Happy New Years Eve!

My Hubby is pretty boring on New Years Eve day. He NEVER wants to go out and celebrate!

Here in Missoula they have "First Night". It's where you pay a small fee and get into all kinds of different things, live bands, dancing, plays, ect. It's totally kid friendly, no drinking or inappropriate behavior.

It's held up at the college.

It's totally fun.

In the 8 years that we have lived here, we have only gone once. I really want to take the boys tonight, but Hubby says he doesn't want to go =(

We'll see... maybe I can talk him into it!!

What are you doing for New Years??

Buying Hand Made

My MOST favorite things are hand made things, books, jewelry, clothes, makeup, ect. And I LOVE to shop. Well "window" shop anyway. And the place to do this is Etsy!

If you haven't seen this wonderful place yet, I highly recommend it. The things that people can make blow my mind! I am truly amazed and humbled when I go on there. These people are awesome!

Be careful! It can be addictive =)

Snow, Snow, Snow

You REALLY must be careful what you wish for! My boys wished and wished for a White Christmas. Oh man! What White Christmas we are having!!



Our valley is called the Banana Belt of Montana. Our weather is usually more like western Washington, pretty balmy, a little rainy, and sunny. NOT this winter! We have more snow now than I can ever remember having, and it keeps coming down. It's beautiful. But I have to say I hope it melts quickly! Except then we have a muddy mess... see! It's hard to know WHAT to wish for =)



Over this Christmas break I watched the BEST movie EVER! It is now my favorite movie, Mama Mia! I didn't think I would like this movie much, because I haven't ever been a big fan of musicals, but please! How could someone NOT like this movie! It's set in Greece, with the big bright blue Mediterranean Ocean in the back ground and the cast is WONDERFUL!

The MUSIC!! I LOVE it! My wonderful Hubby rented it when our youngest had the flu last week. I watched it three times before he took it back. Then on Christmas morning I woke up and there it was in my stocking! My Hubby ROCKS!! (He likes it too. He's even memorized the songs! I catch him singing them all over the house. LOL)

Otherwise our Christmas break hasn't been great. Once again, for the second year in a row, we were all sick, well except for Hubby. So far he's escaped it... The youngest, Logan, came home with the flu. He was sick for 24 hours.

Then 4 days later it hit me like a ton of bricks. And when I get sick, I get REALLY sick. I felt like I was going to die. Hubby told me afterwards that he was scared I might die too! Great huh!? I must have looked HORRIBLE....

Then 4 days later Ben came down with it. Sigh... He threw up on the little leather couch, and I think it's ruined. It didn't handle stomach acid very well. I guess leather and acid don't mix...

If you have an idea of how I could save it, that would be very welcome! The set is quite old, we got both of the couches from my Mom and she got them from her Mom. So it may just be time for it to be retired!

Merry Christmas!!

From, The Ladybug Clan

Finally, Something Nice to Say!

Whew! It took me 3 days, but I finally have something nice to say! What a funk I've been in... I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about ;) It happens...

Today was fun. We took the boys out of school early to run up to Missoula for a little shopping. I know, I know it doesn't seem like it was a necessity. But really it was...

Ben has been wearing shoes that are size 12 and he is now wearing a size 2!!! Holy cow!! How and when did this happen? And today it was 7 degrees below zero, when I took the boys to school and the only shoes that Ben had were canvas slip ons from Old Navy (ones that we got this summer...)

I know I know!! I'm a horrible Mom!! I can't believe I let this happen! So I HAD to rectify the situation and if it means they miss a little school, well so be it!

Sigh... it made me feel better, anyway.

Also I got a new book that I have been waiting and waiting for!! It is written by Annie at writers and witches, and words... Oh My! I have been so excited to start this trilogy, but somehow ended up with #2 and #3!! I swear. So I had to wait an extra week for #1, but it came today!! Yea! AND I got a pair of purple, yes, that's purple wool shoes for winter. My feet were FREEZING in this weather!! But now they are toasty =)

Oh it was such a GOOD Monday!

Here's a little color to brighten up YOUR Monday...

Nuthin Nice To Say...

So I'll let the goose do the talkin!

HONK HONK!

Award!

I was given this wonderful award by my friend Paula over at Paula's Place!! Thanks so much Paula!

This is what this award signifies:

This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY- nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or 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 8 bloggers, who may, then pass it on.

I would like to give this award to:

Heather at Just We Three.

Lori at thatssogod.

Melissa at laisy daise photography.

Annie at writers and witches, and words... Oh My!

Sue at Living and Learning.

Abigail at Random Ramblings or a Teenage Artist.

Shelley at diaper bag diary.

(I know it's only 7, but that's all I can do for now!)

Wordless Wednesday

I always want to do this, and always forget, until today!!

Happy Wordless Wednesday

I always do a portrait sitting with the boys every year for Christmas. I give the pictures to family and friends as gifts. This year we went back to the basics with Black and White. I LOVE Black and White, it's dramatic. I take all the pictures myself =)

Question for You

What is one thing that you want to be remembered for?

If there was only one thing that you could be remembered for would it be that you kept a clean house?

Or that you were REALLY good at laundry?

Or that you were a whiz at doing the dishes?

Or that your kids smiled every time you came in the room?

Or that your kids LOVED playing with you?

Or that your kids LOVED cuddling with you? (My youngest told me he didn't want me to loose weight because then I wouldn't be so soft to snuggle up to =) That sounds like a perfect reason to keep eating cookies and drinking frappes!)

Mmmmm.... something to think about.

Dragon Boy!

Peek-A-Boo!

What Me?

See Ya!

Hi, I'm Mindy

and I'm a purse-a-holic and a journal-a-holic and a book-a-holic...

The list could really go on and on =) I have so many passions!

I also like neat pens and comfy shoes (Mary Jane style shoes, sneakers, flip flops).

I vacillate between being content with myself and my weight and wishing I could wake up one day and be as slim as a willow tree. (Honestly I don't thing my body could EVER do what my mind pictures...) Plus I am not willing to give up my Frappes or cookies =)

And I LOVE my Hubby and Boys with all my heart =)

Just a few things about me that you might not know...

What is one or two things about you that I might not know?

And the Winner is...

Melissa from laisy daise photography! Please head on over to her blog and congratulate her! She takes gorgeous photographs. I really enjoy looking at her work =)

And the mystery prize is......

Still a Mystery!! LOL I haven't decided what to give yet, but I'll keep you all updated on that.

**I have decided that we will play Monday at Ladybug Farm the first Monday of every month. We'll spread it out a bit =) **

I really LOVE all the people that have been playing with me =) I'm having a GREAT time with this game! I know it's really good for me to think of things that I like about myself. Especially on the days when it takes me an hour or more... those are the days that I REALLY need to like myself =)

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

Here you are as a bunny baby! I took this picture for our Easter Cards =)

Today you turn 8 years old! I can't believe that 8 years have gone by already... it's shocking actually. And I can't believe that you grew 3 1/2 inches in the last year!! What!? What the heck!? You out grow your pants as fast as I can buy them for you =)



You have lost so many teeth this year. And with each lost tooth, you lost more of your little boy look and turned more into a big boy.



You are so kind and loving. You always mean well and are a lot of help around the house. Despite the mumbling of not wanting to help, you always do! I love you Benjamin and wish you a VERY happy birthday!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to Beeeeaaaannnnn
Happy Birthday to Youououououou!!

Merry Christmas!

Here is our Christmas Card for this year! I just LOVE him in this lovely little decoration that I found at Michaels. I think it's suppose to hang on a door knob (which it's doing now) but it sure does look great 'hanging' on Angus!

I love this picture! He is soooo making a face and I'll bet you can guess what he is thinking =)

Angus

Here is my little man! I got some money for my Birthday from my Auntie Deena. I thought it would be fun to take Angus to Pet Smart to do a little shopping.

He got this very DASHING red leather collar with silver stars on it.



And he got a squirrel squeaky toy. It has a big bushy tail, which he LOVES. He picked it out himself =)

AND he got some chewies. His FAVORITE. What a lucky little doggy he is =)

Monday's 10 Things I Like About Me!

Monday!! It's Monday!! Time for Ladybug Farm's 10 Things I Like About Me!! Yea!!!!

Okay, this is how it works. I will write 10 Things I Like About Me to get us all started.

Then I want YOU to write 10 Things YOU Like About YOUSELF, in my comments.

On Friday I will put all the names in a hat and draw out a winner.

That winner will get the Mystery Prize!! I KNOW! It's sooooo exciting!!

So on with the show....

10 Things I Like About Me

1. I like that I went hiking even though I thought I would DIE! (My inner strength)
2. I like that I am a loving Mom.
3. I like that I am a loving Wife.
4. I like that I am now a whopping 32!! Whew!!
5. I like that I can cook good meals for my family.
6. I like that I can keep my family's spirits up, even when things aren't looking so good.
7. I like that I am good at doing laundry. (I'm grasping here....)
8. I like that I even when things aren't going so well, I can still laugh.
9. I like my common sense.
10. I like that I'm decisive.

Whew! That was a hard one this morning. The weather outside is foggy, no sun is shining and I could barely come up with 10 today! I guess this is easier for me when the sun is out =) LOL.

Okay now it's YOUR turn! Let's hear 'em!!