Why I Blog and The Laundry Fairy

Okay, so I'm not sure how many people check this blog, or even whom for that matter. I have a good idea from those that leave comments, but other than that, I'm pretty much clueless. =)

I look at my blog as a way of connecting with the 'outside world' when I'm home with my little guys. I also look at it as a way to journal what's on my heart and mind. Sometimes my entries come from things I'm rejoicing in, things I'm sad or frustrated about, things that touch my heart and I just have to share, or things that I feel God has laid on my heart to share.

I also enjoy keeping this blog because I LOVE to scrapbook and have one for each of my children to give to them as baby books when they're older. HOWEVER, as the Bates family has grown, my scrapbooking time diminishes. =( I can turn here though to find pictures, videos and entries about what's going on in our lives, at particular times in our lives. Then, I can go back into the scrapbooks and write in captions for photos, etc. The trick is not to let it go too long or my books get backed up. Still haven't finished Lincoln's just yet. I have a few pages left in his. I started Norah's, but only have 3 pages done (I think). I started a family album and have a few pages completed, but the rest of the photos sit in boxes awaiting their time to be placed where people can actually look at them. Am I sad about this? A bit because I do love doing it. It's where my creative side comes out, I destress and I think of my three blessings from God. However, I love my family more and would rather be reading to my kids, chatting about my day with my husband or making sure my family has a dinner to eat and clean clothes to put on their backs. (Hence, the scrapbooking gets put on the back burner.) I'm still waiting on the laundry fairy! If you've noticed in past posts, we have definately, officially, without a doubt, scared her off due to our neverending laundry pile! I'm guessing you all now know that laundry is my least favorite chore around the house, besides cleaning bathrooms. (Note to self...company coming in less than two weeks...get bathrooms scrubbed down!!!) =)

I saw this episode of 'Wife Swap' once where the family doesn't fold laundry. They empty the clean laundry out on a pool table (or was it their dining room table?) and when a member of the family needs clean laundry, they skip on down to the pool table and choose their clothing for the day. If I'm being honest, the thought HAS crossed my mind a time or two! Only problem, we don't have a pool table and we do eat as a family each night at our dining room table. Okay, so that one's out! (sigh) lol

Well, I guess it's back to the laundry (and some bathrooms...tee-hee). Have a fabulous Thursday everyone, even if it's rainy, humid and overcast. This is the day that the Lord has made!!

Okay, so it seems like MANY friends of ours have blogs and we thought we'd try it...

Just a lazy Sunday afternoon for us today. Rob and I have been busy putting in a sprinkler system as well as new sod for the front and back yards. It's been a task, but boy are we glad we did it! We're getting ready to sell our house so the upkeep is definately necessary.

Avonlea (just about 17 months) just keeps growing and growing everyday. I've stopped counting the words she says because there's a new one every hour it seems. She loves the zoo, animals, the outdoors, plants and flowers, taking walks, helping Mama cook and adores her Daddy. We're just gone from two naps a day down to one so I have to get creative as to how I get things done during the day! It's weird that I have to "plan out" when I'm going to do the dishes, but I love being home with my kiddo and wouldn't trade it for the world.

Here's Avonlea helping me cook a casserole. She loves stirring and taste-testing!

Avonlea at 16 months playing out front.

Lincoln Cole (5 3/4 months in utero) is kicking like crazy this week. I've been having pretty bad back pains (that I didn't have until 9 mos. prego with Avonlea) and am scared that this is going to be one big boy! I'm having a repeat C-section though (Avonlea had an emergency C-section when she was born) so in a way, I'm glad, especially if he's big.

Ultrasound where we found out he was a boy. I thought for sure we were having another girl due to the technician saying "she" the whole time. She had us fooled!

It never ceases to amaze me how much I cherish the "little things" in life. I was sitting down playing playdough with Avonlea yesterday thinking about how when she's 17 years old, I'm going to miss these times. It almost brought tears to my eyes! Okay, maybe it's a pregnant thing, but take time today to cherish at least one "little thing" in life.