Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! We really enjoyed experiencing it all through the eyes of our toddler, she is having a blast hanging out with her cousins while they are here on break. It snowed on Christmas morning, but it didn't stick, so we had all the beauty with none of the hassle (we got snowed in the week before). We made most of our presents this year, which took up most free moments of the day, and some of them were finished on Christmas Eve. Next year, I'd like to remember to start earlier!
I cannot believe that 2008 is almost another chapter in history. We look forward to a lot of changes next year. Our youngest child is due in April, and we're planning on moving to Hawaii (Lord willing) in July. There are lots of preparations needed for both anticipated events, and I only have another month or so before my belly gets so big I'll be worthless at doing much of anything! :)
Well, I hope you all have a wonderful time celebrating the New Year this week. May God bless you richly in 2009!

Please Pray

There are a couple of matters pressing on my heart tonight that I would love help praying for.

My Mom has had a couple of car accidents in the past few years (one REALLY bad one), and seems to attract all sorts of trouble her way, like flying umbrellas at the beach. She's in chronic pain and (since the umbrella incident in October), has developed insane headaches. She recently had an MRI that startled the Dr. into referring her to a surgeon. Please pray for her full recovery, for an end to headaches and pain, and for all of this to happen without surgery.

Also, I got a call from my Dr. today who wants me to go in for another ultrasound. Without boring you with details of low fluids, watching for contractions, etc., I would just really appreciate your prayers for my small, unborn little girl Sophia.

God is good and all things are in his very able hands.

yucky buggy prevention

I've been trying to find healthy spider repellant receipes for awhile now, and finally stumbled across some great info! Today I just killed the biggest wolf spider I've ever seen--it was in my bedroom! Yuck! I'm definitely going to try this lemon concoction.

Spider deterrents
Posted by JacquelineL | Sat, Aug. 30, 2008
Essential oil of Lemon is a great natural deterrent for spiders. I make my own surface cleaner for cleaning counter-tops etc. and use a few drops of lemon oil in that to keep spiders out of the kitchen area, and I put some in my mop water and the water I use when I clean walls or ceilings.

I also make up a room spray with about two cups of distilled water, a couple drops of Seventh Generation dishwashing liquid (acts as an emulsifier to allow the lemon oil to mix with the water) and 5 to 15 drops of lemon oil depending on how lemony I want it (I occasionally mix in other essential oils as well for other properties they might have... essential oil of lavender is nice with the lemon... I never go above a total of 15 drops of oil though in one batch though). I squirt that in corners that I know spiders are attracted to and around the house.

I use a very similar spray, made the same way, as a linen spray but combine lemon and lavender with essential oil of eucalyptus because eucalyptus kills dust mites.

Also I know you didn't ask, but silverfish and mildew / mold are deterred by essential oil of clove; I combine that with a little borax, dishwashing detergent, baking soda, vinegar and essential oils of cinnamon and orange which have anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties (and they all smell really nice together), and I use that to clean my bath because when we first moved in I saw some silverfish under the bathroom sink.

December?

Can someone please tell me where November went?