birthday fun

Well, the art party was a smashing success... I always say, the proof of a good party is an exhausted hostess, lol, and that is exactly what I was! Phew! Here are a few pictures!!!

the invitations...

First the children painted this mural together:

Then they drew portraits of each other and we hung them up for all to admire.
This is the portrait Adriana's partner drew of her!
The children handstamped a t-shirt for the birthday girl as a memento:
And a bonus picture of my Drewbers with his grandmother...

Confession Session

Wednesday's pet peeve deposit was so effective, I thought we could do a confession session today... this propelled by my in-laws' visit this week.

I have one closet in each bedroom and a very small coat closet downstairs. I always forget until they get here that they actually need a place to keep their clothes. Lol. And as I have very few closets, they are all stuffed to the brim with not only clothing and coats, but holiday decor, tchoskes, pillows, blankets, vacuum cleaners - you name it, and in no particular order! So, this is my confession - I am a closet pig! I am very good about keeping a clean and tidy home, to the envy of many of my friends, but what you can't see really doesn't bother me. So, imagine my horror, when on the spot I have to open up a closet and shove things out of the way for my interior designing mother-in-law to hang up a few articles of clothing. It's a humbling experience, to say the least.

... okay, you know what to do!

Wild Card Wednesday - pet peeve deposit

Is something eating you? Do you need a place to release it? Well, here you go my friends. Today I offer to be your negativity bank. Deposit your pet peeve here. But promise me you'll really let go of it ... otherwise, I don't want to hear you whine. ;)

I'll begin. And because I am the hostess, I get to deposit more than one. Lol.

First of all allergies - which I can't really let go of - there is always something in season in the armpit of the world. But, I accept that there is nothing I can do about it. Still, it does not help my son who is trying to recuperate from surgery. Nor does it help me, who has entered the gloriously congested third trimester. But, I release my frustration. Ka-ching!

Second - false anonymity. Example - drivers. What is it that changes the minute people get behind the wheel? What goes off in their head? Little old ladies are suddenly shaking their fists at people and then you find your neighbor, who never misses a wave, riding your tail and obviously screaming something very loudly at you. Yes, for some, the car becomes some sort of disguise, like a cloak of invisibilty, and you become their target for pent up anger. I'm no exception. I vow to my children today that mommy is going to try very hard not to call other drivers big dumb jerks anymore. :)

Ka-ching!

Your turn!

PS - I may be scarce the rest of the week. I've got family in town for my daughter's 7th birthday. But when I return there will lots of pictures for your viewing pleasure! And maybe something poingnant, too! Lol... it will be worth your patience.

Did you see? Did you see? Did you see?

I just want to call attention to my bee-yoo-tiful new title bar. Know who did that? Zoe. Zoe and I have been friends since college. We lived together for... two years was it, Zoe? Well, I can't remember a significant part of my life that she wasn't part of. :) She is one of the most creative and beautiful people I know! And I am so grateful for all she does for me. If you haven't checked her blog out, you need to.

Just another "Manic Monday"

Right? WRONG! Although I do wish my bed was already made and that it was Sunday again.

My 3 year old had his tonsils and adenoids removed on Friday. He did so well that day... the nurses fell in love with him immediately because he was so compliant and didn't cry or fight or even whine. We got home from the hospital and within a couple hours he wanted real food- cheese sticks and tortellini. His sister had the same speedy recovery... both their tonsils and adenoids were removed by coblation, a relatively new technique which uses a wand to coagulate the tissue with a cool electrical current and saline (this opposed to burning, cutting, or lasering). The desired effect is less tissue area damaged, thereby cutting recovery time almost in half.

Well, Jonah's resilience didn't hold up long. By Sunday he wouldn't even swallow his own saliva. He wasn't keeping his pain medication (or antibiotics) down either, which only contributed to his discomfort. And because his stomach was empty, he just walked around the house dry heaving. As a mother, you just wish you could experience their discomfort for them!

Today has been better. He ate some macaroni and cheese for lunch and it stayed down. He is napping now. So we will try to get some more food in him and then try the medication again. If he has something in his stomach, I think he'll be able to tolerate the medication. And the medication of course will help him feel better.

With all that's been going on in my life, I've thought a lot about the importance of empowering myself - by staying close to Christ, through scripture study and prayer. And I've taken an interest in the women of the scriptures lately, too. One story I love is that of Sarah and Abraham. I've always felt an admiration for Sarah, but lately more of an understanding for Hagar's example as well. Could anyone possibly feel more powerless than she did? Here she was a servant, a slave basically, required to provide a child. Then she was sent away - homeless and single and pregnant. She made poor decisions in her powerless situation, but the Lord still extended his hand to her. Angels visited her.

Perhaps one reason why Hagar cut herself off from the Lord was because she felt so imperfect. I can relate to that. I think all women can. Especially when the going gets rough. This story is a reminder to me that if I feel distanced from the Lord, it is because I have moved away, not Him. I need that reminder right now. I need to remember to not allow myself to feel powerless. To beseech the Lord for guidance and strength. With that I know all this shall pass. That comforts me. That inspires me.