results!

I'll just go ahead and give you the results of my drawing since I know that if I write anything here, you're not going to read it anyways.  You'll just scroll down to see if you won.  Is anyone actually reading what I'm typing right now?  How about now?

So... I wrote out the names of everyone who entered in two separate columns - "Already Followers" and "New Followers" and numbered them in the order in which I received the comments.

 Then I went to random.org to generate a random number.  Hey, I don't play favorites.  And since you're all my favorites, that would be a hard one...

And... the winner for the first drawing (Already Followers) is....

#2 - Lenae@Just Lenae!!

Yay!!  Lenae is a newer blog friend I've made and am so glad that I found her.  She is witty, fun and creative with 3 adorable little boys and is expecting a little girl in the near future!  I highly recommend checking out her blog.  It always makes me smile.  And often makes me think (which is a good thing).  Congrats, Lenae!

 And the winners in my "New Followers" category is...

#5 - Amy Howieson!

Amy is a sweet girl that I've met at a couple of jewelry parties I've done.  And, yes, of course I remember you, Amy!  If she had a blog, I would totally link up to her and tell you to read her, but she has yet to venture into bloggyland.  Congrats, Amy!

Sorry to all of you who didn't win.  Or to those of you who became new followers but didn't leave me a comment to let me know so I could enter you into my drawing.  I saw that my facebook followers went up by 12 people, but I'm not sure who's new.  Maybe you just don't like free jewelry.  ;)

Have a great weekend!

last chance

Okay, so I realize I never let you know when exactly I was going to do this drawing for all that free jewelry... That was on purpose because I didn't want to commit.

So I think I'll be setting the deadline for tomorrow (Friday) at noon.  Get your entry in before it's too late!  You could soon be sporting some super fab jewelry!  Or getting some early Christmas shopping done - for FREE!  ;)

200... who wants free stuff?

So, this is my 200th post.

Actually, it's more like my 240th or so... I lost the entire first "season" of my blog by getting click-happy on our old computer... It was a PC and I was losing my patience... and now we have a Mac and I'm a happy girl.  :)

Anyways, I know I recently did a giveaway, but I feel like I need to mark this momentous occasion.  200... that's a lot of writing for me in two years time.  Plus, my in-laws were here this weekend and were generous enough to give us a truck and a their old washer and dryer (I say "old," but really they're newer and nicer than any I've ever owned!).  So I feel like I should pass on some of that generosity by doing a giveaway for you, my loyal (and maybe not so loyal) readers.  ;)

Soooo.... what am I going to give away, you ask?  Well, some of you may know about my night job - selling Premier Designs jewelry.  Which, since Chad's football season is finally over (Can you hear the sweet sound of angels singing?  I can.), is finally in full swing again and will make me a busy, crazed lunatic until Christmas.  And no, I'm not complaining.  Trust me.  It's a good thing.  :)

I hear ya, I hear ya, "Okay lady, get on with the giveaway already," right?  Okay, okay... so I'm giving away
TWO $30 gift certificates
to Premier Designs!!!

Yes, TWO!

This is how it will work:

• One drawing will be for those of you who are already my followers (and yes, facebook counts too).
• The other drawing will be for those of you who become NEW followers!  No, it's not hard.  Just hit the "follow" button and follow the directions.  Super easy.  Takes like 30 seconds.  Or, if you're on facebook, you can find my profile and look under my "blog" tab and follow me through there.  Or, if you're not my facebook "friend," but you're on facebook, click on this link and search for "une autre mere" in the upper right corner and follow through there.

So, you have to be a "follower" to win this giveaway?  Yes.  Yes, you do.  Sorry.  But come on... I only have 41 google followers and 18 facebook followers and many of those are overlapped, so it doesn't even really count.  After 2 years and I couldn't even produce 60 followers?  Sad.  Pathetic.  Humiliating.  And I know many of you "unfollowers" are reading this because you tell me and you know random things about my life that only a blog stalker would know.  And I even know I have some male readers, because you've sheepishly admitted it under your breath.

So, it's time to come out from hiding and admit it.  Admit that you read this blog.  No matter how much dignity you may have to lose in the process.  You can do it.  I'm behind you 100%.  No fear.  Even if you're a boy.  Because I'm sure you have a lady in your life who would love some free jewelry!

Go ahead.  Leave a comment.  Let me know if you already follow or are a newbie.  And you can win yourself some of these: (The following items are all in the $30 price range)

We also have them in gold.

Or how about a shimmery bracelet?

Or a more casual look?

Would you prefer a ring?

Or a big, awesome pendant?

Did you know you can wear pins as pendants too?

 And, of course, we have plenty of great necklaces.

 Remember, it's not too early to get something sweet for your little girl for Christmas!

We have approximately 250 items that are $30 and under!  So, you'll have quite the selection to choose from!

So, go on now.  Follow me and leave a comment.  I won't tell anyone... *wink*

orchard time!

With today being Columbus Day and all, Addie had the day off of school.  Yay!  So we headed out to Center Grove Orchard, the same one I wrote about last year in this post.  After seeing Peter Marie's post a few weeks ago, the kids and I were itchin' to go!  I was quite surprised to see how big it had gotten!  Good thing we got there early enough to avoid the rush!

 The giant jumping pillow thingy was a huge hit.  They probably could've done this all day.

And Tate just giggled and giggled.

We were the only ones on it when we got there.  About 20 minutes later, we walked by it again and there were over 30 kids on it.  Yikes!

Then off to the Hay Maze!  Addie and Millie did eventually find their way out.

 But Tate and I got lost.  So we decided to just inspect the hay for awhile.

The Super Slide was the next big attraction.  Addie and Millie went down together first.

Then they each went down side by side.  I took Tate down it too, and he thought that was pretty cool, but it tickled my tummy a little too much for a second ride.

Of course we had to see the animals too.

And feeding the goats was super fun.

Right, Millie?

We even discovered the Mad Hatter's tea party.

 Is that not the cutest thing?!

And the three little piggies' houses were still there.  The girls were smart and chose the one made of brick.

They even got to drive their own tractors!

Adeline roped a steer.

 And Millie... well, Millie tried.  ;)

Then it was lunchtime!  We didn't have to tailgate like we did last year.  They now have rows and rows of picnic tables!

Trying to get a picture of my little pumpkins...

 But Tate just wanted to roll the pumpkin around.

So we tried again at the same spot I took their pictures last year.

Here's last year's picture:

And here's this year's:

My, how they've grown!

A nice lady offered to take a picture of us all together.  However, she really wanted Millie to come sit by me.  Millie wanted to stand where she was.  I just really wanted her to take the picture before Tate started getting annoyed.  I talked her into just taking it how we were.  As long as everyone's looking in the general vicinity of the camera, I count that as a success.

Good bye, Center Grove Orchard!

Thanks for the super fun day!

perspective

It's been a long week.

Between football practices, games, parent/teacher conferences, and church activities, I think Chad has only gotten to see the kids for about 30 minutes on Monday night and in the car to and from church Wednesday night.  So of course, he's wiped out.  And when he's gone so much, that means I'm wiped out.

I was so looking forward to Friday night.  My parents were going to come up and spend the night.  And after football practice, Chad would be home and we could unwind together and put off our stressors for a few more days.  I needed Friday night.

Then yesterday, Chad found out that he had to chaperone the school dance Friday night, which meant he would have to go straight there after practice and stay until 10.  Ugh for him.  Ugh for the family.  Double ugh.

At least my parents would be there so they could help with the kids.  So all was not lost.  Right?....

Then my mom called and sadly informed me that dad ended up having to work, so they wouldn't be able to come tonight after all.

*Sigh*

My heart sank.  I let the tears come and I cried like a baby.  I wanted to stomp my feet and slam doors.  I wanted to get on my blog and whine about how it sometimes feels like I'm a single mom.  I wanted to feel sorry for myself.  I wanted others to feel sorry for me.

And then God slapped me.

Not physically, of course.  I would be dead.  But He slapped me with the truth of what a big baby I was being.

The truth is... I'm not a single mom.  I can't even begin to imagine how hard that would be.

The truth is... my husband isn't currently deployed like several other dads I know.  I actually get to have my husband around on the weekends and sleep in the same bed as him.

The truth is... I have a wonderful, loving husband who is also an incredible father who hates not being able to see his kids as often as he'd like to this time of year.

The truth is... football season is almost over and then life can get back to normal.

So I stopped feeling sorry for myself and instead prayed for the moms I know whose husbands are deployed... or just not around.

And I realized how blessed I am.

And then I felt really stupid when I realized what a big baby I can be.

my handsome little man

If you're a facebook friend, you may have already seen these.  But if not, then I must share.  These are some of Tate's one year pictures taken by my friend, Sarah.  She's amazing.  Here's proof: (Oh, and if they appear grainy, it's because I just copied and pasted them from Sarah's facebook album.  But yes, I will have the originals so they'll look clear!)  :)

 Oh man, do I love this little guy!

I also love how these pictures were taken at our house, in his nursery and in his chair from my parents.  It just makes it so much more personal.  Thanks, Sarah!!

for my sadistic friends

Yes, you know who you are.
Those of you who openly admitted to laughing out loud at my birthday story, which involved painfully embarrassing public displays.

Well, after my trip to the doctor's office yesterday, I figured some of you with a tendency for sadism might enjoy hearing about my painful experience.  So, here you go (you sick, sick people):

Millie and Tate were a month overdue for their well-baby checkups.  So after picking Addie up from school, we headed over to the doctor's office for our 3:45 appointment.  After Addie got out of the car, she bent over to fix something on her shoe and as she stood up, I heard the sickening sound of skull striking metal.  Yes, she banged her head on the edge of the car door.  So, of course, and rightfully so, she burst out into a torrent of tears and sobs.  My heart broke for her, but I didn't know what to do - we had to get to our appointments. As I bent down to console her, Tate (whom I was holding) got a handful of her hair in his little hand and pulled.  That brought on more tears from big sister and then tears from Tate after mommy told him NO.

So, I entered the doctor's office with one girl crying uncontrollably from a big boo-boo on her head and a baby crying angrily at mama.  Millie was the only normal looking one among us.  Needless to say, we were quite a sight (especially since Addie had spilled ketchup on her white shirt and skirt at lunch so it looked like she had blood dripping all over).  I asked the receptionist for an ice-pack (which they had to hunt down)... apparently doctor's offices aren't emergency rooms and therefore aren't well-equipped with first aid supplies.  After 30 seconds of the ice pack (which had created such a fuss), Addie decided she was better so I had to sheepishly hand it back to the receptionist with an apologetic shrug.

Here we were, waiting happily in the play area of the waiting room (despite occasional screams from Millie accusing Tate of destroying her Lego creations) and right on time.  Things were going just fine.  For the first 20 minutes.  After 20 minutes of playing mostly peacefully, Tate decided he was bored and started hollering (have you heard this baby holler?  It's ridiculously loud... really) for mommy to hold him.  And of course, as soon as I would pick him up, he would wiggle out of my arms to sit at my feet and holler for me to pick him up again.  I know you ladies who watch him in the church nursery know what I'm talking about!  This went on for another 40 minutes.  Yes, we sat in the waiting room for an hour!  With many apologies from the receptionists of course... especially when they saw (and heard) my constant struggle with Tate.

Finally, an angel appeared the nurse came and called us back to get the standard weight and height checks and then led us into a tiny little room made to hold 2 adults and 1 child.  However, we were somehow going to squeeze 3-4 adults and 3 children in there. (The doctor had an intern with her and the nurse was in and out quite often.)  I think I may have heard about 1/4 of what the doctor was telling me since Tate was either hollering in my ear most of the time or I was trying to keep him from tearing up the paper books. (Seriously, why are there paper books in a pediatric check-up room?)  Then he discovered the doctor's tools hanging on the wall and started pulling all of those down.  Fabulous. I'm pretty sure the intern decided right then and there that she would never have children.

So... after enduring the check-up parts of the kids' appointments (which, I must say, Tate was awfully cute when we laid him on the table, giggling uncontrollably every time the doctor touched him), Millie suddenly burst out in a shaky little voice, "Mommy, I'm peeing!!"  And yup, she sure was. Pee was streaming out from under her skirt and splashing all over the berber carpet.  But you can't really blame her - by this point, we'd been at the doctor's office for nearly 2 hours!  Thankfully, the doctor (who is definitely a saint), assured me it was no problem and she even took Tate for me and walked him around so I could help Millie get cleaned up.  And, unlike the last time this happened (check the link at the top of this post), we actually had a change of clothes with us.  Phew.  Mishap taken care of.  Little girl all dry.

The appointment ended with their shots - which Millie endured with barely a flinch and no tears at all!  And Tate... well, the poor baby didn't know what was coming, so of course he was pretty upset.  I didn't even bother putting his pants back on since he was such a wreck.

By the time we left the office, it was 6:00!  That's right.  We were there for 2 hours and 15 minutes!  Needless to say, we were by far the last ones in the office besides the receptionist (who was probably cursing us under her breath).  By the time we got home, the chicken soup I had in the crockpot for dinner was overdone and we had chewy chicken soup for dinner.  Super.

But you know, even after an appointment like this, I left feeling very blessed, knowing that all 3 of our children are healthy.  I know sick children that have to endure much longer appointments and even stays in the hospital.  So, trust me... I'm not complaining.  Just sharing a little of my Thursday afternoon excitement.  ;)