New Year! Great NEW sale!

Hey guys ..

I am so excited to share with you about a great new sale that just started on the 31st!

It has 47 items, from 30-60% off. There are several things $11 and under..great birthday ideas, if not planning for next Christmas already!

If I can send you a flyer (its like a mini catalog) -please let me know!

If you are the "I want it NOW!" type, then go to www.discoverytoysinc.com

Remember, to please contact me to order - I can do a credit card over the phone!

Thanks guys!

New Blog

Hey guys..my faithful friends :)

Well, I decided to start a blog that was more family oriented. I am gonna be less busy with the toy thing, so wanted to take the focus off of that (and get a name that is more "us").

So, for some great new pictures of the boys...

www.steedlyboys.blogspot.com

Thanks for visiting!

I am Invisible

Hey all, I found this little treasure this week. I brought tears to my eyes, and hope it touches your hearts too....

I'm invisible It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way One of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be Taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping The floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see Me at all. I'm invisible. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you Tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock To ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a Car to order, "Right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes That studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now They had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going she's going. She's gone! One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a Friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and She was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, Looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to Compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; It was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was Pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut Butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a Beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why She'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte , with Admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees." In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover What would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could Pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives For a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and Expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith That the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the Cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird On the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you Spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by The roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees." I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost As if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the Sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of Kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is Too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great Cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become." At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the Disease of my own self-centeredness.It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right Perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who Show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something That their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to Say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are So few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's Bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the Morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three Hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a Shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And Then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there." As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

What a great reminder. So, all you Cathedral Builders...hope you have a blessed week!

Quote of the Day

"Mommy, I BREEKED my new car!"

Translation: Tyler attempting to use his new grammatical awareness to place the word "break" in the past tense.

We have heard some interesting guesses at words, but this is my favorite thus far :)

Look WHO is THREE!

I can't believe my little man is THREE YEARS OLD! This was definetely the best birthday so far, as he understood what was coming, and was SO excited about his special day.

Adrian's birthday is exactly two weeks before Ty's, and his best friend Joey's birthday is a little over a month before his, so he has been anticipating it for that long. He kept saying, "Mommy, when is it gonna be MY birthday?"

Thanks goodness it was only a few weeks difference!

Adrian was as much fun as Ty to watch...the guy went nuts running all over town looking for the right Matchbox cars to fit Ty's current obsession with construction vehicles. He, of course did find some and they are now a proud part of the parking lot that constantly overtakes my living room.

Also, we had a little party for him at the house. Nothing huge, just a couple of friends and a hundred balloons (another birthday fantasy of Adrian's). He managed to convince me, his mom and his dad to blow up and tie the 95 balloons he brought home. He only got half his wish when we all pooped out at 50ish - but it was still fun when we had Ty close his eyes and we poured them on his head. Adrian had visions of the entire living room filled with balloons..maybe if we start now we can do that for his #4 birthday!

The OTHER part of the fun, was when I finally got tired of kicking them all over the house and Ty and the neighborhood kid got to take them outside and pop them all the next day. No doubt we had people wondering if the neighborhood was being overtaken by gun-slinging lunatics..but the kids had a blast! :)

So..having that one behind us, we look forward to the big #1 for Canon in a little over a month! I am excited we will be home with my family to celebrate that one, so it should be fun too!

Conspiracy Theories

So, this morning at 0515 Canon wakes up, wants to nurse back to sleep...which for the sake of my sleeping, I give in to. He nurses for a minute or two, falls back to sleep and again..for benefit of my own sleep, I put him back to bed. The process awakened him a little too much, so he screamed for a good 20 minutes.

This, of course, woke Ty up. So, I pull him into my bed while Canon finishes his screaming fit.

Then, Canon is down. Finally.

0550 - Ty is rolling all over the place in bed, restless and wont settle down. I dont want to take him back to his bed, for risk of waking up Canon again. THAT took him another 15 minutes to get settled.

Then, Ty is down. Finally.

0605 - we are keeping my friends dog, who was in her kennel in the living room (she snores..the dog, not my friend). Somehow, in the business of the past few minutes SHE woke up, escaped her kennel and came whining next to the bed. So, I scooped her up and got her in a comfy spot for all of us (I am now sharing my side of the bed with a three year old and a rat-looking dog).

Then, Kela is down. Finally.

0615 - Goliath is jealous, so hearing the ruckus he TOO starts insisting on joining us in the bed. However, he is in the closet (sounds mean, I know but he likes it in there and it makes him NOT be in my bed) and his usual morning routine is to claw at the door which resembles thunder in our bedroom. So, I quietly yell at her..while trying not to disturb Ty or the other mutt who are resting beside and on me. Yes, Adrian is dead to the world.

Then, Goliath is settled. Finally.

0635 - No lie. Canon is awake, reenergized from his 30 nap and is up for the day.

Yes, I do believe in conspiracy theories. They ALL plot against me. I know it. How else could they all so perfectly sychronize their wake/sleep schedules?

Parenting Class

Adrian and I had the blessing of being at a parenting class, lead by a sweet friend of ours, this last week. She has successfully raised a daughter, with creative methods and with a focus on Godly instruction. She had shared some of those methods with us personally, and wanted to share them with other parents as well. We had about 6 couples there or otherwise represented by half of themselves being present :) We all learned alot, and have gotten some great ideas.

We have had a time with Ty. He is, as they say, "all boy". He is the tumblin' ist, busiest, active-ist, rowdiest little rootin' tootin' kid ever! Not really..I mean, I am sure there have been kids that are busier, active..er, and rowdier than he. BUT..he still gives us a run for our money with his stubborn and strong will streaks.

He is still precious in spite of himself, however, and we have not given up on him COMPLETELY (though Adrian does suggest that we sell him on ebay and try again for a "better one"). So, for his own safety, we enlisted the advise of parents and those who have been there done that.

Mary (our parenting class leader), suggested some great methods for disciplining that discouraged yelling or beating :) Also, she really stressed to us an important point...

She said that "God MUST be bigger than YOU". Because, we are fallible, but God is not. We may do the wrong thing, or make the wrong rule sometimes, but GOD never does. I liked that.

Ty does have a tender spirit, and it seems that between us and bible class, he has a sense of God and that we need to seek to please him. He also knows that he loves mommy, daddy and Canon. We have been able to really talk alot about how obeying is linked to loving mommy/daddy and God.

Its amazing to me that this little person does understand these concepts, but he does.

So..as we head into another week, armed with some insight into how important our role is, how we are to guide them not only to good behavior but to the Lord in the process, and while we pray for patience to keep our focus, I am praying for all of you who are in the same boat!

Our role is SO important, and these moments so precious.

Usborne Book Party

So, I met a girl at the Kid Shop consignment sale in August. She is getting starting selling Usborne Books, which I love. We are joining forces to get some new contacts!

We are both hostessing eachother a party next week, and mine started yesterday online!

So, if you feel so inclined, please go to: www.ubah.com/HOS96384

My REAL LIFE party is next week, October 23rd, at 10am.

I am also using this time to do a FALL KICKOFF of the new Discovery Toys products! It will be at my house..so please join us!

And, feel free to browse the online catalog at http://www.discoverytoysinc.com/USfl07info/

If only...

I have been pondering to myself, that if I integrated every weight loss, organization, home management, financial management, bible reading schedule, bible study SYSTEM that I want to..this is what my life would look like.

IF I was the PROVERBS 31 wife, I would get up at the crack of dawn and make bread
IF I followed FLYLADY, I would take a shower every morning and moisturize
IF I used the full line of MARY KAY, I would exfoliate also ...after a session of microderm abrasion once a week
IFI followed FLYLADY, I would dress to shoes
IF I followed a DAILY BIBLE READING SCHEDULE, I would read my bible before the children rise while the bread is baking in the oven
IF I followed WEIGHT WATCHERS, I would write down the coffee I drink while I read
IF I did my BETH MOORE bible study, I would read and study for 45 minutes
IF I was on a PRAYER schedule, I would pray for all my family, friends and our needs while not forgetting to thank God for everything He has already blessed me with
IF I was the perfect MOTHER, I would greet my children with a "good morning" smile, and a bowl of healthy oatmeal free of sugar or other additives that would mess up their perfect little metabolisms
IF I followed FLYLADY, the kids' clothes would already be laid out the night before, to make our mornings run smoothly. I would dress them with no stress.
IF I used my GYM membership like I should, I would go to the gym for an hour every morning
IF I used DAVE RAMSEY, I would have my cash at hand when I stop at the grocery store on the way home
IF I followed THE GROCERY GAME, I would have my grocery list and the respective coupons in hand
IF I was the perfect WIFE, I would have a hearty breakfast waiting at home when my husband arrived from work (he works night shift) ...and a promise of a little WINK WINK later (and be awake enough by then to follow through)
IF I was the perfect SISTER, FRIEND, DAUGHTER I would check on those in my life who needed cared for, prayed for, concerned for
IF I did all I should with DISCOVERY TOYS, I would make 5 phones calls, book a party, and make a sale each and every afternoon
IF I was a true FLYLADY, I would stay caught up on laundry, swish and swipe my bathroom, and "Zone" one room of my house once a month. My "hot spots" would stay picked up, and my "5 minute room rescues" would be worth the trouble
IF I followed CREATIVE CORRECTION, I would be brilliant with every "opportunity" to
teach my children
IF I followed SAVING DINNER, I would have gourmet meals every night...preplanned the week before
IF I was the perfect TEACHER, my kids would be read age-appropriate books while discussing the fine points of the stories, say prayers, and off to bed with smiles on faces
IF I followed the MARY KAY skin plan, I would clean all my makeup off and reapply the night solution, night cream
IF I was the perfect WIFE, I would still have energy by the end of the day to be a passionate lover and attentive best friend

IF I did all these things...

I would NOT let them watch as much TV as they do
I would NOT feel guilty for feeding my ten month old chocolate cake :)..yes, I did
I would NOT let them play outside, even on days it rains


But, I STILL would NOT feel like I did enough or was as good as I wanted to be.

So..I will take one day at a time, and use whatever system works for that day!

Busy Bugs

are we!

We have been busy the past few weeks..seems like I havent even had a chance to catch up good with my mom and sisters!

But, to catch everyone up..

• Business is busy, busy. This is the busiest time of year FOR REAL! I have had a daycare setup..it did okay, but not worth the 9 hours I spent there! I went to a "family" day at the park for an organization this past weekend, didnt get a single nibble. I really prefer home parties, really. I love visiting and showing off toys. That is way funner than standing there looking pathetic, asking for people to look at your "wares". Nah..I like the home parties.
• On THAT note..I landed the YMCA! Yeah! I will have to stand around and hope people see me, BUT..I think it will be a good thing. There are hundreds of moms that go throug there, and having a table set up around Christmas time..JACKPOT! I hope..stay tuned.
• Canon is all but walking full out. He is taking a few steps at a time, but he gets around like a mad dog when he crawls, so why convert to the two limb approach?
• He is currently emptying the desk drawer beside me...it takes him 20 seconds to mess up what will take me 20 minutes to clean up. But, I am cool. I'm cool.
• ADRIAN has decided, after much ado..to go to NURSING SCHOOL! Yes..I know. It sounds crazy, but I think he will do great. I will be able to live vicariously through him, and hopefully will RELEARN everything I have forgotten in the past 6 years.

So..that is all the exciting stuff around here!

I need to post some pictures, so stay tuned!