The Ultimate Gift of Spring

For this entire week, I've been running errands all day, every day. I'm exhausted.

But, I'm almost ready. The baby stuff is mostly set up, my homebirth supplies organized. I'm almost there.

It's Spring here, but it hasn't felt like it. This week has been cold, rainy, and we even got some snow yesterday morning. So while I've had to be content at looking through the window at the new life outside, I've got all the new life I need right inside me, kicking away.

Soon, I'll hold this new life in my arms. The best Spring ever.

38 Weeks.

You Capture: Spring

The Ultimate Gift of Spring

Sharing Secrets

I don't know what they were whispering about...what secrets they were sharing....

And it's not important anyway.

I just know that despite how crazy and insane life is right now....there is still so much joy in this house.

Joyful secrets that sisters share...we are so blessed.

Sharing Secrets

Coming Down To The Wire

I know I disappeared for a week.

I'm 37 weeks pregnant and not only am I running around preparing last minute things for baby's arrival, but I've also had a lot of other things that I've had to sort out in my life, too.

I needed to take a little time off, and take care of my family. But, I missed you guys. I missed writing.

Plus, to be honest, I need to sit back and re-examine the thoughts and energy I was putting out in the universe. Because lately, they've been really negative. But I've worked on that, and I can honestly say that despite everything that is going on, life is really good right now.

In about three weeks, this life kicking happily away inside me will be in my arms. My little nursling. Full of that sweet newborn smell.

I've got another giveaway coming up, and in a few weeks I will have pictures of my belly casting, family and maternity photo shoot, and mothers blessing to share with you. It's all coming together now.

In the meantime, here is a bit of sweetness to tide you over:

Oh, how my heart melts!!

Coming Down To The Wire

Non-Toxic Tots Winner!!

Today's Friday, right?

I know, I know. I am two days late in announcing the winner. Life has been incredibly insane this week.

Forgive me, friends?

Now for the fun part: The winner of the $20 gift card to Non-Toxic Tots (picked by a random number generator) is....LoveMyLevi! Congrats! I will be contacting you shortly.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered!!

Non-Toxic Tots Winner!!

Fresh Start

Life has been crazy this week. Besides trying to get everything ready for the baby, it was also my first week as a single mom.

It sounds so weird to write "single mom". It was never something that I thought I would call myself. I haven't been able to bring myself to say it out loud yet.

I constantly doubt myself and my abilities. I wonder if I am doing the right thing.

The Mermaid comes up to me all smiles and love. I look into her eyes for the answer....and see myself staring back. And there it is, the answer.

Because now she sees me in a fresh start. She sees me a little scared, yes: but happy. And no longer stressed.

It's our fresh start. And it is good.

You Capture: Fresh

Fresh Start

Triscuit: Helping Families in Home Farming

I love Triscuit crackers. A healthier snack that reminds me of great cheese, wine, and friends.

And I LOVE that they have teamed up with UrbanFarming.org for the Home Farming Movement. I was excited to see this partnership announced back in March on the Ellen Show.

According to the website:

From rural areas to urban communities, home farms are sprouting up all over the country. And it's only just begun. Triscuit has created this site with help from Urban Farming, a non-profit organization, to help build a home farming community where both beginners and more seasoned gardeners can dialogue and gather information towards their common mission: to reap food that is deliciously fresh, penny-wise, healthier for themselves and the planet. It’s about home farming, and the everyday joy that grows out of it. So join us and let’s get farming!

As part of the program, Triscuit is now giving away plant-able seed cards in four million boxes of Triscuits!

I already have my box of Triscuits and the girls and I are so excited to plant our seeds and officially start our first home garden.

You can visit the Kraft website for more information on growing your own garden, including how to find other community farms. You can also visit UrbanFarming.org for more information on the movement and ways to start your own home farm.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Triscuit and received the product necessary to facilitate my candid review. In addition, I received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Triscuit: Helping Families in Home Farming

How Did I Manage?

This weekend I attended my local La Leche League's Area Conference.

The information and knowledge is just swimming around in my head. I LOVED it. And it was nice to get a break.

But, I did miss my girls.

When I picked them up Sunday night, The Guppy kept telling me how much she missed me. She spent the rest of the night clinging to me, so eventually we ended up cuddling on the couch.

At one point, she asked me Did you miss your cuddlebug? (Cuddlebug is my nickname for her).

Of course. I didn't have anyone to cuddle with, so I'm glad we are back together. I told her.

She immediately sat up, look at me with wide eyes and asked No one to cuddle with for the whole weekend? How did you manage?!?

How, indeed...

How Did I Manage?

Girl Time (With Giveaway!)

She's not usually the girly one in the family, but she does love to have her nails painted. Begged me to paint her nails, actually. But I resisted; the chemical smell alone of nail polish makes me sick and gives me headaches, why would I want to expose my child to that?

But then Kaiya from Non-Toxic Tots graciously sent me some Piggy Paint natural nail polish and Piggy Paint natural nail polish remover to review.
No toxic and smelly fumes. No worries about dangerous chemicals. No garish colors that would look tacky on a 5 year old.

Just quality time with my big girl, giggling and painting our nails.

Either my camera is playing a trick on me, or she just got a little bit older.
My big girl. My beauty. My heart.

Giveaway: Kaiya is offering one lucky reader a $20 gift certificate to Non-Toxic Tots. To enter, just visit Non-Toxic Tots and look around, then come back here and leave a comment on which product you love.

For extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

~ Join the Non-Toxic Tots fan page on Facebook

~ Tweet about this giveaway (just add @roxanne600 to your tweet)

~ Blog about this giveaway

~ Subscribe to my blog or follow me.

I will choose a random winner on Friday, April 23rd. Good luck!

Girl Time (With Giveaway!)

Field Trip

Yesterday the girls and I went on a field trip to a local farm with our homeschooling co-op. I love this group...all the moms and kids get along great, and the girls get to socialize and are exposed to different styles of teaching.

It was lambing season at the farm and the kids could not get enough of the cute little lambs.


This lamb was born a few short hours before this picture was taken. Mother had yet to deliver the afterbirth.
The girls and their friends :)

Field Trip

Lullaby

I took this picture after watching The Mermaid sing The Guppy a lullaby until she fell asleep. The Mermaid then fell asleep herself, cuddled up with her sister.

So thankful I was there to capture this precious moment.

Oh, my dear loves. If you only knew how precious you are to me.

You Capture: Comfort

Lullaby

A Girl, Engrossed

Wordless Wednesday: Five Minutes For Mom.

A Girl, Engrossed

Journey Shoes

She is such my girly-girl.

For her journey, she likes to wear pretty shoes that shine.



She teaches me to see and enjoy beauty in all things.



Even if it's only a pair of shoes.

Journey Shoes

Easter Hugs

I like Easter because it is so much fun for the girls. Easter egg hunts, anticipation of the bunny's arrival...so much joy.

So much love, so many hugs.

I hope you had a good one, friends.

Easter Hugs

Here.

Sunshine.

Warmth.

Flowers.

Life.

Spring is finally here. The perfect season to welcome new life into our family.

We are so excited to meet this baby.

But for now, we bask in the sun, warmth, and joy of this moment.

For now, we are here.

Here.

Footprints

All of my children have made footprints on my heart.

This baby, though not yet born, is no exception.

I'm 34 weeks today, and it is getting harder to pick her up. But the kisses and cuddles made it all worth it.

You Capture: Feet

Footprints

Right In Front Of Me

I know that sometimes I worry too much.

I've been doing that a lot lately.

This morning, when I came down to make breakfast, The Mermaid handed me a drawing that she had made for me. I read the words she wrote and couldn't believe it. When I asked her where she saw these words, she pointed to two tablets that have hung in the kitchen for over six months now.

The answer had been right in front of my eyes this whole time. I just needed a little reminder, sent to me from my beautiful girl.

Faith. Hope. Love. Believe. Dream. Imagine.

Somehow, the future is a little less scary then before...

Right In Front Of Me