what a week.

This week has been absolutely crazy.

I was up bright and early Sunday morning and at Sacred Hearth at 7:30am to spend time with a sweet family for photos of their little baby before church started. We made it to church on time, which never happens (we are always late and church doesn't even start until 11am...so sad). I was called to be an Achievement Day leader.

Monday night I was back up at the hospital with another family, this time in the NICU. I was there from 6:30 to 10. When I got to my mom's house, where the girls were, they had been asleep the entire time. That was nice for my mom, but Brinley woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep. She was up until 3:30am. Matt stayed up with her.

We also got a text message at midnight telling is that a friend of the family had died. Matt was quite emotional, as he has known this family for more than 20 years.

Tuesday was a break for me. Brinley ended up staying home from school (I couldn't wake her up). Brinely's school had a fundraiser going at McDonalds, so we went there, along WITH THE ENTIRE SCHOOL, for dinner. The teachers were working the counter. I have never ever seen a fast food restaurant that busy.

Wednesday was another busy day. I usually help in Brinley's class on Wednesday. I had a Forget Me Not meeting scheduled after school was done and got a phone call to do photos for yet another baby in the NICU. I spent another 3+ hours with this family. I had already had a babysitter for Brinley, but Sarah usually tags along with me to the meetings for Forget Me Not, so thank you Heather (who took her to the meeting) and Chaplain Michelle for watching Sarah while I took photos. I then rushed home in time to meet Karen to get Julie's dinner and then delivered it to Julie.

Today (Thursday) was way more relaxed. While Brinley was in school, I went to Julie's and we did a photo shoot of Sarah. Then when Brinley got home from school, we visited Matt and Ami at work.

Tomorrow (Friday), we go to a funeral.

Saturday, a birthday party.

I had nothing scheduled this week on Sunday morning except for 1 meeting...

i heart my chubby baby.

i haven't been good about getting Sarah's pictures done.

with Brinley, I was on top of it. she got pics about every three months because babies change so fast.

Now that Sarah is 3 1/2 months, Julie was good enough to remind me a million times that I really needed to get pictures. This morning was a good opportunity for me to do that, so here are a few of my favorites, from 200 photos.

In no particular order.

look at those cubby thighs.

she's a budda baby.

i cannot believe how thick her hair is.

Love it!

* you have to listen to the new music I have on here. Have you heard of 'The Bird and the Bee'? Love them!

i love giveaways!

I don't wear a lot of jewelry, but I love simple pieces.

I am in love with these...

You like them too?

Well, your in luck. Cinnamon*Sticks Boutique is going to give away one of her awesome necklaces. check it out here.

There are a lot of chances to win because 30days is also doing a giveaway here.

a little fun.

I got this from one of my friends Kim, not sure what I am going to make yet, but it sounds like a fun challenge.

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2. What I create will be just for you.

3. It'll be done this year. {might be a little while}

4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or maybe even some creation I haven't even invented yet. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch?
Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
* * *Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!* * *

getting big.

All of the sudden, Sarah got big.

And became the "not so little baby." Because of her...
We were laughing while taking pictures of these two together because it's like Matt and Merv laying next to each other and awfully close to the size proportions.
Sarah looks an awful lot like Matt as a baby, I have been calling her Matilda.

Albertson's.

I went to Albertson's today and bought...this.

Guess what I paid for it?

Okay, I'll tell you, $19.90.

Do you wanna know what I saved? $99.68 That's an 83% savings.

Betsie, I've learned the tricks.

I will have to admit, it was kinda fun to see the numbers drop and I think it's a little addicting.

Some of the stuff is not what I would usually buy, but I couldn't beat the price and it's great for storage.

Brinley was excited because I bought 5 boxes of fruit snacks, (They weren't the kind I usually buy), and toaster strudels (we never buy).

*Brinley is playing the drums on the soup cans with a straw in her mouth*

lola joon.

My sister Julie's baby:

Lola Joon

Februaru 18th, 2009

4:30am

7 lbs.

19 1/2 inches

proud brother, Cody.

I will let Julie give you more details when she gets home from the hospital.

her name is Lola.

Julie's sweet little baby was born this morning.She is adorable. I'll post pictures later.

build a bear.

last weekend, Brinley was invited to a birthday party at Build a Bear. We have walked through there but never bought anything.

It was fun. Brinley loved it. (She LOVES stuffed animals).

It didn't take long for her to find 'Izzy'. She helped fill her guts, then got her dressed.
A little pricey, but I think I know what to get Brinley for her birthday, some clothes for Izzy.

kindergarten concert.

a few weeks ago, Brinley had a little concert with the Kindergarten. She was a caterpilar and had a little solo of about 10 words. It was cute. We were proud. She loved every moment of it.

Valentine.

I thought this year I would get all crafty and help Brinley make Valentine's for her class. I came across some blogs with adorable print out Valentine's (easy ones). Brinley spotted these alligators from Skip To My Lou.

I thought, sure those look easy (and they were), only if you have a few extra HOURS to spend cutting out and putting together. Then I would suggest going to the store and letting your child pick out their favorite. Brinley ended up playing a game on the computer and tearing the couches apart to make a fort, while I did the rest. She did glue on a few of the eyes though. I made the alligators for the boys (11) and easy heart and tissue paper valentines for the girls (11).

The alligators had candy in their bellies while I tied the hearts to some goodie bags for the girls.

Girls like hearts, right? Well, let me tell you, I got an ear full when we went to Brinley's class to deliver the Valentines. A lot of "Where is my alligator?" "Why didn't I get an alligator?"

I've learned my lesson. Next year I will either start 2 weeks ahead of time and make the same Valentine for everyone or just have Brinley pick some out at the store. I made something completely different for her teachers, but there were only two of them, plus they got a little extra with theirs too, Subway gift cards (we weren't able to get them anything at Christmas because we missed the party due to school being cancelled).
Brinley had a great party with frosted sugar cookies , strawberry floats, games and messes.She loved getting Valentines from her classmates. Her favorites involved tattoo's and pixie sticks.

Tomorrow we have plans to go to breakfast with Matt, since he has to work. Then tomorrow night, to some friends house for a steak dinner and games...if my sister, Julie, doesn't have that baby tomorrow.

good deal.

Like I've said in a previous post, I don't like to shop all that much. If I need something, I buy it and then I'm done. However, there is nothing like a good deal.

This morning I went walking at the mall and was reminded that I had a coupon for JCPenny's for 15% off. I am in need of some clothing, so I stopped in to check the clearance rack.

JACKPOT!

I bought 5 pairs of pants and 5 shirts for a grang total of $27.39 How is that for a bargain.

JCPenny's clearance racks are all $2.97, and with my coupon, I paid $2.52 for each of my items. Most of the pants were originally $44.

If I had paid full price for everything (like I would do that) it would have been over $350.00

So hurry over there before the selection is gone.

life.

In the latest issue of Newsweek, you will find an article. One that hits a little close to home for me.

You can read the full article here.

It's worth the read. I suggest you grab a tissue.

random things.

I have been tagged by about 5 people to list 25 random things. I 'm not even sure I can come up with that many things, but here it goes. I was tagged on facebook, but I am so lost when it comes to that.

1. we have two goldfish. we have been trying to secretly "kill" them for about 1 1/2 years...they won't die. Their names are spot and spot.

2. I have the most boring closet of clothes. I like solids and dark colors...SO BORING, i know.

3. I don't eat rice. Except for fried and sticky.

4. I love Matt's hair. It was one of the things that attracted me to him. 5. I have a crooked toe to go with my crooked smile.

6. My sister, Kami, made a cat in a pottery class. I bugged so much about how much I loved it, she let me "borrow" it for as long as i want, she wants it back someday. It is one of my favorite decorations.

7. I HATE cats. I am allergic to them.

8. I am allergic to very random things and I am pretty sure people think I am lying (honey, pineapple, citrus fruits, pecans and walnuts, etc.)

9. I have been craving a salad for about 6 months, but can't eat it unless I want to be up with a gassy baby all night.

10. I drove a Rolls Royce as a Chauffeur for a hotel.

11. I hate my hair. I can't do anything with it. It's thin and it doesn't curl.

12. I buy the newspaper just for the ads. I throw the rest away.

13. I am usually at the mall to walk, not shop. I don't like shopping all that much.

14. I've eaten haggis. If you don't know what that is, you won't want to know. It wasn't as bad as I expected, but was still gross.

15. I hate scary movies and will not watch them.

16. I can remember my phone number from over 25 years ago...623.4756, I was six.

17. I do not have a green thumb, and tend to kill house plants accidentally. I love that my yard doesn't take much to take care of.

18. I hate going to the movies downtown because of the escalators. They freak me out.19. I would love to visit Dubai, just to see the architecture.

20. I love to watch my girls sleep.

21. Everyday after Brinley gets home from school, I make lunch and we watch The Cosby Show together.

22. I have never broken a bone, I don't count toes.

23. I love stars and have them hanging throughout my house.

24. I love to paint houses, I want to repaint my bedroom.

25. I think it's really hard to think of 25 random things to write about yourself.

hi brinley.

Brinley is such a funny little person. She makes us laugh everyday.

A few weeks ago she asked Matt, "What does Paranoia mean?"

Where does she even come up with that?

Over the weekend, we got a free pair of 3d glasses at the grocery store. She told me, "These aren't 3d glasses, these are 3a glasses."

I just love that girl.