2009 March — We are THAT Family

A Mother’s Necklace {Giveaway}

7:00 am Bykristen

*Update with Winner* Thank you all for entering! I knew you would love rhb designs as much as I do! Congratulations to our random winner, JJ.

Family ties.

They bind us.

(Think positive, happy thoughts).

Ahem.

Seriously, though, when it comes down to it, life is about family bonds.

And that’s why I love today’s giveaway.

Rosalynn of rhb designs has created a beautiful Mother’s Necklace, named Family Ties. It is fashioned to contain your children’s names, as well as Mom and Dad’s.

Isn’t it unique? And lovely?

Of her creation, Rosalynn says “The center heart is sterling silver and has a hammered finish, it is also domed. It has different options– it can include two short names on the bottom, two longer names listed one on top of the other, initials, a date, or can be left blank. The circle is a 1.25″ sterling silver disc and can fit 30 letters/spaces with the lower case fancy font, or 36 letters/spaces with the uppercase typewriter font. It comes with a 16″ or 18″ dainty ball chain, cable chains are available upon request.”

The value is $40.

If you’d like to be entered to win this beautiful custom necklace for yourself or for a Mom in your life, please leave a comment and tell Rosalynn what else you like in her darling store, rhb designs!

This giveaway will end on Thursday.

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WFMW Reminder

9:30 pm Bykristen

Just a friendly reminder from your WFMW friend….

This week will be Backwards WFMW!

Present a dilemma to your readers and let them help you come up with a solution!

Now, I’m off to narrow down my list of dilemmas.

That is all.

You are free to roam about the cabin.

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Either My Bladder Has Fallen or That was Really Funny

12:01 am Bykristen

My hubby can say two words and send me into a fit of giggles.

“Brother Davis.”

It’s not so much the words, it’s the way he says it,

In “Sister Lizzie’s” voice.

We met Sister Lizzie during the first two years of our marriage where we worked as Youth Pastors in our first church staff position.

She was one of the many senior citizens in our church and she loved testimony night. She was married to Charles (we think, it could have been her brother. I’m serious). She would vie for the microphone and once claimed, it wasn’t easily surrendered.

Two occasions stand out in my memory. She always started off in her unmistakeable voice,

“Brother Davis, I just wanna praise the Lord tonight. I want to thank God because my sister has been stuck in bed at my house. I been trying to help her, but it’s so hard. She’s driving me crazy. I greased up her legs and rubbed them down with Vaseline and she slipped right out of the bed! I just wanna thank the Lord because now she’s in the hospital and she’s out of my house.”

I have to say “Sister Lizzie’s” testimonies were a highlight of our time in that little Arkansas church. And that is saying a lot. It wasn’t an easy job, but every time we saw her reach for the microphone nearly every Sunday night, my new hubby would give me a secret smile.

You just never knew what she was going to say.

And that’s what made it so good!

“Brother Davis, I just want to thank the Lord. I’ve been so clogged up and constipated. My insides are all wound up. I prayed and I prayed and He heard my pleas. I got diarrhea from the Lord!”

Oh, yes, she did.

And dear Brother Davis nearly broke his neck trying to get the microphone away from here.

The other night my hubby got started in his “Sister Lizzie” voice. He must have known I needed to laugh.

But I should have gone to the bathroom first.

{What makes you laugh? Even when you don’t want to…I won’t ask about your bladder!}

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Pink Toes

7:00 pm Bykristen

It was time.

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THAT Family Tree Society-Issue 36

12:01 am Bykristen

Picture of the Week:

last week

last year, 2008

The Week in Review: For the second Spring Break in a row we went to the Live Stock Show/Rodeo. Look how much my kids have grown in a year! Weird that the chicks are still the same size though…..

Introduction to The Society: Mommy Daily Vent! Check out this post she submitted. She is definitely a family member!

1. Tell us a little about your blog (name/reason why you blog):

My blog is Mommy Daily Vent. I think it’s pretty self explanatory, but any mom of 4 under the age of 10 has to have her venting moments, doesn’t she. I blog for release, but also to keep from feeling alone. That sounds pathetic, doesn’t it? I have 3 in school and one at home and sometimes I need to feel connected with another adult besides a toddler who wants CHEESE!!!

2. How long have you blogging?

tyle="font-family:'times new roman';">

A little over a year. I love following other blogs too. Tips and recipes are my favorite, but a good belly laugh never hurts either.

3. How would you define THAT family?

THAT family rolls with the punches, even if the punches sometimes throw you for a loop. THAT family is also the one that everyone dreads seeing at the grocery store, because we take up a whole aisle and take 3 hours to get thru the store!!!!

4. When did you discover you were a part of THAT family?

Maybe after child #3 was born. Face it, you have to loosen your standards a bit and not be quite so on top of things when you have 3 children under the age of 5.

5. Where can we find your blog?

Find me at http://mommydailyvent.blogspot.com

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DIYP #41 A Thrifty Window Seat Makeover

7:00 am Bykristen

My master bedroom is average size and pretty ordinary. The focal point is this window with a seat large enough to sit on.

For nearly 5 years, we’ve just piled stuff there.

Before

I have felt inspired to makeover the area several times, but felt very uninspired every time I checked into having a custom cushion made.

After flipping thru a magazine, I realized that the answer was in pillows. Now, throw pillows aren’t always cheap, but if you shop around, use what you have and get creative, it’s amazing what you can create.

Before I tackled the pillow issue, I moved my existing curtain rod to the outside of the window, so the panels would create a small room feeling. You can see in the above picture where the rod was (the little white patch where I need to touch up the paint).

Next, I made several pillows out of napkins. I bought a package of napkins (they usually come 4 or 8 in a package). I love this option because it involves absolutely no sewing!

I matched up the sides and glued them together, leaving a hole small enough for stuffing.

I used this glue:

Make sure you glue a little at a time, not like I’m showing you in the picture below. I learned as I went that it’s hard to match up sides that have already been glued. It’s much easier to match up sides and add glue by lifting the edges.

I let the ‘pillows’ dry overnight. And stuffed them the next day. I couldn’t believe how well the fabric bonded!

I glued up the remaining seam and it’s hard to tell which pillows came off my bed, which ones I bought at WalMart for $5 and which one are napkins glued together for less than $2 each!

The most expensive part of the project was the outdoor lawn cushion I bought ($30). It’s not the exact size of the window seat, but I think it still looks pretty good!

I used some hooks I had on hand from Hobby Lobby ($2.99 each) to hold back the curtains. I spray painted two matching candleholders I’d retired to my garage and shopped my house for a couple of coordinating candleholders.

after

The entire makeover cost around $50!

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Unplugged

4:00 pm Bykristen

The deeper I delve into this blogging community, the more I realize that I belong here.

But I have also discovered that this online world is a powerful vortex that is enticing and time-consuming. And as much it enhances my real life, I cannot let it become my life.

I need to blog. I need to write. I need to use my voice. But I do not want my children to remember being raised from behind my computer.

This is the work I want to pursue. I decided recently I need “work hours.” I wrote down a schedule for allotted computer time. I posted the hours near my laptop as a constant reminder of my goals. It’s going to take some discipline but I’m giving myself an E for effort.

In my journey, I’ve learned that many others struggle with finding the same balance. Pampering Beki issued an Unplugged challenge encouraging bloggers and readers to unplug one day a week. I decided to join in and rearranged my blog posting schedule to six days a week instead of seven. I’m encouraging our entire family to unplug all the screens in our house one day a week!

And on the heels of that decision, I learned that Kimba declared Friday (tomorrow) a day to unplug and catch up on life. I’ll be joining her and turning off my computer for 24 hours starting tonight. Look for my DIY post late Friday night (it’s a fun one!).

I love the Internet. I think it is a valuable tool and it has taken this stay-at-home Mom on an amazing journey and I look forward to the future. But striking a balance is crucial to truly healthy living.

How do you strike a balance? Do you ever feel the need to unplug?

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Smarty Pants

7:00 am Bykristen

I live with smart people.

(And I’m not just talking about being outsmarted or smart mouths).

In order to challenge the third grade class, my daughter’s teacher decided to let her students create their own spelling list if they scored a 100% on the new list at the beginning of each week.

The catch? The student-created spelling lists must contain words that are challenging.

In other words, that leaves out words like: bed, dog, bat

But that’s okay with my daughter. Here’s her list:

And the circled words emanations and picador?

Yes, I did that.

In my lofty, English-degreed mind, I circled the ones that I didn’t think were words.

You know, to help my daughter out.

Turns out they are words:

em·a·na·tion

(

-n

1. The act or an instance of emanating.

a. Something that issues from a source; an emission.

b. Chemistry Any of several radioactive gases that are isotopes of radon and are products of radioactive decay.

pic·a·dor (pk-dôr, pkä-dôr)

n. pl. pic·a·dors or pic·a·do·res

A horseman in a bullfight who lances the bull’s neck muscles so that it will tend to keep its head low for the later stages of the fight.

And that I’m way out of my league.

I think I’ll just color with my 2 year old.

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WFMW: The Second Hand

7:00 am Bykristen

I have always loved a bargain. When I was a teenager, my Dad would give my sister and I a $10 bill for shopping. My sister would return with an adorable shirt from the mall.

I would return with an entire wardrobe from the thrift store, albeit smelly.

My love for second hand items came alive in college. Everything in my dorm room and closet were gently used. This art became a gift during the first years of my marriage and a necessity when we had babies on one income.

And even though there are some things I can afford now, I will not pay full price until I first exhaust my second hand options.

I don’t mind if you call me the second hand queen (as long as you attach queen to the title).

Tips for shopping second hand:

Shop with a plan-know current sizes or estimate off season sizes
Familiarize yourself with retail prices so you know a good deal when you see it
Check items carefully for holes, stains, broken zippers, etc
Forget the stigma especially during these economic times
Ask, “Is this the best price you can do?” You might be surprised at the answer
Check for coupons, discounts, specials-even thrift and resale shops offer these

Tips for selling your second hand items to a resale store:

Make sure your items are clean and in good working condition
Check online for product recalls
Know the value of new and used for the item(s)
Decide before you go how much you will take for your big items
If you’re at a resale store, take store credit instead of cash. They often offer 20% more if you shop in their store with your credit.

Places to second hand shop:

Garage sales
Thrift stores
Resale shops
Ebay
Craigslist
Freecycle
Classified ads
Swap Mamas (created by blogger Mommy Pie)

Children’s resale chain stores (I’ve frequented that offer name brands):

Kid to Kid (this is the one I use most often)

Once Upon a Child

Children’s Orchard

Just Between Friends

Here’s a few children’s online resale stores:

Rascal’s Resale

Cheap Kid’s Clothes

Worn but Not Forgotten

Kids Again Online

Want more? Follow this link.

70% of my kid’s items are second hand. The rest are items I find on clearance. Much of my home decor is from thrift stores or garage sales also. I found a great kid’s resale shop in my town and I’m one of their best customers. (I’m not bragging, the owner told me that! I’m not proud).

The other day I took in this potty chair, a booster seat and a couple of toys my toddler had outgrown. I was given $37.49 in store credit. I used a 20% off frequent shopper coupon and bought some nearly new name brand shoes and this adorable outfit:

Plus this awesome picnic table:

I paid $2.14 cash for the difference.

Can I get an Amen?

Buying second hand works for me!

Don’t forget to enter my fun giveaway going on right now, it’s even better than second hand because it’s free!

{Thank you for joining me for WFMW! You can read the guidelines here.}

Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you’d like to share? I’d love for you to join us! Please note that the links will close at 8 pm CST tonight, in order to keep away the spammers!

Please note that NEXT WEEK, April 1st, there will be a BACKWARDS Edition of WFMW: Present a dilemma to your readers and get their best ideas!

Was your link deleted? Click here.

Links have now been closed. Please join us next week for our Backwards WFMW edition!

Works for Me Wednesday Participants

1. “Cents”able Momma (Easter Ideas in the Kitchen)
2. Amy @ Finer Things (Virtual Great American Bake Sale)
3. Mother Hen (Herbal Remedies)
4. Rina (Get better pictures from [almost] any camera)
5. Living With Lindsay (Easy DIY Tassels)
6. Kirsty@Momedy-Conquering Paper Clutter-Easy!!
7. The Diaper Diaries (Board Games)
8. Hillary @ The Other Mama
9. Lana @ ilovemy5kids (EASY Recipe)
10. Mom\’s Blog Resource (blog memes)
11. Heather @ Just Doing My Best (a new twist on playgrounds)
12. Ali (homemade diaper sprayer)
13. Homemaker Barbi (Entertain Sick Kids)
14. Kim @ Forever Wherever {No Sew Pillow Giveaway}
15. Real Life: Fix Fuzzy Web Graphics
16. Chief Family Officer (Homemade pizza dough tip)
17. Cents to Get Debt Free (Easy/Quick Mopping Tip)
18. Raising Olives (Custom Color Chalkboard Paint
19. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Gardening??)
20. Upstatemomof3
21. Holly@Homebody(Dollar Store Decor)
22. “Smart Recipe Substitutions”-Kelly the Kitchen Kop
23. Kristie (Adopt a School)
24. Colleen – Mommy Always Wins (swapping toys)
25. EveryChapter (Baby Time)
26. Green Baby Guide (BEST children\’s books)
27. Amber (pressure cooker)
28. Kristin -The Goat (Coffee Caddi)
29. Sunnymama
30. It Feels Like Chaos (parenting help)
31. Janet (heathly snacking)
32. Smockity Frocks (Red Envelope Project)
33. Lindsay @ Passionate Homemaking (produce savers: green bags)
34. Karla @ Ramblin\’ Roads (organizing tiny bedroom)
35. Sunnymama (fabric highchair alternative)
36. Bake at 350 (squeeze bottles for icing)
37. Cooking During Stolen Moments (unstuffed pepper skillet dinner)
38. Becky (Kids Portraits)
39. A Simple Walk (abundance of citrus and Help!)
40. Erin (Joy in parenting)
41. Andrea (quick cleaning tips)
42. steadymom (buy bigger underwear)
43. Mom of Faith (Fresh Clothes)
44. Here\’s The Diehl (making time for mom)
45. Three More Bites (quick crockpot recipe)
46. Such The Spot (Stop the R Word)
47. Raise Them Up (Frugal Time-Saving Landscape Tip)
48. Louise (Getting Rid of Paper)
49. Daiquiri (boys haircut tips)
50. Tanna (Take A Picture)
51. Melonie K. (consolidate/simplify)
52. ElizabethG (free long distance calling)
53. Maria D. (Use for old banana))
54. Our Nifty Notebook (Label Cloud)
55. Audrey (Getting Out The Door Quickly)
56. Kate @ Which Proverbs 14:1 Woman- Accountability & Meme
57. Effortless Savings (Stretching Cheese)
58. Weird, Unsocialized HS\’ers (math fun)
59. Sarah Eliza (substitute conditioner for shaving cream!)
60. GROCERY CART CHALLENGE (save on Dr. visits)
61. Health Begins With Mom (Healthy Kids\’ Lunches!)
62. Happy to be at Home (Pain-free Budgeting)
63. Diana/Ladybug Limited (Baking 5 Min. Bread)
64. Katie @ Clean and Classic Interiors(linens)
65. Stretch Mark Mama (Make Your Own Resurrection Eggs)
66. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger (chalkboard paint)
67. Joy @ Five J\’s (Music Theory Curriculum)
68. Candace (Inexpensive Window Treatments)
69. Thrifty Jinxy (Start Garden Seedlings)
70. Rebecca/Loosely Speaking (LASIK )
71. Elizabeth (GF shopping tips)
72. The Messy Mom (clean with lemons)
73. Lynn from OrganicMania.com (Recycled seed starter kits)
74. momsfrugal(picnics on the porch!)
75. Katherine @ Relishing Life (Keeping Clean)
76. Monica @ DailyDwelling (A Woman Inspired)
77. momstheword (coffee cake recipe)
78. se7en (Journals for kids)
79. Molly Green (Cereal Stuff)
80. Robin ~ PENSIEVE ($$$ for kids\’ school!)
81. Heidi @ Blue Eyed Blessings (quick card assembly tip)
82. Amy @ Living Locurto (Free stuff for you!)
83. Brandi @ My Cup Runneth Over… (Putting Metal In the Microwave)
84. Emily (Prayer Books)
85. LaVonne (child labor)
86. Creative2xmom (breakfast out of the pantry)
87. DropTheBabyWeight:Take Captive Every Thought
88. Leanne – Flat Pack Hack
89. Tracey @ Girls to Grow (sweet sleep)
90. Mary Ann (sharing financial responsibility)
91. Anne @ Teaching Two (Discovery)
92. Brianna @ Heart(h) Management (Shining Your Fill-in-the-Blank))
93. Kates Kitchen: Making your own pizza
94. Lindsay @ Passionate Homemaking (produce savers: green bags)
95. sarah at i blame mom (tooth fairy)
96. Mari (keeping bathroom fresh)
97. Tara @ Feels like Home (make a color board)
98. Becky (weekly schedule)
99. BusyMom (time for mom)
100. LANA- HAGGLING to get the best deals
101. Life with the Lyngs (nursery decor)
102. The 6 O\’Clock Stitch (House that Cleans Itself!)
103. Susan @ Practicing Thrift (trying store brands)
104. *Michelle* (Pay it Forward fun!)
105. target="_blank">Bailey\’s Leaf (Starting Seeds)
106. Kelli (Kids Car Kit)
107. Sara @ Learning the Frugal Life(dryer sheets)
108. Lori (the little bouillon cube)
109. Camian Academy (Dressed to My Shoes)
110. Newlyweds (Happy to be home)
111. TuTu (Publishing Tips)
112. Everything Moms (Bringing spring to my kitchen!)
113. flexible dreams (yogurt tip and giveaway)
114. Debbie J (Launch Pad and Overflow Bag
115. Aunt LoLo (Diaper Pails and a GIVEAWAY!)
116. JanMary, N Ireland (easy banana bread)
117. Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet (Sweet Sleep)
118. Shannon (non-dairy calcium sources)
119. Cindy (camping with small kids)
120. MC (Best Biscuits!)
121. BeyondJustMom (Refrigerator Wisdom)
122. songbirdtiff (15 minutes= clean house!)
123. Hoosier Homemade(Household Organizer)
124. Jennifer @ Joyful & Graceful Living ($300/month Grocery Budget)
125. Bloom Where You\’re Planted!
126. Allyson @ A Heart For Home (Baked Ziti ~ Easy for the Freezer or for a Crowd)
127. Allyson @ A Heart For Home (My Morning Routine)
128. Buffie (Removing Cupcakes From Pan)
129. PapuaGirl (Amazing Free Online Financial organizer!)
130. Counting Sprinkles (Doing Disney)
131. Jennifer (magazines in homeschool)
132. Dusty(An Unconventional Storage Option)
133. Michelle(Cheap,wholesome entertainment)
134. Jendi
135. Lynn (40 min rolls)
136. Rachel @ Must Share (Cleaning out the dresser)
137. Abel (12 Birthday Kids Party Tips)
138. Laryssa @Heaven In The Home (Dino Eggs: Kids Snack)

139. Kristi_runwatch (Kid-art gallery)
140. Parenting the Tiniest of Miracles (Lingerie Straps)
141. Erika@homegrown family (sewing a tie)
142. 4 sweet sisters- Facial Cleanser
143. Joanna @ Grace In The Home (Rebates for Online Shopping)
144. Olivia -Doggie Backsplash
145. Candace (photography)
146. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum (exercising with kids in the spring!)
147. Better Is Little (Cute Compost Bucket)
148. Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam(tea parties all day)
149. Jackie @ Blessings Overflowing (Spice Rack Re-Purposing)
150. pennypinchinmomma( easy menu plans)
151. KLee- cleaning the catch-all room
152. Alicia- cleaning out the closet
153. Kama (washing cloth diapers)
154. exhale. return to center. (working playdates)
155. Sandra (cleaning out the shed)
156. kristen (easy whoopie pies)
157. FamilyMakesCents (Save on lunch)
158. MoneywiseMoms (IKEA plates/cups)
159. Harmony (Ethnic food week)
160. Fly Away Family (uses for coffee grounds)
161. Penny Raine
162. Angelina
163. Robin@Heart of Wisdom (Notebook Planner)
164. Organizing kids toys
165. Joyfully Living – Pregnancy Tips
166. Jennifer @ Lirazel (little reminders)
167. Holley (7 Steps to Easy and Inspiring Journal)
168. Amy (kid-friendly artwork display)
169. In…Fence (Twirly Skirt)
170. Manda @ LambsInHisArms (Memorizing Scripture with Preschoolers)
171. BerryMorins Bits & Tips – Guest Bathroom
172. Kirstin: Perspective
173. Mom2ThreeAdoptedSibs (Homeschooling)
174. Traci Best (Thinking about Homeschooling?)
175. EckLife-Kids smoothies
176. Thoughts by Kim (Food Journaling)
177. Milehimama (Mama Says)
178. Amy @ Tiny Blessings (keeping track of post ideas)
179. Joy (no spending challenge)
180. Houstonmom (getting kids to eat salad)
181. Thoughts by Kim (Lemons to the Rescue)
182. Amy (oil burner)
183. Kaye (NOT Cutting People Off in Traffic)
184. Wani (interview w/ an author)
185. The Cozy Country Home (organic fruit wash)
186. Abbi (easy window washing)
187. Nichole (free audiobooks!)
188. Kristen@PajamaMama (Toile Playroom Windowseat
189. Michelle @ Saving Some Green (Uses for Tortillas)
190. TrentTribe (still filling freezer)
191. Michelle (Pancakes with character)
192. Susan @ Feeling Frugal (Organized Shoes using a Recycled Gate)
193. Maria(simple living-drying baggies)
194. What\’s Cooking (labeling my pantry)
195. Lisa @ Moore Minutes (KID ZONES)
196. Lynne(Breast Cancer-new info that you must read and pass on )
197. What is it NOW (God Language)
198. Paula@Organizing Tips (Children)
199. Three boys…lots of crazy (cutting your kids\’ food FAST)
200. Garibay Soup (Company Launch – GIVEAWAY -!!!!!!!
201. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places (Joining a Co-Op)
202. Niffer @ Munchkinland (family chore charts)
203. TidyMom (Eyeshadow Primer)
204. Traci (Hot Breakfast Ideas)
205. sarah (balloon clips)
206. Julie Stiles Mills (how to be a cool mom)
207. Rhen @ Yes, they are all mine! (ear candles)
208. Saving Money Ideas (macaroni & cheese)
209. Julie From Inmates
210. From the Desk of a Princess (Sleeping Beauty)
211. Lauren @ Home with Olivia
212. jubilee (toy control)
213. My Frugal Adventures (Best Cookbook Ever)
214. href="http://veggiemomof2.blogspot.com/2009/03/make-your-own-magnets.html%20(make%20magnets)" target="_blank">Veggiemomof2
215. Nikke (shopping w/kids)
216. Rachael @ Beans & Rice (the best snack)
217. Maren – toy storage bins
218. The Thrifty Mommy (Who Would Want This Thing?)
219. Thoughts by Kim (Bath Junkie)
220. Martia (Two Bathrooms)
221. Proverbs30One
222. Not So Perfect(YourBabyCan Read)
223. Kari (10 Minutes Of Silence)
224. Tiff (Soft Feet & Fixing Squeaks!)
225. Amy @ muddy boots (loads and LOADS of laundry)
226. Overwhelmed Working Mom (collective Girlfriend birthday parties
227. Jan (kids staying in bed)
228. Carrie (Pizza Dough)
229. Joy (Receiving blanket overload)
230. Katie in Europe
231. Earn Money Every Friday with YouData
232. Cooking Up A Family-clothes pins
233. Stacey (making bedtime EASY and fun for young children)
234. \’Becca (restaurant leftovers)
235. Sandra @ A Lot of Savings (Banana Bread Recipe)
236. Eileen (Recycle Water with a Kitchen Windowsill Garden)
237. Kristin K (Personal Recipes)
238. Charlotte @ mama2tlc (popsicle alternative)
239. Peggy @ rainberryblue (spend less money doing laundry)
240. phyllis (year to year)
241. Rock Garden
242. missy @ missysthrifty (busy Wed)
243. Jamie (aka Mrs. Sour Britches)
244. Jenna (Crockpot Chicken Tacos)
245. Free 2 Be Frugal (FIRE BOWL)
246. Ruth Saves $ (Eliminating Children\’s Bedtime Drama)
247. Mumologic (Yogurt made in Slowcooker)
248. Claywoman (Eating Oreos)
249. Marcy @ Stretching a Buck (Freezing Leftover Fruit)
250. Amanda @ Save, Spend, and Manage Wisely – Homemade Teething Biscuits
251. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates (Dried Spice Tips)
252. Christine (the BEST cereal!!!)
253. cuz I\’m the mommy, that\’s why
254. D&L;\’s Momma (Laundry Issues)
255. Wonderwoman -Great deals at Small Grocer!
256. Carolina Mama (Weight Watchers Girl &Winners;)
257. mub (combating depression)
258. Linda\’s Lunacy(Kids School Projects)
259. Harper (leaving wheat)
260. Amyswandering (List of Recipe Sites)
261. Shauna @ Treasure Seekers (wildlife webcams)
262. BossSanders (Getting Water Out Of Bath Toys)
263. Hollie@CommonCentsMom (Earth Hour)
264. Tons of Sons ~Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
265. Grateful for Grace (healing mouth ulcers)
266. ChickyMama@ Happy Little House (Kid Clothes)
267. Sonshine(dried onions)
>268. Jenne (fun Easter idea, Christian)
269. Terri @ Funny Farm (Family friendly happy hour)
270. Taylor at Household Management 101 (how to clean a microwave)
271. Annies Home (helpful tips)
272. Sandwiched (Indoor waterpark review: photos)
273. michelle (giveaways all week)
274. Emily @ A Place of My Own (Giving kids choice in their clothes)
275. Melissa
276. Terry

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Engraved Euniques {Giveaway}

7:00 am Bykristen

*UPDATED* Congratulations to BrudCrew! You’re the random winner!

[Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th. For the next 7 weeks, I will be featuring Mom-based business' with fantastic giveaways and unique handmade gift ideas each Tuesday for the Mom in your life]

I became a Mother so I could get gifts on Mother’s Day.

Okay, I’m completely kidding, but companies like Engraved Euniques make me glad there is such a day. (And yes, honey, that is a hint).

Engraved Euniques can create any saying or phrase you want! Here are some of my favorites in celebration of Mother’s Day:

I love personalized items and I love their amazing custom products!

And guess what? Engraved Euniques is offering one custom item to one lucky reader! Winner can choose anything from the site (personzlized or not) or design their own! (Value: A lot)

Please visit this fun store and leave a comment here about something you’d like to see engraved!

This giveaway will end on Thursday.

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Guest Post

11:57 am Bykristen

I’m talking about raising generous kids over at The Generosity Experiment. I’d love to read your ideas for raising kids who love to give!

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Duke

7:00 am Bykristen

Every farm needs a dog or two (so I learned on our little Spring Breakaway to my in-laws farm this past week).

Meet Duke:

He’s a cow dog, in training.

At 12 weeks old, he’s not only adorable, he’s the little brother my son will never have (or the puppy, for that matter).

And Duke takes his job seriously:

His innate sense of herding comes from his bloodline.

The puppy breath is just a bonus.

He wears his name like a Title. But as with all babies, there is human baby talk.

His regal name was quickly transformed into a pet name by the aunts, uncles and cousins.

Duke turned Dookie.

And my proper mother-in-law turned ashen.

She declared, “I will not have a farm dog named Dookie!”

And she vowed to rename him once her children’s children returned home.

Scooter just didn’t have the same effect.

Until I snapped this picture and my mind formed this caption:

“My two little Dookies.”

Come to think of it, Scooter is a nice cow dog name.

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THAT Family Tree Society-Issue 35

7:00 am Bykristen

Picture of the week:

The Week in Review: Nanny from The Farm came to visit during Spring Break for a few days. And one little girl waited in anticipation for hours! We reluctantly took her back home.

Introduction into The Society: Please help me welcome Jenny from Utah!

1. Tell us a little about your blog (name/reason why you blog):

My name is Jenny and I mostly blog because I stink at keeping a journal/diary. This has also been a great way to keep up with my sister who moved to Australia. Then I just found all this fun stuff to do in the name of blogging - so it has pretty much just turned into a full on addiction – is there a blogging patch? I named my blog “The Sound You Hear is … LIVING!” because I had a similar theme when I was a school teacher. My classroom was always the loudest and busiest, so I put a sign outside my door that read “The Sound You Hear is Learning”. Nowadays the same applies to family life, we are one of the noisiest and busiest families around, so this is just us, LIVING!

2. How long have you blogging?

I started in April 2008.

3. How would you define THAT family?

THAT family is the one that everyone else is looking at. THAT family is the one that breaks all the “rules”. THAT family is the one where a mom can walk through the grocery store with one child in the cart, one child lagging behind crying and one being dragged on the floor, and her head is still held high! THAT family makes other families ask for a different booth in a restaurant just by taking one look at who they would be sitting next to. THAT family is really enjoying life!

4. When did you discover you were a part of THAT family?

I’ve always known that we were THAT family … but tonight we were at a wedding dinner for my step sister’s daughter and our little guy (affectionately known as The Boy) was running around. My husband just turns to me and says, “Enjoy it Jenny, just enjoy it. It won’t be long before we’re looking at someone else whose kids are running all over the place. But for now, we are THAT family.” When he actually used the words THAT FAMILY, I knew I needed to grab a button and join the society.

5. Where can we find your blog?

My blog is at http://utahjenny.blogspot.com

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DIYP #39 My $4 Spring Makeover {Giveaway}

7:00 am Bykristen

*Update* Congratulations to Live Laugh Blog! You won a great grab bag of transfers!

This project is so simple even my kids could do it.

{I didn’t let them because I don’t play well with others}

I turned these white plates:

Into Spring plates (in about 15 minutes):

With some easy-to-use, rub ons!

Here’s how:

Cut out desired transfer. Center it, use credit card to rub on transfer and slowly pull back paper.

To remove, just scrape off!

I get most of my DIY ideas from magazines like Country Living and Better Homes & Garden 100 Decorating Ideas.

And that’s where I discovered Hambly Screen Prints.

I love this company! Their products are unique, colorful and affordable. The pink transfer sheet I used, Out on a Limb, cost $4! Here are a couple more of my favorites:

Silhouettes, in teal, $4

Chandeliers, black $5

They also carry unique overlays and amazing vellum paper!

Hambly Screen Prints sent an amazing assortment for one lucky readers. It’s a grab bag of most of the items they sell (value $40). Visit their store, mentally change your dishes for $4, and come back here and tell me what you like.

The lucky winner will be announced on Sunday.

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When Bloggers Don’t Blog

7:00 am Bykristen

I jumped into the blog community this time last year.

My blog was unknown and mostly unread.

There were a few people who believed in me from the beginning: my first commenters.

Strangers, who made my day.

And nearly every one of the blogs who welcomed me into this community and made me feel loved, have stopped blogging.

There are different reasons, some I know, others I don’t. I stay in contact with a couple through email, but others have deleted their blogs and I haven’t heard a word.

It’s like a friend moved away.

Which feels strange, just typing those words. How can I miss people I’ve never met in real life or spoken to in person?

I just experienced my first blogging conference where I put faces with names. It makes it all more real. Because (news flash) REAL people write blogs!

I’ve been thinking about why bloggers stop blogging. Do they run out of words because they’ve said it all? Are they compromised in some way? Too busy? Or just simply burned out from too much of an online life? There are probably a million different reasons.

If you blog, please remember that your words are powerful. They are read. The good and the bad. And when you leave this parallel world, you are missed.

I know many bloggers stop out of disappointment or because they don’t feel their blog is successful.

I think this is why commenting is so important. It’s not about receiving a hundred comments a day, it’s about the affirmation, the companionship that you receive. I make it a point to comment on several new blogs every week. Someone I don’t know, never heard of, because I want to be someone’s first commenter.

Why do you blog? Do you ever want to stop?

I have to say, I hope I’m never done.

(I know many of my readers do not have a blog, but I’m still very glad you’re a part of my world. How would you feel if you clicked to your favorite blog and it was gone?)

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WFMW-Easy Spring Wreath

7:00 am Bykristen

My Spring wreath on my front door has sprung. It was faded from several years of use and needed new life.

If you haven’t noticed, wreaths are expensive. Because the wreath-makers are proud people.

I pulled off the old stuff from the grapevine wreath and waited for inspiration.

It came in the latest issue of Country Living Magazine and from the candy aisle.

photo courtesy of Country Living

I bought one pound of Jordan Almonds ($6).

I fired up my glue gun and created this:

I hung it with some leftover ribbon and spray painted several coats of clear matte glaze to weatherproof it (and to stop myself from peeling off the yummy almonds in a desperate sugar rush).

Tips for making candy wreaths:

1. Use what you have (old wreaths can be made new again!)

2. Cover the wreath in candy and glue a few on the second layer for dimension.

3. Be creative-candy can make a great adornment if you seal it (Robin’s eggs, Jelly Beans, Peeps?) Coat the candy thoroughly with the sealant.

4. Carefully store by wrapping the wreath in paper and placing it in a box in a room temperature area. It should last a couple of years.

ADDED:

5. If you are experiencing a lot of moisture in your weather, I would use the wreath indoors. I had to reapply the sealant spray due to all the rain we’ve had.

{Thank you for joining me for WFMW! I’m so glad you’re here. You can read the guidelines here. You will find they are exactly like Shannon’s from Rocks in My Dryer. I’m excellent at copying and pasting. Some changes may occur in the future, but for now, the host is the only difference in this carnival.}

Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you’d like to share? I’d love for you to join us! Please note that the links will close at 8 pm CST Wednesday night, in order to keep away the spammers!

Was your link deleted? Click here.

Links have now closed. Please come back next week to join in!

Works for Me Wednesday Participants

1. Amy @ Finer Things (Alt Symbols)
2. “Cents”able Momma (Share the Meaning of Easter with Your Kids)
3. Smockity Frocks (Scheduling Kids in the Kitchen
4. The Diaper Diaries (Clean Bathroom)
5. Hannah @ Mulberry Spot (fruit and veggie stickers)
6. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Billions of Years Ago…)
7. Upstatemomof3
8. Homemaker Barbi (Kids Shopping Schedule)
9. Rhen @ Yes, they are all mine!
10. Living With Lindsay (Glue Gun Window Treatment)
11. Life At The Circus (Crayon Cleanup)
12. Lana @ ilovemy5kids (Kitchen Remodel Picts)
13. Kim @ Forever Wherever (making candles)
14. Muthering Heights – Baby Surveillance
15. The Happy Housewife ~ Product Promotion
16. Many Little Blessings (Counting Blessings During Difficult Times)
17. It Feels Like Chaos (quiet time)
18. Mother Hen (measuring cup genius)
19. Rina @ Into Still Waters – Dealing With Complaining
20. flexible dreams (cupcake hack)
21. Green Baby Guide (Vegetarian Baby)
22. Kirsty@Momedy~How to Cheat at Cleaning
23. Julie Stiles Mills (egg cube)
24. charlotte@mama2tlc natural baby
25. mombrud (disposable paint tray color
26. Cooking During Stolen Moments (crepe tips)
27. A Simple Walk (under-priced entreprenuers)
28. Heather @ Just Doing My Best (storing cheese)
29. Melonie K. (witch hazel)
30. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger (traveling with Bare Minerals)
31. Tanna (Farewell VHS)
32. Amber (Wool Wash)
33. Carolina Mama (Tennis Time)
34. Cyndi (laundry schedule)
35. Holly@Homebody(Make Your own vinyl decals)
36. Anita
37. steadymom (don\’t adopt)
38. The Southern Mama
39. Donna @ Way More Homemade (Leftover egg whites)
40. Rachel (One Item To Do List)
41. Working Mom (Tote Bag)
42. Erin (praying for our children)
43. Raising Olives (Memorization Help)
44. Keeping the Castle – dishwashing tips
45. Maya (Soaking in Sea Salt)
46. Julie From Inmates (Roomba)
47. Musings of Housewife (meal planning)
48. TrentTribe (Fill the Freezer)
49. PASS THE TORH (Start kid book club)
50. Tonggu Momma (cheat at PC Solitaire)
51. Our Nifty Notebook (Dress Shoes For Picky Feet)
52. Daiquiri (Play Dough – recipe and clean up tip)
53. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places (Baki
ng day for after baby gets here!)
54. Kaycee (Home Made skinny Jeans)
55. Lynne(17 helpful E-Books for $1.00 Each)
56. Stretch Mark Mama (How to Celebrate the Passover Seder)
57. Kristin -The Goat (What You Love)
58. HEALTHY KIDS\’ MEALS – Kelly the Kitchen Kop
59. Elizabeth (Save $ Traveling by Train)
60. Creative2xmom (fresh outfits after a long trip)
61. Effortless Savings (Homemade Cleaners Tested)
62. Joyful Johnsons Blog Book
63. Sharinskishe (kitchen towel)
64. Denise @ Full Nest
65. Tasha @ Hectic Calm (Swagbucks!, it really works)
66. Weird, Unsocialized HS\’ers (removing Silly Putty)
67. The Messy Mom (search and win)
68. Laryssa @Heaven In The Home (How To Stay Well)
69. Local Nourishment (real food lip balm)
70. momstheword (helping kids declutter)
71. Brianna @ Heart(h) Management (Streamlining Grocery Shopping)
72. Robin@Heart of Wisdom (Steam Cleaning Before and After)
73. Charlene @ My Frugal Adventures
74. Col @ life by muse (Getting into alignment with your vibrational escrow)
75. se7en (teaching kids photography)
76. Molly Green (Simple Silverware)
77. Amy @ Living Locurto (spring tea party)
78. Animators Wife (get kids to clean up)
79. Heidi @ Blue Eyed Blessings (dresser knob makeover)
80. momsfrugal (breaded baked fish)
81. Brandi @ My Cup Runneth Over… (My Pizza Cutter)
82. Kari (String Bag)
83. Liza\’s Eyeview (Encouragement)
84. Simply Sweet Home (jewelry giveaway)
85. Monica @ DailyDwelling (while on the treadmill)
86. Kim ( As Seen on TV )
87. Tracey @ Girls to Grow (multi-tasking products)
88. Debbie J (Shower Curtains and Coupons)
89. Allyson @ A Heart For Home (Easy and Safe Scarf Alternative)
90. Donielle @ Raising Peanuts (making and freezing bread dough)
91. Sandy @Jesus & Dark Chocolate(fun dinner ideas)
92. Trixie @ Farmhomelife (how I saved for a new car)
93. Fairion – Hand Work
94. Tara @ Feels like Home (eating healthier)
95. Girls in White Dresses (labeling scrapbooks/photo albums
96. Kates Kitchen: Powdered Milk
97. Shannon (going grain-free)
98. Jean Stockdale (Time-outs)
99. BusyMom (what\’s for dinner?)
100. Jennifer @ Joyful & Graceful Living (No More Messy Cooler Ice)
101. TuTu (Fairy Costume)
102. Katie@Clean&Classic; Interiors (non-spring cleaning tips)
103. Liz @ Frugally Blonde (coupons by email)
104. Jenny Beth @ JenuineJen (surviving finanical crisis)
105. Jolanthe (Great Looking Homemade Bread)
106. Camian Academy (CPAP Machine)
107. Kat @ Ne
w England Saving (Labeling Button Tags from New Clothes)
108. KLee (bathroom re-do, need help!)
109. Alicia (staying connected when Dad\’s away)
110. Sandra (thumb sucking)
111. Pam (cookie scoop)
112. Megret (Beginner jigsaw puzzles for little ones)
113. ElizabethG (feeling at home)
114. No Splatter Rice Cooking (Dominee Huisvrouw)
115. In…Fence (SAVING SEED PACKETS)
116. Hoosier Homemade(Organizing Recipes)
117. Bailey\’s Leaf (Free Kid\’s Programs)
118. MC (Contemplating Our Marriage)
119. Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship (my Freezer, my Sous Chef)
120. Becky (planning menus)
121. Buffie (Free Coin Counting)
122. HookedonHouses (spring decorating)
123. Newlyweds (Spring Break)
124. Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet (Finding TNT Recipes)
125. missy @ missysthrifty ( caring for your cast iron skillet)
126. Hadley – Hospitality (tips/ideas)
127. Mama Squirrel (Cutout cookies)
128. Lori (hair spray)
129. Kari (organizing important kids papers)
130. Stacey (Get rid of a sunburn)
131. CHEESESLAVE (Natural Beauty Products for Real Foodies)
132. Susan (a very special anniversary)
133. Gina (House Party Giveaway!)
134. Cents to Get Debt Free (Starting Seeds)
135. Sarah Mae (10 Ways to Teach Toddlers and Preschoolers)

136. Sunnymama (toy storage in a small space)
137. Victoria (organizing ponytail holders)
138. Bloom Where You\’re Planted! (government illustration)
139. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum (Quitting TV cold turkey!)
140. Aubrey (cutting hot peppers)
141. pennypinchinmomma (homeschool art)
142. songbirdtiff-free spring photos
143. Nancy (Using Minwax to stain a basket)
144. karen @ Mommy, I\’m Home
145. BeyondJustMom (Powerful Praise)
146. Houstonmom (frugal broken rice)
147. Heather of the EO (lazy mama guide to healthy(er) snacking
148. Thrifty Jinxy (Healthier Pancakes from Mix)
149. Lisa@ Elbows (Petty Chores to Pretty)
150. Christy @ Mercy Every Morning (frugal green household products)
151. Susan @ Practicing Thrift (recession garden)
152. Superchikk (Giving Medicine to Little Ones)
153. Joanna @ Grace In The Home (Grocery List)
154. Michelle (having fun)
155. TV Watching Mama (realtors)
156. Becki (Bedroom Door Lock)
157. cassandra (freezing/thawing meat)
158. Fly Away Family (adding Flickr photos to a post)
159. Tracey @ Cheese and Whine
160. Sandwiched (indoor water park review)
161. Carol (Vacuum Cleaner Tip)
162. April (Thrifty Decor)
163. Kristi_runwatch (garden tools on the cheap!)
164. Elena @ My Domestic Church business of being born blog
165. Kara (Super-Frugal-2!)
166. Blossoming Skillet (Tips for food processor buying)
167. Stephanie @ The Coupon Game (FREE Didj Games – Christmas Gifts!)
168. Thoughts By Kim (Hot Tea)
169. Rebecca at Turned Loose (online daily audio Bible reading)
170. Lisa @ JoyousFrugalFamily (coupon organizing)
171. Kirstin: using a nasal wash to fight congestion
172. 4 sweet sisters- megaphones and yelling
173. Erika (Breakfast)
174. Jennifer (printable math sheets)
175. Milehimama (Army WFM!)
176. Hip Organic Mama (Your Biggest Organ)
177. Single Income Dual Kids (Cheaper From Scratch Olive Garden)
178. TopHat (organic and HFSC food cheap)
179. The Cozy Country Home (Baked on Messes)
180. Jendi [Dry out cell phone]
181. Trina@FrugalDrMom (Citation Machine)
182. Missy@ Simply Red(Fun with Felt)
183. Abbi (Whole grains)
184. HomeSchool Dad (Song Paradies)
185. DarcyLee (MyPoints)
186. PapuaGirlinDallas (better and cheaper then Starbucks coffee at home)
187. Sharon (Finger Paints)
188. Chief Family Officer (Easy Cinnamon Toast)
189. Maria( Sit Time ages 2-4)
190. momof3girls( the happy hostess)
191. Maranda (Rubbermaid tubs for moving)
192. Sandra @ A Lot of Savings *Recipe Website*
193. Christine (weeds as an object lesson)
194. Michelle @ Saving Some Green (Makin\’ Bacon)
195. Ann\’Re (Decluttering)
196. Cherilyn (hard cooked eggs)
197. FamilyMakesCents (dishwasher frugality)
198. The Inspired Room (topiary)
199. Kristine(March of Dimes and a GIveaway)
200. Making This Home (Eco Birthday Banner)
201. Dana (cutting tip)
202. What\’s Cooking (homemade butter)
203. What\’s Cooking (natural PB that doesn\’t separate)
204. Leanne – Surprising Packing Material
205. TheEckLife-Starbucks Tea Latte
206. Kelly\’s Krazy Kids (scripture memory)
207. April @ the joy…the journey…the job… (2×2 or 4×4)
208. April @ the joy…the journey…the job… (2×10 or 4×4) Corrected Link
209. Mommy Bee (how fertility awareness works)
210. ChickyMama@ Happy Little House (10 Minute Mashed Potatoes)
211. Veggiemomof2 (planning)
212. Michelle (Free Spice Rack)
213. Lisa (decorating with fresh eggs)
214. Garibay Soup (NATURAL QUICK, EASY, TASTY FOOD!!!!)
215. Best Chocolate | Gennaro
216. Kristen (fast food taste at home)
217. Sara @Learning the Frugal Life (Free Mulch)
218. The Thrifty Mommy (Easy Clippin\’)
219. Martia (Cash Only)
220. LeapFrog Tag Reader Giveaway
221. Saving Cents with Sense (natural, non-toxic Bug Spray)
222. Flowerpot – Kids bday party gift receiving
223. Catherine (grocery list)
224. Carrie (weekly schedule)
225. LANA (FAMILY BED)
226. Shelley@MyTreasureHunt (organizing toys, crafts, displaying art)
227. Jackie@Blessings Overflowing (Saving Time on Meal Prep)
228. Wani (what the Bible says about ENCOURAGEMENT)
229. Beulah (Notes to self)
230. Overwhelmed Working Mom (use the sun to bleach tomato stains on fabric)
231. Jessica @ Who Left The Light On? (The Biggest Loser The Workout Vol 1)
232. JLI (A Cold\’s Best Friend)
233. LooneyJen (5 Uses for Freezer Bags!)
234. JanMary, N Ireland (easy mothers day craft)
235. Kaye (Organizing Magazine Articles)
236. Chic Critique (Cheap Designer Duds)
237. Amanda (free online English/Grammar tutorial)
238. Janelle (Easy-Peel Hard Boiled Eggs!)
239. BerryMorin – Hubby\’s Hobby Desk
240. Donna (For the love of my Blackberry)
241. Joni (Cloth Diapers/Wipes)
242. Claywoman (Avoiding Spam E-mails)
243. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Peanut Butter Honey Fudge!)
244. UnfinishedMom (Cooking WIth My Girl)
245. Amy (Buying in Advance)
246. Tina (cleaning the washer)
247. Tara (Organic Pest Control)
248. Mozi Esme (toddler alphabet approach)
249. Meshellyn (Organizing Digital Photos)
250. Jenne (Easier Dinner Prep)
251. Lauren @ Home with Olivia
252. saverchic (watering plants and saving water)
253. Mommy Needs Motivation (Leave Him Alone)
254. Kerry @ ramblings (simplify meal times
255. BossSanders – easter idea
256. \’Becca (relating to kids)
257. Mom2ThreeAdoptedSibs (Cheap Notebooking)
258. Amanda (easy crockpot meal)
259. Michelle (Praising Him)
260. The Prudent Homemaker (Free Homeschooling Materials)
261. Jessica (cookie frosting with little ones)
262. Lori (dry winter skin cure)
263. All Things Cherished (safe bleach)
264. lynn@queenofthecastlerecipes (killer chocolate sauce)
265. Jenny Lynn (“go bag”)
266. Alexandra(Homeschool Arts: Free Classical Music)
267. CathyGDay
268. Cooking Up A Family- cleaning and Biokleen Giveaway
269. "http://homesweetcircus.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/works-for-me-wed/" target="_blank">Karina (Simple Prayer Pattern)

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Bake at 350 Spring Cookie Giveaway!

7:00 am Bykristen

Congratulations to New Momma at 9 Months and Beyond! You won! Please email me your address! Thanks everyone for entering. And make sure you visit my neighbor to learn how to make your own cookies. I’m going to attempt it myself!!

I think God must really like me.

Remember when I told y’all about my new next door neighbor……the creative lady who Bakes at 350?

Well. She’s been letting me taste-test some of her treats!

And I hold her completely responsible for the way I will look in a bathing suit this summer.

The other day we had dinner at their adorable house (I’d love to show y’all pictures of her cute home, but it seemed a little rude to snap my camera over pasta). We feasted on spaghetti and meatballs, Caesar salad with hand-made, heart-shaped croutons and this for dessert.

I’m thinking I won’t be able to get by with Girl Scout Cookies again when I invite them back to my house.

But I also won’t be baking up my own cookies.

Need I remind you she makes these:

And these:

Today is your lucky cloverleaf-shaped day!

Because one lucky winner will win A DOZEN handmade, delicious Spring cookies!! (Value $42) And she’s pulling out a new Spring cookie cutter just for you, so I’m sure it will be AMAZING!

Go look around her blog and leave a comment telling me how lucky I am so have such a great neighbor!

Oh, and I reserve the right to taste one of your cookies, just to make sure you’re receiving the highest quality.

Kidding.

Sort of.

U.S. shipping only and this giveaway closes Wednesday night!

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I’d Give Him 4 Days to Survive in the Desert

7:00 am Bykristen

In celebration of Spring Break this week, I asked my hubby to fetch my son’s lunchbox from his backpack in the laundry room, so I could wash it out.

He was gone for a while and I heard him call in a disturbed voice, “Can you come here for a minute?”

I walked into the laundry room to see this on the floor:

I give you the contents of my child’s backpack:

2 keychains (without keys)

4 broken pencils

3 Mardi Gras necklaces (claimed by the toddler)

4 wrinkled bookmarks

1 paper nickel

1 snowman picture frame sans a picture (possibly my Christmas present?)

5 smashed granola bars

1 Mardi Gras baby (claimed for luck by the older sister)

2 dusty, dirty zip lock bags full of rocks (pretty disturbed by this one)

1 Squirmie Wormie

1 Thanksgiving macaroni necklace

2 pixie sticks (still containing pixie)

1 Valentine’s card

2 pieces of a candy cane (which I had to talk my son out of eating)

1 paper hat

1 zip lock bag full of crushed graham cracker crumbs

1 Mattel Classic Football game from the 1980′s

1 Disney Cars notepad

And one very ashamed mother who will not send granola bars as a snack choice any longer.

What’s in your child’s backpack (closet, under the bed, secret stash)?

I dare you to go look.

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THAT Family Tree Society-Issue 34

7:00 am Bykristen

If you would like to be included in The Society, please copy the questions and email them to me. Please note: There is a 2-3 month waiting list.

Disclaimer: Please note, I do not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed on the blogs linked to THAT Family Tree Society

Picture of the Week:

The Week in Review: We’ve had a setback in the war against the pacifier. Please pray for victory.

Introduction into The Society: I’m happy to welcome Curvaliscious! You gotta love that name!

1. What is the name of your blog?

Curvaliscious

Because, ya know, I am so curvy and luscious and all of that…

2. How long have been blogging?

Years. I am not even sure just how many years anymore. I think its close to 6 although 4 of those years was at another blog where I discussed my homeschooling, marriage etc. When I separated from the ex, I wanted another outlet and started Curvaliscious

3. How would you define THAT family?

For me, THAT family is the family that is weird just because they are and without apology. They adore each other and don’t care who knows it. They walk to the beat of their own drum…

4. When did you discover you were a member of THAT family?

I don’t know that I really discovered it but I am thinking that perhaps it was when I decided to add a black board in front of our toilet so that we could write notes to each other on it. Yeah.

5. Where can we find your blog?

Visit me at www.imsocurvaliscious.blogspot.com

Please note: this blog is Rated R

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A Piece of Pie & Sweet Tea

7:00 am Bykristen

Thank you for participating in my demographic poll. Many of you asked about the results, so I thought I’d share (but I’ll just say if it was real pie, I might not be so generous!)

And yes, pleased be impressed with the multiple pie charts and graph (but I copied and pasted them so don’t look too close at the numbers, just the pretty pies m’kay?)

I am amazing.

And modest.

Summary- Results based on 1026 responses

Age:

Gender:

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Average family income:

Number of children:

Employment:

And I’d like to shout out to the 12 men who read my blog. “Hi, You are brave. And welcome here. Most days.”

I’ll leave you with my new favorite song (it’s about Chick Fil A!) n class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">hat tip to my friend Robin

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsJHqstPuNo]

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DIYP #38-Room to Grow

7:00 am Bykristen

Recently my two year old outgrew her highchair. (And by outgrew, I mean, she refused to sit in it and nearly turned it over trying to outmaneuver the strap).

She longed to sit with the rest of the family around the dinner table.

And it was a beautiful wish, really, except we only had four chairs.

before

When we bought our 5 pc (table included) dinette set five years ago, we were a family of four and no more.

So we thought.

The set cost around $500 and has years and years and (crossing fingers) years of life left. Since it’s expandable, I thought I’d just move some furniture around and add a couple of chairs.

Each chair cost $225.

Some chair manufacturer is laughing somewhere.

I finally came up with a solution (much, much cheaper by the way) and I love it!

I opened the built-in leaf and enlarged the table. I moved the chairs around and left one side empty and strapped on a booster seat.

I added one of my garage sale treasures: a mismatched, chippy-painted bench:

after

And I saved hundreds of dollars! Plus, I love the casual, eclectic look of it.

I find that during these uncertain economic times, I’m more comfortable using what I have and holding off on big purchases.

Are you doing the same thing? Talk to me.

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The Coming of Age

7:00 am Bykristen

I’m learning as I go.

I’ve never walked this parenting road before.

Just ask my oldest.

She’s nine.

I don’t know what ten will look like. I don’t know what eleven will feel like. I can’t even think about twelve.

I know that my beautiful girl is changing every day. She retreats to the solitude of her room more often. She seeks out new responsibilities more readily. She reaches for my hand less, but needs me more.

She is becoming.

On her birthday in January this year, her father gave her a box.

It’s similar to the one he gave me. Remember this?

The box contained a simple, loving letter from a father to his oldest daughter.

Those treasured words are for her eyes only.

But I can tell you that we blinked and the baby we longed for is now a young girl. Nine years from now she will be waving from a platform in her cap and gown.

Although I can’t fathom that moment, I know it will come.

And since I can’t stop The Coming of Age, I won’t try.

I will capture it.

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The ‘Fro Has a New ‘Do

3:48 pm Bykristen

The party has moved to The Glamorous Life.

Don’t be a party pooper-join the fun!

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WFMW-Get Human

7:00 am Bykristen

If I added up all the hours I’ve waited for a real, live, breathing person to answer my customer service phone calls, lo, they would be many.

And if I could recapture all those lost hours, my house would probably be clean.

Or my laundry would be done.

Okay, maybe I’d just have some bonus Twitter time.

The point is, I wouldn’t have an ear shaped like a cauliflower.

Recently, I discovered a very helpful website called Get Human.

And well, just like the name, the promise of speaking to a human on the phone is real.

I can feel the tears welling up even now.

This comprehensive site has hundreds of phone numbers that help you bypass all the waiting and phone holding (not to mention the elevator music) with some helpful shortcuts.

It almost makes me long for an excuse to speak with a customer service rep.

Almost.

Get Human, it works for me!

Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you’d like to share? I’d love for you to join us! Please note that the links will close at 8 pm CST Wednesday night, in order to keep away the spammers!

Was your link deleted? Click here.

Links have now been closed. Please join WFMW again next week!

Works for Me Wednesday Participants

1. Homemaker Barbi (Professional Homemaker)
2. Amy @ Finer Things (got recipes?)
3. Living With Lindsay (Swatch Organizer)
4. Robin ~ PENSIEVE (SAVE a WET CELL Phone!)
5. Amanda Henson
6. WEIGHT WATCHERS & REAL FOOD? – Kelly the Kitchen Kop
7. Kirsty@Momedy~Pimples AND Wrinkles! Affordable Solutions.
8. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Ranch Potato Wedges!)
9. Smockity Frocks (Photo Poster Giveaway)
10. Bake at 350 (kitchen must-have)
11. Lisa@ Elbows (Budge that Budget)
12. All that Naz-Doctoring Cake Mixes
13. Mom of Faith (Travel Toy Boxes)
14. Kaycee (Banish Brain Fog)
15. “Cents”able Momma (Make Your Own Chocolate Easter Cross)
16. target="_blank">Homemaker\’s Cottage- ever heard of Agave Nectar?
17. Kelly\’s Krazy Kids (Easter)
18. Colored With Memories (get your kids to SLEEP)
19. Raising Olives (laundry soap)
20. The Cozy Country Home (organic breakfast muffins)
21. Colleen – Mommy Always Wins (blog design tips)
22. It Feels Like Chaos (helpful TV)
23. Holly@Homebody(Easier Blogger Photos)
24. Muthering Heights – Easy Toy Organization
25. Upstatemomof3
26. Stretch Mark Mama (Good books for teaching kids to read – and giveaway!)
27. HookedonHouses (beautiful living)
28. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger (photography workshop/pursuing your dreams)
29. jennifer displaying pictures and artwork
30. Frugal Girls! {125 Grapefruit!}
31. Carolina Mama (Family Giveaway)
32. Cooking During Stolen Moments (lots of goodies and a flop!)
33. Kristie- This Side of Eternity (Homeschool Boredom Busters)
34. Ali (fresh squeezed OJ)
35. Elizabeth (Organizing for the Creative Person)
36. A Simple Walk (permission to have a bad day)
37. Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam(remind me – kids)
38. Many Little Blessings (Renting a Condo for Vacation)
39. The Happy Housewife ~ Grinding Wheat
40. Happy to be at Home ~ Vacation from Home
41. Working Mom (sewing patterns)
42. Kate @ Which Proverbs 14:1 Woman?
43. Happy to be at Home ~Give yourself a break
44. La (Pretty Shampoo Bottles)
45. Sandwiched (Twitter!)
46. Amy @ MOMSTOOLBOX (birthday castle cake)
47. Erin (computer boundaries)
48. Organic and Thrifty (Nutrient-dense Kid food)
49. In…Fence (Chore Chart)
50. Anne@ teachingtwo.com (kids activities)
51. momstheword (Organizing toys)
52. Homeschool Classroom (Benefits of Joining a Co-op)
53. NerdFamily Food (Easy Corned Beef)
54. Lizzie\’s Home (recipe card file hack)
55. Amber (online time management)
56. Cooking Up A Family- Making the Gym Work for Me plus giveaway
57. Tina in Thailand -excellent icing
58. MemeGRL (writing on the wall)
59. Katie in Europe
60. ElizabethG (simplifying tax time)
61. Kristin -The Goat (cool drinks)
62. Amyswandering (Irish Dinner Recipes)
63. Carol (extend razor blade life)
64. Green Baby Guide (Secondhand Kids Clothes)
65. Home School Dad (50 State Quarters Give-a-way)
66. GROCERY CART CHALLENGE (green GIVEAWAY!)
67. Runningamuck (Glorious Peeps)
68. Jenny Beth @ JenuineJen (Ultimate Blog Party)
69. Sunnymama (art easel in a small space)
70. WayMoreHomemade (Kitchen Tips – Onions & mitigating the tears)
71. Brianna @ Heart(h) Management (Filtering Through Eternity)
72. CHEESESLAVE (Charlie & Lola\’s “Pink Milk” Made Healthy)
73. Lisa@BlessedwithGrace(instant potatoes)
74. Our Nifty Notebook (Removing Grease Stains)
75. Donielle @ Raising Peanuts (A Universal Wish List)
76. 320 Sycamore (homemade granite cleaner)
77. Tasha @ Hectic Calm (keeping cheese fresh longer)
78. Amy @ Experience Imagination (get free clothes)
79. Suzanne (organizing email)
80. Melonie K. (have diapers, will travel!)
81. ImagineCozy(matching furniture)
82. Brandi @ My Cup Runneth Over…. (Family Movie Night) ~ I\’m New
83. Maria D. (Frugal, Filling Snack)
84. se7en (home school questions by home schoolers)
85. Keri (Candle Wax)
86. Gennaro | Chocolate
87. FoodRenegade (curing a sugar fiend)
88. lynn (10 fish-buying tips)
89. Amber @ Classic Housewife (Blueberry pancakes)
90. Sandra @ A Lot of Savings (Packing Light Using Free Samples)
91. LaVonne (Swagbucks)
92. Molly Green (Travel Tips)
93. Animators Wife (indoor herb garden)
94. Apron Strings Aflutter (Homemade Dog Shampoo)
95. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates (All-Natural Instant Mashed Potatoes)
96. JanMary (homemade chicken soup)
97. Tracey @ Girls to Grow (Jog my Memory)
98. BusyMom (Improving Kid\’s Handwriting)
99. *Michelle* (my 100th post FREE giveaway)
100. Leanne – Frozen Treats
101. Susan (Easter Egg Tree)
102. Common Cents Mom (15 Ways to Save Through Spring Break Giveaway)
103. Mommy Making Money (Kids Eating Fruits & Veg)
104. Jenny @ Irish my Marriage (Test Anxiety Help)
105. Tara @ Feels like Home (choc peanut butter balls)
106. Heather @ JustDoingMyBest (homemade cleaner)
107. sarah at i blame mom (magazine article organization)
108. Beth @ A Mom\’s Life – Extending Life of Razor Blades
109. Kate\’s Kitchen: Homemade cards
110. Julie From Inmates (Peek & GIveaway)
111. Shannon (fair-trade chocolate giveaway)
112. steadymom (preschool art inspiration)
113. Fairion – Dry Erase Markers
114. WLBA (Prevent Razor Bumps)
115. MC (Free Stock Photos!)
116. Manda @ LambsInHisArms (Morning Quiet Time Tips)
117. Stephanie (**Time &Childrens; Chores**)
118. Erin (Paperback Swap)
119. Susan @ Practicing Thrift (most popular posts)
120. FIMBY (Homeschool Art & Music Appreciation)
121. Ginger Vinegar and Tide – (Do these things really go together?)
122. Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet (Kitchen Tim
er)
123. LFinn (cleaning your crockpot)
124. Parenting the Tiniest of Miracles (Having A Flexible Spending Account)
125. Jerri (Bathroom Stone)
126. Hoosier Homemade (Scheduling Housework)
127. Counting Sprinkles (Saving money)
128. Jolanthe (Keep up Easily with Blogs)
129. KLee (party planning)
130. Alicia (birthday without the party!)
131. CENTS TO GET DEBT FREE (MAKING OUTSIDE COMPOST BIN)
132. Bailey\’s Leaf (CFL Lifespan Tips)
133. Kama (date night ideas)
134. Frugal Carol – Frugal Gardening
135. Pink Explosion (adding more zest at the zoo!)
136. Vanessa @ Simple Bliss(simple green cleaning)
137. flexible dreams (potty training)
138. Denise@viewfromtheglen (3 kids 8 songs = On Time Every Morning)
139. Gina (Find the Best Deals On Etsy)
140. Buffie (Gas Discounts)
141. FamilyMakesCents (restaurant savings)
142. exhale. return to center. (our klean kanteens)
143. Michelle (Homeschooling with littles)
144. HeatherB (responsibilities & rewards system)
145. Stephanie @ The Coupon Game (Easy Healthy Italian Burgers!)

146. Camian Academy (Cheap craft supplies for kids)
147. Kimba (spray paint)
148. jubilee (almost no mess tacos)
149. Weird, Unsocialized HS\’ers (Avoiding Ironing)
150. Blossoming Skillet (Instant Cream of Blank Soup)
151. Lynn (fast and easy recipes)
152. Becky (reverence chair)
153. Nichole (muffin cups)
154. LANA-get Your Preschooler to Eat Healthy
155. Musings of Housewife (HEALTHY MAC & CHEESE)
156. Songbirdtiff (accidental decorating!)
157. Jean Stockdale (Comfy Shoes)
158. Val@Team Hill (cavity free kids)
159. Christy @ Mercy Every Morning (freezer breakfast recipe)
160. Sarah (Breastfeeding tips)
161. Houstonmom (free buckets)
162. Everything Moms (Making walks fun)
163. Newlyweds (Garden)
164. Christine (when kids lie)
165. Hip Organic Mama (Cauli-Power)
166. Christin (morning routine)
167. Kim (Thrift store shopping)
168. Christy Klein
169. Kari (freezer tips)
170. Amanda from Faith, Food and Family (Frugal Soup stocks without even cooking!)
171. Wani (50% storewide at Goodwill)
172. Linda\’s Lunacy(store card passwords)
173. mama2tlc (frugal shopping)
174. Brandi@Purposeful Womanhood Beans, Beans Musical Fruit
175. Laryssa @Heaven In The Home (Healthy Eating On A Budget)
176. Missy@Simply Red(holding juice boxes by the ”
ears”)
177. Tara (cute tie on kitchen towels
178. Superchikk (Fruit Crisps – Healthy Snack)
179. Tanna (Organizing Clothes)
180. Multi-Tasking Mommy (reading flyers)
181. Erika (Summer Clothing Fix)
182. Jeni (BEST washable markers)
183. pennypinchinmomma( being content)
184. Joni (Freezing Peppers)
185. Michelle (crafting for pre teens)
186. Kristen (laundry day)
187. Cindy (Diaper deal)
188. Condo Blues (cleaning spray bottle)
189. Jennifer @ Joyful & Graceful Living (Keeping Your Sanity)
190. Joanna @ Grace In The Home (McDonald\’s Playground Suggestions)
191. Penny Raine
192. BeyondJustMom (getting kids to talk)
193. Jennifer @ Lirazel (cobweb remover)
194. Jacquelyn (DH hog the covers?)
195. AngieD.- laundry tip
196. Taylor at Household Management 101 (first aid kit checklist)
197. Rona – Renewal Ceremony Invitations
198. Dot (crock pot green beans)
199. $5 Dinners (How to Choose and Cut a MANGO!)
200. Martia (I\’ve Been Spanxed)
201. Alicia (1st Time)-Steaming Veggies
202. What\’s Cooking (saving money at home!)
203. Kirstin: Squeegees
204. Beth (Savings on Suds)
205. Trixie (Cheap Cell Phones)
206. angela – rosemary laundry soap
207. Donna @ Another New Season (Using One Note To Organize )
208. Jackie (Hands-Free Pumping)
209. TV Watching Mama (No Fee Mortgage)
210. Aunt LoLo (Better Homemade Bread)
211. the O\’Briens(BEST Baby SLEEP book)
212. Lisa @ The Owl\’s Nest (keeping errands organized)
213. Nikke (reading)
214. BossSanders (Display your child\’s artwork)
215. Kendra @FamilyMgrKendra (Shopping List helper)
216. Saver Queen (medicine or tasty snack? homemade candied ginger)
217. emily (10 minutes!)
218. Effortless Savings (Less Mess Kneading)
219. Lynne(Magic Jack)
220. ChickyMama (easier formula feeding)
221. stacey @ tree, root, and twig (encouraging creative storytelling)
222. Michelle @ Saving Some Green (Tongs)
223. Colleen (Birthday Cereal)
224. Erica Burgan (Mocha Cappuccino)
225. Maren – free coupon website
226. His Girl (DIY Baby Legs – With a Twist!)
227. sarah(beach in a jar)
228. Carrie (monthly menu plans)
229. Crayl (Breakfast on the go!)
230. UnfinishedMom (Be Messy)
231. Seraphima
232. Hi! It\’s me, Jen
233. Simply Catholic (clothing storage)
234. Milehimama (Doesn\’t Work for Me!)
235. Hi! It\’s me, Jen (simple beauty)
236. CcsMomma (Why not laugh)
237. HealthBeginsWithMom (Cooking Whole Chickens)
238. Tons of Sons ~how to hem your own pants
239. Andrea @ rAndom issues (The Placemat Purse)
240. Jodee @ Follow the Leaders (Handy B-Day Bags)
241. Jessica (generic applesauce)
242. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places (Cloth Diapers)
243. Lauren (Super Easy Recipe)
244. TrentTribe (Easy Easter Craft)
245. Denise @ The Joiners (blog hopping)
246. Garibay Soup (Putting shoes on in the morning)
247. Amy (onion goggles)
248. Farrah @ Wife & Mom of 3 (I\’m So Vain)
249. Bloom Where You\’re Planted! (toy organization)
250. Jessica @ Who Left The Light On? (Free Money – changing banks)
251. Roots & Wings (tea parties 101)
252. Kristine (Eating left over chicken)
253. Jackie @ Blessings Overflowing (Food Cubes)
254. Katchmo: Using Family Wipes Instead of t
255. The Messy Mom (choosing a wedding cake)
256. Katchmo: Using Family Wipes Instead of TP
257. Tracy @ Weighing In (No Iron Needed)
258. Hadley – pretty organizing
259. Sara@Learning the Frugal Life(envelope system)
260. Amy (Skin Cleanser)
261. Julie @ Organizement ( work with what you have)
262. Jan (Preschool lunch)
263. Simply Sweet Home (You Are Not Alone Program) (corrected link)
264. Tori (Homeschooling Works for Me)
265. Jolanthe (Creative Writing GIVEAWAY!)
266. Karina (Car Toys)
267. Pam – Being Fluid
268. sarah (baby bibs)
269. Tiff (Fast Meals)
270. Paula @ Organizing Tips (Making Time)
271. Dana (quick complete breakfast)
272. Lulu ( Keeping a fun bag)
273. Elena @ My Domestic Church family reunion cookbook
274. Meghan (Frugal/Cheap Curtains)
275. Becky@Mama Drama (“to-do papers” organization)
276. saverchic (simplifying couponing)
277. Claywoman (Pumping and Storing Breastmilk)
278. missy @ missysthrifty (Dollar Tree savings)
279. Kerry @ ramblings (homemade yogurt)
280. Kristi_runwatch (Cleaning your microwave)
281. Lis P.( Speedy, tasty pizza crust)
282. citystreams (keeping shoes on a toddler)
283. Mom & Dad to R Kids – packing checklist
284. Kristen (No Aspartame)
285. Lauren@ Home with Olivia
286. CarrieCaribou (kids water play) />287. Annies Home (economical recipes)
288. Lynley @ Savethephillipsfamily (Spring Toddler Craft A Diaper Giveaway!)
289. Sharon (my lifesaver…my iPod…)

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The Bead Girl {Giveaway}

7:00 am Bykristen

*Update* Congratulations to Heather of All About Parker and Peyton! You won!! Look for an email from me! The rest of you jewelry-loving ladies, please remember Studio Jewel: Unique Handcrafted Jewelry for all your jewelry needs!

I met The Bead Girl at Blissdom.

She is a beautiful, willowy woman that oozes style.

No fair, huh?

She’s also an amazing jewelry artist. I want to be her when I grow up!

Studio Jewel: Unique Handcrafted Jewelry is her classy Etsy store.

Her beautiful designs speak to me:

Sterling Silver Disks mixed with 14 karat Gold Vermeil Disks Charm Bracelet

Gorgeous.

StudioJewel Double-Strand bracelet from Petra Museum Exhibit

Elegant:

Organic Sterling Silver WIDE Hammered Band Ring for a Man or Woman

The Bead Girl is offering one lucky reader a $40 gift certificate to her store today. Go, look around, and tell me what you like. (Please, one comment only and make sure you have a valid email address).

This lovely jewelry is guaranteed to make you look beautiful. I can’t promise the willowy part though.

Winner will be announced on Thursday.

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Sometimes, I Don’t Even Have to Try

7:00 am Bykristen

The glass isn’t half empty.

Or half full.

It’s somewhere right in the middle.

And that’s how God made me. I’m not overly positive or strongly negative. I’m somewhere in the middle. I like to call it realism.

So, I’ll be the first to tell you that I don’t automatically laugh at some of the things that come my way. I also don’t run to the nearest bridge and heave a leg over.

I deal with it and the laughter comes later.

Usually.

And then there are days that are made up of moments that form one hilarious calamity. And I can’t help it. I don’t process these days or over think them.

I just laugh.

Case in point: A constipated toddler. There is nothing funny about this, unless you are at someone else’s house. And of course, the point of reckoning happens in their bathroom and the explicit step-by-step vocabulary of the 2 yo can be heard throughout the house. There were tears and yelling and clapping (and my toddler even said a word or two).

But, please, let your imagination wander. It can’t come close to the actual experience.

Or my red face.

The same day my son returned from school with his class pictures. You know, the ones I forgot they were taking! When I saw the photograph, I hoped against hope, he had ART before the picture (note the black marker? paint? dirt? on his hands). I spent the rest of the afternoon wracking my brain trying to recall if he actually had a bath the night before.

Or my personal favorite: My child lost a tooth right before bed. I didn’t have a red cent to my name. And so, I borrowed money from the Girl Scout Cookie collection envelope.

And then I had to explain to my little Brownie why I’m wasn’t actually a thief, when she caught me red-handed.

P.S. The toddler has worked out her issues. Literally.

P.S.S. I didn’t buy the pictures. Because.

P.S.S.S. I returned the money. Did you doubt me?

I decided to link up the un-scrappable photo to Sincerely ‘Fro Me to You! Join the fun.

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The End of Winter

6:59 am Bykristen

I love Spring. I love the breeze, the sun, and the flowers.

I love it because it signifies the end of winter.

The little flower bed in my front yard is usually full of flowers. I live in South Texas and the weather lends itself to annual blooms. Usually.

Our winter was colder this year and my little flower bed has been barren for several months.

This small patch of earth, my piece of land, that normally blossoms with color has been dull and drab and dead for so long.

I long for color, for life.

To my surprise, when I opened my front door a couple of weeks ago, this is what greeted me:

(to continue reading, please visit Internet Cafe Devotions and click here)

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THAT Family Tree Society-Issue 33

12:01 am Bykristen

Picture of the Week:

The Week in Review: My kids entertained themselves in a tiny Doctor’s office, while we waited on checkups. ::Charades:: six words, ____back of ____Dame (Disney movie). Sounds like: we aren’t politically correct.

Introduction into The Society: Please, help me welcome Mom to 3: Raising Boys!

1. Tell us a little about your blog (name/reason why you blog):

My blog is momto3-raisingboys and I started it to write about what life with 3 boys can be like. I enjoy reading other blogs and thought I should give it a try.

2. How long have you blogging?
I started blogging in the spring of 2008.

3. How would you define THAT family?
THAT family is the one that everybody knows. THAT family has a mom that can shoot her kids a look while still carrying on a conversation with someone.

4. When did you discover you were a part of THAT family?

When you have a son that tends to get injured easily and you have friends say “What did he do now” when you ask for prayers for him. And when you can blog about NERF accidents too.

5. Where can we find your blog?

www.momto3-raisingboys.blogspot.com

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