Thankful for another Day.

I'm thankful today.  Just as I am everyday, for another start, another joy, another celebration whether those come in the form of happiness or sorrow.  

I am thankful for another chance to be kind rather than rude, to be grateful and open rather than resentful and closed, to be strong and confident rather than weak and easily swayed, to be the me I was born to be rather than following someone else's lead, to have chosen to bring children into this world and to choose to be their mother and 

all that that title entails, to have a choice, to have a voice, and to use it for good rather than for evil.  

I'm thankful for all those who have made so many sacrifices before me to ensure that I am free.  I am thankful for another opportunity today to take full advantage of that freedom, of my blessings and share 
blessings and love with others.  

Today, I am thankful for much. 
grace 

So much for Perfect Attendance this year...

That's right, who in the world misses the first day of school when not on a planned vacation or ill???? We do ...  

I was so psyched about celebrating the last week of summer with my crew this week, that I didn't even realize school actually began today for 2 of my 3 heading off to school this year.  

We had a great day accidentally playing hooky though:)--turned it in to a full day of State Parking it!

We had such a fun spur of the moment Family day together, we checked out Guadalupe State Park--wondering where everyone was??  Why weren't they all out soaking in the last bit of summer with us???

And here we are at Canyon Lake State Park, because, why not? 

Rounded off the day enjoying some ice cream and Rudy's Barbeque, it was a GREAT Day :)  

 Check out this montage of Maximus, true to form and true to the shirt he's sporting! 

Our Octopus ...

By the end of the night though, especially after the sugar low came roaring through and the effects of no nap times shined brightly and LOUDLY,  John and I are more than overwhelmed with joy, and a bit of giddiness, of having 2 in school for the remainder of the week ;)

Here's to an early Fresh Start tomorrow to 2011-2012 School year--Yay!!

summer 2011

I have taken this summer to truly, fully, wholly embrace each moment that I have been given with my wonderful four, my family, my friendships, my work, my craft.  I have organized each room in my house--once, it needs to be done again actually ... BUT I did do a one time major clean out/purge/filing/sorting of EVERYTHING week.  I played with each of my children, read books, rode bikes, swam ... I created with each, shared paint, shared stories, shared dirt, and lots of germs for sure.  I took just the 'bigs' out on occasion, and hung back with just the 'littles' while John got to share in the same experience of just having 2 again ;)  I went on date nights, and girls nights and had nights all to myself.  I made a cake from scratch, and Beef Wellington!  I became obsessed with the Food Network ... I entertained, I love hostessing :)  I exercised and really started taking a good hard look at what I eat ... I went on my first vacation since my honeymoon, granted it was with 4 children--but also a babysitter ;)  I enjoyed lots of one on one time with my husband and we really got to know each other again in these new roles we play in our real life now.  I brought Ava into the family business, she helped to create our next line of birds soon to be out, in fact!  

I lived this summer, and really enjoyed being me, and loved being with all those that make me, me:) I'm so thankful to be able to have the time to embrace Summer Breaks, 

I'm glad I took the time and really did this summer.

Kidspiration of the Month--our very own AVA BIRD!!

Kidspired Creations: Kidspiration of the Month!

Check out full interview and get inspired!!  

Such a fun blog, Casey :)

This was such a special moment for 

Ava and it shows :)  

She looks and sounds like such a natural throughout this interview.

I was so proud and thankful that 

I get to be her mommy :)

BIG BIG news coming next week!!!  

Stay tuned ...

And the Winners Are ....

 
Cat IS THE WINNER

of the

1st drawing: 

(Picked by Ava Bird)  

 

Our Lion, Leonidas, chose Pam as the winner of Drawing #2!

And MAXIMUS OUR OCTOPUS Picked Lizzie Brown as our winner of Drawing #3!!! 

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO 

EACH OF OUR WINNERS!!!   

And an even larger thank you to all of our Little Bird fans out there who make us, us:)

Next drawing will be picked on time next time--I promise! 

Uh-Oh!

Okay, this is what happens when you're a mompreneur that works mainly around school, nap and night time hour days ... You forget how crazy it gets to work with kiddo's around and forget about things ... 

Precisely what took place tonight--dinner ran over, bath time was late, bedtime was needed and then, just as I got the last sleepy headed duo down, I realized it was 7:05 and the drawing did not take place.  

Positives: One more day to enter!  We'll draw the winning entries right after nap time tomorrow--4:30ish.

Drawing tonight!!!! 9 hours and counting ...

Drawing takes place at 7 o'clock tonight in our newly redecorated 

Little Bird Vintage Designs 

home studio!!!  

Pictures to be included with every win :)

Thanks to my mama blog friends Rebecca, of http://parkercountymama.com/ and Casey, of http://www.mykidspiration.blogspot.com/ for adding a new way to get entered in the drawings 3x's by posting us on your blog!!  

Our non-blogging fans can earn 3x's the entry as well by forwarding it out to friends via email or posting us on your Facebook wall--just cc us at grace@littlebirdvintagedesigns.com 

to let me know.

Wishing you luck!

9 hours and counting!!!