I'm not allowed to read anymore stories about babies who have cancer.

I cry for like an hour.

DOES ANYONE AT CHARTER KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING? AND WHY CAN'T THEY GET A BILL RIGHT?

Seriously.

I just needed to get that out.

Thank you.

First Cardinal Game.

If you are a son of Casey Eldridge, your first baseball game is a big deal. And your first Cardinal baseball game is even better. Last night was Carter's first Cardinal game. Of course, he didn't even realize what was going on so it's probably better described as Casey's First Son's First Cardinal Baseball Game.

When you are 7 months old a baseball stadium isn't really made for you. It requires sitting still which is the last thing Carter wants to do. But as you can tell from his endless smiles (he's so precious) he loved all of the stimulation that the stadium offered with lights and LOTS OF RED. (He has always had a thing for red and come to find out babies notice red because it is bright. Or something like that.) Carter and I had a good walk perusing the stadium and then we all ended up leaving the game early as we knew we would have to. :)

I don't want to be one of THOSE moms but I probably already am. I think my kid is the cutest thing ever. I want to sign him up to be a Gap baby. Wouldn't that be so much fun?

Recipe: Asparagus and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken

There's a few things that I try to look for in recipes (keep in mind, I'm not the most knowledgeable cook): nutrition, cost of ingredients, amount of ingredients, and time. So when I saw this one, I was excited. Easy, small amount of ingredients, and nutritious.

Tonight we had it with some steamed broccoli and Casey and I really liked it. I'm trying to accumulate a list of good recipes to rotate in and out each week and this one is definitely going on it.

**********

On Saturday the Farmer's Market in Wildwood starts. :)

Verse: Galations 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Galations 5:22

image from here

Book Study: So Long Insecurity.

I have mentioned So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore numerous times on this blog. This summer my bible study is doing a book club on the book. It's pretty simple. You just need to get a copy of the book. Read it at your own pace. Review questions for each chapter will be sent to you via email and then on August 24th in the evening there will be a small group discussion with women of all ages.

This book has really helped me process through a lot of the mental games and patters I have on a daily basis. And after you read this book, you will realize you are more insecure than you thought. Eeeek!

It brings a nice, fresh dose of emotional healthiness. Sometimes you don't even know what you don't know. If you don't read it for yourself, do it for your daughters or future daughters or girlfriends. As Christ's daughters, we can live with strength and dignity! (Can I get an amen?) We can make it through this culture, with God's help, better than we are doing right now.

“Perhaps one of the biggest issues all women face is their own insecurity. This book will strike a chord with women everywhere, as Beth speaks truth into the lives of readers, showing them how to deal with their innermost fears, rediscover their God-given dignity, and develop a whole new perspective – a stronger sense of self.” CBD review

If you are interested in the book study, you can email me (kjoyeldridge@gmail.com) or leave a comment. :)

Family Pictures: Spring 2010.

About a month ago, we had our family pictures taken at Tower Grove Park. I really like remembering and never want to forget any moment. I guess that's my obsession with pictures. :)


















Photos by: Lisa Hessel Photography

Our Little Man.

Favorite Things: 2.

DL1961 Jeans

My New Year's Resolution this year was to find jeans that don't stretch out. For years I have always been so annoyed when jeans stretch out after an hour of wearing them.

And I did it. (Well, they might stretch out a little but not ANYTHING compared to others.)

I love them.

So I did a little research. Through the process, I figured out why jeans stretch. I learned that washing our clothes really just weakens them. AND I came upon the jeans mentioned above...DL1961.

Little pricey. A little high maintenance. (I wash them with Woolite in cold and air dry.) You can find them on sale. But I LOVE how they look and feel. And I seriously went a long time without washing. I know that might sound gross. You can judge me. But I only wore them for when I needed to look nicer so there was no need.

Their website says this: "Made using patented XFIT technology fabric that adapts to your unique body shape to give custom fit and comfort. These 4-Way Stretch Jeans will not Sag, Bag, or Lose Shape."

Couponing.

I was super satisfied with my errand run today. Not only did I get everything done and Carter was good the entire time, I was able to save, save, save. :)

Here is my errand adventure:

First stop...the dry cleaners to pick up some of Casey's clothes. The total was like $11.00 because I had some coupons when I dropped them off. I don't know the total savings.

Next stop...CVS Pharmacy.

This is where it gets fun.

I have a ExtraCare Card, of course, and because of that I was sent a $4.00 off $20.00 purchase. I also had a Huggies manufacturers coupon for $3.00. I needed toothbrushes and I always try to stock up on diapers.

Here's the breakdown:

1 Reach 4 pack of toothbrushes on sale for $3.99 (PLUS I got $2.00 Register Reward for this item)
1 Huggies Diapers-76 count $23.99

With my coupons and everything I left there spending $22.48 and earned $2.00 Register Rewards to be used on future purposes.

Next stop...World's Market.

If you sign up for their program, you get $10.00 gift card for your birthday. So I got a bright, orange pillow for Carter's nursery for $9.99. I had to throw in a small item to use the gift card. So I spent like $1.50.

And then I realized that I forgot my photos at CVS Pharmacy. Annoying but actually turned out better that way because I had earned $2.00 Register Rewards from my earlier purchase that I could used on the photos. Ha! And I had already received 20 free 4x6 prints and 1 free photo magnet (really cute) just for opening an account and printing them there.

I love couponing.

FYI****If you love free things like I do, you can sign up for a free birthday meal at Red Robin, Genghis Mongolian Stir Fry, Houlihans, and Chevy's.

Image.

I did not take the picture. I don't have a link for where I found this. I don't know if it is real or someone photoshoped it.

But I think it's precious and as someone who is very sensitive to new life and the innocent souls of our world I thought the image was very powerful.

Thank you YB's.

We wore the Puma outfit today. :)

Nursery.

I feel like Carter's nursery is kind of this disorganized mess in my mind. So I decided to kind of put it all together to get a little handle on what is is I am doing. I know I have several posts about the little steps but this kind of pulled it all together for me visually.

Birthday: 27.

I must brag on my husband. I turned 27 on Thursday. Since we have been married we have been married we haven't made a big deal out of birthdays and holidays in regards to gifts. It's just never been a priority with all of the financial circumstances that have occurred these past few years. But now that things are settling down, I am looking forward to make it a priority to celebrate each other!

On Thursday night I came home from a jewelry party (Stella and Dot..really cute) to find a bouquet of flowers and two cards. One card was from Casey with a sweet note and one was from Carter. And then Casey presented me with 3 gift cards. Each gift card was to a place that I like...Target, Whole Foods, and Ikea $...and as he gave them to me he told me something he appreciated about me.
*how I am a good mom to Carter
*how I strive to have a active and healthy relationship with God
*how I try to be healthy and active

Friday night we went to Charlie Gitto's on the Hill and had a nice dinner.

So kuddos to my sweet husband.























Melt my heart.

Inside and Out.

I recently came across Gwyneth Paltrow's blog. I really like it.

I really, really am interested in health foods, raw foods, vegetables, exercising, spending time in God's word, meditating. Learning to live so that I feel better inside and out. I have experienced the benefits it in my own life slowly and hope that I can continue to improve.

Thankfully I have a husband who desires me to stay at home to take care of Carter. And because I am able to stay home I am able to pay attention to these things and hopefully provide a better quality of life for all of us.

Verse: Ephesians 2:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

I am memorizing this verse for bible study next week.

One of the ways workmanship can be translated from the greek is poem.

God is our poet and we are his poem.

I love that God uses human things to try to describe his relationship with us. He meets us at our level.