Happy Everything!

My new find.  Don't you just L-O-V-E it?!   I have been stalking this platter for months.  Today, I decided it needed to be mine.  It was my "Happy belated birthday, my husband is out of town for 7 days, and by the way he'll be gone for our 15th anniversary" present to myself.  The school bus at the top is held on with velcro so that you can change it with the season.  Check out the new link to the left for details (Coton colors) or click here.  You'll love their ornaments and all the goodies that you didn't know you needed but must have!

Decision made

A baby sock that just appeared in my dryer this week.  I haven't had a girl baby sock in my house in 9 years.  Hmmm...

A big decision has been made here.  And I don't mean the one to buy a new computer, which is why I haven't posted in a while.  The decision is to expand our family.  For the last year, this subject has been the elephant in the room, the little voice that wouldn't go away, the longing that has been tugging at us.  I shutter now to think that what got in the way of making the decision were the things that matter the least in life.  Our yard is ugly (an adoption means we can't afford landscaping this year), no get-away trip for our 15th anniversary (which we don't want to take anyway because we'd miss the kids too much), the realization that we would have a high schooler and a kindergartener at the same time (but don't we all love kindergarteners?)   This unborn child has already shown its wisdom by stripping away all that is unnecessary in life and showing us what we value the most.  In return, I would like to say this to my 4th baby:  Do not worry.  I will find you.  You are meant to be mine.  Divine intervention will lead me to you, just as I was led to your siblings.  Our yard is ugly but I know you don't care.  You just need to be loved and wanted and we can promise that.  See you soon.  Love, Mommy.

Chit chat, party of four

One of my favorite things to do is gather my children together in a confined space and talk.  The best conversations come from these chit chats - how they are feeling, what they are up to, what is  most important to them that day.   Car rides are great for this, a captive audience with no escape!   Today, my in-laws graciously took my children to a local children's museum.  They came back sweaty, exhausted and full of stories.  Seeing as I had purchased a new fuzzy throw for the master bedroom while they were gone, I suggested they shower, put on fresh clothes and join me for a snuggle.  It worked like a charm.   They raced to get showered and ready and we gathered on my bed under the softest throw ever made (courtesy of Pier 1).  The result was resting, talking, listening, laughing and since my camera was in my room, a few pictures.  These are the moments I want to capture and cling tight to, the moments that cost nothing but mean everything.  Find your own moment today.

Summer bargains

Oh how I love a bargain.  Not a bargain for the sake of a quick retail high but a useful bargain, something that follows my mantra of "If you don't love it or use it, why do you own it?"   I've found a few of those bargains lately, all courtesy of Target's dollar section.   Have you ever tried to occupy young boys during the summer?   Well apparently the god or goddess buyer for the dollar section has, because the past few weeks have provided some bargain boredom busters.   The boys zeroed in on these guys right away-
plastic firemen and policemen.   All of our legos houses, rubber animals and playmobil people can sleep easy knowing that they are protected by the newly purchased public service.  I love that they were simple, classic and something that the boys love to play together.  They love it that they were in the dollar section and they could afford to pay for them themselves!

Second find was these flash cards, highlighting landmarks around the world.  Picture on the front, facts on the back.  Every night at dinner, we each choose one and read about it.  Some we have learned are the Suez Canal, the Floating Shinto Shrine Gate and the Stone Statues of Moai Monoliths - facts that I am somewhat hopeful that I will remember and quite sure that my children will remember.  They can not wait to come to dinner each night to, hold on to your hats........LEARN!   Whoopee!    

And the bargain that makes all other bargains jealous on a hot day - the mini kiddie cone for 10 cents (or 14 cents for chocolate dipped).   Makes even the cheapskate mom look like a big spender!   What have you been spending your dollars and cents on?