Tuesday .02 (five randoms & some GOOD NEWS!)

1. Kai threw my BlackBerry in the FULL bathtub last night. Yeah, it's a goner (phone numbers, video clips, yet-to-be-printed pictures of Kai {tear}!). Talk about "device detox!" (I think I jinxed myself). However, I DID find the time today to take our HUGE pile of recycling AND 5, yes FIVE loads of laundry (all folded, too!). No, I didn't let our dirty clothes build up to 5 loads, I washed blankets, sheets, towels, car-towels, dog-towels, kitchen towels....
2. I did this workout today from Shape magazine. I haven't done any of her dvd's but judging on how fatigued my legs feel (a GREAT feeling, btw!), maybe I need to.
3. I've been meeting weekly with a "mentor" of sorts who has encouraged me to return to my long-lost habit of keeping a prayer journal. After about a month back into it I can't believe I ever stopped. Talk about rejuvenating the old prayer life! Writing my prayers down like letter to God is a wonderful way for me to keep focused (I have an ever-drifting overly imaginative mind!), yet also keep a record or diary of sorts of what I'm going through that day. It's pretty awesome to be able to look back and see how God worked even the hardest of situations out for good!
4. I've also been LOVE, LOVE, LOVING The Message (MSV) Bible. I've owned a copy for awhile but never really delved into it...until now. It's reads with a wonderfully personable feel and allows me to gain insight from the dryer or more difficult passages.
5. GOOD NEWS!: Today I received word that my Initial I (K-12) School Counseling license is in the mail! Due to some unfortunate circumstances this has been a LONG time coming, but at last I can reap the fruits of my grad school labors and put the past year of waiting and paperwork behind me! I actually cried (for joy!) when I got the message. YAY!

two-cent tuesday: 5 tidbits.

1.

I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE house plants! My house would be a mini-rainforest if I didn't have a 9 month old who loves to eat potting soil and leaves. I have a handful of houseplants now, but want MORE. I need shelves...and hooks that hang from the ceiling! Here's HOW houseplants purify the air in your home, and HERE are the "Top 10 Houseplants for Cleaner Air."

source

2.

Even as I'm trying to feed Kai home-made, natural foods, I'm still accumulating several baby food jars. I've been brainstorming creative uses for these little guys and found lots of fun ideas here!

3.

I'm such a teacher in my gift-giving. My go-to gift for children's birthday's is ALWAYS books. And puzzles. Boring compared to all of the flashy electronic gadgets others shower them with? At the moment, probably. But you know what? A book or good puzzle will OUTLAST those loud and annoying toys anyday, AND make your child smarter while they play! One of the BEST things parents can do for their children is something that is so inexpensive and easy it is often overlooked: READING!! Here's why you should start reading to your kiddos when they are BABIES!

4.

 CUTE, Comfy shoes!

5.

 Stuck in a rut? Feeling depressed? Sorry for yourself? Not sure you have a purpose here on earth?

Check it out: How Helping Others Helps YOU!

(inspiring stories of kindness!)

two-cent Tuesday...

yep my dears,

i'm giving ya'll my two-cents on some of the fine things in life

(according to me).

lots of links, so hope this finds you full of adventure!

on the motherhood front:

awesome post today from one of the great mommy blogs (on secretly wishing for a particular gender when expecting...)

i'm planning a diaper/bathtime supply shower for my lovely very prego sister and was researching practical gifts online and stumbled accross this AWESOME eco-friendly, unique baby product store.

post-bath snuggles. ahhhh.

on the shopping/fashion front:

i won a give-away today!! my friend Tricia has an etsy store that offers some wonderfully unique items and today i won a $20 credit to her store!!! so excited. i knew exactly what i wanted: the music note and map/atlas print coaster sets:

how awesome are these?!

....................................

my closet is looking so bare, depressing and bland these days...i'm in dire need of a new wardrobe.

{dreaming}

if i was granted a shopping spree to any one store it would SO be HERE.

 

all photos found here.

convinced?

i fashion-dream in FP. it's SO out of my price range it's not even funny. what i usually do is visit their store/websites and drool and take mental images of the items that i {love} and then hunt for similar articles online or at thrify city-based second hand stores....

on the fitness front:

confirmed benefits of taking your workouts OUTDOORS!

The study found that most trials showed an improvement in mental well-being: compared with exercising indoors, exercising in natural environments was associated with greater feelings of revitalisation, increased energy and positive engagement, together with decreases in tension, confusion, anger and depression. Participants also reported greater enjoyment and satisfaction with outdoor activity and stated that they were more likely to repeat the activity at a later date.

source

check out this fabulous opportunity to co-mingle two of life's best gifts (running & wine!)

*any takers, i'm gonna talk my mom and sister(s?) into it!!

 and there, my friends, is my Tuesday two-cents.