Ping...ping...ping...

*Enter on the post below to win the cute bag.

That is the sound of the stuff zooming around in my head. Like one of those pinball machines. Here are some of my thoughts for the day.

• I always wonder when I see someone get out of a really nice new car and then I see them and their wardrobe is stuck in a different decade. Like the other day I was at Fry's this new mustang parks close to me. I happened to notice the lady who got out of it. She had feathered hair, blue eyeshadow and acid wash jeans on. Did she not notice that as the car styles change so do hair, makeup and clothing styles change to. I guess maybe she was going to an 80's themed party?

• Why can't I get tan anymore? I now am just varying shades of white all over my body.

• I am very proud of my husband. He works really hard and is doing really well at his job.

• Why have we gotten three letter from the HOA about "illegally" parked cars and our neighbors across the street can park a HUGE bass boat in font of their house for weeks at a time?

• Short hair? Long hair? I already know I am to impatient to grow it out so I don't know why I pretend to "grow it out" all the time. So should I stop kidding myself and at my next appointment just chop it all off!?!

• Bode makes me laugh. Three year olds are constant comic relief.

• Why do I live somewhere where it can reach over 115 degrees? Oh ya it is call September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April and even May.

• I feel so crafty these days. I want to sand the beautiful sleigh bed in my garage and paint it. Then redo the dresser in my room. Then redo the bed spread for Laine's room to fit the sleigh bed. Then make a quilt for Bode's bed. Then redecorate the dining room. Plus I a dying to make a few new dresses for Liane.

• But I need to clean my house really good before I tackle any of these tasks.

• Does any one want to come over and do my laundry?

• My little nephew is starting Kindergarten tomorrow? What the heck! For some reason I am sad. He is five. I can distinctly remember the day he was born. He isn't old enough. Right?

• I am very aware that the rug we have in out living room smells like stinky feet. The house we are in right now is all tile. Great for a rental but not ideal for me. I really like this house but I miss carpet under my feet. We have a huge piece a carpet in the living room and I think it stinks. So when you visit me, yes I am aware that it smells like smelly feet, sorry, but I live with it everyday.

• I really need to clean Bode's room. It is getting kinda gross in there. Oh yea, lets not even mention his bathroom. I am going to get the gloves and a gas mask to tackle that room a later. I am so glad he is potty trained. But I think I should have taught him how to clean a toilet at the same time.

Ok that is probably enough for now. My brain is all over the place. ping, ping, ping...

Don't forget to enter to win this super cute bag. Scroll down to enter!

Week Two...

A cute Tote from:

Miss Tailor Handbags

Hello, my name is Kimberly Gwynn and I am the founder of Miss Tailor Handbags. I started off by making myself a couple of handbags and then had interested friends and family that asked me to create more. I have since made many bags and have done just about everything from small girl handbags all the way up to large diaper and tote bags. I thrive on creating new patterns and piecing together fabric for fresh designs. Check out my work at http://misstailorhandbags.blogspot.com/ or email me at misstailorhandbags@gmail.com.
The product that I am giving away today is called "Polka Dot Diva".

Here is a bag that will match many outfits and scream fashionable as you parade it through the streets. It has hidden magnetic closures, one big pocket (for mail, feminine hygiene products, etc), and it has one trisected pocket (perfect for chap-stick, lipstick, change, business cards, etc.). The colors are light pink, dark pink, black, white, and lime green. The black and white gingham ribbon adds character and glamor. Bag Dimensions:9.5" tall X 11" wide (top), 8.25" wide (bottom) X 4" deep with a 9.5" strap drop Pocket Dimensions:Big Pocket: 5.5" X 5"Small Pocket: 2.5" tall X 6" wide with three sections: 2.5", 1.5", 3" for lipstick, change, business cards, etc. Materials Used:Upholstery Fashion Fabric, Black Cotton Fabric, Black Upholstery Straps, Gingham Ribbon, Strong Hidden Home Improvement Magnets for closure, Sturdy Stabilizing Material; Pellon, Plastic Bottom Insert

Remember the rules for entry are on the right------------------->

Spread the word and good luck!

A Wicked Good Time...

I loved it.

Jeremiah told me it was his one cultural event for the year.

Although I caught him singing one of the songs the next day.

We saw it Thursday night with the understudies in both the main roles.

I can't imagine how it could have been done better.

I am so glad I got to go!

Thanks Mom&Dad, it made for a great birthday!

And the winner is...

Thank you everyone for participating!! I counted all the votes, put every one's name to how many entries they had. Then entered them in the Random Number Generator. And the winner is:

Francie

Francie can you please leave me your email address and I will set you up with Jill so you can get your sign!!

Everyone else... Come back on Monday for next weeks giveaway!!!

Week One...

Giveaway is Closed

Come back next week for Week Two's Giveaway!

A Family Name Plaque from:

I am Jill, a stay at home mom of 3 kids and 1 husband...oh, and we have a fish, too...I started doing this about 4 years ago when a friend sold me her equipment. I never new I was creative, but after hours of endless playing and messing around on my computer, I have developed a love of design! I was always the athletic type...who knew? It's just me {and occasionally a baby at my feet or a kid screaming in my ear} in my little office doing my designs from scratch. I don't use a template, and I don't have outside help...other than occasionally my man who joyfully helps me by cutting up wood in the garage... I truly find peace by knowing what I do contributes to our family in the financial aspect by letting me do my most important role as mommy in the home. We are just like many other American families these days...just trying to stay afloat the best way we know how.... I designed my "Family Name" plaque about 3 years ago and started selling on the web. My idea caught on and I sold quite a few signs! I do my best to please, I love what I do and the interaction I have with all of you! I have NEVER had a disappointed customer, ever. I am a very blessed person, I thank God every day for giving me my children, my husband, and my abilities.

I will be giving away a 8'' x 24'' custom family name plaque **with crown molding**, valued at $35. I'll also add in FREE shipping to anywhere in the USA!! You pick the colors and font style!

Check out Jill's etsy shop!!!

http://www.offwoodlandlane.etsy.com/

Before I forget...

Yesterday we got to church 10 minutes early in hopes to maybe sit on a bench. But no, no room on the cushy seats. Bravo for those who are there what? 15, 20 minutes early to sit in their "assigned seats". We won't rock the boat until I know we can make it on time every week :) (Come on people you know what I mean. Jeremiah and I went to a homecoming once and took a bench seat up front. This lady come up behind us a few minute later asking us if we were going to sit there. We were like yes, that's why we sat down. She then proceeded to tell us that that was where her family usually sits, but since we were there for the homecoming it was ok. I was like really!?! What if we were new to the ward or investigating? Not the best first impressions. This isn't meant to offend, just an observation. This was way off my story...opps) I think 10 minutes early is good enough for us, I can sit on the metal chairs. Ok not the point of my story....

So we sit down and Bode looks at me and says something about basketball. I didn't get it or give him the right response so he turns to Jeremiah and this time I clearly hear him say, as he is pointing to the basketball hoop in the gym "Jesus plays basketball Dad!". Well you know Bode must be right, every church has a basketball court. They are His churches', so according to Bode, it is safe to assume that Jesus is a basketball fan.

How a girl should act if a vampire was after her...

Timber...

This basketball hoop was up in my parents front yard for years. My dad promised my oldest brother he would put it up for him in the 5th grade, he did eventually put it up, when my brother was a senior in high school. ( it was up before that, it was just in the back yard with a dirt court.)It was however up my whole childhood. I remember monkey climbing up it and hanging at the top checking out the neighborhood. I thought I was so high. Looking at is now I really wasn't up that high. My dad had a problem with it over the 4th of July though. His new camp trailer was to big and he couldn't back it into the back yard becasue of the pole. So the pole had to come down. No more horse at the Merrill home...

Awe... you can just tell by these pictures the weather was so nice.

Green trees, cloudy skies, oh, how nice.

Fireworks...

(Bode's face cracks me up. It is like come on lady stop taking pictures of me!)

Bode loved the fireworks this year. He sat on Jeremiah's lap and would tell us what colors they were when they would explode open. Were where there will all the cousin and we sat on the other side of everyone. About 3/4 of the way through he I guess he decided Jer and I weren't that much fun and turns to us and says, I wanna go sit with the cousins. I don't blame him they all have to much fun. The parade was kind of a bust but Show Low put on a good fireworks display. It was a little late and we were all complaining it wasn't starting. Then it was a bit of a long show, so we all complained that it wasn't getting over fast enough. No pleasing us I guess.

What would the 4th be with out...

Homemade Ice cream!!

Yum, I love homemade ice cream. After the parade, and a BBQ we, or I should really say Aaron and Jeremiah, made ice cream. All the kids were very interested in what was going on. They were all very happy to see ice cream come out of those strange buckets.

(Bode's face looks just like Jer's face in the picture below)

Looks painful doesn't it?

Small town parade...

For the Fourth of July were beat the heat and headed up north to celebrate with family. We had a fun time with family. I cannot explain how much all the cousins love to play with each other. On Saturday morning we all went to the parade. The weather was great and all the kids were entertained. The parade on the other hand was a typical Show Low Parade. Long with a bunch of, I guess you call them floats? If you count a car with an American flag flying out the window a float then yes, it was a great parade.

I was concerned that it might be a rough morning with Laine, but I was wrong. The cute little thing slept through 90% of the parade. Bode had a rough start though. We learned that just because sun screen says "no tears, no sting" it doesn't really mean it. He got some sun screen in his eyes and cried the whole drive down to Show Low. His eyes were all puffy an swollen for a little while. Add that to his scar and cut on his cheek from jumping on the tramp, he was looking pretty beat up that morning. Good thing he had dad's sun glasses to make it all better.

Compare...

I find it fun to look at the similarities and differences between Bode and Laine. Here they are at about 5 1/2 months. Bode has such a big noggin, wait so does Laine. One thing I can't figure out is where did Laine get her ears? Either way we think they are two cute kids.

Bode and I do "school" every morning at 9:30. We are learning letters, numbers, shapes and colors. He was so proud (ok so was I) to discover that he could draw people. He spent the rest of the morning doodling people. I especially like Stat in the bottom right hand corner. I labeled each person as he drew them. He really made sure I had the right name with the right person.

This morning Jer was giving Bode a cup of juice. Here is the conversation that followed.

Jer: Here you go cracker!

Bode: Dad

Jer: What?

Bode: I not a cracker, I a Bode.

Stop to remember...

Sometimes I get so caught up in my daily life I am afraid my husband gets pushed to the back burner. Not because I don't love him but because I get to where I think other things are more important. You know a clean house, dinner ready, keeping kids happy... But I need to stop to remember my dear husband. We got to go on a date and it was so fun to be with my best friend. I am sometimes overcome with happiness knowing that we will be together forever. Love you Jer!

Test... test... 1,2,3...

Are you there Heidi? Laugh all you want but I haven't blogged in a week and that is so not like me. We have been having fun though. Enjoying 70 degree weather, to much food, rain, parades, fireworks, oh did I mention too much food yet, and family. My pictures won't load so I will have to wait awhile to post the 4th of July. But I wanted to remind you all of the Summer Giveaway I will be hosting in the next few weeks. I have a bunch of fun things up for the giveaway so stay tuned for 8 weeks of giveaway madness, you won't be disappointed!!