tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620801203132962582012-01-06T12:04:55.773-07:00A blog about Every Precious Joy I find daily in being a mom, following Christ, and my favorite hobbies. Crochet patterns, Recipes, Giveaways, Project No-TV, Adventures in Sewing, and more!*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.comBlogger2511100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-31659807100216856602011-10-09T01:49:00.002-06:002011-10-09T01:49:24.321-06:00

Seasonal Clothing Switch -Tips- At all times, I keep a small box for each child in the back of the closet. We call these their "too-small" boxes. I have 3 kids sharing one very small closet that is less than the size of a shower stall. 3 medium sized diaper boxes fit across the back of the closet. Whenever something doesn't fit right or a random out of season item is found, it goes into the

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-45246103551050523192011-10-05T09:32:00.001-06:002011-10-05T09:36:57.249-06:00

Look what I see on Zulily for $12.99... FuzziBunz One Size cloth diapers that are normally $20! I think I need a whole stash of just this delicious chocolate color! Wait until you see all the other pretty colors they have too! But don't wait too long... they go FAST on Zulily and when they're gone they're gone. Zulily is kind of like a deal-a-day site except most deals usually hang around for

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-68744583015892647202011-10-02T16:31:00.000-06:002011-10-02T16:31:01.710-06:00

Can you see everything displayed properly with this layout or is it wonky?

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-78270111579842621372011-09-21T18:07:00.000-06:002011-09-21T18:07:56.506-06:00

A little encouragement if you have "all littles:" http://raisingolives.com/2010/07/does-get-easier/ A good list of kids' chores by age: http://www.raisingarrows.net/2011/08/age-appropriate-chore-list/ The reason I won't go back on The Pill: http://comefillyourcup.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/questions-and-answers-what-about-the-use-of-birth-control-pills/ Good thoughts about raising men! http:

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-51930473786418872962011-09-08T13:45:00.001-06:002011-09-08T13:48:56.738-06:00

 We've recently revamped the chores. My oldest, who is almost 5, was asking for a sticker chart for her chores, my almost 3 year old was starting to show signs of laziness and trying to get by on his sister doing all the work, and I was thinking that I really need to get them into a routine of things we do every day. Before this, chores looked like this: Mama runs around house like chicken with

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-86137912592555983162011-08-10T13:36:00.001-06:002011-08-10T13:39:13.445-06:00

People keep asking if we're "going to" start homeschooling. This year everyone's been pretty nice about it when I say we already are, but when my oldest was 3 I got some pretty rude things said and things that weren't really rude but were said in a rude way, KWIM? All were said to me BY HOMESCHOOLING MOMS. Pretty much in a nutshell they were insinuating that if my kid is only 3 years old it's not

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-54459736168537014752011-07-30T17:21:00.000-06:002011-07-30T17:21:03.151-06:00

Are you curious whether we'll be getting out the pink box or the blue box this time? We had our ultrasound on July 19th. The baby was kicking and wiggling and so so fiesty! It was such a joy to watch! When it came time to peek at the bottom, this little one had their legs crossed. Of course. :) After a little bit of wiggling and poking on my part, and just relaxing on my side for a few minutes

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-9000191317241431582011-06-06T12:56:00.000-06:002011-06-06T12:56:16.337-06:00

Head on over to 400Things to enter to win a copy of "Large Family Logistics" by Kim Brenneman! I haven't read it through yet but from what I've seen it looks really helpful!!! :)

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-57401362683431944702011-06-04T19:59:00.001-06:002011-07-30T22:19:41.565-06:00

Almost every Master List on the internet that tells you what you supposedly need for baby is affiliated with someone selling something and therefore will push products that you don't need that many of, or don't need at all. When you're considering which "tools of the trade" are necessary, which make life so much easier, and which ones just sound good but in practice miss the mark for practicality

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-9603388255509554332011-05-08T02:01:00.000-06:002011-05-08T02:01:33.053-06:00

I hope you all have a blessed Mother's Day! This year I have yet another reason to celebrate motherhood... a second pink line on that little white test! Yes, I am 8 weeks pregnant! That is why I have been a bit scarce lately. Fighting off the first trimester nausea and fatigue among other things. My husband and I are so happy to be having another baby! Our little ones are pretty excited about it

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-75094985210533381982011-04-17T02:45:00.000-06:002011-04-17T02:45:15.497-06:00

Well at first I didn't quite know where to start. Then I thought for sure I'd ruined it. Then I realized this could work... And finally I was done with it and it came out much better than I feared it would when I was hacking away at it with the scissors! ;) She had untied the bows at the shoulders just before this pic was taken and I had a grabby baby in one arm and a clingy son on one leg and

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-74614940104634269852011-04-15T23:21:00.000-06:002011-04-15T23:21:29.683-06:00

Well this weekend my goal is to get some sewing done!!! Seriously need to get my older daughter's Easter dress made (wanna see a pic of what I'm going to make it out of? Wanna wanna? Wait for it...) and my younger two's outfits washed up. My son's came from WalMart and is going to dual-duty for my brother's wedding this spring. My baby's dress is a beautiful brand new with tags dress that I

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-52957903646167381052011-04-13T11:48:00.001-06:002011-04-15T11:07:05.403-06:00

I don't remember how or when it was that I stumbled upon The Modesty Survey, but I do remember that it was a great encouragement to me, a little convicting, and it gave me some motivation in an area of my life I had been neglecting for quite a few years. As a little bit of background for you, when I was a toddler my mom put me in jeans. I just didn't like the feel of them pinching my middle, and

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-55210988357206064462011-04-11T10:35:00.001-06:002011-04-13T09:42:15.338-06:00

Today is a beautiful rainy day. I'm tired after being up late watching movies with my Better Half and then waking up every hour or two to feed the little one. She's 7 months old now and I've been pondering how to get her to sleep longer at night. She sometimes, pretty rarely, wakes only 2 or 3 times in a night. I am praying those nights become more frequent and the nights of hourly waking less

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-81540497562711648532011-04-03T02:13:00.000-06:002011-04-03T02:13:16.685-06:00

TITLE: Journey To Riverbend AUTHOR: Henry McLaughlin GENRE: Christian Fiction ISBN: 978-1-4143-3942-9 PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: "Michael Archer is nothing if not a man of his word. Though he was unable to save Ben Carstairs, Michael is determined to carry out Ben’s dying wish: to be reconciled with his father. Unfortunately, Sam Carstairs, one of the most ruthless businessmen on the frontier, has no

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-84958791968392569912011-04-01T00:00:00.004-06:002011-04-14T16:57:47.339-06:00

This is my last giveaway linky. it's a pain in the neck to upkeep when maybe 3 or 4 people use it so I quit. I have better things to do with my time... like tickle this cute boy who is climbing me right now... ;) ~*~

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-88586455033095708002011-03-28T08:57:00.001-06:002011-03-28T08:57:00.505-06:00

~Mommy Moments~ Moments that are the essence of motherhood My 4 1/2 year old daughter sees me changing her siblings' diapers at least a dozen times a day. And I always try to make diaper changes a sweet time. I know you're thinking, it's poo and pee, how can it be sweet? Well it's not about the poo and pee, it's about the one on one face time opportunity. Not that I'm not cooing in my kids' face

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-20196864532570705082011-03-20T14:21:00.002-06:002011-03-20T15:27:08.095-06:00

(image from photobucket.com) Dear New Mama,    Congratulations on your precious new little blessing! I know you're hearing all kinds of advice from everyone right now. Everything you read says something new. Everyone who loves you will want to give you helpful , and even people you don't know will see your precious newborn as a good reason to give you advice. As you're hearing all of these

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-88810019995869666142011-03-10T11:18:00.000-07:002011-03-10T11:18:57.981-07:00

TITLE: Tithing; test me in this AUTHOR: Douglas LeBlanc GENRE: Spiritual Growth & Christian Thought ISBN: 978-0-8499-4608-0 PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: "Stories of people who live a generous and happy life (and why you'll want to live that way too.) Journalist Douglas LeBlanc travels the nation to talk with believers whose lives have been enriched by the ancient spiritual discipline of tithing. He

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-2385860592001094832011-03-08T10:20:00.000-07:002011-03-08T10:20:07.293-07:00

I was in the woods. There were dark skeleton trees surrounding me. The sun peeking through the branches even seemed dim. And there was something up there... in the trees... "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) So many things have happened since Thanksgiving and I wish I could say they were

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-49398836059234599492011-03-01T00:00:00.002-07:002011-03-09T17:15:19.211-07:00

http://everypreciousjoy.blogspot.com/2011/03/March-giveaways.html  First, here are some awesome giveaways I have found! Check back frequently as I will be removing the ones that are over and adding new giveaway links as I can! Please click on a date to see a few select giveaways ending on that date. (If date is not clickable, I have not selected any giveaways to feature for that date yet.)

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-60155613200630984062011-02-01T00:00:00.004-07:002011-02-17T00:48:56.796-07:00

http://everypreciousjoy.blogspot.com/2011/02/February-giveaways.html  First, here are some awesome giveaways I have found! Check back frequently as I will be removing the ones that are over and adding new giveaway links as I can! Please click on a date to see a few select giveaways ending on that date. (If date is not clickable, I have not selected any giveaways to feature for that date yet.)

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-90251054650866995902011-01-21T12:49:00.000-07:002011-01-28T12:51:01.842-07:00

This year for Christmas we decided to do a few things differently. More on that in a minute... December brought with it a few challenges including the whole family getting the flu and staying sick until a week before Christmas, and alot of unexpected expenses. It felt like we were under a spiritual attack of some sort. Just thing after thing happening. God saw us through and we were able to go

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-30024775006651545652011-01-12T11:59:00.001-07:002011-01-12T12:06:30.238-07:00

Warning: this post is a bit of a downer. With creepy dreams thrown in too. Mostly I just journalled this stuff to try to figure out later. Thanksgiving, just a week after Nana went Home to Heaven, was weird. It was bittersweet for those of us missing her. In a good way it was nice because it brought us all together when it would otherwise have been a divided family affair spent each with out

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-52123094693984224012011-01-07T20:21:00.000-07:002011-01-07T20:21:57.091-07:00

Firstly I want to thank you for the sympathetic comments regarding the passing of my Nana. It hurts so much but I have such wonderful amazing memories of her... When I was a child, I spent at least one night a week at my Nana's house. Mom's mom was the best Nana ever. I remember her calling me sweetie but she would say it kind of in baby talk so it sounded like "fweetie" and no matter how rotten

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-42089134270993375052011-01-02T00:00:00.000-07:002011-01-07T21:14:44.780-07:00

http://everypreciousjoy.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-giveaways.html  First, here are some awesome giveaways I have found! Check back frequently as I will be removing the ones that are over and adding new giveaway links as I can! Please click on a date to see a few select giveaways ending on that date. (If date is not clickable, I have not selected any giveaways to feature for that date yet.)

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-72367754303036004602010-12-28T10:29:00.000-07:002011-01-12T22:31:43.469-07:00

TITLE: Unto The Hills; A Daily Devotional AUTHOR: Billy Graham GENRE: Christian devotional ISBN: 978-0-8499-4621-9 PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: "For peace, for strength, for courage and inspiration, look UNTO THE HILLS. Day by day, you can join the nation's most beloved spiritual leader for a moment of quiet and reflection - a Scripture, a thought, and a prayer. The author draws from his lifetime of

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-29593348796456066212010-11-19T14:59:00.000-07:002010-11-19T14:59:28.189-07:00

My dear Nana passed away last night. She was 85 and went Home in her sleep. I was her first grandchild and we were so close. I'm still in shock I think. Just numb and queasy. I'm probably not going to be blogging much if at all for the rest of this month. Thanksgiving and a funeral to think about, memories on my mind.

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-79186954978518684872010-11-12T13:07:00.000-07:002010-11-12T13:07:46.310-07:00

Wanna see a sneaky peeky of the newest member of my family? ;) I was just sitting here looking down at her sleeping in my arms: ...and I'm thinking how blessed I am! :) ~*Mama Mirage*~

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-13655429019691629912010-11-09T10:45:00.000-07:002010-11-09T10:45:22.788-07:00

the birth story! slow going 1 handed since I'm always holding my new little princess. :) I know she's 2 months old now - I'd better get it posted soon! lol!

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-54410416265641267722010-11-08T09:42:00.004-07:002010-11-10T10:41:38.387-07:00

We all learn a few things along the road of motherhood. Sometimes we remember to pass them on and sometimes we don't. I think our daughters could really benefit if we remembered the little tricks we learned to make things easier and passed them on to the next generation. :) Here are a few things I've learned to do that make things easier with babies and toddlers. Diapers If baby explodes

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-37960468097239124862010-11-04T16:22:00.001-06:002010-11-04T16:34:40.625-06:00

For Christmas this year I'm hoping to go as homemade as possible. Store bought gifts are fun, for a while, but homemade ones are heart to heart! Homemade gifts are sentimental, personal. They just mean more. :) My nephew just turned 1 and I made him one of these for his birthday. He had a ball (pun intended) tossing it around, and since it is soft there were no bonked noggins and no sad faces.

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-35801763868265878752010-11-01T05:00:00.006-06:002010-11-04T16:19:54.211-06:00

Every year as the weather gets wetter, the leaves get brighter, and the air gets a bite of chill to it, I start thinking about my favorite time of year: Christmas! I remember my childhood Christmases. We were poor in money but rich in love and what I remember about Christmas isn't Santa or Presents, it's the SMELL of cinnamon and pine, the beautiful nativity set, the inspiring music, the sound

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-46960972280282356502010-11-01T00:01:00.001-06:002010-11-01T00:01:01.654-06:00

http://everypreciousjoy.blogspot.com/2010/11/november-giveaways.html  First, here are some awesome giveaways I have found! Check back frequently as I will be removing the ones that are over and adding new giveaway links as I can! Please click on a date to see a few select giveaways ending on that date. (If date is not clickable, I have not selected any giveaways to feature for that date yet.)

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-17715069363943784012010-10-24T07:00:00.062-06:002010-10-24T07:00:03.467-06:00

If you have not yet read the preceeding 3 parts of this 4-part series, then I must request that you do so before continuing. It is a series for a reason and is in the order which I have presented it for a reason - it will make the most sense if you read it as it was meant to be read. *(This is an updated repost of a series I did last year)* Part 1: Jack-O-Lantern, Stingy Jack, Jack the Smith

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-3386775291486270802010-10-17T07:00:00.002-06:002010-10-20T10:04:28.602-06:00

This week we are looking at how the information in Part 1 and Part 2 tie together. If you have not read parts 1 and 2 yet, please do so now so you know what I'm talking about. ;) Part 1: Jack-O-Lantern, Stingy Jack, Jack the Smith Part 2: Origins - All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day *(This is an updated repost of a series I did last year)* In part 2, I was saying how All Saints Day has been

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-20419315477344517162010-10-13T23:50:00.003-06:002010-10-13T23:52:10.791-06:00

The 5 scariest things you can do this halloween

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-12357197145078133902010-10-10T07:00:00.007-06:002010-10-20T10:08:36.617-06:00

If you have not yet read Part 1: Jack-O-Lantern, Stingy Jack, Jack the Smith, then now would be a good time to get caught up! *wink* *(This is an updated repost of a series I did last year)* All Saints Day/All Hallows/Hallowmas/Lemuria/Samhain Now, I'm not Catholic, but as explained to me by a friend, this day seems to be currently thought of as a day to remember loved ones who have died.

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-57596022837194785052010-10-03T07:00:00.004-06:002010-10-20T10:07:15.002-06:00

*(This is an updated repost of a series I did last year)* Today in Halloween history we will be studying the origins of the Jack-O-Lantern. The Jack-O-Lantern began with an Irish legend. So goes the legend there was a man named Jack who was a blacksmith. He was a stingy drunkard and a con-artist. Smooth and silver-tongued it was said he could talk anyone into anything. (For more information,

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-72214380130084396262010-10-01T00:00:00.001-06:002010-10-11T19:29:18.768-06:00

http://everypreciousjoy.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-giveaways.html  First, here are some awesome giveaways I have found! Check back frequently as I will be removing the ones that are over and adding new giveaway links as I can! Please click on a date to see a few select giveaways ending on that date. (If date is not clickable, I have not selected any giveaways to feature for that date yet.)

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-44882122196505245952010-09-10T07:00:00.000-06:002010-09-10T07:00:03.932-06:00

"One Hand, Two Hands" by Max Lucado (Children's Book review) From Amazon.com: "Written in rhyming text and illustrated with the charming art of Gaby Hansen, this simple message of God's blessing of hands not only entertains . . . as it teaches what wonderful things our hands can do from scratching, latching, and petting a pup to washing dishes with mommy and putting toys in a box . . . but it

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-11947777516244704982010-09-07T10:04:00.000-06:002010-09-07T10:04:45.477-06:00

So my water broke this morning! Yay finally something's going on! :D I hope. I've only had 4 contractions since it broke at 7:30am which was 2 1/2 hours ago so not really going anywhere yet.

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-82746300824463142442010-09-05T07:00:00.000-06:002010-09-05T07:00:01.306-06:00

**This post is for ADULTS ONLY** We explain to Chicklet when we encounter something immoral or inappropriate that this is not something we do, but in this day and age there are unfortunately too many things that cross the line and while we as a society are becoming numb to the perversion that is so prevalent, our little ones are becoming innocent victims. Think about it, how many times do you

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-18770012271306091882010-09-03T07:00:00.000-06:002010-09-03T07:00:01.891-06:00

Recently for supper we had this: All shiny with cheese and delicious lentil stew! Yumyumyumyum!!! It was delicious of course. :) The kids, even my non-eater, gobbled it right up. I posted the recepe last year so if you'd like to check it out, click HERE and enjoy! ;)

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-55843953976396690122010-09-01T00:01:00.001-06:002010-09-01T20:16:19.759-06:00

http://everypreciousjoy.blogspot.com/2010/09/september-giveaways.html  First, here are some awesome giveaways I have found! Check back frequently as I will be removing the ones that are over and adding new giveaway links as I can! Please click on a date to see a few select giveaways ending on that date. Giveaways By End Date: August 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-70621686926067624592010-08-31T16:58:00.000-06:002010-08-31T16:58:09.380-06:00

I confess, I have taken on yet another crochet project! It's a good one though I promise! ;) Those of you who have known me very long know I tend to take on too many projects at once. Right now I'm due in 12 days, having regular contractions for at least a couple hours a day daily since the full moon, and working on TWO baby blankets. Yes two. You see, I never finished Buggie's baby blankie

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-29699457446888100122010-08-29T22:17:00.001-06:002010-08-29T22:20:33.604-06:00

http://everypreciousjoy.blogspot.com/2010/09/september-giveaways.html  First, here are some awesome giveaways I have found! Check back frequently as I will be removing the ones that are over and adding new giveaway links as I can! Please click on a date to see a few select giveaways ending on that date. Giveaways By End Date: August 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-19639734575516134112010-08-28T21:46:00.002-06:002010-08-28T22:37:50.941-06:00

I've been given the opportunity to try out Pillsbury Sweet Rolls with my family and share the experience with my readers! MyBlogSpark and Pillsbury generously sent me a coupon for the rolls and a "Sweet Sunday Moment" prize pack. In addition, one lucky reader will win a Pillsbury "Sweet Sunday Moment" prize pack just like the one I got! Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win the prize

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-89282228867893958612010-08-24T06:19:00.000-06:002010-08-24T06:19:07.097-06:00

Ah decisions, decisions! ;) Would anyone even read it I wonder?

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-21063677620252681152010-08-11T14:26:00.002-06:002010-08-31T17:08:03.778-06:00

Happy 2nd Birthday, little man! How time has flown! I feel all nostalgic, remembering this day 2 years ago, snuggling my newborn mini-man. (Trying on Daddy's hat.) Later there will be cake and balloons and a present, maybe two. For the morning though, he's easy to please! He wanted cookies for breakfast- lucky I have some Cookie Crisp cereal left in the cabinet. He got his wish. :) Afterward

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-51893040634865913222010-08-10T23:59:00.001-06:002010-08-11T01:19:46.349-06:00

Tuesday the 3rd of August began with a certain little man going poo in the potty a little bit for the first time ever. He was almost as proud of himself as I was of him! :) His sister was ever so encouraging, talking to him in a high-pitched sugar-sweet voice. She was was thrilled when he went and promptly asked me if that meant we all get an m&m. Hmmm... Ulterior motives? Hehe... ;) I had

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-49299679522303408112010-08-10T08:00:00.001-06:002010-08-10T20:15:20.552-06:00

7/13 An American Girl catalog came in the mail. Bug is napping so I let Chicklet peruse the catalog to keep her quiet. She's been "reading" it for ... an hour and 10 minutes so far. 7/14 Bug (23 months) had a little piece of chocolate covered grahm... I went to wash him after and wondered why his fingers were distinctly less messy than his face and what he'd used to wipe it on. It was then that

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-69832155258031539752010-08-02T14:59:00.002-06:002010-08-13T18:58:56.559-06:00

With all the preceeding week's goings-on, particularly cooking and baking all day Friday and galavanting all Saturday, my ankles vanished completely. Ah my first real cankle-attack, how thrilling... :-/ Not. My dear husband spoiled me though and had me laying down resting or napping all day Sunday! I have to say that was such a vacation for my poor sore tired body, it was just amazing! Isn't he

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-7695625533808757672010-08-01T22:12:00.000-06:002010-08-10T22:19:26.707-06:00

MORE UPDATES! Sunday the 25th Bug was fine all day until mid afternoon and suddenly he came running up to me whimpering and upchucked curdled milk at my feet. Hubby put him in the tub while I cleaned up. Bug was acting pretty chipper considering he felt like a hot oven. He got cranky at bedtime. I kept alternating motrin and tylenol all night long. He was just burning up. Other than the fever

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-53065815725906965562010-07-23T14:21:00.002-06:002010-08-10T19:17:52.818-06:00

UPDATES! Backtracking for a minute, the day before my last update, which I didn't mention in said previous update, the young man who mows our lawn was weedeating out front and his weedeater decided it hated my car and threw some rocks at it. The rearmost side window kinda... disintegrated. Being an awesome honest hardworking upstanding sort of young man, he told me right away and paid for the

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-77375785119996499872010-07-16T23:08:00.003-06:002010-08-10T14:19:05.905-06:00

I see it's been a week since I updated. Still "on break" from blogging but you may have noticed I popped in on Tuesday for Toddler Tales with pics from our cherry adventure! I figured it was time for a real update. I'll try to pop in for Toddler Tales again on Tuesday the 20th and here's a pregnancy/everything else update smashed all into one post for you in the meantime. Oh and thank you for all

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-42932883293782718002010-07-13T08:00:00.000-06:002010-07-14T11:19:34.603-06:00

6/29 We went Cherry Picking!!! It was extra exciting because it was Buggie's first time. We took Chicklet when she was Buggie's age for the first time and I remember that we were trying to teach her how to pick one and then put it in the bucket. She reached up and grabbed one and started to reach to put it in the bucket... slowly... then suddenly she slammed that cherry into her mouth and took

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-82651571190451343472010-07-08T13:32:00.002-06:002010-07-11T23:46:39.647-06:00

I'm hanging in there. :D Still not going to officially come back to blogging just yet... I'll try to post once in a  while though. I need to get pics up of what we did 2 Tuesdays ago. Fun fun! I should have done that before I "went on break" but you know how these things go... My brain on hcg is more like a strainer and everything that is not immediately dire drains right through the holes. So

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-85246555431342401852010-07-01T17:13:00.000-06:002010-07-01T17:13:57.234-06:00

Okay my friends, I'm going to be out of blogging comission for a few days. We're not going anywhere special and I'm not in the hospital having preterm labor (at the moment) but honestly the hot weather has just set in here as of about a week ago and I'm absolutely miserable. I can't sleep because it's too hot. What sleep I do get is because I'm literally wrapped around an ice pack straight out of

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-37741633352628499202010-06-30T20:00:00.000-06:002010-06-30T20:07:11.212-06:00

Toddler Tales totally slipped my mind yesterday. Why? I'm only 29 1/2 weeks but I've been having contractions all night and in pain and they're starting to worry me. So if you'd say a prayer for me that would be great. I need to go call my midwife. Oh and if you have any tips for getting the contractions to stop I'm all ears. I've tried sitting, standing, walking sleeping, ice pack, and sipping

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-66376443665418118952010-06-28T06:00:00.004-06:002010-06-28T06:00:00.958-06:00

I've been considering posting our schedule. Not that it's a very scheduled schedule right now. So I kept procrastinating, thinking maybe I should wait until after the baby is born to post it because when I have a newborn, after the adjustment phase, things become very scheduled around here as a matter of survival. At least they have with my previous 2. :) But then I thought, our un-schedule is

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-59692749158977941542010-06-27T06:00:00.103-06:002010-06-27T13:53:17.777-06:00

Today marks 29 weeks pregnant! Wow! I have so much left that I want to do and it's FLYING by so fast this time. Oh how it dragged with my others; I never expected to be nearly 30 weeks and starting to get nervous about how much I still wanted to get done before she arrives. But I must say it's really such a blessing to have time flying instead of dragging. I was so miserable with my son by the

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-51254992327832484372010-06-26T06:00:00.000-06:002010-06-26T06:00:01.914-06:00

I didn't have time to post this last weekend, it was so busy! But here's an update on last weekend's fun. :D I wish I had some photos but I don't because my camera battery was dead when I grabbed it and I have still not found the charger! :( Last Wednesday marked the start of the local yearly carnival. I love that it's early in the year as compared to most other cities' August and September

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-70651550816137607482010-06-25T06:00:00.004-06:002010-06-26T18:09:00.935-06:00

This is the tastiest fruit salad sauce recipe I have ever tasted! This preggo lady has a serious fruit salad craving now. ;) Feeds a crowd, or a smaller family for a few days. Prepare this the night before it is to be eaten so it has time to marinate! I have no memory of where I got the original but I know I've made some alterations to it over the years to personalize it to our tastes and

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-29227709249709611012010-06-24T07:00:00.002-06:002010-06-24T08:35:07.662-06:00

Just because your blog isn't as well-known as some million-follower blogs out there doesn't mean you don't have good ideas and good advice! And I want to hear it. It's Weekly Question day! ;) There are 2 ways to participate. 1) Answer in the comments! Just comment on this post with your answer. Simple. Easy. 2) Participate in the Blog Hop! Blog a post that answers this week's question and then

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-78750163195305318422010-06-23T07:00:00.004-06:002010-06-24T12:33:04.122-06:00

(Image courtesy of Public-Domain-Image.com) You will need: *Toddler(s). *Wee Sing America Desired Results: *Child should be able to recognize and describe the United States flag. Prerequisite to: *Recognition of various other types of flags. Phase 1; build interest and recognition of flags in general. When Chicklet was 3 1/2 years old she started getting excited about flags. Now it's

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-85628589114808660612010-06-22T06:00:00.045-06:002010-06-22T06:00:00.420-06:00

6/18 Friday evening we walked to a children's parade, pulling the tots in the wagon, and then afterward wandered up the street to the carnival to scope out the fair food for the following day's outing. We had had taco pizza for supper on Monday, and Tacos on Wednesday, and leftover Taco meat for lunch on Thursday. Hubby's reading off the signs on the roach-coaches and when he gets to "...tacos...

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-16368796444591161692010-06-20T00:02:00.000-06:002010-06-22T02:01:28.276-06:00

PLEASE do not forget if you are adding giveaways to my linky, Blog name and end date are needed as well as the name of your giveaway! I gave you plenty of space to do this. It's important to have your BLOG NAME AND GIVEAWAY NAME on there so people aren't wasting their time clicking to go enter your giveaway when they've already entered it from another linky! If you simply don't want to put your

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-17436430607535456622010-06-20T00:01:00.001-06:002010-06-25T02:10:29.878-06:00

http://everypreciousjoy.blogspot.com/2010/06/june-giveaways.html  First, here are some awesome giveaways I have found! Check back frequently as I will be removing the ones that are over and adding new giveaway links as I can! Please click on a date to see a few select giveaways ending on that date. Giveaways By End Date: June 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-39383886382587875062010-06-15T16:31:00.003-06:002010-06-22T01:58:04.476-06:00

Well I had the Toddler Tales Tuesday post and linky scheduled to post automatically @ 6am this morning and here I come in and 4pm and it's nowhere to be seen! I looked in my drafts for it and there it was just sitting, saying it's scheduled to post at 6 this morning but not doing anything about it. I had to manually post it just now. I am so sorry about that for anyone who wanted to join in this

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-30265167917004150792010-06-15T06:00:00.005-06:002010-06-15T16:12:02.781-06:00

6/9 As I've mentioned before, Chicklet colors in a chair by my bed while I try to take a little nap in the afternoons. I get so tired when pregnant that some days I can't function without a nap, especially in the first and last trimester. It's hard to get a nap in when you have 2 toddlers, one of whom who doesn't nap anymore but is still too young to be left unsupervised. My solution has been to

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-49596786266113433822010-06-13T00:25:00.001-06:002010-06-22T01:58:57.680-06:00

Beautiful Things Happen When A Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh Hardcover, 288 pages, genre Christian Living Publisher's Description: "Do you ever question God’s ability to catch you when you fall? Do shame, fear, and brokenness keep you from fully trusting God? Do you secretly believe your dreams are unreachable? You are not alone. Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God is all

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-7972515534039963032010-06-12T20:47:00.001-06:002010-06-22T01:59:31.850-06:00

I'm alive. Tired and sick and hot and sore but still riding the high of excitement that I'm carrying another baby! :) The insomnia is really starting to get to me again though which isn't good because it usually leads to depression and you know I don't wanna go there. :p Who would?! So I guess it's time to dig out my Valerian again and keep the Tums handy because it gives me heartburn. Lol!

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-21333001587935504982010-06-10T06:00:00.005-06:002010-06-22T02:00:37.370-06:00

Do you hate cutting out coupons? Have a rule against coupons? Ever wondered if the money saved was worth all the time and effort or wondered if there was a way to do it for coupon haters like yourself? Or maybe you're just new to couponing and don't want to get in over your head and make yourself hate it? Well, everyone else seems to be doing posts on how they coupon or how they avoid couponing,

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-60913490936448919732010-06-10T00:00:00.001-06:002010-06-09T17:34:55.765-06:00

Just because your blog isn't as well-known as some million-follower blogs out there doesn't mean you don't have good ideas and good advice! And I want to hear it. It's Weekly Question day! ;) There are 2 ways to participate. 1) Answer in the comments! Just comment on this post with your answer. Simple. Easy. 2) Participate in the Blog Hop! Blog a post that answers this week's question and then

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-10840925512142345122010-06-08T11:54:00.001-06:002010-06-08T21:09:04.491-06:00

This week I was bad about writing down the cute things the kids said and did as they happened, and you know how Mommy's memory goes when preggo? Lol! What memory? ;) So the pickings are slim this week unfortunately. Pretty much limited to this morning's happenings. So, without further ado, may I present this morning's happenings: 6/8 They are the best of friends, they are the worst of

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-41618615838978213512010-06-04T18:16:00.003-06:002010-06-26T18:09:52.481-06:00

Happy Fry-day! ;) Last week a dear friend of mine and I got together and baked some delicious bread! I shared the basic recipe that we used on here last fall, but this is a wonderful recipe that allows for changes in the main ingredient without ruining the texture or flavor of the bread. Today I'm going to share with you the variation my friend and I used last week. I happened to be fixing the

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-75758783280644165142010-06-04T17:17:00.001-06:002010-06-04T19:58:16.345-06:00

There's a new site just launching called http://raisinghomemakers.com/ and it looks like there will be some good inspiration on there for us Mamas who are striving to raise Godly daughters. :) They are having alot of great giveaways right now so pop on over there and check it out! ♥ Raising Homemakers is giving away a 4-book prize pack including 3 Beautiful Girlhood titles and Polished

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-24048420715073638422010-06-03T14:15:00.004-06:002010-06-22T02:04:01.566-06:00

This post is linked up to my Thursday Question Blog Hop! Please go HERE to see the original question and add YOUR post or read others' thoughts on this subject! Laundry... How do you do it? I myself do not generate a large amount of dirty clothes, but lets just say that I am the only one who does not! We have 2 toddlers, one of whom is "freshly potty-trained" (you know what that means...

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-51533808940265641322010-06-03T12:25:00.002-06:002010-06-09T16:58:11.169-06:00

Just because your blog isn't as well-known as some million-follower blogs out there doesn't mean you don't have good ideas and good advice! And I want to hear it. It's question Thursday! ;) There are 2 ways to participate. 1) Answer in the comments! Just comment on this post with your answer. Simple. Easy. 2) Participate in the Blog Hop! Blog a post that answers this week's question and then

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-268720329021398852010-06-01T06:00:00.058-06:002010-06-27T13:47:12.067-06:00

5/19 Bug (1 yr. 9 mnths.) was napping in the kids' room, and Chicklet (3 yrs. 8 mnths.) was in time out in my bed. She was cranky and tired so I decided she would nap with me and was refilling my water bottle while she waited in bed. When I got to bed and lay down, that mean old heartburn set in and I started feeling around on the windowsill above my head. I always keep 1 or 2 Tums up there for

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-84440291564706983982010-05-24T17:25:00.002-06:002010-06-22T02:05:02.257-06:00

Well I had lots of plans for this weeks posts but I have not been able to get to writing them. I somehow hurt my back Friday because when I woke up Saturday morning it was killing me. I almost NEVER take any pain relievers, and on the blue moon that I do it's half a dose of Tylenol or something. I have a very very low pain tolerance so it's important to me to not get used to pain relievers. I

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-60091589950787513702010-05-20T22:55:00.003-06:002010-06-22T02:05:43.707-06:00

Here are some things I feed my beginning eaters. Use your own discretion regarding your child's readiness for certain foods. Different kids are aready for different stuff at different times. -Egg yolk; to make it easy just fry an egg without breaking the yolk. Cook all the way through. Cool and peel out the disk shaped yolk and give it to baby as a finger food. It's like a little egg yolk cookie

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-11589967742522083022010-05-20T11:42:00.001-06:002010-06-09T17:03:00.019-06:00

Just because your blog isn't as well-known as some thousand-plus-follower blogs out there doesn't mean you don't have good ideas and good advice! And I want to hear it. It's question Thursday! ;) There are 2 ways to participate. 1) Answer in the comments! Just comment on this post with your answer. Simple. Easy. 2) Participate in the Blog Hop! Blog a post that answers this week's question and

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-68607157410909972442010-05-20T00:01:00.000-06:002010-05-26T21:41:16.569-06:00

http://everypreciousjoy.blogspot.com/2010/05/may-giveaways.html  First, here are some awesome giveaways I have found! Check back frequently as I will be removing the ones that are over and adding new giveaway links as I can! Please click on a date to see a few select giveaways ending on that date. Giveaways By End Date: May 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-41618610696333850392010-05-18T17:20:00.001-06:002010-06-22T02:06:27.061-06:00

So just before Christmas when my husband got me a new computer to replace my old dying one, I declined to have him get me a new monitor too. I like my monitor and it was familiar and reliable! So I thought. Well the last couple weeks my modem has been overheating and my monitor starts getting all twitchy like it's having a seizure and then blacks out. *sigh* So despite a new and working computer

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-68590155365123277982010-05-18T00:01:00.003-06:002010-05-31T21:08:05.235-06:00

5/9 - 5/12 we were out of town visiting family. That is why no Toddler Tales Tuesday got posted last week - sorry about that! I didn't feel comfortable announcing that we'd be out of town before it happened. Our neighbor spotted a prowler in the yard between our houses the previous week so we've been a bit more cautious than usual lately. ;) 5/13 Put Buggie (1 yr, 9 mnths) to bed and Chicklet (

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-43466409403088760502010-05-17T21:41:00.002-06:002010-06-22T02:06:58.801-06:00

It's been a very busy past week and a half here! :) First of all, my husband took last week off work because Monday was our anniversary! Mother's Day was, as I'm sure you know, on Sunday. I am not sure if I mentioned this on here or not but it seems the second I hit 20 weeks pregnant, that's when the contractions started, and sometimes they HURT like crazy. Now you should know this is typical for

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-68490271225199644502010-05-17T16:23:00.005-06:002010-06-22T02:07:50.162-06:00

~Mommy Moments Monday~ Lessons learned and memories made. Last night I should have been making supper. I should have been unloading the clean dishes. I should have been switching my load of laundry to the dryer. I should have been vacuuming the stairs. I should have been sweeping the bathroom. I should have been getting after the kids to pick up their toys. But I wasn't. I was sitting right

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-72920508138944487492010-05-16T17:11:00.007-06:002010-05-16T17:19:23.334-06:00

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-33370687166814029732010-05-14T23:30:00.002-06:002010-05-17T22:47:31.950-06:00

Procter & Gamble, the manufacturers of Pampers brand disposeable diapers, is facing a growing number of angry mothers. Pampers recently released a new version of it's Cruisers and Swaddlers diapers, bragging that the new "DryMax" versions are now thinner and more absorbent. According to P&G, the DryMax versions use the same ingredients, but the old versions had an absorbent pulp, whereas the new

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-68506202819006945422010-05-13T21:23:00.000-06:002010-05-13T21:23:37.211-06:00

My friend Amy over at Shining My Light is having a giveaway in honor of her 250th post! :) There are prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place so don't miss a chance to enter! While you're there, check out some of her past posts. Her boys are adorable and I love the thought she puts into her Bible reading posts!

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-18823964710614072032010-05-07T13:04:00.002-06:002010-06-09T09:40:00.076-06:00

(Pictures!! I have pics in this one!!) Finally it is Friday and my Monday update is here! Lol! I know my fellow mommies understand... Pregnant, have 2 toddlers, need I say more? ;) Besides, as I'm sure you've noticed, I had other things on my mind that were demanding to be posted this week which pushed my update back a wee bit.  Monday at 11am I had an appointment at my new birthing center. I'm

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-7737227775390933632010-05-06T11:37:00.003-06:002010-05-17T22:51:25.478-06:00

PART 1: Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged PART 2: Religion and Legalism PART 3: God Bless The Pioneers of New Ideas PART 4: Incorrectly Politically Correct > PART 5: Feel-Good Theology **************************** If you have not read the first 4 posts related to this one, especially Part 4, then I advise you click above to read them in order now before continuing so you have a full picture of what

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-85281786308974018922010-05-06T10:05:00.002-06:002010-05-17T22:51:52.322-06:00

PART 1: Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged PART 2: Religion and Legalism PART 3: God Bless The Pioneers of New Ideas > PART 4: Incorrectly Politically Correct PART 5: Feel-Good Theology **************************** To get a complete picture of what I'm trying to say, you should read parts 1-3 as listed above before moving on to this one. :) I have been blessed that in most of the things our

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-59838424986732651592010-05-05T11:01:00.003-06:002010-05-17T22:53:05.160-06:00

PART 1: Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged PART 2: Religion and Legalism > PART 3: God Bless The Pioneers of New Ideas PART 4: Incorrectly Politically Correct PART 5: Feel-Good Theology **************************** (I began this post as a single post, but I felt the need to say so much more that I wound up dividing it into several posts to fit in everything that was on my heart to say. Then I

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-56161281628566951012010-05-04T19:29:00.000-06:002010-05-04T19:29:25.088-06:00

4/29/10 I was wearing a spaghetti strap tank top and shorts to wash up that morning because I knew I'd have kids bursting in on me every 3 seconds. I usually wear a long skirt or my long pajamas, so Chicklet (3 yrs, 6.5 mnths) is not used to seeing me scantily clad unless I just got out of the shower or something, but I hadn't had a shower in a couple days and needed to be CLEAN! :p Chicklet

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-18752710441400018202010-05-04T17:45:00.001-06:002010-05-04T19:19:44.527-06:00

I'm posting this a little late but going to link up at The Mommy On The Bus for MckLinky Monday! ;) Hope it's still okay late! :) Please pop on over THERE and check out the other links! Our weekend was a doozie! It had it's ups and downs! We've all been sick since a few weeks ago- apparently the kids are still playing ping-pong with it because they keep taking turns seeming better and being

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-75989377418868588202010-05-04T16:48:00.002-06:002010-05-04T16:48:49.321-06:00

Okay bear with me as I do my updates. I'm having some seriously ouchie contractions right now and they're assisting the kids in distracting me from getting my Toddler Tales Tuesday post up! ;) It's coming! Really! I promise! ;)

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562080120313296258.post-70004796118938547742010-04-27T18:26:00.001-06:002010-04-27T18:28:48.875-06:00

At this very moment there is an upside down green rubbermaid-style box moving around my living room. The box is slowly sliding all over the place with all the grace of a drunken turtle. Inside the box is one very silly 20 month old boy whose 3 1/2 year old sister is very jealous that he is in the box and she has been instructed to let him be and not take said box away for her own use. Isn't it

*Mirage*http://www.blogger.com/profile/17618483253355777759noreply@blogger.com2