Things Can Only Get Better

I may be taking a few days off blogging but I will be back soon. I'm going through a particularly bad time right now and prayers are very very welcome. I can't share with you what is going on because the story is not mine alone but I CAN say that things are as bad as they have been in a long time.

Oddly enough, I find Howard Jones' song "THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER" running through my head today:

"And do you feel scared? I do. But I won't stop and falter."

Tempus Fugit

Another birthday?!!!

I think having children makes you much more aware of the passage of time. I was almost blissfully unaware of the days going by before Noodlebug was born. I haven't even really cared about celebrating a birthday since my 30th when I got engaged and went to Disneyland. Now, I have never been MORE aware of time. Every day I see my little one grow and change and it fills me with...panic!!! Where is the time going? I feel like I'm going to turn around and he will be heading off to college. I know this sounds a little neurotic but hey...I'm a little neurotic.

We just had a lovely first birthday for Noodlebug and you know what? First birthdays are a lot more fun than 34th birthdays. My birthday falls on Memorial Day this year and I would like to just pretend that this weekend is extended bonding time with my family and completely ignore my birthday altogether. I don't need any gifts. Except maybe the gift of time. (and some birthday cards because I LOVE getting cards in the mail!)

I hope you all have a lovely Memorial Day weekend. Spend lots of quality TIME with your family and friends and remember those people who have given their time to serve our country.

love-Amy

(the photo above is Noodlebug in his best bathing attire complete with blue cake icing)

This is Inez.

My wonderfully talented friend Ellen (aka "Frank") is no longer a member of the blogging world but she is still producing her whimsical pieces and selling them on Etsy. Her fanciful creations are reminiscent of Tim Burton but carry Ellen's very own brand of whimsy and fancy. Each creation makes me smile!!! Not only is she offering little figures like Miss Inez but also some delightful dioramas in boxes. I think Miss Inez has already been snapped up so you better hurry in order to get your own Ellen Original!!!

Find the wonderful works of Ellen here.

I just bought Ellen's "Cranky Box" because I really need it for my desk at work but I also have my eye on Miss Sylvia. So cute!!!

(photo owned by and borrowed from Ellen Matkowski)

The Big Day

Tomorrow is Noodlebug's first birthday party. I'm all a-twitter hoping it will go all right.

I wanted to thank those of you who sent birthday tags. I am so touched and they really mean a lot to me. They will be going in his baby book and someday I will point to them and say, "When you were a baby, Mommy belonged to a wonderful community of bloggers were people supported and inspired one another and committed incredible generous acts all the time!" Once the party is over, I will be sending out your thank-you packages. I'm already putting them together and I hope you will enjoy the goodies.

I am taking Monday off (Noodlebug's actual birthday) so I can spend some quality time with my (gulp) one-year-old. I tear up just thinking about it. What an amazing, difficult, crazy, wonderful year it has been. Thank you all for sharing it with me!!!

Stamp Love

I know that it stinks to have the price going up to 44 cents but aren't these stamps lovely? It almost makes the price increase worth it. Almost.

(photo borrowed from and owned by the Unites States Postal Service)

Lettered Cottage Giveaway

The Lettered Cottage is hosting a Hudson Goods giveaway! Go here for your chance to win one of these lovely hand-hooked, wool, vintage-style pillows. This is the one that I'd like to win!!! See other wonderful Hudson Goods items on their website.

Free Chocolate for Mother's Day (and beyond!)

In case you haven't heard, MARS is giving away 250,000 coupons for a free chocolate bar (includes M&M'S® Brand, MILKY WAY® Brand, SNICKERS® Brand, 3 MUSKETEERS® Brand, TWIX® Brand and DOVE® Brand products) every Friday until September 25, 2009.

(limit ONE coupon per e-mail address per Friday and FOUR coupons per household during the promotion)

Go here for your chocolate-y goodness:
LINK

A Visit from the Gift Fairy

I have made several virtual friends through blogging over the years but I have never met one in person. Until today! One of my absolutely favorite bloggers, the gift fairy herself, Amy Powers, is in my little town on a very special mission. I picked Noodlebug up from daycare and we met Amy and her Little Bird in the park for a little playground time. It was a brief visit (and an active one when you have two little ones running around!) but it was great to meet her in person. She is just as sweet and glamorous in person as she is on her blog. I can't wait to see what goodies she'll be putting in her new Etsy store! I took the photo above of Amy and her little bird. I think it turned out great!

What a great way to begin my very first Mother's Day weekend!

Here is a photo of my Noodlebug on the same day:

Wish I Was Here

My co-worker is gone this week. She is spending the week in Disneyland for her birthday. Boy am I jealous!!! I just love Disneyland. I spent my 30th birthday there and try to get back as often as I can. I cannot WAIT to take Noodlebug there. My husband says we must wait until he is three but that seems like a ridiculous and arbitrary rule to me. Southwest Airlines has a $49 flight to Orange County. Baby and I both have birthdays coming up in a few weeks. Doesn't it seem like the universe wants us to go to Disneyland?!!!

PS...There is a chance that I will get to meet one of my favorite bloggers IN PERSON this week. I don't want to say more right now in case it doesn't work out but I am so excited!!!