Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Revisiting "the list"

Remember this post? Well- I thought it was time to revisit it and see my progress.

1. answered prayers
2. have family pics taken
3. start an herb garden
4. go on a family or couple vacation- trip to Pensacola, FL over Labor Day
5. make a ??? (it's a surprise- can not reveal info)- will reveal VERY soon.
6. start or be in a bible study- this is in the works, but I hope to begin when we get back from TX. Does anyone have a suggestion on a study?
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- I actually haven't been shopping with coupons- rather learning to shop on a budget. I have actually done really well. More on this later as well.
13. finish Layne and Shea's baby books
14. finish the Yudizky 2009 photo book- Yay....finally- this was a huge project. I have not ordered it yet, but it is all together. I'm dragging my feet because I don't want to pay for it. As soon as I do though- I will show you guys. I can't wait to have it in my hands.
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- Obviously this is a daily goal- but I try and keep my eyes and my mind on the things that matter...and to keep my faith at the forefront of my life. I have nothing without faith. Faith in God, faith that he knows where my life is going, faith that he will look after my boys when I can not, faith that he can deal with the stuff that I physically can't control. I've learned- It's faith or fear. Faith seems to be the better choice, don't ya think.

Have a great day. The boys and I are leaving for TX, but I will have a few posts scheduled between now and the time I get back.


XOXO
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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Smiling


I stumbled upon these pictures while going through folders on my computer. They all have one thing in common...they make me smile.

Memaw is a breath of fresh air in a world of hatred, anger and selfishness. She is the most loving and giving woman I have ever met. Memaw is currently battling Alzheimer's. Even on the bad days she can somehow make you smile...even laugh. These pictures represent what a beautiful person she is inside and out, and how she loves. Words can not describe how much she means to her family...to me.

The pics of my boys were not planned. The one of L, obviously taken first, was on a family trip to Idaho. This past Christmas I was unpacking from a trip to TX and caught S sitting in my suitcase (as most curious tots do) and going through my stuff. I remembered that I had taken a pic of L exactly like this and thought I should have one of S as well. It wasn't until a month ago when I compared these pics side by side that I realized they both have on the same pajamas. Crazy. (If I did know at the time- I don't remember. I don't remember much these days. I'm not really sure what I'm gonna be like in 20 years- I blame it on my kids).

The other pics are pretty self explanatory. I love the flowers not only because they are beautiful and white, but they are taken at my home in TX. The one of Jax takes me back. When he was a pup Kyle decided to take him to "hunting" school. We boarded him there for six weeks :(. Guess what- now he's gun shy. All that time and money right down the drain. Anyways- he is a pointer- they are bred for locating birds and standing just like this. He would do this to the birds flying around our backyard all the time. LOL...he's so cute. We miss our Jaxy.

Sorry for the randomness today. I just thought I would share these simple photos that made me happy. I hope you find something that makes you smile today.

P.S. Something else made me smile today. The boys and I were hanging out on the porch today after school eatin' some Cheetos when L said Mom, member what happened on the third day? God made the plant, the trees and the flowers. And on the fourth day he made the sun and the moon and the stars. I was sort of stunned...amazed at not only the lessons he was actually learning in school, but his memory as well. I thought I would test him a bit- thinking for sure he wouldn't know the others. I asked him what happened on the first day. He said mmmmmmm, mmmmm, mmmm, oh, God made the light and the dark. OMG- I am a proud mamma bear right about now. :)

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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Before it Breaks

Every once in a while I run across a song so amazing that I want to listen to it over and over. This is one of those songs. I'm not quite sure how long You Tube will allow me to keep this on my site. Last time it was only a few days. I have only recently discovered this original singer- songwriter. Her voice makes me want to close my eyes and drift off into a deep sleep. There is something so authentic about the way she sings. I love her. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.




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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

pretty fabric for my dishes

I came across this post at fly through our window for a dishmat and then eventually found this tutorial at life in grace for the same dishmat. What's a dishmat you say??? I was wondering the same thing when I stumbled upon it...but it's rather genius. I know around my house we always dirty an extra dish towel or two when we let the dishes air dry. This is perfect for leaving out all week and tossing in the wash on laundry day. You can also use it above your dishwasher to set dishes on as you unload them. The terrycloth layer below your fabric soaks up the water and leaves your counter spotless. My version is only slightly different from the above tutorial. I didn't want mine to be quite as big, so I left out a few strips of fabric. The best part was that I made it in just a few hours. If you enjoy this sort of thing it will be well worth your time.

P.S. I may have to make a few extras for some Christmas gifts...hmmm...I wonder who would like one of these?!?

Hope you like!:)






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Friday, September 10, 2010

If $$$ grew on trees...

this all would be mine. Forget the fact that I don't have a daughter to dress- I would give it to my sweet niece. This past weekend in Pensacola my friend handed me a kids J. Crew catalog to thumb through...it was love at first sight. I've never bought anything from this store- and to be honest, have never really given it much attention. How dare she get me hooked. :) I just love the feminine soft look of the heather grey cami paired with the petal pink cardigan- oh, AND THE NECKLACES...love them. I think it's the simplicity of these outfits that just suck me in- I see the woman- and not just the clothes. The older, uh, or- more mature I get- the more I love a beautiful, but simple wardrobe. It's about you shining through as an individual not as much about your clothes making a statement for you.
Don't get me started on this little girls adorable outfit. This is the quintessential look for tomboys with style. I was never a tom-boy, but I would wear this or dress my daughter/ niece in this in a heartbeat. The shoes with the hat kill me...it's great.
The boys clothes just scream cool. Now- I know it's not important that at the young age of 2 or 3 you should worry about your child being cool, but seriously...these shirts would even be super cute on Diego.
Now- If only that tree in the back would bloom...


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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Cars, Planes & Polka Dots

As a follow up to my inspiration post for L's big boy room- here it is. The room isn't complete in my mind, but for now it's as good as it's going to get. We are currently in a rental and I can't paint the walls a color of my choice (which would probably be a shade of light blue/grey or white). The furniture is my brothers and probably won't be L's for much longer- so I didn't want to change the knobs on the dresser out (or repair the missing one). I would also love to see a big rug in this room...again, an investment that I'm not willing to make in our temporary state. I'm thinking the boys may eventually share a room- I will definitely keep with this theme, but change to two twin beds. I am loving all things vintage right now...I hope it comes through a little in this room.

FYI: This room doesn't get a whole lot of natural light...the pics could definitely be better.

Enjoy.











Pillow and curtain fabric - fabricworm
silver piggy bank- target
blue bird night light- target
tin road signs- Hobby Lobby
letters- Joanne's Fabric
White lamp- target (I added ribbon trim)

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Thursday, September 2, 2010

RANDOMNESS

I was at Walmart this morning- trying to find a car adaptor that would work with the boys DVD player. I lost the other one (go figure)- and I sure wasn't going to be stuck in the car with two toddlers for 6.5 hours with no DVD player. Before I left, lunch entered my mind. I'm not sure why because it was only 9:30. I knew we were out of bread at home, so I couldn't make a sandwich, nothing else we had sounded good and I didn't want to eat fast food. The obvious answer would have been to buy a loaf of bread...but, we are leaving early in the morning and we will be gone for four days- and I really didn't want a whole loaf of bread to go bad before we could finish it off. So- I popped down the frozen food isle in search for something...something that didn't look blah. I grabbed this not quite sure if it was going to be trashcan worthy or edible. Let me just tell you- I would eat this again. Is it gourmet? No. But it was actually good. For all of those frozen food fans out there- this one gets a thumbs up from me. Way to go Healthy Choice!


...and this is the reason I couldn't buy bread. I will be in paradise, or uh, Pensacola- close. We are going back to our second home to visit some great friends and be bums on the beach.


I decided to test out this "sock monkey" tutorial that I found on another blog. I will blog more about this next week, including tutorial site and inspiration site where I found the link. I wanted to make one each for the boys- but I decided to make one first for my friends seven month old son. But now I'm not sure if he will crawl away screaming when his momma hands this to him, if he will sling it around by his ten foot tail or if he will simply cuddle it. So...the question is- sock monkeys, cute or scary???


And just in case you forgot already what my cute kiddos look like- I'll leave you with a pic taken this morning. Layne said "Mom, take a picture of me and Shea playing with these." I guess it was a monumental event. So- I did what every normal mom would do- I jumped at their willingness to smile for the camera.


I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day! Be back next week.

XOXO
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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Childrens Photography 101...in 5 seconds

Everyone loves a good close-up of a two year old...a pic that really captures those unique facial expressions. Don't be scared to get close. Also- when taking pictures of kids don't forget to get on their level. An image definitely does not have the same appeal taken from an adults view as oppose to laying on the floor to capture the moment. If you want to get creative with your skills- move around the room until you find a unique angle...maybe one you wouldn't have normally thought of. Don't forget that by placing your subject in front of a window or door you will allow the most light to hit his/her precious face. If you are wanting that bright white skin- this is a must. Also- if you have a nice camera, but are not shooting in manual...I challenge you to learn. You will love the results once you get the hang of it.






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