Laundry Room Makeover!

Maybe its all part of nesting....or maybe I get a ridiculous 'high' from knowing things are tidy and organized! I think it is a mixture of both. Pregnancy and the quickly approaching D day has caused me to kick things into high gear. My dear husband has received the brunt of my crazy behavior! LOL!

I like to decorate....not that I am good at it, I just enjoy the transformation and then living with my visions. I know it's weird. Jon has yet to understand my need for paint, white trim, organization, no clutter and decor that is 'pleasing to the eye' (at least in my opinion). When we did the master bedroom makeover, I literally felt more peaceful going to sleep and waking up in a room with a pleasing paint color on the walls, clean white trim and a furniture arrangement that was functional. We cleaned out all the closets and drawers; getting rid of unused clothes, shoes, jewelry, ties and hats. Everything has its place! I love that feeling!!!!

Anyway, the latest project took me to the laundry area. Jon seriously looked at me like he was thinking about having me committed when I told him I wanted to get the laundry room painted this weekend! Ha! He loathes painting, but knew I would keep dropping hints about painting the laundry room until it got done....and I can't do it.....so.....he ponied up! Like every other room in our house, we have to start with the trim. He primed and painted it white, then painted the walls Queen Anne Lilac from Sherwin Williams. I knew the laundry room was the one place I could put a color on the walls that I probably would not use anywhere else in my house. I wanted it to be colorful but soft, crisp and clean. He started painting around 3:00 pm and by 8:00 pm, I was doing laundry in my pretty laundry room.

I love the way it turned out. It is not a big area at all! It is located in our garage, but I spend so much of my time doing laundry (at least a load or two a day) and Maggie is not even here yet! I wanted the laundry room to be a place that I enjoyed, even though laundry is not my favorite thing to do. Again, I have yet to get my point of view across clearly to Jon, but he did it none the less, just for me! For that I am so thankful! He did a GREAT job!!

Here are some pics:

Trying to convince Jon that it is "fine", but I want it to be "pretty"

Jon had some help. Price said "I love to paint" and Jon emphatically replied "You did NOT get that from ME!"

The laundry room after everything is put back in place. It may not be a drastic makeover, but it is much better than before!I plan to get hooks to hang under each letter as a place to hang "delicates" to dry! Ya know, over in the concealed corner of the laundry room instead of out in the open garage!!!

TASTY TUESDAY

Blue Ribbon Cranberry Chicken

3 lbs of chicken, (thawed, cut into cubes)
16 oz. can whole cranberry sauce
8 oz. bottle Russian salad dressing
1 pkg dry onion soup mix
1 pkg extra wide egg noodles

Rinse chicken, pat dry. Place chicken in slow cooker. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients EXCEPT NOODLES. Mix well and pour over chicken. Cook on low 6-7 hours or until chicken is cooked through and tender. Cook pasta. Serve chicken mixture over the noodles. Good with a side salad and garlic toast.

Price loves this meal. Jon agrees it makes good leftovers for lunch. Enjoy!

Another week down!

Yeah! I have made it to 33 weeks! I am taking the medication less frequently as it seems that rest and drinking lots of water are helping to keep the contractions under control for the most part. Sleep is becoming more elusive. Comfort is not really the problem so much as waking up really thirsty around 2:30 or so, then fade in and out of sleep until around 6:30.

I have received lots of hand-me-down clothes for Maggie. I am so thankful! I am enjoying folding and smelling all the baby clothes as they come out of the dryer. So fun! I have purchased 80, yes 80 hangers and I need more!! Most sizes are anywhere from 0-6 months old. A few 9 month outfits, but all are so adorable!

Leslie, a long time friend, used to own a baby boutique. She can whip out hair bows at lightning speed. This last week I purchased ribbon and clips and she has made nearly 30 bows for Maggie! She makes many different styles; some are simple, some have knots and some with a little bit of bling. I am so excited to get them on a bow holder in Maggie's room.

Good Day

Yesterday, I made a visit to the doctor. She said things were the same (which is good) and to keep resting regularly and try to stay off my feet as much as possible. The appointment went well. I have gained 17 pounds, and I think all but 3 of them are in my posterior! Oh well!

After the appointment, I met up with my BFF, Molly for some much needed girl talk. Our boys are just a year apart and Macy is just over 2 years old and so darn cute! We met at Chick-fil-A. I miss that place. The kids played and we got to chat for a bit. When the boys decided they were ready to go, we headed to Molly's house for some more play time. Price and Garrett played soccer, army men, dinosaurs and super heroes...that's what little boys are made of!

Molly and I sipped coffee and talked and laughed. The rain spit down on the windows and the orange, yellow and red leaves would rustle in the wind and fall every so often. We snacked on yummy pumpkin bread and refilled our coffee cups. Her house is so warm and inviting. Pictures of her kids and their art are sprinkled around the house. Lamp light and throw pillows make you want to snuggle up stay for a long time. I enjoy walking around her house and noticing any new additions since my last visit.

We talked about our children, parenting, housekeeping, God, babies, bible studies, gardening, decorating, arranging furniture, grocery shopping, our admiration of mutual friends and so much more. She gave me two boxes of clothes; some for Price and some for Maggie. I intended to leave around 3:00 or so, but did not leave until 4:45! That put me right in OKC traffic coming home. It was raining so there were lots or wrecks on the interstate. I don't think I EVER went over 28 mph until I reached the turnpike! It took us exactly 2 hours to get home! Price slept for the first hour. All the way home I thought about what a good day it had been. A safe trip to the city, good news from the doctor, breaking bread with dear friends, fellowship in a precious God loving home and good conversation. Price and I chatted and sang the second hour in the car. I laughed at him playing the drums and dancing in the back seat, which only made him do it more. We had PB&J for dinner and drank hot chocolate while we watched The Polar Express and snuggled under a quilt on the couch.

"Thank you Lord for a good day and all your simple blessings."

TASTY TUESDAY

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

3 lbs frozen meatballs (I like to use the italian seasoned, but there is the regular style too)

1 jar (9-10 oz) sweet and sour sauce

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 medium red bell pepper, cubed

1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained

White rice



Combine all indredients EXCEPT PINEAPPLE in a slow cooker and stir gently. Cook on low for 6 hours or so, longer if needed. About an hour before serving, drain pineapple and dump into slow cooker. Stir gently. Serve over white rice with a side salad and oriental dressing. Makes good leftovers too. Enjoy!

32 Weeks!

Yeah! I have made it another week! I have an appointment on Wednesday, so we will see what the doctor has to say about how things are going. I have had some serious pain and pressure in my pelvic area. I looked up this symptom of pregnancy on the internet and apparently it is very common! Great! I did not have this with Price, but am glad to know it is a weird normal of pregnancy! I guess it is the bodies way of preparing for delivery. Hormones called relaxin and progesterone cause ligaments and joints to stretch to allow room to deliver baby. God thought of everything when He created the miracle of childbirth!!!

Little Giggles

Price is so cute and funny! Here are a few stories about things he says and does that make me giggle:

A couple of days ago, I picked up Price from preschool and told him I had a special surprise. He inquired about what it was and so I told him we were going to McDonald's for lunch. He was so excited (obviously, we don't go there very often). I pulled up to the drive thru. Price said, "Mom, I want to go inside." I told him that there are lots of people who are sick and that the Play Place had lots of germs. I explained that we would play inside some other time, but for today, we were going to take our chicken nuggets home. I was looking at him through the rear view mirror. He cocked his head abruptly, eyebrows pulled together with a frown and said "What?!! Then why did you make me get a flu shot?!!"

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We made a quick trip to Wal-Mart the other day. When we left, we passed by the fresh flowers. Price said "Mom, I wish I had some money. I would buy you some flowers." He said it kind of bashful and and with a flutter of his long eyelashes and just enough of a smirk to flash his dimples. I swear he knows what he does to me! I am such a sucker for him!!!!

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A few nights ago, Price and I were talking about what it means to be married. He said he didn't want Maggie to ever get married because the man would take her to anther house. I explained that is what is supposed to happen and that he would have a house of his own someday too. He teared up and tried to talk through his throat being all choked up. "But I love this house! I don't ever want to leave." "Oh, okay, well...maybe when you grow up, you can live here. Daddy and I will move somewhere else." Honestly, the thought warmed my heart. I was raised in the house that my dad was raised in. I liked the idea that Price might have a family here. Apparently he did too. "Okay!! I will live here and you can live in baby Bennett's house!!" (our friend's house down the street). "I will call you when the pool is ready and you can come over and swim!!" He was so excited and relieved to have figured out something that worked well for everyone. "Okay!" I replied with a giggle.

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Down, but not out!

Okay, so I feel very touched that people have noticed my lack of blogging. I have been preoccupied lately to say the least. Here are a few updates in a nutshell:

1) We have not had the internet at home for awhile, so blogging has not been convenient, considering it has to be done from my parent's computer. Luckily, the internet is making a come back in the Molder home and I will be blogging regularly just in time to keep you updated on Maggie and her much anticipated arrival.

2) Speaking of Miss Maggie Beth, she is under a great deal of pressure! Literally! Like I did with Price, I have started having contractions WAY too early! This time though, they are stronger and more frequent. I made a quick trip to Labor and Delivery about 2.5 weeks ago and got IV fluids and a couple shots of meds to stop the contractions. At last weeks doctor appointment, I was put on "limited activity," which means for every hour up, I have to be down for two!!! Kinda hard to do with a busy 4 year old boy. Price has been amazing though. We have not made a big deal at all about my having to be down. I set him up for a couple of hours of entertainment (movie, army men, Leap Frog Computer, coloring books...) and he doesn't really even notice that I remain parked on the couch. Friends have been vacuuming my carpets and my mom helps me to take care of the laundry. Dr. Hager (my OB) also said that my contractions have pushed her way down into my pelvis. She is "really low," which is causing concern that my water will break. If that happens, there is no turning back. Maggie will have to make her debut when she is not "fully cooked." I am 31 weeks. I count my weeks on Sunday's. Every week is a small battle won! Dr. Hager is wanting me to make it to at least 36 weeks (37 is considered full term, 40 weeks goes up to my due date, Dec 13). Therefore...."limited activity."

3) Last Thursday evening, I started getting a head cold. I didn't hesitate to start taking meds. I don't wait for illness to consume me, I want to kick it square in the tail and send it pack'n! By Friday night, I was in bad shape. Saturday was a little better. I discovered the miracle of Sinus Wash! For something so disgusting, it is amazing. I highly recommend it for those suffering from a head full of mucus.! Honestly, it is great. By Sunday, I was feeling better. Today, I awoke to a dreadful pain in my left cheek, ear and behind the eye. I am concerned I have the start of a sinus infection. Apparently there is such thing as "rhinitis of pregnancy," which causes pregnant women to suffer from habitual sinus problems. This is the second round of this stuff in a month.

Though I am down (trying to ward off contractions and fighting a head/chest cold), I am not out! I will do whatever it takes to keep Maggie cooking. To be honest, it has been good practice for me and Price. He is having to do a little more on his own (even though he doesn't realize it or why). I am having to let many things go that would normally NOT go undone; such as beds being made, a few dishes in the sink, my crazy scrubbing of the bathrooms, and toys strung out all over the living room...all day long! This is good practice, because like now, when Maggie gets here, I will not be able to hop up and meet Price's every need when he asks. I will not be able to keep a spotless home, keep up with laundry and cook meals every night. I just might have to consider taking a shower a productive day! Ha! I remember feeling that way when Price was a newborn.

I have longed to be pregnant, and believe me, I am thankful for every moment. Physical limitations and all!!! I love carrying her around with me and feeling her move. Sadly, she will probably be our last baby. My last pregancy. The last time my body does anything so amazing. I am not in any hurry for it to be over. I count it all JOY!