QUOTE OF THE DAY

AS PART OF THE "ONCE UPON A TIME" CHALLENGE I AM TAKING PART IN I AM RE READING SOME ONE OF THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS.

THE BOOKS THEMSELVES CAME OUT WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I LOVED THEM FROM THE BEGINNING.  WHEN THE MOVIE CAME OUT IT TOOK IT TO A WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL.  IN A WAY I IDEALIZED JK ROWLING, BECAUSE I SAW A WOMAN WHO HAD BEEN THROUGH SOME DIFFICULT TIMES AND MADE IT TO THE OTHER SIDE.

WHEN I FIRST READ THEIS QUOTE IT OPENED UP A WHOLE NEW THOUGHT FOR ME.....

THIS QUOTE DOES WHAT A REALLY GOOD QUOTE IS SUPPOSE TO DO, IT ALLOWS US TO DREAM, TO EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR OUR LIFE, TO FLY.  WE MAY NOT ALL BE HARRY POTTER BUT WE CAN ALL ACHIEVE BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS!

OH BY THE WAY, HERE IS THE HARRY POTTER TAG I DID ON YOUTUBE! YOU CAN WATCH IF YOU ARE INTERESTED...

HAVE A MAGICAL AND PEACEFUL EVENING!!!

Quote of the Day

Today quote is something I heard the first time in high school.  I loved my high school it was a terrific mix of people, and as far as I was aware of there was very little bullying because people had the ability to be who they were. 

It was during those years that I met my best friend, we have been through many event in our lives at the same time, we were married the same year and we both gave birth to our first children (2 sons) with in our first year of marriage. (unfortunately her son did not survive, but I truly believe that it has assisted in the close bond that she has formed with my son.)

Before I met my best friend I had never heard of the Baha'i Faith. and when i first heard about it I was quite confused. 

Given there are some beliefs in the Baha'i Faith that I don't subscribe to, but one of the basic principles is earthy unity.  I find this idea spot on and a beautiful thought.

So today our quote comes from that faith tradition....

This quote exemplifies the way she should treat one another regardless of political ideas and religious believes.  We are all human beings and part of the same earth.

HAVE A PEACEFUL DAY!!!!

Quote of the day!

It has been a few days since I did one of these but I really wanted to do one today...yesterday we had 3 inches of snow where I live ( On EASTER no less) today it is 70 degrees....

Even with the crazy weather I LOVE this time of year, it just seems like there are more possibilities

So todays quote is.......

This quote is attributed to Robin Williams and I love it1 Of course I am a sucker for spring and for Robin Williams so all around this is really one of the most awesome quotes ever!!!

Hoary Spring, and have a great day!!!!

What's in my kids Easter baskets

Easter is a big holiday in our house we have a pretty regular schedule that we keep to on that day, which usually includes church, lunch, Easter egg hunt and clues to find their Easter baskets.  (The Easter bunny makes you sing for your supper unlike Santa), but we try really hard to not go too crazy with it....The kids get one gift from mom and Dad (this year it was books)

This is what Liam (8 years old) got, he can't quite read it himself yet,but usually we have him read one page and then we read the next.  The Goosebumps books are good because the chapters are really short! Plus he is getting to the age that he LOVES scary and gross stuff!

This is what we got for Cole (5 years old).  He really loves star wars and is doing pretty well with his learning in preschool, but I have noticed that he has a little trouble with his colors, he gets grey and silver and stuff like that mixed up, I liked this book because it features every color you can think of.

Plus he can pretty much read it himself, so that is a plus

and we got this one for Caroline (age 2) she is getting to the age that she LOVES the Disney princesses, and I am working with her on learning her letters and new words.  This is a lift the flap book with all kinds of new words...Plus she calls Repunzel "hair" as a nick name which is really cute!!!

Then we have what was in their actual Easter baskets.  All three got another book.  Liam got a mincraft chapter book, Cole got a dinosaur book, and Caroline got a bundle of sticker books for Farm, sea, and house) They also each got a stuffed animal, which I don't usually get but this year I allowed it because they were hanging around my parents house and deserved to be played with. and they each got a SMALL toy..Liam got 3 tiny minecraft toys, Cole got 3 transformers, and Caroline got a sesame street bus that holds Elmo and Abby)

Here are the pictures

Coles "lovey" is not pictured, it is a white bengal tiger which he refuses to let go of. :)

They also each got some candy which I didn't take pictures of...

I have easter egg hunt picture to to post tomorrow...

but I hope everyone had a great easter!!!!

PEACE!!

DIY Easter eggs

Everyone loves doing easter eggs with their kids, this year my kids really wanted to participate, so we decided to make "characters" from some of their favorite movies/ shows.  I found online that you could make minions, and ninja turtles pretty easily.  Those we compiled a list of what we would need.

with eggs, my husband got a couple dozen and blew out the yoke...you wouldn't have to do that though you could just hard boil them

and an egg dying kit. we wound up getting a star wars one because we thought the kids might want to use some star wars stickers to decorate with.

We also made sure to have ribbon, google eyes and scissors

After spending a LONG time letting the eggs sit in the dye we ended up with this.......

we used the 4 bright green ones in the middle to make the ninja turtles

so here are the finished products, my husband figured out a way to leave the middle of a few of the eggs white so we could make care bears for my daughter Caroline....You may also notice that the minions are a little orange on top...that is because Caroline knocked over the yellow as she was stirring it...awwwww life with a 2 year old

They took quite a while to do and the kids ran out of patients about half way through so my husband and I ended up finishing them up....Here is a few pics of when the kids were involved though :)

Hope everyone had a happy EASTER!!!!!

PEACE!!

Try, Try Again...Daily quote

I have talked a little on this blog about my oldest son Liam, I think I mentioned his IEP meeting in one of my blogs.  so today I wanted to say a little bit more about him.

Liam has some special needs.  Mostly he has issues with his eyes which can cause issues with his coordination.   We also recently found out that he has dyslexia.  Basically what it takes a typical child to learn in a few weeks, it takes Liam a few months.

Last summer we decided to start him in karate because we were hoping that it would help with his coordination, in a way that several years of physical and occupational therapy hadn't really helped. Over the past 9 months we have seen HUGE improvement in his physical coordination and in his self confidence, so much so that his special education teacher at school has been very impressed.

Still I didn't really expect what happened this week.  Once a month he has testing in karate they test him for "tips" of the next belt color and then once the individual has 6 tips they test them for the next belt.  Liam has progressed well, he has gotten about a tip a month since he started. but this week he tested for his next belt.  We took him on Wednesday and he was close but not quite there. On Thursday we took him back and he tried again, he was a little nervous because he had been trying so hard and hadn't gotten it yet. But Thursday night he DID!!!!  He has worked so hard and we are so proud!!!!

That leads me to todays quote and the fact that you can always........Try, Try again!!!!

Thanks for reading!!!

PEACE

Quote of the Day

I'm sorry i didn't get a quote of the day for yesterday, Liam (my oldest) had karate belt testing (i will be posting more about this later) and time just got away from me....

So this will be my quote for yesterday...

I think I have talked about on here before that I am in seminary, this is the beginning of my second year, as part of the curriculum we are suppose to take a doctrine class.  Right now i am taking a "means of grace class' and the object is to learn as much as possible about John Wesley. Today I was writing a paper and came across this quote by Wesley.

I found this quote to be really wonderful, and I think it explains what we as humans are suppose to be focusing on.  Each other.

Have a great evening!!!

Peace

ABC BABY NAMES

I will be posting another blog later on today with the quote of the day, or I may do two tomorrow if I run out of time, but I have been seeing this ABC baby name video going around youtube and I couldn't resist, especially since I love writing and have a running list of names in my phone.

It's pretty self explanatory but you just pretty much pick a favorite baby name and put it down for each letter....I wouldn't necessarily use all of these names that I put down, but if I were told I had to use a specific letter for my kids these are probably the name I would pick.  If you look at this put your favorites down below I love talking about names!!! I find it so fun!!!


BOY 
A- ABEL

B- Benson

C- Cade

D-Dashiell

E- Easton

F- Fox- guilty pressure name, I love it but my hubby would never agree

G- Gaige 

H-Holden

I- Ishmael

J-Jude

K-Kyson

L- Levi

M-Miles

N-Nero

O- Oryan

P-Potter

Q-Quest

R- River- Another guilty pleasure, I guess my kids are lucky they have a daddy who helps name them :)

S- Sawyer

T-Titus

U-Ugo

V- Vincent

W- Warden- My dad's name

X-Xavier

Y-Yeri 

Z-Zakiah pronounced Za- Ky- ah



Girl

A- Adelia

B-Breckin

C- Calista

D-Dina

E-Elodie

F- Felicity 

G-Gemma

H- Hannah or Hazel

I- Isla

J- Jubilee

K- Kerensa

L- Lilia

M- Mackenna

N- Nyla

O- Olivia

P- Piper

Q-Quinn

R- Rowen

S- Seylah

T- Trinity 

U- Unity- would probably use this as a middle name

V- Violet

W- Willow

X-Xianne

Y- Yasmin

Z- Zurial 

quote of the day

Today I was thinking about something my dad used to tell me when I was a kid when ever I didn't want to do something.  He always gave me a pep talk and told me "sometimes we have to do things that we don't want to do because it is the RIGHT thing to do."

As a kid I really hated when he said that but now I get it, and I often tell my kids the same thing.

I was looking for something that would send this same message for todays quote and I remembered a scene in one of the Harry Potter books (I believe it was five, please don't hate me if I'm wrong :)) where Dumbledore was talking to Harry and gave him the same message that my father used to give me...

Which leads me to the recommendation of this quote 

We all know I am a self proclaimed nerd and I love reading so I have to tell you that when Dumbledore said this to Harry I was really pretty thrilled, not only because it was something that I was told as a kid but because it really is true.  There is such a big difference between following what is right and what is easy.  May you have the wisdom to know the difference :)

HAVE AN AWESOME DAY!!!

PEACE

20 questions tag

So I wanted to do another tag tonight because I really enjoy doing them and honestly I don't have an other ideas for a quick post tonight.  Don't get me wrong I will be posting Jonah's story soon, an easter egg DIY, a what my kids got for Easter blog, and a book review this week (hopefully) but it just didn't seem like quite time to post all of the easter stuff, and all the other stuff, well honestly it just isn't done :)

So here it goes...The 20 questions tag!

1.Thing you cannot leave the house without?
Purse, keys, cell phone, kids, and what used to be a diaper bag.

2.Favorite brand of makeup?
Clinique, although I don't normally wear it because it is expensive....I normally just stick to the drug store brand

3.Favorite Flowers?
Lillie, I also love Japanese cherry blossoms, but that is really a tree

4.Fav clothing stores?
Cato and Maurices, Old Navy too

5.Fav perfume?
Bath and Body works Japanese cherry blossom (hehehehe)

6.Heels or flats?
If they are flip flops either one is cool

7.Do you make good grades?
Yes,  but I didn't always

8.Fav colors?
Blue and purple

9.Do you drink energy drinks?
nope

10.Do you drink juice?
depend on the juice but most types yes.

11.Do you like swimming?
Yes very much.

12.Do you eat fries with a fork?
no

13.Whats your fav moisturizer?
usually what ever is on sale...but I do like st. ives

14.Do you want to get married later on in life?
already married

15.Do you get mad easily?
depends

16.Are you into ghost hunting?
I think its cool

17.Any phobias?
The dark and clowns

18.Do you bite your nails?
used to, not now

19.Have you ever had a near death experience?
Yes a few

20.Do you drink coffee? 
only with my ozygen

So there you have it the 20 questions tag!! Some kind of weird questions but its all good!!!

If you want to do the tag be my guest!

Have a nice evening!
PEACE

Quote of the day

Today's quote is also one that I have loved for a long time....I have had it on my Facebook and my Pinterest for several years.  It was said by John Lennon in his song "Beautiful Boy" which he wrote for his son Sean.  I picked this line out of the son the first time I heard it because I thought that it truly describes life....

So today I present!

Like I said it comes for a longer son...Really look it up if you have never heard it because it is definitely worth a listen, I think sometimes song lyrics can make us think even more then an actual quote!!! Plus you know, John Lennon was probably one of the smartest people who ever lived!!!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

PEACE!

NEW CHALLENGE!!!!

Just browsing through bookie blogs today I came across a challenge that looks interesting. It is called the Once Upon at Time Challenge and it has been going on for 10 years!!!! (I find this part truly amazing.

I signed up for the "journey" challenge which is agreeing to read one book from one of the four genres (Fairy tale, folklore, Fantasy, or Mythology) between today March 21st and June 21st.  There are also several other "quests" that you can go on, but because of my school schedule and finals coming up I just signed up for the easy one!!!

It looks really awesome and I am really thrilled to participate...I hope to read more then just one book and will of course be posting my reviews on here!!!!

HAPPY READING!!!!

Here is the Link if you want to participate!
http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/once-upon-a-time-x

Quote of the Day


So todays quote is kind of a classic.  Any one who has ever heard of Maya Angelou, or probably Oprah for that matter has heard this quote. I was reminded of it yesterday when I was talking to my son Jonah (I will be posting his story on this blog in the next few days) He has had a tumultuous path in life, growing up in foster care, drugs, and serious addiction and mental health issues. He was lamenting to me about how he wished he had known to do better....

I didn't quote this to him at the time, but I wish I had....

Todays quote is....

it is actually a longer quote but I just wanted to put this part on the picture....for those who are interested the longer quote is...

Do the best you can 

until you know better

when you know better do better.

It is so true...When we come from difficult places we don't always know how to handle things, like Jonah we may become involved in things we shouldn't but as we grown up we learn how to do things better, we should never regret our pasts, because they lead us to where we are today...But when we Know better...We do better!

Thanks for reading!!!
Have an awesome Day!!!

PEACE

Quotes of the day

OK so I think we have established on this blog that I am kind of a nerd....If we haven't well then I guess that will become more apparent over time :)

To that end I am starting a new blog aspect....I am going to do quotes of the day along with my other blogging.

Why am I doing this? One might ask....Well that answer is pretty simple, I really like quotes, quotes from books, movies, actors, the bible, other religious writings, whatever...I think they all have something to teach us and they can do it in a short period of time, which is something else I like about them....
so for my first one....

I present.....

So this is a quote I REALLY like, in fact I like it well enough to have had it for my email signature for several years...the reason I like this quote so much is honestly because it is very honest....and ( I believe) it describes the personality of the person who said it....I have to admit I have always kind of liked Gillian Anderson (If you have been living under a rock somewhere for the last, I don't know 20 years (?) she played Dana Scully on the Fox TV show the x-files)she seems very spunky to me and I enjoy that about her....

Anyway that is my first quote of the day!!! I am really going to try and post these daily, If you have an ideas of quotes feel free to comment :)

Have a great Day!!!
PEACE

Would you Rather" Book Tag

So in my new capacity of doing some book reviews I wanted to present a book tag for you!! If you are into books in any way (author, reviewer etc) PLEASE feel free to do this tag!


Consider yourself tagged fellow bookies!!!!!


1. Would you rather......
    Read only trilogies or stand alones?

I guess the short answer to this is I LOVE stand alone....

I love books that have continuations and I love reading about characters I already know, but there is definitely something to be said for a book you can get the full story of in just a few sittings, there is also something to be said, at least now days for an author who can finish something up in one book.

2. Would you rather......
   Read only male or female authors?

Wow why is this even a question?? I have read great books by authors of either gender and it NEVER goes into my picking process.  To be 100% honest I don't often even read the authors name when I pick out a book.

3.  Would you rather......
     Shop at Barnes and Noble or Amazon?

While I love the atmosphere of shopping at Barnes and Noble (I love the smell of the place because it reminds me of coffee and simpler times :)) I would have to say getting a few hours away (Yes, it takes that long) to go to the bookstore is really not on my options list, so Amazon it is!!

4. Would you rather....
    All books become movies or TV Shows?

Honestly? Either is fine with me as long as they don't screw it up too bad

5. Would you Rather
   Read 5 pages a day or 5 books a weeks?

With school (and honestly with my personality) reading 5 pages a day isn't even an option.  So 5 books a week it is!!

6.  Would you Rather.....
     Be a professional reviewer or an authors?

I love writing and reviews can be hard because you want to be nice. so I guess I would say author although reviewing is amazing too!!

7. Would you rather......
    Only read your top 20 favorites over and over or only read new ones you have never read before?

This one I really have to go with new stuff....As much as I love my top 20, I think I would get board after a while ! LOL

8.  Would you Rather....
     Be a Librarian or a book seller?

my mom was a law Librarian and I got to see her at work more then once, she knew where every book was and what was in each one...(No I am not exaggerating) and since I would NEVER be able to do as good a job as she did, I would honestly have to say book seller.

9.  Would you rather....
     Only read your favorite genre, or every genre except your favorite?

I really don't have a favorite because I love all of them, so I think I will go on reading every one.

10. Would you rather....
      Only read physical books or ebooks?

Even though I love ebooks I will have to say physical, as much as I love the fact that I don't run out of room on my kindle or it is easy to take anywhere, I just love the feeling of a physical book, and ebooks to have a tendency to hurt my eyes after a while....

So there you have it!! The would you rather book tag!!!!  Thanks for reading!!!

PEACE

DIY birthday shirts!!!

Every year around my kids birthdays m, I walk past all of those cute birthday shirts in he store and think about buying them, but it has always seemed like kind of a waste to me for a shirt they are only going to wear a few times (at most).  So this year I decided to try a new adventure, making my own birthday shirts for the kids!? I saw the initial technique on YouTube and it seemed easy enough..so I went to Walmart and gathered my supplies

This is what I came home with the first time 

I got two shirts, one for each kid I was doing a shirt for, felt, glitter, tape, fabric glue, and fabric markers....

After I had all of my supplies arranged I started our.... My son Cole had requested a dinosaurs shirt so I found a picture in one of his coloring books and cut it out.... Ended up with this

I wound up also cutting out his head and eyes to make sure I got the correct placement....

It was at about this point that I really started to worry about putting the felt on the shirts, I talked to my mom, who is a avid sewer and she said it would probably shrink when washed.... Since I am hoping for them to wear these shirts more of hen once I decided to change my tactic......

Back to Walmart I went 

I also printed off a temp let for my daughter Caroline's shirt while I was at it....

I took the same templet.....

Glued on felt eye....

And came up with....

This..

Also my son requested a little bit of glitter on his shirt.... (He had seen the ton I brought home for Caroline's shirt)

After I put the glitter in the eyes and colored in the body it looked like this.

I added a number 5 and his bane and we were done!!!

After I finished Cole's shirt I moved on to Caroline's...

The process was pretty much the same. Here are some pictures....

Here are both of them finished....

I added some glittery felt to the pony and a to of glitter to the 2....

They turned out pretty well but they were not perfect..the young man I mentor saw a pixie of them and said.... Those look professional.... Almost (haha) ..oh well hopefully they enjoy them...and I can keep them as a keep sake long after they grow out of them!!

Peace and love!!!

Easter Egg Wreath