So... here's the lowdown.

I can't believe that I went an entire week without blogging...

okay, let me re-word that:

I can't believe I went an entire week without posting...

in my mind, everything is a blog post.

I have so many posts and photos lined up for you guys.

But... remember when I said I was going MAD???

Yep, that's still in full gear. hehehe

And the opportunities to photograph some really great people... and dogs

(they'll be getting their own post sometime this week!), 

just keep coming.

And just a side note... actually you know what?

That's going to get it's own post as well. 

HAHA

Sorry! You'll just have to stay tuned.

Oh, yeah... and I'm married with three kids.

So, there's a few things going on outside

my little blogosphere...

but I'm hoping to get some things out this week.

I also want to say THANKS to 

Sherry from Sweet and Sassy for the invite to www.bloggers.com

(And, OH MY GOODNESS, go look at the recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge Krispies that she posted!

Um... delicious and yes, you may send some this way!)

and HELLO and WELCOME to my new followers from there!

And I'll leave you with some lovelies from the Flea Market to gaze upon:

The madness will only continue!!

I do rock.

Instead of sneaking out of my house tonight

and heading to the nearest Outback for some cheese fries,

I went running.

Why, thank you.

Have a beautiful weekend!

I've gone MAD!!!

I imagine that in the next few weeks felt flowers and bows 

will not only be adorning our heads around here,

but everything in sight!

I am addicted.

To say I have an addictive personality is an understatement...

 a HUGE understatement.

Thanks to you that have given me your feedback on this little venture.

I really, really do appreciate it.

I told my husband that I was thinking about selling my little lovelies...

actually, let me just recap the conversation for you:

Me: "I think I might start selling these."

My Love: "How are you?"

Me: "What do you mean?"

My Love: "I mean how are you going to sell them?"

Me: "Well, I could probably just sell them on my own, 

and also there are a few boutiques around here that I think would."

My Love: "Would they actually sell them?"

Me: "Oh, yeah.  There are two that I know for sure would."

He then proceeds to pick up some that are laying out in front of him.

Puts two in a pile off to the side and the other four in a different pile.

My Love: Pointing to the pile of four

"I would buy these."

Me: Pointing to the pile of two

"Okay. Why wouldn't you buy these?"

My Love: "I don't know, I just wouldn't."

Me: "Okay, but WHAT about them makes you not want to buy them?"

I can't remember exactly how the rest of the conversation went,

something about them not looking good 

and one had a string hanging off of it (which I was fixing!),

however he did tell me that he has an eye for this kind of thing.

Me: "You have an EYE for girl's hair accessories?"

My Love: "Yeah, things in general."

So, that's what I'm working with over here.

He actually does have a really great eye for things...

I mean, that's pretty obvious from who he married (it was too easy...).

But really he does,

so it's nice to have his gorgeous blue eyes around here.

Here are a few I recently added to our collection:

That little bow is the perfect accent for little ladies getting into mischief... so sweet.

Also, over the weekend I had a fun session with some superheroes.

My cousin and her family were needing some updated pics, so I came to the rescue.

Her sons are around the same age as my girls,

so I had a good idea of what to look forward to.

Pretty much every shot I took eventually ended up in a superhero stance...

which, of course, made me laugh... every time.

Here are my faves:

And because I couldn't get enough...

Oh mercy, those little faces KILL me!

I'm off to the madness!

October 15th

On September 28, 2006, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution #222 which stated that October 15th will officially be
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. If you have some time, look it over. The emotions by several Representatives were extremely moving.

As someone who has felt the emotional and physical pain from a pregnancy that ends in miscarriage, I urge you to be aware.

Be aware that this happens a lot and people aren't often too quick to speak about it.

Because it's painful to bear your wounded soul to others.

Because some feel very alone and isolated.

Because sometimes there just aren't even words to describe it.

Having had mine several years ago, and the pain and grief are no longer a fresh wound, 

I feel I can now better provide a little insight in this.

I've had many loved ones called home to eternity before I was ready to part from them.

We buried my husband's mother and youngest brother when we were only twenty-four.

And that was heart-wrenching.

But we had memories, we still have memories.

We have pictures.

We have things that they touched; things that they wrote.

There are little glimpses of them throughout our home.

When you lose a baby, 

you have none of these things to bring peace to your soul.

You have dreams that will never be.

You have hopes that are no longer.

There is an overwhelming ache throughout your being, 

because a piece of it is missing.

So, on this day I ask that you just be aware.

Be aware that people experience loss in many different ways.

Some want a kind acknowledgement... and some don't.

Some want to talk about it... and others don't.

Just make yourself aware of that person going through it.

And try your best to be available 

to supply whatever their need may be...

whether it be a listening ear, 

a warm embrace,

tears,

or a note just letting them know you're thinking of them.

"For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works,

my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance,

in your book were written,

EVERY ONE OF THEM,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them."

Psalm 139:13-16 (emphasis added)

I need your feedback!

So, this week's project has kind of taken off.

I figured out that I REALLY like making hair accessories... a lot.

So much so that I may even... sell them?

What do you think??

Would you spend money on something like this?

And if you would, what would you expect to pay for it?

Here's a little something about me...

I would MUCH rather give things away to people.

I like to do it. It makes me feel good.

And it always comes back to bless me even more than I can imagine.

However, making a few bucks here and there isn't so bad either.

I'm just not that good at figuring out the value in my work 

and then charging that price for it.

So, I need your feedback!

Seriously, give me some honest feedback. I can take it.

And I'm back!

So, remember when I mentioned about the 

Whirlwind of Perfection weekend 

being a bit too much??

Yep, it was.

That, plus having to visit the germ-ridden office of our Family Physician,
not just once, but TWICE in one week...

for the SAME THING
(which wasn't even a sickness!!)...

hit my immunity system like a tornadic terror

(just thought I'd stick with the storm terminology here).

I was so sick.

I mean... SO SICK.

As in, my husband had to stay home two days from
work just so there was a functioning adult
maintaining the chaos that dwells here.

It was a terrible virus...

I'll spare the details.

After a couple days, the medicine finally kicked in enough
to allow me to function, but still feel sick.

So, I had to take things into my own hands.

Say hello to my little friend.

Our blender died a few months back, 

and I wasn't too quick to get a new one... 

until this last weekend when I wanted this.

This little smoothie is PACKED with immunity boosting nutrition.

The little ladies and I drank one almost everyday last winter,

(1) because it's good,

(2) because it is seriously SO GOOD for your immune system.

I pour a little bit of orange juice and milk in my blender;

throw in several handfuls of spinach;

 add a pear;

throw in a few red grapes;

and I blend away.

And here are the benefits:

Not From Concentrate Orange Juice - Vitamin C;

Milk - Calcium and Vitamin D 

(plus I'm not a big milk drinker, so I sneak it in whenever possible);

Spinach - SUPER FOOD!! Spinach has so many health benefits,

however, I use it in this for the iodine, which helps strengthen the immune system;

Pears - another SUPER FOOD! Pears are also so beneficial to your health, 

again though, I use them in this for the immunity booster;

Red Grapes - help fight viruses and some bacteria.

And you can't even taste the spinach.

I've had one two days in a row now and I feel like a new person... 

or at least my old self

(which is why I'm up blogging, instead of nestled in my bed!).

So, back to life.

I finally finished editing last weekend's photo sessions.

Here are some of my faves:

Goodness, that face!

Such a funny family... seriously.

Working with kids always makes me move a little more quickly,

however, sometimes no matter how quickly I move,

they're just not havin' it!

And that lends for great shots like this:

Ha! I love it.

And just for kicks, here's a little peek at this week's project:

A few sweets for my Sweets!

These will soon be adorning the heads of my little munchkin ladies.

They asked for some new headbands and bows...

so I cannot disappoint,

nor can I pass up the opportunity to CREATE!

Holla!

(I don't even know where that came from, so this seems like a good time to just stop.)

Whirlwind of Perfection

This last weekend was possibly a little much... 

but I loved every moment of it.

Friday night began this weekend whirlwind with a maternity photo session 

with my youngest brother and my sister-in-law.

Perfection almost doesn't even come close to describing the evening.

We went to a local wildlife preserve right as the sun was setting;

little brother and sis looked like they had walked straight out of a Gap window,

and we had one of Grandma's patchwork quilts...
yeah... I know... perfection.

Every single photo I took that night is a favorite,

but I did manage to choose some that captured the best of the evening.

Went home that evening and got in a little time with the husband,
who had all the kids in bed... asleep.
Oh, yes! Perfection, indeed.

The next morning, I woke up bright and early giddy with anticipation of THE BARN SALE.
As I had mentioned, I did not know what to expect.
When we (a friend of mine and one of the sisters... oh yeah, and my little guy!) finally arrived
(it was about a thirty minute drive...
okay, okay an hour for us because we were talking so much we missed the exit!),
it looked amazing.
The first booth we saw was filled with quilts;
the next was Antique Wonderfulness overload;
jewelry, handmade crafts, soaps, woodwork,
and food baked by the members of the local Mennonite Church...
uh, yeah, you know where I'm going with this...
PERFECTION!!

And the barn... oh, the beautiful old barn!

Here are a few pics of it since a few of you were interested.
Also, they'll be doing this again in the Spring, so if you're local look them up on the ol' FB and 'like' them for updates.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hesston-KS-Barn-Sale/143612805676778

Uh, yeah, and see that awesome cart looking thing that those baskets and lamps are on??
My friend snagged it for the steal of the century.

Afterwards, we headed to another little town for lunch where I had the most amazing
MACARONI AND CHEESE
I've ever had in my life!
And once I settled down from that,
we headed to a little Antique shop that blew my mind.
It was filled with so many wonderful treasures I had to stop a few times to catch my breath.

Here are a few of the treasures I ended up with from the day's hunt:

An old vintage suitcase (which was a steal!), an old crate, a cast iron set of utensils, and my friend ended up getting me the "S" (which I loved, but just couldn't make the decision to shell out the $3!).

Came home to my Loves and enjoyed fellowship that evening with our church family...

perfection.

The next day brought more photo sessions and my faves from those will be making their way here later in the week! Stay tuned.