Did You Know?

To start this post that may end up seeming a little odd to you....

Did you know that it is almost midnight here, and everyone in my house is sleeping (except me)?
My excuse for the following ramblings.

Did you know that 7 weeks from yesterday is my baby boy's first day of school?
Actually, he's my oldest, and he's 4.

Did you know that I haven't purchase ANYTHING for his first day of school?
YIKES!!! Don't worry....those of you who know me have NO DOUBT that he will be
properly outfitted in clothes, gear, and supplies---I WAS a former teacher, you know.

Did you know that my baby girl turns 3 in two weeks?
She IS my baby....but not really anymore....we've kicked "the passy" this month. She
really IS growing up! Next goal (and in my mind, the FINAL babyish item) is the potty
training after our New York trip.

Did you know that time is flying by WAY to fast?
My 12 year anniversary is coming up--that's when I'll share the love story of The King & Queen

Did you know that I get to use my Mother's Day gift tomorrow?
A one-hour massage, followed by a spa pedicure, followed by hair color, followed by hair
cut! I'll have to post some pics of the new me....especially after these beauties!

Did you know that I have all these great ideas about how to expand my "business," but never actually get around to doing them?
One of these is actually getting a business license, so I WILL be a business.
I've decided that NOT having the time to do them just means it's not the RIGHT time for
them.

Did you know that I was going to post so many useless pieces of information about my life?
Now you know a little more about me and my life--perhaps (probably) more than you
cared to know.....

Sometimes, Ya Just Gotta Play!

I have SO MANY things on my TO DO list--SO MANY!! However, today I was extended an invitation that I couldn't refuse. Two of the loves of my life were having a blast under our table...

"Mommy, you wanna come in?"

What I think: Do I want to get down on my hands and knees, climb under the table, and do what????

What I say: "Of course I do!"

The joy on their faces from my small act of participating in their playtime made it worth the squeeze! The thing is, I do spend a large part of my day with my kids--it's what I DO--I'm a Stay At Home Mom. What I've realized, though, is that I often want to spend my time with them doing the things I have chosen--like reading, coloring, doing puzzles, etc. Today the realization came that I need to spend a little more time doing the things that they choose--as they get older, they will remember that Mom likes to be involved in the things THEY enjoy--even as their "things" change.

Here's us under the table.
Note: I did NOT take the time to get all dressed up for play time--I'm clean, but that's about it.


After our "table time," I was rolling around on the floor with The Princess and The Prince says, "Oooh, that would make a great picture." Yep, they're on to me. So, I turn on the camera, tell him what to push, and this is what we got....once again not me at my personal best, but maybe my Mommy Best.


Of course, The Princess wanted a turn, and I was pretty surprised at her shot--photographer in the making?


Here's a couple more...just because I think they're so stinkin' cute!

Moral of today's post: My mom's 10 year rule--ten years from now, when you look back on this day, will what you say or do matter then? If I remember this rule, time with the kids ALWAYS wins. This rule has also come in handy for many other situations (work, marriage, relationships) in my life....Thanks, Mom.

Cleaning, Anyone?

I must admit that I am feeling pretty good about myself as a housewife. Today the kids went to Aunt E's house (I get hers on Thursday) and I became Super Cleaner! I dusted, oiled, vacuumed, polished, organized--I did it all. To be honest, I only completed the downstairs, but I've got the upstairs in my sights. I don't know what it is about a clean house that makes me feel like a better mother and wife...I just do.

If only it lasted longer than 24 hours...

Education and Fashion

Here's a few pictures of the kids and a peek into what our day to day life has been like, lately.

Our neighbor knocked on our door a couple of days ago wanting to know if I thought the kids would enjoy a child-size desk. Um....former teacher, here....OF COURSE! What I also loved about this desk is that it is an EXACT replica of the desk I had in First Grade. I cleaned it up, put The Prince's "learning books" in the little cubby hole and we were good to go. He and The Princess like to take turns being the teacher (didn't we all do this?). I must admit that it makes my teacher heart go pitter-patter.


Here's my first try at putting curlers in The Princess' hair. She is SO good about sitting still for that kind of thing. She loved how she looked with the curlers in her hair--she thought THIS was the final result. Actually, this is as good as it got. When I took them out, no curls. :( However, I think I know where I went wrong and we'll try again.

Vintage Blueberries

My latest creation for the Persnickety Camden Market Launch. The Lil' Peas hosted a Retro Fresh Booth--we each took a vintage pattern and remade it for now. I picked this particular pattern because I remember my mom making me similar dresses when I was little.

I also got some fun pictures while The Princess was jumping up and down--I felt it gave her the "retro" hairdo!

You can find the auction HERE!

Summer Bird Collaboration

When I saw this chocolate brown and turquoise fabric, it literally spoke to me (OK, well not REALLY). I loved it on sight and knew it must be mine! I think the birds are so fresh and they remind me of summer. These fabrics are from the Moda line Summer in the City--an entire collection of fabrics that I could create with. However, due to minor details (like a budget!) I made my choice with these.

With this set, I particularly enjoy how the little bird on the shirt turned out. He has a little stuffing (let's pretend it's worms), giving him some life. I hand-stitched him to the shirt with embroidery thread. The skirt is just FULL (well, we added an even fuller slip). This has become my current "favorite" set and I hope you enjoy it, too! You can find it HERE!

Don't forget to check out the AMAZING made-to-match jewels by the_vintage_pearl. SO CUTE!! You can find them HERE!

Hellloooo?

I just noticed that it has been nearly a week since my last post. Whew! When I haven't been wife and mother, I have been SEWING! Lots of orders and lots of new ideas floating around in my head. I'm still here and should be posting some of my new sets in the next few days! Thanks to all of you who have been checking in!

Loves of My Life!

These are the types of pictures I keep on my computer screen saver. The ones that remind me on a "not so good day," that my children are sweet, and kind, and beautiful....and the loves of my life (right after my husband, of course).

These pictures occurred after The Princess' nap today. I walk in to find The Prince rocking her in the chair--holding her just like I do. They were being very sweet...hugging, singing songs, rocking. I felt blessed!

These are from some water fun this weekend. Just to share for the family who gets on here to keep up with the kiddos!

Random Kindness...

A little side note: A couple of sweet people have thought that I was the mother in this story...sorry for the confusion, but this is a story I read from a friend. I hope that presented with this situation, I would be as sensitive as the mother in this story!

I am not usually so mushy about these types of things, but this story brought tears to my eyes. Yes, I've had a beloved dog who has died, but to me, this story is about how a simple act of kindness from a stranger can affect so many. Enjoy:

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter, Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.

She dictated and I wrote:

Dear God,

Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday and is in heaven. We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you will play with her.

She liked to play with a ball and swim before she got sick. I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you will know she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.

Love, Meredith Claire

PS: Mommy wrote this for me after I told her the words.


We put the letter in an envelope with 2 pictures of Abbey, and addressed it to God in Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith stuck some stamps on the front (because, as she said, it may take lots of stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven) and that afternoon I let her drop it into the letter box at the post office.

For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, we took the kids to Peoria to a natural history museum. When we got back, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch.

Curious, I went to look at it. It had a white card on the front that said "To: Meredith" in an unfamiliar handwriting

Meredith took it in and opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers, ''When a Pet Dies'. Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its opened envelope. On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the words "For Meredith." We turned to the back cover, and there was the other picture of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:


Dear Meredith,

I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent to me was such a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.

You know, Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me--just like she stays in your heart--young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog, you know.

Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets -- so I can't keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it to you with the pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember Abbey. One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book helps. Thank you for the beautiful letter.

Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you have! I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am in heaven and wherever I am, there is love.

I love you Meredith, God

PS: My special angel wrote this for me after I told her the words.

Song of my life....

Well, I've been tagged by Amelia. I am supposed to list the song whose video or lyrics make me think about my life. This was a little difficult. I am not much of a video watcher, and the songs I currently listen to are more along the lines of the Wiggles. So, I've decided to post the first song that came to mind when I was reading about this tag. It's REO Speedwagon's Can't Fight This Feeling. Now, I'm dating myself a bit, here, but this is the song that perfectly describes the beginning of the relationship between my husband and myself. If you want to read the lyrics, you can find them here. A little cheesy, I know, but the best I could come up with.

Hmmm, now for the hardest part of a tag--tagging 2 others. I'm tagging Erin and Gina--have fun!