SPT

She Photographs on Tuesday

Thank you Lelly for all of this!




Because of a blog I started a blog. I don't remember when I started reading blogs, or whose I read first.
But almost 2 years ago my husband asked why I did not have a blog. I thought I would not have anything to blog about!
Funny!

tuesday, september 2 home decor/tabletop
Because of a blogger (I have no idea who!) I found this blog-
And because of her:
I have an idea of what I want to do here
Just need some good thrift shopping, and yard sales. I am looking for a nice round table to go in this corner. Underneath will hold food storage and the kids movies.

After reading through her blog, I decided to pull out some of our favorite things, and put them with books that had been sitting on the floor for months into this bookshelf in our bedroom.
She has a saying "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful" and it clicked with me. I pulled out the set of dishes that a dear friend made for us when we got married and added them in the with the books. I love looking at this every day!
tuesday, september 9 entertaining/parties
Because of this blogger I have a renewed sense of hospitality.
I absolutely love her Ten Commandments. It just rings true with me.
I love how she is teaching her children. How she has them help. How she is comfortable having people over. And so gracious. I want to be that way. I want others to feel comfortable in our home. I want to feel comfortable having people over. I also love her "balcony girls" group.



tuesday, september 16 arts and crafts
http://seren-zipitydoda.blogspot.com/
http://tarawhitney.com/justbeblogged/
http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog/
http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/
http://morganmoore.typepad.com/one_more_moore/
http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/
http://www.embers.typepad.com/e/
http://hilaryishappy.blogspot.com/

Last weeks (sept 16) and this weeks (sept 23) kind of cross over between each other- SO much of what I consider art and creativity is in the kitchen-

tuesday, september 23 in the kitchen
http://bakerella.blogspot.com/
and of course everyones favorite
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

tuesday, september 30 personal growth
Wow this one is pretty hard for me to think about. I think that through reading others blogs I have been able to identify so many different qualities that 1. I want to work on myself or 2. I can relate to what they are going through 3. That I don't want to be like at all (so I stop reading their blogs.)

And then there are the ones that change me. That when I read them, or just think of them during my day, I have a change of perspective. I have a renewed sense of purpose, of serving others, of living my life to the fullest, of creating the life I want for me and my family. I have thoughts of loving my family and giving gratitude to my Father in Heaven for this gift of life. I am reminded to not take things for granted.
http://sheyerosemeyerphotography.com/blog/ava/
http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/ and her sister http://blog.cjanerun.com/
http://www.gomitchgo.com/
http://jacksonparkcity.blogspot.com/
http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/


There are too many blogs to list that I check in on. I read way more than I comment. It is not possible to comment on every single blog that I read -that I enjoy. There are too many blogs to list that I cry for their hurts, or that I cheer when they have accomplished something wonderful. For people that I never have met, but I pray for.
Too many to count that make me think, "What will it be like when my child does that" or "Man, glad that wasn't me!"
I love the connections that I have made through blogging- for the inspiration, for the friendships, for the free-flowing of ideas and the sharing of them. For the friends that I get to keep up with, who I might otherwise miss out on their thoughts, and day to day events.
Because of a blog I take time out for me. I take photos of myself. I look for ways to celebrate the every-day-ordinary things.

But most of all because of a blog I have documented my life. Me. My family. Who I am.
Thank you WWW.

Little Girl Big Girl

I hesitated to make a big deal of it- but really, I just had to document it.
I have not taken any of the hair bows out of the bathroom. I could not. Something about giving up the little girl things- not wanting to let go of that time.

Anyway- she has not worn one for a long time. Like years. Would turn away at the suggestion.
But 2 weeks ago while looking for something in the drawer, I pulled out a purple bow and just asked, "Do you want to wear this today?" Her reply? "Sure."

I tried to not act excited for fear she would change her mind. With shaky hands I put it in her ponytail thinking, "Please don't change your mind, please don't change your mind."

I could feel time just kind of stop for a moment. When mostly lately it feels like it is slipping through my fingers. Silly, but it put a lump in my throat. These bows that we have had forever. Since she was 2 and 3 years of age. She has worn them many times before. But not for a long time. Around 9 she just kind of became too old for bows. Her words. Not mine.

I was never a bow or ribbon girl. And when I had my girl, my first child, I was not so much a bow or ribbon mom. But she was. From the moment she could twirl she wanted skirts and bows ... always.

So to revisit those days, her "little girl" bows, on such a beautiful growing-into-a-young-woman head it made me stop and hold the moment; not let it slip through my fingers.

I always have the camera with me. And I snapped a photo in the morning as we were loading into the car before school.

And then held my breath as she came out of school waiting to see if she still had it in.
Click went the camera.


She still did.

This moment may be all that it was. Just a moment. One day - to remind me of her little girl days and to recognize the passage of time.

one month ago-labor day weekend

One month ago was labor day weekend. How has 1 month gone by already? I still have summer things to put away, but we are clearly into the school year and fall is right around the corner. We are still having wonderful warm weather- not too hot (its gotten a little warm, we are still using the air conditioner) so I have gotten to enjoy something that I thought would not last very long.

A PEDICURE!

Oh I have been wanting one for so long. I wanted one before school was out.
I wanted one for my birthday. I wanted one before we left on our 2008 adventure to California. I wanted one everytime I went to the pool. I wanted one when we went to Colorado. And then again when we went a 2nd time.

So last month-Labor day weekend, Saturday morning Jay announced at breakfast that he really thought we should drive to TX to visit our friends for the weekend. I had a class to teach that morning about budgeting at church- and I chuckled to myself thinking about all the work that had to be done while I was gone, and said I would call our friends and see what they had planned.
When I called Donna she said "come on down, and if you get here before 6:45 you can go get a pedicure with me!"
I was thrilled!!!
I was thrilled because I was going to be gone for the packing and preparing, I was going to get to come home load up and have a happy drive-a road trip with my family and then get to be with friends and have a pedicure! This sounded just like my kind of weekend.
I had not had a pedicure since I lived in OR- it was a gift from Holly and Layne for my 30th birthday.
5 years ago.

We had a great drive- were met with smiles and pizza from our friends, and off Donna, April and I went to get our pedicures. We laughed a little about leaving 2 Dad's with 12 kids but knew they could handle it!

It was heavenly- We laughed and laughed. We laughed at each other, we laughed that I was wearing a skirt, we laughed at who-knows-what-the-ladies-were-saying-about-us as they did our nails.We laughed at the sheer joy of 3 moms, with 12 kids between us being alone, and the highlight afterward would be grocery shopping by ourselves! We laughed about everything. ...

I was talked into a manicure at the same time.

I loved having my nails done too. Every time I looked at them over the next 2 weeks was so fun. I felt finished! If it would just last a little longer.

But the very best part, and the whole reason I hurried to get to TX was the pedicure.
Love -love -love it.
And the best part is that it has been a month and they still look pretty good.
I totally thought I would be wearing regular shoes by Oct 1- but I am still wearing all of my sandals.
Getting to enjoy seeing my toes every single day.
I know that my family had a great time on the trip.
But I think I had the best time.
And you know what topped the whole night off? Getting back to our friends and having the two littles already bathed and in jammies, and all of our stuff unloaded from the car.
That and having one of April's kids saying "that man is funny."
Thanks Donna and David for letting us invite ourselves to come down for the weekend.
Thanks Donna and April for going to get pedicures.
Thanks Jay and David for tending to all those children.
Thanks Jay for being so funny.
Thanks for not caring that after a family road trip, that I took off to go get a pedicure.
Thanks for letting me take that 3 hour Sunday nap.
Thanks for helping to build a windmill.
Oh- and thanks for standing in line that morning for oh-so-long at the tag agency with the birds and our 4 children to get the tags done.
And then packing. And taking care of the kids.
Want to do it again?!

Fall Preview-open house-edited

*edited to add new photos and new price list












Hey there friends-
I am having a fall preview for my friend
Kim-(http://lovelettering.blogspot.com/)
She has some cute things for fall all priced under $8.
I will be having an open house and taking orders for her
Saturday 10-12
and Monday 3:30- 5:30.
Come and check out her cute stuff for fall!
Everyone that stops by will have their name entered into a give away
item of their choice!
Everyone that orders online, will also have their name entered.

Email me or leave a comment for ordering.

Price list

Happy Harvest $6
Shelf Sitter- Pumpkin Patch $4
3 tiered Stackers $8
2 tiered Stackers $6
FALL $5
Give THanks plate $4
Vinyl Only $2
Thanksgiving $8
(how we use our blessings)
Leaf blocks $6
a fallen leaf frame $5

Soap $4
vinyl only for soap $2

Teacher Board $8


It's all in the accessories $8
No tricks Just treats $8
boo block $4
double double
toil and trouble block $4
tricks and treats $4
2 Tiered stackers $6
3 tiered stackers $8
october 31 $4
large pumpkin board $8
trick or treat $6
Jack-o-lantern faces 5x5 $1
(example on plate)
clings $.50-1.00

Tucker turns two

Oh what a day you had.
We were all so excited for you to wake up.
Savanna and Jack stayed up the night before to help decorate. They pulled out every stuffed animal they could find and put them all over the family room. They made signs and cards, and little notes.
When you woke up, everyone wanted to go into your room to see you. Luke exclaimed- "I can't wait to see how big he got!"


When you came downstairs and saw your present you were so happy. You climbed right in, and did not get out for breakfast- Dad fed you while you sat in there.


When it was time to go you were so sad, and hopped right back into it when we got home.

We went to the library together and got Bear in the Big Blue House videos and came home to watch them. Mom's idea was to sit on the sofa together and snuggle, but you had other plans. You sat in your car and happily watched.


You did climb out long enough for lunch- and you sat in my lap and I smothered you with kisses all the while you tried to eat your PB&J.


Dad and I just wanted to eat you up!
After Dad went back to work you played outside with Luke.


Then it was time to go inside for a nap.
Oh the tears about leaving your car. If it was possible you would have carried it upstairs with you and into the bed.

After you woke up we went back outside and rode the car in the front this time. You smiled and smiled and made silly faces.






It was about this time that I think you realized that today was a special day. You had so many people say Happy Birthday- and I think you got it. We went inside to make dinner, and you saw the presents on the table. Immediatly you went for them, and started saying "day, day" as you tried to open them.


I think you got it.

You sat with Luke and read books together.


You and Dad gave Mom the traditional flowers.


You loved your cake- and were so adorable trying to blow out your candles. After a little bit of help you dug right in.



You opened a present with Dad,


then went outside for one more play of the day.


You kept saying "day" over and over again. I really think that you knew today was your day.



This morning when you woke up and we came downstairs you were just as excited to see the car. It was like you had forgotten about it, and were so excited/surprised/oh yea all at the same time.

Tucker we love you- we are so glad you are a part of our family. None of us can remember what it was like before you came.

This is what everyone in our family loves/wishes for you.

Jack- I like Tucker's cheerfulness. He is so curious! I just love him so much. He is the cutest boy!
I wish for him to speak more clearly, not baby language or R2D2, but you know.

Luke- I like Tucker cause he loves me. My wish is that he will have a lovely sleep and birthday.

Savanna- I like it when he comes in the summer and wakes me up, he pats my head and climbs into bed and he is all clean and warm. I wish that he will be ale to talk and be a smart boy and tell us everything he is learning.

Dad- I love Tucker's sweetness and his sounds. You can make him smile like turning on a switch. I love that he is waiting by the door for me after my walks in the morning, and how he puts his arms around my neck and lays his head on my shoulder as I hold him. I wish for you to play and imagine and be happy healthy and strong.

Mom- I love how much JOY Tucker brings into our home and family. He is so happy. Even his mischievousness makes us smile. He has the cutest sounds, and I especially love how he says "UH HUH!" whenever he sees something that he wants. Like he has been asked a question and he is giving the answer, but there was never a question asked! My wish is safety this next year as you get more curious and mischievious!