MadBags :: handmade bags & more!

dance recital videos

Finally got the videos from Maddie's dance recital uploaded onto youtube.  Click on the links below to view the videos :)  There is also a video of Dalton accepting his diploma too.

Dalton's walk of fame

Dance #1 "While you were sleeping"

Dance #2 "Shoo Fly Pie"

Dance #3 "Momma, I'm a Big Girl Now!"

Tip:  Make sure you click "Watch in high quality" under the video to see it more clearly!

Graduation + Beach wedding = Vacation!

I have traveled alot this past week!  First myself, Jaden, and Maddie traveled to Louisiana to see my nephew graduate!  Dalton was so handsome!  I can't believe he is old enough to graduate.

Paul drove down the same day to Florida for a wedding rehearsal.  A previous youth member was getting married and Paul was performing the ceremony.  The next day me and the kids traveled over to meet him so we could be at the wedding as well.  It was beautiful!  It was my first beach wedding and it was so much fun.

After the wedding, we stayed a few days and just enjoyed being together and watching our kids enjoy the beach for the first time.  With the exception of jelly fish, it was amazing! 

It's really late so I'll have to add more details later.  Enjoy the collages!

And the winner is...

If you are unable to see the video scroll down...

Congratulations Michelle Rosborough!!

"Everything in my closet is colorized...shoes, clothes, hats, etc...."

My beautiful daughter chose out of a cup of all 60+ entries. Thank you to all of you who played along and gave a little of yourself to me.  I have enjoyed reading all the quirks and strange ways of all of you!  You made me feel good about mine!!!  Just kidding! 

You may not hear from me for a while since we are headed to the beach for a few days (can you hear the angels singing?  well I can) I'll try to blog from the road but I can't make any promises.  My husband may ban me from even bringing my computer!  Have a wonderful weekend :)

p.s. if you were able to watch the video... please overlook that country accent!  i didn't realize it was so bad! 

Smartie Pants

This past Saturday we traveled 3 1/2 hours to Albertsville, AL to see a friend of ours get married and then 3 1/2 back home.  I didn't get any pictures of the wedding (just tried to keep my children still after that long trip) but we stopped to eat at a pizza joint called The Loop in Birmingham that was really good and I got some pics there.   Paul ordered a milkshake and we all got a taste...yummmy...

We enjoyed ourselves, can you tell?

Yesterday Jaden was honored with two awards at his school.  He received an award for being on the Principal's List and also one for getting the 2nd highest average in his class.  Go Bear!  I took pictures during the ceremony but they aren't very clear.  I took this one at home today.

this one was during the ceremony

We are so proud of his accomplishments this year!!

Today we had another proud moment as Maddie graduated from Pre-school.  They were all so sweet in their cap & gowns.

During the processional

Maddie & Jaden (after I snapped the picture Maddie said "He put his arm around me!" so proudly.  Yesterday she tried to hug him at his school and he wouldn't have any of it.)

Maddie and the grands, Meemee & Pawpaw

Maddie & her teachers Miss Tiffany and Miss Gloria

Summer is officially here and the kids are now out of school.  They are outside as I type spraying each other with water guns.   

Remember you have until tomorow (May 21) to enter the Summer Giveaway!  You can see details here.   

 

PTBs shipped today

I finally finished all the toy boxes that were ordered on the 6th!  If you were waiting on one of these they are going out in the mail today along with any other purchases made during that time.   

Moms get cool stuff

Sunday, Mother's Day, I had to be the luckiest mom around!  My two sweet children each gave me their own hand-made gifts. 

From Jaden:

Including a recipe book (pulled from all the moms in his class), a candle (he was upset it got broken in transit but I love it anyway!), a potpourri ball? (its made of an orange, cinnamon, cloves, and some other stuff I'm not sure of..), a paper flower, and a card that reads "Happy Mother's Day.  I hope you make a lot of money. Love, Jaden".  Ha. 

Maddie's gift:

Including a bath pillow, a poem about mom's and relaxing, a sponge, a tea bag and poem, a candle, some bath gel, and a relaxing music cd.  Her class at school put all this together.  I love the theme... Probably my third favorite thing to do.  #1 eat.  #2 sleep. 

Don't ya just love it?  Here's hoping you other mothers out there feel as special and loved as I do. 

Summer Giveaway!!! Enter NOW!

Holy Moly.

Wow.  Let me say that again.  Wow.  I am completely taken back and humbled by the many, many purchases made Tuesday.  I've had a few sales in the past where maybe 5 purchases were made at most, and that was over like a couple of days.  I couldn't hardly function with all the sales that came in.  I would try to do something and then I'd hear that little chime that meant I had gotten another email.  Of course I had to check it and would be wowed again.  THANK you soooo much!  I am still working on getting everything packaged and sent out, so if you placed an order (with the exception of those waiting for toy boxes), it will most likely go out tomorrow. 

Did  I mention how totally blown away I was, and still am?  Just checking.  This little job of mine started out as something I could do to help pay for dance and things like taking the kids out to McDonalds when I felt like it.  My husband is a minister and well, ministry doesn't always make the big bucks.  We decided early on that I would stay at home with our children while they were little, and I've never regretted it.  Was it always easy?  Heck no.  In fact, there have been many times in our lives that God has provided for us at just the right time.  There have been many sacrifices made by staying home and not working but the good has always out-weighed the bad.  My most memorable God-providing-moment came when Jaden was about 4 months old.  I nursed him up until that time.  Formula was so expensive so I was so thankful he was able to do that.  I had never had a problem in that area either, in fact I usually had too much milk, so much so that I had to stand over the shower and let them empty some so he could eat without getting sprayed.  I always get a laugh thinking how that must have looked to my husband.  Not attractive I'm sure.  Ok, back to the story.  About that time, I caught a really bad cold/flu bug and my milk just dried up.  We had to buy some formula, which Jaden had no problem taking.  After about a week my milk came back in but Jaden didn't want anything to do with me.  He wanted that formula.  We were having trouble making ends meet as it was so I didn't know what we were going to do.  I tried to get help from WIC but we made $200 more than what you had to make in order to qualify.  $200 more a year people.  Anyway, so I dried up and we have no money for formula.  We lived in Florida at the time and my sister lived near us.  Florida has these places called Food Banks where you can go and buy food by the pound really cheap.  It's usually dented cans, torn boxed items but where the food is still in the plastic and contained.  Its just a place that's run by the community to help folks like us.  My sister was in charge of keeping the food pantry stocked at church.  She visited the Food Bank regularly to keep it stocked and ready when anyone needed groceries.  She frequently kept us stocked as well.  It had been a week since I was having to buy formula and wondering where we would find the money to buy more.  God was listening to our prayers for help though because Gena, my sister, called me and said "You'll never guess what just came into the food bank today."  I'm getting teary eyed right now thinking about what came next.  It just so happened that Similac was beginning a new marketing strategy and changing all their labels etc etc.  They had pulled several pallets of formula off with the old labels and donated it to the food bank.  They were giving it away free.  No limitations.  I was able to get 10 months of formula for free.  Jaden had been using Enfamil, but he didn't mind the change at all.  I had never seen formula at the food bank, and never did again while we lived there.  God is good, all the time.  Don't ever underestimate His power.  I was trying to figure out how we get more money, and instead He just provided the goods.  Anytime we struggle now, I just remember to have faith in Him to provide as I know He will give us just what we need, at just the right time.

Yesterday I was reminded that He is still at work in our lives.  During the summer I don't do a lot of business because the kids are out of school.  I was worried about how I would make my payments for what I owe on my machine during that time.  I bet He was just sitting there going "Duh, when have I ever failed you?"  Thank you God for providing once again.  And thank you to all of you again for making purchases yesterday!

Come back tomorrow and find out how to be entered in the next giveaway....

It's SUPER TUESDAY!

I was up until 4am listing items and still couldn't get them all up!  I have put some more up today-Remember to include the code SUPERTUESDAY in the notes to seller section upon purchase to receive your discount, and then wait on a revised invoice before making payment.  If you don't remember what the discounts are, take a look at the previous post.  I also want to add that the Portable Toy Boxes listed in the shop will be $25 today only. 

Let me know if you have any questions!  Now go shop. Now.

p.s. I have had NUMEROUS requests for more Portable Toy Boxes to be listed today so I am preparing to do just that. The ones that will be listed are NOT already made so it will take a week or so to fill them.   If you have already made a purchase and would like to add it to your order, I will be happy to do that for you as well, and combine shipping. Also PLEASE be patient while waiting for your revised invoice, I will get you one, I am just a little overwhelmed at the orders coming in.   

THANK YOU by the way!  This is so much fun!

Oops... I can't read a calendar...

It has come to my attention (thank you Candice) that when I posted earlier about the Super Tuesday sale, I stated that it would be on May 5, which is in fact today (Monday).  The Super Tuesday sale will actually be good all day Tuesday, which is May 6.  I am soooo sorry about the confusion, but I believe it will be worth your while if you come back tomorrow.  I will be posting items all throughout the day today and tonight. 

All I can attribute my mistake to is, I'm tired!  This past week I don't think I rested a spare moment in preparation of the Market Street show I did on Saturday.  It turned out to be a really good show and I will most likely do it again if my bff will agree to help me like she did this time.  Please say yes!  Anyway, here are some shots of my booth-

^ My best best best friends who helped me before and at the show, without these beautiful ladies, I could not have done it!  I would have died from the stress for sure!!!  Thank you ladies :)

I'll have to fill you in on the night before the show and the actual event tomorrow. 

As for the sale TOMORROW... here are the details:

Aprons- Reg.price $19.50, sale price $15.00

Hideaways - Reg. price $17.95, sale price $15.00

Checkbook covers - Reg. Price $8.50, sale price $7.00

All handbags will be 20% off

Burp Cloths - Reg. price $7.50, sale price $6.50

Fabric (off the bolt) - 10% off

Fabric (in scrap packs) - 50% off

Tissue Keepers - 30% off

Sippy Cups - Reg. price $5.50, sale price $4.50

Hot Iron Mitts - Reg. price $10, sale price $7.95

Free shipping on orders over $50!

Remember this is a ONE day sale* only and starts tomorrow, Tuesday, May 6th!  Use the code SUPERTUESDAY in the notes to seller section of the purchase page and then wait for revised invoice before making payment.

*This sale does not apply to custom orders, only items in listings in my etsy shop.