Mandy Moments

Adele at 2 months

2011-10-15T11:36:00.025-05:00

Addy at two months old.

Okay so you're a little older than two months

but not by much!

At two months you love to smile.

Especially after you wake up,

and you give Daddy your biggest smiles.

You are an amazing sleeper and have been since you were just a few weeks old.

You usually sleep 9 hours a night!

You have already been on 3 road trips!

The first one was to Smith Center Kansas to

meet you great grandparents.

The second one was to the Lake of the Ozarks for our church's women's retreat. Somehow I managed to not take a single picture at the retreat! I did snap this one of you sleeping on the drive home, though.

The third one was to Newton, KS with Mommy to meet baby Griffin and "Aunt" Laura.

Here's Addy with Julie, Laura & Jess.

You have even been to a concert already, but you slept through most of it.

No offense to Levi Weaver!

You have just started to enjoy your swing.

Your swing was the first thing I bought for you.

I loved imagining what it would be like to have you in it.

You love to "talk." When I get home from work you sit on my lap, and tell me all about your day. Mommy loves this!

You are mesmerized by ceiling fans. You also enjoy sucking on your hand, but only your left hand.

You were dedicated on October 2nd, but more on that later.

Your six week appointment stats:

Weight 9lbs 12 oz (50%)

Length 22.5 in (80%)

Words truly cannot express how much I love you.

Adele at one month...better late than never, right?!

Adele Catherine Seley

2011-08-29T20:43:00.006-05:00

Adele is now three weeks old. I am so in love with my little girl. She is beautiful!

Birth stats:
Born 8/8/11 @ 9:36pm
Weight 9lb 1.8oz
Length 21.5 inches

Two weeks old stats:
Weight 9lb 3oz (75%)
Length 22 inches (95%)
Umbilical Cord Lost

I am so thankful for my daughter and am loving being a mom.

The Nursery is Ready!

2011-07-15T18:56:00.006-05:00

Greetings from the worst blogger in the world. I thought I would share some not so great pics of our nursery. I figure I don't really have to learn how to be a photographer because Tim takes enough pictures and videos for the both of us.

Deciding on the nursery theme was one of the easiest decisions I've had to make over these 9 months. The green, black & white inspiration actually came from a friend's Christmas card...thanks Emily!

No we aren't sharing her name yet, but this pic gives you a little hint.

This room actually has big window that overlooks the living room downstairs. Our dear friend Ingrid came up with this creative way to cover up the window.

Can't wait to sit with my little girl in that glider.

Cora Paige

2010-02-08T09:40:00.003-06:00

I couldn't think of a better reason to come out of blogging retirement...

A year ago today sweet, little Cora was taken from us. I never will understand why. I will always be amazed at how God used Cora's short time here with us, to touch so many lives and to share the story of His love.

In the midsts of unbelievable pain, Jess & Joel relied on God, and they shared their story...the anger, the hope, the healing...with everyone. I am so blessed to call them friends. I am so thankful that I can look at them and see the love of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:3

As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cora, we love you and miss you so very much. We can't wait for the day that we get to see you reunited with your mom and dad.

Mary Theresa Kowalewski

2009-07-07T21:38:00.005-05:00

My beloved Grandma...

Thank you for all the warm memories. You are greatly missed.

Grandpa & Grandma 1977.

I'm Okay...

2009-05-16T19:39:00.002-05:00

So I had a bit of a breakdown today. I decided to catch up on my blog reading, because I've been sadly neglecting them. As I read some of my friends' stories, I couldn't stop the tears from falling. I quickly wiped the tears away, and decided to take my dishes downstairs. As I was putting my cup in the sink, I realized that I wasn't letting myself deal with the pain I was feeling. I have all this emotion just below the surface, but I keep pushing it down deeper. Occasionally, tears will surface, but I don't dwell on them for long. Unfortunately this is a pattern that I taught myself at a very young age. Just be okay...I'm okay. It's so much easier for me to cry over a movie or a song, then to really take a look at my own heart and where my own pain comes from. I learned about this pattern of dealing with things in my life a couple years ago. I guess just because I know about it doesn't mean that I'm all fixed, huh. Darn. I decided to take this to my blog for two reasons. One, it forces me to process, and two, because maybe if it's out there in the blog-o-sphere, I will hold myself more accountable to dealing with my emotions in a healthier way. By the way, after I put my cup in the sink, I fell to floor sobbing. I cried for my pain and my friend's loss...and I prayed for His comfort. Well, thanks for listening to me.

Sparky Gets a Makeover!

2009-04-28T16:47:00.006-05:00

Well, I guess it's just a haircut, but he sure seems like a different dog. We have to get him shaved because his curly, fluffy hair gets so matted. He also gets VERY hot...imagine wearing a sweater that you can't take off. I love fluffy, cuddly Sparky, but skinny mini Sparky is just as cute...at least to me he is. :)

Sparky Before:

Sparky After:

Quick weight loss strategy...he had to look good for swimsuit season.

Spartacus is a coward. He got scared when I started taking his picture, so he hid under the futon. (And no, that thing next to him is not a cup that I had no idea was underneath the futon.)

The Macs

2009-03-21T19:23:00.002-05:00

Cora's story is still being spread and shared with new people. Hearts are being touched by her life and the faith of her parents every day. This past week they were featured in their local newspaper and on a Wichita news station. (Check out the article here and the news clip here.)

In both Jess & Joel were able to share about their faith in Christ. It's amazing to me how many people have heard about the Father by Jess & Joel being willing to share their story through a time of the worst suffering imaginable. I am truly humbled by their love of Jesus.

Thank you Jess & Joel for being the honest, kind-hearted people that you are. I am so blessed to call you my friends.

Birthday Wishes...

2009-03-05T15:47:00.007-06:00

Today is Cora's birthday. Tim and I went to the park and released pink balloons to celebrate the short, but beautiful life that this amazing little girl had. Sweet Cora Paige, we miss you so very much. As each day passes, we are that much closer to seeing you again.

Cora Paige Memorial Playground

2009-02-12T22:52:00.005-06:00

I saw on Julie & Laura's blogs that several people on Etsy are donating all the proceeds for certain items to the Cora Paige Memorial Playground Fund. It is overwhelming to me how many lives this little girl's story and her parents' faith have touched. I think the playground is a beautiful memorial for Cora.

If you haven't donated already...well, even if you have...you should go check out Etsy for all the Cora Paige items.

I bought a cute little blue tulip ring, and will remember precious Cora every time I look at it.

For more information about the Memorial Playground visit CoraPaige.com

Please continue to keep Jess & Joel in your prayers. We love you and miss you sweet baby Cora.

Cora Paige...

2009-02-08T23:20:00.002-06:00

I have put off this entry all day, because it's so hard to believe that sweet baby Cora is no longer with us. There will be a celebration of her life on Tuesday. For more information please visit: http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

Also, Tim wrote her a lullaby: http://www.newmusicmonday.com/

Words cannot express how much this little girl will be missed. We love you, Cora.

Dear Baby Cora Needs Your Prayers...

2009-01-26T10:36:00.006-06:00

Dear Friends...it is with a heavy heart that I write this blog entry. Please pray for baby Cora McClenahan.

Our friends Jess & Joel's little girl is very sick. I will not go into details about her condition...I don't want to misrepresent anything. I will say that she has cancer and will be starting chemo soon. So PLEASE pray for this beautiful little girl to be healthy.

For more information please visit Jess' blog: http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

Also, we hope to have a website up and ready in the next couple days to update people on Cora and have information about ways to help. Thank you for your prayers.

You Know You're In A Small Town When...

2008-12-24T11:22:00.002-06:00

The restaurant you go to has a sign on the door revealing the winner of the gun...

This is the best hotel in town...

This is what the gas pump looks like...

We are in Smith Center, KS...the geographic center of the US! We are here visiting with Tim's relatives. We head back to Kansas City tomorrow to spend time with my side of the family. My sis gets in town today and I'm so excited to see her. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, and I'm sure I'll have more fun pics to post. (Sorry I've been neglecting my blog so much. I got another job, so I've had less time to post and less time for things to happen that are blog worthy.)

Birthday Fun & Freebies!

2008-11-05T18:35:00.003-06:00

Can you believe that I had to share my birthday with all of this election stuff! I definitely felt a little overshadowed. ;) I had a wonderful day, though, with friends, family and free stuff! And what a gift that all the campaigning is now over.

My b-day celebration started Monday night when Tim went with me to see High School Musical 3. I know...I turned 27 not 17...but I love that stuff. Luckily for Tim we were the only 2 people in the entire theater. (Apparently 10:30pm on a Monday is a great time to see an teeny-bopper flick. ) Tuesday we went to my mom's for dinner. (She made a childhood favorite of mine.) The Largens came over for dinner and election watching. My wonderful hubby actually made me a board game! Movie Moguls is a Kerstein family game where you build movie productions. (Kind of like monopoly but with black & white movies.) Well, he made me an updated version with my favorite movies. It's so much fun!

The other part of my birthday present was a trip to Chicago I took a month ago...there will be more on that in a later post.

I also did a little online research to see what stuff I could get for free on my birthday and I found some good stuff...most of it was food related. There is a bunch of stuff out there but here are my favorite ones:

Houlihans: join their e-club and on your b-day they will send you a coupon for a FREE entree. I of course took full advantage and got a free $17 steak! They also sent me another coupon for a free appetizer. Both coupons are good for about two weeks.

Red Robin: join their e-club and get a free burger. Coupon is good for two weeks.

BD's Mongolian BBQ: join their e-club and get a free unlimited stir-fry meal. Coupon is good for at least a week.

Cold Stone: join their e-club and get a coupon for a free like-it size ice cream with 1 mix-in. You a week to use this coupon.

Baskin Robbins: join their birthday club and get a free scoop of ice cream. You get 5 days to use this coupon.

If you live in KC you can get a free Chicken Spiedini meal at Garozzo's...it's yummy and worth $19. You have to go on your actual b-day, though, and they check ID.

Some pretty good deals...I'll be eating free for awhile!

I hate playing tag...

2008-10-29T23:24:00.002-05:00

So I've seen a couple blog entries about being "tagged" in the world of blogging. I was a little confused by the first one...Erika...I thought it was just some crazy family game. The second was on my "friend" Laura's blog who told me I was tagged and HAD to participate. So here goes...The rules are as follows: if "tagged" by a fellow blogger you have to write 6 random things about yourself and then tag 6 of your friends. Let the random facts begin...

1. I hate the game of tag! I'm talking elementary recess tag here. Never have been much of a runner, but there was something about playing that game when I was younger and fearing that I would be "it" and wouldn't ever be able to catch people. Obviously, I don't play it a whole lot anymore...but I couldn't help but be reminded... Sometimes when at a loss for things to do my husband suggests a game of tag and I have to shudder. I also hate duck, duck, goose...go figure.

2. I go through post-it notes like there is no tomorrow. I have them scattered all over my desk and stuck around my monitor...kinda looks like it's growing hair. They are just so handy!

3. I still watch VHS tapes. I know...I'm so stuck in the 90's. I have a lot of great movies on VHS, though! (Tim would definitely disagree with me on that one.) I'll probably replace them someday. I guess I don't really buy movies anymore, and when I do I want to get new ones.

4. I enjoy celebrity "news". I don't know why...can I blame my mom for having a People magazine subscription when I was growing up? I know it's not important and that it's a waste of time. But I just can't help myself...when I see the latest edition of Us magazine peeking at me while I'm in line at the grocery store I have to see who's on the cover and why! I don't buy them anymore...not because I'm want to stop supporting such "trash" but because it's just not in the budget right now. The library does let me check out People magazine, though!

5. I think roller coasters are awesome! We went to Silver Dollar City for my birthday last year and rode one roller coaster over and over...there was hardly anyone there so we didn't even have to get off! I did feel a little sick after that, though, and couldn't eat my Olive Garden dinner. :( We also honeymooned in Orlando and went to Islands of Adventure!

6. I love Pride & Prejudice. It's officially my favorite movie. The Keira Knightly version...sorry, not the BBC one. (I did love Collin Firth in that, though.) I have probably watched this movie over 20 times. I don't own it...birthday gift idea people! So when I rent it or get it from the library I try to "stock-up" and I end up watching it like three days in a row. I don't know quite how to explain why I love it...but I love how Lizzy expresses herself. (Note to Laura: how have we never talked about this before!?)

Okay, now the fun part...I tag: Lindsey Largen, Brooke Krause, Jenni Watson, Emily Hartter, Andrea Foxworthy & Davelyn Hill! (If you've been tagged before...I'm sorry...just send me the link to your "tag" so I can check it out!) And if I had to do it...then so do you! :)

Deals Galore!

2008-10-19T22:13:00.009-05:00

So, I must confess that I have a new addiction...and it's probably not what you are thinking. Well, if you're thinking something that has to do with shopping...then you are kind of close. It's not clothing...or footwear...though, I do dream of slipping into a pair of red soled Christian Louboutin's!

My new addiction is...coupon clipping! I know, what am I...a 1950's housewife? It turns out you can not only get stuff for free by coupon clipping, but sometimes you can even make money! And there are dozens of blogs out there dedicated to laying these deals out for you! Sweet! The best deals are at drugstores like Walgreens and CVS. If you do not have one of these stores near you then my heart truly goes out to you.

I had been told about Walgreen's deals before, and even gotten some of the free after rebate items. (Which is great if you remember to send in the rebate!) Well, now that we aren't making what we used to, I figured it was worth the time and energy to pursue the art of coupon clipping & deal getting!

Here is the great deal I got at Walgreen's today:

I spent $11.47 out of pocket for these items. But I have a $2.99 rebate coming and I got $13.00 in Register Rewards (basically like getting a $13 Walgreens gift card). After coupons and rebates Ibasically got all the stuff for free and made $4.52! Isn't that crazy! And it would have been $6.52, but in my excitement I forgot to turn in one of my coupons. :( I decided to give myself a break, though, since I'm still getting this whole coupon thing figured out.

And here is the deal I got at CVS today:

Now this one is even better! I spent $4.42 out of pocket. I have a $7.99 rebate coming and $16.25 in Extra Bucks (CVS' form of Register Rewards). So in this case I profited $19.82 for buying all this stuff! I'm just amazed that this is even possible.

Note to any graying men who might be reading this...if you would like a Just For Men Touch of Gray hair color kit in Dark Brown...it's on me. :)

Other than the men's hair dye, everything else is stuff we use.

Here are the blogs where I got some of my info:
http://www.thethriftymama.com/
http://www.dealseekingmom.com/

Thanks for sharing in my joy! I love getting good deals and I'm sure I'll post more as I get them! Now, if you find a great coupon on Christian Louboutin's please let me know!

Two Seconds Away...

2008-10-16T16:25:00.003-05:00

So I thought I would take some time to introduce you to my husband's new band. Since pursuing the music dream is why we moved here in the first place, it seems like a fitting blog entry. Originally Tim and Patrick were going to focus mainly on Moving Rushmore and dabble a bit with a side project for the two of them. However, the side project has become more of a focus for them now. This is due to the fact that they both moved here with the intention of giving music their all and not really having a job outside of that. (That helps keep them more motivated and available than most.) They wanted to do something that would keep them on task and kind of force themselves to get more music out there. Thus they created...New Music Monday! What? You may be asking. Well, every monday from Sept. 29th to...six months from then...they will be releasing a new song on newmusicmonday.com. (Please tell me that you've checked this out already!) However, New Music Monday is NOT the name of their band. :) They call themselves...Two Seconds Away. Two seconds away from what? Well, it's kind of whatever you want. I think greatness fits pretty well, though.

It's been so fun for me to see my hubby put more of himself into music. For the past few years he's been known as the video guy. Most people didn't even know he could play the guitar. He's a little rusty but he's getting his groove back pretty quick. He's also more of a behind the scenes...er camera...kinda guy, so I've also enjoyed seeing him step out of his comfort zone a bit by literally being front and center.

Here's a little video to some up the past few weeks for Two Seconds Away...

I'm so thankful to being doing this with the Largens. Not many people are willing to just pick up and move for a dream. Sniff, we love you guys! Plus Patrick's voice is amazing!

So we are giving this music "thing" a real go of it. Which means we can't do much without the support of our friends and family. My request for all of you is that if you have a facebook, myspace or virb account (for you true music aficionados) please add Two Seconds Away as a friend and share with your friends. Also, if you have itunes, you can go to their New Music Monday podcast and give them a 5 star review. If we get enough good reviews hopefully they will be featured on the itunes podcast section!

Since I'm already asking for favors anyway...if any of you have some music connections for us feel free to share them. :) (That didn't sound desperate did it?) So go spread the word!

http://newmusicmonday.com/

http://www.myspace.com/twosecondsawaymusic

Bloggified!

2008-10-15T14:57:00.003-05:00

Well, I finally decided to enter the blogging world. I never wanted to start one because I didn't think I had anything to blog about. I don't have kids, I'm not a master chef, I'm not the best story teller I know...so why would I want to start a blog? I'm still not quite sure I have an answer to that! I thought about starting one two months ago when we decided to sell our home (that we had only lived in for 11 months), have Tim quit his job (no big deal with the economy right now), and plant ourselves in KC to pursue a career in music (every day stuff right). I found that during those two months of putting off starting a blog I began blogging in my head. Is this normal? Maybe those of you who have been blogging since before the word blog became a verb can answer that?
So in an attempt to get my thoughts out...I hope you all will welcome me with open arms into this world of blogging. It already took me awhile to figure out how to change the background...argh. But I did it...small victory for me today. (I guess I should thank http://sjhblogdesign.blogspot.com/ for putting out step by step directions.)