Orangepoppy

festivities

I made myself a new necklace this morning. Something festive for the weekend. If you know me at all then you know I wouldn't be caught dead on a holiday without something festive on. This kind of scares me about myself. I am one of those Mom's who will want to decorate and make treats for the kids classes, participate in the field trips, wear the noodle necklaces when they are presented on Mother's Day. I suppose the majority of us Mom's are this way. But it occasionally scares me how "into" my outfit I can get when a holiday arrives..always green on St.Patty's day, pink and red on Valentine's day, and well the Fourth of July - obviously I needed to make a red and white gingham ruffle necklace with one of my favorite buttons, just a touch of blue, understated yet quite patriotic..

did I loose you?

sorry..so anyway it scares me how festive my outfits can get. Am I one of those women who will inevitably wear the stocking earrings at the bake sale when I am in my 50's?? hm..it's all about embracing our strengths and weaknesses right?!

I am very excited for the holiday weekend! We traditionally spend ours on the water at Chris' Aunts house! She makes the  BEST cookies and pies and there are always loads of kids running loose and boat rides to be had for those who are interested! I am so looking forward to it. This year I feel so blessed and honored to be living this life with the freedom we have in our country. I serve a God who is so interested in my heart, in each of our hearts and who gives generously to those who seek Him.

This week I have been working on memorizing a verse out of Philippians:

4:4-8

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I feel so thankful and grateful that I can have full confidence in my heavenly Father! This morning I was reading the words of my Sister, Kristen on her blog Plum Tree. A story she posted about a small thing that was a big impact on her heart and the way that she knows God sees her and cares for her. It really spoke to me, and blessed me this morning. Possibly it will encourage you today.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and can rejoice in what you have been given! Make it festive people you won't regret it!!

wordless wednesday

bliss

this afternoon I had some choices to make..I could have tackled the long long list of things to do when I get a second to myself (which I keep in the kitchen drawer for quick reference) BUT seeing as a very unexpected afternoon of free time doesn't come around much I decided to do option number two which coincidentally happened to include a bouquet of sherbet colored roses purchased for myself, just cause along with a guilty pleasure, the new issue of Martha Stewart Wedding's, an iced white chocolate mocha and a bag of chili lime chips on the deck...

and of course some sunshine. After I finished the mocha I sucked down two glasses of pink lemonade and finally finished the last chapter of my vampire novel. It has only taken me a year to finish the Twilight series and I was sad to see it end but I smiled a little in relief too.

and THEN this evening a date with my sweetie! We went to Anthony's beach cafe in Edmond's for some prawns and mai ta-is and great conversation and then decided to head out to Alki for a walk on the beach.

full with a sherbet colored sunset!!

hot dang that was a fun day!!

what!

this afternoon Nana popped by and declared that she wanted to take the boys to her house for some summertime fun! I was kind of taken aback, this means that I get some time to myself?!..I skipped around, packed the bag, made sandwiches and helped pile the kids into her car..

and now look at me, just sitting here playing around with photobooth..clearly I do not know what to do with myself when I get a break. I think I need to go for a walk or something.

this has been a great week so far, after a very relaxing weekend of spending time as a family at home! some moments I am treasuring from the last few days include:

-the sunshine that always makes me smile
-fun family news..not mine to share but mine to smile about
-cupcakes from our sweet neighbors
-yoga class
-eating smores' late at night with Chris, in our bed (DO NOT TELL THE CHILDREN)
-last night Levi had his first prayer request, he asked to pray for "some money" ha ha!
-eating dinner al fresco
-singing songs with the boys and Daddy on guitar
-kisses on the lips from all my boys
-homemade pizza
-date night
-wearing a dress
-pink lemonade
-watching the boys "rock out" - it totally cracks us up. If you don't believe me check out the photo Auntie Jenny caught of Simon at his Birthday party! Amazing!

alright I think I am heading out to do something with myself and all this free time, wish me luck! xoxo

I love finding nuggets of wisdom in my kids movies..

a monday impulse

my fingers just kept clicking through the checkout process today when I spotted this cute print on etsy, I had to have it! This was my favorite song when I was a girl and I sing it to my boys almost every night..can wait until it gets here!

a few other things I am resisting at the moment..this, this, this and this..etsy you are way to dangerous.

Thankful Thursday

I thought I would take inspiration from Mandy this afternoon and do a thankful list, so very much to be grateful for:

1. The amazing generosity and kindness of so many family and friends!

2. Our health seems to finally be 100%

3. Close friends coming in from out of town and staying with us over the weekend and into next week, I can not wait!!

4. A date night tonight, our first in like two whole months.

5. The weather has been AMAZING I love it so!

6. This home, every single day is a constant reminder of God's love and blessing and it brings me to tears very often.

7. A husband who is beyond incredible, always pitching in and helping and can not get enough of his babies..I am a lucky lucky girl!

8. I got a chance to see both of my Sisters at the same time last weekend and get to see more of my youngest Sister before she goes back to School.

9. Smores' under the broiler, but you already know all about that..I am contemplating making homemade ones now to try and adding raspberries to the mix per Eileen's suggestion. I was looking for accountability folks, but this is even better..:)

10. Levi's curly locks

11. Simon's humor

12. Sleeping in our super comfy bed with a mattress that was a Christmas gift..I still tear up over it Jenny!

13. A clean house, clean laundry, and a full fridge!

14. Clean water and a shower whenever I want or need..seriously we are so blessed to have the most simple of luxuries.

What are you grateful for this Thursday? Thanks so much Mandy for the inspiration!

some.more.smores'..

I can't stop making these under the broiler..two yesterday and two today and maybe one more after this..it is getting kind of out of control so I thought I would put it out there for some further accountability..man I have problems.

Scenes from the Birthday Bash!!

I can not thank everyone enough for making my son's Birthday party a smashing success!! It was seriously a gift to see the sheer joy and excitement on his face. The generosity and kindness was overflowing to the brim!

And a special thanks to Nana and Papa who worked really hard hosting such a fun day. Everything was perfect from the weather to the food and the amazing friends who came out to enjoy the day! I love you all, your the best!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Simon!

You are a special little boy, full of life and spirit. So very gregarious for a boy of your age and a social butterfly. Once this past year we waved at some people at Church (who I don't know) when we walked past I heard the Man tell his Wife, "that is Simon"..it cracked me up, you already have more friends than I do!

I look at you every single day and marvel at the person God has created you to be and then I ask Him to help me to protect your sweet spirit and childlike innocence because it is pure blessing to witness.

You have been a big brother for over half of your life, you are an amazing brother to Levi always protecting, teaching, giggling and exploring with him. The first question out of your mouth when you wake from your afternoon nap "is Louie awake?" your always looking for your best friend.

I love you so much my sweet little boy and want you to know that I can not imagine my life without knowing you. You make me mean something, does that make sense? Someday it will..you my son make my life so much more valuable, tangible, liveable, full. Daddy and I are constantly amazed at the things you say and the way you think.

Last week I told you that you must be growing because you were eating so much..

"I am growing? how big??"

"probably as big as Dad, do you want to be like Dad when you grow up?"

puzzled you said

"no, if I was going to be Dad I would have to change and wear a costume, I have to be Simon!"

Nothing could be more true, you are Simon and I am loving getting to know you more every single day! Happy Birthday my little cutie pants, I love you to bits!!

Mom