Did you ever notice that button to the left?

Go ahead and look, that one that says donate. Well, I'm finally taking the time to explain it to you. Sorry if any of you died from curiosity.
Here's the story. My oldest son is an intellectual, a self described nerd. A few years ago a wonderful teacher of his nominated him for a program called People to People. This program is for future leaders of the world. It was founded by President Eisenhower in 1956 as a way to bring the cultures of the world together by forming friendships and understanding amongst them. Some noted P2P alumni are Walt Disney, the founder of Hallmark cards and Corbin Bleu from High School Musical fame.
The trips that this program offer are all around the world and give the Ambassadors glimpses into another culture besides their own. The student ambassadors who go on these travels are also allowed to do things that no 0ther tourist is allowed to do.
To prepare for these trips the student ambassadors do homework and research the countries they will be visiting. They will earn academic credit for their trip.
This year Greyson was given the opportunity to travel with this program through Europe and France. After going to an informational meeting we decided we would let him go.
The price is steep and we knew we would need to do some fundraising for him to afford this trip. This is where the donate/sponsor button comes into play. We need help with some of the costs. He has been doing alot of fundraising on his own with alot more to come. However, it's slow going and we're trying to use any means necessary to help reach our goal. So, clicking on the little button will allow you to help Greyson on this trip. If you live in our area he will also earn that money by doing odd jobs. No donation is too small, every little bit helps.
So, why should you help Greyson when the economy is tanking/tanked? Because I do believe that this program is wonderful. I saw how he was after his trip to D.C. in 2007. The difference in his behavior, his attitude and his enthusiasm to be something more than even he thought he could be. I believe that with some of the things he will learn on this trip he will be better able to create peace and understanding to his little neck of the woods by seeing that we are all different but we all have the same hopes and dreams of unity. I firmly believe in my heart that this kid, even though he is mine, can truly be amazing and this trip is one of the rungs of the ladder he needs to climb.
Thanks for any donations. If you have any questions, comments or fundraising ideas please let me know via email or comments right here. Also, pass this along to anyone who you think may be interested. This program is very community involved and word of mouth has been good to us.

BTW his blog ssenrahontour.blogspot.com has his itinerary on it. It should have more stuff on it but I'm only one woman!

Pay it Forward.

I am participating in the Pay it Forward exchange. Keep in mind you have a whole YEAR to do this.
This is how it works: Pay It Forward Exchange is based on the concept of the movie "Pay it forward." I will send a hand made gift to the first three people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join the PIF exchange. All the gifts will be made and posted out within the next year. How exciting to not know when your surprise package will arrive!
What you need to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.This Exchange is only open to those with active websites or blogs.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PROMISE TO POST THIS SAME 'PAY IT FORWARD' MESSAGE ONTO YOUR BLOG, WHICH MUST BE ACTIVE IN ORDER TO PLAY. YOU WILL PAY IT FORWARD TO THREE PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG.I'd love for you to join me! Will you?
Other comments are welcome, but only the first three will be my Pay It Forward recipients. Come and join me. Who doesn't love a gift or giving gifts??If you leave a comment, please email your address to me at qwnnbee@gmail.com

Things that can be learned in 6 years

Today is Jake's birthday. He already has his own birthday post from last year so go there to see cute pictures of him. Besides telling my little baby happy birthday let's go over the things I've learned in the past 6 years.

*Having a 10 pound 10 ounce child naturally is not really easy but it is empowering.

*A heart really does grow more and more.

*I can survive the first year of a new baby along with a 2 year old and 8 year old.

*I have patience and understanding that even surpasses my expectations.

*I can laugh at naughtiness and it's ok.

*Poop and fart are verbs.

*I miss tying shoes and carrying a diaper bag, most days.

*I may not always be right and he will be the one to let me know.

*You can visit the same zoo 20+ times a year and still have fun.

*I still cried when he started kindergarten even though I'd been through it before.

*I miss cuddling but I love talking to the boy he's becoming.

*I like to see these little people Bob and I create and how they interact with eachother.

*S'mores taste better when you share them with kids.

*I really don't want to listen to the ABC song one more time.

*I like animated cartoons and learning shows such as Backyardigans or Spongebob.

*All my kids are different.

*I really do have my own bed.

*You can wear pink, like to have your nails painted and still love cars and snakes.

*I don't always need to "be there" for any of my kids. They sometimes need to work it out alone.

*I am sometimes more excited to see Jake after Kindergarten than he is to see me.

*Even a baby can have a sense of humor, it really can be a trait you are born with.

*Jake was meant to be a part of our family.

*You can be brave on some things and be a scaredy cat on others. It doesn't need to make sense.

*Including all trial and tribulations I'd do it all over again. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.

A kiss is just a kiss....or is it....

According to my Kissing research the ancient Romans,around 300 A.D., kissed their wives when they got home from work. What type of work an ancient Roman did I'm not sure of. But he did not kiss his wife for endearment. NO, the ancient Romans men were a suspicious bunch. They kissed their wives to determine if the missus had been drinking during the day! I might have to be more suspicious of Bob when he gives me the "hi honey I'm home" kiss. Other things that have come up in my kissing research include:

It is beleived that Men who kiss their wives goodbye every morning before work earns a higher income than the man who does not. Guess who will be getting kissed EVERY morning from now on, sick or not!!

Our brains have special neurons that help us to find eachother's lips in the dark. Personally I think this is wrong because I have kissed Bob's nose or chin many a time.

Go ahead and eat that candy bar, bowl of ice cream or a cookie. You can burn 26 of those calories for every minute of kissing. In case anyone sees Bob and I in a permanent lip lock you will understand.

Kissing will produce the same hormone that firing a gun does. Hmmm....make your own witty comment here. Or think about how much better off we'd all be if we just kissed instead of resorting to the guns. Wars would have a whole new meaning.

Get your face in shape and start french kissing! The act of french kissing requires the use of 34 facial muscles while a pucker kiss only requires 2.

If you tilt your head to the left when kissing someone you are among only a third of the people who do. Most people tip their heads to the right when going in for a kiss. Bet you'll be thinking of that one the next time you kiss someone!!

Here's my favorite.....
A woman in China partially lost her hearing after her boyfriend reportedly ruptured her eardrum with a passionate kiss. Apparently, the kiss reduced the pressure in the mouth, pulled the eardrum out, and caused the breakdown of the ear.
Are you serious? Because I've had some Great, unbelievable kisses in my day and my ears are still well and fine! ***Bob, this is in no way a dare for you to try it. No really, it's not. Yeah, I'm not trying it either on you.****

Have fun this valentines day and I hope you all tilt your head the right way and keep your eardrums!

Ok, I'm just too lazy

I really am going to get a craft blog of my own going but I'm just to lazy right now to get it started. So, you will all have to endure another of my posts about how darn crafty I am......
I really wanted to get these crafts out before Valentine's day got so close but well, I'm lazy and kept finding other things to occupy my time. I will be selling these to help Grey with his trip AND I'm running out of room to put everything. I have more ideas and I really like this stuff but I can't jam everything into my house. Ok, stop babbling and show the pictures already...

Memories

Last night my last surviving Grandparent passed away. We knew it was coming for years. She has not been well for a very long time. I believe in my heart that she really is in a better place. There is no more suffering. I hope that she has her voice and joy back. The last few years she has had neither.
My memories of my Grandma are plenty. Every summer and any other time I visited my Grandma she would make pancakes. I didn't think she knew how to make anything else. She was a great baker. Her pies and christmas goodies are still the most delicious sweets I have ever tasted.
While visiting my Grandparents I would sometimes see my Grandpa whisper in my Grandma's ear and she would giggle like a little school girl. This was after many years of marriage, 9 kids, and a handful of grandchildren. My Grandpa was in construction and one year he "gave" my Grandma a whole new kitchen as a present. I seriously thought that was the most romantic gift ever. Especially when I realized the pantry had shelves that pulled out revealing more shelves!
When my Grandma found out that I had begun to smoke she ran on her little chicken legs to my car. There she put some mints in my ashtray. She told me that the boys would rather taste mints when they kiss me than an ashtray. She laughed so hard but I did not give up smoking until years later.
The first year Bob and I lived together my Grandma gave us some pots and pans. She then asked if we were going to have careers or just live on love. She then told me that love got her and Grandpa through alot. I still have those pans and whenever money gets tight I try and remember that love is all that really matters.
My Grandma had a gorgeous smile and the tiniest little chicken legs. She use to wear her knee-hi's rolled to her ankles. She always had a kleenex stashed in her bra along with a safety pin that was attached to her bra.
One year, when Grandma started having memory loss I swear we were both talking about raising little boys. She says to me that sometimes you just need to "kick them in the butt". At the same time my husband was walking through the room and she kicked him in the butt, she then said "just like that". That really is one of my favorite memories of her. It showed her spunk.
She was a wonderful woman from my point of view. Jake asked me if I missed her and the answer is yes. But I have missed her for years. She has not been Grandma for a long time so her passing seems more joyous.