What have we been doing?!?!

So, it has been awhile and I'm not really sure why. I have a little scratch paper with some cute/funny things I could write about the kids . . . I even have a couple of pictures . . . maybe later. Here is some random things that have been on my mind and taken up my time lately:

Since November started we have remained busy with the usually stuff mentioned in the last post with words . . . I also spent 12 hours one weekend scrapbooking!! Yeah! It is so much fun to do a bunch of pages with other people. I worked in Gideon's book and he went from 3 months to 18 months! Wow! I'm practically current!! I did not work on Briella's book, she is currently 2 in her book, so not too bad. One of these days I'll have time and creative juices to get working on hers again.

I have also been getting up early to fit in more time for daily devotions which is a huge blessing even though it was not easy to start setting the alarm an hour earlier than I used to. I am also trying to fit in some exercise each day (often during nap time or after the kids are in bed). My cousin/friend (Thanks B!) found this awesome site that has TONS of videos you can download for free! I love the walking videos because it is a great cardio work out and I can stay inside and not get bored on my treadmill. I also spent $2 on a exercise ball workout this summer and finally started using it.

I have found a couple of other fun food sites that I have really enjoyed: Our Best Bites
and Sisters Cafe.

I am also reading more and more about natural health remedies. Since moving back to the midwest I have needed some help with colds and I remembered my college roommate saying her sinus doctor told her to rinse with salt water. I was shocked when she told me she just sniffs it up from the palm of her hand, but I tried it and I am a believer! You can also buy nasal sprays or a netipot, but this works for me. We are stocked up on Vitamin D to boost immunity, and echinacea and garlic to fight off sickness, too. I'd rather spend money on these more natural health items than go to the doctor and pay for a visit and more drugs that I'm not so convinced are always helpful. We also use a honey cinnamon mixture that seems to help with coughs and sore throats. Keeper of the Home has lots of information that I've found interesting and useful and I've looked stuff up here before, too.

I'm also excited to try to sew one of these with my mom over Thanksgiving. In the next few weeks I want to make an Advent Calendar or a Jesse Tree to teach Briella about Christmas, but I haven't quite figured out which one to make and how to do it.

Oh and I ordered our Christmas picture/cards already! I found a good deal and just went with the pictures we had, so I should be sending those out sooner rather than later this year!!