10 Things

I need to stop and smell the roses a bit more and stop getting so caught up in everything.

So I'm adopting a new Sunday post for my blog here that I discovered over at the adorable blog little bit funky.

The goal is to list 10 things that you are thankful for. The first 10 things that you can think of at that moment, plucked straight from the top of your head.

1. Sweet belly laughs from my Brayden and Gage
2. Feeling the warm sunshine on my shoulders

3. Going for a country drive yesterday evening with the family

4. Napping toddlers (and mommas!)
5. Chai Tea
6. Spending the day with family and friends

7. Scrapbooking
8. Listening to Kings of Leon to energize me while I work
9. Getting to see the New Moon preview tonight !!!
10. Birdies chirping outside of my window this morning

Swamped

I'm swamped.
Utterly and completely swamped.

I've been so stinking busy the past few weeks that I'm not even sure where the time has gone!

My little brother is graduating high school a week from tomorrow and we're having a big huge party for him here next weekend, so there's quite a bit that I need to do to prepare for that, in addition to the surprise scrapbook that I've been working on for him and have yet to finish. Brayden graduates Kindergarten on the 4th (*sigh* my baby is growing up .... and I don't get those child free school hours anymore all summer long). B also keeps my pretty stinking busy by playing little league baseball with 2 or 3 games a week, which Mike also coaches.

And on top of all of that I've decided that I want to re-do my dining room. Today we painted the walls a light blue and reupholstered the chairs ... well right up until I ran out of fabric, anyhow. I needed a bit of brightness in my house :) Pictures to come in a blog post later on after I actually finish the project.

And that part time job I was talking about a few days ago ... well I got it. I'll be a working woman again in about a week and a half. I'm excited because obviously that means that Mike and I can put some money into our depleted savings account and do some of the things around the house that we've been wanting to do. And at the same time I'm completely heartbroken. I've been a stay at home mom since before Gage was born. I'm quite sure that I'm going to miss seeing my little boogers 24/7.

So where does that leave me??? At (finally!) the point of this blog post. I updated my shop for the first time in .... well awhile. And for probably the last time for awhile also, aside from renewing and relisting. So if you're in the market for fresh Oh Mandie goodies, now is the time to snatch em up!

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesdays Unwrapped

Happy Tuesday my bloggy friends!

It time for Tuesdays Unwrapped again! Something I discovered over at chatting at the sky.

The goal of this is to tell a story or post a photo documenting your messy, lovely, unexpected gifts of the small and ordinary nature and to unwrap your daily gift :) Beautiful right?

Yesterday we Mike and I's wedding anniversary. Seven amazing years we've been married, full of love, challenges, and trying times. We had a lot to celebrate.

I don't think that we have ever really celebrated our anniversary until now. Because it usually falls on or around Memorial Day weekend there's usually always something going on; a family get together, Brayden has a baseball game, or Mike has to work. There is always something. So for obvious reasons I wasn't expecting anything major this year. Which is ok, because I'm a pretty simple gal and so long as I was able to spend the evening with my husband I was happy.

When Mike told me that we were heading downtown for the evening to eat I was sure we were going to our favorite hole in the wall hot dog place. We live in a pretty podunk town, and the idea of a fancy restaurant here is a meal at the Red Lobster.

A very beloved friend of ours is one of the head chefs at one of the most extraordinary restaurants in town, Harrigan's Cafe and Wine Deck at the Holiday Inn. For an evening I felt like royalty.

We had a private table complete with special place settings and linens, a bottle of champagne complements of the chef waiting in a bucket of ice at the table for us. Mike and I were given menus and told to pick our main courses only and that the rest of the meal was already planned and taken care of. We even had white glove waiter service!

The Silverware on the table was a personal set of Mr. Frank Pasquerilla and was valued at $10,000.00 Seriously, can you imagine eating dinner with ten thousand dollar silverware?????? I about had a heart attack every time I brought a fork up to my mouth.

Our meal:
Appetizer: Smoked Salmon and Salsa stuffed Cucumber
Tapas: Spinach Croquet, Langostino Roll with Sweet and Sour Sauce, Garlic Steamed Shrimp
Salad: Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Endive and Pancetta Bruschetta
Palate Cleanser: Peach Sorbet
Main Course: Mike: Chicken Cordon Bleu with Rice and Grilled Asparagus
Amanda: Crab Cakes with Parsley Buttered Red Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus
Cheese Selection: Smoked Swiss with Salmon and some other super fancy cheese that I forget the name of, served with toasted garlic bread
Dessert: Mike: Chocolate Indulgence
Amanda: Homemade Cheesecake with Strawberries

After dinner I felt like I turned into a pumpkin again. The meal was easily the most elegant and delicious thing that I've ever eaten in my entire life, and outside of getting a salad at a restaurant, that was the only time I've ever eaten in courses. I didn't want to walk out those doors and greet real life again.

The evening ended with Gage coming down with a mild fever and ending up sleeping in Mike and I's bed, putting a massive halt to any and all anniversary romance that we had planned. But still, if only for a few hours I got to feel like a queen while I dined with my husband.

Happy Anniversary

Today marks my amazing husband, Mike, and I's 7th anniversary.

There's this sign in my house that hangs above the big pictures we had taken of the boys. It reads "All Because Two People Fell in Love". Those words couldn't possibly be more true.

Put simply, Mike, is the peanut butter to my jelly.

Not a day goes by that I don't thank the heavens for you.

Potty Time

This is what happens when you try and potty train a 2 year old who is anything but interested in being potty trained.

I can recall with perfect ease the amazing feat that was potty training Brayden. It was pure misery, thus why I've started getting Gage acclimated to sitting on his potty chair earlier in an obviously stupid attempt to get his ready for whats to come.

I'm dreading it.

Gage isn't so much into the whole potty chart/sticker thing, or the reward system. He's your typical perceptive little boy, who is too taken with the fact that mom has ridiculously taken off his diaper and left him unclothed than to be bothered with this whole potty business. It is much more fun running around the house commando and peeing in the corner of the living room than it is in that little chair, afterall.

I'm gearing up for a few games of "Sink the Ships" aka pee on Cheerios and make bubbles aka put dish soap in the toilet. How did some of you moms potty train with ease, if there is such a thing as potty training with ease?

I'm beginning to think that there might have been something to that stupid "Potty Dance" commercial that was on tv.

Tuesdays Unwrapped

Bienvenue my bloggy friends!

It time for Tuesdays Unwrapped again! Something I discovered over at chatting at the sky.

The goal of this is to tell a story or post a photo documenting your messy, lovely, unexpected gifts of the small and ordinary nature and to unwrap your daily gift :) Beautiful right?

Its chilly today. But that won't phase me, because I know that somewhere beyond the wisping wind and the bundles of sweaters is the summer sunshine.

In my house the four of us live a life of hustle and bustle. We're always on the go, and on the rare occasion that we're not on the move there is most certainly always something that needs to be done. Peaceful moments are few and far between.

Each summer we take a week to just leave all of our worries behind and just relax.

Camping folks! I'm talking camping! Honestly, what better way to relax than to plop yourself in the middle of the woods somewhere with trees and bugs and animals and all of that.

Oh did I forget to mention that I live in a house with three boys and my idea of a relaxing spa vacation with all the amenities is vetoed ... permanently.

I like camping, its fun ... but obviously its a lot of work and I'd probably be a lot more comfortable on a beach somewhere or near a mall or something like that.

But its the quiet and peaceful moments like these, from last summers camping extravaganza, that make the whole trip worth while.

Here's to Summer 2009 ... and the camping trip that I'm sure will come with it!

A Case of the Mondays

I think that maybe Mother Nature woke up on the wrong side of the sun today, because its cold out in Pennsylvania! The sun is shining bright, but somehow, even though it is officially the middle of May, its only a whopping 46 degrees out today. All of my poor little plants had to have a sleep over inside, lining my kitchen, just to beat the frost last night.

I've been working on a really big custom order the past few days, and as a result my poor little etsy shop has been left by the wayside. I need to update it with some new goodies, and I really need to make my mind up on the photo style that best suits my jewelry, but I just can't seem to find enough hours in a day.

As much as I'd love for my shop to be an overnight success with a horde of sales a day I know that that will never happen. I don't have the time it takes to devote to such a lofty goal. And with the economy the way it is, I don't currently have the finances either. I've been tossing the idea of getting a part time job around in my head for a little while now. It would help us out a lot, thats for sure, and maybe, just maybe I'd be able to put some money into my savings account, which now only houses a few random pennies and a cobweb or two. (And more money means more etsy spending! shhhhh ... Don't tell my husband!)

What that will mean for my already time deprived etsy shop, I'm not sure. But I'll make it work, just on a smaller scale.

Anyways, there is a two year old in the other room waiting for someone to watch WonderPets with and a hungry 6 year old getting ready to get off of the bus in 30 minutes who I'm sure will be ready for lunch.

Hope your Monday is a fabulous one!

Why God Made Moms

"Why God made moms"
answers given by elementary school age children:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other Mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your Mom?
1. My Mom has always been my Mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook?
3. Does he get drunk on beer?
4. Does he make at least $800 a year?
5. Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your Mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms works at work & works at home, & dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic. They make you feel better without medicine.

What does your Mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your Mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mom,what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back.

Tuesdays Unwrapped

Hello my bloggy friends!

It time for Tuesdays Unwrapped again! Something I discovered over at chatting at the sky, an amazing uplifting blog that I've recently fallen in love with.

The goal of this is to tell a story or post a photo documenting your messy, lovely, unexpected gifts of the small and ordinary nature and to unwrap your daily gift :) Beautiful right?



There is a mountain inside of my house.
A dirty, stinky, muddy mountain.
Mt. Laundry.

Its never ending. The hampers and baskets are overflowing. In fact I'm pretty sure that there has never been a day (since I've had Gage at least) that at one point in time all of the laundry in our house was clean, folded, and put away. Its just not feasible I tell you!

Between Braydens school clothes, Braydens at home play clothes, Gages messy clothes (which get changed often since he's 2), Baseball uniforms, Mikes work uniforms, Mikes at home clothes, and my clothes I often feel as if I'm drowning in a stinky smelly sea of dirty laundry.

But when laundry involves basket thievery by these two guys, it makes it all worth while ♥

Miracles

6 years, 5 months, and 16 days.
That's how long I've been a mother.

I found out that I was pregnant with Brayden around three months before Mike and I's wedding. I wouldn't call it an accident, but it was certainly a surprise to everyone. I'd be lying if I said that I was in any way shape or form prepared, but Mike and I were excited... and scared, but mostly in awe of the little miracle that was growing inside of me.

It was 10 days later that I was in the hospital emergency room with severe cramping and bleeding. I was admitted to the maternity ward, pumped full of pain killers, and told that I was in the middle of a miscarriage. For 3 days I sat in that room, delirious from the cocktail of pills I was on, and cried. When I wasn't crying I was sleeping, dreaming about the face of my little baby that would never be. After a few days of pain and waiting for the inevitable I was sent home and told to "expect it when it comes and come right back to the ER when it did". Rather than expect it, I prayed. And somehow, by the grace of God, I have a happy and healthy little boy.

Both of my pregnancies were rough and hospital filled. I was on bed rest for 7 entire months when I was pregnant with Brayden and for 3 months when I was pregnant with Gage. With both children I had preeclampsia and blood clots in my womb. Everyday felt like a battle just to carry those boys and to nurture them.

My children are little miracles, and not a day goes by that I don't remind myself of just that. Mother's Day means something a bit extra special for me. I celebrate those lives that I fought for, that I dreamed of, that I cried over, and that I was told I would lose. I celebrate the fact that God made me a mother, even when I had lost hope.

I hope that all of you moms out there celebrated your little miracles too yesterday!

A Sunday Moment ♥

Dear Husband

Hey husband! If you are reading this then I hope that you know tomorrow is Mother's Day.

Now I know that I don't get the typical Mother's Day which entails sleeping in, breakfast in bed, and all that jazz because you have to work in the morning. But I'm ok with that! (And you'll make up for it, believe me!) But something tells me that you didn't buy me a present yet, because I know you and you're a last minute kinda guy. I'm ok with that too. Because here is all of the amazing stuff that I really want ... which will never arrive on time, but better late than never!

Seriously Mike, how cute would this Aqua-licious cake stand look in our kitchen??

And really dear, this Roses Pleated Clutch is a must have.

And this Laced Ring ... well Mike, lets just say that if I got this you'd be a very happy man.

So hunny, love your wife and the mother of your children tomorrow and check out those links ♥

Getting Busy

Todays Agenda: Playing with cabs
♥

About time I got busy making something 'round here :)

Tuesdays Unwrapped

For something a bit new, I thought that I would participate in the Tuesdays Unwrapped over at chatting at the sky, an amazing uplifting blog that I've recently fallen in love with.

The goal of this is to tell a story or post a photo documenting your messy, lovely, unexpected gifts of the small and ordinary nature and to unwrap your daily gift :) Beautiful right?

Sometimes life gets so heavy for me and I just feel weighed down. There is constantly something that needs cleaning, laundry that needs washed, children who need love and attention... just something. That's not to say that I'm not happy to do it all and I'm not thankful each and everyday to Him for blessing me in so many ways, but sometimes I feel bogged down.

When things in my house get too stuffy or too serious and we need to "blow the worries away" as we call it, we go for a quick run through the yard. Sometimes all you need to uplift you is the miracle of the grass under your feet, the breeze across your shoulder, and the sweet laughter of your children.

A Sunday Moment

Even though it is Monday, sometimes we all need a Sunday moment.
I certainly know that I do.

Enjoy ♥

Soaking Up the Sun

I haven't been a very good blogger as of late. I think its a mix of being pretty busy and not really having anything worth writing about (or at least anything that I think would hold anyones interest other than my own)

Yesterday we spent the day at Mikes grandmothers cottage on the Juniata river visiting some family and celebrating being outdoors. I thought I'd share a few pictures of my little guys skipping rocks in the river and playing with the rabbits :)

Hope that you all are out enjoying the day as well!