an old-fashioned drawing

We had a good old fashioned write the name in the bucket, mix it up, and draw a name type of afternoon.

{No random number generator over here.}

There was something deeply personal about writing each number, cutting them out, and dropping them into my sage flower vase.

1-2-3-4-5-....all the way to entry 162.

They all went in.  We give it a stir. I looked away {and Elijah looked on}.

And pulled out 91.

Hannah, Elijah (my official helper), and I ran into the kitchen to see who the winner was.  We lined up the number on the left and scrolled down....and discovered....that 91 is the very lovely

Carissa from lowercase letters

So, Carissa, my beautiful blogging friend, get out your pictures, pic your favorites, and get ready to have an amazing bracelet made for your sweet grandma.  Because you won.  And remember that we are all anxiously looking forward to seeing pictures once that bracelet arrives. :)

{And have a blast getting to know my friend, Amy.  You'll love her like I do. }

And, for the rest of my blogging friends if you want your own legacy bracelet please visit my dear friend, Amy's, design business -- Legacy Bracelets -- you will be blessed. Seriously.

happy birthday noodle

10 years old.

{A decade}

10 wonderful, blessed, and full of joy years.

My sweet Gracie Girl.

Happy 10th Birthday Grace Eva!

You bring such laughter and depth to our lives.

You are determined. Focused. A bit silly. And a whole lot loved.

I am so thankful to be your mother.

And yes, your nickname just might be noodle. :)

And yes, your favorite color still is, and always has been, pink. 

You are truly pretty in pink. Beautiful.

Happy Birthday to my youngest and now double digit in age daughter.

I love you.

**********

Just a little reminder for you all

-- today is the last day to enter my legacy bracelet giveaway --

so if you haven't entered pop on over {link below}

{after you wish sweet Gracie girl a Happy Birthday }

 I'm super excited to see who wins this most fabulous bracelet that will bring you joy. :) You know that I love mine. :)

click here for the -- legacy bracelet giveaway --

collaboration (#2) and the give-away winner!

Are you wondering?

Are you at the edge of your seat?

Who, who, you ask, who won those fabulous dryer balls?

A beautiful basket of three gorgeous wool dryer balls that makes laundry fun?

Who is the winner?

Drum roll, please.

And the winner?

The lucky winner is:

thank you to the Willow Store for providing your wool dryer balls for me to review 

and for giving away a set to one of my lovely readers. I know, I'll be back. :)

And, if you haven't visited Barbie's blog

My Freshly Brewed Life

you simply must -- you'll be blessed!

{Barbie--please contact me with your info 

so those wool dryer balls can be on your doorstep soon!}

************

Now, on to Collaboration #2 with my Hannah.

{http://manyrandommusings.blogspot.com}

This week we both thought of the idea at the same exact time.

I had made dinner (along with my Chef Chloe). 

It is one of our family's favorites -

sauteed thinly pounded chicken with garlic in a lemon/butter sauce tossed with artichokes 

served over angel hair pasta with a side of fresh asparagus.

Stop right there.

Angel hair pasta = gluten

And since Samuel and I are gluten free due to his Celiac I knew I had to modify this recipe.

I made the sauce gluten free and boiled up some beautiful whole grain rice noodles.

And it was divine.

Take a look!

{top Hannah's photo & bottom my photo}

Blessings on the rest of your Sunday.  

And, one more thing, would you pray for Samuel?  He's been having a very hard last couple of days.  I'm thinking he got gluten somewhere and it has really set him back.  

Thank you so much!

joyful yes (faces) and some news

My lovely Hannah has done it again. A beautiful button to go with a beautiful new Wednesday meme. For me, the writing too much person, I love the idea of finding a picture in the stash of digital pictures that captures a word. Her word this week? joyful {faces}.

I think I've seen joy.

What do you think? Does this capture joy? Because I love it.

{my Brennan when he was four}

And, as far as using the word yes, how did your day go yesterday with those yes answers sprinkled in with the no's? I noticed that my entire older crew {basically all those kids of mine who read my blog} was in a different mood -- more playing, more laughing, more agreeing. All from trying to say yes more.

That heart change created many joyful {faces} moments.

I think my family needed the reminder as well.

So, today, I'm going to try my joyful yes challenge again. After all, playing Parcheesi at 8:25 in the morning is just plain fun -- even though I came in dead last. Or making a smoothie the first time they ask versus in the in a minute time was a blast. Or reading the same Harold and the Purple Crayon and belly laughing.  Those moments all came from saying yes.

********

please imagine an announcer with that deep announcer voice stating 
{and now, some finding joy announcements}

Samuel is doing excellent this week.

  No weight gained, but no weight loss. 

 The big difference is the massive increase in energy.  

I will always be grateful for your prayers.  

Friday starts my {friday}favorite things link-up.

What is it?

A list of thankful and favorite moments from the week or life in general.
I'd love for you to join me -- I'll have the linky open early in the morning.

The WOOL DRYER BALL GIVEAWAY still open. 

 If you want a shot at winning my new favorite laundry accessory

click

HERE

and 

Find a joyful faces picture and click the button above to link to Hannah's blog. 

Let me know you did and I'll be over to peek at your photo.

 You'll meet some other sweet bloggers and will get to sprinkle your morning with joy. :)

the every mom needs these -- giveaway

Yes, it's about laundry.

How to make it easier.

Better.

Natural.

With no chemicals.

Back in January I was given the opportunity to review these very colorful

wool dryer balls

from the Willow Store.

{http://www.willowpads.com/t/the-willow-store/everyday-willow/new-taxon}

I completely-absolutely-totally-love them.

I just throw them in my dryer.

And

I love the fact that they reduce drying time.

As a mom of seven I need to get those clothes of mine done quickly.

{otherwise you'll hear me lament on here about laundry}

They also softened my clothes -- and I didn't need chemically dryer sheets.

Since Samuel got sick I've been trying to reduce any allergen in my house so these dryer balls were a perfect answer for eliminating chemicals in the dryer.

Plus they're adorable.

Their adorability {is that a word?} makes laundry more fun. Really.

{I love to fling them in my dryer}

{And my boys try to fling them around my family room}

The Willow Store is generously giving away one basket of these dryer balls to one of my readers.

They're valued at $19.95 and honestly are worth every single cent.

Want some?

It's easy to enter. 

There are 4 possible entries. Choose one or do them all, but PLEASE leave a separate comment for each entry.  Since I have so much laundry to do I need this nice and simple.
 Simple like using amazing wool dryer balls....;)

1} tell me what day you do laundry. And, yes, it can be everyday.

2} hop over to the Willow Store and tell me what your favorite color of dryer ball is-- want to know mine? It would be the red one. Because, you know, I love red. Here's the link - http://www.willowpads.com/products/wool-dryer-balls

3} Like the Willow Store on Facebook - Click here {They've got great tips over there.}

4} follow this blog {and if you already do, just let me know}-- and learn about my love/hate relationship with laundry. And you'll learn about Celiac Disease, my kids, our homeschool journey, life in a large family, some gluten-free recipes, my insight on life and finally, why I seek joy. :)

This give-away will be open through midnight (CST) next Friday, March 11.

Good luck.

And happy laundry!

And the random number generator says?

That lucky commenter

#41

is the winner of

The Teething Bling!

Want to know who?  

Why that would be the very lovely, Gwen, from the blog

  Tolivers to Texas. 

Her fabulous comment?

My sweet baby Kate would love this (and so would her mother because then the earrings wouldn't be so tempting....)

This has been so fun for me. I was super blessed by Smart Mom Jewelry. I'm grateful for my Teething Bling and am even more blessed to be able to give this one to Gwen. Chewing on Earrings? Not good. Chewing on a Moonstone Teething Bling? Great. Make that Awesome.

Please wish Gwen a hearty congrats -- and check out her blog as well. It's encouraging and uplifting to read about her family as they live out in faith.

__________________________

Have a fabulous Thursday night.  And, Gwen, look for an email from me!

________________________

just had to put a picture of my Samuel.  Couldn't help it. :)

It's not personal...

...it's just being a mom.

Yesterday, I was irritated.  There was a big pile of laundry that needed to be folded (imagine that, laundry here?).  This gigantic pile sat in my laundry room for days.  No one touched it.  Well, they'd dig through it.  Or ask for clothes.  Or add more clothes to the dirty side.  But, no one folded it.

So I began to felt resentment. I remember thinking -

how come they don't help with the laundry?  Don't they see all this work?  Are they just assuming I'll take care of it?

And I got crabby.

But, while I was folding -- swim trunks, and tees, and towels, and bibs, and shorts, and more -- my mind started mulling over my "all about me" statement.  Then I began to realize (again) that part of being a mom is not initially expecting them to see the work, but rather training them to learn how to do the work.  Then, once the expectations are set, then I have a right to be frustrated if the work wasn't done.

I hadn't set the goals.

I simply assumed they'd see all the work the way I did.  And then I assumed that because they didn't do it that they didn't really care about all the work that I had to do.  Then I started to develop a grudge based on my own inaccurate assumptions.

Planning and training takes work.  Hard, hard work.  There are stewardship areas in our home where I've invested this time and energy.  The kitchen, garbage and girls' bathroom.  Those stewardship areas are maintained.  Completed.  I was convicted to do the same with the laundry.  And that means letting go of the perfect folds that I like, and instead praising for the learning attempts that they make.  And holding them accountable.  It's all to easy to do it myself -- but then look where that leads.

So starting today, I'll be developing my goals and targets for laundry.

And then we'll see how many posts about laundry I do after this.

________________________________

Remember to enter

The Teething Bling Giveaway.

CLICK HERE!

Miscellany Monday

An ode to Miscellany Monday.
Written at 11:34 pm.

Oh, Miscellany Monday, here you are again....

sweet blogging day

a day of what - evers

Who knows what it will bring.

Oh Miscellany Monday, you are the best

fun, laughter, joy

mixed with memory
Beautiful thoughts.

Oh, Miscellany Monday, how I love you.

1) I was never good at poetry class.  I tried.

2) My major in college was Architecture.  I can draw.  I am creative.  I have a pile of plans I've drawn for our home showing how I would add on -- if I could. So I guess along with being creative I can dream. ;)

3) While studying architecture I studied Italian.  My dream was to live in Italy for several years.  I passed my proficiency exam.  I have not lived in Italy.  I can, however, order my food at an Italian restaurant perfectly.  Sometimes I even teach the waiters the correct pronunciation. 

4) I also studied Interior Design.  Therefore, when I watch shows -- like HGTV's Design Star -- and see terrible design I cringe and cover my face with a pillow.  I think my girls enjoy watching me cover my face and wait for that moment to happen.  They'll exclaim, "Mom's grabbing the pillow!!"  Tonight's show?  Exceptionally and painfully bad.


5) I play classical piano.  I've been playing since I was four.

 that's me playing -- Samuel was 2 weeks old.

6) Once, when I was in sixth grade, I played Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata for a piano recital from memory.  However, while up front, in a room full of over one hundred parents and relatives, I forgot where I was in the piece.  So I began to improvise.  I kept playing, and playing, and playing until I remembered where I was.  Then I wrapped up Moonlight Sonata and took my required bow.  Rushing back to my seat, I sat down and smiled.  My grandmother, who was also classically trained, winked at me and said, "that was the longest version of Moonlight Sonata I've ever heard ,dear." Then she patted my hand, and gave me a hug.  

7) I miss that grandmother.  She died one week before my daughter Chloe was born.

8) Chloe's middle name is the same as my grandmothers.  Her name?  Laurella.  A combination of Laura and Ella.  Chloe looks like my grandmother when she was young.  My grandma was beautiful.

 my Chloe Laurella

9) I'm writing this at 11:54 pm.  Samuel will be awake at 1:30 am.

10) Speaking of Samuel -- he's cutting all four top teeth at once.  As I wrote on facebook, I think he's trying to over achieve.  And speaking again of Samuel -- remember to enter my give-away for your own Teething Bling Necklace.  You will seriously love that necklace.  My goal for entries?  At least 100.  I'm close to 70 -- so if you haven't entered, do so -- that way I can make my goal.  (I like goals -- so click the enter my give-away link.  After you leave a nice comment here!)

Samuel with my Teething Bling

Impressed with this week's concise Miscellany Monday?  As am I.  Must have something to do with it being 11:56 pm.  And Samuel waking up at 1:30 am.

Remember, remember, remember (because I don't say forget - read Target Statements) to link up with Carissa's Miscellany Monday. Link up.  She's awesome. :)  I've also linked up with the mingle monday thread --check that out as well.

Blessings on your Monday!! 
 

crying in the chip aisle

 a small sampling of my groceries in the back of the truck

Yes, you read that right.  My title is Crying in the Chip Aisle. Who was crying?  That would be me.

Today. 

I was simply overwhelmed.  I went to get groceries.  In my house, when I leave to go to the store, my entire, lovely, and always cheerful (grin) clan wants to come with.  At that point I have two options.

A) take all of them with me and add at least 90 minutes to my shopping time and come home with numerous items that I didn't need and go over my budget and deal with many people asking me, "are they all yours?"

or 

B) go by myself (or with the one helper as I typically try to take one with me and of course I have cute Samuel) and stay within dollars of the budget goal while sipping a caramel latte and having extra minutes to leisurely browse the numerous clearance racks while menu planning in my head.

Now, with the aid of the post title, can you guess which option I chose today?  Yes ---  that would be -- Option A.

Not with everyone, mind you -- and I honestly wanted them to come.  I love my kids.  I just reached overwhelm.  In the chip aisle.  My awesome four year old guy, Caleb, has more energy then he knows how to handle.  I'd spent an hour carefully dodging his darting figure at Target, and then another hour re-directing him at CUB Foods.  By the time I'd apologized six or seven times for his quick cut in front of another cart, and answered "no, not today," to Grace for the 45th item she'd like to purchase I simply had enough.

So I began to cry -- quietly -- in the chip aisle.  In front of the Salt and Vinegar and Dill Pickle Chips. Small tears of self-pity formed in my weary eyes.  I just wanted to sit down and stop.  Then as soon as I began I remembered an interaction I had about 35 minutes prior.

Move to the deli.

As I was ordering my half-price honey ham, and already exhausted, my sweet Gracie was interacting with Samuel.  It was kind of bugging me -- she was loud and jumping up and down -- but Samuel was laughing.  Then this kind old man who works at the grocery store comes up to me with a wide grin.  He stops.  And watches.  And says,

What a blessing.  It's so beautiful to see siblings who love each other.  You're blessed.

That's what  I needed to remember.  Blessings. So, I quickly grabbed a bag of the sale chips (two for one tortilla chips -- in case you were curious), placed them in a precarious place in my bulging cart, and walked over and gave the wiggly Caleb of mine a hug.

Looks like God gave me a live example of switching things around.  I lost sight of the beauty -- only to hear it in the deli and find it again in the chip aisle.

 and that would be sweet Caleb -- on the way home today.  I love him.

________________________________________

Interested in winning your own Teething Bling Necklace?

Remember to enter my 

Giveaway

Teething Bling Giveaway

(I've only talked about posting this for a month--finally I'm doing it!)
(And, I love all the gratitude challenge comments.  I will be writing about that tomorrow.)

In June, I was given the opportunity to review a Teething Bling. Having had seven babies I really wanted to see what the hype was around this necklace!  I was planning on writing the review the day that Samuel was in the hospital.  In fact, these pictures were taken the night he ended up going there.  And, blogging friends, if they look familiar, it's because my daughter Hannah, from Aspire, put them on her blog yesterday!

My sweet, teething Samuel adores the Teething Bling Necklaces that I have -- he chews on them all the time. In fact, I wear one of them everyday.

Honestly, this necklace is awesome. 

I've received numerous compliments and comments on them, and just found out that the trendy kid's store in our area is having a hard time keeping them in stock.  It's now my accessory of choice.  Plus, with a break-away clasp, it's saved me several times from getting it caught.  Bottom line though?  No small beads.  You know how babes chew on everything, and you also know how Samuel was in the hospital (read the post Starstuck for more info) for choking on something teeny -- so this, my friends, is the perfect solution. Safe and cute. :)

Here's some sweet pics of Samuel chewing on the Teething Bling.  

Teething Bling provided me with one extra Necklace to give-away to one of my readers.  I've never done a give-away before, but since I'm nearing the 300 mark for GFConnect followers -- I think it's time.  And since, Samuel seems to be a huge part of my writing, well, of course I needed to give-away something that he adores as well.  In fact, as I type this he's hanging onto the necklace.

Details? 

Moonstone Teething Bling

(love, love, love the color)
 

To enter?

1) Leave a comment. Tell me who the bling would be for.  Easy, right?

2) Want an extra entry? Follow the blog or at least tell me you do.  Easy-again.

3) Want even one more entry?  Mention it on your blog, and let me know the link.  I know -- that's bribery.  But, I really want the word out about this necklace.  Teething Bling was super generous to donate these products so lets show them thanks!

This give-away will end on Wednesday, July 28 at Midnight.  US addresses only, please. And please, one comment for each entry -- this momma of seven needs easy bookkeeping tactics.  

Seriously -- this would make a great new mom gift. So even if you don't have a teether, chances are you know somebody that does or will!  In fact, it's now my gift of choice. Functional, cute, trendy, and fabulous for those chewy babes! And make sure to check out Teething Bling as well.

Thanks blogging friends! And good luck winning the Teething Bling. :)

Miscellany Monday

I've decided to once again be a part of Miscellany Monday.  I'm thinking that I'll have some random thoughts for you all -- and as I type this I'm trying to wrap my brain around which ones to share.  So here goes --

1) We have received tons of rain this June.  The new activity of choice for my kids?  Racing around in puddles in the backyard.  My new activity?  Baling it out my raspberry patch.  Or my fab neighbor's basement.

raspberry patch behind the pine in the new "pond"

2) Despite having massive amounts of moisture already my kids are enjoying our blow-up pool.  Because of the rain I've left the pool in the same spot for too long of a time.  That has successfully burnt some of our grass.  Oh, well, their smiles made it worth it, right?

note the grass in the back

3) When a mother is with a baby in the ER and has to use the bathroom it presents as a tricky situation.  My options and choices?  One -- walking out and asking the staff behind the desk to hold Samuel.  Two -- Wiggling.  Lots.  Three -- praying that someone walks in the room so that I don't have to push the "toliet" call button.  Four -- rejoicing when the alarm for the battery for the iv starts ringing (it needed to be plugged in) and then handing sweet sleeping Samuel over to the surprised nurse. :)

that's me holding my Sam

4) Graham crackers taste amazing after an entire day of no food.  That and a teeny can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup heated in the Children's Hospital Short Stay Unit's Microwave. Thank you Campbells.

5) I've written about being behind on laundry before and have decided that all those times are now fallacies.  Now, I can truly tell you that I am behind on laundry.  Mega.  Huge.  Ginormous. Anyone want to come and help fold?

6) Sleep helps gain perspective.  I don't think I need to explain that beyond telling you that I finally got some sleep.

7) Teething Bling Give-Away.  Last week, on Miscellany Monday, I told you that I would be doing the give-away that week.  I was planning on writing my post last Thursday -- which was the day I was in the hospital with Samuel -- so now I'm aiming to put it together this week.

that's the color of my Teething Bling -- love it.

8) I love my Teething Bling.  I feel a bit trendy.  And Samuel?  He just chews and chews and chews.  Honestly?  This will be my gift of choice for new mothers.  Worth it. Keeps them chewing on something large.

9) Next week will be a short Miscellany.  I will be writing it from the lake.  Yes, vacation.  I think I might need one. Just slightly.

that will be the view I see in less then a week

10) I made it to ten.  I know that Carissa did not make rules for this Miscellany Monday, but somehow I got it in my head that I need to do ten.  Carissa -- when you are reading this please try to refrain from giggling.  Try.  And, yes, I agree with you about those Jean Diapers.  Teething Bling = trendy.  Jean Diapers = just a bit too trendy -- at least for me. :)

Remember to link up and join the randomness!  I love this day -- it always puts a smile on my face. :)