I'm so behind!

It has been a while since I posted. I've been so busy with International Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Awareness Week. Here are the things I have done and others that are underway.

Radio Spot on KAJO talking about our family and EB on 10/25 (first day of EB Awareness Week)

I created a challenge on Facebook. You can join us at:
International Epidermolysis Bullosa Awareness Week Challenge


*THE CHALLENGES*

* This week, wear a butterfly pin or a red ribbon (color adopted for EB), and explain to anyone who inquires about it what EB is. Post a picture of yourself with your pin/ribbon on and get one entry into the drawing.

* This week, change your photo in your profile to a butterfly and include a little info on EB. You can use any from our EB FB page:
Hope Wishes and Butterfly Kisses
Once this is done, message or comment on my page to get one entry into the drawing.

* This week, for each EB fact/video/story/etc. you post (limited to one entry per day) you will get one entry into the drawing.

All entries will be put into a drawing that will be held on Monday, November 1st.

*PRIZES*

1st Prize -
EB Butterfly Bracelet from Jewelry By Tam

2nd Prize -
Handmade EB Butterfly Fleece Blanket

3rd Prize -
One 2 oz. Jar of Butterfly Balm


This week, meet our butterfly children and consider making a donation to improve their quality of life. DEBRA.org

If you are not familiar with EB you can listen to this video:

Recording of Radio Spot

I am making get well cards to send to several children's hospitals. They are going to be butterfly themed and on the back they have EB Awareness Week info and websites.

I made letters to hand out to our neighbors that has info about Ashton and EB.

And... I am making letters and giving jars to set out at our local coffee stands. All donations will go to debra.org

Well, I better get back to work! LOL! I hope you join us in spreading awareness!

Cleaning... With Toddlers!

Cleaning house yesterday turned into something fun and full of laughter.


While cleaning the kitchen I went to take the trash out and found a baby doll in there. I giggled, took it out, cleaned it up and went on with my cleaning. Next I was putting dishes away and found several linkin logs in the cupboard. Once again, I laughed and went to put them in the toy box.


After that I moved on to the bathroom. I sprinkled some cleaner in the toilet and then went to clean the outside of it while it soaked. When cleaning the top I was finding little blue, green, yellow, red, and brown dots. That would be the little crumbs from M&Ms. Can you tell we are potty training?


Last, I went to vacuum the living room. The kids were sitting down eating their snacks. They love the vacuum cleaner, so needless to say as I started the vacuum they jumped up and started running around. Once one half of the living room was done they were running around with their little bags of gold fish, spilling them all over the just vacuumed floor. This not only happened once but a few times before they were finally in their high chairs and I could finish vacuuming. I was so frustrated, but all I could do was laugh. They were having so much fun!

Poor gold fish, so many lives lost...

Monday's Motivational Moment

Over the weekend I spent a lot of time with my aunt who I love and don't get to see so often anymore. She was so happy to be here visiting and to be exploring the amazing outdoors with the ones she loves. It made me think about when I moved away from home years ago. It was only for a short time, but it was a major eye opener for me. I came to realize that family and friends mean EVERYTHING. Not that I didn't know that beforehand, but only once those things are taken away from you do you really understand. As I watched her tears well up while looking at her surroundings all of those emotions came back to me. I know how she feels and how hard it is to be away. I pray for her always and hope that someday she does come back. I am so thankful to always be surrounded by love.


For Monday's Motivational Moment...


This morning I got up and read some of the blogs I follow. I found a couple of challenges I am going to take part in.


I am so excited to start these two challenges.

The first I have a head start on. The first goal for this challenge is to light a large candle in your home and every time you see the flickering light you say a prayer for peace in your home. Second is to play soft music and to focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships. I already have the candle and music and I am excited to incorporate the spiritual part into our everyday lives.

Now, the second challenge I am behind on and it is going to take me a bit to catch up, but I can't wait to get started!

So, I took action today and set my goals for the next few weeks. Have you?

A nice fall hike...

My Aunt came to visit. I miss her so much! It had been way too long. We used to hike together all of the time so it seemed perfect to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather. We hiked the Rogue River Trail. This is one of our favs. We didn't go far, but it was so nice to get out of the house and into nature.

An Emotional Mess...

Derik gets his blood test results today. I'm kindof scared since they wanted him to come in. He asked if they could just do it over the phone but they said the doc wants him to come in and that normally means the results are not normal. :( I'm so worried. I've been an emotional mess!!! It doesn't help that night before last I had a dream that he died. It was terrible! I woke up crying twice! Makes me realize really how much he means to me and this family all over again. You know you care for someone, but it is a different feeling when you go through something like that. It has definitely put me on an emotional rollercoaster. Anyone have a tissue?? LOL!

In other news, I am going to do a kitchen makeover! I'm so excited! I will be painting the walls, and cabinets, putting on hardware, putting up a new curtain/valance, and doing a little decorating. We've always wanted to remodel the kitchen but I don't see that in our near future, so I am going to make it somewhat what I want right now. Our kitchen is tiny so I am going to do white cabinets and a taupe color for the walls. I'll be posting pics of the progress. :)

Well, I'm going to go make some breakfast. Hope you all have a great day!

Ahhhhh....

I finally get to sit down, have a glass of wine, and relax. It feels nice. I'm so tired though, I just want to go to sleep.
It has been a struggling past few days. Ashton has been very grumpy. He is teething and getting over croup. But tonight he was in a happy mood and we read several books together before I put him to bed. Here is a pic of the little cutie making a silly face while saying, "CHEESE!"

\\\Cold and Flu Season Sucks///

So, Ashton and I are both sick. Ashton has croup and I have a cold. He has been coughing, had a fever, and threw up this morning. Poor little man! I hate when he is sick. I wish I could just take on all of his symptoms and him be well. All of my daycare kids are sick too. So that makes for lovely days. We are all crabby and tired and just plain miserable. So there's my past few days in a nut shell...
On top of all of that I still have to be housekeeper, wife, mommy, and friend. By the time the daycare kids get picked up I am so exhausted that I don't have any energy to do anything. But still I make dinner, do the dishes, clean the play room, bath Ashton, get him ready and in bed, then get to go to bed myself. But I love doing it all and I wouldn't change anything. Other than the us being sick part....
Ok, I'm going to bed now, hoping I will wake up feeling better.

...{camping 2010}...

This summer we did some camping and it was a lot of fun! It was Ashton's first time! He did very well. I knew he would though because he loves being outside. The only thing is we need to get a new bigger air mattress. But we will for sure be taking family camping trips again in the future!

a dAY aT ThE pARk

It was a beautiful day on February 18th so the kids and I decided to go to the park and feed the ducks. The kids decided to just eat the bread themselves rather than feed the ducks! lol Good thing the bread was good. :)







Nana and Papa joined us!

New things I am going to make!

I LOVE crafts and I have been searching the web to find new ideas. I want to try to make new things that I haven't done before, so here are some of my ideas...


I am going to make a burp cloths, cloth books, tag blankies, and a baby wrap.







I love to bake and I had a lot of fun making Ashton's birthday cake so I have decided to try making and decorating some cakes. Here is what I found:






Another passion of mine is scrapbooking, although I don't get to it as often as I would like. I want to make some scrapbook covers to sell...

valentine's 2010 inspiration

...all things love...











"When you are in Love you can't fall asleep because reality is
better than your dreams."
Dr Seuss

two thousand ten

My Two Thousand Ten Goals...

Always remember to be thankful for my blessings




Enjoy being a Mommy




Be a lovely wife




Relax at the coast




Start a photo string of all things I love




Frame Ashton's art




Start and Finish an entire scrapbook




Mail more letters to loved ones




Paint a room




Make a collage book




Always stay on the right path