Need/Want a 'Button'?? - A Giveaway!

I'll make you one! I'll even make it easy for you to put it on your blog and have others "take it"! It'll be 150x150px unless you want it a specific size...Sound good?

I will pick THREE Winners, next Friday (the 8th).

For one Entry: Leave me a Comment and let me know what you want it to say, and what colors you want!

For another entry: Follow me! Then leave me a comment letting me know you are following me.

For ANOTHER entry: blog about the giveaway! Then leave a comment with the link to the post! (It doesn't have to be in its own post, just mention it, and let me know!)

Please leave a way to contact you, either an email, or blog link... something - anything!

To see some button's I've made Go HERE!

And The Giveaway Begins!

YEEHAW!!

Giveaway from Kennaboutique!

Carli, at Kennaboutique is getting her Etsy shop up and running - and she's starting out with a Giveaway!  Check Her Out, and enter her giveaway for something she's made! Her binky clips and wipee holders are darling! Here are a few of my personal favorites...

Let's support our fellow Mommas and Boutiquers! Go on over and let her know Alicia sentchya!!

It's Hard Work Being 'A Blogger'...

Sheesh.

Okay - so it's not, like, physically demanding. But I spend a lot of time physically doing nothing while mentally - my mind just doesn't stop. I'm always thinking about you guys! Situations I read about, new mommy bloggers I've met, what I should write about, what craft I can do and share... I'm tellin' ya. It's Hard Work! DH just doesn't understand.

Not to mention this PROJECT I've been spending hours on! (Thank you, Madagascar 2 for babysitting my boys!) It's so close. So. Freaking. Close. and Just when I think I'm ready unveil it... well, it just isn't quite ready.

I'm going full throttle with this blogging ride. I was chatting with my mom about social marketing and really think they need to get in on it... but where to start?! Of course, the possibilities are endless and it's all right up my alley so I feel like I am now the family social marketing consultant. How did that happen?

Anyway. Good stuff. Once this project is done, I will have hours of my life back to... enjoy spring! It's so cool. I'm thrilled with the results thus far... but like I said... not quite ready.

But hey! Because I like you guys, here's a SNEAK PEAK....

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... BAH!! I'm like, totally bursting at the seams... but that is all you get - for now.  

Come back super soon, mmmkay?!

I Love/Hate Naps... really!

I pretty much go most days without a nap... wishing (of course) that I could take one...

but when I do...

I'm up ALL FREAKING NIGHT... usually Blog-hopping or designing...

the same things I do any chance I get when the sun is UP.

Then the boys wake up. And I'm so flippin' tired... all I want to do is NAP...

It's a vicious, vicious cycle.

Change is Just Around The Corner...

So I've been saying it for days. Change is COMING!

To My Blog.

Really Really Soon!

I'm trying to build anticipation...

is it working?

Swine Flu vs. Seasonal Flu

Okay, all you bloggers out there...

What are your thoughts on this Swine Flu?

Here are mine...

I definitely think we should stay updated with it's "progress" just incase it becomes an epidemic.

But did you know that the Seasonal Flu in itself kills about 100 Americans a day. Last week alone, there were 102 reported influenza deaths. (see official weekly reports HERE.)

...why aren't we making such a big deal about THAT?!?!

The Media is a little bit dramatic...

Don't stop living your lives.

But use Wisdom.

Say "Cheese"!

For more wordless Wednesdays, visit Momdot.

Walmart.

There's a Walmart opening up the street tomorrow.

All I have to say is,

It's going to be insane.

I. Don't. Wanna!

You guys! Today we got our official "30 Days Notice"... they've sold this townhome. Officially. And now that we're "under the gun" to move...

I Dont Want To!

Nope. Don't wanna one bit. My house is a cluttered mess... because really, we're just getting settled! I do not want to pack up my kitchen... (why is that the hardest part?!) and I certainly do not want to deep-clean right now. I'm just not in the mood. Don't wanna do it.

Not to mention leaving the area. I freaking love  it here. I love the location and I have come to love the people! We've only been here 2 months and (miraculously) I've made a bunch of choice friends! How often does that happen? I'm in a great Church Ward (if you're LDS, you may understand how special that is!) and we have amazing leaders. I just don't want to move!

It's just not fair. I'm going to gripe a bit and just say that this sucks. We'll get through it, but it sucks.

There. Now I feel better.

Why I Blog...

I know this question has been on your mind, and you're just dying to know Why I Blog... (no?!). Well... I'm gonna tell ya anyway, mmkay? Trisha, over at MomDot.com (if you're not involved there, you're missing out!),  threw that question out into the universe, and it really got me thinking. Why do I blog?

It all started when we moved away from most of our friends and family, so I started a family blog to keep those who cared updated. I kept up with that blog for over a year... and realized that after I had my 2nd baby, the tone of my blog changed. The chaos of adjusting to two boys under 17 months was... entertaining. I was able to "work through'" the emotional struggles of day-to-day living as a Stay at Home Mommy, through - you guessed it - blogging! I was able to find humor in the chaos and found a network of friendships with other mothers going through very similar ordeals, or at least they became my e-support group and reassured me  I was not losing my mind... completely.

It got to the point that I wanted to make our family blog private. I had come across too many dangerous internet stories for my peace of mind (most of which, did not have to do with blogging, but scary all the same). My blog had become my friend. Okay... it became a means by which I was able to have a social life even though I spent most of the day home with my boys. I didn't want those who enjoyed by blog to miss out... so - I created another one.

I'll be the first to admit that balancing two blogs was at first confusing. And sometimes the posts are duplicated in both. But mostly my family "journaling" is done on the other one, and this one is the one I use for me. The one I use to connect and network with other women. This one is now my support group.

The tone of my blog  changed yet again. Maybe it's because I change... I'm not sure. The purpose of this blog is not neccessarily to entertain... because, if I'm completely honest with myself... I'm really not that funny. But I like to laugh.

Anyway...! People actually started reading my blog! I loved getting responses from others about the things I had to say. I can't identify it exactly, but it was rewarding. My "Unique Visit" count has slowly but surely increased, and that is freaking cool.

I don't claim to be knowledgeable, and don't have any great tutorials of my own, I'm just me. I say what I think and I share what I like.

But here's the deal.

I spend way too much time blogging.

Especially to be doing it for free.

So change is coming.

Just. Around. the Corner!

And I think you'll like it. At least, I hope you do.

To answer the question, Why Do I "Blog"?:

• I blog because I have stuff on my mind that I know my DH wont appreciate like ya'll do - and I need. to. get. it out.
• I am able to effectively keep in touch with the many friends that we've made through the years!
• It rewarding to know that people actually care what I have to say, and I don't even have to force them to listen to me... *ahem*. 
• I love technology. I enjoy (digitally) designing stuff... so this is right up my alley!
• I learn a lot. I am actually becoming some sort of "crafty" because I've found amazing tutorials for things I actually use! And I have a mental list of things I would like to learn... it's good for my mental health.
• Um... and now I will add to my list, I blog because I want to make money. Is that bad? Haha... no. I don't think so. You'll see.

Anywho! Why Do You Blog?! I really want to know. Leave me a comment, and I will for sure come hear what you have to say!

Crafts: Hair Accessories

Doo-wop!  I have some crafts to share with you1 I just have to say - whether or not you like these - I Love Them!! I am so stinkin' excited about my new accessories! I came across the ideas HERE and HERE... but when I was over at my mother-in-law's last night (she's some sort of crafty, I tell ya!) she wanted to make very similar crafts... so we experimented... and here's what I made!

I happened across this idea a while ago at Angry Chicken... but last night my MIL just happened to have everything I could want and need for it - and this is what I came up with...

 

Love it!

Over at A Feathered Nest, you will find a great tutorial for Flower Clips... I love mix & matching flowers... I love this black and pink flower creation!

And the white and yellow for spring! (Which seems to have disappeared...)

Fun ribbons, yah?!

Put the two together and this is whatchya get!

 

This picture just doesn't do it justice - It's Darling!!!

This is the yellow one without the ribbons, (I made the ribbons detachable).

Did I mention that I Love These?! I'm definitely making more... now that the creative juices are flowing!

PS. This is not the AWESOMENESS I was talking about... That's coming soon, I promise!

Oh Girls...

Oooohhhhh Giirrrlllss!!! I am so excited about this blog! I have got a PROJECT I'm working on right now... and I really Really really wanna tell you...

But I'm not going to.

You'll just have to wait and see.

I hope you love it as much as I do.

Holla! hahaha...

Small Talk Six - Awkward.

I'm posting this early... because it's done. And tomorrow, I'm going to try and be wireless and actually spend the day with my family... so, we'll see...

Today's Small Talk Six topic, over at MomDot.com is...

"6 things other people do that make you personally uncomfortable"

That's a good question... I had to think kinda hard about times I've been uncomfortable... so how about these...

It makes me uncomfortable when others...

1. Trip and Fall. Thats always a little weird. Do you look, do you not look? Is she okay? I don't want to embarrass her even more, but I am concerned...

2. Insult or start a fight. That's just rude, and unless you wanna beef with the bully - you... just... sit.... there?!

3. Let a secret slip. Anyone's secret - if I know it was not supposed to be talked about, and it slips - that's just bad. Someone is gonna pay for that.

4. Gossip. Particularly when friends gossip about friends... I hate that. That has got to be one of the most difficult situations to be in. Either way you lose. It's just not. cool.

5. Get intoxicated. Especially when it's the wrong time and wrong place... and they start getting loud... oh boy!

6. Show up at a party specifically uninvited. Sheesh. That's the magic recipe for D.R.A.M.A.

How about you? What makes you uncomfortable?

Visit Momdot.com for more Small-Talk Six!

Things Kids Say...

Bahahaha...

I just had to share. My 2 year old just came up to me and told me "I kwap my pants!". And sure enough! He's never used the phrase "crapped my pants" before, which made me laugh when I asked him to say it again just to be sure...

Yep. That's what he said.

Aloha Friday

It's Aloha Friday... no work 'till Monday...

Ha!

Now, I'm not "employed" by a profitable company of any sort... but in my industry... we don't get days off. We don't even get a lunch break. Before kids... Friday's used to mean something. Now, it's just another day of the week. It used to mean dancing! It used to mean guaranteed fun! It used to mean getting dressed up! Sheesh. I'm such a drag.

I think I will do something fun tonight. Get dressed up just for the heck of it. Go on a group date... with all of my boys. Mini-golfing? Nah. Dancing? err... prolly not. Movie? Well... I don't even know what's good out.

What is there to do on a Friday Night with a 2 year old, a 1 year old and a Big Kid? Preferably something that wont cost me an arm and a leg... but something enjoyable that will create good memories for the whole fam... suggestions, please!

Just one of them days...

Seriously! What's up! I feel like a bloggy-drag lately. Okay, minus the amazing pictures of my little family - I'm kinda boring! So... I'm going to interview someone and feature it next week (or tomorrow.) Maybe I will get someone bloggy-famous...! (And by bloggy-famous, I mean someone I blog-stalk...)

And did I mention we're moving this weekend? Crazy. I despise moving - but we've just gatta get through this.

I have been a crafty-drag too. I don't feel like making stuff for my home... because... we're... moving.  But I'm pretty sure once we get a little settled, I will have lots of fun stuff to share with you! So, hang in there.

Can I just say that I love how many little parks and playgrounds there are in this community! There is at least one in every development!  In fact - I think I'm going to take Monkey to play because he's getting a little nUtZ!!

Speaking of my Monkey - why does he THROW himself on the floor when he's upset? I mean, I can hardly believe he hasn't learned by now - it hurts! Does anyone elses kid do this? (I can't imagine mine is the only one who will be missing a few working brain cells as a teenager...)

I LOVE "Utah Grass"! It's so Green! And soft, and cool... I can honestly say I missed it while we were living in Paradise... and I love summer evenings here, too! Mmmmhhmmm.... love it!

Alrighty. I'm out.

Some more Fun in the Sun!!!

 

We spent a lovely evening picnic-ing at the park, then playing on the playground (which we  had all to ourselves!), kicking the ball around, and (of course!) taking some pictures! I love the lighting as the sun goes down... there's something magical about it. I made DH pose for some portraits... hehe... torture, I know! But you all know I love my boys... so here they are, yet again!

My Forever Crush...

Mmmhhmm... This man is way hotter than any of my celebrity crushes... ;) Yep, I did good. That's why our babies are so cute!  (Go ahead a flatter him, he'll probably read the comments - men can always use a self-esteem boost! hehe)

See others "Wordless Wednesday" photos here.

My baby thinks he's David Beckham.

My son has been brain-washed. My. His. Daddy.

This kid is two and he thinks, breathes and would eat soccer if he could. Ahem. I mean football. If you know DH, he's the same way. What gives? I mean, don't get me wrong, I enjoy soccer football.  But I knew I was in trouble this morning when I was dressing Monkey for the day and he insisted on wearing his soccer jersey. He's two for pete's sake! AND he's a BOY! I thought only girls were supposed to be so darn picky. Then again, he is his daddy's son!

(The jersey he's wearing in these pictures is a custom made jersey with his name on it, sent to him by my parents.) Ha. Oh yah, and you should see him when his "Scottish Mullet" all styled. Maybe my baby doesn't necessarily think he's Beckham... but his dad does.

Lions and Tigers and Bears - OH YAH!!!

Yesterday, we enjoyed a beautiful  day at the Zoo! DH had the day off so we made a day trip of it! The boys lasted much longer than I had anticipated because Monkey loved the animals! We haven't been to a zoo since he was about 3 months old... way over due!  It really was so much fun to see how much fun the boys were having!  Plus I was also able to snap a bunch of photos that I love!  Here are a few of my favorites!

 

 

 

Turtle Being Cute!

 

 

 

 

Monkey Man posing for a picture with the lemur (he was singing "I like to move it, movie it!"  - cracks me up!)

My hottie partner in crime!

 

Monkey was covering my mouth so I couldn't tell him to look at daddy and smile... seriously! He did not  want to pose...

... it had to come naturally, like when he was beaming because he got to see the zebra! (It's out of focus behind him, if you really want to see the animal!)

And a photo op. The lighting was great right here.

 

...but the photo sesh didn't last long because Monkey bonked Turtle's head on that rock wall... nice.  So this is as good as it gets!

Monkey wasn't too sure about Mr. Gorilla here... not sure at all! I don't blame him, seeing him from this angle would make me nervous too. I mean, the statue is about 3x Monkey Man's height!

 

But daddy made it all better! ... kind of.

Turtle's little footsies!

Great Day! Great memories! Great Fun! I'll do it again. Hopefully sooner than later! It makes me tingle with excitement thinking about all the fun things I can do with my boys!!