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Whimsical Wishing Tree Christmas

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You bet your bum I cried

I was sitting there feeding Thing 2 some yogurt and watching Rio with him and Thing 1 (ridiculously cute movie, by the way). He was sitting next to me on the window seat. Not the usual seating arrangement prefered for the consumption of something so sloppy as yogurt but we were doing fine. As I scoop yogurt into his mouth he reached out his little hand, patted my knee twice and then left his hand sitting there on my leg. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I stared at those chubby little fingers resting so gently on my leg. Those are the moments I want to remember. The sweet moments, the caring moments. The moments when you think, "Huh, maybe I'm doing something right with these little humans." So, here's to remembering more sweetness and less stink.

Don't the germs know I'm not interested?

It started with a scratchy throat. I thought it was the change in temperature. I was wrong. I feel like crap. I hate feeling like crap. Stuff needs to get done and most of it is stuff I don't like doing even when I'm healthy and well-rested. Chicken poop and monkey butts. Anybody want to come clean my house?

Wreath #2

I had a feeling this would happen. I need to start figuring out storage ideas, 'cause I like making these wreaths. I've got a fall wreath and a halloween wreath so far. I see this being like Bubba and his shrimp in Forest Gump. There's birthday wreaths, and wreaths for valentine's day, Christmas wreaths, Easter wreaths. They even have wreaths for back to school and wreaths for Thanksgiving.

Crafter's Blessing

I have loved the traditional Irish blessing since the first time I heard it. Likely in third grade when we did our international week and I pulled Ireland out of the hat. Mmmmm, soda bread. Sorry. Anywhoo, the blessing goes like this:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Surely someone else has thought of this, or written it better, but here goes nothing:

May the inspiration never leave you.
May your scissors always be sharp.
May your seams be straight,
and your hands be steady.
And until we craft again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Support Your Local Farmer's Market!

I don't know about you, but the smell of ripe tomato makes me happy. Rub my tummy and smile like an idiot happy.  The boys and I perused the local farmer's market this morning and came home with a stroller load. Zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, fresh baked bread, kettle corn...anybody else hungry now?

Done!!!

So I didn't finish the wreath last night like I wanted to. What can I say, Project Runway was on. After arranging the flowers on the wreath and then rearranging them for who knows how long I finally bit the bullet and glued them in place. I had originally planned on hanging this bad boy on my front door but I didn't want my hard work getting dirty. Now I have it hanging from the side of a tall cabinet in my kitchen. We'll see if it stays there or finds itself another home. I have a feeling this may be the first of many wreaths...

Fire up the hot glue gun!!!

Crafting is as vital to my survival as food and good diapers. I had this idea this morning and I'm going to make it a reality by the end of the day even if I end up gluing my fingers together. Oh, and I'm doing this on a ten dollar budget. So far my expenses are as follows:

• wreath base (with coupon) - $2.99
• felt - $1.79
• fabric remnant - $1.61
• ribbon - left over from another project
• scissors & hot glue gun - craft room staples I always have in stock

Get out your calculator! That's a whopping $6.39! I love crafting, but crafting cheap is even better!!!

Handmade Holidays so far...

So I'm relatively certain that the plethora of nieces that these are destined for don't know this blog exists...

I may have all boys, but I have nieces by the truckload. I like having at least something small for each of them on Christmas. Handmade is the only way to go for me. I want to give them something to let them know how special they all are to me. A gift card does not (at least for me) say you are special, this is how much I care... So I've been crocheting my little heart out the last week and a half. I'm nearly done with all of the nieces. Then we move on to the stuff I'm making for those in my immediate family. If someone could wrap me up some Bengay and stick it in my stocking that'd be fabulous, I'm gonna need it.

Perspective...

So much depends on your perspective in this life. Looking down the glass may look half-empty. Yet, looking up, the very same glass looks half full. The only thing that changed was my perspective. And therein lies the key, the secret to always finding the glass half full. It's so simple that I've been overlooking it all this time. Look up. No, not the ceiling...not even the sky...further, past the stars and the galaxies to the Creator. Yup, if I'm focused up on Him then surely the glass is half full. In the moments when my problems all seem so vast I need to stop and look up. Look up to the Lord and ignore that voice of the world whispering in my ear saying that it's all too much, that there's no way I can manage it all, that I'm not good enough, that I'm doing things wrong... If the God of all the universe took the time to knit me together in my mother's womb, to create me from nothing, than surely I must be worthwhile. Of value. Wanted. Loved. Surely He hears me. It is me who needs to open my ears and hear Him. That quiet whisper that says, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you...", the Hand on my shoulder giving me comfort. Why have I been trying to fill my own cup? I've been looking to myself to do something that, all along, God has been waiting patiently for me to ask Him to do. So here I am, at the bottom of my empty cup, looking up...

Facebook Anonymous Confession

My name is Jen and I'm a Facebook User. I must confess that my facebook hiatus was short-lived. I went and checked it today only to be reminded why I hate the darn thing in the first place. Grrr. What happened to the days when people actually talked face-to-face with other people? Why can't we have real conversations rather than convos and ims? I want nothing more than to delete the blasted thing and forget all about it and it's drama but, apparently, that's the only way certain people will communicate with me. Gotta love it. It used to be "If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all." It is now "If you don't have anything nice to say, post it on Facebook for the world to see."

Never Forget

9/11 is to today's generation what JFK's assassination was in 1963. We all ask "Where were you when the towers fell?". I was sitting on the couch in my father's living room, hugging my one year old son with my eyes glued to the television and tears streaming down my cheeks. I could look out the window and see the smoke from where we lived in New Jersey.
While my heart still aches for what happened that beautiful day in September I must remember to live. Every day we must live. For those who were taken from us. For those who have given their lives for us. For those left behind to pick up the pieces. We must live every day to the fullest. We are not guranteed anything in this life. There is no way of knowing how many tomorrows we each will be given. So we must live each day, seize every opportunity, throw off the shackles of fear and LIVE!

How Time Flies

Who would have thought my little man would grow into this big kid already? Sheesh! 6th grade. Is he really in 6th grade? I still can't come to terms with the fact that I will be the mother of a middle schooler next year. Eegads...

Facebook Users Anonymous - first meeting

Hello. My name is Jen and I'm a Facebook User. I have been Facebook free for five minutes.

I mentioned the dangers of Pinterest, did I not?

http://pinterest.com/mrscplus3/party-ideas/

Should anyone care to take a gander at my newest board the link is above. I'm planning on doing an Alice In Wonderland themed party for my two youngest. Ideas abound in the land of Pinterest!

Why I didn't think of this before is beyond me.

I'm not sure why I didn't think of crocheting bracelets before this past weekend. I blame my newfound knowledge of crocheted jewelry on Pinterest. Dangerous, dangerous place. http://pinterest.com/ Check it out if you dare... Anywhoooo, take a look and see what you think of my most recent crochet creations.

Crockpot Creations

When it's 102 degrees outside the crockpot is my best friend. Tonight it will be italian chicken and potatoes with peach berry cobbler for dessert. I don't know who invented the crockpot but I love 'em so much I could kiss them!

Thrifty Thursday

This dress has got to be one of my best thrifty finds EVER! My step-daughter is a senior this year and has known what kind of dress she's wanted to wear to her senior prom for months. She told me she wanted it to be white or off-white (check), strapless (check), mermaid shaped (check) and maybe have a little train at the back (check). Pretty sure I squeeked out loud in the local Goodwill when I saw this gem hanging there calling to me from across the store. Pretty sure it meets every criteria she gave me and then some! Guess how much this little lovely cost me... did you guess? Did you? Did you?TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know! Awesome, right? I cannot wait to get this thing on her! She is so tan and the cream color is going to look fabulous on her. Too bad we have to wait months and months till I can post prom pics. If you can be patient they'll be here in May. Promise!

Ah the things you stumble across in Blogland...

I happened across this lovely canvas over at http://redhenhome.blogspot.com/. What a wonderful sentiment. Cherishing my children has been weighing on my heart a lot lately. Sometimes I get so caught up in the daily grind, the "poop", that I feel like I'm missing out on so much. I don't want to miss those opportunities to cherish my children any more. I find myself asking whether that show is really worth not reading a book with my three year old. Wondering if the clearance rack at Target means more than talking with my eleven year old about his day. Pondering my reaction when my almost two year old pulls on my crocheting and the stitches begin to pull out. It is in those moments that we must remember what truly matters in life. It isn't our material possessions, it isn't the latest reality show on the television...it's the relationships we have with the people in our lives. The all encompassing love that I have for my husband and my children is what matters. Time, this life we have here on earth, is fleeting. I pray that I cherish every moment that I have with my loved ones: the nasty smelly poopy moments along with the clean shiny ones.

Hug. Your. Children.

There are no guarantees in this life. Hug your babies every chance you get. I hope every time I feel ready to rip my hair out (again) I will remember how I feel right now. They make me absolutely batty but at least they are still here for me to hug. Too many babies are angels in heaven for me to not approciate every moment that I have with my boys. Lord help me remember this when they are screaming and stinky and mouthy...

One Word

What a difference the addition of one word makes. Medium has always responded to I love you with a simple I love you. Tonight I said I love you and he responded, "I love you Mom-mom." (Medium has called me Mom-mom for as long as he could talk.) It was always glorious to hear him say I love you back, but the addition of Mom-mom on the end warms the farthest corners of my Mommy heart. I've always wanted to be a Mommy and I love (nearly) every minute of it. Hearing my three year old tell me he loves me makes up for the moments that are less than glamorous (or enjoyable).

Blogging is cheaper than therapy...

I suppose it isn't the best reason to start a blog, but it is a reason. Not that I feel I need "therapy" therapy. A listening ear and some words of advice would be wonderful. I suppose what I am searching for is perspective. Sometimes my own, sometimes someone else's. I'm generally a "glass half full" kind of girl but there are times when even the most optimistic of people can feel overwhelmed. I firmly believe that there is a reason for everything, that God has a plan even if we can't see the bigger picture. So here I am, venting and looking for perspective and praying for a glimpse of the silver lining that I know is there...

Where have all the villagers gone?

I love the old adage that it "takes a village to raise a child". In today's society I think the saying may be more appropriate than the era in which the term was coined. I look around me and find that I've got the children but am sorely lacking in the whole village department. Where have all the villagers gone? I joke with my husband that the bloggers I follow online are my friends. I suppose I am hoping that I will be able to substitute the physical village with a virtual one. Calling one, calling all, want to join my village? There will be cookies...