isn't he wonderful?

Look at this kid and try and tell me he isn't wonderful!

{sawyer}

We had a doozy of a day around here, one thing after another. Nothing bad, just one of those days. Luckily, I've got a few great kids around here. They make it all worth it!


Check back tomorrow or the next day. There might be something in it for you!

and the winner is...

Here are your random numbers:



26

So, the winner is ...

Andreah @ Life's A Hoot said...
I love to stamp and scrapbook! I also like to sew but I am not very good at it (yet) =)
January 24, 2009 9:22 AM

andreah, email me at aj_mcgarvey AT msn.com and I will get your package of goods off to you!

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU THAT ENTERED! Please keep coming back there are so many more things to give away!!

the difference a year can make...and a GIVEAWAY! (TIME IS UP!)

Isn't it amazing how much difference a year can make? Behold, my youngest and middle sons at this time last year. 2 months old and 4.75 years old. WOW.

{harrison}

{sawyer}

it's just amazing to me to behold these little lives and how they change. and how soon they begin to yell "shut up, stupid head!" (this just happened at my house 15 seconds ago) Really, though. They begin as these fragile, soft, and amazing CREATURES. They grow into precocious, curious, sometimes crabby and amazing toddlers. They become smart, funny, challenging and amazing KIDS. It's a wonderful thing to watch.

Maya Angelou : The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas. The challenging days of my existence may or may not be bright and promising. Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed. (I found this, once again, on Ali E's blog)

Because I realize the amount of good in my life - I'd like to share the wealth. That leads me to the GIVEAWAY! Woohoo!

**TIME IS UP!** ENTER THE NEXT ONE!

I'm an avid crafter. My main area of interest lies with scrapbooking. I literally and have more supplies than I could ever use. I have boxes in the garage, stuffed in drawers and more in places I'm sure I've forgotten about. That is just the stuff I'm not planning on using.

So, I'm going to give it away. To you. (hopefully!)

To kick off the giveaways, you will get this stuff.

Looks good, right? It's perfect for the advanced scrapper (make a mini album of your favorite subject or one to give as a gift!) or the beginner (make a mini album from 4x6 pictures and see if the hobby is for you!)!

TO ENTER: Leave a comment in the comments section telling me if you're crafty and if so, what your craft of choice is, no later than 5pm PST, on Saturday.

Keep checking back. This is the beginning of many more of these things. I have LOTS more to bestow upon you!

repurposing...and an announcement

So, a good friend of mine is into all things girly, vintage and fresh. LOVE it. I will admit, I never thought it was for me. BUT, I've found that some of that world meshes wonderfully with my bright and linear world.

Meet a few of my favorite new items that I intend to or have repurposed!

{fun little bowl/dish type things that are holding random, want to be used soon ribbons and will use dirty stamps!}

{the toy cash register and the scale, simply being decorative!}

{What, my friends, shall I do with this??}

Anyway, the second thing to discuss is giveaways. I have BOXES of scrapbook/craft/paper crafting related items that I'm not intending on using. I'd like to purge them and give them to fellow crafters.

So, in order to do that, I'm going to have give aways, right here! Probably a couple a week until I've cleared out the stuff. So, keep checking back!

Until later...

I must share...

I have found my new favorite poem -- completely inspirational and so ME! I absolutely love it. A breath of fresh air. Talk of repurposing and such will wait until tomorrow...

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

You wanna tussle?

My kids watch a lot of Drake and Josh. They like iCarly too. And Spongebob. They pick up hilarious, and often, inappropriate things from these shows.

Like this...

On a completely different note - wasn't this awesome?! I was completely awestruck by the history, the complete and total ritual of it all and the enormity. I am proud to believe in him and look forward to see what he can accomplish.

a minor delay

I've been trying to upload some shots, since yesterday, of our outdoor adventures at the park and in our driveway. Unfortunately, I've not been successful. Soon, I hope.

Until then, I will continue to be productive at home!

More where this came from

Here's a little picture of the #1 baby. It's been very warm here today - he enjoyed some time sans clothing!

Still not there...

Okay, so i'm still not ready to share from our recent activities, mostly because I still haven't downloaded the pictures. (Where is that shocked smiley when you need it?) I read this quote on Ali Edwards' blog and really liked it. Hopefully, you will too.

Neil Gaiman : I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you'll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.

As far as I'm concerned it's always about being kind. A smile, a friendly greeting or a pleasant conversation can really help someone's day. It certainly helps mine. Anyway, kindness is one of the most important lessons I'm hoping to teach my children. Sure it's important to be smart - it's also important to have goals and to reach them. But, I really want them to learn that we're all in this together, lets try and be kind unless it's just not possible.

not even a recap

Well, not yet anyway. right now, just one image because I love it. Then, later, another time, a bit about our holiday and our excursion.

for now, happy and blissful to be home. about ready to rest up for tomorrow!