Clicks for a cause! Help animals in need!

The Animal Rescue Site offers anyone the opportunity to help animals in need just by a click of your mouse.

By clicking on this purple paw print-





the Animal Rescue Site will provide care and food to rescued animals in need, it doesn't cost you anything. And you can visit the site every day!

You can help further by shopping in the Animal Rescue Site's store. Check it out, they have some serious awesome stuff!

Tell your friends and family, Tweet it, become a fan of The Animal Rescue site on Facebook. It's a great way to help animals in need!

PEACE (labels photo project)

Fun Friday!

TGIF!

"Take a nap"

If you know us at all, you know the problems that we have had with Little Man's sleep. He hates, no wait- LOATHES sleep. When he was a new born and up every couple of hours to eat it was hard to get into a good routine. I was a new Mom, I tried to keep up with laundry, dishes, and keeping the house looking decent. The advice was always the same- sleep when he sleeps. Well I tried this. I always learned that as soon as I laid down to take a little nap- he would wake up. Every time. So I gave up on trying to nap when he did.

CJ's naps have never been consistent. They would maybe only last a little less than an hour... and the crying at bed time was heart wrenching. Waking up several times a night crying again for spats that lasted anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. When we would get out of the house countless people would always point out "aww, he looks so tired", and then look at me like I should not have him out. I would attempt to explain that he always looked tired because he was not a good sleeper.

Fast forward to several weeks ago. We started a new night time routine that CJ didn't fight and his sleeping got alot better. His nap during the day slowly started to get longer and longer. It seemed like we were finally going to get some rest around here! But I was still exhausted. Being a Mommy takes a lot out of you! So the day before yesterday my Mom came over and I was telling her about how good CJ had been napping now, and he was starting to get a good bit of rest during the day. "Good" she said, "Now you need to start getting some rest while he does". I explained to her that by me taking a nap when Little Man did would surely jinx his new found love of naps. "Well hasn't he been napping for a couple of hours during the day now?" she asked. I nodded. "And this good routine has been going on for a while." she added. She had a good point. Now that CJ was napping good, I could catch a little snooze during the day so I wouldn't be dragging by dinner time.

So yesterday after I put CJ down for his nap and he drifted to sleep, I got all the dishes done, checked my Facebook then sat on the couch. I decided to try to get a little nap. I laid down, covered up and closed my eyes. As soon as I drifted to sleep it happened. He woke up. Not even 30 minutes after I put him down.

So I am finished with the day time nap attempt.

And guess what? He napped for 3 hours today.

I fixed my comment problem

Apparently only Google account holders could comment before, until a very nice reader emailed me and said she wanted to comment but never could! It has been fixed. Feel free to comment away!

Rest In Peace

My Dad's beloved Red Bone dog, John was put to rest today. He was suffering from bladder cancer and all had been done that was within my Dad's control. My heart breaks for him, he loved this old dog and I know he will be truly missed.

I found this poem online today but cannot find who the author is. If anyone knows, please let me know.

"A Pets Prayer"

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this, the last battle, can't be won.


You will be sad, I understand,
Don't let this grief than stay your hand,
For this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship stands the test.


We've had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no tears,
You'd not want me to suffer, so,
When the time comes, please let me go.

 Take me where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end,
And hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail, it's last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Don't grieve that it should be you,
Who decides this thing to do,
We've been so close, we two, these years,
Don't let your heart hold any fears.

Smile for we walked together for a little while.

So this evening, when you tuck yourself into sleep- give your pets an extra hug or two- tell them what great friends they are and remember to pray for the ones that will never know human kindness.

Rest In Peace John, we loved you.

Becca's FAITH (Labels photo project)

There is more to this picture, please read here- Becca Faith Photo Project

Becca's HOPE (Labels photo project)

Becca's Blog

Role models

I remember when I was around 13, I admired Tiffani-Amber Thiessen. I thought she was pretty, and someone I wanted to look like. Back then the internet didn't offer celebrity gossip and we didn't have TMZ on the TV. I didn't know what she was up to off screen other than what I read in Tiger Beat. All I knew was that I thought she was a great actress.

My original post was going to focus on how crappy teens these days have it when it comes to role models. I know that some girls out there look up to Miley Cyrus (remember when she hit the bong?), Snooki and the girls from Teen Mom (got fame from reality tv). Then when I reached out to some Moms of tween and teens on who their kids admired I was a bit surprised with the responses I got.

One Mom responded that her daughter admires some of the older girls at their Equestrian barn, and that these girls are fabulous role models! Anothers son really looks up to athletes.
How about musicians? I'm quoting a Mom on this one - "My boys are into music so they like true artists that can sing without digital aid, play instruments by ear, sound even better live than in the studio. They also like extreme sports stars."

So I was proved wrong. There are still great role models out there! Not all kids are aspiring to be just like Lindsay Lohan or Lady Gaga.

But the sad truth is, some kids still do. I think us parents just have to hope that our kids wont follow in the same foot steps... we can try to steer them towards better role models but where do we cross the line between shoving good morals down their throats and letting them like who they like?

Promises to my Little Man

Dearest Little Man,

I promise that I will let you have more chocolate so that you wont despise it when you finally do eat some like you did yesterday.

I promise that when I step on your little cars and threaten to throw them all in the trash I never actually will.

I promise to love you even when you stick your finger way up my nose and I scream "ouch, go away".

I promise that even when you wake up crying at 3am for whatever reason, and I don't come right into your room- it's not because I don't hear you.

I promise I will never let the monsters under the bed get you. Ever.

I promise to make sure you know just how special your grandparents are.

I promise that although I cannot shield you from all the bad things in this world, I will try with all my might to keep you from it anyway.

I promise even when your being intolerable and I have to walk away, I still
love you.

I promise that the first girl who breaks your heart isn't worth the time you will spend upset about it.


I promise that in 12 years when you say I don't understand anything, I do.

I promise to tell you I love you every day.

I promise to make sure you know how wonderful you are.

I promise to give you boundaries.

I promise to let you experience things on your own.

I promise to let you learn from your mistakes, but I will offer advice to help you not make so many- because trust me, I've been there done that.

I promise that no matter what, I will always find a way to get you everything you need.

I promise that bullies are worthless, and that karma will one day kick them in the ass.

I promise that it will get better.

I promise to be your biggest fan.

I promise that you will hear my celebration of joy for miles on the day you graduate.

I promise that no matter where you are I will always wish you sweet dreams.

I promise to be open minded.

I promise to be supportive of all of your decisions.

I promise to steer you towards the best life you can have.

I promise to always listen when you have something important to say.

I promise, when the time comes, to welcome whoever you choose to spend the rest of your life with into this family

I promise to spoil my grandchildren.

I promise that even when I am not here anymore, I still love you.

My LOVE (Labels photography project)

When I think of love I think of so many things- here is just one.

These wedding rings, while material things, still represent love to me.

Rebecca's JOY! (Labels photography project)

From one of the most creative, beautiful and honest minds I know -

Rebecca's JOY!

You may also remember Rebecca from my book recommendation- A good read

You can read some of her thoughts and poetry on her blog http://howhonest.blogspot.com/

Thank you for sharing!

Labels photography project- Tina C.'s take on JOY!

Tina C.'s JOY

How to spend a snow day, according to a toddler!

The perfect steps to a snow day for a toddler-

Step 1: Contribute to Mom's Labels photography project!

Here is Little Man's take on "JOY"

Step 2: Go play in the snow!

Step 3: Eat lunch and fall asleep in high chair, with a full belly and half eaten cracker still in hand!





The "labels" photography project

Five words: Peace. Faith. Hope. Love. Joy.

The mission: Write these words down, type them and print them, cut them out of a magazine- whatever. Then think. What do these words mean to you? Where do you find love or peace? Or maybe what you hope for. What brings you joy? What gives you faith?

Seek it out. Find it. Then take a photo with your label. Make people think, laugh, or cry.

Here is my rough draft on joy and hope. 

I hope that others will participate. Thinking of all of the people and things that bring me joy was heartwarming. It's so easy to always focus on the things going wrong in our lives. Lets seek out the good, shall we?

When you are done, and you feel like sharing (which I hope you will) please post a link to your project. I'd love to see it!

My other children

In case I have not mentioned before- me and the Hubby do have 2 other children. Meet Missy and Winston.

Missy and Winston have been our constant furry companions for about 8 years now. Talk about well adjusting dogs. Up until 2009 they were the only babies around our house and got all of the attention any dog could ever want. I remember when I was pregnant the dogs sniffed at my ever growing belly. We would talk about the baby coming and let them hang out in the babies room with the crib. While I was in the hospital the dogs stayed with my parents. I remember that they took home a baby blanket and shirt the baby had been wrapped up in and wore to let the dogs smell it and get used to the scent. My parents would say to the dogs "smell the baby t-shirt". When the dogs were finally introduced to CJ they sniffed him and Missy, some what confused about this little baby, went and found the baby's shirt and carried it to us in her mouth. The dogs seemed to adjust well to having a baby around. I could see they were more calm, and if they started to bark or get rambunctious while CJ was napping, we would just say "be quiet, the Baby t-shirt is sleeping", and they would. Oddly enough- the nickname "Baby t-shirt" has stuck and Little Man still gets called this every now and then.

Now that a year has come and gone CJ, Missy and Winston are BFFs. CJ loves to pet the dogs and give the occasional tail tug. The dogs just take it in stride. The loss of constant attention, play not allowed to be as rough as it use to be (when CJ is around), and the abuse they get from Little Man (unintentional of course). So you may often hear me boast about how I have the best dogs in the world. They were my children before CJ came along. They may be my other children now. But they will always be part of our family.

A day in pictures

A day in pictures-

Little Man received a wonderful wagon for Christmas from his Grandparents. Today was a beautiful day to take it out for a spin!

CJ patiently waited for us to prepare his wagon for the ride

The sun can always warm up your face on a chilly day

We went to visit our neighborhood pond to see the ducks

A pretty backdrop

Shadow people

CJ picked me a beautiful flower



A place for everything, and everything in it's place!

One of my New Years resolutions was to get my house organized, and to get some of these things on our to-do list done. At first I thought that maybe this would be a long shot, considering we've been "renovating" our master bathroom since early 2009. Yes, that's right. It's still not done. That is what me and my Hubby are so great at. Coming up with a great plan, starting it and then not finishing. This year- I vow that will change.

I have been complaining for sometime now about how our living room has turned into one large toy bin. After Christmas I felt so overwhelmed, even after doing a toy purge. Where would we put all this stuff? Little Man's room is already on the smaller side, and when you factor in some of the big items he received from Santa and family my first thought was- room addition! HAH! Then I came back to reality and focused. Me and Hubby sent Little Man to his Grandma's for a night and we got to it. We started with Little Man's closet. I pulled out piles of outgrown and out of season clothes that had been collecting at the bottom. I made Hubby go into the attic and find as many empty storage tubs as possible, and I began to fill them with toys and clothes. I could not believe how much space we had in his closet after that! I put some of CJ's older, larger toys in the closet to be swapped out in a week or so. The toybox Grandma gave him came in handy. As well as some of the baskets that I recently put away because I thought they were too baby-ish. They have found a new home on the book shelf. In that evening I became an organizing fool. When we were finished and the last block was put away I was astonished at how much room was in Little Man's room. And my living room- it was not a toy bin anymore! All this even after all the Christmas toys! Now, this may not seem like a big deal, but to us- the starters and never finishers- it is a HUGE accomplishment.

My next step- getting our bedroom finished. Maybe sometime before I'm 50 we will finish the master bathroom!