I thought I'd post something since it's been a while

We got a new-to-us car a few weeks ago and managed to crack the head on our Mazda, so Andrew is gleefully ripping it to bits so we can scrap it or part it out.  We are still thanking our loving Heavenly Father that Andrew still has a job that pays the bills, we have a car that runs and a home that's warm, and that we always have food on the table (and it's usually quite tasty).  Some more good news: Andrew is one of 3 employees who are up for an assistant management position.  He starts training pretty soon so we're waiting and praying to see if/when he makes the spot.  It's be a real blessing for us since he'd be making an additional $10,000/year and I could drop him off at work and have a car for the evening.

Our lovely girls are growing up ever so quickly.  Zadia spent most of yesterday demanding that Andrew and I join her for a "Tea Party". I'm glad, for now, this has nothing to do with politics!  That'd mean she's a bit more grown up than I'm ready to handle.  Autumn is getting bigger, crawling, and creeping along furniture.  She'll stand for a second and fall and has tried to "walk" as if she forgot she didn't know how yet.  She's still very attached to me and will usually cry until I hold her, unless there's something much more interesting happening.  For now, we're just trying to get through it.  I've resorted to using the sling with her again, even in the house, since it makes her feel more secure.  I'm hoping and praying she grows out of this highly needy stage and will accept a touch of independence at some point.

I've been reading "Glenn Beck's Common Sense" and "The Infinite Atonement" by Tad R. Callister.  Such wonderful books, both of them.  Common Sense has gotten me more fired up about politics and trying to be more proactive.  Callister's book has given me some great insights into the blessing of the atonement and has helped me to understand, again, so many things I need to work on. 

We spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with my parents and had a great time really relaxing.  We realized we don't do that enough and find that it's difficult to do in our home anyway, knowing what all needs to get done!  But it was nice to spend time with my parents and let them re-connect with their grandkids who LOVE spending time with grandma and grandpa.

We're looking forward to a simple and old-fashioned Christmas this year.  We're really wanting to focus on the traditions and family time together and, of course, on the birth of our Savior and the blessing he is to all of us.

Business Update!

We've had our first real client (someone who wasn't a friend or family member).  And our website has had 15 views just yesterday, nearly all directed from facebook!  Don't you love statistics?  It tells me where our audience has been hanging out.  Anyway, I'm just so excited to be seeing these little improvements and seeing that our name is getting out there.  It's a work in progress and it makes me so happy!

I love Fall!

What a beautiful time of year!  The leaves are starting to change.  The weather is cooling.  The sun is shining and general conference was amazing!  We also now have a website for Mobile Mechanics.  Check it out at fergusonmechanic.blogspot.com.  Better yet, schedule an oil change or other service!

Our  baby girls are doing great.  Zadia (29 months) talks so much, uses proper manners (usually), and is working on potty training. She LOVES her radio flyer car grandma and grandpa gave her.  She also loves pizza!  Autumn (8 1/2 months) has mastered all forms of floor maneuvering.   She rolls and tumbles, sits and crawls, and pulls herself up to standing on just about everything.  She has the sweetest little smile and loves to "talk" to people.  She much prefers feeding herself crackers, green beans, "O"s, and carrots to being fed baby food from a spoon, unless it's something really yummy like sweet potatoes or bananas.  The indepedence of each girl is thrilling and fascinating!

Andrew and I are really enjoying his time off of school and on focusing on building up our business.  If you're in the local area and would like him to take a look at your vehicle or do some basic maintenance, give us a call.  We would also appreciate all the advertising and exposure we can get. It's been interesting exploring and discovering everything it takes to run a business.

Blessings are falling from the sky!

All we have to do now is snatch them up!  We had Andrew's parents over for Family Night Monday and they brought "Aunt Maggie."  We got to talking about Andrew's business and Maggie asked for some business cards so she could suggest his services to her boss.  She happens to be a major player in TLC Properties here and they like to offer exceptional businesses to those who live in their 4000-unit apartments.  We just have to jump through a few small hoops and it's very possible they'll advertise for Mobile Mechanics and set a contract with us to work on their fleet vehicles, as well!  This would be so amazing!  Pray for us to find what's right and to be able to do everything that's required to get it!

What To Do With Excess Baby Food???

Ours is one of the many blessed families in Springfield which gets benefits from WIC. One of those blessings is that you get an exorbitant amount of baby cereal and jarred baby food.  I've been trying to use it at the rate they offer it and that just doesn't happen.  I think by the time Autumn would be eating it that fast, she'd be preferring self-feeding methods anyway.  So I was trying to find some recipes but could only find suggestions for making cakes or using veggies in soups and sauces, or at best flavoring muffins and pancakes.  While that's lovely for adults I wanted something for my kiddos.  Maybe a replacement for chicken nuggets, or something.  (Zadia eats her fair share of those.) Sadly, the closest thing I could find was for dog biscuits!  Now, to be fair, these were biscuits made from baby food and wheat germ, so this is the basis of my first recipe.  I hope to come up with more ideas. I tasted these myself and they're pretty tasty, considering they contain no seasonings or salt at all.  My kids are napping so I can't get their opinions.  I would suggest waiting until your wee one can eat chunkier foods before serving this to them, but you can do what you like.

Chicken Sticks

In a mixing bowl combine 2 cups baby rice cereal, 2-2.5oz jars pureed chicken, 1-4oz jar pureed carrots, and about 1 Tbsp water.  This will be a nice thick mixture, like prepared oatmeal.  You'll be using your hands to roll these out, so expect to get sticky!  Make "sticks" about 2-1/2 inches long and about 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide.  Place these on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.  Allow to completely cool before serving to your little ones!  Makes about a dozen.

Editor's note:  After making these, I found many recipes at http://wholesomebabyfood.com/teethingbiscuits.htm.  I'm going to try some of these and maybe post my findings.

Business Page on Facebook!

We've set up a Mobile Mechanics business page on facebook.  When I can figure out how to link to it, I'll post it here, but if you have facebook, please "like" us there!  We can use all the advertising we can get.

Blessings from the Father

I just wanted to publicly thank my Heavenly Father, again, for the wonder of the Atonement.  Not only does it offer us forgiveness of our own sins and the chance to be clean again, but it offers comfort to the one who's been hurt.  Recently, I had an experience where my feelings were deeply hurt by someone that I love.  I didn't know who to "vent" to on the subject because I didn't want anyone to have a bad opinion of this person just because I was temporarily hurt.  Then the thought came to mind that I can always talk to my Father in Heaven and he'll never harbor bad feelings for any of His children.  I told Him I didn't want to feel this way and asked that I could have some healing in my heart.  I also asked that the person who caused the harm would be blessed as well.  And you know what?  It wasn't even the end of the day before I basically forgot those feelings!  Thank you, Heavenly Father.  What a blessing you are!

What's up with us lately?

Okay, so adults first: 

I'm the Mommy, therefore I'm busy just doing that!  I've been especially busy lately working on tons of sewing projects.  Every now and again I get the bug and here I am.  So far I've been making Christmas presents (yes, already) for my nieces and nephews.  I've also made an ADORABLE little dress and matching purse for Zadia. The picture's below.  I also made a nice little shrug for myself.  I promised Andrew my next project would be to work on his "man-purse."  It's really just a messenger bag, but his brother's been teasing him about it.  As if Daniel doesn't carry around one on Sundays, too.  ;)  I've got plans to make bathrobes and jammies, Halloween costumes, matching Christmas dresses for the girls, and a great dress for me that I can possibly nurse in.  I might even make our puppy a hoodie for Christmas.  We'll see.  Hobby Lobby had a great sale on Simplicity patterns, so I stocked up.  I went a little crazy, maybe, but it was fun.

Andrew has started up "Mobile Mechanics."  The name pretty much says it all.  He does home visits to do oil changes, mostly, but he also offers brake jobs and tune-ups on a case-by-case basis, as well as a 2nd opinion service.  For a small fee, he'll take a look at your car and tell you if you really need whatever your mechanic suggests and tell you if their price is reasonable.  If you know anyone in the Springfield area who'd be interested, give him a call 417-396-9605.

Zadia (26 months) has basically overnight become a "big girl."  She's been potty training and only rarely has an accident now.  She's also moved into her "big girl bed," a queen matress since she kept sleeping halfway off the toddler bed.  She's also speaking in paragraphs and has been a big helper with Mommy's chores.  She often will offer to "clean up" and grabs a broom or mop to attack the floors. That's my girl!  She also helps with Autumn in various ways, "helps" with dishes and cooking.  We've been having a great time.

Autumn (7 months) has become a lot of fun lately.  She's doing a very fast army crawl now so she's keeping me on my toes as far as that goes!  She's also jabbering more, using many different sounds.  Her favorite this week is Dada-dada-da. When she says that, I tell Andrew his baby girls wants him. :)  Autumn also has been enjoying eating a wider variety of solid foods.  The big step of self-feeding a cracker.  She was rather pleased since it's easier to get in the mouth than a Toasty-O.

We've been contemplating the difference it's been not to have Andrew starting school next week.  He graduated with his Associate's Degree in Automotive Maintenance in May and is taking a bit of a break to use his skills. Once day he'll probably go back for a Bachelor's or higher.  For now, it's really nice having him home more and knowing that when he's home, he's actually "home" and not doing homework!

New to blogging

Okay, so a lot of friends and family blog these days and I thought I'd give it a whirl.  This will mostly be updates on what our family is doing, like a family newsletter.  I hope you enjoy checking in on us.