Cold, Cold and Fighting Children

It's been quite the week here in the Culver house. Today was the first day I've ventured out for 7 days! The weekend was beautiful enough--50s and 60s--unfortunately I was sicker than a dog with a horrible cold. Being almost (6 months) pregnant I can't take any medication for colds. We researched the cold meds, active and inactive medications and decided that after having a child with Infantile Spasms and NF1 the risk was not worth it. Either way, I wasn't a happy camper only taking Tylenol for my aches.
My friend and my mom's friend Beverly (such a blessing to our family! I could go on and on about her...) came and pampered me with mineral oils. She left me with a mix called thieves oil, my new favorite all-natural treatment for anything! After one night of breathing in the vapors and rubbing the oil on my feet (I have really soft feet now) I started feeling better. The next day I stayed "locked" in my room with the humidifier, oil and my ever so handy Charmin TP. By Monday I was back on my feet and able to complete some much needed sanitizing and cleaning of the house. Tuesday, I was ready to conqueror the world! Now that I can smell the oil, I'm tempted to use a recipe online and boil it on my stove top every now and then. It smells SO yummy. Plus, people swear that it cleanses the air! I started rubbing it on my children's chests and feet and they have yet to catch my cold--I'm pretty much convinced that it works.

Back to Monday, I was feeling better, but to my dismay a cold front had moved into Colorado. Yes, our beautiful, unusual warm weather from the weekend was swallowed by a freak of nature cold front. Monday was a high of -3 degrees. Tuesday's high was even better...-12!  Yes that is the HIGH...NEGATIVE 12. I've lived here for 7 years and it has NEVER been that cold. It dropped to -20 on Tuesday evening and raised to a whooping 3 degrees on Wednesday. Take note that we are now in the positive numbers. Today has been quite a bit better. We at least have snow to go with our high of 28 degrees. Granted it's not much snow, but at least it has arrived--finally. Our first 4 years of living here and we had at least one amazing dumpage (is that a word?) of snow a year! Randy and I have always gone out and played in it, but this year it's just cold. Tomorrow is suppose to be a high of 50 degrees--insert laughter. I love Colorado and it's crazy weather.

Now mind you, my saint of a mother took the children on Sunday so I could lock myself in my room and rest; but otherwise, I have had a 6 year old and 4 year old every day and have been stuck in our very open living space. Wednesday, add 2, 3 year olds and a 2 year old to the equation. Today, Keira had school--thank goodness! I was happy going to pick her up at school today (25 degrees and snow), JUST so I could get out of our home and all of the noise associated with being stuffed into our house with 5 children. I do believe it is wearing on the children as well seeing how Keira has been snapping at Tyler, and Tyler is whining and yelling at Keira. I actually found myself resorting to a "punishment" my mom use to implement with my brother and I when we were little. I know I'm cruel.

Noses together, no talking, no laughing--yeah right. Afterwards they learned the verse "Love one another" and said a prayer for us to use gentle worlds and a loving tone. Thanks mom for the inspiration.

Christmas Review

This was our first year to keep Christmas strictly a "Culver Christmas". Minus our short venture to pick up a movie at a local redbox, it was just Randy, the kids and myself. I have to admit...it was a lovely day! We woke up to find a note from Santa and some pretty excited children. Randy and I watched as the children opened all of their gifts and then we had our own little gift exchange. He suprised me with a NookColor which I aboslutely LOVE. I've already started to download books that I've been wanting to read--several are classics so they are found for free on Google. In addition I received some super warm boots and a snuggley, an antique ring and a few other items. Shortly after opening gifts, baby #3 decided that it was time I took a nap that lasted over 4 hours! Randy was amazing (as always) letting me get the much needed rest while he played with his new tools in the garage. The children were entertained with all of their new toys and video games. (I'm not sure where they got their love of gaming, but I figured as long as they are educational games, they can play as long as they like....lol)
The day was wrapped up with a Mexican cassarole and the movie "Salt" which I highly recommend! Great action fick.
I do hope Christmas was grand for everyone! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus.

Update on Potato Hutch

Some of you may remember my cute cute $3 find at a yard sale this past year. I finally broke down and posted it on Craig's list for $15 and it SOLD! Woo Hoo!

A Little Miracle Baby

One of my friend's wife went into pre-mature labor at 26 weeks. Their little cutie pie of a boy, Liam, was born healthy and is now getting use to his new life outside of his mama. It's so scarey to think of having a baby at 26 weeks! He was smaller than a barbie doll when his was born, but has a strong will to survive. I can only imagine what "mama and daddy" are going through. Their entire experience brings flash backs of Tyler's time in the hospital. While Baby Liam is doing well he still has a ways to go before he can go home. Please keep him in your prayers! The family just started this blog to keep everyone updated.

Blogging+Me=Pathetic

Yes, I know, you agree. 100%  I am absolutely horrible at this blogging thing. The only reason I'm blogging right now is because potatoes take FOREVER to cook (yes, I diced them so they cook faster). I'm experimenting with potatoes, onions, peppers, and some eggs...we'll see how it turns out.
On another note, baby #3 is on it's way. I'm 17 weeks and doing really well. This pregnancy is SO much easier on me than my previous two. God has worked wonders on my body this time around! We do not know what we are having and I believe we are going to wait until the little "corn muffin" is born to find out. It's so exciting!
Well, do excuse me, my potatoes are smelling pretty good and I have a feeling they are needing a good stir. Take care.

Up to My Neck

So I'm up to my neck in projects. A few completed here and there, but nothing extravegant. I completed 3 jewlery frames using door knobs, fabric and empty frames. They turned out quite lovely, but besides that I'm still busting my butt trying to finish my mom's cabinets in her kitchen! They are turning out quite well, but are tougher than I originally thought. They've been stained and then painted 2 times prior to myself, so it's a LOT of sanding to ensure smoothness. I can't wait until the finished project, they are going to be fabulous!
The family has a nasty cold travelling from person to person. It started with Tyler (who is STILL coughing), has moved to myself and is now starting to infect my poor husbands lungs. Hopefully it will vanish altogether soon.
Camping this weekend with the neighbors should be a blast! We are going to my favorite place in Colorado--Telluride and Ouray. Randy is diligently working on his truck to make sure it's in tip-top-shape and can endure the 4x4 trails. I believe we are going to attempt Yankee Boy Basin and maybe Imogene. The views will be delightful!
Sorry for the short and  picture-less update. I do hope to start updating more often than not. Take care and God bless.

way too long

It has been way too long...I know. And I'm sorry.
I've been watching 3 adorable little kiddos since last March and my creative time has been reduced drastically! This weekend I did get a few things done, that I've been wanting to complete.
1. My Roman blinds now have a liner hiding the back side of them--so my husband has stopped complaining about their "ghetto" look.
2. I went yardsaling and found some AWESOME deals. An old mirror=$1, a butcher top rolling island=$7, a sweet chalk board=.25, pillows for my couch=$1, and some sweet crates that I'm using as book shelves!
3. I've started refurbishing my parents cabinets! Yes, the dark ugly cabinets are going to a nice white glaze. Mom and Dad have been so wonderful to Randy and I this spring and I wanted to give back to them, so this is my next HUGE project that I'm taking on.
4. I'm on the hunt for some "French" inspired fabric....white and dark brown or white and black theme. Until I find the fabric, I don't want to work anymore on my new favorate chair. Yes, it's pink for now, but not for long!
There are SO many other things going on, but they are not quite finished/started. Depending on how you look at it.
Keira is now 6 years old, crazy about Mickey Mouse, and in first grade! My little girl is REALLY growing up quickly. My 5th project will probably be her room. I may change it one of these fall weekends to Mickey Mouse as a suprise for her.
Tyler is attending preschool 4 times a week for free. Sometimes, I love our government! He's receiving 3 therapies through the Child Find program. This also gives me one day a week of alone time for about 3 hours!
Besides that, I'm looking into P90X. I just finished the Insanity work out and need something new to grab my attention and keep my body in shape.
I hope this quick update finds everyone well. God bless!