valentine's day gift

i decided to get crafty for this valentine's day gift for my husband. i saw an adorable craft idea at u create featuring a craft from naptimejournal. i just loved it and so decided to give it a go!

here's what turned out:







it has his favorite snacks in it. i told him to take it to work so he had some snacks on hand. he said it was his favorite valentine's gift ever. :) and i also scored points with his co-workers as being an amazing wife. double bonus!

aaaaand, i want one!!

oh, how i love giveaways. not that i've ever won one. but i love them nonetheless!

and now i am dying to winthis! over at mckmama's giveaway page!

ooooh....*crosses fingers*!

all about the giveaways!

i love giveaways! i hope to someday win. right now i am hoping for one of the lovely necklaces from kristen's custom creations featured on good, true, & beautiful! :) take a look!

"mommy obey"

well, emma wasn't following that mantra today, that's for sure. i went through such an aggravating battle with her about putting her toys away today. she was in time out three times and then "big" time out in her crib twice and STILL she wouldn't put her toys away. so i packed them all up in the basket and put them up on the counter. i am SO VERY TEMPTED to just throw them all away. i am soooo frustrated right now. i hate it when she knows what i want her to do and yet WILLFULLY defies me. it really pisses me off. but yes, i know she is just a toddler and that is part of her learning curve. but it still irks me to the bone. i would love to just get rid of all the toys at this point (especially the ones with many, many small parts) and just make her read or play make-believe all day long.

everything has been SO much better with her lately, but still these moments inevitably come. and they pass too. but in the moment i just want to kick and scream and throw my own little tantrum! now how productive would that be? not very.

so for now the toys are up on the counter top and at least i don't have to worry about them all over the floor. and i may just have to concede defeat on this one.

30 rock(s)

i have officially crossed into the threshold of another decade. no longer in my youthful 20s, i now find myself an official adult. i am determined to make my 30s glorious and wonderful. i am blessed with so many things. i have wonderful parents and a great brother. i have an amazing husband and in-law family. i have the two most gorgeous and precious baby girls any mother could dream of. we have a beautiful home and i am in great health. what more could i ask for?

i only pray that god will continue to help me develop into the person he sees in me. i know i have much more to learn and hopefully i do it gracefully. there are many things i plan and hope to improve upon in my 30s. i expect to encompass the phrase 'new and improved'.

so here's to my 20s: many of you were crazy, many of you are less than clear, but the best of you are filled with the best events of my life and for that you will always be remembered fondly. thank you for teaching me so much, dear 20s. and with that, i bid you adieu.

dogs, dogs, go away.

i want to get rid of my dogs. yet AGAIN they woke emma up from her nap WAY too early. and why? because our neighbor girl was in her yard with the cat. i absolutely can't stand them. i seriously think i dislike them more than i like them. yes, i would be sad if they were gone in a way. but i also think my life would be SO much less stressful.

dear god, please help.

dear god

i give up, lord. i'm a failure. i must not be relying on you enough. so please, PLEASE, help me. help me hold my tongue unless it is something positive. help me turn and vent to you and no one else. help me be positive and encouraging. help me be encouraged. give me strength and patience. help my words be edifying to others and motivational rather than draining. help me lose this negativity and depression. please lord, lift me up. i truly believe that only you can. carry me please. i trust in you.