Saturday Social - 8 Things Tag!

Welcome to Saturday! I was tagged by Angela at Nine More Months.



8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. Warm weather

2. Visiting my parents in WA

3. Visiting my crazy relatives in WI

4. The baby sleeping through the night

5. MD in full day kindergarden

6. My husband returning from duty w/ National Gaurd



8 Things I did yesterday:

(maybe this should be did NOT do, I have a whole list of those..)

1. Made muffins for kids' breakfast (yay mom!)

2. Got my monthly visitor for the first time in 16 months.. ooh sorry, TMI!!!

3. Danced the baby to sleep at nap time

4. Walked all the kids to school to pick up Aria and let them play in the park

5. Laundry

6. Supper

7. Blog

8. Photos



8 Things I wish I could do:

1. Cure sick kids...

2. Win the lottery

3. Lose that baby weight (I'm sticking with blaming it on babies!)

4. Remember to send birthday cards on time

5. Cook better, and like doing it

6. Plumbing and Electrical

7. Drink all the regular Coke I wanted without consequence

8. Comment on all the blogs I follow every single day!!



8 Shows I watch:

1. House

2. Lie to Me

3. Always Sunny In Philidelphia

4. Grey's Anatomy

5. The Office

6. I will miss Boston Legal!

7. Medium

8. 30 Rock





8 People I'm Tagging: Anyone out there who wants to play. Hey, no pressure!! It's just fun to get to know you all!! Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday - The Eyes Have It

I'm gonna try my hand at the I ♥ Faces contest again. This week's theme is "The Eyes Have It"
This is my current favorite of AM...

This One's For You, Mom of the Year...

This is new - so I hope you'll play along...

We've all been there. As hard as we try, sometimes we don't catch every little sign that something's wrong. We aren't able to prevent every bump or bruise. We love our children with all our hearts, but we are only human. Super-mom has her kryptonite. We would not be parents if there were times we didn't regret something, if we feared we had somehow irreversably damaged them by some slight on our part. Yet our children seem to be OK. They love us unconditionally and we love them. WE LOVE THEM....that is what matters. So don't be so hard on yourselves. As parents we do all that we can and leave the rest to God. Don't beat yourself up for that one little thing.
That being said I am introducing a new award...

<a href="http://fraasefamily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="MOM of the Year" src="http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq208/affectionatelyyoursphoto/MOMofyear200px.jpg"/></a>

Here are the rules:

1) Admit that ONE thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are NO LONGER allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a good mom!

2)To remind yourself that you ARE a good mom, list SEVEN things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you. These are the things to remind yourself of EVERY DAY that you rock!

3)Send this to FIVE other Moms of the Year that deserve forgiveness and a reminder that they, too, are the best moms they can be!!! Remember to send them a note to let them know you've selected them, and add a link to the person who nominated you!

So here's my story:

When MD was about 20 months old we were on our way out of our apartment so that I could go to work by way of the baby sitter's. MD was already in his jammies (I work overnights). Garbage bag in one hand, I couldn't carry him, so I led him out the door. He was slow getting out as steps were still kinda new to him. I tugged to get him moving, only looking forward. He wouldn't move from the doorway and was starting to throw a fit. So I thought. I look back to see that the heavy door had closed on his two smallest fingers...and I was TUGGING on him!! I actually had to open the door back up to free his little fingers! Blood was starting to run down his arm and on to his jammies. I had nearly taken off the tip of his ring finger and his pinky was flattened. At the ER we learned that he had fractured the ring finger. To this day that finger is scarred and the nail is odd shaped. I felt SO horrible for being so concerned about getting to work that I didn't see the door close on him!

The things I love about my kids:

1. They always want to play games with me, apparently I'm not lame yet.

2. Jumping on mom's bed is allowed. No jumping off, no pushing.

3. I'll say no to a toy, but I'll almost never say no to a book at the store.

4. I make mac & cheese from scratch, no boxed stuff!

5. I've spent entire days at a park because I didn't have a good enough excuse to ask the kids to leave.

6. My hubby & I love art, we always have a large supply of plain white paper, markers, pencils, pastels, paints etc. and encourage the kids to create!

7. I've breastfed all of my kids past 1 year (well, I'm still working on the last), I feel really good about being able to do that.

The five moms I'd like to nominate are:
The RaMbLeR @ the Rambler (you are my inspiration for this!), Abby @ Me and My Boys, Keri @ It Flickers Dimly, Jen @ Life is Chaos, Give Me More, Dawn @ Dawn's Diversions

Play along if you want, or anyone else who wants to, grab the button and nominate your own crew. And remember, YOU ARE ALL AWESOME MOMS!!!

Friday Fragment - Getting my SHT together...

Friday Fragments are nice little posts started by Mrs. 4444 at Half Past Kissing Time. All the stuff too small for it's own post, but too good to forget about. This week Mrs. 4444 put up a post about SHT (Stupid Human Tricks). Any of these nice little awards we give each other Mrs. 4444 has asked that we, in turn, give a little taste of our unknown talents. I sent her mine :) You can take a peek HERE! More of my talents in a minute...now I give you a few fragments:

• I made frozen pizza for the kids this week. MD ate several pieces, then later on I saw him eating the last one. I asked MD if he was still hungry. He explained: "I had heart-eyes for the last piece, so I had to eat it" - Well in that case...

• My DH's good friend and war buddy is spending the night tonight - I may have to post some of his photos tomorrow. Strangely, he has the identical laptop as I do, even the same funky-colored design on the casing. OMG, he just showed us ACTUAL photos of S. Hussein, the REAL GUY. HE was THERE when they pulled him out of the hole!! Can you imagine?!?!

• I moved our elliptical machine to a nicer spot in front of the TV in our bedroom. I'm hoping this will actually encourage us to stop hanging shirts from it and USE it!

• I have been enjoying a top shelf vodka and cranberry juice drink tonight. I think this post may be a bit disjointed...

On with the SHT I meant to post:

More AWARDS!!
From my lovely lovely friend Keri and my lovely lovely friend the RaMbLeR ...

The Honest Scrap Award

The honorees are to: a) first list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep! B) pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap, whose blogs you find brilliant in design or content.
So here are ten things:

1) I have 4 kids, 2 girls who had birth injuries, 2 boys who did not. I have also had a miscarriage in between.

2) I dated my DH for 5 years before we were married.

3) I prefer salty snacks unless I'm pregnant, then it's all about the sugar.

4) I never had to diet until all these kids came. I'd like to lose the pants sizes and keep the cup sizes.

5) I've breastfed all of my kids at least 15 mos. I love the nurturing, but also I'm too cheap to purchase all that formula.

6) I do not shower every single day, more like every other.

7) My best friend has been the same one since 5th grade when we met.

8) 3 out of 4 of my kids were born on the 17th of a month, the last was due then, but I didn't make it that far.

9) I have not heard from or seen my birth father since I was 5, I consider my step-dad my real father and have a good relationship with him.

10) I am done having my own kids (unless we win the lottery soon) but am totally looking into being a surrogate.

Now for the "award" part where I pass this on to those I feel really deserve this award. Please don't feel offended if I do not mention you here, I mean it's only 7 and I really feel you all are fantastic!! Also, I re-gift, so even if you have this award, you don't have it from me!!

RaMbLeR @ The RaMbLeR, Keri @ It Flickers Dimly, Kel @ Girl In The Glasses, Jen @ Life Is Chaos, Give Me More, Abby @ Me and My Boys, Mrs. 4444 @ Half Past Kissing Time, Ellen @ To the Max..ooh that's already 7, I could go on!!!

on that note, you all need this
The Friendship Award

an to all you lovey people who have posted a comment or two, come back again, I think this award is meant to be shared often!! Your turn is next!

Oh, yeah, SHT....

I have one more little "talent". My DH hates it and I can't do this in front of him because when he was in high school he dislocated both thumbs at work and to this day has sympathy pain every time he sees it....

yes, my dis-locating thumb. Cool.

Totally Talented & Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Artists & Apples

Time got away from me today. I had two different people call me that took up a majority of my time. I got a call first from a gentleman down the street. He's 87. He likes history, and the history of our little town. He talked my ear off for 72 minutes with minimal grunts from me, then at the very end let me know he needs some photos done sometime soon. He ended every sentence with "are you getting this" or "and so on" or, my favorite, "now are you catching on?" as if the stories he's telling me had some ongoing conspiracy I am now privy to. THEN some other guy, who isn't nearly as old or as cute just for being old, called to ask about photo stuff. My DH knew who it was, knew what I was in for, and snickered while handing me the phone. What kills me about this guy is that he wants to talk "shop" about photography but he really just very lonely and not much of a photographer. He's a really nice guy, both are, but my ear was getting sweaty and my neck hurt. I can't be mean. I really want to stop publishing my phone number....would that work for a business. I feel obligated to allow these people to monopolize my time, this is such a small town that I'd end up burning more bridges than I care to. And people around here remember. Everything. For. Ever. Any suggestions for getting these people off the phone?????

But I digress.... Today is Totally Talented Tuesday. This week I bring you my 7-year-old's artwork. And her sense of humor. If you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up she wants to be an archaeologist. She also wants to be an artist and a photographer. I told her she could actually do all of that. She's totally pumped to go to college. I hope it lasts.

Here's AM painting her Egyptian Sarcophagus box. She found the idea in a kids Egyptian book.
Then she decided she needed a moustache. Love it.

There are talents abounding at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House!

And then there is, of course, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays.

I just made this the other day and pretty much ate it all myself. I'll make more, to be sure:

Apple Dip

8oz (1 pkg) cream cheese, room temp

1 tsp vanilla extract

1c sugar (part brown, part white sugar to your taste)

1 pkg Heath Toffee bits w/ chocolate (It's just as good w/ half and a bit cheaper!)

Mix in resealable bowl, serve with apple quarters.

I usually give up on the apples and start in on it with a spoon. This ultimately requires an intervention by my husband. YUM! There are more tempting recipes at Blessed With Grace.

Things I've been meaning to do...

I have received these fantastic little recognitions...and I have been meaning to give them away. Today is the day. The first, and my first as well, is this lovely Lemonade Award, given to me by the RaMbLeR. I am now to make sure you all give her a little love and then pass it on to ten others...
So come and get it:

<a href="http://fraasefamily.blogspot.com/2009/01/things-ive-been-meaning-to-do.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Lemonade Award" src="http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq208/affectionatelyyoursphoto/lemonadeaward.png"/></a>

Back to you RaMbLeR at the RaMbLe Room
To get you started - Sherrie at Syverson Saga
I know you just received one, but for the comment love Keri at It Flickers Dimly
For all the comment love:

Jen at Life Is Chaos, Give Me More!

Abby at Me and My Boys!

Mrs. 4444 at Half-Past Kissin' Time

Ellen at To The Max
Brooks at Babbling Brooks
Dee at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House
Kel at Girl in the Glasses

And because you are all such beautiful people, I want to share this award with you... (sort of a two for one)

Also given to me by the RaMbLeR:

<a href="http://fraasefamily.blogspot.com/2009/01/things-ive-been-meaning-to-do.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq208/affectionatelyyoursphoto/beautiful_blog_award180.png"/></a>

Take them and spread the love!! You guys deserve it!!

Wordless Wednesday - Thematic Photographic

Thematic Photographic's theme this week is "bright" -this theme photo stuff is right up my alley and perfect for Wordless Wednesday. The rules are here at Written Inc.

I'm It....

I've been tagged by the Rambler at the Ramble Room -

The rules are to list 6 things that make me happy:

1. Food made especially for me because they know I'll like it (my husband does this!)
2. Listening to my kids talk to each other when they are getting along and think I can't hear them
3. Talking to my husband about anything, because it so rarely happens without numerous interruptions
4. My baby looking up and smiling at me while they're nursing
5. Talking to my best friend for hours
6. Having a drink with my husband and/or my rowdy family members (aka the "loud" family)

I'd like to tag:

Jen at Life Is Chaos, Give Me More

Now I'd better get back to work, taking care of other people's newborns. Can that be a favorite, too?

The Room in Progress

Here's a few in-progress shots of A.M.'s room. We are also doing her bathroom as the "Monkey Bathroom". They both are slow going as I rarely have enough time to devote to painting. The bathroom is close to done. I've re-caulked the tub and am just about done with the paint. I want to put some peel-n-stick vinyl tiles in until we rip out the floor entirely and replace the toilet. We just need a cool monkey shower curtain and I've been looking for monkey fabric to make a curtain.

A.M.'s room, half done...

The Monkey Bathroom, just about done!

Close-up of monkey on wall nearest door.

Bathing monkeys on wall by door. The switch plate was from my grandma!

A.M.'s Egyptian Room

We've been moving in to A.M.'s room for some time now. She loves Egypt and we will be painting her walls to look like the inside of a pyramid. We found a neat painting in a book that we will put on the open wall. I will post some pictures soon as we finish, I have some in progress as well. She is excited to have her own room. Yesterday she took her snack and sat on her bed and read books for a long time. I think she likes having a space that's all hers. I'm eager to get her dresser out of our room and into hers so she can get dressed up there instead of everywhere else. M.D. misses her sleeping in his room on the bunk beds, but being a big boy means having a room to yourself. P.M. may end up sharing for a while until the latest addition needs a room... We have one more we can turn into a bedroom, its the toy room now and unfortunately it's the smallest, but its available.....

Party like a Kindergardener!!!

"hey mom, we're buddies!"

I couldn't sleep last night because I was sure A.M., for the second time at least, had not been invited to a birthday party. Its sounds kind of silly, but there are only 20 kids in her entire graduating class and she was absolutely crushed not to have been invited to the last one. Her true sadness is tough to see, its not the same as crabby or whiney, I was hurt just thinking about it. I THINK, however, that it was a boys only party (and I don't blame them!) last time. She was upset because all she wants in the world is to make friends, and talks and says HI to random kids all the time. I want to find some kids nearby for her to play with over the summer. She is extremely social and she needs friends her own age. A 4-year-old brother just doesn't always cut it. Anyway, after some detective work I found out the entire class was invited to the most recent party and I called the mom to OK her still coming. Steve even ran to Lisbon for errands and picked up a gift for her to bring. All is well....