This Makes Me Laugh...

... EVERY time I see it. I almost fell out of my chair just now because this cracks me up so much.

It's a picture from our past that I found as I was browsing through old photos of my babies (when my niece turned five, I may or may not have had an emotional meltdown as I looked through a little book of pictures that I had of her through the years... you can imagine my emotional state looking through pictures of my own little tinies! And there's no need to ask my husband about the emotional meltdown I had about my niece... it didn't startle him in the least or make him question why he chose to spend his life with a girl).

Hoping this day brings a lot of laughter into your life... or at least a few hearty chuckles here and there.

Signs Of Spring.

We found a Rabbit Hole in our backyard full of babies and they are SO cute.

Ladybugs are landing on us.

And Mr. Toad has been found. Lucy really took a liking to him and had him drive her around in the car, go for a stroller ride, and I'm sure his favorite... take a ride in the carriage on her bike. She is safety conscious and was sure he was in a seat belt. She cracks me up. Isn't the top picture of the toad hilarious? I can't look at it and not chuckle.

I have a 5k today and a picture session tomorrow. The 5k is a beautiful, beautiful run and I love it. That's about the distance of my usual route when actually consistently running, but it's been a tad bit chilly around these parts and I've ran less than 5 times this last Winter... let's hope I make it!

Have a lovely weekend!

"I Made That!" Monday: Vintage Inspired Girls Dress

With Spring coming and two little ladies who prefer dresses to anything else, I was excited to find several different fabrics that have a very vintage look to them. They were also super inexpensive, so I may have gone a bit crazy. I'm okay with that though.

Have a lovely day!

My Second Inclination.

Registration has opened for The Red Barn Outdoor Market. In six days, there have been 27 brand new Vendors who have registered. It's been pretty amazing.

I've always thought to myself that as long as I find the process of planning, preparing for, and executing  this thing enjoyable, and along with my family's desire to support me through it, we'll keep it up. I'm excited to see where it goes and what God does with it.

Because of the blessing of growth, I'm also reaping the other wonderful "blessing" of dealing with numerous citizens of the Public. The Public can be extremely kind and encouraging. The Public can be super helpful in suggesting really great ideas that benefit everyone.

There are some who are citizens of the Public who happen to think the Earth is actually physically revolving around them, meaning that then obviously the Market does as well. And my first inclination is to immediately think of the blog post that I'm going to slander them in.

The enemy and the wickedness that brews in my heart, allow me to create a great story full of wit that will make people literally chuckle out loud (I use chuckle instead of laugh as I don't want to give myself TOO much credit...) but also include how I took the high road in my response to this specific citizen (making people whisper to themselves, "She is so amazing.").

But then all of a sudden I feel something. It's something bigger than my enemy and it covers the pungent stench of my wickedness... even though I don't want it to.

I ignore it and continue on because obviously I was given this opportunity to point out someone else's shortcomings so that others will learn from it.

Ugh... I feel it more. And then somehow the thoughts that I was having about this OTHER person thinking the world revolves around them, suddenly turn on me! Suddenly those chuckles and whispers are completely gone and a strange, very strange feeling creeps in and all of a sudden I think of the nicest, most kind way that I can word something in response to what I would consider an outrage (okay, outrage may be taking it a little far) to make this person feel heard and understood.

Ugh! Bleh! Blaaah! What is going on here?!?!?! This isn't going to make a good blog post AT ALL.

I'm learning that my Trainer loves to create the most intensive and extensive exercises for my being so that one day I reflect Perfection. He gives me hurdles to jump in the form of making time for relationships; He gives me a mind puzzle book to read while simultaneously having me climb steps in the form of this mysterious thing He called marriage; and LOTS and LOTS of the most mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually DRAINING but at the same time insanely AWESOME cardio through three of the most unbelievable creations on this Earth, aka The Littles. So, a little contact with the Public should really be a piece of cake... and I'm not usually one to pass up on cake!

"For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard..." Colossians 1:16, 17, 21-23

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Do some good on this lovely day.

LOVE is: A White Blanket

This is Snuggle Bear and her faithful cuddler. There's no match on Earth for the love she has or the security that she finds in her white blanket.

LOVE is: Snow Days

Snow has fallen (a LOT of snow!!) and it has given us the opportunity to slooooow down and play and just enjoy moments together.

LOVE is: Sister Snuggles

I have two younger brothers and while I'm sure we probably snuggled once in awhile as youngsters, I don't recall it and we don't do much of it now... as that would be kind of weird AND we all have plenty of other Loves in our lives to snuggle with.

However, I can't get enough of these two snugglers. I hope they always share an affectionate love with one another... mainly because it makes me completely melt.

LOVE is: Handmade Birthday Cards

My little baby girl turns five today.

Unbelievable.

LOVE is: Messy Hair and Rosy Cheeks

One of the best moments of each day is when this little guy wakes up from his nap with his hair everywhere and the rosiest cheeks you'll ever find to kiss; he reaches out to me with a huge smile and wraps his arms around me and I melt.

LOVE is: Reading

All those dreamy blue eyes...

LOVE is: Sharing Popcorn...

...and blankets, and snuggles, and laughs while watching The Million Dollar Duck on a Sunday afternoon.

LOVE is: Refrigerator Art

Two things I love so much about this picture:
Lucy colored the background blue.
She wanted her signature (top left) to look like the printed letters.

LOVE is: Helping Little Brothers Down Hills

LOVE is: Being A Great-Grandma

Oh, I love her so.

Saturday Snapshots

Something Special.

One week ago, we were laughing and eating and carrying on with one another.
Our Thanksgiving meal was over and families began packing up ready to make the trip home. My Thanksgiving has always included a short hour's drive down to Ark City to fellowship and eat with my Grandma's 12 brothers and sisters and their families.

As we leave town, we usually stop at the town's park which includes an old train engine and play around for awhile before we head home. And this year, we did the same.

One of the little ladies and myself had stepped off the engine to play on other parts of the playground, and soon my dad joined. My Love, the eldest little lady, and the little Mister along with my Grandma stayed and played on top of the engine. You can't see from this picture, but just to the right is another part of the engine where you can climb up... high, really high. And they did.

And then I heard my husband yell. And then my dad. And then the entire playground full of people let out the most horrific scream in unison. I turned around... knowing it was one of the kids. My husband was flying off the train and I looked down and saw my baby laying face down in gravel. And then he was in my arms. As I write this, I ache, finally FEELING the miracle that we witnessed that day. 

His mouth was full of blood, which I soon realized was from him biting his tongue. My husband called the police and an ambulance was there immediately. They were concerned, but not really acting TOO concerned. And then one more person asked again, "Where exactly did he fall from?". Jacob showed them; and then they were moving. One Paramedic kept saying that we had in fact witnessed a miracle that day and he just could not believe it.

My little baby was then strapped to a board, holding my hand tightly like a grown person would. I don't know why that struck me the way it did, but it did. He held my hand the entire way to the hospital, as we sang, "This Little Light Of Mine" and I whispered over and over to him how brave he was being. 

My Husband sent the girls home with my dad and Grandma, and then followed us to the hospital. Our oldest daughter was quite concerned with where her little brother was going (I later found out Grandpa consoled her and the sis with some ice cream!). 

The doctor and nurses looked the little guy over and over. A few scratches on his forehead and chin. No bruises; no broken bones; there was nothing visibly wrong. They had him walk by himself and he took a few steps, limping, and then stopped and began to cry. X-rays were taken and showed nothing. He was walking by himself hardly limping at all by the time we left the hospital. The fact that he was alive was amazing to me... but nothing wrong? That's Grace... powerful, wonderful, Grace.

Throughout this week, my Husband has said several times that our little boy is something special. And as parents, I think we all have that thought... but then every so often we get an opportunity to witness just how special they really are and how our Creator and Savior has His Hand cradling even the smallest of souls each and every moment.

And in that we are humbled with thanksgiving.

"I Made That!" Monday: Stuffed Monkey

A tiny, little lady in my life turns two today. We celebrated with her over the weekend and this was her gift. She's into Curious George right now, and she's quite the monkey herself, so I felt like she needed her own little pink monkey. After opening gifts, she carried her monkey and her little Princess Aurora baby around everywhere she went, so I think it was a hit.

PS: Making stuffed animals is a task... don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise.

Have a lovely day!

Friday Photographs: A Baby, A Birthday, A Little Local Flair

This weekend brings: A Birthday Party, some Lovebirds to photograph, and a family luncheon.
Have a lovely weekend!

Saturday Snapshots

Goodness! These make me smile... over and over again. Have a magnificent weekend!

A Market and some CUTENESS!

Preparing for The Red Barn Outdoor Market is in full swing! This means a few things for me... my mind has just a few more things than usual swimming around in it... uh, like the 56 Vendors that are participating this season!!! I'm so incredibly excited, humbled, and feel so blessed by work of my Creator's Hands. Through this opportunity, I'm learning so much about people, business, myself, and just life in general. It's incredible.

And then there are the people who are always on my mind...

That little superhero is turning three next week. Un...be...lievable. Goodness, they are cute... and full of life! I've been enjoying them so much this week. They're all at growing points in their lives that are so exciting and {mostly} enjoyable. Just being able to see them interacting with one another is one of the most enjoyable and entertaining parts of my day.

So, the Creative in me is working together with the Business Woman in me to get some things done in these next few weeks to provide people with an incredible experience! The Mom/Wife/Teacher/Playmate/Sister/Daughter/Friend in me... is trying to keep up!

And I love it.