Come chat with us!

Tonight, at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT, Chic Chat will be hosting the first (of hopefully many) Chit Chat with Chic Chat's. All you need is an AIM or AOL screen name and instant messenger, which I'm sure many of you already have. Details and instructions can be found on Chic Chat. Click the banner above, or click HERE. I really hope a lot of you can make it there!

Camryn is Fabulous

Wordless Wednesday

http://www.yearbookyourself.com

Back and better than ever!

Recently, I became a new contributor to Chic Chat! After a bit of a hiatus while sorting things out, we have re-opened and are so excited to share it with everyone. We have so much planned, you don't want to miss it. Click the button below to go take a look!

I'm glad I told my conscience to shut up.

We had a great time!! I'm glad to be back at home in my sweats playing with my babies, though!

A Conversation With My Conscience

Stephanie, I don't know if this is such a great idea.

Oh come on, it's for Jillia's birthday! I have to.

Birthdays don't require bar hopping and drinking.

When the birthday girl is the type to swig Wild Turkey straight out of the bottle, birthdays always involve drinking.

Why didn't you suggest a fondue party? A trip to the spa? Chuck E. Cheese so the kids could come!

Maybe I want to go out with my husband and have fun for the first time in a year.

Oh right, it has been a year since Jillia's last birthday, when her intoxication caused her to yell, "All Indiana people are ugly!" in a room full of them. Sounds like fun.

You're right. That was bad. But she's still my friend and I have to support her on her birthday. Besides, I bought a dress to wear today. And earrings.

Yea, the dress you just tried on that makes your chest look even smaller than it already is, and is so short you may pull a Britney Spears a few dozen times.

Oh, shut up, conscience. I'll be careful.

That's what they all say.

At this point, there is no going back. I have a baby-sitter lined up, a new outfit, and am ready to go out and be among other adults and have a good time.

You are a fantastic, responsible mother who sits at home with her kids every day, caring for them. Don't change that now! Moms aren't supposed to go out and have fun, unless it's at the park or zoo.

What a stereotype. For all the time and love and work I put into raising my wonderful daughters, I deserve a night out.

Very well. Please remember to wear underwear.

Soil-Your-Britches Funny

You all HAVE to see this video that Audrey posted earlier.


How great was that?! I am so jealous. I'm thinking a vow renewal ceremony/dance number may be in the works for us. Happy Friday!

Wordless Wednesday

Kids, Kittens, and a Bit of Advice

We have had some really wonderful weather lately. Not too hot, but warm enough. We have gone to the park several times this past week and had a great time. Summer loves to run around with the other kids. She's in that stage where they aren't quite starting conversations, but plays along-side others just fine. Camryn is a bit too little to keep up, but she has fun going up and down the steps, running in circles around the playground, and occasionally going down the slide.


We have also had a few dreary, rainy days. We had to stay inside, but there was no shortage of fun. Take for instance, this game, referred to as "Let's tackle Mommy while we're n@ked!"

**Wondering why I censored that word and have been "watermarking" some pics recently? A few months ago, I happened to be looking at my Feedjit, and watched as someone arrived on my blog by searching "n@ked toddler pics". I was horrified and sickened. I proceeded to delete the picture on the entry they had arrived on, and censored that post. I have heard horror stories about ordinary pictures being stolen off of blogs and personal sites, and used for disgusting purposes. That experience was my wake-up call, let this be yours. **


Watching how your cats react to catnip is pretty entertaining.



Kitten update: One down, two to go. One of the boys went to live with Audrey's friend, who was the one that originally found them. We still have the other boy and girl. They are growing so fast!



And yes... I changed my blog again!

Blog Makeover - Butterfly Kisses

I have had the pleasure of working with Tiffany the last few days, creating a new blog layout for her. Tiffany had won my Good Timing Giveaway for a free blog makeover courtesy of Dirt and Lace Designs. Click on the image of her blog to check it out. And follow her blog while you are there... she is a great mama with a really precious baby girl.

Your blog is next! E-mail me at dirtandlace@gmail.com if you are interested.

I Can't Twinkle!

Good Timing Blog Makeover Giveaway

**Update: Congratulations to Tiffany! Special for today for those who didn't win: order any element or makeover package before midnight today and receive 20% off your total!**

I'm feeling generous, impatient, and I need to add to my portfolio on Dirt and Lace Designs.

So, I'm going to have a giveaway right now. The first person to comment on this post will win a free Deluxe Blog Makeover, courtesy of me :) Go!

Look What I Made!

Just got done with this. I am so excited. Click on the image to see my new blog design blog!

My First Wordless Wednesday

Q and A Tuesday

Welcome to my first ever Q and A Tuesday! I got some really good questions from you all to answer, so here we go...


Wendy asked, "So why don't you ever talk about Joe's mother?"

Joe's parents divorced when he and his younger sister were pretty young. They mainly lived with their mom up until Joe's mom drove them to their dad's house for a visit and never returned. She did eventually ask to have visits with them, but that didn't last too long. Joe has not seen her since he was 11. The word is she has remarried several times, moved around the country, and has several more kids. It's a sad situation for Joe and his sister, who had to grow up without a mom, and my kids, who have one less grandma, but Joe's dad and grandma make up for her absence. I will never understand how a mother can abandon her children.

Brandi asked, "Do you want to have any more kids? If Yes, How many & when? If No, Why not?"

Bridgett asked, "Do you want more kids? Maybe try for a son?"

Brandy asked, "Do you plan on having more children??"

I would love to have one more! We plan on trying in the next 2-3 years. Since Summer and Camryn were both surprises, it will be very nice to plan a pregnancy. And yes, we would love to have a little boy. I've been doing research on how to create the best environment to "make" a boy. So far, I know I need pH test strips, and a Chinese calendar.


Bridgett asked, "What inspires you?"

Joe and my kids are my main inspiration. I look at them and I look at our life now and what I want to accomplish. Knowing I have this beautiful little family to build, and wanting to be a good role model for my girls pushes me along and helps me challenge myself and be the person I envision myself being. My mom and dad, who have been happily married for 25 years, inspire me a lot. And all you creative people I've met through blogging also inspire me every day!

Bridgett asked, "What do you think of President Obama?"

I like him a lot as a person. I think he is a wonderful man with good intentions. He inspires many and provides hope. I voted for him and I'm glad I did. Now, I am waiting on him to create this "change" he speaks of.

Not gonna answer your other one, Bridgett... my mom reads this! Maybe on Chic Chat...


Holly asked, "What's your fav color? tv show? movie? book? food?"

Color: Pink, Blue, Yellow. I can never decide.

TV Show: Desperate Housewives. Plus anything on TLC or HGTV.

Movie: Where the Heart Is

Book: Hmmmm... White Oleander was a great one.

Food: I just really love food in general. I'm currently into chocolate chip ice cream and caesar salads.


Tiffany asked, "Any tips/tricks on getting your girls to sit still while you fix their hair?"

From my experience, you have two choices: Distract them by talking about why you need to fix their hair and how pretty they will look and how much fun they will be able to have if they let you finish. Or, 2. Have someone hold them down. If you are alone, you can swaddle them with a large blanket. Kidding. Kinda.


Brandy asked, "How do you feel about children on leashes?"

Growing up, I thought it was awful. It seemed so inhumane, and just plain lazy on the parents' part. In fact.... my cousins and I were in the mall one day when we were around 13. We saw a lady with her two year old son on a leash. We were outraged, and my cousin shouted, "Do you keep your husband on a leash, too?!" She understandably gave us the finger. Now that I have two little ones who like to be independant and can run really fast, I can completely understand why it is such a great invention. I don't think of them as leashes anymore, I think of them as safety harnesses. They provide the child with freedom and a sense of independence, while keeping them safe. Who can argue with that logic?


Tiffany asked, " I still want to know how to make the tshirts and onesies!! I'm dying to know."

I replied to your comment through e-mail awhile back, Tiffany. Just wanted you to know I didn't ignore you! Making the shirts isn't too hard. You create your design in whatever program you prefer. Print it out in a mirror image on Avery brand t-shirt transfer paper. Cut the design out as close to the edges as you can. Place it on a pre-washed shirt and iron it on. Pretty simple, and if washed and dried properly they hold up amazingly well!


Frederica asked, "Did u make ur blog layout? Can u make one for friends?"

Stephanie asked, "How did you learn to design your own blog because I am jealous :)"

Tiffany asked, "How did you learn to change your blog?"

Brandy asked, "I love your blog, how did you learn to design it so cutely?"

Thanks for the compliments! My current layout is definitely my favorite one I've done so far.

I was inspired by Julie. She did a couple really great blog designs for me, and taught herself everything she knows. I wanted to change things around, but didn't have any extra money for a new design so I started Googling. Through trial and error, I am learning how to create my own layouts. It's not easy, and can get pretty time consuming, but I am enjoying the challenge. As a stay-at-home mom, it can be hard to find things to challenge myself with!

I have been asked by so many people if I would do a blog layout for them. On top of that, after seeing me change my blog around so much, Joe has been encouraging me to start doing it for others. Blog Design is a bit more lucrative than t-shirt design ;) So, I'm just going to see where this goes. I have decided to offer blog makeovers for $35, which would include the digital kit. Let me know if you would like one!!

Thanks for participating in the very first Q and A Tuesday! I hope some of you will consider participating next Tuesday. Feel free to steal my image at the top!

It Makes Me Wanna...

A few days ago, I washed my face and had the urge to get pregnant.

Target stopped selling the Aveeno facewash I had been using, so I picked up an old favorite:


As soon as I smelled it, it took me right back to the hospital after my babies were born. I had forgotten that I had been using it at that time, and switched to Aveeno right after Camryn was born. Luckily my memory blocked out my c-section pain and stuck to happy thoughts like holding my tiny, sweet babies, and having all of my meals delivered right to my bed. It's amazing how powerful a smell can be.

Before you ask... no, I didn't actually try to get pregnant after washing my face. But I am going to keep using this facewash to psyche myself up for when I do!

A Day With Nature

This morning around 8am, Joe, Wes, Mia, and I left to go on a half-day fishing trip. My parents kept Summer and Camryn overnight so that we wouldn't have to wake them up really early. We went out to the land my family owns in Trimble County, about 40 minutes away. My family refers to it as "Grandaddy's Woods", because 30 or so years ago, my mom's dad bought the land and lived out there in a house he had built for a long time. The main part of our property is located on the Little Kentucky River. It stays shallow enough to wade in, in most parts, so we wore water shoes and walked through the water.

At first Mia and I hadn't planned on fishing, but Joe and Wes had brought extra poles so we ended up catching quite a few ourselves. I was raised by someone who would fish all day every day if he could (in fact, he is taking his boat to the lake to fish tonight at 3:30am!), so it wasn't anything new to me, but Mia had never caught a fish in her life, so it was really neat to see her catch on and enjoy it. She was evening taking them off the hooks herself.

While we were moving up the river, we flipped over rocks, looking for whatever we could find. Mia spotted a huge red-eared slider (turtle) in the water, and later on Joe found a tiny one. We found countless frogs, and quite a few snakes. Mostly were garter snakes, which are pretty common and safe to handle, but we also saw a lot of water mocassins. And cows. There was a huge group of cows standing by the water. Have you ever been stared at by 30 cows that are 20 feet away? It's surprisingly scary.

We had a really good time, and are already looking forward to the next time we go out there. We took pictures of our trip, here are some highlights: