I’ve seen some funny looking houses in my day, but I’ve never seen any quite as cool, crazy, or exotic as these homes here.  This is a picture of one of the 15 houses you’ll see on the list.

If you’re planning on nursing your baby, here are some wearable items that might be of help to you:

1. Nursing Bracelet:  In the beginning, you need to feed your baby every couple of hours.  When you’ve got a newborn (and let’s face it, even when your baby is 9 months- like mine), you can’t keep track of time or remember when you last fed your child.  So, you need a simple nursing bracelet.  I bought this bracelet which enables the mother identify which boob she last used to feed her baby, track how long baby fed, and remember what time to feed again. 
2. Nursing Necklace: When Abby got to be about 4 months old, she started getting really distracted.  If she heard Jonathan cough or Sabra’s collar jingle or me turn a page to a book, she would stop eating.  This was very frustrating!  So, I asked around and got advice to buy a nursing necklace to keep her occupied.  I found one here on Etsy.  They’re made with a special chord that said to be 10x stronger than steel, and the clasp on the necklace is strong as well.   
3. Nursing Apron: My talented Mother-in-Law made me an apron that looks similar to this nursing cover.  It’s helpful for times when Abby needs to eat while church or a friend’s house. 
4. Tummy Hider: These are like the Belly Bands for when you’re pregnant, but they can also be used when you’re nursing to cover your stomach.  It looks like a layered t-shirt.  They’re a great alternative to nursing tops.   

Any other helpful nursing products to wear?

I hope our Abigail and Sabra will always be best friends.  It’ll be fun to see them “grow up” together.

“‘But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.’”

Then the people answered, ‘Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!  It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.  And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.’

Joshua said to the people, ‘You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins.  If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.’

But the people said to Joshua, ‘No! We will serve the LORD.’ . . .’Now then,’ said Joshua, ‘throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.’  And the people said to Joshua, ‘We will serve the LORD our God and obey him.-
– Joshua 24:15-24

I challenge you to make it your New Year’s Resolution to see that your household serves the Lord.  We’ll do the same.

1. Where would you like to go?  Brasil

2. Name three things your afraid of?
(1.) spiders
(2.) anything that’s supposed to be clean but is dirty
(3.) losing my daughter

3. Do you own slippers?  I need them for warmth in my house, so maybe I’ll get a pair for my Bday or Xmas; our house has ceramic tile all over.

4. What shirt are you wearing?  Boring black

5. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? never done it

6. Can you whistle? negative.  I used to be able to when I was little, though.

7. Favorite color?  blue

8. Would you be a pirate? don’t think so

9. What songs do you sing in the AM? none; I can barely think in the Morn time.

10. Favorite girl’s name?  Abigail

11. Favorite boy’s name?  not telling

12. What’s in your pocket right now? Nothing

13. Last thing that made you laugh?  Abby pretending her crib is a trampoline.

14. What vehicle do you drive? Bravada

15. Worst injury you have ever had?  Umm?  I’ve had 3 surgeries, but they weren’t really injuries.  I’ve never really gotten badly injured.

16. Do you love where you live?  in some ways

17. How many TV’s do you have in your house? 1

18. Do you have any pets? of course!  My doggie Sabra

19. Does someone have a crush on you?  the husband I hope

20. What is your favorite book(s)?  Redeeming Love.  All Nicholas Sparks books.

21. Do you collect anything? Braves stuff

22. Favorite sports team? Atlanta Braves!

23. What song do you want played at your funeral? I have a long list in my bible.

Here is a list of Free Samples!  Get them while you can:

• Pantene Pro-V.  Click “free sample” at the top.
• SoftSheen Shampoo
• Don Francisco’s Coffee
• Mineral Make up
• Prilosec OTC.  Walmart Samples are the best!
• Bear Naked Granola
• Super Blue Stuff OTC
• Benefiber On the Go
• Tide Total Care

I was tagged by the lovely Audra (and just for the record, you don’t look horrible in that picture; you’re always beautiful, silly!) to play along in the “picture folder game.” You’re supposed to open the fourth picture folder on your computer and choose the fourth photo. No cropping or editing allowed.

This picture was taken in June of 2004 in Brasil.  It’s of me, Piedade (my family’s maid when we lived in Brasil), and her granddaughter Alicia.  I had brought some family photos over the last three years (which was the previous time I had seen her).  She thoroughly enjoyed looking at them.  She’s very special to me– just like a mom to me.  I only wish she lived in Texas so she could help take care of Abigail, like she took care of me growing up.

I tag Emily R, Emily S, Jessica, and Jonathan to do the same.

Also, Merry Christmas Eve!!  Y’all have a wonderful holiday!

Your tip for today is to wish “Happy Birthday” to someone.  There are two pictures to help you: one is when she’s a week old and the other is on her 1 year old birthday.  Can you guess who she is?

Just watch this video to get an idea of how my husband’s mind works.  Here it is:Jonathan’s video with Mrs. Bobbie.