Happy Birthday E!

I know, it's been about eight hundred years since I last posted. Sorry. Life is happening, I promise, I just haven't had the chance to share all about it yet. But today is a special day, so I feel that I must.

I can't believe it was five years ago today that my oldest little dude joined our family. This kid quite literally changed our lives and our family forever. Gosh this kid is special. He was the first person to ever call me mom. He's taught me a lot about myself and about life. I'm so glad he's here with us.

Here are five things about E that I just love:

1. He is the most sensitive little guy. He really feels for others and sincerely wants to help those who are hurting or sad. He is compassionate, loving, and understanding.

2. He's the smartest kid his age that I know. Seriously. He's been reading since he was three and hasn't stopped since! I love the way he not only soaks up information like a sponge, but how he remembers it long after it's slipped my mind. I'm amazed at the way his brain works and I hope he will continue his love of learning throughout his life.

3. He loves his little brother and watches out for him. Of course, when it's just the two of them at home, he tends to beat up on him a little, but if they're with a group of kids and W is in trouble, E is right there to help.

4. He has the most determined attitude about him! If there is a problem, he is the one with the solution. "Just because" doesn't sit well with him at all -- he needs to know the reasons behind decisions and rules and will not just take someone's word for it, even mine. This can get on my nerves sometimes because when he wants to do something, it doesn't matter what kinds of obstacles I throw at him, he's always coming up with a way to accomplish it. It's a love/hate thing with me -- I am proud of his gumption and determination, but sometimes it can wear me down trying to convince him that some things just aren't going to happen! :)

5. E has me rolling on the floor sometimes with the things he says -- he has such a grown-up vocabulary, sometimes without knowing the actual meanings of the words he's saying, but he knows what context they work in, and he's not afraid to use it. He definitely keeps me on my toes!

Well, there you have it. I can't believe I'm the mom of a 5-year-old!

Have a happy birthday and a great year, little dude. We love you!!

Handmade Giveaway!

You may have seen this before, but this is the first time that I've participated in something like this, and I'm pretty excited about it, so here goes.

I am giving away 5 handmade items, made by me, to the first 5 commenters of this blog. I will think about you in my mind and make something awesome that I believe you will enjoy. You have no say in what it is. The surprise item will make it into your hands sometime in the next 6 months. (Usually it's a year, but I need a better deadline than that!)

(Here is an example of something I made my sister for Christmas. In the above shot, it's still in working pieces, but it's a quilted pillow cover. Of course, that doesn't mean this is what you'll get, it's just an example.)  (Also, I should state for the record that my husband actually gave it to my sister for Christmas since he pulled her name in the exchange. And yes, he did tell her that he slaved away on it, much to everyone's amusement.)

"Okay, so what's the catch?" you ask? Well, you have to post this giveaway on your blog (or on your Facebook status) and do the same for your first 5 commenters.

I'm happy to do my part to spread the handmade goodness, won't you come along?