Freebie Friday

If you haven't checked out Lemon Tree Studio on Etsy, you should, because it is fantastic. So many adorable things, I own several myself and look at her shop weekly to pick out more pretty little things.

She has a blog too, and shares cool ideas and pretty pictures. So go look! There's a little giveaway over yonder from yours truly that you might just want to get in on :)

So what are you waiting for?! Go!

Click here to be transported to fabulousness...

And because blogs are always better with pictures... here's a tender moment between the Crazies during their indoor campout while Daddy was away on a fishing trip.

Mr. Goofball

Goofball has been spending an unnatural amount of time in the bathroom this week getting ready, so I decided to investigate. Appears that he has become obsessed with getting his hair just right. He was so proud that he achieved just the right amount of "spikiness", which apparently was the look he was going for. Too bad for that insane cowlick he has going on in the front, poor guy. It even showed up on his ultrasound before he was born. True story. Well, I'm glad he's getting practice in before school starts, Pre-K in two weeks!

I Don't Know Why, But I Want It

So here is this beautiful and fun tape. I think it's pretty, although I'm not sure what to do with it. I do love sending packages, but I think I would stockpile and reserve it for only really special packages and would end up never using it! How much fun would it be to recieve a totally decked out box in the mail? I think I'm talking myself into getting some.

Good golly, the possibilities are endless I guess.

Look for it here, or here, or here, or here. :)

Fabulous K

Okay, so I'm addicted to design and craft blogs. I'm always looking for creative ideas and right now, have so many swirling around in my head that I have enough projects to keep me busy for a few years. One gal is particularly intriguing to me because I love love love her style. She is living the fabulousness that I wish I could attain. So go check out her giveaway week. Go now. Go!

Fear and Laziness

I read this quote this week, and I have to confess, it convicted me.

"How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them?" - Penn Jillette (of the famed Penn and Teller, also a self-proclaimed atheist), after receiving a Bible from one of his show's attendees)

Don't you think this is a profound statement? I don't hate anyone that much. I can't say that I really hate anybody. So why am I not sharing what Christ means to me with everyone I know? This is my personal challenge, to grow and mature in my relationship with Christ and to be less concerned with what others may think of me.

He Made My Day

So, the last few days have been challenging as a parent. Goofball is a wild man. He is stubborn, inquisitive, and has never ending energy. He never stops moving. Never. In a nutshell, this boy is exhausting.

But man, is he sweet! He woke up from his nap, came out the the family room for some snuggles, and out of the blue said to me, "Mom, you're the perfect mom for me, we just fit."

Wow. That just made the hurricane house, frenzied grocery store trip, thrown toy into the ceiling fan light, and spilled milk at lunch disappear.

Parenting is hard. Just when I think I'm not cut out for the job, God sends a little reminder, in the form of Goofball, to spur me on to do my best. I love this kid.

Freebie Friday!

Head on over to one of my favorites and enter to win a girly version of this adorable pillow!

Please Join Me

Three weeks ago, our friends the McRaes found out that their five year old daughter, Kate, has a brain tumor. Since that time, Kate has undergone tests that determined that it is indeed malignant. She went through surgery that removed about 40% of the tumor, leaving the rest as inoperable. Today, she began the long road of chemo. I know that so many families have been affected by cancer, and yet somehow, it seems even more painful in the life of a child.

Three weeks ago, this gorgeous girl was running, laughing, playing American Girls with her sister, swimming with her brother, getting ready to start kindergarten next month. Now she is relearning how to walk, talk, and preparing to fight for her life.

I share this with you not to exploit their pain, but to ask you simply to join with so many others in prayer for complete and miraculous healing. Below is a video that her dad, Aaron, filmed a few days ago.

So Long, It's Been Real

So today I did something that has been a long time coming, I donated my wedding dress to Goodwill. After a short stint on Craigslist a few years ago, the only response I got was from some pervert asking me to email him pictures of me in the dress. Yeah right.

It's not like I haven't entertained all of the possibilities. Sell it. Save it for Sweetpea. Donate. Preserve it for posterity. Quite frankly, it was just taking up too much closet space in our severely-lacking-in-storage home. I am sentimental, but I have pictures right?! Besides, it's not like this mamma's ever going to fit back into that thing, nor will I need to.

So, with a little bit of sadness, I said goodbye to the most beautiful and special dress that I have ever owned. Just out of curiosity, am I alone? What did you do with your wedding dress?

Happy Birthday My Friend!

My friend Candace (a.k.a. Cando) is one of my most stylish and intelligent (I threw that in because she just completed her Masters Degree and 3000+ hours of internship hours to become a counselor!) friends. We were roommates in college and for a while after college too. So in honor of my dear Cando's big 3-0 coming up in a few weeks, I have finally fulfilled a request of hers that came over two years ago.

Step 1: Brave the stinky Goodwill near my house, rummage through some heinous frames. Found this gem.

Step 2: Remove the "God Bless America" masterpiece.

Steps 3 and 4: Paint the fake gold leaf frame, insert some wire mesh.

And Voila! A new jewelry frame just waiting to be bedazzled!

Happy birthday friend! Now... you seriously owe me a visit! Stop breaking your legs so you can come visit after it cools down!

Cute Giveaway

If you know a little girl who you would like to gift a totally cute pinafore to, go to Lassie Girl's blog to enter her giveaway! Although, I'm keeping my fingers crossed to win myself!

Introducing the Crew

Welcome to my world. Perhaps this should have been the first post, but better late than never right? I thought I would introduce you to the Crazies.
Goofball, a.k.a. Buddy Boy, is our first-born ball of energy. He's infamous for his confidence, friendliness, and ability to never stop moving. ever. He keeps us laughing with his witty humor and sometimes bizarre theories. I'm sure I'll have some material of his to share here soon. Most recently he asked me if I would buy him a pair of "Wheelies Shoes". To which I responded, "No, maybe when you're older." He told me from the backseat of the car, "That's okay, I'll just have my wife buy them for me."

Sweetpea is two and super-duper girly. Gary and I agree that she was not the cutest baby, but looked a little elf-like. But as you can see, she is growing into quite a looker. She is a snuggler by nature and will actually throw a temper tantrum if I don't put a bow in her hair each day. True story.

My better half is Gary. We have been married for a little over 7 years. He is my best friend and I love him more now than I did when we got married. He is an honorable man. I hope Goofball grows up to be just like him and Sweetpea will marry a man just as unbelievable.

And me... I'm Michaela. I teach 5th grade part time and get to be with my Crazies part time. It's the best of both worlds, and a whole lot of work! I love my God and my family (in that order) and want nothing more than to leave a legacy of living and working to serve my Creator. My favorite verse is Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." I try to remind myself of this as I change a rancid 2 year old diaper :)

Tomorrow's The Day!

Tomorrow's the day when we will draw a name... enter below while you still have a chance :)

Sharing the Crafty Love

So... I've been contemplating how to use this blog. Purely updates on the Crazies for family and friends? A way to promote my Etsy shop? A combination of the two? I love reading other Etsyers' blogs, so I'm going to give the combo a whirl. If it crashes and burns, I'll revert back to only sharing funny stories and pictures about our life for friends and family.

So whether you are a real life friend, or simply a blog lurker... welcome! To kick things off, a teeny tiny give-away.

With the plethora of bookmarks floating around our house right now, I'll share! Simply leave a comment here and I'll draw a winner. Heck, maybe even two! Bonus, you can have your pick out of the lot of bookmarks! Remember, friends or blog stalkers... everyone is welcome to enter!

My Hero

So G is my hero for many many reasons (*swoon*), but last night he just proved it once again. Many of our friends are aware of our yard renovation saga. Long story short, we've lived in our house for over six years, and still have a dirt pile in both the front and the back. We are living my nightmare as the neighborhood's most ghetto house. It's not for lack of effort... just lots of ripping out the old (fence, trees, humongous cacti) and saving enough to do it without going into debt. Anywho... our new sprinkler and drip system is in pieces in my dining room just waiting to be installed. G wants to do it all himself, so last night he attempted the plumbing connecting it to the main water line into the house. It was a high of 115 degrees yesterday, just miserable.

So 4 hours, one sweat soaked shirt, and a trip to Home Depot later... we discovered we need to hire a professional. I am so thankful I have such a hard working husband!

Meanwhile, the Crazies and I kept busy indoors until the kids' bedtime. Here is Goofball flying the sweet new jet that he "built"...

And here's Sweetpea playing with some fabric circles. I'm not too sure what is was that she was trying to accomplish, but she was very particular about it and screamed if you accidentally moved one. Side note: please ignore the finger print smears on the fridge.

And me? Clearly I wasn't cleaning (see picture above), I was making a fabric book mark... but then I got carried away and made about 25. Each of my students will be getting one as a "Welcome Back to School" gift. I'm looping up with my class from last year. I know them well and love them a ton, so I have a specific one for each of them. That leaves a few extra... so see the next post :)

We're off to start a new day, trying to think of ways to stay cool and entertained!

I'm Melting!

I found an incredibly cute, fun, easy, and FREE activity for The Crazies here last week (her pictures are WAY better than mine). We tried it last night, and I am not exaggerating when I report that it kept Goofball and Sweetpea occupied for over 2 hours (with a dinner break in there somewhere).Just gather some waterproof toys from around the house. Place in a large bowl. Fill with water and freeze overnight. Give some appropriate "tools" for excavating the treasures, and let them go to work!

Today's Lesson Learned

Only pour your kids as much milk as you're willing to clean up off the floor.

We're Back

Okay... after a long blogging hiatus, We're (I'm) back! I'm not in a particularly witty mood, so I guess the "real" posts will have to wait. Happy Tuesday!