In the Absense of Friday Favorites

Time issues and Mr. Linky issues will make this a Friday Favorite-less day. Please feel free to do them, and let me know in the comments. I hope you all have a RELAXING Memorial day weekend! We are making shish ka-bobs, preparing for our vacation next week, and celebrating my MIL's Birthday. (It's always someone's Bday, right?)

See you (write you?) soon.

Friday Favorites #14- 15 Minutes

It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

I have only a tribute for my Friday Favorite- My Papa George. My Papa and I were almost born on the same day. Fifteen minutes was all that separated us from sharing May 15th as a birthday. I used to always see him on/around our almost-same-birthdays. Today would be his birthday if he were still around. I miss him so much. He was a wonderful, spirited, loving Grandpa, and I always felt lucky I got to spend so much of my life sharing our almost-same-birthdays with him. I wish my children could have spent time with him, but sadly he passed away a little over a year before Drew was born.

Of course now my children have their own spirited, wonderful, loving Papa. And this makes me very, very happy. Love you, Dad.

Okay all- now tell me- what are your faves? You can blog some FF's and then link back if you so choose, or leave them in the comments!

Friday Favorites #13

It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

This has been kind of weird week at work and in my personal life. Work has been very stressful and I have been busy worrying about others in my personal life. So I am not sure where to begin. I am digging deep for these!

My Diet and Exercise routine. Finally all my hard work is paying off! I have been doing the shred (almost) every day, walking 1/2 at lunch and doing a very loose- phase 2- ish version of south beach and drinking tons of water. I now am 5.5 pounds lighter than 3 weeks ago. I hope this means that I am finally jump starting the weight loss. My bras are looser (yep, I lose it first in my chest- which is a good thing for me)! Now only 25 more pounds to go (groan)! My goal is to have that loss by Lollapalooza, which is 3 months away. That is reasonable, right? I have to set goals or there is no way I will stick with it.

Warm weather. Thank goodness. I have never felt as cooped up as I did this winter. I am so happy for Summer. I am hoping to really keep active with the kids and spend as much time outdoors as possible.

My Hair. I got it done Thursday night and I am officially blond again! Just in time for summer. I took a picture but it looked scary (seriously why can't I make a normal face in self portraits- I always look crazed) so you will just have to trust me. I love my friend who does my hair, even though I had to hold one of her twin boys while she did it to get it done. She does a FANTASTIC job.

My Mr. Bee. I do love him so and I am very excited that he got his Mom to babysit for most of the weekend so we could go to Cedar Point in June. We haven't been there in 4 years! (Yes, I am a big kid at heart.)

My Mom. My Mom is the best Mother you could ask for. She is sweet, funny and non-judgemental. Um, yeah, you heard me. She never once has told me how to raise my children. It's pretty awesome. She is one of my best friends, and I know that she will always be there for me. I can't possibly count the number of times she has heard me cry or break down and yet she never says anything judgemental, she just listens until I calm down. (Seriously, if Mr. Bee only knew how often that happened, he might give her a medal.) What would I do without her? Plus omigod are her apple puff pancakes the most awesome thing in the world.

That's my Mom and I on the left of our family pic circa 1983(?). Love you Mom!

Okay all- now tell me- what are your faves? You can blog some FF's and then link back if you so choose, or leave them in the comments!

Friday Favorites #12

It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Taking a bloggy break- Thank you to those who wrote to me expressing concern for me, I am okay. With all my blog hopping, writing and now, tons of data entry, I am having trouble with carpal tunnel- like symptoms. So I am taking a bloggy break until sometime next week. I just need to take it easy on the recreational computer usage, since I obviously can't stop working . I will still be visiting your blogs- just not commenting as much. I am putting up Mr. Linky- and I am going to leave you with a cute picture to soften the blow of not hearing from me this week. I know you are sad from the prospect of not hearing from me for a couple days, but please don't be crushed.... ;-)

Applesauce- one of Jacob's all time favorites.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Mr. Bee and I have a Friday date night, then the weekly child's birthday party... This time my niece and nephew's party! Thank goodness for combined parties- there's another favorite!

What are your Friday Favorites? Link up and write a post or leave them in the comments! I will get back to you next week, I promise!

Friday Favorites #11

It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

Weather. Two 80 degree days in a row! Has Spring finally Sprung in Michigan?

Chuck- TV Series. Please don't let this get canceled, I think Mr. Bee would cry!

My Drew and Mommy Date Day. It was a rousing success.

Jacob eating ice cream. Jacob tried ice cream for the first time Thursday night. It was hilarious. He would eat it and then shake his head from the cold rush, squeal, giggle and then ask for more. I will have to get video of it next time, we were at a restaurant this time, otherwise I would have. It is seriously the cutest thing I have ever seen. That boy is an ice cream junkie now. We had to cut him off last night.

Being there for my friends. My friend M texted me on Wednesday. Let's do something tonight. I need to get the F#@* out.

I was so tired. I called her back. "I don't think I can," I told her reluctantly.

"Oh, that's okay," she said, or at least I think she said that... it was hard to hear her over the screaming kids in the background. M has 3 kids under 3, and her 9 month old twin boys were teething.

After I hung up with her I thought about all the times I was losing my mind the year that Drew was born (he could be a tough baby sometimes) and she went out with me, no matter what. If I was frustrated she was THERE for me.

I called her back. "Let's do something," I said, and I heard the lift in her voice when she said okay.

We went out to dinner and had a few drinks. It was a lot of fun, and she was so happy to get out of the house. I love that I was able to do that for her, and I had fun too, even if I was dragging ass on Thursday.

Okay all- now tell me- what are your faves? You can blog some FF's and then link back if you so choose, or leave them in the comments!

Friday Favorites #10

It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

#10! Hard to believe 10 weeks Have passed since I started Friday Favorites! In honor of #10 I am going to give you 10 favorites this week- 5 from this week, and 5 favorites overall (these are like my favorites hall of fame). Here we go!

My Five Faves this week:

1. Becoming Jane (Movie) Sometimes, especially when I am surfing the crimson wave, I've just got to watch a movies that makes me cry. This is one of them. Heartbreaking, but not in a cheesy, Nicholas Sparks sort of way- sorry Nicholas Sparks fans! If you haven't seen it yet- please do!

2. Pizza and Movie night. One weeknight a week we pull out the kids table and paper plates and watch a movie and eat. Very little cleanup and the kids love their special treat.

Intently watching the movie, they are. Turning into Yoda, I am.

3. Hanging out with my friends on Tuesday. It was much more fun than my tired body can handle!

4. All my blogerinos, my blogging friends who still stick by even when I am in a blogging funk. Thanks guys, I promise I will have better posts soon. Plus you guys totally complimented me on my picture with the kids last Friday which was so totally awesome and totally unexpected.

5. My Niece Marisa. She's turning two today and she gets a special shout out! Love you 'Risa! Your Aunt Janna is the your favorite Auntie, too! (Please wish her a Happy Birthday in the comments section- her Mommy reads the blog and I bet she would think that is cute!)

When Marisa was just an infant and I was pregnant she would let me hold her for hours... and I did! Here is one of the pictures, with Max, my sister's other big baby!

My Five Faves overall:

1. My Boys. I bitch, moan and complain sometimes, but where would I be without them? I love the men in my life. I'm beginning to love sports and dinosaurs and trucks- what are they doing to me? EEK!

2. My Mom and Sissie. I miss our Friday lunch dates (at one time we went out to lunch every Friday). And of course my Dad, the grill master extraordinaire.

3. My Friends. Cinquo de Mayo again this year? Puh-leez? I'm not pregnant this year, how about it?

Cinquo de Mayo 2007. Pregnant here. Yep, that's MY 7up. Woot. Ain't no party like a preggo party!

4. Great Wolf Lodge. We had so much fun last year, we are doing it again at the end of May. Even though Jacob hates water. Altogether now- huh? Well we are hoping he changes his mind by then (crosses fingers).

5. Lollapalooza. I hate to be looking forward to the end of summer, but I can't wait to go!

Okay all- now tell me- what are your faves? You can blog some FF's and then link back if you so choose, or leave them in the comments!

Friday Favorites #9

It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

30 Day Shred- Day 7 and I am rocking it! No differences in clothes, but I feel stronger and that is an awesome feeling. And OMG, I weighed myself this morning and I need to do this- and lose about 30 pounds.

My children- I am really grateful to have the sunshines in my life.

Yeah they are big time cuddlers.... so this is a scene from our every day life. Ignore my lack of makeup please!

Plus Drew told me he loved me more than all in the world. I'm not sure what it means, but it sounds really sweet.

Stardust (Movie)-This movie just makes me happy. It's worth watching just to see Robert Deniro's character. Plus Clair Danes is so beautiful in it. I like to pretend people still think I look like her... hahaha.

Word Scramble on Ipod Touch- You want to talk about something addictive? Try this game. I can't get enough. And it is free. Double bonus.

Date Days with Mr. Bee- This Friday is Good Friday, so Mr. Bee has it off. I don't, but I took it off so we could have date day and go to lunch and a movie. I'm about to pee my pants I am so excited. We haven't done a true date day in a long time and I love them. That is why this post is so abbreviated, I've got a lot to do before our date day!

Mr. Bee- My late start today is because I slept in till 9:30 am because Mr. Bee took the kids to childcare this morning so I could sleep in. He brought me back breakfast too. Freaking awesome.

And of course, I still love me some Michigan State Men's Basketball team. Good season guys... next year you will come back and ROCK that championship game, I knows it.

What are your Friday Favorites? Leave them in the comments below or write a post put your link on Mr. Linky (and be sure to link back). Thanks!

Friday Favorites #8

It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

Hearing Good News about Stellan. I know I am not the only blogger out there that has been touched by this little boy, and worried about him nonstop. I am so glad there has finally been some good news about the little guy. Click on my button on the side for more information.

Kris Allen on American Idol. He is the most talented (can play two instruments- well!), and most creative (without being annoying- yes I'm talking about you, Adam Lambert) contestant this year. Can he save the abysmal season 8? Only time will tell. He sure is a cutie pie too!

Starter for 10 (DVD) Jen @ Daily Mish Mash recommended this movie to me after I told her of my fondness of James McAvoy. (If you don't know who he is- watch Atonement or Becoming Jane- two greats that he is in.) I absolutely adored the movie. Granted, it's a B movie with low budget, but James was great in it and the rest of the cast was a breath of fresh air too. And go check out Jen's Blog, it's very entertaining!

Adobe Photoshop 7 (computer software) I just bought this and I LOVE it! I am still learning, but the things you can do with it are endless! It's pretty awesome and it's how I made my new- spring inspired button. I love it. I am also planning on working on a blog makeover. If you decide you are interested in purchasing this- there is a link to Amazon on the side bar and let me tell you, I spent a heckuva lot more on the program buying this at Best Buy. That is a great price for it. Plus, if you click on any of those Amazon ads and decide to buy them, I get some Amazon bucks. I signed up to be an Amazon Associate since I was already linking to them in my Friday Favorites, so I figured I might as well! I promise I will never put anything I don't love into those boxes (the Google ads are a different story....)

Weiners by Black Hockey Jesus @ THE WIND IN YOUR VAGINA. Because he is a fantastic writer and I think you should check him out, also because I think it makes a great companion piece for my favorite post that I did this week- The Nipple Talk. (I know I normally never mention something I wrote, but feedburner messed up the timing of this post so badly.)

Horton Hears A Who DVD Already a classic in my book.

And how could I forget MY BELOVED SPARTANS. I am so proud of the Michigan State University Basketball team. You guys have made me proud, no matter what happens in the game tomorrow. And YES I APPRECIATE YOU TOM IZZO.

I know, I am working on learning more, but this is as fancy as I get for now!

My Readers. You know, for not judging me when I tell you something that doesn't portray me in the best light (i.e, my last two posts). I am glad I can be honest with you. Plus without you I would just be babbling to myself. Not that I have a problem doing that!

What are your Friday Favorites? Leave them in the comments or post an entry on your blog and link up (be sure to link back here).

Friday Favorites #7 Short and Sweet

It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

Mr. Calamity:

"Now is the time on Sprockets vhen ve dance."

My Love,

My little ham.
Jacob is coming into his own personality lately, and I can tell he is going to be quite a handful. But even with all the temper tantrums this week (and they were drag 'em out, out-of-control sobfests. If you heard it you wouldn't believe I hadn't done anything heinous to him), I am so lucky to have this little crazy man in my life. I know how blessed I am to have a healthy little boy and with all that has transpired this week with little baby Stellan, it makes me want to hold him close and never let go. (Of course, every time I try this tactic he just squirms out of my arms.) I know that he is part of what gets me through each day, and when my work is frustrating, stressful or difficult, I remember why I trudge through every week, even when I want to quit. I do it for him. I do it for THEM.

There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself. -Henry David Thoreau

Oh, okay you want the funny? Check out More bad pick up lines by Jenners. Thanks Jenners for being my comic relief this week. (And seriously, if you are not following Jenners yet, start now. She is one seriously funny lady!)

What are your Friday Favorites? Share below or link to Mr. Linky! As always, please link back to me so others can find other Friday Favorites- linking back will create more traffic for everyone.

The Ultimate Blog Party

You know I couldn't resist getting involved with the BLOG PARTY! 5 Minutes for Mom is Hosting the Ultimate Blog Party.



WARNING this is a little cut and paste from other posts.
Welcome to my blog. I am kind of weird, I swear a little (I will try to stay away from the F bomb, I swear), I use CAPS and bold and italic and large sized fonts way too often to spice up text and I will put ridiculous amounts of pictures of my children up in order to keep you coming back.

About the blog title Janana Bee, it is a play on my name. So while my real name is Janna my blog is called Janana. I know it's confusing, I dove into blogging headfirst without thinking about the possible confusion. Feel free to call me Janana or Janna. Bee is not my real last name, but rather a combination of my maiden name and married name and also a nickname.

A little bit about me: I honestly thought I was never cut out to be a Mom and Wife. Then I met Mr. Bee when I was 20. Somehow, even though I never saw marriage in my future, I became a wife two weeks after I turned 23, and a mother when I was 25. Drew was born in January of 2005 and Jacob in October of 2007.

My Boys!

We call Jacob Mr. Calamity and Drew The Drama King or Mr. Drama. The origins of the name Mr. Calamity are here and The Drama King are here.

So here I am, trudging through Mommyhood, working full-time and trying to be the best I can be everywhere, including bloggy land. I love and hate it all. (Don't we all? If you say you don't, you are lying!) This is my journey, told through my warped mind. You probably will think I'm funny or stupid. Or both, not sure on that one.

I also am running a blog carnival (is that what they are calling them these days?) for something called Friday Favorites. Friday Favorites are the things that got us through the week, big and small. I put up Mr. Linky every Friday so that you can link to your blog if you decide to do a Friday Favorites post. Last time it was really enjoyable for everyone who did it (either that or they lied to be nice). You can check out the Friday Favorites here and decide if you want to participate!

Friday Favorites
Friday Favorites #2
Friday Favorites #3
Friday Favorites #4
I have also lived in Mid-Michigan my whole life. If you are a Michigan blogger, please contact me!

Check out my Blogroll for some great people to read and Favorite Post for my Favorite posts on top if you are interested!

Thanks for coming to visit!

Oh yeah the prizes! How did I forget about the PRIZES?!?

Here are the ones that look good to me!:

19, 21, 22, 26, 43, 50, 88, 103, 118, USC15, USC47, USC56, USC57

Friday Favorites #6

It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

Hoo boy- I won't deny it- this has been a ROUGH week. Between feeling nauseous for no good reason and PMSing being a general grouch and fighting with Mr. Bee- oh yeah, we fight- and working a lot of hours, I have had a hard time thinking of what GOT me through this week. But I struggled through, and obviously you did too. Hey we all made it! Here are the things, big and small that got me to the end of the week:

Fridays! On rough weeks like this one, I am glad to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.

Tax Refunds! Thank goodness. We needed this to take a vacation, buy fun things, go out to dinner buy new brakes, eyeglasses and sensible shoes for Mr. Bee.

The number 4. So far 4 (as in 4 years) has been a lovely age for Drew and Drew has been an angel. He's still my affectionate little boy- but he can wipe his own butt, brush his teeth and get a glass of water by himself. Yay for 4! Age 4- you (and Drew) are rocking so far.

The NCAA Tournament- The one time of year Mr. Bee turns on sports and I get really excited. Must cherish these few and far between moments.

My Stomach Bug- Hey I haven't wanted to eat at all! This might be a good thing.

This Post:
If I Go-Go, this is a No-No

Giveaways! Today I received a beautiful necklace in the mail- Thank you Debra! I love it!

These dead flowers. Because they were a gift from my little sweetie- Drew. They are pretty ugly-and it's the thought that counts! ----->

Posting my Friday Favorites. It really brightens my mood! I feel better already!


What are your Friday Favorites for this week? Write a post and link to Mr. Linky! And PLEASE link back to this page so people can read about Friday favorites.

Working

Working on my Friday Favorites- but having trouble this week. I hope everyone else is having an easier time with them!

Not Me Monday! Anal Retentive Edition

Well I am back for more Not Me! Monday! It's been a while, and I have really NOT missed it!

This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I am so NOT totally sick of all the toys that have a million pieces! I totally did NOT go through my house and hide all blocks, bags of balls and anything that could be dumped out on the floor and thrown around. I would NOT do that because I would recognize that little boys need to be messy!

I also did NOT almost have a heart attack and become the Duchess of Drama when Drew clomped his big muddy galoshes all over the floor which did NOT prompt Drew to turn into Mr. Drama and run and hide in a corner for 10 minutes.

I so did NOT feel like Kate Gosselin and I so did NOT want to make both kids wear bibs 24/7 and banish them to the basement to save on mess!

I so did NOT get all cheesy and call Jacob "Cool Dude" for the entire three minutes he wore Drew's sunglasses. I would NOT do that because it is not 1989!

I am NOT totally devastated that MSU did SO poorly against Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament. I would NEVER get all worked up about a basketball game. I am NOT completely worried about their chances of doing well in the NCAA tournament, because I know that that game against Ohio State was a fluke and totally NOT a sign of weakness! {Bites nails.}

I will NOT take this time to tell people coming over from MckMama's blog that if they love blog carnivals they should come back on Friday for my Friday Favorites blog carnival. I would NOT also direct them to this link to check out last week's FF's to find out what Friday Favorites is all about! I would NOT do this because I am NOT the type of person to constantly hype something and drive all my weekly readers insane. (Seriously....do NOT go check them out!)

Thanks for playing along and do NOT have a good Monday everyone {wink wink}!

Friday Favorites #5

It's Friday Favorites! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....

McDonalds: I know, weird right? Like they need any more product placement. Well they have the best deal (at least at my McDonalds) A snack wrap and a bowl of Campells Soup for $1.99. Yeah you heard me. It's just the right amount of food and the right price. Dude, if I won Carma Sez's Giveway, that would be OVER 7 lunches! Outstanding! (Do you like "outstanding"? Is it the new "awesome"? Only time shall tell!)


This phrase: "Mommy, I am going to cuddle with you now." Uttered by Drew about 5x this week. I guess I had no say. It' a good thing I LOVE cuddling with him.

The Lunch Studio, Flint, MI Some co-workers and I were at a meeting in Flint and had to stop and eat lunch somewhere. There are not a lot of places to eat, and after about 15 minutes of driving we happened upon the Lunch Studio. Awesome, electic place. The old brick walls combined with very interesting art and the most eclectic chairs and tables made for a really cool vibe. The food was cheap and pretty good too. It was definitely a find.

My Fabulous Friends. I got a chance to go out to dinner with my friends this week for my friend Sarah's 30th birthday. We had such a good time (as always). I even got the pleasure of the nicest tweet ever from Sarah later that night, which I loved even if it was alcohol induced. It's saved under favorites in my twitter profile. Oh yeah did I also mention that one of my friends, M is moving into my neck of town? And she is moving into her parent's house, their house that is huge and fun and has a pool? Can you say I am almost more excited than she is?

I made them wear matching red dresses and they STILL talk to me. They must be pretty amazing.

My Mom and Dad. They watched my kiddos so Mr. Bee and I could go out for my friend's birthday even though they had gotten home from Las Vegas at 3am the night before, AND they agreed to watch the kids while Mr. Bee and I go to Lollapalooza! Hopefully Mr. Bee gets some comp time by then!

Seriously... they are ridiculously cute. This I know.

Dear Internet, I am placing you on Notice by The Redneck Mommy

All my Readers. You make my day a little brighter with each comment. It's cheesy and true. You are -wait for it- AWE.SOME.

Now your turn.... what are your Friday Favorites? Play along and link to Mr. Linky! Please link back to my website if you decide to do it, and please visit other Friday Favorites! I can't wait to read all of your posts! Oh yeah- and what do you think about my button? Is it better than last week's button?

Spring Fling Giveaway

What- another Giveaway? YES! The SITS Girls are hosting a spring fling, and as luck would have it, I still have a giftcard to the Cheesecake Factory left! So the Giveaway winners will win:

First Prize-25$ Giftcard to the Cheesecake Factory
Second Prize- the coveted Mixed CD!

Heres how you play:

Leave me a comment telling me your favorite dessert. (First and qualifying entry.)

Then you can earn additional entries:

2 entries for following my blog

2 entries for blogging this giveaway on your blog AND linking back to me

1 entry: favoriting me on technorati (must register with them first)

1 entry: StumbleUpon, Kirtsy or Digg any blog post that you've particularly enjoyed

1 entry: following me on Twitter

Please recomment for each entry. Even if you are already following me, go ahead and recomment with that information. I will be using random.org to pick the winners based on comment numbers. Thanks!

**Contest ends March 15th @ 12 am.**

PS- My favorite Dessert? Key Lime Pie on a stick dipped in Dark Chocolate. I can usually only eat half because it's so rich. Okay that was a lie. I eat the whole thing and then want another one.

PSS Come back to play the blog carnival Friday Favorites. I will have Mr. Linky up! Details here.

Bloggy Maintenance

Thank you to all who participated in Friday Favorites- I had so much fun reading them, and I was so happy about the turnout- it was about 5 more people than I expected! I will put up Mr. Linky this Friday, so if you want to participate you might want to start thinking of some now!

If you haven't visited these Friday Favorites, you should. They all had a different take on the Friday Favorites!

Also I wanted to thank Carma @ Carma Sez and Tina @ Talking with Teenie for the great awards! You guys rock!

The first award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.The rules to follow are:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to another 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I wanted to choose some of my new friends... so here they are in no particular order....

1. Dipaola Momma @ Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom

2. Rachel (not Rachael) @ Life After the Party

3. Mama Krit @ My Simply Savvy Life

4. The Bookkitten

5. Delswife @ Love ya, Mean it!

6. Gemma @ GEMMERZZ

7. Kalei @ Bloggedy Blog Blog

8. Lora @ Jakezilla

9. Lolli @ Life is Sweet

10. Dan River Mama @ A Kiss and a Peck

11. Blueviolet @ A Nut in a Nutshell

12. Lindsay @ New York Words

13. Mary Anne @ The Stiletto Mom

14. C @ The Scattered Mind of A Tattooed Minivan Mom

15. Tooj @ Circling The Square Table

The Second Award is the Friendship award... I am awarding this to everyone mentioned above as well. Thanks my bloggy friends!

Also, I am working on my links this week... hopefully the blogroll will be completely updated by the end of this week.

I worked on the mixed CDs this weekend and it was so fun! I will be sending out those and the gift card hopefully by Wednesday! Thanks for your patience guys!

Friday Favorites #4

It's Friday Favorites! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week.... And yes that is my sad attempt at a button using the paint application....

My Children's school Pictures. I mean seriously, how can these not melt your heart? The best part is that I do not have to take them to get professional pictures taken, these will do for Drew's 4 year/Easter Pictures. So what if they were ridiculously overpriced? Can you put a price on Memories? I think not!

How can you NOT want to pinch those little cheeks. This pouty face just melted me!


The Ditty Bops, Moon over the Freeway. Drew picked out this CD at the library, and on a whim we rented it. It turned out to be a great collection of silly yet serious Children/Adult music. There is nothing better than the three Bees (Drew, Jacob and I) swinging our heads and tapping our toes like the Butabi brothers in the car while racing toward school at 7:30 AM.

Drew. The boy is trying to win child of the year lately. From cleaning up when I haven't even asked him to clean up, to eating all his food, to calling me his favorite person, and only wanting me to give him a bath, put him to bed and cuddle with me while we watch TV. I'm sad for Mr. Bee, but hey those are the breaks. And lets face it, I am pretty awesome. He told me the other day he knows I love him because I sing "You are My Sunshine" to him. He stopped wanting me to sing to him about 2 years ago, and I don't think I have sang it since then. It just melted this Mommy's heart to hear that he not only remembered it, but that then he wanted me to sing it to him again!

Lean Pockets. No, they aren't super yummy, but they taste okay, are low in fat, and actually quite filling for the reluctant dieter. Bonus: they were on sale. My favorites are the new "chef- inspired" kinds- especially garlic chicken white pizza. I know I have quite the palate. Okay, I'm going to be honest, I ate these for lunch all week. It was much better than the week I ate soup for lunch every day because it was on sale. OMG can you say digestive problems for that week?

MSU Men's Basketball. Congrats guys, for being Big Ten champions this year. You totally deserve it! You are THE Michigan State University. Heh. Read my post about this (and my secret love) here.

Favorite Post:
I Can't Believe You Are Returning The Kilt I Gave You

Jenny, The Bloggess- When I opened up my email to see that The Bloggess had left me a comment, The Bloggess(!) I was so psyched. And then she was thanking me for linking to her in my Giveaway Results post. It made me like her even more. I am such the fangirl!

My Willpower. As in, I have made it a whole DAY without cheating on my diet! Woot! Of course, I am posting this early, there is still time to cheat, but I'm sure I won't... right?

Okay, now here is your chance to play along.... go ahead and post your Friday Favorites, anything that you loved and got you through this week. Link up with wonderful Mr. Linky down there. Make sure you link back to me please, and leave a comment below, so I know to come check out your post!

Q & A: Part 2

Here is the continuation of all the questions from my Giveaway.... Enjoy!

Q: I will ask a question if you could blog anything or interview anyone who or what would it be? -Shopannies @ Annie's Home.

A: Hmmm.... interview anyone? I am assuming living people.... I would say Barack Obama. Is this a boring answer? Obviously I find him to be very fascinating.
If I could blog anything- not sure what this means, but I would love be able to have beautiful photographs to show you on my blog. Not there yet.

Q: What are 5 things in your house that mean the WORLD to you(non-living)/you treasure above many things not because of actual monetary Value.....and why? -Kalei @ Bloggedy Blog Blog

A: 1. My Wedding Photo Album- This goes without saying.
2. Videos of the Children - Same here.
3. My yellow blankie. I still sleep with my yellow baby blankie and I love it.
4. Ian, My Ipod- Ian, my love. I would never want to part with you. You hold all of my music, my photos, games AND you have Internet access!
5. My memories box (includes my journals). Because how do you know where to go if you don't remember where you have been? Plus it holds my notes from M-Dawg.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being a mom to 2 boys??? -Melissa @ My Busy Life

A: They are the sweetest little guys. I watch how Mr. Bee is with his Mom and I hope my boys are as sweet as he is, and I think they will be. Plus they keep me on my toes.

Q: My hubby makes faces, stomps around and makes rude comments about how much time I spend blogging. Do you have that problem too? If not can your hubby come and give mine lessons? -Dipaola Momma @ Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom

A: I'm having the opposite problem lately. Mr. Bee actually was on my case about NOT blogging last night. "So have you worked on another post yet?" I was like "No, I am PLAYING on facebook!" My suggestion to you is this: have him guest post and then read him all the complimentary comments about his posts- then he will be more invested. Oh, and show him that one day, maybe, just maybe you will get money from this blog. Worked for me.

Q: Do you have a secret about yourself you've never told anyone? -Reeni @ Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice

A: My whole family reads my blog so I am not going to get too crazy with this answer. Plus, I really don't have any deep dark secrets. I will tell you all that I LOVE to anonymously submit my favorite blog posts somewhere. Not saying where. I love to be anonymous, and now I am losing my cover. Geez, thanks Reeni!

Q: Do you like to read fiction? Scratch that, do you like to read PERIOD? If so, what are some of your favorite books/genres? Do you like to write/ have you ever in your whole entire life written a piece of fiction? -Bryce @ A Twin for God

A: I love to read. Love it, and I will read any genre, although lately I can only read fluff, because my mind is like swiss cheese.

The longest story I have written is 20 pages long. I have written many short stories though, and when I was in third grade my best friend and I co-wrote a story that was 100 pages long (written). I don't have it though, I wonder if she does?

Q: Did you ever (or do you now) keep a journal? I'm wondering if folks who like to blog are also prone to keep a journal or diary. -Tiffany @ Poetry & Hums

A: You guys are reading my journal. For years I kept a journal, on and off. It's some funny reading now.

Q: What's your favorite movie? And What advice would you give to a High School Senior who was going off to college next year? -Vic @ Vicupdates

A: My Favorite Movie? I have so MANY, I can't pick just one. Um... About a Boy. The Princess Bride. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Knocked Up. The Illusionist. Just to name a few....

My Advice to a High School Senior? Challenge yourself. Don't be afraid to try new things (obviously not drugs though). Don't get obsessed with finding a boyfriend/girlfriend. Above all else: Don't room with someone you know! That was my biggest mistake. Also, stick with a major you love, even if it means you have to take some classes you hate.

Q: If you had to relocate somewhere else in the US for any reason, where would you choose and why? -Suzanne @ So You Don't Get any Phone Calls from Me...

A: Probably North Carolina. Still fairly close to family and friends, yet so much nicer. If Hawaii or Lake Tahoe were closer, I would want to move there. That being said, if Mr. Bee was offered a good job opportunity outside of the Auto industry and I wouldn't have to work, we would probably move. I know that's not the answer my family and friends reading this want to hear, but it's true.

Q: Can you tell me how to do that mark-out thing on my blog? Where you strike through the words? i can't for the life of my figure it out. :) -Sturgmom @ Sturgmom, In General

A: Here is the link I used. Also, if you use blogger in draft, it has a strikeout function. Oh, but I just went to your blog, and you figured it out already!

Thanks for listening, I had a lot of fun with this. Whew, now I am tired again.

I hope you are all thinking about what is getting you through this week, because I am putting up Mr. Linky for Friday Favorites. Mr. Linky! Friday Favorites! It's going to be fun! Rah rah rah! Check out last week's Friday Favorites to see if you want to participate. There are no limits on what your Friday Favorites could be, it could be a person, a quote, a book, CD, Movie, Picture, Blog, Comment on your blog.... etc.... now is the time to honor them!

I've started my post already! It's going to be a good one!

Friday Favorites #3

Okay, so I'm having a rough day, but I am going to go a POSITIVE route... and write my Friday Favorites! These are the things that got me through this week!

Jumpstart Advanced Preschool World
See Drew's first computer game. See Drew play his computer game. See Drew play the game by himself. See Drew play the game all by himself while Mommy does dishes. See Mommy keep an eye on Drew playing his game while Mommy does dishes in the Kitchen/Computer room. Genius.

Lysol Antibacterial Wipes: The easiest, fastest thing to clean the counters, table, etc. I know they are not eco-friendly, but I use cloth diapers (most of the time), so I will allow myself this one extravagance.

For Favorite Posts this week, I am changing it up- These are Posts that affected me, as in Blog Traffic:
http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2009/02/not-me-monday_23.html

http://www.thesitsgirls.com/2009/02/sunday-shout-outs_22.html

I was 1st for Mr. Linky for Not Me! Monday this week and guess what? 600 Blog Hits that day. Insane. I was linked to on Sunday Shout Outs at SITS and I got 160+ comments for my Giveaway (Have you entered my Giveaway yet? Please go do so!). Craziness. I am still sifting through the madness, but there are worse problems to have, right? Thanks to the SITS girls, Heather and Tiffany and thanks to MckMama!

Modest Mouse, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
I picked up the Album to rent at the Library (The library- in the Friday Favorites hall of fame). Love it, love it, love it. It's a winner!

Another Friday Favorite (at least for this week) is Wine. I will be partaking as soon as the kiddies are tucked in. Yeah for Fridays!

All of my readers! Seriously, you guys are so nice and kind. One reader in particular is so sweet and she was trying to get some comments on what she should blog about. Go visit Debra at Well Behaved Women Barely Make History, and give her some cool ideas. She is so friendly, you will enjoy stopping by!

My 2 boys. Yes, Drew and Jacob aren't always on my list, but they have been extra sweet and charming this week.

Jacob is saying ALL kinds of new words this week, like, "hot" and "waffle", ever since his ear infection went away. The kid has quite an expansive vocabulary for a 16 month old. Me being my children's biggest fan, is thinking that he might just be a genius! Then again, maybe not.

Drew is Mr. "I love my Mommy". When Mr. Bee and Drew went to the ice cream store, Drew told Mr. Bee that he would share his ice cream with me so I would give him lots of hugs and kisses. Mr. Bee was so touched, he had to tell me right when they walked in the door. Of course, he omitted the fact that Drew also said I would take him to Florida if he shared his ice cream with me. Yeah, that one is a little less likely.

I am so excited to spend the weekend with my cuddlebug and my genius!

Whew! I'm feeling better already. That was a nice stress reliever!

Questions for you:

What are some of the Favorite things that got you through the week?

If I put a Mr. Linky up for people to participate in Friday Favorites would you be interested?