POW

My pick of the week Wednesday this week is these great little calling cards I found on Etsy. I already have some "mommy cards" that I made from Moo.com, which I also highly recommend. These silhouette cards are just so perfectly sophisticated and come in a fully customizable, patent pending box complete with clip so you don't have to worry about getting a card case you might not already have and that would end up in the bottom of your bag anyway. Take a peek. I bet you'll want them too. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21533850

New, New, New!

New camera + new outfit = new pictures to post!

I have to credit BrownieGoose.com for the cutest outfit for my cute subject. Thanks Amy!

Miss Politics

I wasn't planning on commenting on the Miss America Pageant gay marriage question and Miss California's response, but I just read an article and I wanted to just put two little quotes here.

Miss California's answer to whether or not she believed in gay marriage: "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

I don't know if she is a Christian, but I'm assuming her belief that marriage is between a man and a woman is rooted in religion.

Keith Lewis, who runs the Miss California pageant was saddened by her answer and later said, "I believe all religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit. I do not believe our government should be able to discriminate against anyone and religious beliefs have no politics in the Miss California family."

So if all religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit, then what's wrong with her religion ordaining that marriage is between a man and a woman!?? (I know the answer to my question, but logically... come on.)

Since when is the pageant about giving answers to the questions that are considered politically or socially acceptable. Isn't it about being able to answer true to what you believe, with poise and ease? If they're going to ask questions that have right and wrong answers, that's a whole different show.

Inspired by ClaviceCatcher.blogspot.com

I just read a blog about hungering after God and I remembered something that happened to Chuck and I in Athens, GA.
There are lots of bums that walk the streets. Some of them are known to the college students by name because they're such a part of the downtown Athens scene and they've been there for years. It's not uncommon to be stopped and asked for a few dollars for food. As we strolled along the main drag downtown, we were stopped and asked this very thing. Now, we make it our policy that if we can, we will help someone who's hungry by treating them to a meal, but we will get the meal for them, not give them money. We offered this man dinner at "The Grill" which was about five feet away from us and has an extensive menu ranging from burgers to chicken to salads. (mmmm, they have the BEST feta dipping sauce for their fries and oh! the milkshakes... but that's beside the point) He turned us down! He wanted pizza from a place that was a block away!
I was pretty much infuriated and told him to forget it. We kept walking.

Now isn't that how I am with God sometimes? I say "I'm hungry for you. I need more of You. I want to know you more." He reminds me of his Word, which I have about 10 copies of in easy reach... any flavor, er, translation, I could want. But I say "God, I'd really rather find you in a different way. What else ya got?" The Bible's old hat, or boring, or just plain unexciting to me most times.
Insert conviction here.
Hello! That's like, one of the best ways to get to know someone that you're not talking to face to face. (Although He's provided that option, too) I'm still getting to know my grandpa who passed away a few years ago because he wrote out pages and pages of wonderful information and stories about his life and gave them to me before he died. What a treasure that spiral-bound book is to me. I can learn things I never even knew about him and cherish my memories of him so much more.
We have a series of books from a God who is not dead that tells us story after story about Who He is and what He wants for us. What a treasure! On top of that, His words are living and able to speak to each of us individually. My grandpa's words wouldn't mean anything personal to you, but I'm connected to them. God's words supernaturally connect with each reader, no matter their background or experiences. Amazing!

I'm sorry, Lord, for ignoring the opportunity You've given me to feast on Your Word. I don't want to be exasperating. I don't want to ask You for pizza when You've given me a chance to eat whatever I want from an amazing menu. You prepare a table before me, even in the presence of my enemies. My cup truly does run over. Thank You for following me with goodness and mercy, despite the fact that I can't earn them and don't deserve them.
sigh.
Amen

Watch Baby Grow

While I'm putting up pictures, I guess I'll share the finished Watch Baby Grow four-panel that is now finally hanging on our wall. We knew ever since we got pregnant that we would have these in our hallway one day, but it's amazing that she's crossed all these milestones already. What an acheivement. Now we look forward to putting a matching framed four-panel right next to hers of her brother or sister.

Here are the four photos that are framed one on top of the other (even though I can't get them to stay that way in my post) so that the veiwer can "watch baby grow."

Finished Backsplash

Finally, I'm getting a pic posted of the kitchen. The company that did it for us wanted a picture, so that became the motivation to finally load one onto the computer. Now that it's here, it's easy to share.

We really love it and hopefully it'll really provide the "wow" factor in the kitchen for potential buyers in about 4 years. In the meantime, I'm really glad we did it, just for us.

POW Pendant

My Pick of the Week is one of the pendants I'm considering asking for as my Mother's Day gift. I want something akin to those dogtag type necklaces you see a lot with each child's name on a tag, but I'd like to be a little unique. One thing I'm considering is getting a charm that represents Eden (an owl, her favorite animal) and then waiting to see what type of charm might represent the new baby and adding that in the future.

The other possibility is from a seller on Etsy (me? look at Etsy?) named SilverPeanut who will send you a fingerprint kit and then duplicate your child's fingerprint in sterling silver. If that doesn't symbolize your child's uniqueness, I don't know what would. Besides, you can still have their name engraved on the other side if you like. I think this would be an awesome Grandma gift too, if Grandma wears silver and if she wears necklaces. My mom fits in neither of those categories.

Cool Mom Picks

check out today's Cool Mom Picks blog (www.coolmompicks.com) and their super cool contest prize:

The Swedish Invasion - Polarn O. Pyret hits the states and parents everywhere rejoiceFor more than 30 years, Swedish kids have been lucky enough to frolick around their IKEA furniture in the iconic stripey clothes from Polarn O. Pyret. And now we've just learned that they're primed for a massive US takeover in 2010, but lucky us, we can start ordering their fantastic play clothes and wardrobe staples for kids online at this very instant. (Seriously, this is the news you will remember when their shops are everywhere and say hey! I read that at Cool Mom Picks first!) Our first thought was that the clothes reminded us of Hanna Andersson - truly amazing quality, timeless styling, more European flair than your average mass mall store - only I like a lot more of the fabrics and styles at PO.P (as the natives call it). Plus they're practical; the soft, sturdy cottons are made for play and the unisex styling on a lot of the designs will definitely help mamas of two or more get more mileage out of those hand-me-downs. Or, um...ebay?Click over and you'll see wonderful newborn clothes, a dandy little organic cotton line for babies, and all kinds of great options for kids up to 11. I am going nuts for the wonderful girls dresses (tell me you can't get three seasons out of that red printed dress shown here). If I had a little guy around, I'd snag some of the boys shirts which help you get through birthday season without having to splurge on a "fancy shirt." I also love the company's whole eco/socially responsible deal.This is the perfect brand for moms who like their kid in stylish clothes but don't want to freak every time he heads straight for the muddy sandbox. In other words, all of us, right? - Liz

EXTRA-COOL: WIN IT! We've got two amazing gift packages to give away: A baby layette valued at $130 and a toddler boy set valued at $200. So awesome! To enter, email contests@coolmompicks.com by midnight tonight with PO.P/BABY or PO.P/TODDLER in the subject - pick ONE please. Check the site and tel us in which city PO.P was founded, and when. We'll draw two super lucky winners at random. And hey...want an extra entry? Just tweet the contest or post it on your blog and email the url to us. Good luck!

Phase 1

Here it is, coming along nicely. They're all through laying the tile and have left for the day, only to return tomorrow to smear on the grout. I'm very impressed with their work. They even put the sharpie back they borrowed, closed all the windows that were opened, and hand washed and dried my counter tops and floors before they left.

I'll post a picture of the finished product tomorrow... if I don't get too caught up in the fact that my parents are coming into town. Yes, this is all kind-of last minute with the tiling... and I still have house cleaning to do!

Backsplash!

We are getting a beautiful glass tile backsplash today! I'm pretty nervous about it because I've been second guessing my color choices ever since we paid the down payment. I'm no interior designer, but I tend to have a pretty good eye for color. This is just so... permanent. I chose three colors that I think will compliment the speckled granite counter tops. The installers are supposed to use an off-set horizontal pattern, like bricks...
Oh my gosh. They just showed up.
OK, now that I'm dressed and my hair looks decent and I have the dog locked in the back bedroom and I have all the dishes in the dish washer instead of in the sink and I have all the appliances on the dining room table instead of on the counter... they can start and I can finish this.
OK, NOW I can finish this... had to get some music set up for them.
I was going to say I'm pretty nervous about all this. It's the first home improvement type thing we've had someone come in and do for us. I really have to keep a close eye on them and make sure they do everything how I want it and that we get what we paid for. I've seen lots and lots of shows on HGTV where the contractor messes up the job. So far, these guys seem pretty concerned with getting things right. They checked all their tile boxes before they got started to make sure they had all the right amounts in the right colors. Good sign.
I think I just heard an "oops"... bad sign. I'd better go.

POW

Pick of the Week Wednesday: Arbonne Herbal Foot Creme

Well, I just went to get a picture of it to place on the blog and, lo and behold, they have discontinued it! This is not a very good choice anymore for my pick, but I'll certainly treasure my last tube of it.
Yes, Arbonne is expensive, but there are a few products that I try not to be without in my house. I use their anti-aging face wash and moisturizer with spf 15 every day, haven't found any other diaper cream that will soothe Eden's tush like Arbonne Baby Care Herbal Diaper Rash Creme, won't trust my lips to any other chapstick but theirs, and wouldn't think of using any other lotion to truly repair and renew my feet except their Herbal Foot Creme. So sad that they've decided to cut it from the line of products... and as of this moment, I don't see that they've created a replacement. They are always updating, using new technology, new formulas, better ingredients etc. but sometimes that means losing a product you love. :(
Anyway, I was just going to say that, a couple of weeks ago, when my feet were particularly sore from dancing, I decided to give myself a quick foot massage with this stuff. Now, Chuck prefers soft feet to calloused (don't we all) and I had tried scrubbing them in the shower with a pumice stone and sugar scrub for a few weeks before this without much noticeable change. After one use of the foot creme, he sat by me on the couch and I put my feet in his lap. He placed his hands on my feet and after just a minute of feeling them asked, "Did you scrub your feet today?" He never asked that on the days I had, just the one day I put this creme on. Pretty impressive results, I'd say.

Just Laughs

This is not going to be an inspiring blog, but sometimes you just need a good laugh... at other people's expense. I found a blog called FAIL blog and it's right up my critically-minded, muffin-police alley. (You'll have to go back and read my Muffin Police blog if that makes no sense.) Chuck and I say some silly things to one another and one thing we say on occasion is "fail!" I can't explain the circumstances, but some could be similar to these. You'd have to be there, but it makes us laugh. Here are some of the most giggle inducing pics I found on the blog...

Favorite Friday

Sillyness that includes major talent is a favorite of mine. The VocaPeople are a group I just discovered. They are phenomenally talented and I kept having to remind myself towards the end of the clip that there are NO instruments here. They can't dance, but they can sing. It's a fun clip, so enjoy!

The Pouch of Cuteness

Pick of the Week Wednesday

Who could resist this adorable zippered pouch created in a plethora of too-too-cute Japanese fabrics by Kaylah7 of The Dainty Squid on Etsy? She even has a pouch of the month club, if you're so inclined. She makes all sizes, from this palm-sized sweetie, to a pencil pouch, to a cosmetic bag and she'll take custom requests.

I got one for my cell phone, custom made in a smaller size with an adorable candy fabric. It's a great way to keep my phone safe in the diaper bag and I just happened to discover that my little point and shoot camera fits in it perfectly too! I love the idea of these. The whimsical fabrics allow you to indulge in something cutesy in a small, tasteful way. Even though I probably need to think about getting rid of my junior t-shirts with cute little cartoon animals and sayings on them, this is one thing that will still be OK to own when I'm 30 (and beyond). Us girls gotta have some cute in our lives!

Social Dance for Kids

The fliers will be going out this week for a kids ballroom camp that I've been asked to teach for the month of June. I'll also be doing a VBS that month, so I bet it'll fly by. It's not a sure thing that the dance classes will happen. There's a minimum of four couples and we're getting the fliers out pretty late in the game. We've made the sign-up deadline May 22nd. Hopefully enough people will have seen the fliers and brochures by then (and respond).
I have no idea how this is going to go. The owners of the dance studio and I think we might have found a niche in the market that's completely untouched. No other studio in town is doing a ballroom summer intensive for children. I've tried to put an etiquette spin on it as well, so as to appeal more to the sensibilities of Southern aristocratic parents. Not that I want a bunch of kids there that were forced by mom, but... the mom will be the one seeing the brochure. With the minimum of four couples, I am ensured that I won't be totally wasting two days a week for the month of June. I'm not going to be extremely dissapointed if not enough people sign up, but it will certainly be nice to have the cash that would go with a bunch of people signing up. Time will tell!