tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77168983251845095232024-03-12T20:58:52.272-05:00Noodles & MilkSewing Patterns, Projects & InspirationNoodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-20600612391370371282011-06-08T11:27:00.000-05:002011-06-08T11:27:06.632-05:00Product Photography OpportunityDo you want your shop or website to get more views? Great photos are the best thing you can do for your shop.<br />
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My sweet friend Beth (who owns a very successful<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/loveseptember"> etsy shop</a> <em>and</em> is a <a href="http://www.bethvphotography.blogspot.com/">photographer</a>) is teaching a class on product photography... See the flyer for more details.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmsTm2rxGz6iBs4Yv2W4bEnSdljdQuzoILypB9oYmcd_gkI9-eOMovE-jjFUDFPaV5KmM-11OfYn8abl6BuioDN3D-9a6l9WZlkNZKaQoyIHI7i6XZWRcRLErb-WbdberOsrkYqsEeAM/s1600/productphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmsTm2rxGz6iBs4Yv2W4bEnSdljdQuzoILypB9oYmcd_gkI9-eOMovE-jjFUDFPaV5KmM-11OfYn8abl6BuioDN3D-9a6l9WZlkNZKaQoyIHI7i6XZWRcRLErb-WbdberOsrkYqsEeAM/s320/productphoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-17308681904804310982011-05-26T20:21:00.000-05:002011-05-26T20:21:17.546-05:00SummerIt is here. Does anyone else think that summer is not as fun with young kids as it was when we were in school? I mean, when I was younger summer was all about sleeping in and doing nothing all day and getting a tan and staying up late. It rocked. With young kids, not so much.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIm1aKiIkZ0D98j2sm5qCaRCEWytkAndJzxZqnz_NwgI_zFLwhSWcedfIMNeORDViekdxgpreGTRnK_WhtNm9vhK1tcRQTIbNKgTQ0ms2LQfNg3SWaE9miw3qzBgTyS3yQ-BMrOo-l8zA/s1600/IMG_8119+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIm1aKiIkZ0D98j2sm5qCaRCEWytkAndJzxZqnz_NwgI_zFLwhSWcedfIMNeORDViekdxgpreGTRnK_WhtNm9vhK1tcRQTIbNKgTQ0ms2LQfNg3SWaE9miw3qzBgTyS3yQ-BMrOo-l8zA/s320/IMG_8119+edit+low+res.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(thrown in for good measure are some pictures are my daughter and her new baby. You can read about her </span><a href="http://emersonrae.blogspot.com/2011/05/emersons-first-purchase.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.)</span></div><br />
They don't sleep in. You don't want to sit around and do nothing all day because that is not good for them. Getting a tan for mommy requires dealing with kids and sunscreen and swim diapers and tiny bathing suits and floaties and more. It is virtually impossible to work on a tan with little ones. Unless you have a nanny present and I don't. And as for staying up late. If you mean staying up late to clean house and play on facebook then yes, I do that.<br />
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Last year was my daughter's first year at a preschool program. It was my first experience with getting a "real" break from her during the day. It was great for both of us. Then the last day of school came. I was actually looking forward to summer. To an empty calendar when we didn't have to get up and be anywhere. It only took about a week into summer for me to realize that an empty summer calendar is bad. Really really bad. So, I raced around and lucked into some spots for summer activities. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS32VCu7ZFtqDF2fY6VTijsk4VJXEfZaTZtJ6Izp3FY9fCP-VEBDoNYgI-YlzxE5Y-ocx-n3rcYnEC151aD81YMh_DurpCq87eCiSpgd6y4MZ47IzzsfQgG6CH7pG8z4Gov5kfWSYdydo/s1600/IMG_8138+edit+bw+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS32VCu7ZFtqDF2fY6VTijsk4VJXEfZaTZtJ6Izp3FY9fCP-VEBDoNYgI-YlzxE5Y-ocx-n3rcYnEC151aD81YMh_DurpCq87eCiSpgd6y4MZ47IzzsfQgG6CH7pG8z4Gov5kfWSYdydo/s320/IMG_8138+edit+bw+low+res.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This year, I knew what to expect. I have been dreading the last day of school since about Christmas time. The closer I got the sadder it made me. (Now let me interject here and make sure that you know that I love spending time with my daughter. That is not the problem. It is coming up with things appropriate and eductational and fun for my daughter to do that scares me. I am not a teacher and do not have a bone of that type of creativity in me. I love having time with her every day. That is why I am a stay-at-home mom however, a schedule and planned activities are best for both of us). Back to the story....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6semo0foqH_3LgtSKYPzxx8m6_GcMPWkjPgIdvZ_exnG91a-jHMh-DSrzASxk-yahb2uK_X9_5b-RDWIkPwh_2YN09o9hjn0chYIp5TC9xoLn6Hm3D_y8N7MhFcFW-2pwRYc8SZbhpIU/s1600/IMG_8193+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6semo0foqH_3LgtSKYPzxx8m6_GcMPWkjPgIdvZ_exnG91a-jHMh-DSrzASxk-yahb2uK_X9_5b-RDWIkPwh_2YN09o9hjn0chYIp5TC9xoLn6Hm3D_y8N7MhFcFW-2pwRYc8SZbhpIU/s320/IMG_8193+edit+low+res.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>The closer we got to summer the more sad I became. I wanted to make sure that we were ready to go with activities so I started signing up for stuff the minute I was able to. We have this week off and then we start swim lessons, music class, VBS, one session of summer school and lots and lots of playdates. Don't worry, we still have free days set aside for lounging and errands but our calendar is looking pretty good. Yes, the calendar looks good for summer but it is certainly not the same type of summer that it was as a kid.<br />
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<center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-17219464262820531082011-05-17T16:09:00.000-05:002011-05-17T16:09:36.521-05:00Garage Sale Week<div style="text-align: left;">We are having a big garage sale this weekend. 5 families are participating. It has been on the calendar for weeks. I am so excited. Seriously, so excited.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">We don't have a bunch of big ticket items like we did last time so I bet we don't make much but I just enjoy the entire experience. Organizing junk, meeting people, hanging out with friends, getting rid of junk and of course, making a little cash.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the third sale we have done together as a group. We kind of have it down to an art form. the advertising, the cash collecting, the set up...all of it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The girls are getting together Friday night to organize, price and hang out. It is going to be like a grown-up slumber party. I am excited about that part too.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">In the mean time, I am cleaning out closets, cabinets and the garage. Digging out even more stuff that we don't need. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of stuff we accumulate from week-to-week.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This past weekend was focused on my daughters first dance recital. It was absolutely precious. You can see more pictures and read all about it <a href="http://emersonrae.blogspot.com/2011/05/emersons-first-dance-recital.html">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-g-RLJ4UNE-31h2hWAjjTt3wmESBIVGU7LhbslbliNzzezNdkixvDCYs1uSDc0lA8dOzA8o93uGVcO6sTmqMQzJJWeHtvr0WRu6ivtTPHKxMNtwIT_8v0lS_1Ds_ifE1vFs-IiHdYts/s1600/IMG_7663+edit..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-g-RLJ4UNE-31h2hWAjjTt3wmESBIVGU7LhbslbliNzzezNdkixvDCYs1uSDc0lA8dOzA8o93uGVcO6sTmqMQzJJWeHtvr0WRu6ivtTPHKxMNtwIT_8v0lS_1Ds_ifE1vFs-IiHdYts/s320/IMG_7663+edit..jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">A quick thank you to all of you who are participating in the free advertising co-op that I have going on. I know that I have not had a lot of crafty-type news or giveaways lately, so I was thinking that maybe one of you would like to be featured. Maybe give something away? Maybe write a crafty tutorial to be shared in conjunction with a feature about your shop? If you are interested, please email me. <a href="mailto:noodlesandmilk@gmail.com">noodlesandmilk@gmail.com</a></div><center> </center><center> </center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-13872058690961866002011-05-11T20:17:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:49:27.763-05:00It is going to be a hot summer<div style="text-align: left;">I bought one of those baby splash pools to put in the backyard. I figure it would be a good thing to play in and cool off this summer in the evenings after dinner. The other night, the kids got into their swimsuits for the first time and we tried it out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This was Ashton's reaction. Think he liked it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTzcBRmPw8emnyyphY5M0EHZ5X2QX7Ed4ftTWUI40nioJBxLrLr6z6fz3HBXMIOJmYXwn0HBuirqcuR3NA8QhT_kOfuoDY21negNXZkjDPUA0y4D00SLf4ocohebIPzeFBPERltOKMm8/s1600/IMG_7269+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTzcBRmPw8emnyyphY5M0EHZ5X2QX7Ed4ftTWUI40nioJBxLrLr6z6fz3HBXMIOJmYXwn0HBuirqcuR3NA8QhT_kOfuoDY21negNXZkjDPUA0y4D00SLf4ocohebIPzeFBPERltOKMm8/s320/IMG_7269+edit+low+res.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was such as sad reaction. Sad and funny at the same time. I am not sure if this was in reaction to the cold water or the spraying or all of the above. Don't worry, we pulled him out immediately and did not force him to stay in. Regardless, I still think this picture is priceless.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He better get over this fear or it is going to be a long hot summer for this little man.</div><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-6911803457668030852011-05-08T20:54:00.000-05:002011-05-08T20:54:54.685-05:00Project Elementary School<div style="text-align: left;">Have I ever told you how we came to live in the house we are in now? Well, it is a fantastic story about God's faithfulness but it is for another time. It is long. And I am wordy. Hence, saving it for another time. The point of me bringing that up is two-fold. One: I have experienced God's faithfulness in times of stress firsthand. Two: We are going to try to sell our house. Let me explain.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">When we bought our house, it was a quick fix. We knew it would only be temporary and that we were not making an investment. We knew that we would have to make a change before our oldest child started kindergarten. We knew all this 4 years ago.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">As it always does, time has flown by. While we still have a couple years until kindergarten, the time is now to make a change. You see, in our area there is only one good public kindergarten. One. As you would expect getting into the neighborhood zoned to this one school is not easy. Or cheap. Oh, and did you know that the housing market is not good? Yeah. There is that too.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">So, here we are with a house that we owe more on than its worth. With "projects" that need to be done. Money to be saved to paid for said projects. And a bad housing market. Not the best situation to be in. My husband and I have looked at the timeline for all this. All this being said, the time is now. As in <em>this</em> summer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">So, here we are figuring out the details, making lists, researching and visiting comp properties. We are actually considering trying to do improvements this summer so that we can list our house on the market this fall. Isn't that crazy? My mind is actually spinning because of all the logistics of the entire thing. Oh, and did I mention that our summer is packed already? Right.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">When all of this information started coming together late last week I was a complete mess. I was in tears and losing sleep. I have been praying a lot and feel much more at peace knowing that God is in control. He knows what we need, what the future holds and all the details in between. He wants to carry the burden for me and will be with me every stressful step along the way. This brings me so much comfort.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Anyways, so that is where I am right now. I just wanted to let you know since I have been a little absent. There is a lot more to the situation than I have shared and I will explain later. Just figure that I have talked enough for today.<br />
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I also wanted to share this sweet mom with you. I met her because our daughters are in dance class together. This amazing woman has just begun her battle with breast cancer. I was blessed with the opportunity to photograph her family last week. It was truly an honor. They are absolutely precious. Please join me in praying for this woman and her family. In one short week, her chemo treatment will begin and her life will be very different. See their full preview <a href="http://sabrinagphoto.blogspot.com/2011/05/preview-mrs-c-and-her-beautiful-family.html">here</a>.</div><center> </center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q2mqSOQQBmmXDf3C3QelM51_Qug0pWs0KnuGkyLF8V_FndwEa1qmG2aDUyr1Wha1BQmsS5gFl_vObvAz390ph904w592v6TJCW-qbeCJYU4oMYHdQBoodXuqmeCr5PWiWy75cJo3T6A/s1600/IMG_6966+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q2mqSOQQBmmXDf3C3QelM51_Qug0pWs0KnuGkyLF8V_FndwEa1qmG2aDUyr1Wha1BQmsS5gFl_vObvAz390ph904w592v6TJCW-qbeCJYU4oMYHdQBoodXuqmeCr5PWiWy75cJo3T6A/s320/IMG_6966+edit+low+res.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><center> </center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptxNLL5thY3S_20uFOfLsMsecr7hyjyF_RafcuaYaJZEeVqLxg-HtJh5uzNpesxCpY5WAE_TOnSthMgsH_jtddQOXtcAT2mqUUAedH-kKzhgFQczasNw5QHhnsueYZ-pbTY4RjLhSNCs/s1600/IMG_6744+edit+bw+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptxNLL5thY3S_20uFOfLsMsecr7hyjyF_RafcuaYaJZEeVqLxg-HtJh5uzNpesxCpY5WAE_TOnSthMgsH_jtddQOXtcAT2mqUUAedH-kKzhgFQczasNw5QHhnsueYZ-pbTY4RjLhSNCs/s320/IMG_6744+edit+bw+low+res.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BGnlTJYX2ULsGOSkQexSJgQXYUguqGkCrFKajkmDH5WtGomIvfCj3GrhtLBajcF7a4wmj0lUZdhCZLi5QMS3XEPj4YAoljxpKLcki6swCIjplA_0vglR0h_Cznn7wNDapDkU4S-uRvA/s1600/IMG_6691+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BGnlTJYX2ULsGOSkQexSJgQXYUguqGkCrFKajkmDH5WtGomIvfCj3GrhtLBajcF7a4wmj0lUZdhCZLi5QMS3XEPj4YAoljxpKLcki6swCIjplA_0vglR0h_Cznn7wNDapDkU4S-uRvA/s320/IMG_6691+edit+low+res.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-51665319155810090452011-05-03T07:35:00.021-05:002011-05-03T07:35:00.366-05:00A new take on "advertising"Here is the deal with advertising on my blog...I can't keep up with it. I love the idea of it. I love supporting other small business. Especially the etsy-based ones. I just can't ever remember to takes ads down and send people renewal emails. Consider it one too many things on my plate.<br />
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So, because this is my blog and I can do what I want, I have decided to shake things up. Here is what I am proposing...Free advertising. Yes, free. If you have a blog, I would love for you to put my ad up for free too. However, if you don't have a blog, that will not hinder your chance at getting a free space here.<br />
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Email me your shop, your 160x160 ad, your blog (if you have one) and a little about yourself. If I think you and your shop are a good fit for Noodles & Milk readers and I have the space, you will be "in". I will leave your ad up (at least a month) until enough people apply and there needs to be a rotation. <br />
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That is all of the details that I have worked out so far. I know there will be a bunch of kinks and stuff that has to be worked out along the way and I will figure that out later. I will also consider still hosting a few giveaways if shops are interested. <br />
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Anyways, if you are a stay-at-home mom with an etsy shop or just have a crafting business on the side and are interested in free advertising, please email me at <a href="mailto:noodlesandmilk@gmail.com">noodlesandmilk@gmail.com</a> to apply for a space. More details to come as I figure this out. <br />
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Hope you are as excited about this as I am. I think this is going to be really fun!<br />
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<center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-11227343630207327212011-05-01T21:32:00.000-05:002011-05-01T21:32:49.681-05:00I am alive<div style="text-align: left;">So sorry for the long absence. I knew it would be at least a few days but had no idea how quickly that turns into an entire week. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy May! Can you believe that? I hope you had a wonderful Easter. Since I last posted, <a href="http://emersonrae.blogspot.com/2011/05/easter-recap.html">we celebrated Easter</a>, had family in town, battled a stomach virus, had a birthday, a friend hosted a <a href="http://www.sabrinagphoto.blogspot.com/">picture party</a> for me (where I had sessions for 12 kids!), it has rained a bunch and we are now experiencing a freak cold front. Whew, it has been a long 1o days. Not to mention all the "regular" stuff thrown into the mix too.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways, I just wanted to say "Hi". And that I am back. Or at least I am really going to try to get back into the blogging groove. Hope your week starts great.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">PS: If you are an etsy (or other small biz) shop owner...you might want to check back on Tuesday morning. I think I will have something that you might be interested in:)</div><center> </center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-77787895131389187212011-04-21T22:26:00.000-05:002011-04-21T22:26:56.135-05:00Easter, how I love thee<div style="text-align: left;">I think Easter is my favorite holiday. Yes, I get all into Christmas and Thanksgiving and certainly other special days like birthdays but Easter is my absolute favorite. I think it is the combination of so many things that makes it a favorite.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I love that it is always close to my birthday. The spring in Texas is generally perfect (although it feels like summer this year). Flowers are blooming and I love the excuse to get dressed in new clothes. Easter baskets are fun to fill and eggs are fun to dye. Little chicks and bunnies are precious. Most importantly Easter represents the most important message there is. That our saviour Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and most importantly rose from the dead to ascend into heaven. To be with God, his Father. Prooving his divinity. And opening the door to Grace for us. How can you not want to celebrate that?</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">We don't have big plans this Easter. Church, easter egg hunting, baskets and dinner with familiy and friends. Not much but wonderful all the same. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This year my children's baskets will be filled with books (and one movie). In years past there have been trinkets and toys, but I was really convicted about toys-and-easter this year. Now, I don't think there is anything wrong with giving toys for Easter. Nothing at all. We will probably go back to it next year. It was just that about a month ago my daughter started talking about "what she wanted from the Easter bunny".</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">At first I was thinking, "okay-make mental notes". Then I stopped myself and thought that Christmas and birthday's are bad enough. The wants and wish lists get long. Fast. I could not handle what was happening to Easter too. So, one morning at breakfast when my daughter was telling me what she wanted again, I stopped her. I told her that while the Easter bunny <em>might</em> bring her something but that he was not like Santa. She could not ask him for things. I gently reminded her what Easter was all about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdFceiW_VfL9cXAeAGWZm6ArXGhNDOwWHqY5PyqEk04_fmElv9mmImHIUUgaoQdYKhSpt7IzZrtUq-zSv8F7ACRYvNcuY7MbvxsvVV-BolSLdXWdKC8URTyBKzXJPGbjX5Y63NQ2ZeAU/s1600/IMG_4535+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdFceiW_VfL9cXAeAGWZm6ArXGhNDOwWHqY5PyqEk04_fmElv9mmImHIUUgaoQdYKhSpt7IzZrtUq-zSv8F7ACRYvNcuY7MbvxsvVV-BolSLdXWdKC8URTyBKzXJPGbjX5Y63NQ2ZeAU/s400/IMG_4535+edit.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I never get good bounce house pictures but this one turned out pretty cute!)</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Since our discussion, my daughter has not mentioned anything about what Mr. Bunny will bring. She has however made sure to tell me what she wants for her birthday and Christmas though. One thing at a time I guess.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">So, what do you do to keep the focus for Easter? Any tips for little ones?</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">PS- I will likely not be posting until Tuesday or Wednesday. Have a truly blessed Easter holiday.</div><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-54710989758608260362011-04-19T07:41:00.063-05:002011-04-19T07:41:00.039-05:00My birthday wishlistBirthdays are a big deal in my family. Mine is one week from today. In honor of my 31st (!) I thought I would share what is on my wishlist this year. <br />
<br />
In no particular order...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKVE1gG5YX723LEyloQ2emQ7fXk_VjvvB4DipOtjgUXiTEJ0KKAVrftFSNvqeMFx5v4TfpWqLxWLLflqa1xXTbdKavqkxfSO2vC33qcIN-CqMuhSJm5DaNKfbQNd03tHpmSldjeXIWN0/s1600/canon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKVE1gG5YX723LEyloQ2emQ7fXk_VjvvB4DipOtjgUXiTEJ0KKAVrftFSNvqeMFx5v4TfpWqLxWLLflqa1xXTbdKavqkxfSO2vC33qcIN-CqMuhSJm5DaNKfbQNd03tHpmSldjeXIWN0/s1600/canon.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Canon 24-70mm lens</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LrBf0sI8kES9FnKpmthk0Kfdy7mW_T0YZN9KXtPbW-aDP7dJV4rJH8AwY4ZBeu5hWHECQhcftToUufGIkgqKqlZUKcZj_m-6sSBLYi4IOkhWvIPdjxQ4iqoEMRfOq6Renr7IM1jtAKw/s1600/jojo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LrBf0sI8kES9FnKpmthk0Kfdy7mW_T0YZN9KXtPbW-aDP7dJV4rJH8AwY4ZBeu5hWHECQhcftToUufGIkgqKqlZUKcZj_m-6sSBLYi4IOkhWvIPdjxQ4iqoEMRfOq6Renr7IM1jtAKw/s320/jojo.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jo Jo Totes- <a href="http://jototes.com/handbags/rose-teal">Rose camera bag in teal</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnvB3PgOUp2ockgOCGTRjGSmbNe8ezrgHuGrII8p2AKI0SLxxBXG4MeM1mJdHxxdiwgjUXZ1qMiQ_3p5FdLolYK-gZiGX3Y231W25cMFx_ZaLLnB47Dzj1WOstc8Btc1TP5vLwPPj9D8/s1600/trainer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnvB3PgOUp2ockgOCGTRjGSmbNe8ezrgHuGrII8p2AKI0SLxxBXG4MeM1mJdHxxdiwgjUXZ1qMiQ_3p5FdLolYK-gZiGX3Y231W25cMFx_ZaLLnB47Dzj1WOstc8Btc1TP5vLwPPj9D8/s320/trainer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Personal Trainer</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOmmijrfAzFxKAo7g7e2OavcY2aXlRAmTS-EsUHaGgDT8DfcInDjtk9pY2N5Fj_Tvv4_1BjZ90TPWZYMdr1nhOXvgtYRGdWZS7znzgEDEmegsNSEsaYb_LpDDrAPrjGSh9BE50F-rrHg/s1600/sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOmmijrfAzFxKAo7g7e2OavcY2aXlRAmTS-EsUHaGgDT8DfcInDjtk9pY2N5Fj_Tvv4_1BjZ90TPWZYMdr1nhOXvgtYRGdWZS7znzgEDEmegsNSEsaYb_LpDDrAPrjGSh9BE50F-rrHg/s320/sleep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sleep</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anything from <a href="http://www.lauramercier.com/">Laura Mercier</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_PAqUezNj47StRcl2pOKxoTd7lCKR9ndNbm0qZEn6fVwq_SobSRvG4nNw2g5MGlVwHhH5YwLq9OitEHJsq0NkouatZXH5CH6yvhVYbzLULMLypvFG2C0x6v9MfqZ9mMwG4ORC8L6Sps/s1600/earring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_PAqUezNj47StRcl2pOKxoTd7lCKR9ndNbm0qZEn6fVwq_SobSRvG4nNw2g5MGlVwHhH5YwLq9OitEHJsq0NkouatZXH5CH6yvhVYbzLULMLypvFG2C0x6v9MfqZ9mMwG4ORC8L6Sps/s320/earring.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">These earrings from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/71554916/cherry-blossom-and-aqua-blue-earrings?ref=sr_list_7&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=jewelry&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">Designs by Jocelyn</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbrgzJ4YbR1Ltnbg18rupMZjBpyy521PIVhTsBdS1K8UYm32CCdnyB_Kkwlt4aO3SZe7O0OHTA1hk31jI52j2sU7TmQ3wIN-cVznVS5Gdr7mKDXiMfIWCcfmcCyabFDg6ahTDIknoduM/s1600/necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbrgzJ4YbR1Ltnbg18rupMZjBpyy521PIVhTsBdS1K8UYm32CCdnyB_Kkwlt4aO3SZe7O0OHTA1hk31jI52j2sU7TmQ3wIN-cVznVS5Gdr7mKDXiMfIWCcfmcCyabFDg6ahTDIknoduM/s320/necklace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This necklace from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62503646/sideways-cross-necklace-set-off-center?ref=sr_list_32&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=jewelry&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">Luluka</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgDkvHFi7fwHKWGz4W7QqBFaWm3RF081FPgH0OJWXbyl5XKncCs4dh2AJGTv81dMGLdmwRzEaTBlVMJHbLpVxh265p9MmfAzAFsCyt8Ij0Qc5HVRAVswGKwavFLREON82AceMdZgeqHQ/s1600/lightroom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgDkvHFi7fwHKWGz4W7QqBFaWm3RF081FPgH0OJWXbyl5XKncCs4dh2AJGTv81dMGLdmwRzEaTBlVMJHbLpVxh265p9MmfAzAFsCyt8Ij0Qc5HVRAVswGKwavFLREON82AceMdZgeqHQ/s320/lightroom.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Someone to design a photography website for me</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7GNwraC6TEuYxbNXsY778ejTAuywPJgglVIat9FNKfVLw6zYmzDO0AMalu1oXBALsUgPn0orYS17q-AtGSsAB3UbqRA_4jl7NWNVJkPrl_vpBJqvcRqTJ0tSm0bXLvYhdeKGuidqGo4/s1600/vacation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7GNwraC6TEuYxbNXsY778ejTAuywPJgglVIat9FNKfVLw6zYmzDO0AMalu1oXBALsUgPn0orYS17q-AtGSsAB3UbqRA_4jl7NWNVJkPrl_vpBJqvcRqTJ0tSm0bXLvYhdeKGuidqGo4/s320/vacation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A tropical vacation</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A pedicure</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSXwK6pI4DswUOJV8r-hv3pj4BGxII-Bm4tkQlVRlA-QXNkr38GiLxsLLbpyewcSLB1H9zirVL13l7iiRDeWoVxfsKUtjnQqwxSekw8v0lShsA5UYITAi1KWCxU-l2IXR_NTUe-O_cQM/s1600/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSXwK6pI4DswUOJV8r-hv3pj4BGxII-Bm4tkQlVRlA-QXNkr38GiLxsLLbpyewcSLB1H9zirVL13l7iiRDeWoVxfsKUtjnQqwxSekw8v0lShsA5UYITAi1KWCxU-l2IXR_NTUe-O_cQM/s320/shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">New running shoes- maybe that would inspire me to work out more </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-X-AN62vzMoV4p7p_h0Zve3KrzUnKAyUbhNMqTRly87NAhQKa6Eg9D2HNZItvhMIBCp_E5jzAR8URBrSlhL9gwodCZLLHI5ik0Y6jFwMyzq3YgcJRRni8NT5E3-dR7AMzLtgaeVQXmRA/s1600/iphone.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-X-AN62vzMoV4p7p_h0Zve3KrzUnKAyUbhNMqTRly87NAhQKa6Eg9D2HNZItvhMIBCp_E5jzAR8URBrSlhL9gwodCZLLHI5ik0Y6jFwMyzq3YgcJRRni8NT5E3-dR7AMzLtgaeVQXmRA/s1600/iphone.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A smartphone...not necessarily an Iphone</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3m3kOjT-mVvLYL-Pau9S3TR0rv3hI8GYei_kYQ9z1ei-H6WUNhqrrHERcdtTOaxpxPSXjxfav5yyuGKX9MHBuSgnbrsxoZIP09SfLdE3ky9i_cUoXfptqte0P1zA5J1PKwuMJIcgrVlE/s1600/patience.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3m3kOjT-mVvLYL-Pau9S3TR0rv3hI8GYei_kYQ9z1ei-H6WUNhqrrHERcdtTOaxpxPSXjxfav5yyuGKX9MHBuSgnbrsxoZIP09SfLdE3ky9i_cUoXfptqte0P1zA5J1PKwuMJIcgrVlE/s320/patience.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">More patience with my children. With my husband. With myself.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NFZF-VOThCCF4KeQJZd94VO0uHtZkO4THnCj1fxdrK7IdY6Cs5Dv4yN7BNg4Q2rHnKuKSP9V6WeYuapm3TsIb7tuQKr-hO76u3XchV_0C2iFF5Hey_MVGIQKrIVpyldjaZ5V2qLalmM/s1600/house+of+hargrove.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NFZF-VOThCCF4KeQJZd94VO0uHtZkO4THnCj1fxdrK7IdY6Cs5Dv4yN7BNg4Q2rHnKuKSP9V6WeYuapm3TsIb7tuQKr-hO76u3XchV_0C2iFF5Hey_MVGIQKrIVpyldjaZ5V2qLalmM/s320/house+of+hargrove.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This dining sideboard from <a href="http://www.houseofhargrove.com/p/shop-mckinney.html">House of Hargrove</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6FTukrLcnPKVCchd689c-hSfNh9H3DueaS2CkQrNKkOdZwTzIvJow3gtmUOEVJUCl7qr4_aHlwnK3Y_6uj-WqLce3U6KZX1NY8F6_kMsH7Bdx5LPuyqq_uRFlxnhb_I_4Xo_XZru3fw/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6FTukrLcnPKVCchd689c-hSfNh9H3DueaS2CkQrNKkOdZwTzIvJow3gtmUOEVJUCl7qr4_aHlwnK3Y_6uj-WqLce3U6KZX1NY8F6_kMsH7Bdx5LPuyqq_uRFlxnhb_I_4Xo_XZru3fw/s1600/cake.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chocolate birthday cake.</div><br />
In all honesty, I have already gotten most of my gifts for this year. They are all very special and came early for one reason or another. So, all I am really expecting is some chocolate cake. And time with friends and family.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-5704149154953100012011-04-18T15:24:00.000-05:002011-04-18T15:24:18.762-05:00Thoughts on mothering preschoolers<div align="left">I need to get something off my chest. I feel like I have used this blog to complain a lot lately. While I do want to use this as an avenue to share personal stories I do not want you all to think that I am unhappy. Or a generally unhappy person. That could not be farther from the truth. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Truth is, I am a happy person. I try to see the glass half full. I like to be an encouragement to others. I seek out God's promises in the everyday. I am pretty posititive. Most of the time.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">The way I see it, being a mom is hard. You are trying to stay positive for yourself. Your spouse. Your kids. It is really hard to be that positive all the time. Sometimes I need to vent a little of the negativeness somewhere. You get the point.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Anyways, lately I have had lots of complaining stories about this and that. They have mainly related to my 3 1/2 year old daughter. I absolutely love her to pieces but she is completely wearing me out these days. In my opninion, this is the hardest age yet. Honestly, there have been many many many days lately where I have been re-thinking my decision to be a stay-at-home-mom. I feel like I can't do it for another minute. I find myself in tears and angry at my behavior. Thinking that I am the worst mom in the world and surely "ruining" my daughter.</div><div align="left"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGd4aayHW289dwKqM2A3RXRMEWITWPJL3ISfS1MZBA43VoqZ4WboiDHHlGuQf5GxdI7z_CZlLXUJlUuomOKLKWOJ9wburKzESQJk5jtuXNmOVkw_5AKVAMKYsRpfEAszcV71usaQPHQE/s1600/IMG_4012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGd4aayHW289dwKqM2A3RXRMEWITWPJL3ISfS1MZBA43VoqZ4WboiDHHlGuQf5GxdI7z_CZlLXUJlUuomOKLKWOJ9wburKzESQJk5jtuXNmOVkw_5AKVAMKYsRpfEAszcV71usaQPHQE/s400/IMG_4012.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(On a side note, all these images are un-edited. Sorry)</span></em></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">While daydreaming of having a live-in nanny or children shipped off to childcare everyday, I realize that as bad as it can be, I still would not have it any other way. This is a phase. My daughter will not whine forever. She will not throw meaningless tantrums and doddle at the dinner table forever. She will also not snuggle me on the couch or adore her baby brother forever. I know that her days of desperately wanting all my attention and thinking I hang the moon are passing. I am certain that I will never regret my decision to stay home with my children. I may regret how I respond to her when she makes me angry (and I often do), but I will never miss all the normal days that we get to spend together. </div><div align="left"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVM8-pQMng_yNrHTuJdfsKA3K8Q-AZRr9ia9j2xE3gfY6wLctdNcv-bWvCP8b0mmD0uIhgGBniYLkksvFRD_KNwmH0P7UZF4oGkfdNapcJDsFWglm_Nvs7-t33EEQGHtYIEba3LxbaLSE/s1600/IMG_3998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVM8-pQMng_yNrHTuJdfsKA3K8Q-AZRr9ia9j2xE3gfY6wLctdNcv-bWvCP8b0mmD0uIhgGBniYLkksvFRD_KNwmH0P7UZF4oGkfdNapcJDsFWglm_Nvs7-t33EEQGHtYIEba3LxbaLSE/s400/IMG_3998.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">At the end of the day I generally want to pull all my hair out but it is because I got to spend <em>that</em> much time with her. Then I stop to think, not many parents can say that. That they had <em>too</em> much time with their children. It is a blessing not a curse. And while it sounds like a reminder, it is. I have to constantly remind myself of this.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">So, yes, I may share my grumbles and complaints ocassionally. I take breathers on facebook and watching HGTV before daddy comes home. I text with other mommy friends and steal away moments to blog. Those are just my little pick-me-ups throughout the day. The ways that I take a breath. Calm myself. Stay sane.</div><div align="left"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO55C4OgADagYCzRbSBjbDsLdpAiUVF8iJc7cPhtGTyGvlT4wLSKy-Sg6c-3Lcxz8TUFPrrR5VcLeRYbYYe29yaj_QhXAzpNaVlqkWjwGwQz73a78CdAl5czplloI2z_UuYyFiaK-s29c/s1600/IMG_4031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO55C4OgADagYCzRbSBjbDsLdpAiUVF8iJc7cPhtGTyGvlT4wLSKy-Sg6c-3Lcxz8TUFPrrR5VcLeRYbYYe29yaj_QhXAzpNaVlqkWjwGwQz73a78CdAl5czplloI2z_UuYyFiaK-s29c/s400/IMG_4031.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Having preschoolers is hard work and I am certainly not the most qualified. I don't spend hours teaching life lessons and planning activities. I would be a horrible home-schooler. We kinda just roll with it most days. We watch tv and read stories and do play-doh. On ocassion I do something fabulous like bake cookies. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Regardless, I know that lazy days at home with mom are better than those organized days with a childcare professional. I know that the days where we can do absolutely nothing are fleeting. Before I know it my daughter (and son!) will be in school. Their days will be organized for them. They will be taught fabulous things and get to learn and be social and creative to their hearts content. There will not be another chance to be home with them all day just because. This too is a phase.</div><div align="left"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8E0diU5RguueHrBuc7-WusBPyuJ6bR_wqKCjq82NUZLuBbrx9vTw6Rc54c8sUFgc_ZCFx3TFxTQxb2JK3698v4QW1_xeTgTu1Hn8vB-jqb7kO4SnevdAp-oNYPCmThRlX8yDh57WxIs/s1600/IMG_4037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8E0diU5RguueHrBuc7-WusBPyuJ6bR_wqKCjq82NUZLuBbrx9vTw6Rc54c8sUFgc_ZCFx3TFxTQxb2JK3698v4QW1_xeTgTu1Hn8vB-jqb7kO4SnevdAp-oNYPCmThRlX8yDh57WxIs/s400/IMG_4037.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">So, I just wanted to put this out there. Consider it a semi-apology/explanation as well as an encouragement to all you mothers to young children. Before I go, I want to share a link. My fabulous mother-in-law shared this video with me the other day. It sums up what I am trying to say. (Here is a tip: Have a tissue handy)</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><a href="http://vimeo.com/8054255">The gift of an ordinary day</a></div><center> </center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-71070722737197234252011-04-14T16:06:00.000-05:002011-04-14T16:06:59.991-05:00Today is not even over yet and it has been one for the record books. Thursday is the one day of the week that we have open. Nothing is scheduled and we use it for playdates, errands or fun outings. Ocassionally it is used to stay home. Today we planned a trip to the zoo with all my daughters closest friends and their mommies (who also happen to be some of my closest friends). 9 children and 4 adults. I was scared before I even got there.<br />
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Emerson woke up in a good mood this morning around 7:20 and by 9:00 things were bad. Really really bad. I don't even remember what started it but "it" turned into the tantrum of the century. Thank God we were at home. Everytime it got close to passing something else would happen. It lasted for over an hour. I do not lie.<br />
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We end up getting to the zoo an hour late. This resulted in us having to park super far away in "overflow" parking. Awesome. Have I told ya'll how easily I break a sweat? Seriously, I know I am from Texas but I am so warm natured. It was 75 degrees when we got to the zoo and by the time we got to the front gates I was sweating. A lot. Being hot and sweaty does not make me happy.<br />
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Anyways, we went through the gorilla/chimp/monkeys-of-all-kinds exhibit and then decided to break for lunch before we got much farther. Lunch went off without much drama. Except the minor detail of Emerson pulling the double stroller over onto its back. While the baby was sitting inside. Thank God (again!) that he was strapped in and didn't even flinch. Phew. That could have been really bad.<br />
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After lunch we load up our huge group and begin to stroll through the rest of the zoo. That is when I see them. Life-sized, super scary realistic, "talking" (I guess roaring is more appropriate) dinosaurs. Right. I remember getting the special flyer in the mail about the dino exhibit at the zoo. Oops, must have forgot.<br />
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Let me take a moment to describe to you just how real these things are. Scary real. Cool real. Like disney-land mechanical stuff real. Having to keep reminding yourself that THEY ARE EXTINCT real. The eyes move, the skin is soft and moves, the sounds are crazy realistic, they are life sized. The motions are fluid and realistic. It is truly amazing what technology can do. I could go on but you get the point.<br />
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Back to the story, the kids in our group run to see them. Emerson freezes. She is screaming and crying and saying "I don't want to" "I don't like them" "Take me away". Oh man. So, I turn the stroller around and tell her to cover her eyes. We wait while the others watch. I watch because they are cool. By the way, this all goes down at a small exhibit of two "small" ones. As in, not much bigger than me.<br />
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You can only imagine how she reacted to the life sized T-rex. Oh my word. Was she being kidnapped? Oh, that's right, I was standing right next to her. <br />
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The way the exhibit was done, the different species of dinosaurs were spread throughout the zoo. Cool for them. Not for Emerson. We had to pass one to get from one animal to the next. Needless to say, we left early. Basically, all we saw was the monkeys and the flamingos. And had lunch. Awesome. I left the zoo grumbling all the way back to my overflow parking space. Dripping in sweat.<br />
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We get home. Everyone is hot and tired. I put her down for a nap. I go into the kitchen to make the baby's bottle and head back to his room to feed him and put him down. I pass Emy's door and see her light on. I open her door and she instantly freezes and hands me a quarter. She doesn't have money or a piggy bank. I ask her where she got it and she tells me that she took it from mommy and daddy's room. Stealing. Awesome. <br />
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That is where we are for today. I wander what post-naptime has to offer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIilnuZmUxy8usJHGzqYOiPxWy91GnIvrN0N8p1mg5tIKctayX3T_E8mzEZrrq_5BhQVlH2JEcmJSMi22sNJVkaofyGSogUugeATUtrjDygdYKUVs3yZzf_NRj4_Coc5E1HM5F5JKuz0k/s1600/IMG_3992+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIilnuZmUxy8usJHGzqYOiPxWy91GnIvrN0N8p1mg5tIKctayX3T_E8mzEZrrq_5BhQVlH2JEcmJSMi22sNJVkaofyGSogUugeATUtrjDygdYKUVs3yZzf_NRj4_Coc5E1HM5F5JKuz0k/s400/IMG_3992+edit+low+res.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>(Just because I need a reminder of how wonderful she can be)</em></span></div><br />
PS- If you are in DFW and want to see the dino exhibit, I highly recommend it. Amazing. It is here until July 10th. Just make sure your kid actually likes dinosaurs.<br />
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PPS- Free registration for the Opposites photo class ends this Sunday, 4/17. You can register <a href="http://bethvphotography.blogspot.com/2011/04/opposites-photo-class.html">here</a>.<br />
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PPSS- Please buy the rest of my destash. What if I gave you all a coupon code for $1 off each destash listing? Use "BuyMe" as a code in the comments section and I will refund $1 per destash listing you purchase. Pretty please. <a href="http://www.noodlesandmilk.etsy.com/">http://www.noodlesandmilk.etsy.com/</a><br />
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<center> </center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-39376599915695612222011-04-12T22:28:00.000-05:002011-04-12T22:28:06.195-05:00Trying to get caught up<div style="text-align: left;">I cannot believe that I have not posted in almost a week! So sorry. Life happened. It never ceases to amaze me how getting behind on one day easily snowballs into being a week behind. Does that happen to anyone else?</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways, my husband had surgery (it was relatively minor) last Friday and it threw our family schedule out of whack much more then we anticipated. My in-laws were here to help with the kids but things were still completely crazy. I had no idea just how much more work I would have to do while taking care of my "patient" and not having his help with the kids. Remember<a href="http://noodlesandmilk.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-dont-know-how-they-do-it.html"> this</a> article, well again I feel so thankful for my husbands support in our day-to-day life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">My in-laws left today and my husband is getting back to full speed and I feel like I am climbing out of an overwhelming pit that is also known as my to-do list.</div><center> </center><div style="text-align: left;">One thing I finally did today (actually just now at 10pm) was upload my images to flikr for my Opposites Class. I was 3 assignments behind. Awesome. Here they are.</div><center> </center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9kKqbilMLoIz7f59UYa5mdtVKcDf84qJQwnOJwfIqI0FEFNzIiff4g8-xom7vxcZo3rq3V8igHTj12YdYul78v_mISSz-5bT4zXr2wrvZjIs4FXhc0kKvDCx6UuSWfd9HuQzJu1TN0s/s1600/IMG_4024+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9kKqbilMLoIz7f59UYa5mdtVKcDf84qJQwnOJwfIqI0FEFNzIiff4g8-xom7vxcZo3rq3V8igHTj12YdYul78v_mISSz-5bT4zXr2wrvZjIs4FXhc0kKvDCx6UuSWfd9HuQzJu1TN0s/s400/IMG_4024+edit+low+res.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Day 2: New</div><div style="text-align: center;">(My daughter has "newly" learned to do the big girl swing all by herself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6UD8AhEb-km4MvENSiZAm_VWqk2jUHPMUTBJl_RqfWbDa2N9FLPctSt0LMoC1SjV52cepfckVuCtMkxi2OfnFT-QVdcwxiSY2B5sMLcRSlIQMMCNz3jlEL9wbCKXO0iEz0GH3hbvALA/s1600/IMG_2968+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6UD8AhEb-km4MvENSiZAm_VWqk2jUHPMUTBJl_RqfWbDa2N9FLPctSt0LMoC1SjV52cepfckVuCtMkxi2OfnFT-QVdcwxiSY2B5sMLcRSlIQMMCNz3jlEL9wbCKXO0iEz0GH3hbvALA/s400/IMG_2968+edit+low+res.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Day 3: In</div><div style="text-align: center;">My sweet baby indoors...doing baby push-ups. My favorite.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZHKw61ID1ytPwQGfCMTf16JcvzCFBG0R86V1MVx2gRjLCaao2gfuxTAl1bKQw229BDl7qidXdThpK0p_WGLziuP6HuVbQ8XbbCcoZt_Duj8o3JXm9evNaCu5uFAiOc-WGMiVaZhyphenhyphenC5s/s1600/IMG_2912+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZHKw61ID1ytPwQGfCMTf16JcvzCFBG0R86V1MVx2gRjLCaao2gfuxTAl1bKQw229BDl7qidXdThpK0p_WGLziuP6HuVbQ8XbbCcoZt_Duj8o3JXm9evNaCu5uFAiOc-WGMiVaZhyphenhyphenC5s/s400/IMG_2912+edit+low+res.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><center>Day 4: Out</center><center>Playing outside. My daughter watches adoringly as her baby brother attempts the sippy cup on his own.</center><center> </center><div style="text-align: left;">If you want to sign up, you totally still can! Remember that it is FREE! Do it <a href="http://bethvphotography.blogspot.com/2011/04/opposites-photo-class.html">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh and for those interested, yours truly is doing the Wednesday lesson. Maybe you will learn something new. Maybe.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I gotta get some sleep. Will try to catch up a little more tomorrow. Adios.</div><center> </center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-17661341924216044752011-04-06T19:54:00.000-05:002011-04-06T19:54:40.063-05:00StuffI am cutting it short tonight because tonight is TV night for hubby and I. Electronics are to be turned off shortly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RHu_96PcHx4X_cs-a6oSMMOwEMS1evazPOAiPtwCkzFRckuDwV_yGRlVC9wsmJG5vAD7y2CQEcl1VuZ9vtQTtHuEuPfFIFyR6RP5BLng28723nU3RY4y9i6FlZOyYYRcp4Z0Sl8Zoos/s1600/IMG_3525+edit+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RHu_96PcHx4X_cs-a6oSMMOwEMS1evazPOAiPtwCkzFRckuDwV_yGRlVC9wsmJG5vAD7y2CQEcl1VuZ9vtQTtHuEuPfFIFyR6RP5BLng28723nU3RY4y9i6FlZOyYYRcp4Z0Sl8Zoos/s400/IMG_3525+edit+for+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Anyways, I started the Opposites photo class today. Here is my shot. The theme was "old". My cat is the oldest member of our family. I have had him since my husband and I were dating. If you want to join the class, you totally still can. Go <a href="http://bethvphotography.blogspot.com/2011/04/opposites-photo-class.html">here</a> to check it out. Remember that it is FREE!<br />
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I have a huge weight lifted today. I finally have an outfit picked out for a function I am going to on Monday night. I have been seriously stressing over this for several weeks now. I love clothes but not on a postpartum body. Anyways, I found something that "works" and is pretty cute too. Hallelujah.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30O3qN0YWL1f6VCR4tKRQDhthOh0_MMcFzj8r1qkhZXDZSGVv0mIP3QgkmkoQX8uox_y0RlZFlc-e-U3FQ6isWtobwI9XodLNzCBa-uaR6TEOvTmDLTg3iS44lCGuD7J58epzMEjIzqk/s1600/japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30O3qN0YWL1f6VCR4tKRQDhthOh0_MMcFzj8r1qkhZXDZSGVv0mIP3QgkmkoQX8uox_y0RlZFlc-e-U3FQ6isWtobwI9XodLNzCBa-uaR6TEOvTmDLTg3iS44lCGuD7J58epzMEjIzqk/s320/japan.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Don't forget about my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/noodlesandmilk?section_id=5609331">destash sale</a>. Check out what is left and please help me clean it out. Oh, and don't forget that 20% off your destash purchase goes to help disaster relief in Japan.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHba61_Z0z-_SpjWMTfL4SsDY17boNp6Y07IEQF9Y_CpuX7nuX12yyVR4DOo9oRt3rYKixkqpL_4SnjXMubl9dbtKMiZQjjjqc3hY4dIptY62pTkLEhEw_lt-bcifIcLKn9nVowbXjLBY/s1600/IMG_3530+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHba61_Z0z-_SpjWMTfL4SsDY17boNp6Y07IEQF9Y_CpuX7nuX12yyVR4DOo9oRt3rYKixkqpL_4SnjXMubl9dbtKMiZQjjjqc3hY4dIptY62pTkLEhEw_lt-bcifIcLKn9nVowbXjLBY/s400/IMG_3530+edit+low+res.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One last thing...my baby is 7 months old! I cannot believe it. You can read about what he is up to on our family blog <a href="http://www.emersonrae.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</div><br />
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<center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-7835096380381891912011-04-05T21:54:00.000-05:002011-04-05T21:54:58.976-05:00Work in ProgressI am going to be honest, I have felt prompted to work on my marriage lately. Don't get me wrong, my husband is fabulous and I am so lucky to have married such a wonderful man but we just aren't in that great of a place right now. Nothing is "wrong" per se we are just in the oh-so-common funk that couples get into when they have a house full of young children. We are just co-existing. <br />
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Luckily we make great roommates, but I miss my husband. We are both to blame. We can also put blame on exhaustion, our kids, our jobs, and so many other things but the honest truth is that it is our responsibility to prioritize and get out of the funk. <br />
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I am a huge believer that God should be first your priority <em>then</em> your spouse and <em>then</em> your children followed by everything else. I know so many people put their children first before spouses but I believe God calls us to raise our children to send them out onto their own. When we married our spouses we became one body in Christ. Just think about it, once your kids are out of the house...what's left? That's right, just you and your spouse. Ideally, you are still in love when life comes full circle.<br />
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I don't want to open a huge debate about this, I just bring it up because it is so easy to get wrapped up in kids activities and conversations about the children's lives. Before you know it neither one of you can remember the last moment you spent with each other where the kids were not on the mind. This is where the challenge comes in. Prioritizing your spouse and your relationship with them. Commiting to finding time to spend alone together. Having adult conversation. Investing in the things that make each other happy and putting your spouse above your children.<br />
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I brought up my feelings to my hubby last night. He listened and agreed. We have not put pen-to-paper yet (which I think is so important) and gotten specifics on the calendar yet but we did brainstorm ways to find time for each other. After our discussion yesterday evening, we sat outside together and watched our daughter play. Yes, we were focusing on our child but our conversation was adult and focused on one another. <br />
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When my husband came home today he suggested we load the kids up and take them for a walk through the neighborhood. It was great because while the kids were technically there, we still got to have time to focus on one another. <br />
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I got the name and number of a trusted babysitter today and plan on calling her this week to get some dates scheduled. We also decided that one or two nights a week, after the kids are asleep we are going to turn off computers and cell phones and sit on the couch watching TV together. <br />
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The steps might seem little but I believe that it is the awareness that is the most important thing. I love my husband so much and I want to continue to build our marriage and make it even stronger than it already is.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8tEN6fHlW7AfgNzXTEbaGuqavN1yHuTVDXxLtqpK0wBiMfgTQ4Xoj8u2ZJ1pAPWpLfHE6esn3liKSISN3uUVGNp8ty0wG4ZEoEWz74Ug7GFRMmcmblQx0SPZlc6soAQHeL0JNQ4DdVI/s1600/IMG_2886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8tEN6fHlW7AfgNzXTEbaGuqavN1yHuTVDXxLtqpK0wBiMfgTQ4Xoj8u2ZJ1pAPWpLfHE6esn3liKSISN3uUVGNp8ty0wG4ZEoEWz74Ug7GFRMmcmblQx0SPZlc6soAQHeL0JNQ4DdVI/s400/IMG_2886.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(While I love these two to pieces, when they are out of the house I want to make sure that</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">my hubby and I are happier than ever)</span></div><br />
Does anyone else struggle with this? Am I the only one? If you have any tips on finding time for one another amidst the chaos of kids, I would love to hear them.<br />
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<center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-40990032090942710302011-04-04T23:04:00.000-05:002011-04-04T23:04:13.960-05:00It's MondayWell, by the time many of you read this it will actually be Tuesday. Whatever.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAB8n4BRGdPJhyNXL5KdljAq_45qcAP1hWHlgngX3Vq5cvqP3dYEVD3KfjpL5GmDf59Vgyr3WsEJrnMo21jKopa1c6blB7a-VWXDqhe7NPHCKL3KrmIfiDyl6w7NvNKXzwZG02LusIlM/s1600/IMG_2821+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAB8n4BRGdPJhyNXL5KdljAq_45qcAP1hWHlgngX3Vq5cvqP3dYEVD3KfjpL5GmDf59Vgyr3WsEJrnMo21jKopa1c6blB7a-VWXDqhe7NPHCKL3KrmIfiDyl6w7NvNKXzwZG02LusIlM/s400/IMG_2821+edit+low+res.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(This has nothing to do with this blog post but is this photo not hilarious? "Anyone want tickets to the gun show?")</span></div><br />
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I am the only one still awake in the house. It is totally quiet except for the sound machine doing its thing in the nursery. And the dishwasher buzzer went off.<br />
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I have noticed that Mondays don't mean quite the same thing that they used to when I worked in Corporate America. They are differnet now and yet still the same. <br />
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Instead of waking to an alarm clock I woke up to the sound of a fussing baby.<br />
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While I didn't have any Monday morning meetings or sales reports to review, I did have a check register to balance and some snuggle time with the baby.<br />
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I did not have to wear a suit for a business lunch but I did have to pull myself out of my pajamas to meet a friend for a casual walk through Target.<br />
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I did not have to repremand any employees for conduct problems but I did have to deal with an unruly toddler.<br />
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Instead of water cooler gossip about the weekend I got to chatter with my daughter about her day at school.<br />
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I did not deal with frustrating criticism from a boss but I did deal with criticizing myself and some actions that I am not proud of.<br />
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I did not get to go to happy hour after work but my family did spend a happy hour playing outside when daddy came home.<br />
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While I did not get stuck working late at the office I did get stuck staying up late working on edits from the weekends photo shoots.<br />
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Yes, Mondays are very different now that I am at home with my children. I do, on ocassion, miss my old job and the hustle and bustle of Corporate America. However, I have come to realize that we have a different kind of hustle and bustle in our lives and I would not trade it for a thing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLooiusMZzuJWw-1TUtxto3A6jP9d27CGC0oXC2sSfK-QB2lADJkz_y608PTrDjo8o9jHz1NJV1mDSBrYkx0LW_5RoJk_aoeKcuQkcQYnXrYshzSdO1O3bE3LhZqN7ztGvPFM6NDXbABI/s1600/opposites+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLooiusMZzuJWw-1TUtxto3A6jP9d27CGC0oXC2sSfK-QB2lADJkz_y608PTrDjo8o9jHz1NJV1mDSBrYkx0LW_5RoJk_aoeKcuQkcQYnXrYshzSdO1O3bE3LhZqN7ztGvPFM6NDXbABI/s320/opposites+button.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
PS: My friend Beth is hosting a FREE photography "class" this month. If you are looking for an excuse to work on your photography skills, this would be great motivation. You don't need a fancy camera or any experience to participate. Sign up to participate <a href="http://bethvphotography.blogspot.com/2011/04/opposites-photo-class.html">here</a>.<br />
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<center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-53642724287225431732011-03-30T22:24:00.001-05:002011-03-30T22:25:02.035-05:00Highs and Lows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Both of my kids took good naps today. However, when they were not asleep things felt intense most of the day. It wasn't all bad, definitely more a mix of highs and lows. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">The highs included:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Enjoying a morning with my little man while sister was at school.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Running in and out of Target in under 20 minutes <em>and</em> sticking to my list.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Laughing with my daughter on the way home from school while I listened to her use the word "fancy" at least 5 times in a minute. It must have been the word of the day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Laughing again when she informs me that our car is not "fancy".</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Getting a phone call this afternoon with some good news.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Getting to play with my <a href="http://noodlesandmilk.blogspot.com/2011/03/today.html">new baby</a> while photographing my adorable baby.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwXppKZDdxjMRhyv2jI4GbHhtieArf2REEAUTjP1AZwwTO2_lVTdUh7ldp4V9quIObaBOEuFhIMAy2HlqxsEii0WREPX1ywBfzE0wCBI2NPBx8_Jv4KYw1pP0K0RHBgjoS41loubqcrk/s1600/IMG_2675+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwXppKZDdxjMRhyv2jI4GbHhtieArf2REEAUTjP1AZwwTO2_lVTdUh7ldp4V9quIObaBOEuFhIMAy2HlqxsEii0WREPX1ywBfzE0wCBI2NPBx8_Jv4KYw1pP0K0RHBgjoS41loubqcrk/s400/IMG_2675+edit+low+res.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ij9aNI0LmB-1WpEVc_9a-5B4z3rsHQMaPeq0qZkiMi7jzDZ8_trmuXKfIB_UUQt8zGzTKn5czvUhkWceuNBNNKf_oFgDACG_oa1xuK76cLMlGIGocMLNZkV_GHJFWNnM9KS9eZSNVGQ/s1600/IMG_2623+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ij9aNI0LmB-1WpEVc_9a-5B4z3rsHQMaPeq0qZkiMi7jzDZ8_trmuXKfIB_UUQt8zGzTKn5czvUhkWceuNBNNKf_oFgDACG_oa1xuK76cLMlGIGocMLNZkV_GHJFWNnM9KS9eZSNVGQ/s400/IMG_2623+edit.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">The lows included:</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">The 3 hours from naptime to bedtime where mentally and physically exhausting.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">I felt like I yelled a lot. I hope my daughter will remember me for something positive and not the yelling.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Coming to a difficult conclusion about our cat. We need to schedule a trip to the vet. That is all I will say about that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Something I was expecting in the mail did not come today.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Having a heavy heart for several friends who are in great need of prayer right now.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Having to go to bed with only one thing checked off my to-do list.</div><br />
<center> </center><center> </center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-6257794826737095442011-03-29T21:52:00.000-05:002011-03-29T21:52:44.753-05:00Today<div align="left">Tuesday's my daughter has dance class. The studio is literally 4 minutes from our house. I was expecting a delivery from the postman. I waited until the last minute to leave for dance then rushed home as soon as it was over. Sure enough, I came home to a delivery slip on the door. The only 55 minutes that I was gone from the house today was the timeslot that the postman attempted to deliver my package. Bust!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">The slip said that my package would be available for pick up at the post office later that afternoon. So, just before naptime I loaded up the troops and headed to the post office. Luckily there was no line and the service was fast. I got the package and came home to tuck the kids in for naptime.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Then I dived into my box. This is what I found. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6aKV9pg00jBedBZKv4Qwzp0Srzjhoj7R96sAoKIFunkJPVaxTG5LBgoDwC9LFthFYme8SxlGlz9lgFfps9cW_lDY_xUhxt_9HR4mfZU1DHlw-W1dwTTPZ7TxNlGmxwm-ylFA1kOG2mo/s1600/50d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6aKV9pg00jBedBZKv4Qwzp0Srzjhoj7R96sAoKIFunkJPVaxTG5LBgoDwC9LFthFYme8SxlGlz9lgFfps9cW_lDY_xUhxt_9HR4mfZU1DHlw-W1dwTTPZ7TxNlGmxwm-ylFA1kOG2mo/s320/50d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">My new baby. I decided it was time to upgrade. I went with the 50d because it is so highly recommended. There are two newer models and this one still gets the highest rating. Finding these new or used is not easy. The new ones keep getting more expensive because of the demand. Anyways, I found a great deal on a lightly used one and it is mine!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I spent naptime getting aquainted with this beauty. I love it. I do need a lot of practice on it because it handles very differently from my last camera. (Btw- anyone want to buy my old one???)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Today was rainy and super-dreary, so lighting conditions were seriously less-than-ideal. But, I was able to get a couple sweet shots of Ash. I am so eager to get out and really try this thing out and see what it can really do:)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEw2djWez-jk7STWQMdPclcoJt8H5-BctNRmUf5P1PIw0bvdFSLAgZb_bYoEv9O1m-h-ZY_KQTvARNtv0tQVWG0i2YhUlpQCa6M7257WAx8q08WfnF8qpfpNLpu8XzxK8V66GVvvnKw0A/s1600/IMG_2532+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEw2djWez-jk7STWQMdPclcoJt8H5-BctNRmUf5P1PIw0bvdFSLAgZb_bYoEv9O1m-h-ZY_KQTvARNtv0tQVWG0i2YhUlpQCa6M7257WAx8q08WfnF8qpfpNLpu8XzxK8V66GVvvnKw0A/s400/IMG_2532+edit+low+res.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OiMqx5C_h7L7FI-3VHyOxYp6_zzQwudL0iio8dizRmRvs5ZpRUxJOJzkWtBnEOVZslbDIFTGimXCg9kUzBUCItu94k125t1svsw_UKXSyDDUh0d1Ys2ZccoJK8-pStNLDenkbHWWHXI/s1600/IMG_2545+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OiMqx5C_h7L7FI-3VHyOxYp6_zzQwudL0iio8dizRmRvs5ZpRUxJOJzkWtBnEOVZslbDIFTGimXCg9kUzBUCItu94k125t1svsw_UKXSyDDUh0d1Ys2ZccoJK8-pStNLDenkbHWWHXI/s400/IMG_2545+edit.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-81463630551263438062011-03-27T19:39:00.000-05:002011-03-27T19:39:05.915-05:00Stuff I bet you didn't know<div style="text-align: left;">One thing I love about the blog (and facebook) world is that you get to know so many people that you would not met otherwise. The problem with cyber-friends is that for the most part, you never meet them in person. There is so much about a person that you learn just from interacting with them face-to-face. Anyways, just for fun I thought I would post some things about me that I bet most of you don't know...You know so that we can get to know one another a little better. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">1. I twirl my hair. A lot. As in, while driving, reading, sleeping, a lot of the time. I can tie knots in my hair and un-do them with one hand. I have done this since I was a child.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">2. I am scared of the dark. Not like paralyzing fear, but I do not like to be home alone at night. And I can't stand to have the curtains or blinds open at night. The thought of someone looking in when I can't see out freaks. me. out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">3. I LOVE getting the mail everyday. As in I am a little fanatical about it. Whenever we come home from a trip I absolutely cannot wait to go through all the mail. When we came home from our honeymoon, it was the first thing I did. Before opening the huge pile of wedding gifts filling our living room. I am not lying. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">4. My maiden name is one of the names inscribed in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">5. My daughter's middle name is the one that I always wanted.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">6. I am freakishly good at excel. It is weird. It is all attributed to my old career, but I do take pride in it and use it as often as I can.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">7. I have about 9 books on my nightstand. Different subjects and topics. Some started and others not. All on my to-do list. (Yea, in all my<em> free</em> time)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">8. My birthday is coming up next month. I love birthdays. They are big time around here. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">9. I really enjoying doing laundry but hate folding and hanging clean clothes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">10. My favorite flower is the Gerber Daisy. They make me so happy. And they last a long time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you feel like you know me a little better? I hope so! Feel free to share anything fun about yourself in the comments.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUomGrmVo8QXPBamxQ-R7x5pnPeyY8bUYUM7ZL_gmrfhNbe_znEHKSPFFjb6l8PB9Gpr4K-9KLdKOPLzHvzgUz17D1DrmaisAGtGeGJoup8NtRlGco2Hm-SHvcR68HWZ-n6ACoCLO2_W8/s1600/japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUomGrmVo8QXPBamxQ-R7x5pnPeyY8bUYUM7ZL_gmrfhNbe_znEHKSPFFjb6l8PB9Gpr4K-9KLdKOPLzHvzgUz17D1DrmaisAGtGeGJoup8NtRlGco2Hm-SHvcR68HWZ-n6ACoCLO2_W8/s400/japan.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't forget about the big Destash sale going on in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/noodlesandmilk?section_id=5609331">my shop</a>. 20% of the sale is going to Red Cross to help Japan. I really want (read: <em>need</em>) this stuff gone. If you go to my fb page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/noodlesandmilk?ref=ts">here</a> and "like" the page you will see a discount code for 10% off the destash items. Hurry, while there is still good stuff to choose from!</div><center> </center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-67130506482297626712011-03-23T20:15:00.000-05:002011-03-23T20:15:51.507-05:00Lightening the Load for Charity<div style="text-align: left;">My heart is hurting for so many things right now. Japan, sick kids, families losing their homes, orphaned children...and the list can go on and on. I think it is the times we are in. There are just so. many. bad. things. It is hard to take it all in sometimes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways, I have a charitable heart. I always want to give and help all these people and causes but our budget certainly doesn't allow it. Since we are a single income family with a super tight budget (As in, milking-every-penny tight), I try to think of creative ways to help by donating my time or services but sometimes people really just need money. Well, remember when I wrote<a href="http://noodlesandmilk.blogspot.com/2011/03/lightening-load.html"> this</a> post about lightening the load and getting rid of all the stuff? I have decided to take the same approach but to earmark a portion of the sales to help charity. (I should have been doing this all along but believe it or not the light bulb just went on!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This time I am aiming to help Japan. I think it devestates me so much because they are similar to Americans in so may ways. They have money and supplies and stable buildings. They had emergency plans and support systems and things still went catastrophically wrong there. Like Katrina but so much worse. There are just some things that you cannot prepare for no matter what.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">So, I have decided to sell off the majority of my extensive fabric stash. It has just been sitting in storage for almost a year. Just sitting there. Looking prety and not getting used. I have TONS of really good stuff. We are talking yards and yards of designer goodies. First I pulled aside this stuff.</div><center> </center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQY0ywoXu5E4LErglfdgr6Oy3dtK2m6h5ty2ww96l3M-YDjTAPkENGUXgpU_L1wM7DaDfTSretzYdyxGlXyocyL816SXAfj_72NWR69Js5_oXDovuY9ZzLlO4p6_2ra5NdMtDD93EYH4/s1600/IMG_4333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQY0ywoXu5E4LErglfdgr6Oy3dtK2m6h5ty2ww96l3M-YDjTAPkENGUXgpU_L1wM7DaDfTSretzYdyxGlXyocyL816SXAfj_72NWR69Js5_oXDovuY9ZzLlO4p6_2ra5NdMtDD93EYH4/s400/IMG_4333.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><center> </center><div style="text-align: left;">I pulled everything out and starting measuring and sorting and taking pictures and notes. It was an ordeal but I had over 50 listings when I was done. Isn't that incredible? The crazy part is that I didn't finish. I figure that I will start with these and then once they sell I will move on.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZkVyuSMyYDCzu9nll_cKnUpiRcwuTElltmvVHYifkjnyRAtp6IWYcmd0G5Ni-5z39-QUi8bOoJNFYFwQLgk17nSCpbgi_HtfCvGehqY8RCOhdBystToVq8urnym4Kugo5ubEcZrhrk8/s1600/IMG_4334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZkVyuSMyYDCzu9nll_cKnUpiRcwuTElltmvVHYifkjnyRAtp6IWYcmd0G5Ni-5z39-QUi8bOoJNFYFwQLgk17nSCpbgi_HtfCvGehqY8RCOhdBystToVq8urnym4Kugo5ubEcZrhrk8/s400/IMG_4334.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">look at all this!</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I know you are asking yourself, "Why do I care?". Well, here is where you come in...You can participate too! I am calling this event "Supplies for Supplies". It is one big destash sale on etsy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJOlFuJBpNvekcYPKAk3mVFTfSMJ7w8IFkdYhRGzW7o1ovc8gwk8b2JYTyWm5ZamQSIWbFMM1JQc7x4qpiXEjoLcxAfU0UkfBuyDLLLsFDpxOjJCZKUlHCwl5rsNCrIloUI0GcvNzqXY/s1600/japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJOlFuJBpNvekcYPKAk3mVFTfSMJ7w8IFkdYhRGzW7o1ovc8gwk8b2JYTyWm5ZamQSIWbFMM1JQc7x4qpiXEjoLcxAfU0UkfBuyDLLLsFDpxOjJCZKUlHCwl5rsNCrIloUI0GcvNzqXY/s400/japan.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">All the items are listed in individual shops, just search the tag "destash for japan" to find participants. </div><center> </center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hF1JNyqGHPEOKiBKKUKEZCUgJey7KSRq7Us1FtDAMfohveO_q6TkPXjv0L6X2Hjj6YdlxE2UgDjnh0Herp5uRXABTcySi8v32K0ikhwLSX42xZ4FsMuD21LdM3jXlwiiwrun8WTEj4Y/s1600/IMG_4332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hF1JNyqGHPEOKiBKKUKEZCUgJey7KSRq7Us1FtDAMfohveO_q6TkPXjv0L6X2Hjj6YdlxE2UgDjnh0Herp5uRXABTcySi8v32K0ikhwLSX42xZ4FsMuD21LdM3jXlwiiwrun8WTEj4Y/s400/IMG_4332.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><center> </center><div style="text-align: left;">Don't have anything to sell? That is okay, feel free to link this post on facebook or your personal blog to pass the word. I can't vouch for all the participants but I know my prices are really great. Most designer fabrics are $9+ per yard but I have my stuff priced at $7 per yard and many 2+ yard cuts are less than that! So, you can help charity <em>and</em> get a good deal!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Each shop will be donating their own amounts, but I have designated 20% off all the sales to be donated to the Red Cross for Japan relief. When I make my donation, I will take a screen shot and post it here to share. I am hoping for something really big!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are interested in participating, just leave a comment with your email address and I will contact you with details.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Currently, you can find great destash for Japan at my shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/noodlesandmilk?ref=pr_shop">here</a> and at Monkey Style Boutique <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MonkeyStyleBoutique">here</a>. Remember, if you want to participate, let me know because I would love to advertise for you!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">While I am on the topic of charity, I would be upset with myself if I did not mention this effort. My good friend <a href="http://noodlesandmilk.blogspot.com/2011/03/stop-what-you-are-doing-and-read-this.html">Bethany</a> is raising money to help Carter. He is a 5 1/2 year-old little boy who was just diagnosed with leukemia. Isn't that just heartbreaking. Beth has designed these super cute printable posters in her shop. 100% of the proceeds are going to help with Carter's medical bills. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMEtwy2jp5r5UbLsSOuDi47VsbShsyd4HQookridxYgfEgb_91bR5k3OYgbTUlrPvpSea0ocsEHfFwhAtWe6cEHCw6YIpja7pMv8Ha4-z3rMDGHCLv6uAqm54XWVdzXUw-DXQ5N9kt10/s1600/john1418final-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMEtwy2jp5r5UbLsSOuDi47VsbShsyd4HQookridxYgfEgb_91bR5k3OYgbTUlrPvpSea0ocsEHfFwhAtWe6cEHCw6YIpja7pMv8Ha4-z3rMDGHCLv6uAqm54XWVdzXUw-DXQ5N9kt10/s320/john1418final-small.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLwFUr82YyJpexp3Zq8V_BlhnOHlkX_3l-Rw3LunHD0VCXcwuy7ZO91s4S467CSLQBZOFn7kGcixtLNDG85JB7dcShK8LvQF3-zeL_cweUA9vdPSY0uREAShyhBs75OGo6yqnWnsJmhM/s1600/riseandshoutsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLwFUr82YyJpexp3Zq8V_BlhnOHlkX_3l-Rw3LunHD0VCXcwuy7ZO91s4S467CSLQBZOFn7kGcixtLNDG85JB7dcShK8LvQF3-zeL_cweUA9vdPSY0uREAShyhBs75OGo6yqnWnsJmhM/s320/riseandshoutsmall.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">You can purchase these (and more) precious prints at Beth's shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/loveseptember?ref=pr_shop">here</a>. Read more about Beth's effort to raise money for Carter <a href="http://vermillionrules.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-carter-beat-cancer.html">here</a>. Follow Carter's family blog <a href="http://jenniferwyethphotography.com/blog/">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">What can you give?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><center> </center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-55439886886935853502011-03-21T20:36:00.000-05:002011-03-21T20:36:24.510-05:00To pin or not to pin?<div style="text-align: left;">Do you know what <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">pinterest</a> is? If you don't, go check it out. It is the newest cyber thing. Like how tweeting was a year (or more) ago. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't decide if it is helpful or just another way to waste the little free time that I have. In some ways it seems great and very organized and in other ways I imagine I would just stare away into cyberspace looking at tons of cool and mindless stuff. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">So, I ask you...Do you pin? Should I? </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">If you vote that I should, please pursuade me:)</div><center> </center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-50635696682461282712011-03-20T22:43:00.000-05:002011-03-20T22:43:12.754-05:00Where I stand with my New Year's Resolutions<div style="text-align: left;">Back in January I posted my personal goals for 2011 <a href="http://noodlesandmilk.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-resolutions.html">here</a>. Now that we are 11 weeks into the year I thought I would check in and see where I stand. Just trying to keep everything real and hold myself accountable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Lose 25 pounds- Yea, this is not going very well. A large part of this has been the lack of effort. I dropped 6lbs almost immediately and have been able to consistently keep it off. I have not made it any further though. I also have not attempted to go to the gym or made any enormous dieting efforts. Wouldn't it just be easier if it would come off with wishful thinking?</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I am frustrated with myself. I am also frustrated with the poor role model that I am being to my daughter. Just the other day we were driving somewhere and she saw a couple running out the window. This is what came next:</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">"Mommy, why are they running?"</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Well sweetie, they are getting exercise so they can be healthy."</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Mommy, what do you do for exercise?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Ouch. I had nothing to say. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday I vowed to really try and take up running again. I have trained for a marathon before...like running 10-20 miles at a time on a weekly basis. I was hard core. Then I busted my knee and had surgery. Anyways, I went this morning before church. I started really slowly but I completed the goal I had set. It takes one day at a time and I succeeded today. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Save money- I am doing okay here. We have put aside a little for several different things.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Payoff debt- This is an area we are actually doing decent in. Our tax return really helped us out here. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Practice photography more- Well, I think starting a business and having multiple clients a week should count for something. I also consider this category a success so far.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">5. Write (at least) one new pattern for the shop every quarter- Fail. I do have a design in my head. I just can't seem to find the time to get it on paper. I wanted to get it done over spring break. But spring break ends today, so that is obviously not going to happen.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">6. Try one new recipe a month- January and February were a failure but I am trying something new this week. It is really simple and you can hardly consider it a recipe but it is new in our dinner rotation so I say that it counts!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">And just for pictures sake....look at these toes? Are they not delicious?</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbvlQDYZeJN06WkMy96di26iwOWoyUqQT0s56W-AWC6cxS_w-uqsu80GLPFI8VHVsrQ9pV9imwvXyLtAzp2sU7tsoNzDHas1bhW8SJyHhJYEZX6eLpDE4rKbzrwv6mGdAROrlI1gvz6E/s1600/IMG_3433+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbvlQDYZeJN06WkMy96di26iwOWoyUqQT0s56W-AWC6cxS_w-uqsu80GLPFI8VHVsrQ9pV9imwvXyLtAzp2sU7tsoNzDHas1bhW8SJyHhJYEZX6eLpDE4rKbzrwv6mGdAROrlI1gvz6E/s400/IMG_3433+edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><center> </center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-70508481695793751022011-03-17T16:09:00.000-05:002011-03-17T16:09:32.659-05:00Green Today<div style="text-align: left;">Happy St. Patricks Day to you all. I have tried to incoporate green into our otherwise boring day. This is mainly for my 3 year-olds benefit. Everything is more fun as a holiday. It is not much but here is our green from today...</div><center> </center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hrLAXlAmgIZ3kJEVi0Z3xK05mzMYsxqUaa1VhoXJm-SJr9pAuXIKwtBa7m5Rh_WeJhv9M1VRqAba5-WGta6Pd-nOBdXZ0pacccT_Ygq6MwRkWbZQgy91GPSTKlTvvlZgtz0hM8BdNbI/s1600/IMG_3375+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hrLAXlAmgIZ3kJEVi0Z3xK05mzMYsxqUaa1VhoXJm-SJr9pAuXIKwtBa7m5Rh_WeJhv9M1VRqAba5-WGta6Pd-nOBdXZ0pacccT_Ygq6MwRkWbZQgy91GPSTKlTvvlZgtz0hM8BdNbI/s400/IMG_3375+for+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Emerson and I made green chocolate chip cookies with green sprinkles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApFuu1oml6MA_mLuml3ZRcMJ-2U_b-4gk2RLeNxX0Vvs_d8D97Q5745TalfrPUhhe1vtNpCS08nDVouCpJY4NkFcpt4QT_eQlal9U74aXduWnJPB_vZrdivHrCHQM2v1CeAKsf1PB0eg/s1600/IMG_3349+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApFuu1oml6MA_mLuml3ZRcMJ-2U_b-4gk2RLeNxX0Vvs_d8D97Q5745TalfrPUhhe1vtNpCS08nDVouCpJY4NkFcpt4QT_eQlal9U74aXduWnJPB_vZrdivHrCHQM2v1CeAKsf1PB0eg/s400/IMG_3349+for+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I wore my dirty green flip flops. (I didn't realize how yucky they looked until I took the picture).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpjAWQVUVmRoZT3fNZY6G4cNGygaBg9U2EYy0VpuJ48BTbFq7UsQm7durOcfU2qcxJJ7PRfE4jQB0xfNMIfjBJHyz6s1BOgqTQljAI5xvbB0Abm7Rr8x9ucimCaSgqAoySHPvyGKWI3I/s1600/IMG_3350+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpjAWQVUVmRoZT3fNZY6G4cNGygaBg9U2EYy0VpuJ48BTbFq7UsQm7durOcfU2qcxJJ7PRfE4jQB0xfNMIfjBJHyz6s1BOgqTQljAI5xvbB0Abm7Rr8x9ucimCaSgqAoySHPvyGKWI3I/s400/IMG_3350+for+web.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The little man is wearing green. He is obviously very happy about it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35Rq5fqRdFfUIflz6O63N4bNyMcFBhxAlAAYqeTJiNwLSUJcUuLhPdKCxaZPqjtQxDKb6rF91o2UHuja4ghu4K2L1GGiBgRXOK2-hfJYGYjsbmBBo65LZSDFJXL5RiAZNH0V_NaIOnC4/s1600/IMG_3359+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35Rq5fqRdFfUIflz6O63N4bNyMcFBhxAlAAYqeTJiNwLSUJcUuLhPdKCxaZPqjtQxDKb6rF91o2UHuja4ghu4K2L1GGiBgRXOK2-hfJYGYjsbmBBo65LZSDFJXL5RiAZNH0V_NaIOnC4/s400/IMG_3359+for+web.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My daughter in her green dress. Although her arms are covering a lot of the green-ness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFfExeZ3k_EO3DHiOxGJbI2P2hVECP7FIiEzAKRhYhlLijmON5L-8buVixj3dvINZ6gOQ0VAA8ZvHnS0thSKtqYPWtyt4pWoeos-a8w6qb8Ds2GDuo89IlQ1o4QkFX1lA47UBNMRqB4Q/s1600/IMG_3360+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFfExeZ3k_EO3DHiOxGJbI2P2hVECP7FIiEzAKRhYhlLijmON5L-8buVixj3dvINZ6gOQ0VAA8ZvHnS0thSKtqYPWtyt4pWoeos-a8w6qb8Ds2GDuo89IlQ1o4QkFX1lA47UBNMRqB4Q/s400/IMG_3360+for+web.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A big green hug.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jUXjJrSOrD0lPA9AKU2yfC7VZWCMHsVvI-kEk5KJ4NAAUc4_66YkK2SdtoiQJUadk364etgc5ONFgTNHzUgXOp2JzMHAtnOA8v-7lX1SxbrG8nAlp_jIuxUEEO6sw9KaQkVdHF9jPN0/s1600/IMG_3363+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jUXjJrSOrD0lPA9AKU2yfC7VZWCMHsVvI-kEk5KJ4NAAUc4_66YkK2SdtoiQJUadk364etgc5ONFgTNHzUgXOp2JzMHAtnOA8v-7lX1SxbrG8nAlp_jIuxUEEO6sw9KaQkVdHF9jPN0/s400/IMG_3363+for+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Look at how she just adores him!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHn7ROH3JrjYiTsHw9ZKDZkgbW22um_id3zNP-cz227gSYa5kNxP8O_7BijfBkxJ4Be27XTsuPL9kp2atiYRXRq_1lhGSHOKhD5rrJGC2rzNOLw1Linxv3z2FrPtEnHg7ZILzKWAhKAU/s1600/IMG_3373+for+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHn7ROH3JrjYiTsHw9ZKDZkgbW22um_id3zNP-cz227gSYa5kNxP8O_7BijfBkxJ4Be27XTsuPL9kp2atiYRXRq_1lhGSHOKhD5rrJGC2rzNOLw1Linxv3z2FrPtEnHg7ZILzKWAhKAU/s400/IMG_3373+for+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And these came in the mail today. New fabric from my friend Daryl at Exclusively Quilters. This is from their <a href="http://www.classiccottons.com/c-131-green-with-envy.aspx">Green with Envy</a> line. I don't know what I am going to make with it yet, but Emerson has requested a new skirt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am also contemplating having breakfast for dinner tonight and making green pancakes. I think Emy would get a kick out of that! What did you do today?</div><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-88977868572498853512011-03-16T22:16:00.000-05:002011-03-16T22:16:25.869-05:0010 things right now<div align="left">1. It is Spring Break this week and I have just now come to the realization that I don't like Spring Break nearly as much as I used to. As a kid, the week off from school was awesome. It generally involved lots of sleeping in, socializing and doing stuff that parents didn't know about or approve of. It rocked. Good times. Now it just means that the kids are home from all their normal activities and all the stuff that I would normally take them to do on non-school days are jam packed with people. So, I spend the week debating which is the lesser of two evils- taking two young children out in massive crowds or staying cooped up at home with them.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">2. My daughter took pride in her acting out today. The spanking tally was really high. I lost count.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">3. While my <strike>demon</strike> daughter napped I took some "official" 6 month pictures of my little man. He was slightly distracted by his surroundings...cars, wind, and the new feeling of grass. However, despite the distraction, he was just precious. I could photograph him all day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUv7jRcH6q4FCWB_4XM7g4MyU0PuC8mHAlSOs6evPy29Umc7UIl58lIt6GuXDUqdBHVZZD0gf-VqQWiWLl4F3WIqKvmovMNyArzjIfaIykNTIZoz3qGVt9zn-PpH1FBE63Wqv1Cb9KJE/s1600/IMG_3273+edit+bw+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUv7jRcH6q4FCWB_4XM7g4MyU0PuC8mHAlSOs6evPy29Umc7UIl58lIt6GuXDUqdBHVZZD0gf-VqQWiWLl4F3WIqKvmovMNyArzjIfaIykNTIZoz3qGVt9zn-PpH1FBE63Wqv1Cb9KJE/s400/IMG_3273+edit+bw+low+res.jpg" width="266" /></a></div> 4. St. Patricks Day is tomorrow and we have nothing planned (see no. 1). I do have green picked out for the kids to wear, but that is it. Any last minute suggestions?<br />
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5. I wore the only green shirt I have...today. Genius. <br />
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6. I finally broke down and went to the urgent care clinic last night. They determined that my original sinus infection never went away and that I needed another and stronger dose of antibiotics. They also gave me a steroid shot. I love those things. They relieve all that pressure so fast. Today I am feeling so much better already. Praise the Lord.<br />
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7. I am almost finished editing images from my 3 sessions last weekend. Editing sure takes a lot of time. I definitely don't have my post processing as efficient as it could be. I need to work on this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOilxz6zKOsRmXZx_lAhWT7R0r_G_zki6jPBvA9fn6qDQJHL5fldZJRtiV8GWpJEcqv4w5RG52V6eSlJwM-7bn3MpoaL_XOsctCb-NvdbJqZJXzRbN6xlCEYxWJhLMzB5n73tuA0h59E/s1600/IMG_3309+edit+low+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOilxz6zKOsRmXZx_lAhWT7R0r_G_zki6jPBvA9fn6qDQJHL5fldZJRtiV8GWpJEcqv4w5RG52V6eSlJwM-7bn3MpoaL_XOsctCb-NvdbJqZJXzRbN6xlCEYxWJhLMzB5n73tuA0h59E/s400/IMG_3309+edit+low+res.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>8. Do you watch Criminal Minds? If you don't I highly recommend it. It is really really good. Oh man, tonights episode was so awesome. I totally called the ending too:)<br />
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9. My husband is already asleep in bed. I can hear him snoring all the way down the hall. Anyone else deal with a loud snorer (or grinder, sleep talker, etc)? On really fun nights, my dear hubby does all 3! It can be quite a circus.<br />
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10. I am heart broken over Japan. I am sure you all are, but I just wanted to put that out there. I read on someone else's blog today how she watched her son eat breakfast this morning and she was overcome with grief at the thought of all the mothers in Japan who couldn't feed their hungry children or worse those who couldn't find them. Oh my word. It brought me to tears. The blogging community is taking a day of silence on Friday in Japan's honor. There are lots of ways to donate and help, google it and do something. Even if it is only a little.<br />
<center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-66959175588844486652011-03-14T21:15:00.000-05:002011-03-14T21:15:22.478-05:00Random at night<div style="text-align: left;">Happy Spring Break to you all. I don't know if it is spring break for you, but it is here in North Texas. I will be honest with you, we are not off to that great of a start here. I feel like our house is just an infestation of all possible germs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">My kids recovered from the last batch of<a href="http://noodlesandmilk.blogspot.com/2011/02/mystery-illness.html"> junk </a>only for my husband and I to get it. Then my daughter gets sick again late last week. It morphed into a sort of semi-stomach funk. Now my husband and I are still recovering from the last thing and hoping to avoid the new thing. Ugh. Seriously? Is this what it is like with two kids? The germs just keep rotating around and morphing ever-so-slightly? I don't like it one bit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Even though I have had a round of antibiotics and steriods (a couple of weeks ago) I am thinking of going back to the doctor tomorrow. I can function but I still don't feel awesome. Headaches, sinus pressue and green snot daily. Now a touch of nausea added for good measure (pretty sure it is the mucus build up that is causing that). Is this TMI? If so, sorry.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways, we still have 4 days of our spring break week left and there is nothing on our calendar. Not. one. thing. This is terrifying to me. I don't like facing an empty week with kids. Not even when I don't feel 100%. I better put my thinking cap on quick. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I am really really behind on my google reader. Again. It probably has something to do with the fact that I follow way too many blogs to keep up with. And also the fact that I am not 100%. Oh, and the fact that I have 2 little ones, 2 businesses, 3 blogs of my own to keep up with and a husband. And a house. And friends. And you get the point. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">While I should spend an hour to get caught up with my reader, I am going to go to bed. Maybe a solid night sleep will help things along. You hear that sweet baby...mommy needs a solid night sleep. Okay? Okay. Night.</div><center> </center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716898325184509523.post-32276663956336031642011-03-13T20:30:00.000-05:002011-03-13T20:30:27.097-05:00Birdsong Giveaway Winners<div style="text-align: left;">I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend. Without further delay, the 3 winners of a free pattern from Birdsong are:</div><center> </center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjSr4KyI3PW0ucOsK_CSNbja9Y8HOHNuhyrKk_TBO_RXIR98m42kg7lg-dInLt9eVifkzvdbIa4e4n2t6XBsg38tprRztDYMkkhmgP-IGvNvIFLNmyFTpuYah4G2vM4eR3qHLhwGGnVA/s1600/winner+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjSr4KyI3PW0ucOsK_CSNbja9Y8HOHNuhyrKk_TBO_RXIR98m42kg7lg-dInLt9eVifkzvdbIa4e4n2t6XBsg38tprRztDYMkkhmgP-IGvNvIFLNmyFTpuYah4G2vM4eR3qHLhwGGnVA/s1600/winner+1.jpg" /></a></div><center><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Evie n Lizzie</span> said... <br />
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"I would choose the ON SALE Hair Bow Instructions with video mini to large sizes how to make boutique bows PDF ebook Easter Spring photo prop<br />
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Thank you for such a great giveaway!!!"<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcflAUdd8lqvSCosFAZP4y7tF9bsiV-Sn-PV48shyphenhyphencfFrlXxF2zkyZWq3cq68js0UCcVYU01oTlET80Yy3L71ekpu5OFK2FyuB7IAklIF2HzxYaDBeokeJJV3C8FI9EAdAgZ8t-i-XyRo/s1600/winner+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcflAUdd8lqvSCosFAZP4y7tF9bsiV-Sn-PV48shyphenhyphencfFrlXxF2zkyZWq3cq68js0UCcVYU01oTlET80Yy3L71ekpu5OFK2FyuB7IAklIF2HzxYaDBeokeJJV3C8FI9EAdAgZ8t-i-XyRo/s1600/winner+2.jpg" /></a> <br />
<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Just the Two of US</span> said... <br />
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"12 tutorials Complete Collection of beginner bowmaking and tutu instructions with video access - How to make hair bows PDF and video access boutique pinwheel flower funky loopy tutorial I would soooo pick this tutorial!<br />
loving this giveaway!"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjCMbhqfUBY_znwdIbrYWIdzVImpyN5bcArAHVpYUKX8e1aKBI1pyvPy58gSiwsIvOGidEh5SfP-M8jsEH8KWKyEDTZ7CwYMhyQ7qZBOFXRrE_ZzMzt-5uDZu9pMCzGRAiMszCkYYdWY/s1600/winner+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjCMbhqfUBY_znwdIbrYWIdzVImpyN5bcArAHVpYUKX8e1aKBI1pyvPy58gSiwsIvOGidEh5SfP-M8jsEH8KWKyEDTZ7CwYMhyQ7qZBOFXRrE_ZzMzt-5uDZu9pMCzGRAiMszCkYYdWY/s1600/winner+3.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Michelle</span> said... <br />
<br />
"I would like this one: ALL sizes How to Make boutique bows Pdf ebook beginner bowbands. Thanks for the chance to win!"<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Congrats to you all! I will be in touch shortly.</div></center><center><a href="http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/?action=view&current=sabrinasig.png" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy79/noodlesandmilk/sabrinasig.png" /></a></center>Noodles & Milkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935648191543622786noreply@blogger.com1