Yum!

I could use a warm biscuit! Or something from Warm Biscuit Bedding Company. They have the C-U-T-E-S-T stuff ever, a really adorable store. I am absolutely in love with this wooden mixer set and this cookie set. How cute are those??? Oh man, I could spend hours on their site.

Megan is hosting a giveaway for a $50 gift certificate, so go over and sign up. Wouldn't that be a great thing to win????

Mommy

Motherhood. The word simply means the state of being a mother.

I entered motherhood in January of 2005, and again in January of 2007. I definitely was in a state. A state of total shock, awe, terror, amazement, and joy. And still, 3 and a 1/2 years later, the feelings haven't faded away. As I smother shower my two little red headed joys with kisses, I can't help but feel like the luckiest woman in the world.

No matter how many pressing things are on my mind (the bills, the laundry, the errands) nothing can take away my worries like a whispered "I love you" and a tight squeeze from a small child.

Nothing can take away my fear like laughing as my toddler licks her sister's face and proclaims that she tastes "like a baby".

Absolutely nothing in this world can bring me more joy than watching my children play together, even if they are making a mess.

Because I'm not a mother, or even a mom. I'm a Mommy, and two little girls hold my heart in their grubby little hands.



This picture was taken one year ago, when my daughter was 6 months old. The photo was spontaneous, I was kissing her to make her smile for the camera. When I look at this picture, I see a few flaws (read: baby weight) but I also see sunshine, happiness, love, and total and complete peace. That is motherhood.

(This is an entry for the Mother's Day Photo Contest from 5 Minutes for Mom, courtesy of Egg Beaters.)

(Special thanks to Nora K. who helped make this picture beautiful. Thanks Nora!)

Thank You Mom in Law

I decided to participate in the group writing contest hosted by Jordan at MamaBlogga. Here is my entry (just in the nick of time!), entitled Thank You Mom in Law.


Mom-in-law, I want to thank you for raising such a wonderful son. I also want to thank you for giving him to me on our wedding day, although you did hold on tight until the very last second. In fact, I nearly broke a well manicured nail trying to wrench him out of your eagle-like grasp. But you handed him over, and for that, I thank you.

I would also like to thank you for the many, many hours you spent taking care of your family. Your son is proud that he had a stay at home mother at his beck and call, ready to serve the family diligently. You set the bar so very, very high for your son's wife, and for that, I thank you.

You spent so many hours taking care of your children when they were ill. This helped your son learn that someone would always be there to rub his back, fetch his blankets, and wipe his nose. You spent many hours slaving over a hot stove, dishing up everyone's plates, jumping up to grab forgotten condiments, clearing the table, and washing the dishes, never once expecting (or receiving) a thank you. You were delighted to follow your children around with a dust buster, snatching up each crumb before it hit the floor. Your children came home from school to see a freshly made bed, neatly vaccuumed bedroom, and a nice homemade snack waiting for them. You spent every waking moment doing something for someone in your family, and for that, I thank you.

You gladly took your husband's coat when he came inside, lined his boots up neatly in the proper place, and smiled when he threw his dirty socks next to the laundry hamper, instead of in. You spent hours ironing clothes- you could make the perfect crease in a pair of boxer shorts! You spent hours perfecting your cookie recipe- you could have made money off of those chocolate chip beauties! You spent hours scrubbing the toilet- anyone would have been glad to rest their hiney upon the gleaming throne! You were always armed with a bottle of homemade cleaning solution, a dustrag, and a giant smile on your face, and for that, I thank you.

Although you felt that no one would ever be good enough for your son, you still welcomed me into the family with half open arms. You never failed to impart your wisdom on to me. I was blessed with your advice in many areas of my life, including: my marriage, my parenting skills, my finances, and even my weight. You were always willing to share tips and ideas for improving my life, and for that, I thank you.

When it comes to your son's children, you really shine. You love your granddaughters with such a passion, like a grandma lioness protecting her cubs. Of course, you shower them with too many sweets, inappropriate cartoons, and uber late bedtimes, but you also shower them with love. Lots and lots of pure, unconditional love. And for that, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Throughout your son's childhood, you were there to clean up after him, feed him, make his bed, and keep him happy. You were always there to fulfill every need he could have. You might have been there too much, but you were always there. And for that, I thank you.

You raised your son with the expectation that his wife should do as much as his mom did. The pressure and responsibility can be a bit much, and to say our household is different than yours used to be, is an understatement. But please know, that you are appreciated. Appreciated for your undying love for your family, your constant need to please, even your unsolicited advice. You are appreciated for all of your hard work, your sense of humor, and especially for your mouthwatering chocolate chip cookies and your gleaming toilets.

You gave me your son, my children's father, and my best friend. And for that, I thank you.

50th Post!

Yay for fifty posts!!

Life has been crazy, crazy, crazy. I had a super busy weekend. Hubby went on a three day bachelor party. Sheesh! A big group of the guys went camping and fishing, they really had a blast. So I invited my cousin to stay the weekend with me. She is 14, and both of the girls really love her. I had a lot of fun staying up late, giggling and chatting. But man, I am really appalled at how 'grown up' teenagers are. Doing drugs, having sex, sneaking out. My cousin isn't doing those things (yet anyway) but all of her friends are. It's scary. We went swimming on Saturday for my younger cousins' birthday party. It was a lot of fun, and I really slathered a ton of sunscreen on both girls. I must have missed a spot on Ali's arm though because the poor thing got burnt. I completely forgot about putting sun screen on me, and I am super crispy and red. Then on Sunday my mom and I went to visit my friend and her new little baby. Such a sweet little thing! She is still teeny, only 5 lbs 3 oz, and still in the NICU, but she is beautiful! Then we did a whirlwind of power shopping, and lots of driving back home.

All this week I'll be catching up on housecleaning! Should be fun times.

I've been reading all about the huge 4th of July giveaway at 5 Minutes For Mom for quite a while. In true procastinator fashion I waited until now to enter though! Just in the nick of time! You have to check them out, they have some amazing things to give away!

Really Fantastic Contests!

Is it cheating to put them all in one post? I hope not!!! I have stumbled upon some wonderful giveaways!

First is a wonderful sling giveaway from Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing. The sling is a KimzKreations. She is giving away a Solarveil ring sling! I've never used a solarveil RS before, but it would really come in handy. Especially since I have such a pale baby with sensitive skin! I really love the pink and the turquoise slings Kim has. Fun giveaway!

And holy Bling baby! Check out the amazing giveaway at Pinks and Blues. This one is super easy to enter too. Love love love it!

I also love Sheena's giveaway. It's for a $50 gift certificate to Kangaroodle. They have the cutest, cutest, cutest stuff there! I love this frog pod bath toy storage, since we have a billion bath toys that are constantly cluttering the bottom of the shower. This watermelon blanket is to die for as well! I love the bright colors. I really love all of their stuff!

I love me some giveaways!

Fun stuff!

What a fantastical giveaway! Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing is hosting a great giveaway from MamaKanga. I just browsed through their site, I love all of their stuff! I have really enjoyed babywearing this time around. I have used ring slings, pouches, and Mei Tais. I use a MT the most, especially for shopping and walks with the toddler. With my bad back, it is absolutely amazing how it distributes the weight just right so I'm not hurting even after several hours of baby wearage.

If I won, I am torn between a beautiful Gypsy Mama Bali Baby Wrap and this mouth watering CatBird Baby Mei Tai. Gorgeous stuff!

Thanks Megan for directing me there! :)

How AWESOME is this?

What a sweet contest! Pinks and Blues hosts the most amazing giveaways! Right now they have an adorable Dooney and Burke handbag, and a bottle of yummy VS perfume that they are giving away. You can check out their website here. The deadline is next Friday, so run over and enter everyone!

I also signed up for their daily emails, called the Lucky Loop. Very cool stuff!

A fun contest!

Check out this fun contest from Adventures in Babywearing. And thanks to Megan for directing me there! I've just spent way too much time perusing the Mason & Matisse website. I can't believe all the amazing stuff they have! Of course I always love me some Babylegs and this positively adorable froggie bath pod and these Dado cubes would be great for the monster!

The contest looks so fun, you can win a ton of shibby things! I will be so excited if I win, I never win anything! Wait, strike that. I won a two year supply of poopy diapers recently. What a find!