CSN Giveaway on Cozy Home Scenes

Check out this cute blog Cozy Home Scenes and enter to win a giftcard from any of the CSN stores!

Free Valentine Templates from Florabella!

Check out these adorable FREE Valentine and Bookmark templates from the always amazing Florabella Collection!

These guys have beautiful Photoshop Actions and Textures to help make all your photos breathtaking!


Check them out and start making professional looking photographs today!

Sea Babe Jewelry Giveaway at Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls!

I just entered a giveaway for this amazing Silver Stacking Ring Set from Sea Babe Jewelry! Check out their other products! Based on the North Shore of Oahu, they handcraft each item from rough diamonds, gemstones, various metals, shells and unique beads. They have such beautiful things!

This giveaway is being offered through one of my favorite blogs~  

Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls

 Karen, the mommy behind the blog, has new, pretty awesome giveaways posted on her blog quite frequently! Click here to visit this giveaway and add "Frugal Mommy" to your list of daily blog reads.

Fall Photo Shoot

Here's a sneak peek of some of the pics we took this past weekend. I'm so happy we got some good shots! We had a tough time trying to corral a one year old, but we had a blast doing it! Anyway, here ya go!

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed these as much as we have!

B is for Brilliant Baby!

While working on our ABC flashcards today, I was working on A, B, C and D with Caleb. We started on the B card and I said, "B, that's B. B is for barn. B. Barn." 

We went through all four letters a couple of times and when I got back to B, I asked him what the letter was. 

Guess what my amazingly brilliant child said!? He looked at me and grinned, "Beh!" 

Then, of course I got all excited and said, "Yay! Good job for Caleb!" To which he grinned even more and started clapping. I think he may know he's brilliant too! At least he knows WE think he is!

Needless to say, it was only 7:30 in the morning...I feel very accomplished already today! Nothing can stop me and the Brilliant Baby today! Now lets tackle potty training! ;)

Quote of the Day

 

When told the reason for daylight saving time, the old Indian said, "Only the government would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket, sew it to the bottom, and have a longer blanket."

Courtesy of Sandi V

www.wackywits.com 

Flu? Get Some Onions!

What a simple precaution! Could this really work?

After reading this you will think that I have really lost it. However, this is supposedly a true story.

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu. Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died.

The Doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the Doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different, the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.

There is also a story from a hairdresser in AZ. She said that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work. 

The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home. If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what happens. 

If this helps you and your loved ones from getting sick, all the better. If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case.

Either way, what have you to lose? Just a few bucks on some onions!

Luscious Lemon Fudge

I came across this recipe right before Christmas last year. It was such a hit with my family that I am requested to make it for every holiday, major and minor! I thought I'd share it here! Beware though, once you put one mouthwatering piece in your mouth, willpower flies right out the window! You have been forewarned!

LEMON FUDGE

~ 1-1/2 teaspoons plus 6 tablespoons butter, divided

~ 2 packages (10 to 12 ounces each) vanilla or white chips

~ 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

~ 2/3 cup marshmallow creme

~ 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon extract

Line a 9-in. square pan with foil. Grease foil with 1-1/2 teaspoons butter; set aside. In a large saucepan, melt remaining butter over low heat. Add chips and milk; cook and stir for 10-12 minutes or until chips are melted.Stir in marshmallow creme and extract; cook and stir 3-4 minutes longer or until smooth. Pour into prepared pan. Chill until set.Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Discard foil; cut fudge into squares. Store in the refrigerator. 

Yield: about 2 pounds.

ENJOY!

A is for Adorable

I was recently asked to make a customized onesie for an adorable little girl! After I made the first one, I was hooked! I've gone crazy for the alphabet! I imagine Caleb will very soon be adorned in C's in every imaginable little boy fabric I can think of! I'm sure his daddy will be oh so pleased!



These onesies can be customized with any letter, in just about any style! Curly letters for the girly girl and sporty block letters for the tough boy! Your imagination is the limit! They can be made in long sleeve and short sleeve onesies and tees for the bigger kids! Hmm...I wonder if they'd look good on Mom and Dad too?
Don't worry, more ideas will be added soon! Scoop yours up today!

Beanie Baby

Just added to my ever growing collection of adorable items for your little one is this completely customizable beanie cap for baby, child and even Mom and Dad! These can be made in any color or combination of colors! You can even add a big flower or hair bow for your little princess!

I'm a little biased but I think my model is the cutest kid ever! ;)


Order yours today!

Summertime Daisies

Here is one of our featured products for the summer! Our traditional style pillowcase dress is updated with bright red daisies, destined to bloom even more in the summer sun! The accent border and fabric ties are made in a cute black and white dot pattern. It ties in perfectly with the bold daisies. The stork made the fabric ties extra wide so that whether your little miss likes to be tied up in knots or loves having puffy bows atop her shoulders, she'll be able to do either in style!











Also, newly available, check out our custom embroidery options! These dancing daisies come complete with a curly, swirly monogram!







If your little diva needs to add some sass to her summer wardrobe, contact us today to get your very own bright daisies dress!

Stork's Treasures Boutique

The Stork has been pretty busy these days! We've gotten so much business lately, we're filling orders left and right! Boy, our stork is plum worn out with all of the flying she's been doing! From Austin, TX to Washington DC, and everywhere in between!


In the spring, we were featured in the Magnolia Blossom Festival in Magnolia, AR. We enjoyed all of the visitors that stopped by and we hope many will be repeat customers for years to come! The stork was so pleased with the turn out in Magnolia, that she decided to push harder and fly on over to Texarkana. At the end of August, we'll also be featured in the Polka Dots and Lolli Pops sale in Texarkana, AR. There should be over 3,000 visitors within a 3 day period! We are hoping there is an even greater turn out for this fall showcase!


Well, the stork must fly back to the nest and catch some zzz's to be able to finish all of the dazzling items for our upcoming sale!

Make sure to stop by the Polka Dots and Lolli Pops sale at the Fairgrounds on August 27-29!

Miss Molly

Back before Caleb was born, we decided it was best to give our 3 dogs away to homes that would be able to spend more time with them. Our Molly went to a family that lives two blocks away from us.

Well, today, as I was checking the mail at the end of our road before heading into town, Molly ran across the road right in front of me and headed toward our house! I couldn't believe it! Imagine how hard it is always wondering if your dog is happy in her new home which just so happens to be right down the road! Many a time I have held myself back from driving by just to get a glimpse of her!

Anyway, I jumped out of the car and called to her...she stopped abruptly and came running back to me! Still in shock, I knelt down and started petting her, wondering what I should do. She had no collar on and there was a little bloody spot on her foot. I frantically called Jeffrey, who of course didn't answer because he was working. Then I tried my dad, who was working with Jeffrey. No answer! Tried Jeffrey again...continued to think how crazy this was! Finally, I called my mom and asked her what I should do. She said she didn't know but apparently we were all in a phone triangle talking to each other, or in my case, just trying to get through!!! As we were talking, I looked down at Molly as she proceeded to walk over to a mailbox, hike her leg and use the bathroom! I thought to myself, "Wait, that's not right!"

Turns out, Molly wasn't really Molly but the spitting image of her with different parts!

When I finally did get in touch with Jeffrey, all he could do was laugh, and then ask, "Why didn't you check to begin with?" My feeble response was, "She, I mean HE looked EXACTLY like Molly!" Still, all I received was laughter!

Peaceful Zzzzzzzz's

Well, our little monkey did it again! He is still amazing me and constantly making me wonder at the powers of Baby!

Last night, for the very first time, when I put him down in his bed, he looked up at me, didn't make a peep and then ever so quietly rolled over on his tummy and went to sleep! Not a single noise or cry!

Granted, when I checked on him and saw that he was sleeping on his tummy, I got kind of freaked out because "they" always say to never put a baby on their tummy to sleep...but I wasn't going to chance rolling him back over!!! Yet there he slept, all snuggled up with his blankie and PEACEFUL! All on his own!

We were very proud parents last night! And at peace as well!!!

"Hey!"

I am continually amazed by the little man! If I say "hey" he just grins really big and squeals "Heeeeeey!" It's just extremely cute! So my day is now filled with lots of happy squeaks and squeals! There are just lots of sweet noises coming from our home these days! Makes me happy! Now we're just waiting for the day when we hear "Mama" or "Dada"!

Bloggy Giveaway

Here's a really cool place...lots of great info, products and awesome giveaways! Check it out!

http://pennyraine.com/blog/2009/01/bloggy-giveaway-4-free-fireproof-dvd/comment-page-2/#comment-3664

On the Go

Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's official! Caleb is no longer a baby...he has completely mastered the first step to being all over this house...and of course, five acres of land that are his to roam!

He's even received his very first battle wound! He was really rolling around all over his blanket today and when we picked him up, there it was...his very first knot on his forehead! I almost cried! It is only the beginning. From now on, Mommy will have to have an endless supply of those powerfully healing kisses!

I think back to the first few days after Caleb was born, when all of the parents were giving their advice and were reminiscing on how it was back then. How, as we were holding our tiny baby in our arms, they stated oh so bluntly to enjoy that time because they just grow up too fast! Of course, our response was always a polite nod and smile...the sad thing is, all of those parents were right! I mean, he is not even six months old yet and he's already mobile!

I can barely wrap my head around it!

BFFs

I was thinking earlier today about how much things change from childhood to adulthood. One thing that stood out in my mind was how, when I was a little girl, I had my ONE best friend...and each girl had their very own best friend. One that giggled with me, shared secrets, picked the worst fights. One that was certainly NOT my mom, my sister, or God forbid, a boy!

Then I thought about my life now...the best friends I have are not those silly childhood ones that came and went with each passing school year. The best friends in my life are in fact the complete opposite of what, as a child, I thought a best friend was!

I must say that the antiquated idea that a parent is a parent and nothing else is completely false. In fact, as I have grown up, I have realized that the idea is completely crazy. My mother has become one of my best friends, confidants and support that I could ever imagine. I can only hope that my children think of me how I think of her!

Several other of my greatest friends come in the form of sisters! I never considered my sister such a close friend until I realized just how much we both looked up to each other. My greatest desire is to be a Godly example of a sister, friend, daughter, wife and mother so that maybe she can learn from my failures, experiences and blessings and become the greatest person she can be. Her strength, both physical and spiritual, continuously amaze me! I have realized that even though she is my baby sister, I have much to learn from her!

My other sister and I share an amazing bond. Being the daughter-in-laws in the family has brought us closer than anyone could ever imagine. I admire her for the ease with which she loves and takes care of her husband and family and somehow still has the time to do all of the special little things like remembering birthdays, blogging ;), and of course, sending cards for any and every holiday to her favorite nephew. As a child, I never thought about the kind of sister-in-law I'd have when I grew up, but I am certainly glad that I got the one I did!

The most surprising friend that I realized I have is none other than my husband. Never in my life would I have ever thought that a boy could be my best friend. After all, boys have cooties! From the very beginning of our relationship, we developed the most amazing friendship I have ever encountered. We tell each other everything, know when there's even the slightest thing wrong, love spending time with each other...in fact, if we have the choice to do whatever we want, we really wouldn't care what it is as long as we're doing it together. He is the strongest yet sweetest person I know. He has a serious side yet can be extremely playful. He constantly surprises and amazes me! I am so ready to spend the next fifty years being his best friend. It will be a lifetime of friendship built with the most amazing man in the world.

Needless to say, the friends that I thought were my BFFs, aren't even close. Thank goodness we grow up and realize who our true friends are. Those that are closest to us...the ones right under our noses, are sometimes the best friends we could ever have. I am thankful for the wonderful friends and family that I have been blessed with and I hope that someday, I can be a blessing to each of them as well.

Newby

Thanks to Magoo, I have decided to start my own blog. So just in case anyone decides to read this, I'm sorry ahead of time because my posts may very easily become quite cooky! Things get a little crazy when you deal in baby talk all day! Baby talk aside, I wouldn't trade my days for anything else in the world! I would probably add a bubble bath from time to time, but other than that, I am completely satisfied with my job status! Some people say it's the hardest job in the world...I say it's the most rewarding and fulfilling one. And I know it will only get better! Well, time to head back to the baby talk, or in this case, the baby zzzzzzzzz's.