Little Moos and Mommy Too...

A Neglected Blog Repost!

2011-08-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

Playing favorites is exactly what I am doing. It is just out right silly of me to have 2 blogs, one always seems to get neglected. I am having a blast over at My Creative Pink and as I update and view my blog I see my link to Little Moos and Mommy Too. Oh, the guilt sets in but what can I do, I am busy holding a paint brush.
I know in the next two weeks life is going to change, with my Abigail entering into Kindergarten. I can't believe it. It feel like yesterday when we were celebrating her birth. Not only do I have a Kindergartener but a High School Senior and of course my little preschooler.
Noelle is back from Israel, did I even post anything about that? She went to Beit Jala, Israel to help out at the Hope Secondary School. She went with Teen Mission's International, which is an amazing organization set up to send out teens on short term missions trips. This was her second trip with them. I will come back (hopefully) and update a bit more but until then I am reposting my neglected blog post from back in 2009. I am aware of my neglect of this blog and that is the first step, admitting you have a problem!

A Blog Neglected...

September 2009

If there was a Child Protective Service (CPS) equivalent for blogs (BPS) I would be on the watch list. It is no joking matter, this poor little blog of mine has been neglected pure and simple. It sits here waiting, hoping, wishing that I will give it some words of joy, happiness, love, creativity, something, anything! Day in and day out, it waits and waits. Then I pay it a visit but I am just teasing it, taunting it if you will. I just sit there, watching it, tapping my fingers at it, staring with a blank expression on my face, and glazed over eyes. I have nothing, I can type nothing, I can leave nothing and so without a second glance back I close the computer and go on my merry way. I don't think about my little blog, I forget it is even there until I hear it's faint call to me, begging me to come back. I do come back and to the disappointment of my blog, nothing is achieved there is just an awkward silence and I leave again. Then there is a break through and hope is in my little blogs future. It is just false hope because I do not leave those precious words it so desperately wants and needs. No on that day I have tell my little blog that, after all those endless days of staring at it I realized I was tired of the way it looked, that it bored me, and it must changed. It did just that, I mean after all it is trying to earn my attention back. It changed into such a cute background with polka dots and my favorite colors. My interested was sparked but only for a moment and then I left it to sit another week, with the same old stories, same old pictures, and same old blank-glazed eyed stare..

Oh my poor little blog, I didn't start out with the intention to neglect you, you must know that. I wanted to be creative with you. Just remember it isn't you, it's me, and I will try to do better.

So don't be so sad, tomorrow is another day, with more adventures, crafts, and backgrounds, there is so much in the future, so maybe just maybe I shall visit once again, and leave you with more then my tapping fingers and my blank stare, maybe just maybe....

Fun day times 3!

2011-07-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

What a fun day we had today! A and M have been asking to go to the Train Museum the last few days. I am not sure why they started asking but I figured it would be a fun day. Not only did we go to the train museum but we went to a puppet show and the Padre game. I am not a big fan of sports but I do enjoy going to the stadiums. I will say, we only sat in our seats for one inning then wondered over to the grassy section. This worked out much better for the kids because they just ran around and made new friends. The stadium also has a play structure in the grass section, so that is also where we spent our time.

Noelle will be home in 11 days! We are all so excited for her to be home. It has been a little harder for me then it was last year. Last year we went to NY for three weeks and I had distractions there but this year we didn't go and so I feel her absence much more. I am getting many more team updates this year since they are in Israel and not Africa. I received 1 letter from her that she sent from Israel and I could tell she was enjoying herself. I can't wait to see the work God is doing in her and to hear all about her experience in the Holy Land!

Well I will leave you with a picture of my little ones riding their bikes! We took the training wheels off of Abigail's and it only took her two days to get the hang of it. Everyday after that all she wanted to do was go out and ride her bike. She is a pro and sad to say she rides her bike way better then her mama. It is quite embarrassing how timid I am and then to look at A & M riding their bikes like nothing..

Another Everything But The Kitchen Sink Post!

2011-06-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has been since October of last year that this blog was updated. Okay that is not entirely true, I am obviously no good at blogging but that doesn't mean I still can't come on once in a blue moon and post, right?
So what has gotten me on here today, well there has been a lot that has taken place since my last post and well since we are in the middle of summer I won't torture you with last years holiday events. I will however highlight the important events such as Mason's 3rd birthday and party, Noelle turning 17 and getting her license, Abigail's 5th birthday, and the event that has brought me on today, Noelle's second Mission trip with Teen Mission's International where she will be going to Israel.

So a little about each of those things, my little man turned 3 and as many little boys around that age he loves Pixar Cars, he had a cars party and I have to say the best part of the party was seeing his face when we presented him with his cake:

Yes, that is a MAC cake and Mason was besides himself with that cake, honestly he sat there the whole time with his little hand on his cheek and a big wide eyed smile!

Noelle got her license back in April but before that she had to drive around and practice. I would say I was the one who drove around with her the most. I think she preferred this and the above picture may explain why! Yes, my husband wore his helmet! (only until the end of the block but still!)

I can't believe my baby girl is 5 years old already. She is going to be a Kindergartner starting this fall. We just had her, which was a Hello Kitty party and we had such a fun time. I will be posting on my craft blog several of the things that I did. So check back later today for some great cake frosting recipes and ideas for Hello Kitty! My Creative Pink

What I have realized as I was searching through my pictures is that my Noelle is not in many pictures. I know she likes to hide away but geez, not to have any in the current albums I have is a bit ridiculous. Anyways I went off to search for pictures on Facebook and of course she has a ton! I love this one of her and my sister (Noelle is on the Right). So as I stated above, Noelle left on Wednesday for another mission trip with Teen Missions International. My last post was an update about her trip to Malawi, Africa last summer 2010. She really loved going to Africa, didn't enjoy Bootcamp that much but the field won her heart. So this year she felt lead to go to Israel. I miss her already! She will be going a total of 7 weeks, 2 1/2 weeks in Florida, 3 1/2 weeks in Bait Jala (Israel) where she will be working on the Hope Secondary School, and then 4 days back in Florida. I will have no contact with her other then letters, so it is quite difficult. I know the Lord has her in his hands and protection and I can not wait to see how this trip will impact her life.. My girl is going to The HOLY LAND!! What a world traveler she is becoming!

Well I didn't mention this above and I figured since it is the everything post I best post about it! That is me dancing up there! I started Ballroom dancing over 1 1/2 years ago and I love it. I have started to compete in Pro/Am competitions and have done fairly well. I have competed in a total of 3 so far. The first one was very low key and I got several 1st places for my International Standard of dance. Then back in November I switched instructors/dance partners and started dancing American Smooth. I have a hard time with this style but I love the whole idea of it so I keep moving forward with it. Back in the beginning of April I decided I wanted to try International Latin which truth be told when I started dancing it was what I wanted to do but I didn't think I had it in me to do it.. WELL, was I ever wrong! I LOVE Latin so much so that I put American Smooth on the shelf for a few lessons. I have done very well in my Latin and my instructor has said many times, I am a Latin dancer...hehe! I have gotten several 1st places in my Latin. I am so happy my husband supports me in this hobby!

Well folks, there may in fact be a kitchen sink somewhere in this post and since I have mentioned kitchen sink, we put an offer on a house! I am not sure if we are going to get it, we are waiting on the bank (it is a short-sale). This house is a nice house and even though it is only 11 years old the kitchen is outdated. I will eventually redo the kitchen and this folks is the kitchen sink!!

What do you do on a Rainy Day in So. Cal???

2010-10-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

You update your long forgotten blog!! Life has been non-stop for so many months and honestly I just don't see it slowing down anytime soon. I really need to take a step back and ask the Lord for strength, endurance, and peace otherwise I just might go crazy! So where did I last leave off? Let's see, ahh yes Noelle my 16 year old daughter was heading to Malawi, Africa on her very first Mission trip. Which looking back, it came and went just like that. Now, I have to say the time she was gone was very difficult, in all she was gone for 7 1/2 weeks. She left on June 23 for Merritt Island, Florida the home base of Teen Missions International and returned home on August 11. She was in Malawi for 3 1/2 weeks and the rest of the time was in Florida. I was very fortunate that through Facebook I had contact with other parents from Noelle's team and it eased my anxiety. I was able to see that just like me there were other parents going through all the same emotions. Noelle came back having made some pretty amazing life long friends and I am thankful that in this day and age she is able to maintain a certain amount of contact with this new family she made. I am so incredibly thankful to God for his protection and watch over my child. She came back safe and sound and having had an experience of a lifetime. I am going to post the video she made and shared at her school, it says it all plus she came back home with ove 600 pictures, yikes! I had planned on writing more but alas my laundry is calling.. FYI Dishes, laundry, and the two little ones take priority, even on these rainy days!!!

Okay so the video doesn't seem to want to upload, I will keep working on that and in the mean time I posted a picture.

Where is the time going?

2010-05-12T21:31:00.000-07:00

I just keep sitting here in disbelief that we are already a third of the way into May 2010. Life seems to be going 100 miles an hour and each time I blink it feels like another day has past. There have been some pretty difficult times in my life where I would have given anything for time to disappear but instead I was tortured in a slow moving hell. Melodramatic I know and of course as I look back at that time, even then life got away from me. Now I want to just breath and enjoy this beautiful and blessed life that God has given to me and yet it just keeps moving at unspeakable speed.

So what has brought me to the blog today, well lots of things...... I know I don't write on my blog often. It isn't so much a time issue (it is part of it) as it is having something to say. When I actually do sit down to write, I end up having too much to say and run out of time. The last several months have been pretty busy and filled with activity after activity. I am happy to say my family and I have found a wonderful home church. This is something that we have struggled with since John and I married almost 5 years ago. We couldn't seem to find "our" church and ended up church hopping. This wasn't a good thing because we never really committed full hearted as a family to going to church every Sunday. I was involved in bible studies for most of that time, with exception to taking time to have my babies but we didn't have the much needed fellowship that I believe our hearts and souls so desperately need. Our new church is amazing, the people are so kind, welcoming, and loving. Honestly it felt like home the first day. It is small, so you get to really know people. The greatest thing is Noelle has even expressed a great liking for this church. God really answered our prayers and I feel him calling to me in so many ways.

Well, this is probably the biggest thing going on with regards to my family... Noelle is going with Teen Missions International to Malawi, Africa on a Footwashing Mission Trip. I am really stepping out in faith with regards to allowing her to go. It almost seems surreal. I have filled out all the paperwork, gotten her passport, made calls to arrange necessary shots and yet have felt a peace about the whole thing. This is quite unusual for me, I worry and fret about everything. My family teases me and well often gets annoyed at my stress of bad things happening. Oh, I know this is not how God wants me to live and I must give these fears over to him. I pray daily for Noelle and her trip and I have commissioned others to pray daily for her. Our pastor comes up to me each time he sees me to reaffirm his commitment to pray for Noelle. He carries her prayer bookmark in his bible and prays aloud for her everyday, thank you Lord! Her trip is fast approaching, it was only a few months ago that it was 6 months away and now it is only 7 weeks away. In 7 weeks my baby is going to be getting on a plane to Florida where she will spend 2 1/2 weeks training, and then she will hop on another plane to go overseas. She will be in Malawi, Africa for 3 1/2 weeks doing various work project but mostly ministering to orphan children. She will wash their feet and give them new socks and shoes. God is sovereign over Noelle's life and I know there is power in doing the work that God has set before her. As the trip approaches, I see myself calling more fervently upon God. If you read this I ask for you to also lift my precious Noelle up in prayer. Pray for her health, travel safety, her spiritual walk and also for her fellow team members. I also think that as the trip gets closer that Satan will be out in full force against her, and I pray for him to be bound in the name of Jesus Christ. Noelle can do all things through Christ who strengthens her, and I know He will do just that!

Well there is more I can write but I am tired and should go to bed.. next time I will let you know about my ballroom dancing.. Yes, I am a ballroom dancer ( since September!) I love it, and will be participating in a Pro/Am Dancesport competition in July... so excited!

Well goodnight, and remember if you feel inclined to pray for my daughter please do so, thank you!

She can write her name...WOW!

2010-04-11T22:43:00.000-07:00

While I was washing dishes today, Abigail went into my purse got a pen, went over to the printer got a piece of paper, sat down at the table and started to write. She loves to scribble on paper and recently what she has been scribbling has started to look like something. The other day she drew a balloon with a face and hair that look like her daddy, haha!!

So today while I was distracted doing dishes I was able to hear her spelling her name out, A...b...i...g...a...i...l, then she lifted up her paper and this is what I saw. Now I don't know what the normal age is to be able to spell out your name let alone write it and it be legible, but this totally wowed me. Abigail is 3 1/2, she loves letters. When ever we go somewhere and there is a letter she will either ask me what it is or she will tell me. I have sat with her before and written out her name for her but not in the last couple of days. She did this from her own memory. What a smart girl, Abigail is!!!

And just as a side note, I will admit that it helps knowing that her name is Abigail when you look at this paper, but still it is pretty darn neat!

A Little Bit of Easter!

2010-04-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

I have not blogged in so long, the BPS are watching..haha! If you want a little laugh check my blog post out here , it explains BPS to you. This is just a quick update with a couple of pictures from Easter. I hope you all had a great Easter and I will be back soon to update you on what I have been up to the last few months..

Choo-Choo!! My little boy's 2!!

2010-01-11T20:36:00.001-08:00

What can I tell you about Mason, he is such a joy in my life. He is loving, silly, sensitive, full of life, loves the outdoors, outspoken (as much as a 2 year old can be). He is the one who took to breastfeeding, sleeping, not making much of a fuss and just being a great baby. I thought for sure this meant he was going to be my sweet, little boy who is going to love books, music, sitting on mommies lap, quite, screech... ummm.. seriously what was I thinking!! Mason is 100% all boy, he loves vroom-vroom cars, choo-choo trains, throwing his food on the floor, chasing his sister with dirt, eating dirt, eating sand, and on and on, did I mention he likes to eat dirt? He absolutely loves being outside playing and as soon as he was mobile he would crawl to the doors so he could go outside.

Underneath that all American boy, there is also my little prince who loves giving hugs, kisses, and cuddling. He gets his feelings hurt and is pretty sensitive to be disciplined. He for the most part responds to us telling him no (within limits, I mean they all test us) but when we do have to give time out, my heart just breaks at his cry. He says sorry in the most endearing way. My little man turned 2 on December 31, and this past weekend we celebrated his birthday with our friends and family. It was a fun time! We had a train themed party and he got a train table from us, along with some wonderful gifts from out guests. I am a very blessed wife and mother and I know each and every moment is a gift from God.. how thankful I am!

Christmas Tree 2009..

2009-12-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

I don't think I have ever enjoyed decorating a Christmas Tree as much as I did last night. This year Abigail is really getting into the Christmas spirit. She is enjoying all the lights on the houses and everyday asks if it is "Christmas Time" and that she wants "Christmas Stuff, Lot's of lights, and a deer!" I have been telling her that Christmas is Jesus' birthday, to which she replies "Mason's too". His birthday is December 31, so she knows it is close.

My color theme is Brown & Gold. We bought a few boxes from Walmart and Abigail was the official person to place the hooks on the ornaments and she did it with such diligence. Mason just took all the ball ornaments spread them out, shoved them in the tree, picked them up from here and put them over there, let's just say I am thankful for Shatterproof ornaments!! Noelle put ornaments on the tree and we bought this glitter swirly sticks that she placed all around the tree. Once the colored themed ornaments and ribbon were on the tree, we continued to adorn it with our sentimental ornaments collected over the years. I have realized I have many or Noelle but I am lacking them for Abigail and Mason.

Our tree is huge!! I think it is about 8 feet tall. It really was a wonderful family moment for me!!

Kissing Santa!!

2009-12-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

This just happened!!
We are listening to Christmas songs.... Abigail: "Mommy do you want to kiss Santa Clause" Mommy: "No, I only want to kiss your daddy"... Abigail: "Well, the song said you were kissing Santa Clause".. haha!!!

Catching up...getting stuck, Homecoming, and Snow White..

2009-11-21T09:05:00.000-08:00

My poor little man, I can't imagine what he is going to think when he grows up and looks at all his baby, toddler pictures. He may in fact disown me!! Why you ask? Let's start off with these first pictures...Abigail is always dressing up in her pretty dress-up dresses and Mason usually brings me a dress so he can play too.. I am not worried, he is a baby and this makes for great stories for his future girlfriends. So instead of worry I do what any good mother would do.. I dress him up and take pictures!!!

I also don't know how, but Mason managed to get himself stuck in this doll's baby carriage. I again did what any good mother would do when their child is in distress..I took pictures!!!

Some how some way I need to get Noelle to take pictures with out tilting her head!! This is the best picture I got of her and her friend Marcus the night of the homecoming dance.. my girl is growing up..

Halloween, so cute!!

2009-11-04T10:53:00.001-08:00

What a fun Halloween we had! We went to a church carnival, trick-or-treated, and were home by 7:30. The kids looked adorable and Mason actually kept his hat on. From what I hear next year might be a challenge with doing the themed costumes (kids being independant and all) I am hoping for Minnie and Mickey, we shall see!

Family Moo Update..

2009-10-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

Although I don't live in an area that experiences a noticeable season change, I still get the feeling of fall. This is my most favorite time of year. For the last 6 or so years my good friends hosts a yearly pumpkin carving party. I have attended all of them but 1 and this year will be another year I will have to miss. My little man has the flu and although he was not swabbed for H1N1, that is what the doctor's are say he has. He has been with fever since Monday and I have been house bound. It has been a tough week. Mason is only 21 months and is basically a walking germ!! His hands are constantly in his mouth and of course he wants to be held all the time. I am walking around with hand sanitizer and spraying Lysol on all the toys. I need to remember to buy a nicer scented Lysol this one just is stinky!! It goes without out saying but I am a bit overwhelmed and my house is a mess.

Through all this I have gleaned a cute moment. We got a Barbie Catalog in the mail which has some pretty amazing collector Barbies with some pretty hefty price tags. I gave the catalog over to Abigail figuring she would enjoy looking at it. Well, she was dress up in her pretty dress, carrying her handbag and catalog. She turned to Mason, showed him the catalog and said" Let's talk about hairstyles".. I have no idea where she got that from, but it brought a smile to my face and it was exactly what I needed.

Now I am just hoping and praying the rest of us don't get sick..

Vroom, Vroom!!

2009-10-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is about kids but they sure bring a tremendous feeling of joy. Of course along with that they bring a tremendous feeling of " I want to pull my hair out!!" but let's not focus on that.
Today we went to Target, Kohl's, JcPennys, and.....(seriously there was a lack of selection and sizes) to pick up some new clothes for the kids. They both needed warm (can't say winter, cause it's California!!) clothing. My little guy REALLY was in need, he has been wearing 3/4 sleeved tee's that weren't meant to be so and capri's, for goodness sakes!
While I shopped around John took the kids over to the toy department. Of course, the kids both ended up with a new toy. Abigail's was Princess and Mason's had 4 wheels. Mason started to play with his car right way. At first he didn't like the sound it made so I turned that off and eventually turned it back on. That is when we really saw what this toy can do. You basically shake the car, set it on the ground, it revs up and takes off. Mason did this all the way up the walk way to Kohl's and back to the car. He then did it all the way up the walk way to the house and inside the house, and outside the house. Noelle had a hair appointment so I left John home with the kids. Noelle and I were gone for a little over an hour and we both wondered if Mason was still at home chasing the car. Sure enough we walk in and there he was, running after the car. So fun to watch. He was completely entertained and getting exercise, what more could I ask for?? Here is a link to this toy: http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Disney-Pixar-Shake-Chick/dp/B001MK2NR0/ref=pd_sim_t_2

Abigail has turned into such a Princess loving, pink, loving little girl. Everything she wants has to do with Princesses. She loves to watch Cinderella and the ending brings her so much joy, she jumps up and down, and then she exclaims (every single time) " Mama, she got married!!!" The Princess toy John bought her was a very tiny ( 3 inches or so) Cinderella with all three of Cinderella's dresses. Abigail spent the day dressing Cinderella. The first dress she put on her was the wedding dress to which she exclaimed "Mama, she got married!!" Priceless, these children, these moments are absolutely priceless!!!

Okay so these bottom pictures have nothing to do with my post, I just haven't had a chance to post them on there own. This is basically what happens when you feed your 21 month old son cereal and then go take a shower. It becomes a stylishly messy hat. Of course I had 10 minutes to go before we had to leave, so Mason went to school with crusty cereal hair. The plus, by the time we got to school it had dried and looked more like it had been sculpted with mousse.. (okay that is just what I told myself). I tell ya, this little guy is going to keep me on my toes!!! Oh but how I love him, and Abigail, and Noelle, and my wonderful love, John!!!

Did someone say Mustache??

2009-09-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

We all enjoyed a berry smoothie yesterday, although I think Mason enjoyed it a little bit more.

Abigail seemed to have an off day yesterday and would cry over pretty much everything. This is here pouty face and eventually I was able to get her to show me her beautiful smile.

You can still see the tears in her eyes...

All teary eyed!!

2009-09-22T22:09:00.001-07:00

I would not consider myself an emotional, cry at the drop of a hat kind of person. It takes a lot for me to shed a tear and no that wasn't me in the mini-van on the side of the road crying to that new country song!!! Seriously, some of those songs are sad!!! Okay confession moment over, moving on...
Abigail is 3 years old and this age is just fascinating with how quickly they pick things up, and then repeat them to you. For example while driving in the car today Abigail said "mommy I'm your treasure". I tell her this and I guess she gets it. Well Abigail brought tears to my eyes this past Sunday. I shocked myself but I just couldn't help it. It was one of those overwhelming moments where felt completely blessed and honored to be her mommy. John and I got tickets to the Charger game and Noelle was going to watch the kids for us. I had no food in the house, so I headed to the grocery store (the kids have to eat!) and John took the kids on a walk. On my way back from the store Abigail, Mason and John were coming up the corner of our street. I stopped the car to say hi and then continued on to our driveway. Our house is at the end of the cul-da-sac. As I got out of the car I heard this very faint "mommy" and I turn to see Abigail running down the sidewalk. She continued to do this running and saying mommy with a huge smile on her face. She ran past at least 15 houses ( huge feat for a 3 year old) to get to me, she did not stop until she reached me and hugged me. The whole time I just stood there in awe of this "treasure" that God has given to me. I knelt down to receive your little blessing of love and just thank my God above.
This truly is an amazing age! Even today I was awed by her. John played golf today and was getting home a little later then expected. The kids have a timer in their head and somehow know when it is about time for daddy to get home. I had just given Mason and Abigail dinner (daddy is usually home well before dinner) and walked to the other room to get their pj's ready. I walked back in and Abigail had a sad look on her face. I asked her what was wrong and she said " we were talking about daddy" I said " oh because he isn't home yet?" she nodded and said yes. I then got them down from their seats and they played in the living room. Abigail ran to the window checking for her daddy about 6 times. She would go to the window, scan the street and then come back and continue to play. I am sure if John was a fly on the wall he would have teared up too. He does tend to be a bit more teary eyed then me, but sshhh! Don't tell him I told you!
Today is the only "today" you have with your little treasures, so cherish them and when those tough days hit, just pray and do your best because even those tough moments are to be treasured.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.(Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)

My Little Moos Preschool Days!!

2009-09-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures of the kids having fun at school!

Seeing Pink!!!

2009-09-19T23:21:00.000-07:00

My husband is the greatest! For our anniversary my honey gave me some spending money. This allowed me to get two really fun toys that I have been wanting. The first purchase was a Babylock Imagine Serger. This is a pretty expensive serger but the sewing store I went to happened to have an out of the box one. A customer had it for a couple of days and decided she wanted the 8 thread (mine is a 4 thread) instead. The store couldn't sell it as new again, so I ended up getting an unbelievable price on it. I am very exited about having this machine, but I am also intimidated and haven't taken the plunge and used it. I just ordered a bunch of books on sergering from the library, so once I pick those up I should be good to go.

Now!! The second toy, (and boy is this a toy) is the Cricut Expression made by Provocraft. I couldn't have had better timing as far as being able to purchase the Cricut. Why, you ask? Well, Michael's Craft Store and Provocraft teamed up to put out a Pink Cricut Expression. This is the Pink Journey bundle and fifty dollars will be sent to the Susan B. Komen Foundation for every one that is sold. I couldn't resist getting the pink expression, especially since it was on sale. Pink really is my favorite color and I really don't have enough pink in my life. I have done a few things with it but nothing post worthy. There is so much inspiration out there so I know I will create something in no time. I just wanted to share my excitement with you all...

New Provocraft Gypsy Giveway..

2009-09-15T08:54:00.000-07:00

I love to enter blog giveways. I have entered a few and have had good luck with some and well not so good luck with others, but that doesn't sway me. I keep on entering just in case my streak of luck will return. So my latest entry is for the new Provocraft Gypsy, this is the hottest thing in scrapbooking and it hasn't even been released yet!
Cutting Above is a brand new scrapbooking blog. Their goal is to update the scrapbooking community on all things Scrapbooking and die-cut machines. They will have tips, techniques, and ideas.
I would really love to win one of these, one because it is fun to win stuff and two, I just bought my Cricut Expression. This is the "lastest and greatest" to me an buying another scrapbook anything will be out of the question for quite some time, so I am wishing me luck, and since they are giving away 2, I am wishing you luck too!
Be sure to check out The Home Shopping Network on September 24th for an exclusive on the Gypsy..

A Blog Neglected...

2009-09-14T22:35:00.000-07:00

If there was a Child Protective Service (CPS) equivalent for blogs (BPS) I would be on the watch list. It is no joking matter, this poor little blog of mine has been neglected pure and simple. It sits here waiting, hoping, wishing that I will give it some words of joy, happiness, love, creativity, something, anything! Day in and day out, it waits and waits. Then I pay it a visit but I am just teasing it, taunting it if you will. I just sit there, watching it, tapping my fingers at it, staring with a blank expression on my face, and glazed over eyes. I have nothing, I can type nothing, I can leave nothing and so without a second glance back I close the computer and go on my merry way. I don't think about my little blog, I forget it is even there until I hear it's faint call to me, begging me to come back. I do come back and to the disappointment of my blog, nothing is achieved there is just an awkward silence and I leave again. Then there is a break through and hope is in my little blogs future. It is just false hope because I do not leave those precious words it so desperately wants and needs. No on that day I have tell my little blog that, after all those endless days of staring at it I realized I was tired of the way it looked, that it bored me, and it must changed. It did just that, I mean after all it is trying to earn my attention back. It changed into such a cute background with polka dots and my favorite colors. My interested was sparked but only for a moment and then I left it to sit another week, with the same old stories, same old pictures, and same old blank-glazed eyed stare..
Oh my poor little blog, I didn't start out with the intention to neglect you, you must know that. I wanted to be creative with you. Just remember it isn't you, it's me, and I will try to do better.
So don't be so sad, tomorrow is another day, with more adventures, crafts, and backgrounds, there is so much in the future, so maybe just maybe I shall visit once again, and leave you with more then my tapping fingers and my blank stare, maybe just maybe....

The Best Four Years of My Life!!

2009-08-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

Four years ago today I married my best friend and the love of my life. It was the day Noelle, John and I became a family. Since that day we added Abigail and Mason to our family and we are truly complete. I never imagined how incredibly happy I could be and have been. The years before meeting John were difficult and sometimes dark years. Being a struggling single mom brought with it some tremendous challenges. John brought so much light and love into my world. I am so much better of a person since meeting and falling in love with him. It is hard to imagine that at one point in my life, I didn't believe I deserved this kind of love. I didn't think it existed for me or was even possible. It is possible first and foremost because I am loved greatly my my Heavenly Father. He has wanted me to fully understand the extent of his love and the way he has shown me (plus many other ways) is allowing me these earthly blessings of love.
I have been blessed greatly and I thank my Lord everyday for my husband and my family...

Happy Anniversary My Love!

Terrific Three's!!

2009-06-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

Abigail almost 2 weeks old!

I posted earlier today and it dawned on me why it was such a long time since I have posted. It is because my home computer is in computer heaven and I have been using a laptop. For whatever reason this laptop does weird things when I post pictures to my blog posts and I end up spending most of my time messing with pictures, then writing... anyways on to the real topic of this post and that is my little girls 3rd birthday.... I must say Abigail must think a birthday lasts all month long because, well the celebrations have been non stop. My birthday is also in June and when we went out for my birthday Abigail, kept say it was HER birthday. Her celebration started on Monday with her preschool class. I made a giant cupcake cake using Wilton's Giant Cupcake Pan, to share with her friends. Her teacher made her a birthday crown which she wore for 2 days. Everywhere we went people told her Happy Birthday. On Friday, her actual birthday we went to the zoo and when we got home there was a wonderful box of presents sent to her by Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Nancy.. I got an amazing picture of her with total excitement on her face while her daddy opened the box for her. However once I posted it I noticed that our address was on the box, blurry but still didn't want to risk that so just imagine her face all lit up with a beautiful smile.. do you see it? Okay, well this next picture is of her wearing one of her presents from her Grandparents. The present opening was a lot of fun but she had no idea what was next..

John had the great idea to take her to Chuck E. Cheese, and oh my goodness Abigail and Mason couldn't believe their eyes. I have to say I didn't remember Chuck E. Cheese the way this one was. It was so clean and had so much more to do. I had a blast just observing my children try to figure out what to do. Abigail's favorite thing was a huge play structure with tubes and slide. She did get lost in it a few times and I would have to holler up to her to help her out. Mason had fun to but the games scared him, so he mainly just ran around while we chased him. Abigail is still talking about how much fun she had at Chuck E. Cheese's. We have one more celebration and that is her birthday party. Her friends and family are coming over to have fun.. I will post pictures for that next week...

Princess Abigail!

Having fun at Chuck E. Cheese

Happy Birthday Abigail you have brought so much joy to your all of your family!
WE LOVE YOU!

Mason's 1st Haircut...

2009-06-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

I have written before about my son's beautiful curls and how obsessed I have been regarding his hair. I was determined to never cut his hair for fear he would lose all his curls. Well as you can see from the above picture, his hair has gotten a little bit out of control. Somedays his curls are perfectly formed and other days he looks like a mad scientist who stuck his finger in a socket. His hair when wet is to the middle of his back and he has a few dreadlock tangles in the back of his head. This caused me to breakdown and say that it was time to give him a little trim. I took both my camera and video camera to the salon. With my camera I only captured the before and after of the haircut, but with my video I captured it all. Mason sat on his daddy's lap while the hair stylist got to work. She had to brush his tangles out first, which he did not like. He moved around so much, I am not sure how Amy didn't cut off her fingers!!! Some how she was able to actually accomplish a decent cut. We decided to cut 1" off and after all was done we could have gone a little bit shorter.. Here is his after where he is enjoying his bribe, and I am happy to say he still has his curls!

My Baby IsWearing Heels!!!

2009-05-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

Noelle's friend is having a Sweet Sixteen Party tonight and the required attire was black & white semi-formal. Noelle really wanted to wear a bubble skirt and commissioned me to make her one. Unfortunately she had more confidence in my sewing skills then was warranted. The skirt was a disaster, instead of a bubble skirt it was a hot air balloon.. I used too much fabric, burned a hole in the fabric when I ironed it, sliced not one but two holes in it as I was trimming threads, but that didn't stop me!! The burned hole was on the seam so I just made a new seam, the two holes I patched from the inside of the skirt with a small piece of fabic and glue... Yes, I said glue!! This of cours still didn't solve the fact that I had used too much fabric. So I continued to work on it until the skirt was so small my 2 year old could even wear it... I worked way to hard and should have given up as soon as she had asked me.. oh well!
This of course meant we still had to find her something to wear and it was left until the night before the party. Except it too ended up a disaster. She had an idea of what she wanted her outfit to be and it just couldn't get pulled together. She was very discouraged about it and felt down on herself. Noelle is a beautiful young lady who stands 5' 9" and unfortunately a lot of the stores out there for teens are not made for girls of her stature.
Never fear, I was determined to find a great outfit for her to wear. I had plans in the morning, but took her to the mall as soon as I got home. I told her she had to be open to other ideas. We started looking at dresses, which we had not done the day before. She doesn't like wearing dresses and was not open to it. She tried on a gazillion dresses, but the search was all over the minute she put this one on.
The dress was more money then I had planned on spending but she informed me she will also wear it to her end of school year event. I hadn't even remember about that but once she mentioned that it was decided. We ran to payless to buy her some shoes and she chose heels. This put a huge smile on my face because Noelle doesn't ever look at heels, she feels she is too tall already. Dress and shoes in hand we rushed home giving her only 1 hour to get ready, yes, just 1 hour. If you are a teenager you are most likely gasping right now! Not to mention the fact she needed some practice walking in her shoes. I don't know how but we pulled it off and actually walked out the door at the exact time we wanted too. She also looked like a pro walking in her heels. As you can see, the dress we chose is a strapless, zebra print, pick-up skirted dress so she got her bubble look after all (minus the glue!). The dress is so flattering on her and although she looks grown up, I didn't feel it was too grown up. I am just wondering where in the world the time has gone... She is 15, all dressed up, and wearing heels!!!

YCMT.. Tutorial Giveaway!!!

2009-04-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

I love tutorials, so when I found youcanmakethis.com I was thrilled. YCMT is filled with all different types of tutorials for clothing, crocheting, knitting, felt food and many more. I am pleased to be able to offer 2 of my readers a chance to win the Personalized Name Pillow Tutorial. This tutorial has very clear, easy to understand directions. The pictures are a big help in illustrating each step. The best part is you can be a beginner at sewing and still be able to create this adorable pillow.

If you would like to participate in this giveaway please visit youcanmakethis.com, then come back and tell me what other tutorials you would love to make. Also if you sign up for the newsletter, they will send you 8 e-books tutorials for free.

This e-book will be emailed to the 2 winners in a PDF format..

Good Luck!

Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap 3

2009-04-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hurray, it is time for Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap 3!! I had so much fun participating in her last favorite thing swap. Look here to see my great package from my last partner. If you would like to participate just click on the button to get all the details.. It was a ton of fun, not only getting a great gift in the mail but also to send one!

How many candles fit on a cupcake??

2009-04-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

15!!

Even though I haven't blogged since March 20th, life still continued and once again I find myself with way to much to post. So I went through and chose my daughter's birthday as the re-entry post to my blog. Noelle turned 15 on March 4th, which is something I still can't believe.. I have a 15 year old!!! We had a backyard party for her a few weeks later and it was so much fun. Not only did my family come but she had a bunch of her friends show up as well. I had a house full of teenagers and a ton of food. Of course none of the teens ate the food because they couldn't possibly eat in front of each other... teenagers!! Noelle had such a great time, she felt so special with all her friends surrounding her..

Here are the girls, Noelle is the one in the flannel shirt, which by the way is a big fashion thing with the girls, and yes I was in high school during the grunge phase of fashion.. full circle!!

and the boys!

My house full of teenagers!!

"Look at those CURLS!!!"

2009-03-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

My son is cute! I am totally and utterly convinced of this. What makes him cute you ask? Well just about everything, his expressions, his smile, his little dimples, how he says "mama" his....okay, okay I will stop now! Oh but I must add one other thing to this abbreviated list and that is his curls. His curls draw so much attention and will stop the average shopper in there tracks. I will hear "Look at those CURLS!!" about 10 to 15 times while running errands. This doesn't surprise me, I love his curls too, and I run my fingers through his little head often. I was so loving his curls last night that I had to take about a dozen pictures of them. Yes, of his curls and just of his curls!! I did get a few of his adorable face by default...I am obsessed with his little curls and I want to enjoy them for as long as he has them. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will last, however both Noelle and Abigail lost their curls with their first haircut. There is a little bit of a difference between his curls and that is when his hair is wet is stays curly, theirs didn't.. well enough about me talking about his beautiful curls..

Loving Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap....

2009-03-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

I participated in the Mamarazzis Favorite Things Swap (click on the button above to see all the great participates) and was partnered up with Holly from I Heart Bowheads blog. You can see what I sent to Holly here. I had so much picking out some of my favorite things for Holly and I really hope she enjoys them. Today was my turn to see what Holly sent me. I got home and the mailman was right at my driveway ready to deliver my goodies. I couldn't open it right away since I had to feed my two little ones and put Mason down for a nap, but then the fun began. I went outside to open it to provide better lighting for the pictures. When I first opened the box this is what I saw:

I should have taken a picture of Abigail playing with it but I was having to much fun unwrapping my gifts. Ones I removed the packing I got to these fun little packages, each one was labeled to explain why they were her favorites.

The labels were awesome and I had fun trying to guess what would be revealed.

Here is what I got: Blue is what was on the label....

My Favorite thing to have a lot of around the house: a pair of scissors- This is perfect because I am always needing scissors, I really don't know how those things always disappear.

My Favorite Candy Bar: A KIT-KAT- this lasted about 2 seconds, yummy!

My Favorite Lotion: Bath and Body Works Cotton Blossom- This is a lovely scent and is perfect for spring.

My Favorite Stationary: A really cute "all about me" note pad set- So cute and the colors of pink and black were perfect!

My Favorite Goop: Covergirl Liptint- The shade is actually my shade and I will be wearing it tomorrow. I love that she called it goop too!

My Favorite thing to have when I look tired: Covergirl concealer-I have been needing one of these for the longest time. My Must Have make-up: waterproof mascara- It is amazing how a little thing like mascara and just mascara can make you look complete!

My favorite Hard Candy: Werther's Originals- I have to say I absolutely love this candy, I don't ever treat myself to it other then when it is offered in a candy dish. I am hiding these babies!! and last was a wonderfully fragrant candle in Cinnamon Spice. Which is one of my favorite scents in a candle. I have to say Holly you completely spoiled me. So much thought was put into each item and these truly are some of my own favorite things, thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I do have to say the best part of this whole swap was making a new friend. Holly I hope we stay in contact because I have enjoyed our little chats over the last few days!! Thank you again to Mamarazzi for hosting such a fun and unique event!!

Moving through Life....

2009-03-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Life happens quickly, one minute you are posting a picture of your son eating spaghetti the next you are packing up your house to move in less then 3 days. We were very blessed to have our house sell. Typically when a house sells you have at least a month or so to pack and find a place to live. We however sold our house in a short-sale transaction. Our house was on the market with an offer since October, but the bank approval didn't come through until just after I posted last. Once the approval is in you have until the end of the month which at that point was less then 10 days to complete paper work and everything else. It was very stressful there for a while because as we were packing up our house needing to vacate in 3 days we didn't have a place to live. My husband and I looked at several houses to rent and found one that we both liked. At the last minute there seemed to be an issue with the house and we checked in to a hotel. We were fully prepared to live there until we found a suitable house, but luckily everything got resolved and we moved into our new house on March 1st.

Things could have been much worse but we had my mother-in-law, Marianne. She is an amazing mom, grandma, and person. She lives in NY and when I was pregnant she came out for the birth of both little moos and each time stayed to take care our family for 3 weeks...WOW!! I talk to my Marianne several times a week, sometimes I think I talk her ear off, no we don't have the typical in-law stories and I am so glad. So it shouldn't surprise me that the minute she found out we were moving she booked a flight from NY to come and help set up our new home. Not many people would drop everything and do that, but she did. We were able to enjoy her company for a week. Each time she has come out to visit us, I get a little down for a few days after she leaves. She is so great with the kids and I love having someone around to talk to. I don't know how she did it but she was able to get Abigail to bed every night in her own bed. She went home on Monday and Abigail has been in our bed since.... that will be left for another post!
Anyways if it wasn't for her I am certain we would still be living out of boxes.

Things were chaotic and although everything is unpacked my life still feels a little off kilter. I haven't found my routine and I am still feeling uprooted. 8 miles is not much but that is how much further we moved from my old house. Getting Noelle to school really hasn't added to much more to my commute since it is mostly freeway. Abigail's preschool was 2 minutes from my old house now it is over 15. I checked for preschools close to my house but they are almost $500 more, yes, $500 more. I rarely go on Facebook, not reading my blogs much, haven't done much socialzing and as I type this I am realizing that I am feeling a little more then just down. I know it will pass but geez.....

On another note kind of relating to my Stepping out of my Shell post I felt very loved by two of my friends. The day of the move Jennifer who lives 2 hours away, had left a message for me saying she would come down and watch the kids, and my friend Michelle (who is a new friend of 6 months) did take in both my little ones for over 8 hours. It was a last minute call and she accepted with such an open heart. She was really there for me. To top it off, Noelle had a friends birthday party that night and when Noelle and I arrived to pick up the kids, Michelle dropped Noelle off at party. I know I need a kick in the butt sometimes but that really openned my eyes to what friendship truly means and is. I need to really get my act together and start nurturing these a bit more!!! Well my little man is sleeping and I have a shower to take and phone call to make.... I will post again soon!

Spaghetti and A One Year Old.....

2009-02-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

Stepping out of my shell... one day at a time!

2009-02-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

I want to start my post off by saying thank you to Marla at http://stolenbonbon.blogspot.com/ . I entered a few giveaways during the Blog Carnival Giveaway. Marla was hosting 5 days of giveaways and I had entered her second day giveaway (also the very first day I entered a giveaway!) and I won this great package. I originally won the Fireproof movie and book but Marla also through in the soundtrack. I plan for my husband and I to watch the movie tonight. Thank you, Marla!

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I have been needing to sit down and write a post for a few days, but I have been busy. Of course this is nothing new moms are busy all the time. The busy that I have been has been fun busy. Now I should probably preface this with the fact that I don't like to leave my house and I really need a lot of motivation to do so. I will also state for the record that I am not a creepy recluse that peeks out the window of her darkened house either! It's just I am perfectly content at home or at least that is what I have convinced myself of. You see I don't exactly like this about myself, generally because once I actually do leave the house, I enjoy myself so much. I sometimes wonder if it is the way I grew up. My parents are wonderful, but we didn't do much.. no playgroups, not too many outdoor activities. I have a sister who is 5 1/2 years older, a sister who is 9 years younger and a brother who is 11 years younger. Quite an age gap to be my playmates, so I was always at home left to play by myself. I also didn't have many, if any friends. I was pretty lonely as a child growing up. Lonely is what I became familiar with and how I went through a good portion of my life. Lonely became my comfort zone and I find myself constantly battling this within me because no matter who you are or how you grew up lonely doesn't work. Reading this back to myself I must also state that I am married to a wonderful man, I have 3 beautiful children. The lonely I speak of is that of the companionship of friendship, of motherhood, of wifedom.. the girlfriend bond. I have Jennifer who is my dear friend but we live far enough away that we don't meet up as much as we would like. I sometimes find myself thinking about my childhood and I wonder what was wrong with me to not have had friends or even that special friend. I get saddened by it and it carries over to me even today. I am no longer 9 years old, 15 years old, I am a grown married women who can control certain aspects of her life. I have lived here for 3 1/2 years and my friendships are at a distance. I have friends. I have not nurtured those friendships possibly out of fear, or of insecurities of my childhood, or of insecurities of today. In all honesty I really don't know why, but I know at this point right now something needs to change, I want it to change, I want to change. I know I have digressed here and I am kind of scratching my head over it, but I suppose it was to say I got out of the house, I socialized, I am starting, and I want to continue.. I also want a different childhood for my children. I want them to have those friendships, those moments of joy, those moments they can look back on and say, I was never lonely as a child. I need to do that for my children, for myself......

The month of February has been a good month and here are a few things I have done with my children and by myself..

First up was a playgroup date with my MOPS group. We went to the library where Steve from the Hullabaloo band put on a concert: http://www.hullabalooband.com/ It was the first time I had seen this band and I ended up buying two of their CD's. Abigail couldn't stop dancing, she loved it so much. I stayed and chatted with a few of the moms and then headed home for lunch and naps.

On February 5th I went to our first MOPS book club night. I had a wonderful time discussing the book "The Shack" and getting to know my MOPS moms a little better.

Then on Tuesday February 10th I hosted a Valentine's Day party for my MOPS moms and kids. It was a blast and I realized I love hosting playgroup parties. We did crafts ate some great food and once again enjoyed good conversation. It was my Martha Stewart moment. This wasn't the last party for the week either. Yesterday I offered my house for another Valentine's party (someone else was actually the hostess) so two days in one week my house was filled with mom conversation and a ton of kids playing. I love every moment of it. This is a full month for me with a few more activities on the calendar. I know like anything it requires baby steps. I will get out more and I know I will love it when I do. I just need those reminders that I am someone special, I am someone worth knowing, I am fearfully and wonderfully made and because of that I can......

My Eyes and Heart in the Blogging World...

2009-02-04T20:38:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago I had no clue what blogging meant or what a blog was. I would hear on my talk-radio shows about someones political blog post and of course the many postings of Rosie O'Donnell. I just figured it was just another political outlet. My friend Jennifer started her blog a few years back which I have really enjoyed, especially when my family was a part of her post. Late last year I decided to start "Little Moos and Mommy Too" which has truly opened the blogging world to me. I shared with a few people in my playgroups that I had a blog and was encouraged but also warned that it is addicting (and yes it is!!). Tonya, one of the ladies who I have yet to meet and hope to soon, also has blogs and yes I said blogs, plural! Now if you are a bit more savvy in the blog world then to have more then one blog would not surprise you. It did me and I checked out her blogs: http://thestaabfamily.blogspot.com/, http://www.currentlycrafting.com/, http://www.munchkinsandmayhem.com/

I was awed and those blogs peaked my curiosity. I wanted to find out what the whole blog thing really was all about? So I set off to discover this new world and have been touched in many ways. I really had no idea the community behind the blog world was so big, so wide, so vivid, so creative, so loving, warriors for their fellow blogging friends, I could go on with BIG things about it, but in the end the this community as big as it is it is also as equally small. Not small as in simple, unimportant , but small as in you become friends with strangers near, far, and really far. You cry for, hope for, dream for, wish for, laugh with, and I think the biggest is you pray, pray, pray for these new found friends. It has become an endless curiosity for me and each time I come to the pages of different blogs I go away a better person. What I have just read could be a simple thing like learning a new craft, entering a blog giveaway, learning how to make a tasty treat, tips on organizing OR it is something that made me get on my knees and talk to God. I have needed to go to the Lord much this week. I thank God that I can bring to him these sorrows and I am not alone in my prayers for those who desperately need it.
I am writing this blog because of two stories that I have learned about in the past week. They have broken the hearts of many but none more then the parents. One story is of Tuesday Fiona Whitt, who at the age of two lost her battle with cancer, and then the second is about Cynthiaa of Confessions of a Yummy Mummy who just had a c-section giving birth to her son Aiden. He was still-born due to an umbilical cord strangulation. The blog community is strong in there prayers for these families, and that is pretty amazing...

On a lighter note there are many heartaches that I have come across but there are many more that bring a smile to my face. I wanted to share a few of these with you. Enjoy!

*** WOW!! as I was compiling the list below I went to get a few more blog address and just saw this: I am the winner of a blog giveaway worth $800+.00!! I can't believe it! Check it out, I won twice this week whoohoo!! http://shakethesalt.com/2009/02/woot-800-mega-prize-pack-winner/#comment-15464 ***
Okay continuing the rest of my post!!

I entered a giveaway on this blog and I won!! Whoohoo..
http://stolenbonbon.blogspot.com/

This is the cutest Valentines Day countdown idea
http://katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com/2009/02/valentine-countdown.html

This is the site where I got the proverbs 31 buttons. I was so amazed at the the abundant faith, knowledge, and wisdom in this 17 year old girl. It truly makes me want to model a stronger faith to my children.
http://aponderingheart.com/blog/

Printable paper crafts..
http://tangarangblog.blogspot.com/

I think giving shout outs to blogs that have touched me in some way will be a weekly post, plus it keeps a better record of those special blogs!!
So last for tonight is yummy food recipes , I am going to try the baked oatmeal next week!
http://newlywedcooking.blogspot.com/

Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap!!

2009-02-02T09:39:00.000-08:00

I am so exited to join in on the Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swam. Just click on the button above to check it out and join! Okay I am off to make a list of my favorite things....

Finally a little bit of crafty...

2009-01-26T21:19:00.000-08:00

Is all envy bad? I hope not because I really envy all the crafty, talented, amazingly creative people in this world. It inspires me to try my hand at new things. Of course this inspiration rarely comes to fruition but on occasion it does. I wish I had more creative juice in me and I am in awe of all the blogging mamas I come across. Where do you get it from, because I want some too!! Those juices don't flow freely for me but, I have actually made something from a tutorial that I found on-line. For the first time since starting my blog I am going to post the craft addition part of the " and mommy too". Friends of mine just welcomed a beautiful baby boy into their family. This is a huge blessing for them and I decided that I would make a gift for their son. This of course is quite ambitious since I have only sewn from my own children. I did at one point attempt to make an outfit for my friend Jennifer's little girl but my sewing machine broke and in the process the outfit got ruined. I have really enjoyed making things for my kids. I am not an expert seamstress by any means, but I am possibly a step maybe two above a novice. Everything I have made for my children has made it through the wash without falling apart, which is a good thing. This gave me a bit of confidence to make and possibly give away something to someone other then my own. Here is the problem, the gift has been sitting here for almost a week. I am hesitating in sending it for two reasons, one the confidence I had is now gone and two what if they think I am crazy for sending something handmade by me.... what to do??
Well I am going to post a few pictures of what I made, possibly to boost my confidence.
I used the cloth baby shoe tutorial from Stardustshoes found here: http://stardustshoes.blogspot.com/2006/10/cloth-shoe-pattern.html

and for the pants I used the Britches and Bloomers pattern by Jackie Clark Designs found here: http://www.jackieclarkdesigns.com/patternsandbooks.htm
I would put it on my son, but do I dare send it to someone else for their little man???

A day in my life.. contest!

2009-01-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

“ GRAB A TUTU AND LET'S ROCK OUT ”

It has been a slow few weeks for my "little moos" but hurray I have something to blog about. Tonya from "A day in my life" is having a contest. She is giving away a Milkshake gift pack. Milkshake is a band that makes rock music for kids. I have never heard of this band but I just watched one of there videos and I loved it. Plus I just adore tutu's and the lead singer wears one. A grown women who can proudly wear a tutu and pull it off is pretty cool!! So here I am blogging about the contest as an entry... Good luck to me!!
Just as a side note, I just figured out how to link back to other sites as shown above, so I am this much ... smarter!!!

From Haircut to Mascara....

2009-01-06T19:56:00.000-08:00

I don't have much to blog about but I did want to share a couple of pictures from one cute moment and a laugh in the future moment...

I have been wanting to get Abigail's hair cut so when John mentioned he was getting one we tagged along. I told Abigail that she was going to get her hair cut and she was so excited. She waited patiently and when it was her turn she sat diagonally from John. She could see her daddy in the mirror while she was getting her hair cut. This wasn't a children's salon but Abigail did such a great job sitting still. It was just the last few minutes where she started to be get a bit restless. Her bangs are a bit short but overall I am happy with her cut. These pictures probably speak for themselves but I bought a new mascara and placed it in the diaper bag. The next morning I was getting ready to leave and walked out to see that Abigail had found it. I was lucky because Noelle had also bought some make-up remover. Doesn't she look cute with a uni brow!

Happy 1st Birthday Little Man!

2008-12-31T10:52:00.001-08:00

Mason 2 weeks old!

Mason 1 years old!My little man is a 1 year old today. He has brought us so much joy and over the last month or so his personality has really started to shine. I wasn't a blogger a year ago, so I thought I would tell a little bit about his actual birth day. Mason was due on January 16th, but having had a c-section with Abigail I elected to have another one with Mason. This was scheduled for January 7th. On December 30th I had a few signs that signaled I just might go into labor a bit early. I sensed this only because I had the exact same signals the day I went into labor with Noelle. Even though I didn't actually think it would happen (a schedule is a schedule), I did call my mother-in-law in New York to give her a heads up. She was scheduled to come out on January 7th. Most of the day I had braxton-hicks, because of course I was not in labor. We went out to lunch with some friends and then most of the day I laid on the couch. I was very tired and didn't feel so great. Finally at 10:30-11:00 pm I decided to monitor my "braxton-hicks", just in case they were something more. Well, the "contractions" were consistently 7 minutes apart. Since I was having a c-section I called the triage nurse to see what the next step was. She asked me to time them for another hour and if they continued to come in to the hospital. We ended up leaving for the hospital around midnight. I was monitored for 3 hours and had an ultrasound. The contraction stayed 7 minutes apart and did not dilate me. At this point both my husband and I figured I would be going home but then the Doctor came in to inform us they were taking Mason. Each time I had a contraction Mason's heart rate dropped and then the ultrasound showed my amniotic fluid was low. They felt it was better to get him right then. We made the necessary calls to my parents who are 2 hours away and John's parents who are in New York. Within 1 hour of telling us they were taking him, I was in the OR. Mason was born at around 5:30 am on New Year's eve. He was 7lbs 3oz and 19 inches long. My parent's arrived shortly after he was born and my mother-in-law was able to change her previous scheduled flight and she arrived early New Year's day. I was very blessed to have my mother-in-law stay with us for 3 weeks. Her and Abigail became best buddies. I was so concerned about how Abigail would react to this new little person in her home, but she did great. When I would feed Mason, she would climb up on my lap look at him, hug me, and then go on her way. She was curious, but never showed any jealousy. Noelle loved him instantly. She had reservation about me having a boy, in fact she was not happy about it at all. Just the other day she reminded me of that fact she said, " mom remember how mad I was you were having a boy?, well I can't believe I ever felt that way. I LOVE him so much!" and she does, she adores him. With Mason's birth our family is complete, he is a total blessing from God.

Happy Birthday Mason, we love you!

Mason's 1st Birthday Party

2008-12-30T22:10:00.000-08:00

Mason's birthday is tomorrow and so tomorrow I will be telling you his birth story, I know you just can't wait! This post is about his 1st party which we held on December 27. I sent out invites not really expecting many RSVP's, since it was so close to Christmas. I wasn't sure how much food to have so I bought a little extra. I knew for sure we would be there, my parents, siblings, nieces, my in-laws, and my friend Jennifer's family. As a bonus my two aunts and my cousin Gina and her family also ended up attending. I had just enough food and cake for everyone. I had planned on having the party indoors and for the most part it was, however it is hard to keep kids inside. Thank goodness for my father-in-law because he spent the morning cleaning up my backyard. It rained quite a bit here recently (something we aren't used too!) and many of the toys were filled with stinky water. Had he not done that, I don't think the kids would have been able to play outside. They really had a great time and I can still hear their laughter. It always amazes me how resilient children are because although it was a nice day with the sun shining, it was COLD. This didn't seem bother the little ones, grown-ups huddled inside with exception to a few brave ones.

Jennifer with her daughter Elsie

Jennifer's son Seth

Now, I am sure everyone will agree the best part about a 1 year old birthday party is cake time. What in the world will the little one do with the cake? We sang Happy Birthday and I gave Mason his very own smoosh cake.
I wish I could post a video because then you would be able to fully see how much he really did not like that cake. At first he touch the cake and wasn't quite sure what to think. Then he touch it a little more, made a couple of faces, and then tasted what was on his hands. At this point when my two other children had their first birthday they dug into their cakes, not Mason. He actually seemed to get mad and started to swipe away the cake, and each time he did this he seemed to get more frustrated that the cake was still there. Absolutely priceless! I know you won't remember this birthday Mason, but you had a great time!
As a side note I just looked at the clock and it was about this time last year I decided I just might be in labor.. more on that tomorrow. Goodnight!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-30T20:43:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe how quickly Christmas came and went. It seemed like Christmas use to last so much longer. We celebrated Christmas Eve at my parents house which is 2 hours north of us. We only stayed one night but I tell you half my house was packed up. Coming home was even worse with all the new items we all received.
We got to my parents a little later then planned and ended up leaving shortly after to attend Christmas Eve service at my old church, Long Beach Alliance. Generally during Christmas eve service there is no childcare so John and I traded turns watching the kids in the hall. ( I just re-read this and wanted to note kids are not excluded from service, it's just my kids are little and were being loud. It was better for them to be out playing around) Although I only got to hear part of the sermon and worship music, it was still wonderful to be in the presence of God in celebration of His Son's birth. After church we headed back to my folks house where we enjoyed some Chinese food and the company of my dear family. It has been a long time since all of the siblings and our children have been together. I think my mom was overjoyed!
This was also Mason's very first Christmas and the first time Abigail really participated in opening up gifts. I think both of them got pretty overwhelmed with all their gifts and the excitement of Christmas.
The best part of the evening was when my brother dressed up like Santa. Now the suit he wore was the suit my father-in-law wore for my husband nearly 40 year ago. Needless to say this was an old musty suit. I think the suit was disintegrating by the second. My brother is the best and played the role perfectly. He snuck out the back and knocked on the front door. Seeing him through an adults eyes was hilarious but I am not sure why the kids didn't head straight into our arms. The only one who booked it was Mason. He whined and crawled away, would crawl back, take a peek, crawl away and do it all over again. My brother was so much fun as Santa and although I cannot recount the things he said I can tell you it was funny. Mason got one of the neatest toys, here he is checking it out.
Mason was given one of the neatest toys and he hasn't stopped playing with it. Here he is checking it out.
Christmas day we headed back home to wait for my husbands parents who were flying in from New York. They were scheduled to arrive at 6 pm, however after sitting 4 hours on the runway the didn't get in until 11pm. They came over the next morning with many more gifts for the kids. Here is Grandpa Santa. One of the gifts Abigail received was princess chapstick which she LOVED and would not stop putting it on. I figured no big deal once it goes down to the base that will be the end of that. Of course I didn't share that thought with my husband who ended up showing her how to raise it... oh well she finally got distracted and I quickly hid it. I wish I had a picture of Noelle when she received her gift from her grandparents but I decided to film it instead. She got an IPOD touch which made her Christmas. The kids were blessed with many new toys. John and I decided to put several away and over the next few months give then a new one here and there. We also cleaned out many of there old toys to give way. It has been a wonderful Christmas, thank you Jesus for coming here to save us!

That's just how the ornament crumbles......

2008-12-19T20:18:00.001-08:00

Abigail loves preschool and I love having her in preschool. When she walks in to the room she gets busy painting, exploring and creating. I am always curious as to what fun thing they will be doing and I wish I could stay and play too. One morning I walked into the class and it smelt so delicious. Ms. Jessica was making ornaments with just two ingredients, cinnamon and applesauce. She was using cookie cutters to shape them like gingerbread men, so cute! Now, Ms. Jessica has made some neat things. She really draws in all the senses especially eyes and nose. During Halloween she made orange and black glitter dough scented with pumpkin extract. She has made flubber scented with peppermint, this one actually looks and smells as if it was made with scope. I always look at these things and think I should do that at home. Well, finally I decided to actually put that thought into action. I was going to make the cinnamon and applesauce ornaments with Abigail at home. It is simple enough 1 1/2 cups of cinnamon and 1 1/2 cups of applesauce, so basically equal amount of each ingredient.
So Abigail, Mason, and I got to work. I mixed, and mixed and was overwhelmed with the wonderful scent. Mason helped do the measuring.
Okay maybe he just played with the measuring cups and ate Cheerios! Then, not know how the dough was suppose to be I continued to add a little bit of cinnamon here and there and Abigail helped mix it up with her little hands. Of course those kept making it into her mouth and why not, applesauce and cinnamon... yummy! I placed the dough between two sheets of wax paper and Abigail rolled out the dough. She absolutely loved doing this. She also loved the scent because she kept smelling the roller. Notice it is a crafting brayer, I don't actually have a rolling pin. We used different shaped cookie cutters and put a hole at the top of each ornament with a straw. We set them on cookies trays and put them aside for 48 hours. This of course is where I would should post the picture of our fabulous homemade ornaments. Notice the lack of a photo? Well, that little bit of cinnamon that was added here and there was too much. When they finally dried they just crumbled at my touch. Maybe I should have just followed directions! My house smelt like Christmas for two days, and Abigail and Mason had fun, so there is our keepsake!
This is a couple of bonus pictures from when we decorated our Christmas tree. This tree was given to us and I don't think we could have purchased one half as nice! What a beautiful blessing.

Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-12-19T20:18:00.000-08:00

Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

I just love the things Kathleen creates! Maybe one day I will be the lucky winner of one of her creations.... heres to hoping!

Family Photo's Preview!

2008-12-13T11:49:00.000-08:00

This past July I participated in a Picture Party. Tessa of Grin & Share It Photography meets up with playgroups and does 10 minute photo sessions with each child. I took Abigail and Mason to the "party" and the pictures were amazing. I can't get the link to work, but if you scroll all the way down on her main page to labels click on Princess Del Cerro, Mason and Abigail are the 7th and 8th picture down.

After seeing all the pictures I just knew I wanted to have her take our family pictures. We have taken family pictures at Sears and JcPenny's but nothing can compare to a professional photographer. The great thing about Tessa is her talent, how she captures the family, children, and she is also affordable. We met up with Tessa on December 6th at a beautiful park, Presidio Park. It was a beautiful sunny day and I had so much fun having these pictures taken. I am waiting to get all of our family pictures but she has a sneak peek of our session up on her blog: http://grinandshareitphoto.blogspot.com/
If you are looking for a great photographer then I highly recommend Tessa..

The Little Train Goes Chuga Chuga Chu Chu....

2008-12-02T20:16:00.000-08:00

The majority of this post is going to be about our trip to Balboa Park and the San Diego Model Train Museum, however I did want to give a shout out to our Thanksgiving Holiday. We spent it with my family in LA and the kiddos had a great time playing with their cousins. I didn't get any post worthy pictures. Wouldn't you think my nice camera could have at least shot one nice picture... Oh well, I still love Turkey Day!

Just found from Turkey Day: Abigail aka Hannah Montana

Okay, on to our fabulous day at Balboa Park. Now this was a day (Saturday after Thanksgiving) that everyone decided to take a trip to Balboa. Parking was scarce and it was a good thing my husband was with us because he was the who had to park and park he did! I could not believe the curbside parking spot he go us. A tiny car pulled out and my husband eased us into that spot like it was nothing. I would have never attempted to park there and of course when we got out I looked and saw that there was plenty of space between our car and the other cars.. I need to get some parking glasses (is there such a thing?) Here is the kicker of the whole parking situations, there was a truck bigger then our van with a spot bigger then our spot that was trying to park just a few cars back. He was there way before us, and by the time he finished parking we had our stroller out, kids unloaded, and were heading for some fun. Hubby you are my hero!!
We stopped at the playground first where Mason enjoyed a few handfuls of sand, and several trips down the slide with mommy.

Only decent picture of me...

Abigail was a little bit timid at first which is unusual but then she too went out and enjoyed this great playground. Noelle was off at a table reading her "Twilight" book for the 100th time... (please someone tell me what is it with this Twilight phenomenon).

On to the Train Museum, I cannot begin to tell you how surprised and overjoyed I was at how much fun not only Abigail but Mason had here. The museum has steps the kids can climb up to see the trains and Abigail couldn't get up those steps fast enough. Each time a train would pass she did a little "chuga chuga chu chu dance" absolutely priceless.

Abigail enjoying the little trolley passing by

The "Chuga Chuga chu chu dance..

At one point the excitement was too much and she fell head first down the stairs. She was not hurt, but was sure surprised. She cried for about 5 minutes then went on into the playroom. This was the best and we spent a good portion of our time in this room. There were three train tables set up, plus blocks, books, and other toys. Mason got right in there with the big kids.

All tuckered out!

I have decided that I want one of those train tables for my kiddos of course finding the room and the money may be an issue. The trains on the other hand will be a little easier since my mother-in-law just told me she has trains she can send us. So once I get them I will post pictures. I highly recommend Balboa Park and The San Diego Model Train Museum for a family outing...

My Little Dancer!

2008-11-30T19:41:00.000-08:00

Chicken Dance!
My love for God grows so deeply each time I look at my children. He knit them together in my womb (psalm 139:13), and they are truly "fearfully and wonderfully made" (psalm 139:14).

Abigail is only 2 1/2 years old (almost) and in this short period of time I have said many times "just like when she was first born!" I am certain it is something I will say many more times in the years to come. I believe that a child's personality shines as early as when they are in the womb. I witnessed this with Abigail. Of course I am not saying (exactly) that Abigail was the one who decided to be breech but it sure wouldn't surprise me! She is determined, independent and has a personality that lights up the room. I am a little bit biased of course, but this is something I have been told many times by others. She has early on let us know, what she wants, when she wants it, how she wants it, etc.

So taking a look back at her first days, music has played a big role. Her bassinet came with a music box that played 4 lullabies. In the middle of the night when she would stir I would hit the button to play the music. She would fall back to sleep almost immediately. When I would put Abigail in the car seat it was pure torture. She would cry the most piercing cry (she still has a piercing cry and voice!) and nothing would settle her down. I bought a wonderful lullaby CD and within seconds of the first song playing she stopped and listened. When she was 2 months old, my hubby bought a CD with children singing, she would kick and move excitedly when it played. I quickly started to believed that there was something in her that music spoke to. Since Mason was born I am convinced all the more, because Mason would have none of that music business. As much as I tried it neither calmed him nor comforted him. I know this explanation is proving to be a bit long but I am wanting to point out that music has always moved Abigail. This has put such a yearning in me to get her involved in activities that have music. I found a dance class for children as young as 2 and I took her to her first dance class. Of course I dressed her up in a cute leotard, tights, and put her hair up in a bun.

Abigail dancing and twirling!

Doing the dolly Dance!

Abigail was 1 of 2 girls who were in the class. The other girl didn't speak English and was a bit shy. Abigail on the other hand was all over the room, dancing, watching herself in the mirror, twirling, running back and forth. It was when the music played that she was truly attentive to what was going on. I will close this post out by saying, Abigail is only 2 and I do not know what role music will play in her life. It is my job to help her experience different avenues and encourage the areas she seems to love. God is the only one who knows the steps she will take. Whether or not they are dancing steps doesn't matter, what matters is the joy she is experiencing right now and the look in her face when her music plays... my own heart and spirit dance!!

Urrgg.. Not Today!

2008-11-29T21:28:00.000-08:00

Don't you hate when you make time for something and it doesn't happen? I haven't had anything to post about with exception to my friend Jennifer and her children's visit. This was a fun day in which neither of us brought out our cameras. Tonight was the night I was going to update my blog with some beautiful pictures of my "Little Moos". Unfortunately my camera battery had other plans. Not a big deal, I can just do it tomorrow right? Um I don't thinks so, since I am completely overwhelmed with activities to post: Abigail's first dance class, Thanksgiving, todays visit to Balboa Park, The Train Museum, and tomorrow we are heading to Sea World. How did I go from almost nothing to post to too much to post? And why oh, why didn't I post as the events happened? As I sit here typing I am wondering if I should just make one post or draw it out a few days. I am certain it will be the latter since writing about the day, feeding the kids, downloading pictures, getting the kids dressed, editing my post, changing a diaper (or two), and of course what ever else is needed hugs&kisses proves to take up most of my time.
I wanted to post something and I couldn't let a camera battery deter me, so this is my post promising something much better in the days to come!

Halloween Fun!

2008-11-04T10:54:00.000-08:00

Our Halloween turned out to be 2 days of fun, starting on Thursday. My MOPS group had a Hallo-wasn't party which was lots of fun and it gave me an opportunity to meet some new moms. It was so fun to see all the kids dressed up in their Halloween costumes. I dressed Mason up as a spider, but his costume is pretty bulky so he only tolerated it for about 5 minutes.
I wish he would have worn it longer because he looked so cute. Unfortunately this became the norm. He also only wore his costume for about 2 minutes on Halloween.
Abigail's official Halloween costume was Little Miss Muffet, but I didn't have her wear it to the party. Instead I dressed her up in a tutu. I didn't get a picture of her standing up but here she is sitting down to look at all of her neat goodies she received.

Friday Abigail's class joined in on the schools Halloween parade. This was the the first time they participated in this parade. John took off of work to join us. It was great having him there, however Abigail decided she wanted to be with her daddy. We finally got her to join the parade which was so cute. Abigail's class age range is 18 months up to 30 months. Abigail is the oldest in the class at 29 months. She is also quite independent, and at one point when her class was sitting down cheering on the older kids, Abigail was marching in the parade.

Mason also enjoyed the parade, but mostly he enjoyed playing in Abigail's classroom and out on the playground. He is ready to go to preschool!

Finally Halloween night! We decided to go to a church carnival at a church we had never been to before. I am so glad that we did. We had so much fun and once again, Abigail and John were the ones having the most fun. She went on jumpy slides, and a pony ride. The church set up "Truth or Treating" on there 3rd floor. The kids went from room to room getting their treat bags filled up. The last thing we did was the pony ride and Abigail is still talking about her princess pony "Pinkheart". The kids were exhausted and fell asleep as soon as there little bodies hit their carseat. We enjoyed those 2 days and I am so thankful for my children.

Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

Abigail's 1st pony ride 2008

Mason's 1st trip to the Pumpkin Patch

My1st time on a horse... never again
Honeymoon 2005

We had such a great time at the pumpkin patch. Of course the one having the most fun was Abigail. She went on a pony ride, into a big jumper, slide, and so much more. For me watching her on the pony ride was my favorite. I wasn't sure she would even want to go on a pony, but she walked into the carousel area with such confidence. There were 4 ponies and of course I was going to put her on the smallest one. She wasn't going to have any of that, she wanted to go on the white pony (largest). It brought me back to my honeymoon where I went on my first and last horse back riding adventure. We were in beautiful Maui and got tickets to go horse back riding. I was so nervous but I trusted that many people have gone on these trips and I would do just fine. I think I was in a blissful honeymoon cloud!! I think the guides could sense that I was new to the whole horseback riding experience. Looking back I wonder what could have given it away, that fact that I was sweating bullets, shaking uncontrollably, or possibly me not wanting to go near the horse.... anyways they gave me a horse named Will Smith. This horse I was told was on Maui time and he would be perfect for me. Well, Will Smith was a bit crazy if you ask me. He bolted forward twice, once while we were on a ledge. When he bolted forward it caused the horse in front of me to buck, then of course my horse brought up it's front legs. Just typing this my heart is racing!!! I survived, but it was the longest 50 minutes of my life. I could not get off that horse fast enough and of course I was the second to the last horse in the group. What does that have to do with seeing Abigail up on the pony? It makes me want to make sure my children experience life with no fear. Of course I want them to be smart and safe, but I don't want them to have the fears that I have. This is difficult because in order for them to experience certain things in there childhood, I must experience these things along with them. I have a huge fear about camping, but what a great thing for children to do. I have a fear of the ocean, but Abigail love water. I have a fear about hiking (mountain lions, wild life) but Abigail loves outdoors. Why am I so afraid? I think partly it is just who I am, but mostly it is the unknown. These are not things I grew up doing. I think having a husband who loves being outdoors is going to help and me just giving it to God, He is after all in control .. o.k. back to the pumpkin patch. I took Abigail into the petting zoo, which wasn't her favorite. She had a blast in the jumper and on the big slide, her and John went on it for 15 minutes. I wish I would have had my camera out while she was on the slide, because she made a little friend. She would wait at the top, and grab onto his hand. Together they would slide down to the bottom, actually they were half sliding and have tumbling. Seeing John come down the slide was quite amusing too. Mason, didn't have as much fun. He pretty much just hung out with mom, observing all that was going on around us. Next year little man! We left the pumpkin patch without any pumpkins, but the kids didn't notice... What a fun day, or as Abigail would say "Fun at the pumpkins, mama"

A little of me lost, but a whole lot more gained.....

2008-10-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

I got a new phone yesterday and I needed my 14 year old daughter to walk me through it. Now I wouldn't say that I am a technology savvy person, but this was to much! Why was this so alarming to me, after all many a mom has needed help figuring out electronic gadgets. I think it started in August 2005 when I married my hubby and started an amazing journey as a SAHM. In the last 3 years we added 2 more "Moos"(more on that later) to our clan. Before marrying my hubby, I worked at a car dealership. I loved my job and I was good at it. My job in short was to know everything about these technologically filled cars and teach it to the customers and occasionally to a sales person. I was the go-to person, if I didn't know it I figured it out. So here I am 3 years into my SAHM life and I can't manage to work a more complex phone!!! What is that about? Um, I would have to say I have gotten lazy (tired) . I haven't lost the ability to learn, although I do have full blown mommy brain a good portion of the day. But really, why figure it out when my 14 year old can just tell me....
This has been very humbling and I have taken a brief but closer look at myself or rather who I have become. I love being a mommy and of course if you do the math, I was a mommy well before my wedding 3 years ago. I was a single mom and boy was that a journey. I had to grow up, discover who I was, all the while raising a child. It was heartbreaking at times, but it was my life and we survived. As the years (as a single mom) went on I became a person I could appreciate a little more. My job allowed me a little extra income to get my hair done, nails done and buy nicer clothes and make-up. I always felt put together even when I wasn't feeling so put togethr on the inside. This baecame part of my identity, a part of me, and I enjoyed looking nice. So here I am a mom of 3 beautiful and amazing gifts from God and boy have I changed. I never put make up on, I wear sweats and workout clothes ( um, I don't exercise), I can't remember the last time I got my nails done, and well my roots are about an inch. As I type this wondering what it all means I realize that yes, I am not so put together on the outside, but none of that stuff before could come close to the trade off. I may still go put some lipstick on and buy a nice pair of jeans, because after all I need to still look good for my man......but when it is all said and done, and I am sitting here with my son drooling all over my face giving me baby kisses, when my 2 year old daughter wants me to sing to her, and I can pick up my 14 year old from school everyday....... I may not be dressed to the nines anymore, but my heart sure is...