bekima knits

are you ready for one-of-a-kind-wednesday?!

2011-03-30T09:14:00.000-05:00

Why purchase items made from OOAK yarn?

OOAK yarn stands for ‘one of a kind’ and is unique that it is hand-dyed and handspun and cannot be recreated. Each OOAK piece will be your unique item that NO ONE else will have, and I know every photographer loves to be unique and special. In my opinion, items made from OOAK yarn are some of the highest quality photography props available. Most of my pieces are constructed using 100% merino wool yarn, some of the softest, squishiest yarn available, and perfect for baby’s soft skin.

What is one-of-a-kind-wednesday?
one-of-a-kind-wednesday is your once-a-week opportunity to purchase photography props made with OOAK yarn from bekima knits, usually newborn beanies and other varieties of hats, and sometimes a cocoon or hammock! Unless noted otherwise all hats will be newborn size, for a baby less than 4 weeks old.

How do I participate in one-of-a-kind-wednesday?
one-of-a-kind-wednesdays are scheduled for WEDNESDAY nights at 8:00pm CST on my Facebook fan page. At that time I will post a photo album with OOAK items that are ready to ship. The price of each item will be shown on the photo, and if there are multiple items pictured in a photo then each item will be numbered. To purchase an item, you need to leave your Paypal email address in a comment on that photo, along with the item number (if applicable). The first person to comment with their email will be invoiced for the item.

How do I pay?

I will typically send out invoices within an hour after one-of-a-kind-wednesday is completed. Payment is expected within 24 hours or the item will go to the next person who left their email. Please contact me at tanya@bekimaknits.com if you are unable to pay within 24 hours. Items usually ship within 1-2 business days of cleared payment.
I will NOT hold items. Please provide your payment in a timely manner or your item(s) will be forfeited.

How much is shipping?

I ship all my items through USPS Priority Mail within the US and USPS First Class International Mail for all international orders. Shipping is $6 for up to three hats, plus $1 for each additional hat. Cocoons are $6 plus $1 for each additional item. Shipping overage for international orders will be refunded through Paypal.

Please let me know if you have any questions! And the order that items are purchased are under the discretion that Facebook uploads them, I do not have any control over this!

Happy Shopping!
Tanya
bekima knits

Grand Opening Sale Today!

2011-03-23T01:56:00.000-05:00

The day is finally here! If anyone were to tell me 18 months ago that I would have my own business, knitting hats for the cutest little babies and opening my OWN website...I would've laughed in their face. I can't believe where bekima knits has come and cannot even begin to fathom where it is going to go, and it's all because of awesome customers and fans like you!

So today I am celebrating you...this Grand Opening Sale is in THANKS to all of you that have started this journey with me, joined along the way, or maybe you're just beginning. Either way, I'm glad you're here!

www.bekimaknits.com - Grand Opening Sale - All day March 23rd, 2011

**Every customer that purchases ANYTHING from our shop today during our Grand Opening will receive one of our newest SweetP Headbands (that haven't even made it to the shop yet!!) ...valued at $8-$10

***For every purchase of $75 or more, you will also receive a free bekima knits beanie :) ...valued at $18-$20

****For every purchase of $200 or more, you will also receive a free bekima knits hammock!! ...valued at $40

****And all orders over $250 ship for free!!

Thank You all for making this day come about and I hope you have a fantastic time shopping on our new website!!

xoxo ~ Tanya ~ bekima knits

**All free items will be chosen by me...and I'm sure you're going to love them!**

WOOHOO!

2011-02-16T11:41:00.000-06:00

AWESOME!! We raised over $265 for CHD's!!!! Way to go everyone and thank you to all of you that participated in our fundraiser or donated directly to a CHD foundation!

We've been busy here getting the new shop ready to be up and running!!

...more later! Happy Hump Day!

Thank You and A Giveaway!

2011-02-08T11:28:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to my friend Megan, over at In This Wonderful Life for helping me promote bekima knits' helping hearts...one hat at a time!!!! ...and I know there are a lot more of you helping too...please leave me a comment and link below so I can recognize your awesome efforts!

Want to win $75 to bekima knits...head on over here and enter!!

Thank you Megan!!!

Feel free to copy and paste to help spread the word!

Shop HERE to help hearts...one hat at a time.

Did you know?

2011-02-01T01:21:00.001-06:00

... that Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defect in America, affecting approximately one in one hundred, or 40,000 newborns each year?

... CHDs are responsible for one third of all birth defect-related deaths and sadly 20 percent of children who make it through birth will not survive past their first birthday.

... that although a child is born every 15 minutes with a CHD, research continues to be grossly under-funded in America.

... of every dollar the government spends on medical funding, only a fraction of a penny is directed toward congenital heart defect research.

What is a Congenital Heart Defect? A CHD means a child is born with an abnormally structured heart and/or large vessels. Such hearts may have incomplete or missing parts, may be put together the wrong way, may have holes between chamber partitions or may have narrow or leaky valves or narrow vessels.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have come to know and follow, in the blogging world, some really great families (especially the mamas) and heart babies. Some, are no longer here on this earth with us, and some are living very wonderful and fulfilling lives here, even with their bandaged hearts. I hope to never have to endure what these children and families have and continue to go through, but peacefully realize that if I am ever placed in their shoes, I will have the BEST support group. These people are courageous, bare-to-the-bone, hopeful, faith-filled, all-loving, raw, emotional, loving, and totally real. And they make me cry and laugh and hope and dream...sometimes all in the same blog post.

Here are just a few that I follow, and I know there are SO many more out there.
Bowen, Cohen, Ewan, Joshua, Luke, Logan, Annabelle, Laken, David, Ella, Owen, Emma, Preston, Radcliffe, Field, are just to name a few...

I have so much admiration for these children and families and that is what I feel like I'm being called to help. Why do parents sometimes not find out there child has a CHD until after it's too late? Why aren't there 'sure' surgeries, since this is the MOST COMMON birth defect in America? Why isn't this getting the supporting funding it needs to find solutions to such a huge problem?

In honor and memory of all the children living and lost from CHD's, bekima knits' helping hearts will be donating 20% off every sale, now thru everyone's 'Heart Day' - February 14th.

bekima's helping hearts fundraiser will help benefit, The Children's Heart Foundation, whom's goal is to bring health, hope and happiness to children impacted by congenital heart defects, the number one birth defect in the United States. They accomplish this goal by funding the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital heart defects. And also, Bless Her Heart, an organization founded after their daughter, Taryn, unexpectedly passed away from 2 CHDs. Bless Her Heart is dedicated to promoting congenital heart defect awareness to families at the earliest opportunity possible, and all donations are used to maintain the website and for printing and distribution of CHD awareness pamphlets to various organizations, businesses, and doctors’ offices.

The Children's Heart Foundation is the country’s leading organization solely committed to CHD research funding, and dedicates itself to bringing health, hope and happiness to children and families impacted by a CHD. CHF has funded over $4.1 million of vital, life-saving CHD research since its inception, which includes approximately $400,000 in 2010.

I LOVE the work that both of these foundations have taken on, especially Bless Her Heart for bringing this birth defect into awareness before these children are born. Before hearing and reading of these families and babies, I would have had no idea that this devasting defect even had a place on this earth. God has definitely stuck this in front of me for a reason, and this is what is being called to me at the moment, and there may be more in the future. All in His plan...and I'm sure there will be more and all for a reason. And what better timing than our unofficial 'Heart Month'!! If anyone else is interested in more CHD events and fundraisers, check out this site for Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, which runs Feb 7-14, 2011.

I pray and hope that we can make a difference, and I know we can!!! I also have some super special knits that I would love to be able to give both parents that have lost children due to CHD's and also children that are living with their CHD's. Parents and/or friends and family...please email me and let me know about you and your child, and you will have a special gift from bekima knits at your doorstep soon. It's just a bit of what I can do to offer some comfort and joy to those most in need.

Feel free to copy and paste to help spread the word!

Shop HERE to help hearts...one hat at a time.

And as always, feel free to donate directly to either/both of these foundations. I can only imagine the benefits that these donations will bring the future of CHD technologies and awareness.

"For nothing is impossible with God" ~Luke 1:37

You guys ROCK!

2011-01-31T10:32:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that a week ago, for 4 days you guys helped bekima knits donate $245 to Nella's ONEder Fund for Downs Syndrome!!!! WOO HOO!!!

...and a something new will be announced tomorrow...stay tuned!!

In His Time

2011-01-20T22:29:00.000-06:00

I listen to the radio. A lot. What else is there to do in a house with 3 little people under 5, besides watch reruns of the same kid shows you watched yesterday. And I'm not one to put on a 'nasty' station, at least when the kids are present. Let me tell you, 4 year olds remember stuff...a lot of stuff, and not always at the most timely moment you want them to. So here, it's always on the Christian radio station.

And I love it! I love how the kids know the words to the songs and every song is their favorite song. And I always hear listeners talk on-air about how the right songs are always playing at the right time, just right for them. Well, I never heard the right songs for me?! I mean I love every single message that is portrayed in any Christian song and I love them all...I actually do. But, I never felt like that person that heard what they needed to hear from God at just the right time. But in His time it happened today. On my way home from a last minute husband-going-on-a-fishing-trip grocery run and what else, but Mickey-D's for the girls' supper. He totally hit me and every song on my drive home was just for me. First is my New Year's Resolution song...the one that hits home and is going to help me stick to it this year, You Are More by Tenth Avenue North

There's a girl in the corner

With tear stains on her eyes

From the places she's wandered

And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?

I'm not who I once was.

And I'm crippled by the fear

That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,

What's been done for you?

Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,

You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it

That she's been given new life

But she can't shake the feeling

That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers

And she's rehearsed all the lines

And so she'll try to do better

But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,

You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,

You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,

But what's been done for you.

This is not about where you've been,

But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,

But what He felt to forgive you,

And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,

You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,

You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.

You've been remade

You've been remade.

You've been remade.
You've been remade.

...and then our wedding song (only we had the Rascal Flatts version), Bless The Broken Road by Selah

I set out on a narrow way, many years ago

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road

But I got lost a time or two

Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

Yes He did

I think about the years I spent, just passing through

I'd like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you

But you just smile and take my hand

You've been there, you understand

It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

But now I'm just rolling home into my lover's arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

Then a new one, I hadn't heard before, shot right to me like it was written for MY LIFE. Thank you God for writing this and bringing this to me...I LOVE IT!! ...and thank you Francesca Battistelli for singing it beautifully!

You have to check this out!!! Click HERE!!

...if you just passed over that link, go back up and listen to it.

God is GREAT and oh how his timing is perfect in His every way! Have a great Friday everyone!

Sweet Nella

2011-01-17T23:02:00.001-06:00

I have been following Kelle's blog for almost a year now, right after sweet Nella was born. And Nella was born with a magical extra chromosome, along with the other 400,000 Americans living with Downs Syndrome. And it hit my heart like a rocket. I have to help. The first words that mumble out of my mouth, I just have to help.

So the Hampton's are hosting their very first fundraiser to raise awareness to Downs Syndrome with Nella's ONEder Fund in honor of her FIRST birthday this Saturday!!

And...I just have to help. So, all (and I mean ALL) orders from now thru Midnight on Friday, January 21st I will be donating 47% off ALL sales to Nella's ONEder Fund from bekima knits. I can't wait to see how we can help out not only sweet Nella's family but ALL families affected by Downs Syndrome.

*Why 47% Tanya?? Oh, because I just roll like that...and read Kelle's words below if you're not familiar with Downs Syndrome...

A First Birthday Fundraiser for Nella's Rockstars

One year ago, on January 22, 2010, we welcomed our second daughter, Nella Cordelia Hampton. The thrill of her slippery little body being placed in our arms was quickly jolted when we were told she came with a little something extra...a 47th chromosome. And like many others who set out on this journey, we struggled through a range of emotions the following weeks. Support came though--through loving friends and family, through education, through falling in love with our daughter who turned out to be the greatest blessing and just what our family needed.
We are learning more every day, and, through Nella, we've discovered a new world of acceptance and opportunity for the many individuals in our world with Down syndrome.
To celebrate the anniversary of the beginning of this beautiful journey and our enchanting little one, we are asking you to join with us in supporting the NDSS. Please help spread awareness and create more opportunities for the world to understand that we are more alike than different.
The National Down Syndrome Society works to create a culture that fully accepts and includes the 400,000 Americans with Down syndrome. Your tax-deductible donation will help support the vision of a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life and realize their life aspirations.

Rock it out Nella's Rockstars!!

New Freebie Giveaway!!

2011-01-04T11:20:00.000-06:00

FREEBIE GIVEAWAY 2011 - Here's the scoop!

When we reach 400 fans (likers) on Facebook, everyone will go in the pool to win a newborn beanie like this one, but you get to choose the color)

Even better..when we reach 700, a free hammock (again, in your choice of color)

AND at 1000 fans - a FREE newborn nest!!!

Start callin' all your friends and photographers, they're not going to want to miss this one!!

New Year - New Projects

2011-01-03T20:18:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and New Years and didn't go too (oops) overboard on the eve of the new year! Not that I know from experience, but a bottle and a half of wine gives a major headache the next morning, and all day for that matter.

Here's just some of the new pics I have to share from some new projects that I have going on...more to come!

Thank you Lisa!!!!

It's been just a bit busy around here and some days I have to move new TOYS before I can even enter the family room. Yea, 3 girls under 5 and their gifts, after Christmas, is a sight to see...

Wishing all of my readers a very blessed and bountiful 2011!!!!

Check it out this week for my new resolution list...

New Look

2010-12-11T10:29:00.000-06:00

Do you like our new look?!

Check back...lots has been happening, but having 3 girls rotating coughs and having one with pneumonia has put the blog on the super back burner for a while. I'll be back soon!!!

Shop Update and Coupon Code

2010-12-02T11:20:00.000-06:00

Enter COUPON CODE: IRSWINTER2010 at checkout for my Inventory Reduction Sale to receive 40% OFF all Ready To Ship Items NOW thru the end of the year!!! These are all one of a kinds items...when they're gone they're gone!

Right now only ready to ship items are available. If you'd like to be put on a waiting list for custom orders, feel free to email me at ktfriesen@embarqmail.com with your order and I'll put you on the list. Custom items will not appear in the shop again until after Christmas. Thank you and Happy Holidays!!!

Blog Special Coupon Code

2010-11-24T14:17:00.001-06:00

Hello to all of my followers!!

You're going to be glad you stopped here first...because you (yes YOU) will receive an extra 10% OFF of your entire order (even after the extra shopping discounts!) with a special coupon code starting at 12:01a on Thanksgiving day and running through 11:59p on Cyber Monday!!! Aren't you excited?!?!

...and the code is GIVING2010...happy shopping!!

*This coupon code is only available online, through our shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/bekimaknits from 12:01a on 11/25 thru 11:59p on 11/29*

Black Friday Extravaganza

2010-11-22T09:40:00.000-06:00

Our Holiday Boutique this past weekend was great! But if you missed seeing bekima knits, you can check us (and our great deals) out this Friday at Elm Salon in Hastings!!!

Holiday Boutique 2010

2010-11-09T20:06:00.000-06:00

I hope you can join us!!!

...please pardon my absense in the next couple weeks as I am workin my tail off to get as many things knitted as I can.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T22:18:00.000-05:00

Ah, I am so utterly relieved and just a wee-bit sad that this weekend is over.

We had Bella's (early) 4th Birthday party...with friends this year...this past weekend and it.was.a.blast...to say the least. And trick-or-treating today...I cannot even describe how much candy is in this house right now.

More to come, but to be honest; a) I don't even have the pics on the computer yet, b) I'm tired, and c) I have absolutely no ambition to do anything that requires any more brain activity this weekend.

I'm pooped and going to bed. I can't wait to share the fun with you all though!!

me

New Look - For Both of Us

2010-10-22T20:47:00.000-05:00

So, hopefully you've noticed the changes...and like them :)

Have you ever tried or aspired to be something that just wasn't in you. God just didn't give you those genes, and probably for a good reason. I think that's what I was trying to do with the 'old' blog. Not that is wasn't me, but I was holding back, afraid that you'd all think I was crazy for blurting out my every day happenings. In reality though, isn't it comforting to hear that someone else's life is just as crazy, or can-you-imagine crazier, than yours?! Food for the soul possibly. Someone else on this great big earth is probably in, has been, or will be in my shoes, and maybe my words can be of comfort to someone at sometime in their journey on this earth.

You can say I have a new passion burning deep in my soul. I've been touched by a lot of things lately and I can brutally tell you I am seriously stuck on a lot of things going on in our lives right now. But we'll be ok, we'll make it through, we have Him on our side and we're gonna kick this journey into some serious fun (and probably more craziness). I totally feel like I'm freaking you all out right now, but I do have some purpose to this...there is an ultimate goal and although it's still in the play books, it's soon going to be released out in to the field of play. And we'll just see how it goes.

So welcome, new and old, to the new bekima knits...behind the scene. Random chatterings of owning and operating a home based business with 3 kids under the age of 4, and our life adventures that are going to take us places. Oh, they are going to take us to some great places.

Oh, and if you're wondering who the other is in the 'both of us'...that would be me, I got a drastic new hair color yesterday (thank you Britt and I LOVE it!) and I feel like a whole new woman, ready to conquer the world. Watch out world...here I come!

Peace and Goodnight :)

Just a Few of My Favorite Things

2010-10-12T20:34:00.000-05:00

...that sounds so totally Christmasy right now, which by the way is less than ELEVEN weeks away! Slow down time warper!

But really Autumn, a.k.a. fall, is my favorite season of them all. So here are a few of my faves from the season.

Scarecrow Makin'
Every year, when the wind has blown enough leaves off the tree, we take out this old mechanics suit, rake some leaves, trying to avoid near collisions with littles and the ends of rakes run by other littles, and stuff this dude till the beer gut shows. It happens every year, and the guy just looks...well like a stuffed, ridiculous looking man...with a fake pumpkin head. And we love him. Well, most of us love him, Kira thinks otherwise of him.

Fun in the Sun...without the heat.

Don't get me wrong, I do love summer, but when you've had enough, you've had enough. Anticipating that time when the air turns cooler and sweatshirts welcome me back with open arms. Love. Cooler weather gives outdoor activities a bit more flare, no more need to worry about burning hot slides, slathering the sunblock, or opting for the indoors just so Mama doesn't have to bear the heat...for yet another day.

Yes, this girls is as chill as they come...not a care in the world

Outdoor Learning

This girls continues to amaze us. She rocks at letters and is slowly learning numbers, and I think she knows more than she lets on to me. Last week we were getting ready for our party and I had, just prior to this, made her a hopscotch game on the porch...up to 10 like usual. She kept coming up to me and asking me how to write the numbers that follow Mr. 10 and I would tell her...didn't think much of it and was too busy (shame on me!) to go and see what she was so curious about them for anyway. Coming home later that night from errands I peeked at the porch before going in and she had written numbers 11-16 (15 and 16 were slightly illegible...not the point though)..and the girl doesn't even write the numbers 1 thru 10 for me! Apparently something we're doing is right...

Halloween Prep

Ah, one of my favorite holidays! The girls went all out (and probably D & A too) a couple weeks ago trying on all kinds of halloween get-ups. Party planning is in the works...Miss B's having a Halloween Birthday Party this year and she.is.so.excited.she.can.hardy.wait! More to come...

Sorry D...had to do it :)

Baby, Oh Baby...Lake that is.

2010-10-10T22:02:00.000-05:00

As I sit here typing, watching my dimly lit reflection from the computer screen in the girls' beauty salon...I'm stuck. Not sure what to write about, but know that deep down inside there are so many words, stories, and things that I want to bring to life in this space. I still don't know; but what do we really know?

I know that these people are my lifeline (along with several others), but these are my core, my rock solid team, if you will, that we can count on for anything...

Grandma!

Uncle Brooks and Brittney!

Uncle Brady and Courtney!

Grandpa!

I cannot say enough about how much I love my team...my parents, brothers and their ever-adored girlfriends. They are truly the best and thank you for enduring our family for 6 days in ONE cabin! And we're actually thinking of doing it again next year...crazy! I have to say though that we had a blast and up north on labor day weekend, after most of the schools were already in session, we basically had the place all to ourselves.

Wanna see some of our highlights?! Good, I thought you'd never ask...and better late (by over a month) than never right?!

Can we say...collision is in the near future?!

I think they did actually catch a fish...maybe...

Not a fan of the life jacket...not a fan at all.

'Big' boy canoe races

They can seriously talk him in to A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G

Wilma the HUGE pet muskie

No nap makes Miss K a tired little chica!

Not all of my pics need an explanation...

and this, this would be the one that falls into the 'needs explaining' category.

Through this rainy covered window is my hubby, the water-filled boats owner, and my dad (he'd be the one on the right, standing in the front of the boat so no water continues pouring over the back of the boat). Needless to say, this exact thing happened LAST year in the SAME town (different lake)...after both times myself suggesting that maybe they should take the boat out the night before we left, "nope, we might go fishing in the morning". At least this year fared better than last when the ENTIRE back end of our boat was under the water, involving half a dozen guys bucketing water out of the boat, a tow to the boat landing and a water logged motor.

This here...would be what last year looked like.

Ah, the lessons of life...never trust the weather, who knows what God has up his sleeves. And maybe next time, someone will listen to the wife...third times a charm right?! Love ya Buddy!

I just have to share, totally different subject...you know me...I have huge plans, great ideas and super-uber-duper awesome things in the works for bekima knits and our family...stay tuned!

~me

BiG kId Collection

2010-10-08T01:39:00.000-05:00

I'm still alive, and yes I still have a post about our Up North Labor Day Weekend...but this is what my life has been half surrounded by lately (the other half being family life)...and I've stopped counting orders...

HUGE Thank You to Pam Dusbabek Photography, of Red Wing, MN for the outstanding photos...LOVE THEM!!

Where Is Waldo?

2010-09-23T20:56:00.000-05:00

It's really been that long, I have no idea where my September has going or is going so quickly...but I have been busy.

We're having a garage sale (a whole lot of work with 3 kids in tow) this weekend and I'm prayin that Jesus sends everyone that needs a good deal our way. I just snapped some pics, but the girls are not at all going to bed well tonight, so those will have to wait to get on the computer.

We've been a little busy and stressed lately with our new schedule, dance 2 nights a week, preschool 2 mornings a week and of course the odds and ends of running a household and a home-based business (which is BOOMING...Thank You Lord and my customers!!). Ugh...it's been a long September, yet it's gone by so quickly.

It's also been raining here for more than 24 hours and we're surrounded by Flash Flood Warnings, roads closed, houses being flooded and in our small itty-bitty town, there's a creek basin that is usually dry...and it now looks like a river (I'll try to get pics tomorrow!)

Anyway, I hope it stops raining before our garage sale tomorrow, I pray that my girls are a little more BEHAVED tomorrow, I'm praying for all the families that are in the waters path tonight and I hope to get my sanity back...soon.

Sorry for the random post, welcome to the days of my life!

me :)

Love

2010-09-04T00:01:00.002-05:00

Though we have never met, and will not until our Eternal life in Heaven, I had the privilege to 'meet' sweet Cohen through his mama's blog.

You can read all about sweet Angel Cohen here, and I really think you should...just to see and hear and feel how much someone so small, with so little time on this earth, can touch so many people. Make sure you grab a box of tissues first, and don't say I didn't warn you!

I fell in love with this little guy and his parents from the first blog post I read of theirs and now I just can't stop. It's a journey and a family worth taking the time out of my day to read about, pray for and just love through this thing called the Internet.

I've just recently been chatting with Megan, and it's so crazy, because we've never met...and the only thing on the surface that we have in common...is our age, but there's just a connection there. But she is the sweetest, most caring, courageous, loving, etc, etc (the list goes on and on), for sharing not only her story, but her families and their sweet baby boy Cohen's.

So that's why starting today, September 4th through September 18th 30% of ALL sales in our shop, bekima knits, will be donated to the Cohen Memorial Trust. Funds from this trust go to help the Marshall's pay for Cohen's hospital bills, which I cannot even imagine what they're like. I know what 5 days for a newborn in a children's hospital cost, with very minor difficulties...let alone 12 days, surgeries and more that Cohen endured. I pray that you can help in any way you can, whether that be being able to by your sweet somethings something special from bekima knits in honor of Cohen, stock up on some baby gifts, or just spread the word about our efforts to help the Marshall's. It's the least that I can do to help a very deserving family.

God Bless :)

Funny Of The Day

2010-09-01T21:13:00.000-05:00

So, I come upstairs after having taken a shower to hear Bella 'talking' on the phone. It's not really much of a surprise, the girl is a social butterfly and pretend-talks to people on the pretend phone all the time.

I continue to ask her who she's talking to and she said she had to call Grandma and I asked her which phone she used, since her and Kira had somehow found themselves sitting upon the stools...and she pointed to my cell phone. So I pick it up, obviously, to check it out and here's my mom, GRANDMA, laughing hysterically on the other end of the phone.

What the heck?! When did my 3 year old learn how to actually use a cell phone?!

Needless to say, she did, and no one knows how she actually called the right number to get to Grandma. What was it that she so desperately needed to tell Grandma? ...that she needed to pack TWO boxes of fruit snacks, instead of just the ONE Dora ones she wanted the other day. AH, to be in the mind of a 3 year old!

I'm baaaaack

2010-08-31T21:08:00.002-05:00

No, I did not fall off the face of this earth. But we have been soaking in the last hot summer days of August and I have been dreaming of the cool autumn days to come...I can smell it in the air, autumn is upon us.

Proud swimmer after summer swim lessons

Our fearless fish

The ultimate hiding spot in camping-hide-n-seek

Taking Anna to the 'zoo' (on our camping trip)

Daddy's Birthday!!

Pretty proud of her newest boo-boo

Apple pie. Leaf jumping piles. Pumpkin spice candles. Weekend bonfires. Morning coffee on the patio. Crunchy leaves below your feet. Warm apple cider. Cozy sweatshirts. Cool evening walks. Combines (yes we are in farm country & my girls love their tractors). Hayrides. 4-wheeling.

It's by far my favorite time of the year. I love everything about it. There's something about anticipating the change of seasons, even if it is a short lived anticipation - enter December in Minnesota. But I love it, I am grounded here and spreading my wings to take it all in.

I think it's the mother in me, but as mothers I believe we begin to have a deeper appreciation for the small things in life. Why fuss about a rainy day when you have to be cooped inside? Soak it up, breath it in and soon you'll have such an appreciation for the small things in life, you'll be begging for one of those rainy days. Take it in stride and your rainy day might just be your sunniest day of the week. So, when I'm stuck in the house this winter with 3 girls...someone remember to remind me of this! Just kidding, I really can't wait to have some time to snuggle, learn, play and grow as a mother/daughter team with each of my girls this winter. It's truly a slow season and the perfect time to keep it real and enjoy all the small things that our life here has to offer. And autumn is just the beginning, entering the deceleration lane before getting off on the ramp to a snowy white winter.

Oooh, the excitement of choosing just the right Halloween costume for the year, which changes daily in this house. We're going all out this Halloween, and by all out, I mean out of this world crazy awesome. Here are just a few of my ideas...

Birthday party planning in the works along with the hubby and I's 'Tree Clearing Party'...which basically means we're going to feed and beer anyone that is willing to help us clear dead branches and knock down some super ugly pine trees. :)

Plus something super exciting coming this Saturday!

MIA

2010-08-18T15:30:00.000-05:00

If you've been wondering what I've been up to lately, I've been buried in eyelash yarn, with my nose up to this website...creating these...

They'll be in the shop as soon as I get a free minute!!

Gotta Love a Deal

2010-08-10T09:53:00.000-05:00

Head on over to the shop and check out our HUGE CLEARANCE SALE.

I NEED TO CLEAN OUT MY KNITTING ROOM TO MAKE ROOM FOR MY FALL AND HOLIDAY COLLECTIONS!!!

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DISCOUNTS FROM 40% - 75% OFF!!!

SEE EVERYTHING HERE - http://www.etsy.com/shop/bekimaknits?section_id=6942681

Happy Shopping :)

t

Big Girl

2010-08-07T21:52:00.001-05:00

It's really happening, our big girl is really becoming a child; not a baby, not a toddler, but a BIG TIME big girl. She blew me to the curb last week when she apologized for doing something wrong, and just today, apologizing for a no-no before I could even say anything! What did you say? You're truly sorry for doing something you're not supposed to do? You actually understand me now, and it's oh so bittersweet. Not to be outdone by the totally random sister hug last night which included I love you's. Talk about heart melter and day maker.

Gone are the days of Mommy come with me, and in full Bella fashion are the Mommy, when are you going? days now. Okay, there are still events where she clings to my leg for protection for the first few minutes. But she's really growing up. Way older than her 3 1/2 years show on a piece of paper.

And I'm not sure how to take it all.

The girl has been my little mini-me sidekick for her entire life, minus the 5 weeks post maternity leave when I had a crazy notion I could actually leave my baby with an almost total stranger (GOD bless daycare providers!)...and not to forget her Wednesday mornings and dance class last year. But for the girl's almost entire existence she's been my right hand girl. She helps me with diaper changes, with running Kira to the toilet in desperate situations, putting laundry away, cleaning the house (she loves to clean - just like her Grandma!), and the list goes on and on. She learned how to climb out of her crib, with the assistance of a stool, at 18 months after Kira was born by an unplanned c-section. She's the ultimate whiz-kid if you ask me. She has a a very strong independent side to her, as do her sisters, and I'm so very grateful that they do as children of a stay-at-home mama.

So this fall I not only have to let her do her dance thing once a week, but preschool. EEEK! She is so ready to go though and is really, really, really (insert way more really's in Bella's version) excited to start. The girl amazes me with her ever-expanding vocabulary and the imagination and creativity inside that small little noggin. And the things she asks and wants to talk about...wow is all I can really say to that. She is a super sponge and wants to know who, what, where, when and why about everything, and I really, truly mean everything.

(first fish caught on the trip...she wouldn't hold him - He's too wiggly!)

So mom will let go (most of the way), and take a leap out into the world, Bella. Know that we're right beside you; ready to jump when you are and okay to stay back when you're not. We're so excited to watch you learn, laugh, live and enjoy life...plain and simple.

Keep it real, my Bella Beautiful, keep it real.

...and oh the places you will go...

The Blessed Garden Runneth Over

2010-08-03T21:38:00.000-05:00

I really do have some awesome posts a'brewin. But quite frankly, I'm swamped in the store knittin like a crazy girl.

BUT, if anyone is in my area, or willing to drive to my area, we have a very blessed overflow of cucumbers and would love to pass some on to anyone that would love them. I just picked about TWO 5-gallon buckets tonight. Yeah...lots of cucumbers :) If no one speaks up, they're going at the end of the driveway tomorrow night with a free sign!

Here's what's coming though...
* lots of goodies from our recent Joy Gathering
* Devils Lake adventures
* our recent annual Saints game tailgating and...game watching...or people watching :)
* and of course lots on the girls...swim lessons and dance signups already...eeek!

To Whom It May Concern:

2010-07-28T21:48:00.000-05:00

Oh Dear Minnesotan summer road construction,

I cannot express how much joy I am going to feel when I am able to drive on newly tarred, smooth country roads. Even though you have made me late this week, I do not hate you. I am looking forward to the day when I don't have to see your bright orange diamond-shaped sign staring me in the face at every turn I take. As do all the other vehicles that aren't quick enough to read your quickly approaching Road Closed Ahead signs...and thus have to pull a U-ey and head back where they just came from. Oh, I will relish in the day when I can drive where and when I need to, on those newly, oh-so-smooth roads...just to have them beaten up this winter...

I will wait...patiently......

G'Nite ;)

Thoughts of the Day

2010-07-21T20:59:00.000-05:00

My totally random splash of thoughts....

Road Construction. So everyone always says that in Minnesota there are 2 seasons, winter and road construction, and with the exception of the 2 years that I drove in the metro area, I would've said that was SO untrue...until now. I'm a small town Mama and the neighboring towns are not that large either, but MAN, can we get a break with roads closed?! And what's with detouring traffic from the road that is closed onto the worst, and I mean worst, road in town? Really...

Sidewalk Chalk. We're lettin it all loose this summer with the outdoor entertainment. I was the mom that said 'don't get dirty' as my kids were about to get into the newly rained in sandbox. Like that would ever happen!? Ok, so there is still some of that mom in me, but who cares if we all go out without shoes at 8 in the morning when there's still dew on the grass and then walk right into the sand and mud, resulting in sand-between-the-toes toes for the rest of the day...leaving trails throughout the house. It beats me trying to find 3 pairs of shoes in our yard the next time we need to go somewhere. And who cares if Maia eats more sidewalk chalk that she used to draw faint little baby lines with? Really, who cares.

Summer Storms. I have a love-hate relationship with storms. I am very much scared-to-death when the sirens sound and there is a possibility of something near. Yet I LOVE the thrill of a storm and watching, from a great distance, what's going on. I chalk it up to being a mom now, yet still being young, and also the last bad storm that hit our town was when I was gone to a meeting and had my daycare sub filing in for me and watching my 6 kids, plus Bella...talk about scared-to-death mama experience. And you can't beat the beautiful skies after a storm like this.

Playdates. My girls have lots of friends. And we love to have them over, any chance we can. Our last consisted of SEVEN little princesses and 3 talkative mamas, playing and relaxing over juice and munchies. Daddy and I rate the girls' playdate fun on what the yard looks like when it's over...and man can 7 little girls do a whopper on a backyard! We hope to have Miss E and her lil baby sis and Miss L & Miss N over real soon again.

Farms. OK, I know...we're really small town people. The girls, especially Bella and Kira, love farms and everything to do with them. The excitement that pours out of them from seeing an irrigater on, is downright beautiful, and hysterical, on a drive home. Bella already knows dozens of names of farm equipment and the brand of tractors...and I'm sure Kira's not far behind. I think Daddy is a wanna-be-farmer, or maybe was one in a previous life :)

My Girls. They have me in awe lately. The things they say. What they remember. Their willingness to do anything. What they plan out to do. The lovin they do on one another and their Mama and Daddy. Their super polite manners (thank you Barney - I know, thought I would never be that mom!). Their creativity and craftiness. Their individualism. And especially their love for all things, big and small, in this world.

Christmas in July Sale

2010-07-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

It's Christmas in the shop! Now through July 25th, snatch up these amazing deals...

* FREE US SHIPPING
* 50 CENT SHIPPING TO CANADA
* $1 INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
* $2 OFF ALL IN-STOCK HATS
* LOTS OF CLEARANCE AND SALE ITEMS ADDED JUST FOR THIS SALE

***ALL DISCOUNTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPLIED TO ALL LISTINGS - NO NEED TO WAIT FOR YOUR REFUNDS***

JM Weekend and Winner

2010-07-12T20:57:00.000-05:00

Well, you're all going to think I'm crazy and 'messin' with the results. But I do not lie...and Tarah is one lucky girl on this blog. Tarah won my last giveaway and guess who this weeks winner is...

Tarah - who said this...This year, the only fun thing we were able to squeeze in was the annual parade in Gladstone, MI. After that, we pretty much got rained out. It literally didn't stop raining until today! But my son (who just turned 3) really loved it, and was joined by a friend's 4yo daughter Emma :) and Our July 4th traditions have always included a late morning parade at my grandmother's house (who just happens to live on the road that the parade travels down!), a big cookout at my parents while the kids play in the sprinkler, and then we do sparklers and get packed up to spend the evening at the city park waiting for the fireworks show :) This year, they have been postponed until AUGUST!!! (Too much rain in our forecast)

Thank you everyone for playing with me...hope you enjoyed reading what others do for fun on the 4th!

I plan to do lots of sharing this week, and for weeks and months to come, on my past weekend at our Joy Gathering through our church. I just have to say that we LOVE our church and I LOVED spending time with our Lord and about 35 other women from our community this past weekend. We attended the Joyce Meyer Ministries Conference and if you've never watched Joyce Meyer speak in person or on TV before...you HAVE TO. Browse around here and you'll see what I mean; the women speaks from the Word and is so down to earth and personable, you can't help but feel like she's talking directly to you when she speaks. Check it out and let me know what you think!

And I hope you'll all forgive me for not having an awesome giveaway for you all this week. I've been a little pre-occupied lately and forgot to line up some Etsians. But don't fret! This week my Christmas in July SALE is going up in my Etsy store and you're not going to want to miss the sweet deals I have for you all! Hope you come back and take a peak :)

McIntyreGirl Winner!

2010-07-07T12:58:00.001-05:00

Announcing the lucky, sorry to leave you all hangin for a day or two...winner...

#11

Tarah from Heitman Photography

Congrats Tarah!! Email me within 48 hours to claim your winnings!!

Happy Independence Day America!

2010-07-05T22:23:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday weekend, as we did, and had some time to spend with loved ones and remember those who are fighting, and have fought for the independence we have today!

We started off with a bang on Friday night. We had some family and friends over for what was supposed to be a bonfire (and was sadly...with huge tears...missed by Bella). The wind was outrageous. Knock you over, can't hear the person next to you, but keeping the humidity at a bay windy. So we had our grill going vs. cookin the wienies over the fire, and we all had a great time anyway. My brother was home from Devil's Lake this weekend, so we wanted to take in as many things with him as we could. The girls miss the other half of their uncle-duo (I have twin brothers), so any chance they get to hang out with both of them, and try to figure out which-is-which, promises good laughter and fun.

Little girls and 'older' girls, what's the deal. My girls idolize my brothers' girlfriends and other girl friends. And by idolize I mean hang-on-their-every-word, follow-them-around-annoyingly, sitting-practically-on-their-lap-at-every-function idolizing. Was I like this as a little girl? OK, I admit, I had to roll, pin and pull the socks over my jeans...just like my older cousins. (ugh...I can't believe I just admitted this) But was I this clingy? Not sure that clingy is just the right word I'm looking for, but I just feel down right bad for these girls that my girls are 'attacking'!

OK, caught me again, I'm glad that I don't have to watch them like hawks when we're around our friends, because frankly, I enjoy a little break once and again. I cherish these girls, more like women...just not wanting to admit to myself that I'm older than them and a mom to THREE! They are my heaven. They take my girls to movies. And to Old McDonalds, like they like to call it 'round here. And I love them for that. I know that my girls are in great hands and I can't, nor will I ever be able to thank them enough for what they mean to me and my girls.

Now on to the next day of our exciting holiday weekend. The only day that I had my camera with me, and the day that I filled my card up forgetting to unload it before Sunday...oops!

Horseraces!!!

It's not too often that I'm willing to take my girls, all of them, to a crowded place on a humid and hot day in the middle of summer...but with this group of people, I'd do just about anything. So we headed off to Canterbury, in the middle of naptime I will add, to watch some horses run around a track and bet on names that sound cool and hope that we come out with more money that we came in with.

I'm pretty sure this is Daddy's favorite part of the whole horse race experience...all he talked about last year!

Well we had fun, let's just keep it at that. The girls love...screaming, yelling, whooping...love watching the horseraces. And Maia did too. After trying, and succeeding, to keep a one year old contained in a stroller for 4 hours, I was pretty proud of myself and our super fun day. And it didn't end there...

We left Canterbury, a good hour from our house, early to swing home quick, refill coolers and pack up some blankets and lawn chairs and leave again, heading in the opposite direction for some 4th of July fireworks.

And. They. Were. Awesome.

Bella and Kira sat, of course, in the midst of my brothers and the 'girls'...not to be seen hangin' with the 'rents. Really, this is happening already?! And Maia could have cared less. She's not one for loud noises, and although they didn't seem to bother her, she just laid her head down and passed herself down the row of grown-ups till she landed on a comfy shoulder to rest her head on.

Rain rang in the 4th of July here on Sunday. We were headed to our usual parade when it started down pouring...so we turned around and headed to my parents and decided to go bowling instead. Who goes bowling on the 4th of July?! We do! We had a blast and the girls are definitely realizing it's just a bit harder to bowl in real life than it is on the Wii. They'll learn, their daddy's in a bowling league...I'm sure they'll have no problem.

After that we just went back to my parents house and vegged out for the rest of the day. Grilled out for supper, in true Independence Day style and tryed to survive, or bear at least, the sweltering heat and humidity. They said it was supposed to leave last night...well it's still here today and it's not cool (literally).

Ah, and what does a family do on their 'day off' because of yesterday's holiday...yard work. I know, we're real outgoing today, huh?! To be honest, I've never been so beat and wiped out from a long weekend before. The weekend, unusually, went by slow and that was just right for us. We had a blast and hopefully the girls did too. It didn't take them much to fall asleep tonight after going to bed LATE for 3 nights in a row and not sleeping in for a single morning this weekend. Oh well, maybe when they get older...

Happy Independence Day to all of you!!! And for this weeks special...up for grab is a $25 gift certificate for bekima knits!!! All you have to do is comment here on one thing you (your family) did fun this past holiday weekend...and you're entered for your chance to win! Get an extra entry for letting me know what your holiday 'traditions' are for the 4th of July (must be a separate entry) Runs through Friday, July 9th at Midnight (CST) and winner will be chosen via random.org.

Have a fabulous week this week! I'm looking forward to hanging with some fab girls this weekend at our Joy Gathering!!!

Silence for Cohen

2010-07-01T14:12:00.001-05:00

Sending love and prayers to Cohen's family...see his whole story here.

One of Every Color...Please!?

2010-06-29T02:15:00.001-05:00

Introducing the Caitlin and her Etsy shop, McIntyreGirl...and she is awesome! I've been 'talking' with her for over a month now and just through our brief convos and reading her blog; I can just tell you that Caitlin would fit right in to my circle of friends!

Caitlin not only sews, quilts, and operates her own home-based business...but she's a MOM. And you all know that I love moms that are also Etsians! I know how much time and work that it takes to run my shop, and I have so much passion for helping out other mamas turned entrepreneurs. And I seriously can't stop looking at everything in Caitlin's shop...and *thinking* that I could possibly...maybe...try...somewhere down the road, my hand at quilting. I LOVE her shop!

Caitlin has 2 sweet princesses, 5 and almost 1. Before having her second daughter, she was selling her wares at craft shows, but since #2 came around she's turned her craft show weekends into an Etsy shop. This girl sews at any chance she gets...or when her daughters let her (we know how that goes!). Caitlin loves to create new patterns and try new techniques, so most of her items are truly one-of-a-kind and are not likely to be reproduced.

Here's just a sampling of what's in her shop...and she also has a TON of destash fabric for all you other quilters out there!

Polka Dot Pajama Set

Flirty Skirt

Tinkerbell Hooded Capelet

Baby Blanket

Childs Smock/Apron - I WANT these for my girls who get REALLY dirty doing their crafts!

Fabric Storage Bag

And one lucky entry winner will get to pick out there very own tote or diaper bag from Caitlin's shop!! They are so cute...and I already have my eye on a couple of them... :) Here's a couple, but there are many more at McIntyreGirl!!

...and yes, I want one in every color...

MANDATORY: Go to Caitlin's shop and come back here and leave me a comment on which item(s) you would love to have for yourself.

Want some extra entries?!

* 1 extra entry - follow my blog or let me know you already do
* 1 extra entry - head on over to Caitlin's blog and become a follower
* 1 extra entry - 'Heart' McIntyreGirl on Etsy, by selecting Add Seller to Favorites on the store homepage
* 2 extra entries - Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway and leave me a link
* 4 extra entries - Blog about this giveaway on your blog and leave me a link
* 8 extra entries - Buy something, during the giveaway period, from Caitlin's shop and let me know what you bought...she has $1 shipping for everything in her shop right now!!!

***Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled***

This giveaway will end Monday, July 5th at Midnight (CST) and the winner will be chosen with random.org

Good Luck!!!

And our lucky winner of last weeks giveaway...

Corie @ Red Letter Rising

Congrats Corie! Email me for your free quilted pillow case!!!

Success

2010-06-27T20:39:00.000-05:00

Ah, I don't think I ever imagined this time. Not that I ever had enough time to even fathom the thought. But Kira is officially - 'knock-on-wood' - potty trained!!! WOO HOO!

Granted, I know she's going to have some accidents in the next few weeks or even months...but this is day THREE of our Potty Training Boot Camp. The rockstar stayed dry in the same pair of underwear all day! That's through a 3 hour nap and all. I'm tellin ya...she's a true rockstar, rockin this potty thing in full fashion and glam.

So tomorrow we'll venture to town on our weekly Monday morning grocery shopping run and see how she does 'out and about'. She's gonna do great. I wouldn't expect nothing less from our middle little. She's our Rockstar.

Houston We Have a Walker (and a winner!)

2010-06-22T15:07:00.000-05:00

It's official! Maia is now a walker (still crawls after several failed attempts at getting somewhere by walking), but prefers walking over crawling now.

Yes...the only pic I could get of her walking this past week was from behind :)

EEEEKK!

It's a bittersweet milestone for your baby to hit. You really want them to walk. Then they do. Then you think maybe it would be better, and safer, if they just crawled. Right?! But at least Maia waited until now. Bella was walking at 9 MONTHS and Kira at 10 1/2 months...so I guess it's ok it took her a little longer.

So I really thought that maybe she'd save her knees outside on our patio...but nope, some reason this girl loves to crawl on nice hot cement! We'll get there...then I'll be wishin she was still crawling. I think I should've asked for a 3rd (don't forget that second pair in the back of your heads Mamas) pair of eyes for my past birthday. I'm gunna need 'em this summer!!

my mischief makers

Not to leave all of my entries guessing any longer for a winner for last weeks giveaway...but it was lucky number...

108

smooze13

Please email, ktfriesen@embarqmail.com, me by Friday, June 25th with your contact info!

Thanks everyone for entering...it was our biggest giveaway yet and don't forget to enter this weeks giveaway here!!

I Wish I Could Do This!

2010-06-21T22:20:00.001-05:00

So, I know there are people out there that say I have a talent with my hands, my needles and a string of yarn. But I SO wish that I knew how to sew and quilt like this! Patricia has been sewing since junior high, and not to give away her age, but that's almost FORTY years! Whoa! Patricia takes great pride in the quality of her products, and I couldn't imagine nothing less than fantastic from a woman who's been sewing for forty years and learned the craft from her mother.

“As far back as I can remember, my mother sewed, and I believe this contributed to my love for sewing and art. My love for art is a huge part of my life, and it comes through in the care, love, and attention to detail that I put into every piece I create. Of course, I have a special passion for the fabric arts.”

Patricia owns her own home-based sewing and quilting service called Patricia's Sewing Room, in Manteca, CA. Since being laid off from her paralegal job in November of 2008, she has invested more of her time and energies into her business as well as teaching sewing at a local fabric store. She also donates time by machine quilting for "Quilts Of Valor."

LOVE this skirt and am SO probably going to get it for Bella!!

All of Patricia's items are handmade in her sewing studio in a smoke free home. Her home is a one pet home, - a non-shedding Shih Tzu. Patricia is passionate about sewing and quilting and takes great pride and pleasure in her work and projects.

...and this, I've always wanted an apron (not that I bake all that often)...just the thought of having it to wear :)

Patricia is also blessed with three grand children - two girls and one boy and says “my grand children are my life and I enjoy spending time with them.”

Patricia has so graciously offered up THIS awesome quilted pajama pillow case cover for this weeks giveaway!!! I'm in love with this pillowcase (and totally wish I could win it myself for my girls!). But one lucky entry will win this and I'll just have to be a tad bit jealous... How to enter??

MANDATORY: Go to Patricia's shop and come back here and leave me a comment on which item(s) you want in your hands.

Want some extra entries?!

* 1 extra entry - follow my blog or let me know you already do
* 1 extra entry - tell me what type of craft you do (or would like to do) in your free time
* 1 extra entry - 'Heart' Patricia's Sewing Room on Etsy, by selecting Add Seller to Favorites on the store homepage
* 2 extra entries - Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway and leave me a link
* 4 extra entries - Blog about this giveaway on your blog and leave me a link
* 8 extra entries - Buy something, during the giveaway period, from Patricia's Sewing Room and let me know what you bought...I'd love to see what catches your eye in Patricia's shop!

***Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled***

This giveaway will end Monday, June 28th at Midnight (CST) and the winner will be chosen with random.org

Sew Fantastic!

2010-06-14T21:43:00.006-05:00

OOOOO, this week I have the absolute pleasure to introduce to you, Terri from Sew Fantastic! Terri has been sewing and quilting for 15 years and has some unique and creatively designed items, with patterns that have been created by HERSELF!

How I came across Terri's shop?? I was desperately looking for something that we have at our church; they pass out these fantastic little bags that contain a small clip board with paper and crayons, to help keep the kiddos somewhat occupied during the service. And waalaa, I found Terri's super fantastic crayon wallets!! I bought a bunch, 3 for my girls and some extras for birthday gifts...which I'll have gone by the end of the summer. ;) I was in pure awe (and may have jumped up and down...) when I opened my box from Terri when it arrived. She individually wraps each wallet and each comes with its own notebook and 12 crayons! Here's just a few shots of mine...I LOVE them all!!

The quality of these (and the keychain - cause she ever so kindly threw one in my order!) is outstanding! You can see right away that Terri knows what she's doing at the sewing machine. You will not be disappointed in anything that you receive from Terri's shop!

Terri and I have one thing in common, our start in our business. Terri was a 'mood sewer', sewing when the mood struck her, sometimes going 6 months without sewing and then spending days sitting at the machine. After Terri got pregnant with her daughter, and had to stay off of her feet more and more, she started sewing bags and purses and selling on Ebay. After establishing a name for herself and her products, she found out about Etsy, which gave her more opportunities to get a little more creative with her products. And now, for close to 3 years, she's been designing and creating her own products...like these fantastic items!!

Designer Carryall Clutch PARTY PACK On the go Daily Organizer

Kindle Clutch E-reader case with removable wristlet FITS KINDLE WITH CASE- - AQUA MIRROR

CARNIVAL BLOOM Designer Carryall Clutch On the go Daily Organizer

The NEW Mini Shopper - Notepad Clutch - Nicey Jane Lindy Leaf

GROOVY GUITAR LAGOON Tri-Fold Coloring Crayon Wallet Hip Trendy Travel

KEY CANDY Wristlet KeyChain BLOOM AND GROW FOB

These are just a few, and you can see all of her items at her Etsy shop!

And now you can enter to win your very own crayon wallet in your fabric of choice...and you're sure to love them, I just know it! They're are just so versatile and a super awesome gift that any kiddo (and Mama) would love to get for their special day. Here's what YOU can do to enter to WIN!

MANDATORY: Go to Terri's shop, Sew Fantastic, and come back here and leave me a comment on which item(s) you love best in her shop.

Want some extra entries?!

* 1 extra entry - follow my blog or let me know you already do
* 1 extra entry - head over to Terri's blog and become a follower of her blog **If you're a crafter/sewer...Terri has giveaways of her own here!!
* 1 extra entry - 'Heart' Sew Fantastic on Etsy, by selecting Add Seller to Favorites on the store homepage
* 1 extra entry - Become a Fan of Sew Fantastic on Facebook
* 2 extra entries - Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway and leave me a link
* 4 extra entries - Blog about this giveaway on your blog and leave me a link

* 8 extra entries - Buy something from Sew Fantastic and let me know what you bought...I'd love to see what you're little heart desires in Terri's shop...because I LOVE everything!

***Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled***

This giveaway will end Monday, June 21st at Midnight (CST) and the winner will be chosen with random.org

And I love Terri's motto ~ Life is what we create it to be ~ LOVE it. :)

I Can't Believe...

2010-06-12T21:45:00.001-05:00

...that you are one. How did a full year go by already? Did that really just fly by, so fast?!

It was just 365 days ago that we welcomed you, little one, into this great big world. And within 24 hours we were two nervous parents, trying to decide what was best for you. Then, we made the big decision to send you to Children's, all by your lonesome, to be met later by Grandma and Grandpa, while Mama and Daddy were still at our hometown hospital. You were treated for newborn pneumonia, but that was never confirmed...you were just a fast little breather. A little one that had your parents nervous to their wits end, but it all turned out just great.

And now, now, we can't even get you to stop moving to get a dirty diaper off of you and into a new one! You're our little busy body and don't give up without one heck-of-a-fight.

Maia, you're our littlest little (maybe always, and maybe not...), but for now you are our 'runt'...and a runt you're not. Holding your own just shy of 5 lbs and 12 months behind your bigger sister, Kira.

Almost walking, but moving really fast doesn't allow for more than 2 steps at a time. Here's your newest move...the knee walk!

You are truly one-of-a-kind and have youngest child written ALL OVER your face! You watch your big sisters' every moves, learning what to do (and more importantly what not to do), picking up on the 'tricks of the trade'.

You're a quiet little one, with a voice that can boom over everyone elses when you want it to. Lets just say it takes a mightly little voice to be heard over two older sisters...and you got it babe!

Maia, we feel so...SO blessed to have you in our lives and look forward to many many more great memories. We love ya Miss Maia!!

Holy Giveaways - Who wants free things?!

2010-06-10T00:52:00.007-05:00

Check out these awesome giveaways going on now!!!

Enter to win a FREE Sports Bra from Moving Comfort over at Two of a kind, working on a full house!! Ends 6/14

Enter to win a FREE Little Tikes Makin Mud Pies from Little Tikes over at Two of a kind, working on a full house!! Ends 6/14

Enter to win a FREE (super cute!) big from Camden Creations over at The Schuler Family!! Ends 6/14

Enter to win a FREE Name Cross from Name Crosses over at The Schuler Family!! Ends 6/14

Enter to win either a FREE personalized pillow OR a set of 3 burp clothes from Beyond Weddings over at Three kids, a mini-van and a lot of love!! Ends 6/16

Enter to win a FREE pair of loafers for your little on from Tortoise and Hare Designs over at The Schuler Family!!

**If you win anything...come back and let me know!**

Lazy Rainy Day (and a winner)

2010-06-08T23:32:00.001-05:00

There's something about a rainy day that screams out to you to stay in your jammies all day and watch cartoons all day, being lazy on the couch. Nothing beats the occasional rainy day to break up the sun-soaking, pool-living, sprinkler running summer days.

Summer is in full bloom, here in Minnesota, and Bella didn't miss noticing the lifeguards doing their training at the local aquatic center today. She's been in love with that place since we've driven by it every week on our way to dance...since OCTOBER! The girl is dying to get her little swimsuit covered body in that place, on a day that's really hot (as Mama puts it!).

I'm totally excited to bring her there...just wondering who I'm going to wrangle in to help me with the other two princesses who are totally afraid of our own tiny sprinkler, let alone the humongous water-shooting-gysers at this place.

Ah, I love my girls and their personalities seem to be shining bright lately. Letting us know who there are and they mean business.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not to forget...the winner of the Gotcha Petite Giveaway by made for you gifts...

#10

Stephanie over at Houghton Happenings

Congrats Stephanie!! Please contact Wendi at madeforyougifts@hotmail.com to choose your own Gotcha Petite!!

And here's leavin ya one pic from our lazy rainy day...

Two for Ones

2010-06-07T23:17:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday was a day to remember. Not only did we celebrate Kira turning TWO...but her little sis turning ONE! Crazy, I know.

And it rained. So we had twenty-some people plus six (make that 6 under the age of 3-1/2) kids in the house...at one time...

It was crazy. It was chaotic. It was crowded. And more importantly it was fun!

Bella, the biggest sister, could have opened all the presents without either of the birthday girls giving a hoot. Maia couldn't have cared less and was more interested in Bella's your-sisters-are-going-to-get-all-the-presents-so-here's-one-for-you Ken barbie gift, than her own super neat new things.

(notice Bella the present hoarder...)

And I still can't believe that just a year ago, twelve months, our middle little was celebrating her first birthday and we were preparing ourselves to add another little to this crazy little house. But more on her on her 'real' birth date.

So...in honor of our crazy 2 weeks of solid birthday celebrating, and our next weekly special. YOU, my readers and unexpected drop-ins, can take advantage of my 2-for-1 deal on this Saturday, June 12th (Maia's birthday). So stop by bekima knits this Saturday, from 12:00AM - 11:59PM and you can buy one - get one FREE! And you can use it multiple times...so if you would like to purchase 4 items...you'll get 2 for free. How cool is that?! **Free items must be of equal or lesser value ~ Discounted items will be refunded via paypal within 24 hours of payment ~ Please note 2-for-1 special in 'message to seller' box upon checkout**

Here's my nerdy math side of me...and how I came up with this 2-for-1 special...

We just celebrated Kira's 2nd and Maia's 1st birthdays

Maia was born on the 12th

Kira was born on the 3rd (which is 1+2)

...hence my 2-for-1 special :)

So stop on by our shop on Saturday and take advantage of this great, one-of-a-kind deal...I don't offer this great of a discount very often!!

There's still time to enter this weeks giveaway too...here!!!

Two

2010-06-03T21:02:00.003-05:00

I cannot believe that you, our middle little, are already two.

It blows my mind.

You are an energetic, life-loving little gal. Taking life as it is and making it oh-so-much-more fun! You are amazing.

Our newest little mother (making that 3 of us now in this house), you are doing EVERYTHING, good and not-so-good, that your big sis does. Right at her tails...and another right on yours. Kira you are a true delight to have in not only our lives, but everyones lives that you meet.

You are one-of-a-kind kid. We're so thankful that you're ours and we are going to enjoy every minute of where your life adventures take you.

Kira, our special middle princess, is definitely a middle child. A fighter. A lover. A little copycat. An attention getter (no matter what!). Our early riser. A tell-it-to-me-straight girl. An 'I know all your tricks and they ain't gonna work on me' middle little.

You are a true delight and bring the sun shining bright to us each morning. We love you so much!! And we can't believe that it's been 2 BIG years that you've blessed us with your life. Looking forward to many, many more.

**HUGE Thank You to Rebecca Photography (we LOVE you Becca!!) for the awesome pics of our little Kira!

And the Winner is...

2010-06-01T21:48:00.001-05:00

Ashley over at The Thames Trio

Lucky number 34

(chosen randomly by random.org)

Congrats Ashley!! Please contact Amy at amy@amycornwell.com by Sunday, June 6th to claim your gift certificate! Please do come back and share with us what you chose.

**Current giveaway can be found here, and you can enter right up til Midnight next Monday, June 7th!!

My sincere apologies for neglecting our family side of our blog lately. I promise good things are to come!! If I told you my schedule for these next two weeks...you'd be sure to have a headache too! So I'll spare the details, but I won't put the suspense on much longer!

Later Gators - off to get some serious list-crossing-off done!

Gotcha Giveaway

2010-05-31T22:50:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Memorial Weekend and were able to honor those that have served for what we have today. Thank you to all of our armed services, those that are with us today and those that have gone before us...it is because of your sacrifices that we are able to have our freedom today. God Bless. More on our wonderfully warm weekend later this week.

On to our next GIVEAWAY!!! It was a pleasure to stumble upon Wendi's Etsy shop when I was looking for the perfect shopping list/coupon/every other thing holder/organizer. {I know...I have an organizer for just about everything now} Wendi's shop, made for you gifts, has EVERYTHING a busy mama could want to keep herself organized AND her child(ren) busy! I seriously want one of everything, and her endless options for fabrics, makes is super hard to make a final decision. Like these Busy Books, something that can maybe occupy my children when we're out and about, especially for appointments and keeping them quiet in church!

Here's the ultimate busy working diva Mama necessity - The Gotcha Grande :) It seriously holds everything you could need during your day...maybe minus an extra diaper and wipes, but lets just focus on the woman aspect of being a Mama.

And I just about jumped in the air when I opened up my lil purchase from made for you gifts (a gift for myself and my sanity...which really means sanity for the rest of the family) - my own Gotcha Petite. It's perfect for holding my coupons...yup, you're talking to an ultimate coupon clipper...my cash/credit card and this ever-so-handy notebook for shopping lists, not to forget the little pocket for your pen. No more need to run haphazardly through the grocery store with a couple of different pieces of paper with your chicken scratched grocery list on it and a handful of coupons, that inevitably one gets lost in the journey around the store, and that never-ending battle for finding the one (at least I think I have one) pen that is always in the bottom of your purse under the half used tissues, empty sucker sticks, a mirage of baby toys, and Mama's much needed lip gloss. Ugh, that's exhausting just thinking of what I did before I had Wendi's sanity saving one-of-a-kind creation.

Here's what I got :)

The quality and craftsmanship of this organizer is awesome. I can see why her customers love her and why they keep on coming back! And her color options are amazing, never ending, and hopelessly irresistible...

See more here!

One lucky keep it real blog reader is going to win their VERY OWN Gotcha Petite from Wendi's store!! How exciting is that?! Wanna know what you can do to win?!

MANDATORY: Go to Wendi's shop, made for you gifts, and come back here and leave me a comment on which Gotcha Petite you would choose if YOU win.

Want some extra entries?!

1 extra entry - follow my blog or let me know you already do

1 extra entry - 'Heart' made for you gifts, by selecting Add Seller to Favorites on the store homepage

2 extra entries - Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway and leave me a link

4 extra entries - Blog about this giveaway on your blog and leave me a link

8 extra entries - Buy something from made for you gifts and let me know what you bought...I'd love to see what you're little heart desires in Wendi's shop...because I LOVE everything!

***Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled***

This giveaway will end Monday, June 7th at Midnight (CST) and the winner will be chosen with random.org

And there is still another hour plus to enter this giveaway!!

I haven't mentioned this...because my brain has been fried lately between family and friend get-togethers, bekima knits, prepping for an upcoming booth (more to come on that if you're in my area), and holding down this fort...but this fort is about to celebrate the big #2 birthday this week for Kira and the big #1 birthday next week for Maia!! My babies are growing up, but their specials posts will be later this week and next.

Giveaways Galore!

2010-05-27T07:26:00.001-05:00

So...I've done the 'work' for you guys and found you some awesome giveaways you can enter to win some really cool things!

Here at Three kids, a mini-van and a lot of love is an awesome giveaway for a vinyl wall decal. These decals are awesome, if you don't have any yourself, and quite easy to put up with one person. I have...oh...about half a dozen of them scattered throughout our house!! Check it out, it ends TODAY!

And another similar giveaway close to our own this week...yet totally different. Here at The Schuler Family, Erin's giveaway is a personalized piece of jewelry...and I have one in mind for our little Bella!! These are totally adorable and I even love the golf markers (my brothers and dad are in to golf and they'd be great for them!) Hmmm...I see some gifts coming up in the near future!

AND last but, not least, is our own giveaway here at keep it real for a $25 gift certificate to Amy's Etsy shop...amy cornwell designs. Amy has amazing works of wearable art and I can't wait to get my hands on more of her custom designs!! See the post and enter to win HERE.

Have a great day...and don't forget, it's FREE to enter all of these giveaways, what can you lose...go and get something for FREE!!!

Lucky Number

2010-05-26T06:38:00.000-05:00

Wins my little impromptu giveaway from this past Sunday! Congrats MrsTallPaul!! Your little one is going to look cute in whatever you pick out from our store!!

Let me know when you checkout that you get $10 off...just for letting me know what you'll be doing this summer! Thanks for playing!

It's. A. Giveaway.

2010-05-24T21:34:00.001-05:00

WooHoo! Time for another weekly special and this week (I believe it's #6!) is an awesome, and I. mean. awesome, giveaway.

Introducing amy cornwell designs...

I've had the pleasure to *meet* Amy through Etsy and get my own little treasure from her shop! (I'd tell you what...but it's a surprise for someone that reads this blog and I hate ruining surprises, especially my own! I can tell you though that what you get, is way better than even the photos show and well worth every penny!) Let me tell you, she's an awesome seller to work with and will answer any and all of your questions...even the stupid ones. Amy creates amazing works of art that you can tote around or wear, like these Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, or Godmother necklaces.

(and this one even has one of our Kira's name on it!)

OR what would Daddy or Grandpa love more this Father's Day than one of these rockin keychains?! They're nice and small to not be noticed by everyone, but a quant little reminder of who loves them.

Getting married or having a baby soon? I love, love, love these keepsake necklaces/charms that come in any letter of the alphabet and can feature the date of your special occasion.

And maybe, just maybe, we can indulge in something just for ourselves. Amy has a wide assortment of every type of piece you could be looking for...and I love way too many of them!

I should totally get this keychain because I remind myself, with this same saying, many times over during the day!

And guess what...Amy isn't only a fantastic women with an amazing store...she's offering one lucky winner of our blog a $25 gift certificate to spend as you wish at her etsy store!! Here's what you need to do to enter. Go to amy cornwell designs and come back here and leave me a comment on what YOU would choose if YOU won the $25 gift certificate.

Want some extra entries?!

1 extra entry - follow my blog or let me know you already do

1 extra entry - 'Heart' amy cornwell designs, by selecting Add Seller to Favorites on the store homepage

2 extra entries - Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway and leave me a link

4 extra entries - Blog about this giveaway on your blog and leave me a link

8 extra entries - Buy something from amy cornwell designs and let me know what you bought...so go ahead and get something for yourself...and then you can use your gift certificate to get something special for someone dear to your heart!

***Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled***

This giveaway will end Monday, May 31st at Midnight (CST) and the winner will be chosen with random.org

I couldn't resist one more. It's totally what this blog is all about.

And the winner is...

2010-05-24T08:33:00.001-05:00

#4 - Amanda

Yea Amanda!!

Please contact Jennifer at georgiepies@live.com by Friday, May 28th for your personalized burp cloth!!

Happy shopping too...I know you were eyeing up some things in her shop... ;)

Great new giveaway coming tonight from here!! Just in time for Father's Day, or a treat for yourself.

Sizzlin Summer List

2010-05-23T21:18:00.000-05:00

Here's just a sampling of what I am going to do this summer!

Family bike rides on the trail
Run through the sprinklers
Mini road trip with my husband
Pedicure with my girls
Girls nights (no little girls!)
Tailgate at the Saints game
Go camping (yes with 3 little kids)
Travel to Devils Lake, ND
Learn to drive our boat
Teach my girls to swim
Dance in the rain
Living room slumber parties

It's going to be a good, good summer.

One lucky winner will receive a $10 bekima knits gift certificate, just for commenting and letting me know what you're summer list is! Ends Tuesday, May 25th and winner will be chosen by random.org!!

And there's still time to enter the GIVEAWAY from Georgie Pies!!

It is coming...

2010-05-22T21:39:00.001-05:00

Summer is a'comin!

and. we. cannot. wait.

We all know that next weekend is the official 'unofficial' start of summer, but when the temps soar into the mid 80's in mid May...in Minnesota...summer is a brewin!

We are very excited about this summer. A summer filled with fun, morning in the sandbox, picnic lunches, afternoons spent in the pool, family bike rides, grilling outdoors, bonfires and going to bed with that sweet sunkissed skin.

This summer is the first summer in FOUR years that our family will not have a pregnant Mama or a baby under the age of one...we're a little excited to get out and take some summer adventures.

My Sizzlin Summer List....coming tomorrow :)

Mommy Brain

2010-05-19T23:37:00.000-05:00

definition: the ability to store an excess of child-related themes in a mother's mind in addition to the previous challenging daily needs

Sums it up pretty well. But, I would add in a piece about forgetfulness due to the fact that you have so many things going on up there. Am I right?

I had a great, well several actually, ideas about some rockin posts throughout the day today. Did I write them down? No. I don't like to write them down because when I go back to look at them, the ideas, the flow, the heart of my intentions are gone. I realized last night while lying in bed, that that is when I should be posting. The events of the day are running through my head. Along with my thoughts, the pictures I took, and all the awesomeness of my girls.

We had an awesome day today though, because Wednesday is truly my most cherished day of the week. I love my girls to the moon and back (a million times!), but on Wednesday morning this Mama gets to give her Mommy Brain a break and work on whatever her heart desires. Some dear friends of our family, whom are so special to my girls and all of us, graciously take my princesses for the morning and play, create, dance, read, and everything else little girls love to do.

You should see the look on my girls' faces the night before Wednesday morning, when I tell them as I'm tucking them in their beds, that they get to go to D & A's in the morning. They are so giddy with delight and that brings me SO much joy. Knowing that my girls are going somewhere they love and that they are so well taken care of, means the world to this Mama.

And what do I get? I get a small, weekly, 4-hour break from reality where I get to do things that just plain can't get done with 3 little princesses in the house. It's heaven. Don't get me wrong, I love each minute that I get to spend with my girls, but I also believe that, as Mamas...especially us Mamas that are able to stay at home with our littles, need some ME time. Time to refresh, do what we want to do, recieve a great appreciation for our children, and give our Mommy Brain a big 'ol break! Ahhh, how I love my Wednesday mornings, and those 4 hours help me be a better Mama, wife, daughter, sister and friend.

Take some time for yourself this week...you deserve it!

And don't forget about my giveaway that you can see here...ends Sunday, May 23rd!!

one more for pure amusement...take a look at Daddy's excited face (he really did love playing in the sandbox with them this evening)...

My Loves...

2010-05-17T22:57:00.001-05:00

Here are some of the things I'm lovin lately...

Sunshining Days

Ahhh...the sun is finally shining and leaving us all just a little pink at the end of the day. Sun filled days here, brings with it a tub filled with 3 filthy kids at the end of the day. I've decided to rate the girls fun-factor on how dirty they are at the end of the day, not to forget the multiple clothing changes...whether they're needed or not. What do I say, my girls just love their clothes!

Super Love Smiles
Maia is by far the happiest baby I know; not to be outdone though by Kira who is our life-loving middle little...she doesn't have a care in the world. Bella is definetely our little-miss-serious and reasonable BIG sister. But they all give us smiles that light up our lives...even if we have to beg once in a while. :)

Crafty Hats

I have to admit, when it comes to crafts for my girls, I lack a knack for easy, not-too-messy crafts that are great for all of the girls. BUT, Bella always gives me great ideas that she sees on her favorite afternoon shows, and since she'd been talking about hats, and attempting to make them for her dolls lately...we made these out of their artwork from the week. They couldn't have been more in love with something so simple.

GIVEAWAYS!!!
I'm SO excited to feature this new seller and tell you what she wants to give away to one lucky winner!! As a mom to 2 little girls and owner of her shop Georgie Pies...this mom is rockin out with cute lil things for EVERYONE in the family! Here are just a few of what you can find in her store.

I'm a sucker for items with my kids' names on them (well it's helpful too when you have 3 of them within 2 1/2 years of eachother!). I'm absolutely in love with Georgie Pies and she is ever so grateful to be giving away one of her personalized burp cloths, in your choice of colors/fabrics/name!! They are so adorable and wished I would've had these when my girls were a little younger. They're super great too for giving at baby showers or when a new baby arrives in your circle of love. To enter, head on over to Georgie Pies and comment back here on what your fav item in her shop is.

Who wouldn't want extra entries?!

1 extra entry - follow my blog or let me know you do

1 extra entry - 'Heart' Georgie Pies, by selecting Add Seller to Favorites on the store homepage

2 extra entries - Let me know what thing(s) you're loving lately

3 extra entries - Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link

8 extra entries - Buy something from Georgie Pies, and let me know what you bought

***Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled***

This giveaway will end Sunday, May 23rd at Midnight (CST) and the winner will be chosen with random.org

NEW bekima knits Items!!

2010-05-12T15:28:00.001-05:00

Here are just a few of our new line of flower clips, which can be worn alone in your hair, on our crocheted headbands, or on any of our knit hats!

Thank you Buena!!!

**Don't forget about the Give Back Special going on this week, you can see here!

Pay It Forward and Give Back ~ Week 4 (and Week 3's Winner)

2010-05-10T23:20:00.001-05:00

This week's special is not only about helping those most in need, but is very near and dear to my heart and my family. I'm wanting to pay it forward this week and help give back to a family that could use it more than I need it right now. This week is dedicated to one super awesome, courageous and outstanding little boy, Hayden Otto and here's a little background on Hayden's past 9 months...

In August 2009 Hayden went in for his regular dental checkup. The dentist noted a lump on the roof of his mouth. From there we went to an oral surgeon, had a biopsy and he had a clean bill of health. About a month ago, Hayden started experiencing pain in his cheek, some swelling, fatigue, headaches and so forth. To make a long story short, he had two CT scans done this past week and a tumor was located on the right side of his face. On Wednesday Dec 23, 2009 he had a biopsy done at the U of M and that is when we found out Hayden has bone cancer. He has been diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma.

Hayden and his mom, Katie, are now out in Boston for Proton Therapy (look here for info on Proton Therapy) and will be there for another month and a half. Katie and her husband, Tony, also have a daughter Delanie who is a few years older than Hayden. I can't imagine, not only having a child fighting cancer, but to have one parent and child in one state and another pair a thousand miles away in another state. Katie has more spirit and up-lifting energy than anyone I know...all the while having a precious little boy going through what NO child should have to go through. Katie, you are truly one of a kind, and although we don't know what His plan is with us, while we're here on earth, you're doing an awesome job and raising two exceptional children.

When we met with the radiation team on Monday they explained everything. It is hard to take but I know it is something he has to go through to get better. This radiation could cause brain damage, hearing loss, vision problems ( very very rare for those three things) He will get a sun burn on his face most likely, sores in his mouth, nose and sinus area, possible chance of hormone loss, possible chance of developing a second cancer from the radiation and so forth. We knew this going into protons though cause it could happen with the photon therapy he would have had in Minnesota. Out here makes the chances of these side effects less than what the treatment in MN would have. The radiation doctor here said that Hayden is a very good candidate for this proton therapy. He will have a total of 31 radiation treatments.

(You can read all about Hayden and his fight here)

I personally met Katie back in late November of 2009 when the whole family came to our home to what else...get some hats from bekima knits! Tony and my husband had known each other from growing up in a small town, and I am actually a distant cousin of Tony's. It truly is a small world after all. I fell in love with this family from the get-go; nothing melts a Mama's heart more than when another Mama gives the ultimate attention to her littles, and Katie did just that. We so wanted to have them over again, but you know how the holiday season gets, and the next time I saw Katie was at the church live nativity in December. I need to say this about Katie...Katie truly wears her heart on her sleeve and I could see right away why she is so loved and has so many friends. Katie found me in the crowd and came over to talk, and that's when she told me about their appointment the following day to have a 'lump' checked out at Hayden's dentist. Never, never, did I expect to hear the news that followed after that day. And that is why I want to give back to a family that is so deserving, especially in this economy when one parent has had to go without pay since the beginning of 2010.

Here's what we've chosen to do to not only help the Otto family, but to also allow an outlet for others to give and also get back. For the next week, bekima knits will be donating 40% of ALL sales to help Hayden's family with medical bills, their apartment in Boston, and all the other expenses living in and out of hospitals bring with it AND also a fund that is near and dear to the Otto family's hearts, the Children's Cancer Research Fund. It was this fund that paid for the airline tickets for the family to get out to Boston for Hayden to have his proton therapy. Of the 40%, half will be going to the family and half to the Children's Cancer Research Fund, which is in place to someday have a world free of childhood cancer.

If you're wondering what you could do with a bekima knit item, all of our bekima knit items would make great baby gifts to have on hand, if you don't have a little one of your own. It's a win-win for everyone...you all get an awesome bekima knit item (or more) and you also get the warm fuzzies from donating to and on behalf of Hayden. And for photographers, everything makes an excellent addition to your prop collection. You don't have to note anything when you purchase, unless you'd like to let me know you're wanting to give to little Hayden; I will pass any and all messages on to Katie and the rest of the family. ALL sales from now until midnight on Monday, May 17th will be included in the donation. You can shop here to help the Otto family and funding research for childhood cancers.

If you absolutely still don't need anything or can't help out financially (I know, I've been there)...you can still help!! We are donating $1 for each person that becomes a follower of our blog (up to $500), and it's super easy! Just click on the 'Follow' button along the right hand side of this blog...it is that easy.

I wanted to try something new, something that is close to my heart and pay it forward. I'm blessed to have 3 healthy girls, and although we never know what our future will bring, I'm glad to know that I'm not only helping a deserving family, but also helping fund research that our family may need some day. I hope you're all on board and join in the fight to find a cure for cancer, because no one, especially children, should ever have to go through what Hayden and his family are fighting.

We're sending lots of love, hugs and super prayers to the Otto family tonight...and always.

Oh, and if I could give away the super mom award of the year...Katie, you get it by a long shot :)

~ t

NOT to forget the winner of last weeks giveaway...lucky number

Stephanie - please contact Kelly at koxborough@yahoo.com to choose between your custom card design or a super cute hair bow holder!! Congrats!!! You have until Midnight (CST) on Sunday, May 16th to claim your winnings :)

Happy Mothers Day and Giveaway Ends Tonight...

2010-05-10T12:55:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to enter this past weeks giveaway that ends at midnight (CST) tonight! Please pass this info on to everyone...of course, the more the merrier! (Enter below on the post marked Week 3 Giveaway!!)

Happy (belated) Mother's Day to all the other Mama's out there too! I hope everyone had a great day yesterday and enjoyed some time to think about what being a Mama is all about. It's something special and definitely out-of-this-world. Our pastor had an awesome message yesterday about being a mom in today's society and you can view it here.

New special coming this evening, something very dear to my heart. I want this year of specials to not only be about getting a great deal on something, or winning something for free, but also about giving back to those who are most in need...and most of all paying it forward.

Balance

2010-05-06T23:25:00.001-05:00

If you would've asked me 5 years ago what balance was to me, I would have replied with something along the lines of figuring out when I'd figure my college homework into my not so lively day. I had no need to balance a whole lot of nothin'. That was 'back in the day' and now you ask me about balance, and I could probably compose a short novel for you on how I try to apply balance in my days, weeks, months and years.

Note the key word, try, I do try everyday to attempt to find a good balance juggling between the interests and needs of 3 little girls, laundry, cleaning, cooking, and maintaining a home business which I strictly leave to when the girls are sleeping. Insert 'How do you do it?' and my response is always the same, 'I don't know, I just do it'.

I seriously don't know how I do it, and I admit some days are super UN-balanced and I'm usually drained by the end of these days. But these days are becoming fewer and farer in between all of our funner and more balanced days. I've learned to multi-task, and I honestly don't think I'm ever not multi-tasking; it's just who I am (ask my husband). But key to this greater success at balanced times is knowing when to drop the unnessesary tasks and enjoy life. Simply take in the world around you and join in! Most days, my house is a filthy mess, just like the floor at my feet, screaming out to me that some serious fun was had on this floor this evening by 3 little girls and their Daddy. Which I love. I love that there is evidence, right here, that fun...lots of fun occured in this room all day today.

I cringe at myself sometimes when I tell Bella 'No, Mommy has to do _____ right now, I'll do that with you in a bit."...then a little while later, when Mommy still isn't done and Bella is still waiting...I cringe a little more. I hate it and I think as moms it just comes out every once in a while and learning to put your kids before the unnessesary tasks is a struggle we all have inside.

Life is too short and can end so unexpectedly that I don't want my kids to wait, just so I can check my email or wash the dishes or pick up their mess that they're just going to make again in the next 10 minutes. I want to enjoy it now, and that's just what we're trying to do. We drop the dishes after dinner and go to the park, even when we're dragging because of a long day...just because 3 little girls want to. And it always ends up great, and the whole family is always happy in the end. Happiness is really what this ride around the sun is all about.

Live life simply, live it now and live life raw...just as it is. I think that's my new theme this year...living life raw, just as it is.

**Don't forget about Kelly's GIVEAWAY that runs through Monday, May 10th ~ See Post Below**

**If you're in my area (southeast of the Twin Cites)...come out to our garage sale this weekend!!! Contact me if you want/need details!!

Week 3 Giveaway!!

2010-05-03T23:20:00.001-05:00

I have one exciting giveaway from one rockin' and super busy mama! Kelly is not only a mama of 3 little cuties...but is a daycare provider, business owner and has her own Etsy store. Wow...and I thought I was busy?! Kelly also does some pretty awesome works on blogs...more to come on that in the near future though.

Kelly is extremely talented and has an eye for design in her custom designed announcements, invitations and other event stationary. Here are just a few...see all of her work at her Etsy store or at her website.

I am SO in need (desperately) of one of her bow holders, because I have 3 girls and 3 girls have LOTS of hair bows. They are seriously overflowing from the container they're trying to be held in.

Kelly is giving away your choice of either a custom card design or a bow holder! So head on over to Kelly's Your Life Long Memories and leave a comment here with what you'd choose if you win.

For extra entries...

1 extra entry - follow my blog or let me know you do

1 extra entry - become a follower of Kelly's blog

3 extra entries - Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link

8 extra entries - Buy something from Your Life Long Memories and let me know what you bought

***Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled***

This giveaway will end Monday, May 10th and the winner will be chosen with random.org

My apologies for no great posts this past week...my mom and I are desperately trying to get ready for the largest garage sale known to man this upcoming weekend. So if you live in my area...please come!!! We have LOTS AND LOTS of great things!!

Newest Photos to Share

2010-04-28T21:55:00.000-05:00

Here are some new pics I just got...I LOVE them all!!!

Thank you Amanda for testing this twin cocoon and the awesome pics!! www.amandagipsonphotography.com

Thank you Chrissie!!! I love how you made the red/orange hat work on the newborn (it's a 6-month size!) www.chrissiemariephotography.com

Thank you Mandy!! I was so excited to see these green diaper covers! www.mandysrokaphotography.com

Sarah...you've outdone the green hat...LOVE THEM ALL!!!! www.sarahsweetman.com

Love this littles face...'just take the pic already Sophie'...SO CUTE!! www.sophiecrewphotography.com

Another from the fab Chrissie...who just happens to live in my part of this world :) http://www.chrissiemariephotography.com/

TOTALLY in love with this hat and cannot wait to get more of this bright pink in! Thanks!! www.watermelonphotoblog.com

Night all! ~ t

Week 2 Special and the Winner is...

2010-04-26T21:45:00.002-05:00

Scott and Jean Lucas!!!! I'm sure your twins are going to look fabulous in whatever you decide to use your $50 bekima knits gift certificate on!! Please contact me by Thursday, April 29th for your code...and if I don't hear from you by then a new winner will be chosen. Winner was chosen at random by random.org. I'm all about fairness :)

So, who wants to know what this weeks special is? Anyone...? Like you could talk back to me!? Sometimes I feel like I'm having a real conversation, imagining what people would say, in response to what I say, and yes, sometimes even laugh at the imaginary conversation. I know, I'm a little whacky, and a little sleep deprived. But I have to mention quick that EVERYONE is sleeping in their own beds tonight, except for myself. I really don't want to catch the crap that the rest of the 4 had, so I'm staying clear of my husband and opting for the cozy couch tonight.

Ok, total loss of thought and on to the giveaway now. Due to my lack of being able to work this past weekend, I was a little off the ball on getting a really good special for you...SO...you'll have to deal with another of my own, bekima knits DISCOUNT...I hope you guys don't mind. ;) There are really great, and I mean great, specials and giveaways to come with lots of great sellers and also some really good causes for some extremely deserving families. I hope you all check back!

This week, all blog followers (you MUST be a follower!) get a 16% discount on ANYTHING in my store...even custom orders! Discount runs through Friday, April 30th and you must enter code bkweek2 in the 'message to seller' box upon checkout AND as I said before you have to be a follower of my blog (you can find that button on the top right of this page). Upon receipt of payment I will refund you (within 24hours) your discount back to your paypal account. I'm giddy with excitement about this special and hoping you all love it too. Why 16? Cause I know you're all wondering where I came up with an extremely odd, yet even (math nerd in me), number for my special. Well...it was actually the number of the winner of the giveaway that random.org generated for me...pretty spiffy huh?!

Ok, I obviously need some sleep. G'Night all!!!

~ t

Quick sidenote...if you also have a shop or business and would like to be a part of one of my weeks, just send me a quick email at ktfriesen@embarqmail.com.

Campouts and Slumber Parties

2010-04-25T21:04:00.000-05:00

Campouts and slumber parties bring out the kids in us and lets just face it, we all want to act like a kid every now and then...some more than normal. ;) Hanging out with friends, jumping around on bedding laid down on the floor, and girl talk. We all know about girl talk. This is where memories are made and secrets are told; lasting a lifetime, some secrets never told to another soul. How much fun, bringing back memories of my own girly slumber parties. And now, as I sit between Miss Bella Bean and Little Kira Belle, I can't help but cherish, and hold tight to these new and fun memories of my little ones in their first slumber parties.

Now, granted our circumstances are a 'little-out-of-the ordinary' for having our campouts (as Bella insists on calling them and says slumber parties are only for Grandma's house); we're still having a blast. For those of you that missed the last post, all 3 of our girls (who are all under the age of 3 1/2) were sick, and I mean sick, on Friday evening/Saturday morning...and we're still recovering. Listening to Bella whine and tell me her tummy still hurts and she needs more medicine, as I type, and wondering if she's *really* still sick or just pulling my leg because she's a three-and-a-half-year-old-that-knows-what-strings-to-pull kind of girl. Who knows, but now she's counting and totally forgotten about her tummy ache. :)

So here we lie, as one little is sleeping, the other trying to find her blankie, and myself sitting in between soaking up every drop of these precious moments with my girls; knowing full well that someday, probably sooner than I'm wanting, they won't want to have campouts and slumber parties with Mama anymore and choose their cooler friends over ME. I know it's coming, but for as long as I can I'm going to push that thought aside and take in every second I have with my girls. All 3 of them, because we never really know what tomorrow is going to bring. So I say, take this time, this minute, today and in the present, to actually do what you say you're going to do and not live for tomorrow...live for today!

Don't forget!!! GIVEAWAY ends tonight at MIDNIGHT!!! New weekly special coming tomorrow :)

~ t

UGH...

2010-04-23T22:43:00.000-05:00

...that about sums up this evening. I had great plans for a great post tonight and our oldest, just shy of 3-1/2 years old, 'decided' to get sick tonight. 'Decided' - like she had a say in getting sick or not. Followed by her youngest sister a couple hours later; and not to be left out, the middle babe just an hour or so ago. So needless to say, this night and weekend have brought different plans for us...so the great post will have to be on hold for better days and nights :)

Sorry if I don't check this for a while. Have a great weekend everyone!!

...#3 is calling!

tanya

Sunny Days Bring Lots of Joy

2010-04-20T21:50:00.002-05:00

Sunny days brings with it lots of joy in this house. Being trapped in the house for about 4 months out of the year, we're soaking up every drop of sunshine and warm weather that this early summer-like April is bringing. Which makes me relish in the fact that such joy comes to two little toddlers and one 'I'll-follow-my-big-sisters-wherever-they-go' baby, with a trip out the back door, down the steps and onto the patio and backyard lawn.

We're also loving this new sandbox that Daddy built in just a few hours on Saturday afternoon. Only slightly hinted by this Mama...but no pressure Daddy, no pressure at all...

Thanks to my uncle, who happens to be a farmer with several rock piles - this project was FREE

Add a slide to the sandbox and here is pure joy, Kira's face shows it all. Joy is what this trip around the sun is all about. Somedays, like any Mama, you wonder where the heck did I end up...and then you see your kids, enjoying the simplest things in life and it brings you back down to earth, to soak it all up. Sand, who would've thought that this earthly material could bring out so much joy, creativity, fun and not to mention hours and hours of entertainment to the littlest of littles.

I've been brought back down to earth in these past couple of years, and all I want to do, everyday, is to enjoy every single moment that I have on this trip around the sun. Children are the ultimate joy-givers and I love them all to end of the earth and back again. The littles of this earth and those that have flown to heaven, bring out the best in us and bring us back to the simple things in life. Joy...pure joy...

Looking for a crafty spring project for your little ones? Try these pinecone bird feeders...basically free again! If you can't tell, I'm all about free, cheap and saving money, because lets face it, the cheaper it is...the more fun it can bring. I will recommend though that you have some help with this one; I was a leaning a little towards the Mama-about-to-pull-her-hair-out at the end of this craft with two eager toddlers and a very quick-grab 10-month old in a walker that she can CRUISE in!

The girls, Bella and Kira, collected these pine cones on their nature walk last week...slather them in peanut butter, roll them in bird seed, attach a string, hang and watch the birds come in!

Joy, it's what the heart needs. And this was what I found on the tree facing into our new sandbox...our perfect little heart formed right into our tree...

Enjoy!

Week 1...GIVEAWAY

2010-04-19T20:58:00.002-05:00

So, as promised, bekima knits (and myself of course) is going to be doing a weekly (YES WEEKLY) special for something, anything, that this little mind of mine can come up with. Quick sidenote...if you also have a shop or business and would like to be a part of one of my weeks, just send me a quick email at ktfriesen@embarqmail.com.

This weeks special is a giveaway, from non other than yours truly and bekima knits! The winner will receive a $50 Gift Certificate to spend as they wish at our store, which can be seen here. Here's what you can do to enter; 1) You must go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/bekimaknits and comment back here on what your favorite item is in our shop; and for additional entries you can 2) Blog about our blog and this giveaway on your blog and/or social networking site; 3) Become a Follower of our blog 4) Send your friends here, and when they comment, make sure they mention who referred them to the giveaway/blog. The first entry is mandatory for the giveaway and you can get additional entries for completing and commenting back here that you did each one. This weekly special will end at Midnight (Central Standard Time) on Sunday, April 25th.

Here are a some of my favorites...

...and there are more, new, goodies to come from bekima knits this week!!

Real Life

2010-04-15T21:25:00.000-05:00

Blogging...this is something new to me but I've been inspired lately by another, quite spectacular blogger (in my mind). See her blog at http://www.kellehampton.com/ ...and something in you will just come to life. Thank you Kelle for inspiring me to be better and to share our life as we're just trying to keep it real.

keep it real, came to me as I was driving our little Bella to dance one day. I was being 'nudged' to do something and share what I have while on this Earth and I believe we're all here for a reason, and we, our little family of 5, are just trying to keep it real.

I hope that this blog becomes something more, a sharing point for not only family but also maybe some people that are just led here, unsuspectantly, just as I was to Kelle's blog. I seriously just stumbled upon a link, on someones Facebook page one day back in February and I've been hooked to her and her family since. There's something comforting to hear that there are others that don't have a clean house, don't care if there are a pile of dishes in the sink, love to just drop the duties to have fun with your girls in the backyard; someone that wants to keep life as real and as simple as possible and enjoy the chaos and suck every drop out of every day.

We're only here for a short time, why not live it up and love until you think you can't love anymore...and then you find more room in your heart for more lovin.

I also want to do this, not only as an outlet to the world as a stay at home (yet working) mama, but to share what I've been so blessed to be a 'part' of with people I have never even met. It's amazing what technology can do and who it can bring together. As many of you know, I have my own business, bekima knits, and in my short six months of business I've felt a part of so many peoples lives and I really feel like I can call them friends. Although we've never met, I still want to be a part of their lives and I hope through this blog and bekima knits I can bring great things for people that just need to be lifted up.

...and maybe that's why I've been put on this Earth...who knows, I'm still learning and God is slowly and steadily revealing my path and I pray that I can be a part of yours.

~ Tanya