Dress giveaway...

Ok, I'll try to "ease up" on the giveaway posts, BUT, I HAD to blog about this one.  You see, my little Princess is going to be in a little "Pageant" in April & the giveaway dress would be PERFECT.  (I promise to fill you in on the whole "pageant" thing shortly", but seriously, I've been on the lookout for the perfect dress & this would be it!

Head on over to ***this*** blog to get the details & to see the dress.  Heck, spend some time looking around her site, not only does she have some gorgeous dresses, she has great bows to match!  Look, 1 stop shopping, & you don't even have to leave your couch to do it!  How great is that?!

This is just too funny not to share.  So I'm sitting here at the computer reading a friend's blog.  The Princess wants to show me that "someone" was playing with the vacuum, I ask who did it & this is the convo that followed...

Her: "Mommy, look at dis..."

Me: "Who did that?"

Her: "Ummm, Bubby did"

Me: "Bubby!"

Her: (hands cupped over her little mouth) "BUBBY!"

Her: hand out, palm to me (like STOP) "Wait right here, I get him"

Her: (walking back in family room) "Ugh, he can't hear me!"

At this point, I was laughing SO hard!

A few seconds later, she tells me she wants to watch a moobie, I told her to go get Mermaid up from Bonez' room, as she's walking away she says "It's Bubby's room, NOT B's room!". (Ummm, okay, but really, it's both since they share a room, but we won't tell her that part!)

I'm tellin ya, this little girl, cracks us up daily!  SOO funny!

Yet another Giveaway...

Can you tell I love these things?!  Yes, I frequent a number of "hair" blogs.  This one is one I visit on a daily basis.  She has some super fun ideas, unfortunately, her Princess has LOTS more hair than mine does.  But ya know something, I've become the master at making do's I find "mine".  I love to see a hairdo & then tweak it so it will work on the Princess.  We have so much fun playing with her hair every morning.  Anyway, here is the blog I found the giveaway on ***clicky***.  Here is the site she's doing the giveaway from ***clicky***.  Go check them out.  I'm going to order some fun things for Roo even if I don't win (although, I would LOVE to), she has some great things on there.

Anyway, I'm not sure what you're waiting for, there isn't anything else to see here! LOL

I'll be back with a "real" post later today, I just wanted to share this because I was so excited about it.

I'm so beyond ready!

To have my hubby back home where he belongs!  He has been gone since Thursday & boy am I ready to have another adult in this house.  According to Bonez, "It isn't any fun when Dad isn't here, all us kids do is argue."  Uh yeah, but I don't see how that changes when he IS here!!!  Dad did get a kick out of that statement though.

Things could have been much worse, honestly, things went pretty smooth, but I still want him home with us.  

So where did he go you want to know?  Well, he's been in Vegas playing in a paintball tourney. So, how did they do you ask?  They took 3 teams & ... ALL 3 TEAMS TOOK 1ST!!!  In other words, they did GREAT!!!  I've talked to him a few times & he's been exhausted, but said they had a blast. We're not sure when or where the next tourney is going to be, there is rumor about both Michigan & Utah... we'll have to wait & see (although, I have friends in both depending on where they play).  I'm glad he got to go & even more so that they were so successful.  He was supposed to go last year to Georgia, but it was around the same time as the retreat I went on, so he stayed home & let me go.  This was his chance & we're both glad he made it.

Oh, & to finish off his great looong weekend, he got invited to go to the Laker/Blazer game tonight in Portland.  Now we just have to hope he can make it home safely.  Luckily there are a bunch of them driving over the pass "together", so I'm feeling much better about that.

If I don't post for a few days, it's because we're trying to get back into "normal" mode.  Wish us luck!

Another giveaway

I found this on accident, but it's too good not to share.

Ok, I was "given" some $ & was told it HAD to be spent just on me.  I don't know how many of you have the same problem as I do, but I really struggle spending $ on myself.  I have been trying to figure out what it is I want to get, I THINK I finally figured it out.  I want a "mom's necklace". It's something I would wear all the time, something "different", but something cool too.  I have been spending lots of time on Etsy lately looking for just the perfect thing.  I think I finally found it today.  Here is the one I'm seriously thinking about, what do you think... ***clicky***.  

As I was looking, I came across a pretty cool blog, who just so happened to be having a giveaway for a $20 gift certificate to this Etsy seller.  How cool is that?!  Here is the giveaway blog.

Let me know what you think about the necklace, I'm lovin it, but am always up for suggestions too.

Bragging rights!

Ok, I thought about posting this yesterday, but decided against it.  Tonight, I read a friends blog & she was talking about her son's parent teacher conference & well, I decided I too would "brag" about my kids.  Heck, it's my blog, I should be able to talk about anything I want on here right?! LOL

Anyway, before Prince Charming left town yesterday, we headed to conferences for the younger 2 boys.  C-Man's was first & well, let's just say, that kid is SMART, not just smart, but like super smart!  Seriously!  He didn't just meet benchmarks, he totally EXCEEDED them... in EVERY subject!  He tested so high in 1 subject the first time around (state testing) he doesn't have to take the test again, the teacher said there is no reason to have him take it, he can't get any higher than he already did!!!  How cool is that?!  Yeah, he was beyond excited about that too. LOL  His teacher was saying that in 1 "thread" of science testing, he had super high scores & the funny thing is, they haven't even covered that material yet!!!  Holy cow, see, I told you he was smart!  The funny thing with C-Man is that he does NOT want to be known as the "smart" kid, he tries very hard to "protect" that so people don't see it.  He wants to be known as the "funny" guy,  he succeeds in that too.  His student teacher was telling us how much fun it is having him in class, he constantly has them giggling & laughing with his quick wit & sarcasm.  Both teachers were quick to reassure us that he is NEVER disrespectful, he knows when it's appropriate to be funny.  (Good thing too)!  

Ok, next up was Bubby.  Now, his teacher, we know very well, she was Bonez' teacher for 1st & 2nd grade, she would have had C-Man had we not moved & well, if things go as I would like, she'll have the Princess too.  Yep, we LOVE Mrs. W!  Anyway, to say that Bubs is impatient & competitive is a MAJOR understatement, so yeah, I tend to get a little nervous talking to the teachers!  Well, he too is doing WONDERFUL!  He's also above benchmarks in everything & doing great.  He is challenging himself to not "shout out", which is a HUGE step for him & something she said he is doing great with.  Bubby loves to learn & is challenging himself to always do better, he uses his competitiveness to push himself harder, which is good for him.

Even though we didn't have conferences with Bonez, we did find out his grades.  He too is doing great.  All A's & 1 B.  Not bad considering he just missed a full week of school because he was sick & he had VERY little (like 1 page was all) of "make up" work.  The class he is getting a B in is his hardest class & everything they do is in class, so it's hard to make up what is missed.

Anyway, I'm extremely proud of all 3 boys, it's nice to know that they are all doing so well, esp with their busy schedules.  (Although, they all know if grades slip, the first thing taken away is the "fun, extras" they so enjoy).

Ok, that's all my bragging for tonight.  Thanks for reading!

My questions from Michelle...

My friend ArlaMo had something like this on her blog, she had to answer 5 questions & then I told her I would be willing to answer 5 that she "hand picked" for me.  It took me a while, but since I couldn't sleep tonight, figured I would finish these up.  If  you would like 5 questions of your own, let me know & I'll come up with some for you.

1. If you could have lunch with three people, living or dead, whom would you choose and why?

I've had the hardest time with this question, trying to narrow it down to 3 is almost impossible.  I'm ready to give it a try though.  Let's see, the 1st would be Missy Tate, Missy was my BF in college & boy did we have some fun!  Unfortunately, we lost touch over the years & I have NO idea where she is.   Yes, I tried finding her, but haven't had any luck.  Anyway, I would love to sit down & catch up with her.  I think of her often & wonder where her life took her.  I  would love to hear her southern accent again, boy do I miss that! 

 Next up would probably be my biological grandpa, my dad's  bio dad.  I never had the chance of meeting him; we did exchange letters a few times when I was a teen, but that's about it.  I have so many questions I would love to have answered, like why he always treated my dad the way he did, did he try to hurt him on purpose, or did he just not "get it".  I would love to know that he really did love my dad & his siblings & also his grandchildren.  I would ask if he was happy with the way his life turned out, I really, honestly hope he was & would be able to answer me that way.

Hmmm, the 3rd, well, I'm going to cheat & choose 2 more, 1 would be my grandpa Mickey.  I would love to see his silly smile again, to hear his laugh just 1 more time, to tell him I love him.  Oh, I have plenty of questions for him too, I'm sure he would be squirmin in his seat (okay, probably not, he would smile that smile of his & I would forget all about my "mean" questions).  I would ask about his on again, off again (on again, off again) relationship with my grandma, I would ask about his life & why he made some of the decisions he made.  Man I miss him, he could always make us laugh "Hey Bocki", remember that Goldfish, & his silly little wave with his hand at his chin as we drove away? 

Ok, last one, I would want to sit down with Prince Charming's brother Bryan.  I would love the chance to say goodbye to him, to tell him how much he has made a difference in my life & in the lives of so many others.  For my lunch with Bry, I wouldn't want to be alone, I would want PC there with us, they were best friends & I know how much PC misses his "little" brother.  I would also insist on my kids being there.  I so wish they had more memories of their great uncle.  I know Bonez & C-Man remember him, but Bubby was so little when he died & the Princess never did get to meet him.  Anyway, he was an amazing guy & is loved & missed so very very much!  

2. I'm always interested to talk to other moms with lots of boys. I was a very girly girl, so having five boys was a bit overwhelming. I always wonder if I'm doing all the right things for them. I know your daughter is still pretty young, but do you find parenting boys or your daughter easier?

My boys are easier, hands down! I "expect" them to be roudy, loud, outgoing "crazy". I did NOT expect that with my Princess. I too was super girly, so the 3 boys threw me for a loop. BUT, at the same time, I have always loved sports, they were such a major part of my childhood, I can't imagine not having a house full of sporty boys. Now, don't get me wrong, girls can & do play sports, but to me, it's just not the same. 

When the Princess was around 1 year, we totally noticed the drama with her. OMGosh, we can't turn it off! We didn't ever get that with the boys. None of my boys were ever temper tantrum throwers, but man, she more than makes up for that, let me tell you. 

She is extremely girly, so I've been loving that, she loves to dress up & of course, have her hair done, but she also isn't afraid to play with the boys outside, or wrestle around with them. She's also my LOUD one. (Ok, guess she doesn't have much choice in that one if she wants to be heard). LOL My Hubby & I laugh that Heavenly Father definitely knows what we can handle, that's why I only have 1 girl! Don't get me wrong, I waited a long time for the Princess & wouldn't change her for the world, NOTHING compares to a little girl, I also just know that 1 is enough for me thankyouverymuch! ;)

3. You have five minutes to pack up and leave your house, forever. What goes and what stays? (We will assume that your DH and children are a given.)

Hmmm, well, my computer goes (at least my ex hard drive), as does my albums, that is stuff that can't be replaced.  I would also grab a set of scriptures (although, right now, I have 2 sets in my car, so we would be covered).  Other than my car keys & purse, I think the only other thing I would "have" to have would be clothes & of course, bows for the Princess! (I'm kidding of course).  I'm sure Bonez would be grabbing Izzi, I can't imagine he would be willing to leave behind his iguana.

Wow, funny how we think we "have" to have everything, here I am thinking about it & ya know, I could live without all the "extras" if I had too.   As long as I had my family with me, it would be okay.

4. Who has been the most inspirational non-relative in your life? What two or three life-changing things did you learn from that person?

This one is easy, hands down, Leeann. She has been a 2nd mom to me ever since the day I had Bonez. She is the one I can call for any kind of advice, anything from cooking questions, to child rearing, to scripture references. She's the one I can & do call when something is going wrong, or when I'm super excited about something & need to share. She is always there for me, no matter what. Let's see, 2 or 3 life changing things, hmmm, well, the most recent was when I was put in a "weird" situation with a friend. I was really struggling, I knew what I wanted to say to my friend, but didn't feel comfortable saying it. We have different beliefs & I knew that was playing into how I felt. I also knew my friend didn't feel the same way, or believe the same things. I struggled giving advice & being supportive. I called Leeann & talked it all out with her. Her "advice" to me was something about how right is right & wrong is wrong, no matter what the religious background is. Somethings really are black or white. She reminded me that *I* wouldn't feel good with myself if years (or months) down the line, the friend realized what a mistake she had made & I didn't say something then, when I was asked & had the chance. Leeann is always the one to tell me to be honest, not only with others, but with myself. That isn't always easy for me to do, I HATE confrontation of any kind. Leeann likes me to come to my own conclusion when I approach her with something, rarely does she tell me what to do, she gives guidance, but knows that I will learn better when it's MY idea. She told me last month that if she could be "proud" of something/someone, it would be me. She has seen me grown more in the last year than in the 13 years we've known each other. I was in tears by the time we hung up, I felt so loved & special. I know I've really grown up in the last year because of some things that I've been forced to go through, it was nice to know that someone else noticed it as well.

As a disclaimer, I don't want it to sound like Leeann has taken the place of my mom, she hasn't, at all, I'm extremely close to my mom & talk to her almost daily. I feel so blessed to be able to have 2 wonderful women to look up to & learn from. I love them both more than they will ever know.

5. What is the most meaningful gift you have received and why?

This question has me stumped, I've thought about it ever since Michelle sent me my questions.  Ya know,  I still don't have an answer.   I think I want to say, my membership in the Church.  It's because of the Gospel, that I am who I am.  I can't imagine where I would be without my testimony.  I love the fact that because of that, I am able to be sealed for time & eternity to my family.  I have the values I have today because of what I know to be true, because of the things I have been taught my entire life.  I love that I am able to give the same "gift" to my own children.  I love that PC & I are in this together, that we do have the same "guidelines", the same values & morals, that we both have strong testimonies.   So yeah, my most meaningful gift would be the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yes, I know I kind of "cheated" on the last question, I rolled so much into 1, but it really does all have to do with my membership in the Church!