favorite things

new look, new blog.

2009-08-16T20:19:00.000-07:00

If your looking for the latest, head over here.

You'll find me now at www.afewofmyfavorites.com.

new changes.

2008-02-07T20:08:00.001-08:00

I gave you fair warning. I am now making the switch from blogger, yippee! The new look is very similar but I am much happier with how I can customize the settings. I hope you enjoy it too. So don't forget to update your links and of course if you would like the new code for you button be sure to send me an email with the subject "code" [mnmelmer{at}gmail{dot}com].

Here is the new web address: www.mollysfavoritethings.com
Click here to come see the new look. See ya there!

winner.

2008-02-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

Okay I know all of you that entered are just dying to find out who won the Silhouette Blue giveaway.

The lucky random winner was....LEIGH who said, "where do you find all this great stuff? I love them!"
Congratulations Leigh, please be sure to email me your shipping info.

Don't worry if you didn't win I have more fabulous giveaways lined up so don't forget to check back here often. If you would LOVE to be the first to know about a marvelous giveaway or want to keep up with the latest and the greatest, email me {mnmelmer@gmail.com} with the subject "giveaway" to join my mailing list.

disappearing act.

2008-02-06T10:35:00.000-08:00

Blogger seems to be acting up and my photos keep disappearing on me. I am trying to figure out the problem but may just end up switching over to TypePad. Also a quick reminder to check out both of the fabulous giveaways in my side bar. Just click on the button and be sure to leave a comment!

sarah jane studios GIVEAWAY.

2008-02-06T05:24:00.000-08:00

As a mom, one of my greatest pleasures comes from reading books with my boys. I love gazing at the illustrations and partly wishing that I could be that talented. Unfortunately I am not, so I look to others. I came across SarahJaneStudios on etsy and immediately started browsing her little shop. Sarah Jane captures a story in her art, one that can be framed and hung on the wall for all to see. With just a touch of whimsy, it makes me long for those carefree days where your best friend could be a little bunny.

Sarah Jane is not only an artist but she is a wife and a mother. Her own mom said that she was born with a pencil in her hand. Sounds to me like Sarah was destined to put her imagination on paper.

In honor of Valentine's Day just around the corner, one of my lucky readers will have the chance to win a set of ten "this much" postcards. Just in time to tell that special someone how much you love him! All you have to do is this...

Giveaway Rules:
*enter a comment on this post [including your name and email address]
*please enter only once
*currently we cannot ship internationally [maybe you have a good friend with a domestic address, who can then ship it to you, if so join in the fun and leave a comment]
*contest expires Thursday, February 7 at 9pm (CST)
*one random winner will be announced Friday, February 8
*the winner has 48 hours to claim his/her prize or a new winner will be chosen

Good Luck!

*this giveaway is now closed*

silhouette blue GIVEAWAY.

2008-02-05T06:28:00.000-08:00

I was beyond thrilled when I accidentally stumbled upon Silhouette Blue. Accident or not, Megan Nutley's products screamed "buy me! buy me! buy me!" Her design has a touch of vintage but at the same time keeps the clean + simple look that I love oh so much when it comes to paper.

Crazy enough, Sillouette Blue was born from a senior art project in May 2006 but has since become a full line of greeting cards and custom wedding invitations. From personalized stationery to note sets, Megan creates it all with her very own hands. You will no doubt be getting dynamite quality and wonderfully created designs. Here are just a few of my top favorites.

{stroll}

{bicycle}

{cursive stationery}

Now for the really fun part!
One lucky reader will receive a set of 8 Valentine note sets featuring two different designs. All you have to do is the following.

Giveaway Rules:
*enter a comment on this post [including your name and email address]
*please enter only once
*currently we cannot ship internationally [maybe you have a good friend with a domestic address, who can then ship it to you, if so join in the fun and leave a comment]
*contest expires Wednesday, February 6 at 9pm (CST)
*one random winner will be announced Thursday, February 7
*the winner has 48 hours to claim his/her prize or a new winner will be chosen

Good Luck!

*this giveaway is now closed*

o gloss.

2008-02-04T05:01:00.001-08:00

Although I have not tried this product, I can not wait to purchase one and gloss up my lips! If you liked Smashbox O glow then I don't have any doubt you will fall in love with this too. O gloss has the same philosophy as it's sister O glow but now for your lips. Absolutely ingenious, don't you think?

aerosoles

2008-02-04T05:00:00.001-08:00

I love shoes and I especially loves shoes that are stylish + comfty + on sale.

happy hamper.

2008-02-04T04:59:00.001-08:00

Who knew a laundry bag could be so sexy. I sure wouldn't mind doing my wash if I had a lovely hamper to tote around.

winner.

2008-01-31T19:05:00.000-08:00

A very big thank you to all those who participated in My Favorite Things very first giveaway. I hope you all had a chance to visit the fabulous online paper store, SusyJack* and maybe even purchase a few goodies of your own.

And now to announce the winner! Congratulations to Kami Ohmer who said, "love it. LOVE LOVE LOVE all of it!!!!" Please email me your shipping information [mnmelmer@gmail.com] and your goodies will be in the mail in no time.

Stay tuned as always. This was just the first of many more giveaways to come. Also if you would like My Favorite Things button to display on your blog just shoot me an email and I will gladly give you the code. Also, I love suggestions + tips + ideas. So don't be shy, share!

monster.

2008-01-31T18:54:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago I won a free print from Lindsay Heinzen, creator of Penguin Productions. She is the talented artist who so wonderfully created my blog header. You must blog hop on over to see all of her creations. She is truly amazing!

{I requested the cuddly little monster myself. He will find a nice home hanging in my boys bathroom. See monsters aren't scary at all.}

flor.

2008-01-30T19:00:00.001-08:00

Simply amazing. Flor makes my heart go pitter patter and long for the hard wood floors I want so badly. The fact that you can choose your texture + color + pattern is outrageously enticing. In the mean time I would settle for a runner to dazzle up my entry way.

panini.

2008-01-30T18:46:00.000-08:00

I honestly don't know why I haven't already gone out and purchased a panini press. I have heard a many ravishing review about it and really, if it was one of Oprah's favorite things it must be good, right? If you are a proud owner, what do you think, is it worth the cash?

ribbon mobile.

2008-01-29T18:42:00.001-08:00

One of my "new years resolutions" is to be more crafty. And so it is with out further ado that I showcase one of my many favorites I have stashed in a notebook of mine for later use. I love Martha. And although I know I will never come close to her craftiness, I like to think I can at least take part in the "easy" stuff. I adore the fact that the steps required to complete this project are oh-so-simple and yet the finished product is just divine. I told my sister that when she finds out she is having a girl {am secretly hoping} I am going to make her one to adorn a corner of the nursery. Happy crafting.

o glow.

2008-01-29T18:28:00.000-08:00

I love exploring the world of make-up and am always up for trying new looks. Although I like to keep my make-up somewhat natural, I am tickled when I find a new product. Smashbox O glow is just that, an outstanding product that I have truly fallen in love with. I am fair and so it is a must that I wear color on my cheeks. I have searched hi + low for the ideal blush but always came up empty, until now.

"Experience instant chemistry as you watch your complexion go from so-so to oh-so-glowing! This intuitive cheek color reacts with your personal skin chemistry to transform from a silky clear gel into the shade you blush naturally."

Simply marvelous seeing how it will work will ALL skin types. Try it. You never know, it could be your favorite too!

{I like to wear it under a favorite bobbi brown color of mine. It gives my color a pop and helps it to last through out the day.}

like a bike.

2008-01-28T18:37:00.000-08:00

When it comes to choosing a ride-on for your child there is a gamut of choices. I personally am a fan of the simple ones. Not too fancy but oh so hip. We have the beloved cow wheely, as seen in this post. But if I was going to go all out and spare no expense, this one would be on the top of my list. LIKEaBike is just that. It is not quite a bike, but it sure looks like one. Just right for those who can't quite reach the peddles. Two thumbs up in my book!

{Don't forget to check out my sidebar and enter my current giveaway!}

dummy holder.

2008-01-28T18:29:00.000-08:00

These dummy holders a.k.a pacifier clips are positively the best I have ever seen. No more hard plastic or winnie the pooh decals! Finally something soft + hip + simple. At only $15.00 this would make a great gift for a preggo friend.

...purchase here...

SusyJack* GIVEAWAY.

2008-01-27T16:43:00.000-08:00

I am giddy with excitement to introduce you to Susan Connor, founder and creator of Susy Jack*. I became a Susy Jack fan the moment I laid eyes on her products of girly pencil cups, good fortune clips and most recently her fresh + fun wall art! She instantly satisfied my yearning to go out and buy all things paper. A New York designer turned one woman extraordinaire, I love how she depicts where her ideas are drawn from.

"Inspirations are everywhere...an old bicycle wheel, an expressionist painting, a chain-link fence, tree rings...SusyJack* creates contemporary paper goods, illustrations, and patterns inspired by art, fashion, travel, textiles, and more."

My repressed craft goddess within can now be appeased with the idea of just purchasing SJ products and leave the creating up to the experts.

Not only are her goodies delightful but they are oh-so-affordable too. With prices like hers, I can afford to get a little of this and a little of that. Before you decide that this couldn't possibly get any better, listen up. One of my lucky readers will have the chance to win and be the proud recipient of a fabulous weave journal and a lovely set of "pick your own" clips.

All you have to do is this...
*enter a comment on this post [including your name]
*please enter only once
*currently we cannot ship internationally [maybe you have a good friend with a domestic address, who can then ship it to you, if so join in the fun and leave a comment]
*contest expires Thursday, January 31 at 10am (CST)
*one random winner will be announced Friday, February 1

Good luck and thanks for entering.
Now go check out SusyJack* and try not to drool over all her delicious stuff. Happy paper indeed!
[ etsy site ]
[online shop]

*this giveaway is now closed*

a little taste.

2008-01-24T19:09:00.000-08:00

Here is a little taste of what is yet to come.

Stay tuned because on Monday it will be Favorite Things very first giveaway. If you like what you see you certainly will not want to miss out. Feel free to spread the word because this should be lots of fun!

Happy Friday everyone! See you next week.

oh baby buy products.

2008-01-23T19:56:00.000-08:00

All you unlucky bloggers who are just dying to win, listen up! I have got the ultimate giveaway for you. You must head over to oh! baby buy products!!! Read + follow the directions + enter and voila, you may be the lucky recipient of over $400 in yummy prizes. Also check out my side bar to view their widget. Make haste because trust me, you don't want to miss out.

bedtime favorite.

2008-01-23T18:58:00.000-08:00

Ty's favorite thing to do before bedtime is to pick out his own books to read with me. Tonight it just so happened to be this book. He turns the pages, I read. I must say we make quite the team. Lately he has shown a lot of interest in naming the letters that he sees in words. It is so fun as his mom to hear him get so many right and only a few wrong. Makes me kind of beam with pride, even though I can not take all the credit. Last night he brought me the book, pointed to the letters and said "M O O S C". He gets his e and c mixed up because they look so similar. Okay so not that exciting to you viewers of my blog, but super duper exciting for me. I love my little Ty guy!

origami lantern.

2008-01-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

{picture courtesy of Toni at Simple Sparrow}

Announcement time...I am a blog hopper. Yes I know, time consuming but oh so fun when you come across that "perfect" blog that suits your fancy. Just the other night I happened upon Simple Sparrow and was intrigued by this blog post. Toni (the blog author) wrote about these marvelous origami lanterns strung on festive lights. I was immediately smitten and quickly scribbled the website on my "want it, need it, must have it" list. At only $9.99 it would be a fabulous way to liven up the play room. Happy blog hopping!

and the doctor said.

2008-01-23T18:27:00.000-08:00

Benjamin had his one year well visit yesterday and the stats are in.

29 1/2 inches long (25-50%)
22 lbs 2 oz (25-50%)

He is healthy and right on target! Cheers to Benny for a clean bill of health.

gap.

2008-01-22T19:16:00.000-08:00

If I am honest, I really haven't been that impressed with the gap, until now. I am excited to see some pieces that I actually like and even want to buy. I'll have to put my inner shopaholic on hold for a bit and just enjoy the browsing and lusting stage of the whole shopping experience. I say that but I did just pick up this adorable dress there the other day. It really was a must have. All my church outfits were too big after losing all my baby weight. My choice was perfect! You definitely can not go wrong with a black dress.

I also like this.
and this.
and this.
and this. {having a hard time deciding if I like it in green or yellow}

to you from me.

2008-01-22T19:05:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to check out my other blog, to you from me. I am going to start posting there more consistently. Wouldn't want you to miss out!

sundance.

2008-01-21T20:58:00.000-08:00

Everyday I always know that there will be at least one catalog in my mailbox. A large majority of them go straight from mailbox to trash can. {Yes I know I just need to cancel them}. But there are a few that I love to peruse and sundance is one of them. I am currently loving there jewelry. So here are a few picks of mine.

{revolving wishes ring}

{sequin necklace}

cuteness.

2008-01-21T20:51:00.000-08:00

{I just can't get enough of his cuteness}

light wedge.

2008-01-21T20:43:00.000-08:00

I am an avid reader. Most people who know me know that I love to read. I devour books and am constantly on the look out for new authors. My favorite thing to do before going to bed is to read a chapter or two from the current book on my night stand table. I have searched for the ideal book light but never liked any until this. The LightWedge is possibly the best ever and I mean best!

"The patented LightWedge technology puts all the light only on the page you are reading, with no light escaping to bother someone trying to sleep next to you. The Paperback LightWedge is sized to fit mass market paperback books. Whether reading in bed, reading on a plane, or reading in a car, this paperback book light is the perfect accessory for all readers and travelers."

I own both the lightwedge original and the lightwedge paperback. Honestly if you like to read in bed at night you really should trash your current book light and order one of these. They are absolutely, positively perfect!

{This post was for you Melis}

book club.

2008-01-21T07:14:00.000-08:00

Benny and I started our own unique book club. He would proceed to swipe all the books out of the shelves and then zero in on a particular one. Today it happened to be The Book of Mormon. Already so spiritual, ha! We don't often play upstairs in either of the boys room. Almost all the toys are downstairs except for a handful. But whenever Ty is down napping, Benny and I escape up to his cozy nook and play, just the two of us. He had a short early nap so I wanted to try my luck at sneaking in another short one to help break up the day. Although I have my doubts, knowing all to well he will probably just play in his crib. Fortunately for me, he still gives me doses of his sweetness. Benny will lay his head on my shoulder as I rock him. Puffs of his little breath envelope my neck and in that small moment I know that life is good.

{be sure to click on the images to enlarge them. they look better that way}

one more time.

2008-01-21T07:11:00.000-08:00

Can I say just one more time how fabulous Target is? It's FABULOUS! I've mentioned before in this post about the bedding I want for the boys room from Dwell Studio. Well guess what? They are coming out with a line at, you guessed it, Target. Check out this article at ohdeedoh to get a sneak peek. I am tickled pink and can't wait to bring some of those goodies home!

{check out here and here for a preview of dwell studio for target: bedding collection + dwell studio for target: kitchen and table top collection.}

happy weekend.

2008-01-18T13:55:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a happy happy weekend. Matt is actually NOT working, which is a small miracle in my book. I am going to thoroughly enjoy my trip to Gloria's for some yummy mexican food and my exploration to Woolie Ewe. So that I may begin my journey into the knitting world. Any fun plans in your date book? See you next week!

my world.

2008-01-17T18:30:00.001-08:00

My world really revolves around my two boys. Since I am a stay at home mom, I get to be the lucky one to see all their firsts and wipe away the tears. Each one is so different yet my hearts aches to hold each one forever, never wanting them to grow up just yet.
Some days are long + hard + draining. Some are blissful + happy + upbeat.
No matter what the day, I want to be where they are.
Because they are my world.

{don't forget to scroll down a bit to check out my other posts. just a reminder I do about 2-3 posts per day. i mean, i wouldn't want you to miss anything earth-shattering!}

the world of target.

2008-01-17T18:17:00.000-08:00

Target never fails me. I always seem to find hidden treasures tucked away here and there each time I make my weekly {sometimes more} trip. I always have to swing by the clothing department quickly to glance at the new arrivals. I mean quickly because I am towing my two boys with me and for some reason they do not enjoy shopping. Believe when I say the pictures do not do the tops justice and they absolutely look sublime when I put them on. Have a peek and let me know what you think!

{Oh and I want these two pair of Isaac Mizrahi shoes. Incredible at only $29.99 each!}

global bazaar.

2008-01-17T18:03:00.000-08:00

Head on over to target.com and check out all the stunning goodies by global bazaar. They have a fabulous line up right now you don't want to miss. I have already visualized where these two chandeliers will be on display in my house. Now all I need to do is convince Matt that they are indeed a necessity. happy shopping!

smencils.

2008-01-16T19:02:00.000-08:00

Remember in grade school, those markers with the fruity smells? I remember them quite well and always loved to use them. Here is a clever new take on the idea. SMENCILS!

Smencils are gourmet scented pencils made from 100% recycled newspapers. Each Smencil comes packaged in its own Freshness Tube!Made from rolled sheets of newspapers instead of wood, Smencils sharpen the same as other wood pencils but smell way better. Not only do they smell great, they're good for the environment too!
Our set of 10 Smencils contains one each of the following scents: Bubble Gum, Root Beer, Orange, Cherry, Grape, Watermelon, Chocolate, Very Berry, Cotton Candy and Popcorn.
Smencils maintain their yummy scents for at least two years, in or out of the tube!

Makes me want to order some right now and try them out with Ty. Anyone else?

cow wheely + captain adorable.

2008-01-16T18:56:00.000-08:00

Really any excuse to post pictures of my boys is a good excuse. Besides wanting to show of Benny's absolute cuteness I wanted to share with you this fun find found at Twilite Moon . My mom bought it for Benny as a Christmas present and it is definitely getting some use around our home. Besides the cow, they also carry a bumble bee and a lady bug. Ready for a spin?

baby oh baby.

2008-01-16T18:01:00.000-08:00

I've fallen in love with all things baby. It almost makes me want to have another. Okay, you can breath again. I was just joking. Benny is still such a sweet chubby baby, even at one year old. But when I discovered Quilt Baby it made me wish I had found them before Ben was born. There are so many wonderfully, fabulous online baby stores out there it makes my head spin. Two of my fabvorites are the onesies and bibs. What are yours?

{just a little fyi. i will probably, most likey do more than one post a day. hopefully all at the same time, but i can't promise that. so be sure to scroll down so you don't miss out!}

sitting pretty.

2008-01-16T15:10:00.000-08:00

Love these chairs by Charles and Ray Eames. A bit out of my price range but a girl can dream, right? Absolutley love the fact that they come in some fun colors. Check them out if you like.

diy.

2008-01-16T13:28:00.000-08:00

DIY (do it yourself). My binder of diy projects is quickly filling up. I love the blog world for all its creativity. There is so much out there! Check out this article over at ohdeedoh
Makes me want to get started on some for our game room. clean + colorful + simple. la la love it!

i scream you scream.

2008-01-15T13:22:00.000-08:00

We all scream for ice cream! Is this not absolutely innovative? Just spotting this made me start craving ice cream. The cuisipro ice cream scoop + stack gets two thumbs up from me. I must must must remember to put that on my "want it, need it, must have it" list.

who are you.

2008-01-14T12:54:00.000-08:00

Curiosity has the best of me and I am dying to know who is reading my blog, if any, besides my friends and family. Anyone? Just this once, leave a comment and let me know...you just might have a blog I would want to blog hop to.

{okay so you may be wondering why the picture of the caterpillar. For those of you who haven't guessed it's because he indeed asks the same question, "who are you"}

night owl.

2008-01-13T13:00:00.001-08:00

For some particular reason this night, for which i know not, Tyler did not want to go to bed. He played up his cuteness and proceeded to tell us he was scared of "ghost bunny". I gave in to his scrumptiousness and let him follow me downstairs to watch Super Why before going back up to bed. It didn't take long for him to climb up next to Matt on the barstool and start hamming it up. He had one of my head bands on and begged for a life savor he spotted on the kitchen counter. I couldn't resist snapping some photos of his cheesy smile. So glad I didn't pass up this moment!

double trouble.

2008-01-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

The pictures really speak for themselves. Our whole week has been like this. Benny has a double ear infection and is miserable. Luckily he has been on antibiotics for a couple days but I have a feeling we might need two rounds to kick it. At least he is sleeping through the night. Oh the tiny miracles!

tyler time.

2008-01-10T19:48:00.000-08:00

Some nights I am dragging that by the time I put Ben to bed all I want to do is collapse. Would be nice but not possible. I still have to put in a few more hours as "mommy" until I get to retire to "me" for the evening. Tyler is independent and usually doesn't require a whole lot of "play with me now" time. Tonight however I needed a little "tyler time". I busted out the finger paint + playdoh! After some fun arts and crafts we ended the night with nothing else but bulldozers and diggers.
Ty loves all things construction. He has a handful of diggers but there are three that are his favorite. He of course politely told me which one I had the pleasure of using. Tyler then would dump a complete puzzle out on the floor and instruct me that we must scoop all the pieces up and dump them into the box. Honestly we must have played like that for at least 40 minutes. If I even tried to get up he would say "no mama, dig!", so dig I did.

be mine.

2008-01-06T16:15:00.001-08:00

now that christmas is over i have hearts on my mind. valentines day is really just right around the corner. i don't know why but i have loved the mushy, lovey dovey holiday ever since i was a kid. maybe it had to do with the little gifts my mom would give each of us. either way, i really do like the holiday. i have already pronounced to matt that he must, must must bestow upon me this fantastically wonderful tote. since i am now officially out of the diaper bag days {at least for a couple years} i want to celebrate with this orla kiely purse. i have a fun little makeup bag by her but now i need this brightly hued tote.

{i have this picture pinned up on my refrigerator just so matt won't forget how much i love it}

wellies + sunshine

2008-01-05T15:54:00.000-08:00

what's not to love? an adorable pair of wellies + my sunshine guy. how could the sky ever be gray... these are the moments i need to remember after an exhausting day. i'm a lucky gal.

{my amateur go at tweaking the picture with shutterfly.
i made it somewhere between color and b/w}

color me beautiful.

2008-01-04T11:25:00.001-08:00

potterybarn has outdone themselves this time. i have always been a potterybarn fan but am taken away by there bold color statements for the spring. i love it all. i am a color person but sadly matt is not. we don't have much color in our home but i am slowly creeping in little by little. my favorite color is yellow ever since i can remember. my room at my parents home was painted yellow. it makes me think happy! i am green with envy at all the fun things in there new catalog. on the top of my wish list are these chairs (one in each color please) and these bright lamps. yes please!

hair.

2008-01-03T20:31:00.000-08:00

benjamin was blessed with a full head of hair. let's take a moment to flash back on his birth until now. love it!{click to enlarge so that you may fully enjoy each picture}

birthday party.

2008-01-03T19:43:00.001-08:00

benjamin's party was a success all around. lots of friends and family came over to help celebrate his first year of life. we dined on chicken salad sandwiches with a selection of fruits and vegies + a snowman cake for dessert. unfortunately i forgot to take a picture of the snowman cake. you will just have to trust me on this when i say it was very cute. we had a snowman (blue+white) theme. for a fun game i rolled up ALL of matt's white socks and let the kids have a "snowball" fight. although i think the adults ended up having much more fun. definitely an enjoyable way to start off 2008.

happy birthday benny.

2008-01-02T18:00:00.001-08:00

happy birthday my sweet baby boy! today benny turned one. i have lots of pictures i still need to upload to my trusty pc but that will have to wait until tomorrow. the boys of completely tired me out and i am ready to curl up and relax.

**picture of benny's cake he had the pleasure of destorying**

alphabet.

2007-12-31T06:13:00.001-08:00

tyler may not know the whole alphabet and still may not speak in complete sentences but he can recognize FIVE letters consistently when you write them or point them out. of course being his mom, i believe that accomplishment warrants a blog spotlight on him! i am sure some of you may have brilliant children but lets take a moment to cheer on the "average", ha ha. oh how i love my little sunshine guy. here's to T O M I P (those are the letters he knows).

one.

2007-12-29T07:11:00.000-08:00

one whole year has almost arrived since benjamin jack joined our little family. oh what a year it has been. we have had plenty of ups and our fair show of downs on this crazy rollercoaster but we made it. we made it through the first year, which for me is the toughest. my how benny has changed. he is walking, growing and jabbering away. and of course still likes to chase his big brother around, following his every move. cheers to you benny!

skivvies.

2007-12-27T07:51:00.000-08:00

perfectly comfortable with a dash of sparkle. i am in love with my pajamas my mom gave me for christmas. skivvies from jcrew! i couldn't resist heading up to the store yesterday to snag me another pair, especially since they were on sale for such a steal. go grab some and cuddle up by the fire. happy shopping!

he came.

2007-12-26T13:17:00.000-08:00

well santa made his stop and brought lots of goodies for all! family, food, toys, gadgets and gizmos galore. i think i am safe in saying that we all had a merry time. tyler got a battery-power indian motorcycle, which is his favorite present by far. i have yet to upload ALL the pictures but i will be sure to post a "vroom, vroom" picture as soon as possible. i had a fun surprise. matt gave me the digital cannon rebel xti and now i can't stop taking pictures. i really want to get photoshop elements so i can play around with my snapshots. matt received all things transformers and was like a little kid on christmas morning. benny got lots of soft bouncy balls to which he was thrilled. hope everyone one had a wonderful christmas celebration and is ready to ring in the year new.

winter wishes.

2007-12-21T13:29:00.000-08:00

just wanted to say cheers! and merry merry christmas! hope your holiday is full of love and laughter and lots of yummy food. i'll be back to posting after all of the holiday festivities.
xo.
molly

*picture from red cap cards*

charming.

2007-12-20T19:25:00.000-08:00

i love a good find. i love a good find especially when it is unique and original. that is exactly what sally jean encompasses. who doesn't love a charm to string on a necklace or dangle from a bracelet. i couldn't help but laugh when i came upon this one. it fits me to a "t". quite charming if you ask me.

pucker up.

2007-12-20T12:38:00.000-08:00

i have had my eye on this bedding ever since i first spotted it in the lovely store, anthropologie. this picture absolutely does not in anyway do the material justice. it has just enough whimsy in it for me but it is not to feminine for my hubby, well hopefully. check it out online or better yet in person if you can make it to the store. i want it, i need it! happy shopping!

"white cotton percale folds into pretty puckers, each one detailed with a tiny button stitched with bright threads"

featured.

2007-12-19T07:00:00.001-08:00

so this is really no biggie but kind of a little big deal to me. i was featured on the blog tangled and true, one of my absolute favorite blogs out there. click here to check it out.

wanted.

2007-12-18T18:21:00.000-08:00

i am on the hunt for new bedding for my boys. i am going to transition them to big boy beds individually next year and hopefully by fall of 2008 move them into the same room. i so have this picture in my mind of them sharing a room and i just know it will be nothing like what i have going on up in my brain, ha. anyways, back on track. so i am in search of awesomely cute boy bedding. my "go to" store is typically pottery barn kids but shockingly enough i am branching out. i found some fun modern bedding that has made the list at dwell studio. i am quite fond of it but still have time to search out more yummy findings.

can you not just envision them sharing a room?

ornament how to.

2007-12-17T06:57:00.000-08:00

i happened upon this crafty blog by accident. but what a fun accident it was. check out this how to. now you can put your inner crafty goddess to work and adorn your christmas tree with fabulous homemade ornaments. click here for the instructions.

this is why i love.

2007-12-15T20:29:00.000-08:00

i am shy. i am reserved. i do not speak out. i do not like to feel exposed. i am the wallflower that shies away in the corner. but the moment i saw him i emergedl. five years and two boys later i can still remember the butterflies, i can still remember the spark. i chased him. then i chased him some more. and then i caught him. he was my challenge; a challenge i would see through to the end. he is perfect. no not perfect but perfect for me. time has created blinders. i don't always remember the the butterflies flitting around. i don't always feel the ache in my heart when he is not with me. but i need to. i need to remember why i feel in love. we have had our hights + lows but never once has he quit on me. this is why i love this man.

01. he is genuinely happy + optimistic. i don't get it but i like it.
02. he loves to dance and twirl me around.
03. he drives a motorcycle (yes i know dangerous but secretly sexy).
04. he changes diapers.
05. he is a big kid at heart.
06. i have never met another person who works as hard as he does.
07. he teases me.
08. i can snuggle up to him and he will almost always start rubbing my back.
09. he has a million goals and dreams and i know he will achieve them all.
10. he likes country music.
11. he sporadicly leaves me little notes here and there with the nuttiest sayings.
12. he lets me show my emotion.
13. always the one improving + bettering himself.
14. loves our boys.
15. loves me for me.

no we don't have the perfect marriage nor do we have the perfect life. but every once in a while it's nice to remember why you love that someone in your life, even when they drive you crazy and leave their dirty socks on the floor.

love you matt!
xo.

obsession.

2007-12-15T11:44:00.000-08:00

is there a pga? okay so i made that up. it stands for paper goods anonymous. true, i've already come out and admitted my addiction. i *heart* paper. i am not sure why but i oh so surely do. besides my paper addiction i also love calendars. i suppose that has to do with my always needing to know the time and date. a bit compulsive i suppose. i might have overdone it it for 2008 but i am the joyful owner of six, yes, count them six calendars. i bought them here , here , here , here (this one to go in my purse), here (this one to go on my counter, the one i write all over.), and finally here . which one is your favorite?

calendar by : creative thursday
to buy : click here
(fyi...this one is going in the play room)

affordable fabulousness.

2007-12-14T16:02:00.000-08:00

i *heart* this light fixture. i spotted it within the pages of my favorite magazine, Real Simple. it is absolutely fabulous and affordable at only $80. yippee!

designer: tord boontje
to buy: moma store

busted lip.

2007-12-09T19:03:00.000-08:00

benny officially joined the ranks of his rough and tough brother; today he got a busted lip. oh the crying + blood + tears. it was quite sad. he feel just right on our window seal in the play room. it all happened in slow motion. i knew it was going to hurt. but benny is a trooper and recovered after some special tlc from mommy. oh yeah and a little tylenol to top it off.

*sorry for the lack of pictures. i lost my camera charger and haven't replaced it. yikes! i need to get on top of that. but i am currently trying to talk matt into getting me a new camera so we shall see.

one whole year.

2007-12-07T06:55:00.000-08:00

one whole year has almost passed since Benjamin Jack was born. and what a year it has been! I can't believe his birthday is right around the corner. time to plan a birthday party. i went with a snowman theme and decided to use penguin productions to do the invitation. It turned out so fabulously wonderful. now all i need to do is skip on down to kinko's and print them off!

a gift for me.

2007-12-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

Okay so I bought myself a gift on ebay to perk myself up. matt is away on business (bah humbug) and left me with two teething kiddos and a chubby little baby with croup! ( the hi-lited part can be sung to the tune of "the twelve days of christmas" for some holiday cheer.) we left an hour late to get him to the airport (his fault, grr.) and i was stuck in horrendous rush hour traffic on the way home with tired sick children. believe me, it was not a pretty picture. if i didn't love matthew so much i might seriously have to cripple him. so i have a new friend ( i know, shocking, i have friends) and she has this adorable trench coat from anthropologie. she actually purchased it on ebay for only 50 buckeroos! how fabulous. so me and my bad self popped onto ebay and bought one too. now i don't know if it exactly like hers but i like it. so without further ado....here it is in all its trench coat glory.

unwanted.

2007-12-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

as our luck would have it, we have an unwanted guest that has taken up residence in my sad little benny. the croup is back and reeking havoc. i loaded up the boys yesterday for a trip to the pedi's office. benny received a steroid shot and lot's of love from mommy and big brother ty. it is crabbiness times ten over here today; quite a load of fun, let me tell you. tis the season to be crabby, bah humbug! i am totally channeling the grinch!

winner.

2007-12-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

with two little guys that rule my life i don't always have that much time to tab through the blog world. i do have a list my of favorites and try to browse them once a day. i always, always enter any contest that one of my "must read" blogs may having going on. unfortunately i do not have the luck my sister-in-law brittany does and i have yet to win...until now. it really is a silly win but i had to post since i actually did win something. drum roll please.... i won a "little sussy's" christmas mix cd. a small win but a victory in my book. a little sussy is a favorite blog of mine; one i am definitely guilty of reading every day. since i love christmas music i can't wait to receive mine in the mail. thanks nicole!

twas the night before christmas.

2007-12-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

i love mary engelbreit so i was excited to see her illustrations paired with the traditional christmas story, twas the night before christmas. tyler loves the pictures and always wants me to read the story to him. he calls santa, ho ho! i cherish our little "reading time" together and never mind when he asks me to read him just " one mo book".

this is my favorite picture of tyler taken
in australia 2005 during his first christmas celebration.

holiday card.

2007-12-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

I am debating whether or not I want to send out a holiday card/newsletter. Seeing as it is the first of december already I need to come to a decision. my christmas card list is about 60 people long and ugh...addressing envelopes is not my idea of fun; i am sure i am just being a party pooper. but if I did send out a christmas card, i like this one.

card by marta designs.

elf yourself.

2007-11-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

It wouldn't be the christmas season without spreading some holiday cheer. Nothing says cheer better than laughter. Just copy, paste, watch and laugh. http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1113429631
Go on, you know you want to...elf yourself!

rose.

2007-11-29T19:14:00.000-08:00

i stumbled across this fabulous pottery website, white forest pottery. The pieces are beautiful. While browsing the site I came upon these unique nesting bowls. when all the bowls are stacked one inside the other it resembles a rose. it is a bit pricey but i love it. maybe that is because my middle name is rose.

peppermint.

2007-11-29T08:20:00.001-08:00

When it comes to scented candles, lotions and soaps I am super picky. I only like a few. I am not one for strong perfumes, flowery candles or overpowering lotions. I like subtle, light and fresh. This is one reason I LOVE the holiday season. Peppermint is absolutely yummy. Some of my favorite things come in peppermint during this time. here are just a few!

peppermint dish soap from william sonoma

jack frost (peppermint vanilla) candle from yankee candle co.
ultra mentha lip shine from bath and body works

Just wanted to share a few of my favorite things!

exposed.

2007-11-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

my boys have been exposed; exposed to the chicken pox virus!!! that means no playdates whatsoever for two whole weeks. we are so going to go crazy. i can tell tyler is already going stir crazy from no friends because he is tackling me and bouncing off the walls like a monkey! i have decided that we will be making lots of trips to target to fill our time. our pedi said that if they don't get the chicken pox by two weeks then they are probably safe. ty has had the vaccine but unfortunately there have been some children who still contract the chicken pox. lucky, lucky us. i am crossing my fingers that luck is on our side because honestly, i may go completely insane if my boys get sick.

picture by creative thursday

turkey day.

2007-11-22T10:38:00.000-08:00

happy turkey day everyone! I am thankful for my beautiful family and I am most thankful today for Matt. He let me sleep in and even brought me breakfast in bed; yummy pancakes. It was a total surprise! hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving.

tag, i'm it.

2007-11-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

I am officially tagged and have taken forever to finally do it. I am not one to usually participate because with the little free time I have I don't particularly want to fill out a questionnaire but I will do it for you Jen. I was tagged by Jennifer (Foster) because she wanted to find out some juicy details about me, haha. Sorry Jen my life is boring but here it goes. The rules are as follows....

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning. B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves. C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Fact one: I am an organizational freak, or that is what my sweet husband would call me. I love, love, love to organize. One of my favorite stores is The Container Store! Organization brings me bliss and happiness.

Fact two: Since I love to organize that also means I love to purge. If we don't need it, don't love it, it goes in the trash. I absolutely HATE clutter. I really can not stand it. The only possessions I want in my home are the ones I can't live without and the ones I absolutely love.

Fact three: I love having a diet coke (cherry, lime, original) first thing in the morning. I know, so unhealthy but so yummy. oh and it must have caffeine or that would totally defeat the purpose.

Fact four: I love having a piece of chocolate either before or after breakfast. It helps me start my day. Again, I know, totally unhealthy but so totally yummy and necessary. I love my sweets what can I say.

Fact five: I have not really worked out in 2.5 years, since Ty was born. I haven't had the motivation. Horribly pathetic and again, also unhealthy. Man if I don't get my booty in gear I'm never gonna last!

Fact six: This is a fact some of you may know but I love online shopping! I get the itch especially after I have a baby. Oh man, I just love getting packages in the mail!

Okay so there you have it!
I am going to tag: Summer, Melissa, Lindsay, Jessica and Amanda.

ta-da.

2007-11-13T14:52:00.000-08:00

If I may direct your eyes to the top of my blog to view my fabulous new blog header! It is absolutely wicked; I LOVE it. I have to give a shout out to my rockin' friend Lindsay Heinzen. She is talented beyond belief and it just so happens she is starting her own business. Just click on her name to check out her art blog and view her prices. Thanks Linds, I love ya!

jar of whimsies.

2007-11-11T19:03:00.000-08:00

I want want want this and to be honest, I don't need it at all. It is just absolutely so fun; I want to put it on my bookshelf. You can find it at this funky little shop One Good Bumblebee.

the search.

2007-11-11T18:23:00.000-08:00

So I have been on an online search for the perfect boot. My criteria was that the pair needed to be:
ankle or midcalf
comfortable
stylish
low heel or no heel at all
something I could wear every day
First of all, how could I know a shoe would be comfortable if I have never even tried them on. Good point. I have done my research and know which brand of shoes are specifically designed for fashion and comfort. The true test will be trying them on and wearing them around the house once purchased. I have searched many sites and just spotted the pair I think I want on nordstrom. Now I need to convince Matt that they really aren't that expensive.

shooties and booties.

2007-11-09T18:51:00.000-08:00

I love the style of shoes right now, especially at anthropologie. I love the low ankle boots and then the shoes that are shoes/boots, shooties! I could totally go for a pair with a wonderful jewel color opaque tight. How fabulous would that be? Maybe more fabulous with a dress from anthro!

photography.

2007-11-06T17:41:00.000-08:00

Everyone loves photographs but not everyone is a photographer. I love taking pictures of my boys but sometimes it is hard to capture that perfect moment. Toni's work is amazing. She is a young, up and coming photographer and you MUST check out her website and blog! Her style is unique and fresh. She doesn't pose; she captures personality. I can't wait for her to take our family pictures in January.
If you like her style, go to her blog and under links click on rate me. You ROCK Toni!

address file box.

2007-11-05T15:20:00.000-08:00

Everything is electronic. You can store almost anything on your computer or pocket pc. Yes, I think that is fabulous and I am guilty of doing it. But...I still love paper! That is why when I spotted this darling address file box at an Etsy store called Ugly Kitty I knew I had to have it. I can have the best of both worlds!

wrong side.

2007-10-30T17:16:00.001-07:00

Fact: Matt is a scary driver, which made it even scarier when he drove in New Zealand!! They drive on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road. Okay, technically for them it is not the "wrong" side but it is for us Americans. Surprisingly he did NOT crash and we all made it through alive. It was actually quite fun. Oh, and the buses are kings of the rode over there. Don't mess with them!

taronga zoo.

2007-10-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

-Saturday in Sydney-
We took a trip to the Taronga Zoo! Tyler had never been to a zoo before so just that experience in itself was exciting for him. To get to the zoo we traveled by train, which is like a subway and then hopped on a ferry down at the harbor. Tyler loved riding on the train, which he called the "choo choo". He loved yelling stop and go as the train made each stop to drop people off or pick people up. The boat ride was fun for the boys too. The breeze was chilly and the views were spectacular. The zoo was lots of fun. Of course they had the kangaroos and koalas! At the end of the day we said goodbye to the animals and took the ferry and train back home.

bondi beach.

2007-10-28T16:57:00.001-07:00

Gritty sand, freezing cold water, the wind whipping through the air and a blue sky that goes on forever. That was our day at Bondi Beach. We only stayed for a couple of hours since we had the wedding and reception to attend to that night but it was a perfect afternoon. The boys absolutely adored the sand and water. Ben dined on the sand while Ty chased the waves. completely and utterly breathtaking!

chill day.

2007-10-20T13:52:00.000-07:00

Today we are just going to take it easy. Ben slept a little better last night but still not great. I am still not 100% but maybe by the end of the day I will be able to tell a difference. I think we may head over to the mall today and check out the shops. The zoo shops didn't really have anything exciting to buy to bring back home for little gifts.

We have been taking pictures and I will post them all as soon as we arrive back in the states. Unfortunately we left our camera and video camera at the hotel during the reception. But I doubt I would have had a second to take any decent shots.

Tomorrow we leave for NZ and the thought of boarding another plane is not appealing one bit. But at least it is not a long flight. I have heard it is gorgeous and green over there since it rains quite a bit. The weather should be much cooler than here in Sydney. It has been lovely here in Sydney; sunny and cool with light a breeze.

I suppose that is all for now.
cheers!

(Sunday, October 21, 7am)

give me a break.

2007-10-20T00:42:00.002-07:00

You would think I would catch a teeny tiny break since we are over in another country but apparently I have no such luck. I woke up today and new I was in for another breast infection. I felt sick and achy and my left breast was firm and hurt to even move. I mean, come on...why now? Luckily my father-in-law new a bishop who was also a doctor. He so graciously faxed over a script to a "chemist" (pharmacy) right down the street from our hotel. I still don't feel great but hopefully the anti-biotics he prescribed will do the trick.

On another note, we made a little trip to the Torango Zoo. We took the train (subway) down to the harbor where we caught a ferry over to the zoo. Ty was in love with both the train and the ferry boat. He loved all the animals and had a blast.

The wedding was lovely. I unfortunately had to stand out in the hall. Ben was in no mood to cooperate and I was in no mood to persuade him. So I caught the end of there vows and watched them kiss as husband and wife. The reception was rockin'! Aussie's love to dance! The boys really had reached way pass their limit. I felt sorry for stretching them so far. There was a room right off to the side of the reception room. So we popped open the port-a-crib (pack n play), cranked up the white noise, and Ben snoozed like a baby amidst the booming music and jovial guests. Ty ended up falling asleep in Uncle Ry Ry's arms near the end. He was completely exhausted. When we got back to the hotel he didn't even wake up when Matt changed his nappie and put his pj's on.

Ben is still not adjusted to the time difference. He will fall asleep and wake up around 2 or 3 and will NOT go back to sleep. Matt has taken him both mornings and let me sleep with Ty. I still feel like I could sleep for days. Tonight Ben actually got to bed on time so I am crossing my fingers that he will sleep through the night.

(Saturday, October 20th, 6pm)

states vs. aussie

2007-10-19T15:57:00.001-07:00

I love how the aussies speak. Their accent is fabulous and their vocabulary is even more! Here are a few differences, maybe I'll start using them.

vacations = holiday
stroller = pram
diaper = nappie
elevator = lift
trash can = rubish bin
bathroom = toilet
how are you doing = how you going

Those are just a few I could think of off the top of my head.
Enjoy!

down under.

2007-10-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

First off I am going to declare myself insane for even considering it a good idea to fly across the world with two young boys. Really, I must have lost it. The flight from DFW to LA was not too bad. Ben slept part of the way and Ty did fairly well. Our layover was not terrible and Ty was a little angel. He was content to just play with his cars. The first half of the flight to Sydney was bearable. Both the boys fell asleep two hours into the flight and each slept 5 hours but that was it. The second half of the flights was a bit, to put it mildly, hellish. Tyler was okay, a few breakdowns, but you couldn't really blame the little guy. He had harldy slept in the past 36 hours. Ben screamed on and off for the last 6 hours and finally feel asleep the last little bit of the flight. Matt was heaven sent. He jumped right in and helped with both boys and helped me avoid my own personal breakdown. I must say I am so NOT looking forward to the flight home. I am actually quite terrified. I may just suggest living here to avoid it!

We arrived in Sydney early Thursday morning. Customs is usually a pain once you arrive in a different country. The wait in the line was about an hour. We hadn't received our stroller yet and were weighted down with ALL our carry-ons and both boys. Luckily some nice lady came to our rescue with a minute or so of arriving and we hoped straight to the front of the line. We chilled the rest of the day. Ben took a nap and Tyler had fun playing with family and friends. I had fun going to the mall with Amy. Get this, they have a grocery store in the mall! How crazy is that?

Last night Ben slept for four hours and then woke up screaming every 45 minutes after that. Ty slept peacfully through the whole thing in bed next to me, while I begged Matt to take Ben out into the living room. We are in a condo with two bedrooms.

Today Matt, I, the two boys and Papa John headed to Bondi beach. I tried to take some pictures of the boys but it was so incredibly bright outside I couldn't tell if they turned out decent or not. The beach is breathtakingly beautiful. It was gorgeous and sunny with a breeze blowing off the ocean. Tyler was in heaven. He loved treaking through the sand and running away from the waves crashing into the beach. Ben loved being outside and enjoyed dining on the gritty sand, lol.

Tonight is the wedding and reception and then tomorrow we are taking the boys to the zoo and to patti's market (a flea market). It is fun to walk around and buy little trinkets for family and friends back home.

I will end with this. Although the flight was horrible and it is work to take care of the boys over here, Matt and I are enjoying our family vacation and will have wonderful memories to take with us. I am glad I was naive enough to come along for the ride!

We miss you guys back in the states!

bon voyage.

2007-10-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, today is the day. We leave in just under an hour to head to the airport. I am not sure what I have gotten myself into but let the journey begin! I will try to post while we are there so you can experience Australia and New Zealand with us. Here we go!

moose+owl.

2007-10-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

One of my best childhood friends, Lindsay Heinzen is a talented artist. She so graciously, at my request, drew these fabulous pictures. I love owls and moose and wanted to see what she would come up with. Well, she hit the nail on the head. They are perfect; just what I was looking for!

beautiful boys.

2007-10-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

Toni Elmer, an up and coming photographer took some photographs of my beautiful boys a few weeks ago. Her work is incredible! She captured Tyler and Benjamin fabulously! You can find out more about her at Urban Photo Studio. Her photoblog is also linked to my blog. Just check out the side bar. That's all! I'll let the pictures speak for itself.

paper.

2007-10-10T11:58:00.001-07:00

Fact: I love paper. I just never seem to have enough. I love notepads, journals, sticky notes and note cards. You name it, I love it! I really need no excuse to purchase it. To me, paper is pretty. I came across these fun little pads by paper+cup. First off, how fun is that name! You can buy them at see jane work. And for only $6.95 how could you not want one?

theme : owls.

2007-10-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

Okay so I am not a tea drinker but I just love these cute owling sake cups . I would just use them for decorating purposes. For those of you who don't know, I love owls, oh and I love moose too. I just love woodland creatures, it makes me think fall! Enjoy. Oh and how cute is this.
It is by an artist, Lorena Siminovich. She has some of her artwork on sale at Anthropologie. It is a little on the pricey side for me but I find it quite whimsical.

write and erase.

2007-10-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

So I have been on the search for new items for Ty's "goody" bag for our long flight to down under. I stumbled across this fabulous chalk mat!. It was a little more than I wanted to spend but I couldn't resist. I just know Ty will think it is awesome, seeing as he has never written with chalk before. It should be lots of fun!

shots, snot & screams, oh my.

2007-10-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

Today was Benny's 9 month well visit, but before we headed to the pediatrician's office we made a stop at our family doctor right down the street. Why, you might ask...because the pedi's office was all out of the flu shot and our family doctor was fully stocked. Ty, Ben and I all got the flu shot. I must say, I was impressed when Ben barely cried at all. I went first and Ty thought my band-aide looked cool and said he wanted one too. Little did he know he had to get the shot first to attain the "taz" band-aide I sported on my arm. After the flu shot, we hopped in the car and raced to our pedi appt, since we were running late. We had to wait 45 minutes at the doctors office before we were called back to receive the flu shot.

The pediatrician didn't go quite as smooth. By the time we got there and in the office, both boys were tired and hungry; so was I! Ben is healthy and right on target. The rash I was worried about is just eczema. Go figure! I should have known since Ty has patches of eczema on his feet and legs. Ben was prescribed zithromyacin for his snotty nose and had to have his finger pricked to check for anemia. No immunizations today. Although a shot would have been easier than a finger prick. Trust me on that one! Ben is in the 50% for height and 25% for weight. She said I could start introducing whole milk to Ben for a little extra calories.

Finally after all the doctor hoop-lah, we headed to McDonald's for some lunch and then drove home for nap time. We had a busy morning and I am hoping for a much calmer afternoon!

not again.

2007-09-30T08:51:00.001-07:00

Yes again. Ben is sick again, if you can believe it. He just got over the cold he had and his poor little nose was back to normal and then WHAM! He is snotty and stuffy and doesn't feel good. Do I have some curse hovering over us? Our immune systems must be shot because every single one of us gets sick and then passes the germ down the line. I know I am complaining, and yes, it could be worse but really, it is not fair. Winter is going to be a scary time at our house. Maybe I'll just put everyone under house arrest. Oh, and no visitors either, lol!

the loves of my life.

2007-09-23T19:18:00.001-07:00

my personal sunshine.

Tyler the smiler. Matt gave him that nickname when he was really young. It truly captures Ty. He is my little smiler; he is my personal sunshine. I have yet to meet another that can warm a room like he does. Tyler is perpetually happy. He wakes up happy and goes to sleep happy. Don't get me wrong, he is two; he most definitely has his "terrible" moments. But for the most part he is content with life. Ty is animated and his expressions on limitless. He loves to run and play and never tires. I love it when he wraps me in his little boy arms and pats my back and sighs. He changed my life the moment he arrived and was placed in my arms. He has a special spirit and I will be forever grateful that he chose me to be his mommy.

mama's boy.

Benny is a mama's boy. He loves me despite all my many flaws and I secretly thrive on it. He loves me for me. True, he whines and fusses for a good portion of the day. And I am exhausted when the sun starts setting but the tender private moments I have the privilege of sharing with Benjamin are priceless. At the end of the day, if I have the chance to, I cradle him in my arms. I caress his chubby cheeks and sing him "his" song. Our eyes connect and there are no words to express the emotions coursing through my body. In that brief moment, nothing else matters.

suggestions.

2007-09-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

I need your suggestions. I know I am probably crazy to take both my boys on a 15 hour plane ride to Australia. But really, can you pass up a vacation like that? Here is what I am looking for.

Tips for a somewhat "sane" plane ride? Toys for Ty? Drugs, lol?
A double side by side stroller?
Tips for packing?
Any suggestions on anything?

There you have it. Now answer away.

head cold.

2007-09-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

okay, so I think we catch every stinkin' germ there is out there. First Ty, now Ben and ME!! I hate runny, stuffy, itchy noses. Geez, can I ever catch a break!