Dear Santa, ♥ mom

Dear Santa,


I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always,

MOM...

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

*Santa has asked that this gets passed on to all the mommies you know

Cute Scrapbooking/Stamp Products

While browsing Split Coast Stampers i clicked on a banner for Elzybells. You have got to check them out! They have the cutest Holiday and Winter Stamps out!

Need a Check List?

Need a checklist? Visit :Check List

Exercise with Mommy!

A fellow Mommy Blogger is having a contest over one her blog at One Mom's World
The winner will receive 1 dvd of her choice compliments of Exercise with Mommy



and a $20.00 gift card to Target to buy her a new exercise outfit compliments of
One Mom's World

This is what you need to do in order to enter the contest!

1) Write a blog post about this contest and putting in at least one link to and at least one link to
One Mom's World

2) Leave a comment at the contest post letting her know you have wrote your blog post.
We will draw one random winner on October 22nd. Good luck to all entries :)

Popcorn Pull

I saw an idea for these on the internet and decided to make them for(my daughter) Chloie to take to class when it gets closer to Halloween, for our Playgroup Halloween Party & for her dance class as a treat from her. Let me know what you think!
It is called a Popcorn Pull!

I'm invisible.

A friend of mine shared this with me and I thought I'd post it here for other moms to read!

I'm invisible.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the
phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'

Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel? I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.
She's going . she's going . she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
* No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
* These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
* They made great sacrif ices and expected no credit.
* The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Cute Chloie

Mimi, Chloie & Roxy

Best of Friends

Halloween Give Away

Please visit
Mandy's Blog
for a special Halloween Give Away!

Wordless Wednesday

This picture is from last year! I chose it because last night at dinner we were talking about wishing cooler weather would hurry up! We talked about the leaves falling and playing in them!

First Day of Pre-School

Here are some pics i snapped this morning before we left for pre-school. She was so excited to go. There were no tears just a by mom see ya later and walked right into her class room!
So when i went to pick her up she was outside in line waiting on me! She was happy to see me but the first thing she said was can we go back tomorrow! That made me happy! Then i got a hug and we came home.
I hope tomorrow goes as smoothly!!

Fall TV Shows

So i can't wait to see 3 of my Fav TV shows. Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and the spinoff of GA Private Practice.
I thought i would post the promos here for anyone that is interested!
Desperate Housewives:




Grey's Anatomy:


Private Practice:

Chloie updates

OK i have lots of stuff to update everyone on so i will just do it all in one email!

Friday i took Chloie to the Dr to gt her paper for pre-school signed and because she was still sick. So Dr Smoot checks her out and of course she has another ear infection. I just knew she had one. She constantly gets them in her left ear but doesn't complain. So the Dr gives us antibiotics and explains that for some reason when Chloie gets a cold it is settling in her ear and the fluid isn't draining off like it should causing an ear infection. So we go back in 3wks to see if it is gone. Also we were given an inhaler. Now keep in mind the past 3 visits 2 non sick just check ups the Dr has heard some wheezing. Of course Friday it was worse because of the congestion. I have asthma so she is watching it and will reevaluate when we go back in 3wks.
So in 3wks we will find out if she has asthma or needs more evaluating, and a possible referral to an ENT to talk about tubes for her ears.

So today i go and take care of finishing up paperwork and paying for pre-school. I have been saying i am so ready for her to start. Last night though while Cory and were talking about it i just started crying. I was realizing for the last 3yrs and 8months Chloie has been w/me basically 24/7. Everyday i wake up and she is #1 on my mind and plan my day for her. I can't believe it is time to start pre-school. I know it will be good for her but it just makes me a little sad.

I was feeling so anxious even walking in there to pay and finish registering with Chloie holding on tightly to my hand. But the second we walked in there we were greeted by one of the teachers. Evidently she could tell it was our first time for pre-school and how we were both feeling. She came said hi to me then bent down and was talking to Chloie. She asked Chloie her name, how old she was and if she wanted to come look at a classroom. Chloie let go of me and went right w/her. I felt a huge relief when that happened. I have been trying to prepare myself. Heather know VBS this summer was horrible at drop off time. All she did was cry!
So keep yor fingers crossed next Tuesday goes good at drop off!

We are leaving to go out of town Thursday evening and will be back sometime Monday. Hope everyone has a great Labor day weekend!!!

12 Months of Me

♥ JANUARY ♥

1. Who kissed you on new years?
Cory

2. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?
Yes,but don't remember it now

3. Does it snow where you live?
nope

4. Do you like hot chocolate?
Yes

5. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop?
No, but hope to one day!

♥ FEBRUARY ♥

1. Who was your Valentine?
Cory

2. When you were little did you buy Valentine's for the whole class?
yes

3. Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not?
don't know if i believe in it

♥ MARCH ♥

1. Are you Irish?
Yep a little

2. Do you wear green every year on St. Patrick's day?
yes

3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2007?
umm...don't remember

4. Are you happy when winter is pretty much over?
yes i don't like cold

♥ APRIL ♥

1. Do you like the rain?
a little bit is ok

2. Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year?
no

3. Do you get tons of candy on Easter?
no

4. Do you celebrate 4/20?
no

5. Do you love the month of april?
no

♥ MAY ♥

1. What is your favorite flower?
daisies

2. Do you celebrate cinco de mayo?
no

3. Finish the phrase "April showers...":
Bring May flowers

4. Do you celebrate May 16th: National Piercing Day?
never heard of it

5. Is May anything special to you?
Cory's B-day
♥ JUNE ♥

1. What year did/will you graduate from high school?
1997

2. Did you do anything fun during this month?
can't remember

3. Have a favorite baseball team?
ASTROS

♥ JULY ♥

1. What did you do on the Fourth of July?
Went to the Astros game, came home watched forworks

2. Did you go on any vacations during this month?
No

♥ AUGUST ♥

1. Are you doing anything special at the end of your summer?
nope

3. Did you have a sunburn?
nope not all summer

4. Did you go to the pool a lot?
no too much rain

♥ SEPTEMBER ♥

1. Will you be attending college/school?
no

2. Who was/is your favorite teacher?
i had quite a few good ones

3. Do you like fall better than summer?
yes

♥ OCTOBER ♥

1. What was your last Halloween costume?
can't remember

2. What is your favorite candy?
peanut butter cups

3. Who's birthday is this Month?
My grandpas

4. What was your favorite thing about this month?
fall decorations

♥ NOVEMBER ♥

1. Whose house do you go to for Thanksgiving?
my moms

2. Whats best about this month?
Thanksgiving & getting ready for Christmas

3. What are you thankful for?
everything

4. Do you love stuffing?
yep especially my grandma's

♥ DECEMBER ♥

1. Do you celebrate Christmas?
Yes

2. What is December 1st, 2007?
it's a saturday

3. Have you ever been kissed under the mistletoe?
Yes

4. Get anything special last year?
Necklace from Cory

5. What do you want this year?
not sure

6. Do you like cold weather?
no

7. HAVE YOU EVER LICKED A FROSTED POLE AND GOT STUCK??
No

Good Bye Binky Idea

While reading Southern Mamas BlogI come across her post She's a Genius. This is a great idea. Thought i would blog about it so maybe others would see it and maybe be able to use it!

Sharing some sites

I found a interesting sites today.
If you like to swap check out SwapBot.

To get your room rated check out Rate My Room

Looking for some creative canvas artwork check out: Canvas Diva Designs

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Thought i would repost this from Toddler Planet

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

We hear a lot about breast cancer these days. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, and there are millions living with it in the U.S. today alone. But did you know that there is more than one type of breast cancer?

I didn’t. I thought that breast cancer was all the same. I figured that if I did my monthly breast self-exams, and found no lump, I’d be fine.

Oops. It turns out that you don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer. Six weeks ago, I went to my OB/GYN because my breast felt funny. It was red, hot, inflamed, and the skin looked…funny. But there was no lump, so I wasn’t worried. I should have been. After a round of antibiotics didn’t clear up the inflammation, my doctor sent me to a breast specialist and did a skin punch biopsy. That test showed that I have inflammatory breast cancer, a very aggressive cancer that can be deadly.

Inflammatory breast cancer is often misdiagnosed as mastitis because many doctors have never seen it before and consider it rare. “Rare” or not, there are over 100,000 women in the U.S. with this cancer right now; only half will survive five years. Please call your OB/GYN if you experience several of the following symptoms in your breast, or any unusual changes: redness, rapid increase in size of one breast, persistent itching of breast or nipple, thickening of breast tissue, stabbing pain, soreness, swelling under the arm, dimpling or ridging (for example, when you take your bra off, the bra marks stay – for a while), flattening or retracting of the nipple, or a texture that looks or feels like an orange (called peau d’orange). Ask if your GYN is familiar with inflammatory breast cancer, and tell her that you’re concerned and want to come in to rule it out.

There is more than one kind of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer out there, and early detection is critical. It’s not usually detected by mammogram. It does not usually present with a lump. It may be overlooked with all of the changes that our breasts undergo during the years when we’re pregnant and/or nursing our little ones. It’s important not to miss this one.

Inflammatory breast cancer is detected by women and their doctors who notice a change in one of their breasts. If you notice a change, call your doctor today. Tell her about it. Tell her that you have a friend with this disease, and it’s trying to kill her. Now you know what I wish I had known before six weeks ago.

You don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer.


P.S. Feel free to steal this post too. I’d be happy for anyone in the blogosphere to take it and put it on their site, no questions asked. Dress it up, dress it down, let it run around the place barefoot. I don’t care. But I want the word to get out. I don’t want another young mom — or old man — or anyone in between — to have to stare at this thing on their chest and wonder, is it mastitis? Is it a rash? Am I overreacting? This cancer moves FAST, and early detection and treatment is critical for survival.

Tricky MEME

Well this will be fun to try this meme has a interesting twist that is you half to answer the meme in 3 words.

1. Where is your cell phone? Don't have one

2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend? I am married

3. Your hair? under a headband

4. Where is your father? at his house

5. Your favorite thing to do? read a book

6. Your dream last night? i don't remember

7. Your dream car? 1956 JaguarXK140 Roadster

8. The room you're in? in my kitchen

9. Who did you hang out with last night? Cory and Chloie

10. Your fears? Snakes, Scorpions, Sharks

11. What aren't you good at? Golf, Baseball, Football

12. Muffins? Hot fresh blueberry

13. One of your wish list items? Canon Digital RebelXT

14.The last thing you did? Took a bath

15. Your computer? black Compaq presario

16. Your pet? Max and Libbi

17. You are wearing? Sleep shorts, Short

18. Your life? laid back, crazy

19. Your mood? Calm and relaxed

20. Missing? nothing right now

21. Your car? 2007 Dodge Nitro

22. What are you thinking about now? bed, hubby, book

23. Your work? I'm a SAHM

24. Your summer? Hot, dry, boring

25. Your relationship status? Married, 1 Child

26. Your favorite color(s)? Pink, Purple, Black

27. When is the last time you cried? Watching Chloie leave

28. When was the last time you laughed? earlier this tonight

29. School? none at present

30. Favorite 90's group? Better than Ezra

$2500 could be yours!

Over at Ashwin’s blog, you will find one crazy blog owner!! You can win $2500!! To enter just copy this text and paste it in your blog!! But hurry, this competition will not last long! So get posting!

So all you readers, what are you waiting for?? $2500 could be yours!

Some pics to share

Just wanted to share some pics from this weekend and today. Saturday we took Chloie to Libbi Lou.
Today I took Chloie & Wade to the park & while we were ther snapped a few pics! (Wade is the little boy i keep during the day)