Mat Kearney

Don't forget to download Mat Kearney's May release for your 4th of July festivities this weekend.
You've heard Closer to Love , but the rest is great too.
Trust me.
I'm not trying to tell you what to do...
oh, who am I kidding, yes I am. Pin It

marbled paper

(Click collage to enlarge)

Make some marbled cardstock art! (idea courtesy of Family Fun)
Need:shaving cream, cookie sheet with rim, food coloring, craft sticks or toothpicks, cardstock, squeegee, paper towels

Step 1: make 1/2 in layer of shaving cream on sheet, smooth with squeegee
Step 2: dot cream with food coloring
Step 3: swirl with craft stick to marble
Step 4: lay a sheet of card stock on top of the cream and press lightly
Step 5: peel off the paper and use the squeegee to remove the excess shaving cream
Step 6: set the paper aside to dry

Step 7: Play in copious amounts of shaving cream!
(lessons learned: like many crafts with toddlers, this one is more about the messy fun to be had. hence, we're outside.
secondly, "less is more" when it comes to food coloring for best marbled paper result; "less is more" isn't a toddler-friendly notion) Pin It

Digital Scrapbooking

 

There are plenty of options for digital scrapbooking. Don't be afraid! It's SUPER fun & may actually mean that you aren't avoiding that pile of photos, papers & decals that has been stacking up since 2 summers ago & you'll have a fabulous time capsule for years to come.

This is a sampling of some layouts from this site in the HWTM line. Sign up, choose your layouts, drag & drop your photos from your computer & customize your text. Voila!
(They are 12x12 and fit into most scrapbooks. $5.50 a sheet)

Adorable, customizable, simple.

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Essure?

Speaking of contentment, if you read the fine print atop our announcement for Lilah Sophia's birth, you know that with 2 kids, we feel complete as a family. Except for the occasional rush of longing to experience those unmatched days when a new baby is expected and arrives, I haven't changed my mind.

Dan in Real Life gets me imagining how neat it would be to have a bunch of your kids all grown-up with their own families gathered in our (as-yet-purchased) cozy vacation home in New England.

Neither are good reasons to add to our family.

While I still have hope that Dan will decide to gift me with having a vasectomy, I am wondering about this new permanent birth control. Essure.
Heard of it? Non-invasive, no incision, no anesthesia, no recovery & no wondering-after the follow-up test for confirmation. Most insurances are even covering it. Hmm...

What do you think?
(Besides, this girl is going to get pregnant now that she posted this!) Pin It

Comparison is lethal to contentment

Just finished reading...

A well-timed, aptly-titled article in July's VOGUE.

Reality Check written by Maggie McGuane has inspired me.



Newly divorced, mother of 2 exposes her trials of going from riches to rags. Not a sob story, by any stretch. Instead, a tale of decifering needs from wants and getting creative in order to provide for herself & her family.



Some highlights:

"I was weighted down by my oppressive sense of entitlement.

My expectations brought chronic disappointment. Clearly, I needed to appraise them."



"I needed to learn how to "make do," a concept so entirely out of fashion that the phrase connotes English war brides or repressed 1950s housewives....There was a house to make into a home...the task of creating a life going forward that was just as rich and full as it had been when money was more plentiful".



"Luxuries I once deemed necessities, from organic baby greens to face lotion from the depths of the ocean, were placed back in the category where they belonged.

I was forced to admit that though I wanted some things very much, I was not entitled to them."



"I turned the thermostat down, way down-there's a photo of our last family Thanksgiving in which we're all wearing our coats at the dinner table. I stocked the Deepfreeze...so we weren't tempted by an empty fridge to eat out."



"I still crave beautiful things; I just wait a little longer to get them."



"Comparison is lethal to contentment..."



Golly, was this a reality check for me. What I think I'm entitled to-either because we have the money in the bank to pay for it or because plenty of people have them-therefore I'm not being unreasonable and what I actually need get muddled.



I 110% believe that "comparison is lethal to contentment."

From your own body image to your material possessions, your vacations to your achievements, you name it-it applies.







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Is 43:1-4, 10 & 11

I love my You Version iPhone app for a few reasons.
One, being the daily scripture reading.

Had to share today's with you.
It's just one of the BEST promises for us, BEST insights into the character of our God;
if this doesn't get you through, I don't know what will!

Isaiah 43:1-4, 10 & 11 (The Message)

"1 But now, God’s Message,
the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
the One who got you started, Israel:

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
I’ve called your name. You’re mine.

2 When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
it won’t be a dead end—

3 Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:

4 That’s how much you mean to me!
That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
trade the creation just for you.

10 “But you are my witnesses.” God’s Decree.
“You’re my handpicked servant
So that you’ll come to know and trust me,
understand both that I am and who I am.

Previous to me there was no such thing as a god,
nor will there be after me.

11 I, yes I, am God.
I’m the only Savior there is."

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proud moment

Today, while I was gathering Carter's backpack & lunchbox from the hallway, his teacher leaned out of the classroom doorway & said,
"Carter is good."
"Yeah? Wow. You just never know how they act when you aren't around."
"Oh yeah. If I had a classroom full of Carters, I'd be A OK!"

Beaming mommy, looks down at perplexed son more Carters?

In the parking lot, "mommy, why miss susan say class of carters?"
I explained.
He got it with a big smile & gleaming eyes.

Talk about timing. It seems every day lately I am on him about making bad choices-namely endangering or hurting his sister. Trying to encourage him to make good choices. I've been struggling with explaining why some kids do what we teach him not to do, and some kids watch what we say he cannot, etc. We've battled over whining, we've battled over disobedience, you name it. It's a boundary-pushing/discovering age, what can I say?

Today was a gift straight from God for mommy & Carter both. He's a good boy, who makes good choices-when he decides to! And I'm trying to do the same in mothering him. The goal: for him to make good choices when we're not around...for the rest of his life. He's doing it! What we're doing is working! Hooray!

Not to get all John-Mayer on you, but imagine if his teacher hadn't gone with the urge to say such a thing, unprompted?
No perfect timed gift.
Say what you need to say!

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makes me want to move to Seattle

Too bad I live in a semi-arid climate.

This makes me want to move to Seattle.click on image for buying information

Yes, that's why I can't spend $100+ on this umbrella.
Not enough rain here. Yes. That's it.

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Lilah Sophia 9m

Meet Lilah Sophia.
Largely upstaged by her brother on the blog-front.

9 months today.
22 lbs, 29 in.
2 (hard-won) teeth.

Currently a big fan of:
new-found independence,
climbing up the fireplace screen,
diving off of the changing table,
standing on the bouncy seat,
clapping,
carrots & pears,
biter biscuits,
her daddy

.

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Really simple, really yummy ice cream pie

Mint Ice Cream Pie...yum!

A hit at this weekend's get together with friends.Such a hit that I didn't get a photo before it disappeared into crumbs & melted ice cream drops. This photo is from July 2009 issue of Real Simple, where I got the (really simple) recipe.

4c rice krispies
8oz semi-sweet bakers chocolate, melted
mix together & press into bottom & sides of springform pan. Freeze 10min.
Fill crust with 1/2 gallon softened mint chip (or your choice) ice cream. Freeze @least 2 hrs, up to 3 days

May I just mention that this issue is a winner.
Pick it up for yourself.

Loved the idea to re-purpose a colander: set on top of a bowl & fill with ice for your summer gatherings.
Voila! Guests get all ice, no water in their drinks.

Loved the 20 min summer meal recipes
(download shopping list online),

Road tested moisturizers with SPF,
one bright color summer make-up ideas,
Inspiring backyard illumination ideas, and much more.

Thin enough to set in your beach bag, flight carry-on, without being a waste of the $5 cover price

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There's something about...Zumba

Zumba is a hit worldwide!
And right here in my little city in Texas is no exception.
Men, women, old, and young alike are drawn.
Started in 2001 by a Miami dancer, it's exhilarating, provacative,and best of all: effective.

I did a class this morning.
Sweating profusely, wishing I had my sister Tara's ability to shake what the good Lord gave her, my mind was racing.

For one, the two middle aged women in front of me are all made up!
Now, here in Texas it's not uncommon for a lady to get showered, hair coiffed, and make-up done before they head to the gym-not kidding.
These two have gone as far as jewelery. I look down to check for heels. No.

Hey-that's not a bad idea, though. I mean how much better do you feel and look in heels?
Imagine what that would do for your legs?!

Getting "low, low, low, low" My Lord, this is provacative!

My mom & her sisters do this?!
I have got to see that when I'm there in Oct.
I think I missed a few steps picturing them.

I'm praying "Dear God, don't let any one I know be in the cardio room beyond that glass wall behind us."I realize I've been copying the moves of the young moms in the front row that have for just this one hour been transported back to nightlife and hot dates from diapers and playdates.

Yeah, well I don't have a club-hopping past to draw from. Truth be told, my moves are a combination of what I've learned from aerobics classes like this & watching New Kids...oh and my sister, Tara!

Here's a pretty good introduction to Zumba, if you have yet to give it a try.
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letter art

I love letter wall art for baby/kids rooms. It's everywhere these days.

Here's the one I made for Lilah's nursery on canvasHere are a couple prints from Lucky Paperie @ Etsy

And of course there's Oopsy Daisy's great selectionI love everything from Jill McDonald (above)

Land of Nod has some great Alphabet cards that can be framed or put up as a border.

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cookie monster cupcakes

Isn't this ADORABLE!
Too fun not to share with you.

Make it for your kiddos' next party, or just make it for yourself!

Here's how. Pin It

oh, the things they say

So, Carter has a picking thing. He's 3. He picks in nasty places. It's disgusting.
We have dealt with it for nearly a year now; tried EVERYTHING to get him to stop.

He's been having a particularly rough time resisting these days.

One night he made a BIG mess in the bathroom as a result of his picking.
Dr.Dan discovered it.
HORRIFIED! FED UP!
This was not good for Carter.

Dr Dan said

"Carter, if you do this ONE MORE TIME,
I'm going to tell ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!
And they will laugh and make fun of you & say
'Carter picks his booty/Carter picks his booty'"

His lips started quivering & down came the tears, "no, Daddy!"

By the time I used the last of the Lysol wipes and the bathroom was sanitary again, Carter had collected himself and made up with daddy.

Sitting on Dr Dan's lap, Carter said

"Daddy, I'm going to tell all of my friends you pick your nose!"

Laughed 'til we cried!

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Sure glad I held her when she would stay still

Boy, am I glad I held her while she slept, swaddled & still even when the world around her was loud & lively. When Carter was born, I neither could nor would. Most of his fresh days, were my closest-to-death-days-very sick & in pain. When I became able, I resisted because the book said to put him down awake to allow him to self-soothe to sleep.

It seems like we were just rejoicing over her arrival & my very textbook c-section & recovery. 8 months have seriously swiftly passed.

I'm very glad I held her in those early days, before she developed any habit too hard to break. Now she practically dives out of my arms into her crib when we've completed our bedtime routine. And when I went in to get her from her nap this week I found... Pin It

Lilah & Carter taking a roll on the bed in our hotel room at a Hill Country resort after a pleasant drive to San Antonio.

Lilah was happy to be set free from the car seat & Carter was letting her express her new freedom how she pleased, because the hours of splashing in the pools downstairs were ample distraction!

More on our vacation to come...
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Up & Up

Thumbs up for the redesign of Target's baby brand-Up & Up!
My will-buy-generic list is quite short.
For the most part-and trust me, I know the scheme-it has to do with the packaging.
When it comes to baby supplies, the list is even shorter.
It's not worth the less nutritious or less leak-proof to me.

So far we've been a month on Up & Up sensitive formula & baby wipes.
Thank you, Target for making the experience of buying generic so pleasing to the eye.
(of course, getting nearly the same product for 50% less is great too.)

And, whoever made the deal with DwellStudio to sell their chic & affordable line at Target,
YOU ROCK!

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Sundays at Tiffany's

Just finished listening to...
Sundays at Tiffany's

Dan & I enjoyed deciding who we thought should be cast for the movie version, should they make a screen adaptation in the near future.

With a baby & a toddler in tow for a 5 hour drive on a bright sunny day, each chapter was a gift!
Are they really occupied? Are we really getting to listen to this?

A good read. Believable somehow.




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