I have a lot of catching up to do, but for today, how about some pics of the littles in all their Halloween splendor...
My girly girl as a super sweet fairy...
My cute little Max from Where the Wild Things Are...
There's something so sweet and magical about fairies...
He is so cuddly, I just want to squeeze him!!
My two sweet littles...
So glad that Noonie was able to see them dressed up!!
Ready to go to Mimi and Pop's!
Hanging out with Mimi and Pop and acting silly...
The littles looooooove to pass out candy, yes, even more than going trick-or-treating!
I can't smile, I think that boy is trying to take my candy...
And we're off...
Trick or Treat!
This lady had quite the set-up...lights everywhere, flying ghosts, dancing broomsticks, spooky science lab experiments, brains, eyeballs - you name it! This was right in front of the graveyard she had set up in her living room!
This morning, on the way to school...
Hudson's preschool let the children dress up, Grace's school didn't.
Lance decided last night to dress up for work...and he ended up winning the contest!!
I've just submitted a huge, 206-pages national application for the nonprofit I run {part of the reason my time here on the blog has been very sporadic lately} so this year our Halloween treats were verrrrry simple. Little bags 'o candy for the littles' classmates...
...and yummy smelling candles for the teachers!
It was Grace's day to bring snacks for her class and I had all these grand ideas inspired by pinterest, but time got the best of me, so decorated sugar cookies it was! Friendly ghosts and jack-o-lanterns ...from a local bakery :( .......Oh well, there's always next year!
I came straight from a board meeting so no time for a costume, but Happy Halloween from our family to yours!
Last Friday on my way to drop off Grace at school we were talking about all kinds of random things {I love car conversations with littles, don't you?!} when the little pumpkin stopped me dead in my tracks.
It went something like this...
We're researching important people in Mrs. L's class. She has a great big book of important people, actually several books. I picked Mother Teresa because she's like you.
Oh my. My throat went dry and the tears flowed freely.
Not because I think I'm like Mother Teresa in any kind of way.
No, I'm not even in the same hemisphere with Mother Teresa.
But because my little girl can see past all of my imperfections.
She can sense my heart.
She can feel my love for her.
Thank you Jesus for giving me that glimpse into my sweet Grace's view of me as her mom. There have been so many times lately when I've felt that I haven't been the patient mom my children deserve. {Unglued} is on my nightstand if that tells you anything.
But no matter what I know this in my heart...
I love my littles with every fiber of my being. I thank my Heavenly Father for the precious gift they both are and although I may never get it 100% right, I will keep on keeping on to be the very best mother I can be.
Grace,
You have no idea what your words...your research project...meant to me.
Thank you.
I love you and your little brother more than you will ever know.
~Mama
First things first...
Thank you for all the encouraging words sent my way regarding the fundraiser with Elizabeth Smart! It was a great event and it generated more than $82,500 for child abuse victims - yeah! It was an honor to meet Elizabeth - she is such a strong and inspirational young woman. I love how she gave God and her family the credit for keeping her going during the nine months she was held captive.
My blogging has been sporadic because October has been such a crazy busy month. I've let go of everything "extra" that I possibly can and I've still felt overwhelmed with too little time and too much responsibility. I know you can relate...
But what I haven't talked about is something that has become an issue from time to time and most recently once again. A couple of weeks ago, a fellow etsy seller contacted me to tell me that another etsy seller was using my photograph to sell "her" product and no, it wasn't a birthday hat or hair wrap. She found out because the same etsy seller was using her photographs and passing the products as her own. In fact, the seller's entire store was stocked full of other people's photographs and products and she was profiting from it all.
This isn't the first time that someone has used my photographs without my permission or without crediting the source. I'm not sure why people do what they do...there's always excuses and now with Pinterest, lots of "I didn't know who the original source was..." but when it comes down to it, we all know that using other people's work (photos / ideas / products) and passing them as our own is just plain WRONG.
I would be lying if I told you that it didn't hurt because in reality it makes you feel like someone kicked you in the gut and it makes you feel hurt and angry. I've reported her shop to the etsy legal team, as have several other sellers whose photos she was using.
So I want to make sure to put it out there...if you look at the bottom of my blog it says "ALL RIGHTS RESERVED", that means the content of this blog (words/photos) CAN NOT be used without properly crediting the source and linking back to me. It does not mean you cannot pin a photograph to Pinterest - you can - but the whole idea of pinterest is that it takes you back to the original source.
I share lots of ideas with the hopes of inspiring you to be creative because being creative is just part of who I am. I love it when people write me to tell me they tried a project or made something after feeling inspired by one of my posts - that's what blogging is all about! Just please do not use my photos without properly crediting and linking back. Sorry for the vent and Thank You!
And because I hate to talk about negative stuff, let's move on to something much happier...the PUmPkIn PaTCh!
I like to go at the very beginning of October when it's full of pumpkins in all sizes but this year we just made it there this past Saturday. Only the big, BIG pumpkins remained, but it was still a fun time for the littles.
So grown-up looking these days...sniff, sniff!
{my sewing club buddy Sara made the cute top for Grace - tHANk yOU, Sara!!}
Yes, I managed to put Hudson in a jon jon that still fit him from last year! I haven't bought any new ones since Spring so this may very well be the last time I see my little guy in one. Double sniff, sniff.
I want THIS one!
It's just a little bit heavy...
Mama, please hurry up and take the picture...
Hmmmm...maybe this one??
I can do it by MYSELF.
Grace, will you help me?
Hudson, why did you have to pick this one??
Sweet little pumpkin...
Big strong boy!
Our little family...
Peek-a-boo!
And just for the record, for every 1 picture that looks all nice and sweet, there are at least 237 that look like this:
Happy Fall Y'all!
We had a blast at Julien's superhero birthday party this weekend. Julien and Grace have been together in school since they were 3 and now he's 6!! My, oh my, our babies are growing up!!
I didn't get a good picture of the birthday boy Captain America, because he was too busy saving the day, but Happy 6th Birthday, Julien!!!
I snapped a couple of pics before we headed out the door and they were too cute not to share.
Meet Super Lalaloopsy Girl!!!
{this 3-piece costume was such a great deal...I found it at Target in the toy section for $11.99 on clearance! woo hoo!}
It's Super Hudson!!
What a pair!
Grace's favorite spot: the zip line!
Ready...set...GO!
It's Super Lovi...another little friend who's been in school with Grace since she was 3 and who had a birthday the very next day!
Wheeeee!
Hudson's favorite spot: the super hero fort/city!
LOVE the laser beam maze!! Soo fun!!
Everyone's favorite spot: the water cooler... actually, make that the PINK LEMONADE cooler! ha!
You mess with my little brother, you deal with ME!
I didn't get any good pics at Lovi's birthday because I was too busy chit-chatting with some old friends, but it was a super cute Pigeon ate the Hot Dogs birthday!!
Happy 6th Birthday, Lovi!!
On a more serious note...
Today is National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
Will you join me in saying a prayer for all of us with {a little angel} in heaven?
Thank you!
