sink or swim

Sometimes I look at people and think "wow, you're really out there following your dreams and making it happen, good for you." I wish I could get 'out there' but I can't get past this pile of laundry and dirty dishes. My ultimate dream is to be a wife & mother, so I got that one covered,,,,but I still have other dreams....and I hate that sinking feeling I get when I think of them, because they seem so far out of reach. If I make a list of all the things that have to happen to make those dreams a reality,,,I get completely overwhelmed.
Thanks for listening, I'm done whining now.

 

It's HERE!

ONE week ONLY!

It's ALIVE!

Turn your child's art into a toy!

Supplies: markers, paper, kids, fabric markers, light colored fabric, sewing machine, stuffing.

I instructed Emma to draw a person who was a big as the paper.

Apparently what she heard was: draw a sailor with hands like Edward Sissorhands and make sure he is flipping everyone off!

 

Tape picture to window with light colored fabric taped on top

Trace the picture using fabric markers.

(if your child is skilled at drawing, you can skip these steps and let them draw on the fabric directly)

 

 Layer drawing on top of second piece of fabric.

Top Stich around entire drawing , leaving an opening to stuff it.

Pink around the drawing.

Let the little fingers stuff it.

Top Stitch the opening closed.

 Watch your child LOVE their creation.

This all started with Aidan.  When Emma saw what I was doing with his art she wanted to make her own.

Here are two other ones that I did for Aid for Aidan. I loved the Frankenstein one.
( I did Aid for Aidan's monsters digitally and printed them from my computer with high quality ink and Bubble Jet Set, hence the better quality)

Getting SOOO close!

Okay, so here is the deal, I need some of you to buy some MONSTER BUTTONS!

We are very close to a $1000.00 from Aidan's Friends and I would really like to see that happen. 

I know we can do it, we just have to pull together!

Cheese Bear

This is my brown sugar bear. I wasn't using him and felt bad.  So I looked around my kitchen for "things that attract moisture" and viola!
He lives inside of my Parmesan cheese, because I hate breaking up lumpy little balls of cheese.
He loves it there!

Bed Bath and Beyond has them for super cheap!

H is for Help

Did you know that you can fight cancer with MONSTERS?

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For more information on Aidan and his story 

www.AidForAidan.wordpress.com

Living a charmed life

I'm trying to live a charmed life and I need YOUR help.
What do you do to live a healthy life? 

Share it with me, be specific!
Do you make time for friends, have a really healthy recipe you cook, do a devotional, have you eliminated something nasty from your life, have a great workout plan, take a certain vitamin, have a beauty secret, work with a charity, ect...?

Let me hear you! 

Harry and I doing yoga in the park!

Beki's Barn Sale

I recently participated in my FIRST barn sale.

I had an absolutely splendid time!

Thank YOU Beki for hosting this lovely event, I can't wait for next year!

 

 

Even my key-chain got something sassy to wear!

 GIANT SALE

 at

VINTAGE GIRL!

 

Get them before they are gone!

I hope they remember

My kids will not remember if i wore make-up everyday, or if my fashion was the latest trend.
They will not remember if my house was spotless or if each meal was gourmet.

With any luck, they will remember:
I was always there with a morning hug and kiss goodnight.
I was always there when the thunder boomed and the lighting crashed.
I always knew where the other shoe was hiding.
I knew just what blanket would keep them cozy at night.
I was always willing to rock them just a few minutes more.
I loved them more then life itself.

My kids will not remember how my husband stressed about providing for our family.
They will not remember what car he drove, or what kind of cell phone he had.
With any luck, they will remember:
He was always available to be a human jungle gym.
He was the ultimate tickle monster.
He knew how to scoop them up after a rough tumble.
He knew how to do all the coolest tricks on the scooter.
He knew the precise way to shew away monsters at night.
He was always willing to make popcorn and dance with them.
He loved them more then life itself.

9-11 thoughts

All my thoughts are right here!

Lite Berzerka Bars

I love Barefoot and Baking!
Here is my lite version of Bezerka Bars
Bezerka Bars

2 cups oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup chopped raw almonds
1/8 cup flax seed
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/2 sticks of butter, melted
1 t vanilla
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup applesauce
fresh fruit*

*My favorite is fresh peaches and raspberries but just about anything works, be creative!

Mix all the ingredients, except fruit, together and press into a greased 9x13 pan. Put fresh fruit on top and press lightly into crumb mixture. Bake at 325 for 40-50 minutes, until they look dry on top and lightly brown on the edges. These are good warm, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but tend to fall apart easy. To set, let them cool completely. We love these as breakfast bars too.

Inspirational CRAP and such.

When I saw this chalkboard I knew I had to make it mine. Trouble is, it hangs in my kitchen and stares at me.  It taunts me daily with it's relentless whining and desire to be written on. 

Since clearly I'm not writing on it, I thought maybe you would like to. 

Give me some quick quotes, words of inspiration, funny sayings. 

ANYTHING that will fill the space and I'll throw it up there.

It's a GIVEAWAY!

The awesome and incomparable Wichita Handmade is hosting a fabulous giveaway for the next two weeks!! It begins today and a winner will be drawn on Saturday, June 19th. The prize is a lovely, summer-inspired lemonade, linen, & lace wristlet created by Folk.etsy.com. It really is a little cutie!

All you need to do to enter is head on over to Wichita Handmade's facebook fan page, become a fan (or "like," as they're calling it these days), and leave a comment on the giveaway status!

Rock, Chalk, Wine

I discovered a new "game", it has quickly become my second favorite game. (I adore "put mommy to bed on the couch" game, Emma loves it too. She is so nurturing.)  I urge you to try this game when you are tired from having a garage sale for 3 days.  

Supply List:
Sidewalk Chalk
Rocks
Wine

Step One: Throw rocks onto patio

Step Two: tell little kids to trace all the rocks

Step Three: Grab that glass of wine, sit back & enjoy how content, quiet, & cute your kids can be.

Faux Wonder Under & Foil?

Ironically as I was working on a costume for a parade I'm going to be in this next Saturday... I ran across this little statement:

 Oh MY! 

You have no idea how happy this makes me.  I want to try it NOOOOWWW!

Have you ever done this does it work?

Life is Sweet, Literally!

This morning in my sleep deprived state I poured coffee into the sugar bowl and not the coffee cup. Maybe someone could hook me up to a caffeine IV about 15 before I get out of bed. That would really help with my morning routine.

Mother of the bride

I made Emma a wedding veil headband  She thought it was useless without a dress.

Dancing in her new veil and my tanktop wedding dress!

Harry kept wanting me to take his picture.  He was so proud of himself for wearing one of Big Sister's Crocs. He kept posing for pictures.

Things are not so swimmingly

Lately I feel like I'm always on the verge of a meltdown.
I have a sense that everything is closing in on me.
I can see the light, I just keep tripping over toys every time I reach for it.
Even If I have had 6 cups, I feel like I'm one cup of coffee away from feeling awake.
I'm always one load of laundry away from being caught up.
If Harry slams one more door/cabinet I'm just going to take them all down.
I'm one "Hey Mommy" away from cutting my own ears off.
I feel like I'm dredging along at the bottom instead of swimming at the top.
My patience level is dangerously low.
I'm tired of trying to find foods my kids will eat.
I'm in a viscous cycle of my kids being upset, thus I'm upset, thus they are more upset, thus I'm more upset....
It's like one of those dreams where you're running but not making any progress.
So, what do you do to recharge your batteries, and bust out of a funk?

Beer For Breakfast

I pass this sign everyday. It makes me laugh.

Bedhead Baby

On the count of three shout it with me!

1..

2..

3..

BEDHEAD!

BAHaaahaa this kid is hilarious!

Big Spoon = Quiet Dinner

At dinner Mike played a trick on Emma.  She asked for a spoon and he brought her a large wooden spoon just to be silly. Turned out to be spectaular. She thought it was hilarious and we never once had to tell her "eat your dinner!"

Lesson learned: next time your kids are wearing you out at dinner, give them something silly to eat with!