Yup.

Happy Friday!! I know, I'm a bad blogger, but I'm spending time (hopefully) being as good of a momma to these sweet things as I can. Looking at these faces, enjoying this warmer weather, baking tons and tons of cookies... Life is good. My word this year is Thrive, and we're working on doing just that. I pray for you all and think of you bunches!!

One of Those...

Yesterday was one of those days... I know you know the ones. I woke up tired, wasn't feeling all that great, the littles didn't seem to want to listen, and the coffee maker broke. I know, that last thing is a big one. In truth, it's been on its way out for about a week, but I have been in denial. A broken coffee maker isn't something easily acknowledged to this coffee addict, but a new coffee maker isn't quite in the budget either. So I was at an unusual crossroads... what to do at 7 in the evening when I just needed a cup. So here is what I came up with:

AND IT WORKED!!!

 All I did was take an empty glass jar and put a coffee filter and coffee on the top, fastened with the ring-thingy (that's the technical name, right?!). Then I poured hot water slowly into the top. The pouring part took a while because I was trying to avoid an overflow, but the wait time was well worth it. The coffee tasted amazing, and Remy was completely amazed at our little 'Little House' experiment.

I was then reading a post about God speaking through His word, and Jen talked about Psalm 121.  I love this Psalm. In my Bible I've penned 'Remy & Halle's Psalm' across the top of this one because I often whisper this sweet song in the darkness as they sleep or quietly speak it to scared little ones in the night. It reminded me that even in my crazy days God is with me. And seriously, who am I kidding about rough days?! My broken coffee pot and moments of parenting stress are fleeting and trivial... But regardless, my God is the same.

Psalm 121
I lift my eyes up to the hills- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber,
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

So I enter into this weekend in gratefulness. I am thankful that in my broken-pot-moments, God is never sleeping, never taking his eyes or his hand from me. 'Loving God loving me... is that selfish? He loves you too, you know, As do I, sweet lovelies! Hope you're weekend is full of things you love!

Friday Love

I haven't done one of these posts in forever, which is crazy because I have so much I'm loving right now!

~First of all, I'm adoring this girly girl. Yes, she has her very two-year-old moments, but when she begs to have those tiny toes painted pink, I can't resist... These are the exact reasons that I wanted a baby girl! And those little nails are so sweet (even if they are so small that I can't help but get paint all over... fortunately she isn't picky!)

~Mail! I love ordering everything online because I do the super happy dance when each package arrives. Although I really would love it if the delivery guys wouldn't come during nap time and make the dogs bark like mad.

~Speaking of mail, yesterday I received a shipment of some things I ordered for a tea party that I have coming up. I'm excited to share the details once it gets a little closer... I've invited a bunch of my girlfriends, and I also gave them each an extra invite to encourage a friend to come.  I used to love having fancy tea parties with my mom, so this should be super fun. Plus, it's new to most of my friends, so it's a party and an adventure all in one. Now if the weather holds out for me to do it all outside...

~The Royal Wedding- I am actually one of those crazy people who set my alarm for 3am just to see it... I seriously can't wait to scoop every detail of William and Kate's big day. I'm so nosey!! I've been dying to see her dress since they announced their engagement. And in honor of their big day, I think I need to use a British Accent all day... that should go over well (because, of course, my accent is perfect). 

Hope your weekend is full of things you love! xo

Happy Friday!

Hi, sweet friends! Happy Friday/December! I promise I'm still alive, though my lack of posting may have left you to wonder... just busyness that the holidays bring~ preschool field trips and parties, shopping, decorating, just life that happens. I adore you all and hope today finds you doing well, surrounded by people and things that you love! xo

Friday, Friday

Well, this week has been full of drama... sorry I haven't been around, but I just couldn't do it. I do have a few pics from the last week, though. Last Friday Halle got her first haircut (just her bangs, but still a notable occasion!), and Remy got his first ever short hair cut. To us, it was a sign of our being mid-westerners, but to Remy is was such a big deal, having a haircut like his friends. (And this isn't a jab on mid-westerners, it's just always been funny to us that here he is the only boy in his class, team, whatever that had long hair...) He looks so cute, and he loves that he and Trace can put gel in their hair together! Ahh, a bonding moment for father & son.

of course, sticking her tongue out

so handsome with his tiny faux-hawk

This week I have also been loving the Peppermint Mocha Creamer from Coffee-Mate. Have you tried this stuff?! Amazing! And believe me, I have had a ton of coffee in the last seven days!

I hope you have a great weekend! I have my last craft show tomorrow at a local school, but other than that I am hoping that ours stays pretty calm and that I'll get back to my normal schedule next week. 'Until next time...

Friday Love

This week consisted of a lot of slowing down. It turns out that 'Making Room' translates into a lot of time away from the computer, which is great for me and the littles, but means less posting on this space. (Not that I spent tons of time on here, but as in every area, there's always room to improve...)  I have so much to love!

 This is what happens when I try to get  a nice picture of my wee ones who were snuggling on the couch. One is happy and the other is just goofy... These were also the shots of Halle's first pigtails. I have been begging her, and she finally let me put some in! Don't worry, the curly girl's bangs and shaggy boy's entire mane are getting chopped this morning.

As good as it gets...

Remy and I also had a date yesterday. We went to see a movie and then out to eat at a 50s Diner. It was fun to hang with my sweet boy, even though he made it clear he would rather be with his daddy, and give Halle & Trace some time together. I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend, though that almost never happens that way... I hope you have a wonderful weekend full of people you love!

The Love List

This week has been pretty amazing, and I have a lot to love!

~This verse: Joshua 3:5 "Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.'" (emphasis mine) I'll definitely elaborate more next week, but I am just living on the expectancy of this one today. 

~ Give Every Day- Have you seen this?! I recently discovered Steph & her family and am so loving what they are doing. You really should check it out!

~Tricks + Treats - Elsie always posts amazing things, but in the weeks leading up to the opening of the new Red Velvet Shop, she has been posting tons of great DIY projects from great blogger guests. Everything from cute Halloween Nail Art to soft braids. This acorn garland (pictured above) by Rachel Denbow is my absolute favorite! Now I just need to find the time to try them all!

source

~Legwarmers. Okay, so I am a child of the eighties... Something about all the chunky knits makes me super happy. I think I'll have to live vicariously through Halle on this one~ chubby baby legs look way cuter in these than chubby momma legs.

I could go on, but my quiet was just interrupted by two screaming little ones. (Isn't it strange how happy play can turn to drama in an instant?!) I hope your weekend is filled with people and things that you love!

Happy, Happy Crazy Day

A very Merry Birthday to my Tracey!!!

I'm always at a loss on what to get Trace for his birthday, and this year was no different. But a few months ago (I was seriously starting early because it always seem to come down to the wire...) I had the brilliant idea that I would try to get Brett, Trace's best friend, to come up for his birthday to surprise him. Well, Brett is pretty hard to pin down, and I had been playing email tag for weeks. So imagine my surprise on Monday when I get an email saying 'Friday doesn't work, but how about we leave for your place late tomorrow night to get there Wednesday morning? I'll have 6-7 guys with me.' Umm, okay.

A little back story is that Brett is our friend in Nashville that works extensively with the homeless community through Lambscroft. He lives in a house that he shares with several guys at a time who he is helping get off the streets, through discipleship, finding a job, etc. So the guys he was bringing were the guys who were living with him right now. I, of course, responded with an excited 'YES, please come!!!'. But then the chaos ensued~ where was I going to sleep all these people? (thankfully friends had many sets of bedding and air mattresses) feed everyone? (Hooray for easy breakfast recipes and our favorite WalMart pizza!)

Given the time that they were arriving, I had to tell Trace early about them coming (was there really a way that I could have hidden bedding for 7 extra people?!), but other than that, the day was wonderful! The gang arrived about 5:30 am on Wednesday morning, and it was soooo good. We knew two of the people that Brett brought with him, so we got to reconnect with some friends and make some new ones. It never ceases to amaze me the ministry God works in the lives of those who truly love him. I loved hearing stories of men overcoming addiction, getting through a prison sentence, and discussing parts of the Bible with so many different view points represented.

I think Trace was pretty happy. The day ended with a great birthday cake, which Brett and some of our students promptly smeared on Trace's face. The only thing that wasn't great was that they had to leave Wednesday night to get home on Thursday... the work in that kind of ministry doesn't stand still for very long. So the whirlwind is over, but the effects are lasting. 

Happy Birthday to the funny & sarcastic guy that puts up with my craziness... XO

Friday Love~ Guest Post by Abbie of 'Greening Sam and Avery'

Happy Friday, lovelies! My week has taken a turn for the crazy, and I am so thankful to have a guest author here for the day. I'll fill you in on all my insanity soon, I'm sure! Abbie is the author of an amazing blog called 'Greening Sam and Avery' where she shares her journey to help her little ones appreciate the world around them. Every day she shares a green project that she does with her littles and walks out the step-by-step, or the 'nitty gritty', as she calls it. You will love the things she comes up with (like those amazying tree blocks below)! On with the love!!!

Hello 2 sweet things readers!  I am a new reader and Mandy has graciously allowed me to invade her space here as a member of the SITS Hedgehog Tribe.  Super excited to be here and share some of the things that I am loving right now.

We are in love with our tree blocks. My girls have played with them almost every day since we got them and the ideas are endless. 

Fantasy football!  (didn't see that one coming did you? ha!) My husband and I are in a couples league with a bunch of our friends and while I have always been a football fan and willing to sit and watch a game this has taught me much more about the sport, made it even more fun to watch the games and know some of the players and the smack talk between the spouses and friends is hilarious!  We don't live in town with the friends that are in the league anymore but we use to get together on Sunday afternoons for great food and to watch at least one game together.  We have some great memories from those afternoons spent watching the games and chatting with great friends.  Who knew you could bond and have so much fun over Fantasy Football?

Loving pick-your-own farms! We just recently moved to a bigger city and the amount of local farms we have near us is amazing.  We have done so much fresh food picking this spring, summer and fall.  My daughters are in love with every part of the process, including all the great food we are making and eating!

My girls.  Okay, not every day and not every moment of every day (is there a mom out there that doesn't get frustrated every once in a while? I don't think so!) but for the most part I am loving my daughters right now.  They are both in pretty amazing, yet challenging stages (2.5 years old and nine months!) but we have a blast with outings, games, music and just playing with each other at home.  I cherish these days because I know that before I realize it they will both be off to school and not home with me every day.

Thanks so much for letting me share with you all today!  It has been so good to look at life and the things that are really sticking out as "my loves" right now.  Happy Friday everyone!!

Friday Love~ Guest Post by Lindsay of 'Just My Blog'

**Happy Friday, Lovelies! As a challenge for a blogging community I'm a part of I am actually posting my regularly scheduled Love List over at Just My Blog, which is where my guest writer today, Lindsay, usually blogs. If you're visiting from Lindsay's site, welcome! I do hope you'll take a few minutes to look around, check out the cookies (which I bake nearly every day) and/or the insanity that is my life... If you're not new around here, I'd love for you to get to know Lindsay and jump over to her neck of the woods to say hello. xo, M**

The SITS Girls have brought Mandy and I together (along with many other bloggers) as a tribe. The Hedgehog Tribe to be exact. We are a group of bloggers who all have young children. One of our challenges as a tribe was to swap some guest posts...So here I am! I normally blog over at Just My Blog, but today I'm giving Mandy a break and holding her hostage until she bakes me some chocolate chip cookies. Also, you can find her at my blog today giving me some awesome guest post love. So, what do I love?

I love the Fall. I didn't used to love Autum or Fall or whatever you want to call it. As a matter of fact, I loathed Fall because it meant that a freezing winter was just around the corner. Then I moved to Georgia....and winter isn't as terrible as it was in Illinois. Now I can finally enjoy the leaves changing color and the nip in the air.

I love shops like this one. I even love them when I have no money to spend in them. I love imagining their pretty things in my not pretty {yet} house. I love knowing that most of the items in their shop were lovingly made by hand by someone who loves making them (like Mandy).

I love blogging. I love all of the amazing women I've connected with since I began blogging. The Hedgehog Tribe has turned out to be a pretty awesome bunch of women who I know I can really relate to and get along with. As a matter of fact, if you get a chance, go check each of them out. They're all different types of blogs and designs...our tribe was put together because we have young children, but it is not necessarily the defining focus of each of our blogs.

Lastly, and probably most obviously, I love my children. My girls make me smile at least 17 times a day. They bring me joy, love, frustration, psychosis, confusement and hugs. The hugs make the rest of it all worthwhile. Their smiles are contagious. Their cheeks are totally pinchable. Their voices are magical. The complete innocence and compassion they have are overwhelmingly beautiful. I am so thankful for them each and every day.

~~~

Okay, so I've told you a little of what I love...now tell me, what do you love? What is making you smile today? What is reminding you to be thankful?

Love~ Together

Desperately in need of a hair cut, but oh well!

There are few things that make me happier than moment when Remy & Halle have fun together. And yes, sometimes those fleeting moments turn quickly, but I relish them while I can. Something about the fresh air, the smell of fall and the sounds of leaves crunching under our feet is so magnetic to wee ones (and not-so-wee ones!). Happy Weekend!

Love~ Pretty Things

Just some sweet things I've run into this week. Happy Friday, lovelies!

Red Wooden Scissor Necklace~ Red Velvet Art

Still on the hunt for the perfect boots~

Enigma Boot from Seychelles

Pretty Prints from my friend, Courtney. I'd love these for my sewing 'room'!

Courtney Noffsinger Photography

Sewing Machine Clutch by Lori Marie for RVA

Be back later~ have a great day!

Friday Love

Welcome, Friday! This week has been crazy, and truthfully, I'm glad it's nearing its end. But there have been moments of pure awesomeness, and today was a fine example:

~Meet Leo. At first sight Remy was horrified with the chance meeting of our new caterpillar friend on the back porch. He calls me over screaming 'Gross, you have to see this!'. Just for your information, this is something I NEVER like to hear. I come closer to see this sweet, fuzzy little creature, and I tell Remy and Halle that he's just a caterpillar. Upon discovering how not gross this is, he promptly receives a name and a story. That's just the way we do things around here...

So Leo must be travelling home from work. He is a pretty fast moving caterpillar, and so that must mean that he is excited to see his family. The wee ones put things in his path to see his reaction (I know, not nice to do to a guy who's excited to see his family, but whatever...). Most amazing is that little Leo thinks that Remy 'smells like his family' and crawls up his arm to find them. We build Leo tunnels with leaves, a tee pee out of sticks, and Halle makes a salad from grass.

After playing for a while it is our lunch time, and Leo is left outside to continue his long journey home. We eat our lunch of mostly finger foods. Lunch is cleaned up, and I realize that the kids never washed their hands. So hopefully Leo was as harmless a little guy as I thought and we don't get some sort of weird caterpillar virus. (I am a hypochondriac and will be googling that on another screen as I'm finishing this post. Just so you know...)


So far, so good...  I hope you have a great weekend!

Love~ My Boys

I do wish y'all could see these boys play. Wrestling in the freshly mown grass (and mowing is Trace's least favorite job!) is a favorite for both, I think. And, as is always the case with my sweet Remy is that it ends in a snuggle. Life is as it should be.

Friday Love~ Found

In keeping with my Simple Goals, I am working on organizing my work space. I scored big last week when sorting through a much neglected drawer~ I found a bag of vintage lace and trims! Some of them scream eighties (like the gray and pink woven ribbon), while others appear much older. 

This envelope has about a yard of this incredible handmade trim. I can't even begin to imagine the time it took to make these sweet little circles!

It kind of makes me think I should clean more often (or just stay organized in the first place...)! Happy Friday!