OliveBlue

Hey Yo!

2012-10-23T15:03:00.001-07:00

Folks, it's been since May.
I haven't blogged since May.
Well, a lot has happened in that time.

Run down:
I'm Pregnant.
We went on a family trip.
We are moving.
I am now on the leadership team for MOPS as the Craft Coordinator.

Did I mention, I'm pregnant and we're moving...

Let's talk about the pregnancy issue over here.
We are so HAPPY to be expecting another little girl in January.
Two little girls to call our very own.
We have all these visions of the girls playing and laughing and snuggling...please don't tell me about the crying, or pooping at the same time, or not sharing toys or both wanting to be held at the same time or not sleeping at the same time...no, don't mention those. We want to live in dreamy-la-la land on our upcoming future.

Yes, I am sick like I was with Kins.
I am 26 weeks tomorrow and I'm still throwing up.
Yup..true story.
But it's all for a good cause, a sweet little squirming-in-my-belly cause.
She reminds me why I'm doing this.
My belly is stretching this very minute.
I can feel the sides pulling and aching to get longer.
I am much bigger this time around.

Also, I wear pregnancy all over myself. Not just in my belly...
I have the pregnancy mask.
I look tired....every day...
My hair is usually all-natural (my friend Kate called it Boho-chic)
Hardly wear any makeup
Funny story....I had to renew my drivers license and take a new picture....WHEN I WAS 14 WEEKS PREGNANT. Ya that is never a good idea. The new DL pictures are much closer up then the other one, so you can see my tired eyes, and my upper lip is super red...probably from puking that morning. I even put on makeup, but you can't tell. I will always have that picture to remind me of this dear time in our life.

Here is me with Kins at 6 1/2 months:

Here is me with #2 at 25 weeks.

I will update more this week and tell you guys about our new place and all the crafts and sewing I have done.

Scariest Moment

2012-05-04T15:30:00.003-07:00

A scary thing happened today.
Like, shaking, heart-pounding...scary.

I took Kins to the Fullerton Arboretum to get pictures for her 2nd birthday that's in one month.
They have a great stream and small lake and bridges and an old house and beautiful flowers..perfect.

Our first stop was a bridge, I had her stand in the corner and face me, see the picture below.

See that big wide opening behind her....
ya...she started to scoot her booty back like she was going to sit on a railing, but no railing...
It happened so fast, I saw her squat and start to sit up, I yelled, NO, then she fell back.
I grabbed her by the legs before she fell all the way down.
She was hanging upside-down from the bridge, over the little stream.
I couldn't believe it.
I pulled her up really fast and checked her.
She didn't hit her head or her back, only the back of her knees were scratched from where I pressed them against the bridge to stop her from falling all the way down.
You can see the stream behind her, its not a far drop.
It was inches between her head and the grass bed below.
She would have dropped on her back, then probably rolled into the stream.

I couldn't believe I caught her by the legs.
She was hanging upside down.

We were both shaking and she only cried from being scared.
and there was one scratch and a little scuff.

Thank You JESUS for protecting my little girl.

I had her go across the bridge again and we went across the other bridges.
She was apprehensive but she did it.
I don't want her to be afraid of bridges.

But seriously...like whoa.... never, do I ever want that to happen again.

Here is the next picture on my camera.... just a few minutes after and doing great.

But Mama was still shaky.

Have you ever had a scary thing happen to one of your kids? I am trying to push the "terrible mom" voice out of my head and know that accidents happen and I can't protect her from everything.
Right?
Accidents happen?
I'm not a terrible mom for asking her to stand on the bridge while I take her picture?
No...

OH man, if you think I'm a terrible mom, please don't tell me, I think I might shrivel up and die. Maybe I shouldn't even post this...

Another day at the beach..

2012-04-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

I would take this girl to the moon and back if she asked...

Bookmark Your Book...or anything

2012-04-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a super easy peasy lemon squeezy tutorial for you.

Really, though...hardly a tutorial. Just an idea.

I took some pictures for you.

Give any book a permanent bookmark.

Super duper easy!
Measure a piece of ribbon from the last page of the book, folded to the bottom of the book.

Glue one end of the ribbon on the very last page of the book with the longer part of the ribbon going up.

Then fold over and mark your page.
I added a cute little button so it would stay a little heavy.

See...easy.

I put these in a little journal for my MOPS table.

I know...what a silly "tutorial" but I just wanted to share with you!

Why, hello there!

2012-04-23T20:33:00.001-07:00

{Easter}

Hi.
Hello.
We're here and having fun.
We just got back from a short family vacay, our first one.
Then hubs went on a very long business trip.
Then, then then then...
Lots of thens.

Im so excited to be doing a table at my MOPS boutique on May 12 in Placentia, CA.
This will be my first time back, doing a handmade table.
Im so pumped!
I can manage doing a table and just the table.
I can manage doing one boutique in the spring.
I've been playing around with vintage doilies and linen.
I can't wait to show you.
(if you follow me on instagram {nmilkie} you may have already seen)

I have some fun things I want to share with you...I really do, so please come back and see.
I miss you!!

enjoying

2012-04-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

her...
so much so much.

loving her is so easy to do.
She now says Okie Dokie ALL. The Time.
She hops like a bunny.
She says "I love you too" in the highest pitched voice you can imagine.
She loves our neighbors and her friends.
She would rather lay in a random puddle of water then get her diaper changed.
She loves building towers, then knocking them down.

She adores Minnie and Mickey
She loves her Dad so much she can't help but squeal and run to him.
She knows the following sports when on TV: Hockey, Football, and Golf...and she cheers on her own when someone makes a putt.

She is my sunshine and my joy and the hardest job ever. Jesus is so gracious and kind to give us her.

Frames and Sewing

2012-03-22T14:32:00.002-07:00

I can't believe it is the end of March already.
We have been redoing some of our home decor lately and I wanted to share it with you.

Here is something small but super helpful if you want a picture canvas but don't want to fork out the big bucks for it.

That is a little 8x10 canvas picture inside of a large frame. It makes the piece bigger and more of a focal point then it just being in a collage on the wall. I got the canvas at Canvas People and the frame is from a local thrift store.

Another idea is to find a large frame, spray paint it, then put other things inside of it on a big wall.
Example:

I got this enormous frame, sprayed it grey and hung it. The coat rack is great for storage help and the pictures were ordered from Postal Pix, its an app. It's so simple to use, you can order prints right from your iPhone. I love it.

We also got rid of some heavy curtains and added some from Ikea:

They are so sweet and let in so much light. Our main living area is on the second floor, so we don't need heavy drapes for privacy.

I have also been sewing a little here and there. I made some of these pouches, for your glasses:

I have already lost one of my lens caps, so I made this little pouch that attaches to my camera strap to hold that pesky lens cap. I love it!

And look at that little petunia! How could I every say no to her?? Well, I haven't been lately and I need to maybe tone it down a notch...or not.

I'm Fine

2012-03-07T14:40:00.004-08:00

I wrote this about a month ago. We are on the mend now and feeling a lot more peaceful, but I did want to share with you. Maybe you can relate and know just how I was feeling.

Have you ever sat among a group of friends, laughing, talking, sharing and inside you know you're hiding something.

Not necessarily hiding it.

Just not talking about it.

Keeping it in.

Maybe it's to raw

or too embarrassing or too....something.

You don't want to kill the mood

or draw all the attention or explain yourself.

So you just sit there, with a smile and participate.

Talk. Laugh. Smile. Listen.

Then it gets to you.

Someone asks how you're doing, what's new and there it is....

your opportunity to share, to express your heart.

All you can say is, I'm fine.

I'm fine.

Doing well.

Great.

Man.... you missed it.

Next person is talking.

Maybe if you started talking about it, you wont stop crying.

Ugly, open mouth, shoulders bouncing type of cry.

And in front of everyone.

And not everyone knows you all that well.

Have you ever been there?

I was there today.

I know it sounds dramatic.

And, to you, and most, this is probably not that bad.

We found out I was pregnant on Wednesday.

I started bleeding on Monday.

I was no longer pregnant on Tuesday.

Thursday we found out it was a chemical pregnancy.

Have you ever had one?

It's when you have a fertilized egg that doesn't implant.

I am grateful it wasn't a full-on miscarriage.

I am grateful it was so soon after we found out.

I am grateful we hadn't seen an ultrasound or a heartbeat and then lost the baby.

I do need to be honest though.

I am sad.

We were so thrilled to be pregnant

We started dreaming right away.

Boy or girl?

Needing to prep for the early months of sickness.

"Kins, you ready to be a big sister?"

I made her a shirt that said "Big Sis"

We told some family.

Talking on names.

Stopped drinking caffeine

or eating lunch meat.

Made a doctors appointment.

Already pulling the pregnant card.

Then boom.

stop the dreaming.

for now at least.

I know it would have been much harder to lose a baby after seeing an ultrasound or hearing a heart beat. I couldn't imagine that loss.

I'm not trying to say it's the same.

But it's still sad.

This was written right after we lost the pregnancy.
I was really sad and weepy.
We are doing better now.
I just want to be pregnant.
But we are waiting.

I also wanted to share a little of "real life" with you.
Blogs can be so cheery and happy and unicorny...but sometimes life is NOT that way.
So, things get hard and trials come, but we are still praising the Lord.

Kate's Modern Vintage Baby Shower

2012-03-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Kate is having Hadley in April.
It's only appropriate we throw her a shower.
My three friends and I put together a sweet shower for our sweet friend.

Kate is one amazing woman.
She is loving, always positive, always encouraging and ALWAYS a good time.
We met long ago in a land known as "our early 20's"
She was dating her now husband and I was dating Daniel.
We became fast friends, then moved in together and shared a room.

Her and her husband were in our wedding and us in theirs.
We will be friends our whole lives.
It's just going to be.
I can tell her anything, even when she has a boogie.
I love her kid, soon to be kids, like they are my own.

She is a beautiful soul and the most graceful dancer...
She makes me cry every time I watch her "ballet" around the floor.

And here she is:

And here she is again, pregnant with Presley in '09. Doing the robot. In an airport.

And here is the shower:

And here we all are: the ladies behind the shower.

Roommates turned friends!! We were in Kauai for our other roommates wedding. It was the best time!

Insta- Friday

2012-03-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

I love Instagram.
It's so fun to post pictures of our day and see what other people are up to.

I like it most out of all the social media outlets.

Here's from our week...a simple week with my girl and hubby.

Again with the paper bag utensil holders.... Loved helping with my dear friend's shower.

K hates having her toe nails clipped, so this time I tried something new. I clipped one, then painted it. Clipped another, then painted it...she LOVED it and didn't move a muscle. Success!!

Saturday was family date day! We went to breakfast, then to the park to play. We saw llamas. At the park. A bunch of them. weird.

Someone got her first Mr. Potato Head.

Took K to Disneyland. It never got over 60 degrees and what I was wearing was not enough. I was shivering the whole time. Even contemplated buying an overly priced, cliche Disney sweatshirt... maybe just for a second.

went to the park with our neighbors.

Look at her. She makes my heart flutter.

Our week. The end.

Linking up with Jeannett over at Life Rearranged

Serving Dish Tutorial

2012-02-29T14:10:00.002-08:00

Have you ever glued a plate to a 

candle stick holder?

Well, if not...YOU SHOULD!

Easiest way to make a statement with a serving dish!

Here is what I did:

I went to my local (expensive) Goodwill and found a small plate ($2.99) and a glass candle stick holder ($1.99), then I ran to Home Depot and picked up some gorilla glue.

Ok, ready... follow the instructions on the glue bottle.

Then wait patiently for the glue to dry. AND DONE!!!

I use my dish to hold all my stud earrings. I like how they are all laid out for me to see.

Isn't it pretty?

**Side note idea: Instead of going to Goodwill, try a garage sale or estate sale. Instead of second hand, head over to HomeGoods and pick up a super pretty new plate and holder. It can be made specific to what you like and want. EXCITING!!**

Have fun!

The Brown Paper Bag Obsession

2012-02-28T15:07:00.000-08:00

Oh hi!

Still here...still loving life with my family.

I wanted to stop in and share with you my love affair with brown paper bags...

Oh, how I love them. They are so versatile and handy. You can do so many things with them.

Here are just three little projects I have done recently with brown paper bags.

For Kinsley's birthday I made her a Happy Birthday sign that she will have with her as she grows up. I'm going to bring this out every year, a special sign just for her.

Here's what I did: I cut out letters with my MIL's Cricut and sewed them on bags. I then decorated with ribbon and buttons and trim. So fun and so many ways to be creative! All of the sewing I did can easily be replaced with hot gluing.

I was also privileged to make one for my friend's daughter. I just loved how it turned out!

For Valentine's Day I made some button earring Valentines. I, again, used brown paper bags and pulled them apart so they lay flat. I stuck them through the printer and it came out great! I then sewed it on some card stock and so...there you go. I also LOVE to sew paper...like LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

I got the font from font101.com, it was free and super easy to download.

This last project was for a baby shower I helped host with some friends. I used brown paper bags to make utensil holders. This was a little more complicated. I stuck the bags in the paper feed section of my printer and then printed directly on the bag without undoing it. WARNING: Some did get stuck :) and It was loud. I then cut and folded and sewed...very vague..but it's simple.

There you have it.

My adventures with brown paper bags.

A Monday

2012-02-08T13:22:00.000-08:00

Just another Monday...

Listed our garage-space sucking Jeep....sold it by 8PM to a really shady guy...creepy

Did some laundry, because Monday is laundry day, remember? It's still working great and I'm going strong!

Waking up from nap time consists of eye rubbing and jumping...always.

Crusty nose baby.

View from K's bedroom on the third floor...just beautiful, or not!

Us.

Dirty mirror.

This little lady of mine is just amazing. Look at that face!!!

Easy, Peasy, Hubby-Pleasin' Dinner

2012-02-06T15:11:00.000-08:00

Seriously...it's so easy.

Ready...

Pulled BBQ Beef Sandwiches
4 ingredients
Hamburger Buns
Beef Roast or Pork Roast
BBQ sauce
water

Put about half a cup of water at the bottom of your crock pot
Place roast in pot, season with salt and pepper or nothing
Turn on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours

After time, remove roast and shred in a bowl
Place roast back in crock pot with BBQ sauce, however much you want. Make sure it coats it.
Mix it together.
Let it cook on high for 20 minutes.

Place on hamburger buns and serve.

Yum! I don't have a pick of what it looks like at the end because we ate it too fast :)

Sometimes I put cheese on it too.

My husband loves it, wants it every week.

I may be behind in the times and you have already made this or know about it, but just in case you don't..... You're welcome.

14 Days of Valentine Surprises

2012-01-26T14:48:00.000-08:00

I was cruising around Pinterest one day, and I stumbled across a lot of fun, catchy Valentines.

Then I got a brilliant idea...well, just an idea, to make one, a day for the first 14 days in February.

For who...for my husband of course.

A small, goofy way of saying, I love you, and, I'm thinking about you....and, look at what an awesome wife you have....

I wanted to share with you and encourage you to do the same! It might really make his day...or his 14 days.

Below you will find a shopping list and the sayings that go along with each item

You might already have some of these items at home. BONUS!

I am planning on sending these to work with him each morning, or having them on his desk when he arrives (it's easy to do this when his sisters work with him!)

Shopping list:

Popcorn
Cheeze-it's
Apple
Reese's Pieces
Gummy Bears
Crush Soda
Gold Fish Crackers or Swedish Fish
Gum
Mints
3 rolls of Rolos
Nuts
Sticky hands (I found these in the party section at Target)
Bouncy ball
Pens

Valentine Sayings: Please feel free to make up your own, some aren't that great!

Popcorn- Nothing "corny" about us, Valentine.

Cheez-it's- This might be "cheesey," but you're the one, Valentine.

Apple- You are the apple of my eye.

Reese's Piece- You melt me to pieces.

Gummy Bears- You are "beary" sweet.

Crush Soda- I have a crush on you, Valentine.

Gold Fish- I am "oh-fish-ally" asking you to be my valentine.

Gum- I chews you valentine.

Mints- We are mint to be.

3 rolls of rolos- You are the Bomb. (with this one, you should wrap the three rolos up in red paper, like its TNT)

Nuts- I go nuts over you.

Sticky Hands- I can't help it, I'm stuck on you!

Bouncy Ball- You make my heart bounce.

Pens- Valentine, we're just "write" for each other.

I bought one piece of valentine-ish paper and printed off all the sayings in really pretty fonts. Free fonts are amazing, and I downloaded them from font101.com. I also used packing tape to attach some of the cards to the goodies. It makes it look laminated!

There you have it. 14 days. 14 Valentine treats. Have fun!

A little of This...

2012-01-23T15:21:00.000-08:00

January is almost over

and we have had so much fun around here.

Besides Kinsley being sick, again...

we have managed to get a lot done.

As well as spend time together.

One of my goals for this year is to be more organized.
Now, if you know me, You might have snorted a little.
I am the most unorganized person I know
Scatter brained is what I blame it on.

It takes a lot of brain power to organize.
People always say... everything should have a place...
Then I say...well, that's nice, but WHERE ARE ALL THESE PLACES.?

I'm learning how to create them.
Also, I created a new laundry schedule for myself and it is working out magically.
I do laundry on Mondays and Fridays. Simple.
I have two loads each day...easy peas...
Before...well I'm not really going to tell you about before...
I wasn't proud, I can tell ya that.

Do you have Instagram?

If not and you have an Iphone or I..something, you should down load the app NOW!

Its like facebook but with pictures! You just add pictures with captions whenever you want and you get to follow all your friends. Love it! follow me, my username is nmilkie.

Well, on Insta I was taking one picture a day and posting, each picture has a specific theme attached. It's been so fun seeing other peoples interpretations!

I am going to continue to do so in February and follow this lovely lady's blog and day assignments!
I'm excited to start...

The collage above were some of the pictures I took in January...

1. Me, no makeup, air-dried hair.... funny face, as usual. Keepin' it real people!

2. Eating some eggs for breakfast!

3. My little family: Hot, model husband and adorable love button.

4. Playing with Letters on the fridge, those letters were Daniel's when he was a little boy.

5. One of my most favorite things ever! Vintage locket with my parents wedding pictures in it!

6. Bathtime baby likes to splash and kick and yell... its a whole lotta fun!

7. Daniel sent me to the movies. just me. the extrovert, alone in a movie. I was shakin' in my Toms

8. Her pony tail melts me every time!

9. Redo: Entry way and stairs...new fresh paint!

10. Tired, sick morning baby

11. Sick baby= Smoothie afternoon snacks

12. Kickin it with Dado

13. Cute outfit at the park, getting dirt/sand everywhere... it's washable!

14. Favorite. toy. soccer ball.

15. Disney Junior Show at California Adventure.

16. Vintage dresser going in the new entry, yippie!!!!

Super fun Valentines post coming soon!!

Listening and Stopping.

2012-01-11T14:53:00.000-08:00

Stopping.
I am finally listening.
I am taking a long break from my handmade shop.
This has been in the back of my mind for a while.
Like, a while.
I have been pushing it off, making it quiet.
But I just can't anymore.
I know that the Lord is telling me to stop.

I can see why. Clearly.
I am overwhelmed by the demands of being a wife, mom and shop owner.
Things are falling to the wayside. My house. Our grocery shopping.
I am burdening others because of this hobby.
And I know I am not doing my life to the best of my ability.

But it's more than that.
After talking with my dear friend Sara.
She helped me sort through my heart.
She helped me realize a few things.
For one, stopping, isn't all that easy.
Sure, technically it is...but emotionally, it's not.
I am hesitant to stop.
I have made myself known in this community, I have established myself a little.
And to stop means, I'm out. I am no longer going to contribute.
And that makes my heart beat faster.
Why?
Well, I have put a lot of value on what others in this community think of me.
I have used this community to build my self esteem and confidence.
Which is not all that bad, it's good to gain confidence in what you do.
But, I also noticed that I have relied on that affirmation too much.
It's almost like, if I stop, who am I?
Where will I get that fill of reassurance?
This is NOT where I should be getting my reassurance from.
I love you, I love handmade, I love all the friends I have made and all the customers who have so graciously chosen to spend their hard earned money on my product...
But...
My assurance in who I am, in my abilities, in my actions and how I live my life needs to come from The Lord, my Maker.
He is the only one that can truly fulfill all my needs, even the need to be wanted and liked and found worthy.
I need to bring my focus back to Him and seek Him to fill this need.

I think more than anything else, more then dirty dishes or no clean underwear or having someone babysit for me...is the fact that I have been relying too much on what others think of me. That has filled this need instead of my Lord.

So, all of this out there, on the table.
I am still having some hang ups.
Still don't want to let go all the way.
Still want to stay involved.
Still praying about my reservations and why I have them.
But, already, I am feeling this huge sense of relief lifted.
I feel like I can do life now.
I feel like I don't have anything competing with the Lord.
And it's utterly freeing.

I do want you to know that I DO NOT think that all moms or wives or women shouldn't have a handmade shop. NOT AT ALL. This is me, right now. This is my life. I am not judging anyone else. I think the world of handmade people and this is a reflection on what I am living out right now. And that is it.

Still keeping the blog around.
We are redoing our entry way, so I am excited to share all that with you.

Jan.6.12

2012-01-06T13:56:00.000-08:00

Today is Friday, January 6th 2012. Yikes.

We are still here, alive and kicking.

I am working diligently to get our life in order.
Our home organized...now for a scatterbrained lady, organizing this house takes much brain power.

We are enjoying this hot, California weather right now. Yup, it's been in the high 80's here. And yes it is January here as well. Hopefully it will calm down soon.

I got a fancy new camera for Christmas from my loving, generous, and gracious parents! It was a huge shock and I cried....like usual.

Here are some shots of the Kinsinator!

She kills me!

Here is a sweet one of her playing in a fountain after we indulged on a shack!

Christmas was so delightful, it's hard to say goodbye. 

I just can't do it.

I still use my Christmas mugs and Kins still wears he Christmas jams. 

I just can't quit you, Christmas!

Christmas Cheer

2011-12-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

..in the form of our front door wreath.

A little woodland Christmas wreath, hanging on our door.
It is my favorite.

and a little birdie.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tradition: Ornaments

2011-12-14T15:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas!!

I love Christmas!

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

No joke, Love it.

Kinsley's middle name is Noelle because of my love for Christmas.

A fun tradition that I grew up with was collecting Christmas ornaments.
When I was a little one, my grandma bought me an ornament from a Hallmark series.
I got houses each year.
I loved this tradition, I loved getting a new house and hanging it on the tree.
The houses are so detailed.

Here is the first one I ever got:

I was four when I got this first one. We keep them in their original packaging and boxes. They are just so special.

Each building is not necessarily a house. I have a cafe, firehouse, post office, etc. The one above is the Cafe with the sweet tables set out..

We have started this tradition for Kins now. Yippie!

Kins will collect cupcakes through the years. Yay! This series started last year (year she was born) and we will get her one each year for her collection.

The ornament on the top right is her first Christmas ornament.

The bottom left ornament, Daniel and I bought this right after he proposed. On the Empire State Building. I love that ornament, it is so sweet and brings butterflies to my stomach just thinking about it.

The ornaments on the bottom right are from our honeymoon in Cancun. We made sure we got a man and a woman. Such fun memories.

I love pretty, decorative trees, but I will always have a sentimental tree, it's what I grew up with and what makes my heart sing with the season.

Here is Kinsley's cupcake this year!

And, If I were still collecting the houses, here's this years:

I just might have to treat myself :)

Faces of Kinser-Noodle

2011-12-09T14:13:00.001-08:00

The many faces of Kins.

She is 18 months old now, a year and a half!
Crazytown.

What she's up to:
-She loves to say, Ready....Go! Especially if I am stopped at a red light in the car.
-She loves to eat, grilled cheese, 'cados (avocados), broccoli, carrots, cheese (we have to spell this word other wise she insists on having it), smoothies, apples, pears, tangerines, chicken, and all the gunky stuff we try not to give her.
-When she hears music she can't help but dance, no matter where we are. She just can't help herself.
-She asks for her Daddy throughout the whole day.
-She loves Christmas lights.
-She is now wearing size 4 shoe, 12-18 Mon pants and shirts.
-She weighs 19.5 lbs.
-She is obsessed with balls, especially her big giant ball.
-She could care less about dollies.

-She likes to screech when she is super excited.
-She is a good sleeper still, that's only if she's not sick.
-She loves to twirl, jump, and run
-She loves loves loves other kids and playing with them.
-She sleeps with her doggy and blanky
-She knows how to count to 1. ha!
-She knows how to say blue and pink and points out the color blue.
-She loves her family and loves to spend time with them. She has no separation anxiety...
-She loves to be outside, especially if she can play with our neighbors.
-Daniel loves it when she wears her hoodie.
-She loves loves loves shoes, especially if they are shiny.
-She is super duper ticklish and I can't help but tickler her everyday.
-We call her Kins, Kbear, Sweet Girl, Lovey, Kinser, Kiki, and other ridiculous things.

She is just so old and so big that I can't even handle it. I am so beyond blessed to be her mama. The love for her is crazy scary and sooooo strong it almost hurts at times.

Crazy Good Discount!!

2011-12-08T13:30:00.001-08:00

Want a discount?

I have a good one for you.

I am going to take a break at the beginning of the year.

I need some family time,

time to work on projects around the house,

be a mama,

be a wife that does laundry, makes dinners, rests with her husband,

actually puts AWAY the laundry, picks up her house, etc.

Now I am not saying that wives and moms with

handmade businesses don't do the above. I am

just saying that I don't and I am not very good at it.

So, I need a break, to regroup, get my barrings.

Because of this upcoming break, I want to offer you a killer coupon!

If you order by Dec. 15th you will have it in time for Christmas.

The coupon is only good for already made items, no custom orders.

I will be adding a few more items to the shop this week and next so keep

an eye out.

Coupon Code for 40% off is MERRY11!!

That's right, I'm a giver!!

40% off is crazy good!!

You could buy these great items for someone special or treat yourself!

1, 2, 3, 4 (coming soon)

Or this guy!

So go shop! Have a great time. Use the code MERRY11 all you want!! Enjoy my sweet friends!

Baby's First Hair Cut

2011-12-05T15:37:00.001-08:00

She is my baby.

She might be a year and a half.

But I still call her my baby.

In the midst of my foggy head,
we took Kins to get a hair cut.
I personally don't like bangs, never have, never will.
I had a bad experience, the whole first half of my life...cough cough *MOM*

But she needed a hair cut,
she wouldn't let me put clips in her hair.
So she had to get bangs. yikes.

Before: Bangs hanging in her eyes and all.

During

And done!! She can actually see, it's a miracle!

She did great, enjoyed herself and didn't squirm too much.

Hello Monday-You're Awesome

2011-11-28T03:00:00.000-08:00

Hello sweet coloring time with my big 18 month old!

Hello beautiful time spent well.

Hello learning and developing fun skills.

Hello Christmas Jammies every single night

Hello little girl who insists on going to bed WITH the game Farkle.

Hello empty milk carton in the living room

Hello wide awake baby at 11PM.

Hello sweet Happy Birthday sign for a sweet little girl.

Hello beautifully happy colors together on paper bags

Hello pom poms, buttons, doilies, lace and fabic

Hello sweet smelling bathtime baby

Hello bubble-loving happy girl

Hello my heart in a bath full of bubbles.

Linking up with Lisa Leonard for Hello Monday. Check her out!

The One About A Fear

2011-11-22T10:04:00.001-08:00

It was terrible.
Worst night ever.
seriously, I can not think of a more terrible night.
Kins got super sick.
Like puking every 15 minutes from 8pm-2am sick.
Poor, helpless baby.
She was so sad and hated it so much.

I have a confession.
I hate throwing up, like, I'm afraid of it.
I had a life changing experience when I was young
and it made me fear it.
The fear of it controlled me in a lot of ways for a long time.
It's weird, and I'm not being dramatic, it really did.
When I was young, I wouldn't eat anything but salad for a while.
I wouldn't wear the same clothes I threw up in ever again.
I would only sleep on my back.
I would beg God every night that I wouldn't throw up.
In 5th grade I was in the nurses office, 2-3 times a week with an upset stomach.
I wouldn't spend the night at any one's house. I didn't want to be without my mom.
I was like this for a little while, then slowly challenged myself and moved past
all that weird stuff. Still afraid just not so controlled by it.

You would think I'd be over it.
Considering I threw up multiple times a day while pregnant.
But I guess I'm not.
I get all panic.
I feel like my skin is crawling and my heart beats really fast.
I feel like I need to go run a mile.
I want to crawl out of my skin and scrub my arms with disinfectant.

To have my baby, so helpless, throw up so much was so difficult.

I kept praying, Lord, please help her, please help me. Make this stop.
We ended up in the ER at 12:30AM and stayed till 3AM. She finally stopped.
She held down some juice and we went home.
Only to wake up the next morning to go to Queen Bee Market.
Thankfully my Mom came down to watch Kins while Daniel and I drove down.

I learned a lot about myself through this.
I need to suck it up and get over myself.
I need to hand my fear over to the Lord and take care of business.
I need to be grateful and appreciative of supportive family.
I need to thank Daniel for stepping in, when I was failing.

Daniel was such a trooper, seriously, he is our man.
He really pushed himself aside to take care of Kins and me.
I hate that he had to take care of me, when Kins was so sick.
Ugh, blah, wah wah.

She is better now, eating normally and trying to get back on her sleeping schedule.
I am so grateful for our health, so thankful.

2AM- sleeping after the meds

A mess, just a complete mess, but relieved she was sleeping!