Some Recent Projects

In November when I started my winter break, I thought I would get so much done around the house and make a lot of crafts. Well, my expectations were wrong. Although, I did get some things done in the house there's still a ton to do. And after joining pinterest I will NEVER be fully done with crafts and projects. But there were a couple projects that I have tackled. One of which, KK thoroughly enjoyed helping with. This was an idea I had seen here. I had to add my own spin to it. But here was the finished product:

The poem reads:
Santa's beard is very bare.
On his chin, there is no hair.
So each day,
Add one puff so white.
And when they're all on,
He'll come that night!

Here is KK working on his project. Actually, I think this is a picture of him peeling off the glue I had painted on his hands. He was so fascinated with it...it kept him occupied for at least 45 mins:

And here's the project all filled with his beard:

KK put a cotton ball on his beard each night. It was one of his favorite things to do, he always kept me on my toes and remembered that he needed to put it on. Mr H. thought that maybe next year I should make beard pieces out of felt and have velcro attached so that I can reuse the pieces. I think it's a good idea, I just didn't have any time to do it this time around.

Also that same day, I made cards for the grandparents and great-grandparents that had KK's 5th birthday interview on it. I wanted to interview him with the same questions to see how his answers would change over the years. These were his answers:

Favorite Color? Pink & Purple
Favorite Toy? Cars
Favorite Fruit? Apples
Favorite TV Show? Adventure Time
Favorite Outfit? Sweat pants & shirt
Favorite Game? Jungle Speed
Favorite Animal? Lizards
Favorite Song? Pump It by the Black Eyed Peas
Favorite Book? The Cat in the Hat
Favorite Cereal? Lucky Charms
Favorite thing to do Outside? Play with Zero
Favorite Holiday? Christmas
Favorite Breakfast Food? Cheesy Omelet
Favorite Lunch Food? Pizza Rolls
Favorite Snack? Fruit Snacks
Favorite Drink? Sprite with Cotton Candy
What do you want for your Birthday Dinner? Broccoli
What do you take to bed with you at night? Bear
Who is your Best Friend? Shark & Hot Wheel
What do you want to be when you grow up? McDonald’s Passer-outer

His last answer just cracks me up! KK is so much fun. And this is what the finished product looked like:

I also had KK sign his name, his age, and draw a picture of something. I passed them out and hope that they received it. I'm not quite sure if they did because I haven't heard from them. But hopefully they have.

I start school again on Tuesday. I am not looking forward to it but I have very much enjoyed the time that I have been able to spend with my family. This break has really shown me that I have really missed out on a lot of growing time with KK. He has grown up so much and I can only imagine how much more he'll grow during this next quarter of school.

Fire Starters

So when I was younger my mom saved most of the lint from the dryer. She would have us save it to make fire starters. It's really easy to make and very useful when you go camping. I am bound and determined to go camping in the coming year. The last time we went camping was in 2009...way too long! So making these is giving me the initiative to take the plunge and go camping this next year.

The supplies you'll need are:
Wax
Lint
Egg cartons
2 pots
Water
Wax paper

Wax

Lint

egg cartons

Lay wax paper down on counter for easy clean up

Stuff the lint in the crevices of the egg cartons

Heat the wax

Pour over the lint, let it soak up

It doesn't look pretty, but they are THE GREATEST fire starters

They'll still be warm and squishy so just let them sit until they harden. Pack them away with your camping gear or use them right away.

Merry Christmas

Unfortunately I do not have any pictures...I forgot to take any. But I wanted to recap everything that happened and what everyone got.

*Mr H.: He got binoculars, light for night flying, Heroes and Lost DVDs, Miracle on 34th street, tablet case (no tablet though), BBQ sauce rubs, AppleBees gift card, smell goods and shirt and ties.

*Me: Vera Bradley backpack, Kindle Case, Ferrero Rocher, The Help movie, scarf, earrings, watch, and slippers

*G: Rip stick, Camera, couple of movies, shirts and pants, shoes, axe smell good pack (shampoo, body wash, smellies), and gift cards

*KK: Hot wheels (and track), ice hockey table, some movies, clothes, Zhu Zhu pets, Transformers, Leap frog (and books), and some other smaller things.

Family: Sonic Toothbrushes, movies, and Wii games

We first woke up and had a very nice breakfast. We then, started opening gifts. Underneath our tree looked very full at the beginning, but we soon realized that we had bought a lot of gifts for other people and they were all under the tree. But anyway...I was VERY proud of ourselves, we did not go over the budget and relatively had a modest Christmas. After opening the gifts, we got ready for church. We went to church and I cuddled with my little JEM. After a great service, we went to my parents house and started opening up gifts, but there were so many that we had to split it up and do have half, eat dinner, open the other half. As a tradition, we open gifts from youngest to oldest. Every single person takes their turn and the rest of us watch and comment on their gift. I love doing it this way instead of everyone opening at the same time. It just seems so chaotic to me. It's just a preference, but anyway, after my parents house we came home. Zero peed in the house :( The boys played for a while then got ready for bed. Mr H. and I have been watching episodes of Lost season 6. And now it's time for bed. Good night!

*I may have forgotten some things, but that is a quick rundown of the gifts.

Merry Christmas Eve

From our house to yours...we wish you all a safe and happy holiday!

Took a Risk

I took a risk yesterday...I've been talking about cutting my hair for a while. I just wasn't quite ready to take the plunge yet...until the woman I work for gave me money and told me to make an appointment for it. So I did! Yesterday I chopped my locks...a whole 10 inches of it. I also got my hair colored a dark auburn to hide all of my 10 strands of grey hair!

Don't mind the mess, that's my side of the sink...so naturally it's a huge mess.





I am happy with it...although the woman doing my hair was very quiet and it felt awkward. And the only thing she really seemed to talk about was how flat my hair was...no body. Well, I guess if you wash your hair and let it air-dry each time, using no other products than yes, my hair will be flat...it will also look a little more healthy than other people who use those products. But anyway, what do I know!? I know that I really like my new do!

A Visit from a Friend

Mr H. has a friend he has known for coming up on 10 years, he has been in Italy for the last 4 or so years. His wife is in the military and they've been stationed there. He came to the US to get established for his wife and son to come out here, he also wanted to travel around and see family and friends. One of the stops he made was with us in Ohio.

The Boys

We went to the Air Force Museum and looked at all the airplanes. KK wanted to get a picture in front of the huge tree in the lobby.

KK was telling me a story about how he crashed the plane and his "manager" got mad at him. It was so funny to hear him tell me this. He has such an imagination.

Sirron trying to get into the astronaut suit

Mr H. kept some of Sirron's guns for safe keeping over here in the states and so naturally once he was here Mr H. wanted to get out ALL of the guns! Boys and their toys...I guess that never changes!

Happy 5th Birthday KK

I cannot believe that I have a 5 year old! I remember being in the hospital, very sore and very out of it, thinking, I don't feel like a mom. I still do not feel like a mom and feel like I am just babysitting for a very long time.

This was the very first picture taken of both of us. After I was in the triage room from the C-section and on my way to being moved to the recovery room I asked for my baby and someone laid him down next to me. My mouth and lips were dry, I was in a lot of pain, and I couldn't open my eyes. As I was being moved, I tried opening my eyes and saw a man in the hallway, he was probably someone's husband or brother waiting for a baby to be born, but I couldn't focus and my eyes rolled in the back of my head and my lids were forced shut, so I didn't try fighting it and kept my eyes closed. Once we were wheeled to the recovery room, I think my mom took KK, and I was asked to move from the operating bed to the recovery bed. So I tried to sit up and move and I had the most horrible pain from the incision that I had to lay back down and the nurses had to move me...it was so painful! But after being moved to that soft recovery bed, I held KK all day long and just thought of how I was so lucky to have this little one in my life and the feeling is just as strong, if not stronger, today!

For the first half of the day, KK was with with X, and I was able to spend from 4pm on with him. X and girlfriend got KK a magnetic track where the car goes upside down without falling, it was pretty neat. I got KK a bag full of lemons. Yes...he loves lemons with lots of sugar. He was pretty stoked and didn't want to wait for dinner.



I wanted to make him a special birthday dinner, he chose to have steak, pasta roni, and broccoli with cheese. He only ate the broccoli and pasta, which doesn't surprise me.

After dinner, G went to mutual, and Mr H., KK, and I went to see some lights that are right in our backyard. We walked around and rode a carriage, rode some carnival rides, and looked at lights. We walked home and got ready for bed.



I think he had a great birthday. I just cannot believe that I have a 5 year old now, who will be starting preschool in January. He's growing up so fast and he is so smart! I love this boy!

Tooth Fairy Visit

After KK's tooth was pulled, we got him excited about the Tooth Fairy. He wanted to write her a letter expressing how much he wanted to keep his tooth. I wrote it while he told me what he wanted it it. He also drew a picture and wanted me to draw one of Momma and KK kissing. We placed the letter and his tooth under his pillow.

He was so excited he couldn't go to sleep. It was really fun to see him like that...well, not when he wouldn't go to bed, but just seeing how excited he was made me feel like a kid again.

When he FINALLY went to sleep, the tooth fairy gave him $5. I know this sounds a bit much, but I think the tooth fairy knew that the trauma of having a tooth pulled was worth the $5.

This is KK sleeping on mom and dad's bed because he likes to fall asleep in here first

KK sleeping in his own bed after the transfer. Do you like that jean quilt? I made that a little while ago out of my old jeans that didn't fit anymore. I sewed fleece on the other side of it so it's nice and soft.

Finding the Good

Like I've said in previous posts, we have had a TON of doctors visits...mostly dentist visits but none-the-less lots of visits. KK went to the dentist and we found out that he needed 3 fillings and 2 crowns, we took care of the fillings and were going to take care of the crowns on Monday. Well, as they were working on his mouth, it was realized that one of the teeth were not salvageable. The tooth was rotting on the inside and it needed to be pulled. I cried, I was upset...I felt like a failure as a mom. I make sure that he brushes and flosses every night, but it wasn't enough to save that tooth.


KK was a trooper, everyone said that he did such a great job. He had a palate shot, which is very painful and that was the only time he yelped. The tooth came out easily, I was told. Because it is a baby tooth and other teeth will shift if there isn't a spacer put in and that could effect the permanent teeth, KK needed to get impressions taken to fit the spacer.


His next visit is the 3rd and they'll put in the spacer and crown his other tooth. I'm glad that we're getting all of this done...but it's still upsetting that as much brushing and flossing, it wasn't enough. And it's been so tough because going to the dentist is NOT cheap and that is why it was put off until now. I just feel like we should have tried to get him in earlier...but we didn't have the money to do it. Urgh! I'm just so torn. But like the title says, I've tried to find the good in this situation.

1) It's BABY teeth! They fall out anyway...
2) when he smiles, you can hardly see that it's missing unless you're REALLY looking for it.

3) Mr H. playing hooky Monday morning and went with me to the visit, I am grateful that he was with me, because I probably would have lost it even more than I did.
4) Sunday, I started following her blog and I realized that one tooth, one tiny baby tooth is so little compared to other things I could be grieving about.
5) Also I have a friend who had a son on a mission in California and he had an accident. He was playing frisbee with some of his companions in a parking lot and he tripped on a cement parking block and fell face/mouth first into the next cement parking block. He broke his lower jaw, knocking out 7 of his bottom teeth and 2 of his top teeth. Those were his permanent teeth.

I've been TRYING to find the good in all things. But it's hard. KK is healthy and beautiful and full of life. I am lucky and my life is good. I just have to remember that I am a good mom, even though I feel like I fail horribly.

A Despicable Time

KK's birthday is on the 15th and he will be 5! I can't believe it! We had his birthday last weekend. It was "Despicable Me" themed and I think all of the kids had a great time.

KK helping to eat the rest of the batter (which is MY favorite, yes I know there are raw eggs, but it's so good!)

These are the finished products. Cupcakes with frosting, a split twinkie, smarties eyes, frosting glasses, and tootsie roll hair. What do you think!?


The kids made "cookie robots" basically just frosted and decorated cookies.

Mr H. cuddled with JEM

Mimi and Papa's gift, He LOVES it, but Zero is TERRIFIED of it!

I LOVE how excited it looks here!

This is pretty much how all the kids were when KK was opening his gifts...crowded around and none of the adults could see what he got

This was the "Candy Dance." While the music played, the kids danced and when the music stopped, they hurried and picked up the candy. This is THE best way to get rid of KK's Halloween candy!

After the party, KK and I wanted to have our cuddle time with Miss JEM!


KK had a great time and wanted to have another party on his birthday! He was happy with all of his gifts and I'm very happy that the kids had a good time too. The only thing I would have changed was the timing. I had the party from 9:30 to 12. 2 hours would have been perfect. I thought the kids would spend more time decorating the cookies or dancing...but the activities took no time at all. Next year, we'll only have the party for 2 hours instead of 2 and a half. Grateful that this party is done and looking forward to the holidays!

It's been a while...

It's been about 2 and a half weeks since I last posted. There's a lot happening here in this house. I wish I could explain everything but I would be here all night. But I will give a little update about everyone, just an FYI, this is the same update that we sent to all of our family and friends in the Christmas cards.

Dear Family and Friends,

Mr H. has been working very hard these past 6 months due to the tornado/hail storm we had. He still works on cars but recently completed his first year of college. He is in the Paralegal program at the local Community College here in Ohio and he has been enjoying it very much. He has been able to maintain a 4.0 GPA, and we are very proud of him. The engine on Mr H.’s motorcycle gave up and so he has been very eagerly learning to fly to fill that void. He recently has been taking flying lessons to earn his PPL (Private Pilot’s License). He is almost done and we are very happy that he’s able to land the plane safely!

Everything out of Mr H.’s mouth is flying and legal jargon, so naturally, I have become quite good at tuning him out. Other things I tune out quite well are the kids…but we’ll get to them soon. I have completed another quarter of nursing school. I have 4 more left, yes, I am counting down! So far so good, although, I have NOT been able to maintain a 4.0 GPA, my sanity is worth more to me than a big fat 4.0. I am still working as a private home health aide. I take care of a woman who is 107 years old (that’s not a typo!). She’s a fire-cracker and takes care of herself for the most part. She does need help bathing and preparing meals (and this is where I come in). I love my job and will be sad to see it come to an end. I have learned so much from this ancient artifact…I mean, older woman.

G seems to be adjusting quite well to high school and has made a lot of new friends. He still enjoys playing the clarinet even though he is not in band this year. Besides lunch, his favorite class is Theater Arts where he plays with make-up, builds sets, and practices improv. G is active in the boy scouts and in his young men’s group at church.

KK has been learning his letters and numbers. He is preparing for Preschool which will start at the beginning of the year. He is very much into Transformers and Cars. He loves his baby cousin, JEM, and thinks that he needs a little sisters too! Ha-ha-ha, yea no! He loves to help mom bake and cook. He also thinks he’s the boss of the house.

We all have been healthy with no major illnesses or accidents. We are very grateful for that and hope and pray that 2012 will continue that way. We also hope and pray that all will go well with you and your families. Have a safe and happy holiday!