La Famille

your q's...my a's

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:34:00 +0000

I feel like with all the goings on at my house I haven't had time for a lot of stuff...like answer emails :-/ I've gotten several comments lately with questions and here's me...finally getting back to you.

Here's a few of your randoms...

Suzette, Cailin, and Amy asked:...Should I get a Smash Book? I have gone back and forth and ...don't know what a Smash Book is, so I hope you clue me in soon :) and...um...what's a Smash Book?

K. I'm super excited about my Smash book. I first saw THIS video out there somewhere...then I read they weren't making them anymore. Then I found them on Amazon. Then I saw them at Micheal's and about fLiPpEd! So I bought one.
The idea is to just smash...it's like scrapbooking for dummies...or something like that. I used to scrapbook a lot more and I just don't anymore. I like this idea. It's simple. My book doesn't have a theme...it's just whatever hits me. I have only done a couple pages, but here's a look:

MJ asked: Hotel Hutchinson looks great! Love the pillow cases!! I also love the green paint you used on the chalkboard and the chair - do you mind sharing the name?

Honestly, I don't remember. But I do know it was Rustoleum Double Coverage (best spray paint ever!) It might have been called Leafy Green?? Maybe??

Denise asked:...Just curious...where is the necklace you are wearing in the picture with you and your blog friend from? I love the rectangular shape.

Ok, first off...this is a comment on a post I wrote over a year ago when I met my sweet sista Becks and I just LOVE that my older posts still get read...it feels like they're going to waste otherwise, you know??

Anyway, the necklace. It was a gift from my lover/banker/boyfriend...how scandalous does that sound?? Ok, my husband...but that sounds boring. It's personalized with my initial, and sparrows (to match his chest tattoos...how romantic, right??) It's from One Blue Moon Charm. Good stuff over there...

Kristi McInerney asked: Alicia...I've been homeschooling my kids since they were 2 (Julia is now 4 and Mark 2 1/2) I love it. I used to be an elementary teacher in a christian school...can I ask what curriculum you used for kindergarten for your kids?...

Ok, so would I sound like a loser teacher if I said "nothing?" Well, not really nothing. But I just feel like spending a ton of moola on preK or K is kinda sorta a waste of money. A lot of the things in a full curriculum are things you can find for free on the Internet or in those workbooks from Target or Barnes and Noble.

I am currently using Hooked on Phonics for both my preKer and my Ker to learn to read. I love Hooked on Phonics. It works great for us.

We do science and history all together, but if I wasn't schooling Noah I would probably just buy a science experiment book and do fun projects once or twice a week for the little ones.

I have the two little ones practice their handwriting on school lined paper.

I am using first grade Saxon math on my Kindergartner too and for my preKer, I just want to have her get counting and number recognition down.

And just read, read, read! I wouldn't spend a lot of money on that level...it only gets more expensive, so I just don't want to jump the gun, ya know??

Ok. I feel better now like I'm not ignoring you guys' questions. I totally should have gotten paid for all the brand dropping in this post ;)
Hope you're having a great Wednesday!!

xo,
{alicia}

slightly intriguing topics

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Good Monday, gentle ladies!

How was your weekend? Mine was good and productive and relaxing...all of those are good things.

I feel like writing, but I don't have anything really awesome to share. So maybe if I ball up a few slightly intriguing things it will be a good post?? Maybe??

First: No heat curls. I saw the post here, I tried it. I like it. It's super easy and lasts a long time...even till the next day!

It even looks kind of cute while it's curling. Much cuter than a head full of rollers right? :)

And after a few hours, it looks like this:

Ok, so SECOND slightly intriguing topic; my 2012 book list. (does it still feel weird to write 2012 to anyone else??)

So far I've read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Little Women. Yes, I read the children's Classic Start version of Little Women. But I still read it. Even Sophie listened. It was good.

I loved the Guernsey book. It was a little tricky to get into it since there's no narrative, just letters back and forth. But pretty soon you get hooked! It was so good.

I've added a list to my side bar of the books I've read this year. Now I have currently gotten myself into three books at once, which I really don't like doing. I just sort of happened. Will update you soon.

Third: I am making these for dinner this week. Intrigued yet?

Source: asmallsnippet.blogspot.com via Alicia on Pinterest

This weekend we watched Sarah's Key. I was afraid to watch it. I read the book a few years ago and it was one of the saddest books I'd read. I wasn't sure I could make it. I like depressing movies. Call me weird, I just do.

The movie was so good. It followed the book pretty well I thought. A lot of it was in French. Something about watching a movie with subtitles makes me feel all cultured-like ;)

Here's the trailer...

So that's about all the intriguing topics I have for the day...don't want you to ponder too much now.

Have a happy Monday, sweets.

let's let today be about today

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:41:00 +0000

It's Thursday now. I got home late and carried two sleeping babies into bed and tucked the third one in, still wiping away goodbye tears. I'm having a bit of a Mama-hangover today, but the coffee is helping. I know you already read my title, but let's put on our backward glasses and recap the last few days of Grandma's visit shall we?

We did the normal and the holiday things; gluing, reciting, preparing for a skating bash.

Jumping at my brilliant husband's plan, we dined on Mexican food and frozen yogurt Monday night. We ate out a lot while Mom was here. More than usual, but that's ok. It was like vacation for us too.

Valentine's Day was super special. Super busy, but super special. We toted our boxes and bags full of Valentines to the skate rink and exchanged them with 100 other skating homeschoolers. We left with only a few bruises. Mom and I chose our wheel-less shoes; she was afraid and so was I...my back would have broke in half. It's feeling much better now though :)

Even though I would have loved crawling into my bed at 5pm, the day was not over yet...we had not sucked every bit of sweet honey from it yet.

Noah's birthday is coming up in the next couple of weeks. One of his big concerns with moving was that his Gma and Gpa wouldn't be at his party. To his surprise, we threw a very merry UNbirthday party for him. A sort of Valentiney UNbirthday party...complete with Frank Sinatra, spaghetti and meatballs, frosted cupcakes, candles, presents from Grams, and a side of Lady and the Tramp.

He grinned from ear to ear and told us how he didn't really like all the attention ;)

We all reminisced together, telling him the stories he's heard a hundred times about the day he was born...

about how Grandpa Bill couldn't stand waiting and drove a million miles per hour to wait in the waiting room for Noah to come.

About how his daddy, Jarrod, drove Mommy nuts while he tried to eat M&M's while she was in labor and the crinkling of the paper heightened her contractions a thousand percent!

We told him how excited we were to have a baby and how sweet he was and is and what a amazing older brother his.

I had a special toast for Noah.

Tuesday, the 14th, marked the 10th anniversary of my last day at a real job. Remember those?? The ones where you get a paycheck?? I was in college working at a flower shop and Valentine's Day was my last day. Way to go out with a bang!, huh?? I had planned on going back to work...until 12 days later when I saw that face.

There was no way.

I was finished, ruined with love for life.

We toasted to Noah and I thanked him, yet again, for helping me find my inner mother and who I was meant to be.

To Noah, my guinnea pig baby...

And yesterday...

we couldn't have let a cloud hang over Grandma's last day if we'd tried.

The day was gorgeous. We took her on one last hike around the neighborhood before we headed back to the big city...paused for a few more photo ops.

The airport scene was as expected; tear and hugs, hugs and tears.

We were that family in the airport.

Jack was the first to lose it, then Noah, then me...Sophia, forever in her own realm, was doing plies across the floor.

The reminder of their next planned trip, this time with both grandparents, was our saving grace...our something to look forward to...and we trudged back home.

Today is perfect for what it is today; a lazy day.

It's gloomy and overcast. We have nowhere to go. I'm about to go shower and put sweats on. I have a sick little girl in need of extra snuggle time, which works out great. School will consist of books on the couch and flashcards with leftover cupcakes.

My sweet Carissa texted me this morning forbidding me from making dinner, that she'd be over at 6pm with grub. She said I am to rest...I will not argue. She's very bossy about things like that ;)

It's Thursday, and today is all about Thursday.

I drove off with my tired babies into the beautiful Atlanta skyline, talking to Jarrod on the phone about yet another change coming up quick, and realized this: each day's trouble really is enough for that one day. We can't look too far ahead and we can't stay stuck back on Monday. If we do, we'll never move on. I want to look back on the happy, learn from the mess-ups, and focus on the present.

Cheers to Thursday, sweet friends.

xo,

{alicia}

lovely

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

It's love day.

Are you ready?

Are you doing anything special?

To be honest with you, I'm not overly Valentiney. I'm not a hopeless romantic.
Nicholas Sparks kinda drives me nuts.
Does that make me a weird girl or what?!

So I don't freak out over V-day, but I do like holidays and making them special.

So let's love it up, huh?

Our plans today include a Valentine skating party, sugar, exchanging Valentines, Lady and the Tramp, spaghetti and meatballs, and more sugar.

The thought of all that sugar kinda makes me a little nauseous.

We've been having so much fun with Mama, I'm can't even think about saying goodbye tomorrow.

So I'm not going to.

I will do what I do; I will cross my arms, stick up my chin, refuse to cry, crack a joke, and move on. Then I will go home and cry my eyes out to my one and only, the only one I don't mind to see me cry. So that's that.

But that's tomorrow...let's not think about it yet, k??

Today is for love...and that's just lovely.

Let's not look too far ahead.

Let's let today be about today...

And love every minute.

Love you all so.

xo,

{alicia}

gram-a-lam-a-ding-dong.

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:42:00 +0000

**Title brought to you today by my wonderful wordsmith husband**

It's been grand fun with Gram Gram in town...

Doesn't she look fun?? She is.

Lots of it.

Here's some of the stuff we've been doing...

Barnes & Noble night. Just go, just sit there, just grab 75 or so books that you don't intend to buy...well buy a few, they're books, they're good...and read and read and read, until your wee one grabs a book like this...then you play with trains and stuff.

We got some good V-day books for the kids.

Baking sugar cookies. I have the best recipe ever. It's my great-grandma's, Lola Kelly. There's no regular sugar in it...just powered. They are the best! You want the recipe?? I'll give it to ya...sometime ;)

Smash book time. Mama and me both bought one at Micheal's. They are so fun. We've been smashin' a few pages together.

Last night we went to a paint class. It was fun. And funny.

We painted an abstract-ish painting of a snowy downtown Asheville.

After the class, I drove Mom downtown and showed her what we painted.

What a great memento to take home.

This morning we woke up to snowflakes blowing!!
I know it doesn't look like it, but they were flying!

It was cold and windy all day, but it was still a great day.

When a day starts out with Ree's cinnamon rolls, it's gonna be a good day.

Soooo stinkin' good!

After brunch, we took off to the famed Biltmore Estate. (THANK YOU, STEPHANIE!!!)

It was really cold so we didn't take too many outside pics and we weren't allowed to take indoor pics, so this is what I got....

Clockwise: Little girl on a tour; little girl looking at the hugest house ever; little girl with her daddy taking a tour; GramGram and a little girl freezing their tukuses; giant lion; little boy on a tour...yes, I took some indoor pics. I like rules...until I don't like rules, so then I break them; largest house in America; largest house in America with a pretty sun flare.

So when you aren't allowed to take pictures of the inside of the hugest house in America and you get the stink eye when you pull out your camera phone, first you snap a few to be stubborn, then you wait till you get to the candy store.

Yes, there's a candy store at Biltmore. And a bookstore, a regular little shop, a toy shop, a cafe, a coffee shop, and an ice cream shop...alllll in the carriage house. It's quite something.

So yes, we're having a bit of a good time....besides for a bit of a backache I have. Please pray for a miracle healing. Other than that, we're having a blast...and not even thinking about the g-word. Not. one. bit.

See you in a few!

xo,

{alicia}

mission accomplished!

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:01:00 +0000

It's 8:48am and everyone's still sleeping. Well, except for Jarrod, who's at work. And Jack, who crawled into bed with Grams early this morning.

So stealing a few minutes to myself, I thought I'd spend them telling you that I made it to Atlanta and back...ending with a Mama in tow!

I don't get freaked out about traffic. I don't love it, but it's not my worst fear. That said though, I do not like the unknown. Y'all, I'm a South Dakota girl. I've never been to Atlanta for crying out loud! I had NO CLUE where the heck I was going and it was dark and it was busy. And I had six little eyes staring at me and out the window as we drove through the beautiful downtown Atlanta. I had NOT CLUE ONE, people.

But, we made it. And no, I didn't get lost. Not once! Aren't you proud?? :)

We parked and made it with about 15 minutes to spare. It was actually pretty simple to find where we were supposed to be. My kids were tired, antsy as could be, and could. not. WAIT to see their grams.

Oh! and when they finally saw her....

Neck hugs, partial tackles, little squeals...a beautiful sight to see.

A quick stop for bags and a touch up and we were back on our way...

In all my life, I don't know if I've seen my mom smile like that...like with her whole being. She missed them babies, I think ;)

Now I'm hearing rustling, and I just pulled THIS out of the oven so I better go.

It's gonna be a great week.

Hotel Hutchinson

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

One way to make sure you have a clean house is to have a party.

Another way is house guests...and lots of 'em. Six days after my friend Robin left, I am expecting another guest...today...my mama :)

We. are. SO. excited!!

I feel like a hotel when I'm getting ready for these guests. I'm cleaning bathrooms, bleaching white towels whiter, making beds so tight their toes will bend back...oh, and gathering little gifts to make them feel welcome.

In a few weeks, we have some good friends coming and a few weeks after that, Jarrod's parents are coming. Since my guests are all nice and evenly spaced out, there's really no point in cleaning in between those times, right?? Nah. At the present time, I can see my reflection in my toilet...yes, guests are good. For more reasons then one!

We have some fun things planned to do with Marmie. Some fun things and some chill out things too. She wants to see the Biltmore, I want to take her to the Farmer's Market. She loves watching movies, we love watching movies. We will take her to eat at some of the million yummy restaurants here. And make our Valentines together.

We raided Target to find some fun things just for Granny. We tried to go with a Valentiney theme and only find red and pink things including a pink shower pouf and a pink covered crossword book...she is an insane crossworder. I think she'll like it.

I'm off to the big city of Atlanta this afternoon to pick her up...wish me luck! My kids are so excited to see their Grams. They made her signs for the airport tonight so she'd remember who they are :)

The guest room at this point in our living situation is not really a room at all, but more of a family room area. Even still, I think our guests will find Hotel Hutchinson to be a very comfortable stay...a four-star I would say or at the very least, a strong three...just don't run your white gloved hands anywhere, k??

So if you've been wondering where I've been or if you think I stopped reading your blog, I didn't...I've just been trying to bump my 2-star up to a 4 and it takes some hard work, I tell ya!

So even if it's not a room room, it still looks pretty cozy, no?

This afternoon I will see my mom for the first time in FOUR months! Can't wait!!

I'll see you soon!!

xo,

{alicia}

q and a with sister friend

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

They've got questions (particularly this chick)...we've got answers (even if they're made up 75% of the time).

Sista: Why is this sweater pink?

Me: Because the designers made it that way.

S: Why didn't they make it purple?
M: Because these particular designers are partial to pink.

How does this Twistie Twirl (Turbie Twist) dry my hair so good?

It's magic.And because it's pink?
Of course.

Do squirrels use their tails for blankets? (for real, y'all)

You know, I'm not positive, but that would seem logical right?

Why does Dad have to go to work?

So we can have money to live, silly.

And we can buy cereal.

Um, yes.

Mom, what a post?

Um...like a blog post? Use it in a sentence...

No, like in Little Princess Captain Cruise's post in the British Army is in India. What's a post?

Oh, that just means he's stationed there.

And then he dies, but Sarah wanted to see him.

No, he didn't really die...they just thought he was dead.

He was actually dead, I think.

(ok, whatevs.)

(Sophia and me in the car alone)
Did you know when we're in the car alone I can talk whenever I want?

Yes, but if you've got something to say you better do it now because we're almost home.

Did you know on Mickey Mouse Club House the guy cut up their beans to eat??
No. However did I miss that??

(Looking upon a dead mole:)
Do you know what hibernation is? It's when animals go to sleep for the winter, and this mouse is hibernating.

Ooooohhhhh....

Remember in Little Women when Beth dies?
I do. It's so sad. She gets sick, doesn't she?No. She gets a fever.

Oh ya. My bad.

When I rub my toothbrush on the mirror like this, does that make it cleaner?
Not really, it actually does the opposite.

No. I think it looks better now.

Mom? Am I pretty?

~~Hell~~ Yes, sister friend, you're the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen...on the inside and out.

{ BIG smile :) }

I love this little bug...and her 1.3 million questions a day?

J'adore.

focus {said with a southern "o"}

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:15:00 +0000

A week before Christmas, I had started forming mental goals for the new year. I always do this. Physical/Spiritual/Home/School/Projects/Vacations; it's all planned out. I love making goals. I love having a word for the year.

Last year my word was breathe and I loved that. But last year was different than this year.

About one day before Christmas it hit me: there was no way I was emotionally ready to make a bunch of goals for myself. I felt slightly like a cheater not even setting one goal besides writing out some books I wanted to read. I didn't even want a word. I feel like the last three months have lent enough change. Even one more resolution maaaaay have just put me over the edge.

I still feel really fragile. Like I'm not quite myself yet. Not having my own house, not being familiar with anything, having new everything, even a new dialect has been a tough adjustment. Much harder on me then anyone else. That was unexpected. Even being super prepared (or so I thought) and excited for our new adventure didn't cover the stress that's been involved in this move. It's getting better everyday though. There's so much about this new place that I love...it's just different and change is hard...hence the no goal thing.

BUT for as hard as I had my heels dug in the dirt about not working and changing on myself right now, sometime in mid-January I heard a little word being whispered to me.......

focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus.

And you know what?? He's totally right. It hit me so hard: Just take this limbo time to focus on the two things you're responsible for right now: family and self. self and family.

Now, each of those two things have many subcategories, but it's still something to focus on.

*****************************************

As a total sidenote, I am finding myself talking like them, y'all. I'm being serious here. All the Southerners draw out their vowels, especially their o's and i's "ah". You know what I mean. I sometimes try to do it when I'm alone with my kids but guess what, now it's kinda sorta sticking. Like I've joked around so much, I'm almost being converted. So when you read the word "focus" a million times in this post, just join in my addiction and hooold that "o" out...like (l"ah"ke) "foooocus." Oh, I so wish I could just read this post to you. It would make you laugh. Foooocus.

Let's move on.

*****************************************

I realized that's all I can do right now; FOCUS.

Because I honestly don't know when we'll be buying a house and I honestly don't know what our future holds, but I do know I have three babies that need me to feed them, love them, educate them and I have a husband that needs that too...minus the education. And then there's me. And I need my things, like my business and blogging. I have NO other obligations and I am seriously going to relish in this time.

No, I don't love renting. BUT this townhouse is spacious enough, new, safe, and perfectly convenient for us. We don't have to mow. If there's a leak, it's not our issue. It's not old and beautiful like my old house, but that's part of the adventure right?? I'm choosing to embrace instead of resist, which is so. not. my. natural. tendency. MMMMMkkkk??

That day mid-January, I seriously felt the Lord just telling me to let go of all the unknowns and F.O.C.U.S. on what's in front of me. I know, without a doubt, that He will take care of the rest.

So guess what?? I have a word...it's FOCUS.

And guess what? I'm totally doing it, y'all.

Mock 365 Project: January 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:59:00 +0000

SO I desperately want to be cool like, Sasha and do the whole 365 days, 365 beautiful pics and post about it at the end of the month, but here's the reality: I just moved across the country and still have sea-legs if that makes any sense...and I cannot do goals right now. Just can't. But I SOOO want to do it.

I was SO stinkin' excited when I ran across THIS post about doing a simplified version of the 365 project. I love this idea...at the end of the month, do a collage of all your favorite photos and/or highlights of the month. I'm totally doing this and sharing my collages at the end of each month. Then in December I'll make a book or print them all or do something cool like that.

So here's my January collages. Yes that's a plural. I couldn't simplify that much. I made these collages in Picnik and will continue to do so until April, when the big babies at Picnik shut it down. Then I will pray something similar will emerge so I can finish my Mock 365 Project :)

Clockwise: Robin comes to visit:: Craft weekend with Sarah:: Winter Etsy line well received:: Sista:: Triple Falls @ Dupont State Forest:: Jack's reward for being brave:: alien girl...or something like that:: Grubby pup on a beautiful January day

Little Jackie-Poo:: Robin and me:: Robin and my babies:: Wild (wold) holly in my backyard:: My hottie patoty banker man and me:: Sister friend checking herself out:: Sister friend, eskimo version:: Bible-reading boy

Great idea...no?? I love it. LOVE!

Happy day, sweet ones.

xo,

{alicia}

seven days of normal abnormality

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:30:00 +0000

HI! I'm back.

It's been a whirlwind of a week and it feels like it should be Friday...or Saturday...or one of those days when you don't have to do anything. BUT, amidst the busyness and the days that seem to never slow down, it's been a great last seven days.

My friend came to Asheville.

Robin and I have been friends for about 10 years. We met in Aberdeen, SD at the airport. So weird. We both lived there, but were both picking people up. We started talking...we clicked...we've been friends ever since.

Our age difference is about 18 years, but we've found that matters not at all. People assume our friendship is more like a mentor ship type friendship, but that is not so at all either. We teach each other. Learn from each other. She homeschooled her four kids and she helps me with that. We are unlikely, but true.

After three whole months of having nobody at our house but us, it was a weird feeling to have someone else there...like we were super sheltered. I loved sharing our new home and city with someone else.

We took her all over...and we also just hung out at home. We did normal stuff, like we always did, like eat lunch at my house and eat Swedish fish and fold laundry, but we're in Asheville now. We did stuff, but didn't. A perfect busy/not busy balance.

We have a big park near our house and walked the trails one day.

We did some crafting, one of our favorite pastimes. I showed her how to needle felt and we dabbled in a little mixed media.

One night, we were going to Jim Weiss, a storyteller that's pretty popular in the homeschool community, to listen to him tell stories. It was down pouring and I had printed off the directions to the wrong venue and we drove around in circles for a good hour and a half. We finally threw in the towel and went for ice cream.

Do y'all have Tutti Frutti?? It's super. You choose your yogurt flavor and then all the toppings you want. Then you pay by the ounce. It's a good thing.

Robin read Little Women to Sophia every night. Sophia loves it.

We took her to a bunch of yummy restaurants and ate and drank. We also cooked a lot together. She makes the best guacamole...we ate a lot of that.

And yesterday, her last full day with us, we took her to some of the waterfalls. It was a gorgeous day. Gorgeous. We hiked and breathed in the beauty. I just kept thinking, "God is just so cool. Cool and creative. Everything could look the same on this earth, but yet it's all different. And beautiful." I love that God is creative.

We finished off the day with Rummikub and wine and laughed till our sides hurt...a great way to end a visit.

So I drove her to the airport bright and early this morning and we said our goodbyes yet again. It feels like we just did that. And well...we did. It's weird that this is my life now. I hardly ever had overnight guests in South Dakota. But I have more company coming to stay with me in the next couple months to start a hotel. It's weird that I'll be taking my loved ones to the airport to say goodbye. It's different...but it's ok. I feel myself changing...in a good way.

This trip meant a lot to me, but an extra lot to Robin. She's had a really super crappy 2011. We had long talks and made lists of things she's going to do when she gets home. I hope she left here feeling refreshed and ready to make big changes....I think she did.

Now I'm off to get back to normal...for the next six days...when my mom comes :)

Happy Wednesday, loves.

dearest robin,

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:42:00 +0000

We're ready for you!

We've been getting your "room" ready, vacuuming, cleaning toilets, shopping, meal planning...and I think we're ready.

Sophie has set out all the proper princess attire by your bed, should you feel the need to sport a crown at any point during your visit.

We have goodies for you....

You're the FIRST familiar face we'll see in THREE months. CANNOT wait to see you, friend.

FOUR more hours!!!!!!!

xo,

{alicia}

my mother aka: pollyanna

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:44:00 +0000

Sometimes my mother seriously drives me nuts....

ok, just keep reading.

I call her to complain, vent, spew and here's why she ticks me off:

she doesn't do it back.

Like she turns it all around and plays the stupid "Glad Game" on me.

She's impossible to complain to. I'll even say, "mom, just be crabby with me!!"

She just laughs...LAUGHS! Ugh, mother!

But I realized something when you tip things upside-down like that...you feel good, or at least better.

I might say, "ugh! this gross white carpet is so hard to keep clean."

She'll say, "oh, but doesn't it feel good under your feet."

Seriously??

So, it's Monday....and for a Monday, I'm pretty darn excited about it. I owe my mother for my cheery disposition. Thanks mom... ~~even though you drive me crazy~~ ;)

School: A challenge? Do my kids get on my nerves? Do I want to go in the closet and cry because I just explained the same thing 30 times?

Yes. Yes. And yes.

Mom's version (and the true version): I get to be with my kids each and every day and I will never never regret that. I have the luxury of taking my time teaching something that might be a challenge to one of them and who cares? Nobody's keeping track...it's ok.

Rain: It's been really rainy and gloomy. Boo.

Mom's version: Everything looks beautiful after a rain. Kids can splash in puddles. The cool air feels good. A little rain never killed anybody. And it makes for fabulous reading days.

And candle-burning...I got this at Target. (a couple people asked)

Also, I'm LOVING the Guernsey book :)

Meal Planning: It's tedious. I don't like going to the grocery store. It's expensive. I want a cook.

Mom's version: I get to take care of my family by making them meals. My kids are not picky. I have a friend coming TOMORROW!!! yeah!! and she and I will have a blast cooking together this week :)

Bottom line is I am blessed...like super blessed and I forget sometimes.

So, yeah mom :)

Happy Monday, peeps.

xo,

{alicia}

friday::saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:07:00 +0000

This week was a blur. When your planner looks like the above picture, it's bound to be a busy one. I was in my workroom for about 8 hours straight on Thursday...my poor children. But thank YOU for your orders and support! Everything is shipped and on it's way.

Friday was errand day. And can I just say, Friday was a really dumb day.

I headed out the door with three kids in tow, and these:

Here's how it went:

appointment at 9

Target afterward, tried a "shortcut" and added 40 minutes to the morning

lost my debit card

to the bank to replace debit card

Target

Post Office

lunch at McD's (ugh)

Grocery Store

Redbox

Redbox rejects my temporary debit card

CVS

CVS tells me I don't have the right insurance card

Home to find the right card

Can't find

Unload car

Still can't find card

Husband saves the day

Back to CVS

Try Redbox again

Rejected again

Home

3:30pm

Ugh!

Somehow in the putting away of groceries, I purged my counter tops and cleared them all off and rearranged. I don't know what it is about that but I love my counters alllll cleared off. It felt good, like I actually accomplished something.

Spaghetti for dinner.

Baths

Stories...we love this one.

Sweats, popcorn, True Grit...it was good.

My darling little boy-clone of myself is quite the list-maker as of late. He's been making lists for the weekends. Here's todays list:

Yes, it says clean AND school. Yes, I'm mean. No, I don't care.

Academics were back-burnered both Thursday AND Friday (Friday is usually our make-up day) and we needed to get in our math and history time.

Also, I made my kids clean/dust/pick-up/put away/clean mirrors/wipe floors/vacuum and MY oh MY does it look niiiiice! The boys' wives will thank me one day.

Now if it would only stay this way till Tuesday night when my dear friend, ROBIN, gets here!!

They checked some things off their list and Jack and Jarrod headed to Target to fulfill Jack's tooth-pull prize. Noah chose to stay back so he could finish his math and play the NEW GAME when they got home.

He finished his math way too fast and had too much time to kill before they got home. He camped out by the door...with a chair...and his bible. mmmmk...

Finally, they made it!!!

(Dad is the hero today, that is for sure!)

I'll give you one guess at what the boys are doing right about now :)

They also brought lil' ol' me a gift....

I've been looking for a fedora FOREVER...don't you think I just needed one?! And they found me one at Walmart of all places. I must have a little pinhead...none of them would fit, but this one fits great! I love it.

So now, Sophia's napping, the boys are playing, Jarrod is reading.

Today is SOOO much better than yesterday.

It's 4pm, my coffee mug is full and steaming, and I have a pile of books and magazines waiting for me.

Sayonara, sweets :)

xo,

{alicia}

PS: Don't forget about free shipping in my shop till the end of the weekend. Code: WINTER12

free shipping for you

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:57:00 +0000

Good Day, beautifuls.

I just wanted to tell you 'ello and that I added a couple more thingies to my winter line yesterday. I've been feeling the need to paint lately, so here's what I came up with...

I have a couple of these and then a couple more Patchwork Heart banners...but one is spoken for. So that makes one. My mad math skills frighten me sometimes!

And also, since I'm sure you hate paying shipping as much as I do, I'm offering FREE SHIPPING in my shop today through Sunday! Just use this code: WINTER12 when you check out.

So, shop away, sweet things :)

See you next week!!

do y'all know ms. amy?

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:50:00 +0000

I received an email from Amy quite a while ago...a year? I can't remember, but a while. She told me about herself and how she'd been reading my blog for a while, but had never commented. (amy!! shame on you ;)) And how she and I had all these similarities like homeschooling, creative creating, and junking!

Well, since that first exchange, her and I have emailed/called/texted every week AND she's started her own blog. Amy is just an all-around awesome person, and I think you should all get to know her...

She's super fun...like, they have an ice skating rink in their backyard. How fun is that?!

They live in beautiful Montana (not nearly close enough to NC) and they go on these amazing camping excursions almost every weekend in the summer.

She has FOUR little girlies...can you even imagine??!!

Look how sweet...

Amy is constantly baking with them, crafting, playing...

She also makes these adorable little blooms that you can pin or clip to pretty much anything you can think of. She sent me some for Christmas...and some for Soph too and they. are. so. cute!!

(here's mine)

And also, Amy has a spot at the antique store where she lives. So she has a booth area and she changes it out for every season. I love that! I want to buy everything in it. She adds her handmade goodness too...

Here's what her booth looks like now for Valentine's Day...

And what it looked like for Christmas...

And for fall...

I just love it! Don't you just want to shop here!?

So, this is Amy. She is fun, talented, adorable, and so genuine. I just love her. We will meet someday...we're hoping this is the year.

You must go check out her blog now...ok? Ok.

Blogging is so darn cool.

xo,

{alicia}

everyday busy and my new winter line

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:25:00 +0000

Saturday morning: my Banker husband is getting yet another tattoo, my brother is in Vegas getting his credit card stolen, and then there's me...making chalkboards in my garage.

You know, just a typical Saturday.

I've been working this weekend on tying up loose ends on my Winter Etsy line and getting it all photographed and listed. And I'm done...hooray!

What is it about life that sometimes you have absolutely nothing going on and then just like THAT you're super busy? Is there an in-between stage where you're kinda busy, kinda not...just right?

All of the sudden I'm making plans, getting ready for visitors, filling in dates on my calendar.

We are so excited to have a stream of visitors coming starting in 10 days here and there until April. This is exciting and stressful all at once, do you get me??

The house will be clean that first day of their visit and then it'll be downhill from there. I'll have an itinerary of fun stuff to do and then when they leave my kids will think I'm super boring.

Life is all about balance. Balance and contentment. If we are busy, we want to not be so busy. If we are not busy, we are bored. I want to be content in all things. A work in progress is what I am.

And speaking of work, and if you are a fan of plaids and felts and coziness, go see my latest Winter Line in my shop...I'd be so happy if you did :)

Have a great week...busy or not so busy :)

xo,

{alicia}

just cute

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Kids are so darn cute. Are they not? I just love 'em...

Tuesday night, Jack's loose tooth #2 was just dangling there like loose teeth do. Jarrod offered him a king sized candy bar if he'd let him pull it.

No deal.

Then he offered Jack $10.

No deal.

Then he offered Jack Mario Cart, the Wii game on his wishlist.

Mouth open.

Tooth removed.

Simple as that.

We've got some leverage here, people.

Then I forgot to share this in my Christmas post, but here's a note from Noah to Santa...

I know a lot of people don't do "Santa" but we do. It's just fun. My kids know Christmas isn't all about Santa, but it just gets 'em goin' you know?? So ya, we do Santa. And my nine-year-old is still a believer. Heck, I might even still be. I love their faces. Their excited little faces.

And here's the last bit of cuteness:
I shared this little ditty on my facebook page, but never shared with y'all.

My sweet little bug is completely in love with love right now. She wants to get married. And she wants to marry my brother. I just love that. Whoever does marry Jesse is a lucky girl...but for right now, he's taken...by Sister.

We were at Goodwill scavenging and she scoped the wedding dresses in all their lace taffeta like a hawk zeroing in on a pitiful little bunny rabbit.

"I want this for my wedding when I marry Jesse. Let's just buy it so someone else doesn't buy it."

Oh sweet thing, no one in their right mind would buy that white hot mess.

She's obviously been worried about the financial side of the wedding affair, because she came up with the idea (all on her own, mind you) that Jesse should purchase the dress for her. Lack of money problem solved...have your man pick up the tab. Good thinkin' girlie :)

Here's her thoughts...

a crafty weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:20:00 +0000

Jealousy Alert: I just spent a dreamy weekend away, so if you're feeling really stressed and really need a weekend away you might want to skip this...I'm feeling pretty spoiled right now. (spoled, if you live where I live)

My new friend Sarah and I have had this dream/idea of throwing our very own craft weekend someday...but we were both feeling like now is not the right time. So we decided what we did need was a weekend away to have some girly/craft/junk/ikea time.

I told you it was dreamy...

This is Sarah Tucker of Create Studio. You probably already know her, but if you don't you really should. She creates some of the cutest things out there. She just opened an Etsy shop...she makes and sells cowl-neck scarves and much more...I'm wearing one she gave me in that pic up there. Super cute!!

Sarah has the perfect getaway spot, her parent's lake house right outside Charlotte. We had the whole house to ourselves. It was so beautiful and serene. The lake is about halfway for both of us, so we met Friday night there. When I got there, Sarah had all her supplies set up. She even put up a festive banner. It definitely helped to set the mood :)

Friday night, our intentions were to jump right in and get crafting, but we were much too chatty. I showed her the proper way to make stove top popcorn and we talked and ate till the wee hours of the night.

Saturday morning we had a yummy breakfast at Starbucks and headed to this fab.u.lous flea market! It was SO fun. Since moving here, I've been wondering if I'd ever be able to find fun, cheap junk again...it seems like it's all more expensive here. But we hit the mecca and both of us did GREAT!

How cute is she just digging through a box of old patterns?? I mean, really??

And they were 3/$1. Cheap-o deluxe! I'm going to try to incorporate some into some mixed media pieces. (I'm taking Jeanne Oliver's new online class and I just know I'm going to learn a ton!) And Sarah's going to frame some for her studio.

Heres' a picture of our loot. Sarah got this adorable sewing kit basket chock full of OLLLLDDDD sewing notions. I got an old book, that green tackle box thingy, that t.n.t box, patterns, and see that pile of wire on the bottom? Its an old shelf from a grocery store. I'm going to use it in my studio...someday ;)

After junking, was IKEA...where neither one of us bought one thing! I know, insane right?!? Don't worry, I'll make up for my mistakes later.

After IKEA was crafting into the wee hours once again. I made lots of stuff for my new Etsy line. It'll be ready very soon....I can't wait to show you what I've been working on! Sunday morning was more crafting and then goodbyes.

We had such a fun time. I left relaxed and refreshed. I think being away for a few days makes me love my family so much more. Noah made dinner for us on Sunday and it was delightful. I just love my little people. And my friends. And crafting...all weekend.

Thank you, Sarah, for a fabulous time!! I needed it badly! Thank you :)

xo,

{alicia}

happy.

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Just a happy lil' post:

Finding the tiniest patch of ice and turning it into an ice skating rink to hold the "Train Ice Capades"....Imagination=Happy :)

My mom coming to visit in approximately 4 weeks and 4 days...Moms=Happy.

PS: this is not my mom, it's me...just a little younger version of the original.

Wild holly branches growing in my backyard...nature=happy!

Super fun side-projects to plan, encouragement from friends, fun mail, sweet cards from Karen ;), stressful projects simplified...Happy!

See that black blob by her feet? It's a dead mole. He's frozen stiff. She is convinced he's hibernating...just sleeping. Optimism=Happy!!

Impromptu whisker drawing...Washable markers=happy...

A pile of yummy plaids and warm colored felt...Being Creative=happy happy!!

Turning that stack into yummy plaid/felt creations...Hand Made Crafts=Very Happy!

Have a happy happy weekend, friends :)

xo,

{alicia}

ready for routine

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I had a wise friend tell me when I started homeschooling to take off or at least greatly simplify school during the month of December. She was right and I've heeded that advice since we started homeschooling.

School in December consisted of math and reading. That's pretty much it...they did some daily activities on their own, but it's always been very laid back.

Well! It is now January 3rd and it is TIME TO GET BACK into a good ol' routine!

I've made some adjustments to our school this month. I've taken a lot of time these last couple weeks to really streamline and organize our schedule.

I'm looking to find that balance between super structured and NOT schooling at all. It's a constant battle of me not wanting to be the "scary scheduled school marm" or the "my kids can't add 2+2" mom. It's a balance, I guess.

One thing I did was make these busy boxes for Sophia...

I didn't buy anything to do these, just stuff I had around the house. But she's only going to be allowed the box for the specific day. I'm hoping this will keep her busy and entertained so we can get our work done. She's not really bad during school, she just wants to be part of everything...this way she's still at the table with us, but just keeping herself busy.

I'm planning on switching the activities our regularly to keep them fresh and fun.

The other thing I did differently is eliminate our schoolroom.

*gasp!*

I know, right?

Well, the whole sleep all together in one room thing wasn't really working. They were keeping each other up ALLLLL night :-/

The other thing was, I felt like our schooling kept gravitating upstairs anyway. So we're doing school at the dining room table this semester to see how it goes.

The homeschool bookshelves are now housed in the family room downstairs and the kids each have their daily baskets to carry to the table every day.

I'm hoping to get a cabinet of some sort to hold daily work in the dining room, but we'll make it work for now.

So I've officially got the time line of the American Revolution on my dining room wall...how's that for home decor?? :)

(ps: I think this townhouse is sucking all my decoration mojo from me...I have no creative juices left...)

SO, here we go...school's back in session!!

Our fall semester was kind of a disaster...with moving and getting settled, it just was hard. We got all the necessities done, but necessities are no fun...we want the fun school stuff too. So this semester, I'm going for fun...easy, simplified fun :)

Yeah for newly refreshed routines!!

{alicia}

2012 reads

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:04:00 +0000

I did not write down a ton of goals and resolutions this year. I feel like there's been enough change, stretching, bending, growing just naturally happening around here based on our circumstances. BUT I did make a few goals and wrote them down. One goal? Read more!

I love to read. I already do read a lot, but I actually made a list of books I read in 2011 (it's incomplete because I can't remember them all) and I made a list for the books I want to read in 2012.

Here's a list of a few of the books I read last year:

-Jane Eyre

-Pride & Prejudice

-The White Queen (SUCH a good book!)

-Cleopatra's Daughter

-The Soldier's Wife (loved this one too!!)

-Same Kind of Different As Me

and....

here's my list for this year so far:

-The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society

-Little Women

-The Twilight Series (i've never read these! *gasp!*)

-The Paris Wife

-To Kill a Mockingbird (rereading this. i love it)

-A Reliable Wife

-The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

-Anne of Green Gables (i've never read this either!)

SO...is there anything else I need to add?? There's also several parenting books that I like to reread every year too. I'm going to keep a running list of my read books on the side of my blog, so I can actually remember what I've read :)

Hope you had a great holiday weekend!!

xo,

{alicia}

2011: A Year in Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

2011 was a year of some major transition, from hair to geography to jobs, we covered it.

Looking back over this piece of web space is like a dream world...how could this have all just happened in one year?

I'm sure every year feels like this when you look back. It seems like forever-ago, but yet like it shouldn't be over yet.

So here it is, 2011 in a few photos and links to past posts:

{I met Ms. Brandi...eek!}

{Fun Things}

{Moving? Yes. Moving.}

{Goodbyes}

{Hellos}

{New Traditions}

{And a Whole Lotta Love}

Through this change-full year, I've been learning to stretch...be ok with things, let go of some unnecessary expectations. And hopefully by this time next year, we'll have transitioned from the transition period and see how much we've grown. It's not all been easy, this year of 2011, but it's all been worth it. Very much so, worth it.

I pray 2012 finds you and yours happy, healthy, and cozy.

I will be spending the weekend organizing, recording goals for the year, hiking?, and watching movies.

Have a great weekend!
See you next year!! (sorry, I just couldn't resist)

xo,

{alicia}

highlights of a low key christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I loved this Christmas.

Here's some highlights:

Christmas Eve was busy with preparations so I didn't have to do a darn thing on Christmas day. I set the table for Christmas Eve dinner before church so it was all ready. This year, I set each place with the last week of ornaments from our Jesse Tree.

So after dinner I read the Nativity story and the kids put the ornaments on our Jesse Tree.

We did it by candle light. It was lovely.

Some of our traditions are: Christmas Eve service, a yummy Christmas morning breakfast, Christmas day with family, and new jammies.
We did all that again this year, minus the family part. But we did Skype with them, which was SO fun! we loved that!

Christmas morning is what they've all been waiting for...when the paper and craziness really happens. Here's a few snaps...

She's eating chocolate. It's like 8am. She doesn't think we know what she's doing. Oh my gosh, I was laughing so hard. Every once in a while she'd pop her head up with chocolate all over her teeth...kinda gross, kinda cute :)

The Crayon Maker from Santa rocked! And so did Jenga! And by the way, she wore that crown ALL day. I don't know how her head didn't hurt!

Here's a little video I made of us on Christmas Day, just to show you how laid back it really was. At one point during the day I was like, "oh my gosh! everyone is quietly doing different things...this is amazingly quiet. i must document!" so I did.

Jarrod is putting together a dresser I got him from IKEA. He loves it.

Noah is building a giant roller coaster from KNEX.

Sophia got her FIRST Barbies for Christmas, so she's all about the Barbies.

And Jack is playing DS.

Oh. And I'm recording the activities, looking more tired than I really am :)

Enjoy.

(music is Joy to the World by Sufjan Stevens)

By the way: I love this week. It's like the pep rally before the new year's goals and plans.

This week I'm taking Christmas down, writing out a few goals for 2012, planning my winter etsy line, planning school for this semester, and filling in my new planner...how bout you? Are you ready for the new year??

xo,

{alicia}

here we go, it's Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:02:00 +0000

December 23rd makes me remember when I was a little girl.

It makes me treasure what I have, being a mom of little kids making memories.

When I was little, my dad would tell me the same stories every year. That dude should write a book of all his crazy stories...I still don't really know which ones were true and which weren't...

so we had a conference call with Grandpa Bill to hear the story about chasing down Santa Claus and accidentally making him fall over...

Everyone is smiling, secreting, can't wait to see what their stocking will have in them Christmas morning. We're all eating badly...sneaking cookies. (I'm sneakily eating Mexican tea cookies before my kids wake up...)

I was balancing my checkbook in the computer yesterday. It was raining, so I thought the little *rustlerustlerustle* (ever so faintly, mind you) was just the rain.

No.

It was a little Christmas elf-person, sneaking Puppy Chow...covered in powdered sugar.

I laughed.
It's Christmas.

We had a torrential downpour last night with thunder and lightning.

What the??????

It's December for heck's sake!

I'm used to blizzards, not thunderstorms...

Crazy.

Magic.

We made these collage thingies yesterday.

I love how they turned out.

Sophia decided they should stay out all winter, because they are wintery.

I agree completely.

Sophie's

Jack's:

Noah's: (he totally gets the whole depth perception thing. I love that)

So here we go, it's Christmas!

Here's our card. Greetings to you and yours.

I'm going to love love love on my babies this weekend. Soak up all the magic there is to be had. I'm ready. I'm excited.

Merry Christmas, y'all.

xo,

{alicia}