Just me My Soldier and our 4 little chicks

curious

photo of cupcakes from back in the day bakery- these have nothing to do with the post but i do NOT like photo-less posts. haha!

i'm curious. i'm curious who reads this blog. what type of person.

are you a paper crafter? do you craft at all? are you a mom? are you a woman? where do you live? why do you read this blog?

i'm very curious.

oh, i know...i know...we blog for US and no one else.

well goodness,that's true in some ways i suppose...but why would i have a public blog if that was 110% true?

i also enjoy the community and quite frankly (when j is gone as much as he is) companionship this blog creates.

i notice that on the giveaways lots of you come out.

i notice that now and then i'll get a comment from someone saying they've read for years but never comment.

there are many of you (jennifer,tara,shannon) that always comment.♡

lots of times i hear that you want to comment but feel like i'd never read it. i have read every single comment on every single post over the years. and responded to any question. of course i read them. why have comments if i don't read them?:) :)

sometimes posts on layouts (those posts take forever to write but i love sharing layouts and think that you probably like to see links for the products) but get the fewest comments.

and before i get a snarky comment...i don't base my self worth on comments or praise. but i think about all of you when i blog.

back when i first started blogging i was very different. i look back and gosh, i complained a lot more. gosh, i was more dependant on comments than i should have been. ew. old blog me kind of annoys me. but it's a learning curve i think...wouldn't you say?

it's funny. i see lots of message board posts saying that blogs should be for scrapbook layouts and that people want more layouts. but i swear those posts are the ones i don't think anyone is interested in on my blog!

why am i asking this? why do i care?

well, first of all, i'm curious. and second, i'm working on some fun posts for february...and i'm debating what i should include.

the emotional posts are worth the work b/c they are my therapy.HA!

but i'm not sure about the craft posts. i think this blog a personal blog,mom blog,army wife blog,home decor blog,but is it a craft blog anymore? hmm. deeeeeeeeeeep thoughts. HA!

so i'm asking.

who are you? why do you read? what makes you tick?

and also i want to say thank you. thank you for reading. thank you for being so encouraging. and thank you for being you!

i hope you all have a beautiful and blessed tuesday!

xoxo

 

that's my family.

as this week began,we said goodbye to j, he had a short business trip to make.

it never ceases to amaze me that whether he's gone a year or a week, the girls miss him so much.

saying goodbye (she asked him if he was going to afghanistan with this look on her face...it broke my heart):

and it never ceases to amaze me how much j loves his girls. here's a text he sent for bedtime:

 

and most of all, it never ceases to amaze me how EXCITED the girls get to welcome him home. they had MAJOR ants in their pants at the airport:

we haven't gotten to spend much time together lately at all...and we are starting to feel the effects. so friday afternoon we met up at forsyth park for some quality time.

and if you've ever wondered how to spot us as a family, just look for this (note the humor and slight?? panic on my face):

or this:

or look for sadie, who is just a little bit crazy:

and look for jimmy rolling his eyes as harper,sadie, and i do things like this:

can you tell we are all REALLY good at amusing ourselves???

all lucy wanted to do was swing...

you know what i love about my family? how much we laugh and how much fun we have together. we aren't perfect, but we laugh a LOT and really HARD. it's the best.

and one more shot i caught...if you ever happen to see this parade of girls with a handsome man caught in the middle(and loving every moment of it)? yep.

that's my family.

happy, happy monday.

hope it's beautiful and blessed.

xxo

s

 

no brainer wardrobe and field guide class winners!

no brainer wardbrobe e-book winners:

1. 106  Katrina said...

I would love a copy of this book!

Reply January 24, 2012 at 12:59 PM

 

2. 29 Jennifer Holowaty said...

Loved her online series - it changed the way I dress too! Would love to go deeper with her book - thanks for the chance!

Reply January 24, 2012 at 07:41 AM

 

3.

128 Heather R said...

i so need this!!

Reply January 24, 2012 at 04:33 PM

 

field guide BPC winner:

166 Ros Davidson said...

This class looks amazing. No funds left in the budget at this time of year here, the kids start school and all of those extra supplies along with car registration is leaving me broke and suffering from the school holiday craziness!

Reply January 19, 2012 at 05:13 PM

daydream believer

the february kit is here!

and it's the first time in a long time that it has felt 100% "me".

it was a joy to work with.

my shopping list:

daydream believer

clarksville

lady lane

pleasant valley

stepping stone

more color

dear lizzy chipboard shapes (all dear lizzy is sold out at sc i think :( )

dear lizzy sticker book

jenni bowlin jester punch

teal damask chalk ink

coltfoot stemens chalk ink

mister huey's in sunshine

mister huey's in cameo

mister huey's in dewey

(the three mists above match the dear lizzy neapolitan line PERFECTLY)

 

always pink

this one took me like six hours. HA!

i painted the jillibean cardboard alphabet with teal paint. the size and font is great, but i didn't like the brown color.

these alphas are very easy to paint!

yes, that's stitching. crooked, but stitching no less. pretty proud of myself!

i added a few of the dear lizzy chipboard shapes and stickers here...this layout is almost all pleasant valley.

 

life is sweet

(8 1/2x 11)

this one was made using the main kit only. i'm in love with the exclusives in this kit. and also? i'm obsessed with the butterflies. i need MORE MORE MORE!!

i used the jbs jester punch a bunch this month. you can see it here under the butterfly.

the large scallop punch along the bottom is by ek success.

 

not so much

i am loving the alpha set from stepping stone. the title was stamped using teal damask and coltfoot stemens.

i used the jbs jester punch again on the bottom of the yellow/white striped paper.

and as you'll see, i really enjoyed using the MME kraft garland from Lady Lane. such a sweet accent.

 

pure magic

mist overload alert! i used cameo,sunshine,and dewey on the pink paislee mistable trim.

i'm also mildly obsessed with the pebbles sequins in clarksville. and MAJORLY obsessed with all things dear lizzy neapolitan. especially the mason jars.

used the chipboard accents here, too.

 

she

more dear lizzy, sequins, mason jars, tulle trim and more of the kraft garland...gosh this month was just perfect for me. and VERY easy to create with! SO happy to see elle's studio in the main kit, too.

the epoxy (exclusive) dear lizzy accents from daydream believer are all gone. i used every last one of them. :)

i stamped the title with teal damask chalk.

yes, i sewed, misted, AND stamped this month. i'm taking my resolution (to be more thoughtful in my scrapbooking) VERY seriously. :)

if you have any questions, please ask in the comments and i will answer them right away!

xoxo

s

 

rainbow

i'm in the midst of planning a rainbow birthday party for miss sadie. a party that she's shown more interest and excitement about than i could have ever imagined.

and so the layout below was born. :)

are you guys going to be around this weekend and the beginning part of next week??? i sure am...no CHA for me. boooo!

if you are missing out as well- stop by studio calico where we will be hosting a series of challenges and chats!

the layout below was created for my challenge. can you guess what it might be? HINT: it will NOT be surprising that i chose this challenge. it is very me. :)

note: on the layout i used the amy tangerine remarks sticker book (no longer available) and the new dear lizzy sticker book (not available this morning, but will be available at NOON EST HERE!!!!).

hope your day is beautiful and bright. i'll be back at midnight with my daydream believer layouts.

xoxo

s

p.s. i know i owe you guys a winner for may flaum's BPC class. i'll be back soon with that info!

 

InLinkz.com

 

sometimes i can't believe that they are MINE.

don't get me wrong, sometimes i pretend they are NOT mine. like when we are at the store and the babies are screeching and trying to pull things off of the shelves, and sadie and harper are fighting about thestupidestthingever like...oh, i don't know...WHO LOOKS MORE LIKE A DISNEY PRINCESS????

 

oh yes, at moments like that in the produce section at publix-i stare off into the distance and make a face like who ARE these children and who do they belong to?

 

or when we are home and they have annihilated the entire house? despite the fact that i worked on it for six hours that day? and the babies have gotten into an entire box of yogurt cheerios, dumped it over on the floor, and are shoveling handfuls in their mouths while yelling UH OHHHHHH. and i have ONLY gone to the restroom for 10 seconds and HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE???? AND WHY IS SADIE JUMPING IN THE CHEERIO PILE????

 

at moments like that i can't believe they are mine. and i verrrrry slowly creep back into the bathroom, close the door with a quiet click, and scream ""who aaaaaaaaaaare these CHILDREN????"!

and while i'm in the bathroom i look in the mirror. i look at my frizzy hair and the circles under my eyes. and i think...what happened to the put together witty girl? the one that could make anyone laugh? the one that wore makeup and could talk about things other than her children? what happened to her? and IS THAT A CHEERIO IN MY HAIR? WHO ARE YOU?

 

 yes, there are plenty of moments like those. plenty of moments where i want to RESIGN from this job. i do NOT want to be the resident cook, booger wiper, diaper changer, tear dryer, fear slayer, toy picker upper, laundry and dish washer for ONE MORE MOMENT. no one ever notices the work i do, everyone only thinks about themselves,i never get taken care of,i am TIRED.

 

see that? that's how i feel some days. yes, i just typed that out. yes, i just admitted that.

sorry...i ain't perfect.

 

especially when jimmy has been gone for days and days and days...and when he IS here-he's not really,you see. up before dawn and home after bedtime for the girls.

 

sometimes i think i can't (WON'T?) take it for

 

one

more

moment.

 

and usually i have to pray. and sometimes i have to cry. and more than likely these moments involve a glass of wine.

 

and before i know it it's better. and of course I DO IT. and i don't QUIT. because that just isn't an option is it?

 

 

and then there's THESE moments...looking at these photos makes me feel like my heart is going to explode. looking at these photos fills me with awe that they belong to ME. us. how are we so blessed?

 

i love these girls so much. i love their tiny hands and feet, their crocodile tears. i love who they are becoming, the plans the Lord has for them.

 

i love their defiance (SADIE), their sensitivity (HARPER), their snuggliness (LUCY) and their independence (CATE).

 

i love them even when they have driven me to the brink of insanity. i love them even when they disappoint me. i love them every moment of every day...even in the absolute WORST moments.

even when i am thinking WHO ARE THESE MANIACS? i love them.

i mean, just look at them! thank you carrie for capturing them (and who they are ) so beautifully!

 

and so today begins. wishing YOUR day is full of happiness,hugs,and laughter. and if it's more of a screaming,fighting,I'MLOSINGMYMINDDAY...think of me when you're hiding in the bathroom, won't you? we'll share a virtual "cheers".

xoxo

s

 

 

giveaway tuesday- the no brainer wardrobe!

I read this book on my iPad in one sitting. True story. That's a big deal these days. I loved every bit of it.

And I'm now on a mission. A mission to make my own "time capsule wardrobe".

Hayley thought of everything in this book. From Pinterest suggestions, to thrifting tips...from body type advice to organizational knowledge.

There are photos and links...diagrams and illustrations. And all of these things work together perfectly.

This is exactly the book I needed to read. I've been feeling overwhelmed by my closet and I'm ready to change that.

 

It's called The No Brainer Wardrobe. Here's what it's about and below is a little info about the precious author.

♡♡♡♡♡

Hayley has a house full of boys. It’s probably because of that very reason she likes to look cute and feminine. However, equally important, her routine must be simple and accommodating to her life as a mom of three little men. 

Because of her desires and her constraints, she has developed a way of living that maximizes her time and energy for passion and ruthlessly eliminates unwanted fuss. 

The No Brainer Wardrobe was born out of a desire to share with other women the way she approaches her wardrobe and getting dressed in the morning.

Follow along and engage at Tiny Twig Goes Out on a Limb, her blog which inspires women to create lives with more passion and less fuss. You can also catch her daily tweets, about creativity, life management, motherhood, and faith at @thetinytwig.

♡♡♡♡♡

Now the fun part. Would you like to win a digital copy of The No Brainer Wardrobe? Leave a comment here and I will select THREE WINNERS this weekend.

and if you'd like to go visit miss hayley and say hi, here are her links.

twitter

fb

blog

book website

thanks for your generosity to hayley and good luck to all of you!

xoxo

s

sunday winners,photos,and links

isn't this picture sweet? thanks to my friend jill for snapping it for us. a group of talented ladies photographed me+my girls last weekend. i was feeling yucky thanks to lack of rest and steroids+a sinus infection, but i'm glad they convinced me to jump into a photo.

now i have an official photo of me and my four little chicks!

oh, and i gave my blog a little makeover last week. do you like it? i love it! i'm no designer, but there's no way jose that a professional design is in the cards. so i have fun playing with it myself.

♡♡♡

first things first, here are two winners from last week:

dear lizzy giveaway:

144 Keshet Starr said... Looks beautiful! Reply January 16, 2012 at 12:15 PM

stretch your kit class giveaway:

18 eliseg said...  I would love to win a spot in the class! I thought that sneak was yours as soon as I saw it in the slideshow! :) Really looking forward to the full reveal!

Reply January 14, 2012 at 07:50 PM

♡♡♡

next, i wanted to share this link with you. please go read and give if your heart desires. this story made my heart happy.

BRING ASLAN HOME

♡♡♡

Here's a fun idea for project life:

mount a small paper bag on a journaling card (i got my bags at michael's). decorate the bag (doilies and label from martha stewart) and tuck a small photostrip inside!

♡♡♡

that's it for today. we will be taking it VERY easy. i had four pretty girls with an ugly stomach bug this weekend. :(

pajamas,movies,and scrapbooking are in the cards today.

have a beautiful sunday!

p.s.- my favorite labels are officially back! shop and buy HERE!

somewhere over the rainbow

is a little girl who is VERY serious about singing this song.

she sings it all day and all night and even though sometimes it drives me a tad NUTS it also makes me laugh. she's SO stinkin' earnest about it.

here's a post-dinner performance from last week.

note: if kids who sing the same thing over and over are annoying to you, then don't watch the video. don't say i didn't warn you. :)

 

happy friday!

xxo

somewhere over the rainbow from stephanie howell on Vimeo.

are they twins????

you hear a lot...a LOT of things when you have twins.

a lot of really kind and encouraging things...and a lot of WEIRD and not so kind things.

actually, i don't know if it's the twin thing

or the "four girls five and under" thing...but i hear MANY things when we are out and about.

but by far my favorite (and the most baffling i think) is

"are they twins???"

sometimes this is totally understandable as it's coming from people that i can tell are pretty sure they ARE twins, but don't want to assume. i remember feeling this way before i had kids, as i knew NOTHING about babies and their ages and would just ask "how old are they?".

totally understandable.

but what really makes me giggle is when i hear "are they twins?"

from someone who has children. and it's even funnier when they look SO SURPRISED when i smile and say yes.

at the store from a nice lady in the dairy section. "how old are they?"

me: "they turned one on thanksgiving!"

her: "WHAT??? both turned one? are they TWINS???"

me: "uhhhhh yes?"

i know that lucy is the chunk of the pair and i know that they don't look identical (though some people who don't see them everyday think they do).

but they are about the same size, and look SO MUCH alike.

what else could they be?

sometimes i want to say something like

"oh no, this one is 3 months older!! she came out a little bit earlier and her sister hung out in the womb"

or

"this one is 13 months and this one is 14 months, no they aren't twins!!!"

 

but i don't. i smile and answer their questions b/c i love getting stopped. but it's SO funny to me.

 

are they twins?

 

kind of like when i heard "do they all have the same daddy?" and i pointed at cate and said "all except that one!!!" .

or when the guy at urgent care(incredulously) said "are they ALL yours???" and i shrugged and looked confused and said "uhhhh i'm not sure?".

or the lady that said "you know what causes that right?"
and i said "YES! I DO! AND IT'S MY FAVORITE!!!" hahaha!

 

you've got to laugh. or i swear you will cry.

there's no other option! i love being on the go with my girls. we go everywhere, all five of us. target, the mall, the grocery store, you name it we go.

even when i hear "do you run a daycare?"...

and even when we are walking through the grocery store and i hear "your hands are full" for the 12th time (true story). i just grin and say thank you. arent' they GREAT?

or (also a true story) i hold a baby out and say "want one? i have an extra!".HA!

are they twins?

why yes. yes they are.

xoxo