I AM going to do this

Hi, my name is Angela and I am a procrastinator. I come up with all sorts of ideas and things I want to do - from crafts to home improvement projects to creating a blog (I sat on this one for more than a year before there was actually anything to show for it) - but for some reason or another I never seem to get around to it. And then I'm sad, well disappointed is more like it, that I didn't do whatever 'it' was.

So here's the thing - I think maybe I need some accountability. OK, I know I need some accountability. I've tried telling Tim, the kids, and even my girlfriends about what I'm 'going' to do. But when I don't do it, they all let me get by with some lame-o excuse like 'Life got in the way.' Well guess what, I want some of these things - as inconsequential as they may be - to be part of what is my life.

So I'm going to try something a little different. I'm going to post an idea/project that I'm planning to do along with a deadline for completion. (My job before I became a stay-at-home mom was very deadline-oriented which was one of my main reasons for ever getting things done. I'm really not a slacker, I promise - I just seem to work better with firm deadlines rather than open-ended timeframes. But I digress.) I realize it's not like anyone is reading this to hold me to it, but there's just something about putting it in writing that makes it seem more official - kind of like a contract with myself.

Well, here goes nothing...

PROJECT #1:
I'm going to turn this...

into this really cute dress I saw on Prudent Baby.

And my goal is to finish it before Princess Mia turns 12. :-) No seriously, my plan is to complete it by next Wednesday.

So wish me luck!!

Soooo Big

Princess Mia turned 19 months old today and she is getting soooooooo big. It doesn't seem possible that my sweet precious baby is turning into a little girl. And while I'm very sad to see the baby stage go (especially since she's the last), I'm enjoying the new little person that is emerging.

Mia is quite the source of entertainment for all of us. Even her big macho brothers ooh and aah over every little new thing that she says or does - and these days that's a lot.

She's also very independent - much more so than my boys were at this age. I suppose that's good, but it also makes me a little sad. But she still likes to snuggle up for nap time and bedtime, so I'll hold on to that as long as I can.

In honor of Princess Mia's 19-month 'birthday', here's a list of some of her current favorites:
BOOK: Olivia Forms a Band

SHOES: Pink/Purple croc-like shoes
FOOD: Anything (and yes I do mean anything, except for carrots)
TOY: Anything that's NOT a toy (well, anything that's not her toy)
ACTIVITY: Playing outside rain or shine

Mia brings an endless amount of joy to our lives. And I thank God every day for her (and her two brothers).

Why Sunshine Stories?

Because…

…I have three unique children who were fearfully and wonderfully made by God and I want to preserve memories of more than just their major milestones. I want to capture the little day-to-day things that make them who they are – that make our family who we are!

…the sun is always shining somewhere regardless of our circumstances. Don’t get me wrong – our family is very blessed. But we face struggles and challenges just like everybody else – some may be bigger, some not so much. But nevertheless, it’s easy for me to become so focused on the challenge that I forget to step back and look at all that is right and remember that God is infinitely good.

…I like sunshine! It makes me happy – and I like to share my happiness, and the things that make me happy, with others.