Haylie time

Well, it's been a busy few days.  But here's what we've been up to.

Thursday, I enjoyed a morning of one-on-one time with my sweet Haylie.  It had been over 2 months since we had spent any time just the two of us, and I thought she was needing it, but I KNOW I was.  Of course, I love Harper, but I still miss some of the quality time I had with Haylie.  Since Harper is so much more demanding right now, I feel like I try to make Haylie act too old for her age and sometimes ignore her a little too often.  I was glad to be able to take her with me to run a few errands, eat lunch at McDonald's (her choice), and then stop off at Wal-mart for a new baby doll!

Friday, we stayed around the house, tried to get a few things done and then headed up to Seminole to visit Grandpa and Grandma for Grandpa's 55th Birthday! 

On Saturday, we went up to Norman to spend a gift card I had received from Scentsy!  We found an awesome deal!!  They had mismarked a CHI flat iron down to 29.99!  I took it to the register and when it rang up $99.99, I told them the marked price and they sold it to me for that!  I was so excited.  We also got an iHome dock for our iPhones, and some iTunes gift cards!  Yay for Scentsy rewards!! Then we went on up to OKC to watch our nephew Ethan play basketball in his league.  It was so nice to get to see some family and have a day out and about.

Yesterday, Justin preached both services at Twin Oak Baptist Church.  We had a great time, and he reminded me of some very important lessons I need to remember, especially during the time we're going through right now.  God is ALWAYS faithful.  Even when we're experiencing a valley and we feel down, we know that God will encourage us through it and restore us in the end! 

Today, Justin was off work so we headed to Ada to pick up a few things we needed, and then came home to a pretty lazy afternoon. Sometimes those kind of days are nice, though.....even though my to-do list is a mile long!

Got to go for now, time for Bible study and bed! 

2 days in a row...

So, I'm actually posting 2 days in a row!  Wow, right?  After posting about once a month before, but I'm trying to be better about remembering things to blog about.

Today was the kick off for spring piano lessons.  I had two scheduled this afternoon, and have one more starting next week.  I'm open to having more students, would love to really, but right now since we're so unsure about the future, I'm trying not to start anyone new until we know a little more about what our schedule is going to be.

Also, I've picked up a new hobby that I'm loving---COUPONING!! Last week I went to Homeland and spent $12.78 on $40 worth of food!!  71% savings!  I'm planning another trip tomorrow, and can't wait to see what my savings will be!  Shopping is finally fun instead of a drudgery!

Today I started using cloth diapers with Harper.  We received them as a shower gift, but I hadn't yet used them because I was waiting on her to get a little bigger since they're sort of bulky.  So far so good, I guess.  Of course, the disposable diaper is much easier and simpler, but the cloth diaper will save us some money, and that's what I'm all about right now.  Saving money.

While we're on this subject, another thing I've been doing to save money is making my own laundry detergent and I'm getting ready to make my own dishwasher detergent!  SO MUCH CHEAPER!!  All the ingredients cost like 8 bucks and will last probably a year.  Seriously!

Haylie's been doing this cute thing where she'll ask to shake your hand and then she'll say: "It's so nice to meet you mom!"  Not sure where she got this, but it's definitely cute.  Tomorrow I'm going to leave Harper with mema and take Haylie with me to run some errands.  Nothing special, but I'm looking forward to the one on one time with my sweet girl.  Sometimes I feel like I'm having to leave her out or ignore her some because Harper is so much more demanding right now.  It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.  Everything used to be ALL HAYLIE all the time, but now we're having to make room (LOTS of room) for Harper, which is wonderful and all, but I just feel like I'm not spending the quality time with Haylie that I want. 

Well, not really much to say tonight, so I'm signing off now to kick back and watch some t.v. with my love!  Check back tomorrow for another post......................maybe! ;)

New Year...1/11/11

So 2011 is really here, already!  It's been 10 years since I graduated from high school! Wow! Hard to believe!

So, what's in store in 2011 for the Villines' family?  We are still waiting on God to direct us and let us know His plan for our lives.  Justin's BCM position is ending.  It was supposed to end on December 31, however, they extended it until he finds another position.  We are currently talking with a church, hoping and praying that this is the right place for us and the plan that God has for our lives.  We are waiting, waiting, and waiting some more.  That's our life story right now.  We go to church, pick up the phone, go to the grocery store and everyone's question is: "Have you heard anything yet?"  We know they are asking out of concern, but right now we just want to scream: "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"  Being patient, and waiting on God to work is HARD WORK.  No, we're not doing anything, technically, but it's still HARD!  One scripture that's really been on my mind lately is: "Be still and know that I am God!"  I can't wait until our prayers our answered, we know what God's will is, and we can begin the journey!

Here's what we do know, so far: 

Haylie is 29 months old.  She is hilarious, but SO ornery!  She says some of the funniest things, and it amazes me how smart she is.  She's such a sweet little girl (most of the time), and makes our lives so much more fun.  What did we ever do without her??  Some of her favorite things right now are:

*Baby dolls. and everything that goes along with them. strollers, car seats, blankets, swings, bouncers, etc...of course, she's probably really into this right now since we have a real life baby doll living in the house!

*Singing. She LOVES to sing, and I LOVE to hear her.  She sings "Jesus Loves Me," "Jesus Paid It All," and then some variations of made up "Haylie" songs!  They are so sweet, and I hope she continues with her love for music.  She even sings "Stuck Like Glue!" 

*Deer Jerky. Yes, a two year old likes deer jerky!!  Actually, I'd say it's more than likes, she's addicted!! She asks me for it WAY too much in one day. 

Haylie is such a great help to me with Harper.  She gets me burp cloths, diapers, wipes, pacifier, clean outfits, etc whenever I ask her. 

Harper is 2 months old as of yesterday!  I CANNOT believe it's already been that long.  She had her two month well-check last week and weighed: 11lbs 13 oz, and was 22 inches long. Believe it or not, this is the EXACT weight that Haylie weighed at her 2 month check-up.  Only difference: Haylie was one inch taller.  She received her first immunizations, but did great.  No fever, no reactions.  She's pretty good at sleeping at night too.  Her New Year's Resolution was to start sleeping in her own bed. So far, so good!  She goes to bed around 7:00 and then usually wakes up twice, around 1:15, and 4:15!  Mommy and Daddy are loving the grown-up time.  We actually have time to watch t.v., surf the internet, read books, and even BLOG! Harper is a beautiful, sweet baby girl that looks a LOT like her older sister did as a baby.  Can you tell??

Haylie was on top, in both examples! 8-)

We are loving being parents to TWO amazing girls!

One of my many goals for the new year is to be more organized. In everything.  So hopefully, that will mean a few more blogs, and me keeping a better record of what's going on in our lives.  Not that anyone else reads this or cares, but so that we can look back and read later....