What matters

Its been a good week, and its not over yet! We found out on Tuesday that Delia, Scott's mom, has the 'good' kind of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, and it is in the first stage. The medication she has been prescribed has been in use since 1995, and those patients have had no change in their diagnosis. So in about 3 weeks, she'll pretty much be feeling back to normal, back to work, and be on a medication for the rest of her life. She has had cancer now 3 times in 10 years, and each time, it has been caught in its earliest stages, and has always been the "if you are going to get cancer, this is the kind to have" sort.
We spent today doing some more landscaping. Almost done! We have mulch and plants to do down the side of the house; rock to lay in the back around the deck, and possibly, if there is enough mulch, mulch in the back corner. Today we pulled a lot of roots out, transplanted another small oak tree, and took out a bunch of pebbles that were around our deck. We are so blessed to have such wonderful girls. They both played so well today while we were working! Bella loves her swing set. If only someone could push her on that swing all the time! And they both had so much fun playing in the water table!
Earlier this week, we had someone come out and look at our oven. I found Dobbs' Handyman Service on Craigslist. We found that it needs a new hot surface ignitor. Due to the cost of the repair and the age of the range, we decided to fore go the repair, and are on the lookout for a newer range. We found an ad on Craigslist for a whole set of appliances, all fairly new, for an amazing price. Unfortunately, they are no longer for sale, but may be available again next week. Since we are busy this weekend, we can wait. Its worth it, believe me! Anyhow, we are on the look out for a new gas range!
I have been catching up on laundry this week. I have not achieved my goal of getting out my sewing machine. That will come. Like I told someone earlier this week, sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach in terms of my goals for the week! My room is still a mess (though its smaller), I haven't touched the front bedroom this week, and I never got around to the price list. BUT, I spent time with my babies this week, and prepared for our first MOPS meeting. We have 16 moms registered, and I'm hoping to add 4 more before this year. I'm not interested in numbers, but I can think of at least 4 offhand that could and should be involved with something for themselves as women. Its an awesome experience where you can be yourself and be known for who you are, not as mom or wife, but as friend. Anyhow, I accomplished what was important this week, and that is what matters.
Tomorrow, I'll be attending the first MOPS meeting of the year, and then heading to Olivet. I'm so excited to see an old friend again! And to see some other friends, plus my sister, who is a freshman this year! It will be a good weekend! How about yours?

Week at a glance

This week is feeling full already, I think because it is weekend-heavy!
Monday- I am getting the final things together for MOPs. I have a great team, and they are each doing their jobs to make it a wonderful time for moms to enjoy some me time!
Tuesday- Just a normal day. Laundry, cleaning, loving kids!
Wednesday- Nursery tonight! I had so much fun last Wednesday with the kids! There were 11 or 12, mostly 2-3 year olds. We played with our shadows, and tried to draw them so the kids could color themselves. They weren't perfect, but the kiddos enjoyed it! And that time there reminded me why I majored in Early Childhood Education. I've recently been known to say that I won't teach school in the future. I think I may like to do preschool again someday, but I'm not interested in elementary school teaching!
Thursday- It depends on the weather and a few other things. We have finished the front landscaping. (Pictures coming soon!) There is still the side and backyard to do. Rocks to move, tilling on the side, mulch, etc.
Friday- MOPS! I'm so excited!! We have around 15 moms registered, and 30 kids! And an awesome team working to put it all together!
Also, its Red Carpet Days at Olivet Nazarene University. Scott will be leaving at 8 am with the kids, and the girls and I will follow after MOPs. I'll get to see my sister Kaitlin's dorm room, a friend from college who has kids the same age as mine, and dear friends, Lynn and Glenn Nixon. We love them!
Saturday- Returning from Olivet, rest and recovery!

Goals for the week-
Clean my room!! Any mom would be grounding me for the way our room looks right now, it really needs attention. But any mom also knows its the last one you get to, because others don't see it. I'm trying to make it a priority.

Get out my sewing machine! I have a few things that HAVE to be done before that happens, but others that can wait.

Get the oven fixed!! Scott is going to pull it out and see if it may just be a spark plug, on the advice of a friend. If not, I'm calling a repairman! We haven't done that yet because we really didn't want to pay someone just to come look, and then pay them to fix it, but there isn't anyone we know who can fix it or even give us a name, so Yellow Book, here I come! (maybe)

The Spiritual Scene-
I'm starting to study the Friendships of Women by Dee Brestin. Its a book Midday Connection is covering in their Bible Study starting September 17th. I encourage you to check it out! God created us for relationship, and women have special connections. It focuses on the friendships of women in the Bible.

Prayer Request- Scott's mom is undergoing tests this week to explain a high white blood cell count. The current diagnosis is Myloid Leukemia. We are awaiting test results to hear if its the "good" kind or the "bad" kind. The "good" kind would most likely mean that she would be put on medication everyday for the rest of her life.

Feeling wordy:)

Apparently, fall makes me feel creative. I have had this desire to get my sewing machine out throughout the summer, but it is overwhelming right now!! I love this blog, it has a new idea every day (well almost)! Yesterday between football games, I had some time to work on the front bedroom. I am working on setting it up for my creative room, as I've mentioned before. This project got sidetracked when we started working on the landscaping. We have already traded the futon that used to be in there for a trundle bed to put under Bella's bed. Yesterday I got a cabinet moved in there, and emptied one file cabinet. I now have a desk to empty and get rid of. I am looking for a sturdy table that will handle do crafts and a sewing machine. There is the closet to clean out, then all that's left is painting and set up! I am so excited!

I'm also feeling the need to paint! not creatively, per say, but the entry, dining and living room. We are thinking of doing something a little more neutral, especially the mustard/gold/yellow dining room. The red living room may stay, but its up for grabs right now. All of these rooms, if painted will be in the same not quite tan, not quite off-white color. Our bedroom and bathroom are also on the list. I have never liked either one. The bedroom has dark green on the bottom half with some sort of design/stripe on the top with beige, gold, and green. The bathroom is a glowing yellow color. The original color is not bad, but apparently there is green beneath it, and it shows through. I want something calming and relaxing. We are considering doing shades of black and gray with creme in both rooms. We want something that would be considered somewhat neutral, yet some style to it. Any thoughts on this?

I am trying out the quiet time idea right now. Bianca isn't enjoying it currently, so I better go rescue her. Bella is in the beginning stages of settling down to a nap, and its 3 pm.... we'll see how that goes!

An odd question for the experienced mommies out there!

Bella slept 6 hours last night. SIX HOURS. and woke up fine and dandy, ready to go at 7:25 this morning. She didn't go to sleep until after 12:30 last night. Here's the problem: She insists on taking naps. I have no issue with that, but she waits until 4 or 5 in the afternoon to take a 2-3 hour nap. I've tried the whole quiet time after lunch. She plays on her bed and doesn't go to sleep. I may try it again today. SO, HOW do you keep a preschool girl from taking the beauty rest she thinks she needs so badly?? I want her to NOT take a nap, and then go to bed at a decent hour!

Week at a glance

I thought I would start trying more regular postings, so this is my attempt at that! We'll see how it goes:)
We have a good week ahead! I'll have Lincoln on Monday, Tuesday, and half day on Wednesday. Monday night brings the first meeting of my small group again! I have missed it since last spring... yeah for girl time again!! Tuesday will probably be spent on landscaping. (There are pictures coming soon! We got the front planted, it just needs the finishing mulch put on!) Wednesday night I will be in the nursery with the kids! I'm working on a lesson for that. Thursday is Scott's day off, so probably more landscaping, and maybe a little fun! Friday will be my day at home with the girls. We like to sleep in, and do some cleaning along with fun stuff that day! Saturday will be probably more landscaping or other projects around the house.
Amidst all of this, I'm planning to clean out some toys, and get our bedroom straightened up. I also would like to start a price list. Aldi's recently opened just down the road from Walmart, and I want to make sure I'm buying at the right place/price to get the best deal! Also on the list is researching some more on homeschooling, and how to get a toddler/preschooler to eat something besides waffles, toast, and peanut butter and jelly. Oh, and get the oven fixed!

Bella and Bianca

We have a night owl on our hands. We have been regularly putting her to bed at 9 pm, yet she is often still awake at 11 or later! She has finally concluded that she can, in fact, play in the dark. She has read books, played house, changed pjs, rocked her care bear (in the hamper!), and managed to play in sister's crib without waking her! The other night we suddenly heard a crash, followed by silence. I heard it with one thing in my mind of what it was, praying I was wrong. When I did not hear a squeal of any sort, I assumed I was. However, after a few seconds of sizing up the situation, Bella decided that maybe this will need mom and dad's assistance. I walked into room, not sure what I would find. For once, I am so glad their room was not clean! Bella had pulled the drawer(s) out of her 4 drawer chest, and tried to climb it! Fortunately, I had recently purchased a couple of Rubbermaid tubs to store some clothes, but had not done anything with them. They were what kept the chest from falling completely to the floor, and on top of Isabella. Thank you Lord!!

She has since decided to mostly stay in her bed for now. So how do you anchor a chest with a false back on it?!

Now on to Bianca... Bella and I made No-Bake Cookies on Friday afternoon. Bianca, being the fast-learner, has already learned to quickly follow mommy into the kitchen when the refrigerator door is opened to get a cookie! She gets very excited about this, and makes some pretty funny faces, too. What will we do when they are all gone?!

Pittman Family Update

I have been playing catch up for a while around the house. I'm almost there! I have our room to work on, and then its back to getting my craft room together! We have gotten rid of the futon, I have a cabinet to paint, and a desk to get rid of. I'm also on the hunt for a solid craft table.

Scott and I have been working hard on the landscaping. Its quite a process, and we are both learning as we go. So far, we have pulled all bushes and flowers out, re-cut the landscape line, moved a tree, tilled, sprayed Round-up, mulched, and Preened. We still have some flowers to pull close to our front door, the side of the house is ready to till, and the back needs some flowers moved before we till. I am also trying to talk Scott into tilling a new section at the back of the yard so that I can plant flowers there. We have had some issues with kids wanting to climb the old farm fence at the back of our yard, and its tearing it down. I thought maybe if we landscape that area, maybe they'll stay out! I don't blame them, its a long walk around if you take the sidewalk, and I don't mind that they cut through the yard, but we like the fence! Anyhow, we are hoping to at least start planting some things tomorrow.

A new hobby of ours is exploring real estate with character! I think we are getting bored with our suburbia life and neighborhood where every house looks the same. I love the pool (though we didn't go as much this year), the nice streets, and our location, but we are tired of the bedrooms/living room/dining room/kitchen arrangement. We want some rooms with options! We have also learned that with the right timing, some hard work and a little elbow grease, we may just be able to get 'character' at a price that means no more providing childcare, so that I would be able to home school, as I have been so desiring, and a smaller mortgage. I'm not saying that we are packing any boxes or even contacting any real estate agents. We've just had some fun looking recently, and its something we've been thinking about. One website that helped introduce us to this thought is http://www.flockrealty.com/. Its fun to look at! Sometimes the location isn't ideal, but that's why we're paired together: Scott sees the deal, I see the reality of the neighborhood! I've already had to say no to one house he was interested in. I must say, it looked really nice from the pictures, completely redone inside, priced at $40,000, but like I told him, there is a reason it is priced that, so let's go see why. It was so close to the stadium that the street should have been one way during the preseason game, with cars parked down both sides. Not to mention there was no grass between the houses because they were so close!

School has started, so that makes Scott's schedule a little more regular. He took Bella to a soccer game recently. Hamilton Southeastern was playing Fishers H.S., they are cross town rivals. Afterwards, they went out for pizza at my all time favorite, Monicals. I still have not been to the one here in Indy, but that is all I heard about from Isabella when she woke up the next morning! She loves their salad dressing, even though it leaves a rash if she gets it on her skin (it has Red40). Like mother, like daughter!

Scott and I are participating in Fantasy Football once again this year. It forces me to keep up with what's happening in the NFL, and Scott likes that. We held the live draft at our house last night. We had 20 people in our living room and kitchen, plus pizza, pop, buffalo chicken dip, and fruit pizza!

On the home front, we got our old washer put back in last week, and I've been doing laundry like a mad woman! I did freezer cooking on Friday, always a lot of fun! I think I may be consistently stationed at the sink doing dishes, though, after we've discovered how perfectionist I am at following the recipe exactly, and how slow that makes me! I'm learning, but its a process! I came home from freezer cooking ready to put supper in the oven, only to find the oven wouldn't heat. The stove top works fine, though! Too bad all of our freezer cooking items have to be baked or broiled! We're working on getting that fixed now. If anyone knows of a repairman they trust, please forward me their name! I've really been craving some homemade chocolate chip cookies.... So if the saying goes that things go out in threes, then we should be done for a while (air conditioner, washing machine, oven)!!