Just 'Cuz Blog Hop {July 28}

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It's Thursday! Hope you all are having a wonderful week. Thanks for joining me and my cousin co-host, Mommy Head Adventures! 

For all you familiar faces, thanks for returning. For all you new faces, we're glad you could make it! This is a no rules hop. Simply link up below and hop away. It's just that simple. If you aren't already and want to follow Organic Homemaking, let me know in the comment section below. I'll be sure to follow back! 

We, of course, love it when you post our nifty hop button on your blog. It's a great way to spread the word and helps make this a success. 

Before I leave you to check out some great blogs, I want to pass along a great giveaway going on NOW at Mommy Head Adventures. One reader will win a $25 GC for My Baby Clothes. You can enter here. 

Enjoy the hop and don't be shy, say hello! 

What Have I Been Up To?

I have been delightfully MIA these past weeks. I have needed the break. Life is just to full of things to think of and then suddenly I realized you all probably thought I had died or at least given up on blogging!

Well, I'm still around a kicking (although I have days I'm not sure). Rod got back from camp and it's been a whirlwind of activities since. We had to readjust to a schedule and get back into the swing of things (ya mean, I have to start cooking dinner again?!). We've had birthday parties to attend and friends to catch up with. And then I up and decided, as if we werent' busy enough, to paint our living room! What is wrong with me?

But just in case you're wondering, is there anything exciting and new happening at the Sills' home? Here are the highlights involving mostly my little men. I so love to talk or rather blog about them :-)

Caleb has finally decided to talk! At 16 months our little Super Bubby will at least attempt to say new words and ask for what he wants (as opposed to pointing). What can I say, his tongue doesn't co-operate much but at least he's trying. Some words he's super at: ball, baby, daddy, Isaac, cracker, juice, down. And he's an expert at nodding his head just in case he can't think of a word to say. I'm still stumped that he can say 'isaac' but not 'mommy'. Oh well. 

We finally decided to get out in the sun. Summer is only half way over but it's never too late, I guess, to start getting into the Summer spirit. We've been swimming at grandma's every week, finally going on picnics and playing at the park. I'm a little worn out but I have some seriously happy kids. 

Tonight is a LONG overdue date night! Whoop-eeeee! Finally some adult time. No sharing food with kids. No answering a million questions. No wiping boogers off my clothes. I smell good. I have on nice clothes. I'm eating at a nice restaurant. Can you tell, I'm a little excited!? Ok, maybe more than a little. It's been way too long since Rod and I went on a date. And since we have the most awesome babysitter in McLean Co, I have no worries (btw, thanks Emma!). 

I need to tell someone besides my hubby that I am so stinkin' in love with him! Even though Rod was only gone a week (and I seriously missed him like crazy) it took some getting used to when he got home. What I'm thankful for is how patient he is with me (and my stubborn, prideful head). So here's a shout out to a great man that makes me a better person. It's so true. 

Ok, gotta go! I'm going to be late for date night! 

What's new in your life? Anything exciting? Please share!  

Just 'Cuz Blog Hop {July 21}

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It's that time of the week again. Thank you for joining your hosts Organic Homemaking and my wonderful and funny cousin, Mommy Head Adventures! We're so glad you came! 

Short and simple, this is a no-rules blog hop. The only requirement is that you link up below. Then you are welcome to look around here or check out other blogs. If you would like, you can post our button on your blog for some extra bloggy love :-) And if you decide to follow me here at Organic Homemaking, through RSS, Facebook, Twitter or whichever, let me know in the comments below. I'll follow back! 

I hope you're enjoying your summer (and I hope it's not as hot as it is here in Kentucky). And enjoy the hop! 

Weekend Links {July 16}

Oh the joys of Saturday and finally having my husband home! I'm glad he had fun at camp but I'm glad he's back...and I'm glad the yard will finally get mowed. It's a jungle out there...


I hope you all are having a great weekend as well! And I hope you enjoy these links. I didn't have much time to sit and read online this week but here are a few I managed to get to, and like. Enjoy! 


Dispelling the Myths: Why Cloth Diapering is Truly Easier Than It Seems - Keeper of the Home (when cloth diapering seems tedious, read this!)


Perfectionism: the thief of 'good enough' - Simple Mom


6 Great Vegetable Grilling Recipes - The Daily Green


18 Darling Homemade Bookmark Patterns - Tip Junkie

Just 'Cuz Blog Hop {July 14th}

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Happy Thursday bloggers! Thank you for joining your hosts Organic Homemaking and Mommy Head Adventures for our weekly Just 'Cuz Blog Hop. 

This is a no-rules hop, like always. You simply have to link up below and hop away. If you are new here and decide to follow Organic Homemaking, let me know in a comment below so I can follow you back! 

I'll keep this short and sweet so you can get to enjoy some awesome blogs. Enjoy! 

Homemaking Without Help

Happy Monday, friends! I hope you had a great weekend. Ours were filled with busy days and goodbyes as we sent Rod off to 8-9 year old week at Western Kentucky Youth Camp. No...he's not a 9 year old. :-) He's been a counselor for years and looks forward to going every summer. 


I, on the other hand, have mixed emotions about camp week. I love that he has such a good time and the children love him. But I also miss him. When we were dating that was the only obstacle to overcome. I mean how was I going to live without him for one WHOLE week?!?! Now that we have two kids and a whole house to look after, I still think the same thing plus more because I run a huge risk of going insanely mad from being around two toddlers for a week by myself. Plus, I miss him. Did I say that already? I did? Don't judge :-) 


And so, yesterday we had the Chaos Kick Off Event by my car battery going dead. These are exactly the things I take for granted when Rod is home. Thankfully, my husband has bought, not one...but TWO car chargers. If I only knew how to use them....


After reading the instructions like 5 times and staring at my car battery for 5 minutes, I finally went next door and solicited help from my awesome neighbor. Why do these things only happen when Rod is out of town? For just a split second (and after my kids cried at the door for 30 minutes) I thought... I don't know how single moms do this! I mean, I really take for granted this team work thing. I really take for granted getting to sit in my air conditioned house while Rod does all the hard labor. I really like it that way. Just sayin. 


It got me to thinking how much harder 'homemaking' would be if I didn't have someone to help me. Some of you completely understand this scenario. And this week will give me a new found respect and admiration for you. I don't know how you do it. That takes some serious strength. 


And just so my hubby knows I don't take him for granted here is a list of all the things he does that I'm grateful I don't have to do myself. And trust me, when he gets back...I won't be doing them again. Until camp week next year....


1. Taking out the trash. My all time least favorite thing to do.
2. Killing bugs, especially wasps. 
3. Giving the kids a bath. I'm pretty sure my back is going to be out by end of week. 
4. Filling up our 5 Gal. water jug. That thing is HEAVY! 
5. Wrestling with the kids. They keep trying to wrestle with me. Not. Happening. 
6. Making the boy's breakfast. My extra 15 minutes of sleep this week is goooone. 
7. Feeding the dog/cat. Don't worry, Rod. I'm keeping them fed. 
8. Make homemade popcorn. I'm too scared I'm going to burn myself. 
9. Mow the lawn. Can you believe I don't know how to start a mower? 
10. Listen to me talk. It's just not the same talking to myself....Oh well. 


Aren't husbands helpful? There are way more than 10 things he does around the home :-) And I'm sure I'll find a new one each day he's gone. 

A picture for daddy. It's too hot here to nap in clothes! 

What things do you like having 'help' on? If you run the house alone, how do you manage to do it all? 

Just 'Cuz Blog Hop {July 7th}

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It's Thursday again! I must admit it doesn't feel like Thursday. Thanks to a long weekend my days are all messed up! Whether you're as confused as I am or right on track, I'm glad you remembered to stop by for our Just 'Cuz Blog Hop. Your hosts, Organic Homemaking and Mommy Head Adventures, welcome you! 

As always, this is a no-rules hop so you simply have to link up below and enjoy some awesome blogs! Nothing else is required. We do love it when you follow us (so we can follow back!). Leave a comment below if you do, so I know you were here! 

I'll leave you to your hopping. My kids are climbing on the furniture and on me, pulling at my earrings, asking me 1000 questions.... I have to go out of necessity! Haha. Enjoy the hop! 

Why I Don't Write a Post Every Day...or Even Every Week.

News Flash: I haven't written a post in about 2 weeks! I've thought about it. I've even started a few posts. But zero published (except for the Thursday Blog Hop). Why is that, you may ask? Well, it's simple. I've been busy. 


We were sick. Rod was sick. We went on a church trip. I'm helping plan for VBS this week. I went out of town yesterday. I have company tonight (so excited!). We've got to spend time twice with some awesome friends we hardly ever see. And, shocker, I've been running around after two little boys (who have non-stop energy). 


So, when I have a free moment I'd like to, ya know...take a shower, or a nap. Maybe read a book or have a conversation with my husband. Or sometimes I'd just like to sit and do nothing but enjoy some peace and quiet. I haven't sat down much and thought, "Boy, I'd sure like to blog." Don't get me wrong. I love blogging. But here is the clincher...


Blogging is not my priority. Notice I didn't say 'first' priority. When you have a family, like most of you do, blogging is naturally not the first priority. But, for me, it's not even like 3rd or 4th on the list. I'm pretty sure Maintain Sanity is 4th on the list (where ever this illusive list is). And sometimes not blogging helps me make it from day to day in a good mood (and still have time to do a little cleaning!). 


Why do I even say all this? Because I've learned to let myself off the hook! A couple times these past weeks, I've felt guilty for not blogging. Will I lose numbers? Maybe. Will people think I'm not serious about blogging? Perhaps. Oh. Well. 


There I said it. Oh well....


At the end of the day, it's a blog. My family comes before the blog. When I have time and some peace of mind, I'll sit down to write. You know I always have something to say :-)  Until, then...I hope this helps you let yourself off the hook too. 


Go grab some sweet tea and a good book and relax. You deserve it.