Wordful Wednesday-Photoshop

*Wordful Wednesday is for those of us that like to showcase a photo(s) but that just can't seem keep our mouths shut about it(them). If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let the words roll. Feel free to "capture" my 7 Clown Circus button on the left to link back to me, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. Thanks for playing along!

I scored Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 for Christmas but am just getting around to playing around with it. I'm already part-way in love. Just wait until I can navigate around the software quickly. I'm pretty sure it's going to be a full-blown-love-affair.

This photo was manipulated using the Cutout effects element. So cool.

Spring Fling Giveaway

The Spring Fling has finally arrived!

The SITS girls are helping us all catch the Spring Spirit with a little fling.......of the giveaway kind.

So, take a moment to enter my giveaway of a $10 Target gift card, and then head on over to SITS for a gazillion and one giveaways there.

If you like me and want to make my day, become a follower. :)

Musical Monday-Cake

I have a confession to make. I like Cake.

Don't forget to head over to Jori's and Diane's place to see what's moving others today!

This and That

I have been remiss in sharing with you some of the great sites/events/deals that I've found lately.

First off, I MUST thank all of you who dedicate your Wednesdays to participating in my Wordful Wednesdays. It's been far more successful than I imagined it would be, and I'm so happy about that. The past few weeks have had more than 130 entries. Thank you, my Wordful friends!

Have you heard about the March 10th Spring Fling hosted by the girls at The Secret is in the Sauce? There will be great giveaways all day long on SITS, but it gets better. Hundreds of SITS followers will also be giving away goodies on each of their blogs. When you visit SITS there will be a master link to all of the sites, so it should be oodles of fun. If I can get my act together I'll be giving something good away, too. :)

Do you have blog questions of the technical nature? If so, a visit or 12 to Katydid and Kid is definitely in order. She has a Tuesday Feature that you won't want to miss called Tech Tuesday. She has the answers to just about every technical question you may have. Trust me.

Recently I've been introduced to the Fishful Thinking Campaign hosted by Pepperidge Farms. It's all about optimism and positive thinking in you and your child. I can't wait to see what they have to offer over the next few months, and a few of my good blogging friends are an integral part of the campaign. Tiffany of R Family Diaries (and SITS) is so excited about her role in the campaign she's giving away TWO $100 gift cards to Target.

Nicole at Sanity Check, One Two... is celebrating her 100th post with a great giveaway. All the fixings for a romantic dinner.

Looking for a "new parent/parent of young toddler" forum? Then try the New Parent site. They have a great section on celebrity babies if that interests you.

Wondering about how nutrition relates to fertility, lactation, pregnancy and motherhood? Then you don't want to miss the Healthy Pregnancy blog, edited by a lacation consultant. She plans on weaving in practical advice, approachable information, and updates on the latest studies in nutrition in the near future.

Interested in making your blog into a social blog? You might want to register on The Blog Frog and look around. As I was looking around I thought that the site was the Facebook for Blogs.

Mommy Wizdom had a challenge in February to click on a site button that led one to different organizations that raise funds and awareness for their cause. It raised my awareness, so Kudos to you, Mommy Wizdom for the challenge!

Jen at Amazing Trips is raising money for cancer awareness. Her goal is to raise 50K this year, and she's trying to do it in a variety of ways including an Ovarian cancer research triathalon and cancer walk. If you'd like to see how you can help, head on over. I've heard there might be a surprise in store, too. :)

Veggie Mom over at the Popr's blog is hosting yet another Popr's giveaway beginning on Sunday. You have to give popr's a try. Good luck!

Elizabeth Pantley is having a "No-Cry Solution" book giveaway this week. "Elizabeth is the author of eight popular parenting books, available in 18 languages, and she was a contributing author to The Successful Child with Dr. William and Martha Sears." Five lucky winners will be able to select TWO of her books and she'll even autograph them for you. I'm particularly interested in the "No Cry Discipline Solution", especially the sections on "what triggers your anger" and "interrupting".

Have you seen it?

Have any of you seen the new Gerber Graduates commercial? It's the one where the child is pretending to be a knight releasing his mom (who is a dragon) from the dungeon?

My twins auditioned for the role of the child. Obviously they didn't get the part. I thought John did a fabulous job. He didn't even get a call back.

Wait.......what's the point, you say?

The point is that the TWINS love the commercial. Everytime they see it, they run around the house saying the lines from the commercial (they had to memorize the lines for the audition). Amazingly enough, the script didn't change a bit from audition to production.

Oh, and did I tell you how cool the audition was? They paired each of the boys up with an actress and although I don't remember the names, I recognized just about every actress there from other commercials or shows. The actress that worked with Jacob was particularly great. I can't believe she didn't get the job.

Wordful Wednesday-Climbing in trees

*Wordful Wednesday is for those of us that like to showcase a photo(s) but that just can't seem keep our mouths shut about it(them). If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let the words roll. Feel free to "capture" my 7 Clown Circus button on the left to link back to me, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. Thanks for playing along!

My children love to climb trees.

I love to watch them.

It reminds me of me. I used to love to climb trees, too.

*This photo was taken by Tammie of Tammie Halcomb Photography.

Tuesday's Tribute-Sleeping Through the Night

I could tell it was too warm last night because 3/5ths of my children didn't stay in their own beds.


Did I tell you that it was 86 degrees here yesterday? And clear? It was heavenly. Heavenly. I didn't want the day to end.


But, back to my story.


My slumber was first interrupted at around midnight when John came running into my room. I knew it was John because he doesn't tread lightly. For some reason he pounds those little feet down on the floor at night when he decides to briskly trot into my room. Maybe he knows from experience that it wakes me up so that I can greet him when he arrives on the side of my bed, hoping to gain access to my bed.


Last night, though, he never made it to the side of my bed. I guess that brisk midnight stroll tuckered him out because he just crashed on the floor at the end of my bed. Jeff felt badly about him being on the floor so he picked him up and carried him back to bed. I think he's still there.


Around 2 am Jacob came in with his tale-tale noise making. I don't know quite how to describe it......he just makes these noises........not cries, not words, just noises when he comes in at night.


He, unlike his brother, made it to the side of my bed. And crashed, all splayed out on top of my pillows on the floor. I left him.


At 3 am I heard talking (sleep talking, that is). And, heavy breathing that's not quite a snore (that would be my husband), and more breathing (Jacob). Coming at me from all sides.


And I realized. Somehow Garrett has slipped into my room and into my bed without my knowledge. He's REALLY good that way. He's perfected the art as none of my other children have. I would have never known, but he sleep talks. A lot.


So, here I am at 4 am wondering if I should just go find a new bed to sleep in. Or, should I carry the boys back to bed? I don't really want to lug them back. And I don't want to give up my bed. So I blog.


I'm expecting that at exactly 6:30 am my eldest will appear on the side of my bed. And just stand there quitely until I feel and acknowledge her presence and assure here that yes, she can sleep in until 6:40 am.


I don't have to worry about child number 2. She sleeps like a log. Thank goodness.

Nights like these make me grateful for nights when I can sleep through the night.

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production

Musical Monday-Running Down a Dream

I was 19. Touring Western Europe on a bus.

This was the song our tour guide blasted every morning just after we'd lugged our too big suitcases down to the curb, stumbled onto the bus, found our seats and had fallen back to sleep.

She didn't want us to miss the sights sleeping, you see. It was our theme song.

It woke me up every time.

And always reminds me of Europe. On a bus.

Good times.

Don't forget to head over to Jori's and Diane's place to see what's moving others today!

Past Post Parade

Elaine at the Miss-Elaine-ous Life is having a Past Post Parade. It's a great way to get to know bloggers that you haven't been following for a long period of time.

In order to participate, I've resurrected a few old posts from the past. I present to you, my readers, my favorite blog entries of 2007. (Is it bad if when you look back at your posts you don't even want to read them?)
January: 2007 is Here!
February: Friends...
March: First Mohawks and Heart Stopping Moment
April: Introducing Royalty and If There is Clutter
May: This is What Happens, Happy Mother's Day, We're 1 1/2 Years Old
June: She Made My Day
July: Emetic Recipe, I Detest the Smell of that Flower, Nine Years
August: Would You Like to Take a Walk...
September: Books, 150th Post and I'm It!
October: What did your kids do today? Hot tip #5, Duct tape
November: Words that make me walk....
December: Sunday Scribblings, Favorite Christmas Conversation, My Favorite Day, Tell all Thursday

This is what I found: The first part of the year was pretty boring. I started writing about more meaningful things in July, which just happens to be the month I had Laser Eye Surgery. August was spent working, October my kids got into alot of trouble, November marked my first "give-away, my blog's Birthday and my 200th post, and December I visited more blogs, entered writing contests, and saw visits to my blog increase to 100 a day (which was HUGE for me way back then!)

Wordful Wednesday-Recovered

*Wordful Wednesday is for those of us that like to showcase a photo(s) but that just can't seem keep our mouths shut about it(them). If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let the words roll. Feel free to "capture" my 7 Clown Circus button on the left to link back to me, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. Thanks for playing along!

Look what hubby recovered.

Yep. These are just a few of my photos "found". From the past 5 years. The one's I thought I'd lost.

My heart broke last week thinking that I had lost all of my pictures, especially the collection of pictures from the twins birth and NICU stay.

I've completed albums for my other children, but I haven't for the twins, so the thought that all pictorial reminders of their birth and first year were gone left me with a knot in my stomach.

The first picture was taken in the operating room directly after the twins birth at 33 weeks. I remember how light they were. They felt like a baby doll.

The second picture is one of the babies in the NICU a few days after birth. They were such little peanuts!

Tuesday's Tribute-To health

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production

Today I'm roasting healthy bodies.

I was going to tell you about Lola and how well she has acclimated to her new home. And that I'm pretty sure my husband loves her more than I do. I made her a "she" for him, by the way. I knew that they had a connection when I saw that she had Blu-ray. I was right.

But, then I started thinking.......thankful for the new woman in my life? No thanks.

I wanted to talk about something with meaning. So, let's talk substance.

Our health.

I'm afraid this might be a slap in the face to those that have health issues that complicate their quality of life. It isn't meant to. Rather, it's a way to say that I'm thankful, yet not boastful of my health.

So many things have happened recently that have made me grateful for the healthy body that houses my spirit.

I've been able to birth babies.

I can get on the floor and play with my children.

I can walk. I can run. I can do just about anything I want to with it.

It's healthy.

And that's a blessing and pretty darn amazing.

I'm grateful.

Lucky you.....

You all missed it.

The crying, screaming. Gnashing of teeth. Pulling of hair.

That's what I've been doing all week.

You see, BOTH of my computers became infected with a nasty virus and decided to crash on me.
Which wouldn't be such a big deal (yeh, right), except all of my photos from the last 5 years were on my computers... And I hadn't backed them up.

I can see you shaking your head.

I know. It's my fault. I was too cheap to keep up my anti virus software.

No need to feel sorry for an idiot.

I'm just saying.........I'm over it. Almost. Partly because I turned 34 years old early for gift purposes ONLY and just received Lola. She's my new computer. She's sassy and had better give me a few good years. Or else.

So, while I'm trying to figure out how to catch back up, head on over to Mom It Forward and tell me what you think about todays article. Pretty please?

P.S. My thoughtful husband also bought me an external hard drive and anti virus software so I don't cripple his wallet again in the near future. Wasn't that nice of him?

Wordful Wednesday- From The *HEART* Baking

*Wordful Wednesday is for those of us that like to showcase a photo(s) but that just can't seem keep our mouths shut about it(them). If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let the words roll. Feel free to "capture" my 7 Clown Circus button on the left to link back to me, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. Thanks for playing along!

For Valentine's Day the kids and I did some baking. For the first time ever we made a heart shaped Red Velvet Cake, which I'm pretty sure had about 2000 calories per slice. Translation: SUPER yummy, but if you're watching your waist line, I'd beware. The frosting is to die for. Marshmallow. Cream cheese. Coconut. Pecans. Butter. Heaven.

*For the recipe, click here. Thanks, Stephanie at Live.Love.Eat for sending me the link!

We also made heart shaped pretzels. They were OK. Fun to make, but a little too hard, crunch wise. Next time I'll decrease the bake time for sure. We just made regular pretzel dough in the bread maker and then added red food coloring to the egg white to brush over the top before baking for color.

I hope your Valentine's day was as nice as mine, spent with my hubby and kids at home!

Tuesday's Tribute-Authors

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production

My life would be so different without books.

Honestly, I can't remember a time that books didn't satisfy my soul in some way.

I *HEART* books. With a passion. And sincerely THANK their authors.

I just picked up a "load" of books from the library that have been highly recommended by my friends, which makes this girl, VERY happy.

The book that got me most excited, though? The one on top. With the black cover. That's that one that I've already read cover to cover and some parts twice. THE HUNGER GAMES. Lula at Lulaville recommended it to me MONTHS ago and I just got my hands on it. Speaking of Lula, she has incredible taste in every thing. Notably books. I'm just saying.

Here's what else is going to keep me occupied for the next few weeks:

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

River Secrets by Shannon Hale

The Lady and the Unicoren by Tracy Chevalier

Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier

Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson

The Space Between us by Thrity Umrigar

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

If you know of a book that I MUST read, Please, Please list it in the comment section.

Project Happy Hearts

Do you know Kasey from Chronicles of a Mommy? If not, you should. Put stopping by her site on your to-do list.

Recently, she wanted to organize something in Tuesday's honor. You've all heard of Tuesday by now, right? She prayed and thought a lot about this. She said,

"I wanted to turn this ache that I feel into positive energy and honor Tuesday's time here. I know that her story did not end with her time here on earth. I have teamed up with Tabitha at A FiveOhFour Uplifting. Tabitha, along with her family, have a mission to organize goody bags for ALL children with ALL illnesses along with women & children in homeless shelters. This month her family is donating all of the goody bags in Tuesday's honor. The recipients of these bags will be the patients of the San Antonio Methodist Children's Hospital. Please visit A FiveOhFour Uplifting to see how you can help."

Through Tabitha, she also found the Make A Child Smile organization. This organization provides information for people, like you & me, to write uplifting and spirited letters to children with chronic illnesses.

So, Kasey affectionatly dubbed this her little venture {Project Happy Hearts}. She asked each of her readers to donate to A FiveOhFour Uplifting's mission and/or write a letter to a child in Tuesday's honor.

So, this is how we helped make someone's heart smile in Tuesday's honor. Emma wrote a story about a Strawberry for a sick child, and we're hoping that it brightens their day.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S Day!

Writer's Workshop-5 Favorite things

Here are the prompts:
1.) What was the first CD (or record or cassette) you ever purchased? Write about the way that particular album made you feel then. Write about how it makes you feel now. writersdigest.com
2.) You were recently laid off. Instead of moping around, you've viewed it as a chance to start fresh. Pick a new career and write about your first day on the job.writersdigest.com
3.) List your five most recent favorite things.
4.) I'm hungry. Share your very favorite recipe!!

And I chose:

What else? My five most recent favorite things.
I've had a cell phone for years. But for the past few, it hasn't done me a whole lot of good. Where we lived in Oregon I didn't get reception at home, and most areas I frequented had patchy service as well. Then we moved here, and I just couldn't be bothered worrying about keeping it on my person, or even charged for that matter.

When Jeff bought me this phone for Christmas I was a bit skeptical. Did I really need a phone with a full keypad? Internet access and a pretty large display screen?

That would be heck yes. I use it constantly. I can check my email from my phone. I can text. I had never texted before. Ever. I can check the traffic. And movie times. I can find the cheapest gas prices and make restaurant reservations. I can *gasp*....go on-line.

Let's just say it's my new best friend. I think I need to name him/her. Any suggestions?


My Oreck vacuum has been my pal for a long time. But, since we've moved here it's really been good to me. See, I'm a little OCD about stuff on my carpet. The carpet in this house is a dark, solid color. Every little fleck shows up. I vacuum a lot. Like more than once a day.

You know about my designer jean obsession. May I present to you Rock and Republics? I LOVE these jeans. They are the perfect date jeans. This is why: They have a lower rise so they aren't the best for daytime kid wrangling. But, the low rise looks really great on, and they are perfect for a night on the town. So, if you are looking for a pair of jeans to make you look and feel sexy, go check Rock and Republics out.

Moving along. Mineral powder for the face. Somehow, I was late jumping on this bandwagon, but I'm Oh. SO. Glad. I finally did. No more foundation. Super easy application and it really does make one's face look fresh!

Lastly, linen spray. I love this one from Bath and Body Works because it's really subtle. It has just enough fragrance to smell great but not to give me a headache.

What are your favorite things? Wanna play?

Head on over to Mama Kat's place.

Wordful Wednesday-Bounty shoot

*Wordful Wednesday is for those of us that like to showcase a photo(s) but that just can't seem keep our mouths shut about it(them). If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let the words roll. Feel free to "capture" my 7 Clown Circus button on the left to link back to me, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. Thanks for playing along!

First order of business.....I want to thank all of you for playing along each week. I really do enjoy your Wordful's and look forward to many more visits. Last week we hit 125 participants! WOW!

Now, on to the photo. This was taken last week at a Bounty Commercial shoot that the twins did. It was their first commercial, and was so much fun for all of us. They got the royal treatment with their own trailer, a catered lunch and thier very own "teacher". All standard for this sort of thing, but new to us.

Children at this age are unpredictable, so they (production) usually have a "back up" child(ren). In this case, the "back up" twins were twins that work a lot. A lot, a lot. If you watch the show they have been regulars on since they were babies, you'd definitely recognize them. Anyway, it was nice to pick their moms brain, and also cool that my twins got the principle role without a call-back.

Now, before you go looking for the commercial, you should know that it is offically a "non-airing" commercial, meaning it was produced for a test audience. I'm crossing my fingers that it has positive feedback.

Musical Monday-Love on the Rocks

Or, more to the point, what reminds you?

Does this remind anyone else of anything? Like a movie? Probably not. Because I'm older than most of you. But, it was only like the hot song from The Jazz Singer, 1980. The first movie I recall seeing in the theater. Yes, I know. Totally appropriate for a 5 year old. What can I say? I didn't take myself! :)

Don't forget to head over to Jori's place to see what's moving others today!

Wordful Wednesday-toilet edition

*Wordful Wednesday is for those of us that like to showcase a photo(s) but that just can't seem keep our mouths shut about it(them). If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let the words roll. Feel free to "capture" my 7 Clown Circus button on the left to link back to me, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. Thanks for playing along!

Some people absolutely-under-no-circumstances allow their children "play" that is not "appropriate" to their gender. Like girls playing with matchbox cars, or boys playing dress up.

I'm not one of them. I allow my boys to play with their sisters dolls. When an extra princess is needed for their fairy tale castle, I don't hesitate to call in help if the "help" is willing. Sometimes the help isn't. And that's OK, too.

My girls play in the dirt with their brothers..and you know what? Everyone is happy. I LOVE to see my children all play together.

The other day I almost died. Seriously haven't laughed so hard in a long time.

I present to you, proof that dresses are cumbersome.

I would tell you who this is, but I'm thinking that when he's older, if he doesn't appreciate this picture going public (which I know he won't), he will at least appreciate that I didn't rat out exactly who it is. :)

*Apologies in advance for not making it around to see your Wordful's in a timely manner. Exciting stuff going on around here that will keep me away from the computer for a few days.

Tuesday's Tribute-Cancer Awareness

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production

My uncle died when I was 14. I expected it, yet I was totally and completely shocked. Actually, upon reflection, I don't think it was shock; rather, it was denial. I thought he was getting better. The last time I saw him he was smiling, and eating. And he hadn't done that for a long time. He looked better, like he was turning around.

What I didn't comprehend the last time I saw him was that he had been sent home for a reason. There was nothing left that they could do for him. He wasn't getting better, and so he was send home to die surrounded by those that loved him, in the comfort of his own home.

I wish they had told me. Had made me realize that that visit was the last. That he wasn't ever going to get better.

I think maybe I knew it, but a confirmation might have been nice. Or maybe not.

I remember not knowing what to say. Knowing, but not knowing that we didn't have any plans to make, no future to discuss. No more trips to Hollywood to hang out and explore.

I remember feeling like a stupid teenager, not having the words to bring up anything with substance to talk about. Uncertain how to act.

So, I avoided the room and pretended that it didn't hurt that someone I loved was dying right before my very eyes.

And then, like the moron that I was, I asked my grandma if I could have this Chanel bag that I saw and figured he wouldn't be needing anymore. She asked him (I thought she'd just give it to me) and he told me that I could have just asked him directly. I felt like a jerk.

He was ready to confront what I wasn't. I still regret asking for that bag for a lot of reasons, but mainly because it repesents my inability to express what I wanted to. It shows how emotionally immature I was. And it overshadows my goodbye.

Do I remember hugging or giving him a kiss goodbye? Nope. I remember asking for a ridiculous freebie bag.

I didn't even keep it. It was a stupid, glossy, paper Chanel bag.

He shouldn't have died. He was young. Too young. Yet he did. I felt powerless, and still sort of do. I've always wished there was something that I could have done.

The reality is, that nothing I could have done would have saved him. But, things I can do, things we can all do, just might help save someone else.

Today's Tribute goes out to those that have or are battling with cancer. And to those that are taking steps to raise cancer awareness. Like Jay of Halftime Lessons.

(Click on the button below for more information.)

And Kasey at Chronicles of a Mommy.


In honor of Tuesday, with much thought and prayer, Kasey has decided to DO something, and we can help. Please visit her site for more details.

Twisted Silver Romance Bracelet Winner & More

Congratulations, Shel! You won the Twisted Silver Romance bracelet, just in time for Valentine's Day. Lucky you!

Also, Mamarazzi's is having another fun swap. Come join the fun. To participate, you need to RSVP, ASAP.