We're back Ya'll

We are on the plane, getting ready for "Take Off"!  Our trip to Texas was a blast!  The girls had a great time surprising Grandpa for his birthday and getting to meet all their wonderful Texas Family. 

 There was boat rides at Choke Canyon Lake.  

 Lots of Goofing around and a day of fun at Kiddie Park!

 Horseback Riding was a HIT!

 Big brother Cody and Cousin Kimbrielle at John's smokehouse in Sisterdale

 My little cowgirls.  I love them and so did everyone else.  I can't wait till we get to go again! 

Yeehaw Ya'll

I'm getting REALLY excited!  In four more days I'm leaving for Texas!  All four of us are getting on a plane and heading to the country.  This will be a trip of many 'firsts'.  This will be the first plane ride that the girls will remember, first time in Texas, first time meeting Family and Family meeting Jillian, first time riding a horse just to name a few.  I will have to keep a list while we are there.  Stay tuned for photo's, stories and funnies.

It's definitely been a jam packed couple of weeks.  Last weekend I headed out to a woman's retreat.  What a wonderful weekend spend with my Mom and sweet Brie.  It felt good to be surrounded by people that I love and can be myself with.  We learned all kinds of wonderful things about ourselves and in the process uncovered some spectacular ways to Live our Faith and pass that to our children.  I walked away with such a sense of encouragement about who I want people to see me as and that I need to live my life a certain way to accomplish that!  

 I also had a few hours to spend tinkering around a couple antique stores while we were 'relaxing' and scored myself a new vintage table cloth and a very Happy enamel bowl!  Total score!

---> Oooh, and if you just click right {here}, my bestie Heidi is having a really fun giveaway on her blog.  Go check it out and leave her some love!  I can't tell you how good it feels when you open your blog and see that people are actually reading it!  There are days when you feel like.....'..tap, tap, tap, is this thing on?'

And just because no post is complete without some pictures.   Okay, see you in a week!

Me and Becca

Mr. Man Brody

My sweet little Jilly Bean

Cousins.  They love babysitting.

 

 

 

 

Take a Peek!

For those if you that know me, the color red holds a special place in my life!  It always will!  As do roses, American Flags, Jadite, Polka Dots, Vintage Table Cloths, Chalk Boards, and the list goes on!

Here's my little nest.  Full of all the things that I LOVE!

I found these adorable polka dot plates at Home Goods!   The dot is hard to see in the picture, but they are there!  On the list of summer projects is painting the chairs at the dinning room table antique white!

{Below}  See those cute tin canisters?  Those are my Cath Kidston purchase!  It made my day to get that brown box from the UK on my door step!  I galloped through the house with it!.

 

These shelves are my inspiration! A little but of everything I love all in one place!

And this is a cozy little corner that I like to spend my time in.  My Red Check beauty has been my pride and joy!  You may sit in her, just TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF!

And my mantel.  I change her out often.  I like the crispness of white right now!  However, I feel a change coming on, but I'm going to have to get my hands a little dirty before that project is ready.

Stay Tuned!

Thinking about getting crafty

Do you like {Buttons?}   

I do!  I like them in jars, separated by color, as a filler with a candle nestled in the center, sewn onto pillows, t-shirts or made into jewelry.  They are just pretty, and dainty and just the right touch of vintage!

So I was so excited when I received a little email from Better Homes and Gardens with craft idea's abounding with BUTTONS! {Check out this gals shop for a super supply of buttons!}

This idea is SOOOOO simple that I'm going to try it on several little t-shirts and sweaters that I have for the girls.  How sweet is that! 

And then... I could make these cute little barrettes that match!

OR, using a small piece of elastic and some of your favorite buttons you can make these adorable little bracelets!  Think of the endless possibilities with this one!  Not just for you, but for little ones too!  {Oh, that rhymed, sorry}

The other thing I like, {Chairs!} 

I'm not sure why, but they are just inviting and cheerful!  I love to drape a blanket or nestle a cute little pillow on mine.  Maybe place a book with a strategically placed tea-cup or anitque pair of reading glasses to make it look as though someone was just using their quite time to catch up on some light reading, or a sip of tea.

And then I imagine changing the chair with a fresh coat of paint and a kicky fabric like this one!  Now, if only I could find these SALVAGED chairs lying around in the trash in my neighborhood! 

And last but not least, I LOVE {FABRIC!}

Here's the thing.  I don't really sew yet.  I can fiddle my way through it here and there, but i'm not ready to make anything that requries more than a straight stitch and preferablly white thread, because I don't like to change the thread on my machine, it scares me....

However, this I could handle!  Look how great this Amy Butler fabric looks in these vintage frames.  Now this I could do!  I mean, how many times do you drool over stacks of fabric, just because their colors and textures just are so appealing togetehr!  WELL....Frame It!

So try something a little crafty this week.  It's doesn't have to cost much or take to much time, but could be so Cute!

Who am I?

Has someone ever said something to you that caught you off guard, maybe even made you a little mad but then made you think?  They said something that kept ringing in your ears during those times in the day when thoughts seem to be louder then the hum of the hair dryer or even the music playing in the car.  They said something that no matter how you tried, you couldn't shake it! 

I've been thinking a lot this week about what my Identity is.  ..."the idiosyncratic things that make a person unique."  Knowledge of who one is.   Humm.  I think I know what my Identity is, but is that who other people see me as?  I'm pretty sure that our Identity is something that changes and evolves over time.  Life situations are part of making us who we are.  Faith, Marriage, Childbirth, Jobs, Schooling, Hobbies, Friends, all of these are things that shape who we are and what we identity with. 

Until recently, Faith has been something that has been hard for me to talk about.  However, I am certain that my Faith is the strongest part of my Identity.  It's something new for me to be openly embracing, but it's my foundation for everything else in my life.  My Faith keeps me grounded.  It reminds me what should be important, and keeps me in check. 

I would like my identity to be being a Good Mother, Good Wife, Good Daughter , Good Sister and Good Friend.  When I have a choice to make, I pray that I make the choice that makes me all of these things.   I don't want my identity to be my Career, my Car,  my Stuff or my House.  If my house is a HOME then my family feels safe, loved and secure.  If my job is something that I do with integrity and hard work within the confines of a a work day, then my Family feels important, cared about and proud.  

I think that if I'm keeping my Faith in mind in all of my decision making, then all of these things should identify WHO I AM.    Did I make Travis his favorite dinner, just because?  Did I cuddle on the couch with Becca for an extra long time because touching me makes her feel safe?  Did I read a book to Jillian over and over and over because it's her favorite?  Did I swing by my Mom's house to take her with me to the store so we could grab a coffee and run errands together?  Did I call my Dad at 6:30 to say HI because I knew he was driving home and could talk?  Did I tell my sister today that I love her and she's my best friend, because it's something that you can never hear enough?  Did I call my friend or send a note just to say, hey, I'm thinking about you?

I'm going to try...  I'm going to make my life about letting people I love know they matter to me. 

Oh sure, I will find time to get my hair done, shop for shoes, do a project, take a walk, watch T.V., write my Blog, paint my toes red, or decorate my house, but all of those things don't really matter without my Family and Friends to share it with!  

I mean, aren't these faces worth it!

He Loves Me

 Just in case I was wondering, yes, He Loves Me!  By far, the most beautiful flowers were delivered to my office with a dose of humor to boot.  If you watch Modern Family, you'll get my Hubby's subtle attempt at humor, it totally MADE my day!  He is the best Husband EVER.  I just love him to pieces.

I also just so happened to be matching my flowers too!  Everyone thought I did it on purpose, which was kind of funny, but it really was just a coincidence.  

I can't wait to get home and give my little munchkins their Valentines, snuggles, and and eat some yummy dinner too.  What a great day!  I hope everyone your was just as sweet!

The Magical Kingdom

Oh what fun we had!  In lieu of a 4th Birthday Bash for miss Becca, Daddy and I took our little girls to Disneyland for the first time.  We had a blast no doubt.  The girls referred to it as Mickey's Park.  For some reason, Disneyland didn't quite have as much significance to them right now.  They kinda looked blankly at me when I told them where we were going, but once I said, "where Mickey lives, you know".  Ohh yes Mommy!  We want to go there.

We stayed at the Hilton and had a super duper view from our room.  We watched the Fireworks in our pajamas and headed to Mickey's park the next morning.

Highlights included the Carousel, Toon Town Roller Coaster, Woody and Jesse, Lunch, Pirate Ship, Tom Sawyer Island, Autopia and the Tea Cups.

Our Hotel Room, we are so excited!

With Daddy, getting ready to go in!

Mickey!  He was the first one we saw!

Minnie!!!

Getting dizzy in the Tea Cups.

Are we leaning?

Woody and Jesse, it doesn't get better than that!

The girls had a blast taking it all in!  I hope they have the best memories!  I sure do!