I Should Be Folding Laundry

For those of you who don't know, I wrote this novel when I was a Sophomore in high school. Its called Silhouettes and its one of my greatest accomplishments. I wrote it because my English teacher at the time challenged us to take part in National Novel Writing Month, which means you write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.  I wrote 13,000 words in the first three weeks. Then I sluffed off for four days. The last three days of November consisted of me eating, drinking, sleeping and living at my computer. I managed to write 37,047 words in three days, about the equivalent of 60 or so pages, single spaced, 12 point font. I can't believe I managed to do it, but I succeeded in completing my book with a little less than a half hour left. But anyway, I wasn't very happy with how it started or how it ended. So I made a big decision. I'm going to rewrite my very first novel. The website I published it through has a feature on it where you can send your wor...

As I was snuggling Lincoln while he slept before he went to bed tonight, I felt the need to write a brief post about something I feel people forget oftentimes nowadays. SLOW DOWN . Sometimes, those dishes can wait an hour. Sometimes, that laundry pile can get a little bigger. I urge everyone who has kids to slow down sometimes and just spend time with your children because they grow up so fast. I know Lincoln is only 6 months old, but I still feel like he's growing and changing faster than I can even realize. In this short time, he's learned to hold up his head, smile, giggle, roll in all directions, recognize his name, say mama, sit up for small periods and now he's on the brink of crawling. I've been shirking off some of my housework for the past two days, but I'm deciding to let it go because Lincoln is starting to figure out crawling and I don't want to miss his ah-ha moments. Its one of the biggest joys I can think of as a mother to see him mak...

Get ready for Lincoln's latest update! He's been up to a lot in the past two weeks. This is Lincoln's favorite sleeping position, followed closely by laying flat on his face in a perfect plank. He sleeps in this position I'd say about 90% of the time these days and it goes to show, he truly is his mothers son! I sleep the exact same way! These rubber blocks are Lincoln's latest find. He absolutely loves chewing on them, especially since he's teething.  He also really likes the stacking tower of fun (as we affectionately call it) He can't help himself! Whenever its put in front of him, he knocks it over! Maybe its because there's beads in the top and they make a fun noise when the tower falls over? I don't think we'll ever know for sure, but at least it makes Lincoln excited and I can see the wheels going in his little brain when he plays. My adorable little man has been a bit under the weather over the past few day...

Its day 16 and my skin is looking better than ever! I still have the occasional zit here and there but I'm extremely pleased with the results thus far! I think at this point, I may just turn into one of those girls who just wears mascara (at least for the most part) but I can't be sure. I'm excited for the last 14 days of this experiment. :) Thanks for reading! Mackenzie

And not just any ol' post about love. I wanted to post for my 2nd anniversary and at the same time write about how great my husband is. Joshua Lynn Packer is truly my best friend. He brings out the best in me, he encourages free thinking and deviance, and he looks out for me. I'm grateful for him every day. He makes me feel beautiful, important and adored. He is my life and my love. He's the best decision I ever made. He makes me happier than anything else in the whole world. I feel so lucky to have him as my eternal companion. I loved you then, I love you now, I'll love you always. Happy 2nd Anniversary, Josh!!!

So, its the night of day 8 (I know its a random day to write an update but whatever) so I wanted to do a brief update on how my makeup free cleanse is going. First off, my skin isn't getting better as quickly as I'd like but I must admit, things are actually working. Not only are the zits getting fewer and further between, but my complexion is getting better as well. The bright pinkness of my cheek bones has begun to fade which means I might not need foundation when this is all over. Thus far, I have been very happy with the results and I'm excited to see what the next 22 days bring. :) Thanks for reading! Mackenzie 

Cloth diapering has been going so well! I know I've said this in other posts, but I love cloth diapering! I never thought that changing a diaper could be so enjoyable. Maybe its because I'm helping to save the planet or maybe its just the fact that (I believe) cloth diapers are way more comfortable than the paper disposables.  P.S. 95% of the time I have Lincoln in a disposable diaper, he has a blowout. Yet another reason to love cloth! Anyway, I wanted to show you what I use in and how I organize my diapering station. I love my changing mat! It rolls up to the size of a spiral notebook so its very portable and it fits in pretty much any size diaper bag Where to buy: Target, BRICA goPad Diaper Changer, $15.79  I have two dozen cloth wipes which I store in this Pampers wipes case. They work so well at cleaning up messes, big or small. Just make sure to use some wipe solution. Where to buy: www.cottonbabies.com, bumGenius Flannel Baby Wipes, $11.95 fo...

Get ready for Lincoln's latest update! (And lots of pictures!) Lincoln has been teething like crazy this week! The toy he's holding actually has a mesh basket that holds ice for teething. He loves chewing on this thing, the whole time I was eating breakfast, he would cry if he accidentally threw it out of reach. Here's a picture showing his lack of teeth (or buds for that matter) I can't get over how cute his toothless grin is! Lincoln LOVES having his picture taken! All of these pictures (aside from the first one) were taken in a ten minute period. Half the time, he'll look right into the camera and flash his adorable smile! I love it!!! He has picked up rolling over so quickly! He is honestly acting like an old pro and he hasn't even been doing it very long! It does cause me some anxiety, however, since I used to be able to take a bit of time putting his diaper in the pail and washing my hands after. Now, I have to flip that 1 minute pro...

Okay, before you stop reading this post, it's not a challenge to you, it's a challenge for myself. I realized  today that my face looks like a lunar landscape. I can't think of the last time my skin has been without a blemish and lately, my acne has been totally out of control, so I'm finally deciding to do something about it. Yes, I've tried facial cleansers. They honestly make my skin worse, which is kind of hypocritical if you ask me. But anyway, I'm going to go completely makeup less for 30 days to see if that solves, or at least improves my skin situation. So just to be clear, I will be using no cleansers, cover up, foundation, mascara, eyeliner or eye shadow. No nothing. I'm really excited to see how this goes. :) Wish me luck! If anyone wants to join me, write a comment! I'd love to compare notes when this is all over. :) P.S. Here's a photo to kick it all off! Also, I might extend this 'cleanse' if I decide to, but I will ...

Okay, here's the update that is long overdue. I can't believe how quickly Lincoln is learning. He's been rolling from back to front for about five days and he's already acting like a pro! Its as if he doesn't even realize he does it! Also, he's getting pretty good at sitting, though he can't sit on his own for longer than five seconds or so. Still, he tries to be a big boy and sit all on his own, and then he falls over. Luckily, even when he bonks his head on the floor a little hard, he often times giggles. :) He officially doesn't fit in 6 month sized clothes! My mother-in-law and I went to Carters on a bit of a shopping spree for a new wardrobe for Linc. I can't  believe how quick he's growing! He's like an adorable little weed! He is definitely in the stage where he's automatically putting whatever he can get his little hands on into his mouth. Even though his 'I'm so freaking excited to see w...