Hooray! I'm FINALLY and aunt.

I am the middle child of 5 kids. I chose to get married first out of all my siblings, which they did NOT agree with. They didn't like the idea because I was pretty flighty and immature, who am I kidding, I still am. Anyways, A few years later, my older brother Adrian got married. I think they have been married like 7 years now. So, in the time that they have been dating and married, I have pumped out 3 kids. They finally decided to join the ranks of parenthood, and I couldn't be any happier. I want my kids to have some cousins. I still have 3 unwed siblings, but there is hope of my kids having more cousins, my youngest brother is getting married next week.

So, here is my brand new nephew. Adrian and Julianna think they are going to name him Collin. Isn't he a doll?

He is 9lbs 8oz. 20 inches long. Wow!

Here is Julianna, what a trooper!!! Doesn't she look great?

I wish I could be out there!

Quote of the Day

"If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything. "

— Mark Twain

The costumes are ready!

After a trip to DI, my costume is complete. Michael is also going punk for Halloween, I will post a picture of us together, it will be more of a complete look. Oh, and I also don't have the tatoos on yet, I'm saving those for Halloween. You probably can't tell from the picture, but I have a nose ring and a lip ring.

Not my baby anymore!

I'm not sure what happened to my baby boy, but he looks more like a boy to me now. Luckily he still loves to snuggle and give lots of kisses!

A Great Book! The Five Love Languages

This has got to be one of the best books you could read to improve your marriage. Even if you don't think that you need to improve, I really recommend reading this. A few of my friends have read it, one of them said, "Besides the Scriptures, it has been the most influential book I have ever read." She then bought it for her mom and all her sisters.

The best part to me is, it is simple, and it works. You don't have to flip your life upside down and completely change your behavior. You first, have to become aware of your own love language and the love language of your spouse (do this by reading the book). Next, find out a few things that your spouse really appreciates. And last, you spend a few minutes a day making sure you do something to fill your spouses 'love tank'.

Michael and I laugh and joke about our 'love tanks' being full after we have done something to fill them. It seems like it is too easy to actually work, but it is working for me and my husband!

The Five Love Language's are:
Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Physical Touch
Acts of Service
Gifts

Let me know if you have read it and what your love language is!

I am quality time, and Michael is physical touch.

Kiva-Loans that change lives

My friend Megh posted an entry on her blog about an organization called Kiva. The Frontline video I watched on it was so inspiring that I decided to check it out.

There are entrepreneurs in third world countries trying to expand their businesses, but are unable to get loans because interest rates are over 100% in their country. That is where we come in, you can be the banker and loan as little as $25, called a micro-loan. Each lender puts in a small amount to make up the total loan amount. Most of the loans needed are less than $1000, but can make such a difference by increasing production and revenue.

As a female entrepreneur, I wanted to help a fellow woman.
I read through the bio's on a bunch of the women, but I was really drawn to Djeneba Soro. Here is her bio and picture:

Denedja Soro sells fresh, exotic juices and water in the Abobo market, a populated suburb in the north of Abidjan. Djeneba has been in this business for many years to take care of her family and her children. She started her business on a very small scale. She then acquired, last year, a second-hand refrigerator with a loan from AE&I. She has since then improved her productivity and revenue. Djeneba lives with her cohabitant and their children in Abobo. She has been in the AE&I microcredit program since November 2004 and has received several loans that she has reimbursed in a very good manner.

You can find out even more about this organization by watching this Frontline episode. Or, you can go to their website at Kiva.org. This organization has also been featured on Oprah and The New York Times.

Mom's have it EASY!!!

Last night I went to tuck in all the kids. As I kissed Reece good night and told him that I loved him, he said, "I hate this!" So, of course I had to find out what he was dreaming about, the conversation went like this:

Reece: "I hate this"
Marisa: "You hate what"
Reece: "My chores"
Marisa: "Why"
Reece: "Because, I have 3 chores, and you only have one chore"

Then Michael and I proceeded to ask him if he had a girlfriend or if he liked any girls. Luckily the answer was "NO" to both questions.

We had a few conversations about chores yesterday which is probably why he was dreaming about it. He had informed me that a neighbor child on our street, didn't have to do any chores at all. I responded by expressing thanks that we all do chores so we can have a nice clean home everyday.

Also, I was showing my friend Amy the chore chart I have made for Reece, and explained that in addition to his regular chores, he can do one of my chores each day and earn 20 cents per day. So, I'm wondering if he is thinking that I only have ONE chore each day, and I pay him to do it. Thus, he is doing ALL the chores around the house.

Naturally, I was very concerned that Reece thought he was doing the only chores around the house. So, last night I made a list of all the chores I was planning on doing today. I was very surprised to see them all listed. I strategically placed it on the counter so he was sure to see it in the morning. Guess who had their chores done before going to school this morning! Reece. I think mom's chore list helped.

Here is my list, there are a few things I don't do everyday, like mopping. And I don't vacuum on Saturday and Sunday. And almost none of these chores get done on Sunday. But, 5-6 days a week, I'm doing at least 20 chores each day!

1. Pick up living room
2. Vacuum living room
3. Clean up kitchen after breakfast
4. Sweep kitchen
5. Make Maya's bed
6. Vacuum Maya's room
7. Straighten up messes Mason made in Reece's room
8. Make Mason's bed
9. Vacuum Reece's room
10. Make my bed
11. Vacuum my room
12. Put a load of laundry in the washer
13. Put away a load of laundry
14. Clean litter box
15. Straighten bathroom/wipe down sink
16. Feed the chickens
17. Feed the dog
18. Feed the cat
19. Feed the kids lunch
    
20. Mop the kitchen
21. Make dinner
22. Clean up dinner
23. Do the dishes before going to bed
24. Re-straighten the house before going to bed

I'm sure as the day goes on, I will get to add a few more, but this list served it's intended purpose.

How do you guys handle chores around your house? Do you do them, does your spouse do them? Do your kids have chores?

Another Chinese Toy Recall

My sister Linsey sent this picture to me. I 'm not huge on forwards, but this was so funny. I don't know about you, but I'm checking my labels and avoiding anything made in China.

Hottie Nora

This is my friend Nora and her adorable baby boy, Stuart. Doesn't she look great? I just finished editing all of her pictures, so I thought I would throw one up on the blog for all my friends that know her to see.

Wanna chat?

The other night, my friend Megan called me because she had figured out how to use ichat on her computer and she wanted someone to chat with. We had so much fun playing favorite songs, having a dancing contest, and making ugly faces at each other. It is a great way to talk long distance for free, and it is way more fun!

We Witch you a Happy Halloween

Michael and I took the kids to Gardner Village (cute little boutiques all in old historic homes) to see all the witches they display in October. They have pumpkins everywhere and fun witches like the one Maya is standing next to.

This is how Mason felt about the whole experience.

Then, we splurged and got them each a 15 cent candy cane from 'Sweet Aftons'. Look at Mason now. Of course Michael and I had to hurry and get some fudge while the kids weren't looking.

I Love you Mama

Lately I have felt like this, I have gotten the itch for 'fall cleaning'. Does anyone else get that? Not only do I have to do 'spring cleaning', but now 'fall cleaning' too. I think it is my fear of being cooped up in this house all winter.