Gratituesday

I just read a fantastic interview over at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers with Stephen James and David Thomas, authors of the book Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys. I am so grateful for that interview. I really needed it. I've been struggling with myself lately, trying to decide what type of curriculum to start for Cade (we're homeschooling). He's been learning bits and pieces here and there every day but we haven't started anything formal yet. He absolutely hates sitting at the table and doing school work so I'm trying to find lessons that are hands-on. He needs to learn through doing and experiencing. I just sometimes doubt myself because that doesn't seem like "school" so much. This interview reassured me that I'm on the right track. Boys learn in a different way. They're kinesthetic learners and there's nothing wrong with that. My son definitely needs movement. He needs activity. He needs meaning to his learning, not just rote memorization. So, I'm grateful for the interview and the confirmation it gave me. And I'm eternally grateful for the chance I have to parent this amazing little boy of mine! What a blessing!

By the way, I haven't read the book yet but I'm going to...just ordered it from Amazon!

Crafty Tuesday

Sponsored by The Southern Housewife...check it out!

Sooo...I am not a seamstress. But I love sewing. I decided to make some burp cloths for the baby. I was inspired by these burpies made by Susan Weinroth. A-stinkin-dorable! Of course, mine looks like poo compared to hers. But I don't think the baby will mind. She'll be content to spit up on the pretty pattern! This first one was my practice burpie. I have some adorable {girly} fabrics ready to go to make some more. I'm afraid to use my best fabrics in case I mess up! Silly, I know. Anyway, here's my first burpie:



I think it turned out pretty cute! And it was really easy to make. I just sewed together 2 panels of fabric and then sewed it to a Gerber prefold (wrong sides together). Leave a small opening, turn right side out, and top stitch all the way around. Easy peasy!

SITS Giveaway!!

I'm participating in the Spring Fling over at The Secret is in the Sauce and I've decided to give away a couple of books! 2 winners! Woot woot! So enter the giveaway and take a few minutes to check out my blog. I promise you'll find some interesting stuff here...for instance, Spongebob taking a poop. I know you haven't seen that anywhere else! ;) Or maybe you need suggestions for toys. I can tell you the best toy ever and also the absolute worst toy ever! Have fun reading and I'm glad you're here!

The first book I'm giving away is The Love Dare. Okay, I haven't seen the movie yet. But I plan on it. I've heard it has a fantastic message. Not the best acting, but a wonderful movie, nonetheless. The book is amazingly simple...it lists a love "dare" to do every day for 40 days. Simple stuff but really powerful. Funny how we forget to truly show love once our lives get all crazy. I'm talking about me here. Why is it easier to get irritated than to have patience?


Next is The Strong-Willed Wife. I should probably be keeping this one for myself (shhh...don't tell hubby I admitted that!). In big, bold-lettered words on the back it says, "Submission isn't a four letter word." Love it! The book "presents how the scriptural concept of authority is designed to be a vital part of a loving, secure relationship. You'll discover freedom in letting your husband lead, because submission doesn't mean denying who you are." Yep, this is a definite must read!


{Can you tell that marriage has been on my mind lately? I've got marriage books out the wazoo. Never, never, never stop working on your marriage. It's way too important to just let it slide.}

So here are the rules. Leave me a comment. Plain and simple. I won't make you follow me (although I'd love it if you did) and I won't make you tweet about it. Just leave me a little note letting me know you stopped by. You can say whatever you want. If you're feeling especially nice and/or wordy, link me up to your favorite blog. (I love crafty blogs and homeschooling blogs. Oh, and blogs with recipes and homemaking blogs. Blogs about organization are good; and blogs that make me laugh, too. I love all blogs!) Not like I don't spend enough time on the computer already but I enjoy sharing the bloggy love! If you don't have a blog, be sure and leave your email address so I can get in touch with you. That's it. Oh, and I'll use a random number picker thingy on Saturday so be sure and leave your comment by midnight, Friday the 13.

Thanks for stopping by!

Play Ball!

So Bongo, who is actually back to being Cade, by the way, had his first baseball game on Saturday. He's actually playing on the Dream League which is part of Little League but for special needs kids. He's on the Astros (go 'Stros!!) and they gave him a shirt (#3), baseball pants, belt, socks and a hat. He, of course, refused to wear his uniform and ended up being the only kid to play in his regular clothes! lol It was so much fun, though! He has 2 buddies (high school girls that have volunteered) who stay with him throughout the game. So anyway, all the players were announced and lined up on the field for the National Anthem. Seeing my precious son standing there with his hand over his heart just about did me in. I know I'm overly emotional when pregnant but I can't tell you how much I love this little boy of mine. I mean like momma bear love. Fiercely. Game starts and he gets to play shortstop. The first ball is hit right to him so he leans over and scoops it up. Go Cade! Then he just stood there with it in his glove...another little boy ran over and grabbed it from him and tried to tag the runner at first. For the rest of the inning, this is what my guy looked like:



He actually hung out and didn't try to run around the field or anything so I thought that was good! Then it was the Astro's turn to bat. Cade was last in the line-up which means that he automatically gets an in park home run (every player gets to bat and run the bases). So Cade goes up to the plate, bats with the wrong end of the bat, and then runs and picks up the ball! His buddies try to convince him to throw the ball down and run the bases but he insists on kicking the baseball along the base line...all the way around! It took him about 6 minutes to make a homerun. All the parents are cheering and encouraging him the whole time. He finally made it home and everyone was clapping and yelling. He looked right at us and said, "I did it!" Too stinkin' cute, I tell ya!

Second inning (they only play 2 cause it takes about an hour and a half) and
Cade came up to the fence and told us he was done. We went ahead and let him leave early. Next time we'll try to stay for the whole game...and just maybe he'll actually wear his uniform! Here's the sweet sight I got to see as we were leaving the park (bad photo but you get the idea):

Journaling

The other day I found a few of my old scrapbook albums and sat down to look at them. The first one I looked at had lots of layouts from when Bongo was a newborn. I of course ooohed and ahhhed and fell in love with him all over again! The next album had a lot of layouts from when we were living in Georgia. We lived there for 2years; Bongo was 2 when we got there and 4 when we left. It was right after I realized he had autism. It was a seriously dark time in my life. I flipped through those pages and looked at the pictures of my beautiful boy who means the world to me and was so *grateful* that I had journaled about what was going on in our life during that time. It's heartbreaking and at the same time it's so awesome to see just how far my son has come! Praise God, Bongo has made so much progress! I also started thinking that I haven't scrapped or journaled in a couple of years. I'm really disappointed that I haven't. I plan on going back through my pictures and trying to catch up a little before the baby comes. I just hope I haven't forgotten too many of the stories that make up our life.

Here are a few of my older layouts (when I get some new ones done, I'll share those). Is he not just the cutest boy ever?!?!

It's a Baby...(warning: super long gushy baby love post!)

GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my goodness, I can't believe it! I am so super blessed; I have my sweet angel boy and now I'm going to have my precious girl. God is so good and He really knows what He is doing! So anyway, yesterday after finding out I just had to go shopping! ;) My husband took Bongo to Stomping Grounds and there just happened to be a Babies R Us in the same shopping center so off I went. I was proud of myself...I didn't go crazy and buy every cute thing I saw. As a matter of fact, I was much more picky than I thought I would be. I searched high and low for the perfect clothes and I finally settled on a 3 pack of Carters soft cotton t's (she'll be a summer baby...it's cool to lounge around in t's and a diaper!) and an adorable onesie and pants from Koala Baby (cream colored onesie with embroidered butterfly and peach pants with cream polka dots...so pretty!) Here are the t-shirts:


Last night I was looking on Etsy and all I kept thinking was thank goodness hubby's new position and raise start April 1!!!! I kid, I kid. I plan on being wise (or trying to) when it comes to buying baby stuff. It's just so hard to resist all that yummy pinkness! Here are a few things I found and love on Etsy:


Is this not the sweetest little crocheted hat ever? Love it! I found it here at Zoe Lynn Designs.


Love this painting from Galerie Anais. I'm thinking I could probably make something similar to this with all the art and craft supplies I have. It most likely wouldn't be as cute as hers, but hey, baby girl won't mind! :)


Pretty burpcloths! (Gracious Creations) My son was such a spitter. I almost hate to buy and use such pretty burp cloths if they're just going to get all dirty! lol Maybe I'll just use the cheap burpies at home and then take the pretty ones with us when we go out!

I also need a cute nursing cover thing. I found a tutorial for one so I'll attempt to sew one for myself but if that doesn't work out, I'll need to buy one. Know of any other good shops with lots of adorable girly stuff? If so, please let me know!

Thanks for letting me share my good news!

Today's the Day!

We have our big ultrasound today so I get to see my sweet baby and see if it's a boy or a girl! I'm so stinkin' excited I can't stand it! I'll be back this evening to update. (I haven't posted in a week--oh my! I've been focused on purging and organizing throughout the house. Must be early nesting or something!)