warning--do not let them walk with I- (don't hear in whining) Pod. THEY.DO.NOT.WATCH.WHERE.THEY.ARE.GOING. Bad idea near a display of goldfish...need I say more?)

-Happily stroll through the grocery store without hear phrases like- "Mommy can we get this!" "Mommy, I am really hungry for this!" "I WANT THIS RIGHT NOW" "I'm bored..." "Are we done yet?"

-When going through the check out lane, carefully remove headsets from 3 year old's ear. We wouldn't want the checkout lady to "label" us a careless mom for letting our 3 year old listen to loud music.

-Leave grocery store without sweat stains under your armpits and with more hair in tact (on your head that is!)

See now don't you want to try this?

See even both children were dancing and singing a long....

An all around Happy experience

Now why don't you use your I - (don't hear any whining) Pod. I promise...you'll never look at the grocery store the same again.