Mama Loves Papa

Black and White

2012-02-25T15:03:00.002-08:00

I'm joining in with The Paper Mama's photo challenge again this week. The theme is black and white, so I took this photo (which I adore!) and turned it black and white.

I'm super excited for next week's challenge, Favorite Photo of February. Can you guess which one I'm going to choose? You've already seen it.

This and That for the Weekend

2012-02-25T14:13:00.006-08:00

So, remember how I entered the photo contest at The Paper Mama? Well, I WON last week's challenge. I can't even tell you how excited I am! I'll post my entry for this week's challenge, Black and White, later today!

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The winner of the Large Ad Space for March is #15, Keshet! YAY! Email me so we can get you all set up!

There is still time for you sponsor Mama Loves Papa for March. I would love to promote your blog, business, or shop and, remember, advertise in March and get April free! Email me for more information.

On Marriage

2012-02-24T04:00:00.010-08:00

So, remember awhile back I said I was going to do a marriage series? Well, I know it's taken longer than planned, but I promise, it's going to be worth the wait. I'm teaming up with these two fabulous ladies:

Gina of Contemplating Beauty

Courtney of Vintch

This is going to be a five week series covering topics like Expectations (Tuesday's topic!), Loving Through (dealing with big or chronic issues- sickness, depression, etc...), Communication, and more. Each week the three of us will be blogging our different perspectives on each topic. We'll also have a linky up each week and we'd love to have you blog about the same topics and link up with us. We want this to be a place for women of all walks of life- married, single, divorced, widowed- to share your perspective on that week's topics. So, remember, this Tuesday we'll be talking about expectations. Such a great topic!

I'm so excited about this series, but I must admit, I'm a little bit nervous. Marriage struggles aren't something that are openly talked about, aside from therapists offices, but most people are probably hesitant to even share there. It's ok to admit you're struggling with your children or your weight or most anything else, but it seems it's socially unacceptable to talk about marriage problems and issues. I know so many women (and I was one!) that felt isolated and alone during hard times in my marriage. It wasn't until I started reaching out to friends and other women that I realized that every single marriage has their own issues.

Naturally, I'm a very open person, I love sharing my experiences and am excited when they help someone. My husband has never had a problem with me sharing anything on this blog or in real life, but I know that many times the way that we relate in marriage starts way before our I Dos. It starts in our family of origin, our first model of marriage. This isn't an anonymous blog and many of our family and friends read this, so I want to be sensitive to those relationships. It can be a difficult line to walk between being vulnerable and open and over-sharing. Honestly, I'd rather err on the side of over sharing, if it ministers to even one person.

So, this is a journey of telling our stories, sharing about marriage, and our prayer is that each person that reads these and writes their own stories would be encouraged and ministered to.

Last day to enter the Large Ad Space Giveaway!

Small Style #51

2012-02-23T00:00:00.001-08:00

Next week is Week #52- One full year of Small Style! I can't even believe it! Next year, in addition to showing you some of my favorite Small Style photos (mine and yours) we'll be having a little giveaway. All you'll need to do to enter is just link up your Small Style post. If you're a once in awhile poster or if you've never linked up, but have been wanting to, next week is the perfect week to start!

Here's a little sneak peek of what I'll be giving away. I'll post all the details and full descriptions of the items next Wednesday.

Both a headband and hair clip from Sweet Lilybelle

Silk Shawl from Mi Pancita

Set of four bows from Adornme Girl

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Top- Gap, Shorts- Old Navy, Tights- Hand me down from a friend, Bow- Adornme Girl, Shoes- See Kai Run via Zulily

Finley is proudly showing off the rock that she got from Samuel. Samuel lovingly gave each one of us a rock from his rock collection (a homeschool project that he's having so much fun with!). As you can see, Finley is quite enamored with her gift from big brother- and with him!

Link up here:

Papa and His Girl

2012-02-22T13:37:00.005-08:00

There are few things more beautiful to me than watching their relationship. This morning we took the little ones to a coffee shop. After we were done, as we were getting ready to leave, I went to throw away the trash. As I walked back over to the table Eric was leaning over towards Finley and she was wiping off his face with a napkin. Oh, it made my heart melt.

One of the most important aspects in a little girl's life is her relationship with her father. I am so thankful that Eric is a physically affectionate, involved, loving, and available (emotionally and physically) dad to our sweet girl (and our boys).

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-I am loving reading your responses to the survey. Thank you so much to those of you who have filled it out. If you haven't, will you please take a few minutes and fill it out for me?

-Don't forget to enter to win a large ad space for your shop, blog, or business. You have until Thursday to enter.

-See you tomorrow for Small Style!

Reader Survey

2012-02-21T13:24:00.000-08:00

Hello friends! I have a little survey that I would LOVE to have you fill out. While I call my blog a "lifestyle blog," I really mean I blog about a little bit of everything.

I'd love to narrow down my topics and focus on more of a "niche" (or a few niches) and I'd love to know why you come here, what you love to read about, and what you want more of.

Thank you SO much for giving me a few minutes of your time!

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(I'm closing comments, so you can fill out the survey instead. Thanks!!)

Park Time!

2012-02-21T04:00:00.003-08:00

Back when Judah was just a little baby I read that kids nap better and sleep better at night when they're outside during the day. Every since then I've tried to get the kids outside every single day, rain or shine. We're fortunate to live in a place that even when it's raining it never gets too cold to spend a little time outdoors.

When Eric and I were dating and engaged most of our time was spent outside. We loved to go hiking, bike riding, swimming, and on picnics. With four little kids it's a little more challenging to go hiking, but I love when we do. These days our hikes are little slower and a little shorter, but still fun.

We love the fact that we have a huge city park right here in town. It's divided into two parts- Upper Park is hilly and Lower Park is flat with a creek running through both. Yesterday we went hiking in Upper Park and a few days ago we spent time in lower park, which is only a few minute jog or bike ride from our front door.

Blog Love: 365 Lucky Days

2012-02-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

You're probably already familiar with this blog, but just in case you're not, let me introduce you to 365 Lucky Days. Lucky is creating one beautiful piece of art every day for a year. I love all of them, but this little girl in a tutu with a Darth Vader mask jumped out at me. A few days before I saw this, Finley walked out into the living room, where Eric and I were, wearing a cute little pink dress and Judah's Darth Vader mask. If I didn't know better I would say this little girl was Finley.

A few other favorites: Dwight Schrute, my gorgeous friend, Desiree, a VW Bug, a dress and cowboy boots, and Amy Poehler.

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Happy President's Day! Eric is taking the day off, so we'll be spending some time out in this beautiful weather! Do you have any fun plans!

-Don't forget to enter to win a large ad space for your blog or shop!

Sponsor Mama Loves Papa for March, get April free! (EDITED TO ADD: GIVEAWAY!)

2012-02-19T13:04:00.000-08:00

March will be a busy, fun month here at Mama Loves Papa and a great month for you to advertise your shop or blog! March 1st will be the one year Small Style anniversary and I've created a new weekly schedule that should be fun!

I'm continuing the buy one month of ad space, get one free sale! This means that for only $9 (that's $4.50 per month!) you'll get a small ad space or $16 for a large ad (only $8 per month!). There is also an extra large, featured ad available. Email me for more information on advertising in March and April at mamalovespapablog@gmail.com

Oh yes, I'm also going to do another large sponsor spot giveaway for March! Just leave a comment and tell me what you'd want your ad space for. If you pay for an ad space and then win I'll either refund your money or give you a free third month.

For extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each entry):
Be (or become) a follower of the blog
Follow me on twitter (@mamalovespapa)
Like the Mama Loves Papa Facebook page

You have until Friday, March 23rd to enter. Winner will be chosen via random.org on the 24th.

My Family

2012-02-18T16:07:00.000-08:00

I'm linking up for The Paper Mama's photo challenge. I'll post the rest of the photos from our park visit later in the week. There's some more cute ones!

Featured Small Style {Naomi from The Longs}

2012-02-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

This week's Small Styler (Or, is it stylist? Or, something else? I can't figure it out.) is precious Naomi from The Longs. I love the Valentine's theme for these adorable photos! Isn't she just a doll?

Baby Liam and the R Family

2012-02-17T04:00:00.001-08:00

Oh, wow. I can't believe I almost forgot Small Style yesterday. Thanks so much to Stephanie for pointing to me that yesterday was, in fact. Thursday. In less than two weeks it will be the Small Style one year anniversary. I'm super excited about the giveaway and there's still time to participate. I'll be highlighting your shop several times in the next couple of weeks, so if you'd like to give something away just let me know!

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I did my first newborn shoot a few weeks ago with baby Liam and family. It is always so fun being around a sweet new baby and his two older sisters were adorable with him. He is definitely loved and doted on. Thank you SO much R family for letting me photograph you!

Small Style #50

2012-02-16T08:25:00.000-08:00

Ohmygoodness! I am seriously losing my mind! I thought today was Wednesday, not Thursday, so today's Small Style is a little late. You can now link up.....

Dress- Misha Lulu, Cardigan- Mine, when I was her age
I know this recap is a little late (well, by blog standards), but we had a fabulous Valentine's Day!

I didn't take very many pictures (you have to live in the moment once in awhile, you know?), but our day was full of fun!

The kids woke up to a red table decorated with vintage sheets, thermoses, and other fun red items from around the house. Samuel asked, "Why does the table look like this?" Good thing Judah was there to inform him, "For Valentine's Day!" They each opened up a small gift- small lego packs for the boys, a plastic bat and ball for Silas (who is very much in love with baseball these days) and Superman and Wonderwoman Little People for Finley Girl.

Eric, the kids, and I visited Judah at school and joined them for their Valentine's party. The rule for the Valentines that they passed out to their class was that they had to be handmade and no candy was allowed. Eric and I loved this, but it sure was different from when I was in elementary school. Then, all the kids brought berries and homemade whip cream and they had a little berry feast. It was so sweet! The picture of Finley at the top was at Judah's school party.

That night my mom came over to watch the kids with a box of cookies in hand (yum!) and Eric and I went to dinner at our favorite place, Sierra Nevada. This is our go to place, but it was fun to get a little more dressed up and eat fancier food from their special Valentine menu. Eric gave me a little family of gold, vintage owls that are living happily on our mantel.

Link up here:

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T08:00:00.001-08:00

Three of my handsome Valentines. Love these guys!

Whether you're in a relationship or not, I hope you feel loved and adored today, because you are!

Do you do anything special on Valentine's Day? My mom always did a little something for us, so I love to do the same for my kids. We got them each a little gift, a box of crayons, and I wrote a love letter with all the things that I love about each of them.

Tonight, thanks to my sweet mama, Eric and I are going to out to dinner. I'm excited!

Small Style #49

2012-02-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Well, last week was the 49th week of Small Style and now it's the 49th again. Actually, I skipped the 48th last week (whoops!), so this week is actually the 49th. In three weeks we'll be having the Small Style one year anniversary! There will be some fun giveaways, so make sure you participate that week because I'll be drawing the winner(s) from that week's linkys.

If you are a shop or small business owner (or anyone, for that matter) and would like to donate something to the giveaway I would LOVE it! I will have a post up the week before with all of the prizes and links to the blogs and shops and then another post the day before and day of the one year anniversary. This is a great time to promote your shop! We already have a few fun prizes, but I would love to add yours to the line up! For more information you can email me at mamalovespapablog@gmail.com

On Samuel: Hoodie- Old Navy, Jeans- Target, Shoes- Vans
On Silas: Hoodies and Jeans- Hand me downs from big brothers, I forgot where we got them, Boots- Target
On Finley: Cardigan- Vintage, thrifted, Dress and tights- Target, Shoes- c/o See Kai Run

I usually take my Small Style pictures on Wednesdays (last minute, I know!) when Judah is at school. I much prefer all four of them in them, so next time I'll have to plan my "photoshoot" better. How do you get pictures of all of your kids together? Do you plan it or just take them when you can? I love Stephanie's Four on the Fourth idea. I usually just try to take as many pictures of the four of them together as possible. Those pictures are so special and it seems like the more kids you have the harder it is to get photos with them all together.

Link up here:

Toddler Mischief

2012-02-08T13:47:00.001-08:00

Ever since Judah was three and Samuel was a year and a half (and I was newly pregnant with Silas) we've had two toddlers in the house. Toddlers are SO much fun! They're smart and funny and witty and understand so much more than I ever thought. They're these mini-little people with opinions and thoughts and their own personalities.

I adore Silas and Finley, my sweet little toddlers. They're so loving and affectionate. They both love to be held and sit on my lap (usually at the same time), give kisses, and say I love you. They both say I'm their best friend (swoon) and their favorite lady.

These sweet little things are also ALWAYS into mischief. It's a good thing they're sweet and so cute because they are constantly into something. Here's a few of their recent shenanigans:

-The other evening Eric went to take the dog for a walk. Finley was coloring and Silas wanted to color, too, so they went into the kitchen to get a pencil. They had been in there for a little too long and I thought, "oh no! What are they coloring on?" as I went to check on them. I found them both on the floor, spoons in hand, with a gallon of ice cream in between them. Silas looked up at me and said, "me eat a lot!"

-Today they were playing in Finley's room and when I went to check on them I found the door locked. I told Silas to unlock the door and when I got in I found them with the bottle of hand soap. Hand soap was all over the floor and all over Finley's head (the pictures are after I removed her dress and washed her mullet.)

Oh my, I love these two.

Maternity Photos {Tara and Dave}

2012-02-07T12:42:00.000-08:00

I've been gone from the blog the last few days because I've been busy, busy, busy shooting and editing photos. I had two super fun shoots this weekend- one maternity and one newborn.

The maternity shoot was with my dear friend, Tara, and her husband, Dave. Tara and I have been friends for years and years. I think we first met when she moved to town in 5th grade and we became close friends in high school. I'm so excited to see Dave and Tara become parents to their first baby girl. I can't wait to meet her! It was such a privilege to photograph these two and Tara really is glowing! Oh, and Dave was such a trooper. He was sick, but was still such a good sport about posing, helping me out, and walking all around. Thank you SO much, Tara and Dave!

Featured Small Style {Luna from Peach on Earth}

2012-02-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

Something I've been meaning to do for a long time is have one little Small Stylist featured here each week. The first little lady I want to feature is Luna the daughter of Liz from Peach on Earth. Liz is also mom to her handsome little guy, Niko. I met Liz and became "real life friends" with her at Blogher in August and Miss Luna is just at gorgeous as her mama!

Thanks for sharing Niko and Luna with us, Liz! I love them a part of Small Style!

I Love Kyle Williams

2012-02-03T16:48:00.001-08:00

(One of my favorites of Kyle's songs.)
Have you heard of Kick Starter? Have you heard of Kyle Williams? Well, the two of them have come together to create something of epic proportions!

Our good friend Kyle Williams is an incredibly talented singer-song writer (his wife, just so happens to be equally as talented and one of my favorite ladies). Right now he is working on his first full-length album and is raising funds for it to be produced.

Kyle has 19 days to reach his goal of $3,500. Visit Kyle's Kick Starter to read more about him, give, and we'd LOVE for you to spread the word on your blog, facebook, and twitter! There are also some fun things that you can receive depending on how much you give (like your photo on the back cover of the album!).

You can also find Kyle at his website and on twitter.

Small Style #48

2012-02-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you for joining me for this week's #Small Style!

On Judah: Coat, Shirt, and Jeans- Thrifted, Shoes- Vans
On Silas: Sweatshirt- Hand me down, Target, Jeans- Old Navy, Shoes- Converse
On Finley- Sweatshirt: Kohls, gift from Nana, Ruffle top- Target, gift from Grandma, Jeans- Gift from Uncle Scott & Aunt Caroline, Shoes- See Kai Run via Zulily
We live in the city that Eric and I both grew up in. I was even born at the hospital that is about five miles down the road from our house. The kids have a lot of family members right here in town- three grandparents, five great-grandparents, five great-aunts and uncles, eight seconds cousins, and one third cousin (no aunts, uncles, or first cousins- boo!), not to mention all of my great-aunts and uncles and their families. At least a couple times a month each of the boys usually spends the night with either my mom or Eric's mom, dad, and grandma.

This picture was taken on one of those days. Samuel was spending the night with Eric's parents, so that's why it's only the other three in the photos. We feel incredibly blessed to have so many family members living near us. Do you live near your family?

Link up here:

I Love Lace!

2012-02-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

Dress- Lulu's
Last Saturday I went to my friend's baby shower. It was a dessert and cocktail shower and we all dressed up. Isn't that a great shower theme? I wore my new Lulu's dress. I'm pretty sure this is going to be my Valentine's date dress, too. Actually, I think I'm going to find as many places to wear it as possible. Lace is my absolute favorite trend right now. I'm currently on a hunt for the perfect pair of lace shorts.

(My shoes and tights got cut out, but I wore black tights and black heels.)

Finley's "Bed Boy Bed"

2012-01-31T10:35:00.000-08:00

My sweet girl (well, all of my kids) are growing up! A few nights ago we moved Finley out of her crib. She'd climb out as soon as we put her in and each night and nap time we'd find her asleep on the floor.

We recently moved Silas into a big boy bed, so Finley says she sleeps in a "big boy bed," too. We've actually changed all of the sleeping arrangements around- Judah has his own room, Samuel and Silas are sharing a room now, and we don't have any more cribs in our house.

Things are changing, the kids are growing up, and this mama, as always, is a little sad and very excited and proud. Motherhood is quite the adventure: ever-changing and adjusting. I'm not too good with change, but I think I'm getting a little better.

I Wouldn't Mind These

2012-01-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

A few things that I have my eye on these days...

Source: frenchblue-frenchblue.blogspot.com via Morgan on Pinterest

I found these robin's egg blue Hunter boots on Pinterest, but can't find this color for sale anywhere. Does anyone know where I can buy them?

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Morgan on Pinterest

The Instax Mini. Or, the regular.

Source: amazon.com via Morgan on Pinterest

I need a gold watch.

Source: tumblr.com via Morgan on Pinterest

I love this gold OPI nail polish.

Source: shopprettymommy.myshopify.com via Morgan on Pinterest

Pretty ring.

Source: stkildajewelry.com via Morgan on Pinterest

Another lovely ring.

I started writing this as a "Valentine's Gift Guide," but then I was like, "do Eric and I even do gifts for Valentine's Day?" Then, I thought about expectations for Valentine's Day and in marriage. Expectations is, most definitely, going to be my first topic for the marriage series. February is the perfect month for talking about love, relationships, and marriage, don't you think?

Giveaway Winners!

2012-01-29T17:03:00.001-08:00

The winner of the Color Land Matryoshka Doll is #9, Laura

The winner of the large February ad space is #24, "seizinglifebythewristlet"

YAY! Congratulations, ladies! Email me at mamalovespapablog@gmail.com so I can get you your prizes.

Also, if you are interested in advertising on Mama Loves Papa for February, get the month of March FREE! (Prices starting at only $9). Check out this post or email me for more details!

Sex, Marriage, & Fairytales {A Christian View on Marriage}

2012-01-27T09:47:00.001-08:00

Tell me, if you're married, has it been what you expected? Easier? Harder?

(I'm thinking of doing a few marriage-centered posts. What do you think? What, specifically, do you think I should discuss, share, talk about?)