You May Call Me "Homemaker"

I've been talking to different friends and family about making homemade laundry soap for a LONG time now, but I'm really going to do it!

Everyone knows that it's cheaper to make it yourself, but the main reason I'm doing it is for Jack. He has some very sensitive skin that, per doctor's orders, we've been maintaining by:

Prescribed lotions and lots of cetaphil
We buy Dreft laundry soap and we don't use dryer sheets
Instead of regular soap in the shower, we use baking soda in the bath water

So when my mom mentioned that my sister makes her own laundry soap and she noticed that it seems to help her son's eczema, it was a done-deal for me. Anything to help Jack's skin!

I was able to find all my ingredients at Fred Meyer of all places. And I found what I think is a really good website for people of my caliber: people-who-don't-know-much-but-want-to-learn. It gives 10 different recipes for laundry detergent as well as a million other helpful tips. I think I'm going to go for recipe #4 cuz it looks pretty darn easy.

Wish me luck!

Our Little Frankenstein

Last year, I was adamant that Jack was to be a Lobster for Halloween (don't ask me why... hormones?) but this year I was drawing a blank. Everyone had good suggestions, but nothing really made me say, "Yes! That's it!"

So, after buying and returning three Halloween costumes, the winner finally came to us by mail: Frankenstein! It turned out better than I could have guessed - cuz I could have guessed that Jack would rip it off mere moments after having it on. But he seemed to adjust immediately after seeing tons of candy everywhere.

He looked adorable!

We had a great time on Halloween, even though Jack started showing signs of a nasty cold. I'll share the stories and pictures very soon.

All Sorts of Wet!

Our little bug just loves the rain!

We got out an umbrella for him to see if he would use it - and he did for a bit - but more than that, it turned out to be a great toy.

Hand Over The Mic!

I think we have a rock star in the making!

Making Music

We love the Redmond Town Center. There is a great fountain to play in and ice cream and great restaurants... and the best music making area I've seen at a mall.

Click here to take a look!

The Shaving Cream Party

Jennifer came up with the best idea: let the boys go crazy with some shaving cream. We stripped them down to their diapers and sprayed a bit on some trays. I don't know what we were thinking with using trays. We should have known that it wouldn't stay on the trays for long. Jack went straight to wiping himself down with the stuff and Pete helped him with some horns and a mo-hawk. Logan was a little bit more tame but loved it just as much!

Here are some pictures!

And for your viewing enjoyment:

Oh, So Many Blueberries!

So I love North Bend!

I've always been partial to this city, but I am now officially in love. In September, we went blueberry picking right up against one of my favorite mountains, Mt. Si, and had such a good time! We came away with pounds and pounds of blueberries, and Jack probably ate just as much while we were picking.

Here are some pictures: click here.

Playing in the Rain

It was raining one day when Jennifer and Logan came over to play, so it was to be playtime inside - but the boys didn't see it that way. They wanted out on the porch to play! Jennifer and I resisted for a while, but the boys finally won. So we ended up just taking off their clothes and letting them go at it. They had so much fun! Well, that was until Jack got so cold that not only were his lips cold, but the skin around his mouth and creeping up to his nose were turning blue. Don't worry, we kept a close eye on them.

Here's some of my favorite pics:

Jack would get out just far enough to feel the rain - and then would freeze. Too funny.


Logan came running right behind Jack and pushed right past him. He acted as though he'd been freed from his confining clothes!


Boys enjoying the rain.


Jack finally got cold enough to come in and landed right in my lap. So sweet!


Do you see the raindrop running down Logan's left cheek? I love this kid.

Yummy!

I've been pretty excited about finding kraftfoods.com. They have easy, yummy recipes - and Pete agrees! I love it when I hear: "That was some the best chicken I've ever had." Here are my favorites so far...

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken

Slow-Cooker BBQ Pork Sandwiches

Spaghetti with Zesty Bolognese
And this week, I'm going to try...

BBQ Chicken Pizza with Feta

Ooo, this is too good!

This Is Strange For Me To Say...

...but I am actually starting to enjoy housework. Or more specifically, the feeling I have once things are clean and in their place. I've been struggling with this whole housewife thing since, well, I became a housewife. From the age of 16 and on I've been working in some form or fashion. Settling into Microsoft and the hours of work that is needed to be successful there was easier than this: not working at all. The other thing is that we haven't lived in this type of house before and it is more difficult to get things done. Cleaning here is like this: up the stairs, and back down. Repeat 15 times. Where was I keeping this or that? Was it the 2nd floor or the 3rd floor? Or was it the garage? It's almost like I need a master list to remember where everything goes. And the toys coming out of our ears - don't get me started. Anyway, the point is this: I'm getting into a nice groove. I'm enjoying the peace that comes from a clean house.

Most importantly, I would be so ungrateful if I didn't give credit where credit is due. Pete, my good husband, you give me motivation and inspiration to continue with what you have started or have done. Thank you for your hard work around our home. I love you!

Anyway, thought I'd share my little break through that has only taken me years to achieve. :)