Blogiversary Giveaway

Wow, in one week, I will have been blogging for a year! 
I never thought that I'd last a year.

I'll admit it, I've enjoyed the ride.

I like looking back at past posts, it's a nice reminder of what I've done.

{My online Diary if you will}

It surprises me how many things I've forgotten about.

{I'm glad I've recorded them somewhere.}

Good 'ole mommy brain at its finest.

I guess I could admit that I've sidetracked from my original purpose of this blog which was to catalog projects done with the kids.  In fact, I've gotten pretty lazy lately about posting kid related art.  I will try to get better about taking pictures and posting what we've done.  

This blog has become more of my online Diary, as I already stated.   But that's cool, it's my life journey, which includes a nice {odd} variety of topics.

In all honesty, sometimes I think about ending the blog.
For one, it's a time waster.
And I think 'Is it all for not?'
'Do I really want to let just anyone know what's going on in my life so easily?'

For now, I guess the answer is yes, or at least a shoulder shrug.

The plus sides are:
It makes it easy to share pictures of the kids and stuff with family and friends.
It encourages me to keep a journal of what our life has been.
{And I guess this poor memory needs to record things or else I could forget them into the deep abyss that is forever}
And the most enjoyable part is the comments and bits of encouragement from you guys!  {Even when you don't comment on here, but in person you've said, "Hey, I read your blog!" And I'm thinking "Really?  I can't believe people actually read my random rantings.  That's so awesome!" and I blush} Some days I'm having a really terrible, no good, very bad day and your kind words, your encouragement, your love, lift my spirits and make me feel good.  Like a virtual warm cup of chai tea with cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon good.
So thanks!  Thank you very much!


In case you are wondering, here are some of the stats that my blog has accumulated during it's first year:
7,087 pageviews
9 lovely official followers
153 posts {excluding this one, and some of the past that I deleted}
450 comments from you guys!
Top 10 countries who read my blog:
United States
United Kingdom
Russia
Chile
Germany
Latvia
Canada
Pakistan
Congo
Mexico

OK, enough of my ramblings... On to the good stuff!

As you already know, I've been really into flower making lately.

 I even posted a how-to so that you can make your very own.  So now, I'm offering to give you one to celebrate making it through a crazy blogging year together in one piece.  I'll even give you a color choice and a size choice and the choice to make it a brooch or a hair decoration.  We'll discuss all that good stuff after you win.  It's OK if I've already given one to you and it's OK if you've been making your own, free is free, and who's gonna pass on that? ;)

Here's how to enter:

Leave a comment.

Simple right?

Well, for some of you, probably not so much, so if you don't remember, here's how:

click on comment, add your comment, then below that, select to enter your name or be anonymous, just be sure to tell me who you are.

The giveaway will end on my blogiversary which is Friday, November 25th.
I'm excited to see who wins. :)

G'day mates!

We've been photographed!

That's right, you heard me!

We finally, for the first time, have a family portrait!

The other week, my step-sister-in-law, Ariana of Faces in Focus posted a giveaway on her ever adorable blog.  Her theme for her business is "Let me show what your Love looks like...in Focus"  I think it sums up her awesomeness right there!

She's new to the photography biz and I'm proud to say that I've been a fan ever since I heard she was going for it 2 years ago.  It has been fun watching her grow as a photographer and cheering her on.  

The prize was for a free 30 minute photo session for yourself if you nominated someone else to win one.  So, I nominated my loving mother in-law to be the recipient.

  

You can imagine my glee when I found out that I WON!!!  

{I mean, WE won}  

Winning anything is just pure joy, but to win something that you desperately need and want, well, that bumps it up many notches.  And after the break-in and hubby's car dying, we just really needed something great to come our way, and it absolutely did!

Our little family of four cashed in on our prize this past Saturday.

I was nervous...

The only time I've really had my picture taken by someone other than myself was for our wedding...*8 years ago*  I chalk it up to a lot of things, the major one being self-consciousness.  I've always had body image issues, and having two children doesn't really help the equation.  Add procrastination and the ever passing of time... Plus when no one ever really takes your picture and the only ones they do take look horrible, you start to think 'do I deserve having my picture taken?' 'What's wrong with me?' etc etc...

So yeah, the nerves were getting to me, I have anxiety issues... felt like I was going to throw up.  But I tried to remind myself that it was more for getting a good picture of the kids and showing that yes, they do indeed have parents, and so in the end, it didn't matter what we {the parents} looked like.

You can imagine my startle when as we're getting started Ariana looks to me and says that she is going to let the kids play while she takes pictures of the hubby and myself first.  "GAH!"  But I was trying to go with the flow,  play it cool, act cas {casual}, so I agreed.

Our first few poses were a bit tense/awekward, but then I remembered...

{She's a professional, she wants the pictures to look great just as much as I do, and the most important part was to have fun and relax.  And oh yeah, we've been married for 8 years, dated since I was 13, fear of PDA {public displays of affection} shouldn't even exist}  So I took a deep breath and I did it!  I'm so thankful that she suggested it, because hubby and I really needed couple shots and Ariana was great!  She was encouraging, helpful, gave suggestions, walked me through it, and it was fun.  Her husband Brian {who was in our wedding} was there too.  He has become her side-kick and he was there capturing moments and encouraging us right along side her.

It was a lot of fun, and even though the kiddos didn't quite cooperate, the weather was perfect, leaves were on the ground, love was in the air, and it ended all too quickly.

I encourage you to consider Ariana for your future photo taking needs, she's awesome.  Check our her website, she blogged about us!

Also, for those that would like to see the rest of the pictures, check them out { http://www.digiproofs.com/facesinfocusphotography/   Password: Brandie } I am quite pleased with how the pictures turned out.  Thanks Ariana!  I think you've found yourself some repeat customers!

Special Assembly Day

We have had a very busy past few weeks.

I haven't recorded much of any of it, so I will work backwards starting from Sunday.

This past Sunday we had our S.A.D!

It was timely information and I especially appreciated the last talk about comforting others.  The part about comforting the depressed really hit home because I have depression as well as many people that I care about.

Aside from the many bathroom breaks that the kids took {why couldn't they coordinate their timing and WHY couldn't I remember to ask the other if they needed to go while I was taking the one, I have no clue.  But as soon as I got back from taking one, the other needed to go...kinda made me crazy. }  I missed a few talk transitions, which was sad, but the day was a success otherwise.  We missed you Nani and Tricia Jane.  We recognized at least one young girl from our hall who got Baptised!  There were 18 total, and 2,345 in attendance for the morning session, didn't hear how many for the afternoon.

I severely slacked in photo taking, but I took a few at least.  A very few.  Sorry for the blurriness, and fluorescent lighted people.

We bumped into a sweet sister from P&K's French Congregation that I just love

Love that boy

My Guys, love them!
Mmmm mmmm, I could look at that handsome man all day :D

KennaKat was having a "moment" and didn't want her picture taken and hubby couldn't get the camera to work right, so we only got blurry pictures like this...

Look at that gap :)  He makes me grin every time I see it!

Finally got a smile out of her, and it's blurry, grrr

The first of their friends that we bumped into.  Little CH.

2 sweet girls in our hall

KennaKat wasn't the only one having a "moment" before the session started. :)

C, K, and K
Three sweet girls

Every now and then, I caught them holding hands...melts my heart :)

Caught holding hands again :)

Nearing the end of the lunch Break, I realized that I couldn't find Ethylwolfe and his friend was missing too.

After hunting around for 10 minutes and asking everyone I bumped into, I found him at our seats waiting for me to take him to the bathroom.  Thanks for giving me a heart attack son!

After the program, we went out to dinner with our friends L&T and their 3 kids.  Due to the kids being sick and being busy, I hadn't seen L in a few weeks.  It was great catching up and a Great "Special" Day all around.

Hopefully our next SAD will be at our own Assembly Hall.... Hopefully!!!

Pizza Nights

As an Anniversary present this year, our loving family gave us an awesome gift.

Something we {major 'all things kitchen' crazed obsessed people} have been wanting for a long long time.  You know, one of those things you've always wanted, but could never afford to get for yourself...  Our very own nice and shiny, powerful, handy dandy Kitchen Aid!

You don't know how excited we were to receive it.  We are so thankful to our family for such a gift.  We couldn't wait to give it a try.  For the first few weeks, I wouldn't be lying if I said hubby used it almost every single day.

But enough about getting it.

Let's talk about how it's used.

Aside from it's general awesomeness of mixing everything we need mixed, 

and popping out cookie dough left and right

This baby puts in most of her hours making pizza dough.

That's right, I said it, pizza dough.

The hubby has become quite the pizza makin' machine.

We have pizza for dinner at least twice a week...yep.

I wont lie, I absolutely love that I don't have to cook 2 meals a week.

And what could be better than pizza twice a week.

Made fresh, with whatever toppings my heart so chooses.

I have majorly slacked in the picture taking department for our pizza nights.

So take a gander at the kids making their own pizza under daddy's instruction

Sorry they are so blurry, I hope to take better ones soon.

Look at those hands, she's a natural!

She went a bit crazy with the cheese!

Receiving proper spoon swirl instructions

Fresh mozzarella and pepperoni, mmm

Yum!

Quite proud of himself!

I would like to thank the family for giving my hubby the desire to make pizza several times a week.

And I'd like to thank the hubby for making pizza several times a week.

You're awesome!

Bon Appetit!

What We're Reading...

Dude: Fun with Dude and Betty

By Lisa Pliscou

Illustrated by Tom Dunne

So a few weeks ago, when I accompanied Ethylwolfe on his trip to the book store, 

a parent chose this book to read to the class.  It was totally rad.  

He even spoke with the true tone of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

To describe it, I guess I'd say it's a totally non-bogus, 

surfer version of a Dick and Jane book.

It's for beginning readers too!

Everyone: the kids, teachers, parents enjoyed this book.

I was cracking up from the front cover to the end.

The awesomest thing about it?

E's art teacher's Husband illustrated the book.

Way Cool!

So I wanted to buy the book that day, but left my wallet at the school when we went.  Then we were camping, and then robbed and just busy and I totally forgot to get the book.

I couldn't find it on my search at the library, but it just came out a few months ago, so no surprise there.

I do recommend that you get your hands on a copy, It's Righteous!

It'll be one of those stories you want to read every day, trust me!

Oh! and at the end, there's a glossary for surf speak!

Love Moment

Snuggling on the couch with my best little girl.

She's resting her head on my arm, and before I know it, 

she's running her hand through my hair.

Complete comfort, unaware that she's even doing it, a feeling of love and security.

I love it.

Being a mom is the best feeling in the world!

What We're Reading...

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

By Beverly Cleary

Last year I read 'The Mouse and the Motorcycle' to Ethylwolfe.
It was the first chapter book that he really got into.

He was so concerned about the mouse and that awesome motorcycle.
There were tons and tons of questions.
Lots of anticipation.
and almost every night, he begged "Please, just one more chapter!"

He loved the book and so did I.

Beverly Cleary wrote other mouse adventures.
We haven't read them yet, but I look forward to doing just that with him soon.

happy reading!

What We're Reading...

What we're reading...

Buzz boy and fly guy books

by Tedd Arnold

If you've got a child, especially a son,

that is an early reader, beginner reader, looking for fun stories to read,

Between the ages of 4 and 7

He'll LOVE these books!

They have gross stuff, silly stuff, boy stuff in them

They are in the style of beginner comic book, and were the first of the 'longer' books

that my son read all on his own.

Buzz boy and his pet fly guy are super heroes

that go on many fun adventures

Ted Arnold has lots of children's books out there

I recommend any of them, but especially these.

My daughter likes them too, but especially the boy 

check 'em out!

**Oh and in case you are wondering, they are teacher approved

She says that it is difficult to find good early reader books for boys and she LOVES this series for them!