Monday, July 19, 2010

30 before 30....or maybe 30 and a half

I got this idea from a fellow blogger ( Making it Lovely)...I thought it would be fun to challenge myself as well.

1. answered prayers
2. have family pics taken
3. start an herb garden
4. go on a family or couple vacation
5. make a ??? (it's a surprise- can not reveal info)
6. start or be in a bible study
7. bake a rainbow cake (click for pic)
8. get a facial...or two...or three (ha)
9. decorate S's big boy room
10. get a macbook
11. make 2 new friends
12. learn how to shop with coupons
13. finish Layne and Shea's baby books
14. finish the Yudizky 2009 photo book
15. make-over at least one antique piece of furniture
16. organize all computer files
17. canon 24-70 mm lens
18. add two new awesome meals to my weekly dinner menu's
19. grow my bangs out
20. take my boys to a baseball game
21. clean the house from top to bottom in one day
22. have a party
23. paint a picture
24. learn something new about photography
25. subscribe to a magazine
26. read one book all the way through
27. go on a girls trip
28. learn more about gardening and flowers in general (I dream of beautiful purple and blue hydrangeas all around my house)
29. revamp my wardbrobe
30. grow even closer to the lord

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Saturday, July 17, 2010

Lead Me

I absolutely adore this song right now. The words just remind me how we all need help sometimes, well, most of the time. It's okay to lean on those you love- especially God. It is also a reminder to me that our children need us- even when they don't let us know. They are always turning their eyes to us...watching...ready to mimic what they see. Our love and actions will have much more impact on their future than we can even imagine. I hope you have a person you can be led by and someone you can lead...I especially hope you call on the lord every day- looking to him as your guidance through this unpredictable life.

Please listen to the song below- you won't be dissapointed.

Lead Me


Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're in independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone
Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone




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Friday, July 16, 2010

Big Eyes


This is what I would like to call our big eyed look.

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

The 4th

The smell of suntan lotion
Burgers on the grill
Wrinkly fingers and toes
Late night conversations
The chirp of the cricket
Saturday morning pancakes
No showers
Nothing but a swimsuit
Food
Homemade Ice-cream
No shoes
Grass in between your toes
A red nose
Waterlogged
Sleeping late
No cell phones
No computers
No TV
Coke's
Tanning contests
Staying up late
My memories of summer!

My Dad's house

The boys in their 4th of July shirts.


The fire thrower...yes we had a fire thrower at our party- did you?

The hula-dancer...yes, we also had a hula-dancer.

L and Daddy driving their mustang in the parade.

S watching the parade
Uncle Byron being silly with the boys.

To view a few more pics from our awesome weekend go here and type in the password shadesofgrey.
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Balancing it all


Sometimes I wonder how I get through the day. How my kids are still alive, healthy and in one piece. Sometimes I wonder how they got so smart or cute or witty. Sometimes I wonder how it all seems to get done (to some degree or another)- It's a lot...this being a mom stuff. I'm not gonna lie though- I have never been more content with this life than I am now. Do I yearn for some quiet time, pedicure trips, sleeping late- yes...but life is good. I am so fulfilled with this reality God has handed me. When I first became a mom, it was hard. I felt pulled in all directions- trying to start a new business, trying to be a good mom, good wife, good housekeeper and good chef...it wasn't working. I yearned for greatness, not the mediocre person I had become or felt I had become. I can't really pin point a day when it all changed, but something happened. I suddenly became ok with mediocrity. I feel blessed that I can live my life serving my boys day in and day out as best as I know how. I feel blessed that they don't expect perfection (good thing- cause they sure aint gonna get it). I know now that the only place I'm supposed to be is right here. Being just ok isn't so bad after all.


Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10


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Monday, July 12, 2010

Chic Peek: I may have a problem

Chic Peak will be an installment of weekly or bi-weekly design inspiration that I find worthy of sharing with you guys. Sometimes there may be a story to go along- and sometimes just loveliness to look at.

It's official- I may have a couple of loose screws.

I think. A lot. About everything. About anything. About today. About tomorrow. About yesterday. I plan. I decorate. I imagine. I get anxiety. I get scared. I dream. I hope. And then I start all over again. Really...is it just me???

It's happening again. The thoughts of the daughter I probably won't ever have. We volunteered in the preschool department at church yesterday. Kyle is seriously like a magnet for five year-old little girls (that kind of sounds bad...but you know what I mean). They LOVE him. There's always one- one that runs to tickle him and than turns and hides so that he can go and find her. One that hangs on his arm, climbs in his lap and follows his every move. And I'm mush. I'm supposed to be teaching and playing with five-year olds, but instead, pictures of my "pretend" daughter dance in my head. The way that she would be with her Daddy, the way her Daddy would be with her, the way I would dress her and her name (She has one...but I wouldn't dare tell you- that would really make me nuts). I really have come to terms with the fact that the chances of me having a daughter is about as likely as the job market sky-rocketing next month. I can dream though...can't I? And just in case you still think I'm totally normal- here's a few pics of what her room might look like.

P.S. In the future I will definitely be giving resource info. as to where I get my pics...I want to give credit where credit is due.



Friday, July 9, 2010

The Bali Gate and Family

Welcome to the Lost Dolphin Inn, a privately owned lake resort where the going nightly rate is FREE. The Bali Gate, adorned with stone Nandini's is the first thing you see as you park your car...the entryway to lake-living at it's finest. For as long as I can remember my Dad has had a love for architecture and more recently for world-travel. His latest project is a definite collaboration between the two and a true reflection of what a lot of hard work, a little blood (yours truly as a witness), sweat (gallons and gallons I'm sure), and tears (not for sure on this one...but I'm sure someone at least got a little sawdust in their eye) can do. The second-home retreat for my Dad and Step-Mom has been and remains a long work in progress, but is sure to be a little eye-candy for those passing by.

This is where my family and I spent our 4th of July weekend- soaking up the sun, drinkin' a few corona's, catching up with those we love and even learning to hula. I truly love my family- for the true mess and chaos that we are- and the eternal bond that holds us together. I'm not gonna lie- I also kind of like that we have an awesome place to mingle!

Now- if I could only talk my Dad into getting a cabana-boy (for the drinks people...geeeeez).

P.S. Nandini- n Hindu mythology, Nandini (Sanskrit: नन्‍दिनी, "the enjoying") is the name of a wish-granting cow, the child of Kamadhenu and asitharishi [[V]s]. She (Nandini) was owned by Sage Vasishtha and lived in his ashram.







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Thursday, July 8, 2010

WELCOME

So- it's been a while. I've been conjuring up a new blog as you may have noticed. This is the place I will not only post pics of my beautiful clients, but share all things I am passionate about. This blogging love-affair has just begun. Hope you enjoy!

Oh- and since this is already so much fun...I thought I would share a pic that was rather fitting.





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