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a good one.

This week is a good one.

A really good one.

Because I love this girl.

She makes me want to be a runner.

Her kids are crazy cute.

She is in love with her husband.

In love.

I love that.

She is funny, encouraging and sweet.

But most of all has a huge heart.

Meet Erin.

I have a feeling you will love her too.

I am living my dream.

I have a soft spot for Sapphire martinis. I Google everything. I have Ab Fab girlfriends. I constantly have 5 projects in the works. I bake. I blog. I garden. I can't say no to fresh flowers. (Or the beach.) I have a love/hate relationship with Diet Coke. I love being at home. I'm hot for Teacher. (He's also a football coach.)

A big piece of my heart is in Chicago. I don't like coffee, chocolate or peanut butter. My mom says that's unAmerican. I'm a bit of an insomniac. I buy my blonde. (But I didn't used to have to.) I read. I sing Showtunes. I spend way too much time (and money) on Etsy. I love Jesus Christ, Barack Obama, and Miley Cyrus. (Yes, it's possible to love all 3. Yes, I am 33.) I both found and lost myself the day my first born was laid in my arms. A boy called Munchie has me double wrapped around his pinkie.

I'm wife to Mr. Burns (remember that teacher I was talking about?) Together we are Co-CEOs of,

Bringing Up Burns - a family owned business of raising happy kids!

I'm the maid, laundress, dolly dresser, chef, chauffeur, accountant, owie kisser, personal shopper, train track assembler and occasionally the exotic dancer. He's the bread winner, anything electronic fixer/setter upper, trash man, dog walker, lego engineer, football coach, and my secret weapon.

His Love is to me what spinach is to Popeye.

Today is the Grand Opening of my Etsy shop, Erin's Haute Tots! What a way to arrive, right? With Joy's Hope trumpeting your entrance. I'm Blessed. Silly so! Haute Tots has been incubating in the back of my brain for some time. A little boy named Carter Kipp finally gave me the push I needed to bring it to life.

Carter is my girlfriend, Kara's son. He is 2 years old and already 5 months into the fight of his life. He was diagnosed with Liver cancer in April. Since then he has endured chemo, going bald, MRIs, central lines, vomiting, a million medications, rashes, needles, losing 1/3 of his total body weight, and hospital after hospital. He spent over a month on the transplant list. 5 weeks ago, another family's tragedy was the Kipp's answer to prayer. An almost perfect match donor liver became available and Carter has accepted it even better than his doctors expected! Good thing too, because last week his Mom and Dad gave him a baby brother. He already has a big brother. (Kara is proof my life is really not that crazy!) Carter still has two more chemo cycles to go but is still smiling.

I have formed a team for the CHOC Walk at Disneyland on October 18 in honor of this little fighter. We are called "Carter's Crusaders." I am donating 10% of Haute Tots total sales from now until the CHOC Walk to our team's fundraising efforts. The money raised benefits all the little Crusaders CHOC helps, especially Carter. (I need very little excuse to shop on Etsy, but isn't Carter a GREAT one?!)

Whatever struggles you face today, refuse to give up or get down. Put a smile on your face as big as Carter's, and tell yourself "A 2 year old is rocking cancer...I can do THIS!"

((HUGS)) Erin

Not one, but two of you will win a magical set of

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
6 covered button hair accessories

1 of each Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, "Hot Blue" and Purple
(Hot Blue is what my girls call Turquoise. Makes sense right? I mean we all know the difference between Pink and Hot Pink. Once I thought about it, I agreed. Turquoise IS hot Blue!

These can be made as ponytail bands, clips, or elastic headbands.
The ponytail and head bands can also be made in all black or all white if you prefer.

They come ready to gift!
Packaged up so sweet complete with colorful mini lollipops, hot pink crinkle shred and a lime green polka dot bow.
So yummy! Almost pretty enough to eat.

How can you win some of your own yumminess?

(please leave a new comment for each entry.)

1. Visit Haute Tots.

Come back here and tell me what you love.

2. Visit Erin's Blog.

Leave some comment love.

3. Visit Carter's Blog.

Shower them with encouragement and love.

4. Make a purchase from the shop.

Help support Carter's big fight.

5. Pray.

As a bonus, Erin has treats for you if you do a few simple things:

blog about Carter's Crusaders and send Erin the link in her comments and you will receive free shipping on your purchase.
Commit to organ donation online at Donate Life America and get a FREE covered button hair accessory of your choice.

What did I say about her big heart?

Two winners will be chosen on Friday September 25th.

Go Carter!!!!