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Around here, we are spoiled to summers that extend right into October. The nights start getting cooler mid-September, typically, but the days stay nice and warm for quite awhile. It’s nothing unusual to go to the pumpkin patch in short-sleeve shirts or even shorts. This year we had a week in October with temperatures in the mid-80s during the week. No complaints here as I am a summer loving girl! Well, those teaser days of summer are behind us now. It’s officially Autumn. The air has a nice crisp to it in the mornings and evening. The leaves are really putting on a brillant display. Occasionally you can spot curls of smoke arising from homes that have wood-burning fireplaces. Kids are going to school in their jackets. Warm blankets are brought to Friday night football games. Autumn has arrived!

As much as I admit to loving summer, I enjoy this time of year too. While I am certainly not a fan of being cold, I do enjoy those cool crisp evenings and mornings. My favorite way to sleep is when the room is somewhat cold and I can curl up under a big pile of blankets. Ahhh!! I love seeing the leaves as they change from green to these fiery hues of orange, yellow, gold and brown.  I love smelling backyard fires, especially when we have one in our backyard fire ring. I enjoy getting to wear clothees that are not the same old things we’ve worn all summer. I like getting out my boots and wearing them with jeans and skirts. Sipping hot chocolate and apple cider are a nice change even though I do enjoy my coffee. Perhaps my favorite thing about autumn is our annual family trip to the apple orchard and pumpkin farm which we start looking forward to in the summertime. There is much to love about this time of year.

There is just something about autumn gives me a renewal of spirit. It’s a time to shake off those lingering “lazy days of summer” and to get out and enjoy little pieces of God’s beautiful creations.  This is a time of year when things are busy and fun. You can always find something fun to do such as visiting apple orchards and pumpkin patches. It’s a great time to go to zoos and parks. What better time to hit hiking trails? And, let’s not forget fall festivals which are always fun.

I’m glad to get to savor this time of year. We don’t always get a true fall around here, but this year we really seem to have one and our family is really enjoying it all!

On October 27, 2001 I became Mickey’s wife. That’s the day I was so blessed as to marry my true love, the man God intended for me. These years together have been the best of my life. In these seven years we have grown from a family of two to a family of four. We have moved several times and faced some challenges along the way. We’ve done it all together with God’s grace.

Here’s to Divine Intervention! Seven years into forever…

Last evening when the girls and I returned home from Macey’s ballet class and a trip by the library, we spied an orange plastic pumpkin by our front door. Macey was quick to retrieve it as she was just sure there were goodies there for her.  The pumpkin had two Halloween baggies of treats in there - enough goodies for both girls including a stamper, erasers, stickers, candy and more. They were thrilled and we thought that was one cool surprise! Turns out, we had gotten a BOO surprise! This is a really cool neighborhood idea where treats are secretly left amongst neighbors and are passed along. We got ours yesterday and had instructions to pass along BOO treats to two other neighbors within 24 hours. Today, I made a trip by Target (love that place) to assemble our neighborhood Boo treats. Macey and I delivered two of them today after school when the recipients weren’t home. She was so excited to do that and it was fun to leave surprises for two of our neighbors. This is a FUN neighborhood activity and it’ll be really cool to see how quickly it spreads around our subdivision. If it hasn’t started in your area yet, get it started - you’ll be glad you did!!

I decided to start a new “set” of posts here called “In My Opinion” where I tell what I think about certain things. Not that I expect many people to put a whole lot of stock into my opinion, but, hey, this is a blog and it’s mine, so I get to be opinionated here, right?

Today’s topic is baby items. In our famiy, we are almost two and a half years removed from the newborn phase, but we still remember fondly collecting all those precious baby items for our two girls. These days most of those items have either been stored, loaned or consigned. There were some that we used a LOT and some almost never at all. So, here are my thoughts on baby products…

I’ll start with unnecessary items because that way I can end on a happy note.

Baby Items That Aren’t Necessary...

Changing Tables. Now to me, these are just another piece of furniture to clutter a nursery. I wanted one when I was pregnant with Macey. I had the crib, dresser and changing table all picked out and they matched just so, of course. My mom talked me out of it and said that we wouldn’t use it very much and it would just take up space and collect dust. Believe it or not, I listened to my mom and didn’t get one. Guess what? We never missed it. We just put a changing pad on top of the dresser (secured on, of course) and had her changing supplies in the top drawer. Perfect and easy!! We used that with Macey quite a bit when she was a young infant. Once she got wiggly, we prefered to change her on the floor or on the bed. And, Mariana was basically the same way. So, we didn’t waste money on a changing table and therefore didn’t have a useless piece of furniture to get rid of later. I say skip the changing table and just use a nice changing pad (get several covers for it) to put on the dresser securely.

Specialty Diaper Cans. I won’t go so far as to name any brands here because I don’t want to get in trouble. I’m assuming that it’s a given which ones I am referring to here. This was another item that I was SURE we wanted when I was pregnant with Macey. Mickey’s cousin graciously gave us one and she said they never used it. Well, we didn’t either. We tried a few times, but it was such a pain to use. And, really, what was the point? Diapers can just as easily be thrown in the trash can if you are using disposables. So, what we did was get a small trashcan for diapers and kept it changed regularly. Easy peasy. I have honestly never heard of anyone that likes these speciality diaper cans. I know many people that have them and practically every single one of those people says they don’t care for them. I think it’s one of those products that SEEMS like it would be a great idea, but really isn’t at all. A basic trashcan with a lid is a better investment, without a doubt.

Baby Shoes. Okay, sure, baby shoes are adorable and who can resist buying them sometimes, right? But, let’s just be honest - they aren’t at all necessary. And, many times they are just a nuisance to try to keep on those tiny little feet. I will admit to putting my girls in little bitty mary-janes and white canvas sneakers from time to time. Yes, I’m guilty as charged. But mostly we just kept our two in socks or bare feet (weather permitting) until they were up and walking well. That’s the best way to go as pediatricians actually recommend not wearing shoes until kids are walking anyway.

Crib Bedding Sets. Again, this is something we just HAD to have. Both times. There is something just so sweet about seeing that crib all set up with the bumper and coordinating sheet, quilt and mobile. However, none of that is really necessary at all except the sheet. Babies aren’t supposed to sleep with blankets when they are young and they aren’t supposed to have bumpers up in the crib either. Both are suffocation risks. The mobile can be nice, but many can be bought less expensively apart from crib bedding sets. I know, I know - it’s one of those things that is routinely done and a baby’s nursery seems more complete with it. But all that stuff is really just for show and can’t really be quantified as a necessity for baby.

One item that I feel isn’t necessary, but is nice to have is a wipes warmer. Both of our girls thought that diaper changes were pure torture in their first few weeks of life. When we used warm wipes on them instead of those iceburgs that come out of the package (in an air conditioned house), they were much more content. And, when they would have to be changed in the middle of the night after a feeding session, the warm wipe didn’t jolt them awake like a cold one did. When Mariana was an infant, we had a wipes warmer that had a light on it and that light was on a 10 minute (I think) timer. I loved that thing. I could use the light to help me get her started with a feeding in the night and then she’d have those warm wipes for her diaper change after nursing. It was great!! So, I know it’s not really a necessity, but I’m glad we had ours both times.

Baby Items that are Useful and Necessary…

A Nursing Pillow - I didn’t want to use any brand names, but I think most parents would know the most common type of nursing pillow anyway. Honestly, whether you are breast are bottle feeding, these pillows are GREAT! They are made to go around the waist and position the baby properly and also help to support mommy’s back.  I recommend having one of these at the hospital when the baby is born and using it as much as needed. With both girls, I used mine as long as they were nursing because it helped relieve my back. Every mom needs one of these. And, daddies can use them too!!

Swaddling Blankets - Even if it’s just for a short time after birth, most babies like being swaddled. I mean, they come from a nice cozy place of confinement within their mom, so it makes sense that their transition into the world would be make smoother with a nice tight swaddle, right? Some babies don’t need to be swaddled long, but some need that security for sleeping for awhile.  I think we stopped swaddling Macey at less than a month. Mariana, on the other hand, did really well with sleeping in a swaddle and we did that for her for maybe three months or so. You can use regular receiving blankets if you know how to create a nice tight swaddle yourself. I never mastered that very well even though I had the basic concept down pat. I found a specialized swaddling blanket to be the key for Mariana. We would wrap her up like a baby burrito and she’d sleep as content as could be. Some of the nicer swaddling blankets run about $30, but to me they are SO worth that because sleep is priceless!

A Baby Swing - Baby swings can be SO nice to have. Sometimes baby doesn’t want to be held, but doesn’t just want to lay still either. Hello, swing! Swings these days have all sorts of features like being able to swing two different directions and play music while lighting up, etc. We absolutely loved having a swing with both of our girls. And, yes, occasionally they took naps in them too.  Whatever works, right?

Hooded towels and nice baby wash cloths - We still have many of our hooded towels from when our girls were infants and Mariana will still use them even at age two. It’s so nice to be able to take baby from the bath and wrap her/him up while having their little head covered. We have always loved our hooded towels. Also, be sure to get nice thick baby wash cloths that have a good hem around the seam. If their isn’t a hem, the first time you wash the cloth, it’s going to come unraveled. A good wash cloth is great for bath time.

Onesies and Socks - The onesie is the basic staple of any baby’s wardrobe. Besides a diaper, a onesie is probably the most common piece of baby clothing. They are great! When weather is warm, baby can wear a onesie as an outfit. When it’s cooler you can add socks and pants. When it’s cold you can use onesies for layering under clothing or pajamas.  Baby socks are also GREAT to have. I always made sure to buy the kind that folded down because they were easier to keep on the baby. You just cannot go wrong with having a nice supply of onesies and socks.

Now, this is obviously not a comprehensive list. It’s pretty short and rather basic. If anyone should happen to have any questions about other baby products, I am more than happy to answer. In my opinion, of course!

Savannah from Savannah, Savannah Series #1 By Denise Hildreth / Thomas Nelson When 24 year old Savannah learns her mother-a cross between Scarlett O’Hara and Martha Stewart-is behind her recent triumph in a fiction contest, she abandons her dreams of literary fame and decides to pursue journalism instead. Her first assignment for the local paper? Investigating a rigged beauty pageant.

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I have become a big fan of Denise Hildreth since reading The Will of Wisteria and Flies on the Butter, so I knew that I needed to check out her Savannah series as well. I am happy to report that I have now started the Savannah series and I am loving it! This first installation has me hooked and ready for more!!

In this novel, we meet Savannah Phillips - aka Savannah from Savannah. She has just finished her studies at the University of Georgia and makes a rash (at the time) decision to return to her home in Savannah, Georgia. It is in going back home that Savannah starts to learn to relate better to those around her. Throughout the novel, she realizes her own strengths and weaknesses of character and learns to appreciate those in others as well.

The way Denise Hildreth writes, her characters come to life. Savannah truly seems as if she could be any one of a number of people I have known all my life. She’s real and readers can relate to her. She’s not perfect and has her quirks, but is endearing all the same.

I enjoyed this novel from cover to cover. Can’t wait for the remaining two novels in this series!

Beyond the Shadows By Robin Lee Hatcher / Tyndale House Loneliness and grief stalk Deborah Haskin after her husband’s death, but hope eases her pain when she marries Gideon. After their marriage, Deborah discovers a devastating secret—Gideon is an alcoholic! How can someone who has brought her healing bring so much hurt, too? A poignant tale based on Hatcher’s experience with a loved one’s alcoholism. 350 pages, softcover from Tyndale.

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I don’t know if I can accurately say that I enjoyed this book. One of the main storylines was how a Christian wife deals with her husband’s alcoholism, so that in itself is really not an “enjoyable” topic. But, it was a book that was VERY well written and thought provoking. So, I appreciated it even if I couldn’t really enjoy it. And, I hope that makes sense. I appreciated how Deborah’s struggles with faith were dealt with thoughout the novel and I appreciated the realism brought to each character. This is a worthy read. Very inspirational.

I got tagged by Wife and Mommy to write seven random things about myself. Once I do this, I get to tag some of you. So, here are the rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 7 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag.

Here is my list, in random order:

I love sleeping in a room that is cool/cold so that I can get under a mound of blankets and snuggle in all warm. That’s some good sleeping for me!

I try to keep the eggs “balanced” in the egg carton. It drives me batty when the eggs aren’t in the just right.

I have an intense dislike for celery. Can’t stand the stuff. And, guaranteed, if there is even one eensy piece in a whole dish of something, I’ll be the one that gets it.

I don’t like having water on my face. When I shower, wash my face, swim, etc. I have to dry my face immediately. Water sitting there just really irkes me.

I would LOVE to compete on The Amazing Race some day. Mickey and I are forever talking strategy when we watch that show. We haven’t ever entered, but we should. We would love to give it a try.

One of my favorite foods in the entire world is cornbread dressing, but I am intimidated by trying to make it myself. My Gran and my mom makes the best dressing and I always beg them to make it for me. I really SHOULD learn though.

I can pinch with my toes.

How’s THAT for random?! Now, I get to tag some of you out there. Here goes - consider yourself tagged if you are linked: Emily, Jawan, Merri, Renee, Shannon and anyone else that wants to.

It’s a rainy day here today. Sometimes when it rains here, we get just enough to wet everything and that’s about it. Other times it rains sporadically throughout the day. But, today the rain has been steadily falling and that has been a blessing because things had gotten so dry around here lately. It’s been so long since we’ve had rain that I actually had to look for umbrellas that were stuffed away in a closet when I went to the bus stop this afternoon. Glad I found them.

I’ll admit that I have been less than productive on this rainy day. On days like this, I feel like hibernating. Something about the gray day and the lull of the rain just mellows me right out. (Unless I’m somehow out in metro traffic on a rainy day and then I’m anything but mellow. I suppose that’s another story) So, today I have just been in slow mode, it seems. I treated myself to a Pumpkin Spice Latte (skinny, no whip) from Starbucks this morning and even got the venti size, but that didn’t do a lot to perk me up. I am in a fine mood, I feel great, but I’m just having a rainy-day day. Since I couldnt’ sleep late this morning or have a PJ-Day, I took a little nap with Mariana this afternoon. We piled up in mine and Mickey’s bed and had a nice afternoon snooze. The windows were open, the room was cool and that nap was so relaxing. I think that was just what I needed on this gray day.

I really don’t want to wish life away, so I don’t literally want it to be November quite yet. I want to savor October and enjoy all of the adventures of early fall. But, honestly, in some ways I do wish it were November so that this election season would be behind us already. I am already over it. I never fail to be disillusioned by candidates and this year is no exception. All the slinging back and forth, all the he said/she said, all the fluff talk and especially all the lies. I’m just done with it. I sometimes wish we could vote “none of the above” and start over fresh. Don’t get me wrong, I have chosen my Presidential candidate and I will confidently place my vote. It’s just that I wish that campaigns were run more cleanly on both sides. I wish that candidates would just stand on their own truthful platforms and run for this nation and not against someone else. I wish they would all clean up their acts. I suppose that sounds naive and is in many ways wishful thinking. But, honestly, if my children behaved the way some of these politicians do, I’d be embarrased. Name calling, mudslinging, lie-telling. When does it end? Those are not qualities I expect in a leader of this great nation.

This is another free offer that I have personally done and enjoyed. Click here to get a free Kashi cookie! I did this a couple of weeks ago and got my cookie pretty promptly thereafter. I wasn’t expecting much, to be bluntly honest, but the cookie was really quite good. I liked that it was soft. The first bite I wasn’t sold, but as soon as I took the second bite I was hooked. So much so that I purchased a box of them recently. So, go grab your free cookie and try it for yourself. I think you just may enjoy it!