Project 52:11 | Patience

Eden is so very into exploring right now. It is so fun to watch her mind stretch as she puts things together, or takes things apart. It is quite fascinating as a mother to see your child grow. The hard part of this is the mess that inevitably shows up from all of this discovery. I absolutely want to let Eden play and have fun...I don't want to hold her back. But it is hard. Oh so hard. As a person who teeters on the Type A personality line I do admit to having a hard time with the mess. Clutter overwhelms me. And dirt? Yeah....let's not go there. Ironically it turns out Eden is more of a dirt hater than I am AND she loves picking up her toys. Score one for this momma. Yes, I know probably won't last...especially with the hoard of children we plan to have in our home, but I like that I can take baby steps. And honestly? I don't think it is a bad thing to enjoy cleanliness...I think that too helps a child, but I never want it to get in the way of growth. 

Now to figure out how to let a toddler play while also keeping the house clean for house showings. EEKS...this mommy hasn't yet solved that problem just yet. 

If you notice anything different in the layout for my Project 52 this week please just pretend it doesn't exist. My computer has chosen to rebel against me once again. Two weeks ago the motherboard went out (just assume that means the computer won't even turn on) and this morning the screen decided to just not want to turn on anymore. I very much do not like my laptop, and I am very vocal about it around this house, but come on....I need you to work Mr. Computer. I may not like you, but I NEED you. Thankfully between the hubsters and his amazingly talented friend the laptop will be restored as usual and I'll be back into working order...and not whining because I have to sit in the "dungeon" (our basement) editing on Josh's computer. How about this...I am just thankful that we have the opportunity to own computers when so many do not. There. 

For more Project 52 goodness, check out these fine blogs:

styleberry BLOG, Lucas and Mahina, Wicked Kate, The Mog Blog, Dana Moran Photography

Let me know if you want to join in on the fun! It's never too late to start your Project 52 :)

Have a super fantastically wonderful weekend! I'm off to help the parentals move into their new home! Pictures will come I'm sure (despite the fact that my dad heinously tore down the beautiful wood paneling...the guy just has no clue)...but don't get too anxious for photos, it's a 50's (I think?!) home that is stuck in the 50's. After some love this house is going to be beautiful...well...less so without the wood paneling, but I may get over it one day. Alright, I'm outta here.

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Impatiently Waiting For Spring And Other Rantings

I have been so absent from the blog lately! Good thing for Project 52 or you may never see me. I really do want to post, I just think life has been so overwhemingly crazy lately that something had to go and sadly it was blogging. I really hate it when that is what is cut because it is my outlet and I love it and I love hearing from all of you. So I am so sorry for the absence. I have lots of posts in my head, but I think I am having trouble with motivation lately. It just seems like all I am doing is cleaning up the house and getting ready to pack everything away so I am just so uninspired. I know I SHOULD tell all of you my tips and tricks to moving with as little stuff as possible, but alas I get about 20 minutes to do much of anything per day and then it's back to chasing Eden around the house. Keeping a house clean for showings is no easy task! Oh and I should say that our house isn't listed yet, but I am just trying to get it decent so that it won't take me FOREVER and a day to clean it every time someone calls. So not looking forward to that.

Anyway since I am so lame and the weather seems to continually be even lamer I figured I would just you a few links to check out that I think I worth your time. Seriously I do!

I made Homemade Hamburger Helper last night and my oh my please just do yourself a favor and try it. It is easy and quick and we loved it. Tastes just like the boxed version, but without all the icky junk that resides in those boxes (did you know there is trans fat, MSG, high fructose corn syrup, and a whole slew of other yuckies living in those boxes? Now you do.)

Oh a hint for all of you lovelies. Have you ever tried cooking up a big batch of ground beef and then freezing it? Seriously it is the best ever. Doesn't take much time and makes future food prep SO easy. I usually just lightly season with pepper, salt, garlic powder, and oregano and then add taco seasoning when I pull it out of the freezer for tacos (that way it can be used for all sorts of recipes), but you could also take out some of the meat and then season the rest with your favorite taco seasonings and then voila! You have instant ground beef for any occassion. Same goes for chicken. Throw a chicken, or even the frozen bagged kind, some seasonings if you like, and then let it cook away. When done, shred it up, and throw into ziplocs. Freeze flat. Use meat within 3 months of freezing. This is what makes my life SO. MUCH. SIMPLER.

Another recipe! I like food, can you tell? I saw this recipe for Pesto pasta with chicken sausage and brussell sprouts on Pinterest and I just had to try it. It didn't disappoint. Not at all. Josh told me at least 7 times, "Wow. I love this. The sprouts are perfect. Make this one again!" WINNING! (lame Bachelor reference, I am sorry)

Also, some exciting news. The Crain household is celebrating nominations for Best of the Mid-Valley 2012 in a few areas (this is put on by our local newspaper). Here is why we are so excited...

Best Real Estate Agent - Joshua Crain
Best Real Estate Company - HomeStar Brokers (where Josh works!)
Best Interior Decorator - Mallory Crain (hahaha I laughed at this one..I think my hubs had something to do with this nomination)

And then Limeberry was nominated for: Best Dessert, Best Ice Cream, Best Place to Impress a First Date, Best Place to Use Coupons, Best Use of Social Media (I'll take credit for that since I update Facebook...ha!). 

Anyway, if you want to vote click here.

Lots of fun to be had around here. Well, I need to get to work on an invitation I'm designing (seriously you all make me blush asking me to design invites!) before the little wakes up. One of these days I will have something more exciting to post, I promise.

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Project 52:10 | Determination

With the unseasonably warm weather we have been having in the Northwest, we couldn't resist taking Eden to our neighborhood park. Turns out the girl who absolutely hated to go outside last year, absolutely won't leave the outdoors this year. Who would have thought?! While at the park, Eden loved climbing up the slide. Actually she likes to climb up EVERYTHING. It was hard work, filled with lots of grunts and falls, but every time she made it she had a big smile on her face. This wasn't my planned word for the week, but just as it happens every week, the word determination just kind of felt right. So I went with it. 

On a deeper note, I was considering the word determination and what a big role it plays in our lives. Honestly, when I am determined to make something happen, well, I almost always succeed. Even when God is saying, "NO!" Sometimes it's hard to decipher when my determination is getting in the way of what God is trying to tell me. In the end though I think I learn a lot. The determination I have is what will get us out of debt. It's what will help us to get to the point where we can begin the adoption process. It's what will help me in helping others. I am so determined to follow God's instructions and His leading that I am ready to get so very uncomfortable it hurts. Yep, time to leave my little safe comfort zone and head out into the world. No matter how determined I am, I want to always remember to pray and follow His will....even if it means leaving something that I was "so determined" to make happen. 

For more Project 52 goodness, check out these fine blogs:

styleberry BLOG, Lucas and Mahina, Wicked Kate, The Mog Blog, Dana Moran Photography

Let me know if you want to join in on the fun! It's never too late to start your Project 52 :)

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For those of you who have been begging me to post photos of the BFF's nursery for her little one I promise they will be coming! We still have some finishing touches to do this weekend and I am crossing my fingers that we will get enough done that I can snap some photos of the space. I'm so excited to show you all and even more excited for Miss Hayley to get here so she can enjoy her room. 

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Project 52:9 | Generations

I love that Eden has grandmas, great grandmas, and even a great great grandma that she gets to see! Although I lived near my grandparents when I was very young, eventually after some passed away and others moved I no longer had grandparents near by. I used to always listen to my friends talk about their wonderful grandparents that they get to see all the time and it used to sadden my heart. But now? Now I know how to treasure my relationships because I realize that even if someone is no longer near me, their love is still there. I am so thankful that my grandparents moved to Oregon and we have been able to see my grandma so much more than we used to. Eden absolutely loves her. And her great nana? I'm pretty sure she is smitten with her as well. I love the bonds that Eden has developed with all of her family, both near and far...I hope she treasures those relationships as she grows. 

For more Project 52 goodness, check out these fine blogs:

styleberry BLOG, Lucas and Mahina, Wicked Kate, The Mog Blog, Dana Moran Photography

Let me know if you want to join in on the fun! It's never too late to start your Project 52 :)

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17 Months

Oh, Eden...you are such a big girl now. Look at you and your sassy pants self. You are miss independent one minute and miss snuggle pants the next. You also have a lot of nicknames. We are kind of obsessed with you and can't believe you are almost 1 1/2! We still feel like you have been in our lives forever...it doesn't seem possible that there was a time without you. We love you and your kissy lips and all the other wonderful things God gave you.

Things You Love

Talking (you are Miss Chatterbox these days)

Sorting everything

Cleaning up your toys

Reading books

Playing with Bella

The ocean

Repeating all of the names of your family members

"Boris" (best. book. ever)

Tangled (we watch a part of it every.single.day)

Super Why

Giving bear hugs

Saying 'hi' to EVERYONE

Dada

The "pad" (iPad) and mommy's phone

Dancing

Screaming and singing (sounds the same to me)

Smoothies

Things You Don't Love

Swimming (you got better this month)

Timeout

Being carried when you'd rather walk

Food

Eating still poses such a huge challenge for us right now. We so wish Eden had our love for food, but alas she does not. The girl does love crackers and moothies (smoothies) though. It's such a hard age because she is still very much in need of gaining weight, but is not at the age where you can force her to eat. I guess we will just keep hoping that she will grow out of it soon! The girl is also showing signs of being ready to potty train. I am in no rush and just letting her tell us when she is ready, but she is already telling us when she is about to go so I think it's time for a potty chair. She is such a chatterbox these days. She will talk your ear off and some of the words actually are from the English language now. She also puts herself into timeout which is pretty great. Since we are dealing with a very independent toddler Josh said we needed to be more consistent with her, so we put our discipline routine into practice and it seems to be helping. It's not easy and she definitely crawls away every once in awhile, but we are getting there. 

Now for some photos from our trip to the Washington coast! By the way...did you know that the coast in Washington is actually a state highway?! It's bananas. Literally there is a speed limit and police and everything. Seems highly unsafe to me, but was extremely intriguing all at the same time. 

This happens when you try to get her to leave the beach...not so sweet and innocent.

 

An attempt of a photo with grandpa, grammie, and the grandkids. This is the only one that it's not super obvious that Eden is trying to wriggle free.

See?  The girl cannot be contained!

Okay this girl is a daddy's girl for sure. Don't get me wrong, she loves me just the same, but there is just a special bond between those two. Every morning Eden gets a look on her face and says, "dada!" and then runs to our room, shoves the door open, yells "dada! dada!" and then runs to the bed to wake him up so she can sit with him. Cutest thing. Another cute moment? Whenever she hears the front door opening, she drops everything, and starts running to the door yelling, "dada!" all the way until Josh is in the house and holding her. Then she gives lots of kisses and hugs. Seriously melts my heat every time. I am so thankful that Eden has a special bond with her daddy that I'll gladly take backseat. I love those two so much. 

Alright, off to get this weeks Project 52 ready to post! 

We love you Eden and every day we can't believe you are ours and we get to love you forever. 

*For those of you family members that ask that I post her sizes, Eden is currently wearing 18-24 month clothes and depending on the brand, she is about in a size 4 shoe. Slowest growing feet I've seen, but makes it much simpler to not have to buy shoes...ever.

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