Happy Wednesday and last day of March (can you believe it!?) It's beginning to look alot like SPRING around here!

It's Spring Break week at Jonah and Jordan's Preschool and Mother's Day Out ( next week is jonah's afternoon preschool spring break) so we have been taking it easy and enjoying sleeping in :) The mornings can be quite hectic getting out the door and to preschool by NINE (i can't imagine what it will be like when it's earlier we have to be ready- ahhh!)

Sweet little jordan has found a new spot in the kitchen... she pulls up a stool to stand at the counter so she can face jonah at the bar stool. they sit and watch "Clifford" while the eat breakfast. so cute.

The weather has been SO nice (finally!) and it's been unseasonably warm (70's) so today I went and bought Jonah some spring/summer clothes- at least a start- poor kid had ONE short sleeved shirt! I am having trouble finding cute boy clothes lately! Ugh! Any suggestions out there? I liked Gaps selection but it's pricey when not on sale. I just don't want every shirt to have a football or soccer ball on it, know what i mean??????? (the 2 shirts in this pic are airplanes and pirates- that's more my kind of shirt :)

It's looking like SPRING in our back yard! Just TODAY seed was put down for grass - i am so excited! : ) random i know, but it WAS all rocks before. It was actually really pretty with a rock path, but didn't work well with the kids :). I can't wait until the grass grows and we get a swingset, etc. Ahhh... summer is just around the corner.

I had the best mail day ever on Saturday. Todd surprised me with a *Shey*[B] Couture camera strap. I about died! I have had one of her straps for about a year now, and she just started making this amazing Couture, one of a kind line. I DIED over this one- all of my favorite colors all together. Todd saw me drooling over it... imagine my surprise when it showed up in the mail over the weekend. Isn't that so sweet!? I was totally not expecting it, but it made me smile so much that he wanted to do that for me. Love him! These colors just make me happy. Who needs a necklace when you can wear this around your neck????? ; ) (ok necklaces are fun too:)

And finally... as promised, I wanted to share Jor's sneak peek pictures from Carpenter Photo and Design are up! Check out their blog here to see the rest :) I love them!

Sorry for the MOST RANDOM post in the world... guess that's what happens when i go almost a week with out posting! ha!

Happy Wednesday!

a layout to share

Happy Thursday Everyone!

I have a quick layout to share today - i made this page with some of my leftovers from the Studio Calico Yearbook Kit! I was going through last year's pictures and trying to fill in the gaps in Jonah's album... ahh sweet boy! I totally remember this day and how fun it was to finally spend time outside in the warm weather!

Supplies Used: Patterned Paper: October Afternoon, Studio Calico. Vellum: Paper Studio. Elle's Studio: Date Tag, Journaling Tags, Vintage Summer Tag (grass), circle Stamp. Fab-rips and sticker: Studio Calico. 3 Sticker: Sassafrass, Blue Flower: Making Memories. Pen: American Crafts. Mists: Tattered Angels. Cardboard: K & Company. Inks: Close to my Heart. Staples: Supply Store

I loved how Daniela used this Whale of a Tale Stamp set (the circle stamp) in the recent Elle's Studio Inspiration Gallery. I am not much of a stamper but her layout inspired me to get out the stamps and give it a try :) I stamped the circles on vellum and as you can see, i kind of went crazy (!!) but i really liked how it turned out. I really need to start stamping more! :)

Hope you have a great day!
Can't wait to start taking the backyard pictures this year! :)

my town crier

Springtime in Indiana is fairly unpredictable. One day can be sunny, gorgeous, high 60's, and the next day could be cold, rainy, and 40 degrees. That seems to be the pattern here the last 2 weeks. We have had some pretty spectacular days, bookend by some nasty winter-y weather. So it goes. (it might also explain why this month long bronchitis is STILL hanging on- ugh!) Oh well!

We have been trying to take advantage of these beautiful days by being outside as much as we can. Here is my crazy two year old waiting for Jonah's bus.

Jordan loooved being outside. Running, jumping, having me watch her do tricks and poses. She was kind of a spaz. Like a little puppy that has been left in it's cage too long... i think we are all ready for some outside time!

Lately she is doing these "Ballerina" poses- not sure if you would even call it that, but it is hilarious. She even will do these poses that are kind of like a yoga pose. NOT SURE where she learned that but she is pretty darn proud of herself and holds the pose until she gets some kind of applause. such a ham!

On the go, on the go, on the go.... always moving! Her run is really a bounce and her "Tails" fly everywhere - love it. Every once in a while she looks at me and says, "NO tails, mommy! I go wild! " and rips her pig-tails out! (when she has her hair down we call it "go wild", because, well, it's WILD) AH! I hope she wears her tails for a little while longer! It's her trademark look :)

And finally, not the best picture by far, but when i see this I laugh so hard i almost cry.

We have started calling her "the town crier" lately because she is SO LOUD and yells, and screams ALOT. Not a crying scream, just a LOUD voice. we are working on it. But this picture just YELLS town crier to me! HA! What a fun girl.

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Elle's Studio March Gallery

It's that time again! The Elle's Studio Inspiration Gallery is up! Be sure to check it out- AMAZING projects and lots of inspiration going on over there.

Here are my projects for this month:

Products Used: Elle's Studio Granny's Circle Doily Tags, Vintage Summer Flash Cards , Vintage Labels- Holiday, Vintage Label- XOXO. Patterned Papers: Lily Bee Design, My Minds Eye, and Studio Calico" Anthology". Vellum: The Paper Company. Rub-On: Studio Calico. Button Sticker: Evalicious. Flower: Prima. Mists: Tattered Angels (Key Lime Pie, and Yellow Daisy). Alphas: American Crafts (white) and Jenni Bowlin (circle). Staples, Paperclips: Supply Store. Distress Ink: Tim Holtz. Adhesive: Pop Dots, Scrapbook Adhesive. Punch: Marvy 1.5 inch (fits perfectly with Elle's Studio tags)!!! All of my pictures were "Mini Wallet" prints over at Mpix. My new favorite print size!

So...... there IS a story behind this crazy picture of Todd... but i will save that for later. :) It was rather spur of the moment "photo op", leave it to my husband to act crazy unexpectedly :). These amazing photos were taken on Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman by my friend Jennifer McKinney (aka "MckMama") during our cruise in January.

Journaling: "What we thought was a cruise ended up being so much more. After signing up for the "MckCruise" via Jennifer (MckMama)'s blog, we never ever thought or dreamed it would be as amazing as it was. Sure, going to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica was very nice, as was the warm weather, but that was not what made this trip so amazing. By far it was the 30 amazing people we met up and cruised with. 30 strangers became 30 dear friends in a matter of seven days. January 17-24, 2010"

I really enjoyed the layering aspect of this layout, and misting each element as I layered... it was so much fun to make. and it made me long for summer. and a strawberry daiquiri ;)

Up next is "Just in Time" (didn't realize i used TIME in both of my layouts until now... how strange!).

Products Used: Elle's Studio XOXO Papers , XOXO Tiny Journaling Tags, XOXO Count the Ways Circle Tags, Date and Place Strips, XOXO Journaling Strips, XOXO Mini Notes, XOXO Sweetheart Tags , XOXO Cut Outs, Elle's Studio Packaging. Paper: Bazzill Cardstock, and My Minds Eye. Rub Ons: Hambly. Crochet Flowers: Dear Lizzy by American Crafts. Brad: KI Memories. Paper Clip: Melody Ross. Mist: Tattered Angels (bubblegum pink). Alphabets: American Crafts (pink), Jenni Bowlin (circle). Pen: American Crafts.

Oh my sweet girl and her love of princesses. Which all came about 2 weeks before her second birthday. She is slightly on the WILD side, so when she developed an affection for Snow White, Sleeping "Booty", and all things girly, I just had to document it :)

I just love how Elle's Valentine line isn't limited to Valentine's projects. It really can be used all year round, especially when highlighting anything sweet and lovely :).

AND......Last but not least i made a spring-y card! Loving yellow and green combos lately. Just says SPRING to me!

Products used: Elle's Studio: Granny's Doily Journal Tags, Lollipop Journal Tags, Wood grain tag, and Grid tag part of Promts, Patterns, and Journal Tags. Butterfly and Circle Alphas: Jenni Bowlin. Ribbon: Michaels. Punch: Marvy. Mist: Tattered Angels

I so enjoyed the Inspiration Gallery at Elle's Studio this month- SO many amazing projects. Make sure you stop by the gallery to check out Paige, Samantha, Daniella, Laurie, and Mel's projects! Have a great weekend!

Pure sweetness

Earlier today, Jordan's 2 year old pictures were taken by Melody of Carpenter Photography Design. If you are a follower of my blog, her name should be familiar by now; she has photographed Jonah and Jordan since Jordan's birth, and since then become a dear dear friend. I have the joy of watching her daughter Claire every Thursday. Jonah and Jordan adore her, and we think the girls look like they could be sisters! Claire also just turned two, and with the 70 degree weather, it was the perfect day to take these two little friends out for a two year old photo session.

How sweet are these two little girls? I swear I could eat them up. They had so much fun playing and jumping off that suitcase. They are both wearing Matilda Jane outfits- my new favorite!

Oh my sweet girl, how I love her!

They thoroughly enjoyed their ice cream cone cupcakes made by Jennifer (and so did we!)

I can't believe she is already two. What a sweet sweet blessing she is in our lives.

Thanks Mel for sending these sneak peeks over! Be sure to watch Carpenter Photograpy blog for more pics in a few weeks, AND check out Mel's Photo Momma's blog. She offers very useful photography tips for mom's (and really anyone), and how to capture everyday life.

Sneak Peek!

Hooray for Friday! I am so glad it's the weekend, how about you?

Don't forget, tomorrow (Sat, Mar 20), Elle's Studio's March Inspiration Gallery will go live! Make sure you stop by and check it out. Here is a sneak peek... I can hardly wait to see all the lovely projects!

And, don't forget! All orders, placed in March, will receive a FREE Birthday Cut Out and raffle tickets (one for each item purchased) for our raffle drawings that are taking place each Sunday in March!

Have a great weekend!!

Happy St. Patty's!!

Six years ago, we were here...

Dublin, Ireland for St. Patty's Day.

Let me set the stage... The year was 2004. We had been married for a year and a half. We were 2 years away from even the thought of having kids. The week prior to this picture we were in London ... cold, rainy, freezing (it's March). I didn't pack a coat because i ASSUMED 50 degrees in Indy would be the same as 50 degrees in London. I was very very wrong.

Anyway, we thought it would be a *GREAT* idea to fly into Dublin on our way home. On St. Patrick's Day. I will just chalk this one up to us being young and naive. Trying to get to our hotel in all the traffic, figuring out the roads (since half were closed due to the parade), being so tired from having an early morning flight in London ... I mean, we had fun, but really, it's a bit like flying into NYC on New Years Eve.... and trying to meet someone in Times Square. Get what I mean?

Except, here is the funny part. We WERE supposed to meet up with someone in Dublin on St. Patty's day. My brother's friend Matt Kistler was studying abroad in Ireland. We had plans to meet at "the Spire" in Dublin on St. Patricks Day. Again, that is like planning to meet someone where the ball drops on New Years Eve. We couldn't even get to the Spire, the roads were block off due to the parade.

HOWEVER. We literally ran into Molly Ritter, another friend who was studying abroad, on McConnell Street (where the parade took place). It was the wildest thing ever-- about as wild as running into a friend on New Years Eve in Time's Square. (ok you get my drift here).

Regardless, it was quite the experience. At least fun to say I was in Dublin on St. Patty's Day.

Oh, and you may notice in the picture that we are the only people wearing green. ( I think that is an American thing :)

Happy St Patty's Day!

Sometimes...

Sometimes when I see a picture, the only thing that comes to mind is a verse.

Like this one....

My friend Jennifer took this picture while we were on the Cruise this past January. The only thing I can think of when I see this image is Hebrews 6:19, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Something i want to remind myself daily.

Just think of how massive the anchor this rope is holding! I can only imagine based on the size of this rope (which is one of many holding down the anchor!). The same is true of our God. His strength, mercy, and love is beyond measure. We can't SEE Him directly, but we see evidence, like this rope, everywhere.

The security I find in Him, and the hope I have in Him, is stronger than anything man-made, stronger than anything this world could offer. It is firm and secure. Always.

Supplies used: Studio Calico Home Front and Anthology papers, vintage sewing pattern paper, Elle's Studio tags, Tim Holtz "hope" ticket, Studio Calico stickers, Cosmo Cricket wood alphas, Chatterbox button sticker, Making Memories twine, Yellow Bicycle clear "today" (i think?), K & Co spinner, American Crafts pen, Ribbon from Michaels.

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you are having a lovely day!

Lessons in unexpected places

Just today, I was on my way home from dropping Jonah off at pre-school, and i decided i wanted a McDonald's coke.

I went through the drive thru, pulled-up, and started to get my money out while i was still waiting for my turn to pay. The window was still down and i heard something, and looked out my mirror to see the guy behind me shaking his head (as was his wife), and both were giving me dirty looks and rolling their eyes. Apparently i needed to pull up further for him to order (we are talking inches here). I pulled up and looked to see if he had enough room to order. When I looked out of my side mirror, i saw his wife pointing at me, shaking her head like "YEA we are talking about you", and saying B**** over and over. Shocking. Really. It hurt my feelings and upset me that someone could be that mean over something so small. so guess what i did???

I paid for his lunch when i got up to the window.

I don't know where that came from, but at the time, i felt like i should do it. Okay, I take that back. At the time I wanted to get out of the car and defend myself, my dignity, and clearly communicate how out of line they were. But in the few split seconds while i was paying for my drink, I felt God tugging at my heart to swallow my pride and anger and to have compassion on this couple. Why? Because God has had compassion on me. And honestly, I feel like it was the best $10 I have spent in a long time.

I don't mean to write this in order to make myself "look good" in the way I responded to this situation, really that is far from the truth. I USUALLY react to these situations in the opposite way. I am quick to defend myself and roll my eyes (or worse) right back. I am writing this because I am thankful for this opportunity and for the lesson I learned today...that responding in love changes everything... most of all, it changes me.

Do you notice a trend here?

Today was the first day it was REALLY warm here in Indy. So I decided to start browsing online for spring clothes/decor...

And I am noticing a trend....

I might be slightly obessesed with yellow/green combos. Just slightly.

Images from Anthropologie, Fossil, and Itz Fitz

On Cloud 9...

Wanted to pop in here quickly and share some exciting news... today I found out that I made the Lily Bee Design Team! I can HARDLY believe it!!! I about died when Kristen called this morning, and i really don't remember what i said- hopefully i made sense!! ha!

I am just in love with all of their beautiful collections , they are so much fun to work with, you must check them out! Congrats to all the other AMAZING girls that made the Design Team!

i see it

You are in your eighth week of going to Brookschool (the afternoon preschool that is helping Jonah catch up in speech/conversation skills)...



And I see it.

You are speaking in complete sentences rather than statements. You are using pronouns correctly, you are asking so many more questions.... even questions with "this or that" scenarios. All in eight weeks.

This is your time, Jonah.

You are blooming into a jabbering preschooler that has so much to say.

I feel like you have grown up immensely within these last eight weeks.

You seem to have more confidence in yourself.

Just last week you wrote your name by yourself, out of the blue. You and I were working on "J"'s and I suggested we try to write your name together... so you did, but all by yourself. And you didn't need help spelling your name.



You adore your teachers, classmates, and riding the bus.



OH, the bus. That MAY just be your favorite part about the whole thing. You love the adventure of getting on the bus, and even argue with me on the days I have to drop you off... you want the BUS to take you. Oh my boy, I can't believe we are already having those kind of discussions!!!

You are embracing this experience, and frankly, so am I.

I am enjoying this time where you are changing daily. It's amazing to watch this process and see you come into your own. You are such a delight, sweet boy. Daddy and I are so proud of you and how hard you are working.

Birthday Sickies

Aside from celebrating Jordan's second birthday, we didn't do much this weekend.

In fact, I didn't leave the house at all on Sunday; and only left Saturday for the kids Dr appointment and my hair appointment (let's be honest, i have to be death-bed sick to cancel a highlight.)

Sometimes its nice to stop the crazy schedule and enjoy being together, even if we aren't feeling 100%. And we did just that this weekend.

I ate alot of this over the weekend- my mom's homemade Cream of Chicken Soup. So good (even when you are not sick); quick and easy to make.

2/3 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup butter
2/3 c flour
6 cup chicken broth
1 cup half and half
2 cup milk
2 cup cubed chicken (i use canned chicken and it works fine)

Saute veggies in butter until tender. Add flour, stirring until smooth, cook 1 minute stirring constantly. Add chicken broth and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes. Top with some (or alot of) croutons :)

And on sunday I had a burst of inspiration to get my scrap room cleaned out. When you open up the cabinents it's a MESS. Definitely time to re-organize and purge. It does wonders for creative inspiration.

Here is my cabinet getting it's ROY.G.BIV on. :)

Oh, and speaking of Birthday's. guess who else is having a birthday right now? Elle's Studio!

For the whole month of March, there is a huge celebration going on over at Elle's Studio in honor of their third birthday. Right now there is a giveaway on the blog that ends Wednesday night.

Elle has also created an ADORABLE new Birthday Cut Out. (isn't it just adorable?) For each order you place during the month of March, she will include this item for FREE! There is also a raffle each Sunday where Elle is giving away prizes. It is so much fun to be on Elle's design team. I just adore all of her products, and i know you will too! Make sure you go check out all the fun at Elle's Studio!