Easter Dress Preview

I Dunno 'Bout That!

One of Carina's many new catch phrases. Others include "Oh snap!", "Okie dokie" and "I'm naked!".

Weekend Getaway

We went with my parents and two youngest nieces to Ocean City, MD for a long weekend. The weather was not very warm but we saw a fair bit of sun. We had a chance to walk the boardwalk, play on the play ground and a round of mini golf. We also spent a little time in the indoor pool and even though the water wasn't as warm as Carina (or I!) would have liked, it was still an awesome pool! We loved spending time with family but we're all very happy to be home. Carina slept mostly well in the hotel but we all prefer our own rooms and beds. Thanks Mom and Dad for a great trip!

For Daddy

To get you to the end of the work day. Only 2.5 hours till vacation!

God's Glory in the Clearance Section

I know this is a marathon blog posting day so thanks for sticking with me. I've had a couple reasons to post this week but not enough time, haha. Anyway I've recently become part of a women's small group and we began a Bible study titled "He Speaks to Me". One of the lessons this week was on becoming aware of when and how we encounter God's glory. Not everybody sees a burning bush! So I thought about it and used a burden of mine as a starting point - finances. It's what I worry about, pray about, try so hard to trust in God about.

I came to the conclusion that I can and should see God's glory in the clearance section. It may seem too mundane but if you can't see God in the day-to-day, when can you? I try very hard not to buy anything (other than groceries and true needs) unless they are on sale, or even better on clearance. We've had the same welcome mat for nearly 3 years and it became so worn that even my Mom told me it needed to be replaced, haha. I just waited and waited and finally this week I found one on clearance for $6! Sorry guys for the next one (if any men even read this!) but I've also been looking for particular bras and knew that Target was way cheaper than anywhere else after shopping around. I finally bit the bullet because it was getting pretty desperate and I knew this price was as good as it was going to get. Low and behold they were on clearance - $7! Carina needed saldals for the summer and after searching all over and comparing prices (about $15 everywhere else) I resigned myself to Target because I knew their shose were great quality and the price would most likely be the same. They were only $10 - a lovely surprise! And Carina won't take them off!

So this may or may not seem silly to you but When I find great deals I see God's provision. When my parent spend the night and buy us Chinese for lunch and DQ blizzards for dessert I see God's blessing. When my Dad and I find a totally awesome deal on coffee (I have to share this one -8 12 oz bags of gourmet coffee, 8 mini bricks of coffee, a grinder and 2 mugs for $40! Over 70% off!) I see a chance to save money and bond with Dad at the same time. When I find a beautiful yellow dress for Carina on clearance for $2.50 and have a $1 off coupon to use with it I see a blessing for all the time's I've saved money buying consignment and an opportunity to be frugal while still buying Carina something brand new (and adorable!).

God is providing for us in amazing ways. I just need to open my eyes to see His glory... in the clearance section.

Back-a-Ward

This isn't meant to be a controversial post. When I added a link on my Facebook profile regarding the new AAP recommendation (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-us-med-carseats-chil,0,1725962.story) that toddlers remain rear-facing (or back-a-ward as Carina would say) in their car seats till age 2 responses were numerous and varied. We are fortunate in that Carina is so tiny and easy-going that neither her comfort or cooperation comes into play in the decision-making process. She is comfortable, she is happy and she is safe. A win-win-win!

I know I'm rambling here but what it all boils down to is every parent needs to make their own decisions about their own child. It is far too easy to judge other parents based on their choices regarding feeding, diapering, child care, sleeping and now car seat position among many, many others! I'm stealing this idea from another blog I read but I think it's valuable - ask yourself is it a matter of faith or ethics? If not, then it's probably not worth fighting over. Parents need all the support they can get. In this instance I choose rear-facing for my own reasons. I put the new recommendation out there so other parents can see it but in the end all any parent can do is the very best by their individual child.

A Day with the 'Rents

My parents we able to swing an impromptu overnight visit this week! Carina could not have been more thrilled. We spent some time in the guest room waking them up in the morning. Carina ran from Goppie's side of the bed to Grandpa's and back tickling their pits and squeeling with delight. We had an opportunity to laugh back when she stopped everything she was doing and said very solemnly "Uh-oh... mess." Sure enough she had indeed made a mess, haha, if you catch my drift. In the afternoon my parents took Carina out in the back yard to play and then we all went to the library for Toddler Time and ended the day at Dairy Queen. A fine day indeed.