Archive | September, 2012

I blame Pinterest! ;)

28 Sep

Hubby and I continue to TRY to take a few minutes alone, just catching up on each other’s day, as soon as he gets home from work.  As much as we try, this time is usually overlooked due to the kids asking for something. We have also been trying to figure out a way to rearrange our bedroom.  Due to the way it is designed, there aren’t a lot of options and we were left with a 10′ x 14′ area with nothing in it.  I saw this picture on Pinterest, and have become obsessed with trying to make this sitting area work for our room.  It will be so nice to have our own little place to relax and catch up!

One of my pet peeves on Pinterest is when someone posts a picture with no link and no description.  After some searching, I discovered that the picture above was somehow linked to HomeGoods.  I found one of these stores near our house and went for the first time today.  I think I may LOVE this store!!  It is clean, everything is very well-organized (unlike many of those other discount clearance stores) and to top it off — inexpensive!  I love order, and the fact that I have three kids, the inexpensive part is right up my alley!  I didn’t find the right chairs today, so I’ll go back in a few weeks and check again, but I did find so many other great pieces for around the house!  Since I didn’t have a plan for the other areas of the house, I refrained from buying all of the things I was finding…but I WILL be going back with a plan next time!

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How They Learn

27 Sep

And sometimes, what they teach us!

Reminder from Landon was to literally “stop and smell the roses!” I was stuck on a project and frustrated. Two huge roses had bloomed in our yard and he asked me to “come smell the roses, mommy?” I paused as I thought of the meaning of his request, but still said “I can’t right now.” He picked one of the roses, ran over to me and said “you REALLY need to smell these, they smell so pretty!” He was right; it was the best smelling rose I have ever encountered, and he made me laugh at myself for overlooking the simplicity! I love that boy!!

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A Gift From a Gifted Heart!

25 Sep
I am so happy to share that Landon raised the $500 necessary to receive the designation of MIRACLE MAKER at Rady Children’s Hospital for his fundraising efforts!  A few Payments are still processing, but he raised $960 in time to celebrate his success on his 6th birthday on Sunday!  Even though this year’s birthday has passed, our desire to continue to raise money for The Heart Institute at Rady Children’s Hospital has not!  The site will remain active and we continue to ask you to share our site with your friends.  Thank you to everyone who helped us reach our goal!
Photo courtesy of:
http://www.brandoncolbertphotography.com/

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Time to Get Crafty

25 Sep
Ever since we got our Keurig brewer, I have realized that our coffee cups are rather small.  They are also pretty plain!  I suppose it’s time to get crafty!

I came across this site this morning and LOVE their ideas!  I’m looking forward to trying out a few new painting projects; maybe it will even help cross a few people off my holiday shopping list!  Wish me luck – I’ll let you know how it goes!

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Holiday pictures already?!

20 Sep

Believe it or not, in the next month I will be scheduling our photo session for our Christmas pictures.  It feels like each year flies by faster than the last!  Luke and I have sent a photo Christmas card every year since we were married; this will be our 9th card.  I have been planning on framing them all together, then add to them year after year…that’s a project that hasn’t been completed (or even started) yet!  Once it is finally completed, I will post pics!

This is my favorite picture from last year’s photo session!  It looks like the baby is trying to eat her brother and sister, but she was really trying to give kisses!

Thanks Brandon for the great pictures!
http://www.brandoncolbertphotography.com/

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Let the party begin!

16 Sep

Let the party begin! 

Landon decided on a Ninjago theme for his birthday party.  The party will be held at the dojo where he takes karate.  Unfortunately, there are no Ninjago party supplies…so I was forced to get creative.

Here are his invites…

And the juice boxes and water bottles…
Landon received his cake from a baker through http://www.icingsmiles.org/.

Happy little birthday ninja!

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A Gifted Heart

11 Sep
School has been back in session for almost a month, and we are getting back in the swing of our usual school-time schedule. Though I strive to raise exceptional little people, there is a part of my life I work ever so hard at making as “normal” as possible; the normal ever day life part.
In September of 2006, I was preparing to welcome my first child, a baby boy. At that time, I had already been informed that he would be born with a special heart. This is where we kept everyone informed of what was going on: http://www.babysites.com/sites/babyhoward/default.asp?page=myjournal&seq=1&cmd=prev&story=255084
I have made the choice that every day I wake up…I have children… plain and simple. I don’t wake up and think, “I have a child with a REALLY big problem.” Sure we have to account for meds and doctor visits and surgeries; though thankfully, the majority of the surgeries are behind us now. But, we get right back to our “normal” life. This brings me to last night. My sweet boy’s teacher emailed that he is getting his work done more slowly than the majority of the class. We are now readying ourselves for a new chapter in the ever-evolving life with a CHD (Congenital Heart Defect). We will be looking into what may be causing him to work at this pace. I just keep telling myself “slow and steady wins the race!”
Thankfully, his “Gifted Heart” has allowed us to be blessed with knowing other amazing families who are walking this same path! As I sat there this morning feeling a little defeated over another hurdle that has been placed in front of my son, I remembered that a heart-dad, who also works in schools, posted about options that are available to our kids. http://blog.wholehearts.org/?p=45#comment-264 Thanks, Trent, for making me remember we are not alone in this and also for giving us some great information as we learn about this next phase in our lives.

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Love

6 Sep
This is the leather-bound journal my husband gave to me on our wedding day.  We write notes back and forth to each other and leave it for the other to find.  As our 8th anniversary is approaching in a few weeks, I’ll take this opportunity to call him out! It’s been too long since we’ve used this. 😉  I love going back and re-reading the things we’ve written over the years!

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A week in the life…

5 Sep
A week in the life…
I would love to start my first post with something witty, but it is what it is.  This week has brought many highs and lows, excitement and sibling arguments.  On a high-note, a dear friend welcomed her first baby!  Sadly, this week is also when we said goodbye to our dear, sweet, Grandma June.  First grade has now started its third week – and homework.  The invites have been sent for the Ninjago birthday party, and my children have started fighting over imaginary toys!
As I said, it is what it is.  We live, we play, we love, we do the best we can and we never stop learning.

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