I would be lying

if I said I wasn't completely obsessed with some of the photos I've been taking recently.



like this one.

obsessed.

Obsessed

I am obsessed with this photo.

I feel like it's 1924ish.

minus the vehicle in the back.

you know those old photos..

where the kids seem so grumpy.

I feel like.. it's 1924ish.

[why I picked that year.. I do not know]

I don't have a link to share - because this is my very own :)

I'm simply obsessed with it.



you can do it!

You really can.
whatever it is you want.
okay. there are certain things you probably can't do - or things you shouldn't do because you could land in jail ;)
but.
that thing.. you know. that thing you've always wanted to do - you can do it!
travel.
volunteer.
lose weight.
start a club.
finish your book.
finally get all of those photos off your computer into a scrapbook or album.
go on a mission trip.
feed the hungry.
change the world.

you can do it!

I have a strong faith in people.
if they set their mind to it - and truly try to accomplish it - they can.

here's some proof...
I graduated with a kid.
at the time.. he was a kid. now he's a man of course!
who weighed a lot.
and me - being a young, selfish little girl
just thought that he was built that way.. some people are just built big.
and.... I was wrong.
he set his mind to something. he was determined.. and he's changed.
see for yourself!

Enjoy!

100 Free Things

Digital Reflections had a post...

100 Free things to do with your kids this summer

there are some great ideas.

my favorite I think is...

5.  Visit a fire department.
((we will be visiting the Police Post later this week.. but that's a whole 'nother story))

... there are so many different great ideas.
some of them we already do...
some of them we'll be trying
and some - I know for certain - we won't go near.
learn bird calls? no thank you :)
but if you're interested...

Enjoy!

It's a stache!

muah ha ha ha ha.

These will be at my next 'party'

Enjoy.

Swagbucks

annd we're swaggin. we've got swag.

or at least I do - do you??

so-
if you sign up, you'll win me points too.

and if you get others to sign up - they'll win you points too

err.. 'bucks'

this is their FAQ page but I think it's easier just to explain it.

you sign up - using THIS LINK! - http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/clearlystated

once you sign up - you set swagbucks as your home page.
then - search like you do normally through google - OR if you have a facebook "tab" on the top of your toolbar (who doesn't. I mean seriously. tabs are almost the greatest thing since nutella)
instead of using those tabs - type it in to "search" for it - and then click on the link it brings up.

I won't lie - it's not the best for detailed searches " how to get my toddler to brush her teeth EVERY night" - "how to sell my house" "I have an itch I can't scratch!!?"

no. google works best for those. BUTTTT.. if you don't find what you are looking for via swagbucks - search for google - click on google and then go from there.

easy peasy. lemon squeezy

So! what do these bucks go towards? neat things that you can 'buy' with them - the coolest, I think - are $5.00 amazon gift cards. they're 450 swagbucks (which sound like a lot - but really, it adds up) and you can stack them together - so if you won enough for 3 of these in one month - that's $15 to use at amazon.com - and you can use them on shipping too!!

I just think it's so neat. and if you're really into it - not just using it because I'm asking begging you to - you can follow them on facebook to see what other people are winning on.

& each day you can take their daily poll for 1 swagbuck. click on "trusted survey's" for 1 swagbuck and do their NOSO offers for 1 swagbuck. you get what you put in - so you don't have to sign up for all of those offers that clog your email.

but. just in case - you don't want to use your REAL email - sign up with a faker one. I have soo many email addresses. the one I usually use for stuff like this is fakeemail@gmail.com (for example) so my regular email doesn't get clogged up.

SWAGBUCKS does NOT clog up your email though. so don't worry. it's if you decide to sign up for the additional offers. ( you - don't - have - to !) just searching is good enough.

so! that's my speal for now. it's neat. do it. and love it. :) simple as that.

look.. in case you don't believe me - this is MY account..

 

each one of those lines says $5 Amazon.com e-Gift Card.. add them up - AND I have another page of those too. It's real - it works. I've ordered a pair of volleyball shoes and a few books from Amazon.com and right now I have $130 sitting in my amazon.com account.  for searching normally. true.story.

enjoy.

Thank You Lord, for life.

This has been a favorite of mine for a long time. <3 Appreciate the things we have. Don't dwell on what could be.. what could have been... live in what we have now!

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear.. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord , that I can see. Many are blind.
...
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising.. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise.. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.

Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced.

Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest.

Thank you, Lord, for life.

Doodle 4 Google

I LOVE Google.
I've been googling before google was uber popular.
If ever I have a question - I google it. and eventually find my answer...

Every now and then Google has a neat thang going on...
right now.. it's Doodle 4 Google.

They had K-12 students from around the US draw an image of GOOGLE - using the catch phrase.. "What I'd like to do someday..." and then their illustration describes what they want to do.

It's really neat.
Exciting to see how much potential there is.
Exciting to see how much energy and positivity there is.
Exciting to see how much love and selflessness there is.

To read all about it.. or vote (until May 13th) ...

Enjoy.

Little Bit Funky

annddd here's another one.
a site I just *have* to share.

the link I'm sending you to has a REALLY neat idea for Mother's Day.

I'm pretty sure I'll do this Grandparent's day. it's just.so.neat!

She traced the hands of her wee ones and turned them into flowers...

I must admit - I'm one of those people who have books upon books of 'Crafting with Kids' '101 Crafts for a rainy day'.. and so on and so forth..
but.. lately - my inspiration has been coming from other bloggers - and.. magazines <3.

If you want to try out the flower idea..

Enjoy.

Coloring Eggs - Whisk style.

We LOVE coloring eggs for Easter.

Who doesn't?

crayons. markers. dye. stickers. fun!

Last year I found online ..somewhere (please forgive me for not sending you a link.. I don't remember where it was!) the idea to use a WHISK for coloring eggs with kids.

duh.

why didn't I think of that?

here are some photos from our first adventure...

counting to 30...

almost done...

sooo excited...

&..

here are some photos from this year :)

:)

she was just.so.adorable. <3

&..if you feel like getting your craft on & you totally just 'heart' new ideas..

here's a link for decorating Easter Eggs.

Enjoy.