Frugal Christmas :)

Okay - I'm going to be searching high and low for frugal Christmas decorations/crafts/recipes/traditions :)
I've come across one that I LOVE.
As I find more...I'll let you know in the comments section below :)
If you see any or have any ideas - please share!!
so...here's my first one:

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/holiday-crafts-for-kids#slide_26

Oh...it's economical...it's fun...it's beautiful...
I LOVE IT!
(and no..I'm not usually a huge "martha" fan :)
Merry Christmas all!

With all my heart ~
Michelle

FREE BABY SLING OFFER

Okay...I hope it's okay to forward this info to all my baby wearing friends.....I just got one for a total of $15 and change (Merry Christmas to me!!)
Hope you all can use this info! :)
I just copied and pasted the info from my email.......
Christmas Promo Code for a Free Baby Carrier!
Hi M,

Seven™ Slings wants to wish a Merry Christmas with this promo code for a free baby carrier (a $48 value) at www.sevenslings.com! The promo code is "babies".

Go to www.sevenslings.com, click on "Shop Now" and select any baby carrier you would like (be sure to go to their sizing page so you can get the right size carrier for you). Once you have selected your size, you will automatically be directed to the "shopping bag" where you can enter the promo code "babies". This promo code will take off 100% of the baby carrier purchase and all you are required to pay are the shipping fees.

They make great holiday and new mother gifts - get an early start on your shopping so you can relax and spend quality time with family and friends during the season! Holiday shopping and preparations always dwindle selections quickly - so please hurry!

You can use the promo code more than once however you will need to open a new browser to do so!

Thanks again and have a Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,
SevenSlings.com

BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS TO YOU!!!!

Okay - thats a stock picture off the internet - it's beautiful though isn't it?!
I think it shows many blessings ;)
Happy Happy Thanksgiving blogfriends!
I have SO much to be thankful for.....
SO VERY MUCH!
Health - joy - family - friends - work - food - safety - peace - love - love - love -
I pray that each and everyone who stumbles across this blog will have a wonderful wonderful FABULOUS THANKSGIVING FILLED WITH LOVE AND LAUGHTER.

THIS IS MY WISH & PRAYER FOR YOU ALL.

~WITH ALL MY HEART~
MICHELLE :)

Please pray

This morning we received a call. My mother in law is sick in the hospital. Possibly a stroke. We don't know much. at. all.
But we ARE praying. and we are asking everyone we know to do the same.
God is a mighty healer. He knows exactly what she needs.

Thank you all!

~with all my heart~
Michelle

Close to you.............

Well - Malachi has officially learned to walk. Yes...he is still spending much time on his forehead (and has the bumps and bruises to show for it)!
I had a shirt on him the other day that said "I do all my own stunts" and it seemed appropriate.
I on the other hand will buy stock in hair coloring because it's giving me many many greys watching him learn.
He has been teeting also with big teeth in the back so he has been klingy!!!! He has been up close and personal all week!
I was so upset last week as he seems to have ZERO interest in nursing anymore....but only can be tricked into it in the middle of the night or when he's gotten a boo boo (which then this week was OFTEN!) go figure. He is CERTAINLY the kiddo that has changed all my RULES about breastfeeding though - "just when you thought you knew what you were doing" sigh.....
but honestly - it's great that he will go to Daddy or Sissy if he needs comforting...I just don't like sharing :)LOL I'll get used to it....maybe....possibly not though......:)
I will confess though that I'm now looking ahead at possibly having another....possibly ;) Lord willing.....Hubby is all for it :) The kiddos are asking for twins (um...one at a time is fine with me thank you :)but we are praying about it.
Life is good....children are a blessing.....even little "snapping turtles" who walk at 10 months are just too wonderful :)

With all my heart !
Michelle

What about you...did you have a "rule" about childbirth/childrearing that was suddenly shattered when you had your own little rule breaker for a baby?! LOL
tell me! tell me!
:)

Parenting 101 - NOT!!!

These my friends are actual ads from long ago.

Now....I have done some parenting that I now look back on and cringe....but this luckily is not one of them.

So....Just a reminder - just because it is highly recommended by the media - it MAY NOT be a good idea :)

Short and sweet today -
Happy Thursday gang!! :)
With all my heart ~
Michelle

~ Little angels ~

Today a dear family is mourning the loss of a pregnancy. Of a baby. Of a sibling.
Does anyone TRULY get over this? I don't think so. I think we may grow stronger....maybe we grow softer too - so that when we tell someone we understand...sadly we really really do.....
Our family has experienced this twice. It is heart shattering (Yes..even when we have "so many")and it leaves a part of you gasping for air..always..
I know that the things I wanted to hear were the same exact things I DID NOT WANT TO HEAR.
"it will be okay" "you can try again" "I'm sorry"
It doesn't make it better, but when people said nothing - it was somehow worse.
All I can say is that it takes time. (lame sounding I know)
time to "survive" really. You don't feel like anything is the same yet somehow you do survive. You hold your loved ones near and dear and attempt to comprehend "how and why" when often there are just no answers for that.
My prayers go out to all who are dealing with this today...or yesterday...or last year or 10 years ago. - The mommas, the daddys, you families who are aching.
I send you love and pray for blessings of healing for your hearts

With all of my heart~
Michelle

Sometimes I don't understand

Okay....here's the story.....
My husband (who has SOOOOO much patience - seriously)
agreed to do a job for someone an hour away each month. (we have a landscaping biz)

Last month he went down...got over halfway done and the homeowner came out yelling saying he didn't want it done that day (already halfway done...um....)
So my husband was angry but kept his mouth shut and loaded up the equipment and the crew (this is a huge job so it takes 2 paid helpers each time) and headed out.
The very next week he was called back to do the job. They did it in full again.
Everyone who knows my husband KNOWS he's a perfectionist when it comes to work. (well maybe everything but DEFINITLY work! So each job is alway perfect when they leave.)
At that visit, the homeowner made an excuse as to why he couldn't pay but "would soon".

Yesterday my husband went again (new month)and as he has been praying a LOT about this man... they spent an extra 3 hours doing anything and everything they could. NONE of that extra 3 hours was included or agreed upon - but was FREE.
My husband also apologized to the homeowner for getting angry the last time. He told me later that he really wanted to treat people as God would WANT him to treat them.

Today I get a call from the homeowner telling me he "wanted me to know what a change of heart my husband had!"..... That he (my husband) had appologized and actually did the job correctly. "He caught up on the things he's been letting slide and it's about time!" I was stunned. He could NOT be turning this around! That was his "thank you"?!? He then said "You must have set him straight!" (WHAT kind of wife does he think I am??)
I told him "Dave's got a great heart - he goes ABOVE and BEYOND so often! - He does WAY more than people pay for and he does it with a kindness that I don't have!" He said "well I just wanted you to know he's getting straightened out" -
Oh Lord....I wanted to RAGE at him.
I wanted to yell and say "ARE YOU KIDDING ME??" You OWE us 2 months PLUS other money.....my husband does something so good, so kind and so noble and you turn it around to seem like you deserve it?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME??"
I am still teary about it (only because I cry when I am FUMING MAD)
Maybe when you do something nice and it is NOT appreciated it's the bigger gift.
I know my husband did it for God. I know God saw and knows and loves.
I know...
But as the wife it's hard to understand people sometimes.

Thanks for letting me vent.
~with all my heart~
Michelle

Welcome to my life

Here's some random quotes I've heard at my house JUST THIS WEEK!

I let my brother cut my hair! (slightly resembles a dutch boy at this point)

I spray painted my ear red!

The baby fell down and bumped his head when we were all watching our lizard eggs hatch.

I know where babies come from!

Hey mom...do you miss being young?

Wow you've got a big belly - are you having another baby? Can you have twins this time? (no...I've just had 6 so the belly stays :)

Are you and dad gonna kiss cause I will gag!

The FUNNIEST THING HAPPENED!!! THE DOGS GOT STUCK TOGETHER!! (sigh....)

Mom.....Malachi needs a boobah (term for nursing)he's ugly without the boobah!

Look at my cheif (pronounced cheef instead of chafe) in between his legs followed by a "no shame" stance of touching his toes naked LOL

You're my favorite mom! (um.....)

and OH so many more - I'm gonna have to start keeping track - I'm sure I'll miss this "you never know what they're gonna say next" season in our life :)

~ With all my heart!

Michelle

Tagged - snagged and now singing songs in my head AGAIN!

Things are wonderful (no...that's not sarcasm you hear in my typing....actually that's amazing how did you HEAR that in my TYPING!? YOU ARE COOL!!!)
I'll confess, they're a little crazy - but aren't they always?

We went through that cough/cold thing a week or so ago and thank you LORD it only went through 1/2 of the family. (I know..I keep waiting to hear someone start up with croupiness...in the middle of the night...then I'll know it's just been lurking in the dirty laundry mountain...I mean pile :)



http://8aplenty.blogspot.com/

tagged me...so here goes :)
(p.s thank you for tagging me :) It felt like grade school where someone INTENTIONALLY picks you for their team :) -yeah it's one of THOSE days....LOL
little lonely being a mom sometimes ya know?!
anywhoo......

4 Things in my Handbag:
FIRST OF ALL let me confess - I have a tiny little purse because if not...I will literally carry anything and everything in my purse!!
1. Hello kitty wallet
2. Grocery coupons (then I will wind up leaving my purse in the car anyways and NEVER remember to use them....) but they ARE there :)
3. Pictures of all my kiddos
4. 2 drivers licenses (DO NOT TELL LAW ENFORCEMENT! I was just told that this is a felony to have two....WHO KNEW?! I thought it was lost...then found it again after I went and spent an arm and a leg on a duplicate - I KNOW ME...I'LL LOOSE IT AGAIN!!

4 Things In/On my Desk:
1. More paperwork than I can emotionally handle today :)
2. Peacock feathers I found in the parking lot ( TREASURE!! as my boys say...)
3. Purell hand sanitizer...I work with the public...nuff said!
4. my cell phone

4 Favorite Things in my Bedroom:
1. 8.5x10 pictures of each of my kids (although...they're out of date..I've asked for new ones for Christmas :)
2. Our comfy comfy bed with a bazillion pillows (OH I AM SUCH A PILLOW FREAK!)
3. A painting we watched someone paint in San Francisco - my hubby bought it for me "Cause he knew I wanted it" :) love love love him!
4. A quilted comforter on the bed.

4 Things I Always Wanted To Do (But haven’t yet):
1. Write a book
2. Sing professionally
3. Have another baby - yes seriously!! Hey..did you KNOW some people have 8 and 10? (wink) I mean...really! I'm not an earthy crunchy baby-wearing weirdo who is the only one on the planet who sees the blessing of having a large family!!! WHO KNEW!!
4. Win the lottery - Hey..it's true! I DO want to do that! :) -now if I wouldn't be so cheap and actually BUY a ticket :)

4 Things I Enjoy Very Much At the Moment:
1. Nap-time. Often when I get home from work Malachi is just settling down for his 1/2 hour mini nap.....I'm so there!!
2. Having a day escape with the hubby - too easy to forget how much we LOVE each other when things are so busy - hate to take him for granted...
3. Blogging - LOVE it! Like a crack head waiting for those comments people!! LOL
4. Making apple butter and canning it...just did a TON last night - makes the house smell yummy!

4 Songs I Can’t Get Outta My Head:
1. The Alphabet rhyming song my sons put on repeat just to drive me insane :)
2. My My Malachi...(a song I made up for bed time :)
3. Baby Beluga - RAFFI
4. Don't stop believin - Journey


4 Things You Don’t Know About Me:
1. I yell- A LOT! If you are my neighbor you already know this... (I stole this when I copied and pasted it from another site - the one who tagged 8aplenty) It was just SO appropriate :)

http://www.mommymmsankey.blogspot.com/

2. I am the bad parent - my hubby is the best. (seriously....I've come to accept it LOL) Even my kids tell people - "Yeah my dad just looks mean...my mom IS!"
3. I HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO make little bubbles come out of the top of the dish soap container each time I wash dishes - I call them "luck bubbles" which is ironic because I don't particularly believe in luck :) But I will even resort to shaking the bottle up to make sure to get mini bubbles on the second try! FREAK RIGHT??
4. I cant STAND to have ink on me. I would NEVER handle a tattoo well - I won't even let my kids have ink on them (might explain why my oldest has many tattoos - don't even get me started! sigh....)

SO...that's it! Now I'm on to tag 4 others.....let's see...who wants to play tag?

http://thelucaszoo.blogspot.com/

http://designhermomma.com/

http://blessed-quiver.blogspot.com/

http://babystam.blogspot.com/

YOU'RE IT! :)

With all my heart ~
Michelle

If I know what I'm thinking...how come he doesn't? lol

Okay...I just posted this with only the title...I'm not sure even how to do that..but I'm NOW editing this.
Sigh...
I'm confessing this....to you....to myself...
I constantly think...."He does NOT listen to me!" (about of course my husband)
but something today made me realize....maybe I'm just expecting him to KNOW what I KNOW.....
Ya know?! :)
I knew we were on a deadline for something - I figured he knew it as well. I was rushing around like a crazy woman at lunch time - and he was in SLLLLOOOOOWWWW MO!
It was quite frankly making me crazy-er!
Finally I gave up in tears and he stopped me at the car as I was "LEAVING!!" and asked "why are you SO upset?" I sobbed the entire sentence - "I was TRYING to accomplish something on this FRIDAY - BEFORE the WEEKEND and now it won't get done till MONDAY...blah blah blah"
to which he replied "Why didn't you say so?"
UM......I'll be honest at this point usually I will make some off the cuff comment about "why don't you listen" but I realized....I DIDN'T say anything. He must have just thought I was rushing around for no apparent reason. It's not that he wasn't listening...it's that I wasn't communicating.

Does this happen to anyone else on the planet?
Doesn't it seem that we spend so much together we "assume" that they know what we know?
Ya know?

Have a blessed weekend my friends!!
Much Love


With All my heart~
gotta go appologize to him now (like swallowing dry sand) :)lol

Michelle

I saw another blog about "entitled" people.
It's such an ugly trait that we humans have - feeling "entitled" to absolutely anything....
How many times in traffic does someone cut me off and I'm angry about it?!
Do I show love then? UM...NO....
What about when someone in line at the grocery store has 30 items in the 10 item or less lane - do I show love to them? UM...not usually!
Do people REALIZE what an UGLY thing it is to assume that they are ENTITLED?

I receive hundreds of calls a day - I have dozens of appointments and the people who are genuine - the "real" people are a breeze compared to the ones who "demand"!

How often am I like that to God?!
Demanding what I feel I am "Entitled" to.......what I think I "deserve".......
what if I got what I really deserved??
Wouldn't that literally be Hell?! L-I-T-E-R-A-L-L-Y?

How do you deal (show love to) those "sandpaper people" you know ....the ones who just rub ya the wrong way?!
Any suggestions?
Because at the end of days like this one was.........I really really wonder.......

I look forward to your insight.....

With all my heart ~
Michelle

Just to make you smile :)

Okay ...more pics
Malachi in his walker - "cheesy face"
Malachi and Remington (8 mo and 10)
Malachi and Maverick (8 mo and 6)
Malachi trying his hardest to get to our dog stitch - who is NOT dumb - he stays FAR enough away :) ****had to come back on and edit - I forget they show up in the opposite direction as you imput them onto your blog*** :)
oh..
and the first one - it's just something I saw and it made me laugh.
There are days when as a mom I feel like everything in my world exists around little kids - so this Thanksgiving pic made me giggle.

Hope you smile too!

With all my heart~
Michelle

Nina bean telling Snap "no no" for touching her bike

Snapper touching her bike anyways

Having a drink of mama's water

Oh these are a few of my favorite things ;)

M

difficult days

Some days are difficult.
There was something I was COUNTING on (financially) that fell through.
then another thing fell through......
I am reeling because it's kinda like the rug being pulled out from under me.
Please keep our family in your prayers.
Some days are difficult.


With all my heart...
Michelle

Way off.....

This past weekend we went to the big city and asked our 6(turning 7) year old where he would like to go for his birthday dinner.
Well he very excitedly yelled "RED...(insert sea-life here)"
Since I am complaining.....I'm not putting the whole restaurant name....
It's not like you can't get lobster just about anywhere here in South Florida anyways right? lol (wink...didja get it?)
So I cringed but thought....well there's only 2 adults and 2 kids so it's probably the cheapest time we could ever go to a fancy (for us anyways) restaurant.
Hubby gave the thumbs up so off we went.
We were greated by the big tank of Maine lobsters that the boys excitedly watched as we waited for our table.
When we were seated - the boys each picked popcorn shrimp (not too bad price wise) and we got a shrimp dish each - All in all the meal was pleasant service was soso.
When the boys were away at the bathroom (I think all kids have to "check out" the facilities at each restaurant - it' s some kind of unwritten rule)
I told the waitress that it was our son's birthday - so we'd like to do something at the end of the meal. She was all excited and said "oh okay! I've got it covered!"
So at the end of our meal...the baby was starting to be completely bored with the scene and she came up to give us our bill. I thought maybe she forgot so I said "Okay birthday boy...anything else?" to our son. He smiled and said "maybe dessert?" she said "I'll be right back" with this she disappears - ah HA! She's remembered (I thought) she came back with another waitress and they sang "Happy Birthday" and then handed me the bill and walked away. (no...NO cake...no dish of ice cream....-I DON'T EVEN EXPECT IT FOR FREE - I WOULD HAVE PAID FOR IT.....) SO my 6/7 year old smiled and said "that was nice!" - kind little kid that he is. I was not so happy!!!
I was upset. So we went to Walmart and let him pick out his own "cupcakes or little cake ...whatever" - great boy...picked out mini eclairs ;)lol
Anyways I felt bad because it was such a HUGE thing for him to pick out his place to eat and have it be a big "hurrah". not so much....
Oh well - We'll just have to do it up big for his home party with all the family :)
Proof that things are better at home anyways :)

With all my heart ~ thanks for letting me vent ;)
Michelle