a smile a day

Ever notice how fast everyone is always going? How no one hardly smiles anymore? At least not to a stranger. Well I have been putting my smile on lately, and boy is it going a long way. I have found people looking back at me like I am crazy, which only makes me smile more. Then there is the elderly group that see me smiling and comment. Which always sparks a short conversation. Today I finally talked to the Wal-mart greeter, a pleasant old man whom Isabelle and I see on a weekly basis.
Soooo the point of this is to put a flipping smile on your face when you are out and about! God has given us all something to be thankful for so let's be happy.
It only takes a moment to say hello and give a smile, you never know what impression you could make on someone.

1 Samuel 2:1
Hannah’s Prayer of Praise

1 Then Hannah prayed:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord!
The Lord has made me strong.[a]
Now I have an answer for my enemies;
I rejoice because you rescued me.
(NLV)

Since everyone else is doing it....My January Favorites

This seems to be a trend on the blogs I follow, so I am going to give it a shot. I thought it would be fun to see how things change for me since I am pregnant and for my ever crazy, non stop, smarty pants, cute as can be, did she really just say/do that 2 year old!

1. Taco salad; I am humbly admitting that I eat this about 2-3 times a week this last month.











2. Maybelline is a wonder. I ran out of my Mary Kay mineral powder and with my skin changing, this DRY weather, and not wanting to buy anything too expensive...I am keeping true to 'mineral powder' and went with Maybelline's Mineral Powder. And I love it. I believe it ran me about 8 dollars.



















3. Paint, Paint, Paint, it is. Isabelle loves arts and craft time. And w/o fail Crayola water paint is a hit, not to mention the easy clean up.

















4. I have used Vaseline, Oil of Olay, and Dove. I am a fan of all 3, but wanted a change. Not to mention lotion is getting EXPENSIVE! St. Ives Renewing caught my eye.
I am in love with the smell and how smooth it goes on. Not to mention its 3.99.


















5. Legginss! Let me say it again, Leggings! For Isabelle and I this has been the way to go. I can't tell you how many pairs we each have. With my expanding belly and Isabelle wanting to dress herself leggings are much easier than jeans and cords.
Target has the best options, if you ask me. Any where from 2-5 dollars.

Superbowl Sunday Ya'll!

Isabelle on the mend!




Home made chicken noodle for the hubs.






Well the day has arrived! Woot Woot! Although we aren't having the super bowl bash we wanted, it's still going to a great day. Win or loose it's going to be a great game and our Packers made it to the big game.
Still got a sicko named Jake over here, he's just now starting to get better. It has been a longgggg week. I am sleep deprived, have gone through a big bottle of Lysol and wipes. Don't even let me go there with how many times I have changed our bed sheets and Isabelle's. I become a sanitizing freak when any bug hits this house.
Have a great Sunday ya'll.


Mr. Sick Pants (above) pic courtesy of Isabelle Gehl.

Party Girl

Isabelle's birthday party was a success. All her friends showed up and had fun playing.
It was short and sweet like a 2 year old's party should be. :)
She was extatic with her minnie mouse theme. I wanted this to be her party:
http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/search/label/snowflake%20party
However Isabelle's daily ramblings about Elmo and Minnie (Mickey too) didn't give me much of a choice. I will save that one for a few years from now if she's into that girly stuff!
Our dear girl was so shy when we sung happy birthday to her but not hesitant at all in licking the frosting!

bathrooms done!

Well I got our bathroom painted last week, just in time before the hunny got sick.
It's like being in the ocean :)We really like the color!
We'll be using the same color in our bedroom minus an accent wall another color.
First time sponge painting and I wish I could do our whole house that way! It's too easy.

My next task is to have our bedroom painted by Valentines day. Slowly but surely!

Blurbing*

* I got a fill (nails touched up) last Friday and it sucked.

* I need to get up and do something with Isabelle, we're going nuts in the house.

* Is starting to get antsy for vehicle number 2.

* So excited for my apt on Monday, get to hear your heart beat baby!

* My husband has a new plan for our lives, and I love it!

* Can't wait for nap time so I can do my bible study for PWOC.

* What to make for lunch?

* Isabelle needs a trim, her first haircut. Does she get bangs or not?

* I want to go shopping and spend at least 500 dollars on myself, hahahaha! That's so not happening! (tear)

* Realizing that El Paso is our home and will be for at least another 3 years. Excited to really start plugging into church, PWOC, and establishing close friends down here! Goodbye Wisconsin.

* Sick of the nausea I get with meat still.

* I miss my grandpa.

* Very Pissed off that budget cuts are being made in the Military.

* Secretly wishing for my brother to get married or another grandchild to come...Isabelle's lonely!

* 3 out of the 6 bridesmaids from Jessica's wedding (including myself) are prego!

* I am thinking of cutting my hair again...this length annoys me. It's so in between.

* I love my husband soooo freaking much!

Happy Birthday Hunny Girl, Your 2!

2 Years has flown by! Oh Isabelle how smart and funny you are!
This time 2 years ago mom n dad were still trying to figure out what to name you, and do we love your name and you oh so much!





As of now you are saying short sentences of 3 words at a time. You are going threw the motions of going on the potty, however you won't actually pee yet. You are getting there!
I know you are 24.5 pounds but not sure of your height. You are still in 24 months but finally fitting your 2T jeans. Your are a petite little thing so it's nice to see your jeans not hanging off your waist.
Favorite t.v. shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Elmo (Sesame Street), and some Curious George. Second to Elmo (whom your obsessed with) Grover is growing high on the list! Which I think is too cute because he was my favorite on Sesame Street. (Thank you Isabelle for not liking any of that Dora,Yo Gabba Gabba, n those other WEIRD and ANNOYING shows!)
You're imagination is growing daily. Watching you play mommy with your dolly and change her diaper is cool to see.
You are very into singing nursery rhymes. You like 'the itsy bitsy spider', 'do you know the muffin man', 'apples n bananas', and 'the wheels on the bus.'
You look like an 'Otto' with your Grandma Kim's eyes! The resemblance is sometimes creepy. Your jesters and body movements are like mine, which freaks your daddy out daily. You can thank that to having a stay at home mom whom you're around 24/7.
You do NOT like having me leave you; no matter if it's to 'gamma's' house or to daycare at bible study. The minute we pull up to any of these places the tears fall and you scream at me no mama no mama! Soon I hope to get you over this, but I understand the feeling. Cause I was like that too!
You are a bit of a picky eater, the trick is to not let you snack and you'll eat what's put in front of you. Still not a big meat eater, chicken would have to be your favorite if we had to choose.
Fries and chips you would eat 24/7 if you could, you ask for candy daily, and LOVE milk.
You're recent phrases include things like:
'What the...'
'Woopie Daisy's' when you drop or spill things' also 'Sugar' when you get upset or drop something, it replaces the word 'shoot' and 'shit!' Which you caught mommy saying a little too much. :) When you catch us saying naughty words that's what you say, you yell 'no, naughty word!.'
Every day we pray before meals, you have learned this is as well. Although you look around you fold your hands and say 'Amen.'
The obsession with your stroller has not stopped. Now it's 'walk mama, green stroller.' You also have to do everything yourself. So now it takes twice as long to get ready. You must put your pants, socks, shoes, and brush your hair by yourself. You do not like any help which means we leave the house with your hair looking a hot mess 75% of the time. You constantly make us laugh with the the things you say and the way you play.
We love you so much Isabelle Olivia and can't wait for our McDonald's run with you later and the smile on your face when you pick out your fish!
Happy Birthday Isabelle.