I(vy)phone

Warning: Watching the following video has been known to make ovaries ache.

I(vy)phone from Stephanie Precourt on Vimeo.

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What do you want for Christmas?

We put the tree up yesterday and Ivy only pulled it down twice. (Not bad, right?)

It's our second year with a pre-lit tree and you can probably imagine my disappointment when I plugged it in and it didn't light up. That's what I was afraid of.

Apparently if you push the "on" button, though, it will light up. :)

Gray is okay with Chazz Star now. He just keeps his distance.

The boys excitedly wrote out their Christmas lits.

We don't give a lot of presents to the kids at Christmas. Mostly because we can't responsibly afford it, and also because we want to instill the mindset of Christmas not being only about getting gifts. It seems each year we try to be "more simple" than the last.

I never make a Christmas list. Jeff and I don't exchange gifts, and we don't expect it. Ever.

The kids always find a small toy and some candy in their stocking. Under the tree is usually one or two wrapped gifts for each child, appearing on Christmas morning.

I do think back to my childhood and how our living room would be filled FILLED with toys. Those are some of my favorite memories, actually. The tiny Barbie-sized grand piano that really played, my Littles doll house, kitchen sets, there was always so much.

I confess it makes me a little sad that we can't do that for our boys, but I know they have plenty of favorite memories over the couple toys they do get, and a living room filled FILLED with our family.

I've got everything I've ever wanted already this Christmas.


If you can responsibly spend extra this year, or are willing to hold back a portion of what you'd normally spend to give to those in need and make a true Christmas Change, please take a peek at the Christmas Change project I'm happy to stand behind. Your small change can make a huge difference to someone else. Even you.

[Especially you.]


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the happy in just a regular old day

This morning I finished our Christmas cards, and writing with a colorful fine-tip Sharpie makes my handwriting so flowy and me very happy.



Laundry doesn't necessarily make me happy, but having Ivy as my little helper does. She always always puts pants around her shoulders and her brother's underwear on her head and around her arms. She finds the leg holes of the underwear and thinks it's a bracelet or something. Where did she get this?

It makes me so happy.


Later in the day we rest in bed and I nurse her to sleep. It's that warm, gentle shut of her eye lashes, damp curls at the nape of her neck, soft hand clutching my finger, my hair, my shirt. I give her my everything and she takes it and is safe.

I marvel at her beauty, at her personality even when she sleeps.

This is one of the happiest moments I live daily.

It is too dark now to get a good picture of all my boys and girl. Also, they won't stay still for even for a moment,

but I catch their feet.

Two, four, six, eight.

Happy, happy, happy, happy.

The end.

You Capture: your happy story


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The Elf On The Shelf really only works if you remember where you put him.

Chazz Star is in the house!

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Local Peeps, Please Mark Your Calendars

I'm so thankful for every one of you.

I've been there, where I had so much going on in my own little world that I failed to notice what my very dear friends or neighbors were struggling with.

(I know that place like the back of my hand.)

And it's true, sometimes our minds are so full and we are in such a survival mode that it's impossible to focus on anything or anyone else, to even think to ask how someone else is doing,

but there are times that our hearts need to reach out and give service, energy, a listen, a love to someone else...

(Locals, this is where you come in.)

My very dear friend Jen is organizing a spaghetti dinner & bake sale fundraiser for her nephew James. He is just six years old and was recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.


I actually knew his father Marcus way long ago before I even met Jen. Their whole family is just precious. Will you join my family at this spaghetti dinner on Saturday December 12 from 2-8pm?

The deets:
Dec 12, 2-8 pm
Portage First United Methodist Church
2637 McCool Rd.

Tickets are a minimum donation asked of $5 per person, kids 3 & under are free.

All funds raised will help ease the burden of the medical bills and expenses associated with James' cancer treatments.

You can also follow along this family's journey by becoming a fan of the Jump In For James Facebook page.

If you're unable to attend the spaghetti dinner but would still like to help, you can do so via PayPal on the Facebook page.

I'll be there with my whole fam. We'll probably go around 4-ish but if you want to know the exact time, just email me or what not.

Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts for sweet James.

Again, group hug.


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Group hug.

I pick up dishes and I pick up crumbs.

I pick up a child, I pick up a cold, I pick up a tissue, I pick up my shoulders.


I pick up dirty socks and Lego-guy helmets and a piece of fuzz (okay more like a huge chunk of Idon'tknowwhatthatwas).


I pick up the washcloth, I pick up my feet, I pick up my chin.

Can I pick up you, too?

My friends, I can tell many of us are struggling and shuffling along in our new December. I'd love to know how I can be praying for you, thinking of you, and show you how we are not alone.


So go on and spill it in the comments below...

(I'm real good at picking up spills, too.)


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Secret spy glasses,

a box full of candy,

talking parrots,

buttered cornbread muffins,

and a dolly that opens and shuts her eyes.



Gotta love the Cracker Barrel.


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Girl, Uninterrupted.

There's so many voices, little ones heard around me, written on paper, and on the internet. Sitting across from the table, at my knee, by my side, through my phone.

I want to be a good listener, I want to know peace in the stillness, and am reminded of how much I love my uninterrupted moments.

I'm trying to be mindful and put thought before I interrupt someone else's moment. Their story, quiet-ness, feelings-sharing, or nothing-time.

Even my kids'.

Especially my kids'.

Sometimes there's just too many words.


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If I were to post a holiday guide,

it might look something like this (hint hint, Santa):

Licorice-Slate silk essential sling from Sakura Bloom [$198].

Mei tai/asian style carrier from Baby So Smart $78

I might have finally convinced hubby that I need this handsome set for our bathroom. (Yes, I'm serious.)

Ryan Berkley matching male and female squirrel plywerk panels [$40 each] from Fawn & Forest.

So tiny, so cuuuute!
Waldorf Leafbuddy [$27.50] by germandolls on etsy found via Natural Kids Store.

Five lovely pieces safari set [$28] by little alouette on etsy found via Natural Kids Store.

Mad Hippie repair butter [$24.99]

Mad Hippie is a socially conscious company-10% of all profits to Conservation International- and their product is an all natural blend of the best antioxidants and free radical combatants, that help heal aging skin, while building future resilience to damage.

Mad Hippie would love to offer a 20% discount to you. Email sales@madhippie.com if interested, and they'll send you a bill via paypal.

Cupcake '10 -just hanging out with bloggy friends in Oregon, WI during my BIRTHDAY WEEKEND Jan 9-10. [$20+] (registration available until December 11th.)

So, I'm probably not very good at the holiday guide thing, but anyway.

In all actuality, this Christmas my family is focusing on giving less material things and instead creating handmade items for gifts and spending more quality time together.

I'm really looking forward to it. But it's always fun to window shop and drop hints to Santa, of course!

[I was not given product or paid to post about any item listed above. For fun, I chose to feature advertisers from my sidebars and a fun event I'm a part of, but they never pay to be a part of my content, which is my own words and choices.]


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Vaccines

I see many people are searching my blog often about vaccines.

Currently it's the most searched for topic if you check my Lijit sidebar thingy on the left and it's something I'm emailed questions about a LOT.

No shots. Ever.
I'll just get this out right at the beginning: My husband and I do not vaccinate ourselves nor our children.

This includes any and all flu shots (yes, even H1N1). We practice so much concern and safety regarding vaccinations that we even took the kids out of school when the health department came in to administer the H1N1 shots. [Our reason: there can always be mistakes and we didn't want to risk THAT mistake.]

How did this all start?
We had no education regarding "immunizations" when we had Noah & Carter. We went along because we thought that is what you do. And honestly, I had no clue we had a choice. I thought it was the law.

Noah started having seizures in the fall of 2003. I joined a support group on the web created by parents going through the same mysterious epilepsy and many many parents had traced much of their childs' neurological and gut issues back to their vaccines.

We stopped all vaccinations for the boys until we could find out more information. I got copies of all their records and began going through their medical history (they were very sick babies and always after they got a vaccine, including many ER trips, meeting with specialists, and near-hospitalization.)

• I went to the library and checked out (and read cover to cover) Evidence of Harm, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations, and Vaccines: Are They Really Safe And Effective?
• I joined a local natural parenting group.
• I got informed and armed myself with factual information.
• I even gave birth to our fourth baby at home.

Vaccines are a choice, not required. Each state has its own laws. View your state information here.

What I know now, I can never un-know. But I'm thankful for this knowledge. It's directed us to live our lives in a different and better way for our family.

Our decision is quite personal, as whatever you choose is personal to you and your family.

This is an area that is not "one size fits all."

Be informed before you decide to vaccinate OR delay vaccinations OR not vaccinate.

Know the facts on BOTH sides, then make your informed decision.

That's all I did.

Comments are closed, but feel free to email me at stephanie.precourt [@] gmail.com .

Read some of my older posts on vaccines.


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