A Post of Self-Promotion, the UN-shameless kind...

So if you have been following peeping at my blog for any amount of time you know the design/layout has changed many times. Like as frequently as some people change their underwear, ok maybe a little less frequently than that, but you get my drift right? Well, all of my designs are borrowed from the free layout web-sites that any 'ole random person could grab. I love to visit other blogs to see the cute layouts and buttons. I long for my very own customized bit of cuteness but those cost money or you have to understand a little bit of HTML. Unfortunately a blog makeover isn't in the budget right now and I'm quite sure if I suggested it to the hubs he would give me the hairy eyeball, since you know blogging is free. And understanding HTML is like asking if a speak Mandarin (p-Shaaa, No)
So you can imagine how delighted I was when I read this post by the Arizona Momma. She is having a CONTEST not a giveaway that I could win with your help. You, yes you, could help fulfill my bliggity blog dreams...ok no pressure it's really not that hard to help me. You see Arizona Momma just went through a blog makeover thanks to Jenna at Bloggy Blog Designs. She got a cute header, a button, custom colors all tailored to her liking and she LOVES it, I mean how could you not, so much she wanted to share with her followers. I've been following her for a while since she left a sweet comment on my blog. See that IS a super cute button.




So, you want to know how to help me, click here to add a referral (comment) on her contest blog post. Please be sure to mention me Heidi @ From3to5. You do not have to have a blog or a google account to give me a referral, but if you do and choose to follow Arizona Momma I get another referral. The person with the most referrals on the 1st of January wins the contest.

So, you could click the link and type something like this-

Arizona Momma, I think Heidi @ From3to5 deserves this makeover. She writes the absolutely wittiest and funny posts, she is a true genius in the blogging field if only she could have a custom design.

Or you could write something a little more truthful.

Thank you so much in advance to my faithful followers and stalkers for helping a girl realize her dream.

Getting to Know You, More...

This morning while preparing for church Dade was in constant song, primarily singing 'Away in a Manger'. I thought to myself, "Self you should really record that for Granma and Granpa to see or at least hear." I also knew that Keely, over at MannLand5 was continuing her getting to know you blog hop that started last week. I figured, well I'll just slap a random video to the bottom of my getting to know you post and lo and behold Keely wants to see it. Getting to know you this week is a favorite photo or video. These are the best of many takes. I apologize for my voice and singing, YIKES!! Love my boy and am so amazed at how big he is getting and the things he can remember. Sorry are the video quality Santa Jon is bringing me a new camera for Christmas.

Hey, Keely sorry I'm late to the party this week. Had to wait til the babies were in bed to get a semi-good shot. Oh everyone else reading, you really should click on Keely's name wherever you see it in this post and check out the UBER cute video of her babes singing.

3 of 3... Fragments (I DID IT!!)

After making a Target run and picking up some Chick-Fil-A for lunch I do believe the tip-pities of my fingers are ready to type some fragments.

Friday Fragments brought to us all by Mrs. 4444. You know this one works just like the other two carnivals I participated in. Do you have a tidbit to share? Well post it here in the comments OR head on over to Mrs. 4444 and leave her a comment then click on some other links to read more fragments.

So I can share those little bits that don't make up a post but put them all together and VOILA!! a post.

I am continually amazed when I open up my little piece of the worldwide web and see that there are 20+ random strangers new friends who I have never met face-to-face and want to follow the random happenings of me and my family. You don't even know it but you really make this girl feel special.  See them over there -----à

PSA – When you are driving your car you are not invisible? Just today while out on my Target run; Five, again FIVE nose pickers were passed. Not a scratch a definite pick. So once again a reminder that you can be seen when you are driving a car.

I'm so tired of hearing about the return of Tai Shan to China. Yes I realize panda bears are rare, really I get that. But he has been property of the Chinese government since he was born, why is it headline news everyday that they asked for him back. I mean really!!

Finally, I think at my next job I want to be a weather person. I'm not sure that there is any schooling required you just watch computer models report what you want and then BAM!! I wake up with no warning that it is going to be max 35 degrees today and into the weekend. HELLLOOO!! A little notice please, Mr. Weatherman.

Well I did not mean for this to turn into a mini rant but it appears that is exactly what I have done. I'm feeling the pressure to get this posted since I promised 3 posts at the beginning of the day.

Have a great weekend!!! I surely hope to get all our decorating done, I'm quite sure it will make for some great "Not Me" material…

2 of 3

Well good gracious Mama M. went and got the question out early this morning just messing me all kinds of up and rearranging my OCD organization of posts. It only took fur-evah for me to answer because I have to work, geesh!! So now 5QF is 2 of 3 and my fragments if they ever make it out of the tips of my fingers are 3 of 3. You follow?

Anywho…The five questions this week are sticking with ye ole Christmas theme.




If you don't have a blog and want to play along you can leave your answers in the comments, but please be sure to throw some bloggy love Mama M.'s way too. Oh! And same goes for Tamara and filling in the blank. In my haste to get 1 of 3 posted I forgot to mention LOVE, nothing but love.


Does Santa wrap the presents he leaves at your house?

In keeping with a tradition set forth by my own Mama, Santa will wrap presents and each kiddo will have their own wrapping paper color and design. This tradition is SOO pleasing to my OCD you have NOOOO, idea.

When is you "big" Christmas celebration…Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Tell us about it…

I think I mentioned this in a previous 5QF. We do our family of 5 plus my mom and dad and maybe my popo brother on the 25^th. There is no traveling. Right now it is low key but as my wee ones grow older I'm sure it will be an early morning of paper flying and then at some point me taking a nap.
So our big family get together (in MD) with my side of the family will be on the 26^th. It's scheduled around everyones availability and of course Ravens games.

Are you big on keeping tradition every year?
We are still up and coming in the tradition area. There are a few new ones I'm looking forward too now that Dade is old enough to grasp Christmas. He is all about singing carols, his advent calendar, making ornaments, and talking about baby Jesus. I LOOOOVEEE IT. So we will keep what works this year and maybe start some new traditions next year til we have our fill and find what fits.

Do colored light or white lights tickle your fancy?
For me, I'm all about the white lights they are classy, clean and crisp. I having a feeling in the next few years three little people will override me and for their enjoyment I will cave to colored lights, maybe even blinking colored lights.

Do you decorate outside your house for Christmas?
Until this year no, except for a fresh wreath on the front door, but Dade got so excited to see the neighbors blue and yellow (they are really white) lights one night when we were having dinner that I told Jon we probably need to do some lights outside for our boy. I love outdoor lights so long as I don't have to put them out there and clean them back up.

Ok, so Mama M. promised to "lurve me fo'evah" if I sent you over to her bitty spot on the Worldwide web, so click here, k? Cuz one can never have too much lurve…

1 of 3 maybe..

So the plan is for me to participate in ALL of my favorite Friday blog hops. I'm still formulating, calculating and perculating (like coffee, I'm not fully functional yet) my Friday Fragments (2 of 3). It's too early in MinneSOOOOta for Mama M. to have 5QF up (3 of 3).

The (Un)Experienced Mom (Tamara) she is ready to roll this Friday morning and I'm filling in the blanks. I knew my answer instantly after readying the blanks.

Here we go...






The children's show I can't stand is Spongebob Squarepants. He is 100% banned in our house, Dade even says, "We can't watch Spongebob." I'm not even going to get started about how it's not even really a kid's show at all OK? OK.. Moving on..
But the show I secretly like is Imagination Movers. I love the songs, the wobble goggles, the burro obsession, Knit Knots ohh and Mover Rich is a bit of a hottie. (Please don't tell the hubs)