What's Your Review?

I love the end of the year for all of the montages that are put together to reflect in the previous year. I could watch these things endlessly.

They always make me laugh and cry while remembering big news stories, tragedies, triumphs, and many things that I had tucked away and forgotten about. This crazy world we live in is always spinning and there is always something to catch.

Not only is it the end of the year, but also the end of the decade...TWO types of montages for me!!!

Many people are saying this is the worst decade and it makes me sad to think that the decade that both of my children were born is dubbed the WORST. There were many tragedies, but also many AWESOME and wonderful things that happened.

In my life over the past decade, I became a real-life grownup: had a career, married, moved MANY times across this country and slightly abroad, and birthed two beautiful, healthy, and happy children. I would say that this has been my best decade. There are also many funny and embarassing things that happened as well as a some hurdles and sadness.

To quote the wise Forrest Gump, "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get."

While looking forward to the future, we all should take a look back and do our own Year in Review and Decade in Review...what would yours include?

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's Eve surrounded by loved ones. I look forward to all that 2010 and this new decade has in store!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

21 Things Your House Needs

I love home design and decor and I love Ballard Design. They always have fun things to look at. Yesterday, in my inbox there was an email from Ballard Design. They teamed up with Traditional Home Magazine and sent over the 21 Things Your Home Needs.

They gave a list that I have added below and then linked back to various Ballard Design items to help you complete the look.

I am always on the hunt and lookout for something really cool. My husband LOVES my constant set of ideas which to him simply equates to more time/work and more money. It is the more money part that always seems to get me and keeps many of my ideas upstairs in my pretty little head.

1. a place for your drink

2. a nomad console

3. a lamp to read by

4. knock-your-socks-off art

5. a cushy chair

6. party-friendly portables

7. grown-up dinners

8. a versatile bookshelf

9. natural fibers

10. a welcome entry table

11. a pretty place for laundry

12. a hang out bed

13. a mirror mirror

14. a french connection

15. a place to put your feet up

16. a truly comfortable sofa

17. a pillow wardrobe

18. eye-catching accessories

19. patterns that make a statement

20. a touch of modern

21. a well-adjusted dining table

I adored many of the ideas, but one of them I have been fixated on.

#11-A pretty place for your laundry. Take a look at this picture as per their suggestion.

I love this set-up. Now, I don't have the space nor the money to do this with my laundry spot, but oh how I WISH I did.

I spend so much time doing load after load after load after load of laundry. I get so sick of folding clothes and searching for mismatched socks that perhaps it would take some of the pain away if I had a pretty little spot like this. I could just about spend all day in that little piece of heaven.

However, let's just say that the skies opened up and by miracle, my laundry area looked like that, I can ASSURE you that it WOULD NEVER LOOK LIKE THAT.

Between the minis and their dirt/grime and sometimes unidentified stains and then the complete new level that Mr. ML is able to bring to dirty clothes and messes in general, this would only depress me if I saw what this spot could be, but had to look at the disaster that mine constantly was.

There would be stacks of folded laundry waiting to be put away, more laundry to do, a stack of clothes that required additional scrubbing and miracle detergent, mismatched socks, oh my would certainly take over.

I would love to spend a weekend in the home that had that laundry room and kept it looking like that as well as the rest of the home decorated to accompany the perfecto laundry spot.

I guess this is the season for dreaming...

Merry Christmas New Year

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed your time with family and friends. We had a fantastic Christmas and enjoyed all that the weekend had to offer. The minis loved Christmas and it is so fun to watch them and see everything through their eyes.

Does anyone else feel weird this week?

I always feel this is just a weird week and I am never quite sure about how I should feel about it or what to do. Mini #1 is just about totally confused too.

This week between Christmas and New Year's is just odd. I think the whole week should be a holiday and we should continue to celebrate Christmas style all week.

I love Christmas and the entire holiday season. I always get so sad when Christmas is over. It is such a great build-up and season that when it is over, I am always sad and looking forward to the next year.

It still feels holiday-y.

The hotel that Mr. is at is still playing Christmas music, people are still jolly, the malls are still busy and I want to be shopping, the decorations are still up, presents seem to still be rolling in for the minis, and there is still have over all holiday feeling with the build up for the New Year.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas...

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas! I am so incredibly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful blogging community. I have made such wonderful friends this year and look forward to all the future holds.

May you all have a very Merry Christmas enjoying the day with loved ones, treats, presents, and the warmth of this special day.

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out

It's almost time, it's almost time...

It's almost time for the A Christmas Story marathon. It truly isn't Christmas until I have tuned in a few times to the television marathon.

I have seen the movie approximately 631256 times and own the DVD, but it is just a tradition to tune in a few times throughout Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day to the classic movie to see what ol' Ralphie is up to.

I wish you all safe travels and a wonderful evening of family and anticipation.

Merry Christmas!!!

Best Christmas Present EVER...

I heart Rue La La. I love just browsing and checking out different things each day. They have such a great assortment of pretties and things. Yesterday, I stumbled upon what Mr. Molly Lou is giving me for Christmas.

It was supposed to be a grand surprise, but I have stumbled upon his very merry secret surprise!

I'm sure you all are sick of listening to me dream of a vacation and list off all of the reasons that I really need a vacation. You will see why this is the perfect gift for me and a true necessity.

The best part is that I get to take 10 friends along with me (You see this grand prize gift vacation is for 12, but I guess I should include Mr. Molly Lou since he so generously gave me this gift and then myself, so it leaves 10 of my nearest and dearest to join in.)

Here is what my Christmas gift will include: extraordinary private yachting cruise aboard Safari Spirit is a once in a lifetime experience. The perfect vacation for families or friends who shun crowds, enjoy the outdoors and appreciate pampering. Safari Spirit offers four roomy guest staterooms and two Admiral staterooms with French balconies. American Safari treats you to the truly inclusive experience. From your arrival at the airport to a fond farewell, you're a pampered guest aboard American Safari yachts.
Remember your trip fondly with a complimentary photo CD and coffee table photo album that is also included. Enjoy gourmet meals, premium wine, beer and spirits, water toys and gear, and exclusive shore excursions with resident locals. Onboard Expedition Leader/Naturalist or wine expert. Airport transfers, port charges, taxes, and fees are all included.

The American Safari Cruises offers a complete spectrum of amenities and activities, all designed to make your voyage as carefree and varied as you'd like. The attentive crew sees to the smallest details, and each crew member is eager to take you on a great adventure.
The yacht's bar is stocked with complimentary microbrews, fine wines, and premium liquors. Fine cuisine, prepared by the yacht's executive chef, is served in the dining room at one sitting. Guests wear causal clothing to all meals. Dining is a true delight, with a cornucopia of fresh local seafood, just-baked breads, hearty soups, exquisite entrees, and sinfully delicious desserts.
Of course, the chef is happy to plan for any special dietary needs or cravings. Guests use the casually elegant salon to recap the day's activities, relax, read or watch a movie from an extensive video library on the wide flat screen TV. Throughout your voyage, you're accompanied by a knowledgeable Expedition Leader who offers timely narratives about the local history and wildlife, introduces you to local indigenous peoples, and keeps a lookout for wildlife.
Amenities and Activities: En suite showers, some with Jacuzzi tubs, full bathrooms with heated tile floors. Enjoy Tempur-Pedic® memory-foam mattresses, terry bathrobes and slippers, TVs with DVD players, iPod docking stations, book and DVD library,
Activities include board games, satellite phone service, binoculars, on-deck hot tub, steam sauna, exercise equipment, kayaks, laser boats, water-skis, inflatable skiffs, snorkeling gear and wetsuits. Hydrophones to listen to whales and other below-surface sounds, and underwater cameras that connect to a big screen in the main salon.

So, you will all agree that you want to head along on this FABULOUS luxury trip with me.

I knew Mr. Molly Lou loved me, but I had no idea that we were spending around $75,995* on each other. He is going to be in for a slight let down when he receives his gift.

Merry Christmas to me.

Sigh. Christmas is for DREAMING right?!?!?!?!

{Thanks to ruelala.com for the picture and the trip info.}

**I seriously want to meet the people that purchase this trip or any of the other LUXURY items that were featured. I'm sure this lovely trip is worth the entire $76000, and clearly the word RECESSION means nothing to them.

Ugh...

I am getting sick. Really not fun sick and doesn't my body know that I can't deal with this right now.

Hello, it's Christmas week and the minis and I have about 21356 things to get done and enjoy the holiday season.

I have been trying to fight this off for a while, but I feel my triumph slowly fading away...

Tensely Relaxed

Apparently, I am a VERY tense person. I guess I could probably tell you that or you could tell by looking at me.

On Saturday, Mr. Molly Lou and I went to have a massage thanks to Molly Lou sister-in-law. She gave us a wonderful Christmas gift and we go to enjoy it just a few days early. Molly Lou sister kept the minis, so we had a few blissful hours of massage and Starbucks together.

Sadly, I only get a massage about once a year or every year and a half. I would love to get them more, but the massage train seems to miss me.

Every time I get a massage, the massage therapist tells me to RELAX about 45 times. They jiggly my arms to try to get me to relax and then keep telling me to "let it all out" or "you need to focus on relaxing. Don't think about anything." This then makes me more TENSE and NERVOUS...so far from relaxed.

I keep thinking to myself
"you can relax."
"Jiggle your fingers to make them appear relaxed."
"don't flex your legs when they are massaging them...they will know you aren't relaxed."
"oh, I still need to get blah, blah, blah, blah before tonight."
"ooooh, I left all of that laundry in the dryer. Now some are going to be so wrinkly that I will have to redo."
"Relax, relax, this is supposed to be relaxing and you will feel better when you're done."

This goes on and on. Then, what happens???

My hour is over and I feel more tense than I did when I walked in only now I smell all oily and I need another massage.

Let me tell you that Saturday was no different. About 467 times during the hour, we repeated the same scene: He would say "Relax." After he would tell me to relax, each time I would apologize, and each time he would GIGGLE.

I did enjoy it, but finally just gave up and went about with my tense self and thought about all the things I need to do before Christmas and how much I needed that strong cup of coffee.

Mark Your Calendars...

I forgot to report yesterday that thanks to all of your happy thoughts and prayers the Christmas party for Mini #1's class was a great success and the gingerbread houses were great. The day is what I like to call CCC-Controlled Creative Chaos. The kids had a great time and I will be sure to post pictures.

It isn't too early to put the CCC day for 2010 Annual Gingerbread Making Christmas Party.

What might you need to scope out the December date and get excited about the new year?????

How about Molly Lou Gifts' NEW 2010 Custom Desk Calendars. How stinkin' cute are these?!?!?! Our lovely Bitsy Creations has created this fantastic calendar with original artwork to ring in each month of the new year!

I think April is my favorite month or maybe October with that hooty hoo owl or that fab blue bird in June (I am always a sucker for the birds).

These would make a great holiday gifts or stocking stuffers or a perfect little surprise to celebrate the New Year with a loved one. There is still time to get them for Christmas.

To welcome these lovely desk calendars to our collection, they are 10% off until next week. Order as soon as possible and you can still have by Christmas.

Happy weekend!

I'm a Friendaholic

Hi! My name is Mrs. Molly Lou and I am a friendaholic.

I have been obsessed with Friends since it's conception. I watched religiously and would plan my nights around it's Thursday spot or I would VHS tape it if I had to work or had class(Tivo wasn't around or I couldn't afford it). I have them all on DVD and watch episodes all of the time on TV.

Seriously, this show is the best sitcom ever. I can defend it against just about any show. Mr. Molly Lou and I often argue over this...he claims The Cosby Show was and while I do think the Huxtable family is really fab, Friends still wins the race.

I still watch it just about everynight on FOX. The other night the series finale was on. I have probably seen this episode 20 times and EVERY TIME I CRY. Not just watery eyes, all out crying. Thank goodness that Mr. Molly Lou wasn't home or else he would have done his normal "routine." He would have rolled his eyes, proceeded to go on his rant on my abnormal obsession with this show and that I cry too much, it's just a tv show, blah, blah, blah.

I'm sure many of you are waiting to point out that we are going on 7 years since that episode premiered and the show bid farewell. I know, but it doesn't matter.

I can rattle off lyrics and would totally kick some bum in a trivia game about those 6 crazy kids. I was just talking last night with my friend Whitney about this and we decided that if we were to enter a Friends trivia contest, we would rule the world and be famous.

Trust me, I realize this is pathetic and perhaps I have a teeny issue.I just love the idea of the show and obviously it's oh so very funny lines.

Perhaps I want to live vicariously through Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross even all these years later.I heart New York City and as I currently live in a Cape Cod style home on a quiet street in a small town, have two children and spend more time reading Olivia or Dr. Seuss than Cosmo, it isn't like I am living the New York City, single, coffee house hangin' life.

Perhaps I will make a geriatric version of Friends. After all of my friends raise their children and retire, we can all get apartments in New York and sit at the Central Perk all day. I'm sure some of the conversations and funny scenarios played out in Monica's apartment won't be quite the same, they could be funny nonetheless.Start planning your roles, mark your calendars...we are casting for the Geriatric version of Friends to take place sometime in the 2030's.

Masterpiece or Messterpiece????

I'm the Gingerbread man today.

I will be making gingergbread houses with 11 three/four year olds for Mini #1's Christmas party at school.

Last night as I was preparing and getting everything ready for the monsters, I mean minis to create their houses, I slowly realized that this could lead to disaster.

The gingerbread houses are being made from graham crackers and then enough sugar to lead to a diabetic coma for house adornments.

Please say a little prayer for me, the teachers, and the adorable minis that their gingerbread house creations will be true MASTERPIECES and not messterpieces!!!!

Have a great day.

(image via celebratingchristmas.com)

Coupon Queen?

I have always wanted to be one of those women that you hear about-She goes to the grocery store, gets $150 worth of groceries for $6.22. You know it is everything name brand, enough to feed an army, and her receipt is a mile long.

That woman is not me. I set out at the grocery store to spend $50 and end up spending $75 and forget about the 4 coupons that I remembered to bring in to the store. I, then proceed to lose said coupons before the next time I am at the store and need/want them at the store.

A few weeks ago, a mom in one of the groups I am in did a whole "class" on couponing. Girlfriend has a BRIEFCASE for coupons. She is very methodical-searches ads, has about 6 regular coupon sites, buys coupons online, knows all of the coupon policies for every store under the sun, and spends less than $50 a week at the grocery store for her family. She has been doing this for a while and has totally mastered the art of couponing.

Another one of my friends has recently started couponing. She has a large binder with several dividers, slots for coupons, a few websites she goes to regularly to search, and is really finding her groove in the world of couponing.

This entire process is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo overwhelming to me. I can't imagine going to 4-6 grocery stores a week, taking my binder and the two minis in with me to the store, buying coupons online, finding enough room to store all of my items if I find the coupon/store ad and need to get 145 rolls of toilet paper and 26 jars of peanut butter.

I also need to be able to set aside time each week to do all of my store ad perusing, online searching, coupon compilations, and list making without any interruptions. As you know, I need a plan and if I am not 100% committed and organized about this, I know I will be a massive failure at Couponing 101.

I really need to do coupons though...it is a great way to save a lot of money.

Tips, thoughts, advice, funnies on couponing?

Have a great day.

PS-Can you believe Christmas is NEXT week????

What you're SUPPOSED to say...

Scene: Elevator in the hotel yesterday morning.

Elevator opens and there is a man that works at the hotel already occupying the elevator car. The minis and I get in to head downstairs.

Me: "Can you say good morning to the nice man?"

Mini #1: "Good morning sir."

Mini #2: "Blah, blah, blah." (Smiling)

Hotel Man: " 'sup"

Mini #1: "Hahahaha. What did you say-soup? You're supposed to say hello. hahahaha"

Me: trying not to giggle, turning bright red. "No, he said 'sup, like what's up?"

Hotel Man: nothing.

The hotel elevator doors could not open soon enough.

End scene.

Leave it to MY child to do that...oh the power of a child's mind. :) Happy Monday.

We're off to see...

the doctor's today for the second round of H1N1 shots and a second flu shot for Mini #2.

What fun!!! I know you're jealous.

Happy Sunday!

Snapshot Saturday~Can You Find Cuter?

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful...

This week's Snapshot Saturday~Who is the cutest child on the planet??????

This one!!!

Happy weekend. Stay warm!

A Little Ditty about Happiness

This is about happiness and all things happy. Paint that rosy picture in your mind of you skipping down the lane with the cheesy music in the background. Get your mind in the happy zone.

The fabulous, lovely, wise, funny, and brilliant Whitney passed on the Happy 101 award. Seriously, if you don't follow her, you really should. I adore her and am so thankful to call her my friend. Thank you Whitney.

I love this award and it's title. Perhaps in college, they should offer a class on happiness and how to be happy. Sometimes it is so much easier to be grumpy, but the key to FIND the happiness.

This award suggests that I offer 10 things that make me happy and then pass on to 10 more happy peeps.

Here goes (in no particular order...perhaps you can guess the order):

1. Blogs-I love all of the friends that I have made in Blogland. It is so much more than I had thought it would be and I am thankful that I jumped in the Blog pool.

2. Clorox-Bleach, wipes, all purpose cleaner! Oh, the love a clean home and surface and the smell of clorox. Those little yellow, orange, and green clorox wipe cylinders bring a smile to my face just thinking about them.

3. Christmas trees-we have a "hodge podge" tree. I don't do a themed or color schemed tree. All of our ornaments mean something to us and represent a particular point or moment in our lives. It is so fun to pull them out each year and think about different times or laugh about something as we add that little piece of us to our tree. Mini #1 is old enough now to be interested as well. You should see our tree though, the bottom 1/3 is all ornaments that cannot break and isn't as evenly dispersed as the rest of the tree. The tornado that is Mini #2 loves her some Christmas tree. She likes to take the ornaments off and then her brother likes to help by putting them back on (in one big cluster).

Mr. ML has been feeling a little depressed that he is in a hotel room and not at home in our festive house. We both L-O-V-E all things Christmas. The minis and I brought him a wreath, some lights, candy canes, and a Christmas tree last night to decorate his suite. It all looks so cute in here. The minis and I are making ornaments, a star topper, and garland today for his tree.

4. Coffee-mmmmmmmmm! Yummy and addicting. I have said it before and I will say it again, there is something about those red Starbucks holiday cups that can take all your cares away.

5. Christmas songs-Hark the Herald Angels Sing..., Rockin' Around the Christmas tree..., Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells..., O Come All Ye Faithful..., etc. (got some in your head yet?!?!?!)

6. My Home-It is a wonderful place that I feel safe, secure, happy ,and cozy. My family is together and it is where we are building memories. Although we are in a new house, the memories are already flowing.

7. The Minis-I am constantly in awe of their awesome personalities and the fun and unique people they are becoming. It is amazing to see how different. Nothing is better than their laughs, smiles, hugs, and kisses.

8. Ballet flats-comfy and cute!

9. Vacations-How I wish I was on vacation now. The planning of vacations is so much fun too. I love the anticipation and you know that I NEED an organized plan...vacations too. (I'm closing my eyes right now and imagining what white sandy beach I am laying on, what umbrella drink I am sipping on, and what book I am absorbed in.)

10. Snail Mail-Normally our mailbox is filled with bills, ads, or mail from the crazy lady that lived in the house before us. I get so incredibly excited when I get a letter or something personal in the mail. It is a wonderful little surprise. This is also the best time of year for this...I love getting Christmas cards and hearing from some people that we connect with at the holidays.

Now, I am going to pass this along to some AWESOME friends. If you don't read their blogs, you really should. They will make you happy.

1. A at Perfectly Pleasant

2. E at Ink Obsession Designs

3. J at Bitsy Creations

4. Name Twin at Living in the Moment

5. K at French Charming

6. J at Clemson Girl and the Coach (FYI-best swap partner ever)

7. G at Namaste By Day

8. K at Experiments in a Galley Kitchen

9. K at The Perks (who by the way is jetsetting in Mexico now...LUCKY!)

10. M at Stuttering Shell

Happy Weekend! Have a HAPPY Friday!

AGAIN...

I was left off the 10 Most Fascinating People list AGAIN this year. What the %&*#?

Seriously, Barbara Walters, what is going on? I thought we cleared this up last year when you left me off. Ugh.

I think I might boycott ABC (well, if they didn't have Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, and Modern Family I would totally pull the plug on them.)

Clearly they don't appreciate fine talent and truly know what fascinating is.

It was quite a motley crew list though-Glenn Beck, Kate Gosselin, Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga, Jenny Sanford, Brett Favre, Tyler Perry, Mrs. Molly Lou, Michael Jackson, and Michelle Obama. Anyone else think that Lady Gaga was much more normal than expected and that it was so predictable that Michelle Obama was deemed most fascinating?

Oh goodness, I keep forgetting that I wasn't included in the list.

Anyone else incredibly sick of Kate Gosselin, Adam Lambert, and especially Sarah Palin??????

There's always next year for me...

Who Me?

Who has a ridiculous H-E-A-D-A-C-H-E and has had one since about 9:30 last night? One that it hurts to keep both eyes open and just won't move on.

Me.

Who drank about a gallon of coffee last night and EARLY this morning?

Me.

Who stayed up way too late doing Christmas cards, gifts, cleaning, and other random things?

Me again.

Who has a daughter that clearly hates her as she was her normal happy, giddy self until she stepped foot on the floor to get her picture made then proceeded to SCREAM, turn red, and have snot all over her face for said pictures?

Who's said daughter then calmed down only to have her screams compounded when she caught a glimpse of Santa in the studio? Only to then walk out of the studio and there she is, dancing and smiling and of course, laughing the second her brother gets in eyesight.

(Seriously, I don't ask for much and just wish my children would indulge me occasionally when it comes to pictures. Mini #1 was perfect though...which is quite the role reversal when it comes to pictures.)

Me.

Who argued, bribed, begged, and pleaded with a 4 year old until after 10 last night about going to sleep?

Let's all take a guess. Me.

Who needs to get off their bum and lose some weight like those rock stars on The Biggest Loser last night?

Me. (It always amazes me.)

Who needs to win the lottery asap?

Me.

Perhaps I see why I have that headache now. Happy Wednesday.

Just Call Her Scarface!

Meet Scarface (aka Mini #2). Don't mess with her...you should see what she did to the pavement.

Yesterday while playing outside, she just totally faceplanted in to the driveway. Poor thing. This is what our face looks like this morning. Of course, tonight the children have appointments to get their pictures taken.

Now, the question I have for you all is should I take her as scheduled to get her pictures taken tonight or should I cancel the appointment?

Is it going to be funny to remember the scarface incident or will this scar this second child for life?

Get your glamour shot on

Say cheese!

Strike a pose!

Or go through your photo folders and archives.

Pick the best one and get ordering!

Tomorrow is the last day for you to order PHOTO holiday cards in order to ensure time to proof, print, sign, seal, and deliver before Christmas.

You still have time to order personalized and nonpersonalized greeting cards.

This is one we did over the weekend. Aren't these just GORGEOUS children?!?!?!?!?

Happy Monday!!!

Be sure to check out this week's Good Will Grace "Finding that Girl" post. It is fabulous as always. Have you starting following GWG yet?????

Happy Birthday to My Sweet Boy!

Today marks the 4th birthday of my sweet boy. I can't believe he is four years old. Time sure does fly.

I am honored to be his mother and can't imagining loving someone more.


Mini #1 is a beautiful child and I adore the boy he is becoming. He is so incredibly smart with a mind full of ideas and questions and always with the desire to know more. You never quite know what he is going to say or what the next question will be.

He is funny, loving, sensitive, compassionate, strong, gentle, and I am love being his mother.

When he wakes up in the morning and comes downstairs, his face lights up and he runs to me to give me a hug and say good morning. He loves his sister, although the gentle part doesn't always apply to his interactions with her, he is a great big brother. Mini #2 adores her brother. No one can make her smile or laugh quite like this boy.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Sweet Boy, happy birthday to you!

Snapshot Saturday~Go Tigers

Today is party day. Yippee...four year old construction workers! I hope everyone has their "happy weather britches and smiles" on today.

It is also the day of the ACC Championship game. So last weekend didn't quite go as I planned and hope for it to go, but the Clemson Tigers are playing for the ACC Championship against Georgia Tech.

GO TIGERS!!!!

Tomorrow is the day...

that I will have too many 4 year olds running around my home. You see Sunday marks the 4th birthday of my beloved Mini #1. I can't believe that my little boy will be four.


So tomorrow is the big birthday bash! A construction themed bash no less.

Before we move on, let's take a moment to say a little prayer for my sanity, the sanity of my dear husband, and one that the weather cooperates.



We have hardhats and construction work aprons for all. I have stations all planned out with various construction themed activities...dump truck bean bag toss, sidewalk chalk, tool/building area, construction vehicle play zone, work apron decorating, and 200' of caution tape to add to the ambiance and block everything off. Also, if the weather permits there will be a big excavator in my yard that the the children can take rides on. My brother-in-law is a builder and he has called in a favor to help us add the excavator.



The weather MUST cooperate. I do not have room in my house for all of these activities, wild children, adults, and the sanity of my husband.



For favors, I got these construction kits. They come with the pieces, glue, paints, and brushes to make something. Mini #1 picked out bird houses for the girls and airplanes for the boys. They are also getting a jar of play-doh and a play-doh tool for constructing their masterpieces. They are all wrapped up in clear bags with thin caution tape ribbon.



Mini #1 is very excited about his party and his friends coming over. He doesn't know about the excavator, so that will be an extra surprise.



Thanks for those prayers...I will let you know how all things happen.



Enjoy your weekend!



PS-The construction invitation above is what the lovely Bitsy Creations created for mini #1's special day. We changed the information and have added them to our shop for you all to create your own construction themed party. Be sure to check out our complete Invitation and Announcement Station.

Pay It Forward Holiday Style...

Happy Thursday ya'll! On Monday, the post on Good Will Grace was AWESOME! I would just tell you to click the link and check it out for yourself, but I know that sometimes the mouse/finger gets lazy and doesn't actually click the link and read the fantasticness (my new word) that is to be had from this blog so I have just included the post (see below) for you to enjoy. You see, Whitney writes a weekly feature over at GWG and this week she is challenging us to Pay it Forward once a week this holiday season.

It is such a wonderful idea and something we should be doing ALL.OF.THE.TIME. and don't. This can be anything and it doesn't matter how small the gesture is. Think of how happy you feel when someone does something nice for you out of the blue or even just offers a friendly smile when you are having a not so good day.

I signed up for this weekly challenge and YESTERDAY I did my first one. You see there is this homeless man that I see everyday on my way to take Mini #1 to school. He is always walking on this particular street and I have heard that he has a tent in some woods along that road. Yesterday, it POURED all day! I mean my yard is flooded and monsoon is perhaps a better word for the daily precipitation. Sure enough, there he was walking down the road in the awfulness. THE MOMENT STRUCK ME! After taking Mini #1 to school, Mini #2 and I cruised through the drive through at McDonald's and purchased two sausage biscuits and a large coffee. I drove my same route home and found him just where I thought I would along his route. I stopped, dropped him off his breakfast, told him to have a great day and I would see him again.

He just said "thank you."

A small, small thing to do and hopefully I helped make the otherwise wet and cold day for this man just a little better.

Now, thanks to Whitney, I am challenging you to PAY IT FORWARD. I will let you know what my next week task is.

Whitney's GWG post from Monday:
I've been decorating for Christmas all weekend, listening to Christmas music and just generally getting in the holiday spirit.
I've had my first official "Christmas" Starbucks in the red cup, seen mothers fighting over the last "My LifeSize Doll" in the WalMart toy aisle and waited in a checkout line longer than the number that represents the federal deficit.
The official holiday season has begun, y'all.
Last night while I was going to sleep I was thinking about last Christmas and I remember one post from a blogger that really stood out to me. I had just found Gwen's blog and this was one of the first posts I had read, but it had such an impact on me.
This is what the holiday season should be about - giving. Even if it's something small, no matter how much it makes a huge difference.
So, I'm going to make a pledge and a challenge.
My pledge is that at least once a week, I'm going to pay it forward to someone. It could be someone in line behind me at Starbucks, my struggling co-worker, a fellow blogger - I won't know until the moment strikes me.
My challenge is to have you join me. Once a week, give to someone who least expects it. And make it a spur of the moment decision. Sure, it will make you feel good but I guarentee you it will make the recipient feel even better.
And little by little, that will make for a better holiday season for everyone!

Have a great day!

PS-HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my fabulous and dear friend, E over at Ink Obsession Designs. She is such a wonderful friend. I am so happy to have her in my life. I hope she has a wonderful day and year ahead! Happy Birthday E!!

Fortune Cookies

Yesterday, my friend Michelle tweeted about a fortune cookie that she got at lunch yesterday. I tweeted back what I wished mine would have said at that moment.

Then, I started thinking of several possible fortune cookie readings that would be PERFECT right about now.

"Do not worry...the laundry will fold itself. No more clothes to worry about."


"A luxury vacation is coming your way. Pack your bags and enjoy."


"The pounds will just disappear. Do not worry, you will lost weight."


"Children are only little people once. Enjoy that innocence and love of exploring life with them."


"You will not be super wealthy in dollars, but you will not have to worry about finances in your life."


" 'Keeping up with the Joneses' never really worked for anyone."


"Your children will ALWAYS be well-behaved."


"Remember to enjoy the holiday season. There is so much fun to be had and it truly is a magical time."

What do you need your fortune cookie to say today?

Have a great day!

PS-HAPPY, HAPPY Birthday to Molly Lou sister-in-law. We love you and hope you have a wonderful day.

Cyber Monday Specials Galore!

Whew...I am tired ya'll and it seems the fun is just beginning. I was pretty much totally unplugged for a few days and it was nice. Strange, but nice. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.

In honor of Cyber Monday, we are offering specials galore!

This is the last week to use code holiday09 to save 15% off your order. Have you ordered your Christmas cards yet? What about that personalized gift for a friend?

Buy any three sets of notecards, get one free. Enter free choice in the notes at checkout. Do not pay for them, just let us know what you prefer.

TOMORROW is the last day for Personalized Shirts and Personalized Buckets. Go check them out. They are just adorable, unique, and fun. The buckets can be used for so many things and can also double as a gift bag. They look great under the tree.

All orders of $50 or more will include a FREE notecard set. Keep it for yourself as a holiday treat or give to a friend. You will love them! We all need cute notecards.

Use code FREESHIP to receive free shipping on any order! (We always offer free shipping on orders over $125).

Remember we are always happy to wrap and ship your items directly to your gift recipient. We will even include a handwritten personalized note just from you. Visit our Holiday 2009 page for even more holiday goodies. Happy Monday!

Snapshot Saturday~GO TIGERS!!!!

I don't really talk about football on here much, but this week I just can't help it. Today, my alma mater and wonderful football team, the Clemson University Tigers will go to play the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.

This is a much anticipated game every year and I know we will win. This week's Snapshot Saturday is Mini #1 sporting the football helmet and football in cheering on the Tigers.

GO TIGERS!!!!!
Hope you're enjoying your holiday weekend. Happy Saturday.

It's Black Friday Y'all!

I hope you all enjoyed eating the feast and being with all of your friends and loved ones yesterday. We had a great time and I always enjoy being with my family.

But, let's move on to the real excitement-

HAPPY BLACK FRIDAY!!!

I have always loved Black Friday. I used to go out in the wee hours of the morning with my aunt and then when I could drive, I would drag my little sister out. My sister and I have kept up the tradition.

We go out each year together. We map out our root, make our list, checking it twice, get any coupons and ads that we need on Thanksgiving and have bags, shoes, and coats by the door. It is a day full of caffeine and fun.

Molly Lou Gifts has some Black Friday Specials for your too!

Use code FREESHIP to receive FREE Shipping on ANY purchase from our shop. (We always offer free shipping on orders over $125-no code necessary.)

or

Use code Holiday09 to save 15% off your total purchase from our shop.

We are happy to help pick out the perfect gift for someone on your list. Let us know if you have any questions.

Happy Black Friday. Have a great day and weekend.

Thankful Thursdays Part IV

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all are already having a great day with family and friends, cooking away, and getting ready to enjoy the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

We all have so much to be thankful for and I need to finish out my list to make it to 26!

21. Icecream-oh, what a wonderful treat. Kudos to the person that created this oh so yummy treat. Think of all the combinations and toppings-chocolate, peanuts, cheesecake, sprinkles, M&M's, cookie dough, oh my. Everyone is happy when they are eating some yummy frozen goodness, even if it just that bowl.

22. Purell-For the germ-o-phobe, this product is a reason to be VERY THANKFUL. Sometimes, I think of bathing the minis in it. We call it "magic soap" in our home.

23. My mom-what a wonderful and strong woman. She did a fantastic job raising my sister and I. It is such a wonderful feeling and quite the sight to watch her interact with my children. She is the perfect Grammy and my children just adore her.

24. Mr. Molly Lou-I am so thankful to have such a loving husband. He makes me crazy at times, but he is mine. He is hilarious and can always make me laugh. I am thankful that he truly thinks that I am beautiful and a good wife and mother. He is always on my side and I am so thankful for the past ten years and the decades more.

25. Cars-I am so thankful that I don't have to ride my bike or walk with two minis and a buggy of groceries to get everywhere I need to go. Perhaps it would be a great weight loss tool if I did have to walk.

26. YOU!!! I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo thankful for all of you. Never did I think that I would make such fabulous and real friends. Even though I don't know most of you in real life, I feel so indebted to the friendships that you have given me. Blogland is such a weird, but wonderful place. It is truly an outlet for me and I have met so many friends that can relate to many things in my life and allow me to truly be me. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for being you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! Enjoy your day and weekend with your loved ones. I can't wait to hear the inevitable family tales of the weekend.

If You're Happy and You Know It...

Clap your Hands,
If you're happy and you know it,
Clap your hands,
If you're happy and you know,
Then your face will surely show it,
If you're happy and you know it,
Clap your hands.

Now that we got that fun going for this Thanksgiving Eve and you will be rocking out to the Happy song all day, I was tagged by M at The Cobia Family to list 10 things that make me happy.

My face is definitely showing it, so here goes:

1. Memories of my grandmother.

2. The sound of my minis laughing. No better sound than that. (Bonus happiness if they are actually playing together and laughing together.)

3. Starbucks-it all makes me happy. And those red holiday cups add a teeny bit more happiness.

4. Clorox Wipes and Lysol Disinfectant Spray! I love a clean house and after cleaning everything and the smell of a germ free area is lovely. :) (12 step program is needed, I know.)

5. Christmas music-how can you not smile when you hear any holiday tunes?!?!?!?

6. Holiday decorations-the tree, the wreaths and garland, the ornaments, gingerbread men, smells of Christmas, the stories, red and green galore, you get the idea...

7. Hugs and kisses from my minis-absolutely the best! (Also bonus happiness if they are completely voluntary and unexpected.)

8. Books-I love to read and I love a good book. One that I can get sucked in to the story and feel a part of. Also, I find happiness in being able to read uninterrupted for 5 minutes or longer.

9. Mr. Molly Lou- he is so darn funny and it is fun to watch him with our children.

10. Handbags!

Now I tag all of you.

Safe travels for all of your holiday plans! Happy Wednesday!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my Birthday!!!! I love, love, love birthdays!

I love my own, but I also love to celebrate everyone that is special to me. We all deserve one day a year!

I wish we all could get together and spend the day laughing, chatting, and eating the yummy cake above.

Hope you're all enjoying your Thanksgiving week and gearing up for Thursday.

Have a great day!

We're Off To See...

the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz.

This year marks the 70th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. Isn't that amazing!

This was on television in the hotel over the weekend and the minis got to watch it some of it. Both of them were mesmerized by it. Mini #2 kept smiling and clapping during the munchkin scene after the bad witch was found under the house.

We continued watching after mini #2 went to bed, and Mini #1 was really studying it and kept asking questions. When the witch disappears in to that red/orange smoke, he got this really disgusted look on his face and said "what is she doing?"

Watching this movie, I kept thinking how truly amazing this movie was for being made in 1939. What creativity and imagination it took and even after the 100th time I have watched it, each time takes me back to seeing it for the very first time as a little girl.

**Mini #1 started singing "follow the yellow paved road." :)

________________________________________________

The winner of last week's Luggage/Bag Tag set of 4 giveaway is

Entry #2 Whitney!

Thanks to all who entered. Whitney, email us and we will get your choices and bag tags created for you. Be sure to check out our Holiday 2009 page to see our complete collection of holiday cards and more.

Have a great day.

Snapshot Saturday~Christmas Card Cuts

With two precious minis, the Christmas card is a challenge. I tried to do some shots a few different days in different places...the object getting cute faces, preferably smiles on both of the children, semi looking at the camera, and no crying!

We have found one, but here are two outtakes.



Photo card orders, need to be placed by December 8!

Happy Saturday!

Molly Lou Family is on the Road Again

On the road again-

I just can't wait to get on the road again...

We are off on a whirlwind road trip this weekend to visit some dear friends that we have missed terribly over the past 10 months. Mini #1 is excited and I know that Mini #2 will just adore the attention and all the "big kids" to play with.

Have a great weekend!

Thankful Thursdays: Part III

Happy Thursday! I can't believe that Thanksgiving is one week from today. Time sure does fly.

In continuing with the 26 things that I am thankful for...

12. Television-my how I love me some television. At the end of the day when I finally get to sit down, I love to catch up and watch all of those mindless reality shows. Seriously, where would I be without reality tv?!?!?! I mean who would actually like to learn new things or engage in thoughtful conversation when you can watch the drama of Jon and Kate, who will win Project Runway, who gets eaten in the shark tank, who has a crying fit when told that they are in fact "not the biggest loser," or see those tables being thrown or wigs being pulled by those crazy Real Housewife gals. Also, couldn't live without HGTV.

13. Lilly Pulitzer's Squeeze Perfume-Mr. Molly Lou gave this to me last year for Christmas and I just love it. I have found "my scent." It makes me a tad happy every time I see the cheery yellow bottle on my counter. Even better when I found it at TJ Maxx for half price!

14. Monograms-Clearly you have all figured out that with Molly Lou Gifts, I love things personalized and monogrammed. I would monogram my kids if I could. Things just look better when they are monogrammed and a boring towel, pillow, or wall can ooze style and personality with a little monogram.

15. Home-I love my home and I love that my children love it too. It is warm and a place we all feel comfortable. It certainly isn't grandiose or perfect, but it is ours and something Mr. Molly Lou and I have worked hard for. Just before I go to bed at night, the house is quiet, I know my children are sleeping soundly in their beds and everything is clean and organized (why is it that the only time my house looks the best is when we are all sleeping and no one gets to see it?!?!), I look around and say a quick prayer thanking God for all he has given us.

16. Vacations-I love planning vacations almost as much as going on them. I am dreaming that I am sitting right now on a tropical beach reading a book and listening to the waves or I am in New York City, my favorite place in the world or perhaps I am touring Italy with Mr. Molly Lou. I am so thankful for all of the places we have been able to go and for all the ones that are still to come in our future. Speaking of Italy, I am guest blogging over at my dear friend Kim's blog, Experiments in a Galley Kitchen. She is away with her sweet husband on an anniversary cruise (very jealous). I wrote about a planes, trains, and automobiles experience during the first day of our honeymoon in Italy. Pop over to her blog!

17. Birthdays-everyone we get to celebrate means another year of living this crazy life. Birthdays are so fun and should be a big deal. Decorations, gifts, cake, and feeling UBER special all day. We should celebrate all that we have accomplished in the past year.

18. Mini #1's preschool- I am thankful that we have found a place that Mini #1 feels comfortable and enjoys going. He adores his two teachers and they are kind, supportive, and loving towards him. This has been a great place for him to make friends and learn those necessary social skills. He is learning new things and also gets to share what he knows and build on that love for learning. Today is his Thanksgiving Feast. This is his first school "program." His class will be indian's...definitely should be interesting. Mr. Molly Lou can't go, so my mom has come up to attend with us.

19. Water-wow! So useful and versatile...in just about everything, you can bathe and swim in it, is a healthy drink and is so good when it is ICE cold.

20. Mini #2-My oh my how I love and adore this child. Last week I wrote about her big brother, but this week, the spotlight needs to go on her for a bit. At almost 14 months, Mini #2 is a true ray of sunshine. She is happy just about all the time and has the best smile and her laugh is my favorite sound in the world. She is gentle, smart, adorable, loving, stubborn, dramatic, and interested in everything. She adores her brother; no one can make her giggle like he can. She is beautiful with those big blue eyes and blond hair. She has six teeth now and grins like a jack-o-lantern. She has more rhythm than either of her parents and can bust out in her own "song" and get her groove on. Her face lights up when we walk in to the room and my favorite time of day with her is when I open her door in the morning. She is standing at the corner of her crib ready to start the day. As soon as I open the door, her face lights up and she starts babbling. When I pick her up, she snuggles in to my neck and have just a few cuddly moments before she is off and ready to go. She is such an easy baby, much different than her brother and I am so thankful that she is in my life and I get to be her mother.

Stay tuned for next week's installment to round us out to the Thankful Thursday Finale. Have a great day!

PS-Did you see yesterday's post? Enter this week's Birthday/Holiday Giveaway!

Worthwhile Wednesday~Holiday Tags

'Tis the Season for holiday shopping. Holiday shopping leads to gift buying which leads to gift wrapping, which leads to GIFT TAGS and ENCLOSURES!!!

That's right...you need holiday gift tags to adorn your beautifully packaged holiday gifts. We have a great selection of gift enclosures. We have holiday themed embossed gift enclosures (snowflake, gingerbread, and menorah), but also have monogram and name embossed sets and two thermography ink sets. These can be used for all gifts given throughout the year or just as little notes to tuck away.

We have sticky Very Merry sticky gift tags from the lovely Kara Rosenberry that coordinate with your Very Merry holiday folded notes.

A unique twist on gift tags this year that I just LOVE is to order our personalized luggage/bag tags. Attach these to your gifts and they serve as a gift tag and great gift add-on. Your gift recipients will love their new tag and think of it as going green~you're not wasting a paper tag and finding another use for a bag tag!

Next week is the big birthday, so we need another Holiday/Birthday Month Giveaway. This week's winner will receive a set of 4 Personalized luggage tags. You choose the designs and front/back personalization. Give as a gift, keep for yourself, use as a bag tag, or make a stocking stuffer!

Entries will be taken until Sunday and the winner will be announced on Monday.

You know the drill:

-Become a follower or let me know you already are one.

-Tweet/Blog about this giveaway (1 entry for each). You can also tweet once daily to get another entry. Be sure to link it back.

-Give me some unique holiday ideas or who you would give your personalized bag tags to.

-Every $5 you spend at Molly Lou Gifts, you receive 5 additional entries.

-Tell a friend, they let me know in the comment that you referred them and you get an extra 5 entries.

Ready, set, go! Have a great day.

(tilt your head for this last picture...sorry.)

What Does "Don't Tell Anyone" REALLY Mean?

My lovely, witty, and SMART friends, I have a question for you.


What does "Don't tell anyone" really mean?


Something happened to Mr. Molly Lou's brother and apparently he said "don't tell anyone," but didn't tell their sister that.


His sister emailed me yesterday and mentioned this situation and asked me to help. I had no idea what she was talking about so I called. She was asking me when I had last talked to Mr. Molly Lou and then explained the situation.


I started defending Mr. Molly Lou to the sister saying I was sure he didn't know. I had been with him all day the day before, etc. I feel horrible about this and called Mr. Molly Lou to discuss with him and see what his plan of action/how we could help his brother.


He replies "I did know. He called me, but asked me not to tell anyone."


WHAT?!?!?!?


Now, let me backtrack just a bit. I have known the siblings since they were young teenagers and we all get along really well. Now, if a friend were to tell me this, I would certainly keep that in confidence, but would tell my husband. More from the standpoint of needing his assistance and thoughts on how to help, etc.


If a friend specifically asked me not to tell my husband, I would certainly do that.


My feelings are hurt that he didn't tell me, I'm embarassed that his sister was sure I knew and I defended Mr. Molly Lou that he didn't know and then it was just me. I am also mad because I feel that I should have known this. I could have helped even behind the scenes. I would have offered some suggestions for Mr. Molly Lou such as he should have left my parents house where we were staying for the night to be with his brother.


So, where is the line drawn on this question? ?Would you tell your spouse?


Have a great day!


________________________________________________


Yesterday, I forgot to name the winner of the Holiday Card Set giveaway. Be sure to check out our Holiday 2009 page for our entire collection of holiday cards and gifts.


Congratulations to entry #4, Headbands and Handbags! You should hop over and check her out...she is fabulously adorable.




From her entry, she chose the Words of Christmas card set (only in her entry, it was phrased"tree word one" :)) and once she sends me her address, a set will be on the way to her. I hope she loves these cards...they are really neat and even better in person. Would also make a perfect hostess gift this season.

Thanks to all who entered. A new Birthday Month Giveaway will be up tomorrow.

What fun!

H1N1 Shots, Flu Shots, and an gynecology appointment...

The minis are thrilled and so am I! What fun!

Happy Monday!

New Discount Code

Happy Sunday! Hope you're all having a great weekend.

We have a new discount code to share with you. Get your holiday shopping done with our fabulous holiday gifts, accessories, and unique gifts. Have you ordered your holiday cards yet?

Use code FREESHIP at checkout to receive FREE shipping on any order from Molly Lou Gifts.*

We always offer FREE shipping on orders $125.00 or more so you could use the holiday09 code for an additional 15% off. No code necessary for that free shipping.

Enjoy your weekend.

{No other discounts apply with the FREESHIP code, however, you may use any discount code available on orders over $125 and still receive free shipping. }

Snapshot Saturday~Awesome Argyle

This week's Snapshot Saturday features the minis sporting their argyle shirts...How stinkin' cute are they?

We have over 20 different shirt styles and colors as well as 16 fonts for your choice of personalization.

We also have several holiday shirt and dress designs.

NEW MLG DISCOUNT CODE: Use code FREESHIP at checkout to receive free shipping on any purchase from our shop.

Happy weekend.

Cynically Smart??????

Yesterday, my #11 on my Thankful Thursday list was my sweet Mini #1. Oh how I love this boy and daily he amazes me with the things that come out of his mouth. In describing him, I mentioned SMART as an adjective to describe him.

Well, SMART he is. First of all, if any of you are new, Mini #1 is 3!!!

Not 13 or even 30, 3...1, 2, 3!

Yesterday, Mini #1 was taking his sweet time in finishing breakfast and getting dressed before school and we were alread pressed for time. I also forgot something he was supposed to take to school, so we had a stop to make before school and the "Thank You Ida" weather wasn't helping. him

So, I say to him "Don't worry, Mini #1*, take your time. I have all day."

To which he responds to me "Mom, don't be cynical."

CYNICAL...You read that correctly. Yes, my 3 year old son not only used the word CYNICAL in a conversation with me, used it CORRECTLY!

I am not kidding...I thought I was going to pass out and wet my pants at the same time.

I asked him where he learned that word and he just laughed. I never could get him to tell me.

If this is 3, I am excited, nervous, and scared to see what his teenage years bring.

Happy weekend!!!

Thankful Thursdays: Part II

Last week I started my series of posts on things I am thankful for. I highlighted the first four. So, moving on in my quest to list 26 things I am thankful for.

5. Music~Oh how I love music. It is amazing how a song can transport me back to a particular place, event, or time in my life. The various genres of music are so appealing to the many moods and emotions that occur in this crazy life.

6. Common Sense~There are MANY things that just seem so incredibly and completely logical to me, even "duh" moments, but then I stop and realize that common sense isn't a gift that everyone is given. Praise God that he gave it to me.

7. Spray paint~It is the poor woman's best home (re)decorating companion. We purchased some black .99 spray paint from Lowe's and it is fabulous. Our front door had icky brass numbers, kickplate, and doorknocker and we had a chandelier upstairs at the top of the stairs that wasn't so pretty brass either. Leave me alone with those pieces and some black spray paint...VOILA. Perfect. They look so fantastic. I also repainted our front door to clean it up and give it a fresh coat before putting the pieces back up and even a few weeks later, I love looking at it. Now, I am thinking of new projects so I can use the happy spray paint again.

8. Cheese~Mozzarella, Cheddar, Gouda, Muenster (of "monster" as Mini #1 calls it), Blue, Goat, Feta, American, Swiss=YUMMY! Cheese really makes a boring meal or sandwich fantastic. It is yummy hot or cold and either on something or just alone. I heart cheese.

9. Stationery~Clearly I like stationery, hence Molly Lou Gifts. I get downright giddy when I find a new stationery love. Personalized stationery is something that everyone needs and should be happy to use. Different sets and styles make me happy...stationery for different moods. colorful, trendy, elegant, classic, etc. If you have notecards that you love, you will be more apt to write to friends and family. It is so fun to receive a nice note in the mail too.

10. The color black~love its slimming affects and just wish that for every layer of black, I would look that much thinner.

11.Mini #1~Last week, I mentioned my children together, but I am going to separate them and tell you a little of why I love and adore each of them and thank God MANY times a day for blessing me with them. Mini #1 is a sensitive, compassionate, smart, handsome, funny, loving, stubborn, creative, and thoughtful child. He is very intense and interested. He studies things and wants to know how things work and why they do what they do (hello! Engineer father). He has a love for learning and books. He could sit for hours and read. As a REALLY fussy infant with such horrible colic, he loved when I would read to him. He has taken this love and "ran with it." He can now read and gets so excited when he finds a new book and can read pages in it. That passion for learning is going to be so incredible to watch as he grows. He had a friend over yesterday and it was nice to see him interact with another child and independently play. It really smacked me in the face on how big he is getting and how quickly time passes. I am so blessed to be his mother and so fortunate to have such an incredible seat to watch what life has in store for this boy.

More next week. What are you thankful for?

Have a great Thanksful Thursday!

PS-Have you entered our newest Birthday Month Giveaway yet? Check out yesterday's post here.

Worthwhile Wednesday~Holiday Cards in Style!

'Tis the Seasonn for HOLIDAY GREETINGS!!! Yesterday, I got on my soapbox about shopping from small business this year. I also added a new discount code for Molly Lou Gifts. Use code holiday09 to take 15% off your total purchase at our shop.

So, let's chat about holiday cards. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE holiday cards. I love seeing the different designs, greetings, and notes from friends. It is such a great way to catch up with my peeps and see what the year has brought them and what is to come in their future.

We have a variety of adorable Holiday cards-personalized, blank, and photo personalized in our shop this season. They are just so colorful, unique, and festive!

With our personalized and photo cards, you get to choose your holiday greeting and include your own personalized message and names to appear on your card...making it simpler and still stylishly personalized!

Don't forget to shop our Holiday 2009 page to see our complete line of cards, gifts, and accessories.

To continue with our Birthday Month Giveaways, we are giving away one set of personalized holiday cards. This should get you in the festive spirit and start your holiday correspondence event off to a great start.

Entries will be taken until Monday, November 16 and the winner will be announced on Tuesday.

To enter:

~Head over to Molly Lou Gifts and check out our personalized holiday greeting cards. Choose your favorite and let us know what you love.

~Become a follower of our blog or let us know you are.

~Tweet (@mollylougifts)/blog about this and link it back to us.

~Refer a friend to our shop/blog/twitter. When they mention you, you will get another entry.

~For every $5 purchase you make, you will receive an additional entry. ($25 purchase=5 more entries.)

Have a great Wednesday! Here are a few more cards for your viewing pleasure:

I Think I Can, I Think I Can...

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can only shop from small businesses this holiday season.

So I have decided that the big businesses don't need me this year. As a small, locally owned business I know how hard this recession and economic crisis has hit me, my friends and colleagues.

My friend E wrote one day about an antique shop in her town closing after decades in business. One that she grew up knowing the owners, their stories, etc. She loved learning the history of the pieces and the owners became her friends. I have a favorite shop from childhood that just recently closed after almost 30 years and a local bookshop that I used to ride my bike to as a child and then took my son to play in the children's nook as a small toddler that had to close their doors this year too. I have a few friends that have decided to close up shop after a particularly bad year,readjust, and focus on other things. I work too hard and have such a passion that I won't be one of those stories and I don't want small businesses that love to follow that path either.

I have decided that I am only going to shop from small businesses for everyone on my holiday list this year. This is slightly challenging with the minis...Mini #1 is obsessed with the 15 daily toy catalogs that come in the mail and I HEART the day after Thanksgiving early morning shopping. I can still get the same great toys and children's products from smaller shops and sites and do that shopping on Black Friday, I am just being more selective and loving those small businesses.

When I started Molly Lou Gifts, I was in search of high quality, stylish, and unique products that couldn't be found just anywhere. I wanted to offerings in my shop to be items that customers were excited to find, give, and receive.

People often feel that shopping at small sites and shops means that it will be more expensive and cost more. Actually, quite the opposite. I do a lot of research and most of our items are cheaper than the big competitors.

We have a new holiday discount code for use on any purchase from Molly Lou Gifts. Use code holiday09 to enjoy 15% off your total purchase from our shop this season. We are happy to wrap, ship, and include a personalized handwritten gift message to your loved ones.

Please let us know if we can be of any assistance or answer any questions. We are happy to help and appreciate all of our clients and friends. Have a great day!

Sunny Days...

keeping those clouds away...

Happy Birthday/Anniversary "Sesame Street"!

WOW!!! 40 years old...

We all need to take a moment of silence to pay homage to the creative genius talent of Jim Henson.

What a cool place to be. I always wanted to go to Sesame Street.

I think it is so fun and neat that parents that grew up singing the "sunny days" tune can now share it with their own little minis. I was totally one of those parents with Mini #1 that didn't allow him to watch ANY telelvision until after 2. One day, I turned on Sesame Street and he was completely in love. Sesame Street is such a fun, educational, loving, diverse, and somewhat magical place for children of all ages and across the world.

I stumbled upon some interesting facts about "Sesame Street":

Big Bird is 8'2".

Only 1 person has played Big Bird.

"Sesame Street" was orginally created to teach inner-city kids English.

"Sesame Street" has won more than 100 Emmys in its 40 year history, more than any other show.

Before trying cookies for the first time, Cookie Monster's name was Sid.

Ernie wears horizontal stripes on his sweater to make him appear more relaxed; Bert wears vertical stripes on his sweater to make him appear more uptight.

Snuffy Snuffleupagus wears a 65 GGG shoe.

So now, you can successfully beat everyone at "Sesame Street" trivia today. Check out the Google homepage today. Thanks "Sesame Street" for 40 years of fun education.

Have a great day!! New Birthday month giveaway coming tomorrow!

{Thanks to AOL for the Sesame Street gang picture.}

3, 2, 1...BLAST OFF!

So my computer sounds like a rocket getting ready to shoot in to outerspace. I have on my protective goggles in case it explodes as I am writing this.

I really don't know if I should laugh or grab my children and run screaming from the alien monster that is eating my computer.

I will see if I can fix this problem(I know you all are laughing and rolling your eyes at the thoughts of ME trying to do some technical work.) Perhaps Mini #1 can help...he loves a good "fixing job."

I wanted to announce the winners of the Vintage Photo Mix Note Set. Thanks to all who entered...we love these new sets and think they are the perfect surprise or stocking stuffer for those on your holiday list.

The winners are #14 Belle and #7 Happy Dash. Congratulations girls!

Email me with your addresses and we will get you all set up.

The note sets are still 10% off and if you order 2 or more sets, we will ship them for FREE. Go ahead and get your shopping on! You don't have to get a mixed set; we have Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Here Comes the Bride, and Cherish sets too.

Have a great day...say a tiny prayer that my computer makes it through this illness.

PS-You must hop over and read Whitney's post today on Good Will Grace...it is fantastic as usual. You will love it. Are you a follower yet?