Things I Want for My 35th Birthday

Things I Want for My 35th Birthday~ in no particular order. 

{June 1st, in case you wanted to know!}

*I would like a hand stamped "MOM" necklace with my kids name on it like any of these.  I actually really want the metal stamping kit to make it myself because that is the kind of gal I am. ;)

*I want at least 20 sets of matching socks for Jesse.  Seriously.  Why do I have at least 10 singles in any given load of laundry that DO NOT match?  Ugh.

*Starbucks.  I miss them. My fave is the Caramel Macchiato. And Pumpkin & Peppermint drinks, when they are in season.

*Long Dangle Silver earrings.  And a long silver necklace.  Nothing expensive, I am a Target Girl really.  My favorite all time place for jewelry is Bijou Brigitte that I went to while we are mission trips in Germany.  They have a few stores in the US, amazingly Brandon being the closest!  An unlimited free pass there would have me set for life.  I would settle for one or two cool pieces, too.  ;)

*A retro table cloth

*Shelving we already have here and at old house to be painted white and set up with boxes ready for me to put all my stamping supplies in.

* a rack for my 12 X 12 paper.  Ever find one cheap, PLEASE let me know.  I did find a "how to" that might be alternate solution.  More investigation needed but looks hopeful.

*My kitchen and Jesse's room.. I would love for it be magically painted.  We even have the paint.  So far, Abigale's is the only room completely painted.  And I don't think she really notices.  ;)

*A good camera.  One that didn't take 3 seconds to take the shot since giggle moments never last as long as the camera needs. That may be a long term goal...but someday!  Until now, I think this one is pretty good.  The content is superb, even if the quality is lacking.

*Our pool fixed and yard spruced up a bit..and a breeze.  Those things may have to wait a few months.  But we have an amazing backyard that came with the house and I really want to enjoy it more.

*Lawn furniture for previously mentioned backyard.  And a water table for Jesse & Abigale.  I am currently saving up my swagbucks so I can afford one for them.  Anytime we go to someone's house that has one, they are both playing with it most of the time.  Clearly, it would be a good investment.

{I do not have swagbucks for this delux model, but Jesse would LOVE it!}

 

* Publix & Target gifts cards so my couponing would seem like it went even further!  ;)

* Unlimited shampoo, deodorant, razors, toilet paper, and other necessities.  Working on it with above couponing! ;)

*Bath & Body gift certificate and some coupons for them.  I love their hand soap along with the body washes & sprays and such.  That was a luxury I used to have that I didn't realize was a luxury at the time.

* to sell at least 1-2 items each week at my etsy shop to offset bills and groceries.  More would be super but that would be helpful.

*A few marque letters of different sizes of "D" or a random oversized letter collection that spells Dearie.  I like eclectic stuff like that.

*The original looking Candyland.  The new one is okay, but walking through the Toy Story Midway mania ride, they have a mural of the original on the wall and it brought back memories.  Even if it was too old to play with, I would to frame it.

* A Disney giftcard so we could eat where ever we wanted..just once.  For now, Birthday dessert in 'France' will be just lovely.

So there are my spoiled brat wants.  

But I already have what I really need.

Open Doors ~1000 Gifts

I haven't always had a house I could open the door.

Call it clutter or what you will, it seems a lot of my childhood/teenage years, I didn't have friends over that often and often met them outside for fear they would see behind me or try to come in...

Then I continued this terrible tradition with my own grown-up home.  Ugh.  

But, though my counters aren't cleared enough for the FlyLady, at this new house, my consistent goal is that my house is clean enough to open my door wide.

So when my dear friend, Jennifer, asked if could watch her 2 darlings for a few hours while she worked on her own home, I was more than happy to open my door!

 M & A, enjoying their graham crackers

C & J snacking while watching Peter Pan.

Jesse loves to have friends over and I am so glad he {and we} finally can!

Grateful for My Open Door.

Broken Glass ~1000 gifts

I love to cook.  

[Grits Casserole John made that was SO good!]

I love to create casseroles because I know John will have a few lunches off of it, making the dinner stretch even further.

I love my 9 X 13 pan to make desserts in because they just look and present a bit prettier in a clear glass pan.

Last night, I roasted some eggplant and beets {for this crazy soup that turned out great}.  But I neglected to use anything to make the eggplant not stick so I was going to have my work cut out for me, especially after I scrapped them out and continued to roast the beets.  

SUPER baked on/stuck on bits.

So I put the glass pan up on another pot on the stove and thought I would tackle it later.

And then we heard the crash.  The lid/pan shifted on it's own and my beloved glass 9 X 13 went sliding to the floor, shattering in {literally} a thousand pieces. John watched it in slow motion, knowing he couldn't catch it in time.

I quickly put the kids in the bath tub so they would be happily occupied and went to survey the smattering.

Pieces were into the dining room, all over the kitchen, and even through the living room.  Apparently, I picked the perfect place for a crash so you could scatter slivers into 3 rooms at one time.

 As I stood there vacuuming and John sweeping, I had to think and laugh.  

"Well, at least I don't have to try and scrub that thing clean!"

So now my kitchen is extra clean {after the vacuum and 2 pass throughs with a swiffer} and the living room floors got a double vacuum today.  The bonus is I didn't even have to sweep, John did! 

~Lots of blessings in the midst of broken glass.~

A Husband Who Plays ~1000 Gifts

I am blessed to have a husband who gets on the floor and plays with our kids.

Today, they played with a building set my mom gave Jesse for Easter.  

It was for 5+ so I know it was a bit taxing to get Jesse to focus sometimes but he eventually got it.  They even went on to make another creation after this one.

Jesse was so happy at what they made together, he couldn't even look at the camera.  :)

One Thousand Gifts..a start

I am going to start cataloging some of the daily blessings I have in my life.  We are about to start reading a book called One Thousand Gifts that apparently will change my perspective.  Looking forward to the challenge!

Today, May 23, 2001, a gift.

Bubble Time

Dayspring $20 GC Giveaway from two friends

Isn't this fun?  I love BOLD and this is just that!

Picture from Dayspring's Site

  

Please look at the lovely things [pretty or BOLD] you can purchase at Dayspring and then head over to the Family Musings Giveaway.  

When you are done there, stop by A Flower in the Rain's Giveaway, too!  

Double your chances!!

If you win, let me know what you pick out!

Mom's Day Photography Session Giveaway- Lakeland

Beautiful work from Fishy Face Studios.

Who wouldn't want these lovely people to capture moments of their family?  

For free you say?  Now that is my favorite price!  

Enter now for their giveaway!  Deadline is Sunday at 1pm.

I want to win but, as my friend, Kelley said, I will be happy for you if you win, too.  ;)

6 chances to win and pay attention: You enter 6 DIFFERENT comments.  Not all in one comment entry.

Good luck!

 fishy face studios giveaway