life with ali

You Might Be a Redneck If...

Your husband thinks it's hilarious to put the Christmas tree in the front flower bed just to see how long it will take for anyone (his wife!) to notice:

***Be sure to check out my new 365 day photo challenge blog--the link is at the top right! We'll see how I do!**

** Back 2 Blogging Celebration! **

**And the winners are:

Wheeler Family said...

Angie told me that I should enter--those are the cutest little hats! Enjoy Photoshop---I don't know what I'd do w/out my Photoshop programs!

Amy said...

It's always good to keep a baby gift on hand. And these are cute!

Congratulations!! Please e-mail me to make arrangements!

*Wait!* If you didn't win, Dannika is offering a special, limited time discount for the hats and flower clips. The hats will be $7/ea or $18 for a 3 pack. The flower clips will be buy one, get one free! If you're interested, e-mail her at contact@valenzoobaby.com

Thanks for playing! It's good to be back!





It's official, I'm back! I've seriously been having withdrawals, and my husband mentioned that he notices a difference in me when I don't have my creative outlets like this. Since he's the best ever, he found me some Photoshop software that DOES work! So, since I can't have you all over for a party on the patio to celebrate, I'm inviting you to join me in my first ever giveaway!

I'm all about supporting crafty mommies who work at home, and so I've teamed up with Dannika at Valenzoo Baby--an online store full of cloth diapers & other ADORABLE accessories! She has graciously agreed to make two hats, (THAT MEANS 2 WINNERS!) with or without flower clips, and the best part is that YOU get to pick the colors! The flower clips are removable, so your baby can wear it on the hat, or in her cute little curls! Don't have a girl and don't know anyone who does? Not a problem--pick a boy color and opt out of the flower clip and scalloped edges, of course!











Now, for your chance to win, just leave me a comment! Easy peasy, right? Just make sure it's in by this THURSDAY, JUNE 18th at MIDNIGHT! The 2 winners will be chosen randomly, and they will be announced Friday. Don't be late! This is cute stuff!

In the mean time, head over to Valenzoo Baby to choose your colors and check out her other cute stuff while you're there!

This & That

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Photoshop (Tuesday), and so I decided to do this while I wait:

What is your current obsession?
Attempting to stifle my need to repaint the living room

What are you wearing today?
3/4 length flag football shirt, Smoothie King shorts & white flip flops

What's for dinner?
Subway with Jason's parents

What would you eat for your last meal?
Abuelo's

What's the last thing you bought?
A chocolate shake (Hush, Kyle)

What are you listening to right now?
My keyboard clicking

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

What do you think of the person who tagged you?
I love Angie. She's very close to my heart and a wonderful woman.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
I'm too sentimental and love being close to my family...so around here, but on a lot of land.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
I can't decide--I've seen too much on Lauren's blog lately! =)

Which language do you want to learn?
French...I took 2 years of it in high school, but I remember very little.

What is your favorite household chore?
Cooking

What is your favorite color?
Green

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?
My Smoothie King shorts--cute & comfy!

What is your dream job?
Graphic Designer/Photographer or OB nurse

If you could invent any useful invention, what would it be?
If I knew, I would have had a patent on it already! ;)

If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
Getting a Y membership set up

What is your favorite architectural style?
Spanish

Describe your personal style.
A little artistic, a little traditional. I have a lot of ideas, but most of them don't exist in stores. If they do, I can't afford them! I also dig a lot of styles and such that I'm not brave enough to try...maybe someday, when I get more in touch with my artistic side!

What are you going to do after this?
Going to bed

What are your favorite movies?
Up, Pride & Prejudice, a few others that I'm too tired to think of!

What is your favorite fruit?
Apple

What inspires you?
Women of faith, my husband & children, home decor blogs, perseverance, craftiness, artsy stuff & introspection

Your favorite book?
Hmm...I don't have just 1! I love historical fiction.

Do you collect something?
Rocks & the other half of missing socks

Ok, not really...just unmatched socks.


Polka dots or checks?
Polka dots, since I have to choose!


What time is it?
11:03pm

Does your blog have a publishing schedule?
I usually publish as I finish instead of scheduling.


What is your favorite non-required activity?
Blogging


If you could go back in time, would you do high school again?
Absolutely NOT. Why do you think I got out of there early?!


If you think this looks fun to post on your blog consider yourself tagged!

**And since you've all been so patient & kind, bearing with me through all of my technical difficulties, there will be a sweet giveaway to celebrate my involuntary hiatus.**

STAY TUNED!!!! I'm stoked. =)

Keepin' It Real

I saw this on another blog one time and for some reason, decided to be brave today:


1. Refrigerator:

In serious need of groceries,
which will happen this afternoon.

2. Closet/Drawer:

This just got organized last week for the first time
since we moved in (during my nesting phase).
I would have done a dresser drawer,
but I don't want you to see my underpants.

3. Kitchen Sink:

This one saddens me.
It's usually clean, but I haven't unloaded
the dishwasher yet this morning.
You caught me.
Oh, and the lovely extension cord?
Our microwave fried months ago and it
ruined outlets, too...
Haven't fixed them yet.

4. Toilet:

Not too shabby...and I
even got Ali's tiny commode
in the picture!

5. Favorite Shoes:

I scored these for $4 at Target.
They give me blisters.
Luckily, I have a sweet husband
who broke them in for me
before church a few weeks ago.
They still hurt, but are
much better.

6: Favorite Room:

The girls' room.
It's magical and
their Daddy painted it for them.
I also L.O.V.E. Jaxon's room,
but refuse to ruin the surprise
by posting pictures before it's
finished.

7. What my kids are doing:

Playing like little angels.
You caught us on a good day. =)
Actually, Ali had been following me around.
Yes, we've been here 2.5 years and still
don't have door trim up in all of the rooms.
In fact, our bedroom isn't trimmed yet at all.
That's ok--you learn to
appreciate what matters,
and it isn't trim.

8. Laundry:

Before last week, I had mountains.
Nesting pays off.
Now, I won't be overwhelmed with
laundry when my little man
makes his appearance.

9. Self-Portrait:

There you have it.
I'm in my pajamas,
my bed is not made,
and Windex does not provide
a streak-free shine.
Hey, I said I was keeping it real.

10. Dream Vacation:

Belize
(photo from bluewaterventures.org)

If you're reading this, consider yourself challenged.
Will you keep it real?!

Poor John

This is an actual article from Fox news:

John the Toilet Shot, Laid to Rest

Saturday, January 31, 2009

CENTERVILLE, Utah — John, a porcelain commode gunned down in an accidental shooting at a fast food restaurant's bathroom, has died. His age was not immediately known.

The toilet was shattered by a bullet Jan. 12 when a man's gun fell from its holster as he was pulling up his pants, police said. Police do not plan to file criminal charges in connection with the incident.

Christian Martinez, manager of the Carl's Jr. where John was gunned down, held a memorial service Friday at the restaurant. He gave away bottles of John's favorite toilet cleaner, Kaboom Bowl Blaster, to the eatery's first 50 patrons.

A Bountiful flower shop provided a large floral arrangement.

"In all my years, I can say without a doubt that I have never delivered for a toilet," said deliveryman Doug Graham, "but I thought it was the funniest thing I've ever heard. I got a kick out of it."

Remnants of John hit and cut the gun owner's arm, but he was not seriously injured.

Police blamed John's death on the gun and style of holster the man was using.

"He was survived by the men's urinal and wash sink," said Martinez. "He left us way too soon."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,486304,00.html

25 More...

My friend, Lizzie, tagged me to do this. I did one on Facebook, but surely there is more to me than 25 facts...so let's try some more:

1. Once I got past Hamburger Helper and found real recipes, I discovered that I really do like to cook. My favorite part is seasoning--it makes me feel like Remy from Ratatouille.

2. Breakfast makes me dizzy, especially if it's cereal...but only when I'm pregnant.

3. I used to want twins, but have since realized that the good Lord is gracious and knows I couldn't handle twins along with an almost 4 year old and a 20 month old.

4. This is the shortest and darkest my hair has ever been, and it's my favorite.

5. I love to hang out with Jason. He's my best friend ever.

6. I'm really big on texture. If something has a weird texture, I can't eat it...like shrimp.

7. I don't like seafood anyway, and I used to work at Red Lobster. They made me try 11 (!) different kinds of seafood before I started serving and I was nauseous for an hour and a half.

8. I hate pickles, too...but I've actually never had one. The smell is repulsive!

9. I have the BEST job in the world. I love hanging out with my kids.

10. I'm having a waterbirth at home in about 6 weeks!

11. A dirty house makes me feel depressed and overwhelmed.

12. Things that used to gross me out don't phase me anymore since having kids. In fact, I laugh about Ali putting her hand down the back of her poopy diaper, etc. Still gross, but what can you do?!

13. I kind of wish my blog was 'famous'. Kind of.

14. I won every spelling bee I competed in. English is my thing.

15. I really dislike confrontation. It makes me sick.

16. Blogging is one of my favorite outlets. I've been sad that things have been so crazy and I haven't had a chance to update often the last 1.5 weeks or so.

17. I wanted to be a child psychologist until I found out how long you had to go to school for it.

18. After Syd was born, I wanted to be a NICU or L&D nurse.

19. Instead of getting my nursing degree, I got my MRS. Degree...and I couldn't be happier!

20. I do something almost daily that I told myself I never would--Drive a minivan we affectionately call the Silver Bullet. Hey, it's a Honda with V-Tech. That makes it much better.

21. I really need updated family pictures on my walls. It's almost shameful.

22. My cat died the Saturday before Christmas and I was heartbroken.

23. I used to write poetry as a young teen, and it wasn't too shabby.

24. I'd love to live in a house with a lot of acreage, but I'm very thankful to be where we are. We're cozy, but happy.

25. I had a really good one and I forgot it because I had to go discipline Ali for digging in the trash-again.

If you want to do this, go for it--but I won't tag you, don't worry! =)

4th and 5th

I was tagged by Kortney to post the 4th picture from the 4th folder, and the 5th picture from the 5th folder, so here they are:

Independence Day 2008 at my Mom's--Yes, that's a syringe in Ali's hand. No, there is not a needle in it. I drug them by putting Benadryl in their drinks, not by injection! ;)

Christmas morning 2007. Now isn't this an appropriate one?!
They look so little...and then there's Lily.

This was pretty easy, so you should be able to fit it in your Christmas preparation madness--So, I tag:

1. Angie
2. Joy
3. Sarah
4. Heather
5. Hanna

Not Me! Monday

I found this on another blog (click the button above to follow) and thought it could be fun. We all like when people think we have it all together and sometimes it's hard to admit our imperfections or where we fall short. This is a fun way of admitting these little things. Feel free to do the same on your blog. The button will show you how!




*I most definitely did not let my girls share their leftover M&Ms before breakfast the other day, just because.

*I was not tempted by all of the yummy Christmas treats in my kitchen that were baked this weekend. Even more importantly, I did not indulge this morning with two cookies before 9am. Nope, it's eggs, toast, OJ and milk for me. I do not like all of that sugary nonsense.

*It's obvious that I'm not blogging in order to put off housework. I wouldn't dream of it.

*Right now, I'm not wishing it was nap time. That would make me look like a lazy parent. Doesn't every Mommy have never-ending patience and a soft, lovely voice?

*Ok, it definitely does not help me feel better about chaos with my children when one is hanging on my back like a baby monkey while I type this...that's because she does not have the. cutest. laugh. ever. No way.

Karma Tagged Me!

Here's how you play. Once you've been tagged you have to write a blog of ten weird, random things, facts or habits about yourself. At the end, you choose five people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them to be tagged. Don't forget to leave them a comment "You're it!" and tell them to read your blog. You can't tag the person who tagged you. Since you can't tag that person back, let her know when you've posted your blog so she can read your answers.

1. I'm really afraid of June bugs. Jason once chased me down the street with one...only to find out later it was a dandelion. I was almost in tears and he thought it was hilarious.

2. I can stick my tongue out and fold it straight backwards in half.

3. I like to make up words like "feelers" instead of feelings just to get crazy looks from my husband. In fact, I do a lot of random, obnoxious things just to get a funny reaction from him.

4. I love to run around the house with my girls singing loud, nonsensical songs and dancing in the most ridiculous way.

5. My husband has a passion for preserving and breeding reptiles, so my house is consequently a zoo. I'm pretty sure you could take a field trip here.

6. I like the smell of Playdoh.

7. Sometimes I wish I could hardcore scream like the girl in Flyleaf...but it hurts my throat too much.

8. I've never broken a bone, but I've had stitches once.

9. My feet are only ticklish if I think about it too much when I'm gettting tickled.

10. I have an overwhelming urge to go harass my husband who has fallen asleep playing Xbox...but I'll refrain this once.

Ok, I'll tag

Lizzie, because I'm sure she has good stories since becoming a mommy for the second time.

Hanna, because she needs to update her blog! (Said the pot to the kettle!)

and I'll have to see who else I know that has a blog! Aww...=(

How To Deal With Children

I came across this link on another board and thought I'd share. Some of them are pretty funny...


http://curiousphotos.blogspot.com/2008/01/complete-idiots-guide-to-deal-with.html

And yeah, I've been a lazy Blogger...I'll get a real update on here--tomorrow...=)