A few of my favorite things {2011}

With the end of 2011 coming up, I thought I'd show you the products I am loving right now...

Yep, the Hann steam mop. LOVING this still. I makes doing the floors SO STINKING easy & actually fun! (who knew!) My sister {Carly} was over the other night & now has it on her wishlist as well. Comes in mighty handy with a toddler!

Body Pillow: A pregnant girls best friend! I love it & could not sleep as well as I've been sleeping without it.

Diet Mountain Dew {caffeine free} for a girl who loves her dt. dew, this caffeine free stuff has been so nice as a good sub until I get the real stuff again.

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Bubble Baths: take at least 2-3/week the last few months to help ease my lower back pain I've been having associated with the pregnancy. There is something about it, so stinking relaxing!

And lastly, RYAN. He has been the BIGGEST help around the house the last few months when I haven't been feeling the best from helping to put my socks on or taking an extra poppy diaper (or 5) for the team. I married one awesome guy!

the busiest month to date

The busiest month to date for our little appraisal business was the month Tucker was born. I started labor with Tucker @ 10 pm & labored 2 hours @ home before we headed to the hospital. I have a vivid memory of Ryan working in between contractions & me calling him on my cell phone every time I had a contraction to be there to hold my hand. (his office was in the basement at the time) I remember putting in LOTS of hours with Tucker those first few months as he worked tirelessly (without complaining) sometimes putting in 17 hour days. {not unusual for that time of year} I am very proud of the fact ryan has NEVER gotten up with Tucker to do a feeding in the middle of the night, even when I was only getting 1-2 hours of sleep a day because little T-man was a "difficult sleeper" the first 10 weeks! :-) So, fast forward a few years with THIS pregnancy. I was super excited to have a WINTER baby (usually a slow time in the appraisal business) well, that all went out the door yesterday. While I am so stinkin' excited for Ryan ( & our business) he just got 17 appraisal orders yesterday, all due Jan 23rd. Not to mention it's already a busy time of year with Christmas, New Years & throw newborn in the mix! But, I am thankful I know I can make it through it, & hopefully be able to laugh about it again in a few years! Lord, thank you so much for ALL your blessings, no matter what the timing may be!

2 goals I need to get back on.

With the arrival of a new little one in a few short weeks & our expenses only about to get bigger, I've felt really convinced to get better at two areas to help our finances.

1.) Couponing: I still coupon, but only on a small scale. When I started working back in Sept of 2010 I stopped because of the time commitment my job took. But, now that I haven't worked since March, I really need to start it up again. I want to start it up & do it to save money for our family, but not be like those super obsessed ladies on those coupon shows! :-)

2.) Menu Planning: I was SO good at this before I got pregnant this past time, I've never understood that old wives tale of "pregnant & barefoot in the kitchen" because when I'm pregnant the LAST place I want to be is in the kitchen:-) Sometimes certain smells can just turn your stomach in a way that cooking/baking just sounds horrible. I've been getting better about this the last few weeks again, but I'm hoping this will only continue!

Will let you know how I'm doing!

big brother class

Last Thursday night Tucker attended a big brother class offered at our local hospital. It was so much fun seeing him "learn" how to be a big brother. :-) The highlight of his night was when he got to hold the fake baby. He had the biggest smile on his face. They learned how to hold a baby, how to change a baby & where they'll go meet the new baby. Daily we ask him if the baby is a boy or girl and he always says "baby siiisser' so we've got three votes thinking its a girl over here...time will tell!

I'm going to warn you...

...you're going to cry if you watch this video.
but it is too good not to share.



Told ya.
I'm going directly upstairs & giving my little guy the biggest hug and kiss.

the big 3-0!

Today I turned 30!

Ryan did such a great job of making me feel so special! He made my favorite breakfast, found childcare for T-man for the day, had a massage scheduled , Christmas shopping, Christmas light looking with T-man, out to lunch at my favorite place & dinner with some great friends! I could not have asked for a better day! I remember when I was a little kid asking my parents what they wanted for their birthdays and they would ALWAYS say, 'Obedient & healthy kids' and I remember thinking HOW LAME! I told Ryan today I feel more mature because all I wanted was 'obedient & healthy children.' Funny how that changes. I loved my twenties but can't wait to see what my 30's bring!

Best birthday to date & my last birthday as a mother of 1! (Lord willing!)

our little home

I love our little home on walnut, i really do.

but with the addition of another little one shortly I'm quickly

having to get really creative on where to find places for things.

This little 2 bedroom 1 bath home is about to have 2 adult, 2 children

& a home office! We've really struggled without a garage (with all Ryan's

fix it tools) 1/2 a basement with a 1/4 of it used for our home office.

No pantry, no coat closet, & no bathroom closets! For this girl who

can't stand clutter finding places for everything without feeling like the

walls are coming in is a challenge! We plan to be here for awhile (at this

point thinking 5 years--shocker for movers like us!) This week I've come to the

conclusion that the two bedrooms have to be functional, not pretty. And that is

okay, for now. Since we've moved 7 times in our marriage I've never really felt

"settled" in a home we've lived in. This is my chance. I'm actually going to be

painting my kitchen, breakfast nook & bathroom.... and I'm NOT going to be painting

them real estate beige! I have a chance to make it feel like us! I'm super

pumped about that. Anyways, thanks for "listening" to me vent, in the grand scheme

of things this is SO little because I have everything I need: a loving husband &

a happy little 2 year old & a healthy little one on the way! Thank you Lord for

many blessings you give me every. single. day!

Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

TODAY ONLY!

{I will be snagging my mom this for a stocking stuffer--C & H don't get it for mom! Good thing she doesn't read my blog! :-) }

Here’s another special magazine offer that I think many of you will really like…and this offer is good through Monday Dec. 5th at midnight, you can grab Better Homes and Gardens for only $3.99/year for up to 4 years. Just go here and add Better Homes and Gardens Magazine to your shopping cart, and then enter coupon code: SHESAVED and you will instantly see the price drop to only $3.99!

Thanks www.shesaved.com!