this little life of mine

on Sunday...

2012-01-23T23:46:00.000-08:00

...I felt cute.

And I decided that I should blog about it. After all, it's practically an event!

If you've ever been 15-ish weeks pregnant with your fourth child, you know what I mean. :)

So, in honor of a good hair day and an outfit that worked, you get a gratuitous fashion post.

cardigan: goodwill
tank top: forever21 (their basic tank tops are the best!)
dress: target clearance
teal belt: goodwill
lacy tights: forever21, a christmas stocking stuffer from my seester
boots: goodwill

I love these boots. They were $4.50, and they're the most incredibly comfortable and sturdy boots I own. They're beat up and worn and scuffed, but that makes me love them even more.

Can you believe I'm already nearly sixteen weeks pregnant? It honestly seems like we just found out about baby a few weeks ago. It's crazy how quickly this is going by

I'm always tired, often nauseous, sometimes broken-out like a teenager, awkwardly getting bigger (all over, it seems. it's delightful. ha.) and struggling to keep up with things around here....
but I'm really, honestly, truly, and completely thankful for these things.
This babe of ours seems to be growing and healthy so far, my pregnancy has been free from complications or serious sickness...and I've realized afresh with this pregnancy what a huge gift these things are. It is not one to be taken for granted and one for which I try to remember to praise God daily.
(sometimes unsuccessfully. I can get rather grumpy! but I'm trying, I really am.)

Here's to lacy tights and vintage boots. Here's to sweet little baby #4, already a blessing to us.

and here's to all of you, may you have a lovely week ahead of you!

friday night with the backstreet boys.

2012-01-21T01:06:00.000-08:00

do you know the backstreet boys?

they're good friends of mine.

well, their music is anyway.

'round here, we love a good boy band dance party.

we danced tonight.

Emma with her wild and silly moves,

Annabelle all grins and jumps and twirls,

Rosalie feeling every beat and bringing her own flair.

as for me, well, I just tried not to completely lose my breath.

(pregnant+dancing= wow, I'm out of shape)

the dog joined in too, nipping at little heels and leaping and bounding wherever she could.

it was craziness.

and joy.

Rosalie and I spun and spun,

round and round until we were so dizzy that we fell to the floor,

just laughing.

and then, at that moment, she grabbed my face in her hands

and gave me a kiss, followed by a brilliant, nose-crinkling smile.

my heart melted,

and I realized this was one of those sweet moments

that I never want to forget.

it's not every day that has them.

but they will always come, popping up here and there,

an encouragement and blessing, a reward,

in the midst of all the nitty-gritty,

the sometimes-overwhelming work that being a mama is.

and as I sank into our couch to recover from our dance party,

a smile and Rosalie's kiss still on my lips,

and Emma and Annabelle gathered round for one last story before bed,

I couldn't help but be overwhelmed in a totally different way.

I'm really, really glad I get to be a mother.

I know it's a gift.

thank you, Lord.

for dance parties and dizziness,
for five-part harmony and cheesy beats,

for living room laughter,

for unexpected kisses,

for these children of mine.

Miss Emma Joy, eight years old.

2012-01-17T12:21:00.000-08:00

Since the last little girl birthday, we've had yet another one.
On January 9th.
why yes, I am way behind.

But this girl deserves a post of her own too, and when it comes to blogging, "better late than never" is a motto by which I must live.

We celebrated Emma's birthday this year by going to the park with family on the Sunday afternoon before, where we opened presents and had cake and ice cream and the kids played and the adults froze to death and my husband started feeling distinctly not well.

At least the kids had fun, right?

The next day, on her actual birthday, I was left feeling a little lost. I had a husband who was home sick with the stomach flu, we were all exhausted from the weekend, and there weren't any real plans in place to celebrate in any way. I knew that we had to make it special somehow though-- birthdays need to be special! So, when we were all finally ready, minus Daddy of course, we went out for a late lunch at the Marketplace, followed by a hot chocolate at Starbucks and a movie rental from Blockbuster (birthday girl's pick. Ella Enchanted.) And even though it wasn't exactly what one could consider a well-planned out day, it ended up being really fun, and I think Miss Emma enjoyed herself. I know I enjoyed the time with my sweet girls, and conversing with my brand-new eight-year-old over chinese food.

Eight!! She's eight. Another year flown by. It doesn't seem like that long ago that I woke up at 3:00 one morning, two days shy of my twentieth birthday, with the contractions that I knew meant I was going to be a mother for the first time-- and soon. When we welcomed our Emma Joy into the world a mere 4 1/2 hours later (now that was a blur), little could we know what it would mean to be parents, or what joy she would bring to our world.

It's been an amazing eight years. A time of growth and challenge, change and wonder, joy and delight, love and learning, and every other thing that comes when you bring a child into the world. I'm so glad and so grateful that God brought this child into our world.

Here's to our eight-year-old, our firstborn...

our charming little fashionista...

our practical perfectionist, our particular and planned-out little person...

the big sister, our serious thinker, our smarty-pants...

our sometimes-so-very-silly, crazy, playful, loving, can-drive-you-crazy, funny, sweetheart of a girl...

our darling and lovely daughter.

I've cherished these eight years, and I know I've learned a lot as a mama-- and I know I still have much, much more to learn. This child of mine has been there for my mistakes and our triumphs, and I can only hope and pray that I will set an example for her that is worthy of the young woman I so desire her to become.

I think, by the grace of God, she's well on her way.

And until she becomes that young woman, I'm going to soak up every childish moment I can with our Emma Joy.

Happy eight years, Emma, my dear, you are loved more than you can even know.

six.

2011-12-23T16:18:00.000-08:00

What better way to break my blog silence (hi, it's been over a month, how is this possible) than with a post about this sweet birthday girl?

Today, December 23rd, is Annbelle's sixth birthday! she's not five anymore. nope. she's six!

Somehow, that seems like a big jump to me, the mama. Five is still little-- still closer to being a baby than it is to being ten. still small enough to shop in the little girls' section. It just feels little.

But six! oh, six is an entirely different matter. Just ask Annabelle. Why, today when she got up, she confidently claimed that she felt older! She was surprised that she hadn't actually grown that much overnight-- it sure felt like she should have! "I just don't feel FIVE anymore. I'm definitely six, mommy."

Yes, darling girl, you are. And while I can hardly believe it and a part of me wishes you could stay small and just the way you are right now forever, I rejoice with you. Because I see you growing and changing, and becoming more and more who you will be. I'm learning about you every single day, and you become more precious all the time, even with the challenges that we sometimes face together.

I want to cherish you, and the things that are a part of you as a not-five-but-six-year-old.

That sweet nature of yours that can go so quickly from thoughtfully serious to giggly happy. You can never stay serious for long.

The way you still like to cuddle and climb onto our laps.

Your little girl voice and the way you say your words, the way you ramble on and think it's the funniest thing even though we might not "get it". the high-pitched voice you reserve for our dog and sometimes, when you're not driving each other crazy, your little sister.

The way you just LOVE your sisters. It makes my mama-heart happy.

How you dance and skip and run around on your tippy-toes. And then constantly fall down even when it seems there is no reason why you should have. You, my dear, are what I would call gracefully klutzy. :)

Those blue, blue eyes of yours. Your curly blonde hair that is still fluffy every morning when you wake up. Your goofy smile. Your skinny little arms and legs, and how ticklish you are absolutely everywhere.

Oh, Annabellesie-boo, I know you have to grow up. And I can't wait to watch you do it, thanking God every day for you and praying that He would do wonderful things with your life.

But I'm so glad we have a whole YEAR of six to look forward to. And I hope it doesn't fly by too quickly, because I want to soak you up.

You are loved, little pixie-girl.

once upon a time...

2011-11-22T23:33:00.000-08:00

... there was a boy named Jeremy and a girl named Talia.

they met one rainy night, and though they only had an inkling, that was when their love story started. slowly but surely, he won her heart as only he could.

and one fine spring day, they married.

eight and a half years went by, years of being in love, of learning and growing, of hardships and challenges, of endless joys and blessing.

they had babies. three of them. three beautiful girls. three wonderful gifts from the Lord, and it was more than they could have ever imagined.

children are like a story within a story.

a new beginning beautifully woven into the tale of the lives God gives to us all.

and those two people whose story started on that rainy night
quite some time ago

are celebrating another new beginning in their story.

what a good and gracious author our God is!

we're so thankful. this is such a gift.

we're excited.

we're a wee bit shocked and nervous to think we will have four children.

but mostly just excited. :)

we're overjoyed!!

baby bridgman the fourth, coming summer 2012.

YAY!

on NOT doing it all.

2011-11-09T08:48:00.000-08:00

My poor little blog. So neglected and alone, so post-less and picture-less and hopelessy outdated. I wonder if the other blogs stand around in little groups and point fingers and snicker at it?

poor blog.

I think everyday, I come to more and more of a realization that I simply cannot do it all...and this blog is just one more evidence of the fact.
If we have a great week in school and get everything done that I planned and have time for fun things too, you can bet my house is a disaster and there are probably baskets of laundry sitting around, unfolded and getting more wrinkly by the day.
If I manage to keep the house picked up and do things like actually clean the bathrooms and dust, we probably didn't check everything off our school assignments, and we most definitely didn't get to do any school-related crafts.
If all my piano students come that week, just go ahead and add on to the lack of cleaning and/or schoolwork.
If dinner gets cooked every night, or we have people over (which happens quite often), my kitchen is probably a perpetual mess.
If I actually sit down and simply read with my girls or to take them to the park just for fun, there's probably some vacuuming or grocery shopping that should have gotten done and didn't.
If I take the time to indulge myself in a good book or do something crafty for myself (oh crafting. how I miss thee.), I will probably feel a wee bit guilty because I KNOW that there is some chore or school grading that I'm neglecting.
Home decorating? What is that, exactly? I've forgotten, because I haven't done anything new in forever!
Gardening? Does sticking some plants into a few pots once every couple months count? Because that's about the extent of that, lately. I miss the feel of dirt in between my fingers.
Exercising? HA ha ha ha HA. HAAA. ha. suuuuure.

And, usually, on those rare and wonderful days where I actually feel like I'm on top of things and everything somehow is getting done, something will happen to completely derail me and bring me back down from my happy, albeit unrealistic, cloud of accomplishment and victory.
Such as, a young child will drop a can of shaken up Dr. Pepper on your kitchen floor, where it will explode and spin violently around until literally every surface of your kitchen and dining room-- and I do mean EVERY surface: stove, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, cupboards, walls, canisters, small appliances... FLOOR to CEILING, puddles and drips and splashes everywhere-- is covered in soda. Who knew that one can of Dr. Pepper actually contains enough liquid to coat two rooms of your house in a sticky brown mess that will take you three hours, and then some because you keep finding MORE, to clean? Not me! But, I do now. Oh, as of last week, I know. If you're wondering: why yes, I did cry.

I'm almost ready to laugh about it now though. almost. :)

I know pretty much everyone out there can relate to this in some way (right?? please tell me I'm not the only one?) and believe it or not, I'm not complaning (although I'm sure it sounds like it). I'm simply stating what I've learned, what I'm continuing to learn. This is LIFE, friends. This is how it is right now.
Yes, there are days when I feel completely stressed and overwhelmed, when I feel like I'm failing and I'm sad because I want to be able to do so much more and what's more, I feel like I should be able to so I'm not letting my family or anyone else I love down. Days where I complain and I snap and I feel sorry for myself (just even typing that sounds pathetic. sheesh.) and I lose patience and a good attitude. But, mostly, when I remind myself to be, I'm grateful. Grateful not only because I am blessed beyond measure in so many different ways, but also because I can see how the Lord is really using this crazy-busy time in our lives to teach me what is important and to let go, when I have to, of the things that aren't.
My husband and our marriage is important.
My kids and their training and these years while they are with us are important.
Our friends and family, all those wonderful people we've been blessed with, are important.
Having an open home and sharing what we've been given is important.
Making memories is important, even if those memories are made in a messy house.
God is important. Time with Him, in prayer and in scripture and in study with other believers, is important.

These are some of the things that I want to, no, I need to put first. These are the "big" things. The great thing is, that I know the "little" things like crafting, gardening, and reading and yes, even house-cleaning, will find a place too sometimes, nestled in among the big things, the perfect and lovely filler for those calmer moments.

Lest you think I'm very wise (HA. right. haaa.), let me just say that there is still a LOT I have to learn. I know I can do SO much better in many areas, I know I often don't have my priorities right, and I must confess to you that I fall very short, especially in having a cheerful attitude, much of the time.
But. I'm trusting this God I serve, the One to whose glory I want to do it all, and I know He'll help me and change me and grow me and be with me every step of the way, His grace filling each day with fresh starts and new chances, with hope and joy and beauty even amidst the messiness.
What a mighty, loving, and patient God we do serve!

And now, my friends, I wish you a very happy Wednesday, and promise that I'll be back again soon (no, really!!) with some pictures of peoples and pumpkins. yes, that's right, folks, it's time for the annual pumpkin patch pictures. happy happy joy joy!

a cherished evening.

2011-10-14T00:03:00.000-07:00

tonight, Emma and I ran errands together.

Annabelle and Rosalie were tucked into bed,

but not Emma.

oh no, she got to come with me, even though it was bedtime.

she sat in the front seat of the van, by me (don't worry, our airbags automatically turn off)

and scrolled through the list of artists on my mp3 player since I told her she could pick the music.

"How about First Aid Kit? I think I'd enjoy listening to that."

so that's what we did.

she asked me about the words in the songs,

questions that showed me how her mind was thinking and working.

intelligent questions.

we conversed.

at the mall, we held hands as we wandered through forever 21, and we pointed out the things we thought were the cutest. I think we have smiliar tastes.

after that,

starbucks was a necessity for our evening. she picked hot chocolate, I picked an apple chai.

"I'm glad I have this hot chocolate, or I might be cold in the stores. It tastes really good, too!"

at wal-mart we found her brown corduroy flats, which thrilled her to no end.

"these will go with practically everything! and they're so cute!"

oh, my little practical one.

we stood in line for a long time together to pay for our things, but I didn't really mind.

the evening could have stretched on a little longer. I was glad of it.

glad for this time with my little girl.

who, as she sat there with starbucks in hand and her brilliant blue eyes,

with her quiet thoughts and mindful ways,

didn't seem like such a little girl.

how does this happen so quickly? my mother-heart wonders.

your baby becomes your companion,

and brings you a whole new kind of joy.

it's almost bewildering.

a tad bittersweet.

but mostly,

it's amazing, and wonderful, too.

Lord, thank you for my sweet Emma Joy. Help me to be the best mother I can to this wonder You put in my life.

in this moment too, you are blessed.

2011-10-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

I woke this morning in the dim light of an overcast day to a small child crawling into my bed and a puppy excitedly greeting her. My first thought was "too early!"...sleep has been scarce of late. Not because it evades me, oh no. When my head hits the pillow, I am away to dreamland. But when your head hits the pillow in the wee hours of the morning, the moment for waking always comes too soon.

Even still, waking can be sweet, when the things that greet you are beloved. My husband, up for work and smelling deliciously of cologne (just one more hug, darling, I want to breathe you in and melt a little more). Fall, which has suddenly appeared in gray and beautiful glory. That puppy, tail wagging in pure unadulterated joy. That small child, willing to cuddle with me in my still-sleepy state. A new day.

I'm glad for the chill in the air, finally, and I pull on over my bare legs the new polka-dotted knee socks my dear friend gave me. Rosalie laughs. "Yook, mommy, poke-a-dots! You silly, mommy." Silly? me? never.

Emma and Annabelle are up by this time, and our day truly begins. Breakfast, clothes, teeth-brushing, piano-practicing, a quick shower for me, bible and prayer time, and we settle in for school. As we work, gathered around the kitchen table, a breeze and the scent of rain to come blowing in through the open window, curly heads bent over books and crayons, I am struck by how grateful I feel. This morning has nothing "big" in it, no moment that would stand out to anyone else, no spectacular revelations. Just a steady realization all over again of these simple and astounding everyday gifts that are mine; a quiet joy to be found in the ways God has blessed me, in the graces of our commonly extraordinary lives.

I brush Annabelle's hair out of her eyes and take a sip of the tea that warms my hand. The drops dot the window as the rain begins to fall, calm and steady and beautiful, like the thankfulness that fills my heart and puts this smile on my face.

"how precious is Your loving-kindness, O God!... in Your light, we see light."
from psalm 36

wrapping it up.

2011-09-30T18:05:00.000-07:00

with a pretty red scarf and some red lips to match.

cream cotton top: kohl's clearance
jeans: GAP
boots: target clearance
scarf: a gift from my brother when he was on deployment in Afghanistan (he sent me a box containing seventeen scarves he had bought from street markets there!)
brooch: thrifted
confession: I didn't actually wear the boots and the scarf today. It was far too warm. But I dreamed about wearing them!

with a beautiful friend who looks so pretty in pink that I just had to share. This is my most favorite Ashlei (as I like to call her), and she's wonderful and always looks adorable too. She came over for coffee this morning! It was lovely. I heart her.

polka-dot sunglasses: f21
tank top: walmart (so cute!)
cardigan: hand-me-down

with a sweet little blondie wearing a cute lil ballerina.

my darling pixie Annabelle. She, like her sister, wanted to be a part of fashion week too. But she, unlike her sister, doesn't like to smile and work it for the camera. but her little shy and tentative smile is just as wonderful.

Sometimes all it take a is a good spin in a twirly skirt to bring out the joy on her face.

This girl melts my heart.

sigh. I can't believe it's the last day of fashion week! It's truly been so. much. fun. And so good for me to think outside the box on what's in my closet! I feel like I have a fresh new take on my wardrobe!
Thanks to each and every one of you lovely ladies for all your kind, sweet, gracious, make-me-smile-and-sometimes-blush comments. I hope you know how much they meant to me, and how much I really do appreciate it. Honestly. I really wanted to get around to commenting on everyone's blogs, especially those who left ones for me, but unfortunately my google account is somehow messed up and won't let me comment on certain blogs. (psh. technology.) So if I didn't get to come tell you this week, just know this:

I think you're fabulous and beautiful.

:)

and to prove that fact, here is the link list from today.

the end.

featuring a very lovely little girl.

2011-09-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

Fashion week, day 6! tomorrow is the last day, I can hardly believe it. Aren't you all going to be sad when it's over? I will be, although wow is it a stretch for me to blog EVERYDAY. Have you noticed how my posts keep getting later and later? Um, there's a reason I only blog once every three weeks! hehehe. But this week has been so fun, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Today's outfit doesn't seem very "fall-ish" probably, but perhaps that is because it was quite hot and summery outside. I snapped this picture as we were out the door to go buy groceries. (yes, again. I buy a lot of groceries, apparently!)

cream tank top: tj maxx
lacy top with ruffles: kohl's clearance
skinny jeans: Paide denim, marshall's
messenger bag: target clearance
nude flats: Payless clearance
rosette headband: Etsy

Isn't this headband the cutest? One of my friends makes these, and they're amazing. Please do yourself a favor and go check out her shop, Pocketful of Zoe, on Etsy. Her name is Alisha and she's not only quite talented, but also a lovely sweetheart. I already want to buy more from her. One of each, if you please. :) I love it when friends of mine open Etsy shops! it's just so much fun to buy beautiful things from people I know and admire.

and now, lest you are tired of looking at pictures of me, I give you the fabulous Emma, who asked if she "could do a fashion post too?" She carefully chose her dress and the shoes to match just so, and adorned her hair with her favorite flower just for the occasion.

I think her look is sweetly fresh and floral.

work it, Emma Joy, work it.

Sometimes I can't believe this lovely creature is my daughter. Such a blessing.

Sweet girl of mine. oh, I'm thankful.

day 6 links. Now that I'm actually on the computer, I need to go see what everyone else is wearing today! whee!

the yellow shirt.

2011-09-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

wow, day 5 already! this week is flying right on by. Today is Wednesday, which means: craziness. I always feel like I never get to castch my breath on Wednesdays, but always, at the end of day when I look back and see all we've gotten done and all the lovely things that happened, I don't mind being out of breath.

Today I wore one of my favorite shirts.

This yellow shirt has kind of a funny story... one of Lydia's good friends, Kristen, came to visit her here once, about a year and a half ago, and she wore this shirt. I loved it so much that I joked about stealing it from her (don't worry, I didn't.) Then, a few months ago, my other sister Jerusha, who lives in the same town as this friend, received it in a bag of clothes that Kristen didn't want anymore and gave to her. Jerusha remembered my affinity for this yellow shirt, and promptly mailed it to me. Such a happy set of serendipitous circumstances! I always knew this yellow shirt and I were fated to be together.

...and I didn't even have to resort to stealing!

yellow shirt: f21, hand-me-down
navy shorts: kohl's clearance
shoes: vintage, thrifted

I must also say a little something about these shoes.

I found them when I was visiting one of my favorite antique stores here in town... turns out some little old lady had given her entire shoe collection to this store-- trunkfuls of shoes from the 50's on, in all different styles and colors! and wouldn't you know, she and I are exactly the same size of feet. It was quite difficult to choose just one pair, but these are the ones I came away with that day, and I love them. Soon, I must go back and dig through the treasure trove of shoes that waits for me. I know there's more that I simply MUST have. :)

a very happy Wednesday to you all, my dears!

day 5 link list, at Emery's blog (she looks so charming today!). the loveliness never stops.

ps. thanks to Miss Emma Joy for being such a wonderful photographer for her mama today! :)

magical dentists and big brown eyes.

2011-09-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

it is day four, and today we went to the dentist!

a repaired filling for me, a filling for Emma, and a cleaning for Emma and Annabelle. They were champs. But the best part of all? Our dentist does magic! The girls are always blown away by his tricks and talk about for days afterwards. I'm all for it... anything that makes the dentist seem fun is a good thing! :)

It's actually pretty warm today again... but since the dentist's office always runs a little bit cold, I took advantage of that fact and wore a cardigan. wheee! I do love cardigans.

stripey cardigan: target
black tank top: target clearance
cut-offs: seven for all mankind, found at Plato's Closet for super cheap.
floral sandals: target clearance (there's a lot of target up in here today)
flower earrings (you can't see them very well here but they're quite cute): f21
pearl bracelets: gift

Rosalie was hanging around while I was taking these pictures and wanted some pictures of her own, so I happily complied. This girl has quite a mind of her own already when it comes to what she wears, and she picked out today's outfit, from the skirt to the headband. She looks rather adorable, don't you think?

those brown eyes, they get me everytime.

and here's the link list for today. hasn't this been fun so far??

12 minutes.

2011-09-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

that's how long I have before the link list closes over at Emery's blog. ooooops, today got away from me!

It was a good day though. Very low-key, filled with lots of schoolwork, laundry folding, kitchen-cleaning, straightening up the house after a crazy weekend and a piano lesson or two as well. I love being home all day, especially when I haven't gotten to do just that in quite some time. And since I was home all day, my outfit was super casual. Truth be told, I didn't even shower and get dressed in these clothes until 4:00 this afternoon. I am not ashamed to own that I love pajamas and will happily stay in them if I can.

Seeing as it is FASHION week, however, I will refrain from showing you the beloved jammies.

Here I am, in CLOTHES.

tank top: ross dress for less

crocheted sweater: f21

cropped jeans: plato's closet

gold flip-flops: Old Navy

earrings: target clearance

I love the striping on this sweater and the pretty colors.

bright colors make me happy.

something else that makes me happy? messy hair-dos that take all of five minutes to accomplish, especially when one has left themselves hardly anytime at all before a piano student will be knocking on their door and one really doesn't want to have to answer the door with a towel on one's head.

I have actually had to do that before.

I'm very professional, obviously.

happy day 3 (waaaaay late) to you all! here's the link list!

two sisters.

2011-09-25T15:21:00.000-07:00

day two of fashion week!
and today, it's only 80 degrees, as opposed to 100.
I rejoice.

I'm going to get my outfit for today out of the way first, because then I have something even better to share with you!

lacy camisole: charlotte russe
cream tank top: TJ Maxx
skirt: american eagle, from Plato's Closet (I bought this one years ago, back when I was skinny and could actually wear it down around my waist. haha.)
belt: thrifted
boots: vintage Nine West, thrifted.

I asked my sister Lydia, who lives with us, if she would be in today's post too. She always looks cute, and today the yellow she had on was too good not to share.

yellow tank: J Crew, hand-me-down
jeans: Calvin Klein, hand-me-down
yellow heels: Qupid, hand-me-down.
(can I get a hooray for hand-me-downs?? they're the best! holla for a FREE outfit that looks amazing!)

did I just use the word "holla"?
I don't know what's come over me.

anyway.

isn't she adorable?

I loveth her muchly.

thanks for helping me out with fashion week today, Lyddie-lou. Your pretty face is welcome on my blog anytime!

stepping away from fashion for just a wee little moment, I must say I'm so glad today is Sunday. we had a wonderful church service this morning, followed by a yummy lunch, tonight we're going to have dinner with dear family, and as I sit here typing this, my husband's band is making some pretty awesome music in our garage. God is so good, and I am grateful for this day.

I hope all of you have a lovely Sunday as well. I'm off to peruse all of your fabulous looks!

day two link list!

three little words:

2011-09-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

Fall Fashion Week!!

that's right folks, it's back. I've been eagerly looking forward to the lovely and always-fashionable Emery hosting this again. because I love fall. and I love fall clothes!

I'll be honest, I debated back and forth so much on whether to do it this year or not... but when it came right down to it, I simply couldn't miss out on the fun, and I'm going to give it my best shot. Sometime this week though, I'm going to need to go shopping. Because my fall clothes are almost NOTHING right now. I blame the fact that it has literally been 100 degrees this week and one cannot wear anything remotely fall-ish. ONE HUNDRED DEGREES. sigh. it's just not right.

hurry, fall weather. HURRY!

because of our weather, today's look is more summery than fall-ish. I am hoping and praying that sometime in this next week I will get to wear a scarf or two. some sweaters, maybe. boots. ohhh, scarves and sweaters and boots. how I miss thee.

all right, I'm done bemoaning our weather. However, if you do happen to live somewhere cool, please send some of it our way?? :) Here's my first outfit:

teal knit dress: Ross Dress for Less
metallic striped camisole: Wal-mart
skinny belt: Target clearance
green stone necklace: Plato's Closet
gladiator sandals: Kohl's clearance

please excuse the poor cell phone picture. and the horribly messy mirror. this was snapped as I was literally out the door with my three girls to go buy a ridiculous amount of groceries in under two hours. (this is no small feat.)

by the way, hello to anyone who is new to my little corner of the internet! I'm delighted to have you! yay for fashion week! :)

day one links. (oh, so much fashion goodness.)

snippets.

2011-09-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

~it's been three weeks since I last blogged! THREE WEEKS! I could have sworn it was only one or two. hmmm.

~today wraps up our first full week of school. I'm fully worn out, but also very thankful for how well things went. It's so good to feel like we accomplished a lot and are finding our groove. God is good! (and yes, I do plan on blogging more in-depth about the start of our third year of homeschooling. THIRD year! I could have sworn it was only one or two. hmmm.)

~my kids crack me up sometimes. yesterday while Emma and Annabelle were taking a shower they started beat-boxing and rapping. sadly, they seem to have inherited their mother's white-ness. the beat-boxing was followed by their rendition of an operatic aria. oh, beautiful.

~I ate Cap'n Crunch for breakfast this morning!

~my mom is coming to visit on Sunday. and we are very very excited! I miss her, the kids miss her, we all miss her, and we are going to soak her up every minute she's here.

~there's a delicious breeze running through our backyard this morning, that makes me think fall might actually maybe possibly be almost here. oh I hope, I hope, I hope.

~I have no pictures for this post, because every picture I've taken in the last few weeks, except for the ones I'll use for my school post, have been on my cell phone. and I'm too lazy to upload them right now. so. my sincerest apologies.

~my blog page needs a major update... I just realized I've had the same design for at least a year and a half. that's just sad.

~cinnamon rolls. I'm making cinnamon rolls later today. yes.

~I love people. and I love the variety of people God has given me in my life. I'm trying to learn better how to love them all in the biggest and best ways I can.... only by God's grace, of course. Loving isn't always easy, is it?

~my google account won't let me comment at all, not even anonymously, on certain blogs. Quite a lot of them, actually. Now, I'm usually not a great commenter these days anyway, but this little problem has actually stopped me from leaving lots of already-typed-out comments. See? I'm not neglecting you! it's the internet's fault. blame the internet.

~The number of times I yawned while writing this post: 12. I need coffee.

~this: "and let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:9. a mantra of mine.

~happy Friday, friends, and may you have a delightful weekend. xoxoxo. :)

each and every day.

2011-08-26T15:59:00.000-07:00

These are my children.

I spend most of my life with these three girls.

Some days, we float along on our little cloud of bliss, loving each other well and loving being together, whether it is in work or play.... and I feel my heart expand with thankfulness, nearly full to bursting with love for these little creatures.

Some days, the hours fly by and peace and happiness reign in our house.

Some days, we have so much fun that nothing even seems like work.

Some days, the joys are stacked so high and thick that I can't even see past them to anything negative.

Some days, I feel like super-mom and think "hey, I've got this! I've finally figured it out!"

Some days, being a mom almost feels... easy.

BUT.

Some days, there is bickering and arguing and fighting, and I find myself driven to distraction, yearning for better wisdom to handle it and SOME PEACE AND QUIET, for cryin' out loud. why yes, this is a common occurrence of late, how did you know?? ha.

Some days, they drive me crazy and I lose all patience.

Some days, I dream of simply being alone. Even if it's only for an hour or two.

Some days (most days. EVERY day.), I falter and fall short. I realize just how much I still need to learn, how many mistakes I make, and how much I need to strive for, and I am humbled.

Some days, being home with them all day long and trying to fulfill all that is required of me as a mom, wife, and every-other-role-I-have exhausts me, fully and completely.

Some days are better than others. Some are worse. Some are wonderful. Some are downright difficult.

They are sinful. And I am sinful. Therein lie the challenges we do encounter on a daily basis.

BUT. yes, there is another but.

Each day, I am so thankful that this is what I get to do. That I have the opportunity and privilege to be with my children here in our home, to love and enjoy them, to shape and instruct them all day long. It's not always easy or fun, but I can honestly say that there's nothing else I would rather be doing.

Each day, I am aware that the moments that we have together are a blessing, and I find myself trying to soak it all up while they are still young.

Each day, even in the midst of chaos and mistakes and challenges, I claim the joy that exists in these three daughters of mine and the fact that I am their mommy.

Every single day, they make me smile.

"Behold, children are a blessing and a heritage from the Lord..."

from Psalm 127

They are. Oh, they are.

meet some old friends of mine.

2011-08-13T00:59:00.000-07:00

I like to read. Very much. I don't think I could survive without books, quite honestly.

Take a look, it's in a book.... (Reading Rainbow, anyone?)

Ever since I can remember, I've loved to read. I distinctly remember being six or seven years old, laying on my bed reading for hours one afternoon. And then my mom called me down for dinner, and I just so happened to be in that spot in the book, the spot where you simply can't put it down. So, being a smart and clever girl, I decided I would simply continue reading while I walked down the hallway, around the corner, and down the stairs.

That didn't work out so well.

Perhaps not my brightest moment as a child, but it does illustrate quite accurately how passionately and completely I loved reading, how easily I would find myself immersed in whatever world was written on the pages, and what a great joy a good story has always been to me.

It still holds true, and while the time I have to lose myself in a good book has become much less now that I'm a grown woman with a family and I'm the one calling the kids to dinner, I still simply can't go TOO long without reading.

This summer, I've had the opportunity to read quite a lot, actually, and it's been wonderful. Refreshing. I've rediscovered many books I haven't read in years, as well as discovered a few new ones to love.

Today, since I have books on the brain, I thought I would share with you some of the books I love the most, the ones I have read over and over again in my life, the ones that I never get tired of no matter how many time I may have already wandered through their pages.

Oh, Anne of Green Gables. She is a literary person who is near and dear to my heart. I think I've read through this series nearly ten times since I first discovered the little red-headed orphan who lived on Prince Edward Island. And every time, I find myself just as enraptured with Anne and the lovely, funny, delightfully-populated life she lives on good ol' P.E.I. Lucy Maud Montgomery has a way with words that takes my breath away, and I can just picture everything she describes. Perhaps that is why it is so easy to fall in love with Anne and all her surroundings. If I could somehow BE Anne for just a little while, I think I would.

Elnora Comstock, the girl of the Limberlost, is another heroine whom I love. This book paints such a vivid picture not only of the beautiful swamp she calls home, but of second chances and strength, of love and life. I can't help but love Elnora, to ache with her when her heart breaks, and to rejoice with her when happiness finally comes to her. Gene Stratton Porter is masterful, and I happily enter Elnora's Limberlost time and again.

I do so love a good mystery novel. And there is none who provides it better than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Homes is, in my humble opinion, one of the best characters ever created. There's no one else like him. And Watson? Watson is the perfect pairing to our beloved detective. They both stand on their own as characters, but together they are perfection, and I love all the little ins and outs of their relationship. There is so much dry humor, wit, sarcasm, and intelligence in these volumes that I discover some fresh nuance every time I read them. Not to mention the mysteries themselves are intriguing and bewildering, fascinating and complex. Sherlock never disappoints.

This is the book I am currently re-reading, for probably the fifth or sixth time. Dark secrets, interesting characters, drama, intrigue, romance, adventure, surprises at every turn... what more could one wish for in a book? I am captivated every time.

I first picked up a Harry Potter book two or three years ago. And when I was done reading about Harry and the Sorcerer's Stone, I then proceeded to read the remaining six books in a span of about two weeks, because I literally could not put them down. (My chores suffered quite sadly during that time, I'll be honest.) I've reread them all since then, and the series has become one of my favorite. I won't get all "Harry-Potter-nerd" on you right now, but suffice it to say that every single one of these books is amazing and J.K. Rowling is brilliant. If you've seen and liked the movies, but have never read the books, you MUST. Must, I tell you! The movies are good, but the books are on an entirely different level. They give you ten times more of the story to love.

My mom first had me read this book when I was about twelve. I liked it then, but now that I'm older and more mature, I appreciate it and love it so much more. Here we follow a young girl through her diary and watch her grow up, reading about her journey towards womanhood and remarkable faith. It's beautiful, inspiring, encouraging, and convincting. I'm always amazed at how much I relate to this book.

These books always give me a funny little ache, the kind that comes from something being so lovely and dear that you just feel it in your soul. Narnia is one of my favorite fictional places to visit, and I will always love these books, even when I'm old and gray.

I never read through this book all at once... but it's always right there waiting to be opened up when I need an extra dose of encouragement. Elisabeth Elliot is a beautiful person, and her writings are a great reflection of the depths of her love for God and her desire to live fully for him. The Lord has used this book so many times in my life, and as such it will always have a place on my shelf and in my heart.

Jane Austen has been a part of my life since I was a very young girl... my dear grandma has a great love for all things Jane Austen, and I remember watching some of the BBC movies of her various books with my grandma when I was probably only 6 or 7 years old. Of course, I didn't understand the complexities of the stories or characters at that age, and I was still years away from reading the books, but Jane Austen became a familiar name to me from that time on. Since then, I've of course read all of her books, and I love them all, although Pride and Prejudice remains one of my favorites. I'm pretty sure Mr. Darcy might have something to do with that!

Forgive me for making this post so long, and so wordy. (I blame the books.) Would you believe I could add even more books to this list? This is simply a smattering of the ones that I keep coming back to, and I know that the titles included among my "old friends" will only continue to grow as I keep reading and expanding my library.

How thankful I am for words written on pages, just waiting to be turned and taken in, to become a part of our memories and our very existence.

Please do tell, what are some of your all-time favorite books? Why? Did they hold any special significance in your life? I'd love a peek into your bookshelf...

...from one bookworm to another. :)

this is what he has to put up with.

2011-07-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

A conversation between husband and wife on a recent Romantic Day At The Beach:

Me: "Oh look, honey. They had to close this part because the plants needed rehab."

Him: "Yes, I see that...."

Me: "No, I mean, like they had to GO TO REHAB. You know, for addiction."

Him, patiently: "Ohh, okkk.... but what were they addicted to?"

Me: "Weed."

Him: slaps forehead

Me: "oh come on, that's FUNNY."

Him, not sarcastically at all: "You're right. SO clever. How wonderful that I married a girl of such wit."

Bless his little heart.

snapshots o' summer

2011-07-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

A Civil Wars concert in LA with some of our best friends. Words cannot even describe how amazing.

Father's Day with the best daddy ever.

swimming lessons for two little wanna-be mermaids.

the cutest band of VBS-goers you ever did see. (Rosalie, Annabelle, Emma, cousin Faith, our sweet neighbor girl Hayley, and cousin Jason)

Lots of fun and laughs with Auntie Lydia (we love having her here everyday!)

Piggie-tails on a two-year old blondie. I die.

Playtime outside (when it's not too hot) and pockets full of posies. Gorgeous blue eyes and sun-kissed cheeks.

A shaven and shorn but oh-so-sweet puppy dog, who likes to snooze in our cool house and wait around for the lovin' we will inevitably give her.

Tomato plants growing large, corn growing tall. And we await the bounty.

a day trip to Cambria, alone, for the two of us. happiness and wonder. love.

summer-y and much-shorter haircuts for these sisters. chop, chop!

also: rompers and dresses and great big smiles. all-around cuteness.

trips to the library (it gets us out of the house! it's cool! it's FREE!) which always results in three little readers all in a row, and me smiling at the very sight.

this summer is flying by in quite a blur. But it's a happy, sunshiney, memorable, colorul, mellifluous, lovely sort of a blur.

And we'll be soaking up every last little bit of it that is left.

The Piano Recital

2011-07-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

May 31, 2011, on a Tuesday evening.
At long last, the day had arrived!

Songs had been carefully selected and chosen. We had put in hours and hours and many lessons of preparation. Each student had practiced hard and worked diligently.

And now it was here, the evening we had all been waiting and working for. It was time for The Piano Recital.

All day long I was so excited, just thinking of the proud parents and family that would fill the seats and get to watch their child perform. I couldn't help but remember the piano recitals that I played in as a girl. That feeling of anticipation and excitement coupled with nerves. How my fingers would simply take over once I started playing and the nerves would disappear, and I would feel that rush of joy as I realized I was simply getting to play a beloved piece for everyone sitting there. The exhilaration and relief I would feel when the last note was over and I stood up to take my little bow. I loved piano recitals. And remembering all of this, years later, made me so excited for all of my students, knowing that soon all their hard work would pay off and they too would feel that thrill.

I gathered up the certificates I had printed up for each student (paired with giant Crunch candy bars, because I knew a piece of paper just wouldn't cut it with this crowd. hehe),

made sure to grab my stack of programs,

rounded up our family and a plate of cookies, and headed off to our church for the big event.

This was my 2nd annual piano recital with all of my students. Last year, when we had one for the first time, I had seven students. This year, there were 14!... and one more. This year was extra special because it was our Emma's very first piano recital! She started piano lessons with our good friend Ryan in September of last year, and since he doesn't have a lot of students of his own yet, we decided it would be nice if Emma played in this recital.

I could tell she was feeling all that nervous excitement, and it made me smile. I couldn't wait to watch her play.

Sure enough, as soon as she got up there and started playing, you could see how thrilled she was.

Ryan played a duet with Miss Emma, and when they finished, the smile on her face was beautiful to behold. What a joy it was to watch my own daughter in her first performance. I'm so proud of our girl. And so thankful for Ryan, who is doing an excellent job teaching her. We love Ryan!

The hour flew by so quickly, as each one came forward and played their two songs. The variety in the music was wonderful; everything from classic Beethoven to contemporary Christian to blues to patriotic songs to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I must say, helping my students select their songs for the recital is one of my favorite things. Too much fun.

You know what else is too much fun?

the lovely Ella.
Playing duets! We did a lot of duet-playing that night.

this is either Ashton or Cole. They're idnetical twins, and I can barely tell them apart in real life, much less in a picture. but they're both dear boys. :)
All too soon, the last performer took the stage, and as I sat there and listened to "Conquistador" being played just how it should have been, I was nearly bursting with pride. Each young person, each boy and girl, had done so well and played to the best of their ability. They have so much talent, so much skill. All of those hours we had spent sitting on the piano bench together playing songs again and again, learning new things, working through frustrations, rejoicing at difficult songs conquered... it was all a part of this night.

skillful Daniel, my longest-running student.
I love every single one of these young people, and I truly am privileged and blessed to be able to teach them something that is a passion of mine.
Thank you, dear ones, for the gift of an amazing night.

As we all gathered in the hall for a reward of cookies and lemonade, I couldn't wipe the smile from my lips. I thought of all the piano lessons yet to come, and all the music and all the joy, and I couldn't help but think
I can't wait for next year....!

the "w" does me in.

2011-07-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

oh hello! Just popping in after what's been way too long to show you the latest Rosalie-roo video. I know, I probably post way too many videos of this kid, but I can't help it. She's too funny and cute. And now that she's talking more and more, the cuteness is multiplied x10. (as is the attitude, but that's a whole other topic. hehe)

Here, just watch while I take Rosalie through her ABC's, and then ask her everyone's names.

just for the record :)
"Bahdelo"= Annabelle
"Ladelah"=Lydia
"Vi-lit" (or sometimes "Latilitta")= Violet or Violetta
"Ammas"= Emma

I'm not quite sure how some of these names came about. Bahdelo? I have no clue, really. But we love them all, and we love hearing her little voice call out for each of us throuighout the day. And we definitely love her, our funny darling baby.

{how delicious} Key Lime Pie

2011-06-20T17:14:00.000-07:00

Has anyone else noticed that the only recipes I ever post anymore are for dessert? I should probably examine this, perhaps even try to remedy it. Later, though. I need to finish the cupcake I'm currently eating.

Priorities, people. PRIORITIES.

This particular recipe is one I got from Pioneer Woman, but I added a little Talia twist to it. I know it's quite delicious simply doing it her way (after all, when is anything she makes not delicious?), but, in my humble opinion, it is the twist that makes it absolutely divine.

Pioneer Woman's Key Lime Pie... with a teensy Talia twist

CRUST:
■18 whole Graham Crackers (the 4-section Large Pieces)
■⅓ cups Sugar
■⅓ cups Butter, Melted

FILLING:
■1 Tablespoon (heaping) Lime Zest
■½ cups Lime Juice
■2 whole Egg Yolks
■1 can (14 Oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

For the crust:
Crush crackers in a food processor or Ziploc bag. Pour them into a bowl and stir in sugar and melted butter. Press into a pie pan and bake for 5 minutes or until golden and set. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly.

For the filling:
Mix lime zest, lime juice, and egg yolks in a mixing bowl. Add in condensed milk and mix on high until smooth and thick. Pour mixture into crust and bake for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven, allow to cool, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour—more if possible.

Note from me: This recipe is for one pie, but I found that her recipe for graham cracker crust easily made two pies. So I doubled the filling and made two... which was a good thing, because they were BOTH promptly devoured.

Since I have no pictures to go with this post, here's the link to her original post, complete with her beautiful pictures.

And now that Pioneer Woman has supplied us with the delicious pie... it's my turn to contribute something.: whipped cream with booze in it.

How can you go wrong with that? ;)

This is THE topping for this pie. It complimented the lime so well and was just... perfection.

Vanilla Rum Whipped Cream

2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup pwd sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp rum

In a mixing bowl, beat cream on high until soft peaks form. Add sugar, vanilla, and rum, beating on low until mixed in. Return mixer to high and continue to beat until stiff enough (what's the proper term for "whipped cream consistency? I have no idea... but you know what whipped cream is supposed to be like, and I know you'll get it right. You're smart!) I will say that these amounts are all approximate, since I just kind of added until it tasted right. Use more or less of the sugar, vanilla, or rum, depending upon how you like it.
Place a dollop, or several, on top of a slice of pie. Refrigerate any leftovers, to be eaten with a spoon if you feel like it (I've done it, I'm not going to lie).

This was something I made for a night when all the band guys were over, a little treat for them after their practice. It's so much fun to bake for all of them, and I always feel so appreciated when they ever-so-graciously exclaim over it and eat as much as they can... sometimes even waxing eloquent. hehe. I love seeing the people I love enjoying the food I made for them. So rewarding.

Go now and make this for the ones you love... they'll love you right back for it, I promise. :)

dear Summer, I'm glad you came.

2011-06-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

I think it's safe to say that it is officially summer. The temperatures are risin', everyone's out of school, So You Think You Can Dance is back on TV (yay!), and I have a sudden and strong desire for frozen fruit bars. And since we actually had a spring here this year that lasted longer than two days, I find that I'm rather excited and ready to welcome summer!

That's just what we did this past week. We slipped into summer mode and enjoyed a week off from piano lessons following the big recital, a week off of school for Emma (shhh, don't tell, we're not *quite* done with first grade yet), and a week off from running around all the time doing this and that. I read an actual whole book, the kids played outside and inside, we watched movies, we caught up on library books, we went to the park, we stayed in our pj's longer than is acceptable, and we loved every minute of it. I don't think I even realized how much I needed a lazy week, how much we ALL needed a lazy week, until we were in the midst of it and I began to feel truly refreshed again... it was wonderful.

I hope this summer will bring us many more such days of refreshment and even a bit of laziness too, but I'm realizing that I want us to have a purpose for these next few months as well.
I want this summer to be one of...
simplicity. I don't want us to always be running from one thing to the next. We don't need to spend a lot of money doing extravagant things. We really do enjoy ourselves most when we cut out the unnecessary things and simply spend time with family and friends and each other in different ways. Summer always speeds by way to quickly as it is without us making it crazy and hectic.
adventure. Whether it's a nature hike in the woods, a day trip to the beach to hunt for seashells, or a safari in our backyard, we're going to explore whatever surrounds us and seek out amazing memories.
creativity. I am blessed with daughters who love to learn new things and definitely have a creative side... and I would love nothing more than to grow and expand that with them. I want to teach them how to bake, how to sew and embroider, how to paint furniture (think what a unique piece that could be!). I want to dive into the music that surrounds us every day and learn new things about it. I want to write stories and draw murals. I want to encourage them in every way to be their uniquely imaginative selves... and I know they'll teach me something along the way too!
together-ness. Whether it's just our little family, or with grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins, the band family, our church family, through phone calls and skype or in person, it's so important to me that we get to be with the ones we love, to grow closer to them and to enjoy them, to encourage one another and show love and support, and to make memories that our children will remember for years to come.
servitude. This one is really important to me, quite near and dear to my heart. My desire for my girls is that they will have servants' hearts and really want to give of themselves to others and for the Lord. So, while I have no problem with just having fun and seeking to enjoy the many blessings God has given to us, I want us to share those same blessings with those around us, especially with those who might be less fortunate. Our first thought should not be what we can get out of this life, but what we can give of it to others, and how we can glorify our Lord with our gifts and abilities. Sadly, this is something I've found myself rather lacking in of late, but God is gracious; He has been convicting and spurring me on to really think about these things, and to act upon them. I'm so excited to seek out ways that our family can serve, and I'm praying that my girls will see what a wonderful thing it is to not live unto ourselves. When our lives are turned inward, we miss out on so much, and we gain nothing except fleeting enjoyment. The reward and blessing that comes with loving God and others first and best, the heart-happiness that is ours when we serve willingly and faithfully and truly unselfishly... THAT is something that never fades. Isn't it amazing how such a simple thing, how even a small sacrafice, can reap such a great and lasting reward? God is so good. And that is what I want us to discover anew this summer in as many ways as we can.

So, now, do tell me.... what are your hopes and plans for this summer that stretches out before us in all its sunshine-y goodness?

I'm here to tell you...

2011-05-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

...that this is going to be a total cop-out post. I might as well be upfront about that. You can stop reading now if you like. BUT WAIT. what if I have some big announcement at the end or something?? Hmmm. Maybe you'd better keep reading after all. you never know!!

...that my hydrangeas are in full bloom and it makes me ridiculously happy. I've been cutting stems of the gorgeous hot-pink flowers and putting them in jars for my kitchen table, giving them away to people whenever I can. Ah, hydrangeas. They're loveliness captured in a blossom.

...that I made chocolate-drizzled peanut butter cookies tonight, and they were, if I do say so myself, quite yummy. Curses on me and my love of baking, for I shall never be thin again.

...that I miss blogging. May is such a busy, busy month, and it just doesn't seem to be something I have time for lately. Sad face.

...that this post should have pictures with it (because posts with pictures are just more fun), but alas, my camera and I have not been very close these days. I took some random pictures of Rosalie the other day and realized they were the first pictures I had taken that weren't phone pictures in at least a couple of weeks. More sad face. (I pledge to take as many pictures as I can this week!)

...that my 2nd annual piano recital with all my students is coming up on Tuesday, and I can't even tell you how excited I am for it. Seeing their accomplishment after all their (and my) hard work is just such a happy thing. I have the best piano students in the whole wide world, if you ask me.

...that while it breaks my heart to see so many wonderful people going through hard things all around me, it is always amazing and inspiring to see their faith and trust in God, even in the darkest hour. I know the Lord will not let them shine for nothing... and I can see how greatly He uses such moments and people.

...that if you should happen to stop by my house, you will most likely find it a mess. Because, well, you see, it's always a mess in some way or another. le sigh. I think we're running out of space. (but don't you let that stop you from coming by, if you want. I'll clear some laundry off the couch so we can sit down and chat, and you can help me eat the cookies I've probably just baked and am trying deperately not to eat. It'll be delightful.)

...that I absolutely love our puppy. Seriously, people. She's the cutest, sweetest little dog, and I love her to pieces. Our little Violetta.

...that I'm almost done with this post. Hang in there, you've almost made it! don't give up now!

...that Friday marked the one-year anniversary of the day we found out that my mom's tumor was completely gone. One year later, and she is still, as far as we can tell, cancer and lymphoma free. Cooking up a delicious storm for her family and friends. Filling pages of scrapbooks with fun pictures. Making a quilt for Rosalie. Teaching women's Bible study. Helping to start a pregnancy center in their town. Being there for her husband, kids, and grandkids. And I am still thankful every day. :)

...that God is good. yes indeed, my friends, He is gracious, and so so good. For all these reasons and more.

...good night, dear ones, good night!

she smiled and she stuck her hand in her pocket, for in it was joy. an abundance of joy, the same kind that can be found anywhere in any day but not every one can see. and she reached in and pulled some out, and handed it to the someone else who stood near. "here," she said. "I want YOU to have this. because, you see, joy is really the best when it's shared."

Artistic Endeavors of the Little Girl Kind, Vol. 3

2011-05-11T07:08:00.000-07:00

It's been a very long time since I've done a post featuring the drawings of my leetle arteests. (that's a French accent. in case you couldn't tell.) Since 2009, to be exact! woah.
Vol. 1, March 2009
Vol. 2, November 2009

I think it's high time for another peek inside the colorful world of art with Emma and Annabelle, don't you?

They still love their pen-and-ink drawings, and they still manage to cram such detail into their pictures.
Here are a few of Emma's:

Looks to me like this little lass is dreaming of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell!

I spy: an octopus, a "mermaid changing room", a fish in a net, a happy whale-spout rider, and a clam shell.

Perhaps these girls are swimming to the mermaid's home far under the sea?

Annabelle's:

According to the artist, this is a picture of three sisters, "and one of them is the crazy one." Hmm, can you guess which one?

I love the patterns on our painter-girl's dress. And the look the boy is giving her.

They do love to put some color in their drawings too. Take for example the dress on this chica that Emma drew:

When Annabelle decides to make things colorful, she just goes for it. All or nothing. These next ones are some of my favorites of hers, they're just so happy and whimsical.

I'm not quite sure what these are in all honesty. Camels swimming? Horses picnicing? Your guess is as good as mine.

Cutest jungle animals EVER.

Of course we must have our fairies!

Sometimes, they like to paint!
Still life in fruit. watercolor.

mmm, "Yumy!" :)

And sometimes, Emma surprises me by doing something completely outside her usual style, such as this little Indian girl:

Or like this cut-out picture, which she said is supposed to "look like a paper doll picture".

I discovered this in a notebook she had been using... too precious.

One day, they got out the ruler and used it to make nice and neat little houses.

The girl on the left is Emma, the other one is Annabelle... check out that twirling jump! Impressive. Do you see Violet on her leash too?

Annabelle's people wanted to live in a "rainbow house", and that is just what they got. I'm sure they're very happy in their home. Just look at all those smiling faces at the window!

It's so interesting to me how very different their styles are. Emma's art is precise and proper, imaginative in a realistic yet fanciful sort of way. Annabelle's style is wandering and wild, filled with whimsy and her very own brand of fancy. Their pictures are such a perfect representation of their different personalities... I just love it!

I'm very excited to introduce to you, for the first time ever on this blog, the artwork of Miss Rosalie-roo! She's gotten to an age where she'll actually sit and color sometimes too, although it's never for very long... but it's the cutest thing to see her head bent to one side over her paper and her dimpled little fists holding on tight to her crayon.

I call this one Study in Black and White with Kitty-Cat and Little Bits of Jam.

While Emma and Annabelle's favorite thing to draw is usually people and scenes, every once in a while they will dabble in the world of abstract art.

These masterpieces will be going up for auction soon, and I'm thinking they'll fetch MILLIONS. The American public doesn't know what they've been missing!
:)

These last ones were done during school one day. We were reading in history about Christopher Columbus and his three ships that "sailed the ocean blue in 1492", so we learned how to draw an old-fashioned ship.

Well, Emma did, anyway. After several attempts Annabelle decided to keep it simple and draw a rowboat instead, with her and her daddy in it, journeying across the ocean with their fine feathered friends to keep them company.

I don't know about you, but I would gladly climb into either of these vessels and sail away, away, away... to many wonders and delights and adventures that have yet to be imagined and drawn for all to see...

mother's day: happy.

2011-05-09T00:43:00.000-07:00

Here I sit, all tucked up in bed, my husband and my puppy a-sleeping peacefully beside me. I am tired, but happy. Mother's Day is almost over, and it was lovely. Simple. Quiet. Restful. My dear family, all of them, was so kind to me...They made this mama feel special.

It's a wondrous thing, being a mother. As much as my kids can drive me crazy sometimes, and as challenging as it might be, it's something I can't imagine NOT being. I'm realizing this more and more every day, as I watch my children grow and change, getting little glimpses of who they will be when they're all grown up. They fascinate me, and astound me, and I'm sometimes blown away by the fact that I get to be their mother. I'm so thankful for these three little human beings whom God sent into my world to change me, grow me, and bless me beyond measure.

I'm also very thankful for this man, my husband, who helps me everyday in my job and loves me like no other. He's my other half, and I couldn't do it without him. And, as I discovered tonight, he makes really yummy spinach and ham in a heavenly cream sauce.

(side note: he's awfully good-looking, cooking in the kitchen. my goodness.)

This picture of my own mother sits on our bookshelf. It's one of my favorites. Isn't she beautiful? Many years later, of course, she looks much different, but she is still beautiful... in so many ways. I can honestly say my mother is one of the most wonderful, godly, and inspiring women I know, and I am thankful for her. I am thankful for all she has done and still does for her children, for her example of serving the Lord, for her love for her family, and for the fact that she is here with us.

Yes, this mother's day was a very happy one, filled with many sweet joys. But for all that, it was a little bittersweet, for I couldn't help but think of those who were surrounded by hardship today. Yesterday, a family with eight children lost their mother, unexpectedly and suddenly. A husband lost his wife. Little children lost their grandma. It breaks my heart to think of it... Will you please pray for the DePriest family, friends? Thank you, I know they must need all the comfort and support they can get right now, and I know every prayer on their behalf will be heard.

Well, in the time that it's taken me to write this post, mother's day is now over. But still, I want to wish all you just-so-lovely-and-wonderful moms out there a happy mother's day, for I hope that you will feel loved and appreciated for all you do and find happiness in this grand work of ours every day.

To those of you who are not yet mothers but so desire to be, I hope and pray you too will get to have this joy in your life... and I so look forward to wishing you a happy mother's day, someday. :)

And to the ones who no longer have their mothers here with them, all my heart goes out to you and I pray you will find all the peace and comfort you will ever need.

a very flower-dy post

2011-05-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

(does anyone else use the word "flower-dy"? you know, instead of "flowery"? I do, just for fun. it drives my husband crazy. I'm sorry, honey.)

Spring is such a speedy season. I can't believe it's already May!
And I know May will fly by too, for it is crammed full of many things. I also know that it will be summer here before we know it. It was 97 degrees here yesterday, this is how I know.
So, I'm trying to soak up as much spring as I can before the heat arrives for good and the season is officially over.
We've been spending lots of time outside, doing our schoolwork for the day on the patio at the little table covered in the strawberry-print tablecloth. Reading in the playhouse on pillows and eating lunch in the sunshine. Riding scooters and getting covered in chalk-dust. Being chased around by the puppy and playing with neighborhood friends. Digging in the dirt, planting tomatoes and corn, hollyhocks and roses, basil and creeping fig.
My garden has been so good to me lately, with flowers blooming in wild abandon and honeysuckle and jasmine scenting the air with delicate perfume. When I take Violet outside early in the morning, I wander from plant to plant and just drink it all in. The beauty of the garden feels just like a gift to me, something I can enjoy without care. My house is always a mess no matter how hard I try, the laundry always needs to be done and is never finished, and the closets and cupboards never seem to stay organized... but outside, in the garden, it's a different story. This beauty doesn't rely on me. It's not a project that awaits my hands in order for it to be lovely or complete... this beauty just happens, thanks to the good Lord above. Once upon a time I simply stuck a plant in the ground, and now, for years after, it simply IS beautiful, growing and gracing our yard and home even when everything else might be less-than-lovely.

It makes me happy. And thankful.

You know what else makes me happy and thankful?

These three little ladies, clad in their Easter dresses on that Sunday.

Yes, indeed, they make me quite happy and thankful. I love my girls.

Even if they won't let me take just one good picture of the three of them together.

teehee.

Going to the Getty

2011-04-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

Last week there was a Thursday. There usually is. But this Thursday was special, because it was spring break for the schools here. And that meant that all my piano students were out of school... which meant that they weren't coming to piano lessons either. A Thursday without piano lessons! Such a rarity! Usually I have five students. I hardly knew what to do with myself.
We decided to take advantage of this free day and drive a few hours down south to LA and visit the Getty Center and Museum. I had never been, but always wanted to, and I heard it was quite kid-friendly. Lydia hadn't been in years and wanted to go back. And so, off we went!
As soon as we stepped off the tram I fell in love with the place. It's just so beautiful.
But... our time there did not begin well.
Emma and Annabelle, who were overly tired after a slumber party with a friend the night before, kept complaining about the sun being in their eyes as we tried to take pictures. They whined about the fact that we hadn't gone into any buildings yet. They whined about anything and everything.
Rosalie didn't want to sit in her stroller and threw a fit. And then when I finally let her get down, she tried to take the stroller from me, got mad, and fell down and hit her head on the hard ground.
At lunch, none of the girls wanted to eat their food properly. More complaining.
Rosalie had a major meltdown which resulted in my literally crouching behind a trash can trying to quiet/discipline her.
Lydia and I had begun to despair.
Thankfully though, things turned around when we visited the garden and they were outside, running around, and exclaiming over things, enjoying themselves and getting into our experience. I was so glad to see my girls having fun... which meant we got to have fun too!

Have you ever been to the Getty Museum? It's incredible. The architecture is so gorgeous, with these amazing lines. There's white stone and tile everywhere, and such openness. It's so calming.

One of our favorite places, where we spent a good deal of the afternoon, was in the gardens. Ohh, the gardens. They are so incredibly beautiful, laid out in such a way that you wander from path to path discovering new wonders at every turn. I could have wandered for hours.

sweet peas! I adore sweet peas.

My girls absolutely loved running up and down the paths and pointing out each new flower.

It was so delightful having Lydia there. We always have fun together, and I love that we can so easily go on adventures together now!

She's very interested in photography and was snapping away constantly at all the gorgeous-ness around us.

One of the buildings has a little family fun center, with all sorts of hands-on acitivites for the kids, based on different displays and pieces throughout the museum. It was the perfect thing to break up our time wandering through the actual displays (which got a little tedious for them, I'm sure).

I think of all the art displays, my favorite was the one of European paintings. They blew me away... I couldn't believe the detail and realism in some of them. There was one that was a huge full-length portrait of a woman in a gorgeous pink dress, standing in an ornate room... and it looked like a photograph that had been taken with a top-of-the-line camera. I stared at it for probably five minutes, it was just so incredible. Someone painted that! I couldn't help but think how amazing it is that God actually gives some people that kind of talent and ability. And when we went into the impressionist room, I couldn't help but be a little awed... it was full of Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Degas, and even a few from Van Gogh. They were paintings that you see prints of all over the place, that practically everyone recognizes... and these were THE paintings. The very ones that the great artists themselves had put a brush to and created out of a blank canvas, many many years ago in a very different place and time. Right there in front of me, close enough to touch (but don't worry, I didn't!). Maybe it's silly, but that's how I felt. Anyway, I've definitely discovered a new love for art museums.

We ended our visit by wandering through the French decor exhibits....
OH MY WORD. I was drooling. The colors, the opulence, the gorgeous detailing. I tell you what, those French kings knew what was what when it came to interior design. Simple was not in their vocabulary, and it shows.

I literally wanted to pluck the chandeliers from the ceiling and take them home with me. Ok, so, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, and I'm sure they would have looked terribly out of place in our humble abode (especially considering some of them were practically bigger than our rooms), but, here, look for yourself. Behold! Gloriousness!

And then there is this...

How would you like to cuddle up in that come beddy-by-time? Clearly we all are lacking something from our lives. And it is a bed like this. All you need are 30-foot tall ceilings! I was ooh-ing and aah-ing over it, saying howI wanted to bring it home, and Emma looked at me and said "Um, mommy, it wouldn't FIT in your room." I'm so glad I have such a sensible daughter. She keeps me grounded.

I would also like a pair of doors with plump naked ladies on them. It would add a level of class to our home that has previously been lacking.
(naked lady aside, are these not gorgeous?)

By this time, the museum was closing and the kids were quite ready to leave.
We stopped for one last picture of our little troop in font of an old ornate gilt-franed mirror....

... and then walked out through the spaciousness of the white buildings, to the tram and to the van, wherein miss Rosalie fell fast asleep within five minutes. :)

What a great day at the Getty with all my girls.
I already can't wait to go back and explore some more.

Have any of you ever been? What did you think of it? What was your favorite part?

Annabelle's Big Show

2011-04-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

Dinner was an uproarious affair tonight.
Annabelle especially was in rare form, and the silliness was off the charts.
Emma, through her laughter, said, "Annabelle, you are hilarious, you should have a tv show!"
Auntie Lydia and I immediately seized upon this idea and began to question our resident funny girl about it.
Me: "So, Annabelle, what will your show be called?"
Annabelle: "It will be called the Crazy Wild Annabelle Show!"
Lydia: "And what will you do on your tv show?"
A: "I'm gonna do all sorts of wild and crazy stuff, like run and dance and sing and just be crazy."
M: "What song will you sing?"
A: "The crazy wild song!"
L: "Not everything on your show can be called crazy wild, you know."
A: "Ok, then I'll sing Beauty and the Beast."
L: "Will you have guest stars on your show? And who will they be? Can I come on your show?"
A: "Yes, you can! You will drink coffee on my show." It should be noted that Lydia does love her coffee.
Emma: "And me, can I be on your show?"
A: "Yes! You will be the crazy wild dancer."
E: "I'd rather be the beautiful dancer. but.... ok. Or maybe I could just dance beautifully to the crazy version of Beauty and the Beast and just look surprised."
A: "Ok. And Rosalie can be on the show too, and she will just sleep all the time, all day long and all morning and all night." It should be noted that Rosalie does not really sleep that much.
M: "What about me? Can I be on your show too?"
A: "Yes. You will just eat a lot, all the time, on the show." It should be noted that I do like to eat. But still. Really.
M: "........."
L: laughs in my face. meanie.
M: "Ok, so tell me, where is your show going to be?"
A: "Um, on the tv, of course!" Silly me.
M: "No, I mean, like, where are you going to be when you make it? Where is it going to be filmed?"
A: "At the making factory!"
L: "Well of course. And where is that? Hollywood?"
A: "No! At the movie theater. Behind the movies."
M: "Oh! You mean behind the movie screens where you watch? Is that where they make movies?"
A: "Yeah! That's where my show is going to be. And then we can watch it on the theater."

I'll be sure to let you all know when The Crazy Wild TV Show, fresh from the making factory, and starring our very own Annabelle, comes to a movie theater near you.

You won't want to miss it.

{how delicious} Carrot Cake Cupcakes!

2011-04-12T18:15:00.000-07:00

I would just like to take a moment and thank the good Lord for cupcakes. They are a wondrous delight. Amen.

I'm also very thankful for my sister-in-law and bestie Jessica, who shares my profound love of carrot cake. Her birthday was on Monday, so I made these for her... and she loved them so much that I have dubbed them "Jessica cupcakes" and shall make them every year on April 11.

Try them. You will want to make them at least once a year too.

Maybe more.

I'm thinking about making some more next week.

Just kidding! It's almost swimsuit season, and my thighs can't handle anymore cupcakes for a little while.

They are awfully pretty though. And they taste even better than they look!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/8 cups white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup crushed pineapple (don't drain your can quite all the way)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (I prefer pecans)

Frosting:
2 ounces white chocolate
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
4 cups (approx.) confectioners' sugar
shredded coconut (opt.)
coarse sugar crystals (opt.)

Heat oven to 350. Line one muffin tin with cupcake papers.
Beat together the eggs, white sugar, and brown sugar in a bowl, and mix in the oil and vanilla. Fold in carrots and pineapple. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Mix flour mixture into the carrot mixture until evenly moist. Transfer to the prepared muffin cups.

Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks.
In small saucepan, melt white chocolate over low heat. Stir until smooth, and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in white chocolate, vanilla, and orange extract. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until the mixture is fluffy and the right consistency for piping or spreading.
Using a large tip and pastry bag, pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes (or spread it on using a knife. Each to their own!). Top with desired amount of coconut and sprinkle sugar crystals on top (adds a nice sparkle!). If you're not a coconut fan, just sprinkle some extra nuts on top, or simply use the sugar.

Note: This is supposed to make 12 cupcakes. However, I doubled the recipe and it actually made 32. But I did NOT double the frosting recipe and it was still enough to frost most of them pretty generously. If you do double the frosting recipe, be ready to have leftover cream cheese frosting. Which, now that I think about it, is definitely not a bad thing.
Mmmmmm, frosting.

Mmmmmmmmmmm.

a confession and the cutest picture ever.

2011-04-10T21:06:00.000-07:00

I am a bad blogger.

yes, it's true. A BAD blogger.

I haven't written 80% of the posts that I should and would like to.

and chances are I never will.

I just spent the last half-hour browsing blogs (I do so love to go blog-browsing) and I just adore how charming and funny, witty and beautiful, full of life and daily musings other's blogs are.

I would like to be like that.

But I'm realizing more and more that life won't let me be like that. Or maybe that's just an excuse? Either way, I'm accepting that and becoming ok with infrequency and sporadic-ness. (that's a word, right? I say yes.) I still love to blog. and I still want to capture life here, and to reach out to all of you, and to be a part of this great big wonderful blogging world. But it'll have to be on whatever level I can acheive in whatever season of life I happen to be. The spaces between my blog posts tell a story of their own, and it's one that I love, that of a life full and busy to the brim.

And as long as I can still come here and share things like this picture with you...

...then all is not lost for me and my little blog. :)

This is my little 6-year old niece, Faith. She and her brother, Jason, spent the day with us on Saturday and after I found my rhythm in dealing with five rambunctious children and and two puppies (heh), we had such a lovely time with the cousins, playing outside at the park and running in the sunshine, indulging in rainbow sherbet and playing tag at the Marketplace, eating popcorn and watching movies... and playing with puppies! The one on the left is their little pup, Tiffany, and the other one is, of course, our own little Violet. So much sweetness in one picture. It makes my heart smile and will always make me think of my fun-filled day with my darlings.

I hope all of you found a lot of joy this weekend!

sweet thursday.

2011-03-31T23:37:00.000-07:00

i woke up to rosalie crying in her crib because she had dropped her stuffed puppy, and the real puppy barking in the kitchen.
then we lingered over breakfast, the sister and I listening to music on my laptop and the girls reading library books.
some schoolwork was done, and someone lovely brought us starbucks iced tea. violet peed on the floor. then she pooped on the floor. the girls argued back and forth, over i know not what.
but then, we all packed up into the van, and we drove to the park, where there was no carpet for the pup to potty on and no reason for my children to fight.
three of my favorite people and i sat in the sun until it was too warm. talking. laughing. eating. enjoying each other while the kids played in the delicious spring weather.
we came home to a nap for a tired rosalie, and five piano students for me. we picked recital songs. i'm excited for may.

rosalie woke up from her nap a grumpy-pants. we sat outside on the patio for a while, with the late afternoon sun hitting our faces just right. cuddling. smooching. me soaking up my baby.

my hair was super frizzy today. i tried to put it up, but it wouldn't stay. strands escaping everywhere. but i gave myself a little braid and decided not to care, and felt cute anyway.
the husband came home. i love when he comes home. dinner was subway sandwiches, and i listened to songs from 500 days of summer while i drove home. i looked at the sun as it was setting, so orange and brilliant and lovely as it slipped into the horizon.
emma and annabelle made paper plate dolls (their idea, not mine) and gave them names. and cute lil' napkin dresses.

meet melinda abigail, and her friend, ella giselle.
i baked butterscotch cookies for the band boys who were making music out in the garage. my dirty, sandy, sun-soaked children needed baths and showers while they were in the oven.
rosalie pooped in the tub. again. note to self, do NOT give this child a bath unless she's already pooped for the day. there is almost always a floater or two involved. ewwww.
while i waited for the tub to drain so i could clean it out, violet and rosalie, all nakey, chased each other around the house. baby butts are awfully cute. so are happy puppies.
and when i got her out of the tub, for the second time, i discovered that a certain little puppy had pooped in the living room.
i don't like poop.

we hung out in our living room and ate fresh cookies. it was nice to be with friends. and the cookies were pretty good too.
i wrote a blog without using capital letters. i rambled (in case you didn't notice). but sometimes, rambling is really soothing.

not too long ago, i started keeping a thankfulness journal. before i go to bed i write down the things for which i was especially thankful on that day. it's been good for me. because, as i wrote on the first page of that journal, "even the most knock-down, drag-out, rough-and-tumble sort of day has a shiny gem or two to be plucked out of the dust and examined in gratitude and joy. you just have to look for them."
and some days aren't rough and tumble. lots of days aren't. some days aren't exceptionally amazing or stand-out. some days are just sweet.
a string of little events, pleasant or not, that make up the hours and the memories therein. like today.
today was sweet.
i liked today.
and God is good.
always.
:)

on a few new additions...

2011-03-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

Let me begin this long-overdue blog by stating three things:
1. we're back!
2. my sister lives with us now!
3. we got a puppy!
just look at these dear faces!

We actually got home from our trip on Monday more than a week ago, and you would have thought that I'd have blogged much sooner than now, right?
I planned to, I really did.
But fact #3, along with massive amounts of laundry, too little sleep, and trying desperately to get back into the routine of things with homeschooling and piano lessons and housework after being gone for ten days, has rather taken over my life this last week.
In fact, I logged into my google reader and immediately felt overwhelmed. And I haven't logged into it again since then, nearly a week ago. So if you haven't heard anything from me and don't for a little while, please don't take it personally. I'm so looking forward to getting caught up with all of you, but I think I'll wait until our puppy is no longer trying to pee on our carpet. hehe.

Speaking of our puppy, I would like you all to officially meet Violet, the little bitty Yorkie who has stolen all our hearts.

Annabelle loves her.

Emma loves her.

Rosalie loves her.

Gilbert doesn't exactly love her, but he does tolerate her and will graciously and condescendingly consent to sit on the same couch.
I daresay Gilbie is getting positively mellow in his age!

While there have been moments when I questioned my sanity in getting a brand-new puppy, she is completely worth the extra trouble and time. She's the cutest little pup there ever was, and her spunky ways and sweet affection have won us all over... even my husband, who was skeptical about the whole thing, to say the least.

When we returned home from our trip, we brought my sister Lydia back with us, to stay. And to have her here is really like a dream come true, as we've talked about and wanted her to move back to California for at least three years. The timing was just right for it to happen now, and we're so very glad. I love getting to see someone from my family every single day. We have so much fun together, my kids adore having Auntie Lydia around, and she's been a help to me too. I'm not sure I could have done this whole new-puppy thing without her. :)

With the addition of these two, life is busier and fuller than ever, and our little house is bursting at the seams.

And I wouldn't have it any other way!

Welcome, Lyddie-lou and Little Violetta. :)

a letter of sorts.

2011-03-08T14:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Blog,

I'm writing because I realize I have sorely neglected you of late. This was certainly not intentional... but life somehow seems to speed by at rate which continues to surprise me.

And I find that, in those rare moments of solitude and rest that I get, you're kind of the last place I want to be.

oh dear. Have I offended you, blog? Don't take it personally. I mean, you're great and all, and I still love you, and I'll always be around, but... well, it's just that you're not quite as wonderful and rich and alive as so many other things in my life. Friends. Family. Books. Creativity. Adventures. Conversation. My husband. My girls. My Lord. I'm so richly blessed, you know, in so many ways, and I don't want to miss out on any of these things. So, please, don't mind if I spend a little less time with you... you know it's all for the best!

oh! I must tell you about something lovely... Spring. Yes, spring! For it has arrived here, and the days are cloaked in many and varied glorious shades of it. The daffodils have lifted their cheery golden heads and bob merrily at me in my backyard. My ranunculus bloom layer by delicate mauve layer, and the tree in our front yard has burst forth with such a show and abundance of blossoms that I have christened her The Pink Lady Most Wondrous. As I write this letter to you, Emma, Annabelle, and Rosalie are in the backyard, barefoot and carefree in the sunshine, their hair teased and mussed by the fresh breeze, their cheeks kissed with light. I throw my windows open in the afternoon when the temperatures have warmed and I sigh happily at the blue, blue sky.

After I've told you all these things, dear blog, I know you won't hold my absence against me. And I'm glad, for I shall be absent again for a little while. You see, my sister is getting married very soon! We are traveling to Denver to be there for that most special day, and I'm just so excited. ALL of my family is going to be in one place for the first time in well over two years, and I can't wait to wrap my arms around them all and soak up each moment while we celebrate and rejoice together.

The preparations for this trip have me running around and filling every moment with something, so you can see why I won't have time for you this week. I know you'll understand; you always wait patiently for me.

Will you do me a favor, blog? Will you please tell all my lovely friends who visit you from time to time that I shall be thinking of them and that I'll be back again soon? I'm going to have so much to tell you, and them, about! The adventures of this month are going to be many, from travels and wedding and family and birthdays, to the excitement of new additions in our little house. (I'll give you a hint: one of them has two legs and opposable thumbs, and one of them has four legs and fur.)

So, I bid you farewell for now, dear blog, and will write to you again when I return. As you can see, I've included some pictures I snapped of my happy lovin-the-springtime beauties. I hope they'll make you smile until the next time.

With sincerest love always,

Talia

xoxoxo

ps. would you like to see something fun? My good friend Lorie, who has a blog of her own (oh! maybe you two know each other, being of the same type and what-not) put up a post about some beautiful ladies and a very lovely time we had here at my house not too long ago. You should take a peek. (And will you please make sure everyone who stops by knows about it too, in case they want to see? thank ye kindly.) k, bye!

rock-a-bye, rosalie

2011-02-22T00:14:00.000-08:00

I rocked my baby to sleep tonight.

It's something that I haven't done since she was very small. Normally, she'd rather just lay in her crib, read her book, snuggle up with her stuffed animals, and go to sleep in her own time.

But tonight, we rocked.

She didn't have a nap today. Daddy was home from work, so we all went to the park this afternoon to enjoy the lovely sunshine and beautiful weather. And while her big sisters rode scooters and swung and climbed on monkey bars, Rosalie went up stairs and slid down slides, again and again and again. She ran to and fro while I chased her. She made friends with a little girl who had an Ariel bike-- Rosalie was quite fascinated by it. She played hard, with joy spilling over in her smile and her little feet always on the go.

We came home after an early dinner out, and it was bathtime. She was cheerful, sitting amidst the bubbles with Annabelle, but as I scrubbed her fingers and toes, and removed the buckets of sand from her finally-thickening hair, I could see the lack of a nap starting to take its toll.

When I rinsed out her hair, she cried.
When I took her out of the tub to dry her off, she threw a fit.
When I laid her down to put on her diaper, she rolled away from me and got mad.
When I put on her pajamas, she threw herself on the floor.
When I brushed her teeth, she cried again.
When I went to lay her down in her crib, she arched her back and hit my arms and screamed "no no no!".
It was too much, and I admit I lost patience. She was being naughty and needed discipline, regardless of how tired she was, but I spoke sharply in frustration and anger, instead of in love.

But then, we rocked.
Instead of leaving her there in her crib, turning out the light, and letting her simply go to sleep. I picked her up and took her to the rocking chair. We sat down together, and I looked in her tear-filled eyes and told her I loved her. That she needed to be a nice girl. I asked her for a hug, and she buried her head on my chest. As my arms went around her and my lips brushed her forehead, we fell into the rhythm of the chair and found peace together.

creeak creeeak creak goes the chair with each back and forth, a sound as familiar as a loved voice. Her hair smells of lavendar shampoo, her cheek feels like velvet. She sighs deeply and snuggles closer, and I relish the feel of her small form pressed into me, a part of me, mine to hold. I love the change of her weight as she draws closer to sleep, how she surrenders more fully with each passing moment. Back and forth, back and forth, creeak creeak creak, her fingers clutching her ever-present blankie and her eyes drooping lower and lower each time.
And then, she is asleep, her lashes laying long and dark against her cheek, her lips a perfect pout, and even though I could lay her down, I don't. I hold her for a little while longer and simply cherish the fact that she is small and not-quite-two, still able to fall into dreams in her mother's arms.

This child, she can be a handful. She challenges me. Wears me out and drives me to distraction sometimes.
But tonight... tonight, she was just my baby that I rocked to sleep.

ten things.

2011-02-16T17:22:00.000-08:00

one. Hi there!! Happy Wednesday to you, dear person!

first things first, you know.

Also, I should warn you that this post is entirely and completely random, with no semblance of order or proper segues whatsoever.

two. Annabelle is sick today. And while she is a poor sad little creature (she's hardly ever sick), and I feel badly for her of course (sick kids always make a mother's heart sad), I must say that today has been just what we needed. I cancelled all of my piano lessons, we stayed in our pj's and cuddled and watched movies on the couch, Emma and I did schoolwork while Annabelle slept, and I won't be rushing off to choir tonight. Usually Wednesdays are rush rush rush from one thing to the next, and today simply wasn't that way. A nice change of pace. Now if only my little pixie wasn't sick, it would have been perfect...

three. my brother Elijah sent me a box from Afghanistan which I received on Valentine's Day. Inside were SEVENTEEN beautiful hand-made scarves he bought over there. If you know me at all, you know how I love scarves, and the fact that these were from another country? and handmade? and from my little brother whom I miss dreadfully? Well, let's just say I was thrilled. absolutely thrilled. They're so lovely and gorgeous, and I love them all.

just a few of my favorites from the bunch.

four. that same brother gets to come home in LESS THAN A MONTH!! He's been in Afghanistan for nearly six months now, as a contracting officer for the Air Force, and I've been able to speak to him all of one time since he's been there. I haven't actually seen him since July of 2009. I miss him. A lot. I'm SOOOOO EXCITED TO SEEEEE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

no, really, this sort of excitement merits capitalization and many exclamation points. Trust me.

five. When I fold laundry, I stack all of the bigger girls' underwear in their respective piles. Rosalie's new favorite thing to do is come along and take each of those pairs of underwear and put them on, one by one. Last night when I picked her up to put her in her seat for dinner, she had on no less than 12 pairs of underwear.

I'm not even sure how she managed that.

six. Confession: I am addicted to the show Psych. Shawn and Gus are one of my favorite duos of all time. Watching an episode on Netflix is the perfect little comedic indulgence while I fold laundry. They always make me laugh. "My name is Shawn Spencer, and this is my partner, Ovaltine Jenkins." Classic.

seven. My sister is getting married in thirty days! Not only am I so excited for that fact alone, but this also means I will be seeing all of my family (ALL of them!) in less than thirty days! happy dance!

eight. this:

she loves to draw on herself.

nine. and this:

this is the silly pose I got when I asked her to smile. hehe.

ten. and finally, last but not least, this:

blurry, but oh-so-darling. She was looking at family pictures and got really excited!

and voil`a! with those three (taken yesterday, when Annabelle wasn't a sickie), there's your cuteness dose for the day. tr`es bien.

eleven. (what. I felt like adding one more.) I like French. Someday I would like to learn how to speak it.

bonjour, mon ami. je m`appelle Claude. oui.

the end!

a woodland tray.

2011-02-11T15:41:00.000-08:00

This was a fun little project I did this morning. It's cheap, easy, and cute. And if you ask me, those three things are the crafting trifecta.
I snatched this up at Goodwill for $1.50 on one of my thrifting trips:

But the problem was, I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do with it. I knew it had potential to be something, but I just wasn't quite sure what. So, it sat in my closet for about two months, getting even dustier than it already was (sad).
I've learned not to rush into projects until I really know what I want them to be, from past experiences (hello. I've painted my coffee table three times now in as many years. I'm indecisive.), and I'm so glad I waited to do something with it until I actually had a good idea.

A good cleaning, a coat of primer, a couple coats of spray paint, some stressing, hot glue, and a package of sheet moss turned that ugly dirty thing into this:

A mossy tray, to be used for creating woodland scapes or whatever your little creative heart desires.

Ideally, if I would have had the time, I would have loved to have turned this into an actual mini landscape-- sort of like a terrarium on a tray. Someday I think I will. But, as I was short on time, I just used a few things I either had sitting around the house or that I had recently bought to simply set on there and make it look "natural-ish" and sort of woodsy. I'm so taken by natural and botanical things of all sorts, lately. Perhaps it's because of all this sunshine and spring-like weather we're having. Or, perhaps it's simply because, when it comes to beauty, you can't top the things we find all around us in creation. I love things that mimic that beauty in my home.

I found these adorable ceramic mushrooms on sale at Michael's. Mushrooms are delightfully quirky, I think. This little brown birdie has been a friend of mine for some time now, and he was more than happy to be put to new use.

Michael's also had lots of beautiful butterflies and spring flowers on sale. I should not be allowed in that place. TOO MUCH GOODNESS.

This latest project of mine now cheerfully resides on our coffee table, and it's just what the living room needed.

(and now, join me in hoping that a certain little toddler can leave my mushrooms alone.)

done and done.

2011-02-03T22:35:00.000-08:00

Today was a very busy day. (as are most days, these days. Le sigh.) I think this is literally the first time I've sat down!

And yet... and yet....as I type this, my kitchen is a mess. There are towels sitting on my floor needing to be put away. There's laundry waiting in baskets to be folded... and it's been that way since mumble mumble monday mumble. I didn't get to those dishes sitting in the sink that needed to be washed today, and I'm pretty sure that I spotted four cobwebs in a corner of the living room earlier.

Sometimes, as a stay-at-home mom, it's hard to feel accomplished. So much of what we do is constantly being UNdone, and needs to be done again and again. Or, our day is taken up by tasks which can't be "checked off". We chase children round and round, trying to keep them entertained and out of trouble. We clean up one mess only to discover another, even bigger, mess in a different room. We wipe snotty noses, kiss bumped heads, change diapers, read stories, fix meals, fix snacks, discipline and teach lessons, praise artwork and accomplishments, listen to little voices tell us endless tales of important things in their world. Meanwhile, other things get pushed aside, time speeds by, the day ends, and we look around and think "why do I feel like I got nothing done today??"

On one particular day, a day where I felt especially behind, I decided to make an "already-done list". Sort of like a reverse to-do list, where instead of writing down what I had still to accomplish, I wrote down everything that I had already done that day. And you know what? It helped. It made me see that, even though my house was a mess and there were many things on my to-do list that didn't get crossed off, I had in fact accomplished much. The day had not been a waste, and I had done my job to the best of my ability and filled my time wtih good and necessary things, even if it was simply taking care of my children. The fact of the matter is that God only gives us so many hours in a day, and sometimes there's just no way we can do it ALL. And that's ok.

(You should try making a similar list sometime. I highly recommend it.)

And so, even though, as you can see, my house looks like a tornado ripped through it, I'm not going to bemoan today or what I didn't get done. I'm going to look on the bright side, and be happy that I...
.....finally got the vacuuming done (and the dusting too!).
.....got through a full day's worth of schoolwork with Emma, and even made time for some artwork, which she LOVES.
.....showered and got ready, including make-up and cute hair (please realize that this totally counts as an accomplishment, especially when one has a teething toddler).
.....taught four piano lessons.
.....cuddled and comforted the afore-mentioned teething toddler.
.....washed all the towels.
.....washed all of Rosalie's laundry.
.....washed the pillows on our couch, which had been looking sadly dingy for quite some time.
.....hung a few new things on our walls.
.....made my girls laugh when we had kissing wars.
.....tried for the first time ever, and succeeded at, baking shepherd's bread (my husband's favorite kind) from scratch. Hurrah!

and now, I'm going to eat some m&m's, watch a little bit of tv, and maybe fold some of that laundry.
Maybe.
Today's work might be done.
There's always tomorrow to fold those clothes.
And put away those towels.
And clean the kitchen.
And wash the dishes.
And get rid of those cobwebs. oh, I hope I don't forget about the cobwebs!

:)

What's your "already-done list" for today?

There's a band in our garage...

2011-02-01T23:26:00.000-08:00

... and they rock.

They rock HARD.
I like to say that they are the bestest band ever.
However, I might, perhaps, be slightly biased.

This is Ryan. He plays the piano and sings. I could listen to him play all day long... he's amazing. (He's also Emma's piano teacher, and does a marvelous job at that too)

This is Luke... he plays the rhythm guitar and is one of the newer members of the band. He's also our brother-in-law! I was thrilled when he joined the band, because it meant Jessica (his wife, Jeremy's sister, my best friend) and I get to be "band wives" together.

This is Zack, or Zachary, as I like to call him. He plays lead guitar, and sounds like Jason Mraz when he sings. Sometimes he sits on our couch and just plays and sings, and I love it.

This is Jake. He plays the bass guitar, which came about when the band needed a bassist, and they asked him if he wanted to do it, since he was already here hanging out every week anyway. He said yes, even though he didn't really know how, and learned how to play it in no time at all. Quite impressive. He's also dating my sister, which makes me very happy. Hooray. *big smile*

This is Jeremy, whom you all know as My Husband. I also like to refer to him as A Major Hottie...especially when he plays those drums. He's so good at it, so passionate about it, and I love to watch him play.

One day while they were practicing, I went out and took some random photos of them. I'm certainly no photographer, but I really had fun snapping away while I listened to them play.

guitars are so pretty!

so are piano keys.

"TOO MUCH METAL FOR ONE HAND!"

Oh, these guys.

They're not just a talented group of musicians who happen to make music in our garage.

They're men who have a passion for the Lord, who love to praise Him, who use their gifts for Him. They've become friends with whom we love to spend our time...laughing (a lot) and talking, encouraging each other, and sharing in each other's lives. I refer to them fondly as "my boys". I'm not actually sure if they even know that, but it's how I've come to think of them as time goes on.

They're family.
And I'm so glad they're here each week to jam in our garage, fill our house with music, eat my cookies, make us laugh, and just be a part of our lives.

Rock on, guys. Rock on. :)

(you can find them online here, if you're curious and you'd like to know a little more about them as a band. Or, you can like The Damascus Project on facebook!)

{how delicious} Gingered Lemon Scones

2011-01-25T09:29:00.000-08:00

I'm just going to be honest and upfront about this:
I LOVE SCONES. If I could have a warm scone every morning for breakfast, I would. If I could order a scone every time I set in foot in Starbucks, I would. However, common sense dictates to me that if I did that, I would be fat. And so, I restrain myself.

However, a girl has got to have her scone every once in a while. And these... well, these are pure heaven, is what these are. I first made them on New Years Day for a treat while my family was visiting, and since then I've made them several more times, they're just so good. (just for the record, I gave them away as gifts... I did not eat them all myself. See? Restraint.)

Gingered Lemon Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup butter
3/4 cup buttermilk (I always just use soured milk)
1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
1/4 cup lemon curd*
Coarse or granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease a baking sheet; set aside. In a medium bowl stir together the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside. In a small bowl stir together the buttermilk and the ginger. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk. Stir with a fork just until moistened.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. knead dough by gently folding 10 to 12 times or until nearly smooth. Divide the dough in half and pat or lightly roll each half into an 8-inch circle. Place one half on baking sheet and spread it with the lemon curd to within 1/2 inch of the adges. Place remaining dough half on top of the lemon curd and pinch edges to seal. Sprinkle top with coarse or granulated sugar. Using a sharp knife, score the top of the dough into 8 wedges, cutting only about 1/4 inch deep.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes on baking sheet, then remove to plate and cut into wedges. Serve warm if possible.

*Lemon curd. It's like eating sunshine. You can buy it at most grocery stores... or, if you're like me, you can put it on your grocery list on three separate occasions, forget it each and EVERY time, get fed up with yourself and your ridiculous forgetfulness, and just decide to make your own, because heaven help you, you are NOT going back to the dang grocery store AGAIN!

Homemade is better anyway, right? :)
Here's the recipe I used:

Classic Lemon Curd
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed

In a 2 quart saucepan, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, eggs, and butter. Cook over medium-low heat until thick enough to hold marks from whisk, and first bubble appears on surface, about 6 minutes.
Note: it says 6 minutes, but it took much longer than that for it to get thick enough. And it's very important that you get it the right consistency (it should spread like a jam). Just be prepared to stand there and stir it for more than 6 minutes! but oh, it's so delicious. And, as a bonus, you will have lots left over after making the scones.

Enjoy! Trust me, you will. :)

darling, you're five!

2011-01-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

It is the 22nd of December, and I am tucking two little girls into bed. We finish saying prayers, and one of them, her face lit up and her blonde hair a-flying everywhere, presses in close to my arm. "Mommy, I'm just so excited!"
"You are? How come??"
"Well, tomorrow is my birfday! and I am going to be FIVE!"
"No! Are you sure? I think you might be too little to be five."
She laughs and twists a curl around her finger. "No, Mommy, I really am! I'm big now."
I look at her. And smile at her. Those blue eyes of hers are crinkling up with joy... which makes me crinkle with joy, even as I say, "But I didn't say you could turn five, you know."
Another tinkly laugh. "Silly mommy! it just... well, it just happens."

How right you are, my dear girl. It does just happen. In the blink of an eye, it seems. It seems like you were a bald little baby not that long ago, and now you are a lithe little girl, all arms and legs and curly hair. Now, our darling Annabelle Grace, you are five.

You are our unique middle child... both big AND little sister. You look up to Emma and want to be with her whenever you can. You adore Rosalie and love to love on her... sometimes too much, and we have to tell you to just leave her be.

You literally dance through life. Always, always on your tip-toes, always jumping up and down, always prancing around. I literally cannot remember the last time I saw you simply walk from room to room.

You radiate joy when you are happy, from the tips of your dancing toes to the wrinkle in your nose because your smile is so big. Even your hair, which is a wonder in and of itself, seems to be joyful.

Just as you light up when you are joyful, you exhibit anger and frustration and sadness with the same transparency and commitment. If something doesn't go your way, you crumple. Many are the fits you've thrown over something that seems like no big deal. You dissolve into tears more easily than anyone... when I make soup for dinner (you HATE soup), when the timer goes off and your room is not picked up yet, when Rosalie touches something that is yours, when Emma picks a different movie than you wanted. In short, you are an emotional and ultra-sensitive little creature, which can be a challenge for me and Daddy, but we know it's also something that makes you who you are. We pray that God will use your gift of emotion and sensitivity someday to bless others in wonderful ways.

You're such a pixie, so skinny and petite. This is probably because you are such a picky eater... oh, the struggles we have at mealtime. Tears and gagging and high drama. I have high hopes that you're getting less picky though! Oh, I hope. :)

You do funny things like try to catch raindrops on your tongue.

You love music and dancing, fairies and princesses, books and stories, drawing and painting... I can't wait to see what talents and loves come forth in your personality as you continue to grow.

You are a klutz. Yes, it's true, my love. I've seen you fall off a chair when you were simply sitting there, trip over your own two feet and fall head over heels, walk right into corners and doorframes... sigh. Poor Annabellesie-boo.

You are silly. SO silly. You embrace the silliness completely and utterly, and I always hear you and Emma cracking each other up, mostly over goofily random things. Your laugh is so infectious, and even though the silliness between you two can drive me crazy ~~all day long~~ at times, I always love to hear you laugh.

You're such a unique and quirky little person. I'm so thankful God made you exactly the way He did... you're just such a gift, Annabelle, and even though I lose patience with you sometimes, I wouldn't have you any other way.

Now that you are five, and I'm realizing again just how quickly you're changing and growing up right before our eyes, I would freeze you right here at this age for just a wee little bit if I could....
but since I can't, here are a few things I don't ever want to forget about you at five years old.

-your voice. It's so... well, it's just you. I could listen to it all day long. (I'll try to get a good video of her sometime soon and post it here for all of you to enjoy. It's so cute I could just die.)

-how you love to snuggle. You come to us and give us hugs at random times, and you love nothing more than grabbing a big blankie and cuddling up with me or Daddy on the couch.

-your hair. It's so blonde, SO curly, so unruly, so fluffy and so pretty. I think it perfectly matches your flighty personality. Someday, you might hate it and find a way to tame it, but until then I'm going to savor every moment of your wild-and-fluffy-headed goodness.

-the high-pitched voice you use to talk to your little sister. You've done this since she was born, and I'm so glad you've kept it up. I think it's special. "Oh, Rosalie, you're just the best baby in the world, yeah you are!"

-your unique fashion sense. It's not unusual for you to come out of your room attired in something like a leopard-print hoodie, pink polka-dot pants, and a green shirt. You're unabashedly mismatched, and sometimes rather disheveled, with buttons all askew and one pant leg tucked into your boot, and I rather love it.

-how you nearly always sing or hum. It's a constant sound around here. Sometimes you sound lovely, and sometimes you reach a pitch that should really only be heard when trying to summon small dogs. It's funny.

-the way you smile when you give someone a hug. It's like your love for that person is written on your face... you're so unreserved and open.

-everything. I wish I could remember everything. I'm going to try. :)

It's the 23rd of December, morning, and I am woken up by the birthday girl, her face shining above her red flannel nightgown. "It's my birfday! I'm five now!"
I scoop her up for a big birthday hug, and feel her hair, always a wild halo in the morning, brush and tickle across my cheek. "Oh my goodness, you're SO BIG now! I'd better give you your birthday kisses before you get any bigger!"
She giggles and squeals, and I kiss, kiss, kiss her.
"Happy birthday, Annabellesie-boo, I love you!"

All pictures by Lorie Chambless.

Rosalie-roo, the all-in-one amazing animal zoo!

2011-01-19T16:32:00.000-08:00

This kid knows her animal noises... I just had to get them all on video. oh the cuteness. :)

Untitled from Talia Bridgman on Vimeo.

1, 2, 3, Peppermint Tree!

2011-01-11T01:19:00.000-08:00

*sits down, dusts off this poor neglected blog, and begins to type*

I can't believe it's been THREE weeks since I last blogged. What.... how did.... I don't.... just.... GOOD GRIEF, that went by quickly.

But.... today is my birthday. This is good news for a few reasons. 1) I have a legitimate excuse to eat more dessert. 2) My birthday always marks the end of our crazy holiday/birthday season and all the busy-ness that goes along with it all. Mid-December through my birthday is just nuts. Nuts, I tell you! But. Today is January 11th. And now you know what that means. It means that the mad dash is over. It means that I can breathe again. It means that I'm back!

Go ahead and take a minute to rejoice. I know how much you must have missed me. wink wink, smile. Truth be told, I missed all of you too, quite a lot, and I'm so excited to jump back into blogging and do my best to catch you all up on all of the goodness that has gone on around here. I've got a list of posts as long as my arm (don't worry, it won't be that many, as I actually have relatively short arms), and I'm just itching to write!

And what better way to dive back into blogging after the holidays than to share with you all our Christmas card?
I would have shared it sooner, but, they didn't all get sent out till about a week ago. Every year this happens. sigh. Hopefully everyone I sent to has gotten it by now and I'm not taking away any of the fun of ripping open that envelope :)

I'm not going to lie, I absolutely love love LOVED our card this year. It makes me smile every time I look at it.

See? It's just so perfectly us. But I must give credit where credit is due.
amazing pictures by the one-and-only wonderful Lorie Chambless.
design by the simply marvelous Molly of tank and tink.
what can I say... I have really really talented friends. these girls. I love them.

I hope each and every one of you had a delightful Christmas and are enjoying a happy 2011 (!!!) so far. Stick around, I really will be back again soon.
Promise.

ps. that title was just for you, Jerusha and Lydia. :)

overwhelmed.

2010-12-21T20:36:00.000-08:00

One Friday, not too long ago, I was driving down the road in our minivan. It was mid-morning on a gray and dreary day, and the girls and I were headed out to run some errands. It had been such a long week, a very demanding week, and I was so tired and just done. I could feel tears lurking just behind my eyes, ready to fall at any moment.

Right then, a song came on. We were listening to Christmas music as we drove through town, trying to catch the happy Christmas spirit, and the song was "Silent Night" as sung by Mr. Josh Groban. That's all it took. The tears came. Something about the way he sings that song, and something about the words.... it got me. There I was, tired and overwhelmed, stressed and desperately wanting a break... (and let's be honest, I was probably feeling a bit sorry for myself too. boohoo.) But that song... oh, that song. It was the perfect reminder for me on that morning.

And it's still the perfect reminder for me now, weeks later, as we are only days away from Christmas and things have, if possible, gotten even more hectic and crazy.

As I type right now, I have no less than three baskets of laundry waiting to be folded and put away.

I still have to finish Christmas shopping.

I haven't gotten my baking done yet.

There is not a single present wrapped to put under our tree.

I have four homemade gifts I still need to finish.

There are boxes of gifts waiting to be sent off, which means a trip to the post office.

My Christmas cards still need to be sent out (which I will do, as soon as I actually get them!)

And that, my friends, is really just the short list.

I am overwhelmed.

How many of you are feeling the same way right now? It seems like December always does this to us, doesn't it? The holidays should be such a time of joy and peace and soaking up the sweetness of having loved ones near... a time for rest and reflection, for remembering what's important. But instead, we end up with 10 millions things to do and no time in which to do it, stressed out and frazzled, running around like chickens with our heads cut off while the loveliness of Christmas passes us by... hiding in the bathroom with a book and a piece of chocolate just so you can have a little break, a little peace and quiet.

(you've all done that, right? No? That last one is just me? ahem. nevermind.)

I'm doing my best NOT to let this season pass me by, not to let the craziness and stress swallow me whole and leave me exhausted. I'm hoping and praying that, by God's grace, I will keep myself together and focus on the wonderful things for which I am grateful. I am choosing to be overwhelmed... but in a completely new and different way.

Overwhelmed by my girls, and their childish delight over every little thing that happens in this holiday season. By the fact that I get to spend every day with them, soaking them up and loving them no matter what.

Overwhelmed by the beauty of winter, with its snow and (for us) rain, its quiet peacefulness and somber gentility.

Overwhelmed with thankfulness that, one year after my mom was diagnosed with her lymphoma, she is healthy and fine, here with us and more lovely than ever. And, she and my other family will be here in a matter of days!

Overwhelmed by my husband, who puts up with me and my craziness and grumpiness. I love him.

Overwhelmed by the sheer number of amazing people we have in our lives to love, both friends and family... and by just how really wonderful they are.

Overwhelmed by the loveliness of everything around me, from the sounds of the Christmas music we play to the twinkly lights we string here and there and everywhere.

Overwhelmed by how much I love my pajamas, and by the fact that this time of year is so cozy and I get to wear them quite often, all the time. (I really do love my pajamas. And slippers. We're MFEO.)

Overwhelmed by the goodness of God.

Overwhelmed by thankfulness.

By contentment.

By delight.

By joy, pure and simple.

And most of all, overhwelmed by the truth of what it is that we celebrate in this season, the truth of that silent night so long ago.

Silent night, holy night,

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavely hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Saviour, is born!
Christ the Saviour, is born!

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

just in case I don't get a chance to say it later:

Merry Christmas, to each and every one of you.

I hope you are overwhelmed by joy and delight. :)

xoxo

a winter-y Thanksgiving.

2010-12-14T13:25:00.000-08:00

Every year, when the holidays roll around, a little part of me gets slightly wistful. And a lot of that wistful-ness is actually related to the weather. See, we live in Southern California. And while I love it for many reasons, and I am even glad of the fact that our winters are not bitterly cold and long.... I'm still a bit of a Midwestern girl at heart, and that girl misses her snow and the magic and coziness that it always brings this time of year.

But, this year, I was able to get my winter snow-fix. No, we won't be having a white Christmas... but I'm so glad we got to have a white Thanksgiving!

Our family (on Jeremy's side) decided that instead of buying each other Christmas gifts this year, we would instead spend the money and rent a cabin up in Shaver Lake over Thanksgiving. So that is just what we did, and from Wednesday to Saturday we all made this beautiful place our home together.

Honestly, it was just perfect. If you want to have a truly relaxing time, go somewhere surrounded by snow. No shopping, no running around, no cell phone service, no internet (really!.... and it was so nice.). Just lots of time for cozying up by the fire and simply being together. It was especially great for all of us, because this was literally the first time we'd done anything like this with these dear family members. We needed to just be around each other for days, instead of mere hours, and really be able to soak one another up.

Instead of boring you with long descriptions of our time there, I will simply let the pictures show you. Jeremy took most of these, which was so nice because I was lazy and didn't want to to bring out my camera too much. Thanks, honey. :)

We spent a lot of time in our pj's. It was heavenly. (thanks, Grandma Net-Net for the matching flannel nighties! these girls melt my heart.)

There was also much drinking of hot cocoa. While in our pj's. Of course.

We enjoyed a wonderful and simple, yet oh-so-tasty Thanksgiving dinner. It was so much fun for us ladies to spend the day cooking together.

(my mouth is full of mashed potatoes in this picture. Lovely. A good chef always tries the food first, right?)

The kids were all SO thrilled by the amount of snow there was on the ground. It didn't take long for them to be begging to go ouside and play in it. It took a good amount of time just to get everyone bundled up, but the amount of fun and joy they had made it completely worth it.

Rosalie was not a huge fan of the snow and cried whenever we would set her down. Oh well. She got a kick out of watching her crazy cousins and sisters, throwin' snowballs and makin' snow-angels. on another note, doesn't she look she's doing the robot in this picture? ha.

ATTACK! Even Grandma Net-Net and Grandpa Randy got in on the snow-play.

All the grandkids with the grandparents. I love this picture! notice Rosalie's face? hehe.

Uncle Luke, Auntie Jessica, Jason, and Faith. Such a cute family.

One afternoon when it had warmed up a teensy bit, we took a nice long walk around the neighborhood, up and down many hills that wound in and out through amazing cabins and pine trees everywhere. It was beautiful. But Annabelle got a bit tired, so her walk turned into more of a ride, thanks to Grandpa and his shoulders.

On Friday evening we bundled up (because it was c-c-colddd that night) and went into the little town of Shaver so we could see their annual "tree-lighting ceremony". I put that in quotation marks for good reason. Picture this: Many people all squished together in a Wells-Fargo parking lot, looking at a pine tree across the street. And then... and then... the lights came on! All two strands of them!! Ta-daaaaaaaa!! Ah, small-town events. We had a good laugh about that one.

The kids really did love it though, so I suppose it was worth the half-hour it took to bundle everyone up and the dangerously icy drive into town. wink wink

The scenery was so striking in all its wintery glory. Ah, so beautiful. I hadn't realized how much I craved nature until we were up there amonst the trees and the clear blue sky and the dazzling loveliness of it all. God's creation is just so stunning.

oh look! wildlife!!

There was lots of cuddling and snuggling, especially when it came to Rosalie-roo, who is always in high demand. Auntie Jessica can never get anough of her Roo. She was thrilled to be able to cuddle and kiss on her anytime she wanted for three whole days.

I got some Jessica-lovin' too. :)

We'll always remember our Thanksgiving in the snow with the ones we love, and how simple and cozy it all was... the perfect winter fix, in so many ways.

We came away thankful, happy, and relaxed, chock-full of delightful memories and yummy turkey.

And now, Christmas is right around the corner... !!!!

just a little project

2010-12-02T09:37:00.000-08:00

oh hello, were you expecting a REAL blog? like one about our actual life? with many cute pictures of everything that's been going on? sorry. today is not your day. maybe some other time. stick around. :)

Not too long ago a wonderful friend of mine had a birthday, and I really wanted to give her something handmade... she's the type who appreciates that sort of thing very much, and it always means a lot to her. And I must say, it was a real delight being creative with her in mind, because she's a poetic soul who loves whimsy and looks at everything in the light of beauty.

I'm sure there's many people who could have made these ten times better than I did, but I most definitely loved making them.

What did I use?
random paint colors I had sitting in my garage
three medium-sized wooden plaques from Michael's, approx. $1 each.
rub-ons I had sitting in my craft drawer
an Anthropolgie catalog
ribbon from my ribbon jar
glue
a brushed-on coat of polyurethane to protect it all and make it nice and shiny

If you're assuming that this entire gift took me all of $3 to put together because I already had everything else on hand... you would be correct. hooray! Sometimes the time and thought that goes into a gift is more important than how much it costs, I think. (hopefully my friend agrees with me, now that the truth is out, wink wink)

Here's a closeup of each one. The lettering, the birdcage, the key, and the typewriter are all rub-ons, and everything else is cut out of the Anthro catalog. (I had way too much fun going through and cutting out pretty things... now I know why my girls just LOVE to do that with magazines!)

the green one is my favorite, I think. :)

I'm currently working on a few other handmade gifts right now too, for Christmas and such, and I'm loving it. What sort of craftiness and creativity are you up to this month? Do tell!

strolling down picture-memory lane

2010-11-20T23:46:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling nostalgic tonight.
longing for simplicity and rest.
wanting to be surrounded by all the ones I love.
but most of all, I'm wishing time would slow down.

When I look at these pictures, I realize just how quickly it's gone by, and how quickly it still speeds on.

Oh my girls. This was right after they got their little pink kitchen, and I remember how they played for hours and hours together, making meal upon imaginary meal.

Be still my heart. Cousin-kisses at Costco are a wonderful thing. This was not long after Faith and Jason joined our family.

My Emma has always been such a little fashionista. Where did her roundess disappear to? She looks so childish here.

Sweet Annabelle... she loved princesses and fairies then, and she still does. Only now, she has much more hair.

Silliness and sister-secrets in pj's. Such tiny little munchkins here.

where oh where did my little girl go? Her happy smile is still the same, though...

Baby blue-eyes. Round soft cheekies. Tiny blonde curls. And a butterfly.
This was from our trip to the Butterfly Pavilion in Denver, just a few years ago.

Silly faces at Uncle Elijah's college graduation. And now he's in Afghanistan, so far away... it doesn't seem possible.

Oh, that smile. That smile! It still lights up her face every day.

Well, hi, cutie. (he hasn't changed that much since this picture, I just stumbled across it and really liked it. teehee.)

Little baby Roosie-boo. This seems like yesterday.

Chubby thunder-thighs. Oh, I had forgotten how delicious her baby rolls were. They are disappearing a little more each day.

This one's the real kicker. Prepare yourself.
I melt. Absolutely melt. And then I cry a little, because she's really just not a BABY anymore! Sigh.

I'm realizing more and more how I need to grab onto each day and pull the wonderful memories from it, to store them away and keep them tucked safely somewhere to relive them again someday.

I can't stop time, and I can't stop change... I'm glad. God knows what is in the future, and I welcome it with open arms. But I'm also glad to have a past, to have places and times wherein I can stop and sit quietly, fondly for just a little while, as I catch my breath and prepare to plunge ahead into a new day and a new season.

Time refuses to slow down... but every once in a while, WE need to.

delightful things.

2010-11-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

Well, hello there.
It's been a little while, hasn't it?
I did so well, blogging every day for fashion week.... and then, nothing.
Life called loudly and insistently, and in order to meet it, I had to run, hop skip, and jump away from the internet and all the time-consuming wonders it holds.

But, I'm back today for a wee little bit, just to share with you some happy little things that are making me smile lately. :)

*shopping at Anthropologie. Just the other day, I got to set foot in one of the stores for the first time in years. I may or may not have swooned. And I may or may not have splurged and bought myself something. (I did. just for the record.)

*birthdays. Today is the 21st birthday of a certain dear girl. I'm so excited when lovely people have birthdays, because it's just so much fun to celebrate them. And by "them", I mean the birthday and the person!

*chilly weather. The weather has suddenly and most wonderfully turned cold. This means snuggling up under a thick comforter at night and feeling oh-so-cozy and tucked-away, little girls clad in footsie pajamas, and scarves and sweaters galore. It also means...

*the red cups are back at Starbucks! hooray!

*getting our family pictures taken. It's something we've never done since Rosalie was born. (This was the last time. Quite a lot has changed since then, wouldn't you say?)

Just a bit of a sneak peek for you. I am dying to see the rest of them. Lorie is simply amazing. But more on that later, when I'm able to show you the rest! Eeeep!

*watching Pride and Prejudice (the newer one, with Keira Knightley). It just so happens to be one of my most favorite movies ever. It's so beautifully done. Also: Mr. Darcy. Need I say more?

*writing notes on pretty notecards. Lately I've been taking the time to write more notes, and it's so lovely. I adore the feel of a pen going across the paper with words for someone I love, knowing it might bring a little extra sweetness to their day.

*enjoying some much-needed and longed-for sister time.

My Lyddie-Lou is in town for ten days, and I'm loving every minute of it, as are my girls. We would like to keep Auntie Lydia for always, please.
(If only I could see the rest of my family now, I'd be even happier than happy!)

I look at my happy list and can't help but think how good our God is, even in the little things.

And now, I would love to hear your happy list, my friend!

fall fashion! day 7.

2010-10-31T16:08:00.000-07:00

The last day! I canst hardly believe it. So sad.

Here's what I wore to church this morning:

grey sweater: hand-me-down from my seester
black dress: thrifted, $4
beaded bow pin: vintage, from a friend
leggings: Ross Dress for Less, $5
grey suede shoes: Payless, $9
pearl bracelet: gift

The bow pin is so darling. One of my friends' grandma had given it to her, and I was exclaiming how cute it was... so she just gave it to me. Thanks, Tiffany! :) It looks to be hand-beaded, too... can you imagine sewing all those beads and sequins on there? I'm glad someone took the time to do it!

Since it was chilly this morning when we left for church I wore leggings (nothing worse than sitting in church with freezing legs), but by the time we got home it had warmed up considerably. So I took them off before I ran out to get a few last-minute costume things. I think the look works without them, too.
I must say, this whole outfit is so comfy. I love outfits that are cute AND comfy... it's like having your cake and eating it too.
(by the way, what is the deal with that expression? Does anyone actually ever have cake and NOT eat it? I can't fathom that.... certainly, if I have cake, I am most definitely going to eat it.)

And now we are at the end of fashion week. Le sigh. Thanks to all of you this week for the sweet and lovely comments, for visiting me here at my blog, and for sharing your own wonderful fashions with us all. I had SO much fun clicking around and looking at all your pretty outfits and faces, and I definitely found some new blogs to love!
And thank you, Emery, for being such an amazing fashion week hostess. You're the best.

the last day link list. Go and soak up the fabulousness! :)

fall fashion! day six.

2010-10-30T02:02:00.000-07:00

This is what I wore one week ago to one of the most charming, beautiful, cozily romantic weddings I've ever been to-- that of our friends Chris and Alyssa.

The wedding was in the mountains, outdoors at a perfect place surrounded by trees and hills and the scent of pines in the crisp autumn air. The decorations were creative, wonderful, and woodsy... it really was just lovely in every way. My husband and I had such a great time spending the evening in the forest with great friends. Chris and Alyssa are such a sweet couple, and I'm so happy for them! So glad we could be there for their special day.

And I'm so glad they had their wedding in the fall, when leaves crunch underfoot, dusk comes at just the right time for magic and twinkly lights, and the air is cool enough to allow for boots and sweaters.

tulle dress: Target, $15
cropped cardigan: Charlotte Russe, $12
lacy tank: Charlotte Russe, $7
boots: thrifted, $3. yes. really. THREE dollars.
necklace: gift, from my brothers on one of my birthdays... maybe when I turned 13? I didn't wear it for many years, but not too long ago I found it again. I love it... not only because it looks vintage and sweet, but because I think of them (they're all far away) whenever I wear it!

These boots were something I stumbled across in some tiny little hole-in-the-wall thrift store. Exactly my size. The perfect caramel-y color. Real leather. Vintage Nine West. And, the best part, as already mentioned: THREE dollars.
Needless to say, I love them. :)

I hope you all have a great weekend... I'll see you tomorrow for the last day of fashion week! boohoo.

day 6 link list. for your viewing pleasure.

fall fashion! day five.

2010-10-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

day 5 already? what? this week is going by so quickly! It's been super-duper delightfully fun. I'll be sad when fashion week has come to an end.

Although... I won't lie, I am getting a little bit tired of looking at pictures of myself. You might feel the same way, too, about continuously looking at pictures of me. It's ok. I understand. :)

Yesterday, Thursday, was a doozy of a day. All of us had to be out the door by eight-thirty (easier said than done!), and we were gone until nearly one... then almost as soon as we got home my doorbell rang with the first of my five piano students. Thursdays are always a hectic day 'round these here parts. So, my outfit for yesterday needed to be easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy... something comfy and un-fussy to wear. As tempting as my yoga pants were, I resisted that urge and went with this instead. hehe.

cardigan: Target clearance, $4
lacy flowy shirt: Kohl's clearance, $5
scarf: Liberty of London at Target, $6 (I just love Liberty of London!)
skinny jeans: Paige Demin at Marshall's, on clearance, $50
metallic flats: Target clearance, $4
bow headband: Forever 21, $3

I simply had to post this last picture... just look at that darling chubby hand that sneaked in somehow. Teehee.

have a lovely Friday, friends!

day 5 link list. Please click on this, if only to have a peek at Emery. How is one person this cute?? Seriously.

fall fashion! day four.

2010-10-28T01:10:00.000-07:00

The beautiful fall weather this week has me happy sigh-ing and skipping merrily about, so to speak. I simply adore it. Autumn is glorious.
Yesterday was no exception. It was so beautiful and perfect that we just had to spend some time outside enjoying it. Now, one thing you should know about me and my girls is that we rarely wear shoes. I mean, of course, we wear shoes whenever we go somewhere... but if we're at home, you can pretty much be sure we're barefoot. Even when we play outside. Down with shoes, I say!

This is why it wasn't until half-way through my mini photo-shoot with Emma (she's becoming my little photog) that I finally realized I had completely forgotten to put on shoes. But, instead of running inside and choosing a pair for the sake of these photos, I decided to just embrace the bare feet. It felt right. Beautiful weather always calls for bare feet, I think.

Pumpkins and a happy (although messy) baby are always a wonderful addition too.

shirt: vintage, from one of my favorite antique stores, $4
belt: thrifted, $2 (yes, you've seen this one before. I wear it alot. It's just such a perfect belt!)
jeans: GAP, $30

The detail on this shirt is so sweet. I love the pin-tucks (or are they pleats?), the buttons, the little bit of brown piping, the slightly puffed sleeves. I'm not even sure what decade it's from-- judging by the tag, maybe the 60's or the 70's. I was thrilled to find it!

By the way, I would like to officially say hello to the newcomers to my blog who have left such lovely comments for me this week... Hello!! :) I'm having such fun discovering new bloggers myself, and I love when a new face comes here to my little corner of the internet. I do hope you'll stick around.

Rosalie and I (and Emma and Annabelle too, even though they didn't make it into today's photo) wish you a very happy rest of your fashion week, and a most delightful autumn!

fall fashion! day three.

2010-10-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

Last night was cold and chilly, the perfect sort of evening for a coffee and a cozy chat with my best friend. I love our coffee dates... they're always so refreshing and encouraging. And a coffee date with her on an autumn evening, when one can wear a cute hat and boots while sipping on spiced cider? Well, it just doesn't get much better than that.

A bit of a photo fail. But you get the idea. :)

hat: Marshall's clearance, $2
cardigan: Target, $12
striped t-shirt: GAP, $14
cable-knit sweater skirt: Target clearance, $4
leggings: Ross Dress for Less, $5
boots: Marshall's clearance, $30

I would just like to take a moment and talk about my boots. I love my boots. For quite some time I had been searching for the perfect boot; something classy and cute, brown, comfortable, and flat on the bottom so I could wear them all day long quite easily if I wanted to. Then, one day, I stumbled across these at Marshall's on clearance. Perfection! It was as if I and the boots were made for each other. I knew they were a good deal, because they were originally $80 there at Marshall's, and the tag on the inside said they were real Italian leather. Into my cart they went. When I got home, just out of curiousity, I looked up the brand online since I'd never heard of it: Migliorini. Imagine my surprise when the exact pair of boots I had just bought popped up on eBay-- selling for $150. And then I found a brand-new pair at some other site selling for close to $300. And I got them for $30?!? To this day I'm still not sure why they were so cheap. I felt I had conquered and won that day, like victory was mine. And my boots and I have been BFF's ever since.

This is not a great picture of them... but they really are lovely. These boots of mine once held up a security line at LAX airport because the lady running the scanner wouldn't give them back to me, she was so intent on admiring them and writing down the brand name so she could buy herself a pair. True story! hehe.

Also, how cute is the detailing on this shirt? This is one of my favorite shirts ever. Thank you, GAP.

day 3 link list. So much gorgeousness, so much great fashion, so much fun! Go have a look. :)

fall fashion! day two.

2010-10-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

As I type this, I am still in my pj's. And I plan to remain that way as long as I can today, in case you were wondering.

That's because it's Tuesday. Oh, glorious Tuesday. The one day in the week when I have no piano students or things going on, the one day in the week when we get to stay home and actually have a bit of a breather and take things at a slower pace. We take full advantage of Tuesday. We simply soak it up. My girls and I stay in our jammies, squeeze in a few extra snuggles on the couch or in bed, maybe even watch a bit of TV before we get started on the day's schoolwork and other catch-up chores. It's not that Tuesday is a lazy day and we don't do anything (we actually accomplish a lot since we're at home)... it's just that Tuesday lets us do it all IN OUR PAJAMAS.

My friends, never ever underestimate staying in your pajamas from time to time. It's a wonderful thing.

However, this post is not about pajamas. Pajamas, while amazing and beneficial, are not fashion. (they aren't, are they? If they are, please tell me. That would make me very happy indeed.)

So, let's talk about what I wore to the pumpkin patch after church on Sunday instead, shall we? :)

sweater: hand-me-down from sister-in-law (she found this sweater on one of our thrifting trips for $1. I was jealous. And then, six months later, she gave it to me since she didn't wear it that much. Bless her. hehe.)
lacy tank: Charlotte Russe, $7
scarf: World Market, $14
jeans: GAP, $30
canvas shoes: Payless, $6

While I am definitely a bargain hunter and a cheap-o, and it pains me to buy anything that is NOT on clearance, I've discovered that the one thing I don't mind spending a bit more money on is my jeans. It's so worth it. I'm quite short, and, ahem, curvy, so finding jeans that fit me right is a challenge...it's a rare thing for me to find the right pair at thrift stores or off the clearance racks (believe me, I've tried). I love walking into a store that I know sells my exact size, knowing that they'll fit me just right. GAP jeans have become my new favorite. Thankfully, I've almost never had to pay full price for a pair either, since I keep an eye out for coupons and special sales. I buy a few good pairs of jeans that I love, and I'm good to go.

This scarf was another thing I couldn't pass up, even though it was more than I would usually spend. I kept seeing it whenever I'd go in to World Market, and I loved it more each time. The colors, the flowers, the material, the slight hint of shimmery gold that runs through it... it's one of my happy things that I just love to wear.

Sometimes, if you know it's something you'll love and wear again and again, it's worth it to spend a few extra dollars. The obssessive bargain-hunter within me has had to learn this, slowly but surely. :)

if you're super observant, you'll notice I am wearing a different sweater in this last picture. That's because what started out as a cool and chilly day turned into sunshine and more heat than I expected. And I didn't want to sweat all over the pumpkins.

happy Tuesday, lovelies!!

day 2 link list... take a peek.

fall fashion! day one.

2010-10-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

Hi friends! I am quite excited because this week, for the first time ever, I am taking part in "Fall Fashion Week"!

The lovely Emery Jo-- who always looks amazing and has some of the cutest looks I've ever seen, and who is also currently pregnant with baby # 3 and is so adorable it kills me-- has been hosting fashion weeks for some time now... but this is my first time actually taking part in one! whee!

Before I jump right in, there are three things you should know about me:

1. I'm really not any sort of a fashionista. Creating a look that is unique and flawless, pulled-together just so, like something out of a magazine... well, that usually eludes me. Fashion boggles my mind a little bit, I'm not going to lie. There's just so many choices one must make! So many different looks out there! How do I know which accessory goes with what outfit? What's in and what's not?? Mind-boggling, I tell you. And sometimes, I just don't care. If you knocked on my door on a lazy stay-at-home day or ran into me buying milk at the store, chances are you would find me in my yoga pants, a tank top, and a hoodie, my hair held back with a ponytail and a headband. Just keepin' it real. :)

2. That being said, I do LOVE clothes. I love feeling "put-together" and stylish, and I feel that the older I get, the more I'm finding my own style. I'm discovering the things I love and the styles to which I keep coming back. I'm realizing what makes me feel happy and cute when I wear it, and what works for my lifestyle as a busy mom with three young children. And fall clothes?? They're simply the BEST. That's why I was so excited to take part in this fashion week.

3. I am awkward and never know how to pose for pictures. Sorry. hehe.

teal dress: ross dress for less, $6
belt: thrifted, $2
lacy tank: kohl's clearance, $2
leggings: wal-mart, $1.
sandals: kohl's clearance, $15

Be sure to check out Emery's blog for today's other fabulous participants! There's a lot of them, and I can't wait to click around and see who else is out there, stylin' it up this week. So fun. And... if you'd like to join in, it's never too late!! There's a Forever 21 Gift Card at stake here, my friends. You know you want to.

I'll be back tomorrow for another "look". happy fashion week!! :)

oh, children {#2}

2010-10-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

It's been a few months since I've written about the funny things my girls say and do. For the tickling of your funny bone, here is a sampling. And in case you missed it, here's #1.

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Emma was playing dress-up in her fairy wings and I noticed her trying to get outside through our sliding glass doors... and I had told her only minutes before that we weren't playing outside this afternoon, because it was simply too hot. So I stopped her again. She turns and looks at me, saying "But I HAVE to go outside, because I'm a sunshine fairy, and I NEED to make the sun rise!" Well then. What could I say to that? Carry on, daughter. I'd hate to think of some poor soul sitting in the dark somewhere simply because I wouldn't let you go outside.

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(just for the record, Emma will most likely hate me for this one if she happens to ever read my blog while wistfully looking back on her childhood. Hi Emma, I'm sorry. You'll thank me someday.) I found her looking quite distressed, standing in the middle of the living room. "What's wrong, honey?" She hesitates for a moment and then says "Well, it just seems like my undies are always giving me wedgies and I don't really know what to do about it."

I must say, one can hardly blame her for her perplexity. Such a dilemma.

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Annabelle comes running down the hallway, half-naked. "Light the candle, Mommy, I've gotta go pooooop!!" (again, she'll thank for me this later. I'm sure.)

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A question, posed to me by Emma: "When Gilbert (our cat) grows up, what will he be? A lion, or a tiger?" Imagine how disappointed she was when I had to tell her that housecats simply stay housecats, and don't "grow up" to become majestic beasts.

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While the girls were eating lunch (and being silly as usual), I was listening to them and couldn't help but laugh when I overheard Emma. "I'm having a really yummy dream right now. Do you see it floating up here above my head in a bubble??" She gestures vaguely with her hand. "Right now, I'm sliding down a banana, and you (Annabelle) are stuck inside of an orange. And there's a happy plum who's laughing." Seriously. This kid's imagination!

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One day, when Emma and Annabelle were playing, Emma did something which very much upset her little sister. I can't even remember what it was, but I do know that what followed was slightly over-dramatic.
Emma: "Annabelle, I'm really sorry. Look, if we do this instead it's ok."
Annabelle: "NO! it's not ok."
Emma: "No, really, look! See, this is just as good."
Annabelle: "No no NO! It's NOT good! Nothing will EVER be good AGAIN!" This emphatic statement was accompanied by hands thrown in the air followed quickly by her throwing all 26 pounds of herself face-down onto the floor.
Clearly, whatever had happened was completely, utterly, and irrevocably earth-shattering. THE HORROR.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And then, there's this:

It rained today, really rained today, for the first time in a long time. It didn't take Rosalie long at all to discover the large puddle in our backyard and the joy that it contained. Hooray for rain and puddles!

several things: one. I don't know WHY I sound like Darth Vader in videos. Note to self: STOP BREATHING. two: I don't usually laugh like a maniac. Sorry. three: Rosalie is wearing a cloth diaper... her booty is NOT usually that large. But I kinda love it, I'm not going to lie. :)

Children are, without a doubt, good for the soul. hehe.

gooood morning!

2010-10-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

The brand-new morning holds good things. Lovely little things.

sunshine brightening the rooms.

a cheerful and well-rested Rosalie.

squeezes and cuddles all around.

strawberries and lucky charms for breakfast.

a chat with Grandma.

but best of all,

their favorite...

new library books.

this is a sight that makes my heart happy.

My darling girls,

in love with their books,

fascinated and captivated by the pages of pictures and words.

flip flip flip go the pages, turned by little fingers,

as sweet faces bend over them happily, seriously, eagerly.

concentrating. imagining. journeying, to far-away places and back again.

such joy and wonder to be found, in such a simple thing.

things dropped by me today.

2010-10-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

-my cell phone (twice)
-my keys
-three forks
-a pencil
-a book
-a cup (thankfully, it was plastic. And empty.)
-my mascara
-my make-up brush
-Rosalie*
-a water bottle
-two toys (I blame this partly on my children. They just don't grab things very quickly.)

Seriously, I have issues. Please tell me I'm not the only one and make me feel better?? :)

*just kidding!!! I only threw that one in there to see if you were still paying attention. When it comes to babies and small children, my grasp is secure. Thank goodness.

School and such.

2010-10-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

Oh, hello. Did you know that it is now October? Does this shock you? Are you wondering what happened to September and how in the world it flew by so quickly that it hardly seemed to exist at all?

Me too. ME TOO.

Since it is now October, and we are now in our fifth (!! I swear we just started) week of school, I thought I would finally share with you a bit of the first day of school, and how it's been going since then.

Tuesday, September 7 dawned bright and fair, and we were ready and excited to start.
The chalkboard I had recently made was written on for the first time ever.

Pencils were sharpened and poised in their pointiness, ready for little hands to grasp them.

A stack of brand-new books awaited us, ready to impart knowledge and learning with each turn of the page.

And, most importantly of all, there were three little girls who were eager and excited to begin the adventure of school days once again.

I say three, because while Rosalie doesn't get to be a student, she got caught up in the excitement too. Obviously. Just look at how she bedecked herself with necklaces for the occasion!

These two, however, were the most excited and kept asking me, "When are we going to start, Mommy? Is it time yet?" as I cleaned the kitchen from breakfast and got myself ready. Enthusiasm is always highest when everything is new, after all.

We prayed, we did our Bible-reading, and then we dove into our workbooks. I remember the thrill of beginning a new schoolbook.... every page is so crisp and white, and one doesn't know what it all will hold... the possibilities seem endless.

Rosalie sat at the table, colors in hand, and looked on in wondering interest at her big sisters. She wanted to be right there in the thick of it, a part of everything we did.

As much fun as it was to have all us there at the kitchen table, it did make it rather difficult to accomplish certain things with Emma. So, eventually I sent Annabelle off to play a few games on Starfall... which also fascinated Rosalie, thankfully. I'm so glad we have a big chair for our computer, because these two look awfully cute together on it.

No day of school is complete without snacktime, of course, and it's always a welcome break (for them AND me) from our work. Snacktime is a subject beloved by all!

That evening, as a way to celebrate our first day back at school, and as a reward for a day of work well done, we went out for ice cream at the Marketplace.

It just so happened that my sister(in-law) Jessica had started homeschooling her kids that morning too (their very first day EVER!), so it seemed perfect that we should all have some fun together in honor of the occasion.

Emma and Annabelle always have so much fun with their cousins Faith and Jason. Silliness always abounds, as you can see.

Our good little students deserved silliness, fun, and ice cream, I think.

Jason snapped this picture of me (he LOVES taking pictures).

That smile is from one happy mama who was very glad and grateful for a lovely start to our new school year.

Now that we are five weeks in, of course a wee bit of the enthusiasm and excitement has worn off. It always does, and I knew to expect that this year. We have days where we seem to not get much done, weeks where I feel we've fallen behind, and times when things do not run smoothly at all. It's all a part of it. I'm learning more and more to just go with it... to work hard and do as much as we can each day, but also to recognize when we need to go easy and have a little break.

We do math, reading, phonics, and Bible every day. To keep our workload from being too much, we alternate days between science and history, and do the same thing between penmanship and spelling. I try to have us do a fun art project (you know, something that involves paint, cutting, glue, clay, etc. The messier the better!) at least once a week, but I'm finding that doesn't always happen. Thankfully though, my kids LOVE to color and draw, so we always do some of that throughout the week.

My biggest challenges for this year? Rosalie is one of them. Like I mentioned before, homeschooling with a toddler can be tricky. While I love that she wants to be a part of everything, it does cause problems when I'm trying to help Emma with some of her work. I'm still finding ways to keep Rosalie occupied and happy, without her feeling like she's just getting pushed aside. This is a busy, busy, age she's at. A challenging age, as any mom with an 18-month-old can tell you! I'm also trying to find the balance between working with Emma, who requires my help more because she's an actual first-grader, and working with Annabelle. Just because she's not "officially" in school yet, I don't want her to miss out, and I certainly want her to be learning as much she can. I'm making more of an effort to read with her, to help her with her workbooks, and to do fun preschool-type things with her such as puzzles and games and songs.

And then, there's the issue of time. There are never enough hours in a day. (You all know what I'm sayin', am I right??) If we get ALL of our schoolwork done for the day, you can be pretty sure the house is a mess. If the house is clean and picked up and errands run, chances are we probably didn't get as much done in school as I wanted to. Not to mention, I don't want ALL our time to be spent on chores and schoolwork. I want to do fun things, have lazy moments together, and simply enjoy the little blessings like this amazing fall weather we've been having. It's a never-ending quest for balance, and I'm not sure I'll actually ever find it. But I'm learning that I can't do it all. No one can. We'll simply find the truly important things in each day, and start from there.

Have I mentioned that I have between 11 and 15 piano students each week too?

I feel like a crazy person.

Oh wait, I AM a crazy person.

:)

All joking aside, I really do love it all. I wouldn't trade this life that God has given me for anything. He is good, He is loving, and I'm finding grace in new and unexpected ways and places. I have so much I'm thankful for, even on our very worst day... and I simply adore the fact that my three little ladies are here with me as we all learn, together, every single day.

Emma Joy, our first grader. 6 1/2 years old.

Annabelle Grace, our pre-kindergartener. 4 1/2 years old.

These "school pictures" were taken on our second day of school, as we sat outside on our patio in the pleasant breeze, doing our work for the day. Rosalie played contentedly, we were cheerful in the sunshine, and the morning's assignments flew by on happy golden-tinged wings. It's the little blessings like this that make me love homeschooling in this season of our lives.

hello, Wednesday.

2010-09-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

my brain is fried today. I think it's a combination of lack of sleep (thanks to Rosalie who did not sleep well AT ALL last night), and this heat we are currently experiencing. Oh, this heat. One-hundred-degree weather in July or August is one thing. It's summer, and it's expected. We can embrace the heat, using it as an excuse for trips to the beach and carefree days in the swimming pool. But 100-degree heat now, at the end of September, when October is nearly upon us, and autumn has been teasing us with the promise of cool weather and all the delights it brings... well, it's just offensive, that's what it is. I realize that the good Lord knows what He's doing, but...have mercy. If we don't get cool weather soon, I'm going to cry. Or, move. Preferably, somewhere with a bracing chill in the air and crunchy colorful leaves underfoot and hot chocolate aplenty.

sigh.

So, since my brain is fried, and I have no actual writing capabilities, what you get from me today is some would-likes. "Wednesday would-likes", if you will. Wonderful and willy-nilly with a hint of whimsy and wistfulness. Wow, watch out, world, I'm on a woll! ...er, ROLL.

to be fair, I DID tell you that my brain is fried. This is the sort of thing you should have been expecting.

Also, I'm sprinkling this post with random pictures of autumn that make me catch me breath and sigh in longing. It's both wonderful and tortuous at the same time...

Here we go. finally.
I would like...

...for autumn to GET HERE ALREADY. Oh wait, I already mentioned that once or ten times. Moving on.

...to be a more patient person.
...to have unlimited travel funds so I could see all of the dear friends and family I miss so much in far-away places.
...to go on a date with my husband. Or, better yet, a get-away of some sort. I think a little bed-and-breakfast in Cambria would do the trick. Yes, indeed.
...to spend a day simply making things. I miss crafting and being creative...I need that every once in a while.
...to become a better musician.
...to love others better and more often.
...to eat pumpkin bread.

...to spend more time in prayer with my Heavenly Father.
...to gather all of my amazing girlfriends up in one place (including many of you!!) and have a girls' night like no other.
...to feel caught up. (does anyone ever really feel caught up?)
...to count my blessings. But I don't think I actually could, because there are far too many!

...to cuddle up with a good book and do nothing but read all day long.
...to cuddle up with my children and do nothing but watch movies all day long.
...to be more disciplined.
...to be surrounded by trees and nature and beauty and to simply wander in it all day long.

...to have our family pictures taken again. (Hi, Lorie, I'm going to call you soon!)
...to learn how to make donuts. And then, I would like to eat them.
...to surprise people in thoughtful ways.

...to know, dear friends,
what are some of your "Wednesday would-likes"?

The Evening Cookie Club*

2010-09-21T20:39:00.000-07:00

*Like the Breakfast Club, but much less angst-ridden. Also, we really do have cookies, unlike those poor teens who were never served one bite of breakfast.
*We don't actually call ourselves that. I just made it up right now for the sake of a title. Lame.

Let me paint you a picture: it's a Friday night. The house has been (mostly) picked up, the kids are not too far off from being in bed, and there are cookies baking in the oven. Soon, our house will be filled with guitar playing, singing, talking, much conversation, and lots of laughter.

It's all thanks to this group here:

This is what our weekends look like now. I say "weekends" because not only do they come on Friday nights, they come on Sunday nights too. One night a week just didn't cut it, what with all the fun we have.

It all started with band practice (my husband plays the drums in a band) being held here at our house on Saturday afternoons, which turned into a few of them staying late one night after practice, which turned into Sunday night get-togethers for hanging out and recording, which turned into Friday night get-togethers just for fun and Sunday night get-togethers for recording (but they still have fun then too, don't worry).

I'd be pleased to introduce you to the gang. They're a lovable bunch.

This is Ryan. He's the one who actually started up the band, and is a piano-player and singer extraordinaire.... really, he has a gift. It's amazing. And, most recently, he is also Emma's piano teacher. So exciting! He's kind-hearted and friendly, humble and sweet, and we like him lots.

Here's Zack. I chose this picture of him, because it's just so very Zack-ish. He keeps us all laughing with his dramatic flair and funny ways. His guitar playing is wonderful to hear, he's a connoisseur (totally had to look that word up to know how to spell it) of many things, and he's always handy for a good quote from Chesterton or C.S. Lewis, a deep discussion, or a Jason Mraz song, depending upon your mood.

Meet Jake! We met him when Zack happened to bring him along one Sunday night, and now we couldn't imagine our get-togethers without him. He's thoughtful and appreciative, laid-back and funny, sweet and generous, with an obvious love for the good things of life.

This is Ryan too! He's the newest addition to our little group, so I don't know quite as much about him yet... but he's great to have around, and is yet another talented musician. Let's hope we don't scare him away!

This lovely girl is my Ashlei. She and I go way back, back to the days before I was even married. I was her piano teacher, she was my Little Chica. She's my dear sister Lydia's best friend, our families are very good friends, and we share a sister-in-law, a niece, and a nephew. Really, she feels like a sister to me. She's clever and beautiful and altogether fabulous, and I'm so glad I get to hang out with her more now.

Plus, it's good to have a girl around! You know, someone with whom I can snuggle a bit.

I'm pretty sure you all know Jeremy. I'm married to him. He's quite good-looking if I do say so myself! (and I do say that. All the time, actually.) I snuggle with him, too.

These young people are strong believers in our God, and it shows. They're passionate about their faith. It's inspiring to be around that.
One of my favorite things is how they fill our house with such wonderful music. There's almost always someone playing a guitar or on the piano or singing.

And all I have to do is bake some cookies or something! I'm definitely getting the best part of this deal. :)

It just makes me so happy when our little home is filled with people, enjoying themselves and the blessings of great fellowship. I love that they want to stay until the last possible minute (it's been years since I've stayed up past one in the morning this frequently!) and look forward to coming back when they do leave. It's a privilege and a blessing for Jeremy and me, and I'm always humbled by how truly grateful they are.

I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for each of these amazing people, and how He will use this time together in each of our lives, for our good and His glory.

Our door is always open for this crowd. And I'm certain there will always be a good time to be had!

our door is always open for YOU too, friends. just come and see! :)

fun with pom-poms

2010-09-15T16:27:00.000-07:00

Also, alternatively titled: Trying Desperately To Occupy A Toddler For More Than Five Minutes So I Can Actually Accomplish Something.

This homeschooling-with-a-toddler-business is tricksy. Keeping Rosalie occupied long enough for us to get certain things done, without making her feel neglected and pushed aside is probably one of the most challenging parts of my day.

I'm trying, though. And today, as I rummaged through our hall closet, searching for something that might serve to entertain her, I came across a whole bag of fluffy little pom-poms. The resulting play time was so cute and colorful that I'm going to show you far too many pictures.

Also, it might be noted that while this idea did work wonders in that it did indeed keep her busy, it still didn't really help me accomplish much of anything, as I was too busy taking pictures of my child.

Oops. :)

I got out her wooden block cube for her to fill with the pom-poms. Usually this thing drives her crazy, because she doesn't get the right block for the right hole and can't get them in, but the soft little balls were easy-peasy and she loved it!

Love those chubby little feet.

And LOVE those chubby little hands.

No no, baby, don't EAT them!

I know this isn't a great shot, but those crossed ankles and that round tummy of hers just does me in.

Which one to choose next?? So many colors!

And this, my friends, is WHY I need to try so hard to keep this child occupied. Otherwise, she feels the need to be in the middle of everything we do. LITERALLY:

"Umm, hi, I know you think you're going to get this map out and teach some geography and learn about the world and stuff, but I'm not really down with that. PAY ATTENTION TO ME. Let's see you try to find Syria NOW! Give you a hint... It's under my booty! bwahaha!"

But just look at her sweet little face. How can I be upset with her for hiding all of the Middle East and much of Africa?

Oh well, if you can't beat her....

... join her!!

I'm pretty sure I have the silliest, darlingest, best girls in the world.

(IN THE WORLD. get it?? because they're sitting on a world map?? hahaha, ha! ha! ha! hooooboy. It's just too much, I tell you, these jokes of mine get better and better all the time. thank you, thank you very much.)

I'm done now. you're welcome.

tonight, i am...

2010-09-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

...absolutely and completely in love with the weather. It's cool and breezy and teases of autumn. Which makes me quite excited.

...really looking forward to wearing scarves and cardigans again, speaking of fall.

....dreming of delicious and warm coffee drinks in red cups. More autumn/cold-weather fever.

...playing hooky from choir. It was the kids' first night back at Awana and today was definitely a rush-rush-rush sort of a day, so I decided to stay home. And get in my pj's before 8:00. I love choir, but tonight I love my pj's just a little bit more.

....a wee bit sad because I'm almost done watching season 2 of Pushing Daisies (an episode here and there when I can has been my fun little me-time lately)... and then, that's it. There isn't any more. Why-ever did they stop making that show? It's so fun and imaginative and quirky and colorful. I want more of Ned and Chuck and Olive. boo.

...thankful that our first week of school is going well... it's so good to be back in a routine! (and yes, I do plan on blogging about it, have no fear!)

...thinking how silly I am to be sad about the fact that I only got six comments on my last blog. Long-gone are the days of comments just pouring in on a post. Like I said, it's ridiculous to be sad, but seriously, I'm giddy when I receive comments. I know, I'm pathetic. But I can't really complain, because I myself am not nearly the comment-er that I used to be, now that life is so busy... and I know it's the same for everyone else too. So as long as you all still have a place in your heart for little ol' me, I promise not to take it personally. Because I still love you, readers. I just felt the need to say that, I think it bears repeating. :)

...wishing for a visit from my family. I miss them, ever so much.

...itching to sew something. Methinks I'll have a date with my sewing machine this weekend!

...loving the music of Andy Kirk. His songs are so great, so full of worship and praise. If you haven't heard of him, do yourself a favor and look him up!

...rather thrilled that tomorrow holds Emma's first piano lesson, with our good friend Ryan who's an amazing pianist. I can't wait to hear her play songs and watch her learn something I love so much.

...wondering what book I should read next. I just finished Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. So endearingly odd and amazingly imaginative. I really enjoyed them both.

...done being on this computer and am going to go cuddle with my children and smooch on my hubby. In my pj's. Ah, lovely night.

Farewell, daaaarlings, I hope you had a most happy and wonderful Wednesday!!

A look back at The First Year.

2010-09-06T21:49:00.000-07:00

This was one year ago. I must say, a year that went by oh-so-quickly and was filled with many highs and lows. I've realized recently that other than the post about our first day of school, I've not really blogged much about homeschooling and what we've all been up to in that area of our life. So, I thought I would post a little re-cap of our kindergarten, our FIRST, year of homeschooling before we begin anew another year (tomorrow!!).

Although Emma was my official student, being the kindergartener, I made sure to include Annabelle as well, and did lots of "preschool" activities with her. Our two main goals for the year were to make sure she recognized all her letters and could write each one (she can!) and for her to be able to spell and legibly write her name.

She can!

We also did a lot of coloring and painting.

And we made some pretty nifty little "books" here and there. One of my favorites was her "color book".

She cut lots of pictures out of magazines and then glued them to the right color page. Not only did this keep her busy for quite some time, but it turned out really cute.

I also was able to include Annabelle in much of Emma's extra work too, which she loved, and it made it so easy for me, having to only focus on one activity.

These mighty tigers were an activity we did for science when we learned about... well, tigers, of course! (Annabelle's is on the left, Emma's on the right) I found myself combining science with art this year. I know, it might sound like an odd combo, but it really worked. When we learned about rainbows, the clouds, and the sky, we painted pictures using watercolors. When we read about rabbits we learned how to draw one. When we studied about plants we sat outside and drew colorful pictures of flowers. It gave me just the inspiration I needed as to what to do for artwork, and at the same time I was able to reinforce the things we were learning in science. Perfect!

And this brings us to Miss Emma. Her kindergarten year was very full, and she enjoyed pretty much all of it, I think. She's a good student and loves to learn. But I'm definitely noticing where her real love of learning lies, and at which subjects she simply excels. I'm not trying to sound like a braggin' mama here, but this girl's drawings always astound me. So much detail, and so much realism, too! This was the whale she drew after looking at a picture of one in her science book.

She also LOVES to write stories and illustrate them. We did quite a few pages like these, as it was a great way to work on punctuation, grammar, spelling, and handwriting, all while she got to do her creative writing and drawing.

Because of the science-turned-into-art thing, we ended up learning how to draw lots of animals. Rabbits, whales, horses, elephants, cats...

.... and mice. Bless google, I was able to find lots of "how to draw a..." printouts whenever we needed them. Emma especially liked drawing mice. The one on top is the mouse I drew, and the one beneath is hers. It probably won't be too long before my 6-year-old daughter can draw better than I can. :)

Both girls simply love to paint and were thrilled to get to do so in school. This rainbow was one of the first art projects that we did. Emma was quite upset about the green dot that ended up on her page somehow, but I think it's still a very nice rainbow indeed.

After reading this, you must think all we did was artwork and writing... but no, we did lots of other subjects too, it just so happens that those aren't quite as much fun to take pictures of! Emma completed Alphaphonics, and is such a good reader who has recently discovered the joy of finishing chapter book after chapter book. We of course also did math, history, Bible, and penmanship in addition to the phonics, reading, science, and art.

(for those of you who are interested, we used Christian Liberty Academy. If you click on this link you can see exactly the curriculum we used. I added in our own art projects and Alphaphonics and also made use of the Bob books. We did a lot of extra reading for history too, using different picture books that had to do with the event we were studying.)

I realize this post is already quite long, but bear with me. I'm about to get real here, folks. (I can see you all anxiously leaning forward in your seats, just waiting for the juicy part, am I right??) If I'm being honest, our first year of homeschooling was not at all what I expected it to be. When we started off in September, everything was pretty easy. Sure, it was a lot of work, but I felt on top of it, like I had found my groove and was rollin' along smoothly. This continued for several months, until December hit. December, which held not only the mad scramble and craziness that is the holidays and the bajillion birthdays that follow, but everything that happened with my Mom. Our extremely-last-minute trip to Colorado, the worry, the stress, the overwhelming sadness you feel when someone you love is going through something really hard. God is good and gracious, and He brought us all through that time in one piece, a fact for which I'm still daily thankful, but while it was all happening it was hard, and I think we were all more stressed and affected than we even realized. Add to this fact that along the way I added more piano students to an already busy schedule, my baby stopped taking morning naps and became mobile, and things just kept piling up. I often found myself snappish and impatient, not at all the loving, cheerful, and fun teacher that I had envisioned myself as. My poor children... I felt awful for them some days.

After our break in December I never really "found my groove" again. There were days when I was struggling just to get the bare bones of our schoolwork done, much less add in anything fun or different. There were days and even weeks in which we accomplished next to nothing, and I honestly felt so behind in EVERYTHING sometimes that the sheer thought of it all made me want to sit down and cry. I would read blogs from other moms who homeschool and feel completely and utterly inadequate, and I would feel horrible that my child was missing out on so many fun activities or projects.
Now, though, I look back on our year and I'm glad I allowed myself a bit of leeway, that I took it a bit easy where I at first didn't expect I would. It was our first year, and it was a year that wasn't easy in many ways. I needed to be ok with less-than-perfect. And, when all is said and done, everything that needed to be learned was learned. We finished everything we needed to, and the kindergarten work got sent in (as of Saturday! MUCH later than I ever thought it would be, but I'm still counting it a victory! hehe). Emma and Annabelle both enjoyed it, and they both know much more now than they did when we started. And, so do I! I've learned so much from our first year... what my priorities should be, where my strengths and weaknesses lie, the things which I need to pray for on a daily basis, what kind of schedule works for us, and how to live and let live through it all.

I still love homeschooling. I still think that it's exactly what's right for our little family at this time in our lives. I still wouldn't have it any other way. I'm thankful for the opportunities God has given me as a mom and a teacher to my girls, and I'm going to strive to make the most of them no matter what may come, with His grace to help me along.

And I'm oh-so-excited, thankful, and happy that a brand new year, fresh and sparkly-clean, filled with promise and potential, is ready and waiting for us.

Tomorrow.

i love...

2010-09-05T15:44:00.000-07:00

...these colors.

When I picked these roses from my garden and put them in a vase, I thought they looked so gorgeous together. And when I put that vase on my coral coffee table, I loved them even more. In fact, the other day, I realized that the outfit I had on echoed these colors exactly. They really catch my eye right now.

Pinks and oranges just seem so happy together.

Which, in turn, makes me happy, to see them residing so cheerfully and brightly in our living room.

Maybe these roses are so happy because they've somehow managed to survive for days now, even though a certain little one-year-old does insist on plucking them from the vase and carrying them haphazardly around. I suppose I should just move them. But I want my table to look pretty, by golly!

And it does look pretty. Cheers to you, Lovely Roses!

What color combinations are catching your eye lately and making you say "lovely!" ??

A date with Emma and Annabelle.

2010-08-31T13:53:00.000-07:00

Since we didn't start school this Monday after all (our books didn't get here in time for me to be properly prepared), I decided to take advantage of a free morning and go on a mommy/daughter date with my two older girls. It'd been so long since we'd been anywhere without littlest sister... generally, we love to have her along wherever we are, but truth be told, she does make some things rather difficult to do. And, she can be rather demanding of attention. You know, like when she's running off every fifteen seconds and mommy literally needs to chase her down...
Don't feel too badly for Miss Rosalie at being left out of our venture, though... we dropped her off at Auntie Jessica's, where her sweet Auntie and cousins played with her, loved on her, and spoiled her to her little heart's content. I would say she had a pretty nice morning herself!

And so, now toddler-free, Emma, Annabelle, and I headed off for a morning of big-girl activities. Our first stop was Mimi's Cafe, for some yummy muffins, fresh and hot from the oven.

Once we were settled with our delicious treat, I decided it might be fun to conduct some interviews with these older girls of mine.
disclaimer: since I hadn't really planned this out, these questions were off the top of my head. It's harder than you'd think to be a good interviewer! :)

Annabelle Grace's Interview. age 4 1/2

What do you want to be when you grow up? A mommy.
Why do you want to be a mommy? Because you're a mommy.
How many kids do you want to have? Ummm... Three.
How come you don't want to have 10?? Cuz that would be tooooo many!!
Who do you want to marry? Dowen. (a boy about her age at our church) Because he is so silly.
What do you think it means to be married? I don't know. To have a husband?
What sort of things do you want to do with your husband someday? We're going to go on a date. With our kids. To Wendy's.
Do you think you'll be in love? With what??
A boy, of course! Ummm, yes! To Dowen. And we'll tickle our kids.
Where do you want to live when you grow up? Probably a house.
What's your favorite thing about being a kid? Dressing up.
What's your favorite thing to dress up as? A swan princess! In Emma's wedding dress.
Do you wish you could be a real princess? Noooo, a mommy!!
What's your favorite kind of food? Pizza, macaroni and cheese, and spaghetti.
What's your favorite color? Yellow and purple and magenta and pink!
Do you like being a big sister? Ah-huh!! Because sometimes I get to watch Rosalie. I hold her hand so she won't fall.
Do you like being a little sister? Why? Yeah! So I can play.
What's your favorite thing about Emma? She helps me pick up our room. She plays with me.
What's your favorite thing about Rosalie? Tickling her! And spitting on her tummy.
Do you love God? Why? Yeah. Because He is the best. He can do the most great things.
Where would you like to go on an adventure? Ummm. A trip. To Grandma Horner's house.
What's your favorite nonsense word? klingklongcoffee!!

And then she dissolved into giggles.

Emma Joy's Interview. age 6 1/2

What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to work at a restaurant, making sub sandwiches and soup. My restaurant will be called SoupSubs.
Do you think you want to have kids too? No, because I'm too scared it will hurt when they come out.
So you don't want to be a mommy? Well, I DO. I just don't want to HAVE babies.
How many kids do you want? Just two, maybe?
How come YOU don't want to have ten kids?? Umm, I think that's too many. It would be so much for me to deal with... what if they were all naughty at the same time??
Who do you want to marry someday? I don't know right now. I'll pick later.
What do you think it means to be married? That we get to have wedding cake! and food!
What sort of things would you like to do with your husband someday? We would go on a trip to the beach, just the two of us. Actually, maybe to Disneyland.
What's your favorite thing about being a kid? Going on mommy dates! I mean, mommy-daughter dates.
Where do you want to live when you grow up? The beach is really nice.
What's your favorite thing to do in school? I like to do science!
What's your favorite thing to dress up as? Fairies and princesses.
If you could be a real fairy, what kind of fairy would you be? I would be a flower fairy. Not a light fairy, because then I might have to touch the sun.
What's your favorite kind of food? Coffee cake muffins, peaches, and nectarines.
What's your favorite color? Purple and pink and ocean blue. And, coral red!
Do you like being a big sister? Why? Mmhmm!! Because I get to hold Rosalie and cuddle her when she watches Baby Einstein. And I get to play with Annabelle.
What's your favorite thing about Rosalie? She has the cutest laugh.
What's your favorite thing about Annabelle? That she sings a lot.
Do you love God? Why? Yes! Because He gives us blessings. And opportunities to work and play.
Where would you like to go on an adventure? To the rainforest, I think, because it's pretty.
Tell me a joke. Knock Knock. Who's there? orange juice! Orange juice who? My orange juice should be called yellow juice because it's actually yellow!
What's your favorite nonsense word? Do you actually know how to spell a nonsense word? Ok, mine is Shooshakooky!

And then she dissolved into giggles too. (I think the combination of that rip-roaring good joke and such a satisfying nonsense word would have been enough to do anyone in.)

By this time we were done with those huge muffins, so we strolled over to Barnes and Noble across the way. We browsed the puzzles and games, and wandered among the shelves of children's books, finally selecting a few to sit and read together there on a bench.

Once we had delved into the worlds of a pink fairy princess and Lady-Bug Girl, I told them they could each pick out one book to buy and take home. This required much careful consideration and deliberation, but eventually they reached a decision. A fairy chapter book for Emma, a pony book for Annabelle.

I'm so grateful for the sweet time I had with these daughters of mine. They are growing and changing every single day, and I'm realizing more and more in the craziness that is life how important it is to take the time to really be with them. To talk, and ask questions, and laugh together, and simply enjoy their wonderfully unique selves as they are in this very moment. They won't always be 4 1/2 and 6 1/2... someday they'll be 5 and 7, and 12 and 14, 16 and 18, and then someday they'll be women. But right now, they're still little girls.

My little girls. I was reminded once again, after our lovely morning together, just how blessed I am. To get to be mother to these two? It's amazing, even when it's not easy. Spending this time with them gladdened my heart and refreshed me, and I came away praying with renewed zeal that God would make me a blessing to them as they are to me, that He would help me be the best mommy I could ever be for these girls and their little sister. That I will willingly pour not only my time and sacrifice, but also my heart and soul and prayers into loving and teaching them every day of their lives.

And I hope that someday, they will look back on this mommy-daughter date and the many others I hope to have with the same joy and fondness that I will.

And I hope that they will know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, just how beloved they really and truly are.

Tucked away.

2010-08-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

I was looking through some of the many un-published and un-finished posts sitting in my draft box last night, and just so happened to come across this one, written in November 2009 (not quite sure why I didn't just post it then...). At first, I wasn't going to publish it until the season seemed more appropriate... but upon further thought, I realized that thoughts of cool winter days, holiday joy, and glimpses of peacefulness might be just the thing someone might find lovely to read on a hot August day. Enjoy. :)
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As I write, it is November 30th. However, in a matter of just two hours, it will be December. December. As much as I love and look forward to this time of year, I can hardly believe it is actually here. And if I could, I would grab time firmly and tell it, with no uncertain tone, to slow down, already! Considering how quickly November whizzed right on by, I can only assume that December will fly by at an altogether impossible speed.

Sometimes, between school, piano students, housework, projects, three children, going to the gym, church activities, errands, Christmas decorating and shopping, and all the other little ins and outs of daily life it is hard to catch my breath. I will admit that I get stressed and overwhelmed. I get snappy and grumpy. Boo.

But what I dislike the most about all this busy-ness paired with time's fleeting tendencies is that I start to feel like things are escaping me. Little, but oh-so-important things. Things that I want to remember. But alas, I have neither the time nor the ability to capture those moments in beautiful photographs (this would explain my sad lack of blogging).

And so, I find myself storing up these gems of a moment, tucking them away in my mind's eye, a mental snapshot of a time or a place or a face.

We all cuddle on the couch under one big fuzzy blanket and watch Elf. Annabelle especially seems delighted with Buddy's antics and she giggles and giggles and giggles. Her face is alight, her nose crinkled up with her grin that reaches into her eyes and beyond. Golden hair in wispy curls brushes my face as I laugh with her, this delighted daughter of mine.

Emma presses the button on the bottom of the little white piano ornament and tinkly music plays. Arms stretched out, she dances, her very own brand of ballet. She twirls and twirls until the music stops, and then she presses it again. And again. And again. Dancing and dancing, not caring that it's always the same song or that the living room is scattered with toys.

My husband grabs me and hugs me for a moment as I flit from room to room, moving from task to task. We linger, my head on his chest, and I breathe in the smell of his cologne and relish the feel of his arms around me.

It is early morning, and I am driving home from the gym. Ahead of me I see the mountains, hazy and shadowy in the cold light of dawn. Mists lay across the fields, wispy and white. Everything is in shades of gray and purple, soft and still before the sunshine wakes the scene. It is so peaceful, so quiet-like, so rare and beautiful. "Be still, and know that I am God" comes to my mind.

Rosalie pulls herself up on one of the bins of Christmas decorations and grabs at a branch of golden berries. As she catches my eye, she grins like she just accomplished a wonderful feat, like she knows she shouldn't mess, but oh wow does she feel like a big girl! I can't resist that smile or her happy bounce, so I scoop her up and she giggles.

I am awoken by two tousle-haired girls on a cold morning. Which, of course, calls for cuddles in bed, even if briefly since there is a baby needing to be changed in the next room. We squeeze together close, their little figures warm and soothing, our legs and arms all tangled and criss-crossed under the thick comforter.

As Rosalie drinks her morning bottle I wrap us in a blanket and sit on the couch, just to hold her close to me. Her head rests against my chest, and I drink her baby-ness in. Her long dark lashes, her perfectly round and ever-fuzzier head, her dimpled chubby hands as they eagerly grasp her bottle. I think I could keep her warm little self there on my lap, cuddled up with me, forever.

Tucked away, all of them, these beautiful scenes from this beautiful life. Tucked away, safe and cherished for always.

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I'm so glad I found this in my draft box. It was like a cool little spritz of joy and refreshment in this hot and busy week. Such precious memories, all of these...