Shutterfly for the Shutterbug!

I am wild about pictures, therefore I'm wild about shutterfly! I have used shutterfly for five years now and have accumulated 150 albums of my digital photos over that time.

Here is the first picture I ever uploaded to shutterfly...This is a picture I took of Madeline and her daddy on Father's day. Madeline is 3.

There are three reasons why I use shutterfly: easy to use, quality products, and protected storage. The most important reason I use Shutterfly is the protected storage! Before I ever delete anything off of my memory card I make sure it's uploaded to shutterfly. I'll never forget the e-mail I received about a year ago from the CEO of shutterfly reminding me of the promise they made to never delete any of my pictures. This email informed that another popular photo storage website will occasionally delete a persons pictures if no purchase of products is made! Shutterfly will never do this to your pictures, what about yours? Pictures are how memories are shared. Memories can sometimes be forgotten, therefore pictures become priceless! There isn't a better company to trust with your photos.

Shutterfly doesn't really have to worry about whether or not people are purchasing anything because their products are AWESOME!! I have purchased 7 photo books, 1 collage, MANY prints, and 3 calendars. My favorite product that Shutterfly has to offer are the photo books. As once upon a time scrapbooker I love how quick, easy, and cheap (in comparison to scrapbooking) they are! They truly can't be beat.

This Christmas Season I'm excited to share some of my favorite photos on a Shutterfly photo card. With so many beautiful cards to chose from I had a hard time chosing the best! I know how much I enjoy receiving christmas cards with pictures, so I enjoy giving the same!

Hope you decide to enjoy the many fabulous aspects of Shutterfly soon!

The Versatile Blogger

I will be skipping Madeline Monday again to graciously accept my award of ...

I guess I will have to double up and tell you lots of good things about Madeline next week, although I may be too tired after a week of Judgment House.

First, I would like to thank Lindsey for giving me this award. Lindsey is my neighbor, church, mom, and BUNCO friend. I admire her for her beautiful writing on the Random Acts of Brackett blog, and how she elegantly cares for and raises three adorable little girls. She is one of the few that truly makes me "LOL" with things she posts on Facebook and in her blog. Thank you Lindsey for being a great friend!

Along with this award I'm instructed with a few rules as follows:

1. Thank and link back to the blogger that gave you the award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass the award on to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy.

4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award.

7 Things About Me:

1. I may seem like a tough person who can handle anything you say or do to me, but I'm a wimpy white kid! I'm a typical Swedish girl, I'm quick to share my opinion, but sometimes I can't handle yours. My husband tells me I need to work on this.

2. My mom allowed me to celebrate my half birthday growing up (keep the "you were spoiled" comments to yourself and refer to fact 1). Oh, and my half birthday is November 3rd, sooo when is my party??

3. I have a toe ring on my second toe on my right foot that I have had on for almost 11 years. While some may think this is totally disgusting I'm pretty proud I've been able to hold on to it for that long. The only time I take it off is when I water ski or tube. And yes, I have a permanent indention on my toe.

4. I have a tattoo on my left hip. It is a Koi Fish jumping through a wave that has IXOYE in it. A koi fish represents perseverance in adversity, and IXOYE means Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior. So what the tattoo means to me is that I was only able to persevere in adversity through Christ. I have had this tattoo for 5 years. My brother and I went to Liberty Tattoo in Atlanta together while he was down here visiting. So now you know mom! She found out about this horrible fact about 20 minutes after Brynn was born...

5. I'm addicted to Sky Burger. This is a game/app on my iPhone.

6. I'm OCD. This includes the organization/cleanliness of my home, correct spelling/use of words, and order in general. I think the C in OCD actually stands for controlling, but I'm not sure...

7. I'm actually green. This is not because green is my favorite color, but because I desire to be Earth friendly. Madeline isn't allowed to turn on the water unless to brush her teeth or take a shower without asking permission. I can't stand to waste anything. I try to reuse items within reason (I obviously will never be a hoarder). I often think of a world without packaging, think about that this Christmas!!

And now I'm Passing this award to:

1. Merideth who is trying to make it through The Sleepy Years

2. Noelle who is Queen of The Family of Shelter Cove

3. Jana who shares The News Around the Byrd House

4. Rhonda who shares about A Day in the Life of a teacher

5. MaryLynn who humors us with the Tinsley Times

6. Emily who shares on Josh & Emily

7. Aubree who is Livin Happily Ever After

Thanks Again Lindsey!

What about Brynn??

In lieu of Madeline Monday today I'm going to tell you about someone else special...Brynn Marie.
Born on a planned 9/9/09 (sorry Brynn it's only the beginning of your mother's control issues) you were a source of pure delight from the day one. While you were a little booger about the bottle you were a dream baby; sleeping hours on end immediately, eating like a pro, and happy as lark dancing to any tune you heard.

Currently at thirteen (and a half) months you stand perfectly on your own take one to two steps and then conclude that you can get there SO much faster if you crawl. I truly have never seen a baby crawl as fast as you.

You're a daddy's girl for sure!

You make this face (see picture) and breathe in an out real hard when you get really excited. It's so funny!

When I ask you to give me a kiss you lean your face in to mine so that I can give YOU a kiss.

You wave "bye bye" in three ways. The first way is with great enthusiasm as if to say "YAY I'm leaving!". The second way is the one you do when you don't really know if you want to leave or not it's a half wave. The third way that you wave goodbye is the way that shows your funny little character. This wave is a small twist of the wrist as if you're saying, "yeah, bye, whatever."

You won't say a word! You say mama and dada of course, but those are just syllables. I try continuously to teach you to say "please" "more" "bye" and "madeline" (Haha yeah right! I can't wait to hear your alternative for that name!) The only thing you say is "Ahhh" loudly and obnoxiously, but somehow you always seem to get what you want...

Changing your diaper is a monumental task...mommy is working on that. I allow you to sit up after I clean you up just because I'm tired of fighting with you. I get a clean diaper and tell you to lay down so that I can change your diaper, you lay down, but it's with your hiney in the air. It sure is cute though!


You have what's called a hemangioma on the back of your head. This is an abnormal build up of blood vessels under the skin. It started out as a small stork bite. The doctor says it will flatten out in time. Right now it's raised up about half an inch or so from your head. It doesn't bother you at all and now where your hair grows from it, it curls!

You hate socks but you love shoes! You rip your socks off immediately but attempt to put your own shoes on.

You're the life of the aquatic center every afternoon while Madeline swims. Many of the kids enjoy crawling around with you and pretending as if you're their little baby.

I enjoy rocking you every night (when I'm home) but it never fails five minutes in you reach for your crib. I lay you down, listen to you "talk" to yourself, and look forward to your smiling face in the morning.

Your favorite place to be is in our bath tub with Madeline. The joyous sounds you make are priceless.

You absolutely positively will not wear a bow! Nope Nada Zilch ain't stinkin' happening! If I have to cut bangs on you child...

You scream at me in the car until I turn music on. Sometimes I do a little mother ignoring (not on purpose) and then I realize you're screaming at me, turn the music on and you're good to go. Your favorite song is "Feels Like Home" by Edwina Haynes. This song has worked magic on you since you were merely two months old. It literally puts you to sleep every time.

Your sister loves you so very much. I have never sensed a moment of jealousy out of her towards you, just genuine love. Madeline bathes, feeds, and entertains you when your bored (screaming). Madeline can do just about anything and it makes you belly laugh. I've actually gotten worried about your oxygen level you've belly laughed so hard! I have to tell Madeline to stop to let you breath. I enjoy waking up and coming into the living room to see the both of you on the couch cuddled up. I look forward to seeing the bond between you grow. A sister is one of the most incredible relationships one can have, and you were certainly blessed with a good one!

I look forward to so many more memories, thank you for coming into our world! We love you very much Brynn Marie!

Madeline Monday: Honesty

While coming home from school this past Friday afternoon Madeline informs me that she received her report card. I say to her, "The beatings will now begin!" (This is what my mom said to me everytime I brought a report card home, even in college.)

Madeline replies, "yeah."

I say, "Madeline, did you hear what I said?"

Madeline replies, "No, but that's what I do at the nursing home, because I can't ever hear what they say to me."

Honesty is priceless!

This is a picture of Madeline with both her Teachers. Mrs. Jessica Herrin, and Ms. Sarah Kastner. She absolutely loves them both!

Madeline Monday

Madeline is currently working on her multiplication facts. This entails us practicing EVERY chance we get. What's impressive is that she is the one that initiates the practicing. I try tricking her by jumping all over from 1 to 10. I enjoy teaching her the tricks my mom taught me, and the smile she gives when she thinks she's got a "one up" on the other kids. Let's hope this enthusiasm continues.

When I pick Madeline up from after-school care or come home in the mornings from work it's always a fun surprise to see what Madeline has picked out to wear for the day. Just this past week I picked up Madeline wearing grey pants that were way too tight, and about 4 inches off the ground. Along with her highwaters she had on a white shirt with multiple stains and her white cheer shoes which she ruined that day. I asked her how she came up with such an incredible fashion statement and all she could do was giggle incessantly the entire way to the car. I then called Bo to ask him if he had a bag over his head this am to which he giggled as well. Ohwell...

My favorite time of day is the five minutes in the car from church (after school care) to swim practice. This is the time that Madeline and Brynn tell each other about their day. Although all Brynn says is "ahhh" (please note this is not a nice sound it's highly annoying actually, but we're working on words...) it's very obvious there is conversation. Sometimes Madeline is busy doing something, and it's all Brynn can do not to break her neck as she peers around her car seat. There are other times that Brynn and Madeline giggle and laugh the whole way, and I LOVE it! This is when my heart smiles, and I can't get enough of it. I wish swim practice was further away.


Oh, and my little reader read an entire chapter book in one night this past week. Bo found her reading in bed late that night, and she reported to me the next day she "read the whole thing!"

Worth it..

There are many times I catch myself saying, "it's worth it!" Here are a few things I will always feel are worth it...

1. Febreeze Noticeables- no other room fresheners compare
2. Quality furniture- especially the kind you sit on
3. Blue Bell- because no other ice cream compares
4. Leather seats- because once you have hiney warmers you can't go without them
5. Coffeemate Creamer- thanks Mer for turning me on to this snobery
6. Front Loading washer/dryer- because I truly feel it makes clothes cleaner
7. Liquid Fabric Softener- because the sheets don't cut it
8. A nice camera- because memories are priceless
9. Reynold's non-stick aluminum foil- thanks to Marn for this particular snobery
10. Good insurance- this is a no-brainer, if you can get USAA you should!
11. KRAFT mac and cheese- because Laura Lynn just don't get it
12. Lawn service- because a first impression is important
13. Traveling to Europe- because Disney's castle is lame
14. A quality mattress- because a good night's (or day) sleep is sooo important
15. Time spent cutting/planning coupons- with well over $1,000 saved this year... duh!

Now here are a few things that aren't worth it (to me)...
1. Name brand: sour cream, butter, bleach, and milk (and several more)
2. Pedicures- because I can paint my own toes
3. Expensive jeans- because $30 is plenty
4. Starbucks- because McDonald's isn't half bad
5. Scrapbooking- atleast the old fashioned way, shutterfly books are the way to go!
6. TV- because I have better things to do with my time, but Bo won't let me cancel it

Madeline Monday

Madeline is no ordinary little girl. She challenges me daily to be better. Whether it's a better mom, friend, or person in general. Her constant thoughtfulness of others, generosity, and genuine kindness amaze me. I have no idea how I raised such a exceptional little girl.

Madeline was born on a Wednesday a mere 3 months after my 18th birthday. After being discharged from the hospital on a Saturday, I dropped her off with my grandmother the following Monday to start my first day of college. While all of this sounds unbelievable, amazing, etc. I don't consider myself so for a minute. God had a definite plan when he created her, and I see the blessings of her life all the time.

She makes me laugh. There are many times when I can't discipline her because I'm too busy laughing. Like the time when she was having to watch Brynn so her daddy could finish up something and she asks, "How much longer?" Bo says, "10 minutes." Madeline replies, "well, that is 10 minutes too long!" ~good point

Or when she asks for cheese grits and her dad replies, "I don't know how to make them." Madeline replies, "pathetic!" ~again, good point

It's moments like this that are impossible to get onto her, because I can't stop laughing!

She makes me proud. She has recently joined the swim team and improved tremendously and loves every minute of it. She literally started crying one night when I told her that I didn't sign her up for a swim meet after she prayed that night for God to help her do well in the meet. With a mom as a long time swimmer she knows she has a lot to live up to, and she is doing just that! She also makes me proud in school. She has been on the highest reading level in her class since Kindergarten. She loves to read, I find her in her room with her nose stuck in a book everyday. I wish I could enjoy reading half as much as her. She tells me every week that she finishes her timed tests first, and I can't help but do a mini fist punch.

She also makes me, me. We only think we raise our children, and maybe other people do, but Madeline has raised me. She raised me up a little bit quicker than I would have liked, but who says we get to choose. If Madeline hadn't have come into my life, I can only imagine where I'd be. Wherever it is I know I wouldn't be as happy, blessed, or fulfilled as I am now. Madeline truly does challenge me everyday, and I feel like I'm growing up right along with her. I only hope that I have half of the incredible impact on her life that she has had on mine.