I could sense how the gravity is starting to pull its weight on me. On my skin, my face has developed wrinkles under the eyes, eye bags gone deeper, moisturizer is not just an option but already a must. The bruises that I develop used to heal faster and does not mark. I easily get weary of basic chores. Reading of essay paper has been cut down to 2 pages a night. Sleep is not coming easily, but when it does I just get up easily as well. Recognizing the color green takes some minutes. Laughing too often threatens my hurt, and so does too much grieving. The force of almost everything is as weary and calming as everything. I miss how I help my nephews and niece on their term papers, but now I feel futile that I could not even read them any story. No matter how we fight aging, it is undeniably coming; to accept such, all we have to do is embrace it and see how we can overcome the weaknesses that comes with it. 

Everyone loves to welcome a new baby into this world. Becoming a parent is one of the most memorable experiences in our lives. Seeing your babies beautiful face for the first time. Looking at their little feet and hands, it's hard to believe the miracle of birth. Waiting all those months to see what your baby will look like, hoping that she has your nose or he has their father's hands. Going through the ups and downs of having children. Believe me there are more ups, it just feels like there are more downs. I think it's because the downs are bigger deals, so enjoy the good times it will make the bad easier to take.
Since I have become a Grandparent I can honestly say Grandma's and Grandpa's are really special. They have had the opportunity to see their kids come into this world and now they get to experience a very different feeling when they see their grandchild for the first time. The next generation is like a new beginning for your family a fresh start to do somethings different. You raised your children to become responsible, caring adults and now you get to help mold a new life, but in a different way. You get to be the one for the fun, the rules have changed you are the Grandparent so enjoy the differences that you will have with this new role in your life.
When I think of all of the changes from when I had my first child, oh boy is it different. But I have tried to embrace the new things that are coming my way. When I think of the different "necessities" the new mom needs. It really lets me know how things have changed, so I tried to think of how I could make it easier for others and myself. That's where Clar's Baby Baskets came in. I started putting together gift baskets and everybody else loved them, so here I am now selling Baby Gift Baskets to people just like you. When we ship out each and every Gift Basket it is like I am sharing your joys with you. I hope some of this story hits home with you out there. I know it has made me look at what I have and think about how much I take it for granted. But it also makes me realize just how much I enjoy putting together Gift Baskets each day.

Do you ever notice that sometimes people don't take the time to appreciate what they have? The other day someone helped remind me of the things I have.
I'm a busy mother of three, grandmother of one and a daughter in law on the way (in less than a month and a half). So having free time seems to be a thing of the past. Don't get me wrong I love every minute of it. I do know if they made juggling an Olympic sport, mothers and fathers across America would have gold metals.
I think you need to learn and I say learn, because if you are like me I do have a hard time with this part. You need to learn to take time for yourself, it will make you rejuvenated and ready to start a new day with your loved ones.
For me it's reading, gardening and running Clar's Baby Baskets. I get a thrill out of each project I undertake. Seeing what my gardens will look like once they are done. With Clar's Baby Baskets, it's accomplishing something new. Just this last month we added two new baby gift baskets to our growing collection. Rainforest Fun and Tickled Pink are a welcomed addition. I like the fact that they can be personalized for the new baby on the way. This is a new trend in gift giving for the parents to be. It gives the gift basket a little extra something for the baby's room. Something a little more personal, just for them. I am very proud of our gift baskets that go out our doors. I hope the parents who receive these baby gift baskets are just as excited as I am.

I don't know about you, but I always seem to run out of time. I try to make it easier on myself by making a list and marking things off a I go, but no one said anything about everyone else adding to that list. For example: since when is it my job to remember to take out the garbage and when I don't, it doesn't get picked up for the week. Someone needs to explain this unwritten rule to me. Of course the good thing is school is on the down hill slide, so some of the list will shrink. No more homework anyone?
I don't know about anyone else, but I enjoy summer with the family. We always seem to be in fast motion, but in a good way. Swimming, biking, walks with the family and I really like the family BBQ we have every weekend. I like the time we spend at the park as well, the kids and I take my granddaughter (their niece) to play on the slide and swing. It is a lot of fun going through this experience with them too. I myself did not learn how to totally appreciate my own parents until I had my own kids. So I think my two kids are learning a little early now that they are an Aunt and an Uncle.
When my life gets this busy, I always try to look back at what my dad always says, "work smart not hard" (just don't tell him I told you this I will never hear the end of it). This is part of the reason I use the Internet. I can sit down when I have time and find anything I can imagine and then some. I really like the idea of the Internet as I am getting ready for Easter. As my family grows this is a bigger and bigger event, it is a collaboration of five different families to come together for one dinner.
It's because of this theory of my dads that I can get more done in a shorter amount of time, which is really coming in handy right now. It is also why I started Clar's Baby Baskets. Anyone can come to my website and find the perfect baby gift basket that will please anyone on their list. You will get at least one thing done on your ever growing to do list. In my book this makes for the perfect ending to a busy day.

As I'm setting here preparing for the 4th of July celebration that we as a family have every year, I can't help but wonder about the way it use to be when I was younger. I remember when you could let off fireworks in your yard, you didn't have to go somewhere else to see them and enjoy. You didn't have to worry about what would happen because everyone took precautions and as neighbors we enjoyed things together. My own children didn't know what it was like to see fireworks because it wasn't until the last two years that we were able to have them in neighboring towns. The one thing that I enjoy about the 4th of July is the family gatherings, fireworks and the giving of thanks to the people who made this all possible for me and my family. If it wasn't for them and their fight and struggles I would not have what I have today. I get to enjoy my freedom and do things in life that I want because of them. This year is extra special, because it will be the first year that my grand daughter will be able to see and enjoy the fireworks with us. I know that she is a little to small to actually hold them, but she will be able to see them. Like I said before my own children didn't get this option. It is great being a grand parent for the first time. I have already been through the parenting stage with one and I still have a few more years left before my last two are old enough to be out on their own, but it is great to share these memories with a new generation. To see her face when she gets to experience things for the first time, it is a fabulous feeling. This feeling is something I get every time we get to do something new. We just took her for the day to the park and after wards we went for ice cream at our favorite local ice cream spot. All the kids had a great time watching Kiley eating ice cream for the first time. Alex and Heather my other two children couldn't stop laughing at her and the way she ate it. Any way I better get going, before I run out of time and don't get all of the food done. I hope everyone has enjoyed reading this and it brings back memories of your own.

This last month has been very busy. The kids are out of school, but we are already getting ready to start up again. I can not believe how fast the time goes. My family and I just got done celebrating Kiley's Birthday, she turned one this last month. I really struggled with what to get her. I am a big fan of educational stuff, but I did not want to be the grandma who does not get the fun stuff. I ended up solving this dilemma by giving her one of my baby baskets with a collection of books and a dressing doll to help with zippers buckles etc. The cool thing about it is Kiley loves to look at the books and have you read to her and the doll will help her learn how to dress herself. Of course I solved the problem of the day with this gift, but I know for future reference that I can use this doll for just about any gift for someone under 3 even for a new sibling. I know it may seem silly how much we fret over getting the perfect gift, but I am glad I pick this one for Kiley. She has not stopped carrying the doll around and I just got reading her a new book today. I hope everyone enjoys those first birthdays that are in your future. I know I did with all of my kids and now I get to start over with my grand daughter.

Today is the start of a very busy two weeks. The kids start school on Sept. 9th. Between touring the new school that they will both be going to and getting the supplies that they need, we are trying to get it taken care of. Of course they didn't give the list to us until today. At least we have finished shopping for new clothes that actually fit them. My son has grown almost four inches since the start of summer. We laugh because he is now taller then my husband.
My daughter is very concerned about the two lockers that she will have to know the combination's for. Lets not forget the fact that P.E. is everyday and the kids have to take a shower as well. I can't remember feeling this way maybe I did. I think it is a good thing to feel a little excited as well as nerves. It keeps you in check. It makes you try a little harder to get it right. I walked my daughter through her daily routine, to put her at ease.
I have my own feelings about this special day. Both of my kids are in middle school and one more year older. It goes by so fast I can't grasp a hold of it some days. It was just yesterday that they were born. When I think back at the years I remember all of my kid's firsts. If I stop and think about it enough I want to take a moment and cry for the memories that we have shared together.
Know that that has past I wish that they have a great year and make a lot of their own memories to look back on. I know that I still have some from when I was younger. Yet I still wouldn't change a thing about it.
Hope everyone has started their school year out right. Make some of your own memories to last your whole life.

It is the final count down to the wedding of our son and soon to be daughter in law. I can't help but feel excited, scared and totally overwhelmed all at the same time. We have been working on this special day for a while now and it feels like it will never come and that I won't have enough time to get all of the last minute things done.
Just the other day I was helping my father with his wedding present for the kids, when it struck me that I ended up making a gift basket for them. I guess when you do baby baskets for a living it is hard to change your ways. The best things come in baskets, which is why I probably made one in the first place. Think about it, Easter baskets, fruit baskets and my favorite besides baby baskets, chocolate gift baskets. I mean who would not love to give or receive a beautifully arranged gift basket? Think about the last time that you came home and saw a box sitting on your front door steps and realized that it was a gift for you. I don't know about you, but I get excited to see that someone thought enough of me to send me something in the mail to surprise me.
I know that I make and sell baby gift baskets for a living, so most people will expect me to send them one of my gift baskets when a baby shower is coming up. This does not mean that they are not surprised when I send it to them instead of giving it to them on their special day I think it is nice to switch things up a little bit; it keeps things interesting and fun.
If any of you are having a wedding, baby shower, or a just because in the future, a little piece of advice. Take at least some of the stress out of your life, by getting a gift basket for the ocacasion.

Lori's article on reducing episodes of scatter brainess came at the perfect time for me! Hot Summer days and 4 kids that are up early and up late every day has definitely led to bouts of scatter brainess for me! I found the suggestions in her article  well worth trying... I only hope I can remember to come back to read them again tomorrow before any scatter brain episodes strike! Check it out here: Cure for Scatter Brains

17 year Ashley Qualls is said to be earning over $70,000 a month off of her MySpace website: WhateverLife.com. She's dropped out of highschool, bought a house, and turned down an offer of $1.5 million.

With all the garbage our teens have to wade through I thought I'd throw this out there for parents of teens so you don't stand in the way of what could be productive use of their time online.

For more information you can checkout this article on Digg.com.