Hi everyone.
  I am sure it's obvious at this point considering how long it has been since I updated, but I am taking a bit of a blogging break.
  Lately I have felt as though there is so much going on in my life, and I just have SO much of me out there on the web, and I just want to step back and take a break from it all.  I also feel like I need to reevaluate some of my priorities and take some time to just focus on my family.
  I may return.  I may not.  I may take some time to explore different interests blog-wise, but when the time comes that I have decided, I will let you know.
  Thanks to all my loyal readers for everything they have given me.  It has been an interesting journey, I have come so far.  And I appreciate the wonderful online Natural Parenting community that has embraced me and helped me along the way.
  All my love,
  Nena

Return of the Jedi

So I apparently felt the need to drop off the planet.  I apologize to my regular readers.  As you all know, I am still suffering from some depression, and the last few months have been a serious low point for me.  It has affected me quite a bit, and I haven't even been able to find the desire to post on here.

But, I am going to push through it and just post anyway.  So please bear with me if my posts are disjointed and odd the next month or so.  Usually things get better for me as Christmas gets closer.
I thought I would do a quick photo review of what we have been up to the last couple months!

Got to see "Wicked" on my birthday!

DH and I have been married for 4 crazy years!!!

We had lots of fun at the Regina Folk Fest

I fell in love with Twiggy-style mod eyeliner

Sidewalk paint!

Fun at the Beach

I got to see Hanson!!!

Imagine me screaming like a 14 year old girl!

Lost the baby weight!

Sadie got even cuter!

Jude started his third (!) year of Kindermusik!

My brother bought a house with closet doors that are Sadie approved!

I tried to climb through my basement window and ended up looking like a derby girl!

Lots and lots of Rider games!

Jude got to meet his favorite Rider, Weston Dressler.

I went on a 16 km walk with the Young Women from church.  Cool street art I saw en route.

Sadie got an awesome new eggplant hat from Papa and Nana

Autumn = sweater and legging weather!  Love it!

Jude has become an expert at memory matching games.

Sadie has decided that she will not sleep without me next to her.  *sigh*

I joined the Maximize Your Mornings Challenge*

Jude started a Yoga class (which he LOVES) and does yoga at home every night before bed.

October General Conference came and went with much to be learned!

I also got to attend my first home birth!  Awesome!  

I will be updating again on a regular basis.  Thanks for your patience everyone!  I can't wait to start blogging on a regular basis again!

*Maximize your Mornings Challenge over at Inspired to Action

Wordless Wednesday: Pioneer Picnic

Each year our Stake at church holds a Pioneer Picnic out at a ward family's farm.  It is always a blast.  We all dress in our "pioneer best" play games, eat delicious food, listen to stories of our ancestors, and sing songs around a campfire.  This year's was held this past Saturday.  Here are some highlights from the day:

cute little pioneer baby

today seems like a good day to learn to crawl

hey Mom, look what I'm doing!

this is awesome!

Golf is a serious game!

Hooray!  A hole in one!
(Not difficult when the ball is only two inches from the
hole to begin with!  lol)

lining up a putt!

trying on Daddy's new Blue Jays hat

a tired girl at the end of the night.
(Right before the fireworks woke her up!)

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Homemade Playdough Fun

Due to popular demand after posting a photo of my little man playing with some homemade playdough on instagram, here is my recipe:

2 Cups Water
2 Cups Flour (I use whole wheat flour because that is all I have in the house, but if you want a smoother texture, I suggest white bread flour)
1 Cup Salt
1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
1 1/2 Tbsp Cream of Tartar
1 Package of Kool-aid, or similar powdered drink (for color)

Add kool-aid mix to water in a pot, then add the remaining ingredients.  Stir over low heat until ingredients form a ball of dough.

I use Kool-aid powder for color because the color doesn't transfer as it does with dyes or food coloring.  Our favorites are: lime, blue raspberry, and cherry.  They also smell delicious!

This is a fun activity you can whip up in next to no time, and your kids will have hours of fun!  If you'd like some awesome ideas on what to do with playdough, please check out Nurture Store, they have a great free E-book that you can download with lots of fun ideas!  You will find it in the right-hand column on their main page.

Get out there and play!

please vote for Naturally Nena by clicking the above link

Farewell Dear Friends... Farewell.

This week marked the end of an era as I said goodbye to my beloved, and fondly nick-named "hobo shoes"

It's a long story as to how I actually acquired these shoes (they originally belonged to my old manager), but they have adorned my feet for many months.  Throughout my pregnancy with Sadie I wore these shoes until it was too cold to wear anything but boots.  These shoes have accompanied me to many playgrounds, letting in lots of sand along the way.  These shoes have walked with me several mornings when delivering newspapers.  These shoes have been to Niagara Falls and back.  Have been worn with formal attire as well as jeans.  These shoes have had a good life.  And walked their last steps on Saturday afternoon before their retirement.  With three holes in the toes, and two soles that are coming detached, I finally admitted, I could no longer wear them, despite their incredible comfort.

And so, I finally had to admit that I needed to spend money on myself (why do Moms do that?  We always feel guilty for buying anything for ourselves, but cater to our childrens' needs without hesitiation!?!?), and DH took me shopping.  I knew exactly what I was looking for, and was happy that I found something fairly close to what I was wanting.

Hello, new friends.  I look forward to walking many miles with you.  May you serve me as well as your predecessors.  With the added bonus of me no longer looking homeless.

vote for me, please.

Thursday Afternoon Share: Connecting

 
I came across this blog last night and instantly fell in love with it.  I am sharing one of my favorite posts that I was able to read last night.  It really stuck with me and makes me reflect on the moments when I was truly able to connect with my kids.  Also, her 3 year old's name is Jude.  So she gets bonus points for having awesome taste in names!  I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I am!

Real Child Development: Connecting with Your Kids in a Tense Situation

vote for me, please.

A wee hiatus

I am taking a bit of a blogging break throughout the month of July.  I am busy juggling several other projects at the moment, but promise I will blog as much as I can throughout it all and will be back at full force asap!
Love you all.
In the meantime, here is an adorable baby:

Oh she just makes my heart melt!  I can't believe she is 7 months old already!