VOIP???

Okay so I have always thought that we don't pay much for our dsl/phone service until I talked to a friend who gets Skype for $4 a month??? What? Where have I been?? Okay so I was just wondering if I am the only one that still lives in the prehistoric era of wires and am just wondering really how much can I save by going the wireless route and using Voip?? OR is is something that evens out after you factor in the special phones you have to buy wireless modem, etc. What are your opinions and who have you had the greatest service with. I am curious and wherever i can save a buck-I will, so maybe I will switch who knows?? So those who are more tech savvy-let me in on your secrets and if it does save you money.

Suggestions Please..

Okay so I am just shy of the 3 months mark..yipee!! I know I have plenty of time to prepare-but really I don't. Because we aren't finding out what we are having gender wise, and because we haven't had a boy yet-we have nothing for a little man if that is what baby is. So we will be scrambling from the hospital buying all boy stuff if that is the case. Plus I can't really set up nursery for gender specific and all the girls' stuff is pink/purple. I want to know what you other moms have done to prepare for a surprise in gender and what has worked the best. So far I plan on having four outfits for the hospital 1 girl, 1 boy, and 2 neutral (in 2 different sizes)-just in case. We already know we have to purchase a new carseat and packnplay(with bassinet)- and will be on the lookout for any neutral colors. I am leaning towards brown-because I can contrast it with pink for a girl-but alone would work for a boy too. But beyond that-I haven't done much in my thought process for preparing for baby's arrival. But one thing is for certain- I will definitely want a baby shower afterwards if it is a boy-especially with tons of suggestions for raising one. So tell me all your ideas and what you or someone you know has done?

Last of the sickies....

Okay so the title may have been a little misleading--I am not done with the morning sickness but I have decided this is going to be my last post regarding how sick I have been feeling. I just wanted to give an update how the last week has gone using the vitamin B complex w/unisom. So I do feel a bit better-I can actually function around the house instead of just laying in bed all day. I did have a few bad days last week-but kept most of everything down so that is an improvement-plus I have been able to eat more than just crackers/toast. Night time is still the worst time for me-it's difficult to sleep. When the older girls are at school and Brooke is napping-I do the same. Still I cannot wait for the next full night's sleep I will get before this baby comes-because after that we all know I won't have any for a while. I will keep up with what I am doing and I am really hoping that by week 12 I will be done with this for good. Well I can hope right?? So as promised I am done talking about how cruddy I feel and for now on will only post about family matters and life beyond my miserable stomach.

A description of my morning sickness........Relief in sight!

Okay so normally a person wouldn't consider it a good day if it started out with dryheaving in the bathroom for the first five minutes. But I am not the "normal" pregnant woman. I get the severe type of morning sickness which makes me feel sick all day for months and months, and yes-I do empty the contents of my stomach when it is necessary. And actually it doesn't make me feel any better. For those of you who are TTC forthe first time-don't let this scare you-it's really not what most women experience. Here are my symptoms:
1. All day nausea
2. Excessive saliva
3. Excess bile in the stomach-which upsets my stomach-(makes me feel like i have acid reflux)
4. My head and stomach continually feel on fire
5. Sporadic headaches
6. Extremely high sensitivity to smells-even my own children smell to me sometimes *sad I know*
7. Fatigue
8. Body Aches

Well i thought I'd stop right there-that gives you all a general idea of what I have been feeling like 24/7. So after not keeping any thing down this last weekend, with all the medication I was taking, I decided to do more research on a more natural method. I had a friend who had some good results with vitamin b6/folic acid shot. I called my dr and they don't offer them. SO this morning as I was picking up some papaya mint chewables that are a natural antacid that are safe for me to take, I found a liquid B-complex vitamin with folic acid which is supposed to be the equivalent of the injection. So I took that with 1/2 a unison plus my psi bands and chewing on papaya mint tablets and i am so happy to report that it feels like it's working on my system. My nausea had decreased to the point where i was actually able to clean the bathroom and do two loads of laundry!!! So I feel like I am functioning better today compared to the past days. Hopefully this continues to work. At least I have felt some relief-I am so excited!!

First Day of School!!

It's finally here!! The first day of school. These girls got up at six this morning-they

were that anxious. Whitney Starts 2nd Grade and Amber makes the Big jump to Kindergarten.Don't they just look eager to learn??Here is Amber settling down in Kindergarten class-boy trapped.

She doesn't seem to mind one bit.

News Update.

As some of you guessed, I am expecting again. I am really excited about having another-this time we won't be finding out what it will be since this may very well be our last and I want to have the surprise experience. I am due on Tax day April 15th-but since my babies have jumped 1 1/2 lbs with each one my dr may want to induce me early to save me from an 11 or 12 pounder. I've been pretty sick this last week and it's been difficult to do many household chores. Joe's been a big help and he's done alot for the girls and me. I am on prescribed meds to help with the naseau and am wearing my psi bands. These have helped me to keep things down so far-but I still feel sick. I am really hoping that with this one-the yucky morning sickness will go away soon and not last my entire pregnancy-like the previous ones have. I have not been very good at updating my blog because I am mostly laying down whenever I can. School starts on Monday for the girls so for 1/2 the day it will just be Brooke and me. We met their teacher's last night and I am really excited for both of them. I think they both will like their teachers and that Amber will continue to progress. Well that is all the family news for now. I will try to keep up with my blog whenever I am feeling well.

Birthday News!!

So today is my birthday and to celebrate I thought I would share some news with everyone. Now hold on....I am not making it that easy by telling you outright. Just browse around my blog and you will find the "answer" somewhere..yep..you have to guess what it is. I just love surprises don't you??

Happy Anniversary, Happy Birthday and Toothfairy!!

5 years ago we were blessed with a special little red headed girl who is full of spunk and determination. Amber was born on our anniversary and somehow, it makes both a little more special. What greater gift can be given on your wedding anniversary?? Amber will be starting Kindergarten this year and she is so excited. She has grown so much this last year- I can't believe how big she has gotten. One thing that hasn't changed-she still has the most pinchable face ever.

One yearTwo YearsThree Years

Four YearsFive YearsHappy Anniversary Joe!!! Married 8 years and still going!!

Plus Whintey lost another tooth today-she is so excited so I had to share!

Organize upon entry

So with school starting-moms are happy to have a break from bored kids and a little more time to get tasks done without kids underfoot-but it also means the start of piled up artwork, muddy shoes tossed carelessly about, and lost homework. Here are a few ideas that may help declutter and organize back to school mayhem.

Very colorful with container basketsCorkboard makes a great wall accessory for hanging up

proud projects and homework.

Keeping hooks at children's height makes it easy for little ones.

A tray to set wet/sloshy shoes is great to save floors.

Simple-a hook and a basket for everyone.

Try the Hide it all in the closet method..

Confessions of an Insomniac

Okay so yes those who know me well already realize that I am a night owl. I can't seem to turn my brain off to go to sleep the same time the rest of my house does (excluding whitney ofcourse who seems to have inherited this). I am sure I got it from my mother too..who got it from......well who knows...?? It seems when I do try to go to bed early I will lay in bed for hours with thoughts running in my head like crazy...and i feel like the attempt at early to bed is beyond me. The point is that YES-
I will stay up late and read, really helps to wind down my mind
OR
I will blog surf OR do what i'm doing right now and update my blog
OR
watch a movie
OR
Exercise-this seems to tire me out enough and relaxes me too.
OR
Stay up to catch an OLDnavy coupon-
AND yes this happens too-rarely though-
I will go to the store for something i forgot to get on an earlier shopping trip (I know-I am forgettful too).
And here is my last one...I am not an early riser by choice on account of my late hours...duh -it's totally forced and I wake up a bit cranky. But once I am up-there is no going back to bed for me. I really am trying to work on this-but not enough to drug myself into sleep. But tonight I am feeling lucky it is only a little after 10 and I am feeling quite exhausted...maybe i'll get to sleep earlier than I had thought.
Okay so who else wants to confess????

So you think you can dance Finale

My Favorite Dances: Definitely the Paso Doble Brandon and Jeanine danced. It was Intensely Perfect!!
My Favorite Solo: Jeanine solo was my favorite-shocked me how amazing it was. I really wasn't expecting her to outshine Kayla tonight-but she did.

I agree with Nigel that based on last night it will be between Brandon and Jeanine. But based on the entire season-I think it's between Brandon adn Kayla. I think Brandon will win.

Kids organizing ideas

I love these Ideas for organizing a children's room-playroom. I definitely will be keeping my eyes peeled for garage sale finds that I can transform into something similar.

Book storage: Turn a plate rack into a bookrack: Take 3-4 of these, paint and mount them side by side or stacked for a really fun look.
I really like this shelving idea with containers-and floating desk area.Or this one-with the open toybox area on the bottom.Reading Area Ideas:

Fun Reading Benches

The bench cupboards could be used to-store books underneath

and a few comfy pillows on top-cozy reading corner.

Mud Room Ideas:

I like how pretty this one is.I like the washtub for underneath storageThe Locker style is always great at dividing your childrens' things.

Check this clever little shelf out. I would put two sets of these

shoe racks up-one on top of the other