I had told you about a girl named Allie, and my offer to help a while back in this post.

Well, I just wanted to update you guys! Susan Murphy from Susan Murphy Inc. just ordered a set of 10 cards (with matching envelopes). Her only criteria? They have her business name on them.

And, so I made some…

Thanks, Susan! (You can visit her site HERE.)

Don’t forget! I’ll CRAFT FOR ALLIE until next Friday, so if you want to place an order, let me know!

More details here.

Welcome back!

Something is up. I’m not entirely sure what. But, something.

I was greeted this morning by a very happy, bouncy Lorelei. She played in our bed between us for a good 30 minutes, just giggling and bouncing back and forth with her mini CVS card (the keychain variety – whatever makes her happy).

Fast forward to now.

Little miss fussy-pants. Doesn’t want to nap. Not hungry. No fever. Doesn’t want to play.

She does, however, want to cling. But, that doesn’t even make her happy. In fact, nothing is for more than a few moments at a time.

I’m pretty much stumped. This is so different from her normally cheerful and happy disposition.

Perhaps she’s teething?

Perhaps she’s transitioning out of the extra afternoon nap? – So, she’s tired but not tired enough to sleep?

Maybe she doesn’t feel good, like a headache or something…something that wouldn’t be accompanied by a fever?

Or, maybe she’s just pissed? – Except this has been going on for the last couple of days…every afternoon.

Yep, for the past couple of days…not wanting a 2nd (afternoon ) nap + the fussiness.

No me gusta.

Now, mommy needs a nap. Or, something.

I’m sure you read the title…so you already know what this post is going to be about. Another first (for Lorelei, not me).

Yesterday, I put up a post (a picture) of what it was doing at our house…snowing! When we woke up this morning, there was more. The ground was completely covered…and if you stepped anywhere..your foot sunk.

All we got all winter was a tad bit of snow (but mostly ice and rain) …and now that it’s almost springtime…look!

I’m happy though. Lorelei is old enough to “explore” snow…and by the end of next week…it’s supposed to be in the 60s. YES!

It’s really hard to not squint with all this shiny white stuff. Seriously.

Straight outta bed and into the snow!

A little top heavy…

Improvising. We didn’t exactly have a sled. Walmart is ready for spring…and us too!

Mommy tried to make a big snowman, but his butt broke. Twice. So, we settled for making a mini snowman for Baby L. Complete with hair.

Baby L checking out the snow.

We like to discover things face first in this family.

Apparently daddy thought L should see something in the snow…or something.

Taste It. -Except..not the yellow stuff.

Not so yummy?

(She spit it all out)

Meet “Clyde” – the snow dude.

The staredown.

Kicking the scary snowdude

And, he’s down!!

Destroyed!!!

It’s that time again! The 2008 Ultimate Blog Party is here!

I’ll take a few minutes to introduce myself (just in case you aren’t familiar with my spaces):

My name is Ashley and I’m a 22yo SAHM to Lorelei, a very active 10 month old.

I own a STORE and have another blog over at First Impressions, which is more of a parenting blog – complete with Virtual Baby Showers, giveaways, games, recipes, crafts, reviews and TONS MORE.

This blog, though, is my personal blog…a place I come to just be me.

So, there’s my introduction…and now, back to the party!! (Sorry, ladies only!)

Remember my Thursday Thirteen post on First Impressions from 2 weeks ago? I listed a bunch of stuff that I had made. Well, I just found out about a really sad and tragic story about a girl named Allie, who came home from college to visit her mother – only to find that she had passed away. So, we are uniting together to do what we can. And, here’s what I’m offering up. For the next week (7 days), I will be selling some of my wares – and then donating EVERY PENNY to Allie. I can make scarves (even for your little ones), hats, pendants (like the ones I showed), and card sets.

Please email me (or leave a comment with your email address so I can email you) and I’ll get to crafting for you. It really is a limited time offer…and it’s for a really good cause. And – if there is something else you’d like made for you…just ask, chances are, I can do that too.

PLEASE NOTE: This was originally posted on my First Impressions blog. I’m extending my offer until March 14, 2008. All profits (less shipping and materials) will go directly to Allie. It’s for a good cause, and you get something cool – so why not? Not sure if I make it? Just ask!

Do you ever wonder what life could’ve been like had you made different choices, had more money, etc? *Sigh* Don’t get me wrong…My life is pretty good. I have a beautiful daughter, a husband who is an excellent father, great family and friends…and my nice quiet home. But, something is missing. The castle.

And, I want that one (points above to the Disney castle). It’s only right.

How cool would it be to live at Disney World? Seriously? I have to admit…I’ve never actually been yet (I blame my parents), but it looks pretty awesome. Steven’s ready to move. To Florida. Actually, to anywhere that is warm, more active, and …what’s that? PAYS MORE. He’s already found 3 prospective jobs (he hasn’t applied or anything yet) online. I think I’ll tell him to apply…just for kicks…you never know.

And parents, don’t worry. If you buy me that castle…you can come live with us too.

Lorelei will soon be 1 whole year old *sigh*. I’m all for parties, so of course, she’s going to have a neat little birthday bash. This year, it’ll probably just be a cookout – with friends and family…which means, I hope it’ll be warm –because, if not…I don’t know where I’ll put all of those people!

I’m planning on making L’s cake…and it’ll be my first time ever to play with fondant…so we’ll have to see how that goes. And, it’ll be a layered cake…my first time doing that, too. Lots of firsts, right?

Ah…I’ll let you know all about my plans for her 1st birthday party…that will take up a whole ‘nother post. Right now: it’s about the dress.

I decided on a “pillowcase dress”…they’re easy, simple, cute and can become halter tops when she’s bigger.

Here’s baby L, getting ready:

Closeup of the dress (yes, those are strawberries on the dress):

the back:

And, the full-length shot:

Hopefully, I can get some better pictures of her in it later. She wasn’t feeling the whole “model” thing this morning. She mostly wanted to play with the ties on her shoulder. That, and crawl on me to push camera buttons.

Note:  HERE are the instructions on how to make one.  I didn’t have any cute pillowcases, especially not that small…so I just used some fabric I found and winged it.  This is my first ever dress – so, be nice

*Inspired by Goodies For Mom Blog

Here are my Top 10 Signs You Are A Mom (Or a Dad):

1. You hope ketchup is a veggie…because it’s the only one your kid eats.
2. Not only have you mastered the “bedhead” look…you’ve also mastered the “I haven’t showered in days” and the “I haven’t really slept in months” look
3. It’s 3 PM and you are still in your pjs. (Okay, that’s if you are a SAHM/SAHD lol)
4. You stop criticizing the way your parents raised you. – That, and spanking starts to make a lot more sense.
5. You find yourself cutting your sandwiches (even if it isn’t for the kids) in cute little shapes and peeling the crust off…or chopping everything into tiny bite-sized pieces.
6. You begin fantasizing about playing cowboys and indians or hide and seek…just so you can tie them up and hide (or just hide if the game is hide and seek).
7. You are so desperate for adult conversation that you tell your problems to the telemarketer…and they hang up on YOU!
8. You are out with your friends and you excuse yourself to go “potty”
9. You measure your time in cartoon increments “You can watch ONE backyardigans…and then off to bed!”
10. You just spent 3 hours doing heavy duty cleaning: scrubbing, mopping, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, picking up…and in 10 minutes…it looks like you haven’t done anything at all.
And a bonus: Somedays you wonder if you really are cut out to do this at all…but you know you’d never ever trade…not for anything.

**Found on Blessings For Life website:

What a wonderful recipe to share with the children. These cookies are made the evening before celebrating the Resurrection, and are cooked in a warm oven overnight so they will be ready on Easter morning.

You need to preheat the oven to 300 degrees (this is important–don’t wait until you are half done with the recipe!)

3 egg whites
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. Vinegar
A pinch salt
1 cup sugar
A zipper baggie
A wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.

Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matt. 28:1-9