Stick a Fork in it!

'Mom, there are dingle-hoppers everywhere,' Hope announced to us this morning as we were all waking up. Yes, she often dresses like a blue fairy with a bad eye for shoe size. It's amazing she doesn't fall down more often but she's got quite the balance for a 3-year-old.

So I looked out the window and saw these all over our front lawn.

A literal army of little Forks.

I instantly groaned thinking Evo-man was up to his wasteful Shenanigans again, or maybe it was some of Abners friends punking our house. Teenagers can be soooo annoying.

So I went down to investigate and I found this on the door.

Afterthought: If the meaning of this yard prank flys over your head. That's o.k. I forgive you for knowing nothing about Twilight. The setting of the book is mainly centered around the town of Forks, WA (hence the forks reference.) We now return to my reaction.

It was meant for me of all people. My moan and groaning chagrin immediately departed and my school-girl giddiness took over. Wow someone cared enough to come in the middle of the night and risk stepping in Dog droppings to surprise me. Turns out around seven of my Twilight Obsessed Friends all got Fork’ed last night. So now there’s a big mystery Who-Dun-It being bounced around. I for one think it was amazingly clever and way cooler than toilet paper ever could be. I have the bestest friends Ever!

It got me thinking about Twilight again so I snuck off to the movie again this afternoon and guess what – It’s actually better the second time around. Maybe if I go again it will just keep getting better and better and better. Shhhh! Don’t tell Prince Erik.

O.K. I know you’re all sick of hearing about Twilight from me so that’s enough. I did get some other fun surprises today. Princess couldn’t wait to open this little treasure we got in the mail today from Faith of ‘Has Anyone seen my cape?’

She sent me one of her fabulous Etsy creations that I won on a contest on her blog. The surprise was not only did I get the cute Mommy and Me barrette that I picked out.

And she added the sweetest little Love barrette as a bonus.

Thank you Faith! The girls and I love them and I’ll have to get some more, soon. I'm thinking her 'Hope and Joy' barrettes are quite cute as well. Check out her shop sometime soon.

It was really my day for mail. I also received an early Christmas present from my brother Arrow and his wife. They sent me the perfect gift that I have to just totally plug –especially if you have a fire addicted pre-teen in your home. They remembered me blogging about how much I love, love, love scented candles but don’t get them anymore because matches are about as dangerous as markers around here. It’s not a risk I’m willing to make. So they sent me the next best thing.

Scentsy Wickless Candles!

This sweet plug-in has enough wattage in it to melt little wax cubes of delicious scent that can fill your entire home and camouflage the stinkies.

Prince Erik had it going when I got back this evening and it was the most welcoming gift to walk through the front doors and catch a whiff of ‘Vanilla Walnut’ instead of the customary ‘Smelly Diaper’ or 'Burnt Toast'.

Thank you, Thank you Bro and Family.

Last but not least – I did listen to your comments. I even fielded phone calls begging me not to take my scissors to (re-purpose) – and hack up the beautiful tablecloth I scored at the thrift store.

So it will remain a heirloom tablecloth and grace our family table as often as I can bear to leave it there – but never at mealtimes until we learn some table manners.

Such a great 'Happy Thought' Day. Thanks again to everyone who made it possible from pranksters to Faith to Arrow's family.

I Love Your Blog!!!

I can't tell you what a big head you're all giving me with these awards. My husband is convinced the whole reason that I'm addicted to blogging is the sheer kindness of all my readers and all their compliments. He says I'm sucked into blogging because I don't get enough warm fuzzies from him and the kids so I turn to my lady friends. So thank you for all the virtual pats on the backs - You're all totally awesome.

I received this award from Sweet Sara of A Shower of Roses. I swear she is almost like a twin that was seperated at birth from me. Six kids, same struggles, same goals - maybe we should get matching outfits one of these days.

Well this little widget made my day. Then I had to go about picking more recipients to pass it on to. Pay it forward and all. The rules are simple - choose seven blogs you love, post a link - leave a comment telling them. There are some blogs that I have to check up on every single day and others that I feel good if I check out once a week. These are my dailies. There are so many different ladies deserving of this. The thing I like about blogging is that I can be friends with so many ladies of different political, religious, and cultural background based on the fact that we all have many more things in common. So these recipients that I chose are a virtual smorgasbord of personalities, struggles and talents. And they are...

Mels Thoughts and Whatnots - Mel is the phenomenal mother of three boys and one with Cerebral palsy. And she runs half-marathons like me (but much faster). I love reading Mels take on her family’s struggles and triumphs. She is a true example of the Strength of Motherhood.

Keeping up with His plans – This fine lady is a SAHM of mini munchkins whose husband is serving overseas in Iraq right now. I really can’t complain about my troubles when I think of Cheri holding down the fort while dealing with the mental stress of a husband in the war zone. She really is amazing and I salute her.

My Life… Just Pretend You're Interested. Tori is the hilarious mom to seven. She’s a pro and has probably got this award a million times over. But I’ll give her another one because I can’t get enough of her blog. Plus she’s a Team Jacob fan and anyone who loves Twilight like I do can’t but help get my vote.

Sadie Husih – I’ve mentioned Sadie a few times on my blog. She is the courageous little 5 –year old battling Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma... terminal brain cancer. I know Sadie through my sister who is in her church. Can I tell you how much this little girl and her most amazing parents have taught me through their grateful and Christlike actions. I’m giving Sadie this award in thanks for sharing her inspiring story with all of us.

Beacon of Light- Talk about a Fireball of energy. Or that is the impression I get every time I see Jodi’s blog. Then again she’d have to be to keep up with all the testosterone bouncing around her sports centered home. Mom of 5 boys – WOW! I don’t know where she digs up some of her pictures but she’s a hoot and I can’t help but smile every time I visit her.

The More, The Messier – Suburban Correspondent is another lady I think I must be cloned from. She deals with the exact same things I do. The mom of another half dozen she deals with the same barfing, the same vermin problems, and the same dementor (joy sucking) kid antics that I do. Although I have to wager that my rats are bigger than her mice. I know she is popular enough to have received this award a million times over but hey I can’t help but love her blog – So Whatever - she got another one. One of these days I’m going to have to learn how to knit.

And my last recipient is Erin of Raising Country Kids - A farm mom after my own heart. Every time I read her posts I’m taken back to my life on the farm and it makes me a little homesick. Her son is battling something similar to my son’s and it’s always comforting to know you’re not the only one out there facing these difficulties. That and her little princess love dressing up and playing in the dirt just as much as mine.

So check out these fine ladies and say Hi.

Spreading the Artistic Love

Believe it or not there are some people out there who actually take the time to peruse my little spot of blogging ground. I’ve been given a couple of awards and I’m flattered beyond belief. So I thought I’d spread some warm fuzzies and pass these awards onto some of my favorite places to lurk and learn.

The first award was given to me last June by Debi over at Who Says Eight is Enough? . See what a procrastinator I am. She nominated me based on ‘Fawn is an amazing writer and mom and just is inspiring and so creative.’ Wow. I think it’s the first time ever I’ve had three compliments on one sentence. Thank you, Debi for my first ever blog award.

So this little ‘Beaut’ of an award is called the “Arte y Pico” Award. Way back when, and across the ocean blue, it was started at this site.

Someone said it’s in Portuguese, Not sure because my foreign language skills consist of backwoods Idaho - English, a dozen Spanish words and a handful of Danish ones. From what I can tell, the original intention of this award is “dedicated to many who nourish and enrich the spirit and creativity. They see dedication, creativity, camaraderie, joy and above all, ART - much art. I wish that this prize is entertaining to all bloggers who share this space and enrich it a little more each day." ~ Arte Y Pico

The rules accompanying this award are simple:

1. 
   You need to choose 5 blogs you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, or contribution to the blogging community regardless of language.


2. 
   Each award should have the name of the author and a link to her blog to be visited by everyone.


3. 
   Each winner should show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her with the award.


4. 
   The award winner and the one who has given the award should show the Arte Y Pico blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.


5. 
   
   
   Show these rules .

So the first recipient of my award goes to LIFE, RIGHT NOW Susanne is the talented mother of two darling munchkins and she expresses her creativity and art through the medium of photography. I happened to know her personally before I ever started blogging and she was one of the main reasons why I’m here today. Ya gotta check out her darling tykes.

Then I can't help but plug Just for Today. Ms. Trenadoll got my nod because she's just so darn witty. Oh, and she's a genius and funny too. I've envied her writing style since I was a wee gradeschooler. I definately am waiting for her to write professionally one of these days. As luck would have it she lived One and a half years in Portugal so this award is aptly placed. Oh, and Trenadoll be sure and translate the award so that I know I'm really complimenting you instead of spewing unintended insults.

Faith of 'Has Anyone Seen My Cape,' shows her creative artistic style through her writing. I’m so waiting for her to get discovered, be offered a book deal and then let me pay her a bucket-load for a signed copy. Several times I catch myself just wishing she would go on and on and not stop. I love her talent for putting two words together and not sounding like some hick like me.

Take a look at Haylee of Live, Laugh, Love, Capture it all… Haylee share’s her amazing creativity through the art of photography. She is a professional photographer but takes the time to blog some of her favorites. The music, the children, the whole feel of her amazing blog makes me want to run barefoot through the grass with my kids. I love, love, love her art and so wish she lived close enough to me so she could capture my family. After visiting her blog I'm often tempted to swing in tree swings and play dress-up with my girls.

My last award goes to Empress of the Home. Mrs. Homemaking Cottage, Creative Mom of Seven amazing kids, Queen of Domestic Craftiness, and so on and so on. When I grow up I want to be just like her. Oh, yea, she’s all that and younger than me too. Her creative artistic style is on full display with the darling things she sews, wonderful food she creates, and sound advice she generously shares.

So check out all these fine, artistic, creative, and dedicated women! If you’re anything like me they will bring a little bit of joy into your life and make you want to be a better person. So spread the love and leave them a comment thanking them for spreading their artistic talents.

I’ve got another award to give out so keep your eye’s peeled over the next couple of days. I promise I won’t wait four months before I pass it along.