Miller Monday

When it is bad ...it's bad.

Now please understand this , I speak today from MY perspective. I know everyone has different experiences but this is how I feel and see thing. Also I might want to point out that I am a little grumpy.

So I have been super lucky this time with baby sleep. What I mean is that at around 8 weeks Zoe started to sleep through MOST nights. This does not mean every night but most nights. And the nights she wakes up I or hopefully Brandon goes in and reinserts her paci. If I go in there to do said task it might set us back 30 or so minutes , however if I can rouse Brandon awake it can take a whole 3 mins. However this was not the case last night. I went in at 2:30 after only being asleep for 2 hours and tried the reinsert method for about 45 minutes only to give up and nurse her. Which I try to avoid as to not teach her to wake up in the middle of the night to eat, but sometimes you have to. After getting her to sleep at about 4 I slinked back to bed only to be woken by her yet again after only 2 short hours. So total I got 4 hours of sleep. Yes I know to some that may seem like a lot. With Foster that would have been a lot. But not now after getting about 6 hours normally and uninterrupted. So when it is bad it is bad.

On a happier note my little boy , Foster, turns two this week. So I thought I would share a little about him with you all. He says some words we can recognize and some we can't.

Some we can:

Look

No NO No

car

PLease

Momma

Daddy

K

blue

there might be more but I can't think of all of them right now.

Now here is a list of words in which we know what he is talking about but don't understand the sounds.

Hudson

Zoe

Car Toons

Stop

Bowl

Cereal

Snack

I thought I would try out something new . Menu Monday. Ya I know you are all not probably thrilled to hear what we are eating every week but to help me stay accountable.

Monday- Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin, Rice, and some frozen veggie

Tuesday- Spaghetti

Wednesday- Shredded BBQ beef and grilled corn on the cob

Thursday- Hot Dogs and Hamburgers grilled veggie succotash

Friday- Poppy Seed Chicken , salad and carrots

In honor of my baby Foster use coupon code MOMMY20 to get free shipping and 20% off any "Due Date Month Mommy " maternity tee at Simply Preggo.

j

Much Love

Aprile

Miller Monday

Sick Husbands. Not good. Although most men might sulk around and act if they might be dying mine really doesn't , unless it is on a weekend. However this weekend it was different. I could tell he was sick but he kept pushing through. I think he might be sick of "being sick". So I think it is time to call the doctor. Oh wait there is a problem........we don't have a doctor that treats people who aren't pregnant or over the age of 18. Oh then when we call they probably won't accept new patients. I just hate it when Brandon is sick because I now he really doesn't feel good.

Chlorine........has not treated Foster well. We went swimming twice on Friday and Foster still looks like he went to a booze infused bachelor party weekend. I feel like I should maybe start being concerned, but I don't want to go to the clinic for them to tell me to give it a few days or prescribe an eye drop and to make sure I pay the $25 dollars on my way out. So I will do what any other "good" mother does and look it up online.

Heat. Sucks. I am trying DESPERATELY to lose weight and finding it very hard. Not for the same reasons I normally do I have motivation and determination but the heat keeps making me swell up. I usually don't swell. I have had pre-eclampsia with all three of my pregnancies and I was able to wear my wedding ring all the way to delivery. This is new to me. I hate it. But maybe when it hits late September I might see the scale move in the other direction. Until then I will continue to practice good habits.

Discipline. So I have gone to the store a few times this week with my kiddos and I am pretty sure every time I have left feeling embarrassed. I have to work harder at being consistent and making sure we are practicing good behaviors at home. I also need to look at how I am behaving in front of the kids. I need to watch my reactions.

Alright enough blabbing. I hope you all have a great week.

Be sure to check out Simply Preggo and use coupon code NF20 to get 20% off and free shipping on any "Not Fat ....Just Pregnant " maternity tee. This week only :)

Much Love

Aprile

Wordless Wednesday!

Just because I love my kids.........


Remember to use coupon code PRAC20 at Simply Preggo to get 20% off and free shipping on the maternity tee " Practice makes Pregnant".

Much Love

Aprile

Miller Monday.......it has been too long

So sorry........

I could list all my excuses but why? I am forever forgiven for my short-comings so I see no point.

I can however continue to improve and be better.

Today's post will have no direction, but serve as a dumping place. I am swimming in thoughts, prayers, hopes, dreams and disappointments. Please do not be alarmed by the last, it is just a truth we all have. I hope you will no be discouraged by my lack of order today , but rather encouraged that I like you have moments like this.

I can not believe all that goes through my mind in one day. I am constantly happily overwhelmed by my kiddos. Each day their exploration has me laughing and perplexed. I started to ponder, probably to my husbands irritation, what is our role as parents suppose to be. I would undoubtedly answered " to train up." But as I started to think about this I wondered what is important to me that my kids leave my house with. Right now all I think about is obedience. But is that really the MOST important thing at the end of the day? Why is it so important? So for now I have reconciled that I want to move forward in studying what the bible has to say about obedience. Are we to teach our children this because we are an example of how followers are suppose to be obedient to God's word? Or is the some arbitrary dream parents come up with so that they can "easy" and compliant children? Do you have any idea? suggestions? starting points?

Also in the jungle of my mind today is.........longing. I seem to have been feeling a little blue on Friday afternoons. I have feelings of I wish I could do something exciting......normally I would combat it with going out to dinner to a new place on Friday nights. But I am really trying to make bigger strides to make dinner at home as much as possible. But then this last Friday I said that I think I could combat it with shopping, but really that could get out of hand. So then I felt as if a light bulb when off! I could read a new magazine. And so I did. It felt like it hit the spot my mood was boosted. By then....after church on Sunday I started to think.........I am sure it was no accident :) About how I felt on Friday. I once read somewhere that women will forever long for "something" usually for men. But we should turn to God when we long rather than chase our desires. So next time I feel the Friday slump I pray that I remember this and turn to God to fill that "void" so that I may feel the Joy of the Lord.

Alas my children need to be instructed that doors are not for slamming and that we need to respect the need for baby sister to sleep. Also they need to get dressed, I need to wash clothes.....as always the list goes on.

In light of my desire to inspire and encourage I want to make a promise to write more so that maybe , just maybe my writing becomes more coherent and concise. Let me remember practice makes perfect, well at least better.

Much love,

Aprile

Use coupon code PRAC20 to get 20% off and free shipping on our Maternity tee "Practice makes Pregnant" at Simply Preggo. Because we all know good things come to those who practice ;)

Miller Mondays

A special thanks to Chris Isch, this is a picture from his last deployment ceremony.

Well this weekend we have had Brandon's parents in and have loved every minute of it. We are so lucky that his lil brother and sister will be staying with us for a week. I am sure the kiddos will love having playmates all week long. I'm not sure the older kiddos will like all the begging and pleading to play so much.

Because today is Memorial day I have been thinking of war ......of course. If you have not read The Myth of a Christian Nation it is worth a look. This book has changed the way I look at things, including war and military service. My prayer is that these wars end soon. I am praying especially for those "hidden ranks" those individuals that are left behind. My heart breaks for all those kiddos that have to go on living without a mommy and daddy while they are away at war. I mourn for the lose of innocence in individuals going to war. I pray for strength for those spouses that are without a partner while their partner is deployed.

I want to thank all the FAMILIES that serve. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Wordless Wednesday!!!

Zoe just chillin.

Use coupon code PRAC20 at Simply Preggo on this tee to receive 20% off and free shipping this week.

See you Friday!

Aprile

Miller Mondays

So Monday has come again. ugh. darn it. But let us rejoice for this is the day the Lord has made.

I promised I would be doing a series on being a professional Mom. Well not today. Yes I have not done my homework. Teacher can I be excused then? No you say? Why not ( Hudson's new response to EVERYTHING) ? Oh because I can't stop being a Mom? Okay. So I really did have a blog on professional momming. But this morning I did not like it . AT ALL. So I am going to scrap it and try again next Monday. And this time I am going to seek some help. For those of you who know me this will come as no surprise but the post became quite wordy and a bit confusing . So I want to streamline and re-organize and give it another try.

But in the meantime I will continue to find a routine that works for most of us and help the others adapt. I want to make an effort to use my words to build people up and encourage. I want to pray for Brandon today not because something is going wrong but just because I love him. I will take tasks one at a time, I promise to not beat myself up if I don't achieve all my goals. I will not make mountains out of mole hills.

In an effort to encourage all of you not to take yourself seriously and to remind me that it takes practice to create a home I want, use coupon code PRAC20 at Simply Preggo to get 20% off and free shipping on our "Practice makes Pregnant" maternity tee.

Until next time love the ones your with,

Aprile

I'm back for Miller Mondays

Okay so I had a baby......on April 5th and that means my self-imposed maternity leave from blogging has come to an end. I must start writing again. I must. I must. I must.

Yesterday was Mother's Day and I saw it in a completely new light.........I have now declared that day my New Year's. I am so completely in love with my job.....being a stay-at-home Mom. It is hard work I don't have to tell you that.........but what is so cool is that it can be your (my) ministry too. Brandon and I have been talking about how do you do it "all" you know be the perfect family member , the good spouse, the provider and still minister to the "lost"? Well ministry can happen in your own home. We as parents have to be guides to our children while they live at home. But more on this later.

My goal over the next couple of weeks is that I want to explore how to become a professional mom. I want my kids to see and experience me as warm , but I want my life to be a little more harmonious and I think if I were to put a little more "professionalism" into my job I might achieve something close to harmony.

I will be using some books and articles and maybe some blogs to help guide my process. Please understand that I am not professing to be an expert at anything I will be exploring but I will be doing all these exercises with you.

My first task is to find a family mission statement. All companies I know of have something they use to guide and keep them focused. So as CEO of my family I will be searching and praying for something that fits my family. This can be a quote, a bible verse, song verse or something you create. So please check back to see what I have come up with and please share what you have come up with or simply your thoughts.

Now on to my other business. Did you or a friend just find out their pregnant and are ready to announce it? This week only use coupon code MOMMY20 to get 20% off and free shipping on any " (Due Date Month) Mommy" tee at SimplyPreggo.

And of course some pics of my family with our new addition!!

Blessings

Aprile

Favorite Friday

Alright....TGIF!!!! Whew. Today marks 4 weeks till D-Day, that is not due date but the date of my c-section. I just wanted people to understand why I was sure she would be born on the 16th of April. I am not delusional and think that when your due date has arrived you will have the baby that day. Looking back at what I just wrote seems a little harsh.....no hurt feelings intended. I am kinda grumpy. Brandon and I are in desperate need of a date night. We have to get out a lot for some one-on-one time, because our marriage needs it. We can really tell when it has been awhile, because we start to bicker A LOT. Have no worry blogosphere we are going out on Saturday. Wow this was not the intended prose for today but then again this is what blogging is all about right?!?

Now what I really wanted to talk about. BOOKS :). Anyone who knows me knows that I like to read ........I mean really really really really like to read. So I thought I would share with you a few favorites and they are all what I am reading right now except my current favorite in fiction . Just some things you might want to know ; I do not re-read books for the most part, I am willing to read just about anything although I prefer fiction and know that I before I got pregnant the fourth time I could keep up with reading about 4 books at a time, that is no longer the case . However , I have worked my way back up to 2.

Favorite Parenting............Love and Logic. I feel this is a great system. Any of their books, Cd's

pod casts and other goodies will serve ANY parent well. I

love it because it encourages getting your child behind the wheel and allowing (safely) their turns of the wheel to affect THEM. It is about loving them enough to allow them to learn that their actions have consequences especially when they are young and the price tags are small. I could go on and on, but other fabulous books await. Oh and this is a continuous read, this is one that I re-read. What are some of your parenting favorites?

Favorite Inspirational..........Captivating and Wild at Heart. The books were authored by John and Stasi Eldredge. These are just two among many . The reason I chose to put these here is because I am reading them right now. I actually have already read Wild at Heart but I am about to finish Captivating. A certain freedom comes with reading them, I was released from sooooo much. What book has changed your life?

Favorite Fiction..........the Twilight Saga. I know I know I know. But really this was some of the best fun I have had reading. The books taught me (hold the laughs) that women really do value emotional intimacy and devotion. And I love that this series promotes abstinence , crazy I know. What books or series have you read that have transported you?

Seriously this list could go on and on and on.......but then it might start to bore you if it has not already. So here it ends.

Don't forget you preggos. At Simply Preggo this week you can use the coupon code MOMMY20 to get 20% off and free shipping on any "Due Date Month Mommy" shirt. And make sure you are following us on Twitter and Facebook some new things might show up soon!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Aprile

Wordless Wednesday!!!

Many November Mommies are gearing up to tell their family and friends!!! Are you one? Do you know one? Get this or any other " Due date month Mommy" tee for 20% off and free shipping. Just use the coupon code MOMMY20 at Simply Preggo.

Here is my oldest at last year's St. Patty's Parade! We had a lot of fun. I 'm too preggo to go this year but we have some great alternatives today!!

Miller Mondays

Today is a new day and I am so grateful for that. I had a physically tough weekend. I am approaching the end of my pregnancy and finding it hard to stay positive and loving in all of my actions. I am starting to ache all over and losing what little patience I have very fast. But I am so incredibly thankful for this precious little girl in my belly. Brandon and I really love being pregnant and having the opportunity to experience this together. We love being a family and enjoy every bump (ya pun intended) in the road. But I have almost had it!!

We finished (sorta, for now) the basement storage room. We are not moving down the before-baby-to-do-list as fast as I would like but who would?!?!

I am little frustrated about some news I heard this weekend. I got the news late considering I was watching a show I had DVRed a couple of days earlier. And I don't know all the details. The Kansas City of Missouri Public Schools announced that they are going to close some schools. I don't want to take a guess a what the number was because I am afraid I would get it wrong, but still a school closed is a school closed. Here in Lawrence I believe the same thing is going to happen. I heard somewhere that the Lawrence Public Schools have a very high percentage of Administration so closing schools and consolidating teachers will help with lowering the cost of Administration. That is fine but where are you going to put these teachers? Are our schools not already stretched? And as a friend mentioned to me, the budget cuts are temporary, so why are we looking at permanent solutions? And may I add that as I drive through Lawrence; resident lawns are scattered with "Save our Neighborhood Schools" but then not 100 yards later the sprinklers shower (probably filtered) water over a newly erect football field? Yes I understand that football does bring in money and bond money is allocated for certain things, but really? Why can't our parents get excited and motivated like the football boosters? This is really concerning?!?

So I am due in April. So I have been wearing my "April Mommy" maternity tee a lot. When are you due? Use coupon code MOMMY20 to get 20% off and free shipping on any "Due Month Mommy" maternity tee at Simply Preggo.

lots of love to you

Aprile

Favorite Friday

Things I love a list of sorts.............

1. Vacations with my hubby. Just my hubby. Yeah I said it. Although fun can be had with kiddos , we are still in the "we-take-half-our-house-with-us" stage of trips. We occasionally can get away for a couple of nights together alone but I can't wait for our 10 year wedding anniversary trip we plan on taking in May of 2013 . I know I know that is a long way away but we want to pay for it in cash so we want to start saving to make it AWESOME (she says in her 80s airhead voice). Any suggestions?

2. Robes. I LOVE robes. My favorite are terry cloth. And I love monogrammed ones especially. My mom gave Brandon and I monogrammed robes as a wedding present and we LOVE them. Brandon got me a new one for the hospital when I have Zoe, because the hospital variety of robes are not a favorite. But I do not like fleece robes. I HATE being hot.

3.Swaddle blankets. I would tell you how long I left my boys in a swaddle blanket but I am kind embarrassed . I think I was so scared if I didn't swaddle them they would not sleep well. I am pretty sure the situation was one of those...the mom created the problem, kinda things. But I love the SwaddleMe type because I was able to afford quite a few so I was not having to do laundry all the time. We plan of creating a new inventory of them here in the next few weeks.

4."It started with a Kiss" maternity tee. I have to mention this because when we were creating our shirts our conversations would sound like a bunch of babble to an outsider listening in. We go through a lot of ideas before settling on an idea and then move on to the design phase. Our ideas range from the obscure to cheesy to silly to inappropriate. We really do have a great time coming up with new shirt sayings.......Be sure to check them all out at Simply Preggo

Until next time, check out our "Daddy scored/got..." maternity tee line at Simply Preggo and use the coupon code DAD20 to get 20%off any Daddy shirt and free shipping through Sunday.

Have a great weekend!

Aprile

Wordless Wednesday!!!

Use coupon code DAD20 to get this shirt or any other "Daddy got/scored" maternity tee with 20% off and free shipping , all week long!! Just visit Simply Preggo........

and just a fun pic.....

the lil buns of my youngest, Foster and Serina's littlest, Ryleigh......too cute not to share ;)

Miller Mondays

Okay I have learned a few things this weekend. A child restraint system ( okay okay a kid's leach) works even if you are not holding it. And something is better than nothing. So here is my Monday musings.......warning very random...

Stupid neighbors. Brandon and I are not the greatest homeowners. I wish it were different. I am trying to learn to keep house better so once I somewhat accomplish better habits we might move on to the outside. Do I need to remind you that my husband works A LOT and we have two toddlers and I AM 8 months pregnant?!? We have a really bad habit of leaving our trash can out on the curb past trash days.......first step is admitting right?!? I don't why we just do. So this week we noticed that our trash can was moved ( there was not strong enough winds to blow) to the center of the driveway. We knew it was moved by man and not nature so we were irritated that someone did that, like really? So we continued to drive around it for a few days. Then on Saturday we placed something out on the curb next to the moved by us trash can in preparation for trash day on Wednesday morning. Yes a little early but I saw no reason for us to move it to the side of the house for us to move it again on Tuesday night. But when my wonderful hubby went to go take the kiddos to the park there was a note taped with 8!!! pieces of packing tape citing the Lawrence city code. It was highlighted in two sections about trash placement. Really people?!?! Could you not just move the trash can up to the side of the house, would that not show more love and use less energy , paper, and tape?!?! Oh and time. But they won, we moved our trash can. Because it is apparently a huge eye sore!!!! Seriously , come on.

More on the house front. We had a 15+ foot section of our guttering fall on our air conditioner. Awesome!!! It is totally something we could get the materials and fix ourselves but once again an 8 month pregnant women and a very over-worked man with little attention to detail need to do. So that is on the "call list" today.

Oh and our 3 year old got diarrhea in his sleep last night making the room a toxic spell area that needed immediate attention . Our hazard suits were still at the cleaners from last stomach bug two weekends ago. So we went in and tackled the disaster. Although both of us had weak stomachs because we too had faced round #2 of the stomach bug this weekend. Oh well. It is always kinda rewarding when we work together as a team. I have got he greatest husband and my kids have the greatest Daddy.

Foster has begun to talk....a little. He LOVES to say " LOOK LOOK LOOK" and gets really

excited when we acknowledge that he says it. So much so that he has started to say look and hold his hands up for everything he doesn't have a word for . Which is a lot . He is also saying juice and "Hutson" which is referring to his brother Hudson. Oh what else.......oh and he is working on milk.

Preparing for baby.....Nesting.....Manic cleaning.......Severe bossiness........call it what you may. I have made a list of all the things I want to have done before Miss Zoe comes. And for some reason I believe that our baby will not feel at home unless we got our basement storage room cleaned up?!?! Ya I know this is crazy pregnant lady stuff. But really my reason is that I am going to really start stocking up on groceries and household items for the time I will be out of commission. And with all this surplus I think it important to have a storage room that is organized so that ,one, I have a place to put all of this neatly and two so when I help over I can direct them to those things without too much confusion , hopefully. What crazy things did you do in the name of "nesting" please reassure me that I am not crazy........

March madness is here..........Or are you into another sport? Well get a 20% off and free shipping on any "Daddy got/scored...." maternity at Simply Preggo using coupon code DAD20 all week March 8th- March 14th. And you never know what other things you might score big on so be sure to follow Simply Preggo on Facebook and Twitter!!

Until next time......lots of love

Aprile

Homeschool?!? Miller Monday style :)

I want the best for my children....that is a given , right? And the best would be a great education, but how do I go about that? We don't have unlimited funds for private schools nor do I feel that it is in my best interest to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on my child's primary school education ( this is K-12). Especially when we have college, retirement, cars, and whole child experiences to consider in our budget. So with that said and for the purpose of this blog, private school is not an option for us. That is a whole other discussion.

But here is what I want to discuss.......HOMESCHOOL. Yes, this IS Aprile. For those of you are somewhat familiar with me might know that I am not the best student. I don't necessarily love school , so for me to consider this is, this is a rather shocking idea. But since having children as most of you are personally aware ......things have changed. No I don't wish to return to school anytime and I don't get excited about school supplies or anything you "good" students do. However I LOVE learning , but most importantly I really , really, really enjoy experiencing. And it is extremely important to me that my children feel the same way. Now understand that I know this might be something I have no control or influence....but I hope I can take some steps to help it grow.

With that said, how can I make my children's school an experience versus an obligation or an unstimulated time in their life. How do I encourage a love for learning. One way I have learned through parenting to get your child to do anything you might want is to model. Be an example. So if I were to put my child in school would they really get to see an example of someone experiencing learning? Don't get me wrong here I know some really great teachers and I know there are some out there , but do they really have time in their schedule to really model excitement? And would it not build better bonds within my family to experience it TOGETHER. If they are learning about Gettysburg would it not make more of an impact to go to Gettysburg? Of course we don't have all the time and resources to make corresponding vacations/field trips with every lesson but it is certainly more feasible for us as a family than as a school. Could the statement "a family who learns together , stays together" be true? Although the opposite would not be an absolute either :)

When Brandon and I were dating we made a promise that whoever was making more money when we had our first child would continue to stay employed while the other parent was to stay home. Well Brandon out-earned me by a LOOOOONG shot. So I dove into stay-at-home-dom with all my heart and time. And I try to make that choice each morning and remain joyful about it. I love my job , I have no desire to go back to work . I feel completely fulfilled doing what I do. I know a lot of this comes from the support I get from Brandon, he wants me to be at home as much as I want to be at home. So if I love this job as much as I do it makes sense that I would not want to have my children go away from me. And I sometimes feel that it is my job to train up my child and not somebody else.

But, and it is a two-pronged but. Where would they develop those all important social skills. Although I want my child to learn at his/her own pace is not also important to sometimes feel the pressure of healthy competition? What about some encouragement from an outside source, can I be as objective as a teacher can. Would I really be preparing my kids for community and different job environments if I really never gave them the opportunity to work together in those ever so painful " group projects" because really isn't life , especially family-life, just one big "group project". Although we ( The Millers) are lucky? enough to live in a community that is pretty diverse and offers plenty alternatives to traditional public school is that really the best way to spend our school hours? I feel already stretched in the terms of time it takes me to run to appointments, clean house and meet with some very important-to-me playgroups, how would running my children to different "home-school experiences" really be the home-school environment I wanted to create? There would be gas money, childcare expenses and activity fees we would have to consider and would we not be right back at the "cost" of education argument?

And then there is the second prong......me. I know my husband loves me because he really knows me. As mentioned earlier I am not a great student........probably not even a good student. So would I really be the best teacher from my kids? I have been known to not complete things (please hold the laughs and amens) and much to my disappointment this is not just historical information it is also a fact of life for me. I am often called a perfectionist, but I argue does a perfectionist complete things? So I consider my self a "quitter" yes, I do. I will start something with grand plans yes I make everything harder than it ever needs to be. And then when I start to get fatigued or frustrated that I will not be able to do it the way I want or envisioned it I quit. So I really do not wish my children to learn or model this behavior. But I sometimes wonder would this not be a great opportunity to re-learn how to do things? Can this be the time to change things?

With all of this said , how did YOU decide to or not to home school? Do you think I am crazy, do you see flaws in my ways :)? I want to hear it!!

Have a great week!!

Aprile

Don't forget the Simply Preggo Maternity tee Deal of the Week.........."Practice Makes Perfect" use coupon code PRAC20 to get 20% off that tee and receive free shipping. All week long March 1st-7th!

A Few Favorites for Friday

So today I am not feeling great and am having difficulty drumming up some enthusiasm. So this post will be short and sweet. I wanted to share with you all some of my new favorite blogs and hopefully you will share with me some of yours. Some of my criteria for enjoying blogs are things that make my life simpler. I like blogs that have giveaways because who doesn't love free things? I also enjoy sites that provide coupons and deal match ups because I love saving money. Also I really like sites that are encouraging and uplifting. And anything that gets me energized about being a Stay-at-home-Mom and wife are always a plus. Please remember these are a FEW of my favorites and are not in any order!!! I would love for you to share with me your blog and any others you don't miss a post.

of course......www.simplypreggo.com Use coupon code WS20 today, February 26th and get 20% off the maternity tee " Watermelon Smuggler" and also get free shipping!

my blog mentor SuperJenn- right now she is giving away a coupon binder! Be sure to enter!

I have been following Coupon Geek for awhile .... I would say I kinda have a blog crush.....she has SOOO much on her blog! She is having a Simply Preggo T-Shirt giveaway!!!

Some other sites that are hosting Simply Preggo T=Shirt giveaways.........She Saved , Couponing for 4 , Coupon Gal. All have plenty of things to enhance any one's lives!!

I was recently introduced to the website/ blog Raising Olives. She is beyond amazing . She home-schools her 9 children, is pregnant with her 10th and has time to knit!!!! Check it out.

Not only do I love the title but the Untrained Housewife is a hoot to read and peruse!!

I hope you all have a great weekend! I will see you all on Monday. Be sure to check out Simply Preggo on Saturday to catch Serina's newest blog!!!

Much love and happiness,

Aprile

Wordless Wednesday!!!

Although I am not sure how the men's team did or is doing . The USA women's hockey team made it to the final game for the gold at this year's winter Olympics. So in honor of those women............Use Coupon code DAD20 to get 20% off and free shipping on ANY " Daddy scored/got" maternity tee at www.simplypreggo.com

Miller Mondays

So hello again. This weekend was rough......okay the roughness started on Thursday. My youngest son, Foster, threw up first thing in the morning. And of course my husband was out of town. But then again that is how it always is , right? Then on Friday I had to have my temporary crown replaced , but once the dentist looked at it he decided that it needed more work......once again that is how it always is. So two more dentist appointments to fit in before baby is born. This will have to slide in amongst every 2 week OB appointments as well as high risk OB appointments and Foster needs to get some immunizations. I know it may sound like complaining but it is not. It is me coming to the realization that although I am thankful for medical care and prevention the appointments drive me CRAZY and should I add that we have MORE snow which means at least another week of bundling up the kids to go anywhere and like I mentioned we have A LOT of appointments coming up. And I have not been grocery shopping in a LONG while. But on a happy note our monthly Mom's Night Out had to change its venue at the last minute so we headed to a restaurant and grabbed a bite before we headed out to see Valentine's Day. Which was just a great feel good movie. We all sat in the back row and sounded like a bunch of school girls laughing at the bad puns and cute boys ( phew is was loaded up with those ;) ). But while I sat enjoying a great movie my poor hubby was nursing our oldest son through a couple of rounds of upchucking and bed-soiling diarrhea. I hate to say it but I was glad it was him and not me.......I deal with it 95% of the time. So then sweet sweet Saturday arrived with our hopes of going out on a "date" but guess what ?!?!? Yup you guessed it I started to feel sick. But determined to go out with my hot hubby and get some good quality time in I bucked up took a shower and put on a happy face. Well if you have a weak stomach STOP reading now.........oh you brave soul :) So we sit down for dinner and our salads arrive I tell myself to pace yourself and take a few bites and let it settle. Well after about 5 bites of salad and a couple bites of steak out of nowhere my hubby asks if I am feeling well and then before I knew it I was seeing my dinner spew onto my dinner plate exorcism style.......I told you. My hubby who doesn't have a super strong stomach says " Go clean up and we will leave" so I quietly get up trying to hide my already red face and run to the bathroom to look back and see my hubby devouring the last of his steak!!! We get in the car and I ask if he will run into a store near by and pick me up a shirt and some body spray so we can catch the movie we already bought tickets for. He runs in I change shirts and we brave the movie. It was a bad movie with lots of gore....of course. I make it through without any demons leaving my body and we get home to have the babysitter say I just walked like a preggo........no comment. No problem I love being with my hubby so I was glad we could finish our date. Oh but how I wished that was it. Sunday came with a promising start, my hubby let me sleep in a little:) I join my three boys on the couch to see hubby a little pale.......I say "Uh-Oh looks like it might be your turn" he retorts " Oh nah I will be fine" not two hours later he quotes our 3 year old " My tummy tickles" and then the world begins to end. All of you who have significant others know what I mean. HE even went on to say that he deals with sickness so poorly because he is not "used to it"........ oh that is why I am better at it?!?!?!? So glad he cleared that up. But that promptly brought our weekend to a close as we watched snow fall and our weekend goals fade with the sun.........

So I was going to talk about some pressing topics my sister-in-law/ business partner has been talking about but you can check out her original post and my response at www.simplypreggo.com. Also while you are there you can check out our maternity tees and use coupon code PASS20 to get free shipping and 20% off our maternity tee " This too Shall Pass"

Want to press your luck? Check out the following websites to see how you could win a free maternity tee!!

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I shall see you Wednesday!!
Aprile

Miller Mondays

So I have just returned from dropping my mom off at the airport and oh how I miss her already. We had a great weekend! Friday she arrived and then we drove up to our house at the same time my sister had arrived from Oklahoma so Friday night was filled with lots of girl talk. My poor husband....wait no not really I am out-numbered everyday.

Saturday was a blast. I woke up and got to enjoy my sister and mom some more while I think Brandon got to relax with the kiddos watching their new obsession Meet the Robinsons. Then onto my baby shower which I was so touched by the work and effort so many friends put into this. My best friend Jennifer even got to come , and she is 33 weeks pregnant. I have known her since we were 12 years old. There was enough food to feed a whole army of preggos and tons of good conversation. I was showered with so much pink and loved every minute of it. One of my favorite moments had to be all of my "mom" friends complementing each other on how nice we all looked. It's amazing what a little make-up and time can do for a girl! I guess we don't see each other in make up very often. I really had an amazing time and feel so very blessed by all the love and support I have in my life.

And then there was Valentine's Day. Which was a lot of fun. Being 7 months pregnant I wasn't up for much "going out" but I had an amazing time hanging out with my 4 favorite Valentines. My mom , Brandon, Hudson and Foster made me feel so appreciated and loved. I received the most meaningful card from Brandon , it was a wordy gushy card so I will spare all the details, but it made me realize that Brandon does notice all that I do. And he got me some great goodies for the hospital when I have Zoe.

Be sure to watch my twitter feed and facebook for the Deal of the Day for www.SimplyPreggo.com!!
What a great weekend!!! Thanks to all that made it so special!

Favorite Friday

So I LOVE surprises and I LOVE my family and I LOVE all things baby. So this is an especially exciting weekend because it will have ALL three. And it will be met two ways too!! First today my mom and sister will be coming up and staying the night to attend my baby shower tomorrow!!!! And then of course my baby shower is tomorrow. So I always think most people,including me, are not quite sure how to act. But I know tyring to figure out how to act is not as fun as drinking it all up. I am not particularly fond of being the center of attention, but I do love gifts so you know what, bring it on!!! I hope this doesn't sound selfish or greedy but I think I feel loved when I know someone has taken the time to select something for me or my children that they think I will like!

Then of course there is Valentine's Day. I love all Valentine's Day , heck I even love Flag Day. You give me a reason and I will buy the card, decorate and give the appropriate gift! Yup I love all holidays. But what I love even more than a reason to buy a greeting card is my husband. This has been a difficult couple of weeks for him so I am excited to make him feel loved and extra special. Oh and I love getting things for my kids , so hopefully today we will be making Valentine Mail Boxes so we can exchange some Valentines.

I hope you all have a great weekend and enjoy all the love! Monday I am sure to post pics from the shower and Valentine's. Also don't miss the opportunity to show your love with a maternity tee from www.simplypreggo.com. Use Coupon code KISS20 and receive 20% off our maternity tee "It started with a Kiss" use it today February 12th and get free shipping too!

Here's to LOVe
Aprile

Wordless Wednesday!!!

Get 20% off this shirt using coupon code WS20 and also get free shipping. Today February 10th ONLY!!!!



www.simplypreggo.com



For all of those out there that are sick of the snow!!! Especially you mommmas due in the Summer!!!

Miller Mondays

So here we are on another Monday. I have done my Monday chores, and am now visiting with a friend. She has just returned from Blissdom and brought back GREAT ideas for herself and me.

As for our family , we had a fabulous weekend. It was filled lots of rest and relaxation. We managed to squeeze a movie in our "man cave" which we think is better than most movie theatres. And Brandon and I have see A LOT of movies. We also had to get a new vacuum because our old one died. It just decided to not suck up crap anymore......that is kinda funny because I sometimes think I am vacuum and I need to decide to stop sucking up crap. Shall save our vacuum search for a Favorite Friday. So on Friday we got about 5 inches of snow. This was the first snow for Hudson that was wet enough to make a snowman and many snowballs ( all of which I wanted to hurl at Brandon when he came home but the boys wanted to smash them instead) . So then I had a brilliant idea to shovel the driveway and I might want to mention that the driveway is probably 20+ feet long. And I am 7 months pregnant. So Brandon's face when he saw me shoveling was one for the books. So Brandon I will NOT shovel the driveway again. And of course the Super Bowl on Sunday. Although not a fan of either team I am a fan of FOOD. So I am sure I gained about 5 lbs in two hours.

So looking back at this blog I have decided that my life might need a little spice :) Just kidding , it's not going to happen.

In the meantime be sure to check out www.simplypreggo.com and get 20% off any "Not Fat.....just pregnant" maternity tee. Also you will get free shipping if you use the coupon code NF20. Today Feb 8th 2010 only!!!

Favorite Friday

So this day ...starting next week hopefully will be the day to share with you some of my favorites. This will include favorite people ( I promise to keep the shameless display of my kiddos to a minimum), favorite things, favorite places, favorite websites....etc etc. So while my teacher in blogging is away we shall wait until next week so she can show me how to do all the proper documenting and linking. See you Monday for an exciting Miller Monday. Hopefully I will be able to post some pics of Super Bowl fun and some winter wonderland pics....because it is SNOWING!!!!!

Oh and of course don't forget to go to www.simplypreggo.com and check out our Daddy Sports line to find the perfect maternity tee to show off that beautiful growing belly. Get Daddy scored a Touchdown in honor of the Super Bowl or look ahead to March Madness and get Daddy got a Slam Dunk!!! Use DAD20 and receive 20% off any Daddy tee and also get free shipping!! Today Feb 5th ONLY!!!

Wordless Wednesday!!!

So I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be in your third trimester!!! So you too can have this shirt and get 20% off with free shipping. All you have to do is go to www.simplypreggo.com and use Touch20 coupon code!! Happy Shopping!!

Peace be with you!

So here we are another Monday and another week. I will be 28 weeks pregnant this week. Every week is a miracle. Last week was an especially hard week. Not nesseccary for me but for my very close friend and sister-in-law. And not being there was extremely hard for me. Being told not to travel to be with someone in pain is really hard. But hourly I lift her up and pray that God's peace surrounds her and her family . I love all of them so much, I know I am lucky to have such great in-laws and hope they are blessed daily.

I have always had a slight ( some may argue the degree) obsession with the Duggar family. And one of my favorite things I have heard Momma Duggar say is that she hopes to be an encouragement to other moms. I know she has been for me . So after struggling to enter into God's presence at church, I was so moved by the message. The pastor led us through the bible as it speaks about encouragement. Allowing ourselves , giving to others, finding it in God's word......all something I struggle with. This is something I have always wanted to do . I am so excited to have heard this and received it. So from this moment on I will strive to be an encouragement to others and when in dark times look to God to renew my faith and encourage me.

So for now I sign off hoping to be an encouragement to SOMEONE today.

Miller Mondays

So here I am at the beginning of the year like many others I assume. Like the thousands of others starting to blog this new year, I had feelings of the years slipping by and not having any record of the things that have happened. I also want to do this so that my kids will have something to look back on as well as my extended family will have the opportunity to see what we are up to. I am going to try to post something every Monday that is personal and relevant to me and my family. I hope to be an encouragement and remain true to myself!! I look forward to this journey and can't wait to see where it goes!!