Pumpkin Patch goes to the Park

Head on over the the Pumpkin Patch blog and check out more pictures from our day at the park!

Cookbook stand for FREE!

If you head on over to http://happytobeathome.net/bloggy-giveaway-cookbook-stand/, you will find that she has a beautiful Cookbook Stand from Taste of Home Entertaining to give away! No kidding! With this one you just have to leave a comment. The winner will be chosen on Saturday...hurry over!

PS ~ I apologize for the huge link...for some reason blogger isn't letting me just type a word and make it a link today, it is putting the entire link on the posts...please forgive me!

500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I started this blog back on April 27th 2007, with a 7 month old and a 4 month old, I would never have guessed that it would have come to what it is today! There have been so many different things that I have posted about and really just taken you, all my dear faithful readers, along for the ride! Now here it is 18 months later, I have a 25 month old and a 22 month old and have started my own daycare. So on this very special day, October 28th 2008 ~ the first official day of starting Pumpkin Patch Dacyare...we are also celebrating something VERY special.

THIS IS MY 500TH BLOG POST TO lovebeingmama.blogspot.com !!!! How incredible it is to me that I have sat down at this computer 500 times to share pictures, stories, and my heart with you in the last 18 months! I do if for you, and thank you to each and every one of you that will continue on for the next 500!

Have a great day!

Pumpkin Patch Daycare

As of today Pumpkin Patch Daycare is officially open for business! I am so excited about this as something in my has always wanted to own a business, and everything inside me loves children! Handsome and I have been praying about doing something like this for a while now, and the time has come! We are looking to have 6 children total (including Princess & Sunshine) and my goal is to have them all be 2 & under! But that isn't the way it would have to be, so we shall see who God brings into our home. At this point we have started with JH, a 15 month old little girl. She is a cutie, that is for sure. If you are in our neck of the woods and are in need of daycare, give Pumpkin Patch Daycare a call!

25 & 23 months old!

Today the kiddos are 25 and 23 months old so I thought I would just give you a little update about where they are at in their little lives!

Princess ~

~ Is currently working on potty training and doing okay (depending on what day it is!)

~ She LOVES looking at books and magazine (particularly while sitting on the potty)

~ She is wanting to be a little Mommy to her dolls.

~ She feeds them, rocks them, puts them in the swing, pushes them in the stroller, kisses their owies, rubs their heads (I do that to the kids when they are tired), and makes sure to correct them when they are doing wrong!

~ She helps in the kitchen ~ just last week she 'made' Ethan a snack. I put different things Ethan could have in little bowls, gave her a big mixing bowl and a spoon and let her go to it. It made a 'trail mix' of sorts that her brother enjoyed! She was proud when it came to snack time and I announced that they kids were having the snack that AG made!

~ She still sets the table, puts the shoes/coats/and toys in their proper places, helps with laundry, throws garbage away, helps Mommy make the bed, and does VERY well at keeping her brother in line (even though that is NOT one of her responsibilities!)

~ She is putting sentences together and getting better and better at pronouncing words every day!

~ She is starting to go up and down steps without holding on to anything

~She talks to Grandma Pam on the phone almost every day

~ Loves John Deere

~Says "GO Vikings! Uky Green Bay!"

~ Tells you when she has a stinky or wet diaper

~ Likes to help Mommy with the puppy chores and play outside

~ She knows 'This Little Light of Mine', 'Jesus Loves Me', and all the signing time songs. We are working on 'Away In the Manger', 'Silent Night', and 'O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E' at the moment.

~ She has many family connections down, if you say Eric...she will say Michelle. If you say Slater...she will say Lucas & Corin. If you say Uncle Zachie...she will say Aunt Christy. If you say Aunt Melissa...she will say OOOOphie (Sophie!) There are many many more connections she has made.

~ She also has started praying with a little help here and there. How precious it is to see our daughter praying and singing Bible songs at such a young age!

~ She is loving, funny, caring, strong, smart, passionate, friendly, and growing up way to fast!

 Sunshine ~

While Sunshine has had a few setbacks in the last month and a half with getting food he shouldn't have had and various colds and flu's, he is doing very well. Here are a few things he has been up to lately:

~ He is Mommy's helper, he likes to get things from different rooms and bring them to Mommy and Daddy...these are his 'special tasks'

~ He is trying to dress himself and is doing pretty well at undressing himself

~ He is big into tractors and trucks right now, but just as happy to play dolls with Sissy

~ He doesn't like the end of meal time or puppies

~ He is a Daddy's boy when it comes to helping or snuggling if Handsome is around he is first choice!

~ He is liking to be held again (so cute!)

~ He has graduated to 2t tops and pants (but still needs the adjustable waist)

~ Has the most beautiful eyes and eyelashes! AND knows how to use them!

~ LOVES wearing hats

~ He also really likes when Handsome cuts his hair, Sunshine actually cries when the clippers get turned off!

~ Is starting to understand what stinky diaper and wet diaper means (maybe he will be potty trained before he is 8!)

~ Has the most ADORABLE handsome smile that could melt any ones heart!

~ Is our stubborn, whiny, sweet, mischievous, tender, blankie loving, determined, easy going, quiet, busy body, trouble making, thinker!

(a picture I took by the creek the week that Grandma was here visiting...it is of the kids shadows while they were facing each other looking at a rock)

The two of them together are such a blessing to Handsome and myself. We were just talking on Friday night after our company left about how so many things in life have been disappointing or not what we expected but parenthood has been all that we expected AND SO MUCH MORE! We love our children so much and do pray that one day (sooner than later) God would bless us with siblings for Princess and Sunshine. I do not know where time goes, but if you blink you may miss something. Enjoy the silly things, laugh at the small things, rest in the sane things, remember the subtle things, bask in the sweet things, and run with the someday things!

Bow the Knee

Jason and I are singing a duet on Sunday and because of the activities of tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) we have been practicing since Tuesday. We dug out a song from one of the Christmas programs we did while at Calvary Baptist in Huron. It isn't necessarily a Christmas song as much as and Invitation song. As it has been on my mind (and my heart) all week, I just feel that I need to share the words with you...many of you may recognize it

"Bow the Knee"

What a privilege to come into God's presence, just to linger with the One who set me free. As I lift my eyes and see His awesome glory, I remember who He is and bow the knee.

Bow the knee, bow the knee. He is King of all the ages, bow the knee. God alone on His throne, see Him high and lifted up and bow the knee! Kneel before Him, all adore Him. As you live to love Him more, bow the knee.

In His hand He holds the power of creation. With His voice He spoke, and all things came to be. Yet He hears each simple prayer I bring before Him, when I humbly seek his face and bow the knee.

Bow the knee, bow the knee. He is Kind of all the ages, bow the knee. God alone on His throne, see Him high and lifted up and bow the knee! Kneel before Him, all adore Him. As you live to love Him more, bow the knee.

I think with all that has happened in the last week, particularly, but going on to month, or year...this song is a great reminder to us as Christians...God is all powerful and all knowing...we just need to humble ourselves, seek His face, and BOW OUR KNEES!

"If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Colossians 3:1

Milestone Mommy Moments

You will probably be seeing this post title regularly, as my children grow. I know that I talk about how it isn't fair that they grow up so fast and how I wish that I could keep them little forever...but I HONESTLY have not had one of the "Mommy Moments" you hear a mother speak of...until today!

It may seem rather silly to you, but this is my blog and I feel the need to share. If any of you have been to our house or seen pictures, you know that our formal living room has 4 very large floor to ceiling windows facing the south, which faces the intersection of Michigan and main street in town...needless to say we see much activity! Anyway, sitting in our living room watching some squirrels play in our newly naked tree...I see a jogger on our sidewalk doing his regular jogging and immediately think of how my beautiful daughter would have said, "run, RUN!" in the adorable cuteness that she does. Next thing I know I am running for the Kleenex box because tears are streaming down my face...now if you know me (and maybe even if you do not) you know that I am a VERY emotional person and I have NEVER been afraid to hide my tears. But the interesting thing about this instance is that it hasn't happened before. You see the reason that I was crying was because soon it will be cold outside and those joggers will not be out as much as they have been the past months. When they do come back next spring Princess will be that much older and will probably be at the point that my dad says "once you get that one to start talking you will not be able to get her to stop!" Now she already talks very well for her age, but you give her 5 more months and the simple sentences will be no more. This is the reason for my tears...the days of hearing her innocent little, "run, RUN!" are slipping away and will not come back. My little girl isn't as little as I see her, and while her growth shows her to be healthy...every mom has been guilty of wishing they would stay little!

Anyway, just had to share my first Mommy Moment...while it is the first, I can promise you it will not be the last!

Thanks for reading lovebeingmama....where Children truly are GIFTS FROM GOD!

Pillsbury Baptist Bible College

I have been informed of some very sad news, Pillsbury Baptist Bible College will be closing its doors on December 31st of this year forever. Now I did not go to this college, and honestly it seemed to close to home to even consider at the time. But, that does not mean that it doesn't bring tears to my eyes. Even now, as I sit here writing this post to you I think of the spiritual battle that we, as Christians, are in right now and this just seems like to large a victory for Satan. I know that the Board of Trustees have been trying for several years to keep the school out of the red, but with the number of enrolled students declining they have found that financially they just cannot continue. You can read more about Pills at there website, pillsbury.edu.
Now on a more personal level, as long as I can remember Pillsbury Baptist Bible College has been a topic of conversation in my family [the Norgaard side.] I have 4 cousins that went there and 3 of them found their wonderful wives there! Tim, Dan, Aaron, & Micah are all cousins that went to Pills, and now Tim works there, as does my Aunt Carolyn (Tim & Dan's mom.)

As I spoke with my husband on the phone just moments ago we thought of all the history that the campus holds. There may be fun stories like snowmen being built in the Bell Tower (one of my cousins can share with you), but the part that no one will ever fully know the extent of is how much Pillsbury has done for the cause of Christ. Sure, we can see the alumni and where they are serving and their children that have graduate and where they are serving and down the line. But honestly, until we get to heaven will we ever know the full impact?

As Christians, I believe this is a cry for help...a cry for revival...and a cry for prayer! Not that I want to turn this political or anything (I try VERY hard not to talk politics on this blog), but as we look at this presidential election and we see the choices, one of them definitely does not stand for what we as Christians stand for and that is kind of scary for me! With great institutions like Pillsbury not being able to be there to continue our young peoples Christian education, to help them 'put on the whole armor of God' and help them 'stand against the schemes of the devil.' These schemes will be facing each and every one of us every day until eternity...and a good Christian education is important.

I am very sad to hear of Pillsbury's closing, I find it a challenge to pray much more diligently for the other good Bible Colleges in our country, and pray that they will be able to keep on keeping on. It may not have been such a challenge before I had children, but it is especially that much more now that I do!

"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." II Corinthians 10:4

Personalized Necklace or Bracelet GiveAway

You have to go over to Mustard Seeds and check out the giveaway she is doing! She has hooked it up so that one of her blog readers can win a personalized Necklace or Bracelet with 2 name disks ($54 value) from Tiny Tag Designs. All you have to do is check out the Tiny Tag Design website, the go to Mustard Seeds blog and leave a comment about what names you would put on the discs and who you would give the necklace to (or if you would keep it!) This is a great giveaway and is open all the way until November 10th...go ahead, check it out!

GREAT Give Away worth $64.00!!!

You have got to go check out sageandsavvy and the give away they are doing! They are giving away a skinnyskinny prize package of:
1 bottle of bath salts
1 lip balm
3 bars of their soap

AND you get to choose the "flavors" that you would like! So head on over to the skinnyskinny, pick your favs, then go to sageandsavvy and leave a comment with your top picks!!! It is THAT simple!

GIVE AWAY ~ 2 weeks free to Curves

If you head over to I'm Just A Girl, you will see that she is giving away a 2 week free pass to Curves for you and a friend! That sounds like a great deal to me!!! All you have to do is leave a comment on her blog about the craziest place you have found a coupon! Hurry Hurry, entry date ends on October 24th...Good Luck

Give Away from Blush...a great undershirt!!!

You should head over to Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls to check out the give away she is doing. This topless undershirt seems to be a great product and if I do not win one, I may just have to purchase one to check it out for myself! If you want to check out the product for yourself head over to Blush for yourself!!!

My Niece, Sophie

Here she is with her Daddy, EricIs she not just Beauitful?
Love the smile
Cannot wait to see you at Christmas

Grandmas Visit Pt 4

Eating breakfast on Sunday morning before Church
He likes his Bananas
All dressed and ready for church, Bible and all!

Princess turns 2!!! AKA ~ Grandma's Visit Pt3

We had a cake that was similar to her first birthday cake, perfect for a princess!
Blowing out her candles
Trying to get a taste of frosting while her guests sang 'Happy Birthday To You...'
Doing well with a spoon, enjoying her cake and ice cream


I LOVE this picture!
Some of the party guests
Opening her gifts
Grandma gave an umbrella, can you tell that Princess & Sunshine really enjoyed it! They laugh and laugh when you pop it open!
 Princess received some things to be a little mother, baby bed, baby stroller, baby swing, ironing board, play food...she is really fitting into the roll of mother well, just ask her brother!


She also received a pretty butterfly necklace and she wanted it on right away

Trying on Grandma's Crocs (the wrong feet!)
Having fun playing with her new toys
Lucas really had Sunshine laughing
 Sunshine was all tired out from our trip up the canyon and APrincess's birthday party
Thank you to everyone to came for sharing this special day with us! Thank you for the wonderful gifts, and thank you for your friendship!

Blast from the Past

This was taken while Handsome and I were engaged during the 2002 Pastors School at the First Baptist Church of Hammond. He came up to spend my Spring Break with Aunt Wendy, Uncle Laurel, and I. Spring Break started just after Pastors School finished and it was a wonderful time, we actually had our engagement pictures taken during that time frame...So funny, almost 7 years ago...Handsome still looks the same, me...not so much! Sorry about the bad quality of photo, due to the finish it didn't scan so well!

Ethan playing in the leaves

Throwing leaves... again...
~Handsome~

~Peek A Boo~

~Picking Pumpkins~
'Pumpkin'

Do you see the firetruck?
He didn't like it!
Still not happy about it
Getting there

Checking to make sure it's gone

My handsome little man...


~I LOVE his feet~