Wednesday, August 29, 2012

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Here's what I'm loving on this fantastic Wednesday.

I'm loving some of the things I whipped up in my kitchen this week.


Chicken Chili: So easy and a family favorite. Just these few ingredients (most of which you probably already have in your cupboards) make the yummiest meal.

Then we had Parmesan Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells. Thank you Pinterest. I meant to take a picture of these, but forgot.

I'm loving that Lily is loving being a Bumble Bee (her Pre-K class). Here's her first day of school pictures.


 Her new snail lunchbox.
 Her teachers had fun centers set up for them to do when they arrived.


 I'm loving that she gets to go to school with her friend, Gracie, this year. Gosh these two are cute!!


And of course I'm loving my sweet Lily and my sweet Henry.
I'm so thankful for our little family.
 


Monday, August 27, 2012

My Simple Woman's Daybook









 For today, Monday, August 27th
Outside my window...  Clear blue skies and my beautiful rosebush.

I am thinking...  I feel so much better today than I did this weekend.

I am thankful...   that Andy worked it so that he can go into work at 9 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. last night. This meant that he did bedtime since I was sick with a bit of a fever. Boo!! to fevers !!

In the kitchen...    Parmesan Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells. These are an extra batch made from earlier in the week. I definitely did not cook this weekend. I'm not that crazy!

I am wearing...  dark blue jeans, lavendar striped t-shirt w/ a lavendar cardigan sweater and my black converse all-stars.

I am creating...  the new recipe binder and meal planning binder are almost complete. Just have to add a few more things.

I am going...   to do lots of laundry today! Whoo Hoo! Don't you wish you were me?

I am wondering...   why it's so hard for me to keep up on the laundry. I can wash the clothes and I can fold the clothes; but there is something about putting the clothes away. That's where it all falls apart.

I am reading...  Several blogs and pinterest posts on making quiet time independent  activities (busy bags) for Lily to do in the afternoon when I need some quiet time.

I am hoping...  that I get more sleep tonight than I did last night. Only 5 hours.

I am looking forward to...   an afternoon to myself sometime this week, promised by my husband. I'm thinking Joanne's, Micheal's and maybe Barnes and Nobles.

I am learning.....  I just can't do non-fat creamer. It's the real thing or it's nothing at all.

Around the house... doing laundry (Bleh!), cleaning up breakfast dishes, and getting clothes ready for the big consignment sale next week.

I am pondering...  how blessed I was to be saved at an early age. I pray that my kids make that decision early on. I also pray that I don't miss the opportunity to share the gospel with them because I get so busy trying to get "things' done. 

A favorite quote for today...  "Housework can't kill you, but why take a chance?" Phyllis Diller

One of my favorite things...  my morning coffee with REAL FULL FAT creamer

A few plans for the rest of the week....   grocery shopping, tagging many clothes for a consignment sale next week, spending an afternoon all by myself, watching a movie with a good friend this weekend.

A peek into my day...     

Playing with the blocks. This is his new favorite thing to do.

My Simple Woman's Daybook

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Lily's First Haircut..... It only took 4 and a half years!

This title is just slightly untrue. When Lily was somewhere b/t one and two years old, I decided to trim her uneven mullet. Her hair was curly at  the bottom when she was little, though. She had the most darling little ringlets. After I attempted to snip one ringlet, I knew I could NOT cut hair, let alone curly hair.

Fast forward 3 years............

I was sad at first, to have Lil's hair trimmed. I knew she would loose all that white blonde baby hair at the bottom of her very long and very tangly hair. Why was I so attached to hair?!? After her trim, her hair looked so healthy and beautiful. And I have some of that baby hair in a baggie for the old scrapbook.

Love these pictures to remember a fun and special "girl's day" as we called it.
 Before the trim.  Still a little wet from her bath.

 Getting ready.

 It wouldn't be Lily without at least one silly pose.



 So pretty.


 Going to Sift for a whoopie cookie and a cupcake completed our "girl's day".
 OMG......Lemon...........Perfection..............Enough said.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

My Simple Woman's Daybook





So I must begin this post by saying, I love my friend Wendy's blog, The Delighted Life. Awhile back she used to do these posts called The Simple Woman's Daybook. I loved reading them! So, I'm stealing her idea. I really enjoyed writing a post in this format. I think I'll do it again.


 For today, Thursday, August 16th

Outside my window...       Andy is installing new watering hoses in our backyard.

I am thinking...     that I can't believe school starts in 4 days!! I'm not ready for summer to be over yet!

I am thankful...    that I get to stay home again this year. I guess I'm doing this stay at home mom gig for reals.

In the kitchen...        nothing tonight. We are going to a back to school bbq.

I am wearing...       a black knee length cotton dress. Nothing fancy, totally casual.

I am creating...      a new recipe binder and meal planning binder.

I am going...       to walk the kids to our school bbq tonight. That's a perk of living 3 block away from school.

I am wondering...      how I'm going to get Lily to school on time this year. The Bauers aren't the most timely folk.

I am reading...    I actually just finished the Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers, so I'm shopping for a new read.

I am hoping...     this school year goes by SLOWLY. Lily will be going to school 3 days a week and next year will be full time. It already makes me sad thinking about it. I'm going to savor her not being in school full-time yet.

I am looking forward to...      the First Day Of School. Despite all my boo-hooing, I love, love school. It's the teacher in me. I get really excited.

I am learning.....        boys are way different than girls.

Around the house...        putting away a few final things from Andy and Lily's daddy/daughter camping trip and getting clothes ready for consignment next month.

I am pondering...         why God does not answer our prayers with a yes when it seems so desperately to be the right answer. I am learning that trusting God can be painful; but I know you can never go wrong in doing so.

A favorite quote for today...    "Faith in God includes faith in His timing."  Neal A. Maxwell

One of my favorite things...        cuddling with my kids in the morning, watching cartoons.

A few plans for the rest of the week....           grocery shopping and some school clothes shopping for Lil.

A peek into my day...            Lily with her school bud Edward at her Pre-K play date today.




A Simple Woman's Daybook

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

What I'm Loving Wednesday.......Summa' Time

I'm loving so many things this Wonderful Wednesday!

I love it that the weather has cooled down a bit these past two days. Phew! It was toasty earlier this week.

I love it that we were able to host an end of the summer BBQ a few days ago. Lots of kids, lots of friends, a bit chaotic; but very fun.

I love it that Andy took Lily on the first annual daughter/daddy camping trip this week. They went an hour away for one night. I thought that was good for the first time. He's a pretty kick butt dad if I do say so myself. Lily had a blast!

I was sad to see our good friends, Steph and Allie leave today; but we had such a fun and special week with them. I guess you can't have your cake and eat it, too. Lily had her first ever sleep over with Allie (pictures for sure to come). It was very sweet.

As always, I'm loving my happy kids and my  kick butt husband!


And I'm loving that God know best and it's not up to us to figure things out. Though circumstances and life can be very hard at times, He has us in the palm of His loving hands. We need only to trust that He loves us and will meet our needs.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Slice of Life

Blogging can be challenging. While I have a million ideas flitting around in my mind at any moment, I don't have a lot of time to actually write.  So by the time I do sit to type, I've either forgotten what my original idea was or that oh so clever post doesn't seem so great any more.

It takes dedication. I have to put down the remote and remind myself that we have a DVR.

And while I like to blog about the highlights of my life, vacations, birthdays and the like; I realized that often I miss out on those little slices of life.

Those are the things I tend to forget. Those are the things that I really want to remember. First and foremost my blog is for me and my family. It's like a digital scrapbook.

Here's my little "slice". Henry, I hope you read this one day.

Henry  (aka Boo Boo)...........

is 13 months.
        
is a spitfire .

is happy and very ticklish. 
        



is very determined.

has his bottom two teeth and the top two teeth just broke through.
        
looks so cute in his Angel's baseball hat, especially when he matches his dad.

is a little attached to me right now (and by a little, I mean a lot).
       
has  a bit of a temper.

is walking everywhere and getting into everything!!!
       
is starting to babble. His voice is sooo cute!

still has the biggest eyes I've ever seen. They aren't  blue anymore. They've turned into a really pretty hazel color.
       
finally fits into most of his 6-month clothing. Woo Hoo!

loves cars.
       
lets you know when he isn't happy. Yup, he's a screamer!

likes you to chase him. He's very playful.
       
just learned to high-five and clap.

is a very light sleeper.
       
loves to pull all my tupperware out of the cupboard.

Henry, you are my handsome little man. I can't imagine my life without you hanging on my pant legs and following me around the house. You are our little miracle.



Wednesday, August 8, 2012

What I'm Loving Wednesday

This is what I'm loving on this BEAUTIFUL Wednesday...........

1.) School is the air. No, I'm not so excited to be without my Lily 3 days a week. But, she loves school and this week we made in impromptu visit to her classroom. She got to visit with her teacher and play in the classroom with some of her friends. I saw how much fun she was having. Mama's gotta let her girl go. Just 3 days a week, though!

2.) I made zucchini pie this week. OMG! It's one of the best things I've ever made. Props to Steph (one of my few faithful readers:)  ) for passing along this amazing recipe.


3.) Speaking of Steph, Stephanie and her daughter Allie, are coming to visit this week from Wichita, Kansas. Lily and Allie are bff's and to say Lily is excited is an understatement. It will be fun to see them and hang out.

4.) I'm going to be doing a writing club for the elementary students at my daughter's school this year. It's also where I spent the last 12 years working as a teacher before I started my new career as stay at home mom. Writing and Reading workshops are kinda my passion. I'm not sure what the interest will be. I'm sure I'll be posting about it the near future. The name I came up with (after googling.....I couldn't think of anything! Great writer I am.) was The Mighty Pen Writing Club? Is that clever enough? Is it lame? Please if you have a better one, write it in your comment. I'm totally open to suggestions.


As always, I'm loving my kids and super duper husband. I am so thankful for them.






O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting  1 Chronicles 16:34


Saturday, August 4, 2012

12 Years Ago Today

12 years ago I married this guy..........
And there is not a day that I've ever regretted it. Each day with Andy is a gift and each year gets better and better. Thank you, sweetie for the wonderful life we've made with each other and for our two precious kids.  I love it that we love to be with each other and that we still laugh and act completely silly together.


Remember when we were this young and carefree? (And when I wore overalls, a lot.)
I know right now we are knee deep in diapers, spit-up, and Barbie Dolls. Moments alone together are few and precious. Sleeping in and just having quiet are things of the past. But I wouldn't have it any other way and I wouldn't want to take this journey with anyone else.

Happy Anniversary. I love you!

Friday, August 3, 2012

What I'm Loving Wednesday (Yes, I know it's actually Friday. )...... Family Camp

So the month of July ends and so does the Bauer's vacation galavanting! It's been such a fun month filled with settling into a new house, going on an awesome family vacation (which I still need to devote at least one more blog post to) and then going on another kind of family vacation. Last week we travelled up to Potter Valley for our church's Family Camp. Family Camp isn't just camping with my family. It's camping with our church family, which is just like having a super huge family. Having a church family that you've grown with, not necessarily grown up with, is such a blessing.

I took all my family camp pictures on my phone, which was not many,  so I'm not sure if I remember how to download those on my computer. I'm computer challenged in so many ways! So this post may or may not have pictures!

Andy grew up going to family camp. The first year I ever went, was the year after we got married, 11 years ago. We spent the week in a tent ( not a cabin ) which was on an incline. So each morning we woke up at the "bottom of our tent". Good times! It's actually one of the only memories I have of that year.

After Lily was born, we restarted the family tradition and have been going ever since.

I could go on about Hartstone Family Camp; but I've got to get dinner on the table so, I'll make this quick.

10 Things I Love About Hartstone Family Camp:

1.) Hartstone Bible Camp is a no frills kind of place. That's what we love about it. Sleeping in a cabin, afternoons on the river or chatting with friends, campfires at night, volleyball games and games of Boggle and Dirty Ernie. That's all you need.

2.) Just spending quality time with friends. You are not in a rush. There's no where to go and nothing pressing to do!!

3.) We did have a speaker, Don Donovan, who taught from God's Word each morning. Singing worship songs to the Lord among the majestic redwoods and learning about God in His creation. What could be better? (Meeting time coincided perfectly with Henry's morning nap, too.)

4.) Getting to eat meals with different people each day. When you spend most of your days eating lunch and dinner with a 4 year old and 1 year old who throws half of his food on the floor, this is kind of nice!

5.) Hanging out around the campfire at night and roasting marshmallows.

6.) We have one community bathroom/shower for the women and one for the men. Yes, this a tad inconvenient; but it was just for a few days. I loved it that each time I went to get ready for the day, there was another friend to chat with and catch up with. A little reminiscent of college dorm life.

7.) Snack Shop: Open every day at 3 p.m.

8.) It's beautiful at Hartstone. It's peaceful and quiet and quaint. I love it.

9.) You do not worry about your kids at Hartstone. They run free with their friends and play in the dirt. They can't get lost or taken. It's such a safe, worry free environment. There's no place like it. Lily interacted with her friends, the teenagers and adults. But no matter who she was with, I was never worried. I had to watch Henry of course, but he loved roaming around camp, too.

10.) Hartstone Dirt! Hartstone dirt is like no other. It sticks to you and doesn't let go. By the end of the week, Lily was completely covered in a rusty shade of red. And everyone's feet!!!! To know Hartstone is to love the Harstone dirt. (Let's just say I was happy to get home, throw everyone in the tub and begin the laundry!)

So there you have it. Good-bye for now Hartstone. We'll see you next summer!

* So it took me two days; but I was determined to post pics with this post. I figured it out. It was so easy!!

I love these pictures of Andy and the kids.

We had a birthday pinata for people celebrating their birthdays that week.

Roaming as free as can be and loving it!
We loooooved the snack bar!
Silly friends.
Making new friends. I really love this picture. Sarah and Kelsey are such sweet girls.


 



Aren't these how your family pictures go down? This is how it is for us almost every single time. Thankfully our friend, Sarah, was very patient. We got a good one.