My boys

My faithful friends who love so dear,

Thank you for standing by as I gather myself, 

For being patient as I mother children,

For often foregoing our long evening walks to get the kids bathed,

For licking the cheeks of the giggly babe,

For posing for many a photo,

For playing chase with us,

For cleaning up the floor after a child's messy meal,

For the long strings of drool that fall from your jowls when a treat is near,
For your perky attitude and spry ways even when you can no longer hear,
For always waiting,
For loving each other,
and

For always loving me.

I promise we will run wild and free again soon.

Charming Charm Tales...

My cousin was lucky enough to acquire a beautiful antique charm bracelet while she was travelling in Birmingham some time ago.  The bracelet was actually in a pile of gold pieces that were going to be melted down and sold.  She pleaded with the jewlery shop owner to "save" the fantastic charm bracelet and purchased it for it's weight.  This extraordinary charm bracelet chronicles the life-events of a young woman in England.  Clearly, charms were added that signified some important event in her life.  My cousin was so moved by the story that this beautiful charm bracelet told.  She eventually wrote a book about this fantastic story of charms.  She just published the book, 33 Bits, last year.  It is a lovely story.  Her primary intention for writing the story was to hopefully locate the owner or relatives of this exquisite bracelet.  It is an admirable undertaking and I applaud her efforts ( I would probably selfishly keep the gorgeous bracelet ).  If you get a chance to read her book, it is fabulous.  Perhaps you know someone in England that longs for her lost bracelet?

After hearing about my cousin's find, I vowed to start charm bracelets for my children (if I ever had any girls).  I have successfully begun charm bracelets for both my girls.  We enjoy adding special charms to signify special events in their lives.  Perhaps their bracelets will tell the story of their lives someday.  I also love supporting a local jewelry store in our area who makes some of the loveliest sterling silver charms.   Do you have a charm bracelet?  What do the charms on your bracelet signify?

Southern snowflakes

Did you taste any snowflakes today?

There's nothing like enjoying the view out your bedroom window...

or at least pretending like you do while Momma tries to take the "perfect" picture for the umpteenth time.

freedom

Freedom for my 3-year-old has finally been achieved! 

 Do you remember the day you first learned to ride away?  

For me, it signaled a life-time of freedoms to come: riding my trike behind my big brother and his friends madly trying to catch up, riding a bike to the neighborhood 7-11 to spend my change on a Slur-pee, driving lessons on the way home from Grandma's house in the old gold Station wagon and driving to school for the first time.

It seems like riding somewhere for a purpose is a rite of passage.  Our purpose these days is delivering the mail to the post box and cruising to the park on sunny afternoons.  There is nothing like it in the world and I remember it so clearly as I watch my cheerful girl relish in the delight of her newfound freedom.  

Mommas, I highly recommend this trike for your wee ones.  It is the same style I learned on and has been super for my girl.  Durable, light-weight (we hang ours in the garage on the wall), all metal, adjustable seat and easy to pedal....plus, it can double as a scooter (with a little imagination--yes, one less toy to buy!). 

Enjoy your freedom!

Fab K...

So, Fabulous K Creative is giving away another lovely blog design.  I absolutely love her simple, classy, modern and timeless creations.  Being a relatively new blogger, I desperately want a chic and modern design for my own little corner of blog land.

If you are in need of a special new look, check it out.  You could be a winner too!

sick, sick, sick...

I am officially SICK!  I have and extreme and unforeseen obsession with bags.  Bags of any kind: handbags, over-the-shoulder bags, beach bags, clutch purse bags, "green" bags, casual bags, dressy bags and diaper bags.  The diaper bag has done it to me.  Prior to little munch-kins, I was very happy using one handbag until it bit the dust.  But NOW, I have turned into this perfect-bag-seeking crazed person.  The perfect bag occurs in many different  forms is the problem. Leather is a true classic along with sturdy sailor canvas and we can't forget the handy oil cloth for wiping up yucky messes.  The combination purse and diaper bag can be hard to find.  Therein lies another problem...do you buy the big purse and cram  the baby stuff inside or do you buy the stylish diaper bag and use it for both?  Or you can just tell yourself that you need both--a diaper bag and purse.  The problem is that I can't seem to get enough.   I love bags.  It is just plain sick.  Forget clothes and shoes, bags are my new love.

A sampling of some of the"perfect" bag candidates above can be found at:

Lands End

Kitsch'n Glam

Target (yes, Target...I was pessimistic too but found awesome quality brands online)

Baby Star (thanks, Jenn for introducing me to these fun bags)