Propaganda, Gifts, and a Get-Together Recap

Mother's Day will soon be upon us. I find that running a propaganda campaign is always useful.

I knew it was working when Natalie told me this morning that she wants Daddy to wake her up early on Mother's Day to make me breakfast in bed.

Forget that I don't remember the last time T woke up before 9 on a Sunday (there's a *reason* we go to the late morning church service) and that her choice of breakfast entrée might be Raisin Bran...it's the fact that I am manipulating teaching my children to appreciate the hard work I do wiping noses and washing sippy cups.

I can't complain too much though...everyone really went overboard for my twenty-fauxth birthday two weeks ago. My big present from T and my girls arrived yesterday!

This self-portrait not only showcases Lisa Leonard's sophisticated work, but also my Vampirish paleness and a strange red dot on my chest. I guess I need to hit the sunscreen with renewed vigor this summer.

One of the biggest surprises I've had lately arrived on my birthday, and I can't believe I haven't it shared it with you all. Maybe my brain is slipping in my old age.

Sometime before Easter, I mentioned that this book was on my wish list....

Imagine my surprise when Richella, my blogging buddy from Imparting Grace, sent me a beautifully wrapped birthday package with the book and a sweet card.

I haven't shared this with you all, but I had the opportunity to meet Richella last month when I was in North Carolina visiting my Nannie. She was kind enough to drive an hour West to tiny little Siler City to have lunch with me at what I was originally worried might be a questionable diner. There's not much that Siler City can claim besides the chicken factory and Aunt Bea's (from The Andy Griffith Show) house.

I won't lie. I was nervous!

I don't think I've ever had lunch with a blogging friend who I didn't already know from *real life.*

The thing is, Richella was just as real in *real life* as she is on her blog.

She was approachable, kind, fun to talk to, and so darn cute! I felt like we had loads of things to chat about, and I didn't have to try to impress her or tell her that I was "just having a bad hair day." In fact, we talked for so long that the manager turned the lights out and we had to take our conversation out to the sidewalk!

Because we have no shame, we asked the manager to take a picture of us:

So, there you have it. I survived my very first Bloggy Meet 'n Greet. It was a pleasure, and I am honored to call you my friend, Richella!

As luck would have it, Richella and I are both hosting blog parties this week.

 My Dishing It! party goes live tonight (you can click here for the topic and questions for May) and will be a chance for bloggers to meet up and learn more about each other...almost like a real Meet 'n Greet.

Richella's Special Touches party will be on Friday, and is all about sharing a little glimpse into the ways you make your house a home. This party is perfectly suited to Richella because she has a great ability to make people feel welcome and at ease!

I hope you'll link up with both of us.

Moms, start now on your Propaganda for Sunday's big day! {wink}