Warm Holiday greetings, literally

   Just about last minute, we decided to play snow-birds for Christmas. Yes, while our local friends and family dealt with (albeit seasonal) weather for the holidays, we enjoyed the Florida climate once again this year. Gotta love short sleeves and shorts for Santa's visit!
   It was also a perfect decision because a couple other of my Northern cousins had the same idea, one of which I hadn't seen in over 5 years! We all met at my Aunt's house for Christmas, my first with that side of the family since I was 9! The next day we also utilized the time together for us "girls" to get together and go over old photographs that were my grandmothers, in prep for our family reunion in the coming year, while our husbands went out golfing, John's first time. Yes, I wish I could have been a fly on the golf cart then! But he enjoyed himself so much he is already looking for his own set of clubs.

Santa Time

  Getting into the holiday spirit has been a little different here this year. Our household is getting back to normal, after a hard decision, following a hard 9 months for us. I am finally feeling more free to breathe, and it showed me not only about myself, but how I will handle things differently.
   But, now with Christmas all the more closer and the promise of spending some time in warmer weather with my dad's side of the family, I am finally feeling the excitement (though I do wish I could be in two places at once to also spend the day as we normally do with my mom's side.)
   Tonight I picked up Day, after getting his friend Richard (who acknowledges he is another of my sons haha) and Richard's two sisters. We went to the new drive-thru light display for our area, then rode around looking at home and city decorations. J and T even each sat with Santa individually! Thankfully they were already in the mood after getting their videos from Santa today (seriously, if you haven't done PNP - Personal North Pole for your kids, DO IT!) Tomorrow we will be making ornaments, which I want to make a yearly thing, hope I don't run out of ideas!

J is 7!

   Oh my goodness, how did this happen?! My baby is 7! Seriously, when they hit 5, they are still little, even when they are 6 you can convince yourself that 6 is so close to 5, BUT, when 7 happens, there is no denying, he is growing up, and WAY too quickly!
   J is still my little guy, stuck to me, and I love it. But he is still showing his independence, doing so much on his own, for himself, and to help me out (without my asking I might add.)
   He has my and his Pop-Pop's dry humor, and no filter. Growing up people didn't know how to take it, so I hope he has a better time of it than I did. But, so far he seems to have no trouble, in classwork or socially. He had 9 A's and 1 B on his report card, so all-in-all, he is ahead of the game already!
   He LOVES art. We figure he won't be into all the sports, and that is perfectly fine, but he definitely picked up the artistic gene from both sides of our families! Hopefully soon we will find an age appropriate art studio for him that doesn't only deal with clay medium!
   J no longer claims to have a favorite color, though he does like the Redskins (insert eye roll from mommy, and a high five from daddy) though now he says he is changing over to the 49ers. Maybe it's just the burgundy.
   Legos are still a favorite among any toy if given the choice, and Spongebob still takes top dollar on the TV, except if something zombie/vampire/werewolf/bigfoot is on (thanks to Uncle Tommy for introducing the scary stuff.) FaceOff is the favorite, which I think is perfect because it shows him how the characters he likes are made, that it is all make believe. And who knows, maybe he will take that love for Art and the horror characters and create his own monsters!
   J is very conscious of other family members. Even though T and Little Miss annoy him frequently, and there is an age gap between him and the 3 older kids, he still comes home with school stuff saying how he is thankful for his brothers and sisters. In fact, he told me I can't say "no" anymore, that he wants so many siblings that the wall is full of everyone's pictures. Even today, with daddy having to work, he was disappointed because he said it would have been nice to have his whole family here.
   We don't do parties, too many kids, we would wear friends and family out! So, the kids get to choose an "excursion" and J asked for the Chocolate Factory, so we decided Hershey and Chocolate World would be perfect with their holiday festivities! We are really looking forward to this!
   I have not been able to get out and do his 7 year old pics yet, but I have it all planned and I can't wait ot share once done!
   As with any year, I know each day I am blessed to be J's mom, and I say it each and every time, but I do look forward to what is to come, while still mourning the time that has passed.
   LOVE THIS GUY!

In Our Home - print

I had seen this in plaques quite frequently, but everything I have seen out is pretty country themed, so I just decided to do myself. I will have it printed as an 8x10 and then frame it myself. I'm thinking with a white matte and a black frame.

Snowman Tree

My large tree is only for family ornaments, and since each year the kids get a new personal ornament, plus a picture ornament and maybe some small ones, it is quite full. I still miss the theme trees my mom and I did together when I was older, so I have smaller trees that I do that way. This year our smallest tree is a snowman. T has watched Frosty a few too many times, because he keeps telling me it is going to start walking and give him a hug. Love that innocence!

Foster teens

   We went into foster care with the intent of taking 4-8 year olds. We already had one teenager and John at the time was working with teens in a case manager capacity, so he would have his fill that way (and he was GREAT at what he did, as I have since had many teens tell me when they have seen us out, let alone what I know he did.) We figured since we could have biological children it didn't seem fair to "request" babies and toddlers. We have had 9 kids in our home, some for only a few days or weeks, some for years, but only one has hit our age group, at 4 years old. I have had 3 teens, the rest 3 months and up. When I speak at classes for prospective foster parents, I tell them God had other plans for us, and he does know better than we do.
   What I have seen has warmed my heart! I have seen teens not just survive their circumstances, but persevere! I have seen social workers go out of their way to be there 24/7 for the kids. I try my best to do it all, but I can't, and it is wonderful to know I have other adults who have my back, and ultimately the "kids" as well. I have seen my kids break the odds. Only 50% of foster teens graduate high school! I cried when I sat between 2 workers in June for graduation of 2 of our kids!
   Kids, no matter the age, do not enter care by ANY fault of their own, EVER! Teens are going to be teens, yes, they will try you. But who of us did not do the same to our parents? They are teens afterall. I only wish I could capture an evening at my house to show you how great they are! I don't wish for anyone to feel sorry for them, I wish that so people would want to step up and help them out! Be a mentor, donate, anything!
   There is a huge out-pouring for Hurricane Sandy victims, which don't get me wrong, I think it is wonderful, but every day there is a need going on that isn't televised, that you just won't see, a need for human contact, a need to help get set up in their own home, support in school, finding a job, etc.
   I recently read that 60% of the population has thought about adoption. Those numbers would account for every waiting child in our country. I have also read that 6 in 10 people are touched by adoption. So odds are, you may already be thinking about it, odds are you may already know someone who would know where to point you to help.
   November is National Adoption Month. I know Foster Care has it's own month in May, but I think with the ultimate goal of finding children a forever family, foster kids deserve notice this month as well!
  

The boys for Halloween

J decided he wanted to be Ghost Rider for Halloween, which of course we couldn't just go out and buy the costume! Thankfully he already had the motorcycle jacket. We improvised on the flaming skull after I saw a post on Pinterest, unfortunately it didn't turn out as awesome, but quite a few people were impressed and gave him extra candy for creativity.

I had hoped to get T to be a vampire. Last year he was a skeleton, the year before that a little devil. Yes, I like to stick to themes when I can choose, J's first 3 Halloweens he was animals. But this was the year of him starting to choose his own, and he picked a sock monkey, which really went over we'll with people out and about, they loved it!

I cannot post pics of little miss, but she chose an orange and yellow butterfly and was just too darn adorable! And she knew it, which she should!

I can't wait to scrap their individual pages for their albums, and of course do my own page of them all!

Last weekend

We did make it to Arundel Mills last weekend for the kids to have their Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown pics done. J got to hit the Lego Store, and T & Molly picked the Disney Store. It was great spending the time with John and doing fun things with the kids! Now this weekend's plans of hitting a farm for fall festivities is kaput with Hurricane Sandy, but we can still gut and carve our pumpkins. Least we got to do something fall related!

Family Coat of Arms - Crest

Showcasing the family Coat of Arms was a fad over a decade ago. I'm sure there was a kiosk in every mall around the holidays selling these. It always bugged me that my maiden name didn't have one that could be found. Sheesh, look up may last name and everyone listed is at the furthest relation a 3rd cousin. Literally, anyone with the name is a close relative, it is that rare. My sister-in-law posted her family's coat of arms, so I decided to look up my "new" name (as new as a decade can be.) It was confusing at first, because there seemed to be many to choose from. Then I started looking into each a little more closely, and I took out the ones that weren't directly related to Spain, and the ones left over were very similar. They all seem to have the same basis, maybe just more modern of with a little more flourish. So, I will discuss with hubby as to which is his favorite (as if he really cares) and I will have to frame the "best." Here is a sampling of what I found. I'm partial to the last one on the right.

T is 3!

I can't believe that T is 3 today! Time has flown, and it is bittersweet! Each age is so special, and there are blessings in each moment you get to spend with your kids, but while looking forward to the next year, you still mourn the ones that have already passed. I will never be able to express the love I have for this child! He is so articulate, I know, most would say 2nd child syndrome, he only picks it up from the older kids, but mommy prefers to believe he is exceptionally smart. He is a little smart-aleck though, that's a given for this house, same with a temper, but I still say it means he will stand for his beliefs as he gets older, he won't be a push-over and hopefully a leader instead of a follower. T is a bundle of energy, and stubborn as the day is long. Guess that is a given for our family as well. He loves giving hugs and kisses, and the amount of  times he says "I Love You" during the day is wonderful! So many comment on the mischief in his smiles, and like any other aspect of his personality, it definitely shines through. He is so expressive, he will probably never be a great poker player. Like J did, he loves The Wiggles, but he also loves Mickey Mouse, and won't let us forget that we told him he will meet him next year. Unlike his older brothers, he loves playing cars and is enamored with animal and dinosaur figures, even stuffed animals. No matter what, he is a completely unique person in his own right and we are blessed to share his life with him!

Color your own plates

This is another Pinterest find, something I figured the kids would enjoy doing. All it takes is plates from the Dollar Tree and a pack of colorful Sharpies. So for 3 plates it cost about $12, and I still have all the pens to use in the future. The kids colored to their own abandon. J's bottom right is of characters from Mortal Kombat, T's on the bottom left is fireworks, and Molly's at the top is her name (and if you look to the top right of her name, it does look like a good hearted attempt, even if it is up-side down.) The directions were simply to bake in the over for 30 minutes at 300 degrees. I did put it in the over while heating, and I left them in the oven to cool down. I was thinking they might be more likely to break with sudden changes in temp (that would be my luck) but also afterwards it kept anxious and excited little hands from touching them while still hot. I think we will do some mugs for Christmas presents and "stuff" with special tea of coffee!

Blur Photo Backgrounds

I have photo software to manually do this, but it requires "cutting" with my mouse. Not an easy feat with little ones in my lap, looking over my shoulder to see what I am doing, swinging the computer armoire doors, or playing with the rolling keyboard stand. Instagram is great, if I am on my ipod, and if I don't mind having lower resolution. So, I started searching and found tiltshiftmaker.com - LOVE! The first picture is the edited copy, also with colors enhanced, the second photo is the original. You can create an account to save and share your pictures together, or just create them to download individually. So, maybe getting that fancier camera can hold off for awhile ;)

A year of ours

Yesterday was the year anniversary of T becoming our son in every sense of the word. I can never explain the wave of love that overcomes me when I look at him! Love our littlest guy, I can't imagine my life without him! I remember telling a former coworker not long before he was placed with us that I knew my child was out there waiting for me. I couldn't have asked for more (especially since I got 2 great sons in a matter of months!)We are so blessed to have him in our lives, and I still will never forget all those that had a hand in helping to make our family. I hope social workers understand just how special their jobs are to all the families they help, be it reunification, kinship, foster care or adoption.

Bass Pro Shop - Charlie Brown Halloween

October 19, 2012 - October 31, 2012
Great Pumpkin Halloween Event

Join us at Bass Pro Shops Arundel Mills for the "It's The Great Pumpkin" Halloween Event for fun family activities and crafts.
Photos with PEANUTS GANG - 5-8 pm weekdays & 12-5 pm weekends.

 

We did this last year - http://katscredence.blogspot.com/2011/10/charlie-brown.html - and the kids are already asking to go again!

Support your local artisans

A friend started a Facebook group a year ago for fellow artists/crafters in our area, and with the holidays coming up it bears to remember to spend local! Many artists/crafters are stay-at-home moms (like myself) or retirees, doing what they love, not for much of a profit. Keep your money local, and give a one-of-a-kind gift!


Our local group:


 https://www.facebook.com/groups/326177430759257/



My own contribution:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.443931002317232&type=1

Doll Hair Detangler - Fabric Softener

When Little Miss came to us Dora followed with her entourage. Poor Dora was a mess of trouble. I pinned a post months ago about using fabric softener on a doll's hair, and finally got around to trying it. Dora's hair didn't turn out quite as well as the blogger's, but considering the original state (I also think it had been braided or crimped) it is a vast improvement! I still put Dora's hair in a ponytail due to the new state of her hair, and maybe it will keep it nicer a little longer, but still giving Little Miss some hair to brush.
I'm so glad to know this now, before Santa brings Little Miss an AG knock-off! Now, going to get started on Jasmine's hair before it gets to this point!

DIY Inspiration:
http://cookieandclaire.blogspot.com/2011/11/rapunzel-rapunzel-let-down-yourgirl.html?m=1

My muted "statement" necklace

I have started making Christmas presents to augment store-bought gifts, or just to give to someone I normally wouldn't get a present for as a pleasant surprise. I love the statement necklaces that are the current trend, but they really aren't me since I normally have other accessories. I'm a sucker for scarves, hats, and hair flowers, so it would be easy for me to go overboard (John has been known to tell me something is too much.) So, I did these slightly less bold bead necklaces. I'm tickled with them (otherwise I wouldn't post them) and I can only hope their future recipients love them too!

Princess Shadows - Finished

I couldn't find a photo collage frame that would hold 8 pictures in all portrait format, and I didn't want to buy separate frames, I wanted them all together, just my opinion but it has greater impact. I happened to have a skinny poster frame, I spray painted the cardboard backing black, and voila, already hanging in Little Miss' room!

Cricut monograms

I did a couple of these as gifts earlier in the year and for last Christmas, and I finally found some cute contact paper at The Dollar Tree that I liked for myself. The Cricut cuts the letters, then just peel off and stick to the glass of a picture frame (which I of course spray painted) and then hot glue the glass to the frame. Even though my walls are white, the shadows created by the "stickers" give it depth, so it is ok that there was so much white in my contact paper. Also, Wal-Mart carries clear plastic easels, so you can do without a frame, or use the frame still, and set on a table or shelf.
And yes, I know I do a lot with our last name. It's ok if others find it redundant, I happen to like it ;)

Princess Shadows to Frame

I saw these Princess Shadows on Pinterest months ago and saved to do for my goddaughter:

Since then we had a little girl placed with us, and I am finally turning her room into a girl's room. It's pink with (black & white) zebra print. This has been quite popular the past few years, but I am behind the times so it is hard to find things, which is probably better so it isn't too matchy. So, I started looking online and found princess shadows, which I then put on a (pink & white) zebra background. Now, these aren't even printed and framed yet, but here is how they look designed:

I'm thinking a black collage frame, though individual frames would be cute too. I am still doing for my goddaughter as well, but I will do the shadows a different color (on a solid background color), just by layering over a solid color and using the digital software to lasso out the white on both layers. It follows the same principles of doing the old fashioned shadows I posted in a previous blog this year.

Here is the original website to find the shadows:
http://www.victoriancircus.com/Photo-Gallery.html

Despicable Me

Anyone else looking forward to Despicable Me 2? I saw the trailer when I took J to see ParaNorman last week. Can't wait to add it to my own minion's collection ;)
http://youtu.be/axbUCR1nKRA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axbUCR1nKRA

First day of school

I have already dropped JJ off at school but I am ready to pick him back up! I will miss my random hugs and kisses through out the day, his showing me his creations, doing schoolwork with him, just HIM. He will do great, as I told him last night, because he is already such a little smartie. Even though his bookbag was loaded down with supplies (only half, we took some to the teacher last week) he didn't want my help to get it to his classroom. Least he stopped asking to ride the bus, so I get that little bit of extra time in the mornings and afternoons with him! All I can think about is how the little bugger told me last night that he misses me the most during the day. Kids really know how to get under your skin. Least I have errands and chores to do to pass the day today, as well as the little ones.

Lego Photo App

I ran across the Lego Photo App this morning while downloading the Lego Hero game to my iPod for J. It's too cute!

Didn't do anything good this summer?

I couldn't believe when the words came out of JJ's mouth that we didn't do anything good this summer! What?! Is this what he will tell your teacher when she asks? I asked what about the beach, the pools, carnival/fair/festival, family get togethers, the cruise, seeing an alligator in real life, movies, etc. He then "remembered" of course, but it shocked me that this child can do more in 1 summer than some kids get to do their whole childhood! Thankfully he is still young, I can chalk some of it up to his age, but I will stand by my parenting ideal that my kids will not grow up expecting the wonderful things they get to experience in life, that they don't take for granted what they have been blessed with! I know unfortunately we have had a lot of meetings and errands revolving around 3 of the other kids, but what we have done with them fun has more than offset that!

Any text into a shape

The website below will allow you to turn any text of your choosing into a few different shapes. Mind you, there are not many to choose from, but I have been wanting to do something with my hubby and my song, so the heart was perfect. It saves in Adobe, so I had to use the "photo capture" to then paste into the photo program I use, because I didn't just want to print it, I wanted a snapshot from our wedding day as the background. The first picture is what you will get from the website, the 2nd is after I added our wedding day background.
 http://www.festisite.com/text-layout/#2,0

Day is officially a licensed driver!

Woohoo! Day got his license today. A long drawn out process due to fun paperwork, but worth it in the end, especially since we looked at his apartment yesterday, which he moves into on September 1st, and starts classes on September 5th! Everything lining up for him to start out "on his own." I already have a promise from him for Sunday dinners and watching Walking Dead. Not going to be the same... Thanks to everyone who has had a hand in his life, and thank you SO much Lynn for ALL you have done! There is a reason the kids want to call you Aunt!

Family Reunion

It has been more than 30 years since my dad's side of the family has had a reunion, and I am too little to remember any of that one. The picture above was placed on Facebook and the tagging of each other sparked some family members to find one another. (My dad is in the bottom row, 2nd from the left. Wasn't he cute. I see a lot of JJ in him.) In turn, those new found connections have brought together the idea for a family reunion next year that 2 cousins and myself are heading. As apparent, family is very important to me, and I love how much closer I have become to that side of the family the past few years as is, so I am really looking forward to this gathering. I have been researching different ideas, and we are planning a motorcycle ride and the gun range. Yes, I can imagine what image that gives people, but you couldn't be further from the truth. To add to that imagine, I will also be having my next tattoo - my mom's signature - by a family member (who owns his own shop.) Of course there will be other tamer things planned, a lunch boat cruise and golfing, on top of the actual reunion dinner. I can't wait to see everyone, especially one of my sisters and one of my brothers! Dad is excited to have us all under his roof, even if it is only half of his kids!

Family bank?

If you treat family like a bank, realize you have to make some deposits, not just to keep an active account, but to build credit history.

(For those that might not get the meaning, don't just call asking for things. And if you expect someone to do something for you, maybe you should have done it for them. This family doesn't center around one person, we expect everyone not to center on themselves either.)

Cruise Family Photo

So, on our anniversary, it was the Captain's dinner, we were all dressed up, so of course we did pictures! I love this and it was hanging almost as soon as we were home from our cruise! The next night we did beach pics with my in-laws, and yes, of course I have that photo already hanging up too. We are missing Bran & Little Miss, but I have a gift certificate we were given and we will have family pics done later, hopefully they will both be in it, but of course with Little Miss I won't be able to share those pictures anyway due to state law on protecting privacy, perfectly understandable on a public blog such as this! Having the photos taken on the cruise is so worth it, and at $20 each, really no more than you pay at many photo places. Get as many photos taken as you like, you don't have to buy any if you prefer.

JJ lost his first tooth

Ok, so it's not the first time the tooth fairy has visited him, but it is the first tooth JJ has lost naturally. It took a month, it was first loose when we were down in Florida, but he was a little worried it would hurt taking it out. Yesterday I noticed he had the tooth between his lips so we explained if he didn't pull it that he might swallow it and have to wait to find it again for the tooth fairy. He did pull it out himself then and was pleasantly surprised it didn't hurt. He did remind me that we never did the real tooth fairy door, which I couldn't find a wooden one. I did get a chest that has a cover that looks like a door, so he used that last night, and I will paint and personalize it in preparation for his next tooth. My little guy is growing up. It's sad how quickly the years are going by! I already don't want his to go back to school in 3 weeks!

The ripples of giving

I am surrounded by wonderful people who are very giving. I finally see what my parents always said about watching who I surround myself with. But my friends weren't by design, it is just something that happens, which I am grateful for.

This week a friend answered a request for household things for Day, since he is moving into his first new apartment. She is giving him a full bed and mattresses. Did he need it, no, we are giving him his here, but it is only a twin. But, as I told her, it works perfect because our old neighbor (who stayed with us some last year until he got on his feet) is finally getting his own apartment too and needs a bed, so he will get Day's twin bed. I told my friend and she said great, she got to help two people. And it made me think, yes it did, because giving has a ripple effect. It doesn't stop at just the one act.

That made me realize I had to tell my other friend her own ripple effect. She gives me her daughter's (my God-daughter) clothes for Shy's little girl. I had another friend get up with me this week because her granddaughter was in need of clothes, so while Shy came to pick up new clothes for her baby, she dropped off the too small clothes for my friend's grand-daughter. I figured my original friend deserved to know how her giving is still going along.

My cousin gives me my nephew's clothes for J, who I in turn give to a friend, who gives back to me for T, who I then give to another friend's grandson. So what starts with my cousin ripples on to 3 more kids after J. That same cousin and I trade books. Neither of us have the space to save into a library, not with the amount that we read, so we then pass those books on. I tell people to keep passing them. Books and clothes might seem trivial, but it still makes it around.

Now, some will say that giving can end with one person. And yes, there may be a person who cannot continue to pass it on, unfortunately there are also people who just won't pass it on, but that doesn't stop the fact that you can still do in the future for someone else, and if you did once, you likely will again just for the feel good effect it has (and honestly, giving for un-selfish reasons is still selfish, because you are still fulfilling a need of your own, a GOOD need to do for others, but nonetheless your own personal need.)

(There is a post on here from a few years ago about when I bought lunch for a homeless gentleman and gave him a blanket, which he said he knew someone who could use it. Once again, it ripples. And you may be watched, urging someone else to do the same.)

Thanks to a stranger

This morning I took Day to the college he is going to so he could take an entrance exam. While walking in with all the little ones in tow a lady started saying what a gorgeous day it was. Now, I greatly appreciate strangers who will not ignore that there are other people around them, my mom was the same way and I try to do the same. After I commented how lucky we were to have such a nice morning she commented on what a beautiful and amazing family I have. I will never see her again, and I really wish I had said more than thank you, but I hope is that she had an amazing day, because she made my day brighter!

Cruise recap

There is no way I could even blog about our cruise! It was an awesome way to spend part of our vacation, and yes, we will do it again! Our food alone would have cover the costs of our tickets. And it is so nice having someone worry about fixing our meals, cleaning our dishes, making our beds, pulling the bunks down for the boys, making cute towel animals, and leaving chocolates. The shows were great, even the little ones loved the 80's music, of course it helped they had "fireworks" and zombies (remake of Thriller.) The pictures they take are so tempting, we did buy A LOT of those, but it is worth it! T loved being above deck and watching the water, where J wanted to be in our room with his bear that he made which in camp on the ship. John's brother and his wife set us up on the Captain's dinner, which was our anniversary. The surrounding waiters sang to us, uncorked champagne, and there was a cake. The Bahamas are gorgeous, and I called my dad after to let him know I made it through the Devil's Triangle (anyone who knows us, will know that we both love myths, lore, and legends. J is already picking up on that.) Can't wait to do another, maybe next time Mexico so the boys can see the native ruins, something that has been on my bucket list for years!

Free Printable Monogram

I am doing a photo wall with a small space in our hall next to our bathroom. I already have a wonderful family saying print hanging, and I am planning what else will go up. One thing I wanted was a monogram "M". I came across this wedding website which does the downloads in seconds, and of course, is free. I think I will also use it for our family reunion next year as well, not just to hang during the party, but to have framed with the family portraits done. Now just to find a pretty circle frame for this one!

http://www.weddingchicks.com/freebies/custom-monograms/mini-antique-monogram/

Melted Crayons

I started collecting broken crayons last year and decided today was the day for the kids to make their own crayons! Take off all of the wrappers (I swear this takes the most time) and break into smaller pieces. Then put cupcake wrappers in a cupcake pan and fill with one layer of crayons of your choosing. JJ and I stuck to particular color palates, but the little ones picked whatever colors they wanted. Put in a 350 degree over for about 6 minutes, or until melted. After taking them out of the oven I put marbles on the sides (outside of the cupcake wrappers) to make hearts for Little Miss and on both sides for JT for bows. This way they also knew which was theirs. I then put them outside to cool and reharden.

Beautiful Brown Eyes: A Book

Growing up I was always complimented on my large, brown eyes, and it stuck with me. Through college one of my favorite songs was "Brown Eyed Girl." Corney, I know, but that's ok by me. John played it all of the time when he used to DJ too, so it has a lot of good memories attached it it. When JJ was little I ran across the book "Beautiful Brown Eyes" and I still love reading it to ALL of my brown eyed little ones. I definitely think finding personalized books for my kids is a big deal. Sure, "Goodnight Moon", "Runaway Bunny", "Stinky Face", "Where The Wild Things Are" and many other classics are rotated through my arsenal, but I would like the books my kids remember from childhood to be against the norm of what everyone else has. It will just be up to them to divide them up when they are old enough for their own kids.Thinking maybe it's time to introduce Molly to the song ;)

When using Pinterest - Glow In The Dark Bubbles - Ditzy

I saw a post from a friend about glow-in-the-dark bubbles:
http://pinterest.com/pin/212302569904449983/

I repinned it and of course bought glow sticks and bubbles. This is what is said to do.... "Cut open glow sticks & pour them into bubble solution. Glow in the dark bubbles. Summer nights have never been the same."

But, it didn't work. I think I was more disappointed than the kids! Oh, the bubble containers glowed just like the photo, but that was it. I posted on Facebook that it was a fail, and for friends not to bother to try it, because I knew of a few waiting for our results.

Then, I actually did what I should have in the first place, I clocked on the pin to view the actual link.

Come to find out, it was for a specific brand of glowing bubbles. It wasn't about just buying glow sticks and bubbles. On top of that, the poster said even those didn't work!

Now I know, don't just look at a pin and spend money to replicate it, actually READ the original link.

Rainbow Family

My cousin sent me a care package from Samoa, lovingly accepted with all the dried mangos, special macadamia Hershey Kisses you can only get in the islands, and some other island luxuries. Also enclosed was a book called "My Beautiful Rainbow Family." I cried the first night I read it to Molly before bed. Of course the story is fitting, but also it is what I have called our family before. Words written in a child's voice can have such an impact. Here are the important excerpts:

My Beautiful Rainbow Family - Joy Shouse
My beautiful rainbow family means so much to me,
Color is the most and least important thing I see.
It is most important because it is part of who we are,
It is least important because there's much more to us by far.....

We love not by color or by what we can see,
But by the innermost colors of my rainbow family.....

My family is a rainbow of colors and combinations,
From different states and different nations.
Beautiful skin tones of whites, browns, and blacks,
Like the colors of the crayons that come in huge packs......

We love each other so much and that loves gives me wings,
And when I think of my family, my heart truly sings.
But sometimes it is hard for others to understand,
How our different colors and love go hand in hand.
Some people may not understand how our family works,
They may think that our colorful family has lots of quirks.
And we do have quirks like all other families do,
But our skin color never gets in the way of our crew.
My beautiful rainbow family, what more can I say?
I love each and every one of them more and more each day.....

http://www.shousehousepublishing.com/My-Beautiful-Rainbow-Family-9780578005621.htm

When an ambulance runs code.... PULL OVER!

On the way to dropping Day off in a neighboring town this morning I didn't even make it through our own little town before seeing the flashing strobe lights of an ambulance. I pulled right over, and so did the car behind me. But do you know another 8 cars kept going, not letting the ambulance by! I was irate and told Day (still working towards getting his driver's license) that if I ever saw him do that I would ring his neck (ok, not really, but he would get a serious tongue lashing from me.) Seriously people, if the ambulance is running code, meaning lights and/or siren, MOVE. Get out of the way! Same with a fire truck or a police car. These people protect and save our lives, their jobs entail immediate response, and seconds can mean life or death. The lights aren't just pretty decorations, and the sirens aren't there just to blare your ears. They are meant to get your attention, they are meant to notify you to let them by. So please, next time, just move out of the way. I understand everyone thinks their time is important, but in their jobs, time is precious, it can literally mean the world to someone!

Bird's Nest Jewelry

I saw these months ago on Pinterest in a necklace, saved the idea, and just never went back to it. But, then a friend posted that she wanted them in earrings, but I couldn't figure how to do six beads to represent all her kids. Then I figured, 3 beads apiece. Yeah, such a revelation, the quick thinker I am. So, with her 30th birthday, I decided to her as part of her present. Another of her friends had the same great idea, but did as a necklace using silver, so at least they are different! I use 20 gauge wire, but others claim more luck with the smaller wires, about 24 gauge. Bend a small 90 degree turn at one end then place your beads on about a yard of wire. Bend the beads around so they make a circle of themselves. Hold the beads between your thumb and fingers and turn, wrapping the wire as you go. Too tight and it will move up the beads, too loose and you won't be able to them wrap between each bead. I wrapped the wire around the beads 6 times, but more is fine. Then wrap the wire in between the beads, around the wire nest part. I did this 3 times between each bead. Last is only to secure the last bit of wire. I applied an "O" ring on the nest itself and attached to a hook earring, though some prefer to make a loop out of the nest wire itself. I will absolutely be making more!