Being Thankful

In my attempts over the last week to cut out unnecessary use of laptop and TV while the girls are awake I have been posting a little less in here. I mean let's face it getting two children to nap at the same time isn't that easy and who has energy at the end of a busy day. During this time I have begun to really realize all of the things in my life I am thankful for. I guess with my mind working clearer and actually having the time to think without the excessive use of electronics I have noticed more of the things I have always had that I don't always fully appreciate. My husband for starters! I love him and I am unbelievable thankful for him as the love of my life, my best friend, husband, father, daddy, provider, and inspirational supporter. I don't know if I could ever live without him. :-) Then there is Liberty who is so silly, fun, tiny, and full of so much cuddles and kisses lately. :-) Madison is so happy, easygoing, extra chunky, and also full of cuddles and even big slobbery kisses. :-) Our dogs are great "protectors" and lovers, and our cat is incredibly social for a cat! Plus, there are a million other small yet big things to be thankful for like; the redemption of Jesus, our beautiful home, more than enough to eat, a bed to sleep in at night, being a stay at home mom, all of us being healthy, living so close to family, and so so so much more!! I am just ridiculously thankful!!!  

Here is an interesting article about how to be thankful that I think is pretty insightful to why I am thankful.

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/11/19/12-ways-to-be-thankful/

(Here are some highlights from the article.)

1. See with the heart.

2. Change your language.

3. Get a gratitude partner.

4. Remember.

5. Keep a gratitude journal.

6. Write a thank you letter.

7. Make a gratitude visit.

8. Start a gratitude club.

9. Acknowledge yourself.

10. Accept a gift.

11. Pray.

12. Give back.

Photo Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

DR Congo Adoption... Orphan Wish List

In all my years I have never seen a donation form that lists real specific items that are needed. When I saw this list and how easy and secure it was to donate I was really excited!! Of course it helps that we are in the process of adopting from this country which makes me even more excited. It was eye opening to see the basic needs of the children in this orphanage. I felt like I could really make a difference with even the smallest donation. Here is the website for the way to donate and below is a list of items needed:

http://www.oneworldadoptions.org/blog/orphanage-needs/

DRC Orphanage Wish List

Please consider donating one or more of the following items:

- Big basin for fufu (need 1) $20 each
- Big basin for the laundry (need 5) $20 each
- Medium size basin (need 5) $10 each
- Laundry basket (need 4) $7 each
- Children’s potties (need 20) $5 each
- Trash can (need 2) $15 each
- Large plastic chairs (need 20) $20 each
- Stainless plate (need 90) $5 each
- Brazier/grill (need 2) $25 each
- Big cooking pot for fufu (need 3) $60 each
- Vegetable pot (medium size) (need 3) $20 each
- Sheets for beds $200

DR Congo Adoption... Adoption Brain

This is my brain lately!!

When I was pregnant with my first two children I had pretty bad pregnancy brain. I have heard that it is a hormonal thing, but I never believed it and thought it was more of a brain on overload from thinking so much about the plans to prepare for the new baby and the new baby's arrival. That has to be what it is, because ever since we started this adoption I have been running around losing and forgetting things. Plus feeling like I misspell everything even though I rarely do!! Not to mention the overload of preparedness and learning I cram into my brain about adoption and the DR Congo. I do this probably twenty times a day where I go to get something and come back with out it or walk around like "what did I need again?"(normally it is like 10 times a day... bahahahaha). Plus, yesterday we were completing some paperwork stuff that needed to be sent out and I thought I left the stamps at home, but they were right where I had put them. That one actually annoyed me!!

Click Here for Interesting Insight Into Pregnancy Brain

And the Mother bird begins to build her nest.

Oh yes did I mention "nesting"?!?!? I am already planning out his room and planning out how the girls will share a room. Plus, I keep thinking of starting a Lifebook and scrapbooks for him which leads me to get back to work at the girls scrapbooks. Jason and I have dived in full steam ahead with the Homestudy and the Dossier too. Paperwork is flying out as soon as it gets in! :-) I am so excited for everything and we can not wait to meet our boy!!!!!

Click Here for Interesting Insight Into The Nesting Instinct

Photo Credits: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Our Baptism

My whole life I grew up in a very religious family yet I struggled with my identity and where religion fit into my life. When I graduated High School and moved out on my own I took a more of a Jesus being in the background of my life kind of a approach to religion. I knew he was there, but I didn't call out to him or research who he was. This all changed when I became pregnant with my daughter and I realized how miraculous life is and how God never left my life and blessed our family in so many ways (i.e. love, health, shelter, food, guidance, etc.). At that time I returned to the religion I had always known. I went for almost 2 years until I found the current protestant church I attend now. I love everything about everything Jesus is to me and my family. I want everyone to know I don't try and push my beliefs on anyone. I am just so excited about this event in our life that I had to share it with everyone and anyone! :-)

Liberty Walking on The Rocks Before Baptism

Madison Eating Before Baptism

Jason and I Before Baptism

All of Us After Baptism

DR Congo Adoption... Have You Heard The News??

Jason and I have just started the process to adopt from the Democratic Republic of Congo! We are so excited to take this journey together to our son! Check out our page for great info on our adoption and awesome websites for "newbs" like us! http://jasonandkirstenmellin.blogspot.com/p/drc.html

2 Aging Girls

2 Aging Girls!

This week as I received each one of my daughters "My Toddler/Baby This Week" emails from Babycenter I read them, as I normally do, and was just about to hit the trash button when I realized something (I should have realized before) my babies aren't going to be babies forever!!! Ahhh!! They are having quite time (nap time) now as they always do, but this time as I use my hour or so alone to blog I actually went to Babycenter and read in detail the development of each of my girls. I know I have said this before, but it really amazes me how quickly they change! Madison is crawling and sitting now like she has always known how to, even though just last week she did neither. Liberty goes up and down the stairs, on and off the couch, and even helps feed the dogs like she never knew any other way. I am just amazed at the girls God has provided me with. I love these girls so much and I am so happy to be their mom and be able to see them grow into the little ladies they are!!

Toddler Development- A great way to learn about and understand your toddler better.

Baby Development- A great way to prepare for and learn about your baby's development.

The Girls Looking at Books

Liberty Reading to Madison :-)

Maniac Madison

Madison has always been our strong girlie! At 7 weeks she was lifting her shoulders and head off the ground during tummy time, but I was still stunned when I looked over and at 7 months she pulled herself up to a standing position. She has no fear, which can sometimes mean she gets more bruises and scratches, but it also means she accomplishes so much!! I am freaking out that in no time at all she will be cruising all over the house. (Here is a video from Babycenter on Cruising.)

It began with the dishwasher...

...continued by using the baby gate...

and then she was standing!!

Potty Training

Liberty Went Potty on The Potty For The First Time

Although this is a very exciting moment for me, since I have two in diapers, I realize it was probably a lucky "shot". It did however get me amped up about potty training and I started to research into different potty training techniques. I was told by one of my siblings that after they "potty trained" their first two children that they were never going to "train" their children to go on the potty again, so my approach has been more of an example(show her how I go potty) and explaining to her about how the potty process works. I found it interesting as I was reading that some of these potty training techniques are exactly what I have already been doing including just telling Libby when I can tell she is going poo and asking "Are you pooing?".
I think it will be a little while before she is really ready, but I was still supper excited!!

A Few Links I Found Helpful
Baby Center- Potty Training Advice- A whole bunch of info!
Toilet Training Your Child- Super simple advice.
Dr. Phil's Method- I don't really know what to think here...
How to Potty Train - The Five Potty Training Methods- I really like the pros and cons lists!!

2 under 2

2 Can Be A Handful

People often ask me " is taking care of 2 under 2 terrible". I guess since in the question there is already an answer I often respond with something like "Oh yeah" or "You have no idea" or an exaggerated "YES". 

I realize now after thinking about it that in general being a parent is hard work no matter what. 2 under 2, or 10 year apart siblings, or many sibling (spaced all sorts of ways), or only one child.

Maybe one of the biggest reasons parenting can be so hard at times is how fast they change. I constantly have to adjust our routine around as the children get older or go through different things (such as teething). It surprises me how often something that worked fine for the past week may not work so great the next (like both girls going to bed at 8 can change the next week to where one goes to bed earlier and the other later). Change is a constant part of being a parent. 

Or Maybe it is the fact that hey you are taking care of someone that relies on you 100% to take care of them and love them, which means often your own needs have to wait. I am sure over the past almost two years I have made plenty of bottles and changed plenty of diapers while I was hungry or needed to go to the bathroom myself. Thankfully that percentage of care does go down a little every year, but I don't think it ever goes to zero. I still need my mommy and daddy on occasion even if it is not to change my diaper or feed me (which I am sure they are thankful for), but I still love to talk to them and have them show interest in me and my family.

Whatever the reason being a parent is hard, because there is a lot of work you have to place into loving and nurturing another human being!! 

2 Can Be Fun 2