Feet Friday---rubber boots and fire...

I spent almost all day today wondering if I'd be able to do a feet friday post because I could not think of any new feet pictures I had. And then, just now as I was reading my mom's FF post, I realized that I had the pictures I had taken at their house last week! I even have CHOICES! I decided on this one of my dad and I (I've got the rubber boots on) lounging by the fire (don't you just LOVE the fire pan!?! I do!). We had just spent an hour or so clearing some black berries and brush. In fact, our fire IS black berries....the old, dried out stems. It was a very enjoyable day!

Organizing Round Up---Recipes

So, February's Round Up was recipes. I managed to get mine a bit more organized, which was nice. I got all the little bits of paper and random recipes written on used envelopes nicely written out in my little recipe book. I pulled out three books that I will most likely be selling or donating or do SOMETHING with. Anyway, it was a fun Round Up and I managed to do it in a short afternoon. Very nice.

BEFORE:

Purging and organizing:

AFTER:

I think it looks much nicer, cleaner and more organized this way. Don't you?

(to learn more about these Round Ups follow this link!)

Birthday Number 4

Liam's 4th birthday was yesterday and while we are having a big party for him on Sunday, we had to do a little bit to make the actual day special...

Liam woke up to a table-full of goodies:

He was pretty excited about his new tooth brush-paste set:

He got to eat special Sprinkle Pancakes for breakfast:

He and David had fun playing with a couple of pots:

"Funfetti" cupcakes for desert:

All in all, I think he liked his birthday and is happy to be four!

Sad Car, Happy Car

On Valentines Day, our car got dented by somebody in a parking lot. Kind of ruined our holiday.
We took it to an autobody place and they did an amazing job fixing the dent!

It's nice to have our car fixed!

ABC Wednesday---F

"F" is for FAMILY

There are many "F" favorites of mine. Friends. Flowers. Food. But, in the end, there was no contest. FAMILY won, hands down.
My family means so much to me. I love each one dearly, completely, deeply. Over the years, my family has been added to, through my marriage and the births of my children, and it continues to grow as my siblings marry and have children of their own. My newer family members are dear to me as well, and I love this oppertunity to introduce all of my family to you!

Here's my side of our family. This picture was take this last christmas, so it's fairly recent.
From Left to Right: Me, Jon, David, Faith, Daniel, Mom, Liam, Dad (also in the shot are the three puppy members of the family, Charlie, Lucy and Bonnie)

While not so recent (I'm still pregnant!), this is the only recent-ish picture I have of my in-law side. I really have to get some newer pictures!

From Left to Right: Joe, Pierce, Nicole, Bill, Jessie, Me (and David, LOL), Carol, Liam, Jon.

Titles that come from family:

Daughter

Sister

Wife

Mommy

Auntie

Grandma (someday)

Yes, FAMILY is definitely my favorite "F".

Go to the ABC Wednesday page for more posts.

Fun with Macros

So, I'm finally adding the text to this post! Ha ha, life got in the way yesterday! But, it was good stuff (another post), so yeah.

My new camera has a "digital macro" option and I've been having alot of fun getting up close and personal with the smaller things in the world as I practice the fine art of macro shots. It's fun, I'm enjoying it immensely. Here's my latest shots:

These rocks are about the size of a small tea-light candle.

Springs first flowers are showing their sweet faces. My parents have some crocuses in their front lawn and I had to get some pictures.

Make Me Laugh Monday

So, last week the boys and I had gone over to my parents' home to spend a couple of days visiting and relaxing and having a good time.
At one point, Liam went into the bathroom to go potty. He was in there awhile and we could hear him playing and stuff. Finally, he called me to wipe his behind (can't wait for that stage to be over), and that done he washed his hands and went on with his day.
A little later, I had to use the bathroom, and when I went in, I noticed that it still smelled pretty bad in there. Looking around, I noticed that one of his shark bath toys....well, take a look:


Yes, that's right folks. The shark is spotting the newest rage in headwear......a Poo Do!
I asked Liam what happened and he said, "It fell in". When asked why he didn't clean it off or at least tell me, he simply shrugged and went back to what he was doing.
I on the other hand, had to show my mom and get a picture taken for MMLM!!!!

For more MMLM giggles, visit Jenny On The Spot and enjoy your Monday!

YaYa Quilts

Many years ago, I participated in a fabric swap along with my mom. I had SO much fun picking out my focal fabric and seeing what my fellow swappers picked for me. I wanted something special done with the fabric, and my mom and her YaYa friends-and Shelby too-made this beautiful sampler quilt for me:
So, last year Shelby got married. We had a fun "YaYa" bridal shower for her:

Well, my mom and her YaYas decided that Shelby needed a YaYa Quilt to. And I, being the bestie, got to help with my own block! Here it is, I'm so happy with how it turned out!

I'm wondering if this is going to be a trend......shall we always make YaYa Quilts for the Petite YaYas gals who get married?? I think it would be a marvelous idea!!!

Friendship

Friendship is am amazing gift God has give to us humans, who need companionship in such a deep way.
There are so many levels of friendship, but the one I am especially grateful for tonight is the long-lasting friendships.
Friends who have known you long and deeply, so have laugh and cried with you, and walked through life with you.
Friends who, no matter which way life's path twists, is always there and always ready to share the living of it.

I have had many friends, and have observed many friendships. My two longest friends, Shelby and Pamela hold special places in my heart. Shelby, I consider my "best" friend. I basically grew up with her. Pamela holds the title of "Bosom" friend. She is my "Diana". Both mean the world to me as dear friends.

Another friendship I have observed for most of my years is the one of my mother and her "yaya's". They have shown me that the truest friendships last through years, and all the joy and sorrow that comes from living life.

Feet Friday---ultrasound feet

When I was pregnant with Liam and we had our 20 or so week ultrasound, one of the pictures the tech printed out for us was this adorable picture of just Liams feet. I've always loved it, and knew it would be perfect for a Feet Friday post! I finally found the picture and brought it to my parents the last time I was there, because they have a scanner! Here it is:

ABC Wednesday---E

E wasn't too hard. I had a choice between two. One was eating. I do like to eat. Always have. But I'm not sure I have the photos to back up my professed love of food. I did devote an entire blog to food and the creation thereof.

But, for today, I decided to go with my other "E" choice.
And so, "E" is for ELEPHANT! One of my favorite animals to see in the zoo, and I would love, love, love the chance to see them in the wild someday (African Safari anyone?!?).
They are huge and stately and beautiful!

Here's a sweet guy, seen at our last trip to the zoo:

For more ABC Wednesday, visit the linkie page and have a great week!

tinkertoys

Liam woke up the other morning to discover this is in the livingroom:

Jon had made it for him the night before. Liam thought it was pretty cool!

Happy Valentines Day

(I love http://www.picnik.com/)

Beautiful Cards

My amazing sister inlaw, Nicole, has begun selling the cards she makes. I've seen and been given many of them and she does truly beautiful work. Take a look at her card blog!

Feet Friday---slippered feet

"Don't you stay at home of evenings? Don't you love a cushioned seat in a corner, by a fireside, with your slippers on your feet?" -Oliver Wendell Holmes

ABC Wednesdays---D

My favorite “D” is my David-boy, so here’s some pictures and facts about my little man:

1) he was born June 18th at 10:59pm

2) he was 8 pounds 6 ounces, exactly 2 pounds lighter than Liam

3) He looks like me

4) he likes baths and the vacuum

5) he’s working really hard to keep up with (and possibly run away from) Liam

So, there is my "D". Comeback next week to see what I pick for my favorite "E"!!! And don't forget to check out the ABC Wednesdays list to see what everyone else did for D!

Make Me Laugh Monday

Our dear hostess for MMLM, Jenny On The Spot, has issued a challenge to make her laugh today. So, here's is my contribution to this endeavor:
"Take Me To Your Leader"

(if the picture itself doesn't make you laugh, take a look at the weird lighting on the sire of his face! He has spots!)

Forgiveness is Personal

I have discovered the truth of the phrase "forgiveness is personal". I used to think that forgiveness was a gift we gave others, sort of like saying: "I love you more than the pain of what you did."

But that is not all. Not even tip of the iceberg all.

Forgiveness is about freedom. When we refuse to forgive, when we allow bitterness to fester inside our hearts, we lose the capacity to love. Unforgiveness spreads through our entire being and we end up dull, lifeless and fearful. Forgiveness is as much a gift to our selves as a gift to others, because forgiveness is key to a life fully lived.

I know, because I have experienced the sucking mire of unforgiveness and bitterness, and I have watched days, months, years go by in which these things have robbed me of joy, peace and love. The chains of unforgiveness are subtle, but they affect and infect every aspect of life and every relationship.

My heart breaks to think of the opportunities I let go by. Opportunities to forgive and love and let God transform the sorrow of what had happened to me into priceless lessons of humility and patience. Instead of letting the past be just that: the past, I concentrated on meaningless and unanswerable questions like why that person did that or this person said this or why that relationship I thought so strong failed. Instead of trusting God to work His good in my life, I let unforgiveness reign and keep me from loving like I could.

Unforgiveness robs the present too, bringing with it fear of being hurt again. I don't know how many times I have withheld myself from a relationship because of being afraid of being hurt.

I want to love and live with a heart open to those around me, trusting God to bear me up and comfort me when sorrow comes, because it will come. I want to live in the freedom that comes from forgiving; and the joy that no one can take away from me because it is grounded in Lord, not in man.

Cover Up

Breastfeeding is something I have committed to as a mommy. I feel it gives me and my babies a special time to be together, and it gives them very good (very free) nourishment.

That said, there are some things I DONT like about breastfeeding. I don't like night feedings. I'd honestly rather be sleeping. And I really don't like nursing in public. I feel very self-conscience and embarrassed.
I'm always amazed at the women out there who just whip up their shirts and commence feeding their child, without a cover or anything. I could never do that. I have a hard time not being covered up when it's just my mom or my husband around.
That being said, I've always used a flannel receiving blanket to cover up with. Just before I had David, my sister-inlaw had Pierce, and she got one of these nifty little covers called Hooter Hiders. They are so nice. I borrowed hers a couple of times and really liked the convience of it, especially the tie around the neck (little hands are quick to pull off the blankets!). My little cheapster self balked at the price tag though and I thought, "Well, I could just make myself one and it wouldn't cost a thing!"

Well, I'm a cheapster....but I am also a procrastinator to the max. So, my dear little one is almost 8 months old and I still hadn't made myself a cover up, and I'd been getting progressively more and more fed up with the blankets, cuz David is a PRO at yanking it off, and not in the least okay with being covered up! So, the other day, I finally pulled out my stash, picked a nice piece of fabric and got to work. Below is my finished project:

It was exciting and frustrating all at the same time to finish it in just a couple of hours...I SO should have made this months ago and saved myself all the blanket pulling and near-exposures. But alls well that ends well and now I finally have a cover that I can use for all those public feedings!

Feet Friday---High Chair Feet

Snacktime at Church makes for a great feet friday photo shoot!

ABC Wednesday---C

While not as hard as last weeks "B" decision, "C" was still a wee bit difficult. Again, there were choices:

*cars...we bought a Hyundai Sonata last April and it's a great car.

*care packages...who doesn't like getting a letter or box in the mail filled with goodies and a note from home? (I really need to be better at SENDING them too!)

*cooking...I do alot of it, and I enjoy it. I have a whole separate blog devoted to it.

In the end, I picked a favorite hobby of mine that just so happens to start with "C"

And so, "C" is for:

Crochet!
I love to crochet. It's so easy....ball of yarn, crochet needle, comfy chair (ooohhh, CHAIR starts with "C" too!!). You can do it while watching TV, talking with a friend, or just relax. And, you can make beautiful gifts and things for yourself!


In the picture: green/blue tote bag with jean-top liner; balls of baby yarn (I'm thinking baby beanie-hats); two crochet needles, a finished scarf and the red yarn (I originally bought the red yarn to tie a blanket I made, and had a ton left over. I am now making scarves!).

For more ABC Wednesday fun, look here at the main list!

PS funny to me that my mom wrote about crochet on her blog, too! Thanks for teaching me how, mom!

Make Me Laugh Monday

"You are like me, I could always sleep anywhere"
(the grandma on While You Were Sleeping)

So, we're at our friends' house for a Superbowl party today, and like usual when we are at other peoples' homes, Liam didn't want to take a nap. Around 6pm, he got in trouble and was told to sit on the chair. The next time I looked over at him, he was sound asleep....what a photo op!

Make Me Laugh Monday is brought to us by Jenny On The Spot.

PS for another wee laugh, take a look at this post on the blog all about Liam.

Never Late

So, for the last week, I've been praying that Jon get paid by friday so that I didn't have to scramble, stress and ask for money to pay our rent.
On Friday afternoon, I was still praying, but starting to worry.

We all get in the car Friday night so Jon can hang out at the guys house while the boys and I are at my job at church and Jon says,
"Oh yeah. Don't wash my jeans yet because there's a check in my pocket."

Oh Glory, Hallejuah, THANK YOU LORD!