We're gonna party like it's....

Today's the Day!

And we are going to party like it's 1999! - oh wait on New Year's Eve 1999, I had a fabulous trip to Boston, but while there got very sick, I don't even remember the countdown.

Ok- We're going to party like after lots of heartache, we just found out we're having twins! - oh wait, that happened too, and dear hubby collapsed from shock.  Not much of a party.

We're going to party like it's my birthday! -can't do that on either, the twins birthday' is the day before mine, and somehow I always get left out.

But, I'm not being left out today! So we are going to party like it is a fabulous girls day with all my SITStas!  Because that is what it really is!

After waiting a very long time, today is my day - it is all about me.  If you are a regular and don't know what SITS is, shame on you.  the Secret is in the Sauce is hosted by a couple of awesome bloggers, Tiffany and Heather.  They feature blogs and host events, and we, as SITStas, comment on every blog with this cute little logo, as our way of supporting one another.

If you are coming here from SITS, welcome, grab a glass of tea (or wine, or your toast of choice), and sit awhile.  I have lots of fun stories to tell. 

As with every woman - I lead a crazy hectic life.  (Why we must all be superwomen I still don't know.) Generally this blog is about my life as a mom.  That includes stories of our identical twin boys, or our two year old terror.  I also work to raise awareness about heart defects, although not as much as some of my followers do.  Sometimes I write about what it is like to just be me, a sassy, optimistic realist, working away from home, coach, teacher, sister, daughter, wife, friend. 

So there is a little something for everyone, and narrowing down to three top posts was hard.  Therefore I'm giving you a little variety.  You choose your poison, or as I tell the boys - it's slop, pick which slop you want. 

if you want to read about gross boys check out ewwww

if you are interested in twins read the Before and After Twins

I could go to Jail for... has something for all Moms

for those of you who aren't mom's and go for the latest trends - be warned!

for those more serious, read about the moment that changed my life

I know, that is five posts, but that should cover all of you.  Please sit back, look around, read around, and then if you'd like, follow me around!  I will be going back to visit everyone who comments, it just may take awhile!  Enjoy your Monday - because this one is a party!

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends. ~Nancie J. Carmody

I'm BAAACCKKK with gifts to woo your forgiveness.

So - I ran away - well not really, but darn near everyone around me, including me has gotten sick.  Then I had the joy of of a horrendous toothache and had to go to the dentist.  But here I am, I didn't leave you, I just barely had time to tend to my regular responsibilities, much less post here.  The good thing is, since I've missed a few posts - I have lots to talk about. 
First I want to beg your forgiveness of my absence with awards!

First off, Stef showered me with not one, not two, but THREE fabulous awards all in one!  I am honored and humbled by her. She, herself is an amazing woman, a heart mom and a great advocate for CHD awareness!  Please go check her out at When life hands you a broken Heart... Create Hope . She gave me the Beautiful Blogger Award, Happy 101, and the Sunshine Award.  With these I must pass them on to up to 10 new bloggers I've found and list something that makes me happy and talk about something that brings sunshine to my life.

I want to give the Beautiful Blogger award to these three amazing women and the beautiful blogs they have (and I'm not just saying they look pretty).  Some of you may know them, but I've only recently found them - so go check them out!

Natalie's Sentiments

Lesson's Learned

Blessed Quiver

Now on to something that makes me happy!  Spring, not that we know what that is this year.  Here in NC we have had more than our share of snow.  But on Saturday - when it was nice for a minute, I noticed my first signs of spring, the crocus are coming up in my yard, and there were yellow and white blooms.  I love it!  So to those who also find happiness and are always willing to share it - the Happy 101 award.

Everyday Occasions

My Adventures and Antics

Mommy 2 3 Miracles

You may wonder how through all the heartache in the world, sunshine is still found.  It comes from the little things and it comes from passing the little things on.  There are moments in my day that bring sunshine in, like when Little Man demands I kiss everyone goodbye - even the dogs - before going to work.  And if he doesn't see it, it doesn't count.  He shares his sunshine with me daily - and so do these women.  They share their life with me and I share mine with them.  I am lucky to have found all of these women in the blogging world.  The Sunshine Award goes to

The Five Fish

Desert Rose Moments

I'm Living Proof that God has a Sense of Humor

Now then I'd rather be Changing Diapers (who is a great new find, and a fabulous blogger) also graciously gave me the beautiful blogger award!  I feel really bad now, that I've gotten this award twice, yet I haven't posted in 2 weeks due to pure craziness.  (usually I'm a much better poster).  While I've already passed it on, Heather's rules are a little different, and inclue me listing 7 things about myself.  So here goes.

1. I used to love snow, as a southerner it is a foreign concept and never fails to wow us with it's amazing white flakes.  My yankee of a husband would laugh at me when I would just go stand on the porch and watch.  This year, I'm doing a snow go away dance.  I've finally seen enough - so much that I'm pondering moving further south.
2.  I'll never actually move, it is really just a daydream.  My work is here, family is here and I love the small town we live in. 
3.  I do want to move into a bigger house - with a inground swimming pool, on about 5 acres.  That is my real dream.  I've already sketched it out a few times, and continue to look at how awesome I could make the kitchen.
4.  I love to cook, if I didn't love what I do, I might be a chef or a baker.
5.  As much as I love to cook, I hate cake - all kinds of cake so don't tell me otherwise.  I am a cheesecake fan, our wedding cake was cheesecake!
6. I am now craving cheesecake, but will probably go get a Pepsi instead, I'm a Pepsi not Coco-Cola drinker.
7. I really feel bad for not posting, or even reading blogs the last two weeks.  I have a lot of catching up to do.  I am such a guilty person - I should've been Catholic.

Love to you all, glad you came back for a visit - even though I left for a little bit.  I promise to be better!

Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much. ~Oscar Wilde

For me?!?! Why Thank you , Thank you, Thank you.

So if you get the same award from 3 different people does that make you extra special, or the award just amazing?

Happy 101 was given to me by the gracious Emma at Toddler Awesome -  by the amazing Shandal at My Life in 3D, and by the dedicated Working Mommy at Lessons Learned

Of course they gave me an award that comes with rules - so I guess since I was a little cranky earlier in the week - I should really follow these rules. First I have to list 10 things that make me happy.  Just me?  Ok just me.

10.  Summer - or warmth, it doesn't actually have to be summer - above 70 degrees makes me happy.

9. Watching flowers grow and bloom.

8. Sleeping in

7. Godiva Chocolate

6. Watching someone learn something new

5. Singing out loud in the car by myself

4. reading a good book

3. not having a to do list

2. Spending one on one time with my hubby

1. Hearing the sound of laughter from my boys cascading though my house.

And now for the 10 people who I am passing this on to (because I'm following the rules today)!  There are some newbies I've found lately - I wanted to share with - so be sure to check them out.

My Life with Kids

The Testosterone Three and Me

And Triplets make Six

Blog Baby

Laugh Unil You Cry

Badger Momma

Rook No. 17

Writing without Periods

Low Expectations

Desert Rose Moments

I'm giving out Awards for Christmas!

It's Christmas time and Award time - how terrific is that.  Recently I have been awarded three awards by three fabulous ladies.  Luckily there weren't many rules with these ones so I am making this post a little more fun.  I am wishing a Merry Christmas to all my recipients and the present is your award! The best kind of regifting out there!

First up is the 5 Diamond award and who doesn't love getting diamonds for Christmas?  Speaking from the Crib gave me this award and even said I was a real gem - I feel like a million dollars already.  I am passing this award on to It's Twinsanity who is a real gem herself and deserves all the diamonds she can get!

Tiffany at My Journey in Motherhood gave me the Scribbler Award.  Some days I think all I do is scribble, but she actually said I have strength.  If she only knew how many days I'm just lucky to get by.  This award goes to I'm Living Proof that God has a sense of Humor whose writing I love to read and never want to miss - she is a super scribbler!

Last but so not least is the Circle of Friends award from Desert Rose Moments.  I love this gal and enjoy all of her posts.  This one came with the rule that I have to list 5 things I love to do.  Well in the spirit of Christmas: 1. I love wrapping gifts (i know i'm nuts)  2. I love egg nog 3. I love going to look at Christmas lights, they make me feel like a kid again.  4. I love waking up before everyone else Christmas morning and anticipating the delight on the kids faces.  5. I love to bake cookies to give to everyone.
This award is going to The Five Fish who deserves to be in the circle of friends like no one else!

Take your awards lately and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

We wish you a Merry Christmas;

We wish you a Merry Christmas;

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;

Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Oh, bring us some followers;

Oh, bring us some followers;

Oh, bring us some followers and a few good comments.

We won't go until we get some;

We won't go until we get some;

We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here

We wish you a Merry Christmas;

We wish you a Merry Christmas;

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Are you sure it's not honest crap?

Really- some days I think my posts are all crap, not scrap.  Especially as I approach my 100th post and I go back and look at the first 2 months worth.  For the first 2 months, I blogged in hiding - it took 4 weeks for me to even tell my husband what I was doing, much less anyone else.  Then I started to branch out and found a couple of awesome groups like SITS, that introduced me to some of the most amazing people.  I've met women from all walks of life through our blogosphere and some of them I really do admire.

It took a long time to feel like my blog was worth reading - I've watched every follower that adds me and delight in the fact that someone wants to read what I write.  Then all of the sudden I started getting awards - I am not used to awards.  It amazes me everytime I see one - and today I humbley accept these three.

The first comes from Laugh until you Cry.  I recently stumbled across her and have made her blog a daily read.  She has such an adorable family.  Thank you Beth for this award.

Her award to me is Honest Scrap and it comes with rules.

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link to their blog.

2. Share 10 honest things about yourself.

3. Present this award to 7 other whose blogs you find brilliant in design or content.

4. Tell those 7 people they have been awarded.

Truths about me - ha - things you never wanted to know

• I love my job and the fact that I get to wear jeans everyday to work
• I am not a morning person, I've never been a morning person.  Somehow having kids made this easier, but it is still not my favorite time of day.
• Even though I'm not an early morning person - once I do wake up - I can get more done by 10am than I can the rest of the day.
• It takes me exactly 1 cup of coffee each day to get moving - no more no less.
• I have very short stubby toes - and they go straight across not at an angle - so no narrow shoes for me!
• I wanted twins - my dream was to have twin boys and then a girl so that we wouldn't have a middle child. 
• I'm addicted to caffiene.  I may only have one cup of coffee a day, but then I also have 1 pepsi and many glasses of tea.
• I'm really mad the new blogger editor doesn't have spell check - because I am the world's crappiest speller.  I've taken to writing my posts in word and then transfering them.
• Now that I enjoy blogging - I can't believe I haven't been doing it for years.
• To deal with having all boys at home and at work - I coach Women's Rugby at the local university.

And now for my seven recipients:

Anti-Supermom

 Twinspirational Runner

I'm Living Proof that God has a Sense of Humor

Life, Music, & Laughter

Still Seeking Sanity

Toddler Awesome

Twice the Love, Half the sleep

The next award comes from Leigh vs. Laundry.  I found this fabulous chick via the crib and have become addicted to her blog.  She has so much fun, and some fabulous pictures.  She gave me the heartfelt award and I take that to be a real honor, thank you Leigh!

I am passing this award on to these five ladies.

Desert Rose Moments

I've Changed My Name to Mommy

Diaries of a Coach's Wife

It's Twinsanity

Laugh Until you Cry

 The final award came from Desert Rose Moments.  She is probably one of my newest finds, and as you can tell by my nomination back to her, one of my new faves!  Mom to five, she is always on a roll.  Desert Rose, thank you and come take your award!  The rules of the friends award are

"This award is bestowed on to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.

Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

And my eight recipents are:

 Three Times the Giggles

Leigh vs. Laundry

The Five Fish

Twinsomnia

Mama's in Time Out

Manic Mother

Speaking from the Crib

Queen of My House

and now we all bow down and take note

to the illustrious, amazing, tantalizing lady MRS. FISH - who thinks we are Irish twins - oh I am so honored to even be considered family with the Fishes!  Mrs. Fish's blog is to die for, to laugh at, and to read each and every morning with your cup of coffee.  As I was reading a few days (week) ago - I found that she was given this snazzy award

And then she said she was passing it along to me.  I'm just tickled blue (because pink is not allowed in our house).  I can't believe that someone, anyone, espeically the industrious Mrs. Fish thinks I am one of the Best.  But anyway - I accept - of course. taking a bow

And now I get to pass it along - she said 15, but I'm exausted and the last time I chose 15, it took hours to post.  So can I please go with 5?  Please?  Pretty please with a Cherry on Top?  Ok, I'm doing it and I don't care what you say.

Speaking from the Crib: I bow down to this lady - she has got her stuff together - or falling apart - or she's screaming to get out of her crib which says it all.  If you are not one of her followers - go do it NOW!

Three Times the Giggles: this mom of triplet boys has all of my admiration.  She constantly keeps me in stitches unless she is making me beg her to do my grocery shopping.

I'm Living Proof: and you would be too if you had not one but 2 sets of twins.  This lady has it down and she is living what we once feared.  Want to know how to roll with the punches, or the goats - go see Helene

Angela's Soliloquy: my soul sister living thousands of miles away.  I give her this award and a few fall leaves since she doesn't have any where she is.  She does however have interesting facts and a whole lot of laughs.

Mama's In Time Out:  and this lady needs a time out!  She has great role models that keep her young while she writes about what lifes really about.

So GO check out these great ladies!  Do it NOW - don't wait (ok wait until you congradulate me)!  And dear ladies - take this award and pass it on to 15 or 5, but if you cheat like me you have to leave post links to make up for the cheating.

awarded

So Mrs. Fish was given a few awards the other day and she being the stellar woman that she is chose to share them with all her followers.

Well I'm a little shy and new at this, so I didn't take the award. I really think there are some great blogs out there and that they deserve the award a lot more than I do. I just starting writing to capture all the moments I can before my children grow up and I forget them all. By chance I found some great groups to join and awesome blogs to read.

Then Mrs. Fish stopped by here yesterday and shocked the shark out of me and said I needed to come take my award. So being a good girl and doing as I'm told. I am humbly accepting the lovely blog award.

Now I have to pass it on to 15 blogs that I have found and think are awesome and deserving - so here goes in no particular order.

Twinsanity

I Need Coffee

Twinsomnia

Ramblings of a Crazy Momma

Three Boys and Me

MacTwins

Three Times the Giggles

The Tater Twins

The Mott Multiples

Ramblings of a Mama

Deep South Dish

Mommy 2 3 Miracles

Manic Mother

Diaries of a Coach's Wife

A Day in My Life

So Ladies come take your awards and then pass them along - everyone else, please go check out Mrs. Fish and the rest of these great blogs!