A Blog Award - Whoop, whoop!

I received my very first blog award this week! 

What award is this you ask? Well, let me tell you...

This award is given to bloggers with less than 200 followers, and of course, when you pass it forward good things will happen :) I'm all about good karma and fun games so let's do this.

{1} Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them!

{2} Grant the award to 5 of your favorite bloggers with less than 200 followers & link them!

{3} Post the award on your blog!

{4} Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the Internet--other bloggers of course!

{5} And best of all--have fun & spread the karma!

 

Thank you Ophelia for the sweet shout out. If you don't know her, check her out. 

She's adorable, I swear. And she likes hockey. 

Now it's my turn.

My nominees are as follows:

1. KB @One Big Happy Family...Usually

2. Jessie @Lovely Just The Way I am

3. Erin @The Swanky Southern Yankee

4. Mama B @Life with The Bruneaus

5. Christina @And for good measure...

Product of the Week - Pure Illumination Lip Gloss

Product of the Week - Pure Illumination Lip Gloss

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I was introduced to this little gem last weekend. Not sure why I didn't think of it myself. This lip gloss is saweetness.

Pure Illumination is made by The Lano Company. Click here for their website. They even have light up nail polish...

There is a mirror AND led light built into the packaging. Let me tell you. Need to apply that gloss after dinner, all without leaving for the bathroom? Your golden. Sure the boys may make fun of you at the table and all the girls in the restaurant will stare with pure envy BUT you won't have it all over your face. This is pure genius I tell you. 

{That is pretty much what you'll look like while applying.}

They say my lip gloss is poppin'

my lip gloss is cool  

All the boys keep jocking  

They chase me after school

The gloss itself is made up of lanolin, jojoba, sweet almond oil and vitamin e.  So smooth on your kisser.

$20 for this beaut but if you want to splurge or need a unique gift idea for a girlfriend, this is a very good option.

Link on up and share what you love.

 

Chicken Pot Pie recipe?

S.O.S.

I found what looked to be the best chicken pot pie recipe in all the land yesterday and I cannot remember nor find the blog I saw it on.

Help!

Anyone remember such thing? Help a sister out? Yes, I do realize how lame this is but people do strange things when they are desperate.

I will love you forever. Promise.

Reality junkie

Let me be honest. I love all things reality show. I can't help it.

If there was one reality show that I actually think I could do, it would be the Amazing Race.

I'm sure my anxiety would be through the roof and my Husband would have to do anything related to heights but that aside, I would LOVE it. I love this show.

This next season starts Feb. 19th. Get excited!

Today, I just saw that there will be two Big Brother reality stars. 

Yep, BRENDON & RACHEL or like we like to call them BRENCHEL.

I'll admit, I absolutely despised these two on Big Brother. I was straight up furious they were even re-casted.  Something changed mid season and I actually felt like I wanted Rachel to win. Sure she does the whole "baby talk" which makes me want to pull my hair out but besides that, and the constant crying that drove me crazy I may root for them.

Maybe.

One thing's for certain - these two are competitive by nature. The show should be good. I cannot wait.

Product of the Week - Vegetable Chopper

I love this idea that these two ladies came up with here we go!!

Chef'n VeggiChop Vegetable Chopper

Get it at Williams-Sonoma.

This may be my favorite kitchen gadget. 

Seriously, makes chopping veggies fun! You put them in the container, put the top on and pull the ring like handle just like your starting a lawn mower. The number of times you "pull" determines how fine your veggies are chopped. Big time saver. Huge.

Plus, it's inexpensive. If you cook at all, or know someone who does, get this. Promise they will love it as much as I do.

Oh How Pinteresting!

Love me some Pinterest. I know you do too, so go link up with The Vintage Apple. K thanks.

If you really want to torture yourself, pin while your starving. Right before lunch time. That's what I did yesterday, all I wanted to do was fake an illness at work, leave, rush to the grocery store and get my butt home to make 5 different appetizers and 3 different desserts.

I still pinned some fitness stuff. I like to balance it out. In my head anyways. That's the beauty in pinning.

Oh yeah, if you go by KB...start pinning. Please. I beg of you. Thanks love.

Here are some of my goodies from my shesh

{Drunk Gummies}

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I would have to make these for an adult only party however. I really want to try these. 

{This weekend I want to try this shot....}

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{This is actually a mile down the road from my house. It's pretty awesome!}

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{Work it out....}

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{Dinner?}

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{Yumm}

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{I want my Husband to do this for our cabin bano}

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{I want!}

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{I wonder if I can get Jack to do this?}

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Tattoo love

Linking up with the always humors, always lovely Raven on her I heart tattoos. 

Go link and show us your ink. {Don't worry I can't won't quit my day job.}

I love me some tattoos. I love the stories that go behind the ink. Infact, pretty sure I've spent a better portion of my day reading all those who have linked up. Any who...

I have one tattoo. 

When I was 19, I decided to get my daughter's name inked on my upper back, just below my neck. Plain, simple, but meaningful...

{Taylor}

{Special shout out to Carolyn for taking this photo. At work. In my cube. Thanks love!}

I just did the math on this sucker and it's almost 14 years old. Someone needs a touch up, like 10 years ago.

Do I have plans for more?

Absofreakingloutely! I want 3 more, I think. You see I have since had 2 more children. I am always reminded that I do not have their names inked by my 7 year old. It's just not fair....she's right. So I have plans for the much needed addition.

Foot 
I'm thinking of doing an old fashion type key, with their names inside it somehow. Still working this out in my head.

Ring finger
Either a heart under my rings OR my husbands name.

Inside ankle
Cursive letter "D"

This post really makes me want another one, bad. Like now.

My Little Entertainer.

My Ella, seriously cracks me up. All. The. Time.

She is the class clown type. She also can be very serious and matter of fact. She is also a little jock. Playing hockey, baseball, softball, soccer and wants to do dance and gymnastics but there's only so many hours in the day. She loves to sing and dance too!

 Beauty Sleeper

Last night I went to go check on her after she went to sleep. This is what I saw. She is cracks me up. I've tried using one of these but I constantly had the feeling of someone standing over me so I had to take it off. Ha, ha! Funny thing is, I've woken up many times to Ella standing over me. It's a freaky as it sounds. Then you hear the "Mom" whisper and everything is ok. I'm paranoid apparently.

 "Jack just hit me in the nuts!!!" 

Say whaaaa?!

Yes. She said that. It's very clear she does not know what "nuts" are. Ha, ha! My Husband asked her where she heard that, she wouldn't give it up. "I don't know" is all she would say. Hmmmm, maybe SCHOOL?  There are 2 people with "nuts" in our house and one is my Husband and the other can't say the word. Just saying....

 "Mom do you think my dreams will come true? Can I move to Hollywood?"

This was also a very recent serious question. Her dream is to be a singer in a band. She has been dreaming this one up for 2 years now.

First it started out small. Now they write their own songs. "They" are 2 neighbor kids and Ella. I'll find sheets of paper stapled together in her back pack labeled "Band Songs". Pretty detailed down to their solos. It's hilarious. I also found "Fan book" where people can sign up to be their fans. So freaking funny!!

We told her with hard work and dedication she can do anything in the world! She next said "so I can move to Hollywood when I'm older?! Will you take me there?!?!"

Then she proceeded to ask "How did Justin Bieber do it?"

"That's SICK!"

Then this past weekend, Ella had a hockey scrimmage. After our scrimmage, she said "Mom, after I scored a goal, my coach said 'Ella that goal was SICK' why would he say that?!"

Kid's say the funniest things. No doubt!

Happy Friday!!

Monday already?

How it is even Monday, I have no idea.

Here is my weekend in a nutshell...

Friday night, my Brother in Law Chad and his GF Jess came over for some quality grownup bonding time. We decided to Skype my other BIL Ryan & his GF Angie who lives in NC whom at the time was Skyping the SIL Molly in MN. Follow all that?

We had our iPad & phone on the table Skyping our hearts out. I decided we needed a "family picture" of said evening.

Skype Family Photo

{Jess & I thought it was funny to move our cups & straws so that it appeared Chad was taking sips while talking. I love how my Husband looks like he just stepped into a senior portrait session, nice honey!}

********************

Saturday was filled with hockey and more hockey. The morning started off with a little art session. Ella drew herself, then it was my turn to draw her. (She's a bossy teacher but who am I to argue!) Here is my drawing of my little hockey player...

Ella had hockey practice and then we decided to go to the HS Boys Varsity Hockey game that night. Our school was playing the school of the HS Sophomore Jack, who was paralyzed on  Dec. 30th in an  hockey hit. 

We pulled up to our arena (we share with that school so it's always a big rivalry type game) a good hour before the game and it was packed! Every major news station was there. The atmosphere was unreal. Both schools, one community, coming together to support this family. We bought t shirts and bought a puck for "Chuck a Puck" fundraiser. There were signs everywhere in support of "Jabbs". His younger brother came out and skated during warmups. The place erupted in support. The team prayed in the corner of the rink exactly where Jack was hit from behind, sending him head first into the boards, a week prior. In the 3rd period, they changed to score to "13-13", the jersey number he wears. The whole night was emotional. People were crying, cheering and then smiling. Kids came from other metro area schools to support the family. 

 {Here is my Jack. He sat there for over 3 hours. He loved it! Just mesmerized.}

Between the first and second periods, Jack's Mom gave an interview to the news stations. She gave such great news. Earlier that day, Jack moved both his arms!! This is the beginning of his miracles I'm certain. You see where his spinal cord was severed, he was not likely to be able to use his forearms, hands, legs and feet ever again. He's already proving the neurosurgeons wrong! 

If you could, keep this family in your prayers. It seems to be working!

************************

Sunday involved more hockey. A scrimmage for Ella. During my 17 month old's nap time. 

Jack wasn't so interested in watching this one. He was so exhausted.

"You keep me up late the night before and now you want me to sit here again and watch this again, while I should be sleeping? I have other plans..." - this is what I think he said to me in his head. 

I did not take any pictures at this scrimmage because we were either:

1. Keeping Goldfish crackers in constant supply.

2. Thowing the ball.  

OR

3. Chasing him up and down the front row of the bleachers. 

(My least favorite. The husband did most of the leg work, I'll have to admit)

4. Throwing a complete tantrum while bucked in his stroller while I glide the stroller back and forth for the last 5 minutes of the game. At least I could watch the scrimmage in peace for a minute or two. I'll take it!

We were able to catch 2 of Ella's goals though, so at least we had that going. After hockey, we were ready for a nap. Well, the Husband and I were. Jack finally gave in too.

Sunday evening for me was spent with my favorite 9th Grader at our Church for the Sexuality Retreat. It's a 5 hour Milestone they have to complete for their Confirmation Class. Parents were invited for the last 2 hours. After we got home, I put her "Sexuality Promises" on the fridge. They were no where to be seen after about 15 minutes. Not that I really would leave them up, just wanted to see if she would, and she didn't...

We had dinner then got the kids ready for bed. Then it was time for a nice glass or 4 of wine to end our night over an intense game of scrabble on the ipad. I won. Ha, ha!

So that about sums it up for my weekend. They go so fast. I cherish every second of them!!

Here's to hoping the work days fly by!

When Siblings Babysit

One advantage to having your kids far, far apart in age is you have a built in family babysitter.

Let's face it, Taylor is 14 1/2 so she can help out by watching her siblings (age 7 and 17 months) for 2 hours right so the rents can go see a movie. Am I right? Well, we think so anyways.

We get home from the movie to find this:

Ella was keeping score of how Jack did while we were gone. Jack is 17 months old. Ha, ha! According to Ella, he was BAD twice, HAPPY once and MAD once.

I asked her "Ella what did Jack do that made him bad?" She quickly replied "he was throwing his carrots all over the floor and at the dogs."

Ha, ha!

I love these moments.

Prayers please

Please say a prayer for Jack Jablonski. He is a Sophmore in High School and was injured last week in a JV Hockey game. He went in for surgery today. You can read one of the articles here.

Breaks my heart. 

As a hockey Mom I feel something needs be be done. Checking from behind needs to stop. They need to eject kids who do this. Bottom line. Starting with the coaching, let them know it will not be tolerated. Ending with the officiating, immediately eject any player who hits from behind. Don't give them a 2 minute boarding penalty.  I get you have to play the body but to check from behind - no. Come on USA Hockey! I hope this gets their attention.

Even though we are strangers, I can't stop thinking about this kid and his family. Please say a prayer!

I guess I'm a Brunette?

I did it.

I dyed my hair brown. I'm a brunette and it's so weird.

I feel like I don't match my kids. My kids have very light hair. I used to have light hair.

I'm not 100% sold on this yet (as if you couldn't tell). 

You see, last night I had a hair appointment. I was ready. Something big. New Year new you? Ok. 

"I'm thinking of going dark. Do you think that's a bad idea?" old blonde me asks the stylist.

"Oh! Your eyes will POP! It will look so good!" brunette stylist replies.

"Let's do it up!"

This is the result...

What do you all think? Should I just stop being such a baby? You should have seen my Son look at me with his big blue eyes this morning. It was like they were asking "are you my Mommy?"

I tried asking my Husband if it was bad and of course he answers, you look good both ways. It's like come on. You HAVE to have an opinion. Do you prefer it this way or the other way. I just want the truth.

To top it all off. My Husband just messages me a funny story about Ella,  from their morning commute yesterday that he forgot to tell me. They were listening to the radio station's morning show. They were having people call in to fill in the blank. "I MARRIED A __________".

Ella shouts "you should call in!" 

He laughs and says "oh yeah?"

Ella replies "yeah, you can say I MARRIED A HOBO!"

She immediately starts laughing  like she's the funniest thing since Chelsea Handler.

Normally, I may have laughed. Today, not so much. Now I'm a hobo. Great.

I can already tell this day is going to be great. 

Crap. What did I do?