A City Life For Me

At our parents’ suggestion, we decided to stay at Ben’s parent’s house in Pittsfield, Mass. and wait for Hurricane Sandy to pass over New York City.  We were just returning from a short vacation to North Conway, New Hampshire, for our 5th Wedding Anniversary. We returned to heat and power, but we do live on a ridge.  {That’s why our neighborhood is called Bay Ridge }.  Many in our church did not fare so well.  Our church is in Sheepshead Bay, very near to Coney Island and the ocean.  This area was hit very hard, and there was extensive flooding.  We don’t have any cell phone service right now, but we have heard reports of the following: One couple had their basement apartment flood to the ceiling.  They lost everything. Our Pastor and his family are without power and phone.  They had 5 inches of water in the basement. Other families in our church lost power. We have a couple of families who live on the Rockaways and Breezy Point.  I don’t

Today marks 12 weeks into this twin pregnancy.  I'm feeling great for the most part...just really tired.  Mornings are harder because I feel queasy and want to eat, but don't feel like eating.  But I have been blessed to once again not struggle with any morning sickness during this pregnancy.   I return to the doctor on Friday {provided that NYC is okay after Hurricane Sandy}.  I will have a sonogram to ensure that both heartbeats are strong and well.  I have some more questions that I want to get answered by the midwife as well.   I am already wearing a few maternity items...something I didn't do while carrying Nolan or Elaine until nearly {or well past} the halfway point.  I also have a never-ending appetite, and I can tell I will be huge at the end!  My cravings are tending to be toward salty food, but in the last two pregnancies it was definitely sweet foods!   We have been having fun tossing around some names, though we will wait to get serious about

{Because she’s a sister, a princess, a horsey, and a Mary Poppins, you know!} {Because we are getting ready for our Circus themed Harvest Party} {Because Grandma & Grandpa came to visit us on the motorcycle} {Because someone is turning 3 soon, and she’s all about Cinderella} {Because there’s an election soon, and in NYC we get reminded in at least five different languages} {Because Daddy was gone for six days and we really missed him}

I’ve been a little absent here lately.  Most days find me feeling “oogey” and queasy in the morning, and tired & exhausted in the afternoon.  By the time the kids are tucked in for a nap, I don’t want to see anything myself except my pillow! I would like to pass on some good reads to you… 7 by Jen Hatmaker This one isn’t actually a recommendation.  I wouldn’t waste your time with this book.  I read it for a book club, but I found the author offensive several times in her crass comments, especially since she is supposedly a pastor’s wife {though not of a church we would fellowship with} in Texas. Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver My mom has had this book on her bookshelf for quite some time.  I asked her if I could borrow it, and she gave me my own copy.  Though I am just beginning I know it is going to be a blessing and a challenge.  It focuses on the three friends of Jesus in Bethany – Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  This book in particular is about

Grandma is here!

I have finally been getting around to making some things I have pinned on Pinterest.  Here are a few things that turned out well: :: Homemade Floor Cleaner I really like my Pine Sol lemon for mopping the floor…but this is a great and frugal alternative!  Once my bottle of Pine Sol is gone I probably won’t replace it.  I always have Borax & Washing Soda on hand.  I cut this recipe in half so my bucket isn’t quite so full. :: Downy Wrinkle Releaser I love this stuff!  But it costs a pretty penny…so I was excited to try a homemade version.  I finally finished off my Downy and made my own wrinkle releaser with fabric softener and water.  So easy, and just as effective!  I can pick the scent this way, too! :: Homemade Laundry Detergent   This is something I’ve been making for a while, but I found a better recipe.  This one includes oxi-clean for more stain fighting power, uses a whole box of Borax & Washing Soda {make more at once, less half open boxes of ingredien

Last weekend we had the teen group over for a game night.  We had nachos and a couple of sweet things, including “ Muddy Buddies .”  {I think we used to call it Puppy Chow}.  But whatever.  Nolan has recently discovered the chair that sits in the kitchen.  He likes it because it puts him in better reach of gadgets…and sometimes goodies!  In the case of the Muddy Buddies, Elaine declined to help in the kitchen so Nolan volunteered to be my “helper”.  But this is what he really had in mind! “These are good, Mom.  What’s in them?” “Do you like my chocolate drool smile?  I haven’t been eating any of these, though!” “You want me to squish them together?”  Mommy: “No!” “Just helping out, Mom.  Can I have some more?”

Last week we went and walked “The Highline” on Manhattan’s west side, near Chelsea Piers.  It was a freight rail line, in operation from 1934 to 1980.  It carried meat to the meatpacking district, agricultural goods to the factories and warehouses of the industrial West Side, and mail to the Post Office.  Now it is a beautiful walkway, elevated above the City streets, with gardens and benches along the way. While I have been curious about the Highline since I learned of its existence, we really went there for a specific purpose: to take some pictures.  I even had props ready because they are going to help me tell something.  I had hoped for a great city background, but these are what I ended up with:     They’re cute, right?  Nolan is 15 months now, and Elaine will soon be 3 years old.  But this is the picture I really wanted to share… So now you  know…we are having a baby!  I am nearly eight weeks along…due May 20th, 2013.  I went to the doctor today.  She gave me this nea

I think Thomas Jefferson said that.  It’s ringing true in our house!  Nolan’s feet had barely hit the floor this morning and he was bringing me two books to read.  The weekly trip to the library is the highlight of my kids’ week.  And today, when I finished dressing Nolan, I looked up to see this: Elaine reading a book to her Betsy!