Tomorrow we will start a new tradition with Drake as we set out on our first family vacation. We are not going far and will not even be gone a whole week, but we are getting away from the daily grind and have some will have some quality time as a family. My parents will also be going on vacation with us and my sisters and their boyfriends will be coming and going, so it will be one big party!
Note: I so wish I could share pictures of all these vacations but I'm still living in the stone age and my printer does not have a scanner on it and these pictures were taken the old fashioned way, on cameras with film.
When I was growing up family vacations were a way of life. Every summer we would take off for a week of relaxing, bonding, and exploring. We spent many summers in Hilton Head Island where we would ride bikes, eat ice cream, swim in the ocean and go to sing-alongs under a big old tree. We went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee where we way under packed for lunch and had 1 Lunchable for me and my 2 sisters to share as we were driving along the curviest roads ever. We went to the Black Hills and Branson and Colorado. We made several visits to Orlando where we always had to eat at the same seafood buffet because it was the best food ever and experienced our first Hurricane in Hurricane Floyd. We went so many places and experienced so many things together as a family. To this day, when we are all together eating supper around the table, the conversation usually turns to our favorite memories from vacations. They are special and sacred and I so hope to build these same awesome memories for my son, so that many years from now we will be sitting around eating supper talking about the great times we had together as a family on vacation.
Now that I got all the sappiness over I can tell you that I'm also taking a vacation from blogging, but don't worry because I have found some pretty awesome guest bloggers to take my spot in the next week. Please show them some love and leave some comments for them so they might come back again. I'm also going to be unplugging from my cell phone, not checking e-mails, reading blogs or surfing Facebook. How will I ever survive?!? Or the better question is what will I do to fill my time?!? I guess I will just have to read, swim, bike, and chase after my little man to stay busy...sounds rough, doesn't it?
Have a great week and I will "see" you all soon!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Confessions
I have some things to get off my chest, so I thought it was time for a confession post!
1. I'm REALLY bad about reposting blog awards that I receive. I'm not really sure what my problem is, but I always seem to forget that somebody gave them to me. So I'm sorry if you've ever given me one and I've not posted it, really I am!
2. A few years ago I hit Ben's car as I was backing out of the garage with my car. My car hit his side mirror just right so that it busted through his drivers side window. His car actually had to be towed away because there was too much glass to drive it. To make matters worse my neighbor saw the whole thing take place.
3. I was secretly happy it was raining on the 4th of July so we had an excuse to stay home and just relax. It had been such a busy weekend and we just wanted to eat pizza and drink a beer and we got to!
4. I feel like I need to take a leap of faith in some areas of my life. I hope I can find the courage to do so.
5. Nothing makes me happier than coming home to find that my husband unloaded the dishwasher, put clothes away or started supper on his lunch break. Love you Honey!
6. I'm renaming P90X. It will now be called P365X for me because I think that is how long it is going to take me to complete the program. Let's just say I've developed my own schedule!
7. I have a whole folder of draft blog posts I've yet to get finished. It is looking like I won't get around to it until after vacation. At least I have ideas right?
8. I have started sneaking into Drake's room every so often when he is asleep and picking him up and snuggling him. It is too hard to get a snuggle during the day from my wild boy!
9. I say pop instead of soda and warsh (Seriously, I know this is annoying. I can't help it though) instead of wash. What do you say?
OK, so now that I've confessed. It's your turn...spill the beans!
1. I'm REALLY bad about reposting blog awards that I receive. I'm not really sure what my problem is, but I always seem to forget that somebody gave them to me. So I'm sorry if you've ever given me one and I've not posted it, really I am!
2. A few years ago I hit Ben's car as I was backing out of the garage with my car. My car hit his side mirror just right so that it busted through his drivers side window. His car actually had to be towed away because there was too much glass to drive it. To make matters worse my neighbor saw the whole thing take place.
3. I was secretly happy it was raining on the 4th of July so we had an excuse to stay home and just relax. It had been such a busy weekend and we just wanted to eat pizza and drink a beer and we got to!
4. I feel like I need to take a leap of faith in some areas of my life. I hope I can find the courage to do so.
5. Nothing makes me happier than coming home to find that my husband unloaded the dishwasher, put clothes away or started supper on his lunch break. Love you Honey!
6. I'm renaming P90X. It will now be called P365X for me because I think that is how long it is going to take me to complete the program. Let's just say I've developed my own schedule!
7. I have a whole folder of draft blog posts I've yet to get finished. It is looking like I won't get around to it until after vacation. At least I have ideas right?
8. I have started sneaking into Drake's room every so often when he is asleep and picking him up and snuggling him. It is too hard to get a snuggle during the day from my wild boy!
9. I say pop instead of soda and warsh (Seriously, I know this is annoying. I can't help it though) instead of wash. What do you say?
OK, so now that I've confessed. It's your turn...spill the beans!
Sew Cute Creations Review/Giveaway
When Barbara from Sew Cute Creations contacted me about doing a review and giveaway from her so cute Etsy shop, I just had to agree!! Barbara has some of the cutest personalized onesies, shirts, dresses, and burp clothes that I have ever seen!
You can earn two entries to the contest by doing one or both of the things listed:
1. Go to Sew Cute Creations Etsy page and tell me what you would like to win.
2. Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs just click here
(Make sure and leave a separate comment for each item you complete to earn your eligible entries)
The giveaway begins today Wednesday, July 7th and ends at 7:00 am CST Wednesday, July 14th. One winner will be picked at random, using Random.org. The winner must live in the USA and respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be picked.
Please Note: I was provided with a personalized shirt for Drake so I could review the product and promote the giveaway. I was not compensated in any other way. These are my own, honest opinions.
After looking through ever item in her shop, I ended up picking the personalized dog shirt for Drake. You all know by now how much Drake loves his dog, so I just HAD to pick this shirt as it was too cute to pass up.
The coolest part about her creations is they are totally customizable. From the color of the shirt to the fabric choice of the applique and even the color of thread used for the personalization...all can be customized in hundreds of different combinations.
I could not have been happier when I received my shirt. The attention to detail was evident and the quality of the shirt (she uses American Apparel shirts) was excellent.The shirt fits Drake perfectly and he looks so cute in it that he usually wears it at least once a week!
The GIVEAWAY Details
Enter to win a Sew Cute Creations product of your choice!You can earn two entries to the contest by doing one or both of the things listed:
1. Go to Sew Cute Creations Etsy page and tell me what you would like to win.
2. Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs just click here
(Make sure and leave a separate comment for each item you complete to earn your eligible entries)
The giveaway begins today Wednesday, July 7th and ends at 7:00 am CST Wednesday, July 14th. One winner will be picked at random, using Random.org. The winner must live in the USA and respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be picked.
Please Note: I was provided with a personalized shirt for Drake so I could review the product and promote the giveaway. I was not compensated in any other way. These are my own, honest opinions.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Summer Lovin'
I always feel like once the 4th of July hits the rest of summer just speeds by! We've had such a great time already this summer but we still have some things to check off our list!
Like:
What do you have left on your summer to-do list?
One more thing-Can you spare a vote?!?
Like:
- Go on vacation-We are doing this next week!
- Celebrate our 5th anniversary by skipping town without Drake for the weekend-Happening this month
- Celebrate my birthday-Just so happens I we will be celebrating this while we celebrate our anniversary since my birthday is the 24th and our anniversary is the 23rd
- Do it up right for Drake's 1st Birthday-Big party is July 31st...so excited
- Take Drake to the Iowa State Fair-Seriously, the.best.fair in the country
- Have a picnic
- Take Drake swimming again
- Play with sidewalk chalk
- Have more bonfires
- Stay out too late having driveway beers with the neighbors
- Let Drake have ice cream in a cone for the first time
- Go on long bikes rides with Drake in tow in our new bike trailer
- Go to the park
- Take Skinner swimming
- Drink big cold glasses of lemonade
- Get a pedicure and have my nails painted the brightest color I can find
What do you have left on your summer to-do list?
One more thing-Can you spare a vote?!?
Top Mommy Blogs reset yesterday and we are currently in the Top 25.
I would love to keep it that way but need your help!
Just click the button below.
Thanks and much love!
Monday, July 5, 2010
When You are 11 Months Old...
When you are 11 months old...
Standing at the window waiting for Daddy to come home is a great way to pass time
When you are 11 months old...
You would rather crawl away then have your picture taken
When you are 11 months old...
Trying to steal cars from girls is fun
When you are 11 months old...
Chasing after girls is already cool...especially cute ones like Miss Laila
When you are 11 months old...
"Petting" your puppy is awesome
When you are 11 months old...
Momma lets you have whole milk in your sippy cup since you will not drink formula anymore
When you are 11 months old...
Trying to climb the gate has become an obsession
When you are 11 months old...
You get your second haircut
When you are 11 months old ...
Momma likes taking pictures with you just so she can hold your busy body
When you are 11 months old...
You celebrate your first 4th of July with a Daddy so proud of you he could burst
When you are 11 months old...
You have no idea just how much we love you
and how you have been the greatest blessing in our life.
We love you sweet boy!
Happy 11 Months (on July 1st)!
Friday, July 2, 2010
I'm in a Book!
OK, so I'm not actually in a book but some of my writing is!
I am excited to announce that a piece of my writing was selected to appear in the book From the Heart: A Collection of Stories and Poems from the Front Lines of Parenting. All proceeds from the book will benefit children's charities. I feel honored and privileged to have the opportunity to work with Write for Charity and be part of such a great project.
If you are interested in purchasing the book click on the button above.
Thanks for all your support of an amazing project!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
It's the Little Things
Like watching my son showing me how big he is
And the proud look on his face when he marches around like a big boy
And shadows of our family walking down the sidewalk
Yep, it's the little things that make the big thing, life, so awesome.
What little things are you loving about life?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)