be back soon.

I promise I haven't forgotten about my dear blog.  I have been crazy busy with work - we are hosting a big meeting/ awards celebration tomorrow for our entire state (around 300 people) in St. Louis.  Until after it is over, I feel like the rest of my life has been put on hold.  Hopefully it goes well and I can let out a big sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh of relief come Sunday.  Wish me LUCK!!!!!!!

                                                                                                                         BE BACK SOON!

sensational simple soup.

Mexican Potato Soup

2 cans chicken broth

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 lbs frozen hash browns (with peppers and onions)

Mix above ingredients and cook until potatoes are done. 

Add 1 lb of Velveeta Mild Mexican Cheese. 

Cook until cheese is melted.

Kid friendly version:  use regular hash browns (no peppers and onions) and regular velveeta cheese (instead of mexican) - it still tastes fantastic!

ENJOY!

10 random things.

10 facts you may or may not know about me. 

If you know me, some of these may cause you to reconsider admitting that you know me.  And if you don't know me, after reading the below, you may think twice about ever getting to know me (SMILE).

ONE.  I love reading out loud.  And along those same lines, I talk to myself alot.  About once a day Maddox will ask me who I am talking to - at that point I realize that I am talking to no other than me, myself, and I.

TWO.  My favorite color is yellow - lemon, goldenrod, canary, dandelion, sun, love them all.

THREE.  I'm a twin.  Which my mom was unaware of until after I was born.  Then 45 minutes later out popped a little boy. We were born between the hours of 11pm and midnight on March 31st, so when Mom and Dad called to announce the big news the next day everyone thought that it was an April Fool's Day prank.

FOUR.  Track and/ or running were my first true love.  I was a high school state champion in the 300m hurdles- twice.  Back then I never imagined a day without running, three years ago that all changed.  My first true love was replaced by my current true loves - Bryan, Maddox, and Isla.  Maybe one day my first true love will find its place back into my life again.

FIVE.  I have always wanted five kids, but I am now hoping that I can convince my lovely husband to have three.

SIX.  I love solitude.  I think that this is one of the things I miss the most since having kids.

SEVEN.  One fault I have is interrupting others when they are talking.  This usually happens when I am excited about the conversation. 

EIGHT.  When I was seven, we moved from Jefferson City to Owensville, MO.  I still remember what I wore (or at least half of what I wore) when we visited my new school for the first time.  I had on violet red corduroy knickerbockers (slightly baggy knee length pants) and saddle shoes (you know the black and white ones).  I am sure this made a lasting impression on my future classmates.

NINE.  One other tidbit from my younger years and that move - I was so excited about having my own room that I slept in a makeshift bed made out of cardboard boxes until my parents got me a real bed.  One of the boxes was turned with one side up so that it created a sort of canopy.  I always wanted a canopy bed!

TEN.  I love any type of storage container, bin, box, trunk, basket, shelf, drawer, etc.  I believe this is a result of liking so much "stuff".  You gotta have lots of storage for lots of stuff!

BONUS.  I daydream about owning my own store some day.  I drive by this place periodically and think that it would be just PERFECT.  No, we will not be investing any in additional property anytime soon, but what's life without dreams.

FOR RENT.

Bright eyed, bushy-tailed 14 pound bundle of joy available for RENT each night between the hours of 10pm - 6am.  Must return by 6am so that the the little bundle of joy can be enjoyed by parents during waking hours after they have had a good nights sleep.  She coos, drools, and gives plenty of smiles. For more details call 1-800-sleples.

Miss Isla slept better her first two months of life than she has the last two.  Bryan is on the midnight shift and I have strongly considered sending little Miss "I" out with him to patrol the streets the last couple of nights. 
I am sure that one day seeing those little bright eyes in the middle of the night will be missed.  Right now I am semi-sort-of looking forward to missing them.

real simple ideas.

I took a quick peak at REALSIMPLE's new uses for old things today because the "50 All-Time Favorites" were featured on msn.com's homepage.  These were a few of my "favorites".

1.2.3.

            

1. memory game made from photos.  

2. using old shoes to chart growth.       

3. twister mat as tablecloth.

real wedding.

modern with a touch of vintage -

it was a beautiful day for a beautiful wedding.

and one for the fam . . .

ENJOY!

Maddox said that he wanted to go back to one of those "dancin' weddings".

treasure hunting.

Maddox, Isla, and I went "treasure hunting" this past weekend and two "treasures" found a home in our house.  With a little spray paint this metal lamp adds a little color to an otherwise dull area of our family room.  My intention was to paint it green, but I had this color left over from another project so I went with it - its kind of quirky looking, but I like it!

The second "treasure" found is this old trunk that needs alot of help, but for $20 I couldn't pass it up.  Until I have some time to rehab it I just cleaned it up and through some fabric over it for now. 

I know, I know it's pretty rough.

happy treasure hunting.

AND . . . as a follow up to a previous post.  This is wonderful.

. . . "make it yourself" frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3 . . .

I rewarded myself with that for finishing these (programs & seating chart). 

Now off to the wedding with the kiddos this weekend. 

gratitude.

I have been thinking alot about something lately - it is that I owe my stupendous husband a BIG thank you.  I have realized that on more than one occassion recently (try at least five times a day everyday on each subject mentioned below) I gripe to my husband about one of two things - wanting to stay at home with our 2 kiddos and work needing to be done around our almost 70 year old house.  The first subject mentioned I know doesn't sound much like a gripe, but I know that if it were possible my husband would be more than willing and I know that nagging at him about this subject constantly makes him feel llike he isn't working hard enough or lousy because he doesn't have the type of job that allows for this to happen.  And as for the second subject, I think my husband would willingly admit that he should maybe do a little bit more around the house, but with lots of overtime lately and his ever changing schedule it has been hard for him to do so.  I know he feels as if he can't win.  I guess to make a long story short.  I want to say thank you to my husband for loving and putting up with me, for loving our kids and being an absolutely fantastic father, and for just being ever so patient with us as you work very hard to provide us with an absolutely beautiful life.  I don't think I have ever told you how proud I am of you and of all the things you do for us and for others on a daily basis.  THANK YOU and you are our HERO!  I know that this is something that I should tell him face to face, but hopefully by putting it in writing, he will know I mean it.

PS - In reference to the wonderful father part, Bryan is currently turning the house upside down searching for two blue bands (the kind they use at the hospital to make your veins pop out so that blood can be drawn) that he made into triangular footballs for Maddox- all because Maddox wants them before he goes to bed.  I know goofy, but just one example of why we think he's the BEST (smile)!

costume.

I just purchased the above for Maddox's Halloween costume and yes, my husband is so ecstatic that I just purchased a pair of tights for our little boy. I usually don't think too much about costumes until October, but because of my new found love for sewing I think I am going to try my hand at making Maddox's costume this year. You and I both will have to wait and see if I can pull it off. It is nothing too outlandish and only parts of it will need to be sewn, but it will definitely test my "beginner" skills.

back to work.

PS - I purchased the tights from this website. If you are looking for tights or socks they have tons of colors for all shapes and sizes - I especially liked some of the striped ones. I have always been a lover of tights and I can't wait to put some on Miss Isla. I have already bought two pairs that I found on clearance at Old Navy - red heart ones and blue polka dote ones.

busy.

Wedding Menus & Programs - purples and light pinks

1st Birthday Invites

3rd Birthday Invites - the little guy wanted some john deere invites
(or something with a tractor on it)

(Beth - I have been working on yours too - promise to get something to you soon.)

I have been extra busy lately "playing with paper and ink". There are so many other things I should be doing - like cleaning my house, sleeping, etc., but that can all wait - can't it? My little gal slept pretty good her first couple of months, but for some reason she insists on waking up two or three times a night almost every night lately so I am getting kind of accustomed to the no sleep thing. I am hoping she changes things around again real soon.

Something scary happened last night, Bryan and Maddox were gone so Isla and I were left to fend for ourselves. As I was rocking her, it was pure exhilaration to have complete control of the family room television (this is usually Bryan or Maddox's territory). Do you know what I caught myself watching - ESPN. Don't get me wrong I am fairly fond of most sports, but here's one of my few chances to watch whatever I want to and I end up on my husband's favorite channel. I know - scary!

I am in love with decorative knobs and pulls. If I end up painting the dining room, I would like to buy some from here for the corner hutches. Maybe I will use this as my incentive to get started.

what's that smell?

Our little maddox is like a bloodhound when it comes to smells. Today when we got about 30 feet from the library doors he said "what's that smell?". And I immediately knew what smell he was talking about - that "old book, new book, tons of books smell". It is the perfume that every public library that I have ever been in wears. There is something calming and wonderful about that smell. I do and always have loved books - ALL books. I even get excited about searching through the kids section and finding the books that brought me so much happiness when I was young. Anyway, Maddox, Isla, and I enjoyed some time at the ever so wonderful library this afternoon while Bryan was working - that is until our lil' goopy girl (Miss Isla) decided to bless the library with her own little smell. Not only did it smell, but it started leaking onto her clothes immediately - luckily I was prepared.

Maddox picked out his books today.

3 Halloween books, 2 Christmas books, 1 football book,

and 2 others

stuff.

stuff #1 - MAIL

This awesome blog and that fantabulous blog have talked about what a wonderful happy feeling it is to get mail. I myself love it, love it, love it too, but I think I might enjoy sending it just as much as I like getting it. A dear Canadian friend of mine always sends me handwritten notes, pics of her kids, and all kinds of goodies. Yes - she actually writes letters - what a special feeling it is to get a handwritten letter. Just recently she sent a little dress for Isla and some erasers for Maddox so I thought I would send a little something her way. She has 3 little ones and one on the way. I had tons of fun shopping for 3 kids and I completed "official" sewing project #2 for the new little one (another blanket - imagine that). I also sent a little notebook her way. I think in my second life I want to be a professional "gift buyer". Not that I am any better at buying a gift than the next guy :0), but I like the idea of shopping all day every day and then wrapping the perfect gift up all nice and pretty. What a job that would be! Anyway I could ramble on and on, but to make a long story short I shipped the goodies I bought/ made off today and I can't wait until they get them - hopefully it will be a happy mail day for them when these arrive.


hot wheels, puzzle, socks, and bath towel for the boys - Fraser & Colton

book, socks, and bath towel for Jenny

blanket for baby

(I am pretty sure that my dear friend has no idea I have a blog so I shouldn't be giving away the surprise by posting these pics.)

presents for ALL- yippee!

stuff #2 - PAINTING

I really want to paint our dining room. It has been this dark red ever since we moved in and I wanted to paint it then (that was 5 years ago) so I am really wanting to paint it now. I just want a color that is a little fresher, a little lighter. My problem is this: I know what painting leads to -it leads to wanting new curtains, new furniture, new accessories, the whole bit. Or at least that is what happens when I paint. I want a whole new room - go figure. So anyway if I could just convince myself that painting is a enough this task just might get accomplished.



stuff #3 - SILLY NAMES

What is it about parents and silly names for their kids. Just to mention a few my sister was called "saw" (I forgot how my parents came up with this one) when she was younger, I was called duck ( I looked like and still do look a little bit like a duck when I cry or get really upset). I think my brother might have escaped the "silly name" calling. And now I notice my new "silly" name for Miss Isla is "goopy girl". I know, I know - silly. Plus - you can't even say that it is a nickname because it is longer than her real name- what's up with that?

stuff #4 - TOES

Lately Isla's ultimate goal in life is to get her toes into her mouth. And sometimes she can even get both big toes in at one time. A little gross, huh?



stuff #5 - CHERRY RED HOT LIPS PHONE

Maddox just told me that he wanted a cherry red hot lips phone. I am pretty sure that he got this off of Noggin or at least lets hope that's where he got it from.

CHERRY RED HOT LIPS PHONE

"I's" BIG achievements

In the past two days . . .

Isla has rolled from her tummy to her back

AND

from her back to tummy.

(above is the "after" from the roll over to tummy)

Ate her first bites of rice cereal.

And is sitting (in her bumbo chair).

GO ISLA!!!!!

I know the grandparents will enjoy this one!

happy labor day

"the unofficial end to summer"

I loved the way this watermelon looked so I just had to share it with you. It smelled terrific too - too bad there isn't a "scratch-n-sniff' button option :0)!

irresistible.

3 things I find absolutely irresistible about a 3 month old . . .

. . . and 3 year olds they're just crazy . . . sooooooo cute, but crazzzzzzzy

cure.

I came home from work early today and I caught the end of Oprah. I began to watch when I heard her say that this is something you must do before you die - she was talking about having a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3 in NYC. Since I have been to NYC once and may not get the chance to go back for a long long time, I decided to do the next best thing and order some. After all, chocolate may just be the cure I am looking for. I can't wait to try it and I promise to let you know if it is indeed something one must do before passing.

PS - Thank you so much for all of your comments in regards to my post from yesterday. Your kind words and advice have already helped my load feel a little lighter - thank you!

postpartum blues.

Not only have I felt a little under the weather lately, but I think I am suffering, on a small scale, from the postpartum blues. Work, play, life in general - nothing seems to excite me. Everyday tasks seem extremely daunting and my motivation to do anything more than just get by is not only lacking, but gone. For 10 months, you have the unexplainable excitement of the birth of a child to look forward to and then its over just like that. I remember experiencing this same thing with Maddox, but because he was my first I kept myself somewhat preoccupied just learning to be a mom. I have been back at work long enough for the schedule to already become mundane - wake, get myself and two kids ready, drop off at daycare by 7:30am, work all day, pick up kids by 5:30pm, make dinner, and squeeze 8 hours worth of day into 3 of the 4 waking hours I have with the kids and my husband each day, bedtime routine, and up again the next day just to do it all over again. I know that no matter what you do in life everything becomes routine and after all I do in fact like routines, but for some reason I am struggling being happy with mine lately. My mom tells me to call the doctor, but I just don't like the fact of having to rely on something or someone else to make me happy. Especially because I am still breastfeeding - I don't know anything about anti depressants and if they can have any effect on the baby, but to tell you truth I really don't want to find out. I am a strong advocate of "if there's a will, there's a way". If only I could just get my "will" to work with me here, I would be alot happier in more ways than one. I know that this to shall pass, and if bad gets worse a call to the doc may be my only resort. However, for now, I will work on my "will" and do my absolute best to find happiness in ALL of the wonderful things I have been blessed with. Sorry to be a downer here, but I thought putting something into words might help. I already feel a little lighter.

Thanks for listening.

favorite purchase.

These have to be my favorite "necessity" purchase with Baby #2. They are glass bottles with a silicone sleeve made by munchkin. I wanted these, but I opted for the munchkin brand from target. I am just in love with the looks of a glass bottle - so much prettier than plastic :) and hopefully healthier for baby too.

hand/ acorn washing

I have a little boy like most who doesn't like washing his hands so tonight I convinced him that his collection of acorns needed a good washing too. Now we have clean acorns and clean hands. What more could a Mom ask for?

Moment to remember: Maddox went to the nursing home with my mom yesterday. He asked her "Why are these people here?" and my Mom simply stated "Because they are old and sick." Maddox quickly replied "Well my Daddy is old and sick too." Enough said.

another blanket.

I am calling this my first "official" sewing project. I was going to give it as a gift, but there are a few too many imperfections so little Miss Isla can use it instead. I can't wait to make another. I am already wondering what fabrics I will use.

crazy week.

OK, if you have tried calling our house sometime during the past two and half days you have probably gotten a busy signal as a result of the above photo. To say the least it has been a crazy week here in the Alfultis house- sick baby, sick dad, invitation making, work, now a semi-sick mom (something I am hoping a little tylenol and a good nights sleep can clear up), I could keep going, but I think that you get the picture because it is probably close to the same picture you might see in your house any given week.

By the way, Maddox learning to answer the phone is why it was left off the hook - now maybe we need to teach him how to hang it up :0). Why I didn't notice it for two and a half days is another story.

a book.

I bought this book this evening not necessarily because I loved what was inside, but more because I thought that it would look nice sitting on the table in what I call the front room of our house (smile). However, I also bought it because it will forever be a reminder of a nice evening out with a dear friend.

I can't wait to sit down a really take a peek at what's inside.

sleep tight.