random thought thursday

my new favorite person? 

penny from happy endings.

oh, did i say 'person'?

i meant 'fictitious character'.

no. i meant person.

* * * * * * *

sometimes i think i need to

redesign my blog

to appear more simple and sleek

and then i remember

that i am neither simple

nor sleek.

* * * * * * *

i didn't finish listing my 30

things i am grateful for

in november.

so i'm gunna leak into 

december's posts.

i'm pretty sure no one cares.

* * * * * * *

i made the bestest 

holiday CD mix this year.

i am giving them to our friends as

december 1st gifts tomorrow...

(or over the weekend)

you're jealous.

you really are.

* * * * * * *

as you read this

a doctor is shoving a tube

with a flashlight and a camera

down my throat to see

the inside of my battered stomach.

ick. ick. ick.

* * * * * * *

check out my friend heidi's fun

year of gratitude challenge.

i may do it. will you?

* * * * * * *

is it weird that i love

 my blog readers

when i don't really know you?

and i know you even less

than you know me...by a lot!

but i do...i heart you.

thanks for reading.

oh, and leave a comment
once in a while, okay?

i won't think you're a stalker.

promise.

* * * * * * *

19

Thankful no. 28

Bianca

You are such a little ball of feisty energy. Your older sisters arrived on earth laid back and contented to chill. But you burst into our family with an agenda. To explore, live, eat, play, laugh heartily and hold on to your loved ones.

You are usually happy, but when you're displeased...watch out! Your lips scrunch together and you let everyone around you know this is not how it is supposed to be. When your sisters get into your way you just shove them with one little balled fist.  You have climbed every surface, eaten every kootie off the floor, found every sharp object, undone every latch and fallen off every bed in this house.

And even with all of that energy, you love to snuggle in bed with Mommy and Daddy.  Each morning you cling to Daddy, knowing he will soon leave for work. It is clear you want to explore the world, but all the while be close and safe to those who protect and love you.

You were meant to do great things. God has given you a strong will and He will also show you the way to use it. More than anything I am thrilled to sit back and watch you grow and see where life will take you with your sense of adventure.

Also, please don't ever outgrow that little crooked smile of yours. 

My heart might break.

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Thankful no. 27

Evangeline

Evangeline came into our lives with a quiet arrival. She was the sweetest baby in the world. Never fussy, always happy. Always content. She loved being snuggled and held close as a baby and she is still the same. I have never encountered a more affectionate person. She is always ready to hug, kiss, play and snuggle with me. On some difficult days her affection is the balm which soothes my heart.

She was slow to begin talking, but once she began she quickly found her voice. She has become a peer to Ella this past year and a best friend. She loves those around her with all of her heart and nothing less.

Evangeline has the most natural artistic ability I have seen in a child. We are all constantly amazed at her drawings. She often draws 3D images with no reference and everyone who sees her drawing comments on her fantastic abilities. She is creative in every way.  Besides drawing she expresses herself through various extreme outfits. Always pink and ruffles and skirts and bling. She has a love of fashion and femininity.

Her tender heart is much like mine. It will cause her a lot of heartache and hurt feelings over the course of her life, but it will also bring her joy and deep, uninhibited love for those around her. Her depth of emotion for others inspires me to be more trusting and more gentle. I am thankful for Evangeline.

2

Quote of the Day

Me to Ella: Look at how dark Bianca's skin is. 

It's way darker than yours or mine.

Ella: Do you think she's a Mexican child?

Me: I dunno. Maybe.

4

thankful no. 26

Ella

She was the baby who made me a Mommy. She came from Heaven with a personality all her own. She arrived early and struggled physically. I cried more tears in her first month than at any time in my life. She is now 6 years old and a mini teenager. She loves dancing and singing and leans heavily towards the dramatic. I am the most proud of what a wonderful friend she is to others. She supports, loves and cares for her friends. It comes to her naturally.

Her willfullness has caused me a lot of stress, but I am so grateful for it. She will never be anybody's doormat. She won't be tread upon or swayed from her purpose because she is firm in who she is.

This year her sense of humor has come alive. She is always in on the joke and quick to laugh. When she laughs she laughs with her entire body, throwing her head back and giving herself entirely to the humor. When she laughs too hard she always gets the hiccups.

She is a girl of extremes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. She is my Ella and I am grateful God gave her to me.

1

thankful catch up

Yes, despite me slacking on my thankful posts I really did feel that I was filled with thoughts of thankfulness this month. Here are a few I have been giving special thanks for...

Thankful no. 15 - Hair Dye

Seriously. You have NO idea how grey a 34 year old can be until you see me 8 weeks since my last run-in with a home Clairol kit. Someday (actually, when I turn 60..it's already decided) I will let it go grey, but for now I hide behind medium ash brown, every six weeks or so.

Thankful no. 16 - America

Yep, people complain about the state of America all the time (myself included), but it truly IS an amazing place to live. It is not perfect, but it's pretty darn fabulous. I love the "American Dream" that if you work hard you can accomplish your dreams. I love our melting pottedness. I love that people cry during the 4th of July fireworks. I love our crazy mix of foods and cultures. I love being free.

Thankful no. 17 - Glue guns

They're just amazing. Seriously...I might die without a glue gun.

Thankful no. 18 - Matt's job

With each passing year since the economy crashed I am more and more grateful for Matt's secure job. Yes, our money is tight and sometimes I think "why didn't we send Matt to law school or millionaire school?", but he has a secure and steady job in which he is greatly respected and where he feels fulfilled. And that is worth giving thanks.

Thankful no. 19 - The Internet

Yep, I'm shallow like that. But, the internet is amazing. SO much information. SO much connection with the world. SO much to see and learn and be inspired by. Of course, it is a double edged sword. There is a lot of filth lurking on the internet, but if used properly it is a limitless gateway to knowledge, cultures and people we might otherwise not have found in a lifetime.

Thankful no. 20 - Whipped Cream in a can

Self explanatory.

Thankful no. 21 - Pennsylvania

Yep, I've been a bit cranky about living here, but that has changed. I have begun to love it. And if we ever leave I will be sad. I will miss the buggies and Amish farmer's markets, the Mount Joy Diner and trips to Harrisburg (not to see the capitol, but to go to the huge Jo-Anns). I will miss visits to Dutch Wonderland and the way people freak out when 2 inches of snow drops. I will miss our proximity to Baltimore, Washington DC and Gettysburg. I am glad we live here right now. It is home.

Thankful no. 22 - Military Families

All month I have been thinking of Military families. The men and women who leave their homes to protect MY freedoms. The sacrifice. They serve. They are inspirational. And their families. Some days I feel like I might strangle my children before 5:30pm when Matt gets home. How weak am I? Our military families live without their spouses and without a fellow parent to help them through the day to day. I am in awe of their strength.

Thankful no. 23 - My In-Laws

I mean, they really are the best in-laws in the entire world. No questions asked. And you're jealous.

Thankful no. 24 - Chapstick

Seriously. What did people do before chapstick?

Thankful no. 25 - The Post Office

Last week someone complained to me about the 1 cent postage rate increase coming up. I was dumbfounded. Think about this. I can get a letter from myself all the way to the other side of the country in just a few days and all for $0.44. Think of the offices, mail trucks, sorting centers, mail carriers and airplanes my one little letter goes through to get to it's destination 3,000 miles away. And it only cost my $0.44!?! Amazing. And don't even get me started on Overseas mail. Someone flies my letter to Sweden for less than $2.00?!! Incredible.  How are they not hiking the rates to, like, $5 a letter?!  Because I would pay it!

2

Momo Prints Thanksgiving Weekend Sale!

BUY 2 PRINTS GET 1 FREE!

Simply add two poster to your cart.
Then in the notes to seller portion of check-out give
the size and color for the two ordered prints and add
the same information about a third print of your choice!

Hurry! This offer ends at 8pm EST on Monday, Nov. 28th!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoPrints

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Check out 2 new prints featuring the 
2012 PRIMARY THEME...

FOR BOYS: In assorted colors

FOR GIRLS: In assorted colors

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FREEBIE from ME-bie!

CLICK HERE to download pdf file.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

1

Can a chesty girl be a scarfy girl?

Watch this video...

Awesome right?

I love that scarves make women look so chic.
Jeans and a T-shirt? Sloppy.
Jeans and a T-shirt and a scarf? Fashionista.

But I have never gone into scrafdom since I am chesty. 

I felt like there is some rule against it.

What do YOU think?

Can a chesty girl be a scarfy girl?

6

thankful no. 14

{a slightly controversial post. sorry.}

This month I am grateful for IMMUNIZATIONS.

I think we get all caught up with the mercury preservative rumors and immunization nay-sayers and we forget that our mothers and fathers had childhood friends who died from polio. Yeah, died.

I'll admit it. Each year I love the day I get my flu shot. Love it. Because I know I will not get the flu that Winter. I remember every single Winter of my life, growing up in Northern Utah, knowing that I would experience at least one horrendous flu: complete with vomit, chills, aches and awfulness. I started getting flu shots in my late teens and, no joke, I have never gotten the flu on a year when I got the flu shot. Not once.

( img src )

I traveled to Africa in 2001 to make and fit hearing aids to children who lost their hearing due to meningitis.  But those who only lost there hearing were the lucky ones. Because many children died from it.  It was rampant. I literally probably saw hundreds of kids over an eight day period with meningitis.  Have you ever worried about your child becoming deaf or dying from meningitis?  Nope? Neither have I.  Because with one small shot our children can avoid meningitis altogether.

Seriously. It's amazing.

I am grateful for Immunizations.

P.S. Wanna hear a really interesting look at the immunization debate? CLICK HERE to listen to this topic on This American Life.

 
P.S. PLEASE don't leave a comment about immunizations causing Autism. 

9

Race to the Moon!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cafe Well for SocialSpark.
All opinions are 100% mine.

As you know, I am back on the weight loss wagon.  I'll admit, my main driving force for weight loss is being thinner.  But as I get older my focus is shifting to being more healthy.

I recently became aware of Cafe Well, a social network that offers wellness programs.

They have a program called Race to the Moon that aims to get members more fit and active by walking or running through offering FREE wireless pedometers which tracks their steps and rewards them for milestones and total steps.  You have to be a member of Health America to be eligible to win the HUGE prizes and score your free pedometer.

However, you don't have to be a part of the corporate program to participate in the website itself.  You can sign up and participate in fun challenges, discussion groups, and have experts provide advice and answer questions.

If I were to create a health challenge it would be between me and the Hubbs.  He also wants to lose weight/improve his health and he is a great support system for me.  We are both working on making better health choices and I think I may just get pedometers for each of us and start a challenge of our own!

1

sunday sound bites: minnutes

why haven't you bought this album yet?

because you really should.

0

recipe test...almost there

See those delicious looking pastries 

next to those delicious looking cinnamon rolls?

I made them this morning for a new friend's baby shower.

They are spinach and gruyere puffs & ham, cheese and broccoli puffs.

And they were really good, 

but I know exactly how I am going to make them even better.

Recipe testing makes me giddy...

and kinda fat.

I will be sure to share the recipe once it is absolutely perfect!

*   *   *   *   *   *   *

 

I am thankful for new life.

What's better than a new little person coming straight from Heaven down to us?

It is so beautiful and wondrous and amazing! I love baby showers. 

It feels like you get to share in the joy of standing on the very edge of a miracle.

1

suicidal toast

last night at book club

i got this very sad piece of bread.

it's official, i am running out of blogging topics.

2

beautiful things

BÄRBAR Bird Tray

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

White Chick Candleholder

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rose Camerabag in Marigold

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Heirloom Citrine Fabric

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Great to See You Dress

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PETA...you're ridiculous...seriously.

On Monday, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)  issued a press release attacking iconic Nintendo mascot Mario for wearing a 'Tanooki' suit in his latest adventure, Super Mario 3D Land, which hit shelves on Sunday.

"Tanooki may be just a "suit" in Mario games, but by wearing the skin of an animal, Mario is sending the message that it's OK to wear fur," PETA says.

Emilie Ahern says, "PETA, if you want people to take your organization and animal rights more seriously you're going to have to stop being so freakin' ridiculous.  I'm all for throwing paint on Kate Moss when she wears the hides of slaughtered chinchilla babies to a movie premier, but leave Mario out of this!  Sheesh!"

Maybe PETA should reach out to Mario and see if he will pose for one of their ad campai.....oh wait, he can't. Because Mario ISN'T REAL.

7

thirteen months

Coco is thirteen months old

and is really starting to get feisty!

she's in to everything;

destroying piles of folded laundry

and shelves with books.

she says "yeah" all the time

when we drive through Sonic

I hand her half a grilled cheese sandwich

which she holds in her left hand

then uses her right hand to break off

bite sized pieces and eats them.

very dainty.

seriously.
my kids are WAY cuter than other people's kids.
I'm just sayin'.

1

Thankful x 3

11 - I am thankful for the ability to try again. My life, in so many aspects, is a cycle of doing my best, then slipping, then collapsing, then recommitting to doing my best again and starting fresh. I hope someday I am more consistently good, but for now I am thankful for the never-ending gift of starting again.

12 - I am thankful for my church family. We live far far away from our wonderful Ahern family (who are mostly all in Utah and one in Texas) and it's so amazing and comforting to have a church family to support, help and love us. For church friends who listen to me cry and whine when life is hard and rejoice with me when life is easy. I also love the blessings and feelings of closeness to Jesus Christ I feel when I have the opportunity to do the same for them.

13 - Veterans. I spent a lot of this past week thinking of those I love who have served our Country and their families. I am humbled, grateful and indebted to them. And to the Moms who raise children alone, while worrying and waiting while their spouse fights to keep me and my family safe. You are amazing. Thank you a million times. You are what's right with America.

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