**The Boudreaux's Butt Paste contest end this Friday.  Be sure to enter for your chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. **

This old girl can't party like she used to.  And by party I mean stay up late working on projects.  Once again I have found myself biting off more than I can chew.  It's always been my nature to do this, but right now I think I'm just trying to make sure I keep myself busy.  When I'm busy I don't have time to "think."  Down side to it all is that, well, I'm pooped.  Must keep going!

Baby girl is getting hearing aids tomorrow.  I'll post pictures after we get home from St. Jude.  She is excited about the idea, but I'm not sure how she will feel when she gets them on.  Please say a prayer that this will be an easy adjustment for Lucy.

I found some pictures of Lucy getting her ears pierced for her birthday and the dinner that followed at Shogun Hibachi.  We just love Hibachi and Jack was completely mesmerized.  He kept screaming "fire" in his precious 2-year old voice.

Have you registered for the Go Lucy Go 5k?   If not, then what in the world are you waiting on?  The race is April 20th at 9:00.  If you can't make it to the race then sign up as a spirit runner so that you can get a really cool shirt!  Shirts can be picked up for mailed to your home.  Click HERE to register.

Birthday Roundup

Birthdays are a REALLY big deal around our house.  Long before Lucy's got sick, we celebrated each birthday several times.  There was the day of celebration, the classroom party, the big birthday party, the family birthday party.  You get the picture.  

These days we really celebrate.  We have learned through tears and many prayers that life truly is worth celebrating.  We never take a single day for granted and we are sure to never overlook the importance of each passing year.  My heart has been so full this past week marveling at how far Lucy has come from her birthday celebration 2 years ago in the hospital.  God has been so good to our family.  His graciousness and mercies have been our salvation.

(yes, those are newly pierced ears.  Her birthday present from her Mommy and Daddy.)

So, this Sunday we wrapped up Lucy's birthday extravaganza with a lunch with my family.  Erik's parents were able to be there, too, which made it very special.  Celebrating with friends is very special, but there's nothing like the love of family to remind you how very blessed you are!

Erik's Aunt and Uncle from Wisconsin.

Happy Birthday Lu-bear.  I love you more than you will ever know.  

The Birthday Party

Lucy turned 7 and had an amazing "art" Hello Kitty party.  She has been so blessed with such a great group of friends.  God has answered my deepest and sincerest prayers for Lucy.  For this, I am so very grateful.

Sometimes words aren't necessary.  Sometimes a picture (or two) really says it all.

7 on 7

The birthday we never thought we would see.  The birthday we feared would never come.

7 on the 7th.  The Bible says that 7 is one of God holy number.  Lucy's is one of God's precious miracles.

This year is going to be good.  A year of renewal--hope.

Thank you to all our friends and virtual friends for the outpouring of birthday wishes.  We feels so blessed.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;  Praise God, all creatures here below;  Praise from above ye. heav'nly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

A Craft Kind of Day

This is the third and last installment of my posts for Children's Mucinex.  Once again, you will have a chance to enter to win $100 at the conclusion of this post.  If you remember, I posted here and here about how Children's Mucinex has been a life saver for our family.

Today, I find myself longing for warm weather.  Jack has asked to go to the zoo at least ten times today, although I know he has no real memories of going last year.  We talk a lot about elephants, giraffes and zebras.  It's a mythical place for him I'm sure.  However, until it warms up we will be hunkered down at home trying to stay warm and healthy.  Until then, I'll keep dreaming of warm weather, swimming pools, flip flops and suntans.  Because really, who wants to go fishing in winter coveralls?

On these cold days, and especially days when the kids are not feeling well, I often turn to my good friend Pinterest to help us pass the time.  There are always projects that I can find to keep the girls entertained.  A little dose of Mucinex and a great arts and craft project is usually enough to cure the blues.  Here are two of my favorites:


Focus bottles.

We loved making these while Lucy was in the hospital.  This is an absolute perfect busy activity for a little one (or big one) who might be a little under the weather.  It doesn't take a lot of energy and they are  mesmerizing to play with.  

Puffy Paint...

This one was a huge hit with the girls.  Ella even took the paint to art class and let her friends create some pretty fun artwork.  This was a very inexpensive project and they paint lasted for several weeks.  

Although I didn't come up with these projects on my own, I know a winner when I see one.  The same was true with Children's Mucinex.  Thanks to a suggestion from a friend, Mucinex has been a household staple ever since!

Don't forget that I have a coupon for Children's Mucinex  if you to give it a try, COUPON here.  

When your child has a bad cold, you both can feel miserable. Children's Mucinex is the #1 children's brand for relieving congestion* and provides fast acting relief from your child's worst cold symptoms. Try Children's Mucinex Multi-Symptom Cold if your child needs relief from stuffy nose and chest congestion. Always use Children's Mucinex Multi-Symptom Cold as directed. (*Based on IRI unit share data for the 52 weeks ending November 2012)

OK, it's your turn.  Comment below and answer the question, “ What Pinterest/craft project have you been saving for a sick day?”  When you comment you enter yourself  into the drawing for a $100 CVS card.  Good luck and may you be blessed with health and wellness!

No duplicate comments. You may receive 1 total entry by leaving a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 3/6/2013 - 3/31/2013.

Be sure to visit the Children's Mucinex Multi-Symptom Cold page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers reviews and find more chances to win!