Our Family Stone

Christmas GIVEAWAY 2 - Let your little light shine!

2009-12-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Note: * Christmas Giveaway #1 - Little Eva Charlotte is closed, click HERE to see who the winner is!*

Are you ready? I said, ARE YOU READY?

"Why are you shouting at me?!" you ask?

Well, because it's time to announce our CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY #2!

I'm sure you've been checking back daily, in anxious anticipation of what the next prize could be. This one's a goodie. I've been trying to find a nice way to say it's for grown ups not kids and well, this was the best I could come up with - It's for grown ups, not kids. Since it requires the ability to either work a child lock bbq lighter (those can be slightly tricky sometimes) or a match (again tricky, I hate using matches..)

Did you guess yet? I bet those of you who know me did.

If you didn't don't feel bad, just get with the program. You see, if you think back to what my other, other job is, I am a PartyLite Consultant. Which means I sell candles at home parties and online. So it would only make sense that in these winter months, when candle light seems to add warmth to an otherwise chilly day that I would be giving away some candles that I purchased!

That's right folks, the prize for our CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY week #2 is...

1 Box of French Vanilla Tealights and 1 Box of Ginger Pumpkin Votives

That's hours of candle burning bliss and together they are a great pair. And the best part about this contest, THERE IS NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. That's right, you don't have to spend a time to win some wicked awesome products. (Now if you felt like you wanted to go over to my website and place an order, I would never stop you. Especially with the fabulous deals we have this month, and the fact that it will be shipped to your door. But there's NO PRESSURE!) Ok, plug done. :)

Anyways, want me to stop talking and start telling you how to enter? Sure.

Christmas Giveaway Week #2

Prize: 1 Box of French Vanilla Tealights and 1 Box Ginger Pumpkin Votives

How to Enter: There are 3 ways to get your name into the draw

1. Leave a comment here on this post telling me your favorite room in the house to burn candles. (1 entry)

2. Blog about this comment on your own blog, linking back to this post and then come comment telling me about it (2 entries)

3. Write a Facebook Status about it (linking back here, why not share the great blog and Wonderful prizes with all your friends) and then comment and let me know you did it! (1 entry)

4. Twitter about it. Again twitter about this contest and then comment to let me know and you'll have another entry. (1 entry)

So if you pull out your calculator and add that up that's a total of 5 entries! To win some great candles for FREE!

Contest opens Monday December 7 2009 and Closes Sunday December 13 2009 at 12:00am!

Christmas GIVEAWAY #1 is ending today!!!!!! Don't forget!

2009-12-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

Ok everyone! Here's the finally reminder that our CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY #1 is coming to an end! Don't miss out on your chance to win a great prize from Little Eva Charlotte and enter right now!!!

ENTER HERE

They've got some really awesome stuff over there

So, go enter over Here now! The contest closes December 6 2009 at 12:00am!

Anybody for Breakfast?

2009-12-04T10:07:00.000-08:00

I'm not a breakfast eater. I've never really been a breakfast eater. I don't feel actual hunger very often and when I do, it certainly isn't before at least 11am. Which at one time was still morning, now with two kids that's like mid to late day, depending on when we get up.

Anyways, I struggle with the consumption of food. Not only because I worry about calories etc, but because I really don't enjoy eating. I make sure I eat the rest of the day but the breakfast meal usually gets skipped for me. If I have to eat something (and Starbucks isn't an option, because everybody loves Starbucks, don't you?hint) a banana is the best I can do.

Anyways, I've always done my best to not pass on my dislike for breakfast on my children. It is the most important meal of the day (so I'm told) and I make sure they have some. If they decide when they are 16 that they don't want to consume it anymore, then that's up to them. But at 2 (3 in less than a month, ah!) and 10 months they are required by household law to eat it!

My Audrey is always up for a meal, although now she refuses baby food. Because in her Non verbal communicative way she's saying "I can do it BY MYSELF!" a phrase I'm totally getting sick of. Anyways, I don't have to worry that she'll eat, she's a good eater.

Bethany on the other hand is a different story. While we face the challenges every parent faces with trying new food, Beth has always eaten well. She loves veggies and fruit, doesn't beg for sugary treats (except a love of chocolate that her father has fostered) and will generally eat what she's given. Except at breakfast.

She hates to eat it. I mean seriously hates to eat it. I don't know if it's because she doesn't want it or if it's because she's just gotten up and wants to play after 8 hours in bed but either way, I dread mornings. It's a battle that I hate fighting and it's something I've hesitated to blog about.

We deal with tough kid moments like every other kid, there are temper tantrums, tears and screaming (and sometimes, so does her Momma), but those occasions aren't an everyday thing. I would say 89% of the time she's an excellent little girl. Good manners, sweet, loving and kind. She remembers to pray for anyone and sometimes everyone who's sick. She will remind me through out the day to think of someone else, by asking to pray for them or do something for them. Without being just a gloss over it parent, she really is a good kid.

Until it comes to eating breakfast. Every morning we approach breakfast with matched trepidation. She's afraid I'm gonna make her sit at the blasted kitchen table and I'm afraid she's going to do what she inevitably does.

She beings to WAIL, loud and whiny. Not very often does the wailing produce tears but once in awhile. She'll plead for her Daddy to come home from work, tell me she's mad at me, she doesn't like it, she has to pee, "I'm not gonna eat it", she'll shove her bowl away, she'll try to launch herself backward from the table. It's like the battle of the century. Every. Single. Day. All I want is for her to "Eat your breakfast already!"

(I don't have a picture of Bethany wailing, but this one of Audrey makes me laugh. She was crying because I said "No Audrey. You can't eat the newspaper" In about 30 seconds from then she was smiling again. Kids.)

We've tried everything I can think of, I let her chose her breakfast, I don't let her chose. She helps make it, we set the table together. We've tried Cheerios, and Alphabets (because she loves the Letter B), special toast (whole wheat toast with jam) and regular toast, yogurt, oatmeal, hot cereal and eggs (she HATES eggs). Nothing works. I am at a loss. We even tried making homemade Popsicles with a yogurt smoothie so that she was getting the nutrition in a "treat" form. Two licks and the inevitable "I don't like it!" started. I know that's not true, it's all about getting her way.

See

The odd time she'll eat without complaint or will drink a part of a smoothie. But I don't know what to do to make it better. If I don't make her eat she's begging for a snack my 9am. "Not ok, you need to eat your breakfast kid!"

I fear that one day I'm going to lose my temper completely (each morning usually consists of me "changing" some laundry very aggressively to avoid the absolute wail of a scream, that only a frustrated mother can make. I refuse to be that mad at her) and dump her bowl of Cheerios on her head. "There you don't like it? Try that!"

Anybody else with breakfastly challenged children? Any words of earth shattering wisdom? Please share! I'm in a desperate state to start our usually good days of nicely!

Don't Forget!

2009-12-01T11:40:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to enter the FREE Christmas GIVEAWAY over HERE!!! There are new things up over at Little Eva Charlotte as of last night, better go check it out!

And stay tuned, you never know which day I'm going to announce next weeks FREE Christmas GIVEAWAY and please not, some prizes will not be kid oriented. That's right, there's something for everyone, even the Big Kids!

Christmas GIVEAWAY #1 of 4! Little Eva Charlotte

2009-11-30T09:08:00.000-08:00

*Update: This contest is now closed!*

And the winner is (chosen by using random.org)...

#3 - Jen said...
I think "soft as a cloud" is really cute!

E-mail me Jen ashleystone7(at)hotmail(dot)com
I will pass on your contact info to Melissa and you can choose your Free Item!!

I can't believe tomorrow is December. Can you believe tomorrow is December? Maybe you can. Maybe where you live there is snow and it feels more like December and less like October. But here in the Rainy Fraser Valley, it just plain feels like a very cold Fall. I hear that snow is coming, but I heard it from the unreliable source that is the weatherman, so... we'll see.

Anyways, in honor of December and it's pending giving season (which I have so very much to say at later date!) I have decided to host a GIVEAWAY A WEEK until CHRISTMAS!

Lemme here ya say HO! and Hey!

Ok, so I totally know that it should be HoHo HO! but seriously, how exciting is that?

And just in case you were wondering what a giveaway is (because you've lived in Fraggle Rock for the past decade and haven't had the privilege of being part of another Bloggy Giveaway), I will clarify. A blog giveaway is a contest to win something for FREE!!! That's free, no purchase necessary, absolutely free.

"Sign me up!" you shout!

"How do I enter?" you plead!

It's easy, it's simple and it's awesome. But first, let's talk about what you can win.

Our first GIVEAWAY is fantacutlar (like my new word?)! A good friend of mine has opened up her very own Etsy shop (a place to buy and sell handmade things. Little shops and businesses created by home crafters and collectors.) She's a talented seamstress, a Mommy of two (Noah is a few months younger than Bethany and Eva is only a few days younger than Audrey). and a Pastor's wife. Those are things she does, who she is, is Melissa a good friend and a really great lady to know! She and her friend have launched their site and you MUST go over and check it out!

Little Eva Charlotte

There are tons of great products over there for kids and mommies a like. I'm not going to tell you too much about what's over there, you need to go, check it out for yourself. But what I am going to do is tell you about my favorite thing!

Stroller Seat liners! We purchased a Phil and Teds double stroller a few months back (best thing EVER) and love it! Actually, we purchased it on the recommendation of Melissa and her family, because they had purchased one and it was wicked awesome! Anyways, I love it but it has one flaw. When your children ~~fall asleep and pee their pants and it leaks through to the bottom and all over your stuff~~ have an accident it's very difficult to clean, because the cover doesn't come off. We have had soapy rags out there and have resorted to putting receiving blankets under the girls to preserve our very precious stroller. These liners are great for all kinds of strollers as you'll see in the photos over at the shop. I am even contemplating trying mine in our carseats for long driving trips.

Until now, that is. With these new seat liners we can put them in, plunk the girls on top and go without a care. Somebody pees? We throw it in the washer. Somebody spits up? Washer again. Somebody dumps smarties and doesn't mention it to Mommy and sits on them for the duration of 2 hours? Any guesses? That's right, we can throw the liner in the wash, stroller looks good and everything is clean! Yay! I'm super excited to buy our liners.

"Great!" You're thinking. "I've already checked it out, I think it's snazzy, but what about the GIVEAWAY?" You ask. "How do I get something for FREE?! And What can I win?"

Melissa is donating the prize (everybody say "Thank You!"), if you win the GIVEAWAY you will be able to go over to Little Eva Charlotte and chose one item (Whichever your heart desires) for FREE!

THE PRIZE: Any 1 Item of your choice from Little Eva Charlotte!

Ready to enter?

It's easy. All you have to do is this:

1. Go over to Little Eva Charlotte. Look at all the products, then come back here and comment, telling me what your favorite one is! (Entry 1)

2. Not enough? Want more chances to win? Blog about it, link back to this blog. And then comment leaving me a link (Entry 2)

3. Want more still? Go over to Facebook and become a fan of Little Eva Charlotte on Facebook, and then come back and comment on it! (Entry 3)

Pretty simple. Now while you are doing all those things and checking out the shop more than once, drooling over the fabulous items notice what it says in their introduction.

**We are currently offering FREE SHIPPING on all our products for a limited time, so please take advantage of this shop opening promotion!**

Take advantage of the free coming at your from every which way and place an order right away!

This contest closes December 6 2009 at 12:00am The winner will be chosen at random and announced Monday December 7 2009 on this blog!

So don't wait, look, comment, blog, Facebook, WIN

A special thanks to Melissa and Little Eva Charlotte for donating this awesome prize!

Disclosure: This blog and writer are not receiving any financial compensation for the above noted contest. All prizes have been donated by the craft creator and reviews written from personal opinion and experience.

To my dear Buddy!

2009-11-27T21:03:00.000-08:00

I received a phone call today that I have waited years to get. While enjoying lunch in The Old Spaghetti Factory with Bethany, Audrey and my Mom, a very dear, friend of mine called. She wanted my mailing address for our Christmas card, and Oh, by the way, "I'm pregnant"

What?!!!!!!

I have to laugh, because in her true fashion (she hasn't given the ok for me to announce this fact on here, so for now she will remain annoymous, being referred to only as "buddy". Then when I get the ok, you will be able to find me atop Hope Mountain shouting from the top of my lungs "_____is pregnant! Whoot!!") she announced her coming baby as if she were saying, "Oh by the way, I bought that awesome leather jacket last weekend."

And I'm sure, her knowing me as only she does, she knew I'd be excited for her. But I'm not sure she was prepared for me to choke on my bread when she told me. It wasn't heimlich maneuver worthy, but it was embarassing enough.

We pretended to be Mommies when we were young, we talked of being parents as we grew up and she has watched me grow and change into the world of mommydome over the past years. And while our journeys have been indivdual and perfect for our respective lives I have anxiously awaited the day that she joined me in yet another phase of our lives.

As tears filled my eyes and I heard tales of how rotten she is feeling (I know it Buddy, I know it!) and how she wound up sick with something else right in the middle of her first trimester, my mind filled with the millions of things I wanted to say to her. The hundreds of emotions that coursed through me and the words that due to the fact that I was struck dumb (NO Comment!), in the middle of a restauarant, and trying to keep my children from throwing food on the floor or choking on their napkins, did not come out. Her number is changing this weekend, so I have to wait to talk to her more till next week but my soul longs to share things with her, and so, for now, I can only hope she'll log onto her computer and read this, because Buddy, this is for you...

I can't believe you are pregnant! It feels almost more surreal to me than my own pregnancies did. I can't believe after all these years, all your pining, all our dreaming you are going to be a Mommy! And a darn good one too! I have no doubt that you will be to this sweet baby, perfect. You will be her (or his, but I'm used to her for now) best friend, her worst enemy and shelter from the storm.

You're in the stage that for most women is the hardest, you feel like you're going to barf most days. The smell of your husband's morning breath is probably enough to make you think of separate beds (just wait until you're almost ready to pop, I promise there will be moments that all you can think of is SPACE!). Every commercial you see brings tears to your eyes and you will gravitate to the baby department of every store. Some moments you laugh yourself silly and then the next you are ready to scream at the guy in front of you at Tim Horton's "CHOSE Your donut already, I'm pregnant here, I haven't eaten in like 15 minutes and I'm hungry! If I don't eat now I'm not going to want to and it will be ALL YOUR FAULT!" You're probably feeling bloated, not really looking pregnant but not really feeling like your old self, don't worry, you'll pop soon enough, and when you do, you'll have the sweetest baby bump!

In a few months you're going to need maternity clothes, call me! I want to go shopping with you, come visit for the weekend, we'll make a girls weekend out of it, and make you feel as special as you are.

The time is going to go slow. Sorry. I know you don't want to hear that, but it does, 10 months is a long time but when you look back it'll seem fast. You'll talk names, you'll make a list, you'll love some, you'll hate some and in the end you'll pick the perfect one. Just take my advice, before you share that special name with anyone think it over, once it's out there, before the baby is here, it can get spoiled by someone's unwanted opinion or story, "Oh! You want to name your daughter Ellie, we'll I knew this girl she had a cow named Ellie when we were in school....." Thanks.

You will have times when you are absolutely amazed with what is happening to you, your body and your family. You'll see your first ultrasound and a whole new emotion starts to warm your insides. It'll spread from the center out and will only increase with time. You will have times when it frustrates you, not that you don't love it but sometimes, it's down right frustrating that you can't see your feet, or that when you bend over to attempt tying your shoe for the fourth time you have to concentrate really hard on not letting 'er rip, (ahem).

Bethany 2 days old, in Papa's hands

The doctors will give you information and books, you'll read online, you'll get advice from your family, your friends and strangers. Oh don't get me started on strangers, they will want to touch you, rub your belly, ask how you are feeling, tell you their stories. Listen when you have to, call me if you need a bodyguard and whenever possible cut people off before they get to their "birth story". Everyone has one, they are all magical, but sometimes, people lack tact and it just comes out wrong. The information will abound leaving you feeling confident and confused, much like you'll feel sometimes as a parent.

Then you have to give birth. No, you get to give birth! You know that for me, and my body pregnancy wasn't so good, that's not the case with many women, but I will tell you the best part of having a baby is the end! Yes it hurts, but you can tell yourself, whether you have drugs or not, "This will not last 9 months! In a matter of minutes, hours, I will be holding my precious son/daughter and this world will change forever." I vote drugs, but didn't get them the second time and you know what, I was ok! Let your body do it's job, the rest, drugs, positions and labour coaches (That's right Buddy's husband, you get to be a coach! Take off your wedding ring, I promise it makes your hand hurt less when she squeezes the snot out of it) are all the coping tools, God has created your body especially for this awesome job.

Bethy's ride home from the hospital

Once she's here my friend (or he) nothing will ever be the same. You will want to cry, maybe you will right away, maybe you won't but I promise you, there will come a moment (and sometimes it takes a little while, don't be surprised if it does) that you all of a sudden are overwhelmed with love. I can't explain to you how that love feels, but trust me when I say, that the way you love your parents is nothing, NOTHING in comparrison to the way you love your child. And the feeling of that child loving you back, is more than anything you've ever felt you deserved.

You're going to have tough times. Not just at the beginning when everything is new and you and BH (buddy's husband) are trying to figure out life and a routine for you, but after that. You'll wonder if you've made the right choice, asked enough questions or done enough. Trust your gut. I cannot ever stress enough God has given you the heart for your child and He has given you the ability to "know" what to do. If something feels wrong, really wrong it is. It might take time to figure out but you will. If something feels right, then it is, know that you and BH are the only ones who know what is truly right for you and your new family.

Audrey's ride home from the hospital

We're all going to have words of wisdom for you. Some of it useful and some of it worth filing under G for garbage. Take what you need and discard the rest and if some give too much advice (like yours truly) tell them (me) to shut up. They (I) won't be offended for long :-).

Sometimes, you're going to do something or say something as your sweet one grows up and think "Oh my gosh! I am so my mother! What happened?! How did that come out of my mouth!!! " You'll say things you never thought you'd say and do things you swore you wouldn't do. Because, quite simply, you turned out pretty good so your Mom must've done something right.

Bethy's first time holding Audrey

Other times, you're going to pick up the phone and call that Mom, (a woman who has done a wonderful job raising you Buddy. A woman whom I love very much and next to my own mother has always, always made me feel loved. And I know has made you feel the same, and 10 fold because um hello, she did the work to get you here, you're her precious gift.) and plead "Mom, help I don't know what to do! BB (Buddy's baby) .....crying uncontrollably and I don't know what she/he needs...is having the temper tantrum of her life and I can't deal with it (it'll happen, they all have tempers, but trust me when I say. Ride it out, who they really are amisdt the difficult emotions and reactions is waaay better than the attitude you're facing in that moment)....has a broken heart and I don't know how to mend it" Your Mom will listen, she'll pray for you and with you and then she'll share her stories. And then, she'll say, "Buddy. You can do this! I know you can! You are a great Mom!"

Oh, my dear friend! My heart is so full of joy for you and BH. All the things you've done in this life until now, your accomplishments and accolades, your triumphs and failures, your good days and your bad ones will pale in comparrison to what's to come. You will love like you didn't know you could, you will have moments of fear because now, that child is yours to take care of and protect, you will hand that baby back to God because He's the one who gave you that baby and He is the only one who can take care of him (I leave my children in the hands of my Father on a daily, hourly, minutely basis and it's the hardest thing I have to do. Because while I want to control it all, I have to trust with all my might.) You will feel a peace that is unsurpassable because God is in control.

I have had many jobs, I have done many things but nothing I have done, no one I have been is anything when I think about who and what I am as a mother. Somedays I feel like I'm super Mom (when I work all day, done 2 loads of laundry, make dinner AND do the dishes...I triumph) and somedays I feel like a super flop (when Kraft Dinner's what's on the menu, we're down to the last pair of big girl panties, and I just had a melt down along side both of my children. Who now have tandum tantrums, on rare occasion). Then I tuck the girls into bed and Bethy says "love you Mommy" as her little eyes flutter shut and her tiny hand brushes my cheek. Audrey smiles and sighs when I snuggle her in a little closer and I know, that I am that feeling for her. Just like you will be for your little one. You know the feeling, being wrapped in your Mother's arms, safe in her embrace - peace, contentment, safety and love, in one small gesture.

*Hug my buddy! Great, freakin' big HUG!*

So, everybody, please join me in wishing Buddy and BH CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Wahoo and yeehaw! I can't wait to shop with you, cry with you, laugh with you and hold BB. You will be a wonderful Mom, he'll be a great Dad and together you'll become the family God's made you to be!

Christmas Trees

2009-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

This is the first year that decorating for Christmas has been a truly exciting event for me. All the years I have lived away from home I have put up a Christmas tree out of obligation. I have played Christmas tunes that leave me feeling relaxed, festive and blissful and baked up a slurry of treats that I can not eat but love to watch others enjoy. But the actual decorating for the season felt tedious. Why take all that time to put out all those lights, garland and a tree that even though artificial still leaves dropping all over my carpet, who's gonna notice anyways?

The last 2 years I've had Bethy who would notice, but I spent the majority of the season telling her to "Don't touch the tree!" It kind of killed whatever was left of the enjoyment for me.

But this year, well this year is a totally different story! Bethany is all over Christmas. Everywhere we go she happily points out Santa - Santa Claus if you ask her his full name. She talks to the light reindeer that move and squeals at the sight of Christmas lights in the mall. She's a little confused as to why crazy people put lights on the outside of their houses, but still finds them mesmorizing. She'll tell anyone and everyone she sees that Christmas is Jesus birthday and we are going to have a party for Him! (If you asks where he lives, she will always point to her chest and say, "In my heart") And her favorite part? Well, it's when we go somewhere that has a Christmas tree. She stares with this serene look on her face, a look that has made me anxious for the day we pulled out our decorations.

That day was yesterday, after spending hours in the car searching for a new truck for Corey, because the dough-head that was going to sell us his truck decided to sell it to someone else while we were at church (I know God's planning but still, I'm gonna call him a dough head), we told the girls we'd come home and make Christmas.

I've never had more fun stringing lights, hanging decorations or telling the stories of the ornaments as we pulled each one from the box. Audrey helped hang an ornament or two but subsequently wound up wailing because Daddy made her leave it on the tree. She was much better suited playing with the empty boxes and watching the pretty lights. But Bethany, she dug in with both hands.

She carefully hung each ornament on the tree, telling me about it's perfect spot or about the one from her "real first Christmas". It was wonderful, and well worth it. Then, while she was having her dinner I snuck into her room and decorated my old little Christmas tree, complete with non breakable ornaments and pretty lights. When she walked it, I could have cried. She was so excited! Jumping up and down and telling her Daddy about her "really own Christmas tree!".

Then, she helped string some lights in Audrey's room so she too would have her own Christmas.

She pleaded to keep her tree lights on while she fell asleep and they were her first request when she was allowed up at 7am. She's spent the morning running from room to room, checking on the lights and showing off her tree to her Gram.

Christmas is around the corner, and while the shopping is fun, and the music is awesome. Christmas through the eyes of my children is the reason this season, it's awesome purpose aside (you know the whole birth of Christ, salvation of the world part) holds magic beyond measure!

Ps. We took these and can't decide which one we like best, leave a comment and vote. You can vote for your favorite photo or vote that we try again!

Kid Kadoodle Krafts - Foil Christmas Card!

2009-11-24T07:36:00.000-08:00

Here's the first of a few Christmas crafts up over at Kid Kadoodle Krafts. Go over and check out our Foil Christmas Card Craft, and then come on back and tell us what you think!

Clips

2009-11-23T10:36:00.000-08:00

Bethany's not the only one with changing hair in these here parts. While my locks are desperately begging for a cut - 9 months is kind of too long to let it go, I'm scared of the scissors. I love my long hair, but the last stylist went a little crazy and cut it bizarre, and I'm in need of a style update but am completly at a loss. Anyways, that's not who I'm talking about today, no ideady. I'm talking about Audrey.

She was born with a full head of dark hair. Much more hair than Beth had even at birth, it was soft and sweet and I loved it! The nurse even commented on how dark it was as she handed her to me. It was as if she couldn't figure out where it came from, "Um seriously lady, have you looked at me, I'm not exactly Goldy Locks and while Corey's is full of grey, it's still pretty dark".

I loved it from the start, spent much time smoothing my hand over it while staring at her beautiful face, dreaming dreams much like the ones I had for Bethany of ribbons and pig tails and all things absolutely girly.

While keeping in mind that odds were it would all fall out and she'd be as bald as B in no time. She did lose some, and had a cute little bald spot on the back of her head, but she never completly lost it all. And in what has seemed like no time it's started to grow. If you notice in many of my photos it's quite spikey, makes me laugh sometimes because it reminds me of a rooster, but it's all dark and fluffy and sweet. It's not quite as dark as it was when she was born and in the sunlight I'm starting to see signs of the red that naturally streaks my own hair. It's going to be lovely, I know it.

Yesterday, we reached a milestone with her hair, it was finally clip ready! Yay! Wahoo! Whoot!

Oh how excited I was to clip the tiny little clips I've been saving for her into her hair, smooth the rest down with a little water and gaze at my other "big girl". (Note: We do not call her a big girl in front of "Big Girl 'Tone" because, she'd blow her head gasket something like Corey's truck did last week. We call her a "Big Baby" and are desperately searching for a growing up term that doesn't take away from Bethany's owner ship of big girl, any suggestions?)

*Sigh* My Baby is quickly out growing the babiness, and while growing up is wonderful and sweet, I'm glad that she's not done being a baby just yet, because I'm not ready to let it go.

Sugar and Spice, and most things nice

2009-11-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

For those of you, who click on our blog simply to enjoy the cuteness that is our children.

Audrey's very proud of herself that she can hold her own bottle now. Bethany never wanted to do that, and I spent 18 months snuggling and feeding my little Sweetpea. Rosebud, is a different story. She learned to hold it on her own and has decided that most days she'd way rather do it "by herself" than let me help. She'll even try to push away from me when I pick her up out of the high chair, whimpering for her bottle. While there are times this is helpful (I'm trying to ~~force feed~~ gently coerce Bethany into eating her dinner) it makes me sad, step one in the disappearance of my baby.

Post bottle milk face.

This expression can be seen on Audrey on many, many occasions. She watches Bethany All. The. Time. And what's so funny, is she always does it with a gaped open mouth. I keep telling her she's gonna get a fly in there, but she doesn't listen.

Audrey is trying so hard to crawl. She's super close and often manages to scoot herself around on her bum, or wiggle backwards while trying to go forwards. I was goofing around with her while she was trying the other day and managed to capture her "I can do it!" face.

My Big Girl 'Tone is growing in her own right. She's becoming less tempermental (the tantrums and 'tudes are far from over but they've subsided slightly) and more entertaining. She says funny things, she does sweet things and she's truly becoming my dear friend as well as my daughter. She has also developed a need to be photographed. She'll beg "Mommy, take my picture...CHEESE!" and then refuse to smile nice when I try.

She's pretty sure that if she doesn't look at me I can't take a picture. "Wrong!"

I told her not to smile and this...is what started to happen. Funny how the idea of doing something that you're just told not to is so appealing.

Cheese face #1

I have no idea what she's doing but I laugh every time I see this picture.

Finally, fuzzy hair and all I get a real, happy girl smile!

Braided

2009-11-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

When Bethany was born I was thrilled, to say the least. Not only to have my sweet baby here (finally!) but also to have a precious little girl. Looking at her tiny newborn face visions of ballet and barbies, frilly dresses and cute jean bums, pink, purple and pastels floated through my head. I could wait to paint her nails or brush her hair, read her a story or watch her cuddle a baby.

And while many of those things have come to fruition, one has taken a really long time. Her hair. While other friends little ones had loads of hair long before their first birthday, my little girl was in essence bald. She had very little hair, that after her first birthday slowly began to grow into a mullet and I milked the odd pig tail out of it, in sheer desperation.

As her 2nd birthday approached I thought she had a full head of hair and enjoyed even more playing with it. It was still mullety and was is desperate need of a trim, but I held out until the March following her 2nd birthday because I was terrified to part with even one strand of her beautiful, auburn hair.

It's been 6 months since the last hair cut (she's had 2) and her hair is finally filling out. It's beautiful and soft in ways that my hair no longer is (thanks to the birthing of two children), it's the gorgeous shade of auburn that's so breath taking in the sunlight that people actually stop to comment. But the best part is, yesterday I was able to do this with her hair...

After all this time, I finally got to braid it. BRAID IT! Wahoo! I love how braided hair looks, on just about everyone but especially on little girls. I've spent years wearing my own long hair braided and couldn't wait to do the same for our girls. While we are a long way from the single french braid hanging down her back, the piggy braids will sooth and satify my soul for now.

How could it not, she shear sweetness of this little girl leaves me practically speachless. And the fun I've had with doing her hair (because she's so good while I do it!) has made me all the more anxious for when Audrey's hair, which is much fuller than her sisters was at that age, grows in.

All I can say is, Yay for little girls!

Kid Kadoodle Krafts

2009-11-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hey I've got a new craft up over at Kid Kadoodle Krafts, go see how to create a Rain Shaker - Noise Maker with your little artist/musician!

If only she knew...

2009-11-18T17:34:00.000-08:00

10 years ago a few weeks back, I turned 16*. That feels weird, both to say and to think. I was in grade 11, 10 years ago, taking classes from 6:45am till 3:45pm and working until 8:00pm almost every night. I was saving for university, planning for my future and debating over getting my driver's license. I dreamed of falling in love, getting married and having children. But they were just dreams, those days were a life time away, somewhere in my distant future. And the space in between, well, it was like a good Nancy Drew novel, full of mystery and intrugie, complete with happy endings.

I feel like somehow I managed to get into the wrong car and instead turning the key in my 1983 Toyota Corolla, I'm sitting in the DeLorean and somehow, I've managed to put 'er into warp speed.

I know it's cliche, but I can't believe how quickly time has gone. And while so many of my dreams have come true (hello, Corey, Bethany and Audrey!) many have not. I'm not a pediatrician, I don't work for a hockey team and live in an arena, and I still do not drive a Chevy Silverado Thunder Special Edition. The past 10 years have definately held their share of suspense, and for some (without cable) intrugue, there has been heartache, and headaches, happy times and stressful times, and while life isn't always a bed of roses and sometimes, it's down right weedy (it's my blog and I'll make it up if I want to), things have turned out pretty good.

Actually, that's not true. They've turned out really good. I knew I wanted a husband, I didn't know I wanted Corey. I knew I wanted children, I didn't know I wanted Bethany and Audrey. There's a difference you know, between wanting the idea of a husband and wanting the person who is your husband, the same can be said for your children. I knew that I wanted to have and love children of my own, I did not know that I would be in love with them and I had no idea the all encompassing joy I'd feel when that love is returned so unconditionally. I'm grateful I didn't spend thousands of dollars on an expensive medical degree because I wouldn't want to be away from my family as much as many doctors have or choose to be. As much as I love hockey, and still thoroughly enjoy going to a game, reality has hit me upside the head something like the smell of a sweat jock strap in the summer - people don't live in arenas, they're cold, concrete and smell something like that reality that did the slapping. I do still want that truck but since I'm the only human being on the face of the earth that remembers them, I don't think that's going to happen.

I look at my life now, at the fact that while 26 may seem young to many, to me it's starting to feel old. Maybe it's because I've had 2 children and that takes it's toll on a body, or maybe it's because I have 2 children and that takes a toll on a body too. Old or not, tired or not, stressed or less stressed (let's face it, I'm one of those kinds of people and stress about stuff is what I do.), I am happy. I am fullfiled and I am blessed.

But, if I could hop back into the Delorean one more time and go back for just a few minutes I would. Not to change anything, I firmly believe that where you've been, makes you who you are, and changing the past can ruin the future, but I would take the chance to talk to the 16 year old me. I'd tell her to relax about school, in the whole scheme of her life, high school is like taking a little pee in a big potty (guess what we we're doing in this house..) it's insignificant. I'd tell her that boys suck, forget-boud-em, God has your husband picked out and he's a man, they suck way less. And I'd tell her to stay strong, "you're going to face storms" I'd say, "But He'll carry you through, and when you are sure things will never get better, the sky will start to clear and the glory of His grace will shine through. Hang on, the ride is rough, the road is long but the adventure you'll have is like nothing you'll ever image"

And if I were to ask her, where she'd be in 10 years she'd say, "10 years? 26? I dunno. I have, like forever to think about it, it's a life time away." If she only knew...

*This has been in the works since October 28 but a whole crap load of life has been dumped on my head these past few weeks and this is the first time I've had a chance to really put fingers to keyboard.

An interview

2009-11-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

Over the past few years, from time to time, I've read blogs where parents "interview" their children. The answers are quite often thought provoking, unexpected and almost always comical. It's something I've always thought, one day I'll do that. And then, being that my brain is full of about 14 million things, promptly forgot.

That was the case until last week. My Mom, who was up at some unearthly hour because a sore back was preventing her from sleeping, sent me an e-mail and reminded me of the intended interview. I read it (at a better hour because, while the girls may have had me up, I so was not reading e-mails at 3am), and thought, perfect! What a great way to help aleviate the pending, fall writers block! So, I complied some questions, followed Bethany around (because let's face it, she doesn't sit still) and here's what we got.

I know it's an old photo, but I can't believe how quickly she's grown.

Me: "Hey kid, what's your name?"
B: "Besany 'Tone"
Me: "Where do you live?"
B: "To Chiliwack"
Me: "Where does Jesus live?"
B: "In my heart" (sweet deal kiddo!)
Me: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
B: "A Grammy"
Me: "How many kids are you gonna have?"
B: "Two kids with socks"
Me: "What will you name your kids?"
B: "Silvermist and Ariel"
Me: "What your favorite color?"
B: "Um, green!"
Me: "What does Daddy like in his tea?"
B: "Chocolate Mellows"
Me: "Who's your best friend?"
B: "Dad"
Me: "How old is Mommy?"
B: "Um, 5 or 6"
Me: "What do you do with money?"
B: "Put them in penny banks" (she calls her piggy bank, a penny bank)
Me: "Tell Mommy about when you were little"
B: "I was a monkey."
Me: "You were a monkey?"
B: "Yup, now I a big girl Mom"
Me: "What do you do at church?"
B: "We sing songs!"
Me: "Who do you love?"
B: " Daddy, who does Mommy love?"
Me: "I love Bethany and Audrey"
B: "But who do you like?"
Me: "That's a trick question I'm not answering that! But I love and like you both"
B: "Oh"
Me: "Thanks for the interview Bethany"
B: huge sigh "Your Welcome"

Update - While at dinner at the Spaghetti Factory tonight this conversation happen:
Corey: "Where did you get all this energy from?"
B: "Canadian Tire"

The Halls are alive

2009-11-14T10:29:00.001-08:00

This house has big halls. Huge, long halls that beg to be played in, explored and enjoyed. We spend countless hours chasing the giggling, squeeling girls through these halls, playing hide and seek (which is more like hide and surprise, as Beth loves when you hide and jump out and "scare" her) and racing cars. The past 2 weeks Audrey's really come into her own and is now able to join in the fun.

The Halls from Ashley Stone on Vimeo.

Kid Kadoodle Kraft time!

2009-11-14T10:17:00.000-08:00

It's craft time over at Kid Kadoodle Krafts! Check it out and let me know what you think!

The Gods are crazy!

2009-11-09T15:29:00.000-08:00

It seems this past Fall has left Corey and I with choices to make. In fact we've had changes, choices and trials coming out the wazoo. And ya know what, this wazoo, is tired, confused and closed for business. (Some how no matter how many times I wrote that sentence it never sounded right...)
Before Audrey got sick Corey and I were faced with a decision about his work situation. It wasn't really a surprise as we knew it was coming, but the time had come for Corey to make a career change. The marine industry, especially here in the good ol' Wack is pretty volitile. The shop would be busy all summer and slow like a frozen dog all winter. And while some of the places Corey'd worked had been able to provide some kind of income over the winter months this particular employer couldn't/wouldn't (nepotism sucks when you're not the nephew). Add to that, Corey had been feeling unsatisfied and his boss treated him, lousy - actually lousy doesn't even begin to describe it but for the sake of letting by gones be by gones and all that jazz I'll leave it there. But work up until September was slowly sapping the life out of my ever joyful husband, we were all feeling the effects of his unhappy days.

So, I saddled up to the computer to update his resume, because quite simply computers are my thing, just like tools and car stuff are Corey's (did you know a differential was big and can't fit into a car trunk? I didn't, till now). We both proof read it and off he went, it wasn't until a few weeks later that Corey noticed a small typo on my part where instead of writing about how Corey "assessed and diagnosed marine engines" I wrote "asses and diagnosed" um, oops. Anyways, he was hired to go back driving semi-truck on day trips and working in the yard at a local steel and salvage company. He was also training at a concrete plant and making up for lost hours with my Dad framing. Since work was already scares and the steel place had guaranteed full time work, we bit the bullet, wrote the resignation letter and Corey quit.

It was God's timing as the changes that were to come at his previous employeers would surely have decreed the amount of work he'd have had. We settled (and I mostly mean me) into the idea of something new and prepared to carry on. Just when I figured things would settled down Audrey got sick. We survived that, and were feeling exhausted but encouraged, God was surely guiding our way.

About 3 weeks in, Corey and I were on our way to the city and were just talking about how he felt this could be long term and a great opprotunity for us, when the phone rang. It was his supervisor informing him that steel had dropped it's stock price so dramatically they had to face lay offs and since Corey was the newbie he was the first to go.

What?!

It felt surreal. We hadn't made this choice lightly, infact we'd both together and seperately spent hours in prayer over it and felt this was God's leading. After that phone call, I wasn't so sure. While I've never doubted God's love for us, His continued support and guidance, His faithfulness, I was seriously questioning His sanity.

In some of those moments I was pretty sure He was clear off His rocker. And I told Him so.

I believe very firmly that God, being all seeing and all knowing like He is knows what we are thinking long before we even want to think it. And I believe that to have a true relationship with Him, I need to communicate those thoughts as plainly and as clearly as I do to and with my own husband when I'm less than impressed with him.

God heard it all, my frustration over work, my anger over letting my baby get sick, my confusion over making decisions regarding my own health and my over all defeat. "We've prayed so hard, we've tried even harder to follow your path, why are you letting this happen? Why aren't you answering my prayers, I'm tired of waiting. Do you even care? Are you listening? Seriously, ARE YOU LISTENING?!"

He did, in fact listen, without interrupting my tirade, to all the complaining, grumbling and whining. And when it was done, He left me silent for a while. Completely blank (don't laugh) and then He cuffed me upside with a real dose of reality.

"Not only am I listening Ashley, I'm provinding, I'm guiding and I'm answering. And while Yes, some of your prayers have been answered - wait, the most important one has been answered with a resounding yes! Look in your rearview mirror at your daughters fast asleep. What do you ask me over and over? What is it you plead with me on a daily, if not hourly basis? What is it, that keeps you breathing?"

Oh. You are so right.

You see, I plead with God on a regular basis to protect my family. To hold my daughters in His hands and to keep my family in His embrace. I pray often, very often that we will face any storm God places in our weather system, as long as He please, please protect my family, allowing us to grow up and grow old together. It's not a bargin, it's a plea. And while I don't always know if that will happen, each day I rest in the fact that He's in charge and today, His answer was yes.

I shared those things with Corey and we had a new found sense of understanding. He continued searching for work and we, continued to be thankful before being ungrateful where God and his answers were concerned.

2 weeks later, to the day, Corey's cellphone rang again. It was the steel company, their dispatch had called the yard looking for Corey to do a run and was floored that he wasn't there. He had work for Corey, and so, Corey's lay off officially ended. Thank you Father!

And while things are somewhat up in the air with the amount of work and scheduling, God's providing and teaching life altering lessons once again.

We have more choices to make, some, that will require another post all together. But for now, in this moment, I believe, with my whole heart that my Father, the One who answers my prayers, listens to my ramblings and comforts my soul, actually is in control. And He is more sane, than I'll ever be.

Favorites of the Week

2009-11-07T10:15:00.000-08:00

Bethany being the "little Mother". Notice the crown...

Sick of being the mommy, ready to be the baby

Showing the real Mommy her Princess 'Tude after being told to,

"Take that bottle out of your mouth already!"

Blowing kisses

Hanging out watching her big sister...

Audrey say, "Cheese!"

Ok, ok, enough pictures Mom!

Happy Weekend Everyone!

H1N1, this one that one

2009-11-04T18:55:00.000-08:00

Everywhere you look right now there are signs, posters, and pamphlets, with H1N1 written in bold across their surfaces. You can't sign into Facebook or read your favorite blogs without hearing of someone who's contracted it, someone who's pro vaccine and another dozen who aren't. Everyone's got an opinion, "information" is in abundance, although it's difficult to know what's fact and what's fiction, some have tents in Camp Get a Shot and others are set up over at Camp Forget-about-It. Both camps are growing in number and most attendees are given megaphones upon check in and are shouting/typing their opinion in CAPITAL LETTERS at anyone who will listen.

I (and when I say I, I mean we. It's just that I, am the one talking), have been on the fence. Being a girl of leisure I hate camping and chosing sides makes my palms sweat. I live in "what if" land and have spent the better part of a week sorting through pamphlets, e-mails, well intended Facebook comments and websites. I visited BC's H1N1 Information site put out by our government. I checked on Alberta's site as well to confirm or deny a report that I received from a friend that Edmonton and Calgary had cancelled their H1N1 vaccine clinics - that's untrue, they are still happening. I even went over to the World Heath Organization's (WHO) website, since they are the ones who issued this pandemic status, they should have the latest data.

I am not a flu shot getter. I spent many years in pharmacy and while being exposed to dozens of sickies a day (not sickos, those were few and far between) wasn't enough to convince me, but this time, over this strain I've been thinking about it. In fact, it's been on my gut to get it, and after doing the research, talking to my husband and today talking to our doctor, we've decided to get the shot for our girls. And when the time comes ourselves as well.

I know there are risks, there are risks to getting into a car, but we all do that, there are risks in trusting someone, but we do that too, there are risks in not getting it - that, is up to you. An e-mail from a
friend yesterday put it all into perspective for me. Jesus is in control. Period. ( She didn't say period, I'm saying period to emphasize the point.)

I have a hard time reliquishing that to Him, in fact, there are days I down right fight it. But He is in control, and more over, my children are His children first. A fact that I struggle with everyday, my inner control freak (ok, she's not so inner most days) wants to hold them close and protect them myself for all of eternity, but the fact remains that it was Jesus who placed them in my arms and it is Jesus who is allowing them to stay there. He gave them to me and I believe, with my whole heart that He will keep us together.

However, Jesus calling us to trust in Him to love, provide and protect, is not him giving us license to sit on the tushie he gave us and wait for Him to do everything for us. He gave us free will and a choice. It's all part of the trust thing, by taking our problems, or dilemma's to Him and asking that He help us make the right choice, we are being obedient. Then we have to take a leap of faith and trust that the choice we make is being lead by Him. It's not really that easy to do sometimes, but it is that simple.

So, I took everything I learned and felt, left it with him and concluded that we will vaccinate our daughters. And in doing that I will trust that He is going to protect us and keep us together. It's the best I can do.

What are you chosing to do?

A list about Halloween, read from my Soap Box

2009-10-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

In honor of Halloween I have decided to post a list! Because we all know that I love Lists!! There are things I love and things I don't love about Halloween, and in true Ashley Fashion, there are also some serious opinions that follow me around (actually that's not true, they don't follow me around, the generally spew forth from my lips on a regular basis. Whether asked for or not). And since, I'm feeling a little blah, I figured a list was the most logical and self soothing way of sending them all out there.

So, without further adue (if that's how one would spell that), my Halloween List:

Things I love about Halloween:

1. I love seeing all the kidlets dressed up in their uber cute costumes
2. Any holiday that has chocolate as it's focal point (which makes Valentine's Day and Easter pretty sweet too!) is alright with me
3. Mini chocolates are even better because they can be packed easy in diaper bags for emergency ~~bribes~~ snacks and hold enough chocolate to satisfy me without being a caloric overload.
4. Halloween marks the end of October and the induction of November. Before you say duh listen...the start of November means that humming Christmas Carols through the mall is acceptable not weird and Christmas decorations are in abundance.
5. Most importantly Halloween, is always celebrated on October 31st, and October 31st is the day my Mom was born! So that makes it a pretty awesome "holiday" (not sure if you call halloween a holiday) or not, this day is wicked awesome. Without her birth, there wouldn't be my birth or the birth of my children, and that then this blog wouldn't exsist and, subsequently you'd be eternally bored.

Things I dislike/hate about Halloween:

1. I do not love the scary costumes, yard decorations or television shows. I'm a scaredy cat who still can't watch Sleeping Beauty because that witch upsets me! So it's only natural that headless horsemen, dead people and ghoulish figures don't sit well with me.***
2. I dislike how expensive Halloween candy seems to be getting, when I was in retail we did not sell a 12 piece bag of KitKat for $4. Now this might make me cheap, but seriously dude, I could by 3 chocolate bars, cut them up and wrap them in foil for less. If this didn't make me look like a poisoning creepo I just might do it...
3. I hate that any holiday centered around chocolate can result in the tightening of pants. I'm not sure how that happens when each chocolate bar is only 50 calories but after about 25 of them I don't feel so well, and neither do my blue jeans. *cough* Self control *cough, cough*
4. Each Halloween means my Mom celebrates another birthday (which is wonderful, we are always grateful she's here!) but it also means that I will have just had yet another one myself (post about that to come) and that means I'm getting older. I'm not so sure I like getting older. She however is frozen at 29. I counted how many years she's "been 29" and actually laughed out loud in a store, it's over 20 Ha!
5. I am tired of explaining to everyone why I am not dressing my kids up this year. see the paragraph to follow. This also ends THE LIST.

When asked if I am planning on dressing my girls up or taking them trick or treating, my answer this year is no. It is immediately assumed that I disapprove of Halloween or that my relationship with God is stopping me from participating in this, "Satanic Holiday". WRONG! I am not dressing my children up because I don't like dressing up myself, and getting into the mood to dress up two little girls who at this point do not need the huge amount of sugar that comes with trick or treating and who do not care about costumes, feels like more work than I'm ready to take on. So, until they say they are ready or want to participate I'm bailing on my motherly duty.

I grew up in a Christian home, and each and every year participated in Halloween (I don't say celebrated because that takes things to a different level for me). My parents never allowed or encouraged us to dress as anything I deem unacceptable (read: dead, scary, etc) but they did allow us to "be" who or what we wanted to be. It was like taking our dress up box - something similar to the tickle trunk- to the next level. Then as the years passed, and I grew more body conscious I only chose to dress up for work when it was mandatory. Not for anything other than how it made me feel inside. We still carve pumpkins, hand out candy most years and while having a party for my Mom, enjoy the fun that Halloween can be.

My first Halloween

Dressing up under protest ( my tail might be missing because I accidentally peed on it...oops)

This wasn't Halloween but an awesome day!

If you chose to celebrate or not celebrate Halloween that is your choice. I won't judge you on it, I won't force how I feel about it on you, but what I ask is that in return you don't force it on me. Please don't attempt to guilt me into dressing the girls up, or try to make me feel guilty that I don't carry a stake and shout "DOWN WITH HALLOWEEN", while marching up and down the candy laid and pumpkin smashed streets. It won't be guilt you are creating, but rather feeding the wrath that is my temper. I don't believe for one minute that the God that I love and serve has any problem with people dressing up appropriately and having a great time together. I think it pleases Him greatly to see us enjoy the humour and pleasure that can come from being something we aren't for awhile, in moderation, as long as in everything we do we set an example for Him, and offer him praise. I do however believe, that Satan worship, Jesus bashing and reckless behaviour are NOT ok with Him. However, as much as those things are a part of Halloween, they happen year round. The people who are truly focused on the "evil" portion of Halloween, practice their beliefs on a regular basis. I don't agree with them, I don't want those practices in my home, but what you chose to do with you and your life is between you and God. It's not my place to judge (a post on that too is pending). I strongly believe that while Satan is at work on Halloween, doing his business, he's at work everyday and will suceed in doing more damage through my condemnation of someone else, than can be done by dressing a sweet little child up as pumpkin, lamb or Lightning McQueen.

I guess quite simply you could say that the 6th thing on my list of dislikes, is the fact that I find it appalling that there are so many who feel themselves so much holier than the rest, that they can sit and judge the world around them. (We all have our moments of weakness, where an opinion crosses the line into judgement, even me. But I'm not even going there right now) If you truly feels it's wrong, I respect that too but respect me, my space and my choices. Instead of being all "up in ma' face" take it up with the Big Guy (that'd be God, we've got an understanding, He knows I mean that with affection not disrespect). He can handle it, and He will.

So there you have it, the good, the bad and the fugly, by Ashley Stone. Happy Halloween everyone, be safe (and post photos) and most of all Happy 25th, 29th Birthday Mom! We love you!!!!

**If you chose to dress yourself and/or your children up this way. Please don't feel I am judging you but know if I see you I'll probably cringe and look away. It's nothing personal I'm just a wimp.**

Lists are Neat!*

2009-10-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

Lists are neat! In fact, lists aren't even just neat they are necessary! In this house, in my world things don't work without a list, I don't function with out a list and nothing, I repeat nothing (or at least virtually nothing) gets done without a list. So, I write lists. I have a list for "To Do's", "Groceries", "Flyers", "People to Phone", "Christmas ideas", "Craft Ideas", "Blog Posts", "More Blog Posts"...and the list of lists goes on.

And today I had an epiphany. A real, life altering moment...if you take lists (because I ♥ them) and you take blogging (because I love it) and put them in a room together and tell them they can't come out until their friends what do you get.... a blog list! Yay!

What, do you do with a blog list you ask? Well, my friends let me just tell you. You write it up, you send it over to your friends at Mamapedia who have been asking you for a list and you wait. I did that and what happened, well this happened!

That's right, my list for Top Tips to Stretch your Budget has been posted at Mamapedia. Wahoo! Not only can I write a list, but I can share and gain knowledge with/from those around me.

♪Laaaaaa♪ The angels sang and all was right in the world, at least for a moment while I enjoy the listfulness.

So what should you do about this? Click on the link, go check out my list (which will be continually changing, growing), vote for your favorite idea and/or leave 1 or 20 of your own. Enjoy the wealth of knowledge that is to be had out there and share what gold there is being store between those ears of yours. It's sa-weeeeet and I love it. I betcha you will too!

*I may have used this title before but I can't find it nor remember so I'm using it again. Since I do not keep a blog post title list, this may happen again, consider yourself warned.*

Weebles Wobble

2009-10-24T08:00:00.001-07:00

On Monday, my Audrey will turn 9 months old. That means that she's been out virtually as long as she was in (unless you are getting picky and then 40 weeks actually = 10 months but let's not get technical). The past 9 months have been a ride, a great ride. We've had our good times and our tough times but mostly we've enjoyed every second with this happy, sweet little girl.

Things seem to be going fast than they did with Bethany. Moments don't last as long, stages are hardly a blip and somewhere along the way it seems the baby in her is starting to fade and I don't know when that started. It might have something to do with the fact that this time around I have 2 precious princesses, both changing in leaps and bounds making their Momma feel old. Or it might have something to do with the fact that I am getting old.

Whatever it is, it is and I try, on a daily basis to remind myself to savour the moments. The ones like this one. You see, Audrey is growing quickly and while she's an ultra happy baby she's also one who knows what she likes. My Audrey Bella, don't just whimper if something doesn't go her way, no she'll let out a heartbreaking wail and then stop and wait patiently for you to comply with her demand.

The newest of the demands is that she wants to be on her feet. No more sitting or exersaucer for this kid. She wants to be standing, on the floor, on your lap, where ever. And while she can't quite figure it out on her own, she's getting pretty good if you hang onto her hands.

She's a little wobbly, but standing and walking are her new favorite deal. Last night, while in the middle of a whole house clean, we decided to take a break for a family dance time. It rivals Dancing with the Stars as you've seen on more than one occasion, and last night I managed to grab my camera and capture a little of Audrey's new skillz.

Weebles Wobble from Ashley Stone on Vimeo.

She was having so much fun, and so were we! It's so funny, every time I see her doing her "thang" it reminds me of the Weebles. Do you remember those guys? You know, "Weebles Wobble but they don't fall down". No? Ahem, like I said, OLD!

Anyways, hope you enjoyed and have a great weekend!

The Most Embarassing Moment

2009-10-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

When I was in my teenage years I used to pour over the pages of Seventeen magazine. I'd carefully read each article, trying to master the art of flirting, styling and restyling my uncooperative hair to match the latest trend and taking the quizes to messure my "Girlfriend Potential" (totally cheating to get a better score than was actually true). I also may have secretly cut pictures of the "cutest" celebs and pasted them into a book that I recently found and had a good giggle over - I mean who didn't have a crush on Jonathan Taylor Thomas?

But my favorite part? The article I read with enthusiasm and delight? Was the "Most Embarassing Moments" section. I took great pleasure in reading the plights and plunders of others. Mostly because I aptly earned the name Magoo as a small child and clumsiness was second nature to me. So for a few moment I was able to feel "normal". Sad? Probably. True? Absolutely. I would share those pages with my friends but other than the appropriate laugh I said nothing about my need to "relate" to the teens in that magazine.

What's funny now, is I can look back and see that everyone has embarassing moments. While not everyone fell down the stairs of the cruiseship, breaking their shoe and landing on the back of the most popular guy in school - on prom night, we've all had our blunders.  And we all have our "most embarassing moment":

It was the summer of '97 and I was 13 going on 25. We were at the Trans Canada Waterslides, my three "best" friends (or so you call them in high school) and I.  And though I was a pudgy, small breasted teen I had donned a bathing suit and 6 bottles of sunscreen ready to enjoy the day. (By the way that's almost not an exaggeration such is my fear of lobster skin) Not only a bathing suit, a two piece, a bikini, something that left parts of my body other than my feet, hands and face bare. This was not only a rare occasion, at that point I believe it was a first. It was also, a last.

The day was going great, we were getting in copious amounts off exercise hoffing it up the hill to the slides. We had about 3 runs left before it was time to go and one of my friends and I decided it was time to try the blackhole. You know the totally encase slide that's pitch black until you emerge at the end with a thunderous splash! Did I mention 2 out of the 4 of us were males? No? Well, that's important.  For everyone's sake, and to prevent the result of a Google Search being this blog and this post lets call them Jonah, Peter and Faith. (Those are so not their names but whatever.)

Anyways, Jonah and I headed for the blackhole, being that the day had gone so well and I was having so much fun I chose to go first. Down I went, loving every second of the 15 second ride. I hit the water with the afore mentioned splash and stood up with triumph. This is where things went horribly wrong.

Across the pool deck I saw the faces of both Faith and Peter. Horror doesn't even quite begin to describe it.  Peter takes off and mach speed and envelopes me in a huge bear hug, all the while mumbling something about my top.

After figuring out that he hadn't quite lost his mind I put together what he was saying and looked down. Apparently during my 15 second ride my top had come undone and was now wound around my neck. That's right folks my itty bitties were on display and what did I do? I stood their like a moron, a huge grin on my face, completly oblivious to the fact that I now had less of a swimsuit on than I had started the ride with.

My day was ruined (it was also the last time I was on a waterslide). I made a beeline for the blanket, where Jonah's Mom sat waiting, brushing tears from my face, refusing to even acknowledge the friends who'd rescued me. Or should I said friend who rescued me. See while Peter hopped on the chance to cover me and save me the tiniest bit of dignity (well, not really. There wasn't much left in the way of dignity.  How could there be? The whole water park had just seen me practically naked), the other 2 of my friends just stood there. Either dumbstruck or mean.  Looking back I think one was mean and the other was a little bit of a dipstick, but oh well.

We went home, I cried to my Mother who's body shook with laughter (I'm so not kidding, and no Mom I haven't let that go) and carried on.

The moral of the story, I survived.  And, like everyone said I would, I look back now and laugh. No it's not funny to be that girl, if it happened to one of my girls I probably would cry too not laugh but as time has worn on I can see the humour in the moment. Can you imagine the look on my face? Or the faces of the people around me?

The point? I dunno, thought you could use a laugh, this blog has been way to serious lately and we needed some lightening up. Even if it meant I had to take my top off to do it!

What they said.

2009-10-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

I was out Stumbling around this morning, while waiting for my brain to wake up and I landed on this site.

They have a whole bunch of different things that people have said/written that are hilarious. It was exactly what I needed and being that it's early and I'm still a little punchy some of them made me laugh, a lot. It's ok though, Corey's not home and my kids already know I'm nuts :) Here are some of my favorites:

Accident Reports:

- "A pedestrian hit me and went under my car"
- "The other car collided with mine without giving me any warning of his intentions"
- "I thought my window was down, but found that it wasn't when I put my hand through it"
- "I was thrown from my car as it left the road. I was later found in a ditch by some stray cows."
- "When I could not avoid a collision, I stepped on the gas and crashed into the other car."

Patient Charts:
- "The patient has been depressed ever since she began seeing me in 1993."
- "The patient refused an autopsy.""Patient's past medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days."
- "She is numb from her toes down."
- "She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life, until she got a divorce."
- "The skin was moist and dry."
- "While in the ER, she was examined, X-rated and sent home."

Church Bulletins:
- "Say 'hell' to someone who doesn't like you."
- "Don't let worry kill you -- let the church help."
- "The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer."
- "This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar."
- "The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'"
- "The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon."

Excuse Notes from School:
- "My son is under a doctor's care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him."
- "Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and also 33."
- "Carlos was absent yesterday because he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part."
- "Chris will not be in school cus he has an acre in his side."
- "Irving was absent yesterday because he missed his bust."
- "Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday."
- "Gloria was absent yesterday as she was having a gangover."

Kids Say:
- "I'm being haive!" -- 2 year old son, when his mother told him told to behave
- "I'm glad I'm finally eight. This is the oldest I've ever been in my entire life!"
- "Well, sometimes I say something mean to my brother, but I feel really good inside. Does that mean I'm a hypocrite?"
- "One horsepower is the amount of energy it takes to drag a horse 500 feet in one second."
- "You can listen to thunder after lightning and tell how close you came to getting hit. If you don't hear it, you got hit, so never mind."
- "A vibration is a motion that cannot make up its mind which way it wants to go."
- "If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long."
- "On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date."
- "My mother says to look for a man who is kind. That's what I'll do. I'll find somebody who's kinda tall and handsome."
- "[Being] single is better . . . for the simple reason that I wouldn't want to change no diapers. Of course, if I did get married, I'd figure something out. I'd just phone my mother and have her come over for some coffee and diaper-changing."
- "It isn't always how you look. Look at me. I'm handsome like anything, and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet."

And that's only just a sample of what they have over there at Things People Said . For a really good laugh go over and spend awhile. And if you having something funny you've said, heard or read, comment and let me know. Who knows maybe I'll add a funny "quote of the day" section in my sidebar and you could be featured!

Simplicity

2009-10-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

With the chaos of the past week, it's been really nice to just enjoy the simplicity of rainy days with my kidlets. And of course to pull out my dusty camera to capture those moments for days when my memory is foggy.

These days it's really difficult to get Bethany to smile for a picture. As soon as the camera comes out 1 of 3 things happens. She will pull out her cheesy, "cheese" smile, will ignore me completely and avoid eye contact or, more commonly throw a world war 3 temper tantrum complete with tears and flailing.

She was smiling just before this photo. Then she looked at me and this is the face I got.

Then she looked down, "Avoid Eye Contact and maybe she'll go away!"

"Maybe if I suck my finger I won't smile at the fact that my Mom is making ridiculous faces in a desperate attempt to make me laugh."

"Oh man, not working! NOT WORKING!"

"There, a smile, but I'm not gonna look at you"

"Cheese!"

"Catch!"

"Wait! No, lunch!"

This little girl is almost always, this happy!

"Ok, my turn, pass it over."

She's either thinking or filling her pants, or both.

"Patty Cake, Patty cake..."