22 keys of a great life

1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.
2. Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talent.
3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.
6. Be generous.
7. Have a grateful heart.
8. Persistence, persistence, persistence.
9. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.
10. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.
12. Commit yourself to quality.
13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationship with people you love and respect.
14. Be loyal.
15. Be honest.
16. Be a self-starter.
17. Be decisive even it it means you'll sometimes be wrong.
18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.
20. Take good care of those you love.
21. Don't do anything that wouldn't make your Mom proud.
By
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
I would add one the most important one.... give every moment of the day to the one who loves you above all else. Live your life for the glory of God

Ultimate Blog Party

Hey! So glad you stopped by today to say hello. Come on in and stay awhile, have a look around, I tidyed up just for you! For those who regulary read my blog (thanks mom and dad) Go check out the Ultimate Blog Party! So much fun and a chance to win lots for really great prizes!


Introductions:
I always find these introduction/welcome posts so hard to write...its seems like a bit of a personal ad, KWIM? Trying to put your best "face" on and hope that other bloggers will like you from a two minute visit. Speed dating blogger style :)

My name is Raine and I have been blogging for almost 4 years. I am a 27 years old and a SAHM. I love journaling about my children and our adventures together. My favorite subject to write about is my kids, as you can easily tell by have a quick peek around.
My blog is functional, but pretty basic and it could really use a design overhall. Anyone willing to give me one? Anyone...No, oh well doesent hurt to ask :) For more about me check out my 47 questions and answers meme

I have been married for nearly 7 years to my wonderful husband
(click here to read 10 reasons I STILL want to be married)and together we have two beautiful children, Naomi (3) and Nathan (10 months). My life is full of playing dress up, coloring, changing diapers, and trips to park. I wouldn't change it for the world.

I own a small handmade jewelery business called The Glass Polkadot Co. It keeps me busy and is a great creative outlet for me. You can see what I am creating here. Join my facebook group and you can stay up to date on all the latest designs and news ! I'm even giving away a necklace for the party! Check out the UBP contest page and look for #10 (US and Canada prizes).

I'm heading back to the main UBP page to go pick out the prizes that I would love to win, why don't you go and do the same. Then I'm going to hop around the blogsphere and say "hello". Can't wait to meet some new friends!

Thanks for stopping by. It was so nice to meet you. I would love it if you would leave a comment telling me you were here! Have a great day!

*************************************************************************************
Update: After much debating I have narrowed down my list for prefered prizes

Any gift cards or cash:
USC 3.8.13.17.25.32.33.35.37
Blog design:
INT 3.5.8.10.11.14.15 USC 16
Cookbooks:
USC 53.56

I have the greatest work in the world...

My Work
I have the greatest work in the world;
The job of rocking a baby to sleep,
That of guiding his tottering feet,
A baby's clothes to launder and fold,
A precious life to shape and mold,
A drink to give from a little cup,
At night her toys to gather up,
Hurts to heal and fears to quell,
A baby to keep clean and well,
A stack of diapers to put,
Oh, what a happy worthwhile day!
I am a "Mother."

I have the greatest work in the world;
A husband to encourage when things go wrong,
When he comes from work to greet with a song,
Denims and shirts to wash and mend,
A helping hand, when needed, to lend,
Three times a day is meals to cook,
To strive to be my best to look,
His back to rub at the close of the day,
For his faithfulness to God I pray,
When hubby's in the field I take lemonade,
for all these tasks his love has Paid.
I am a " Wife."

I have the greatest work in the world;
A home to keep happy, clean and bright,
Make things go smooth and strive for the right,
Jams to cook and jellies to make,
Cookies and pies and bread to bake,
Washing, ironing, and sewing to do,
So many tasks, will I ever get through?
Lettuce to wash and peas to pick,
floors to scrub, lost items to seek,
Dishes to wash and windows to shine,
These and many more tasks are mine.
I am a "Homemaker."

Help me, Father, to faithfully work,
Forgive if I unconsciously shirk,
give me the patience and love I pray,
To keep myself in duties way;
With all the hustle that each day brings
May I not neglect the needing things;
Each day to spend time alone with Thee
That Jesus Christ be seen in me.
Thank you for husband, our home, our girls and boys;
Thank you for love which brings me much joy.
Thank you, Lord.

~Mary Lou Burkholder

April Fools Day

I'm in love with these kids and that's no joke!

Siblings?

Naomi and Nathan

So, do you think they look alike?

Yippee! She is THREE

Naomi celebrated her third birthday last week, and we had a little party for her with her friends. She really wanted to have a Dora party, and so a Dora party is what she got :)


My baby girl...

Has become a little lady....

Naomi my darling, you are a joy! I love you! Happy Birthday!

Catch up time!

WOW! Is is really possible that it is already March!! What!!!!!
My goodness, if anyone even checks my blog anymore, you must think that I have dropped off the face of the earth!
I must say I have been faithfully checking all of your blogs daily, but for some reason I have not had the desire/energy to update my own. Don't really know why.... but anyway..... I guess I'll try to sumarize the past few months in a few posts over the next few days.

Christmas Wishes

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!

7 months

My Dearest Nathan,

Today is your seventh month birthday! Wow! It cannot be possible that you joined our family 7 months ago. My precious son you are a wonderful addition to our family and we thank God for you everyday.
You are a little chunky monkey! You came into this world a big boy and you have continued to grow like a weed. The last time we weighed you the scale showed 22 lbs :) That is nearly half the weight of your sister! You are wearing 18-24 month clothes and are just so rolly polly and lovable. I could spend all day kissing your cheeks and snuggling with you.

In the past month we have begun to have a glimpse of what your personality is going to be like. You generously give smiles to everyone you meet and are rarely shy of strangers. You are always ready to give slobbery kisses and hugs to your Oma's and Mommy. Although you are generally easy going, we are noticing that you have a temper! This shines through when you get frustrated or you sister is "playing" a little rough with you. You don't hesitate to let everyone around you know that you are unhappy when things don't go your way.

You are learning so much, and growing up so fast. You can confidently sit on your own. You can also clap your hands and bounce up and down when you are excited. You are SO ready to crawl, but you have not quite mastered it yet. You can get on all fours from sitting, but soon fall down onto your belly. Once laying down you easily roll across the room, sometimes we look away for only a second and you are on the other side of the room. You have the best laugh, and the cutes grin. Daddy and I know that your little mischievous grin is something we will see a lot of in the next few years as you learn about and explore your world.

Your sister loves you. Plain and simple. She loves making you laugh, and is often the one who can get you laughing just by walking by. You delight in playing with her and especially pulling her hair! She calls you "little buddy", or "buddy boy". When she hears you cry from your crib she runs toward your room yelling "Don't worry buddy I'm on the way!"

Our nicknames for your are "Nater-tater" and "Spuddy-buddy". They have developed over time and I think they are cute. I'm not sure if you will agree when you get older, but oh well :)
Although I have posted less about your first year, I think I have enjoyed it more. I am more relaxed this time and I am trying to take more time to treasure each moment. And lets face it I don't have as much time to be on the computer now that there are two of you.

You are a wonderful, and we know that it is not because of us. You are such a gift to us from God. He knew exactly what we needed in our family, it is YOU! Thank you for being such a wonderful son and letting us join you on the adventure of growing up!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Christams Giveaways at 5 Min for Moms

There is a great series of giveaways happening at 5 Min for Moms. This is as great resource for parents everywhere! Check them out and enter to win some great prizes!

Rice Cereal

Nathan started eating rice cereal this week. He is not to sure about it yet....
I can't believe he is already old enough to start eating solid food. Wow!

Balarina

Naomi has started dance once a week. I have been looking for an activity that I could enroll her in, and I thought that she was to young to join a dance class. My friends Marilyn has her daughter enrolled at a studio and for the month of October each dancer could invite a friend to participate for free. We decided to check it out and Naomi LOVED it!! She can't wait for Wednesdays to come and is always talking about dance and her wonderful teacher Miss Jessica. Miss Jessica asked me if we wanted to have Naomi join the class for the rest of the year, so we decided to go for it! I am really looking forward to going to her recital at the end of the year. It is going to be so cute!

Halloween

This year we had the kids dressed up as animals. Our church hosted a Halloween alternative that was themed "Noah's Ark", so their costumes fit right in:). Naomi dressed up as a cow and Nathan dressed up as a turtle. They both looked so cute.
Naomi just realized the wonders of candy and has enjoyed tasting some of her treats from hallowen. Needless to say, these extra shots of sugar make for some interesting outbursts of energy and silliness.

Siblings

It is SO wonderful to see the love between my two kids grow! Naomi loves to hold Nathan and is so helpful in taking care of him. She is so excited to have a little brother and keeps him entertained when Mommy is busy. He always smiles and giggles when he sees her. When Naomi snuggles with Nathan she always says "Nathe is my friend. We are best friends. I love my brother/sister." To cute!

Family Pictures

We ventured out in the begining of September to take some family pictures with my side of the family. We hired Leah from Leah Shannon Photography again. If you remember she captured these fantastic pictures of Naomi when she turned one. Leah is such a talented photographer. Here are a few of my favorites from that day:

Andreas and Diana's Wedding

My cousin Andreas got married last weekend to a wonderful woman he met while working as a customs agent at YVR.
The day was great and the rain even held off until the reception. The bride was radient and the groom was handsome. It was such a beautiful occasion and we were glad to be a part of it. Naomi was honoured to be one of the flower girls and looked so cute all dressed up. Here are a few of the pictures from last Sunday.

Naomi's hair.
The cutest little flowergirl ever !
Mommy and Naomi
Daddy and Naomi

Naomi and Alana (my cousin)
The vows
Cutting the cake

Only Daddy Works?

Today while putting Naomi to bed for her nap, the following conversation took place:

Me: "OK, Naomi, time to go in your bed."

Naomi: "You sit in my chair beside me?"

Me: "No sweetheart, Mommy has do go do some work around the house..."

Naomi: "No Mommy. You don't work. Only Daddy works! You stay home with me. You don't go to work like Daddy"



Yes, my sweet girl. You are right. Every day I count it as a privilege to be at home with you. I am so lucky and blessed to be at home and be a mommy to you and Nathan. The best "job" in the world.

3 month old boy

My dearest Nathan,

Today marks your official 3 month birthday. In some ways it feels like you just came home and in other ways it is hard to remember what life was like without you. You are such a joy to have in our family. Everyone told me that my second baby could never be as calm as the first, but you have proven them all wrong. You are even more easy going than your sister was as a baby.
You are such a wonderfully content little boy. I am so lucky! You love to lay in your swing and watch your sister play. You get so excited when she comes into your view. You love being snuggled, but I am learning that you also need time to yourself just to lay and play.

Your sister is so in love with having you around. She always wants to hold you and help me take care of you. She likes to call you "Nathe", which I think is cute. Hopefully it will stick. It is my hope that the two of you will be close siblings and always look out for each other.

You love your bath time! As soon as we put you in the water you are smiling from ear to ear. You get so excited that you splash water all over the bathroom, and who ever is bathing you is nearly as wet as you are by the time the bath is over :) I love the way the top of your head smells after you come out of the bath and how you always need to eat as soon as you are dressed, even if you have just eaten before you went in.

Sleeping is going well. Most nights you fall asleep by 10 pm and are up around 3 am for a quick feeding and then you go right back to sleep and often sleep till 7 or 8! All I can say is "thank-you"!
You and Daddy have a special relationship. Your biggest smiles are always reserved for him. You love to lay beside him and tell him all about your day when he gets home from work. Your daddy is so proud of you and loves dream about the things you will do together one day.

Nathan, you are an amazing son. Even in your few months of life you have blessed me and your daddy so much. I love you. I am lucky to be your mommy, and I am eagerly anticipating all that we will share together as you grow up to be a wonderful young man.

Love Mommy