Ten on Tuesday

1. Klayton is thinking ahead and likes to dress himself in his winter coat and boots! Did I mention he's a crazy kid? Since he likes to do this I sent him outside in the rain!

2. I canned for the first time and chose to do bread and butter pickles-compliments of my mom's garden!

3. Saturday my brother and his family will be here for a visit! Looking forward to time with them!

4. I picked up a cleaning job for a few hours each week!

5. Justus is finally at the point where I feel comfortable dressing him in shoes! Love baby shoes!

6. Most days I really don't recognize what a shower looks like so while in Wisconsin a friend of mine will be giving me a perm! Not an 80's perm!

7. My boys like to match. And my two littles are vying for the title of Boss!

8. I am currently on a kick to sell half of my closet as it is in desperate need of downsizing!

9. Next week, Klayton begins preschool. I may or may not tear up on that day, though I am excited! He is not that excited because he won't be riding a school bus.

10. Happy Tuesday!

From Potty Training to Food Apps

Over at Kelly's Korner, it is Show Us Your Life-Favorite Apps! I thought this would be a fun link up since I seem to be in a blogging rut, though I do have a couple of posts up my sleeve!

I try not to have A TON of apps flooding my phone screen, it just gets to be a little overwhelming and well sometimes they just don't get used! So, drumroll please for my favorite apps...in no particular order:

1. Potty Time

I am currently in the middle of this journey called, potty training! This app offers a game, a story to read, virtual sticker chart, a potty training song as well as a phone call for successes and accidents!

My little guy loves this app and it makes the time go by faster!

2. PepperPlate

So simple to use for creating my grocery list by category or shopping aisle however I prefer! I can also use it to create my menu and I can use the planner to record my menu! As I get my grocery items I simply check them off the list and they disappear-no more paper lists that I always seem to forget anyway!

3. PhotoMarkr

Not that I have any stalkers reading my blog; but since I post pics of my family I like to protect those pictures with a watermark. I finally found this one that I can create a watermark for my phone pictures and it is SUPER easy to use!

4. RoadAhead

Over the years we have traveled A LOT and that is no understatement. This app searches for you on the road and then tells you what is at the next exit! You can choose what you want it to find for you at the next exit. I have mine set to find restaurants, gas stations and lodging! It also tells you how far it is to the next exit as well as how far your choice is!

5. Pic Jointer

I love taking photos with my phone and sometimes I take several of the same pose of Klayton, however, his expressions seem to change....SO, with this app I can make a collage to save to my phone or to send to my friends!

6. Pinterest

I don't think an explanation is needed!

There you have it folks, some of my favorite phone apps!

10 on Tuesday

1. Since yesterday morning I have been in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri with our final destination being Kansas this evening.
2. Joseph has not been feeling 100% but seems to be doing a little better today.
3. My sister Kayla is in need of prayers. She has been in the hospital since Sunday and doctors are still searching for answers to why her body is swollen and covered in lumps and red dots.
4. My brother Caleb had surgery this morning. Praying for a quick recovery for him.
5. Wow, health issues have found its way to our family.
6. Also, just pray for God to lead, guide and direct in some decisions that will be made concerning our family.
7. This past month I've cut my caffeine intake considerably. It's been easier than I thought, I really didn't suffer any headaches. And I've only had a few caffeinated beverages here and there.
8. Do you realize we all have a past? It seems easy to remember and it seems many people like to remind us of our pasts. I'm thankful for a God who forgives and doesn't hold my past over my head as a constant reminder.
9. Someone asked us if we garden...we don't. But it's something I would actually like to try my hand at someday. What is your favorite thing to plant?
10. I know this hasn't been the most exciting post; but never fear I have a Klayton post ready for tomorrow or Thursday! Happy Tuesday!

Swap Meet

While in Arizona I have really wanted to experience some things that are particular to here! Last week while out to dinner, we met a fellow South Dakotan who has migrated here and he told us that we needed to visit the Mesa Swap Meet! "It is free and fun", he said! So, this past Saturday we went and it was SO much fun!
We spent 3 hours and probably could have spent longer! There were so many vendors, it was busy and we had little man stroller free so we booked it through the last area of the swap meet.

Surrounding myself with a little purse love!

We even discovered a little, Go Blue!

An interesting find, red dried pepper wreaths! And no, I didn't get one for myself..though I thought it would make a great Christmas present for my mother-in-law!

We even took in a few minutes of a cooking show!

Besides some interesting vendors, I must admit we saw some interesting people! Like this lady in a tutu..

Have I mentioned yet that Arizona doesn't believe in grass? If you want it, you have to buy it!

Some jewelry love...at this point I wishing I had my jewelry tools and some extra cash! They had amazing deals on beads!

This one made me think of my mom!

In closing, I would like to leave you with this...the picture says it all!

Catch Up

I figured it has been a LONG time since I have given just a general update of life! Today, is the perfect opportunity to catch up and share some pictures!
I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time! My grandparents received a gazillion phone calls from me as I searched for the turkey giblets and neck. I ended up cooking the neck because I never found it pre-oven; but the turkey still turned out delicious and thankfully even after my experience of "gutting" a turkey, I still like to eat it!
Last week I was able to spend time with a friend and do a little crafting, thank you Pinterest! I made two scarves and my friend Jessica made this beautiful wreath!

Then last Friday we flew to Arizona, where we still are! Enjoying palm trees and cactus as well as warm weather! It has been in the 80's here, quite a change from what we left in South Dakota!

Let me take this moment to brag on my little guy and his first experience flying! He did awesome!
Waiting to check in...

Checking out the airplanes at the gate that mommy thought we were flying out of...

Klayton actually slept for about half the flight, which caused him to miss take off. But when he woke up he enjoyed some snacks, pushing buttons in the bathroom that should not be pushed and looking out the window! He did fuss a little as we prepared for landing; but that is to be expected with the air pressure changes!

Since we have been in Arizona we have been busy. Joseph has been helping out a pastor and that has kept him extremely busy! Klayton however, has found time to have a little fun and decorate some Christmas cookies!

I think we will continue to be busy during our time here! I am hoping to check out the Mesa Swap Meet this weekend and figure out a way to start finish my Christmas shopping for my husband as we don't get home until the morning of Christmas Eve day!

10 on Tuesday-Instructions

1. This weekend I am going to an overnight ladies retreat. What does this mean? Klayton will be staying behind with his daddy and grandma. How do I feel about this? Nervous. So this post is dedicated to some instructions for his caregivers to heed!
2. If you take him to the mall he must be either kept in the stroller or holding someones hand. Klayton must not leave your sight.
3. Make sure he remembers at all times that his mommy misses him and loves him very much.
4. Remind Mommy often with pictures that he is doing ok...I want lots of pictures.
5. Don't let him walk the stairs with his arms loaded down. He is pretty good at walking the stairs; but can become wobbly when weighed down with his toys. Someone should be near him when he is going up the stairs for sure.
6. No juice after 8-he will be very hyper and will not go to sleep for a LONG time if he has juice late into the evening.
7. Please be sure he gets a nap in of some sort.
8. Don't leave Victor the Bear behind.
9. In the mornings he likes to eat cereal, no milk in it. Klayton is a grazer in the mornings, so I don't confine him to the highchair.
10. Cuddle and love on him lots. Mommy will do her best not to be paranoid; but you need to remember he is my little boy that I love dearly and with all my heart.

10 on Tuesday

1. We leave for ND bright and early in the morning. It's an 8 hour drive, hope all goes smoothly.
2. From the clothes basket to the wash machine, to the dryer and finally to being folded our socks seem to complete a disappearing act. I'm going to buy small mesh bags for each family member to store their dirty socks. Then all I have to do is throw the bag in the wash and the socks should stay together.
3. I am looking forward to receiving a Bible study book in the mail that deals with the struggle to conceive. I found a group on the Internet and they are sending me a free copy! Yay!
4. Yesterday was a successful day of getting things done. I'm really hoping today follows suit.
5. I am thankful for giving people. A lady in my church gave me 2 scrapbooks and paper for the albums!
6. Did you know Burger King has the best chocolate chip cookies?! Yummy!
7. We enjoyed a couple days with my sister and brother in law this past weekend.
8. How often do you clean out your refrigerator? I cleaned mine out yesterday and I'm thinking it needs to become a weekly chore.
9. Did my garage sale this past weekend. It was a total bust. Pathetic.
10. Ok, I'm hoping that I will actually accomplish another blog post this week. Happy Tuesday!

10 on Tuesday

1. We are currently in Kenosha, Wisconsin visiting my Grandma and Grandpa.
2. Klayton has decided that the days of me feeding him and helping him with his food are over.
3. Isn't it amazing how easy it is to lose peace in your life!?
4. Sunday, Klayton scraped up his fingers. Monday, Klayton fell and experienced his first bloody nose. Tuesday, Klayton scraped up his knee, scraped up his thumb and got a goose egg on his forehead What is tomorrow going to bring?
5. I'm excited to try out my Burt's Bees rose tinted lip balm! Thanks to my Grandma!
6. Wisconsin is making history today with the recall vote for Governor.
7. All praying readers please pray for my family this week Thursday and Friday.
8. My grandpa and Klayton. ;">

10 on Tuesday

1. Started my facebook sabbatical yesterday. Kind of sad because I made some new missionary friends this past week and was having lots of fun with them on facebook! Such is life!
2. Just finished up a great missions conference in Clinton, Massachusetts and are now making our way to Michigan so the grandparents can see Klayton!
3. I told you last week that I would be doing a post about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar...that won't happen until I can find a "good" way of getting it past my tongue!
4. Last night I redeemed my $74 credit towards a basic king size hotel room. Upon arriving to the hotel they put us in a whirlpool suite! Yay for us!
5. Klayton and his new friends Dyanna and Dakota!

6. Let me tell you what a blessing Dyanna, a MK, was to this mama! She loved on my little boy, took care of him and helped me during the conference last week! She was such a sweetie and Klayton was pretty sweet on her...he just might have had a few jealous moments when he had to "share" her!
7. Look who I found in my dryer! What a cutie!

8. Looking forward to seeing my grandparents next week for a couple days before making our way home!
9. I must confess, one of my favorite things at the missions conference was when they took the missionary wives shopping! I can't remember the last time I have been able to do a little guilt free shopping for me...I just didn't know what to do with myself and that $50 went fast!
10. Have a Happy Tuesday...in spite of traveling I think my husband will be having just that as we will be making at a stop to Tim Hortons! Woo-hoo!

10 on Tuesday

1. I have decided to take a Facebook sabbatical! I will be deactivating my account Memorial Day until Labor Day. Still in an effort to not be so attached to my phone.
2. We move on tomorrow to Clinton, Massachusetts for a missions conference. This means lots to accomplish today: cleaning, packing, laundry and who knows what else will be added to the list.
3. This past Sunday we had some time to spare in the afternoon and spent it visiting Plymouth Rock and doing all the free stuff they had to offer!
4. The Mayflower! It costs $25 to step in, thankfully I was able to take a free picture!

5. Going to start taking Apple Cider Vinegar-yes it sounds nasty. But, I have been told about the great health benefits. I will have to blog about that sometime along with a few other things that I am learning, like if you take apple cider vinegar you should be sure to take the one with, "the mother" in it! Lol!
6. Friday we went up to Rockport, Massachusetts and walked the shops along the ocean!
7. Its getting harder and harder to capture pictures of this little guy! Just before I snapped this shot he was smiling and then something caught his eye!

8. God has given me a lot of peace lately about some situations in my life. I still struggle; but God just keeps reminding me of His goodness and that it is going to be okay. Just gotta keep trusting.
9. Um, sometimes I have a really hard time coming up with random thoughts...thankfully since this is a random post I can get away with wasting this spot with just that acknowledgement!
10. I don't know what the weather is like where you are; but here its raining so I am going to try and have a happy Tuesday in spite of the gloom!

Walk With Me in Boston-Part Two

Our adventure in Boston continues! As we step out of Quincy Market we saw people entertaining the crowds for money. This particular man plays three different instruments in spite of being blind!

We also ventured into this little shop that reminded me of a farmers market! But, I warn you its a little pricey for postcards 4 for $3! You could also buy fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables!

This was a familiar site in our adventures, tourists being guided by someone dressed up from the days of Paul Revere!

We finally arrived to the Old North Church, the place where they placed the lanterns to signal the British coming!

The church is still active today and when people meet for worship they still sit in these "rooms".

The balcony.

Front of the church.

Just behind the church you will find the famous statue of Paul Revere!

This house has an interesting story behind it. Its a Spite House.

A father left his two sons land. While one of the sons was at war, the other brother decided to build on the land (the brick houses) and left his brother a little land saying, "ha, he won't be able to build anything here!" When the brother returned from war, to spite his brother he built this house 9 feet wide!

And we will end our tour at Bunker Hill!

294 steps up into the monument, this is the view you will find!

Boston is so rich in history! I would love to go back and finish my own tour!