Mr. Clean Eraser

Who else knew about these and didn't tell me?!

You're all in trouble!!!!!

A few days ago I called a girlfriend who was at Wal-Mart.  I was a little concerned because Gray had just climbed onto the table (yes, again...) and scribbled all over it with a green marker.  I scrubbed and scrubbed, but couldn't get it off!  She told me she would bring me something home to take it off.  In she walked with Mr. Clean Magic Erasers!  Right before my eyes it did take it off!  

Then it took off scum in my sink, on my oven door handle, on my front door, on my window seal, and my blinds!  These things are AMAZING!  

I was so thrilled with them that we immediately left to go to Sams so I could buy a BIG pack of them...and we're ready for Spring Cleaning!  :0)

**New uses since this post was written:

• Last year's Old Navy Flip Flops (I haven't gotten there yet to buy this year's supply!)
• Tiles on the kitchen floor (thanks Kim!)
• Ink pen on the kitchen table

The Last Great Race

The Iditarod officially started today!  It has been a few years since I have really followed it, but I fully intend to this year!  Hunter is old enough to understand the race and follow it with me!  I can't wait to read Zuma's Paw Prints with him every day and show him race footage (from when we lived there)!  I'm cheering for Dee Dee Jonrowe again this year of course...

Poop Pa

Apparently this is the name of choice for Charlie after he officially becomes part of the family!  I wish more than anything that I could record on here Hunter's voice inflection when he says it.  Mom, Charlie, and I sat around and laughed at him for a good 15 minutes while he just ran around the living room saying it over and over again!  I have to admit, the name suits their relationship perfectly, although I'm hoping to come up with a more "appropriate" name for public use...something like "Grandpa" would fit nicely...but, as Hunter said tonight, "You're never going to get that name out of my head!"  :0)

This Year I Want To...

write 2 letters.  There are two people that I would like to tell how much their footprint on my life means to me.  One was a high school teacher, another an ultrasound technician.  I did not realize at the time what each of them would mean to me years later, but I can't get either of them out of my mind and I take that to mean that God would like me to let them know!  I'm not currently in contact with either, so I suppose I will just mail these letters.  I'm not sure if either will remember who I am, but that's not the important part.  What I hope to accomplish is to let them know that they are wonderful at their occupation and to encourage them to continue doing an excellent job every day.  I'll let you know when I get them off...

My family rocks!

We love Rock Band!  Lucky for us Charlie has it at his house, so we have the privilege of playing almost any time we want, but don't have to house the instruments at our house!  

some random facts I've learned about myself recently

• I want a "note to self" recorder because there are so many times I want to remember something to blog about that I know I'll forget by the time I get the chance to sit down at the computer.


• I love going to Subway because there are so many opportunities to say "please" and "thank you" as they make your sandwhich.
  


• I usually enjoy seeing parents of friends from HS and listening to them tell me about their child's life since I knew them. I like to hear the story from a parent's point of view.


• I find that I am always the unborn baby's advocate above the mom's.


• I believe I am a very different mom to Graysen then I was to Hunter at this stage.


• I think it's udderly rediculous that MS students are allowed in the hallways a full 35 minutes before the first bell rings. There is NO reason they need that much time to linger and socialize before going to class.


• I think it is MUCH harder to be a parent the older the child gets - I'd take sleepless nights and crying over a disobidient child ANY DAY!


• It is a pet peeve of mine for people to eat Dove Chocolates and not read the message in the wrapper...seriously...I get mad about it.


• I get baby fever all the time. All I have to do is see a pregnant person, see an ultrasound picture, or hear a baby name I like. It's bad.


• I am determined to teach my children how to respect their teacher's classrooms when they go to school. (Pushing in their chair when they get up, helping to pick up paper off the floor, saying please and thank you, not talking out of turn, etc.)


• I think it should be a crime for anything to be scheduled on a Saturday before noon.

• I would rather have a few really good friends then lots of people who I THINK are friends.
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Big Girl Hair!

I love my kids being babies.  I know, I'm opposite some others of you, but I adore the pregnancy, infant, baby stage...until 3 are my favorite years!  I like to keep them babies as long as possible, and part of that is appearance.  As long as they look like a baby they are, right?!  ;0)  Here is Graysen's first day of "Big Girl" Hair.  I'm sad about it, but she's SO adorable I can't help but be "proud" of her!  

Quiet doesn't always equal bad...sometimes, just yummy!

This morning it was just Graysen and I awake.  I was folding laundry in the living room and she was in the kitchen.  She usually comes in the kitchen and pushes her baby stroller or plays in the "kids" drawer.  This morning, she was unusually quiet...this is what I found!  :0)

I know, some of you will disagree with me allowing her to continue to eat it, but I figured she would have it at some point during the day, why does it matter in what order we eat our food - just as long as we get it all right?!  :0)  

(And yes - Hunter ate cake for breakfast as well!)

Praise and Worship

The other night I was blessed to have an experience I have never had before.  11 other people and I spent 1.5 hours in a dark sanctuary with worship music blaring.  We all spread out across the church and were able to worship in our own way.  It was an awesome experience where I truly felt God.  I raised my hands, I danced, I sang, I kneeled, I smiled, I cried.  It was perfect for me.  I love worshiping through song.  I didn't know all of the songs, but would love a copy of the playlist (hint, hint blog stalker who never leaves comments...).  I walked out feeling refreshed and revitalized.  

I can't wait to do it again.  Soon Please!   

My Child "Do Withouts"!

Here are a list of items that I think are either utterly ridiculous (sorry if you use them!), or I've tried and feel like they were worthless.

• Itzbeen Baby Care Timer - Okay, so I will say that the reminder as to what side you nursed on last might be helpful (but if you really can't tell by the feeling in your breasts a safety pin will work...).  I can also say that this item might be good for the possibility of having multiples who aren't on the same schedule or premies that MUST eat every x amount of hours, but for normal people I find this ridiculous!  If you are honestly "spacey" enough that you can't remember to change your baby, feed your baby, etc....should you really be a parent?  Usually a smell of the bottom or a hunger cry is a good enough reminder!
• Breast Milk Testing Strips - To me, part of the nursing is the continued sacrifice for your child.  If you want to go back to drinking alcohol as soon as your baby is born, then don't nurse them - I just think it's kind of an oxy moron.  (Obviously since these items are actually made and people actually use them I'm probably in the minority in this mind set.)
• Wipe Warmer - I had one of these with Hunter and found that no matter what setting I put it on , or how short of a period I left it plugged in it always dried out the wipes.  Balling the wipe up in your hand for a few seconds before using it is a much more efficient way to warm wipes...I think.
• Prenatal Heart Listener - I got one of these when I was pregnant with Hunter and I could NEVER find his heart beat.  It not only cost me money (that was wasted because it didn't work), but it caused me lots of stress worrying about my baby (whose heart I couldn't hear!).  
• Play Mat - I never felt like my kids (or baby sitting kids) laid under something like this for more than 2 minutes.  Also, even if the mat part folds up nice and compact the bridges with toys on them don't, so they take up lots of storage space.  So not worth it to me.
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My Child "Must Haves"!

Here is a list of baby / children's items that I've used with my kids or baby sitting kids that I adore.  Obviously every baby is different...some of these have worked for only one child, some have worked for all of them.  Either way, these are items that I will never go without while I have young children in my home!  The links are the places where I've purchased them, but obviously you can buy them from several different places!

• Moby Wrap - I have tried lots of different carriers, slings wraps, etc.  I think this one is the best one for several different positions and is most useful for the longest period of time.
• Wooden Teething Ring - I love these!  I always feel like the plastic ones get germs in the crevices that are impossible to get out.  It's kind of like an heirloom after they are done with it as well.
• Home made toys - Graysen has loved the toys that I've made her for her the most.  (rice in a used spaghetti jar, cut the top in a formula can and let her learn to stick baby food jar lids in them, etc.)
• Leg Warmers - on the days that we spend at home it's so nice to just stick her in a onesie and her leg warmers.  That way she's warm, but diaper changing is super easy!  
• Bumbo - This chair is amazing!  It helped Graysen (and many other kids I've babysat) sit at an early age and play with toys (in order to not get frustrated with tummy time so quickly).  It was a perfect chair to take into restaurants with us rather than using the germy restaurant high chairs.  It continues to be a great chair for Graysen to sit in every morning while her hair is being done!
• Luv's Diapers - We have found that these are the only diapers that work for day and overnight while not giving Graysen a diaper rash!  (I am hoping that if there is ever another baby in the Redburn household future I exchange this for Bumgenius diapers!)
•   Quick Clean MicroSteam bags - it's a bag that can be used 20ish times.  You literally stick all of your breast pump parts in there with 2 oz. of water and microwave them.  They come out steam cleaned!  Saved me SO much cleaning time!
• Puff Snacks - They come in several brands now, but the little puff snacks are amazing!  They come in both veggie and fruit flavors and were life savors in the car and high chair while I was preparing breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  
• Medela Pump in Style Breast Pump - I went through 4 breast pumps (both electric and hand) from Wal-Mart before my Mom bought me my breast pump (at Babies-r-us).  I could not have lasted nursing my kids with out it.  From being able to pump and feed them in a bottle (so mommy could be gone for more than 2 hours at a time), to pumping for relief when my milk first came in, this has been my best friend at times!
• Swing - I think the two most important parts to a swing are 1) that it swings both front and back and side to side.  2)  The mobile on the top is on an arm that lifts for easily putting your baby in and taking baby out.  
• Umbrella Stroller - I have found that an umbrella stroller is much more useful than any other stroller.  The big ones that your infant car seat hook into are okay in the beginning because they aren't sitting up and you don't have to take them out of their car seat, but once they sit up I think these are all around much better!  They are light weight, much smaller, and MUCH easier to maneuver!   (They actually fit through the store aisles in mall stores!)
• Lansinoh Nursing Pads - I found this brand to be the most comfortable and absorbent.  I am hoping if I ever have another nursing experience I will use these though!
• Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags - I think these are the easiest to pour from bottle to bag and bag to bottle.  I also felt confident in the thickness of them (so they wouldn't tear and leak).  
• Cabinet Locks - These put my mind at ease once my babies started crawling.  I could lock the cabinets with cleaning supplies, heavy ones that could slam on their fingers, ones with glass fronts, etc.
• Mam Pacifiers - These are the only kind Hunter would take and I might've lost my mind if he hadn't taken them!  :0)  Graysen on the other hand did not take a paci (luckily she was not a kid who needed one!)
• Step Stool - Once Hunter learned to go potty by himself a step stool like this was a huge help so that he could also wash his hands by himself!  Made him feel like a big boy and saved me from having to run in the bathroom every time he went potty!  (I also bought another one when he learned to dress himself in the mornings so that he could reach his underwear drawer!)
• Preggie Pops - I needed these big time with Graysen!  They really worked for me!!
• Leather Shoes - Graysen wears shoes like this almost every day!  They have gotten wet, dirty, etc. and have stayed awesome!  She loves them (so they must be comfy).  You can buy them several places and there are lots of different brands, but they all seem to be about the same - GREAT!

Come back tomorrow for my list of items I could've definitely lived without!

HAPPY 82ND BIRTHDAY!

Happy birthday Grandma!  I pray that I will have 82 years on this Earth to influence as many lives as you have.  You have been an awesome role model of what it means to be a real, Christian Woman.  You have had your share of struggles through the last 82 years, but with the Lord have always persevered.  Thank you for setting such a great example for me to follow.  I love you more than you will ever know!

Happy Anniversary Honey!

My note to Lincoln in his anniversary card:

Lincoln,

Today is our 5 year wedding anniversary.  We have had our ups and downs, but mostly ups.  I've been blessed to have a husband who loves the Lord more than he loves me, and in that way loves me the best that he can.  You have taken care of me both physically and mentally more than I ever expected.  You have continued to keep your vow and love me even when it's not been easy.  You have given me beautiful children, and more memories than I can count.  For these things I thank you.  I promise again today that I will continue to love you and work to make our marriage the best it can be until the day I die.  Love is not a feeling, but a choice, and I want you to know that I'm making the same choice again today that I did 5 years ago.  

Love always,

Your Bride

Lots of thoughts tonight

My head is swimming with thoughts...

I had a really hard morning watching my Grandma be in such pain.  I think I've probably seen her cry 2 times in my whole life - and she cried this morning.  She has been in such bad physical pain for so many weeks now.  It seemed like her Doctors weren't trying to do anything to help her, and in today's modern medicine world, you can't tell me that there isn't something to make an 82 year old woman comfortable!  So, I got her in to see another doctor in the same clinic this morning and he gave her a shot that worked wonders and upped her oral meds.  They leave her a bit shaky, but it's better than being in such bad pain.

It hit me really hard this morning how terrible it must be for older people to realize what they have become limited to.  I watched my Grandma struggle to get out of bed, sit on the toilet while she fixed her hair because she was too weak to stand at the mirror, and grab the wall all the way out to her car to go to work because she is too stressed about finances to quit working!  Then at the doctors office I watched a man who once was a Military General struggle to get out of the car and into a wheel chair.  His daughter filled out his paperwork for him and had to hold the clipboard still so he could sign his name at the bottom.  I just can't imagine how humbling it's going to be for me when I get to that point in my life.  Whew.  Too much for one night.  

My cousin passed away in a car accident last night.  It's weird to me because I've never lost a cousin.  I've had 3 grandparents, 1 great-grandparent, 1 great uncle, 1 aunt, 1 uncle, 1 daughter, and now 1 cousin die in my lifetime.  That's 9 people.  Maybe that doesn't seem like many to you, maybe it does.  Lincoln could only come up with 4 in his (2 great-grandparents, 1 great aunt, and 1 daughter).  Anyway...death it seems so easy when you're not confronted with it, but so complicated and confusing when you're in the midst of it.  I'm obviously not going to air my family's dirty laundry on my blog, but let's just say that there are some hard feelings between SEVERAL family members surrounding Jimmy's death.  It's so sad.  I see my grandma trying to reach out to her son and comfort him while having to comprehend the death of her first-born grandchild.  I listened to her talk to Jimmy's wife (of only 8 months) on the phone today and tell her how much she loved her, how she would always be a part of our family even though we haven't had the opportunity to get to know her very well yet.  Then of course there is the salvation factor.  It's just really hard when you don't know for sure where the person stood with God...obviously it's not for any of us to judge or decide, all we can do is pray for the comfort of those closest to him.  

I do marvel at the way God works everything for good.  Jimmy was just here to visit (because his father had a stroke last week).  He got to spend time with his 3 siblings (who don't all live in the same place and rarely get to be together), his father, and his grandma.  The kids even got their picture taken together a few days before he passed away.  How awesome will that be for them to have?! As U. Jim was going through the stroke I found myself thinking, "why would this happen?  Why should my Gma have to go through this stress with her oldest son when she is not in good health herself and is 82 years old?"...well, now I feel like I know!  I believe God had that happen so that the family would all be together before Jimmy passed.  I don't know if this is true or not, but I like to think that God wanted them to have some time together, and since God knew Jimmy's Days before he was even born, He knew this was coming...and what a nice gift to his siblings, Dad, and Grandma.  Thanks God!  :0)  

It's stressful trying to plan to be away from home for 3 days to travel to Omaha for the funeral.  I've got to get everything packed for myself and the kids.  Lincoln won't be able to travel with us because he's got to stay here and work. (Another sucky thing about struggling financially is that you can't just take off work whenever you want to, often times you have to miss out on extremely important events in order to continue to provide for your family!)  Don't get me wrong, I will have lots of help from other family members with the kids - but nothing is quite like having your husband there to help.  Hunter hates sleeping in hotels (he loves them until it's time to go to sleep and then he just wants his own bed...), and Graysen never sleeps in the same room with anyone (and always in her crib), so I'm sure we'll be in for bad nights all around on our trip.  

I had a great evening away with my husband tonight celebrating our 5 year anniversary.  We went to STL, ate dinner at Red Lobster, and then went to the Maryville U Boys Basketball game!  I loved the conversation in the car, Red Lobster is my favorite, and it was awesome being able to sit WITH Lincoln at a game and be able to really watch (a great game) without chasing after and entertaining kids the entire time!  It was a terrific, much needed, night out.  It also helps we got a little bit of time together before I leave on this trip!

My house is freezing.  I hate all the work this electricity bill is creating for me!  Silly, I know, but I felt like my life was full enough before I had to start hand drying the dishes, hang the clothes out to dry (rather than just throwing them in the dryer), search for my cell phone charger (rather than it just being plugged in the wall where I always keep it), and wear 3 extra layers of clothes (which creates more laundry)!  

It's well after midnight and I have a full day tomorrow including a baby shower, packing to travel, a trip to Walmart, going to church (hopefully), and emailing pictures for the funeral.  I suppose I should go to bed...but you can tell my mind is elsewhere right now...

So, it was a bit higher than we expected...

the utility bill that is.  We were aware that it was going up, but we had no idea that it would be nearly as high as it was this month.  I know this is a problem around the entire city, so I'm not complaining, just thought I'd throw some ideas out that we are going institute in our household starting TODAY!  

• Turned off the drying cycle on the dishwasher - we will now hand dry
• We bought new line for the clothes line outside and will start hanging our clothes to dry whenever possible
• When not possible to line dry we will do loads as close together as possible (so the dryer stays hot).
• We will empty the lint trap after every load
• We are no longer using the lights during the day, just opening all the blinds in the house.  
• Lights will never be on in a room that we are not in during evening hours (we've always done this)
• We unplugged everything that is unnecessary (cell phone chargers, digital picture frame, etc.)
• We will start turning the computer off at night
• We turned the thermostat down 2 degrees (the most I can stand!)
• We are going to try to wait until July to turn on our air and just use fans (we'll see how hot it gets!)
• No more using the exhaust fan or light above the stove or sink

We'll see how this works and hope that it's a tiny bit lower next month!  Any other tips for us?  

**  We are not a family of extremes.  We do not usually go / do anything to one extreme or the other, so I'm aware that this list is not amazingly sacrificial or huge.  It's just a few little things that a normal American family can handle.  

Faith Muscles

I haven't been inspired anything that has come into my own head these days.  I have been inspired by so many other people and things that I've read though!  My next few posts will probably be excerpts from things that I've heard or read lately.  I hope they inspire you as well.  

I get the magazine "Mom Sense" through my MOPS group.  It is always great!  Here are some excerpts from an article that was in there this month.

"As if we don't wrestle with enough guilt, we moms tend to beat ourselves up for not being as committed to our spiritual life as we think we should be.  But connecting with God can happen in all kinds of mothering moments.  Here are a few ways to stretch your faith muscles at every age and stage:  

The warm-up years:

...Notice how you're changing, how your heart is opening up.  Watch the ways your child is growing and marvel at the work God is doing in him or her.  Give yourself grace when you mess up and know God has plenty for you, too.  Let these be the years you discover how to lean on God.

The aerobic years:

As your child moves into the preschool years, he enters a stage of incredible discovery.  You can join in and uncover a new appreciation for God's goodness.  ...Perhaps part of what it means to have faith like a child is to recapture a child's awe and joy for being alive.  Pump up your faith as you develop a new appreciation for all God's provisions.

The stretching years:

...These are the years when our patience is tested, our tempers get fired up and our dreams become dashed a little.  But out of these challenging years can come tremendous strength if we turn to God for help.  Spend time each morning asking God for the patience to parent well.  Make time to talk to other moms and get their support.  Be willing to apologize when you lose your cool and offer grace when your kids lose theirs."

I thought this analogy was a wonderful one and made me stop and realize that I am growing closer to God every day - even if it's not spent with hours of bible study and prayer.  My children are helping me every step of the way!

Fun Art Days

We often have "Art time" at our house.  It usually takes place when Daddy is gone somewhere because it stresses him out to have that kind of a mess going on.  (Although he has gotten tons better...when he comes home while we're still doing it he actually can walk in the same room to check out the art work!)  Sometimes we do a craft project, but normally we do finger painting, or just regular painting.  When Hunter was younger he liked to finger paint on blank paper, but lately he's really enjoyed painting the pictures out of those HUGE coloring books.  We currently have a Backyardagins one, and he is greatly enjoying painting (not coloring...) all the pictures in it.  Gray is still a little young to paint with, but I'm sure she will be ready in a few months.  For now she either colors with crayons or draws with chalk while brother paints.

Note to God

Dear God,

Thank you for the rain today.  It's not too much, as to soak the ground and make lots of mud, but it's just enough.  The air smells so fresh and clean - like spring!  Today is the first day I've smelt spring in almost a year and it smells so so delicious!  It rejuvenated my hope that warmer weather will be coming soon and I will be able to resume many fun activities with my kids.  I promise that on the first day possible we will take a walk and talk about all the awesome things you have made all around us.  You know just what I need and always send it in time.  You must've known I needed that reminder today as I struggle with waiting for answers on other issues.  Thank you.  I will continue to wait until you see fit to provide a way.

Love,

Ashley

Maybe I'll buy Huggies this month...

I get tired of the stupid (okay, so I think they're stupid) campaigns that most companies have lately.  I hate the fact that so many of them are based on sexuality or popularity.  Huggies sent a story in the mail today (along with some coupons in the back) that I would not have read except Graysen brought it to me to read to her.  I thought it was the first good, funny advertisement that I have seen in quite some time!  It was in full color and had awesome illustrations!  Some of you may have gotten it in the mail - for those of you who missed out, here's the story (sorry you're missing out on the pictures...try to use your imagination)!

Look at me, check me out

My name's Harry - Harry Hubble

You're probably wondering why I'm here

Inside this plastic bubble.

The answer's pretty simple

My mom is full of STRESS

She gets freaked when I get close

To any kind of mess.

So here I am, with my friend Sam

Who loves to finger paint

If my hands were ever red, green & blue

My mom would surely faint.

And at those birthday parties

Kids have ice cream on their cheeks

If that was me, my mom's eye  would be

Twitching for 2 weeks.

If you're uptight, Mom that's alright

It takes all kinds and types

But your messy-stress would disappear 

if you grabbed some Huggies Wipes.

Feels gentle like a washcloth

Cleaning any mess on me

Like ice cream, mud or syrup

And of course my poo and pee.

And just like that, the switched was flipped

My Mommy heard my plea

She released me from the bubble

And made a party just for me.

And mom no longer freaked out

With Huggies Wipes right by her side

She even got some ice cream on her face

A welcome sight I must confide.

So check me out!

I'm Harry Hubble!

In a plastic bubble?

No Way!

(in fact my mom is sending the bubble back to the bubble store today)

Of course Hunter's favorite was the "poo and pee" line, so we read that page several times (after we read the whole story 5 times!).  Pretty cute story if I do say so myself!

Dating Rules

Lincoln and have tried off and on to schedule regular date nights...but unfortunately we don't feel right asking our families to baby sit when they sit for us SO many other times.  If we hire a babysitter we can't really afford to do anything on our date that costs money...so we end up fizzling out and going for months without a real date.  I found these "dating rules" today and agreed with ALL of them!  Amazing!  

Anyone have any tips on how they make regular date nights work with a limited budget and kids?!