What's up lately... a short rundown

Hey everybody,
Boy, I've been busy lately!  That's why my blog posts have been lacking...  So here's what's been keeping us hopping.

• My niece and nephew were visiting from Texas for the summer, so I made a lot of trips to my parents' place to visit while they were there.  Brennan loves spending time with them!  They're back in Texas now, so we're definitely missing them.
• I'm still busy bow making!  I had quite a few to make to fill my orders.  I just finished up my last ones and Ryan will be dropping them off for me on Tuesday.
• I am trying to find time to work on cross stitching Bryleigh's Christmas stocking... Christmas is sneaking up on me!
• I've been busy chasing my never-slowing-down 2 year old all while holding his little sister.
• Both of the kids currently have colds, which has made for fussiness and LONG nights.  I'm so happy to announce that Ryan and I caught them, too.  Luckily, ours, especially mine, were pretty short lived.
• Lately, I have been having a lot of computer problems- powering up, but then shutting itself off.  I figured out that it was a hardware problem and took what I thought were the necessary steps to fix it, but to my dismay, it is not fixed.  I called a computer place and told them what I did... he said that my actions were perfect and that my motherboard must be shot.  I cannot explain it, but it will boot up almost completely disassembled, in pieces on the floor- screen in one spot, keyboard in another, etc.  But as soon as I screw it all together, it gives me heck again!  Time for a new computer.  Kind of a bummer, but I don't mind getting a brand new toy...
• So, because I need a new computer, that means that I must do HOURS of research to find the perfect one.  My free time during the last couple of days has been consumed with this...  I bought the winner on eBay this morning- an HP Pavilion G6.  Hope I love it!
• I've got a couple of review products that I've been testing out.  I'll need to be writing the reviews soon.
• We've been working quite a bit with Brennan on potty training.  We're not forcing it, but encouraging it as much as possible (with the help of one of those review products I mentioned).  He is doing quite well and really enjoys wearing his underwear.  Hopefully he stays interested and one day soon I'll be down to one child in diapers.  :)
• And speaking of diapers- I am washing, hanging, and folding a load of diapers once every 2 days.  Even without the diapers, the laundry in this house is never quite complete... never ending.
• We're still casually looking at homes for sale in the area.  I wish we could find the perfect one, in our price range, and sell ours before someone else buys it... seems like a long shot, but maybe things will work out sooner than later.
• Ryan's birthday is on Monday... I guess I better find a present for him!  Yikes.

 I am pretty sure that I could come up with more, but I've got a stocking to cross stitch, and a birthday gift to buy!  As always, wish me luck!

Share

Wordless Wednesday- Bryleigh wearing vintage Mama, plus a bonus picture of Brennan

Share

10 Reasons I'm Thankful...

So tonight I am watching all of the stories and footage about the horrible tragedy in Colorado.  The first victim who's name was released is Jessica Ghawi.  Listening to her mother talk about her and the last contact she had with Jessica was absolutely amazing and heartbreaking all at the same.  Her story brought tears to my eyes and reinforced the fact, once again, that every day is precious and we should cherish each moment.  I am lucky and blessed, and I truly am thankful for it!  Here are 10 simple reasons why...

1. I have clothes to wear, food to eat, a place to live, and a car to get me where I need to go.
2. I have family and friends who love me and take care of me and whom I enjoy being with.
3. I have been blessed with talents that I am proud of.
4. I live in a country where we are lucky enough to be free and brave soldiers to keep us that way!
5. I have a lighthearted sense of humor... at least I think so.
6. I have opportunities for fun and take advantage of them.
7. My children are healthy, smart, and beautiful, both inside and out.
8. I am able to stay home with my two awesome kids to raise them and watch them grow.
9. The world is such a beautiful creation with so many amazing features for us to explore and appreciate.
10. God loves me!  No matter what happens on this Earth, I've got a home waiting for me in Heaven!

There are so many more reasons I am thankful!  Maybe you could just take a moment to remember how blessed you are and be thankful, too!  Tell your family that you love them, thank someone who made a difference in your life, think about just how special you are, and say a quick prayer to the One who made it all possible.

Share

Oops! I forgot Wordless Wednesday- Brennan's Texas Cousins... or Best Friends!

So here we go, one day late...  And by the way, make sure you check out my latest giveaway for a dandelion laptop or car decal: dandelion decal giveaway!

Share

Hot outside fun!

We had fun today. It was stinking hot, but still a nice day to enjoy the sun. Brennan swang, threw his balls, played with water in a bucket, and played in the sandbox. Bryleigh sat on my lap and watched, ate, and took a nap on a sheet on the grass....

Share

Dandelion Laptop Decal Review and Giveaway by Lewa's Designs!

A short while ago  I was given the opportunity to a review another neat product- a dandelion laptop decal from Lewa's Designs.  Lewa's Designs carries a fantastic variety of vinyl decals that can be applied to virtually any flat surface including, walls, laptops, windows, and mirrors.  Besides their shop on Etsy, which boasts 100% positive feedback with over 6700 sales, Lewa's Designs has their own website, blog, and Facebook Fan Page that you should be sure to check out.

Here are a few of my favorite decals that Lewa's Designs carries:

I was generously given a dandelion laptop decal for review purposes, as well as a couple of little extra decals that were sent along, too- a blue birdie and a red zebra.  They arrived, safe and unbent, in a cardboard mailer.  The instructions were extremely clear and simple to follow.  I've applied vinyl decals to a wall before (remember my review of the Monkey Vinyl Decals?) and though that wasn't complicated, I can definitely say that these instructions were clearer and had so good tips that I didn't know.  I also realized that applying a decal to a computer or a vehicle is easier than applying to a wall.  Walls are mostly flat, but have lots of small bumps and indentations- computers and glass do not.  They apply especially easily to COMPLETELY flat objects.  

From start to finish, including cleaning my laptop, the application only took a few minutes.  The hardest part was definitely deciding where to place my dandelion seeds. The vinyl seems to be high quality and I didn't experience any issues with tearing or anything like that.  I love the finished product!  The silvery 'etched' color vinyl is beautiful!  I love the very slight shimmery look it has.  Maybe it is goofy, but every time I see my laptop with the decal on it, I smile a little.  It really 'fancies' things up and makes them extra cool.

I thought long and hard about what to do with the extra decals that were included.  Finally I decided to apply the zebra to a drink pitcher we have.  It looks very cool!  I didn't know if I would like the red on red look for sure, but both Ryan and I do like it.  Brennan really likes the new zebra, too.  He keeps going into the kitchen and asking to see him.  :)  It was a little tricky where the top got a bit skinnier, but I made it work.  It had nothing to do with the decal and everything to do with the shape of the container.  I haven't placed the little birdie anywhere yet.  I'm still thinking about where it should go.

I'm very impressed with Lewa's Designs and am sure that you will be, too!  Would you like to win a dandelion decal like mine?  Well, lucky for you, Lewa's Designs will be giving one away to one lucky reader (Only open to US entrants)!  All you need to do is use the form below to enter!  Thanks for reading and a special thanks to Lewa's Design!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was given this product for review purposes.  All of my opinions about this product are solely my own.  Your opinions may differ.  I was not compensated to write this post in any way.*    

Share

Wordless Wednesday

Share