Stuff

Life in an Instant: Family Love Hugs

by Stacy on January 29, 2012

Another week full of moments like these,

thanks to people like this!

There is nothing else like family! It has taken me a lifetime to create the one I’ve always dreamed of, but here they are in all their glory and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world! They mean everything to me.

As long as we’re talking family … let’s talk hugs!

Any other huggers out there? Tell me I’m not the only one! At least tell me you won’t mind when I wrap my arms around you the first time we meet.

Why do I hug? Well, because a good hug can improve the gloomiest of moods, put an end to the baddest of days and cure just about any other thing that ails you. It’s a way to let those you love know just how much you care about them, and a way to welcome the folks you want to know better in to your heart.

I tell my kids we each have a love tank. When we get tired and grumpy after a long day, that is our body telling us our tank is empty. Just like our stomachs need food, our love tank needs loving ~ hugs work especially well. Every night before bed we take turns filling up each other’s love tanks. We hold on to each other super tight, and usually end up squeezing and tickling each other until someone can’t take it anymore and sings out their tank is full.

Hard to end a night like that in a bad mood!
(Disclaimer: it happens, but not too often)

So tell me what was your favorite memory this week,
did you get any great hugs?

{ 2 comments }

Surprise! A Valentine’s Gift from Sweet

by Stacy on January 28, 2012

We’ve been spending a lot of time in the kitchen lately, and today we decided to bake up a special surprise for you.

At first, we thought … CUPCAKES!!

But, … they didn’t last very long …

So instead Sweet thought, maybe there are a few kids out there who also like to bake cupcakes and play dress up and spend extra special time with their Moms — know any kids like that?

Sweet thinks maybe they might like an extra special apron of their own.

So, she wants to give them one!

This week we’re giving away an apron of your choice from our Etsy shop,
She & Me Designs (in stock aprons only).

Sweet is so sweet, don’t you think?

Ways to Win an apron from She & Me Designs

1. Leave a comment letting us know which aprons from She & Me Designs are your favorite (Required – 1 Entry)

2. Like She & Me Designs on Facebook - and if you don’t win, you can take advantage of the special discount we’re sharing with our fans! (Optional – 1 Additional Entry)

3. Be a subscriber to Kids Stuff World – It could be by email, RSS, Facebook or Twitter (Optional – Just leave a comment letting me know which ways you follow and I’ll give you an extra entry for each way we’re connected)

That’s 6 ways to win!

*** Be sure to enter your email address,
so we’ll be able to contact you if you win ***

Contest ends Saturday, February 4th at midnight (EST)

{ 39 comments }

Making the most of what we have

by Stacy on January 22, 2012

January has proven itself to be more of a blessing than a curse.

Still reeling in memories of christmas purchases past,
I found myself feeling the need to
splurge a little less and save a little more.

I did just as I have in times like these before and placed myself on what I lovingly refer to as a
“spending freeze“ ~ in other words, no non-essential purchases until all the bills are paid.

Three days in to my freeze, we received some unexpected, not necessarily welcome news.

My family now operates on a budget $750 a month less than we did before.

At first there was panic.
Then, worry.
Yet, somewhere in the midst of it all,
we found joy.

Joy in a life less hurried.

Joy in the extra moments living with less is now freeing up for us to spend time with one another.

We’re only three weeks in, but. right. now … We are WINNING!

In the best possible way.

It’s an adjustment for sure, one we are still having to learn to deal with, but just like every other challenge –
we will face it and overcome it together.
And … no doubt, learn a lot about ourselves along the way.

Since this new budgeting style will be making itself such a prominent part of our lives, I though it only fitting it should also become a prominent part of what I do here. I plan to share the ways we find to live more, with less.
Look for more on this topic in the posts to come.

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have along the way.

Also shared on Life Made Lovely

{ 19 comments }

Life in an Instant: A picnic in the park

by Stacy on January 9, 2012

I know there hasn’t been much activity here lately, but there are lots of big changes happening behind the scenes I can’t wait to tell you about. I have to start blogging at some point this year and since I really want
Life in an Instant
to become a place we all share and get to know one another, I thought I’d start here. I encourage all of you to add any post that shares a highlight of your week or a special moment you captured in time on your camera, your phone, whatever medium you had at your disposal.

Here’s a bit about what’s going on in our world this week:

It was a week full of picnics and play dates.

Time spent outdoors, just being kids.

Learning together (I’ll have a post on this coming soon)

and trying new things {Capoeira}.

Oh yeah, and …

It also helps to have a super cute Co-Pilot with you where ever you go!

I’m thrilled the start of 2012 has found us in such a happy place and good rhythm with one another. We somehow found time to do things together everyday this week, and we were all the better for it. I’m really hoping this trend continues throughout the year.

Now it’s your turn!

Life in an Instant

I’m working on our button for this link up,
not 100% happy with it yet but here’s where it’s headed.
I’ll have it ready to share for everyone next week.

{ 4 comments }

You are all an inspiration & Cindee wins a prize!!

by Stacy on December 19, 2011

I held a quick and easy contest over the weekend asking folks what good deeds they had done this holiday season.
The responses blew me away.

Truly.

What an incredible bunch of women you all are.

My family does what we can when we can, I use leftover holiday money to buy $5 gift cards to McDonalds and Subway and the likes. I give these giftcards to people I meet throughout the year who might need a warm meal or a helping hand. We run races once a month for various causes and charities and I try to support as many worthy campaigns as I can throughout the year, but Wow. You ladies have really inspired me.

♥ Toni touched my heart when she told me about the Angel Tree project in her town that gives presents to children whose parents are in prison so they will know someone out there cares for them.

♥ Jen’s office had an amazing idea to raise money by decorating their work spaces and voting for the winner with cash to be donated later.

Our winner, Cindee has gone above and beyond to share with others in their time of need. Congratulations Cindee, you were randomly chosen for the $25 credit to Rue La La. Merry Christmas!

♥ Julie could use our help raising money for Penelope’s adoption. If you have a few extra dollars to spare, I’d like to ask you to donate them here. It could mean a world of difference to this beautiful girl.

There were so many other great stories, here go read them yourself!

{ 0 comments }

← Previous Entries