I'm a Winner!

No really I am! I never, ever, ever win anything....... but this time I finally won....YEAH!

My friend Summer works for a fab jewelry designer, Lisa Leonard, who's blog is one I read just about every day. I love her stuff (got a necklace for my mom & MIL) and entered a contest she had on her blog and was totally shocked to see my name listed as a winner. YEAH! Too bad it's not one of her pieces....which I'm determined to get one day.....but it's a great prize and one my kiddos are gonna totally LOVE! I think we'll have so much fun doing it together. Thanks Lisa!!

Check out Lisa's blog and her beautiful works HERE

Fun Times Together

 

Signatures

My kids have "signature poses" that they always do when I take their pics..... especially Miss Maddy Mack, Mack, Mack (all dressed in black, black, black with silver buttons, buttons, buttons all down her back, back, back...... sorry..can't get that song out of my head! Try it...it's addictive!)Anyhow, Maddy's had her signature pose for quite a while and it cracks me up...and can sometimes be a teeny weeny bit frustrating too.  LOL.... No, no it doesn't frustrate me.....my kids NEVER frustrate me, (what kinda mom do you think I am?...geesh).....I just have 500 pictures of her that are alllll the same look.  Kinda funny actually!  Now that I think about it, it's kinda nice when I'm in a pinch, I can count on her to whip out that signature and then continue on her merry way, whether it's throwing a fit or skipping down the street.  And there are a few different variations of it too.

Davis & Emma are still figuring theirs out, but Maddy obviously had a head start being the older child and having been constantly hounded by her wonderful mommy to "say cheese for the camera" for a bit longer.

What about you?  Do your kids have their own signature pose?

Here's a little sample of what I'm talkin' about....

Here's she's trying it out sitting down....

And when she has something in her hands.....

And the "Puppy Signature Pose"...... I got lotttttss of these cute shots...

I have a small inkling (sp?) that Davis & Emma's may be something along the lines of these..... which usually involves a cheesy smile or the tongue....

Signatures Continued

Or just straight up PWT Goofball....

And this is what I get when I try to put it all together....

Wait, wait....WAITTT a MINUTE......LOOK what I just came across....OH MY!!!  Hilarious that I even wondered for a moment where they got it from!

The Graduate.....

The past Tuesday, Maddy graduated from Grace Kids, the co-op Pre-School program we do through our church.  I can't believe it's over!  I think this graduation was just about as fun as some of the college ones I've been too, if not better.  It was short, there was entertainment, some great laughs and yummy dessert.  :)

Maddy was VERY excited to graduate and the kids created a life-size drawing of themselves that we used to decorate the room.  They sang some of the songs they learned, recited some verses, had little "interviews" and a slideshow.  Maddy was one of the kids that was "interviewed" and she did very, very well.  All the moms surprised their Grace Kid with a scrapbook of the year and Maddy looks at hers every day!  It was worth those 3 sleepless nights I spent doing it.... at the last possible moment.  Thanks procrastination!  :)  The only thing missing from this great night (besides Grandparents that live in another state...) was her daddy. He was gone for 10 days on a trip for work that took him to Dubai and Paris, but we took lots of pictures and videos for him.  :)

Rising Star

I'm so proud of my hubby that I just have to brag for a moment.  And unfortunately, I don't have much to show you but I had to post anyway....

John recently received a phone call from someone that wanted to interview him.  Unfortunately, he was at work and it was a bad time so they didn't get to talk.....and I don't think he was able to connect with the man again..... BUT, he found out that someone nominated him as a "Rising Star".....or an employee that's

 performing really well at his job and one to keep your eye on.  

From what I've gathered, the San Fernando Valley Business Journal puts it together and it's for the Santa Clarita Valley and several surrounding areas.  John never mentioned it again, but I found info on the internet about it.  He was 1 of about 50 nominees, and some of those others are very well known.  Needless to say, I'm so, SO proud of him!!   Here's a link to the flyer I found....  http://www.sfvbj.com/Events/SantaClarita_Flyer.pdf

Does Anyone Know?

Ok, on a scale of 1-10 for importance, this is a negative -5......BUT.......does anyone know what causes random "grease" stains on clothes???

I've noticed for a while that, AFTER washing clothes, there will be a random stain that never comes off.  Initially, it just looks like there's a wet spot......but it's actually not wet at all and I can't get it out.  It's always a circle....like a spot of water....and ranges from about the size of a penny to the size of a quarter.  My washer & dryer are pretty new (3 1/2 yrs) and I primarily use powder detergent over the liquid.  I stopped using the "downey ball" because I thought that's what was causing it and I also stopped using dryer sheets in case that was it.  But it still happens!  And it's not every load or every item.....just a shirt or  pair of shorts now and then.  But of course, the stain shows up in a spot where it's noticeable and I end up making those items "play clothes."  I thought I was going crazy, but then John commented that he noticed it on clothes too.

Any ideas?????

In Christ Alone

Last year I had the pleasure of hearing Natalie Grant sing at a Women of Faith conference.  Although I totally love music, my days of listening to anything usually consist of a big purple dinosaur or princess music or kids praise, etc.  So.....the WOF conference was the first time I heard Natalie and she totally blew me away.  Not only was she adorable, but her voice was absolutely incredible!  

That was last September and the 2 CD's of hers that I bought then are still in my car today and I listen to them constantly!  I've been thinking so much of what our pastor taught today and it reminded me of one of Natalie's favorite songs.  Just wanted to share the lyrics:

"In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh

Fulness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.