The Wiegand's

wear 23 weeks & the shoot.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:41:00 +0000

photos c/o: kristen rae photography
Dress, bracelet, purse, belt, necklace c/o: impeccable pig

dress here
bracelet here
purse here
belt here
necklace here

***I don't normally do 2 giveaways in one week but I am today!!**

*TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG**

additional entries:

check out their shop here

follow their blog HERE
tell them hello from CaseyLeigh on fb here

**for any of my links you follow- comment for each

*tweet, status update/blog post- comment for each!

a shopping day.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Wed, 23 May 2012 03:22:00 +0000

It is incredibly rare for me to spend money on clothes for myself. Most of the time if I do I get something from target or forever21.

BUT about twice a year with Christmas money or birthday money I might splurge on something. If I do this I try and buy something that is a staple. Something that I can wear with lots of different outfits, in lots of different ways throughout the year.

Well, a dear friend of mine (all the way back to my highschool days) owns the most amazing boutique. The Impeccable Pig. She now has four locations in Dallas and has an online store where any of you can buy their amazing stuff! Something else I love about them is that they contribute to local non-profit organizations.

Kristen and I went and met with them a few weeks ago and talked to them about putting together a few outfits to showcase for you guys...we had so much fun!! The feel of their store is amazing. I wanted to pick out a lot of different things to wear knowing that you could purchase any one of their items and it could be a staple for an outfit!

Here are the pics from us looking through all of the gorgeous accessories and clothes- then tomorrow we will show you how we styled an outfit for photos....

AND there just might be a giveaway involved!

photos c/o: kristen rae photography

impeccable pig: shop: facebook: twitter: blog

ppp giveaway.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:21:00 +0000

pictures of me c/o: kristen rae photography

dress c/o: Poor Pitiful Pearl

***She is one of Etsy's top sellers and was featured on etsy's quit your day job here!

giveaway: free item

{ your choice between the three flannel styles}

Fitted flannel oxy, Flannel tube or flannel oxy with mix matched sleeves.

*TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG*

additional entries:

Check out her etsy HERE

Follow her blog HERE

Follow me on Bloglovin' HERE

Follow me on twitter HERE

Like me on Facebook HERE

good luck! xoxo

winners! (email me)
canty boots: kelsey elizabeth
group giveaway: kassie

pool days.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:24:00 +0000

Saturday we got to spend the day at the pool with my parents- it took me back to my childhood summers...pool, sunscreen, popsicles, pool toys, naps by the water.... we had a blast :)- it was perfect.

* ainsleigh's swimsuit is from old navy!

life lately via cellphone pics.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Sun, 20 May 2012 22:45:00 +0000

I had the best weekend! Chris was supposed to be out of town and ended up staying here- I scored a date night Friday night, a full day yesterday at the pool (pics coming soon), time at the studio, church and a dear friend's birthday party. It was lovely :).

Hope everyone had a great weekend as well!! Happy Sunday. xoxo

guess.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:14:00 +0000

I still drive my same car that I got when I was 16.

I turn 29 next month, so my black 4 runner and I have been through a lot together.

Often times when I am driving, I glance in the rear view mirror at my two sweet faces sitting behind me and think...

little did I know. Little did I know when I was 16 and driving around for the first time...or packing up my car heading down to Waco for my first semester at Baylor....little did I know that I'd be cruisin' around years later, a changed heart, a changed life- and 2 sweet little souls in those same seats.

Crushed goldfish in the car carpets, a double stroller in the trunk, little finger print smudges on the windows-

how full my heart would be.

At my parent's house, the room looks different (my old room) then when I grew up there..but there is a reminder of a once small girl that lived in that room.

My glow in the dark stars still stuck to the ceiling.

The same ceiling I stared up at night after night as a young girl...through broken hearts and late night homework sessions.

Now sometimes Aiden, Ains and I will be playing in that room, look up at those same stars- and oh how my life has changed.

I never knew what being a mom and a wife and really the last 5 years of growth would bring me.

But I can tell you that it's been beautiful.

Sometimes mess brings beauty.

I love being a wife. And I love being a mom. I ask Aiden all the time

" do you know how much I love being your mom? Can you feel it in your heart?"

I want him to feel it, to see it.

Chris and Ainsleigh too.

Before I got married words of affirmation was huge to me (from the book 5 love languages) but now years later it means almost nothing.

It's near the end of the list.

I don't want words.

I want to see it, feel it.

And same goes for them.

I want them to see it.

Feel it.

Thankful for every event that has shaped me until now, even the devastating ones.

They have taught me so much about life.

And love.

And how to love people.
How to show grace.
How to give.

It's made me a better mother, a better wife.
Still learning though. And still changing.

I'm forever thankful for that.

photos c/o: kristen rae photography

cowl c/o: melodyjoy1983

group giveaway day.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:59:00 +0000

bloglovin': facebook

blog: shop

blog: twitter

shop: facebook

blog: twitter

blog: facebook

blog: blog design

facebook: blog

website: facebook

blog: facebook

blog: twitter

blog: facebook

blog: twitter

shop: blog: facebook

blog: etsy

blog: twitter

blog: facebook

blog: shop

blog: twitter

blog: facebook

shop: facebook

shop: blog

blog: blog design

blog: twitter

blog: facebook

blog: twitter

blog: facebook

**TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG**

additional entries:

For every link followed or visited- comment for each
For any of my links followed- comment for each
Tweet, status update or post- comment for each

good luck! xoxo

home tour, a shared room

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:24:00 +0000

Last week ( here) I showed you Ainsleigh's room- soon to be Apple's and mentioned working on Aiden and Ainsleigh's new shared room. This started out as Aiden's nursery, then was Ainsleigh's nursery, then back to Aiden's big boy room and now is being transformed into their shared room for a bit while Apple is small!

Chris made this piece and we got the little baskets at Ikea- its such an easy way to store all of their toys!

I kept all of Aiden's clothes in his room and then the girls will share a closet in the nursery.

We found this dresser awhile back for $30 at an old flea market! The lamp is from Ikea and all of the animals can be found here and here.

Aiden's bed we found at Ikea. The pillows are all mixed and matched- 2 are from my parents, and the rest we found various places. The long round one and the square navy one (that matches the blanket at the end of the bed) were custom orders made before Aiden was born for his crib! We use this lovely lady for all our custom bedding!

Sock monkeys found here.

Rocket painting done by me :)!

Ainsleigh's side of the room is so sweet. Chris hand built the rails so that she won't fall off when we start transitioning her into this big girl bed. The quilt on the chair was my grandmothers and the quilt on her bed can be found here.

The 2 custom pillows were done by our girl here. And the sweet dolly can be found here.

These 2 custom Silhouette Prints are one of my most treasured gifts ever. They are of Aiden and Ainsleigh- and I was able to customize the color, the look, the quotes, everything- and they are true perfection. My sweet friend Jessi teamed up with the lovely Out Of Alabaster and they have a ton of examples you can look at here!
This is something that I will cherish forever and ever, truly!

The beautiful hoop art "morning by morning" can be found here!!
And bunting found here.

I actually have a "hoop art wall" that I am working on to go around these and next to a giant painting I did- a few arent here just yet so I will update this last wall when I get it all complete!

Hoop art from here and a few sweet gifts from here will be updated to this wall very soon!

Canty Boots- Tuesday Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:20:00 +0000

Giving Away: a free pair (any pair) plus free shipping.

"I re-make, re-style, and upcycle vintage boots into a new,
fashionable, and fun -city meets country boot. I am a city girl that
married a cowboy and I have embraced and fallen in love with country
style but I am mostly in love with Cowboy boots.
ALL of the Canty boots are vintage and high quality and the belts are
a combination of old and new. I do custom orders and will make any
size or style. The best part is that these boots cannot be duplicated
so everyone who wears Canty Boots is wearing a unique, original piece.
Canty literally means cheerful, lively. I make sure that each pair
feels that way to me before I list them:)"

*TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG**

additional entries:

check out her shop here

check out her facebook here
follow her blog here

Follow me on Bloglovin' HERE

Follow me on twitter HERE

Check out my Facebook HERE

*tweet, status update/blog post- comment for each!

**last tuesday's winner: Lissa

today!

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:42:00 +0000

Today's the day!

Earlybird tickets for The Influence Conference go on sale TODAY for $170.00 at 9am EST and we're only selling 50.

Here are some of the reasons I would be going to Influence, even if I wasn't one of the hosts.

#1. It's more than a conference. We really believe this is a new season, a new home for this generation of bloggers who want to make much of Jesus. On twitter and in the preschool pickup line.

#2. Some of the women I most adore on the internet are speaking there. Like-minded women who seem a lot like me and like-minded women who seem incredibly different from me.

Did I mention I AM SPEAKING?! YAY!! I am so EXCITED!

Here is a few of the speakers we already have lined up. Incredibly different women, incredibly like-hearted.

#3. We have incredible community leaders. Truly. We've hand picked ten or so women that we believe are key players in this new emerging community. Not only are they coming to the conference, but they've said they will be available all weekend to help lead women through the event. They are some of my favorite women in America that I've never gotten to meet.

Moriah,Emily, Blair, Annalea, Kacia, Kara-Kae, Jen, Raechel, Amanda, and Ashley.

#4. I'd go to Influence because it's going to be a life-giving, refreshing, and rejuvenating weekend. Our aim from the get-go is to give you a weekend that is full of wisdom and encouragement and community WHILE creating margin for you to process, rest, and relax. We don't want you to leave exhausted or drained. We are tailoring and planning and praying that you will leave October 13th READY. For whatever the Lord has for you.

#5. I would come to Influence to learn. If you want to know more about blogging, social media, networking and branding - all for the glory of God, you will learn at Influence. If you want to learn more about seasons of life, applying the gospel in real life community, and making the most of where the Lord has placed you, you will learn at Influence. I truly believe we'll all leave sharpened.

More than a conference. Wise & wonderful speakers. Incredible community leaders.

Refreshing weekend. Sharpening tools.

And those are just my first five reasons.

I'll keep sharing.

For now, you hop on over to the website and snag your ticket.

When the fifty earlybirds are sold out, we'll announce on our blogs and twitter.

I'll see you ladies there!

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

**Oh! and if you feel like it (I know it's not always the best when people ask for votes BUT...) you can vote daily for A Little Artsy for the next 2 weeks- best art school in Dallas!!!

xoxo

everything.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:34:00 +0000

I am sitting here awake, just got home from teaching an art class at the studio and should go to bed but I am looking through these pictures from today...

I couldn't go to bed without sharing.

Look how happy he is.

Oh be still my heart.

I just can't stop smiling knowing how happy this outfit made him.

A sweet sponsor/friend of mine wanted to send something special for Aiden and knows how much he adores dinosaurs. I truly have never been more touched...this dinosaur outfit was made with such thought, such love and such care.... I am just completely blown away by people's kindness.

Anyone who loves my children well is a favorite of mine.

And she made my Aiden's day.

I love delighting in my babies.

I love watching them enjoy life, and smile and laugh and be kids.

I love watching them experience.

I love watching them blossom.

I was watching Aiden playing in his new costume and just so taken by how beautiful he is. It's the same way when I watch Ainsleigh play dress up or dance to music- it's breathtaking for me.

I wasn't even going to post anything for mother's day but while I am here writing I will say that my life changed forever when these 2 came. The emotions and joys I have felt over the past 3 years of being a mama are just beyond what I can even find the words to write about.

My heart is so full just knowing that I have gotten to experience all that I have with them thus far. They are everything.

Love you both.

dino costume c/o: Littles

she is incredibly talented, please check out her beautiful shop!

artsy magazine feature.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Sat, 12 May 2012 02:57:00 +0000

I mentioned a few weeks ago that A Little Artsy had been chosen to be featured in Studios Magazine...well I got my copies in the mail this week and could not be more proud!! They have pictures from the beautiful & talented Kristen Rae Photography (even the cover shot) and a few from Chris! There is also a Q&A with me about starting a little artsy and finding the right space! There are pictures from our current location and our first location-here is what the feature looks like!!!
xoxo Happy Weekend Everyone!!

a new direction

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:37:00 +0000

we are moving!

Well WE are not moving but A Little Artsy is!

It has been really amazing to see how A Little Artsy's story has progressed over the past 5 years. If you have followed me awhile you know it has been a journey, ups and downs- but a beautiful journey nonetheless.
About a month or so ago my dear friend Christy contacted me with this fabulous idea for a new direction for A Little Artsy. There are a lot of things and details that I could share but I will just share this.

As of June 1 we will be in a new location- a school!

A new summer schedule, new curriculum and new direction are all in the works

(Im working super hard to make them all fabulous)!

We will still have classes, parties, camps and art nights (for adults).
Our clientele will not only be children and adults at this school through school events and after school programs, etc but also children from all over Dallas who still want to enroll for classes at our new location!
I love knowing we will grow with this amazing school and get to build relationships with all these sweet, new families!
So if you are in the White rock, Lakewood areas- we are coming!!!

The Children's Center
1423 San Saba Drive
P.O. Box 180159
Dallas, Texas 75218

wear,21(.5) weeks

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:23:00 +0000

photos c/o: kristen rae photography

pink tank c/o: lovenell

(I shortened it to go above my belly but it is originally long!)

shoes c/o: blowfish

jeans: forever21

sunglasses: walmart

home tour. ainsleigh's room

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:47:00 +0000

Chris and I are always changing up the rooms in our home. We love to switch up the furniture and rotate art from room to room! (not new stuff, just moved around from various rooms). Since I posted pics of our home awhile back I thought it might be fun to do a few updates! This is Ainsleigh's room right now but we are in the process of slowly moving her into a shared room with Aiden. (I am a teeny bit nervous about the switch from crib to big girl bed so I am dragging my feet a little).
Then little Apple will take the nursery for awhile!
There aren't many changes in this room but I thought it would be a fun one to start off the "home tour" with!
Eventually the girls will share but for a bit this will be the setup! I am hoping to have pics of their shared room for next week!

In case you are a new reader, a few facts about our home: we live in the home that Chris grew up in. He took 2 years and completely remodeled it by himself and has built a good majority of the furniture in our house himself.

monkeys (customizable) c/o: simply.agape

*you'll notice she made a dino one for aiden, a girlie one for ains and apple's has an apple on it!!

custom deer c/o: wonder forest

owl c/o: i sew lucky
ainsleigh's headband: just.lovely things

pink dress form: flea market

crib/changing table: Babies R Us before Aiden was born

Blanket in Ainsleigh's bed: Ikea
Chris built the tall bookshelf & the toy box!

Rustic Living.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:42:00 +0000

GIVING AWAY: The winner can choose from any of the handmade pillows in her Etsy shop.

"In my Etsy shop I offer customizable pillows (wedding/anniversary), ring bearer pillows, and decorative pillows."

*TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG**

additional entries:

follow her blog HERE (GFC)

check out her shop here

follow her pins here

check out her facebook here

Follow me on Bloglovin' HERE

Follow me on twitter HERE

Check out my Facebook HERE

*tweet, status update/blog post- comment for each!

**last tuesday's winner: brittany (email me)

are you coming with me??

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Where will the conference be

THE BEAUTIFUL Sheraton Keystone in Indianapolis, IN

(ps - it's connected to a massive beautiful mall)

When

Still the 11-13th of October

(we'll start Thursday evening and end Saturday night)

Who

All women are invited.
It's not JUST a blogging conference, but it will be super beneficial for women who are looking to leverage the internet to make much of Jesus.

What

The conference will be made up a few different components.
First of all, we'll be having some life sessions and some strategy sessions.
The life sessions will center around the idea of applying the gospel where the Lord has given you influence in your own personal, real-life world.
The strategy sessions will be chock full of wisdom for those of you building brands, endeavoring online and creative businesses - and all those sessions will be centered around the gospel as well.

We've said it once and we'll say it again. We truly believe this is a conference where a superstar blogger can bring her best friend who wouldn't know how to log into facebook if she tried and they will BOTH leave feeling refreshed, encouraged and excited to use the influence God has given them.
Read more HERE.

"If you’re a blogger or social media pro who wants to grow in her ability to leverage the internet to make much of Jesus–and help support your family’s ability to act and minister – Influence will be that conference. We’ll have professionals who make real and consistent money ready to teach you how to be all about the Gospel and support your family’s ability to spread it.

OR if you’re a gal who cares little about the internet, we believe Influence is for you too and you’ll be blessed beyond measure by coming. If you’ve ever wondered how or why the Lord was going to use you in your home, work, community, or online – Influence is a fantastic place to connect and learn. We believe that God has given you influence right where you are, for one purpose: to make much of Him.

At Influence we’re going to dig into the common thread of all of us – the Good News. We plan on doing a little teaching, talking, sharing, and celebrating concerning the ways He might want to use you on the individual platforms He’s given."

Who else

We know, we know. You want to know who's teaching.
We are certain you're not going to be disappointed.
We're going to keep our speakers under wraps for a few more days, but trust us when we say these women are some of the funniest, bravest, wisest, most creative women we could find on the internet. We prayed and prayed and wrote down our "dream list" of speakers, and they're coming.
You'll be blessed by them.

Also! We've appointed a few community leaders throughout the online world and you'll probably be hearing them talk about Influence as the days go by. They'll be with us leading up to the conference, helping us spread the word, and they'll play a key role that awesome weekend in October - making sure that real community is happening and that women feel taken care of, encouraged, and one of the gals.

If you are worried about coming alone, don't be!

How (do you get there?)

You can check out the website today and talk to your husband/best friend/mama/sister/blogging friends and get ready to buy your ticket.
Next Monday, the 14th, we're going to release FIFTY (only fifty) early bird tickets for $170.
After that, ticket prices will raise to their normal price of $200. Your ticket price includes an amazing breakfast & lunch on Friday and Saturday, coffee and tea, free wifi, tons of goodies and resources, and a bunch of surprises we have up our sleeves.

Starting that day, the Sheraton Keystone will also release the special blocked off rooms that they've reserved for $115. You can split the room with a few friends, and we'll also have a resource to help connect roomates if you need help with that. We're also working on transportation to and from the Indianapolis airport, so that won't be a hassle for you guys!

Lastly, the site

Now, as details become available - you can check out www.theinfluenceconference.com for any and all questions you might have.
You can also email me (casey@caseywiegand.com) or tweet to Haley, Jessi, or me with any and all questions.

All that said, this is still only the start, friends.

We have so many things we are so excited to share about what the Lord is doing behind the scenes and all the fun things we have planned for this blessed weekend in October.

We cannot wait to meet all of you!!!

Oh and for those who have asked...I will have a teeny sweet newborn, Apple, there with me!
******************
I have so much to say about this event. I know that this is going to be a truly special conference, our hope is that it is like nothing else that has been done before. What an amazing place to find community & connect with like.minded women. Jessi & Haley have beautiful posts sharing their hearts about this event- please check them out!

I hope so much to see and meet many of you there in October!!!

summer days.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Sat, 05 May 2012 03:22:00 +0000

Today was such a fun "summer" day.

It's hot here in Texas- so we filled our day with ice pops, ice cream, sprinklers, pools, parks, toys, wagons, books, painting, playdo, bikes & more.

Also, thank you for all of the sweet comments on my post yesterday...it makes me feel better that I am not alone in feeling this way!!

Happy weekend!!

* For those who have asked, I have been making my collages in iPiccy and edit my cellphone pictures with the app instagram (I keep my pics/account private on there though!)

changing.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:01:00 +0000

You know somtimes when you are really upset about something and say something you don't mean out of hurt or passion?

Well something I have been thinking about a lot lately with this blog is change.

And how I am changing and my ideas /views on things are changing and how sometimes that can be strange when you have a blog.

Like when you feel a certain way...or maybe are fueled by something else going on in life, or talking out of fear, or a whole range of options...and you post about them. And then months later your thoughts change.

I changed pretty drastically from highschool/college to who I started to become in the next phase of life. So if I had blogged in college I probably would be deleting blog posts left and right, rolling my eyes at outfits and so on and so forth.

Every once in awhile I will get a critical comment on an old blog post (from months and months before) and when I read the comment and then read part of the post I will think, "wow, I think youre right!"

I tend to be very "moldable"- like if someone offers me criticism more often than not I am going to try and see the truth in it and change it in myself.

I am not sure where I am even going with all of this- except that there are have been moments on this space where I wrote "in passion" or "in fear" and now months later I am not so sure about a particular statement or view.

The weird thing about having a blog is that it's out there forever.

So people reading are seeing you grow up,

seeing you change...
seeing you be molded

and that could possibly be embarrassing.

I imagine I will roll my eyes at age 50 at a few statements or outfits that I made/wore years before....but I already sort of feel that way at times.

But I think it's worth it.
I am okay with embarrassing my self a little as long as people give me mercy as I change and as I "grow up".

So I guess bare with me as I work through all of this,

as I work out viewpoints, thoughts and more.

Some may change.

Some already have.

**on your heart link.up** Is back!

Many people said that they missed it. This is a great chance to meet other bloggers who have something "on their heart"- feel free to link up your posts!

scenes.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:50:00 +0000

take the cannoli.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:07:00 +0000

GIVING AWAY: an original "Sunshine" hand stitched hoop art AND a mini felt bow garland in "sherbet"

10% for your readers use CASEYLOVE as discount code for the duration of the giveaway

*TO ENTER YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG**

additional entries:

follow her blog here

check out her shop here

follow her twitter here

check out her facebook here

Follow me on Bloglovin' HERE

Follow me on twitter HERE

Check out my Facebook HERE

*tweet, status update/blog post- comment for each!

**I sew Lucky winner: (email me) adventures of a blondie mommy

wear. 20 weeks

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:56:00 +0000

photos c/o: kristen rae photography

These pictures were actually taken a few weeks back along with another photoshoot- so my belly is a teensie bit bigger than this now. (I just realized I forgot to post these few!!) Anyways, I have another sono Wednesday to check on our sweet Apple...she is growing and moving around so much these days. Aiden even felt her kick last night and it made him giggle so much- just precious!

Thank you for all your sweet words on the conference, we are thrilled! It will be my first time to Indiana! Is anyone from there? Love it there? Have places I must visit?

So smitten with this new adventure :).

a conference.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:00:00 +0000

God moves in all sorts of ways.
I have felt very called to put on a faith based conference and posted about it. I had everything all lined up and the website built....then life threw me some curveballs and it wasn't going to happen this year.
Which is fine. Because when God moves, I respond.

Well, last week Jessi from Naptime Diaries and Haley from the Tiny Twig contacted me and asked me to be a part of something incredibly exciting.
(Both these women I adore with all my heart).
I couldn't believe they wanted me to help them put this on!

I am beyond honored and thrilled that they wanted to include me- it's a faith-based conference for women happening October 11, 12 and 13. It will help you grow your voice and improve your strategy to best use your influence for the Gospel--however that may be (a family blog, a handmade shop, as an eBook author, a fashion blogger...whatever!).

This is straight from Haley:

"I am passionate about connecting women, about dreaming big and new ideas, about putting our passions to the best use. This conference is a beautiful combination of all those things--and with some of my favorite people on the internet.

So, please mark your calendars for October 11-13th for the first blog conference aimed at women of faith. We so hope you join us! Website, speakers list, and ticket information will be coming soon! I can't wait to share all that we have up our sleeves. These women inspire me daily--and I know that you'll love their hearts, too."

and this is straight from Jessi:

"So whether you're a professional blogger/social media pro or a stay at home mama who doesn't care a thing about twitter or a woman of God who just wants to love her community better, we believe the Lord will have something for you at Influence. We believe He's given you influence for a purpose - to make much of Him. And that is something to celebrate. "

The theme: learning how to use your voice in social media for making much of Jesus' name.

The Tagline: "our common thread is the Good News"

Come.
And I will hug you in person.
And we will learn together, be inspired and grow.

a daydream.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 03:40:00 +0000

I have this image in my mind.

It's an old house, the attic upstairs has been transformed into a huge open studio, the floors sanded smooth for my bare feet to slide across. There is an open window with the early sunlight peering through, curtains blowing through a light breeze. The natural light glimmers through the entire space and bounces off of the white furniture and vintage couch. I have music pumping and my computer screen open.

Ready to write.

There are glass bottle everywhere filled with paint brushed and open tubes of fresh oil paint. It's the perfect space.

My space.

Last night we went to Ben Folds (a concert) and it was fabulous. It reminded me how much art and music touch the depths of my soul. I literally wept in the audience at one point. He sings this song "Gracie" about his little girl. I was imagining that this little girl is far away, tucked into her bed- and somewhere her daddy is up on a stage in front of thousands of people singing about her.

What a gift.

I want to give that gift.

I may not be able to play music or sing or write songs- but you can bet your darndest that my kiddos will have this space as theirs.

Long after I am gone they can read through the pages of what they did to my soul.

How they changed me, how they made me better and added more than I knew they could.

I want Chris to read about how much I love him.

I want them all to know- I want them all to own this tiny gift I left for them in this small space on the internet. Filled with pictures and thoughts, filled with tears and stories.

How when Aiden belly laughs something happens deep in my soul, something that I NEVER knew I could feel. Or how he tears up when a slow song comes on- how at age three his tenderness shines through in a way I can't fathom.

And when Ainsleigh sings and shows those teeth that I always talk about- how I see visions of her and I being best friends for life.

And how I havent even met Apple yet- but how I see a relationshiip between all of "us girls" that is indescribable.

And Chris. How he gave me everything. passion, dreams, love and more.

I am reading Kelle Hampton's book, Bloom. There are like a million quotes I want to share. I love how Kelle talks about motherhood. It is exactly how I feel about it.

Just this awe that it could be this fun, this amazing.

I never could relate to the negativity or the frustrations- all of that seems so small to me in comparison to how much life motherhood gives my soul.

And she expresses that perfectly.

One part she writes,

" Mothers have multiple hearts- one that beats inside them, rhythmically pumping blood up and down, in and out- and one for every child she welcomes. And while the former of these hearts is brilliantly attached to the body with a labyrinth of nerve connectors that tell it how and when to respond, the latter of these hearts is likewise connected. Your child's sorrows are magnified within you, and you celebrate their joys tenfold."

Cue the tears.

I couldn't have written it more perfectly.

And she also writes about her blog.

" I wanted my kids to be able to know me as a mom of little ones someday. I imagined them reading my stories years later with their own little on their knee and finally getting it- how much I loved them. How full my heart was. My blog would be a legacy. I decided, my own virtual creative diary, a place for me to put it all out there. Photos of my girl, ramblings of my heart, details of every little thing I loved about life. I wanted it to be more than just a scrapbook- I wanted it to be a place full of meaning and beauty, for myself and for my family."

Perfect.

This blog is my "song"...my tribute to those who gave me life.

a few things.

noreply@blogger.com (CaseyWiegand) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:16:00 +0000

Today my friend Toby tweeted this:

"Your mess becomes your ministry,

your trial becomes your testimony."

I adore this.

I had to write it down so that I had it saved in my memory.

There is so much hope in this.

also,

Recognize that studio or little boy?

Yes! It is A Little Artsy and sweet Aiden napping :). Kristen of Kristen Rae Photography took these studio pics awhile back and they are being featured in Studio Magazine! We are honored to be in it and to have made the cover!

I wanted to talk about "on your heart" Friday.

I started this link up awhile back for everyone to link up what was on their heart. A place where women could connect, build relationships, pray for each other, make friends, etc. What are your thoughts on "on your heart" Friday? Do you like just leaving your link in the comments? Do you prefer "linking up"? I would love to know your thoughts as I reevaluate things for this space!!

As far as anything else... I feel short on words tonight. Chris and I have this thing... we say "I ran out of words"... it's a way of saying I don't have much to say. But it's code for: don't read into this, I am not sad and I dont have a heavy heart...." I just simply have run out of words." It's a free pass to just be silent.

So for tonight.... I have run out of words. But I have a full heart.

xoxo