Seven

Seven years ago today I looked like this:

  And then two weeks later you looked like this:

You were an easy baby...

Age 1

Age 2

Age 3

Age 4

Age 5

Age 6

Age 7

To my tender hearted child-

I wish you a year of happiness and courage.

I wish you a year of learning wonderful things.

I wish you a year full of new friends.

I wish you a year of exploration and a year of confidence.

I wish you a year full of laughter.

I love you so very much.

Happy Birthday Ashton!  :)

Mama

New Shop Item...Simple and Sweet

I have some new items in my shop.
They are original watercolor paintings...I think they are very simple and sweet.
I love the clean and organic look of them, and the messages I picked are some of my favorite.

They are painted on 9 x 12 pieces of 90 lb watercolor paper, but the quote itself will safely fit inside an 8 x 10 matte or frame.

They are available here, and I also have an option of custom ordering one.

You can pick your favorite scripture or quote and tell me what color you'd like...

it will arrive in a cellophane bag safely protected between two sturdy pieces of cardboard.

:)

10 on 10 (all before 10!)

I've been wanting to participate in 10 on 10 for months, but I always forget!

I remembered this month, but my camera battery died at exactly 10 a.m.

So, I have 10 pictures from July 10, all before 10 in the morning!

I usually wake up about 6:30, 7:00, even in the summer.

First thing in the morning, my synthroid (for an underactive thyroid) with a glass of water:

Getting the coffee ready:

Some time with my Father:

My "beauty regime" for the day! hahaha

Deoderant, face wash with the exfoliating brush, my lotion/sunscreen, and a good brushing of the teeth.

Yes, I know, I am so fancy!  ;)

 

Ashton is always the first one up.

I make him breakfast and we spend some time together doing tanagrams.

Ava is up next.

I make her breakfast, and then we do some paper dolls together.

One-on-one time with the kids is rare, so I squeeze it in whenever possible!

Starting the morning chores...

I usually wash a load at night and put it in the dryer before bed, so I wake up to a load that needs to be folded.

Kitchen clean up.  Breakfast dishes going in the dishwasher...

Oh yeah!  I forgot to eat.

Special K with strawberries and blueberries.

Yay!  It's time to do some sewing.

I listen to music really loud while I sew usually.

This week?  Adele, Indigo Girls, and the soundtrack to Parenthood.

Wow, now I know why I pass out by 9:30-10 every night.

Are you a night owl or morning person? 

I used to be a night owl, but after kids I became a morning person.:)

p.s.  I just realized today is July 11, which means I took all my pictures on July 9th, because I didn't know what day it was!

p.p.s  I can't find the charger for my camera, and I have turned the house inside out looking for it.

p.p.p.s  Maybe this is a sign I'm not getting enough sleep?

Happy Monday!

Hot Air Balloons

I am deeply, madly, and wierdly?, in love with hot air balloons.

I'm thinking of surprising my whole family with a ride on a hot air balloon.

Some places let the kids ride free...which would save quite a bit of money.

I've been daydreaming of having a professional photo-shoot in the hot air balloon, getting some beautiful shots of all of us in the air, free as birds in the sky...

Did I mention that I'm afraid of heights and slightly claustrophobic?

Like, I really hate flying on an airplane.

It makes me anxious just thinking about it!



But still, I love them!

Should I stick to making some cute decorations?



Have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon?  Is it worth the expense?  Should I just face my fears and go for it?

Back and forth

Hi!  :)

Some of you may remember that for the month of July we are at the beach...my in-laws graciously allow us to crash their condo for the month every year.  It is such a wonderful tradition...the kids love it and we are so blessed to have that time!  But I come home every so often to catch up with work, replenish art and fabric supplies (because yes, I am still working on pillows :), and hop on the computer.  So I'll kind of be flitting about on the blog irregularly for the rest of July.

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So...

I can't not mention it.

Casey Anthony has been particularly riveting to me because she is from my community.

The Anthony family lives about 25-30 minutes from where we live, so this case has felt extraordinarily eerie and close to home.  I have followed it from the very beginning.  The summer Caylee went missing I was pregnant with Jackson, and it just broke my heart.

I was shocked at the outcome.  Shocked.  It is still very odd to think that within a few short weeks she will be a free woman.  I do pray for peace for her family.  I don't we will ever really know the whole truth...

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:  "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

-Romans 12:19

My own personal opinion is that she is guilty.  But more importantly, who I am to judge?
The fact is that we are all guilty sinners in need of God’s grace.  While we may never know the truth of Casey Anthony’s guilt in regard to the death of her daughter, our guilt before God is a settled fact.  That is why God commands us to repent and trust Jesus.

There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
-James 4:12

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...and on a MUCH happier note:
Our sweet boy Davis has a lot of people trying to get him home!  :)

There is an amazing fundraiser going on over at Amy's.  It's sick I tell you, how many awesome, and I mean AWESOME prizes are in this fundraiser package.   Starting with an Ipad 2 and and going through the cream of the crop handmade items, you will drool over what she's got going on.

all it takes is $10.

for every $10 you donate, you get one entry
for every $50 donated, you will be rewarded with 20 entries

$10 = 1 entry
$50 = 20 entries

Go here for all the eye candy and details. 
What are you waiting for?  Go now!!  :)

See you soon!

 image found here (this artist is a.m.a.z.i.n.g.)

I'm on vacation!  Be back soon :)....
xoxoxoxox

My little house :)

Hi!  Happy Friday!
I did make the time for myself to play with some wood, paint, and glue.
Turns out it didn't become a key rack...but I had so much fun I think I'll make some more.

 It measures about 12" x 8 "...

 It wanted to be up on a shelf in my art room for now...

I just love the little picket fence :)

Have a wonderful looooooong fourth of July weekend!

Let freedom ring!!