JustJessie

I'd like to thank the academy...

Jennifer has just awarded me her Blogger of the Day award, and it being my first blog award ever, I just had to post it here.  Thanks, Jennifer!

Y'all go check her out!

Shameless self promotion

Okay, so a while back someone nominated me for a column they do in the newspaper in the next town over. It's a column called My Spiritual Journey, and they ask a bunch of questions about your spirituality/faith and then send a photographer to take pics and stuff.  I put off doing the thing forever, mostly because attention tends to embarass me.  Wierd huh?  For the same reason, I haven't wanted to post it here, but since two of my friends have now plugged it on their blogs, I guess it's time I do the same.  Unless you subscribe to the Huntsville Times, you can't get the pdf version with pictures and everything, so here's a link to the text only article.  Let me know what you think!

Finally, a party!

Grant has been talking about his "Wigga Party" for weeks now.  He's been so excited, even though he didn't really know what a birthday party was.  All he knew was that we kept getting things in the mail and at the store, WONDERFUL things, and we always told him the same thing, "It's for your Wiggles Party!" 

Today, the wait was finally over for the little man.  He got to have his "wigga party," eat his "wigga wigga cake," and see all the people he loves best in the world, all at the same time.  My besty took most of the pictures while I was busy playing hostess & mommy (aren't good friends the greatest?), so until she sends me copies, I'll just post a picture of the cake.

In case you're wondering the tuft of "grass" over to the side is where the candles went.  Here's the cute polka-dotty side view.

I love making birthday cakes for my boys.  I think it's my favorite part of throwing them a party.  This one was especially fun, because it forced me to be creative.  There's no such thing as a Wiggles cake pan, so I had to make it up as I went along.  Grant LOVED it, which for me is the ultimate pay-off.

Oh, and how could I almost forget?  I'm always worried we'll run out of something, so I made cupcakes to supplement the real cake, and Grayson iced them for his brother.  He also stuffed the goody bags and helped me set up the food and gift table.  He's such a good boy. :)

*A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to Mom, who spent her entire day off yesterday helping me prepare for this party.  Without you, I couldn't have pulled it off at all.  I love you, Momma!

Aloha!

Kailani has started a new meme called Aloha Friday, and all you have to do to participate is post a question on your blog on Friday and sign her Mr. Linky.  It can be any question you like, about anything you like.  So, here's my question:

What's your very favorite childhood memory of fall? 

Mine is one year, my mom let my brother and I each have one friend spend the night close to Halloween.  That night we got to each make our own pizzas, decorate our own jack-o-lantern, and decorate cupcakes.  I still remember how I felt at the end of the night.  It was very special indeed.

So, please answer my question, and hop on over to Kailani's to play along!

Boredom buster

Do you ever have a week that just drags on forever, and every day seems to last two?  We're having one right now. The mornings are great, because we do school; we clean house; we play.  It's the afternoons that have been a doozy.  So yesterday we were bored AGAIN, and Kayla asked if we could bake something.  My first thought was bread, because that's something everyone can help with, but I didn't have enough flour.  Then I thought maybe an apple pie would be fun, but I didn't have enough apples.  What we came up with was a chocolate pie. 

I had just enough of everything to pull it off, and between the measuring, the mixing, and the cooking, everyone got to participate.  By the time it went into the oven,  the kids had forgotten they were bored and went off to play and chase each other around the house.  I usually don't let them run in the house, but at least it kept their minds off the pie while it was cooling!

Junkyard Dawg

Daddy's turn

Have you ever met one of those guys that's good at everything he does?  I happen to have married one.  Which can be a great thing, let me tell you.  He's great to have at a dinner party, because he always has a funny story to tell.  He's great to talk to, because he knows how to listen.  He's great to take a problem to, because he has a lot of good advice.  He's great to go to Krispy Kreme with, because the ladies behind the counter are always willing to put chocolate on the "Hot Now" doughnuts for him.  He's great to go out with, because you get to come home with him, too *wink, wink*.  (Sorry, Mom, don't read that part.)

Jeff has been very supportive of me and my little blog here.  He's my biggest fan, always telling his patients about it at work & showing them how to find me.  He never gets jealous of the time I spend on the computer, typing my little heart out. 

Well, now he has started his own blog.  And he got 800+ hits.  On his second day.  Did I mention it stinks to be married to someone who excels at everything he does?  Just kidding.  I'm happy for him.  Sort of.  And maybe a little jealous.  I still do a happy dance if I get over a hundred views on a given day (other than Wednesday).  He's on day three now and I think his total page views are at like, 1600.  ugh.  Anyway!  Because I'm not really jealous at all, I'll give you the link to my hubby's wonderful new blog.  Enjoy!

What it's all about

Some days I wonder, what am I thinking? What am I doing staying at home with two boys, one of whom I could have put in school this year?  Is it really worth the sacrifice?  the drama?  the constant defense of what I do to people who don't understand?  Are they missing out on something by being always here with me?

And then there's this.  There is always a moment, a gesture, a touch that makes me remember.  We are who we are because of this life we live.  I'm not just the cleaning lady/laundress/nurse/cook.  I am the creator of memories, the moulder of personalities, the author of happiness in our home.  I give my life to these boys so that they will know what they're worth to me.  I show love every way I know how, and in return I see them do the same for each other.

Warm Biscuit Giveaway/ Dyson Giveaway

How would you like to win $50 to spend in a vintage children’s store? Kailani of An Island Life is holding a giveaway to Warm Biscuit Bedding Company. Stop by before September 28th for all the details.

Also, 5 Minutes for Mom is giving away a Pink Dyson vacuum cleaner!  I might actually vacuum with a smile if I had a pink vacuum cleaner to do it with!  Or at least without a grimace.

Okay, I had to post that to enter the contests, but you know I don't really want you to enter, because then you might win & I won't!  Just kidding!  Go enter and good luck!

Private Halloween Party

It doesn't take much to make us happy around here.  Yesterday afternoon I turned on some music while I cleaned, and both my boys jumped up and started to dance.  Before I knew it, Grayson had a home-made robot costume on (power ranger mask, one sparring glove, and a power ranger boot cover) and he was like, "Mom!  It's our own Halloween party!" Of course, every good spook-day shindig needs some creepy treats, so I made a snack so gross they didn't even care that it wasn't candy.  I got the idea from this magazine. 

As I'm sure you can tell, it's apple slices, peanut butter, and slivered almonds (all of which I happened to have in the pantry).  I put on my best transylvanian accent, and told the boys, "Frresh from Frankenshteins lab-or-a-tory, two moonsterr mouths, e-specially forr you.  MUAH-HAH-HAH-Hah-ahh!"

They loved them.  And they loved our private halloween party.  Too bad the house never actually got clean!!