WHAT?!!!

Has it seriously been more than 2 weeks since I've last put up a post?! NO!! OK, that's it - I'm grounded.

What to do, what to do...?

So much has happened since the last time I put anything up here, I'm not even sure where to start. I think I first want to start with doing something a little fun :o)

Though I've somehow managed to basically keep up on all my faithful reads, I'm positively HORRIBLE about commenting - even when there's a post that I absolutely adore. Why am I so awful about just taking the 10 minutes 2 minutes to tell someone how much I love what they wrote? Does it count that I do it in my head? Eh, didn't think so...

SO, there's a bit of what's been going on that I'd like to share... much of it about many of YOU!

First of all, some of what I've been very busy with the last couple of weeks is taking pictures (mostly of my little Livia, but still!) These picture sessions have been very time-consuming since all the shooting was out in my parents' neck of the woods... yeah, the middle of nowhere. But out in the country, guess what 's been prime for the pickin's (and for the 'pics')? Wheat! Well, actually kiddos posed in wheat fields.

I got the idea from my wonderful Aunt Tanya - who many of you may know as The Dairy Wife. She photographed a couple of multiples' families from around our area, and of course her kids too. She also was sweet enough to photograph my little girl - and ME! - when we were out with her kids one evening! I was going to wait to post pictures, but she did such an amazing job, that I just can't wait...!
Aren't those great?!! I seriously don't know which one is my favorite! I love the first one - all bright & sunny, and Livia's smiling from ear to ear... but in the second she's SO serious (and so sweet!) But the last 2 in the little rocking chair are really special to me... It was actually my Granny's - Livia's Great-Granny up in Heaven watching down on her... I can't help but get teary eyed when I think about Livie not getting to grow up with her and my Pa. But I know that they're in a much better place, and we'll all be back together someday.

Ok, *wiping tears away* just few more of me & Lil Miss Munchkinator:

Yes, I know I have the whitest legs in the world, but I've heard that panty-hose with open toes are HUGE no-no's. And I can't even imagine wearing them with flip flops! (which is what I actually had on! Haha)

Anyway, before I forget, The Dairy Wife did all sorts of photos in that wonderful wheat field, including some of my sweet sis-by-choice, Kendra & her family. It was so awesome! The kiddos called her Miss Tanya, they were beyond perfect angels for the picture-taking, and Tanya let me get in on the photography action as well. We ended up with some fan-tas-tic shots! Lemme tell ya!

**Note: I'll try as quick as I possibly can to get some of those wonderful pictures edited & will post them up as soon as I do! Promise!**

Thanks for letting us get some awesome pics of your kiddos, Kendra. And THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, Aunt Tanya. I really appreciate you getting all those great pictures for us. You're absolutely incredible! I know you already know that, and I didn't really have to tell you, but I wanted to :o)

I also want to thank Tabitha (over at Twinkle Twinkle) for making me laugh til I cried. I've been laughing ever since she put THIS up last Wednesday - oh, what a perfect world that would be!!! Good luck keeping up with those tennis-lovin' kiddos, gal! OH! I almost forgot - Tabitha also had another post up about a month ago that made my eyes just about pop out of my head! See if you can keep from drooling if you go here ladies!

On an important (and exciting!) note, Sweet Elise is still beautifully glowing and growing, awaiting the arrival of her Mini Boy Blue. We're all so excited for her, T, and Sav! (I know that a lot of you - who I have been so blessed to 'meet' - also have Elise in your thoughts. Dani even has a baby-watch going for her & Mini!) I cannot wait to "meet" this sweet little boy. Please keep Elise in your thoughts and prayers that all will go as smoothly and perfectly as possible when Mini does come into the world!

**Note, in her last post, Elise has said that she & T will (of course) be very busy being VERY new parents right after Mini Boy Blue is born, and that her Mum, Lucy (I love her!) will "have a sneak peak photo and some stats for you on her blog when he is born..." I can totally understand why they won't be letting their camera out of their sight while in hospital!**

Another thing I wanted to mention is that Kindra over at 3 Guys a Girl and a Prim Place has done something very awesome. Earlier this past month, she started selling her wonderful, beautiful hand-made creations on Etsy! She has her own little shop and everything!!! (I didn't know anything about Etsy until Kindra posted about it, but it is such an awesome place for creative entrepreneurs such as this lovely lady) Anyway, be sure to check out Kindra's Etsy shop: Momma's Primitives

What else has been going on? Well, Valarie Lea has been posting some pics of fish, penguins, turtles, and fun from her adventures at the Tennessee Aquarium. Oh, and she had some super-cute videos that went perfectly with her pictures! Loved 'em!

The Doctor's Wife has some HUGE NEWS!!! (That I have yet to congratulate her on... Ooh, I'm such a horrible commenter!) Well, in case I forget (again) Joy, I'm so happy for you guys!!! Congratulations!!!

Also, there are a few of awards I've been given... one of which I'm almost embarrassed to claim since it was more than a MONTH ago that Nan sent it my way (and all who share commenting love with her)... Then she put another one up a few weeks ago for Linky Love - she's so thoughtful! But I want to definitely thank you, Nan, for the sweet awards! Also my wonderful sis-by-choice, Kendra, sent me one as well. Thank you sweetie :o) Gals, I'll post them up and pass them on ASAP, I promise!

A lot of you gals read Kendra's Blog (Who wouldn't? She's absolutely awesome!) Don't be worried if she's a bit absent in her writing this week - she's on vacation! What a lucky gal :o) Hope you have a great time, K~!

Oh, I hope I haven't overlooked or forgotten any other happenings with my blogger friends... Call me out on it if I have though!

Finally, I want to leave you with something I 'stole' from Valarie Lea's blog - with her permission of course. I think you all will love it just as much as I do!

The Bloggers Prayer

Lord help me to learn to spell without spellcheck, manage to visit all that visit me, and post regularly - all in 5 minutes a day, so that I can clean house and take care of my family. Help me to not look at every occurrence in my life as a blog post, and to quit taking pictures of weird things to share as well. Please Lord, help me to stop talking about my blog friends as though they are next door neighbors or someone I have known all of my life. And help me dear Lord, to think of something witty and wise to post tomorrow.
Origin Credit----The Dust Bunny Hostage

Much love to you all and God Bless!
~Amanda~