Sick days

Note the blue bracelet on Jane's leg? Oh yeah, sickness has moved into the Anderson home, and Jane was diagnosed with an upper respiratory cold, and an ear infection. She lost her voice too (which only added to my mommy paranoia).  There just isn't anything like seeing your baby cry and hearing only squeeks come out.

Nolan is over his cold for the most part, although, I'm going to have his ears checked (he's been talking like he has head phones on).  So, there you have it, we are deaf and mute here but still doing fine. :) pray for healing & sleep.

Time to Reflect

Finally, I'm sitting down and mostly by myself, there is a super cute baby girl next to me making raspberries and holding her toes, but who can complain about that?  I am now ready for a nice slow winter.  A winter of playing in the snow, watching my breath as I wait outside, and of warm tea and biscotti. This is the exact opposite of the previous weeks, and who can blame the business on anyone? There was just a lot that happened in a small amount of time. 

For starters, there is a lot of new life celebrations this year.  Cora, my neice turned two years old (her birthday falls on December 15), and my Sister-in-law Heather is due to become a new mom by the beginning of February, making a baby shower necessary while family was in town.

Another celebration of life but in a more painful way was when Steve's wonderful Grandmother Jane (whom my baby Jane gets her name) passed a week before Christmas.  The funeral was a testament to her godliness, love, charm, humor, and blessedness.    

If you are keeping track that is three social events, all of which happen within or around a weeks time. 

Now, as is tradition in our family we have the five Christmases, and try as I might I'm just not the kind of person who can be around people all the time (except for my immediate family and even then I need some alone time).  For me the perfect balance is a one to one ratio.  One day out and about to one day in and recharging.  But with  nine events within the window of ten days my ratio is kinda thrown to the wayside.  But I'm finding that it's not a lack of people but more a lack of energy to register everything that is happening around me and plus my house goes to pot (a dirty house actually stresses me more than...well maybe a fender bender.  In fact, if I did have a fender bender, I really hope not to, I would probably be okay if I came home and my house was perfectly clean and the laundry was done.).

So, now in the comfort of our chase, I can finally register my feelings, thoughts, hopes, dreams, and sit down and blog as I look back over the previous weeks.  I am thankful for all the time with friends and family (and COOKIES! I've gained at least 5lbs), and I look forward to the winter, to 2013, and to all the adventures that are bound to make their way onto this blog.   

Life Captured by My Phone

Finger painting

Nolan loves the bird and bug book.  Here he has picked out his favorite bird.

 Nolan is offically 3, as of mid-November.  As a birthday treat we took Amtrak from Lees Summit to Union Station.  He loved it so much he cried leaving, all the way home and ended up taking a long nap.  At least he really liked it...right?

 Christmas at our house.  A little bit not as stylish as normal (Note the presents in the tree) but I have a feeling that I'll miss that messy tree some day.  (The other picture is of our advent calendar that hangs in our front window)

Steve and I at the Nutcracker.

Christmas #1

& Steve's

Col3.2

"Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." NLT

The Big Kids Wish List

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I hope that everyone had a wonderful meal with lots of fellowship and of course pie! I know that we did. 

Now, for many of you it is time to SHOP! You might be shopping already; so while you are standing in line with your smart phone I hope that the following lists will help you.  Merry Christmas!

 Starting from the top and then clockwise. Steve: Airsoft Electric Gun Full Size LOADED, XBox 360 250GB (or anything over 4GB), Weber Style Grill Gloves, Norpro Stainless Steel Vertical Roaster, GrillPro Cast Iron Smoker Box, Crosman AirSoft Sticky Target, Ammo Box.

Starting at the upper left corner and then going clockwise. Adrienne: Babes in the Woods, Picnic Blanket (doesn't have to be this one), Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing for Baby, Winco Vegetable Mill, REAL SIMPLE easy, delicious home cooking, Reusable Produce Bags, Necklace,  Full Circle Fresh Air Kitchen Compost Collector, Vanilla Beans, Any Size Canning Jars, The Rhythm of a Family.

The Kid's Wish Lists

 So, I've been working on our wish lists for awhile.  Nolan and I have been weaning ourselves from media, making getting this particular post out little harder.  Steve's and My wish lists are coming soon...promise!
Jane: 1. Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether 2. Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker (she wouldn't mind a use on :) ) 3. Haba Whirlygig Clutching toy  4. Sassy Look Photo Book.  5. Flip Cloth Diapers. 6.(not pictured) Little Tikes 2-in-1 Snug 'n Secure Swing Blue.

Nolan: 1.Squiggles: Really Giant Drawing and Painting Book 2.Plan Toys Solid Drum 3. Insect Lore Creature Peeper  4. Frog Hooded Bath Towel 5. Rock 'Em Sock 'Em ROBOTS Game 6. Little Tikes TotSports T-Ball Set 7. Little Doctor Kit 8.Tuffo Muddy Buddy Overalls

Halloween and Well Just Life

So, Halloween was AWESOME! Jane was a burrito so we had to go to Chipotle for lunch and take some pictures of Jane with REAL burritos.  Nolan was Thomas of course.  He wore it all day, and got excited every time he got more candy (and yes I did let him eat a lot of candy on Halloween but only on Halloween). 

Other than Halloween we have just been enjoying the weather and the season.  Found a worm in one of my apples, and while I was editing the picture it made me think of Busy Town.   You know:

Other than long walks at the zoo or park I've been thinking of N's birthday and trying to get prepared not only for Thanksgiving but also Christmas.  Hopefully, soon I'll have our family's Christmas wishes posted.  Oh, and stickers in the hands of toddlers can be very messy, and under appreciated in my opinion. 

1Pet5.7.NLT

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."

Something to always remember...

SAVE THE APPLES!

I have a ton of apples this season and hate to see them go bad.  So, I found this information on storing apples on About.com and thought I might share. Enjoy!  P.S. what do you do to save your fall produce?

1. Start with apples that keep well. Late-ripening varieties (those harvested in October) usually do best. These include: Red Delicious, Ida Red, Winesap, Crispin, Stayman, Rome, Northern Spy and Turley.
   • More Apples that Keep Well
2. Inspect all apples for bruises, cuts and soft spots. Only perfect fruit is suitable for storage.
3. Sort the apples by size: small, medium and large. Since large apples don't store as well, this will make it easy to ensure that they get eaten first.
4. Place the sorted apples in perforated plastic bags or in boxes lined with perforated plastic (to allow for air circulation).
5. Store in a cool basement, garage, fruit cellar or refrigerator. The ideal storage temperature is 30-32°F with 90% humidity. Apples are likely to suffer freeze damage if the temperature dips below 30° and will ripen quickly, if the temperature rises above 40°, so do your best to match these conditions.
6. Check regularly for signs of spoilage, and remove any damaged fruit.

Tips:

1. Pick apples when they are ripe. Over or under-ripened fruit will not store well.
2. Store apples as soon after picking as possible.
3. Avoid storing your apples near onion or potatoes. They'll readily absorb the flavor of other foods.
4. Don't mix apple varieties. Different varieties ripen at different rates.
5. Expect your apples to last up to five months in storage (depending on variety and storage conditions).

What You Need

• Apples
• Plastic bags
• Boxes

You are my Help

Psalm 63:6-8 NLT

6 I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.7 Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.8 I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.

Life Captured

Life Captured

Ah, fall is here.  I feel like reading a book, sitting next to a warm fireplace, and sipping hot cocoa (Multitasking, something I am not normally good at but I think I could handle this one).   Another thing that has been buzzing my brain is home improvement.  It seems I want to do everything from re-organizing my living room to completely transforming my curb appeal.  PLUS, I feel a sense of urgency since the weather is bound to change soon....like snow kind of weather.  I could be wrong and we could have the whole winter reach only a shivery 40 degrees but I have a feeling that is not going to be the case.  

I've also been busy cooking/ baking.   We have discovered the joy of homemade bread, especially in the morning for breakfast.  It smells wonderful and tastes like we are getting spoiled.  Steve puts homemade apple butter on his.   Another treat of the season (one I had been looking forward to) is Butternut Squash soup.  SOOOO good and definitely NOT weight watchers approved!

What have you been up to for the fall? 

Life Captured

It's been a busy week at least it feels like it.  We've either been out and about or busy getting stuff done at home.  The weather has me in SUPER good spirits and even Nolan gets excited about his Halloween costume (he's worn it everyday since we got it!).  Jane is preparing for the colder days by adding on girth.  JUST LOOK AT THOSE CHUNKY LEGS!!! She is the cutest chunk I've ever seen!  For me this is the weather of (homemade) marshmallows, sweaters, soup, bread and boots.  I love it! 
I've been in the kitchen a lot too making Homemade bread (both yeast and quick), Marshmallows, Pie, Chocolate syrup, and instant oatmeal.  I need to start taking pictures of it all...I just get caught up eating it. :)  

What is your favorite season? and do you have any traditions in the fall?

At Home

Nolan and his favorite shirt. 

"Oh no you didn't."

Only parents have construction band-aids on their boo boos.

Life has been awkward lately. We've started potty training again (I know I'm crazy but we have a good reason).  I've stopped drinking milk and have cut back on cheese and such, this is to help Jane.  She seems to spit up less with this new diet. 
I think my biggest awkwardness or misconception is rounding up my kids ages and expecting them to be the age I think they should.  For example, Noland should be five and Jane six months, but much to my frustration life doesn't work like that.  So, Nolan is three (in a month) and Jane is seven weeks old and we are having fun at home as well as out and about. This is a season like Fall or Christmas and I'm learning to savor it.