07 March 2008

Welcome to My Party!

I am so glad that you decided to stop by my party here in Texas. I know this is just one of the many stops you will make while visiting the many parties participating in The Ultimate Blog Party '08 that 5 Minutes for Mom is hosting. I hope you brought along your wardrobe! Today we have snow on the ground but by the end of the week we could be wearing tank tops and shorts and basking in the sun on the back porch! I hope my flowers perk back up when the sun comes back out. Oh and in spite of my scrapbooking injury (see picture of finger with said injury) I plan to party hop like crazy!

Let me tell you a little about what "Normal to Natalie" is... It is normal for you to find toys in the floor, my children running about, at least one TV turned on (even if no one is watching), my laptop out where I can just 'stop by' and check on things, the dryer running, dishes in the sink, at least one unfinished project that is "in progress" today, and some good (low in POINTS) food cooking (often slightly creative and with plenty of help)! If you want to learn more about me then you need to read this and this. If you want to laugh really hard then you need to read this post since I now consider you my friend! The wallpaper in my kitchen has some sayings on it that I think describes me well:


Please stop back by often for some fun with us in what we like to call our "Normal" lives! Oh and don't forget to leave a comment to let me know you stopped by!

Oh, one more thing....what is a party without a goody bag? Well, I am so excited about all of the prizes that are being given away at the end of this huge party! Have you checked the list to see what you want to win? I have and I hope to win one of the following (but hey, I would be excited to win just about anything!):
  • Jill's Book Bag (#100)
  • Webcam (#72)
  • Shopping for me! $25 Gift Card to Target (#117) or $25 CASH (#59) or $23 CASH (#55)
  • PINK Legos (#103) for Kirstyn and I to enjoy together...we will just have to keep James from eating them!
  • Baby Signing (#17) so Kirstyn and I can learn to talk to baby James
  • Noah's Ark Stacking Blocks (#85)...guess since I put the legos for Kirstyn on my wish list I decided I needed to pick out a little something James would like on my list.
  • Oh and any one of the blog redesigns would be a fun prize!

***Update 3/12: Well, I was right about the weather....it got to 80 degrees today here! Also, how are you approaching the huge mr. linky list? I have visited all of the blogs that registered with Mr. Linky before me (I am #129). Now, I am going to visit as many of the blogs that are in a mr. linky number that ends in 9. I'm not even sure I will make it through that many before the afterparties start!

77 comments:

Amanda said...

I never knew it snowed in Texas! Shows you how much I know about the other side of the world :)

Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment.

Anonymous said...

My friend Becky lives in texas and when she was looking to come to NY she was looking at the local towns to me and found it hilarious there was a town called Hicksville. :|

Anonymous said...

WOOHOO...nice getting to know you:) Stop by my place if you get a chance!

ZONE F DG TEAM said...

Thanx for stopping by. This is going to be so much fun.

Hope "5 minutes for mom" is up soon... so the real party can begin.

Unknown said...

Hey girl, Happy Blog Party!! I love that saying about your house being clean last week, that always cracks me up!

Looks like the kids had fun in the snow - seems like y'all had even more than we did!

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Hi Natalie, happy to make your acquaintance--love your rundown of normal. So inviting!

Come visit me in Italy:

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party!

Anonymous said...

Hi Natalie, hope you are having a great time partying. It's so colorful and fun here : )

Deb said...

Hi Just popping in from the blog party! Great blog. Love the border in your kitchen.

Anonymous said...

LOL! TV on but no one watching. Sounds like my house!

Thanks for hosting such a great party!

Anonymous said...

Snow in Texas. Well I never would have imagined that!

Hope to see you at my party.

Anonymous said...

hehe, okay I'm laughing.. I'm in canada.. it's -30 and we have over 2 feet of snow.. lol I don't know if we'd call that snow.. a sprinkle moreso! I love your kitchen signs those are great!
happy party!!!

Anonymous said...

Snow, in Texas? Huh. I have kitchen signs, too - helps make the mornings seem a little more, you know, fun - mine say:

- Because Nice Matters

- Our house is NOT under construction, kids just live here

and my favorite:

- Good Morning, let the stress begin!

Thanks for having us and enjoy your week!

Kristen M. said...

If the kids want more snow, you can have some of ours here in Michigan. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Anonymous said...

We never get snow here. Makes me kinda sad. Cause it will be BELOW freezing but no excuse for it (snow).

Anonymous said...

I live in NH and we have had over 100 inches of snow! Come and shovel up north!

Your children are adorable.
Thanks for stopping by Penny Lane and leaving a comment on my party post.

Crunchy Domestic Goddess said...

thanks for stopping by my party. :) glad to get a peek into your world too. your kids are adorable. :)

Stacy said...

Your house sound A LOT like mine. I love the kitchen signs. I need the one that says "My house was clean last week. Sorry you missed it" That is so fitting of my house.

Anonymous said...

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the invite to your party here! I hope that scrap book injury heals well, I didn't know it was sa dangerous! LOL

Oh a side note: my last name isn't Archer....... *grin* I do have a friend who says she forgets my last name though because of my blog title! LOL

Write From Karen said...

Hi Natalie! I LOVE your wall sayings, and go can relate to "quit your belly achin'"! And the whole clean house thing? Yeah, it doesn't matter when you stop by, it's not. *grin*

It's really nice to meet you. Have fun at the party!

Write From Karen

Unknown said...

Have a lovely Blog Party. Hope you can maybe drop in and say "Hi".

I am giving away a digi-scrap gift voucher, and also have a St Patricks Day giveaway coming soon too.

My laptop is always on and nearby so I can multi-task!

Amy said...

Oh I HEAR ya about the laptop. I should probably close it up a little more often... but it sure is nice to check on things when i pass by. :)
And...AMEN on the wardrobe. We had snow on the ground this morning, and now it's all gone and a beautiful sunshiney day! Texas!

Anonymous said...

your house looks wild! :) Have fun at the party...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for visiting us here in the Bahamas Natalie. I hope we melted some of your snow :-) You have a very good-looking family!

Anonymous said...

Cute wall paper...what fun! Thanks for partying with us at The Chocolistas!

Unknown said...

Great blog and so nice to meet you :) Hope you can visit and take part in my giveaway :) Have a great time this week of partying!

Melissa said...

I just love all of your cute wall sigsn. I have been looking for some! I just love em all!

Candi said...

I grew up in Texas and remember what a big deal snow was!! As a matter of fact, my dad is still in TX (the panhandle) and I think it is possible he's seen more snow than we have where I am in VA!!

Your kids are adorable!! Way to go on the weight loss, too--that's awesome!

Nadine said...

I love the sub name of your blog. It made me chuckle. Your home is lovely and your children beautiful. Congratulations on your weight loss. Thanks for stopping by my party.

Megan/Brassy Apple said...

Cute blog name! thanks for stopping by my party too!

Anonymous said...

Hi Natalie! Love your normal day! I'm sure you wouldn't want it any other way. Your site is great! Thanks for visiting mine today and I hope to see you again!

mzzterry said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I enjoyed my visit here. Adorable family you have =o)

Cherrye said...

Hey...where are you in TX? It is snowing there?? Wow.

I'm a Texan who moved to Italy...come see me!

Hazel Martin Designs said...

HI! Thanks for the visit yesterday, visit again today for a new prize! I love the sayings on the wallpaper, especially about the house being clean... I need one that says...not now I'm blogging!

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by my blog, list-neighbor! :)

Melanie said...

I love your blog, I'm so glad I stopped by. You have a lovely family. Enjoy the party!!
Our Happy Happenings
Livin' With Me

My Trendy Tykes said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog!!

Linda

Anonymous said...

I love your blog! Your description of what is "normal" at your house sounds exactly like my house, too :) Glad we "met" through the Ultimate Blog Party, and thanks for entering my giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Hey Natalie! Thank you for stopping by to give thanks. I hope you win the prizes you want. Happy party hopping.

Anonymous said...

I've added you to the Blogaholics Anonymous Blogroll. Welcome to the club ;)

elizabeth embracing life said...

Now that is some snow storm you had there. Really. Yep your house sound much like mine just different characters. My favorite toy these days in the big bouncy catapillow that sits by the fire place. No one rides him that often, but it's as if he has a handle of things and just watches.

Gerbil said...

Heh. That was enough snow to darn near bring to DC to a screeching halt (wish I was kidding) and close all the schools.

skatey katie said...

ah yes,
*my house was clean last week...*
bwahahahaha
love it.
happy partying
mwah X

Rebecca said...

Great Party!!!

Ah, I miss the snow!!! But I'm not complaining! ;^)

Happy blog party!

Natalie said...

Hello from another Natalie! I like the wallpaper sayings, too funny! Have a great time blog party hopping and I hope your injury heals itself quickly!

Tammy said...

Oh my goodness I LOVE that wallpaper where on earth did you get it? -- searching frantically now for that border to buy and put up .lol.

Karen MEG said...

Great intro Natalie, lovely family, happy partying! I'll be hopping about too LOL!

melissa rohr said...

hello! great party =)

i had to bring by daughter by this one, she is in LOVE with anything texas right now and we live in WA!

i love your kitchen wallpaper.

happy blog party ♥

Anonymous said...

Hi Natalie, thanks so much for visiting!

I love that "my house was clean last week. sorry you missed it." bit on your kitchen wallpaper... sounds a lot like me! lol There is so much to enjoy about life, why waste time cleaning up every single day? :p

Shawna said...

Nice to meet you! I'm in TN, and we had a little bit of snow this weekend. It melted off withn a day though. I just love the wallpaper in your kitchen!! LOL! Thanks for stopping Teen Lit Review. BTW, I'm also giving away a Christian fiction book at my personal blog if you're interested: http://scampsplace.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog party.
My husband is a former Texan...
I love, love, love, your kitchen wallpaper! Too bad we are in military housing or I would get some for myself.

For tips on how to get free diapers check out MoneySavingMom.com
and click on the CVS link.

CC said...

I love all the kitchen quotes!!! Awesome!! :) :)

Mocha with Linda said...

Fun party! And glad to meet another Texan and a reader! Thanks for stopping by mine!

Melissa in Mel's World said...

Thanks for stopping by Mels World for the bloggy party!

I came over to visit and see what's going on in your neck of the woods, and I am so glad that I did.

You had asked me a couple of questions..."okay, i love your blog header and colors and title boxes! do tell, did you do this yourself or did someone help you?"

Yep...I hired a designer, Lindsay, at SPLAT! Designs to do my re-design. I had a plain ole normal blogger template before, and now I am blessed with her creativity. I filled out a 4 page questionnaire with my likes, dislikes, ideas, thoughts, and important stuff to me and she went bananas! Actually this is the original design she made with a few minor adjustments...she's just THAT good!

I hope this helps...come on by my other blog when you get some time...
http://melsworldtravelbiz.blogspot.com

Take Care,
Melissa

brooke said...

Cool! Thanks for stopping by my blog... I like your style. :)

Angi said...

Love the wallpaper! I saw Shawna commented above - I'm the other half of www.teenlitreview.blogspot.com, thanks for visiting! I'm giving away a Christian chick lit book on my blog if you're interested. www.wannabethoughts.blogspot.com.
Party ON!

Anonymous said...

Just stopping by for the party. I'm so sorry to hear your little guy is sick. My children are just getting over the flu, and the little one (2 1/2) was so sick it broke my heart.

Thanks for stopping by my party!

Betsy said...

Love all the signs! Thanks for stopping by my party and not to worry, we have more crab dip!

Anonymous said...

Love your blog! So nice to meet you! Happy Blog Party! :-)

Brandie said...

Hello! I live in Chicago, we also have snow on the ground right now, but it won't be warm by the end of the week up here LOL!
I love the sign that says my house was cleaned last week, sorry you missed it! I need that in my house ROFL! =)

Anonymous said...

Cute blog! Snow in Texas, I've seen it all! I love your kitchen wallpaper!

Thanks for partying with me!

Alexis Jacobs said...

Great party! I'll be back and poke around some more.

Thanks for coming to my party!

IL Social Worker said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! I loved your date out with your daughter - what a sweet idea. So great to meet you - happy blog party!!!

beckyjomama said...

Thanks fpr stoppin by my party and inviting me to yours! I love your kitchen - btw, my kitchen was clean last July ... WHEN MY MOM WAS HERE!!!!
Happy partying!
Becky Jo

PS - you are welcome to play in our leaves anytime ... just grab a rake and come on over!!

Melanie said...

Hi, Natalie. So nice to meet you! I live in Texas, too. Sounds like we might in the same are of the state. One day it was 70 degrees, the next it snowed, the next day it was in the 60s, the next day it snowed again. By the weekend it was nice enough my husband was out mowing the yard. This Texas weather is a bit crazy!

Enjoy the party!

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Hiya! Nice to meetcha! Stoppin' by for your blog party. We can kvetch while the kiddies run about.

I wish I could say we'd see enough sun here this week, but as it stands it'll be in the 40s tomorrow and I'm thikin' of playing hooky to enjoy the "heat wave"!

Stop by my Milwaukee Party if you get the chance!

Anonymous said...

Great party post. Happy blog partying!

Anonymous said...

Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog. You have a fun party post!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog party!

I grew up in southeast TX. Love the sayings on your wall!!

Anonymous said...

WOW! You've had a lot of visitors! Thanks for stopping by my party... you have a nice place here. Love the banner image. I too leave my computer out and ready just so I can check in every little bit! I'm addicted!
Snow in Texas!! Who'da thought?
Party on!
Tammy :):):)

Terri H said...

Hey, you're life looks like mine. Everything started, unfinished, and always going.

Have fun in the party!

Ami said...

Just stopping by to say hello! Happy Blog Party! Hope you're enjoying all the company. Sounds like you have a pretty busy life, so this is probably nothing new to you.

Stop by and say hello if you get a chance.

Lisa Lou Hoo said...

Hi There,
Thanks for stopping by Sweet Home Alabama! I hope you enjoyed your stay and welcome you back anytime! I visited my sisiter-in-law in TX last year, looking forward to basking in the sun... but it snowed and was icy the entire week! Who knew?

Your place sounds a little like mine-perfect!

Anonymous said...

Lovely party!! Thanks for inviting me.
I bet it was fun having snow for a little bit. :)

Thanks for stopping by my party. Good luck on winning some prizes. :)

Heike said...

Nice to meet you! Love the quote on your banner :).

Stop by my party soon before it is over!

http://www.goddessinthegroove.blogspot.com

Pfingston said...

ps I love love love your wallpaper!

Pfingston said...

I am guessing my previouse comment didn't post so I'll say it again . . . :-)
I have a freind living in Fort Worth that has been talking about the weather!
And look at your party! Not bad for only being on #9 - looks like the party really filled out!
Thanks for visiting mine!

2Forgetful said...

I want that wallpaper!!!! Thanks for stopping by my party.