First, there were fabulous quotes, everyone of them was really great and would make a good embroidered wall hanging. (If you feel so inspired and want to share your photos let me know and we’ll get you some space to show them off!)

I’m in the middle of a crazy few weeks, my eldest is in junior guards, we all had dentist appointments, the world keeps stopping for birthday parties. I fear I will never get through the day without too much caffeine and then I lay in bed thinking, “dude, that was too much caffeine today” and then I start all over the next day. I blame my mother-in-law, who comes to visit and likes a good pot of coffee. It’s hard to resist when she’s here, and harder to quit when she’s gone. (I don’t really blame her actually, I do get the concept of self-will, AND she’s totally awesome. Hi Suzanne!) I am thinking that I might need to start wearing mascara just to help mask the bags. On top of it all, I would like to be a kind and gentle mother. Patient and hopeful. I tell you this so that you’ll get an idea WHY I picked the quote that I picked over all of the others.

There were a few quotes that said this same sort of thing but in more words, for instance this one:

“I have come to a frightening conclusion. I am the decisive element in the [home]. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. As a [parent] I possess tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or de-humanized.” Haim Ginott

thanks Angela! this was a runner-up!

and I also liked this one:

It’s not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can’t tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself. ~Joyce Maynard

thanks Hannah! another runner-up!

I picked the winning quote because it’s self-affirmation, positive and hopeful, with a strong dash of vanity. Which is a sin of course, but most of us could do with a little more belief in our fabulousness. This quote is perfect for moms with a queen-complex or in my case goddess delusions, or would like to start having them. I like the idea that if I believe I am kind, it will make me act kinder. And I also could use to be reminded that it is me that is the change I want to see in the world. Strife in the household? Too much crazy? Take a long look at yourself my dear self. Long long look. This quote can apply to the home, your kids and then even the world-at-large. It’s simple and humorous. So, without further ado, the winning quote is:

Let them bask in your Radiance and Sunshine.

Julie wins the wonderful hand-knitted breastfeeding advocacy towel by The Red Rose Boutique (thank you Amanda!) and please spend a second visiting her The Red Rose Boutique facebook page and ‘liking’ her. Please, for me .

Congratulations Julie and I love you too!
xox,
Heather