This post is from from my other blog here

Can you stand these photos?? Who knew that a spirited little wood sprite could be so flippin' adorable? Ahem, yes, I made most of the costume, in case you were wondering.

And have I mentioned the fact that I'm obsessed with the latest and greatest online photo sharing site? Aaaah, Tabblo, you've created a monster.

Oh gosh, I meant to attach this link to my harvest picture for Foto Friday. It's about taking pictures of your Jack O' Lanterns! If you click here you can read my Picture This post about it and see another pic of Iris and the pumpkins!

 

It's harvest time!

My favorite part of this photo is my daughter's beadhead!

A while back I found a wonderful blog called The Wallpaper of my Mind and the incredible woman behind it. I don't remember if Misha found me or if I found her first but as soon as our paths crossed, I knew it was meant to be. SInce then I have grown to love and respect her as a blogger, a mother, and a sister in both.

Incredibly bright, insightful, honest, funny and loving, she is someone I aspire to be like. When I read posts like this one (a very recent blog offering) I am reminded of how blessed I am to have her in my life...even if only virtually.

I hope you visit her blog so you can read what I mean.

Big hugs Misha.

This post is from from my other blog here

Kay, I got this email today from the studio of Lotta Jansdotter today...

Hey all, look at this!

See my Tabblo>

Isn't this awesome???

I've set up an account for Minti Members at Tabblo (a super-fun photo sharing site). If you want to get started just log on to www.tabblo.com and register. Then find the user called mintimembers and near the bottom right of the page there should be a "add to circle" button. It'll be fun to all link up over there. If we all belong to one another's circles then we'll all see what we're creating.  The coolest part is once you create a photo "tabblo" you can copy the url and POST IT TO YOUR MINTI BLOG! How cool is that???  More details to come.

Hope to see some of your Tabblo creations on your Minti blog!!!

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month I thought this PINK bud was perfect.

Check out sites like this to see how you can participate in the effort.

This post is from from my other blog here



I forgot to add this link.

 Goodie, I was appointed the 7th Featured Member. What fun! Here's my answers-

1.      Starting with name, location, how many children.

My name is Tracey Clark, I live in Southern California, USA and I have 2 daughters (who are often pictured on my blog).

2.      How did you find Minti?

I found Minti through BlogHer. I was fairly new to blogging and was reading about the BlogHer 05 Conference and dreaming of going. I read a post on the BlogHer site that Clay wrote about having tickets to GIVE AWAY. I jumped on the chance and emailed Clay before even looking into Minti. I actually wrote about it at Mother May I. I think it’s a pretty interesting story. It was thrilling to say the least considering I actually WON the BlogHer tickets that Minti was giving away. And then, I was hooked on Minti!

3.      What's your favorite thing or feature at Minti?

Whenever I talk about Minti or share it with others I always make a point to stress how FAST you get answers and feedback to your issues or questions. You barely hit “submit” and you’re getting people commenting, giving advice or input on the question you post. That kind of response is wonderful. When you’re really in need, the Minti community is always available. It’s a great resource. Plus, being a global community makes it nice because when I’m writing into the wee hours, I always know someone is awake. Right Aussies?

4.      What's your favorite thing about being a parent?

Gosh, that’s a tough one because there are so many rewarding things about being a parent. I think for me it’s being able to rediscover the world with my children. Everything is new again. Nothing is taken for granted when you follow your children’s lead and look at the world with new eyes. It helps give me perspective and appreciation for the wonders around me.

5.      What has been your biggest parenting challenge?

Another tough one as there are many challenges as well. I guess since patience doesn’t come easy for me, it’d be to exercise patience with my kids. It’s hard not to want to move at my pace even when I know it’s not fair to expect that. And since my daughters are totally unique from one another, the kind of patience I have to practice with my oldest is not the same kind I have to use with my youngest. Part of me feels like I’m starting from scratch again and that’s frustrating.

6.      What's the best parenting advice you've ever gotten from someone?

I remember once after having my first daughter reading a book that was about rigid scheduling of a baby’s patterns (sleeping and eating) and I totally freaked out and thought I was a total failure. Looking back I know my reaction was ridiculous but sleep-deprivation and the shock of having a new baby made me extra-sensitive. Anyway, I called a girlfriend in tears and she stopped me, and was pretty firm (in a loving best-friend kind of way) and said, “Never let any book or any person for that matter make you feel like a failure. You are doing a great job and if you continue to do your best and make decisions from your heart, trusting yourself you will never be a failure.” I have carried that message with me all these years.

 

Alright, that was cool. Thanks guys.

And since it's still Thursday around here, I will give a BIG THANKFUL THURSDAY SHOUT OUT  to Clay and Matthew for being the amazing leaders of Minti and even more, being incredible people all around! You guys are awesome. Of course there's a woman to thank as well but I'll save her thank you for her very own Thankful Thursday post!

 

This post is from from my other blog here

One of my all time favorite phrases is “having a baby changes everything.” To me, those 5 words, say it all. When we are expecting a child, it’s all about us (as individuals) and this idea of a baby and then, overnight, it’s all about a tiny, dependant creature in our arms, at our breast, gazing at us with trusting eyes, needing from us every single element for survival. And as we are desperately trying to settle into our new mother skin, there’s a completely different center of our Universe and suddenly, all the things we thought we knew are in question. That's no small change. This is why becoming a mother is a package deal. We get a baby alright and with the baby comes the baggage. A multitude of concerns, issues, struggles, fears, and worries that we never saw coming. Most definitely, there’s also the love- the deepest, most complete and pure love we’ll ever know, but in those surreal and hazy first months (dare I say years?) it’s the many questions that seem to dominate our mother minds. And if that’s not difficult enough to deal with, we’re not getting a lick of sleep. The odds my friends, are stacked against us.

When the call came out for participants for the MotherTalk Blog Book Tour for Ann Douglas' new book “Sleep Solutions for your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler” I jumped at the chance. I like the word sleep. And I equally like the word solutions. There doesn’t seem to be enough of either one in my life as a mother. Sound familiar? It is true however that my ‘new mom’ days are behind me as my daughters are 3 and 8 now, past the stage coos and coddling, of sweet smelling peach fuzz heads, and thankfully, of sleepless nights (usually). So, if I’ve come through all that already, why on earth would I want to read and talk about a book dealing with sleep solutions? I thought the same thing for a minute. But sleep, sleep patterns, sleep problems, and the entire idea of sleep and its importance in our lives are intriguing and relevant topics no matter your age or stage in life.

I am thrilled to report that much of Ann’s book is hugely informative for a much broader audience than just new parents. It’s not about presenting a new theory among the schools of sleep camps. She doesn’t introduce a new trend in getting your baby to sleep through the night and convince you to use it or else (thank God), and she makes this clear in her Introduction. So, in the “Sleepless in Suburbia” chapter, when she outlines what really happens to our bodies and our minds when we are sleep deprived, I was riveted. No wonder new parents have trouble dealing with their normal day to day existence. They’re not sleeping. Hello. So after we get the bad news about all the things that are or will happen to us when we don’t get enough sleep, Ann comes to our rescue with “The Sleep-Deprivation Survival Guide” which as she puts it, “is all about maximizing your opportunities for sleep and taking the best possible care of yourself so that you will have the physical and emotional reserves necessary to handle whatever parenting curveballs may be headed your way.” Sign me up. To those of you with older children that are saying, “dang, where was Ann’s book when my kids were babies?”, the good news is she has entire chapters dedicated to sleep solutions for toddlers and for preschoolers too. Halleluiah!

And beyond that, there’s so much more info that is relevant for anyone who is interested in getting more and/or better sleep (which is like, um, everyone). In fact, I found myself wagging the book in front of my husband saying, “when I’m done, you should read this”. The “Science of Sleep” was a fascinating chapter that was followed by the “Winning at Sleep Roulette” (hey, I like to win) where Ann highlights one of her “key points” of the book. Are you ready for a big dose of reality mixed with a shot of parenting empowerment? “You’re not likely to find an off-the-shelf sleep solution that fits your baby or your family’s needs perfectly. The most effective sleep solutions are those that are designed by you, the parent, with your baby’s needs in mind.” Finally! Someone that not only recognizes parent’s ability to make sound decisions for themselves and their families, but someone who will encourage us, inform us, and help guide us as we go.

In a parenting world full of black and white methods, damaging labels, and divisive schools of beliefs, it’s nice to know someone is finally writing honestly, openly, and kindly to parents without their own agenda in mind. I’m sure it won’t surprise you then that Ann Douglas is the mother of four children and the author of an entire series of “solution” books for parents. It’s obvious she’s knows her stuff on so many levels and from what I gather, all she really wants to do in her book, is to be our sleep advocate. Who, tell me, can’t use one of those?

Please visit Ann at her website or on her Amazon Connect page where you can read more about her and “Sleep Solutions for your Baby Toddler and Preschooler” as well as her many other wonderful books.

**Enter The Sleeping Like a Baby Photo Contest!! Visit my ClubMom Blog, Picture This, where you can learn the details and submit your photo for a chance to win a signed copy of Ann's Sleep Solutions Book!**

Even though yesterday was Thankful Thursday I am going to bring it into my foto friday. This is a recent picture of my darling daughters. I am beyond grateful for these two amazing children. They are incredible individuals whom I love with everything I am.

My oldest and I are off to mother/daughter camp this weekend. It sould be a wonderful experience. I am so fortunate to have these kinds of opportunities with my children. Childhood goes by so quickly. It's the uninterupted "special" time together that mean so much.

Happy weekend everyone. I know mine will be!

Now that we've got foto friday off the ground I wanted to do something else that would gently nudge me into writing more on my Minti blog. I've decided to try to write a little something every Thursday that gets me into a space of gratitude.

Blogging has become a very important part of my life on so many levels as many of you know. When I first began I did more reading than I did writing or commenting on others blogs. Early on, I stumbled a accross a blog called Motherhood Uncensored through the blog search on google. I was hooked. The woman behind the blog, Kristen, is smart, clever, honest, hilarious and so totally uncensored (which for me makes it that much more fun to read) in her writing.

When I got up the courage to post a comment, Kristen emailed a prompt "thanks" and I was giddy (had I known then what a big celebrity blogger she was, I would been even more stunned to know she actually emails her readers). Regardless, Kristen's comment meant the world to me as has her friendship. Yes, we've become friends which is one of the most amazing elements of being involoved in an online community. You live a million miles away from each other, lead totally different lives, and yet find a commonality that brings you together. I know that Minti members understand how powerful and satisfying that can be!

SO, on this first Thankful Thursday, I extend a thanks to Kristen for being a true and stellar blogging mentor and super-supportive friend. I know you will all enjoy her many blogs as much as I have.

Kristen can be found at Motherhood Uncensored and her ClubMom Blog, The Mom Trap. Stop over and tell her how much I love her! 

This post is from from my other blog here

...and how high-tech things happen to low-tech people.

First the party and now The Post?

I ask you, is it just me, or is this getting more and more bizarre?

This post is from from my other blog here

My daughter is 8 years old and in the fourth grade. What's that mean? It means she's growing up. And with that comes the trying on of new personas, new attitudes, new interests, and new styles. Style can come in many forms but with her right now, it seems most of it is in clothes. She is constantly coming up with new outfits (I think my husband might refer to them as concoctions) but I love that about her. I think it's bold of her to don what feels good to her. "It's my own style" she boasts.

I grabbed this shot as we were running out the door to school the other morning. Although you can't always account for taste, you can certainly appreciate someone who has got their own.


** mamasaysom

This post is from from my other blog here