brightsides

our last's first

2012-01-25T20:02:00.000-07:00

five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes

big man on campus, hunk a burnin' love, jack-a-bee, jack tom, jackie, rat & pick are just a few of his nicknames.

he makes us laugh harder than ever.

he sports wings(his hair is much too long for his father's liking right now lol).
he's a flirt!

he definitely has a strong opinion.

he's so close to walking- he just needs man up & do it!

he could probably play in the tub all day.

he's an explorer. he's into everything. he'll make a great scout one day. or sneak out the car at eleven like his daddy did. heaven help me! he better not!

he worships his sisters and follows them around like a little puppy dog.

he says mamma, dadda and hi.

he kinda wants to be entertained all the time.

he can light up the room and drive his mother and father to junk food all in one mouthful.

he has our hearts.

he's turning one this week.

this is our last's first.

...very bittersweet for me.

happy first birthday sweetest baby boy!

brightsides now on facebook

2012-01-21T16:06:00.000-07:00

dearest readers,

brightsides is now on facebook! up until now i've just been posting my blog updates to my personal wall. i figured it was time. now that my etsy shop is up and running, i wanted to post all my latest work, promos, updates, blog posts, etc. here!

please "like" brightsides designs and stay connected!

i hope you will...

it'll be really fun, i promise!

happy saturday!

natural window light

2012-01-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

there's nothing like good lighting when taking pictures! it makes all the difference.

good natural light makes me weak in the knees. it's pure, it's real, it's divine.

one of the lightest, brightest spots in our house happens to be the master bathroom.

between the water, white bathtub and window light, i'm in heaven. their little bare shoulders couldn't be more darling either!

candids + natural light = primo!

Now that we are in the winter season and many of us are stuck inside due to the freezing weather, it is important that we know how to utilize as much available light (indoors) as possible.

Window light is a very beautiful and powerful tool in the world of photography. It can create many types of lighting on your subject ranging from harsh light to soft, diffused, even light. It’s pretty simple and one of my favorite types of lighting – winter or not. Using backlight in a window light situation can create a beautiful dreamlike haze. read more here via i heart faces

happy picture taking!

funny feather glasses

2012-01-20T09:37:00.002-07:00

annie and i had fun modeling these spectacular spectacles and laughing at each other the other day! we found them when pulled out that horrific craft bin of mine.

our cute babysitter halie brought quite the assortment of colorful pipe cleaners, pom-poms and fanciful feathers to make these darling funny glasses with the kids! so fun! so clever!
kids LOVE little projects like this!

i'm crushing on this song big time today. it's so beautiful. i like to listen to it loud. enjoy!

i'm so happy it's friday- like really happy it's friday.

what are you doing this weekend?

we're going to our ward temple night! anyone want to go with us? can't wait!

meet me in the middle

2012-01-18T10:07:00.001-07:00

morning came way too fast and the first thing i woke up to were the words, "are there any darks in the dryer?" aHhHhh! i immediately cringed. "um, no. what are you out of? i swear i just washed them!" "i'm out of workout clothes" my patient husband replies. "they pile up quick" he follows. "i don't get it !!!" i moan, covering my face with my pillow. my head is now spinning and i kinda want to puke. i felt bad. i am failing at my job. sam sensed my bitter frustration as he continued to get ready in the dark. "i'll figure something out... it's okay." "thanks lover" i mumbled. "i'll wash them today."

thanks for meeting me in the middle smeeter. thank you for understanding and loving me even though i can't seem to keep your clothes clean!

so i managed to write the two things i had to do down. that was it. the rest i make up as i go. this is how i roll. i need to change that. this week i MUST come up with a weekly schedule that i follow. if i need to change things around, then so be it. like they say, if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. it's true gosh dang it.

the highlight of my day was meeting my sister linds and her little kiddies at ikea. it felt really good to get out and just meander around with her, look at all the cool stuff, pick things up, contemplate buying them, putting most of it back, and occasionally adding a few things to our carts... we need to do it more! we laughed a lot which is always so therapeutic.

i picked up a few more frames (i kinda have a frame fettish) and some bright pink and orange umbrellas. aren't these fun? they're so cheery! i thought they'd make cute valentine's gifts for the girls. annie's already seen them, but they'll be a surprise for the others. shhhh.

ikea has a new family line. there were backpacks, umbrellas, toiletry bags, and i think small luggage (don't hold me to this, i didn't pay close attention- i was enthralled with the umbrellas) i don't know how it is at your house, but our umbrellas don't seem to last very long. i never spend more than a few bucks on them because they break so easily. maybe that's my problem. do the expensive ones last longer? am i just buying junk?

hahaha. after we got home from shopping, i was totally in the mood to make valentines. so i began digging up all my craft stuff. i don't have much. shelley, do you remember this box of junk (above by the frames) you helped me organize once upon a time? lol. i'm super embarrassed but it's way too funny not to show. shelley came over one day to craft with me. i pulled out this ridiculous bin of random ribbons, flowers, thread, stickers, etc. and the poor girl was probably so disgusted. shelley sat and un-tangled and re-rolled all my ribbon, color coded and sorted my flowers, and cleaned up my big mess! shells, i PROMISE it stayed nice for a while! you were so cute to do that! can you come over again?

well, since we all know my time management stinks, i quickly realized the kids were due home from school any minute and that there was no time for crafting. i frantically put everything away because i knew that they'd all be in to it instead of starting in on their homework. this will have to be a weekend activity.

a small valentine reminder: meet me in the middle --please.

may we all come to understandings, be a little more loving, forgiving and patient with each other. no one's perfect. love conquers all!

happy wednesday!

let us be as quick to kneel as we are to text

2012-01-16T17:59:00.001-07:00

so i've been SUPER ridiculously lame at posting these days. i seriously don't know what my problem is. ever since the new year, i can't seem to get a handle on things. i can't seem to organize my brain. i feel like i'm going minute to minute and can't seem to focus long enough to get my crap together.

maybe i have ADD?!?

it seems like all i've been posting about lately is my etsy stuff. is it gettting old?

well, that's all i've been working on creatively this last month. it's addicting. if i could, i'd spend all day long working on new designs. i will admit that sometimes i do spend too long playing on the computer... and instead of cleaning out the fridge, mopping floors or folding clothes during my free time, i sit and wear out my chair. really, my sea grass office chair is starting to come apart :(

here is my latest:

let us be as quick to kneel as we are to text

and here are all the different versions, paired with some of my other prints i wanted to show you for fun! i think they look pretty cute together :) i just love this quote and i wanted to offer it in a couple of different formats as well as several different color schemes. the first one here is a youth boy version paired with my customizable stripes print. Followed by a youth girl version, and then the horizontal versions in neutral, tangerine, charcoal and greens. visit brightsides designs to see the full collection- there are a bunch more to see :)

this color palette (above) reminds me of that amazing home in the movie something's gotta give with diane keaton. my ultimate dream home for sure!

there ya have it! i hope you like 'em! order some up!

have a great monday night!

two new prints!

2012-01-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

i'm in love with this blue, can ya tell?

so i've made a few changes and added a couple of new prints to my shop! let's think & because i said so

-two simple phrases that seem to be pretty popular amongst the parent folk :)

and due to popular demand, i also added a custom color chart!

most all of the prints are customizable, so you can change up the color to fit your home!

now you get to be all creative and design your own color scheme! here's an example of coordinating three (below)

i'm so excited to see what y'all will come up with :)

check it out!

p.s. stay tuned for a valentine's print or two!

have a great night!

two little hands

2012-01-02T13:47:00.001-07:00

simple and traditional. i created these with a classic look in mind.

i finally took a few pictures of the two little hands boy print framed :) i'm hoping to photograph the girly one soon too. these can be purchased here

and for those of you who read the post i wrote last night, i'm sorry! i really shouldn't write after 10 pm. it felt good to vent a little though!

thankfully today is a better day! thank you for your love!

on to a new year

2012-01-01T23:02:00.000-07:00

hello. i have no pictures for you today. i have no inspiring thoughts or motivating words. today has been a downer for me. usually i am enthusiastic about the start of a new year. i don't remember feeling like the way i do right now on January 1st. i'm feeling so depressed. my second mom from childhood passed away this weekend. ~~cry~~ i think i'm numb. i'm all cried out. aHhhh!?@* so sad, so hard, but so happy i know i'll see her again. between that and post holiday blues, i'm just feeling so crappy!

normally i am always one to set new year's resolutions. generally i feel hopeful and brave, ready to conquer new goals, aspirations, whatever you want to call them.

[side note: i'm ornery, emotional & possibly hormonal-there's nothing bright about this post]

this year i think every resolution i've ever made in the history of my life has caught up to me and decided to punch me right in the gut. i'm feeling extremely overwhelmed with all that i'd like for myself and my family this next year. i picture perfection when i think about how i'd like to be in 2012- that's what i'm envisioning, reaching so far for. logically i know it's impossible. i know i'm being stupid about this. i know that i will never be perfect and that no one is.

seriously, what is realistic? for me?

i think i better go to bed now before i go too far and sound even more ridiculous + i've got to get up and exercise so one day i can have the perfect body (when i close my eyes real tight i can see it skipping around gleefully in a white little cloud over my head)

wow. i'm tired and not funny. tomorrow's a new day.
good night.

lol. sam's saying, "go smack yourself around a little if you have to--you're being ridiculous!"

our wall of fame

2011-12-29T11:26:00.002-07:00

this is my favorite wall in the house. our wall of fame. ~~all~~ a lot of our heros' pictures and letters hang here. all the people we love and admire. friends & family- that's what life is all about! Christmas cards are the best! thank you to all those who sent us theirs! we almost didn't get ours out this year- some of you may still be receiving them. i ordered them up and they got lost somewhere in transit. better late than never i guess!

YEEE there's nothing better than seeing their little surprised faces Christmas morning! santa did pretty well i'd say! all things that move apparently was the theme this year :) lucky for them it was dry outside. i still missed the snow. this year has been the driest december in utah history. crazy!

a fresh new calendar for a fresh new year! i'm so excited to start filling it in! does anyone else besides me and my seester get that pumped up about a clean new calendar? thanks kates for your gift!

wow! every year it's always so hard to believe how fast Christmas comes and goes. i think i'm going to miss the hustle and bustle a little. let's get real, there's always hustle and bustle around here! my #1 goal for 2012 is to be better at planning out my days & following through with a schedule. i better get on that! what's your #1 resolution?

i hope you enjoy your last few days of december! i know we will! the kids are still home and we're savoring all the free time we have :)

happy new year!!!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T11:31:00.002-07:00

this Christmas village strongly resembles our house right now- a little messy and crazy, but we're havin' fun!

final preparations are in the works all while i battle vertigo :(
i don't know what is going on with me. it could be the lack of sleep i've had these last couple of weeks, or i may be getting sick. crap!
don't ya think the word vertigo is kinda cool? it sounds all psychedelic. i feel a little psychedelic. i don't like it. not one bit. it's like i've just stepped off a merry-go-round all day... 'cause i've kinda been on one non-stop! i'm going ballistic! so i'm taking a little break and sitting here for a minute. typing.

i'd like to wish you all a
VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
i hope you all have an amazing holiday!
now back to wrapping :)

xo

are you ready?

2011-12-21T13:02:00.003-07:00

it's getting down to the wire! are you ready for Christmas?

ahhh, i have a lot to do still! i haven't wrapped one present yet! so today i plan to tackle that task.

however, i am going to sneak one more print run in later this afternoon if any one is interested in ordering any last minute Christmas gift prints and picking them up at my house tomorrow.

if so, message me and i'll give you the 411 on how to order and skip shipping costs :)

last night i decided to play around with a couple new hip & bold colors to add to the shop. turquoise & chartreuse have joined the "small homes" series!

hopefully they'll be well received and give a bit more variety!

i also offer custom color creation for an additional $5 if anyone is wanting a certain color.

blown away!

2011-12-16T15:11:00.001-07:00

i can't even begin to express the immense gratitude i have for my friends out in the blogging community right now!

my cute cousin stacy from not just a housewife has been hosting my first giveaway!

a $50 credit to my shop which will be closing this evening- so if you haven't entered, be sure to go comment :)

*don't forget: today is the last day for orders if you'd like your prints by Christmas

and how about darling ashely from the handmade home included one of my prints in this to die for living room board!!!

and the house of smith's star shelley wrote a super complimentary post about me too! your support means the world! thank you so much friends!!

i'm so overcome with flattery right now i don't even know what to do with myself! i've had an overwhelming response in orders and it's been all because of you :) i'm tickled red!

ashley's board:

here's what shell bell (i can call you that, right?) had to say:

have a most excellent weekend everybody!

etsy shop giveaway!

2011-12-14T08:26:00.006-07:00

today not just a housewife is hosting my first etsy shop giveaway! i'm offering a $50 credit to one lucky reader! head over and enter!! best of luck!

Inspired by my darling friend who would always talk about how "small homes" create the closest relationships... and while there isn't room to hide from each other, families are forced to interact, play & learn together! I LOVE THAT and agree with her whole heartedly!

this quaint print can be personalized and is offered in two different colors, slate and putty printed on premium photo paper perfect for framing.

(framed 8x10" personalized putty shown)

i just now added this house print with emily dickinson's quote, "Where thou art, that is home" to the shop this morning! available in putty & slate but not personalized.

don't forget, you have today and tomorrow to order if you'd like to receive them by Christmas!

*note: i cannot not guarantee international deliveries by Christmas. sorry :(

go here to order!

friends who drink diet coke together, stay together!

2011-12-13T12:36:00.006-07:00

good afternoon friends! have you taken a minute to check out my new ETSY shop? if not, please do! i think you'll like it! it's not to late for Christmas orders!

you've gotta know someone special that sips this junk with ya... i know i do!

this funny little 3x5" tag is available as a 99¢ download in my etsy shop! just print, cut & attach to your gifts!
remove a few flowers from a pretty festive arrangement like i did and place in some cans for a unique twist on flowers!

or you can have a gift lickety-split for right around $2! right now most stores have two liters on sale for 99¢!

happy holidays!

the etsy shop is open!

2011-12-13T01:51:00.001-07:00

yee haw! it's about dang time! holy mother of Abraham Lincoln, brightsides designs is finally up for business!

oh yes it's business time!

i'm so excited for you to take a little gander!

i know i haven't given much time to place orders for Christmas, but it's still possible and oh so fun!

These prices listed are all my grand opening sweet deals from now until the Christmas deadline (thursday, 12/16 at midnight MST).

fill your carts up because each additional item after the first is $0 to ship!

our favorite sugar cookies

2011-12-05T11:51:00.006-07:00

the bright sun rays beaming through the windows warms my shivering body this morning. it's been frigid!

lol, annie is my default model around here. i'm always asking her to pose for my posts. hopefully these pictures were pretty easy peasy for her as she also adores these red & green sprinkled trees.

annie turns four this week! she is sweeter than any cookie could ever hope to be! annie is our little Christmas Angel. from the time she arrived on a cold, snowy night and everyday thereafter (give or take a few) she has been the happiest, sweetest little thing ever! she's my little sidekick, my snuggle buddy and big helper.

i love you more than you'll ever know little sis!

it's been a long time since we've rolled out dough and cut out cookies! for the last few years i've tried to be good and not make them... knowing all too well that i'd be the one snarfing down most of them.

this year i decided to heck with it! i like to think my kids will have fond memories of making them with mom :) and they're also my favorite!

so, santa's in good chubby company, but we'll be jolly & filled with loads holiday cheer!

here's our favorite sugar cookie recipe:

Sugar Cookies

Preheat oven to 325º

2/3 C crisco

1 C sugar

2 eggs

Combine these first three ingredients well, then add the rest

3 C flour

2 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

1/2 t vanilla

1/2 c sour cream

Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are barely golden

Favorite Frosting

1/3 C butter, softened

4 C powdered sugar

1/4 C milk

1/2 t vanilla

pinch of salt

*1/2 t almond extract, optional (I usually don't add this)

Slowly blend butter and powdered sugar until incorporated. Slowly add a steady stream of milk. Add the vanilla, salt and *almond extract. Blend well and add more milk if needed for frosting spreading consistency.

before you run off and start baking, shopping or cleaning, take a few minutes and check out this spirit of Christmas! my heart loves!

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-11-30T13:07:00.005-07:00

i want to share a sneak peek of a new print i've made and will be selling in my shop!

inspired by my darling friend who raised 6 amazing children in a tiny house. she believes small homes help create the closest relationships. she explains, "there isn't room to hide from each other. families are forced to interact, play & learn together!" I LOVE THAT!

i'm planning for these be customizable- allowing an address below (as shown).

i've pretty much settled on these two colors (putty & slate) for neutrality.

i'd love to hear any comments/critiques you may have! i've been starring at these way too long and would love some feedback! be totally honest! i'm new at this!

we have glitter and gold all over the house.

and, the Lord works in mysterious ways. that's all i'll say about that.

we pulled out my favorite Christmas book, i believe in santa claus. it's beautiful. it's simple. it makes me cry. i believe every family should own a copy.

yay! the tree went up relatively pain-free yesterday... besides the fact that i fell down the stairs while on my way to put a big ornament bin away lol. i landed on one of my ankles. ouch! not good. the strange thing is, after shaking it off and putting weight on it, it felt fine the rest of the day. but when i went to bed last night, it got very sore. i crossed my fingers and prayed i could walk in the morning. there's just too much to get done! thankfully it feels much better today. i'm walking :)

estylicious

2011-11-28T12:13:00.003-07:00

i hope all you fine americans had a sensational thanksgiving! it was the BEST holiday weekend we've had in a long, long time! ya know, some just don't go smoothly. it seems like someone is always sick or the kids are driving us bonkers or something. but we ate up every minute of this one! the kids all got along, the food and company were delicious, we got a lot done around here, i scored a few Christmas gifts, and no one threw up! i couldn't ask for anything more!

how was your weekend?

i've been frantically working on our etsy shop while taking time to enjoy the festivities- i'm getting very close! just working out the details!

these beautiful pillows by pillowation caught my eye. check them out! the red origami pillow cover is one of my favorites.

man, the more i "etsy" the more i love! i'm obsessed! there are so many incredible Christmas gifts to be found on here!

now back to all my monday stuff. have a great day!

gobble gobble!

2011-11-24T06:00:00.027-07:00

image via

delicious wishes to you and your family this thanksgiving day!

i'd like to thank all of you who visit here and inspire me to keep creating! it means the world!

as a follow up, my hope to open brightsidesdesigns on etsy today is not going to happen :(

i honestly don't know what i was thinking! there is so much more that goes in to this than i ever dreamed.

however, i found an amazing company that will rock all our printing & fulfillment... providing us with much better pricing so you'll pay less! yay!

we're close. thank you for your patience and please hang tight. we'll get there soon! i'll let you know as soon as we open!

fox makes friends

2011-11-22T07:59:00.007-07:00

this book it too cute. it's just fitting for this time of year. friends, apples, orange... it just feels right. such a darling read. i can always count on annie to snuggle up with me and read. she's our little bookworm for sure.

i've been cranking away at getting our etsy shop up and going; trying to get it ready for business before Thanksgiving if possible! i'm sure many of you interested in purchasing my items will want to buy them for Christmas gifts soon! i'm hurrying :)

enjoy your tuesday & stay tuned for brightsides designs on etsy!

clients?

2011-11-17T11:27:00.006-07:00

the never ending photography business battle haunts me in my sleep. okay, i'm not that disturbed, but i hate it! do i take on clients or do i not? this has been a constant debate of mine for a while now and it's been making me ca-razzy! a bunch of you have been asking me about taking your family pictures lately, and i've been humming and hawing over it, probably driving you crazy. but i've come to the decision that right now i just have to say no :( it's simply not fair to my family right now.

i took on a few small projects over the last couple of months just to see if i could possibly do some holiday work, and that confirmed my suspicion... it's just too much! ahhh, why can't i just do everything! i have to admit that i'm kind of glad i didn't start into this whole photography passion before i had kids, or i'm not sure i would have had any-certainly not four. that makes me sad to say. the Lord new better :) choosing a career you love over a family would be extremely difficult! now that i have my favorite little people and know what a blessing they are, i would choose them over anything in a heartbeat. with that being said, i choose them now too.

there is a season for everything. i must wait. for now i will enjoy my hobbies, be grateful that i'm able to be a stay at home mom (thanks sam!) and chase around my little biting baby. ouch!!

thank you so much for your interest and understanding. i am flattered beyond belief!

best wishes to you all!

p.s. please don't be offended if you see shoots that i may do in the future... you know me, i get the itch every once in a while to take a few. it's not personal, it's just timing. and don't be afraid to ask- i just may say yes- just not before Christmas :)

p.p.s. stay tuned for my up and coming etsy shop! that, [i hope] is something i can manage. i'm excited!

[farmall parking only]

2011-11-16T09:31:00.005-07:00

all the little kids with their pump pump kins they better run, better run!

i completely forgot to post these pumpkin patch pictures.

weeks ago we met the cousins to pick out pumpkins one toasty saturday afternoon last month.

liv had just finished her soccer game and the kiddies were pumped to search for their perfect pumpkin, make their way through the corn maze, and of course take a turn on the tractors. i admit i went a little nuts snapping pictures of jack tom on these bad boys! it's so fun to do boy stuff with him! all he needs is a little cowboy hat and boots!

i think he looks so much like his great grandma hansen (who happened to be a beet farmer) in this picture below.

cute aunt bek happily supplied the wheelbarrow rides. that must have been a pretty good little workout!

those kids and pumpkins get heavy! what a champ! pumpkin parading is the best! until next year...

[nesting]

2011-11-15T11:52:00.003-07:00

don't ya just love it when you feel like your fast forward button was pushed? like you're on triple speed or something? it's the best! i can accomplish so much when i have those sudden spurts of energy! yesterday was one of those for me! and no, i'm not prego lol... just in a little pre-holiday nesting phase i suppose :)

check it out! my mom found this amazing bird's nest in her backyard and gave it to the girls to show their school classes. i just can't get over the intricacy. how does mama bird do it? to gather all the mud and grasses and mold them into this tight, strong little nest is a miracle. nature is so fascinating isn't it?

i found this object lesson i plan to use in our next family home evening lesson:

*if any of you neighbors are interested in borrowing this nest, you're welcome to!

Lesson: This nest is a marvel of engineering. The birds made it without studying any books, without any tools except their beaks and their legs and they didn’t even have an instructor tell them how to do it! Somehow, in their little heads, God just gave them the sense of what to do and they did it! Have you ever watched a bird building a nest? They really work hard at it and keep trying until they get it exactly right for them – or they finally go and start over another place.

Do all kinds of birds build the same kind of a nest? No. Some build with sticks, some with leaves, some with more mud. Some put theirs on or near the ground, some put them way up in trees, some put the door in the bottom, some sit on them and act as the roof, some put them in trees, etc., etc.! One interesting thing is that every bird of one type makes the same kind of house.

Application: That fits with what the Bible says. Each bird is made after its own kind (Genesis 1:21) in its own wonderful way. And God teaches them and takes care of them. They are important to Him! (Luke 12:24) Jesus knew this and talked about it.

Conclusion: We are important to God, too He teaches us through the Bible and He takes care of us. You do not have to worry or be afraid. If you have a problem, call to Jesus and God to help you. Say as Hebrews 13:6 says, “The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid.” You can trust God! Let’s pray and thank God for His goodness and trustworthiness. (Pray)

BY PATRICIA A. MEINERTS

[personalized]

2011-11-11T12:58:00.003-07:00

out the door and off to school the two olders went. while juggling a fussy baby and trying to dry off annie's wet little post bath body, i trip over clothes, shoes, pillows and toys in their disaster of a room. this is the second morning i've hit my head on something in there- maybe i'm subconsciously trying to knock myself out as to avoid the massive laundry heaps today!

while in the middle of frustration and head pain, i look up and notice my oldest's bed. cute little liv had once again made a unique space for herself. draped carefully with one of my scarves, her headboard holds all of her special little treasures; her library card, ctr ring, duct tape pen, journal, sticky notes & more. i had to smile and laugh. i know she longs for her own room, but rarely complains. sharing a room with two little sisters can be painful at times for her, i get it! someday when she does get her own room, i can almost guarantee she'll miss when her and her sisters talk & sing each other to sleep every night. i did. the highly anticipated day when my sister and i acquired our own rooms, we were terribly lonely. for months, kate would sneak back to my quarters and sleep next to me.

last night a few of my friends and i were discussing november's power of moms article valuing motherhood. we were asking each other, "what makes motherhood rewarding for you?" this (seeing olivia's decorated headboard) was mine today- to see the treasures she values made me proud inside. it's incredibly validating to see her love & cherish good things.

now if only i could curb all this unnecessary junk that accrues! i swear it hops out of the trash like little elves in the night and reproduces in their room!

i'm so overly excited it's friday! are you? this week has been way, way too long! have a great weekend!