Miss America shops at the 99c store for lingerie?

I was looking through the local 99 cent store flyer.

I love the 99 cent store. So many deals to be had. Stuff for the kids, art supplies, photo frames, plant pots. I've even found pretty decent long underwear type pyjamas for my daughter.

Generally though (okay, not "generally"), I tend to stay away from the erm.. "intimates" section. I'm sure there are people who buy underwear there, and it's a good option for them, but although I have been broke at times I have never felt I need to buy my underwear from the dollar store.

But even if I did, normally. Let's say I was not me, and I was an incredibly hot, sexy, perfectly hourglass shaped woman who wants to do a photoshoot in her underwear to enter the Miss America (or I suppose, Miss California) contest.


I'd spring for Walmart at least. I mean... come on.

This is possibly both the funniest and most utterly ridiculous ads I have ever seen. Since it's specifically mentions a photoshoot, I thought this might be a good place for it. ;)

Beauty. The inside kind.

Today Clara and I were at the park. She is very proud of herself lately as she has begun to ride her bike "all the way to the park, AND all the way home!". This is exciting because formerly I would not let her bring her bike to the park to ride bikes with the other kids, as I would end up carrying it (NOT FUN!) 90% of the trips both ways! :P This is not an option, especially considering by the time I give in and carry the darn bike, I have gotten quite mean trying to get her to ride it herself and she's in tears (trust me, not that hard to do with my super sensitive child!!) and refuses to walk, too. So I ended up carrying my 3 year old child in ADDITION to her radio flyer tricycle, if I want to get home within the century. Add in a bag full of water, snacks, wet wipes and sand toys and you've got yourself a nice disaster. I was not doing this again.

As time went on though, she was willing to ride it for more than 4 seconds at a time on the lot at home, I let her give it a try getting all the way there and back (leaving the bag of snacks at home the first time around :P) and she did it! :) She has been happily riding both ways ever since.

Now today was a particularily special day. We set off for the park. Not only did she ride the whole way there, but she spent the first 10-15 minutes or so at the park riding around and around the circle around the sidewalk that frames the playground equipment.

Each time she made a circle and was coming toward me, she pasted on what we call her "cheeky grin". As seen somewhat in the photo (taken a while ago actually but I didn't have my camera with me at the park today - GASP!) - except it's usually much... cheekier.

She's smiling at me. I'm smiling right back at her.

Then the most amazing, beautiful thing happened. Probably the highlight of my mothering career so far.

As she was passing by me, smiling her best cheeky grin, she veered over next to me. She says in the most sincere voice a 3 year old can muster,

"You're so beautiful, Mummy. You're so beautiful, to me."

For a moment, I felt like I couldn't breathe. It was the best compliment I have ever received. Why? Because I wasn't looking particularily beautiful that day. I wasn't looking like a total slob, but not at my best.

This was different. She didn't think I looked like a princess or something. Not how she tells me I'm a beautiful princess "just like her" when I put on a dress for church or something. No, she thought I was beautiful, as someone she loved, as her Mummy, as the person she smiles up to when she rides her bike around and around in a circle. Her innocence is what made it so very... real.

My daughter continually amazes me.

I think you're beautiful too, baby. I think you're beautiful too.

Military Moms Sacrifice - The biggest kudos ever.

Yep. This photo makes me bawl my eyes out.

(I didn't take it, for the record. Don't know who did. I wish more people would watermark their amazing photos so credit goes where credit is due!!)

The first time I saw it I cried for at least an hour. I get teary each and every time since then. I actually debated posting it on here, because it's just so... intensely emotional. But I just... had to, because I feel so deeply touched by it.

All I can say is that by the wear on her boots it's obviously a homecoming photo and thank god. This photo really hit home with me - I mean, you hear about the men, leaving their families, etc etc, how hard it is and all that. But somehow, seeing the raw emotion as a woman greets her child after so very long... combined with the fact that her sweet little girl appears to be roughly the same age as mine. I know how I feel as a mom.. and I can feel in my very soul how devastating it would be to leave my baby, and how incredibly overjoyed I would be to return and feel her little arms around my neck again.

All I can say is - kudos. I couldn't do it, and I'm utterly, beyond thankful that there are men and women who can't do it either, but do it anyway to keep my child safe. What a sacrifice.

My upmost respect and admiration goes out to them. Your sacrifice has not gone unnoticed by me, at least. Not now.

I'm off to wipe my eyes again and sneak in for a midnight snuggle with my baby girl.

Family Photography Session - Saturday, May 2nd 2009

I had the pleasure of doing a family photography session with Kelli and Andrew and their 3 lovely boys. They are beautiful children! Thanks Kelli, it was a pleasure.

Here are some highlights!