TWO!

Yesterday was my babie's second birthday. I really can't stand it! I am usually delivering another baby about now. I am not ready for this birthday to come! When he is not smiling he has a mouth full of food or he is singing a tune. He thinks everything is "coowl" and is the sunshine in our home. I love you baby boy!

ThanksDoulamomma!

Congratulations Doulamomma on winning Tiny Dancer yesterday! Thanks for donating to Carol's fund.

Crabmommy auction

Tiny Dancer is up for auction at www.crabmommy.blogspot.com along with some other great stuff! Thanks Crabmommy!

September Auction

You may remember that at the close of the Nie Auction I wrote about another auction I wanted to do. I was going to do this last week but I am trying to do it on a combined auction site since I don't have that many readers! A woman at my church told about a friend of her's, Carol, when she was teaching a Sunday School lesson. I was struck by the magnitude of what this family was going through.


Carol Decker is a mom who had a streptococcal pneumonia infection when she was pregnant. After a c-section surgery, Carol had both legs amputated below the knee and also her left hand. Because of her medication she is blind. This is her second daughter and her baby is only 3-months old. The Decker's will pay around $80,000 for rehab that is not covered by insurance. More info here. If you would like to bid on some of my prints, the auction will be on my site or on the site of another auction at the end of this week. I will let you know where and when! This is a great was to help and get a little something too. Thanks for your help.

Bathroom Blues

OK- I know I already posted today but my son walked in from

school today and said this, "Mom, I did something so good today. I went into the bathroom today at school and it was so gross and messy and their was toilet paper everywhere. I stayed in there and cleaned and cleaned until it shone." I sat and stared at him, my emotions somewhere in between great pride and also being somewhat troubled by the image of this tiny six year old doing this not so pleasant task. I tried to smile. I said-"Did you happen to wash your hands?" Then came the answer every mother dreads. "Ahhhh.... I think I may have forgotten that part."

Deep Thoughts

I am just getting to go running with a friend and our jogging strollers. These quotes came to mind.

Whenever I feel like exercise I lie down until the feeling passes. -Robert Maynard Hutchins

I am not into working out. My philosophy: No pain, no pain. - Carol Leifer

In Memory

It is has been seven years since we stood in a leather market in Florence Italy and heard the alarming news that New York had been attacked. It is a day I will never forget. We proceeded to run all over the city trying to get through to the U.S. to find out the status of my brother's family that live in the city. We also wanted to find out what exactly was fact and fiction. After spending some time in a church praying, we looked all over the city for a T.V. We found one in a smokey bar and spent most of the night staring horrified at the screen. It was inspiring to spend the next month traveling through Europe. Most Americans had gone home but we had saved up for this trip for so long and we couldnt afford to change our tickets. We traveled from city to city and witnessed people showing their support for our nation. Even countries that usually are not necessarily friendly to us. I, as most of you can probably say, I will never forget what happened that Septemeber 11th and the lives that were lost.

It's my amazing father's birthday! I hope you have a great one. Dad you are such an amazing grandfather, father and friend. Throughout my life I have been able to rely on your advice and friendship. I always know that I could always ask you to help me on any project or school assignment. I remember you staying up with me many a night, all night, to guide me through a paper or give me advice on and art project. I remember you working side by side with me and my siblings in the yard. I remember you having scripture study with us over breakfast at before school. I remember personal interviews and fathers blessings. And even though there were ten of us, I remeber one on one daddy trips or dates. But most of all I have always known that I could ever question what you believe in or what your priorities are. Dad, you are such an example to each of us through our lives. You inspire us with your strength, determination and commitment to what you believe in. I feel so blessed to have you in my life and the lives of our children. We love you Dad and hope you have an incredible birthday!

namaste

Now I can't tell you much about yoga. A few years ago I did by a DVD for beginners but I learned that just having it on the shelf does not give me the lean and sculpted body I have always desired. When my husband was in business school we lived in Berkeley. Yoga is kind of a big there. There was a whole section at the library on yoga and my oldest, then 3, started to look at the books. One day he asked to do the DVD I had on the shelf. We didn't have TV so he was desperate! Anyway, since then he has been hooked. Later I found a Yoga Kids video at a thrift store. I would really recommend it. It has drawn my little ones in more than the adult versions. But what is the result of this seeming ridiculous morning routine? An extra 20-30 minutes for mom to shower or do laundry. It channels their morning energy and hey, someone in my family may get that sculpted body after all!

Labor Day Labors

My oldest asked me while doing some yard chores, "Are you sure this is what this holiday is about?"