Apr 30, 2009
Thankful Thursday, 4-30-09
Quick Picks
Apr 29, 2009
Why oh Why?
Apr 27, 2009
Personalized Pillow "Pattern" review and giveaway.
Have you ever wished you were talented enough to make these creations yourself?
If you're anything like me you HAVE OOh'd and Aah'd over handmade items recently. And if you're like me, you've likely paused to consider whether you could actually make something Ooh and Aah worthy, only to decide it looked entirely too complicated and well worth the money to buy it from someone, say on etsy.com for ecample. Not that I've spent any money there...
But have you ever heard of YouCanMakeThis.com?
I've just been introduced to this site and must say, it's exciting! While I consider myself somewhat artist and even sort of crafty now and then, I do NOT sew. I tell you, my mom will back me up on this! Yes I know how to run a sewing machine but figuring out a pattern and all that on my own is a definite no go. But I recieved the downloadable "pattern" from YCMT's featured Personalize Pillow and these aren't your Mom's patterns. This is step by step instructions with photos that make is so simple, I could make it. I'll be honest, I haven't yet. I technically own a sewing machine, but it still resides with my parents as I lack the space for it in my house. And while I seriously intend to find the time to use my moms machine and a few of her mountains of "scraps" to create a few of these myself, I didn't want to wait to share this with you guys. Because you see, I have a downloadable "pattern" for one of you as well!
And I'm thinking as much as I LOVE these for kids, I think they'd also make great Mother's Day gifts. You could use Grandama, Nana or whatever name fits for your family!
If you get creative you could really use these adorable pillows for everyone, teacher's gifts, Father's Day and on and on.
So to enter to win your own Personalized Pillow Pattern, visit YouCanMakeThis.com and take a look around. There are TONS of other patterns/instructions to be found there from appareal to adorable dolls. And don't miss the helpful hints and clips for those of us who aren't experts with a sewing machine!
Then come back and leave me a comment about who you think you'd make this pillow for.
After you've done that you may earn extra entries by leaving a seperate comment for each of the following things:
- follow my blog
- subscribe to my blog (via email)
- grab my button (include a link to your blog)
- follow me on twitter (include your twitter id)
- tweet about this giveaway (may tweet once per day for an additional entry, be sure to leave a comment each time with a link to your tweet)
- blog about this giveaway for 2 enteries (be sure to leave TWO comments and include a link to you blog post in one of them)
Don't forget to include your email address in your comment if it is not visible on your blogger profile.
Winner will be chosen May 5th!
Apr 26, 2009
Beautiful Babies
This is a group that holds a very special place in my heart but because of my own children I have simply not been able to find a way to serve them despite my desire to for several years, until earlier this year when I emailed them offering my photography services. So this week I went to the church where they meet weekly and photographed their beautiful children. They will be given a disc of the images as well as a framed print. (Luckily I am not the one who has to chose the one photo to print for each mom!)
I praise God that each of these gorgeous little ones was given a chance! I pray we will see a day when all of God's children are given the same chance!
These are just a few of my favorites.
Apr 25, 2009
Future Football Stars??
Apr 24, 2009
Are you ready...
Apr 22, 2009
A perfect Mother's Day gift idea
But this year I wanted to do something a little different. As I happen to wonder around etsy.com fairly regularly 'window shopping' I found the perfect thing. It was something I loved and will be printing to frame for my own living room but also for gifts for mothers day!
After deciding I wanted to do these sort of vintage framed silhouettes, you know after some consideration because no decision can ever be made without much pondering and second guessing, I returned to etsy. Since I hadn't saved any seller in particular for this, I did a search. There were a lot of items found. Many of them were for an actual ready to frame silouette. Only a small handful were for digital files of the silhouette. And of those one jumped out at me. It said proceeds went to a charity AND it was a great price. SOLD!!
I loved the silhouettes she'd done and to think that my purchase could actually help a charity too! So I messaged the seller because there was only one available and, in case you haven't been paying attention, I have three kids. She very kindly added the extra listings for me. Then she got to work. I was worried that my first attempt at photos wouldn't work because my kids were less than cooperative. The baby is in general not cooperative with the taking of photos anymore. Then the older boys were just confused about what I was doing. So in other words, the photos were not perfectly what she asked for. But not only did she make them work...she made them GORGEOUS!
Visit petit debutant to get a beautiful silhouette of your own.
I know you can't see my cuties, gorgeous blue eyes or sweet smiles, but don't you think there is just something simply elegant about these???
Apr 21, 2009
By The Book, review and GIVEAWAY
Do you get out regularly for dates with your spouse? Ok, yay me neither! I wish I did but its just not in the cards for us right now. We seem to get out about...once a year. But on that one day we end up spending a ton of time explaining routines, rituals and rules to a completely competent but likely overwhelmed sitter. More than once we've fielded calls, not because an child is hurt or inconsolable, but typically because the sitter can not navigate the sea of remotes we have to start a dvd for the kids. Whether you have one or one dozen kids there just so much to remember to tell a sitter while also tryig to fend of meltdowns because you're leaving and attempting to keep your clothes free from snot or spit-up.
But Karen Berg and Melissa Bishop of Karmel Publishing have developed an amazing solution. Whether you get out regularly or annually, leave your kids with dad, grandparents or a neighbor and whether your kids are infants or older, this book is the perfect thing for every family.
They have created an amazing fill in the blank book that covers all the info that anyone should need to care for your kids (and even your furry kids). Everything from kids likes and dislikes to the hopefully never needed emergency information can be filled in, organized, updated and kept easily accessible. While you'll need to spend some time with it upfront to get all the info into the book, it will save a ton of time as you try to rush (or sneak) out the door. And although my husband is now home full time with the kids I remember a time when this wasn't the case. And I know many other father like this who don't know all the favorites or the bedtime routines. This book could be a perfect thing for them as well. No promises from me that you'll actually get them to look at it. I think it may fall in the "directions" category and we all know how they are about directions. But given a major meltdown even the toughest dad might give in and take a peek!
And last but certainly not least. A section you'll likely want to store in a separate, but equally important binder is the section for you, the parents, to keep/manage information on different sitters. You can record their contact info and other stats like whether they have their own car etc. And if you're looking for a new sitter or nanny they've even provided interview questions for you!
Think this sounds like something you could use?
Well you're in luck! The wonderful ladies of Karmel, have offered one free eBook version of By The Book for one of my readers.
To enter this giveaway, you'll need to visit Karmel Publishing and then come back and leave me a comment sharing which section sounds like the most useful in your house.
For additional entries, only after you've done the first required entry, you may do any of the following. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each one.
- follow my blog
- subscribe VIA EMAIL
- add my button to your own blog (leave a link to your blog)
- follow me on twitter (leave your twitter id)
- blog about this giveaway for TWO entries,leave 2 comments (be sure to leave the link to your post)
- tweet about this giveaway. can tweet once a day for an extra entry (be sure to leave link)
Apr 20, 2009
Not Me Monday, 4-20-09
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
Ahh, it's Monday again but I did NOT forget that it was. And at no point in the last few days have I been completely unsure what day it was. I'm always clear headed, well rested and on task. So as you can tell, none of the following could have occurred in our house this week.
We did NOT eat out 4 straight days. I am an amazing Martha Stewartesq cook. So I always prepare homemade gourmet meals for my clan.
I did NOT purchase large amount of chocolate this week. Just because it is 75% off does NOT mean its 75% fewer calories. And therefor I did NOT eat at least 75% more than I should have.
I did NOT "help" both of my older sons create completely useless blobs of wood at the children's workshop. I am a 21st century woman who knows how to handle her tools. And if said projects did happen to not work out AT ALL, I would not completely blame it on the fact that the pieces were given obviously being miss cut. And I also did NOT feel at better about it all when the friends we met there realized that the front of their birdhouse had been nailedin upside down, thus creating a slight issue with the birds being able to use the perch that was now ABOVE the whole.
I did NOT allow my 1 year old to eat day old fruit loops simply figuring they can't be any worse for him than anything else he eats off the floor on a regular basis. This couldn't happen of course because I don't feed my kids such sugary cereal. Especially after taking the older boys to the Dr one day with a baggie of them to be busted by the DR, saying that the box they came in woul dhave been more nutrious. But if a box did happen to fall into my shopping cart mysteriously. I wouldn't ever leave food out over night on the coffee table, so that my little man would be able to get at it the following morning.
And I have NOT spent an excessive amount of time staring at the photo of my little man standing (posted on Saturday) in total disbelief of how much older he looks simply by standing all on his own. I'm NOT at all excited about the idea of him walking and being such a big boy. And I'm sure it will NOT be at all bittersweet when he does.
Apr 19, 2009
The toe
Apr 18, 2009
Spring has sprung, for now
Still has a ways to go but at least he's trying. That's a step in the right direction.
Apr 15, 2009
Blogiversary Winners
Here are your random numbers:
12 ~ silverhartgirl
Timestamp: 2009-04-16 02:16:14 UTC
Timestamp: 2009-04-16 02:17:13 UTC
Here are your random numbers:
32 ~ liane6633 ~ Shasta16 ~ Puanani50320 ~ Karen6 ~ Shawna
Timestamp: 2009-04-16 02:17:54 UTC
Apr 14, 2009
Shi Shu Baby Blanket Review
About SHI SHU BABY:
SHI SHU BABY™ blankets were designed with my son in mind. When he was born, he received several cozy, fluffy blankets from friends and family. Many of these blankets were made of microfiber/polyester. Unfortunately, my son's favorite blanket, made of microfiber/polyester, caused him to break out into a rash. That’s when I decided to design a line of blankets made only of natural fibers. When I started researching alternative fabrics/fibers, I discovered Bamboo and fell in love with it's qualities. Bamboo is antibacterial, soft as silk, keeps you cool in the Summer, keeps you warm in the Winter and most importantly...BREATHES! When the SHI SHU BABY™ blanket design was finalized, I decided that I would love to have a larger version for myself. So I designed the signature SHI SHU HOME™ throw.
Now your entire family can enjoy these soft, 100% natural handwoven blankets.
Apr 13, 2009
Starting Over
But when you think about starting over witha new baby, you think about going back to diapers and sleepless nights. What hadn't occurred to me was that while my older boys have begun to appreciate some more grown up music, I'd be diving back into the good old toddler stuff. You the sort of songs that stick in your head until you literally begin to consider a labotomy as a reasonable solution?
As Bryan has been teething (or at least that's what I pray is the problem because at least that means there's a light at the end of the crabby tunnel) he is often so crabby he just doesn't know what to do with himself, or us him. But awhile ago we found a 'magic' solution. It's the most amazing thing. It's over at dailynoggin.com. We go to eth music videos and he's in heaven. We call it his "baby crack" because I swear he goes through withdrawls.
The downside however is that I have heard the songs he really likes (ie doesn't make me skip over now that he has realized that's an option he can demand) that I can NOT get these out of my head. It's like some horrible ancient torture. Songs of misfit ducks and bongo birdies are slowly driving my clinically insane.
Have an enemy you'd like to torture, or a small child you'd like to amuse? Go here and see what I'm talking about.
Not Me Monday, 4-12-09
Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
It's been another week of parenting superstardom in my household. I never cease to amaze myself with my own mothering prowess. And for that reason, I clearly did NOT do any of the following less than perfect things in the last 168 hours.
I did NOT basically tell my 5 year old to walk off an inury that I found several days later was swollen red and infected looking. I'm much to caring and nurturing to have no closely examined the injury when it occurred. And I am entirely too attentive to have completely missed it even during a bath. I would not possibly have completely forgotten that he complained about it in the car and that I promised to look at it when we arrived at our destination. And it did not take him hollering in pain after bedtime for me to actually LOOK at it to see how digusting and painfull it looked. If any of this had occurred I'd have immeditately handled it like a medical pro. I would not have had to have him remove his sock and show off his swollen pussiness off at a dinner party to get the simple suggestion of soaking it in warm water/epsom salt.
I did NOT have a total panic attack when I got a call informing my that my oldest son was already home from school, having been walked home by a neighbor while I still sat at work. I did not assume that I messed up and begin a brutal mental attack on myself. I did not quickly verify that he should have infact remained at school for his after school club that day, and I didn't sigh a large sigh of relief for my responsibility, to immediately jump to wonder what then occured that allowed him to not go where he was supposed to. I did not send an email to his teachers and principle to find out that while there was some responsibility on a teachers part for taking a 6 year olds word rather than requiring a note, that my son appears to be growing into quite an adept conman. It could not all possibly have occurred most likely in an effort to acquire a birthday treat. And my son does not continue to deny all of his responsibility in this. I've raised far to honest a child for that. And also my kids are not junk food junkies at all.
I did NOT attempt to attend to a budget meeting at church WITH two small children. I would not let my kids run amuck in order to discuss something so complicated. And if I did it would NOT have resulted in my 1 years olds head being smash in a door leaving visible evidence of my failed attempts at multitasking.
I did NOT shed more than a few tears of overwhelming joy because of the love and generousity of my amazing church family. I did not begin to feel that this good thing I was doing for someone else was in fact bringing me more joy than I could have imagined. And I am sure I will be able to adequately show my appreciation for this outpouring of blessings.
I did NOT attend my little brother's 19th birthday party. It is impossible that he could BE 19. I can still remember the day he was born. I was in class (Jr High) and got called to the office, which never happened because I was not one to get in trouble (really) to take the call to let me know he'd arrived. He's grown into an amazing young man.
I did NOT take my kids to the mall to see the Easter Bunny and TWO easter egg hunts all this weekend. What? There's not any photographic proof anywhere on this blog :)
I did NOT forgo the traditional Easter dinner of ham etc for some McD's. I am too good of a cook to let that happen. I LOVE to be in the kitchen all day to give my family the type of holiday feast they deserve.
I know, it's hard to compete with my amazing skills. I've set the bar high. But if you'd like to give it a go, I'd love to read about all the things you did NOT do this week too!
Apr 12, 2009
Easter
Bryan liked the eggs. But I learned that I had to watch him every second or he'd put the egg down and someone else would swoop in and grab it from right under him.
Then Bryan popped an egg open and realized what was making the noise. He was in heaven. But he was going to eat the wrapper and all until big brother came to the rescue.
A little cuddlin' Despite how he normally feels about this, he was most than willing to snuggle with Timmy.