Greetings from Crazyville

Kids Were Here | November

2014-11-03T09:54:00.000-05:00

Whoa!! I blink, and it's November!!! Less than 90 days until Christmas, y'all! Time is seriously on some sort of speed train. And I'm SO not ready for winter!!!!!!!! With winter comes that dreaded white, fluffy stuff...a fan I am not!

Anyway, enough with the exclamation points. Let's move on to something a little more calming...well, sort of! Seeing how it...umm...SNOWED...on Halloween this year, discussion of this event may not be all that soothing!

I tried to avoid carving pumpkins this year, but then, I decided at the last minute that I would definitely not be in the running for Mother Of The Year if I did. Granted, I fail to earn this award every year fresh out of the starting block, but what else is new.

This year ALL three kids wanted to get into the carving action. I thought I might actually get out of the whole extremely messy scooping-out-the-pumpkin-innards thing, but I was quickly reminded about one scoop into the process that children under the age of 10 want NOTHING to do with all the goo! In fact, there was a bit of drama and crying and wincing when a certain child thought he might have to scrape out all the nastiness by himself! So...in order to calm said child, I freed the pumpkins of their yucky-ness while the other children gasped from my fearlessness.

Luckily, I was able to negotiate with the kids and convince them to go simple with their pumpkin carving designs. Seriously, creating a fancy-nancy jack-o-lantern is not my forte. I've tried this in the past, and the results were not good.

So...here's the results of their pumpkin carving adventures. I'll let you decide on the owner of each pumpkin.

We also inherited a few other pumpkins from a field trip to the pumpkin patch. They were screaming to be painted!

To see more of what our kids have been up to, visit the lovely Erica and her blog (click here).

Kids Were Here | September

2014-09-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

Somehow it's September! Seriously, where did the summer go? I can still feel the insanely frigid temps from January. How can Fall be just around the corner?!! Man, I blink and the year is almost gone!

Anyway, this summer has been busy as always...full of 4-H activities, a small vacation, home improvements, and endless searching for the dog who's become more skilled at disappearing than Houdini himself. The fair went well, my kids all turned another year older, and school's back in session.

And now it's September!

Whew...

Even though I have a THOUSAND stories that I would like to share (mostly so I don't forget), I'll save them for another time. Trust me, there's some whoppers to tell...yeah, the fair happened. Need I say more? One day I will become a pro at the fair...I will, I say, I WILL!

I'll leave you instead with what my children leave behind after an afternoon at the park.

Why was there a random toy tractor and trailer sitting on the playground equipment? I do not know.
How did those tiny toys make it from our toy room to the park without me knowing? I do not know.
Where does our little boy conceal the tiny treasures that he acquires throughout the day? I do know that...deep in his pockets! Yep, he's the boy who fills his pockets with slimy, squished worms, gooey cookies, and random Legos. You should see what I find in our laundry on a daily basis! Too bad I can't seem to find his missing Kindle!

Apparently, my children believe shoes are overrated...although one child wasn't completely on board with that idea. Yeah, he decided he only needed to discard of one shoe.

He didn't want to conform completely. He's an individualist!

To see more of what children leave behind, visit the wonderful Rachelle's blog.

Kids Were Here | July

2014-07-07T10:13:00.002-04:00

I would like to start off by saying...please ignore the image quality of the following pictures. They were all taken with my lovely phone, which might just be the very first smartphone ever invented! It's not the best, but it's the one I use most often. So here's to embracing the grain!

Now off to some of the shenanigans we see on a normal basis around here!

Not sure why, but only one child will eat a strawberry Poptart. Granted, it takes the other children a couple bites into the pastry (can you actually call a Poptart a pastry?) before they realize it's the dreaded STRAWBERRY flavor! So...instead of finishing it, they give it to their mother whom they know will eat it since the last thing she wants to do is waste money! (Even though she wasn't the tiniest bit hungry!)

Then, there's the window sill that constantly displays random toys.

Finally, we have the toy that's been completely dismantled to the point of being unrecognizable and unrepairable, which was all accomplished without any tool whatsoever! Seriously, how does one do that?! All of that "stuff" is supposed to reside inside that sweet little "fake" hamster! And no, this is not the first toy that has fallen to the hands of a certain two year old, and I'm sure it won't be the last!

Around here we have a four year old who is constantly repairing and building things...seriously, he's about four steps away from constructing his own John Deere tractor from scratch! Then, there's the two year old who is completely opposite and destroys every last thing...all of which I never thought possible! How 'bout a little yin and yang, y'all?!

Anyway, if you were able to get past all of those wretched images above, I applaud you! Now to soothe your eyes, continue on the Kids Were Here journey by visiting the amazing Lisa! I'm sure you'll be glad you did! (Click here for Lisa's blog.)

Kids Were Here | June

2014-06-02T09:32:00.002-04:00

It's officially SUMMER!!!!! Okay, not "officially" as in what the calendar says, but "officially" as in school's out and the temps are amazing!!!!! With this past winter being anything but ideal, I welcome warm air and sunny skies with open arms...guessing most people do!

When the weather outside is wonderful and warm around here, off go the electronics and on go the creative minds! Granted, I receive a bit of resistance as the younger members of this household aren't always excited about putting down their mind-absorbing electronics, but it's GREATLY needed! Fresh air does wonders for the soul!

With outdoor adventures, comes a bit of mud and dirt. Who am I kidding?! A LOT of mud and dirt! You know it's summer around here when you see these kids getting much needed two to three baths every single day! Whenever it's warm, the garden hose is turned on! When the hose is turned on, the dirt becomes their playground! Their playground, in turn, becomes one giant pit of gooey, messy, dirty MUD! My favorite thing...only not all! But who cares as long as the kids are happy and having fun!

So hello amazing weather! Please stick around for a long, long time for we have a countless supply of water guns, slip-n-slides, and water toys that yearn to be used by little ones. I welcome games of cops and monsters, let's make a mud castle, and even the occasional let's torment mommy with the water gun!

80 degree temps...oh, how I've missed you!

Please continue on to Jenn's blog so you can see more of what our kids have been concocting on your Kids Were Here tour!

Kids Were Here | May

2014-05-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

This past week was a bit rough. Earlier in the week, we had to say good-bye to a family member...one who meant so much to so many. It was difficult to see him go, but we know that he's in a better place looking down on all of us.

As the week continued on and resumed to the craziness of every day life, there were moments that caused me to step back and take in all that life has to offer.

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. Appointments here. Dance lessons there. Arguments between children that need resolved. Dinner that needs to be cooked. Laundry to be washed. Socks to be folded. Bills to be paid. And a child's wound that needs mended.

It's easy to get worn down and exhausted...hoping for a moment of peace. A time to let out a sigh. A time to unwind. Turn off the mind for one little instance. Relax. Breathe.

Then, that moment happens.

The moment that causes time to stand still.

The moment like no other.

The moment you want to cherish forever.

The moment when nothing else matters.

Just when you think you can take no more...

A sweet little boy approaches you. With his hand held out, he turns over his palm to revel a fist full of ragged dandelions. He graciously looks up at you with his adoring brown eyes and says "I picked deese fowers for you, mommy. Aren't they the most boo-ti-ful fowers you ever seen?"

Worried that he most likely stained his hands and possibly clothes while picking these weeds, you lay the dandelions down and grab a wash cloth. Before you can check for evidence that dandelions leave behind, the amazing little boy reaches into his coat pocket and lays another bouquet of dandelions on the counter.

He becomes concerned and urges you to quickly get a cup full of water for his "perty fowers".

As you fill one small vase with the two bundles of weeds, you hear the said child declare "That's not going to work."

You glance over your shoulder and notice the gracious child holding yet another bouquet of dandelions. The puzzled look on your face causes the boy to whisper that he has more. Looking down you realize that, in fact, each of his pant pockets are stuffed with these yellow weeds.

As you hold more dandelions in your hand than a thousand acres has ever seen, the sweet boy embraces you with a gentle hug and says "I picked all deese fowers for you 'cause I love you tis much."

That moment when nothing else matters.

That moment when your heart is full and overflowing.

That moment you never want to forget.

That moment you'll cherish forever.

It's the little things that matter most.

Continue on to Shauna's blog and see the little things that children leave behind...showing us that "Kids Were Here."

Kids Were Here | April

2014-04-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

Wowzers! It's April! Yay for April!!

Even though the weather doesn't feel the most "spring-like", the change in season has officially happened...it's SPRING, y'all!! I'm beyond ready for flip-flops and shorts...not to mention warm, beautiful sunshine and the outdoors!!!! Oh, how I miss being outside and enjoying nature...as do the little ones!

Almost every day I hear "Can we go on a nature walk?" or "Can we go to the state fair?"...which is typically followed by a gasp as a four-year old looks outside and shouts in despair "It's Christmas AGAIN!" Snow = Christmas around here. This is bringing a whole new outlook regarding the whole "Christmas in July" thing.

Sigh.

Thankfully, we did see a day where temperatures broke the 60 degree mark! It was wonderful...although I thought I might just melt due to the extreme "heat"! Pretty sure my blood is as thick as tar right now.

Anyway, it's time to share the memories left behind by our little rascals. If you've followed along for the past few months, you may recognize the cabinet pictured below. See the cute little cowboy boots sweetly tucked away in there? Well, our two-year old wears those pretty much night and day...many times he has to wear them to bed, but whatever works, right? I don't fight such things anymore. The beauty of being the third child.

So for many, many days I searched high and low for those boots. The said two-year old begged for his boots, but they were nowhere to be found. How does one lose decent sized BOOTS...both pairs even?! Well, leave it to the mischievous child to place his beloved keepsakes in his own little treasure chest...and then, forget! Yeah, I so should've checked there first.

And, I'm not certain if every child does this, but you won't find a juice box around here that doesn't have a half-chewed on straw. Granted, most of the time the straw is no longer in the juice box, and juice is covering most of the living room floor, but that was difficult to capture in one single photo.

Then, there's the issue of ice cream in this house. Seriously, my kids (and possibly the Mr.) eat their weight in ice cream! It's CRAZY, y'all! So once a week I stock up on countless gallons of ice cream only to be given the evil eye by healthy mothers and cashiers at the grocery store! People...I have no choice in the matter! It gets insanely ugly around here if there isn't any ice cream...and trust me...you don't want to see that!

So when I see yet another empty container of ice cream in the sink, I know it's nearing my time to hit the store!

Finally, there's a new being that's come to live with us. His name is "Mr. Tato Head". And Mr. Tato Head is quite the hit with the little four-year old. Granted, he sees no humor in rearranging him and placing one arm here and one arm there like his older sister does. However, he does believe that Mr. Tato Head grows his mustache out the top of his nose, and his little brother thinks that ears are overrated!

Kids...gotta love 'em!

So continue on the Kids Were Here journey and visit Rachelle's blog by clicking here! I'm sure you'll be glad you did!

Kids Were Here | March

2014-03-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Well, hello MARCH!! Nice to see you! Granted, I have no idea where February went, but I'm more than happy to welcome the arrival of March...seeing how the first day of SPRING should occur is just a couple weeks! I don't know about y'all, but I'm ready for some green! I shouldn't complain about the weather, but we're all in need of some outdoor activities! I think we've officially conquered every kid-friendly winter activity known to man...yes, that means we've finally found the end of Pinterest! Time for some dirt under the nails, mud on the boots, and the return of the beloved FLIP-FLOPS!!

Alright, enough of my rant! I know winter will end...it will!

So here's to another rendition of the Kids Were Here. A time when a group of us share some of our visual keepsakes that remind us that children are present in our everyday lives. The little things kids leave behind after a day of adventure and curiosity, and...as in our house...it's served with a side of chaos!

Often the snack combos around here may seem a little unusual...like Cheetos and strawberry marshmallows.

And the above cabinet has become a certain two-year old's secret hideaway, where we often find random toys and sippy cups full of spoiled milk!

One of our many activities this winter has revolved around building some sort of contraption...enter the world of Knex, Legos, Tinker Toys, and Lincoln Logs. Sometimes construction goes well, and sometimes...ummm...not even close! Knex pieces plus an accident prone child equals one giant "How in the world did that happen?" scenario! Yeah, that's a story for another day!

Then, you have the ~~millions~~ gazillions of little tractors that grace our house, and let me tell you that stepping on a Lego in the middle of the night is nothing compared to the pain you'd endure after firmly placing your foot atop one of those tiny vehicles!

And I have NO idea why companies make the above easel with a chalkboard on one side and dry erase board on the other! 'Cause we all know that temptation is hard to resist...especially, for the random child who feels compelled to display his artwork on the chalkboard using a dry erase marker! Obviously, the engineers of this easel do not have children.

I'll leave you with an image that's ever to common around here. Some crafty tween is a lover of bling...and she often finds the need to accessorize the various rooms in our house. Bet you never noticed the resemblance of kitchen cabinet handles and ears. Of course, these handles were screaming for some sort of bling! It's all about the accessories!

So continue on your Kids Were Here journey by visiting the wonderful Rachelle and her blog by clicking here!

Kids Were Here | February

2014-02-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

As many of you probably know, I'm a lover of all types of projects and finisher of none! Okay, that's not completely true...I despise cleaning projects!

For the last six months or so, I've been part of a wonderful group of very talented ladies who are taking part in Project 365...one photo for every day of an entire year. Talk about commitment! Although I've struggled to keep up with this project, I'm still sputtering along. I did switch it up a bit at the beginning of the year...incorporating a lot more cellphone images than ever before. It's been my go-to camera...sad, I know! (Instagram is my new BFF!)

Anywho, this group of lovely ladies has put together a blog circle that showcases children in a different light. We're sharing the little memories left behind by children...how we know when kids were here. These are the special treasures that will one day be missed when they're fully grown with children of their own...gasp...sigh...gasp!

For me, these are the moments that I often overlook or take for granted. The times that cause frustration and pain. The times that bring tears. The special moments of joy and laughter. The little things that let me know our children were here. The memories they were creating while loving life. Through the years, I've learned to treasure the mess. Those Legos, dirty windows, and scribbled on walls mean my children were alive and thriving as children should. Enjoying every moment. Embracing the little things that life has to offer.

So follow along as we document life in a simple way...taking a step back in order to reflect and cherish the special moments knowing that our kids were here.

Often I pass by windows and find some sort of toy or trinket that was secretly placed by chubby little fingers...

Or I suddenly notice a child-like rendition of the Eiffel Tower sitting on the Time Out bench...and, of course, who else but Doc Hudson would be flying high on top such a creation!

And when I grace the stairs in the middle of the night, I've been known to stumble and scream as I fear the creatures from Jurassic Park have broken free in order to seek revenge!

So continue on this journey as we showcase our little ones and their wonderful adventures by remembering when our kids were here. Next stop...the wonderful and extremely talented Kelly! Her images are always beautiful so you'll be glad that you went and said hello! (Visit Kelly's blog here.)

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

2014-01-20T21:24:00.000-05:00

Ummm....Hello there, dear blog. Where have you been?! I almost forgot about you...almost.

Well, it's a new year and what better to do than regain control of this family's lil' blog. However, I do have a bit of an excuse. During the summer, my computer started complaining every time I turned it on...seriously! Then, shortly after Thanksgiving it started sending out smoke signals...a white cloudy mess in the form of the letters "SOS" could be seen coming from motherboard. The smell was anything but pleasant, but I tried to ignore its call for help. When others started complaining about the odor coming from my little "office", I decided I should do something. Long story short, the computer saw a "doctor"...aka: my brother...and is now functioning properly. Thank goodness 'cause commenting on Facebook and sending emails through my phone is anything but ideal. One word... AUTOCORRECT!!! My nemesis.

Thankfully, my camera was still working so I have a gazillion images to cull...it's like opening presents on Christmas!

Rewind just a bit to a few weeks ago...to the day before the dreaded "Polar Vortex" hit. In case you live somewhere warm (please keep it to yourself if you do!), I'd like to take a minute to share with you the truly beautiful day that preceded the days of all days. See, this day was wonderful! The temperature hovered around freezing, there was little wind, and the snowflakes that fe6l from the heavens above were light and airy and HUGE! Shortly after the snow started falling, the earth was white as white could be! It was just gorgeous...and this is coming from someone who's not a fan of snow.

Knowing that the following day was going to be anything but ideal, I encouraged the kids to frolic in the snow. Two of them eagerly suited up...and if you've ever dressed a kid in snow attire, you know this is no small feat! The older two were beside themselves as they ran to and fro..."Hey, mom! It's HOT out here!" So I wouldn't go so far as to say it was "hot", but man, it was quite pleasant.

And the snow...It was PERFECT packing snow! Perfect! If I didn't encourage snowman-building, what kind of mom would I be?! So off they went...starting on one side of our property gathering snow. Then, rolling...and rolling...and rolling...and rolling...what started out as a small snowball into one ginormous, extremely large, way-too-heavy-to-move snow boulder!

Logan got to the point where he could no longer move his monstrous snow creation so he decided to chill...and if you know Logan you'll know that this did not last long!

Once the snow boulder made its way to the front of the house, we (or mostly I) decided it'd be best if we built the rest of the snowman right in that very spot 'cause there was no way I could move the mountain that was made..and I'm guessing that renting a crane to move the snowman's base wouldn't be too cost effective for this coupon-clipin' mama.

Logan was able to finish his snowball in order to create Frosty's midsection. Let me tell you, though, that I did not consider "how" the snowman's belly was going to be put into place. Besides the fact that I almost needed hernia and back surgery immediately following the placement of Frosty's tummy, I am proud to admit that Merisa and I were able to finish building the life-sized snowman. Word to the wise...lift with your legs!

The kids finished adding the details such as hats, scarves, and carrots. Finding sticks to serve as arms was a little more tricky considering the 12" of snow on the ground! But man, that was some great snow!

And don't you think for one minute that I forgot about our smallest child. Earlier as the older two kiddos were putting on their snow gear, I asked the youngest if he would like to go outside and play in the snow. Thinking he would be thoroughly excited to break out of the house, I was completely shocked when he shouted without hesitation...

"NO!!!"

So instead of making snow angels, lil' Levi observed from the warm, cozy indoors, which looked a little like this...

So why do kids find it necessary to smash their noses against glass windows and doors?! Well, I guess, why not?!

The Untold Wisdoms Of Being Four...

2013-10-07T20:46:00.001-04:00

A certain little someone decided he was not going to partake in eating supper tonight. Instead, he found the need to dance throughout the house and dazzle us with his charm...aka: A four-year old showing the world that he is independent and his own person. He will NOT be controlled by anyone.

Being the all-knowing mother that I am, I informed said child that he WOULD become hungry at some point later in the evening. He was quick to say that he would most certainly not be! His tummy was anything but empty. Quite full, really.

As the evening progressed and long after supper was served, this little boy decided he might...just maybe...have a bit of a rumbly in his tumbly. Not wanting to directly ask for food, he tip-toed around the subject by dancing in circles and just softly stating "umm. um.. umm...".

After the uttering echoed through the house for about 10 minutes, I finally informed (insert name of child that shall remain nameless) "I am not making supper again. You can eat the food you were served."

Without skipping a beat and thoroughly thrilled that he had a WONDERFUL solution to the problem, said child declared, "That's okay, mommy! You don't have to make me anything! I'LL JUST EAT JUNK FOOD!!!"

It's quite simple, really.

Best Little Buds...

2013-08-31T17:11:00.000-04:00

Our two little boys are the best of pals!

Dearest friends through thick and thin.

There are a thousand pairs of grand duos who have made everlasting impression on our minds

...and the rascally boys that call me mom have already left their mark!

The older one adores his tiny shadow.

The younger one stands in awe of his all-knowing brother.

Two peas in a pod.

Without hesitation, the eldest shares his beloved keepsake with his younger sibling.

Every little cry sheds concern on the older one's heart.

Where there is one you'll surely find the other.

Outdoor play with trucks and tractors extends down the drive.

Knees on pavement. Palms cradling their prized toys.

Feet bare as the summer heat abounds.

As I watch these two darken their knees and feet from the crumbling pavement,

they softly mumble "voom, voom".

I can't help but to embrace this moment.

These two melt my heart.

They are the best of friends.

One In Every Crowd...

2013-08-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

Need I say more.

The other day, I caught Levi exploring his sweet little baby nostril with his chubby little finger. Being the highly responsible parent that I am, I quickly shared my motherly words of wisdom...

Levi, Get your finger out of your nose! That's yucky, Levi! We don't do that!

Logan, being the best big brother ever made, quickly jumped in and declared...

Dat's okay, mommy. I do dat all the time!

And then, walks away ever-so nonchalantly.

Well, who's to argue.

13 Years Ago...

2013-07-29T14:33:00.000-04:00

This crazy journey all began 13 years ago with a simple I do.

Two little words that changed my life forever.

It was one of those anything but ordinary days.

Keys locked in cars.

Traffic tickets.

Band-aids.

Odd songs being played by DJs.

Flights nearly missed.

The list goes on.

But we made it, and...

If anyone would've told me that this is where we'd be in 13 years, I never would've believed them...

Living on a farm as a family of five.

There's been ups, and there's been downs.

We've seen each other through thick and thin.

The blessings are too numerous to count.

By the grace of God, three little special beings joined us on this amazing journey!

I could not imagine my life any other way!

Here's to the next 13 20 50 100 years!

And...

I'll leave you with the one single image...

The one single image that always flashes through my mind whenever I think about our wedding day.

I can't recall the occasion, but shortly after our wedding I received a gift from one of my "new" relatives. Excited to open the shiny present, I eagerly tossed aside the wrapping paper and revealed a lovely picture frame. At that point, I became a bit nervous by the chuckling and snickering made by the bearer of this wonderful gift. As I turned over the frame, I saw the world's most unflattering wedding photo...EVER! It was snapped by a relative who shall remain nameless for the time being.

Lovely, huh?!

This photo has been in hiding...until now.

There. Are. No. Words.

Not sure what that cake did to me, but if looks could kill, that would be one flattened cake!

So my advice to all future brides, ALWAYS smile on your wedding day....throughout the entire day...for you never know when images like this might emerge.

Or just elope to a far off cave with no lighting whatsoever to avoid scenarios like the one above.

And this, y'all, is why I avoid being in front of a camera!

Happy Anniversary, Honey!

Gum, Bugs, and Flowers...

2013-07-03T13:06:00.000-04:00

I've decided that kids are meant to keep us adults in-line...keep us from taking everyday life for granted. To bring a smile to our face...at just the right time.

1. While making the insane drive back to our home after our wonderful vacation to South Carolina, we made a pit-stop at a nearby gas station. Logan insisted on buying a bag of candy. To his delight, there were a few pieces of bubble gum inside of his candy variety pack. Once back in the van, he happily chewed on his gum while we continued on our home-bound journey. See...he's new to the whole gum world. I'm not an advocate of gum, especially since youngins tend to swallow it instead of chew it. Plus, you just never know where you'll find it once the child is over the excitement of gum chewing. And let's face it, that typically happens within two minutes of opening the wrapper. (Oh, the stories I've yet to share on the world wide web!)

As we drove down the never-ending highway, I decided it was time to ask Logan if he was ready to dispose of his mouth-watering gum. He agreed...the time was now. So he politely handed me his gum...okay, more like he spit it into my hand...gooeyness and all. As I reached for a piece of scrap paper to house the ABC gum, Logan sweetly declared from the bottom of his heart...

"Mommy, you wanna chew my gum for me?"

It's the thought that counts, right?!

2. As I was picking up around the house the other day, an annoying little fly kept buzzing around my ear. Following my movements with every turn! Zooming here and flying there! One of the side-effects of summer...a never-ending supply of FLIES! Don't get me wrong. Summer and I are best friends. As for the bugs...not so much.

So when this wonderfully bothersome pest wouldn't get the heck out of dodge, I offered up a suggestion... "Shoo, fly! Shoo!" To which Logan made an obvious observation...

"Mommy, he's just a bug! He doesn't know what you sayin'!"

Touché, Son. Touché!

3. Earlier this summer when the dandelions were in FULL bloom, I became distraught about our luscious field of the yellow flowers (which some might refer to as weeds). However, the kids and I decided to embrace the outdoors and frolic through our beautiful sea of yellow. Logan, especially, thought the dandelions were the most spectacular flowers ever! Picking one every chance he got. The gorgeous bouquet would, then, be handed to me by this wide-eyed, sweet-hearted little boy. Who could resist such a pure and loving gesture? Flashbacks to this moment were flowing through my mind.

Well, the day came when those yellow weeds had to go! Time to bring out reinforcements...aka: a garden shovel and gloves. As I took out my revenge on those landscaping destroyers, I heard a tiny, yet familiar noise. Standing near a rather large pile of dandelions was a broken-hearted little boy. Head in palms, slumped over in sadness, shaking his sweet little face. Through the sobbing I heard a cry.

"Mommy, my fowers are dead! My fowers are dead!"

It broke my heart...to the point where I almost replanted those "fowers"...ALMOST!

How 'Bout A Little Crow...

2013-05-24T10:53:00.002-04:00

One of the amazing and wonderful aspects of children is their honesty. They're so innocent and true. They speak from the heart. Feelings pour out like water. They never hold back nor do they ever take one moment for granted.

Let me backtrack for just second (or two). Our wee little man is quickly approaching his 2nd birthday...oh my! As this day draws closer, I am reminded of when he was born.

Photo courtesy of my father-in-law. Cameras and I were not acquainted at this point!

The above photo might be the sweetest image EVER! At least for this mama! It's one of my absolute favorites!! It also might be the only time when all three of the kiddos actually sat together without much movement and chaos! A treasured moment for sure!

Well, let me point out to you that little Logan was merely 23 months when Levi was born. Close to the age that Levi is now! This is crazy to me, y'all! Logan seemed so big when Levi made his presence, yet Levi (almost the same age as Logan in the above photo) still seems like a little baby..to me, anyway! And look at Merisa! She'll be entering the double-digits soon! Oh. My!

Okay, my intent was not for a flashback or reflecting on sweet little babies that are growing up too quickly. That's for another post!

So point in hand...back to the present.

Whenever, Logan gets upset at the bebe for knocking over his extravagant tower that he spent forever building, I tell Logan "Don't get mad. Levi didn't know any better. He's just a baby!"

When Levi rips a page out of one of Logan's favorite books, I explain to Logan "Don't get mad. He didn't know any better. He's just a BABY!"

The countless times when Levi steals Logan's tractors or destroys his newly built train track, I remind Logan "Don't get mad. He didn't know any better. He's just a BABY!"

So yesterday as I was putting Merisa's hair up in curlers as we often do, Levi came over to observe. He began helping me by dipping the comb I was using into a cup of water. Well, if it kept him entertained, then so be it. Levi was having a blast to say the least! Who knew cup of water and a comb could be so entertaining?!

Then, the light bulb went on inside Levi's head. What do the big people do with cups? They drink out of them, of course! So the little man tipped the cup to his face. Not realizing the sudden gush of water that was about to enter his mouth, he became startled and dropped the cup of water! The water poured in every direction landing all over the table, the chair in which he was sitting, and finally, coming to a stop on the floor.

I, fumbling as I debated about letting go of a curl that I had been wrapping or saving the day by quickly jumping to my feet and soaking up the water with a nearby blanket , declared "Oh, LEVI! What did you do?!"

As I stumbled to clean up the mess, I heard the familiar words echo from the other children.

Merisa declared, "But mama, he's just a BABY!"

And Logan explained, "Mommy, don't get mad at Levi! He's just a BABY! He didn't know!"

How's that for a little crow?!

*Kids! They sure know how to keep me in check! Love their honesty! As stated by the empowering Wiki-pedia, "Eating crow is an American colloquial idiom, meaning humiliation by admitting wrongness or having been proved wrong after taking a strong position."

Chugga-Chugga...Choo-Choo...

2013-05-19T14:09:00.000-04:00

The boy LOVES his trains! I mean...he'll take off your arm if you dare to touch his trains! Plus, you'll get to witness a pure uber-duber, super-ultra melt down in the process! And don't get me started about the aftermath of having a big brother who thoroughly enjoys loading said trains into his dump trucks!

Oh. My. Word!

It's not pretty, y'all!

So...all day, every day, you'll find Mr. Levi lining up his trains. If you venture into our house, you're likely to find at least five trains (usually more) lined up ever-so nicely...perfectly straight rows made by perfectly paired trains created by a sweet little one-year old.

Granted, there are instances where these trains cause feet to hurt as we stumble across the floor stepping on one locomotive after another. Numerous times throughout the day I clean up said trains only to have them redistributed across the floor. As much as the mess drives me a wee bit loco, I will greatly miss these days. The time goes by so quickly. Now to embrace these moments...the beauty of childhood.

Just A Swingin'...

2013-04-24T10:39:00.001-04:00

As the warm air returns, we all venture outside...breathing in fresh air and soaking up rays.

The kids immediately start running in every direction.

A little one calls out, "Mommy, I want to swing! Please, can I swing?!"

Such a divine, yet simplistic way to enjoy life.

The joy of nature is overwhelming.

The birds are chirping.

The breeze is refreshing.

A young child declares "Look, mommy! The grass is green! I didn't know the grass was green."

The smallest things don't go unnoticed.

Their laughter fills the air. It's contagious!

Could it get any better than this? I think not!

*One day Merisa will despise me for sharing that lovely picture of her! That seems to be the reaction of many when I grab my camera! I might need to find other kids to chase around and photograph since mine seem to be annoyed by the Mama-razzi! (See above image of all three for further evidence!)

Let It Snow | Everyday Moments No. 5

2013-03-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

The weather in our neck of the woods is anything but "normal." We go from one extreme to the other in a matter of ~~days~~ ~~hours~~ seconds...and I'm NOT exaggerating, y'all! Well, for the most part anyway. To add to the drama, we've often been told of approaching storms and winds, and instead we see sun and 85 degrees. No joke! I just never know what to expect around here.

So when the meteorologist declared that a "SNOW STORM" was heading our direction last week, we welcomed it with open arms. Not because I like the fluffy white stuff...in fact, I rather despise it due to its marriage with freezing temperatures..., but more because we just haven't seen much snow this year. Yes, it's been quite cold. Down right bone-chilling, really, but no snow. If it's going to be frigid outside, it might as well snow. At least the scenery would be pleasing to the eye.

When school was cancelled due to 7"+ of snow appearing overnight, we all headed outdoors! Some because we had to...and some because it sounded like fun! To my surprise, it was actually quite warm...well, as warm as one would expect during this time of year.

It's the first snow the boys have really seen, and the baby (and yes, I still to refer to him as a baby as I will continue to do so well into his 30s) was quite beside himself. Not sure if he should love this fluffy stuff that covered his playground or if he should cry while running for some warmth and shelter.

At one point, I peered over my shoulder and caught the boys looking quite suspicious. The look in their eyes just said it all (see photo of the two above for evidence)! Two peas in a pod. "Hey, bro. Whatcha doin'? Sounds good. Don't let mommy see. She told us to stay out of the mud. Just this one time. She'll never know. We'll just hide the mud and worms in our boots. She'll never see it there."

And why do my kids find it necessary to immediately do a face-plant into the snow? What is it that draws them in like a mosquito to a bug zapper? Those tendencies send up flashing signals reminding me to add the movie "The Christmas Story" to my never-let-the-children-watch-before-they're-legal-to-drive list. I'm pretty certain one of them would be more than eager to double-dog dare the other to stick their tongue to a frozen pole in the middle of winter. It would not end well.

Overall, we had a blast as we enjoyed some fort-building, snow throwing, and downhill sledding fun! Seeing how the temps were expected to rise in a few days (and they did), we thought it's now or never! Spring is just around the corner, right?!

*Once again, I'm taking part of a blog circle that is showcasing some talented women and their art reflecting on their everyday moments. So continue on to Christine's blog and say hello. You won't be disappointed! Enjoy!

Click here to continue on your journey with the amazing Everyday Moments blog circle by visiting Christine!

Those Two Little Words...

2013-03-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Seriously, I must have fallen off the blogging bandwagon. Not intentionally, but more so due to the fact that I have no idea where time has gone...or where it is going! Someone please grab hold of father time's horses and slow them down 'cause this girl can't keep up!

And since my Project Life album has become a mere figment of my imagination, I want to pick up on blogging our everyday life. Ya know, that way the kids will have some solid concrete evidence to use against me one day....and I know they will 'cause that's what I would do!

In current news, Levi has learned a new word and is even using it correctly. Pure genius, I say! What is this magical word you ask? Well, "uh-oh", of course. Granted, this may be more of a phrase than a word, but who's calling the grammar police?

So give me a moment, and I'll share with you a few instances where he's shared this new means of communicating with the rest of the world.

1. Levi is currently learning to point to various facial features when prompted by a word like this...

Levi, where's your eye?

He quickly points to his eye (which almost results in a trip to the ER seeing how he practically wedges his chubby little finger all the way through to his optic nerve).

Levi, where's your ear?

He furrows his brow thinking "Man, that one's tricky." Then, he giggles and grabs his entire ear...and hair.

Levi, where's your nose?

To which he gladly responds by touching the tip of his nose. His finger slowly gravitates towards the middle of his nose where it lands oh so nicely inside a nostril. Once there for a moment, he gently removes his finger from said nostril and eagerly declares while staring at the tip of his finger...

"UH-OH"

Yep, there's a bit of problem, son.

2. While on the phone (and I'm sure the phone call was quite important as it ~~always~~ sometimes is), I notice our youngest has managed to remove both his pants and diaper. Of course, he thinks this is the way life should be lived and decides he must prance around the house all the while squealing at the top of his lungs. Me, being the best mommy to ever live, laughs with amusement 'cause nothing cuter than a squealing neckid baby.

Remember, I am on the phone so I'm trying to stay poised and calm so the person on the other end doesn't think I'm a complete lunatic. (And hopefully, they don't read this blog for my cover may be blown.)

As he runs from room to room with pure joy, I decide that it's best to end my phone conversation and capture the little one before anything happens. All of the sudden, I hear a sweet little voice utter the infamous words...
"UH-OH"! Knowing that he's standing in the bathroom, my mind begins to frantically wonder about the countless possibilities as to why he'd say "uh-oh." As I approached the said toddler, I see him staring down at the floor.

Once again, he squeals as the words "uh-oh" roll off his lips. He looks up at me with a slight smirk as if to say "I'm the cutest baby to ever live! I'd never do anything wrong!".

I look down at the floor where he'd been standing, and sure enough, he relieved himself...without wearing a diaper...AGAIN! Yep, I'd say "UH-OH", too!

3. And lastly...at least, I can say he truly understands the meaning of the word (or phrase)...UH-OH! Now the question remains as to what his next word should be. Suggestions are welcomed...and encouraged!

The Greatest Show On Earth...

2013-02-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to chaperon my daughter's class to the circus. Now I'm not quite sure why I volunteered to go considering how the circus and I don't exactly see eye to eye. (In case you missed it, see this post and this post for reference.) Is there really that much difference between the circus and 4-H? Sure, at a 4-H event, you don't see prancing tigers and talented elephants and daredevils dangling from a rope 100 feet in the air by only their TOES, but in my mind, there are A LOT of similarities.
(~~Okay~~, ~~actually~~, ~~well,~~ I must admit...they have nothing in common but being able to unleash the frantic side of Lianna...and it's not pretty, y'all!)

So...The day started out pretty "normal" as in the kind of normal we see around here. To everyone else, it may seem a bit like pure CHAOS. Anyway...Once Merisa and I arrived at her school, her entire class along with five other classes loaded the buses that were anxiously waiting our arrival. Granted, I've had the pleasure of traveling via those big yellow contraptions many, MANY times in the past thanks to my coaching endeavours, but I must have grown since then! Those bus seats seemed a thousand times smaller than I remembered, which is not so good for someone who has a bad case of claustrophobia.

As I paused and wiped my brow that was now profusely sweating from fear, I noticed that the other adults on the bus were perfectly and utterly FINE! In attempt to keep myself from becoming an outcast yet again, I told myself "You'll live! The emergency exit is within reach. It'll be okay since you're sitting on the aisle way. Everything will go smoothly."

Except I wasn't actually sitting in the aisle way. So there's that.

In attempt to keep this post somewhat less than a mile long, I have decided to end this portion of the discussion. No one wants to hear about my INSANE phobia of riding in a vehicle while others are driving. It's bad, y'all. Just ask my husband! I'm pretty sure he'll request a sedative the next time we go on a family vacation...and that's for me so I won't drive everyone mad with my fears of hitting other cars or driving off the road or not being in the right line at the right time or...

Back to the main point. We arrived at the circus with what seemed like a BAZILLION other buses! Once we were seated, everyone anxiously waited for the circus to begin. Everyone except...me. My stomach was already in a tizzy, and I was pretty certain the stress of watching stunt after stunt would do nothing to calm down my nerves.

Yep, I was right!

Mind you, I was sitting next to my daughter and her friends. Seeing how she recently transferred to this school, most of her classmates I had never met up until this point. And everyone knows how important it is to make a "good" first impression.

As I peered towards the three rings of fun, I noticed a rather LARGE ramp that seemed to go nowhere. What would be the point of that? A ramp must be connected to something. It IS the circus, but seriously, we're not talking about the X Games. Surely, they must still be setting up the stage. Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Lianna. Wishful thinking!

So...

The announcer came over the loud speaker sharing his words of wisdom. As he began introducing the first act, engines started revving in the distance. Then, dirt bikes entered the arena, and it appeared that the drivers were young...as in, young enough to still be wearing diapers! Okay, I'm sure they were a bit older, but you get my drift.

They circled the ring over and over. I thought to myself "That's interesting. They're just going to drive in circles. Man, there was no reason to get all worked up. Everyone's going to play it safe...for the kids."

Obviously, I didn't get the memo.

I glanced over my shoulder and that lovely RAMP once again caught my eye. The light bulbs started flashing and sirens started screaming!

Surely, not! No. Never. They wouldn't do that!

Oh, yes, they would!

Those little boys (who would be incredibly furious if they read this and were actually middle-aged men) headed for the much awaited RAMP! My heart started pumping out of control. My palms began to sweat. My stomach dislodged and moved its way to my mouth. I tried to swallow, but I was having a difficult time breathing.

And then, it happened.

The first bike made its way up the ramp, floated in the air approximately 100 feet and landed on the mat on the other side of the arena! And if that wasn't bad enough, the next biker dared the same feat only it was much too simple for him. He added a lovely little handstand on top of the handle bars while the bike endured some "air time!"

Seriously?!

Where were their mothers? Did they sneak out and practice these maneuvers while no one was watching? Oh. My. Word!

And they just kept going, and going, and going... It went on for what seemed like a lifetime. One stunt after another. Each rider performing a trick a little more death-defying than the one before him.

I was on edge. Gasping with each movement. Praying every time someone rode up that ramp. Shouting "Please, you really don't want to do that. Do you?"

Guess I didn't scream loud enough 'cause they kept on their ~~merry~~ life-threatening way!

In the midst of my despair, I glanced at my daughter assuming she would need to be comforted from the terror. To my surprise (actually, I should've known), she was not frantic, but rather calm instead. I could barely breathe and was certain that I might pass out at any moment, and there she was (along with the rest of the audience) with no worry in sight.

Were they watching the same show that I was? Did they not see how incredibly dangerous those stunts were? Someone could crash at any time. They could miss the mat. I could go on and on, but merely writing this story is making me gasp for air.

So my shrills and screams as each bike left the ramp in hope to make it to the far-far away mat did not impress my daughter. Nor did my never-ending array of frightened jumps and nervous shouts of "Be careful! You don't want to do that! Where's the safety net?"

When I asked my ever-so brave daughter if she was frightened, she gave me one of those "Seriously, mom?" looks like any tween girl would do. "Of course not, mom. Why would I be?", she shared with disgust as her friends sitting nearby chuckled to themselves.

Well, because. Because, that's why!

Yep, that first impression...the one that's so important...didn't quite go as planned. Instead of being the "cool mom" or the "fun mom", I'm the "crazy-lady-that-screams-way-too-much-and-freaks-out-about-everything" mom. I was the next spectacle to take center stage.

I'm THAT mom!

AGAIN!

*And that was just the first act! Don't get me started about the lady dangling from a bar using only her TOES all the while a man riding on a motorcycle spins them in circles! Oh, did I mention they were way up in the air without a net?! Nerves of steel I do not have!

**Sorry, I would share pictures of the insane stunt(s), but I was shaking so badly the last thing I thought to do was go for the camera! Please accept my deepest apologies.

Not What We Were Expecting...

2013-01-12T19:33:00.000-05:00

As the holidays quickly approached, we were all quite excited...especially those who attend school. Two weeks at home with no where to be (minus the Christmas gatherings, of course) seemed like a lifetime. I'm not sure who was more excited...the student, the teacher, or the stay-at-home mama!

So the first day of break began with the mister having a bit of a "cold"...or so we thought. We made it to two of our mere SEVEN gatherings before we knew that this little "cold" was anything but. As the kids grew ever-excited about the approaching visit from that fluffy little man with a white beard and red coat, something was growing in our house...and it wasn't going to be pretty!

Christmas morning came and was welcomed by fevers and chills. The bouncy little children full of happiness and delight were merely a figment of our imagination. Visions of Tylenol and Motrin were now dancing in our heads.

The flu is a beautiful entity (insert sarcasm here). One that we were able to share as a family. Those who get sick together, stay together...which mostly happens 'cause no one wants within ten feet of those ailing bodies!

We were a truly wonderful sight, y'all!

As a youngin' and I were cared for by the mister, the other two kiddos were whisked away in order to be quarantined from this wretched virus. The youngest did manage catch the flu in his own unique way, which was truly a blessing. No fever for him...just A LOT of sleeping and feeling yucky.

So most of the much-awaited gifts from Santa remained unopened and under the tree on Christmas day. Our daughter was able to unwrap her gifts before she and her brother were moved into quarantine. It was a nice (and brief) moment that we shared with her...one-on-one.

A few days after Christmas, Logan was finally feeling a bit better. Poor kid...look at his bloodshot eyes thanks to the wonderful fever!

And as I took down the Christmas decorations this past week (hey, at least they came down before APRIL!), Logan became quite upset. He was/is convinced that Christmas hasn't come yet...that jolly ol' Saint Nick has yet to make an appearance...that baby Jesus hasn't had his birthday. Yep, the little guy missed it all.

Thankfully, we were able to share some of "Logan's Christmas" with our daughter while she was kept away from the sickies...thanks to a handy little device. One reason to love technology!

FINALLY...after being separated for what seems like a lifetime, Levi returned home! We were able to celebrate with the little man and enjoy our time together about a week after the nasty bug hit our home!

It may be difficult to imagine, but catching this illness was a blessing in disguise. We were able to share Christmas with each of our children during their own special time. It wasn't a one-day Christmas event as a family, but rather an extended week of holiday cheer and togetherness. Each child got to have a little individual time with us as we cherished the moment. No, it wasn't perfect, but it was special.

Needless to say, we did not make it to our SEVEN Christmas gatherings. Instead, we were able to spend some quality (and some not so pretty) time together as a family. The vacation from school and work may not have gone as planned, but no one can say that it wasn't memorable! It will truly be the Christmas to remember.

I am quite thankful to say that we all made it through the illness with flying colors. We have our health, our love, and our togetherness. What more could we ask for? Granted, there were moments when I was extremely nervous as I watched a little boy's temperature soar to 103+. As the flu took hold of his body, he laid motionless on the couch for 24 hours, which was SO not him! It can be quite scary when little ones get sick.

As I reflect on the past two weeks (much of which is a dense, hazy fog), I am reminded about the true meaning of Christmas.

It's not about the gifts or having everything go as planned. Nor is about capturing the perfect family image under the tree. Christmas is remembering the gift of Jesus. We are truly blessed!

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. - Luke 1:35

From Magic Erasers To Baby Godzillas...

2012-12-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Since I've somehow managed to take a bit of a blogging break, I thought I'd catch up on a few random happenings. This break was mostly due in part to my inability to tell time...or at least be able to keep track of it! I'm having an incredibly difficult time with the thought that 2013 is less than two weeks away! Seriously...I was just getting started on my New Year Resolution's for 2012! Who am I fooling...I'm still working on the ones set back in 1985! And this folks is why I never actually set resolutions...aside from the one time that I blogged my resolution for all the world to see! Guess I won't be doing that again.

Anyway, here's a peak into what's been going on around here.

1. Logan spent some time on this special bench (aka: Time Out Chair)

for sharing his artwork in places like this:

His lovely work can also be seen on numerous other walls throughout the house. It's his own little exhibit hall. Please call to schedule your own personal showing. Autographs will be available at the end of the tour.

And this is why we have stock in those fabulous Magic Erasers.

2. Levi has a new trick much to his brother's delight. He's stacking instead of destroying! See, Logan's block-made towers tend to stay up just a wee bit longer since baby Godzilla is no longer on the loose!

3. During school, Merisa's class was asked to give a synonym for the word "mistake". Merisa responded with the obvious answer..."boys!" I can't imagine where she gets it from...No, sir!

4. Our little boys think the world functions much better during 2nd shift. That is, up at night, and sleep during the day. Who am I fooling? When it comes to sleep, they give the Cullens a run for their money. These boys no longer require sleep...none at all! They must be sneaking some sort of energy booster while I'm not looking. Maybe they're just loaded with an entire warehouse of Energizer batteries. Who knows? I will say that the lack of sleep is causing havoc on the older inhabitants of this home. It's a wonder that I haven't ran to the store in my mismatched jammies with my hair in side ponytail straight from the '80s all the while thinking I was fully dressed and polished. Oh, wait...I did! And it's possible that it was a little worse than what I'm disclosing.

This may explain why I'm in complete and utter shock that Christmas is only a few days away! Don't get me started on where the last 5 years went!

However, the lack of sleep sometimes catches up with the wee little lads during dinner time.

5. Finally, Logan is becoming more cooperative when it comes to taking pictures. Granted, this is the face that he often shares...

Guess I should tell him not to force the smile so much!

Everyday Moments | No. 2

2012-12-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Shocking. Heart-breaking. Unfathomable.

The tragedy that occurred yesterday is difficult to grasp. Innocent lives were lost. Families are mourning. Countless tears are being shed.

As the news poured in, I kept thinking it was all a dream. This really couldn't be happening, right?

How could it be possible?

For some, the day began with little minds yearning to know what Santa might bring. Beautifully wrapped presents were under the tree awaiting for the special day to arrive. Time of togetherness filled with love and laughter was just around the corner.

Then, it happened.

In a blink of an eye everything changed.

I can't even imagine what they endured. Those brave, beautiful, wonderful souls.

There are no words.

Only tears.

As I try to process the event as it unfolds, I'm taking a moment to reflect. A moment to hug, to laugh, to cherish those special times that I tend to take for granted.

I'll embrace the gooey kisses.

I'll look at the world through their eyes. Find the beauty in everything.

I won't hesitate to share just one more hug when time doesn't allow.

Life is precious. Life is sacred. Life is meant to be lived.

As I swoop up my children and squeeze them ever so tightly, my prayers go out to each and every family and friend that was affected by yesterday's tragedy. To those incredibly brave teachers, staff and students, my heart and prayers are with all of you.

The innocence of youth.

The world is an amazing place.

Beauty abounds. Life is simple. Life is now.

May they stay forever young.

Once again, I'm taking part in a blog circle that is sharing special moments captured through photography. Click here to continue on this photographic journey by visiting Kristin's blog.

Images can speak louder than words.

And The Winner Is...

2012-11-23T23:15:00.000-05:00

As promised, we took a bit of a break from the Black Friday whirlwind and had our own little crazy deal! We held a drawing in order to pick a winner in my very 1st GIVEAWAY! Although a certain little girl really had her eyes set on this lovely toy, I think she had a lot of fun helping with the drawing.

Thanks to all of you took the time to enter the giveaway! It's been quite the conversation around here, and we couldn't wait to find out who the lucky winner was going to be!

Here is how the winner was chosen....

Yep, names were drawn out of a good ol' hat! Pretty clever, huh?!

And the WINNER is.....

KIMBERLY!

Congratulations, Kimberly! Please shoot me an email so I can arrange for you to receive your prize...an exciting remote control helicopter from Xenon Project!!

*And Happy Thanksgiving!!! I'm incredibly thankful for all that we've been given! We are truly blessed! Hope that everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! I'm still getting over the fact that it's the holiday season once again! Where has the time gone?!

A Major Milestone and a GIVEAWAY!

2012-11-16T10:49:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I totally messed up! I had it all planned to make a special announcement and a fun little giveaway in honor of my 100th post. Well, guess what? I missed it! Does that suprise you? Probably not. So, instead, this is going to be a "special announcement and a fun little giveaway" for my 101st post! Just had to be different!

And what's the special announcement? It's not really that special other than this is my 101th post!!!! Ta-da! I've actually committed to something, which may be more amazing than the fact that I share my homestead with chickens! Cute little, fluffy little, sweet little CHICKENS! And I'm totally only referring to the ones that I brought home...not those other life-threatening rascals! Case in point... (Although I'm softening a bit and finding a place for the other birds as long as they don't ruffle the feathers of my sweeties!)

Where was I?

Oh, yeah...

Welcome to my ~~100th~~ 101st post! I'd like to thank the Academy, and the supporters, and the green grass, and the...

So in honor of this milestone, I'd like to give you, loyal readers, a token of my appreciation. Sadly, this is only open to those living in the good ol' USA. Can't ship it internationally. Sorry! Please note that this is totally out of character for me, but when the opportunity arose, I couldn't pass on it. I feel like there should be flashing lights and streamers coming down from the ceiling as I make this reveal.

Wait for it... Wait for it...

Nothing, I know. Just thought I'd check.

Am I completely corny? Oh, you have no idea (or maybe you do.).

But honestly, I do have something fun to giveaway. Without further ado, I'd like to share with you the item that's up for grabs! Something that would make for a wonderful gift for that special little someone in your life. Or even that big guy who refuses to grow up. Okay, this is totally something I'd like, but I wasn't going to tell you that.

Yep, I'm giving away a remote control helicopter! My kids are going to be so jealous! We LOVE remote control anything around here. The kids love them. I love them. It's just a happy little place!

So if you're wanting to get your hands on this helicopter from Xenon Project, please enter the giveaway by leaving a lovely comment. Check out their website, too. They have a ton of remote control toys that would make for great gifts. And with Christmas just around the corner, what better time to have a giveaway? It could make your shopping just a little bit easier! You can thank me later!

Go ahead and look through Xenon Project.com and admire their fun toys! I know you want one, too!

Oh, remember to leave me a comment below so I know you want entered in this giveaway. You have until Thanksgiving Day to enter. Then, on BLACK FRIDAY, I'll reveal the lucky winner! I just LOVE Black Friday, and this makes it even better!

*Disclaimer: I am not an affiliate of Xenon Project nor am I being compensated for this in any way. And I so just wrote "confiscated", and at the last minute realized that word is totally not the same as compensated! It's a wonder really!