Quilt Raffle for Cystic Fibrosis!

You know those people, the ones you love to death, and would do anything for?  My friends from High School/College fall into that category.  We have been there for each other through thick, thin, pregnant, sad, happy, and whatever else you can think of.  When I found out a few years ago that my friend, Katie, has a daughter with Cystic Fibrosis, I knew I wanted to help.  I wanted to ease her burden somehow, rally around her,  and let her feel loved.

In the past few years, I have become more aware of what CF really means, looks like, etc.   I grabbed this off the CFF website.

"Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:

• clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and
• obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond."

Lauren Stevens

Since we learned of our friends daughter, our group of friends has played a part in raising money for Great Strides, a charitable organization that for CF research.  Each year we get together, and do what we can.  This year, I thought I might do something for those of us who LOVE quilts.

I made this 26" square quilt to be "auctioned" off.  

HOW?  Simply donate to Great Strides by following this link.  For every $5 you donate to the cause, I will put your name in the pot for a drawing.  How will I know who donated?  I get the information from the cff.org website.

Since I really want to raise as much money as possible, I would really like your help to get the word out!  If you put a link on your blog, facebook, or twitter, I will give you a chance to win the quilt as well.  (Remember to let me know you posted it on your blog, or I won't know!!!!)

Let's work together and raise a little money, and share some love!

You know you're a mama when....

You know you are a mama when you continually wake up through the night, wondering about your kids, even when 3 of them are GONE!

The wild bunch and their dad went camping this weekend with the ward.  I have not been too upset by this development.  The thought of having time alone, with Noah, sounds pretty great.  But alas, I apparently, am more invested in motherhood than I even knew.  I mean, really, the kids just finished school...why in the world am I waking at 4, 5, and 6 wondering if it is time to get them up and ready for school?  Each time I woke, I had to remind myself that school is indeed OVER, and the kids aren't even HOME!  Heavens!

I have all these wonderful plans to finish a million projects, and work hard while the crazy clan is gone.  It is going well, but truthfully, I am working and then just enjoying the time while Noah is awake.  MAN, that kid is a joy.  Seriously!  All he wants from life is a clean diaper, a full belly, and a nice smile.  I LOVE his guts.

I put him down for a nap this afternoon...thinking maybe it would last an hour.  After three hours, I was dying!  Did he die of SIDS (I know, I am morbid, I know)...so I went to check on him.  There he was, happily laying in his bed playing with his quilt.  What a cutie pie! 

Now I am off to love my Noah a little more, make him laugh, make him dinner, and enjoy the relative silence.  AHHHHHH.  

Congratulations....well done!

Who, pray tell, needs a little congratulating?

Elizabeth!  (and her mother)

She learned to ride a bike!  We tried to teach her (it was a half hearted effort) about a year ago, and that ended in tears.  

We planned it this time, put it on the calendar, and then actually followed through.  I donned my rollerblades, took her to the basketball courts, and we had a ball.  This little pumpkin learned how to ride, lickety split.   She automatically understood balance, she only had to overcome fear.

I can honestly say I never planned on being the one to teach my children to ride a bike.  That always seemed like the "man's" job.  But I guess since I did plan on potty training them, and Bj does that, all things are up for discussion. 

 I have to say, this is one of my favorite lessons.  It is such an accomplishment...a measured accomplishment, that I can point to and say, "I taught them that."  There are too few things I can actually take a little credit for. 

Heaven knows I need all the pats on the back I can get.

Each day this week we have gone for a bike ride to solidify this new skill.  Liz has been testing her limits on the bike, and without any major disasters.

Now, all I have to do is teach my heart not to leap out of my chest, when my previous youngest child, rides out of reach.  

I can let her go.  I can let her go.  I can let her go.

Birthday's

We had a great birthday celebration for Liz.  Her birthday started with a friend birthday party. It was a build-a-bear party.  When we came home from the party, Bj and the kids had decorated the house for her SURPRISE family birthday party.  Nana and Papa were there, as well as Grandma Gina (who went to the build a bear party with me).

We started out with some yummy cupcakes!

Here are the "goody" bags.

As we were picking our bears, I thought it was funny that only 1 girl got a different bear.  It was so fun to watch the girls make their own bears, name them, dress them, and love them.

Lunch Box Love Notes

In my quest to be a better, more supportive, and loving mother, I made these lunch box love notes for my kiddos.  Want to win a sheet?  Go to milkandhoneydesigns.blogspot.com to enter.

Happy Mother's Day!

My heart sings!

Quick Update

Super busy at my house, so much to update on, not enough time right now.

Just checkin' in to tell you to:

Check out my other blog... milkandhoneydesigns.blogspot.com.  I have had a number of give-aways, and there will be many more!