This week...

1. I got a job (who ever knew I would be teaching high school math?).
2. Convinced myself that finishing the unpacking (from what, August?) can wait.
3. And removed a leech from my home (one that didn't want to find a job, wanted to eat all of my Panera asiago bagels (God forgive me for being so selfish), and spent all her time on dating sites while her children were being taken care of by her ex in-laws). What in the hell was I thinking?

Phew. I needed to get that off my chest.

The biggest downside to number three is that Scout will only have two wives for Halloween. Not enough to get to heaven, though. Good thing we're not FLDS.

Vintage Airplanes

Tucker is getting ready to have a Big Boy Bed. (Ooh, look at me, using Mommy Words.)

And with a transition such as this, I feel there needs to be proper things hanging from the walls. Right now, I'm thinking vintage airline posters.

When I should be cleaning the bathroom, I'm envisioning how this, this and this* would look in his little room.

*Ooh! Much better prices here, here, and here.

Military Monday

I found so much stuff at ARC last night! It was the perfect thrifting night with my boys.

Four more apothecary jars (I think I'm done now):


Scout added four new records to add to his collection:


Tons of funky fabric for my new purse craze:

And the stuff not pictured:

• Two pairs of adult ski bibs (we already have Tucker's). Bring on the snow!
• Vintage Queen size quilt that I'll be using in the trailer
• More fabric
• T-shirt for Scout
• Halloween cast iron pan - I think I'll use it for cornbread (I should have pictured that)
• Gorgeous drapes for my living room

We spent way more than we ever have: about $86. But we got all kinds of stuff - and it was all stuff I was keeping my eye out for.

Happy thrifting!

Reading

In the hallway. With Halloween pajamas. And hunting boots.

Yellow Crush

I formed a huge crush on some vintage yellow drapes (can't tell you how "vintage" they are; they smell like they're from the '50s) at the thrift store this weekend.

I knew immediately that they'd make the perfect Buttercup Bag (pattern by Rae Hoekstra):

I lined the purse with some fabric I bought when I was going through the I'm Going to Make My Own Cloth Diapers phase (that ended very quickly). The purse (made in the enlarged size) has enough room for all of the essentials - and then some:

The pattern was easy and fun to use. I would definitely suggest it if you are in the market for a new purse - and you want to make it yourself.

Sweet Boy

Yay!

It's happening, people. I got twenty comments (which was Scout's requirement).

Thank you to everyone who participated (especially to those of you who recruited others)! I love it!

(Oh, and I found my dress today. It's super hideous.)

Polygamy Sneak Peek

Yes, Dad. I do watch too much Big Love (I heart that show).

Even though I can't disclose how many more comments I need to pull this polygamy thing off, we're getting close. So if you haven't commented, please do so!

We went thrifting last night. My favorite store, ARC, had nothing. That is the first time I haven't found anything there that I had to have.

So we ventured to our local Goodwill and scored for our polygamy themed Halloween.

Here are the shoes that us three wives will be wearing (aren't they awesomely hideous?):

And a dress. It's hard to find the plain colored dresses that I see in all the googled polygamy pictures. But the collar is perfect, I think. My friend Roxy will be wearing this one:

And I got Scout to reveal his costume plans. If you've ever watched Big Love, you know who Roman is. I can't wait to see him all dressed up!

Halloween

I love Halloween. I'm already planning for it.

Tucker's costume is ready; he's going to be a chicken.

As for Scout and I...

To make a very long story short, two of my girlfriends are staying with us for a while. They will most likely be here through Halloween.

So I had a genius idea. Let's all dress up together!

How much fun would we have walking down the street as a "polygamist" family? Would you not laugh as you walk by with your kids? (Oh, come on. Have a sense of humor.)

Here's the deal. One of my friends is down with my twisted idea. Scout and my other friend are not so convinced.

Scout said that if I get a certain amount of comments (a number which I can't disclose to you) and he gets to pick his own costume without my input, he will do it. My second friend said she'd do it if Scout does it.

So I'm asking you a favor. If you usually comment, please comment and tell me what an awesome imagination I have. If you lurk and don't usually comment, please (PLEASE) comment this time!

I can't wait for you guys to see the pictures!

Illinois in Pictures

Ready

Maybe it's the fact that I'm on my way to the big 3-0. Or that I'm allowing my curiosity to come to the surface.

Whatever the reason, I'm ready for another baby.

I've never cared whether a child of mine was genetically mine. My children don't even have to look like me. I just want to be a good mother to as many children as I am able, raising them to be responsible, respectful, and happy people. 

However, the price tag for adopting children is high. And up until now, I didn't want to know the reason why I haven't been able to get (or stay) pregnant.

So I've found myself at a fork in the road: Pay $30,000 for a child for whom I'd wait a few years to meet, or find out and fix what is wrong with my infertile body for free.

Neither option sounds appealing. But unless another child drops from the sky like Tucker seemed to, those are the only two options.

Thing is, I've seen what infertility does to people; perhaps that's why I've been resistant to finding an answer. I don't want to become wrapped up in it. I don't want to live my life based on a 28-day cycle. Charting cervical fluid and basal temps doesn't appeal to me. I have a good life, and I don't want to be controlled by the one day of the month, every month,  that I look forward to: the day I'm late for my period.

My seven years of Just Relax and Let Things Happen proves that that isn't always the answer. I'm ready to get to the bottom of it. 

Oh, and we have ten months. Scout deploys in August.

Trying (My) Best

I'm shameless, really.

I want the book from The Mrs.' giveaway so badly! 

How cool is that for a military kid?

Silly Horses

My older sister lives in Israel; look what she got on tape!