Brothers

Seattle Ferry Boat Rides

Lazarus 2012

Elijah 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

From: My Fightin' Irish Football Guys!

{Thanks mom and dad for the Notre Dame football garb!}

I have a feeling that football in the back yard is the only thing I will be participating in today. That and eating way too many mint Hershey kisses!

Friday Featured Etsy Shops - Jewelry That Says Something

Sometimes, you just need to say a little something without opening your mouth. These are super cute ways to wear what you want to say.

This necklace is a way to say "i love you" to that special someone. Last month, that special someone was my lil' sis, Abby. She swooped in, nursed me back to health (post op) and gave Dan a much needed break. Ever since I was a hot box girl in my high school Guys and Dolls production, we've used this song to communicate love to each other. It was the perfect "thank you" gift for Abby.

Bushel & a Peck Necklace 

These colorful gems are just plain fun. Your personalized necklace says "YO, my name starts with a 'B' but you're gonna have to ask if you want to know the other letters." You could also wear the initial to honor someone else that you love or have lost.

Hand Embroidered Initial Necklaces  

The perfect mother's day gift. This one says "Awe, I have 6 children, all of whom have at one point been given the nick name "little pea". I am so proud to be their mother!"

 

Peas in a Pod Initials Necklace

I'd wear this one for my dad: "Happy Birthday!! Wish I could be in Nashvegas with you today!! We would eat Thai food or sushi, go thrifting, spend WAY too much time browsing through old records and making fun of people who listen to bad music, maybe hit up a guitar store and definitely get ice cream. Love you!!"

I Heart Tennessee Necklace 

What I Wore (Thrifted!)

I am so in love with this blouse! It's a little roomy, but that's fine with me. Perfect for a thin little belt or for tucking! I've had my eye on it for a while and decided "Hey, almost everything I own is from a thrift store...it's ok to buy something new every once in a while, right?". Needless to say, I talked myself into it :)

From Head to Toe:

Bird Blouse : Old Navy, $20.00; thanks to a gift card and ON sale, i actually bought something from a real store :) 

Belt : Forever21, $1.50

Jeans : Family Thrift, $4.00; Brand: DKNY

Bag : Goodwill Outlet, $1.50; Brand unkown

Shoes : Goodwill Outlet, $1; Brand: Jessica Simpson (ha!)

Total Outfit Cost: $28.00

I'd like to thank the rest of my outfit for being so incredibly cheap. Shoes, belt, jeans and bag - this WIWW outfit would not have been possible without you ;)

For my hair, I tried a braided bun. So fun and easy. No. Really, I mean it. It's easy!! I did my hair while singing "Jesus Loves Me" AND yelling at Lazzy to stop playing with the toilet lid.

If I can do it, you can, too!

{hair tutorial}

Linking up with:

Bloopers - Catching Up

I found some old bloopers from last year and just couldn't let them go without sharing them!

Raising Two Different People

I've seen many similarities in my boys over the last 18 months, but as Lazzy grows into a boy, the difference are beginning to come out especially when it comes to temperament.

Elijah is super chill and easy going but that boy is emotional. However, he is also practical which helps him to obey rather quickly.

Lazarus is chill when in the presence of his blanket, but is actually quite active. He has a super short fuse which makes it almost impossible for him to obey the first time. Thankfully, he gets over things quickly.

As you will see below, both boys have been asked to put something away. It takes Elijah 1 fit and 16 seconds to obey his mama. (a very serious and dramatic 16 seconds)

{Elijah is 21 months old in this video}

It takes Lazzy 3 fits and 2 minutes 28 seconds to obey. Oh, and lots of laughing...what a little rascal!

{Lazzy is 18 months old here}


Before my boys, I never thought that my children's personalities would be a challenge when it came to parenting. Of course I knew I would have to deal with defiance and I felt ready for that, but living with a toddler introvert, now that never crossed my mind. In our marriage, Dan and I constantly deal with differences in the ways we think and communicate. I'm now doing this with my kids, except I'm the only one willing and able to be understanding. At least in this stage of life, loving them is so so hard. Maybe it gets easier the more you get to know them.

Lord give me patience to learn how to discipline these ones with strength, love and a great sense of humor!

Friday Featured Etsy Shop - Quilting!

Babies, babies, babies! Being a doula and in the "baby phase" of life myself, I can't help but waste time browsing handmade quilts on Etsy. Even without the baby factor, quilts have always been a weakness for me. Quilts can be the glue that brings a room together, especially a room being shared by both genders. Here are some of my current favorite quilts on Etsy.

I love the design of this one. I can only imagine the hours of work that were put into making this quilt!

{source}

Red and teal. So fresh!

{source}

Sweet. Girly. Modern.

{source}

Gray, yellow and teal...what's not to love!?!

{source}

Orange Peel creates the most beautiful baby quilts. They are so bright and modern, yet pretty affordable.

{source}

{source}

{source}

Have any of y'all ever used a quilt as the starting point for decorating a room or nursery?

What I Wore {Thrifted}

Two pregnancies in 3 years has taught me to embrace my new mommy body and get over it already. As Elijah likes to say "mama, you're soft so that your hugs can be soft and not hurt me!". So sweet. 

Thanks Eli.

A post baby body is definitely something to adjust to, but a post surgery body is just horrible. There's no baby to show for my new post surgery belly! I haven't exercised or worn jeans in over a month. I've learned that the key is to wear high waist-ed clothing, including tights and leggings. I spend every moment I can in my pj's, but if I'm leaving the house (ahem - no public pj appearances for me), only a skirt or dress will do. I'm hoping my body gets back to normal soon. Either that or perhaps spring will come tomorrow so I can break out my maxi dresses. For now, I'm rockin' my favorite thrifted skirt (as seen in this outfit).

Wow, it's great to be in real clothes again!

I love love love my new glasses. I've needed new specs for almost 6 months, but it takes time to commit. I wear glasses every day so it's important to me that they completely match who I am.

Not too distracting but with a little bit of flair. I just love them! 

 (purchased these for $30 on coastal.com. at the time, they had a deal for new customers : first pair is free! i only had to pay for shipping and the extra coatings on my lenses!)

Blouse and necklace up close:

From Head to Toe:

Polka Dot Blouse : Clothing Swap, $0.00; Brand: Forever21

Skirt : Family Thrift, $4.00; Brand: Merona

Tights : Christmas Stocking gift, $0.00; Brand: Mossimo

Shoes : Covenant Seminary Free Store, $0.00; Brand: Mudd

Necklace : City Thistle!!

 

Total Outfit Cost: $4.00!!!!!!!!

This outfit came together with very little thrifting. I've only been a part of a few clothing swaps, but I always walk away with cute stuff. Remember the lace blouse y'all loved? I got that and the polka dot blouse together at the same clothing swap. Seriously, if you're just getting bored of what you have in your closet, host a clothing swap with friends. You'll have a blast and it's a FREE way to fulfill your desire to shop! 

I know not all of you have access to a free store, but if you do, don't be embarrassed to check it out. Wait, did you say a FREE store? What's that?!

Our seminary has a free store on campus where families drop off unwanted items like books, toys, music, bed sheets, curtains, and clothing for the entire family. I'm on campus every Wednesday and often pop in to check it out. I've brought home books and clothing for the boys but scored the brown Mary Janes for myself last week. So fun!

Be creative, re-use, re-purpose, host a swap party and you might be coming up with your own $4 outfits!

 

Brothers

Fat toddlers in snow suits make me happy :)

Happy Monday!

The Next Time I Want to Complain....

...I will remember all the hard working women in Malawi. These women seriously have something to complain about. 

 

 

Instead, they just smile, teaching me to live each day as it is given to me, with thankfulness.

(pics taken in Zomba and Mataplia Village in Malawi)