New Venture

Well, as many of you know I love being a stay at home.  I really do.  There are some days that I might say different, but deep down I get true joy from being with my children.  That being said, one of the things I gave up to do this was spending money.  Last year when Princess T's hair got so long and she began to truly enjoy wearing bows, I decided to learn how to make them (because cute bows are not cheap).  What I discovered was not only could I do it but I LOVED doing it!  It was a crafty outlet for me.  I have played around with the idea of making bows to sale for a while, but never really felt like it was the right time.  Then, this past week I got a crafting nook!!  Its small and in the laundry room, but its perfect!!  As I was organizing my ribbon I realized that once I make one bow out of it, I really have nothing else to do with it, so I figured it was time.  That's right, another venture for me!!  My goal is to sale as people need the bows (customizing it to match outfits), but also to make from what I have to try to sale that way.  I have created a blog to showcase what I have made and am able to do, as well as what I have available for immediate purchase.  The name of my blog is Ribbon Head!  Please take a minute and click on the icon below and visit my crafty site.  You don't have to buy anything but I would appreciate it if you would spread the word.  If you have a blog and wouldn't mind putting my "button" on your blog, please let me know.

Growing Pains

Okay I have a confession....Sometimes when I am driving around town running errands or getting my children from one place to another my mind goes back to when I was in high school.  I think because I grew up driving on these streets, it is so easy for my mind to go back to when I was first driving on them.  I think about life then and what I was like.  I think about the friends I had then and responsibilities (or lack of them) that I had then.  Then, at some point I begin to question why I am driving a minivan and who the kids are that are in the back.  All this goes through my mind in no more than a minute (funny how the mind works) and then one of those precious children says, "Mommy!" and I snap back into reality.  I am no longer 16 and I am not headed to meet my friends at the movie or at Mazzio's after church.  I remember that I am 30 and that I am a mom and that I am most likely headed to the grocery store.  However, I love my life now.  I would not change it for the world! Well, I might change one thing....

I hate that my kids are growing so fast!!  I feel like every time I blink they grow another inch! When Wild Man was born, I remember every mom I knew at the time telling me to enjoy because it flies by!  I remember thinking, "I just want to sleep!  How am I supposed to enjoy it?"  I did enjoy those days for the most part and every one of those moms was right.  It flies!  AND, it seems like every year goes faster.  The kids grow faster.  They learn more and can do more on their own.  Sometimes, I just sit and watch them. I watch them play with each other and with the kids our neighborhood.  I watch them do their school and realize I have two incredibly smart children. I watch them laugh and I laugh with them as much as I can. I know they think I am crazy, but I want to remember these days when they are no longer living in my house.  I want to look back (like I do when I think about their baby days) and have no regrets at all!  I also know that it is my job to teach them to follow Christ and to do whatever He asks.  So, that means one day they will leave.  Thats just the way God wants it.  But until then, I am thankful for everyday I have with them.  I am thankful that God has blessed our family in such amazing ways and has allowed me to stay home with them.  I am thankful that I have a husband, mom, dad, mother in law, father in law, sister in law, brother in law, grandmother, aunts, uncles, and tons of friends who love me for who I am and support our family's decision to give up things this world tells us we need so that I can enjoy these days with my kids, even if it hurts my heart to see them grow. It's a good hurt.  It's the kind of hurt that only leaves growth when its gone.

Isn't that impressing?

My little princess makes me smile so much!!  She has her times where she makes me mad and completely frustrated, but overall she makes me smile.  I love the age she is at right now. She will be six in a few weeks, which is impossible to believe!  She is very independent, but also very dependent at the same time. She can do a lot on her own (and prefers to most times), however, she will curl up in my lap in a heartbeat just to remind me that she does still need me! She loves playing basketball, but would much rather be getting all dolled up and pretending she is a mom to her babies.  She loves using big words, even when she doesn't know what they mean!  For example, when she does or says something that she considers amazing or really smart she will ask us, "Isn't that impressing that I can do that?" She has also learned to read and is trying to figure out why some words sound so different than how they are spelled.  Here is one of my favorite examples....

Princess T: You know mommy, when you spell Ma-Ma it really looks like you are saying Mama.  I think we need to say Maw Maw.  How do you spell that mommy?
Me:  How do you think it's spelled?  (trying to get her sound out words as much as possible)
Princess T: (after saying it a few times..) I think it is spelled M-A-L-L M-A-L-L!

Oh how I love my Princess and her little mind!!  I thank God every day for giving her to me!!

The Dentist

So, I took the kids to the dentist today...for the FIRST time!!  And for another first....Wild Man was the difficult one.  He just does not like new things.  He hates the unknown!!  I guess this is my fault since I am just now taking him, and he is 8.  He didn't mind them cleaning his teeth or even poking at them.  What he hated was having his teeth x-rayed.  You know when they put those things in your mouth and make you bite down, but you feel like they are paper cutting the roof of your mouth....that's what he hated!  To be honest I don't blame him either.  However, he didn't have to be pain about it!  Seriously!!  I felt so bad for the little dental hygienist girl.  She was so sweet, but I could tell she was a little annoyed with his stubbornness, and really not happy when the dentist told her she needed another x-ray done on his teeth.  All in all, it wasn't too bad.  He has 2 cavities that we have to go back and have filled, but for never being to the dentist, I say that's good.  Princess T did fabulous!!  She was extremely cooperative and has NO cavities!!!

We are still alive! I promise!!

I realize that I have just left this blog hanging.  I am sure there are only a few of you that even still read it, but for those who do, we are still alive!

I have had several friends ask me recently where we are in the adoption process, so I thought I would take a minute and just explain where we are and how God is working in our lives.  We still believe that God has called us to adopt 100%.  We in no way doubt that at all!  However, we have really been just in the waiting processes.  We know that God has put us here to wait on Him because we are not patient people.  :)  He needed us to make the first step and just say yes and then be ready for when He said go.  So that is where we are.  Waiting for Him to say go!  What we know for sure is that when it happens it will happen fast and it will happen in a way that in not conventional. What we do not know is age or sex.  We are staying open to what He has for us.  Boy or Girl.  Newborn or Teenager.  I know I have shared this before, but I thought I would share it again.  Please do not stop praying for us.  We know He is in control, but sometimes it is hard to wait.  We have had several friends recently who have brought children home through adoption and because our heart is pulled that way it is hard to see them and not wonder when it will be our turn.  BUT, we KNOW God is in control.  HIS timing is PERFECT!!  So, that is where we are.  Waiting.  Thank you in advance for your prayers.

I will try my hardest to keep this blog going from this point on.  :)

I stink!

Okay, so I am admitting to the world that I officially stink at this blogging thing.  I really, like most other things in my life, really want to be better at it.  I could sit here and type out many reasons why.  Anywhere from how busy I have been to how I really haven't had much to blog about or I haven't really had much to blog about.  But, I am not going to do that because the bottom line is that I am not cut out to blog.  However, I would really like to be better at it so, I am once again going to make another push to keep it up.

My new goal is to blog at least once a week.....do you think I can do it?

My Princess and Her Daddy

Every year our church does a Dads and Dolls Tea Party for the preschool girls and their dads. This is the 2nd year Professor and Princess T have gone. Last year, I am not sure she knew what was going on, but this year she did! She was so excited! She picked out her dress the night before. Took a shower and even put some make up on before she went. I fixed her hair and let her wear one of my necklaces. She looked beautiful! Then she proceeded to tell Professor what he needed to wear. They were precious.

When they got home the Princess went on and on about how much fun it was. She talked about how her daddy painted her fingernails and they had their picture taken. She also told me that she painted his finger nails! And, boy did she! They were all colors of glitter! And he wore that finger nail polish all day. We went all over town and he pulled it off great!

Some of you might be laughing, but I grew up with a dad who would have done the same thing for me! He would have and still does anything for me!There is not greater blessing ever! I am so thankful that My Princess has the same kind of daddy I had! I could not wish for anything greater for her! I am also thankful that just like my daddy, her daddy teaches her about the Father she will always have!

Photo Booth Fun

Professor has a MacBook Pro that he uses at work. Every once in a while the toy comes to visit our house. This past weekend it came for a visit we had the best time playing with Photo Booth. All four of us sat on the couch for an hour laughing so hard that we were crying! I am a firm believer that laughter is the best medicine. So, this post is for those of you who need some laughter today. Enjoy!

Coupons, Etc.

Well, this is officially my first post of the year. I know I am slacking! We have been super busy and adjusting to some new life changes.

Professor has begun traveling with work more. It has been trying on all of us. None of us are 100% used to it yet. Professor is beginning to learn the art of air travel and working from a laptop or from his blackberry. The kids are adjusting to daddy being gone more. Wild Man acts all grown up and manly saying that there is no need to cry daddy will be back soon. However, he is the first one to announce how many days til daddy comes home every morning. The Princess is not doing well with it at all. It break Professors heart to say bye to her because he knows that she will cry the whole way home from the airport and most of the night following his departure. I am learning how to conserve my energy while he is gone. I am beginning to really choose my battles carefully and try to make times when daddy is gone fun and exciting. If you ask me I get the better end of it because he is the one making them sad and I am the one renting the movies and popping popcorn for movie nights. However, once they are asleep, I am still learning to sleep alone. Our king sized bed sure does feel big when he is gone. We know that this is just like any other life change we have had. We will all learn to handle it and we will all adjust. I am very happy for Professor. He loves his job so much and so that makes it all worth it! And, being the great husband and father he is when he is home is always great about really being home and spending time with us!

Now, on to the not so sappy stuff (didn't mean to get so serious there!). Since early last fall I have been couponing (or I should say learning to coupon). I still don't feel like I have a complete understand or knowledge but I have made a lot of progress. In my effort to keep this blog going I am going to do a "Savvy Savers" post week where I highlight some of my fun finds and my savings for that week.

Since I am just now starting this I will just do a monthly highlight for January today.

Total Percent Saved This Month: 58.29%
Highest Percentage Saved: 89.15% at CVS on January 14th
Favorite Find: FREE Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, and Flossers!
My Coupons Saved Me $177 this month and My Reward Cards Saved Me $261

For more information on couponing check out the site I use: www.southernsavers.com.

Well that is it for today. A little fun and a little serious! Please watch because I am working on a better blogging schedule!

Thought this was fun!

A friend of mine shared a video on Facebook this morning. I thought it was the cutest thing ever, so I made one for my kids. You fill in the information and then Santa sends them a message. Check out the ones for the kids....

Video to Wild Man

Video to Princess T

Funny Kids!

The past couple days my kids have just been so funny! So, I thought I would share.

"Princess T, I am pretty sure you are going to be on the naughty list." - Wild Man

"Momma, Rhode Island better watch out! They are going to get a lot of rain today! I think they are going to flood!" - Wild Man after watching the weather channel

"I am not going to be your daughter anymore!" - Princess T after being sent to her room for being mean to Wild Man

"Coupons make Jesus happy." - Princess T of my attempt at explaining why I was going to a coupon class at church

Just Obey Me!

One thing that I find myself a lot this days is saying, "Just obey me! Trust me you will be glad you did!" For some reason my kids just don't get it yet. One of them is beginning to get it, but the other one just doesn't care (and I am saying which is which because if you know us you know which one is which).

However, lately God has been showing me that in His own loving way He has the same problem with me. Sometimes He tells me what to do and I say "Why?" or I decide I am not going to do it His way and He says, "Just obey Me! Trust me you will be glad you did!"

The latest case of this was just this week. On Sunday my mom told me about a family that we knew who did have food. My first reaction was to be judgmental. I had a million reason why I personally should not help them. But, God said, "Just do it! I have blessed you and I have blessed you so you can bless others! Give them food out of your cabinets and other items you have "stocked up" on." Trust me, I asked why! And HE said, "Just do it! Just obey me!" So I did. I took out some grocery bags and filled them up with the extra He had blessed us with! I put things in there that we really enjoyed. Once I done and looked at everything I was able to give my heart was full of joy! I felt so peaceful inside and so thankful that I was able to help when God asked me to!

Now, I am not telling you this to toot my own horn or say look at me I am wonderful because I am doing this. I am telling you this, but I know many of you are like me. I just want to share what God reminded me of this week. When we obey HE blesses us! Now, my blessing came when I heard how wonderful our church was to this family and knowing that I was able to be a part of that.

Here is the other fun part to all this that God reminded me this week. When you give...HE blesses!! Sometimes it is just that inner joy of knowing that you have helped someone or been a part of something big and honestly if that is all He gives you....its enough! Trust me! But, sometimes, because He loves us so much, He gives us more. Sometimes its in the form of money or other things that happen. Well this week He chose to bless me more than I deserved! On Thursday (the day after I took the food for the family mentioned above), I had the best Kroger trip to date! I saved 72% on my groceries! Now, many of you that know me and know that I am learning to coupon might say that was just luck or coincidence. Maybe I just had better coupons or something. I am here to tell you that HE laid extra coupons all over the store for me! I can not explain it. I just kept finding coupons just laying around either that someone had left or that were in the dispensers next to items. He also allowed things to be on sale that I needed but thought I was going to have to buy full price. HE blessed me! HE blessed that trip!!

So, if you are struggling with obeying God, Just do it! Trust HIM! You will be glad you did!

Adoption Update

This past Sunday at church our pastor did an excellent sermon on adoption in honor of Orphan Sunday. As I set in my chair listening (as much as I can listen now that Princess T goes to church with us) I could not hold back the excitement in my heart that I have for our family and our future addition. I remember at one point Professor and I looking at each other and I could tell he was feeling the same excitement.

I guess I need to go back some and catch you up on where we are in this process and why all of sudden our hearts are filled with such excitement and anticipation. When God first began working with us on beginning this journey, we both had things that we felt needed to happen before we stepped forward. With this in mind neither of us felt comfortable committing to a time table for beginning this process. We just new it would be some point in the next year or so. We also had very strong feelings about going through an adoption agency (this is one thing that has held us back since it is quite pricey to go this route). Another thing that was holding us back was, to be perfectly honest, our own fears. How would we do this? 2 is hard enough, what would we do with 3? What about the birth families and what would happen should they decide at the last minute to go through with it or heaven forbid they come back in the picture later?

However, God, like He always does, has continued to work on us and remind us that HE is in control and He will be the one determining the time, not us! That being said, Professor and I are stepping out on faith. We have decided to officially put the word out that we are 100% ready to adopt! Now, at this point, the funds are not available to go through an agency, so we are opening the door for adopting privately. We know that this form of adoption does bear more risk than going through and agency, but we also know HE is in control! So, long story short....we were excited Sunday, because we have finally submitted to HIS plan and know that in His time we will have a baby to love, even if that means tomorrow.

Now, here is where you can help! Get the word out! If you know someone, or even if you know someone who knows someone, who has or is having a baby and would like to put their baby up for adoption, please keep us in mind. We have already told a couple people who have connections with hospitals, just in case there is mom who does not want to keep her baby. Please Please Please just be our ears and eyes so to speak and let us know if you hear of someone looking for a good home for their baby!

Also, please continue to pray for us! God is in control and we want to be so sensitive to His plans and timing.

Funny Conversations

Conversation #1:
We saw some geese in an unusual location yesterday...this is the conversation that followed...

Princess T: Those are the geese from the park.
Manders: Really? Do you think so?
Princess T: Yes, they are! They came here because it was cold at the park. The sun is shining here and they love the sun. (She went on for a minute about how much the geese love the sun)
Wild Man: Tori, I am not so sure about the geese and sun thing. I will have to look it up when we get home.

Conversation #2:
Wild Man has been learning things on his own with the World Book set that is in his room...

Wild Man: Mommy, I know why daddy is 31! (I think what he is trying to say here is that he knows why Professor is older than me)
Manders: Why?
Wild Man: Because Georgia was made in 1788 and Mississippi was made in 1817.

Conversation #3:
For Creative Writing today I asked Wild Man to write about an invention that he would create if he could...he wrote that he was going to create a robot girl machine that would cook breakfast lunch and supper.

Manders: Why did you make the machine a girl?
Wild Man: Because, it is going to cook.
Manders: Do you think only girls can cook?
Wild Man: Yes. And my robot is going to also have an alarm clock that she can know exactly what time time to cook everything.

(Those who know me well know why this is funny - I mean how in the world did he come to that conclusion??!!)

Conversation #4:
While I am doing school with Wild Man, Princess T enjoys playing outside. The other day she took her baby outside with her. She pushed her baby on the swing and helped her baby go down the slide. This is the conversation that happened when she came inside:

Manders: Did you have fun outside?
Princess T: Yes and my baby likes the swing. She doesn't like the slide though because she fell off and hurt her back. See? (as she shows me the baby's back).
Manders: (trying to play along...) I am sorry. I hope she feels better soon.
Princess T: She is fine because she is not even bleeding.

I love my kid's minds. Truthfully, these cute things they say that make me laugh all the time are what keep me going during the bad days.

Dear Mommy

Well, the Skinkles had a great trip to Disney World. We have so many memories that we will cherish forever. I will do my best to post some pictures on here soon, but in the mean time, if you are my friend on Facebook, then you can view pictures there.

Now on to what I really want to tell you about....

When Wild Man turned 7 something clicked in his mind that told him he was a grown up. I wish I had time to tell you all the funny things that have come out of his mouth. Here is one of my favorites though....

(this took place 1 week before going to to Disney)

Princess T: Mommy can I swim in the grown up pool at the resort?
Manders: Sure you can, as long as there is a grown up with you.
Wild Man: I will go with you Princess T.

I was laughing out loud when he said this! But, you get the idea of this little mind.....

Now yesterday Wild Man had a very hard time obeying. I am sure it is because he doesn't feel the need to obey since he is a grown up now (this is something we are working on right now). Professor had an errand to run so I let Princess T go with him. Of course Wild Man got mad and so I explained that I could not reward his behavior that day with a treat. He went to his room and pouted for a little while and then came out and handed me this note:

Dear Mommy I feel sad beacuease (because) you are makeing me feel zero and making my sister feel ten.

Where does he come up with this stuff??!! I mean really?? After laughing to myself for a while I was finally able to get him to understand why I did what I did. I am very thankful that I have a child who knows he can talk to me about how he feels. I love that boy! He definitely has my heart.

Genesis 1

Today is day 1 of week 2 of homeschooling. I don't feel good. I woke up not being able to breathe out of my nose and as the day has gone on I have just felt crummy. Not sick enough to be in bed all day but just yucky enough to make me tired and a little grouchy.

Once I finally got to a point this morning where I knew I could start school we all came to the table and I pulled out our new Bible books. I have one book just full of activities and games to help learn the division and books of the Bible and then another book that highlights the key points of each book, along with some other cool reference items. Today was just the introductory lesson where we talked about the Old and New testament and some of the key things that happened in each section. We also talked about finding verses (how you write the book, chapter, and then verse). While we are talking about this Wild Man found Genesis 1 and just started reading. He read the whole chapter before he was done.

The "teacher" and "organizer" in me wanted to stop him at first because that was not what we were supposed to be working on, but the mom in me kicked in and just set there and listened. I listened to my little precious Wild Man read ALL of Genesis 1! As he was reading I just was overwhelmed at how much God has blessed me. I thought about when Wild Man was a baby and how much he has grown since then. I love him more than words can describe and my love for him just reminds me how much more God loves me.

When he was done he looked up at me and said, "I just read the whole thing! I read from there to there! Can you believe it?! I have never done that before mommy!" He was so proud of himself. As we talked about what he read he began to get more excited because he realized he read a story from his Bible that others had been teaching him about for years.

It's moments like this that I will treasure forever. If he had been in a regular classroom setting that would not have happened and I would not have had that memory. This is a memory I will keep with me and pull out on those days I am discouraged and ready to quit.

Lunch Time Conversations

One of the things I am loving most about homeschooling is that I get have my kids with me all the time (sometimes I love it more than others) and I get to hear fun things they say all day long. I really love that they are able to build their relationship with each other too. I love hearing them playing together and just having fun together. It is a constant reminder of how blessed I am!

Today during lunch time I over heard the sweetest conversation....

Wild Man: Tori, if you ask Jesus in your heart then the whole family will go to heaven
Princess T: I am!
Wild Man: When?
Princess T: I don't know. It's not my time yet.
Wild Man: When will it be time?
Princess T: I don't know.
Wild Man: Okay.

I love that they talk about things like this. I love that Wild Man loves his sister so much that he wants her to follow Jesus and live forever with the family in heaven. And, I love that even though she is not ready she knows one day she will be. My heart is full!

The Countdown

I signed into my blog this afternoon knowing I needed to blog, mainly to stay in the habit of blogging every few days, but my mind is so tired I could not even begin to think of what to blog about. So, I read my past few blogs and looked at everything on the page and then it hit me (mainly because I saw the countdown on the side) WE LEAVE FOR DISNEY IN 31 DAYS!!! I know that to most that seems like a long time and it probably will go by slow for me just because I am so ready to be there, but you have to understand it is a lot closer than we were yesterday! ;)

Seriously though, I am SO excited about going this year. I am glued to ebay trying to find the best deal on trading pins and I am constantly checking to make sure they have not updated or changed the park schedules any. I am also beginning to work on our packing list so that when it comes time we will be ready to get it all together and head out! I am ready!! :)

Today for Wild Man's creative writing (he will be doing this everyday - I give him a topic and he writes for 15 minutes - whatever he wants to write about that topic) I asked him to write about Disney World and what he will do and see at Disney World. Here is what he wrote (please keep in mind I do not help him spell, because this is really more about getting him to think about writing - he will learn how to spell at some point):

At Disney World...

I will ride the rides and see showes. It will be fun. I will ride rockin roller ckowsster and tower of tira.

Is that not the cutest thing ever??!! Well, I must be going...lot of pins ending soon on ebay....

Exciting News!

Well, we have some news. We were going to sit on it a while, but the kids know now, so there is not really a reason to keep it to ourselves. In fact Princess T has already taken it upon herself to tell a few people. So, we are going public with our news.

Professor and I have been praying for a while now about adding on to our family. Yes, that means another child. God has made it clear to us that He is calling us to adopt a baby. Timing? Well, it won't happen any time soon, we don't think. In fact, we will mostly likely not even start the process for another a year, maybe more.

We are very excited about this new journey and how God is going to use it to grow us closer to Him. Please begin praying for us now as we make steps toward this new phase of our life. Pray that once we have our house on the market God will sell it quickly and find another one that is perfect for our family. Pray that He will continue to provide financially for us as we save up to begin this process. Also pray that He will make it clear to us when it is time to begin the process. Also, pray for our children that He will begin to prepare their hearts for this change. They are both real excited right now. Pray that excitement continues. And, begin praying now that when the timing is right that everything will go smoothly and the He will get the glory through out it all.

We love each of you very much and looking forward to bringing you updates as we have them.

Better Late Than Never!

It has been 6 months since I have blogged. That doesn't mean I haven't thought about it and begun blogs in my head thinking, "When I have time I will type that up and post it". What it means is, well....The Skinkles have had a busy 6 months. :) But, at least I am blogging now, right?! Better late that never!

So what have we been up to? Here is a snapshot of some of the big things.....

Princess T turned 4!


Wild Man was baptized by Professor


Professor finished school and is now officially Dr. Professor Skinkle!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!



I, Manders, joined The Pampered Chef as an Independent Consultant - Click on the logo to check out my website!


Planning our trip to Disney World - September 2010 :)



Gearing up for our first year of homeschooling!

(sorry I not have a photo for this)



Well, this is the end of my first blog in 6 months. I promise to do my best at keeping this updated from here on out. :)