Breakdown

Today, I made it to my sewing room again.  Of course, with an early out day for school, my little one joined me.  She is amazing, totally awesome.  She is brave, and creative, and fun. She makes up her own projects, and works hard to make her art perfect.

Today, she wanted to make a purse for her teacher.  Some of her seams were not equal, and the imperfection inspired tears of frustration.  I held her, and stroked her perfect hair, and told her we could make it right.  We did make it right, and now she is glowing.

Now, maybe you have made a project that didn't turn out the way you wanted it to.    Maybe your seams aren't perfect.  Let this be a virtual hug to you....keep working, have fun, and keep creating.  Perfection is not the goal, enriching your spirit is.  Do your best, and let go of the rest.

HOLY FLIP!

Noah is turning Three....in just a few hours.  It is sorta killing me.  He has been my baby.  I have been so sad for him to grow up.  He has been my little joy, my best friend, my source of laughter.  And, here he goes, growing up.

One of the things that has hit me lately, is that he actually looks like me.  It wasn't until one of my friends said he was a carbon copy of me, that I started to notice.  Then, whenever he pulled a certain face...I saw my own (from this picture).  Now, whenever he laughs and is silly...I can see myself. 

When I brought this photo downstairs to show Bj...the kids were so confused.  Did I photoshop hair onto Noah?  Why did Noah have curly hair.

I feel validated.  Thanks cute kids.

 Happy Birthday my little man.  I love your guts more than you can possibly imagine.  I thank Heavenly Father every single day for the blessings you have brought me.  You fill my cup to overflowing, every single second.  Even when you spread lip gloss all over your face (yep, you did that today), all I see is adorableness.  I love you, and your glittery face!

A new kind of LAZY

I have been lazy lately.  Not your typical kind of lazy.  The kind of lazy that never wants to leave the house.  I spend enough time in my car lately, that I basically NEVER want to get in my car if I don't have to.  So, when I am running out of groceries, or I am missing some key ingredient for dinner, I make do.

It has been a beautiful thing.  I don't have to go anywhere, and my house is smelling like wonderful baked goods.  Even though, it does take a little energy to make homemade bread, my soul is still intact, which is more than I could say if I went to the store one more time.  When I have made these fines loaves,  I have to make 4.  Yes, 4.  2 loaves for dinner, and 1 loaf for after school (who can deny children fresh baked bread with homemade jam....who?  no one).  And 1 extra for left overs....right?  right?  it's kinda insane, but it's also terribly yummy.

Here's my kids favorite bread recipe, maybe you can be lazy too.

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

playing catch up

life is beautiful.  life is fun. 

and life is special at times.

life has be "special" at our house this year.

but, we're coming back.

here's our photos to illustrate the fun we have had over the last 4 months.

madeline's birthday party.  friends.  swimming.  great lunch.  lots of treats and fun.

even mom got to play

 

then we went to the beach.  that was fun.  I even got to kiss a handsome boy on the beach....life long wish, fulfilled. 

sunday...we hung out on the beach, and I got to do my favorite thing.

holy moly.  went running barefoot on the beach.  probably over 5 miles.  the next day, my calves hurt so bad, I could barely walk.  my feet.....broken...not literally, but man I paid for it.

like father..... like son

liz didn't want to be a big fat man....she would rather be a mermaid

totally out of order....EASTER.

my kids are cute, even if  I had to rush them out the door, and couldn't get them together for a picture.  shhh...don't tell, we aren't a picture perfect family.

this is my favorite thing.  noah was tired.  so tired, so he rolled right up in the kitchen rug (because who can be away from mom and dad while they are cooking), and had a little rest.  be still my heart, I love him.

mitchell was a virus in the school play

miss liz had her 8th birthday.  events surrounding this birthday were....eventful..thus, she kinda got the short end of the stick.  but here was her birthday party. 

a TEA party.

cupcakes (by me)

decorations (by maddie)

super cute friends

love this tradtion of the tea party for the 8th birthday. 

sad it is over.  love my girls.  LOVE!

liz enjoying her party at the Chantilly Tea Room.  the girls were so well behaved, they loved drinking for fancy cups.  

best part, I didn't have to clean up.