Going to Cub Scout Camp.
Me and Miss G. :)
I've been terrible about updating here lately. Maybe it's the heat or maybe it's just because I've been busy! (with three children, it gets that way). I'm still working on Christmas stuff for the shop and for the show. Exciting! I need to take some pictures of my "process."
:)
Happy Day!
She's pretty. She's coy. She's flirtatious. She's a lady. She likes strolling by the river. She dislikes men who lack manners. She loves hats and art booths. She's not too fond of eating fish but loves good conversation. She has an impeccable vocabulary and longs to travel abroad. She is a bit eccentric and always polite. She is Miss Paris.
Russell and I have been doing a lot of soul-searching lately. What is our calling? What are we meant to do with our lives? What are our talents? Where do we belong? In all of this, there is a calm and a waiting. And as we ask these questions, it is so reassuring to know that there are those out there who are truly doing what they are meant to do. This video is just one amazing, incredible example of that. Just listen and watch all the way through. It brings shivers to my soul...
Yes, life has been busy lately. Summertime fun! We've joined the pool and have gone several times just in the past week. The boys love it (as does Miss Annie-boo) and it's a great way to tire them out for the rest of the day. ;) I haven't yet ventured there with my trusty camera but as soon as I figure out what I'm doing (with three crazy kids and someting called "pool paraphernalia") I'll snap some.
Benjamin turned four on June 3. (I guess you figured that one out) We had fun celebrating with him at Chuck E. Cheese and eating our cookie cake. He is so excited to finally say (whenever he sees the number 4) "That's the four I am!!!" He also says that about the letter "B." "That's the B I am!!"
On the work front? I've been making tons of bracelets and hearts. I'm trying to prepare for....(can you believe it?) Christmas!! And for a craft show I'm doing here in October. Last Christmas proved to be too crazy with trying to make AND sell at the same time and so hopefully, I'll be getting a heads start. I
'm also listing in my destash store a lot...trying to make room and simplify and, to put it bluntly, get rid of stuff. So, if you're in the market for some good craft loot, check out my shop here.
Miss Gillian all dressed up in one of my old outfits. So adorable!!
Yep. I've been on one. A long one. But now....I'm back! :)
I posted this picture because no kidding I haven't taken any meaningful "look at what we've been up to pictures" at all. Sad yes. But refreshing? Definitely. Not being "forced" into creativity has really expanded me creatively. I've been so inspired lately!! And that's definitely a good thing. Anyway, back to the pic...(Begin Commercial) I have got to get rid of some cute cuteness and wonderful wonderfulness that is filling up every nook and cranny of my office, work area (and brain.) So...This and That Bags are making an appearance over at Annie and Olive. 
Felt pins galore, polymer clay transfer beads, metal doolies, stickers, ribbons, felt beads, and other fun goodness that is cluttering up my space. Want one? Get it here. I'll be posting a ton of these over the next few weeks (along with some other pretties) so keep checking to get YOUR This and That Bag. (End Commercial)
Annie is ONE. One I tell you. Caaraazaay! I can't believe it. I can't believe it'll be MAY the day after tomorrow...didn't I just go Christmas shopping? Oh wait...did I miss February? Huh? What's going on!? Colin has lost six teeth in the past four months? He's almost a second grader? Wait! 
Benjamin will be FOUR in June? In one month? No way!! I just had a party...I have to get him something he'll love...what does a four year old boy love? (Trains, his brother, Word World, peanut butter sandwiches "with honey on it", writing the letter "B", getting Gillian up from her nap (urgh), yogurt, The Sweet Smell of Christmas book).....
Notice anything? Hear anything? My rockin' playlist. I must give thanks for XM Radio and its ability to introduce me to new music. I am lovin' Vampire Weekend (I could listen to this album non-stop over and over) Paolo Nutini (always loved the name Paolo), Arcade Fire (though they've been on my radar for awhile), the new Jack just came out a couple of months ago.
Aaah for new music and open eyes and birthdays and Spring and lost teeth and peanut butter handprints and runny noses and little girls bouncing and pretty felt and going to the "garden store" and fresh earth and the robin's nest outside our kitchen window and pretty packages and things in the mail and good coffee and good, long breaks. :)
It's been one year! I can't believe it and yet, I can. We've had the most wonderful 365 days. We had a party on Saturday and had friends and family over....spent all week cleaning and organizing and pink'ifying the house. :) The yard still can't decide if it's Winter, Spring or Summer and today starts a new week and a new year.
I know I haven't been here as much lately. Life has gotten busy with baseball and cub scouts and gymnastics and church and trying to fit in a nap here and there! Annie boo is as sweet and girly as ever - delighting us with her everyday antics and "ba ba goo gee dada bo bo bee too ta tee ma ma mae meme" chatter. She'll be walking anyday and I've got the camera charged and ready. Only six more weeks of school. Hooray!! Trying to figure out summer plans and house improvements and all the while living each day.
From this:
is a beautiful day in Texas. The sky is blue. The birds are chirping in the garden. Daffodils are beginning to peak up from the cold, hard ground, hoping indeed that the frost is almost over, that the grass will green, the sun will shine warm and the bitterness of winter is past. Two of my most favorite quotes about hope:
"Hope is the thing that perches in the soul and sings the tunes without the words and never stops at all." ~Emily Dickinson
and
"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come." ~Song of Songs 2:11-12
Or Leap! for Leap day! ;)
I voted yesterday. What an empowering thing. I was happy all day long and couldn't help do a little "I just voted" victory dance while walking back to the car. I've been fascinated with the political scene as of late and it's exciting for us here in Texas to have such a chance at history.
Kids good. Baby crawling. Waving "hi" and "bye." Bright sunshine outside. 77 degrees tomorrow. Birds hopping in the bushes. Benjamin sleeping. Friday. The best day.
If you live in Texas, today is the last day to vote early. There is also a caucus on Tuesday. Get out the vote, people!!
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