ASPCA Kids
http://www.aspca.org/ASPCAKids.aspx

Do Something (Animal Welfare)
http://www.dosomething.org/whatsyourthing/Animal%2BWelfare

Service Project Ideas
http://www.aspcapro.org/community-service-and-service-learning-p.php

Snakes of Central Texas
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/kids/wild_things/wildlife/snakes.phtml

Austin Snakes
http://www.austinreptileservice.net/blotches.html

So, I guess I am officially a winner of Craftster’s Best of 2011. I get all the bragging rights and little badge to put on my blog. I feel like a cool kid now. Click on the badge to see amazing projects, and if you are looking for mine, scroll down to “Crafty Housewares”, I am the 4th project, Computer Hutch to Play Kitchen by chrispykreme.

I’m a Craftster Best of 2011 Winner!

The father officiating the ceremony was very lively and talked about love being a choice; that we consciously decide to cultivate this commitment. It was nice to be reminded about the magnitude and importance of our decision to be married.

So here is to a new year of love, forgiveness, commitment and fun!

When you become a parent, sometimes you get a whole new perspective on things. For example, childhood. I experienced my own childhood, but seeing it through the eyes of a mom, I realize how fleeting it is. Jude is only temporarily mine. My job is to raise him to be a strong and independent person and to go out in the world on his own. I never thought much about that, as I grew up and left my family to start my own. But, now I realize how strange this whole agreement it; we bring children into the world and we don’t get to keep them; they become their own people. I don’t want to negate the connection of family, and I hope that we give Jude the kind of love that he can carry with him where ever he goes. But it’s just so different than the beginning of this process, when they are physically connected to you all the time. Bittersweet when you think about it.

So, every night (if we stick our routine) I read Jude three books of his choosing. Tonight I read him the book, Where Do Balloons Go? An Uplifting Mystery by Jamie Lee Curtis. It’s a really cute book imagining what happens to balloons that are released. When I got to the end of the book, I thought it perfectly summed up how I feel about parenting. So I will leave you with Jamie Lee’s words…

Does it float there forever

remembering me?

And know that I’m happy

that it’s floating free?

Where do balloons go?

It’s a mystery, I know.

So just hold on tight

till you have to

let go.

Getting into the spirit of opening presents

Meaggy, Uncle Tom, and Tia Baba

Sisters!

Jason showing off his gift.

Jude is ready to find out what he got.

Merry Christmas, Jude!

My niece showing off her “mustache”

My sister, my brother, and me

‘Twas the night before Christmas, as quiet as can be

And Mama made me pose in front of the tree

“Hurry up, Mama! I’ve been here a while.

I’ll take your picture, but you can’t make me smile.”

The cookies were baked and the milk’s in the glass

I sure hope Santa gets here real fast.

Setting out treats for the big man in red

Who will leave me some goodies while I rest my head.

Get ready for bed? I know that I should.

But just let me make sure these cookies are good.

Of course, Liam loves the camera, but he doesn’t take directions very well, so you have to “guide” him with treats.