Pretty Pink Toes

Yes, I need a pedicure, but I really wanted to wear my flip flops today and with it being Spring Break for my kiddos, the chance to get a pedi look pretty slim. However, my pretty pink toes made me smile all day long. I also have fresh sheets on my bed that spent some time hanging outside on the clothes line before I put them on the bed. I'm so excited to actually be able to use my clothes line now that the weather is looking to be warmer.

My Angel

and how she inspires me.....

Today would have been her 6th birthday. 6 years has gone by in a flash, it was 5 years ago January 18th that she passed away. She was born with a multitude of problems, the biggest being her brain and how it failed to develop. She had Holoprosencephaly, which in a nut shell means her brain failed to divide into the two spheres our brains have. She also had a cleft lip and palate. We were told she would most likely never come home from the hospital, she did. For almost 10 months she was a part of our lives. She didn't grow much, only 7 lbs when she passed away. She was one of the few babies I know who almost wore out her newborn clothes. She had a head full of hair like you can't believe and never lost any of it. She also had eyelashes that most women pay big bucks for. The curled so far around they almost touched her eyelids. Despite her problems she fought and fought like crazy. Most babies with her condition spend time in the hospital, lots of time. Once she came home from the hospital 2 weeks after she was born she went once for an MRI and we were only there for a few hours and then she went again the night she passed away. She managed to pull her feeding tube out of her stomach a couple of times. Thankfully I was taught well by the nurses how to put it back in. She also did this crazy back bend thing that drove her Papa CRAZY!! She would be sitting in her bouncy seat and the next thing you knew she was no longer sitting up but trying her best to score a perfect 10 in the back bend event.



Dakota was adored by her big brother who still struggles greatly with the loss of his "Kota Baby Ree". She had this giggle that started in her toes and let me tell you it was the funniest thing in the world to see. She would curl up her toes and make a noise and then with each little giggle more of her body would curl up, until she looked like a little hedgehog all curled up. This would usually come as a result of her big brother getting in trouble. Didn't bother him one bit that she laughed when he got in trouble, he worshiped her. If anyone ever said anything about what was wrong with her, most of the time just inquiring he was quick to let them know that was his baby sister. She taught all of us how to live and love. She taught me that while I love taking pictures I need to be in the pictures as well. I only have 3 of just she and I and only a handful more of she and I with someone else. I have to had over the camera and let someone else capture me. She inspires me to tell more meaningful stories in my scrapbooks, not just the 5 W's. Which is really odd since I love to write, why I had such a hard time getting passed the basics is still puzzling to me. She inspires me daily to go after everything I want in life and if it changes that's okay too, as long as I'm always pursuing. Kota girl, mommy misses you every single day, that will never change. Your big brother thinks of you all the time and even though he is growing up and doesn't always want to show how he feels when it comes to you emotion always wins out.

Jar Openers

This isn't the type of post I will normally post, but it does involve passion in some ways. My grandfather makes these amazing jar openers. They mount under your cabinets by 2 very tiny screws(included), then you simply stick your jar up in it and twist. My grandmother who has horrible arthritis in her hands uses hers for everything. I am helping my grandpa sell them. They sell for $18.00+shipping. They make great gifts for newlyweds, graduates, new home, etc. My grandpa designed them when my grandma started having trouble with her hands and has since made more than he can count. He is always getting requests for more. My grandfather has a passion for woodworking. He is a major perfectionist when it comes to his wood. He sands until it is smooth as a baby's butt and then sands some more. He stains the openers and then adds his stamp to it. His passion shows in the quality of his work. The openers are made from quality wood, usually scraps he has left over from other projects. He inspires me to always go the extra step. When he was battling cancer a few years ago one thing he could not wait to be able to do was get back in his shop. As soon as he was feeling well enough he was back down in his shop, even if it meant simply picking stuff up and cleaning.




Works on most size jars from huge like pickle jars to small jars like olives and even smaller. Also works on 2ltr bottles, and bottles like soy sauce, vinegars, etc.

If interested in purchasing one, my email link is in the side bar.

Passion:a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm or desire for anything, according to dictionary.com. There are actually several definitions of passion, this one is just more what I think of when I think of passion.

I started this blog for myself and then spent some time thinking about what I wanted it to be about. I knew I wanted it to be about my passions, but I was struggling with the whole idea behind it still. Did I want it to be about scrapbooking, crafting, or what?? Then I read something my brother had posted as his status on his facebook page and for some reason what he posted, really spoke to me. He had "You've got to follow your passion. You've got to figure out what it is you love-who you really are. And have the courage to do that. I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dreams." I don't know if it's a quote he got from somewhere or if he came up with it himself, but it really made me think. In fact I spent a good part of the night thinking about it and then it hit me, this can be about whatever I feel passionate about. This is my blog so there is no right or wrong as to what it's about.

This won't be just about my passions, but other peoples as well and also finding your passions. I'm really excited about starting on this journey.

Found on WeHeartIt

Baseball is just one of many passions I have and as the season is just around the corner I'm sure I will be posting more about this passion soon.