35 Years...

Today my mom and dad celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. Over the past few days I have been thinking a lot about this milestone and I am so proud of this accomplishment. These days not many couples make it to 35 years together. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always looked up to my mom and dad as a couple. Every day they make it work. Life has not always been easy for them, but they get through everything together, arm in arm. My mom asked my dad today what he thought had changed the most since they got married and his reply was simply, "well, your hair is a little shorter." :) Here are some reasons why I think they have stayed together so long:

1.) They hardly ever argue, in fact my mom told me she can't really even remember if they've ever even had a real fight.
2.) They make each other laugh everyday.
3.) They have different interests. My mom loves to go shopping with the girls, while by dad plays a round of golf with the guys.
4.) They both love their families and would do anything for them.
5.) They don't sweat the small stuff.
6.) They appreciate each other and show one another often.
7.) They have complete trust.
8.) They still look at one another like I remember they did when I was growing up.

Lovebirds

Happy anniversary Mom and Dad! I love you!

A Beautiful Life...

Today while reading my daily headlines on www.cnn.com, I stumbled across the most inspirational story I've read in a long time. A beautiful little girl in Washington named Rachel Beckwith had a special request for her 9th birthday last month. Instead of receiving gifts, she wanted her family to donate to a charity that provides clean drinking water to undeveloped countries. On her birthday she didn't quite meet her goal of $300, but she didn't give up hopes of reaching it. Weeks after her birthday, she tragically died in a car accident. Although she is gone, her memory lives on in the cause that she cared so deeply about. While reading this story, I couldn't help but feel completely moved by it. I hope one day my little girl grows up with the same giving, generous, and self-less spirit that this 9 year old lived her life with. I am happy to report that as of today her fundraising page has reached $122,192. 

Rachel Beckwith

Check out this incredible story:
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/24/girl-dies-after-crash-selfless-act-inspires-thousands-in-donations/?hpt=hp_c2


and to donate to Rachel's cause click here:
http://www.mycharitywater.org/p/campaign?campaign_id=16396


I'm going to give Ruby some extra hugs!


***Update: Her campaign has now raised over $620,000... so amazing how many lives she will touch!

Willy, Nilly, Silly, Old Bear...

Today I took Ruby to see her first movie: Winnie the Pooh. I'm pretty sure she didn't watch more than 5 minutes of it... she was having too much fun throwing her stuffed penguin in the air, crawling around the floor/seats, and trying to spy on the other kids in the theater. It was definitely a memorable experience and she sure made me smile with her silliness. We will probably not be going to another movie until she is a little older. You live and learn... 

I Am...

I am a mommy to the sweetest little girl in the world.

I am someone who has the biggest heart for animals.

I am someone who worries constantly.

I am the girl who has had the same best friends since elementary school.


I am someone who gets embarrassed for people on t.v., so embarrassed in fact that I often have to turn the channel.

I am not a morning person.

I am someone who has experienced one of the worst things in the world… losing a sister to cancer.

I am the teacher who wants my students to love reading and writing.

I am a daughter who appreciates my parents more since becoming a parent myself.

I am someone who loves to create things as a way to relax.

I am a glass half full kind of thinker.

I am a lover of Diet Coke, shopping, and long walks.

I am absolutely terrified of heights.

I am someone who enjoys planning parties.

I am the mommy trying to discipline other people’s children in public. (I think it’s the teacher in me…)

I am one of the lucky few that has found my soul mate.

I am someone who would spend my entire paycheck on veterinary bills for my sick dogs.

I am the mom who wears yoga pants/capris all summer long, even though I don’t take yoga.

I am a borderline control freak.

I am someone who is terrified of losing the ones I love.

I am someone who loves to laugh.

I am perfectly content spending my weekends at home in the company my family.

I am someone who cannot tolerate pain very well.

I am someone who reads quotes for a hobby.

I am a lover of music.

I am me. 

Wordless Wednesday...

20 Months...

Dear 20 Month Old Ruby,


This is a few days late... how the time flies! You are definitely a summer girl. As of yesterday you finally jumped in grandma's swimming pool. Well it was more of a lean over the side flop, but you wanted to do it over and over again. I loved the look on your face when you would hit the water... pure excitement! 


You are quite the talker these days too. Some of the cutest things you say are: "Here mom," "Darby Sue," "Papi" and "Roll Over!" I could sit and listen to you chat all day long. Lately you love to grab daddy's or mommy's cell phone and have the longest conversations on them.


You are officially mommy's little helper. When I unload the dishwasher you hand me all of the dishes to put away... you even know when the soap goes. You love to help feed the dogs, put laundry away, pick up toys, and help dad too. 


You have a such a zest for life and are always so happy... I hope you never lose that happy-go-lucky attitude. I'm going to miss spending these long summer days with you when work starts again.  I love you peanut!


Love, Mom

Wordless Wednesday...

Summer Stay-at-Home Mom...

     When I first got a teaching job, I loved it and for the most part I enjoyed going to work everyday. Twenty months ago my feelings began to change. After I had Ruby, I dreaded the thought of being away from her all day. My maternity leave flew by and before I knew it, I was back to work. It was the hardest thing ever to leave her all day, but the bills had to get paid somehow. 
     Last summer and now this summer break with her, I am realizing all of the things I miss out on during the school year. It makes me so sad to see how fast she is growing up and I miss so much of it when I am working. As the upcoming school year approaches, I am having to try to find childcare for my daughter. The thought of paying someone to spend time with Ruby breaks my heart because I so badly want to spend that time with her... I know financially we cannot afford for me to be a stay-at-home mom, but I can still dream, right? 
     This summer has been a tease for what it could be like to spend my days at home with Ruby. I hope she knows as she grows up how much I love spending time with her. I still love working with children, I would just prefer to be with my own all day. I honestly can't imagine having a year round job. Anytime I get upset about this, I just remind myself that I'll always have my summers with her and I have to savor every moment... 

My flower child...

Fill in the Blanks Friday...

1.   My plans this summer include  spending as much time as possible playing with Ruby... going to the zoo, shopping, swimming, etc.

2.  The best summer I ever had was  when I was young my family would spend time every summer at a cabin on a lake in Missouri. Perfect...

3.  Summer is the best time of the year.

4.  My favorite summer food is WATERMELON!!!

5.  The best way to quench a summer thirst is with a cold Diet Coke or a big glass of iced tea.

6.  My summer uniform consists of usually active/workout clothes.

7.  The best thing about summer is being around my family.

Roll Over...

Lately Ruby has become obsessed with reading. I love cuddling up in our rocking chair and getting lost with her in a good book. Over the past couple of weeks she has been loving the book Roll Over: A Counting Song. We probably read/sing this book at least five times a day and every time she loves it more than before. Yesterday morning instead of yelling her typical "MOM!" when she wakes up in the morning, she yelled "roll over!" I couldn't stop smiling!

Ruby's Favorite!

The Traveling Toddler

Here is a little list I put together for Ruby's top five must-have travel accessories:

1.) The classic Magna-Doodle. This was by far Ruby's favorite travel toy. This entertained her the entire plane ride and was great to have when we went out to eat while vacationing. Plus, it's all the fun of drawing with out the mess.

2.) Sugarbooger Peek-a-Boo Bags. Ruby loved trying to find all of the miniature toys and animals in each bag. This was also great on the plane and it fits so nicely in any carry-on bag. 

3.) Gigglebellies DVD (An award winning one too!). Since we were out of town, I thought I would bring something familiar that Ruby sees often at home. She watched this before bed in the hotel and loves to dance to the fun music and see the bright colors. This would also be great for a plane or car ride with a portable dvd player.

4.) Wikki Stix. These foldable, bendable, and twistable creations were given to us by a restaurant in San Diego. I had always used them in my classroom but never thought about taking them on a trip with us. These are another great tool for kids who like to create and they don't make a mess. Ruby loved exploring with them!

5.) Last but not least, when all of the above fail (which they shouldn't) I packed a secret stash of Ruby's favorite: Mini M and M's. Now I don't let her eat junk food often, but I made some exceptions on vacation.

All of these items are small, convenient and under $15. They all fit in Ruby's backpack nicely and I would recommend all of them for anyone traveling with toddlers. Happy Trails To You!

Ruby's Skip Hop Mouse backpack

Fourth of July in Pictures...

"My patriotic heart beats red, white, and blue." ~Author Unknown

A perfect day!

Happy Birthday America!!!

USA, USA, USA!!!

Patriotic Flair...

Here are some new pieces I created to celebrate Independence Day:

Fireworks yo yo flower for Ruby

Red, white, and blue yo yo for Ruby

Frayed, braided, and hand sewn patriotic flower #1

Frayed, braided and hand sewn patriotic flower #2

Proud Mommy...

Recent Ramblings courtesy of Ruby: "Papa," "car," "book," "bird," "Daddy," "Mommy," "Kiki," "puppy," "kitty," "milk," "Winnie," "Josh," "Why mommy?"

New Foods: tortilla chips, hummus, yogurt covered raisins, risotto, strawberry milk

Exciting Experiences: playing with the garden hose, trying to catch lightning bugs, running barefoot through the grass, swimming in grandma's pool (she doesn't remember it from last year), picking flowers, going to church, throwing a frisbee, touching a walking stick bug at the zoo, knowing the parts of the body, playing with a rabbit and pug at the humane society, sitting in a booster seat

On another note, I have come to the conclusion that Ruby is going to turn into a pretty good kid. I present you with 10 things that make me incredibly proud to be her mommy:

1.) She loves to share. You would see this daily at breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack when she gladly shares her food with her dogs. She just can't help herself and they don't mind either. 

2.) She uses manners. Every night when we read books together, she will run over to the rocking chair and say, "Up please!" 

3.) She helps pick up her toys. Sometimes I don't even have to ask her.

4.) She doesn't talk to strangers. Some might think it is just her being shy, which it could be, but it's never too early to teach this.

5.) She loves reading. She has a room full of toys but all she wants to do while in her room is read book after book, which is fine by me.

6.) She doesn't give up. If this little girl wants something bad enough, she will find a way to get it. 

7.) She loves animals. This is a borderline obsession. There is nothing cuter than seeing her give our furry friends a big smooch.

8.) She accepts responsibility. Whenever Ruby gets in trouble, she will sit in time out for a minute, then come over to me and give me the biggest kiss. 

9.) She comforts people when they're sad. 

10.) She has the best sense of humor! This little girl loves to laugh and to make other people laugh. 

There are a million things that make me proud to be Ruby's mommy, but these were just a few I thought I would share. 

Fill in the Blanks Friday...

1. The best news I ever received was finding out I was pregnant with my sweet baby girl.

2. Something I'm looking forward to is marrying the love of my life someday.

3. Something I would never do is sky dive or bungee jump... way too afraid of heights.

4. If I could choose someone to be my life coach (famous or not, living or dead), I'd chose my mom, she always knows what to say to make me feel better about things.

5. If I had to put a label on my style it would be simple, casual, and relaxed. I usually don't ever wear prints. I once heard a quote about how solid colors never look out of style when you look back at old pictures and ever since then, I never wear prints.

6. One should always do the things that make them happy.

7. I want to go to the seven wonders of the world some day...