Helpful (Free) Household Planner

Amidst all the sickness that my family went through in January I did come across a really neat daily household organization guide that I have found most helpful. I'm a list person and always get more done if I make a list and then can check it off.  This organizer that I have found has been very beneficial to me (and my family) and in a way takes the daily/weekly thinking of what tasks to do and lets the organizer do it for me.  It helps me stay focused and the nice thing is, if I'm gone a day and don't get it done then I know it will show up again in a later week to do.  For me its been a wonderful tool to help me run a better household. Just had to share! :)  Plus its free!

http://www.theconfidentmom.com/services/classes-products/household-planner-sales-page/

January Update

I thought I'd give you a little update on our lives.  Yes, we're still here, yes, I'm still pregnant.  We had a wonderful Christmas season and managed to stay healthy the whole time.  Unfortunately January was our month of sickness and we had our round of colds, fever, sinus infections, stomach flu, and few relapses to boot. We kept a pretty low profile for most of the month and I honestly didn't get out of the house for more then 5 times during all that.  Crazy how that can be!  I'm happy to report that as of right now, we are all healthy and I sure hope it stays that way!  Hopefully its all out of every one's system before the baby arrives.

Speaking of baby, I'm finding it hard to believe we only have about 8 weeks left until her arrival. All of a sudden there seems to be so much to do.  Bunk beds to build for the kiddos, rearranging the closest and dresser so we can fit baby clothes in the room with the other two's clothes, a quilt to make, a name to pick out (suggests are welcome), and "normal" life to keep livin etc.  To me it feels like the count down has started!  Where has the time gone!  We are soon to be a family of 5!

Here's a few pictures from my phone of our life over the last month.

He's never done this before because I normally keep it shut but he got in before I switched loads.

The kids are "hunting" deer

This creature is throwing up in the wheelbarrow.  Apparently the flu has impacted Liesel so much that her toys "play" being sick.

One of the 1st sunny days in a month time and the kids were healthy enough to go out and enjoy it!

My baby bump at 29 weeks (we're currently at 32 weeks but I don't have a photo)

The fabric for the baby's quilt!

October Recap in Pictures

Hmm someone found a pen...

Helping Mommy peel the apples for applesauce

A surprise birthday visit from Auntie A

Some of the 11 chicks our hen hatched

Feeding the chicks

Our new goats: Hickory, Dickory, & Doc

Waiting for Uncle D to run by with Cuz C & Auntie A

Trying on Daddy's new shoes he got for his 30th B-day!

Isaiah loved this bag with tissue paper!

Cutting up the deer

Helping Daddy fix the pickup

The chicks are growing

She found her new hat & put it on gloves, tag & all!

A picnic lunch/snack with the cousins

An apple cider donut

Yum-Yum

Such good stuff

Giving the corn husks to the animals

Taking a ride on the "dulf" cart basket

Being silly

1st bite of rice cereal. He loves it

He's 2 teeth. (Not the best pic but it's the only one that shows them)

1st time eating at the table in her "big girl" seat

Eating cereal together

Picking apples from our tree

Making apple cider. We've done 10 gallons so far

Proudly sitting by the stack of blocks she made by herself

He's starting to army crawl

Playing with the tractor

He's 1st sip of water. (With Liesel's help & from her cup)

Pretty good stuff

What a big boy!

A fun pumpkin project

My two little pumpkins

Such a cutie!

Not so keen on the green peas

Trick or Treating with the cousins

Trick or Treating at  Grandma's house

Grandma made these funny little goodies for the girls

Pumpkin Craft

We went over to our Pastor and his wife's house for lunch on Sunday and Mrs. A did this fun craft with Liesel.  Liesel really enjoyed it!

The Dancing Pumpkin Man

Liesel was very proud of it

She had some help putting it together & drawing the face etc.

I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit I haven't done that many crafts with Liesel. This is only the 2nd craft she's really done and the first to hang on the fridge!  Lately I've been getting some more fun craft ideas so hopefully as the rain/winter weather starts to come we'll have some more crafts to do! :)

More Birthday Pictures

Liesel kindof had three birthday celebrations this year.  One in the beginning of August when we did an August Family Birthday Bash (that included my dad, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and bro-in-law), then on the day of her birthday we celebrated with her cousins, and a few days after that with just us & my bro-in-law.

So here's some fun pictures from all the different celebrations!

Liesel with her garden tools

Her "motorcycle"

Her new baby in her backpack

A raincoat

The cousins (Liesel-2yr, S-2yr, Isaiah-4 months, R-1yr)

Our 2 year old

Got to love the face!