Pinup Girl

Some people tease me about my serious obsession with Pinterest.  I'm OK with that.  Not only do I love the ideas that I get from other people I USE them.

I read tons of parenting articles that I wouldn't otherwise see.

There are great inspirational quotes that I use for myself and share with others.

The crafts and gifts that I pin I actually make.  OK not all of them (yet) but my Pinterest boards are seriously functional.  And that's the idea, right?

Some of my favorite things I've pinned recently are below.  I'm just overflowing with Pinspiration!

The sweetest, most fragrant, charming little housewarming gift.  I switched out the pot for a glass jar that was pinned for a different houswarming gift here.  PERFECT.

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Super cute inspiration for The Princess' room redesign.  She's over the moon with this gallery wall.  I should probably start pinning less and get to painting!!

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A load of great fall printables


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There are a million great crockpot and easy recipes that I want to try.
Crockpot buffalo chicken??  yes, please!

 

 



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and just good and simple inspiration

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Need an idea for something?  I'm your "pinup" girl!

 

Flashback Friday

There's a sassy little miss that's getting lots of attention around here by default.  That must be the idea, I think.

She has a brother, though that is as precious and loved as ever.  This school year he seems suddenly very big and sophisticated.  He gets home from baseball practice a half hour after bedtime.  The same bedtime he's had since he was in first grade.  Then he stays up too late to read new books that his friends have recommended to him. It might be time to move on (for me) but we're in no hurry.

For me he will always be the sweet little gift from God that hung on his second grade teacher's every word.  He still loves bedtime prayers and thoughtful mass intentions.  The picture I carry of him in my heart looks mostly like this.  For my whole life.



First Holy Communion
May 2010

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.

~Rabindranath Tagore

Friendly Reminder

 There's an awful lot of fretting and disciplining that goes on around here.  Life at 1307 is most certainly NOT a free for all.  But with all the fretting and discipline there is an overwhelming abundance of love.

 



Dear Lord help me to remember every.single.day. that she will only be eight once and she may never EVER again swim in my bathtub with goggles on.  Remind me that I need to remind her that no one in the whole wide world will ever love her as much as I do.  Except you.

And Dear Lord, remind me that I can't just say it.  I must show her.  I must show her every day how deeply she is loved, respected and needed in our family.

 

Pouring my heart out with Shell over something that I want so badly and sometimes just need a friendly reminder.

From the bottom of my heart.

Poker Face

This one . . .

 

is going to break my heart.

The question is not "if" it will happen.  Unfortunately the questions are only around when it will happen and how much she will hurt herself in the process.

She is going to make my cry so much more than she will ever actually cry.  What gene is that?  And even more importantly, how do her Dad and I help her through?

We had a VERY serious conversation at our house tonight about being honest and saying things that could hurt other people without regard for their feelings or the consequences.  In the scheme of the whole wide world that seems pretty important.  She is only eight and I understand that there are limitations to her scope, but seriously {!!!!!} it was a big deal.  I absolutely know she got it.  Yet, there she sat.  Stone faced and silent. 

I took away television for six weeks.  That's not a typo.  No TV until Halloween.  And then she had to call her BFF's Mom to say she wasn't going to be able to come to her birthday party on Sunday.

"Hi Mrs. L.  It's the Princess.  I am sorry, but I can't come to BFFs birthday because I was dishonest."

Insert Charlie Brown talk track here, I only heard one side.

"Yes, I lost the privilege.  I am so sorry I won't be able to make it."

More Charlie Brown.  I need to get the recap.

"OK, bye."

That was it.  No quivering lip.  No crocodile tears.  No tantrums and begging.  No mad dash to the yard to cut flowers and say how sorry she was and that she desperately wanted to make things right.

Total poker face.

She finished her chores, brushed her teeth and went to bed. 

And here I sit aching for her.  I want to hold her and hear her say that she is sorry for her actions.  I want her to care about the world and herself as much as I care about her.  I want her beautiful little face to show something.  Anything.  Anything besides nothing.

I'm not a gambler, but I'll bet this is going to hurt a lot.

It's a privilege

September 11 is a sad day for the US. 

Everyone SHOULD be sad about the change that happened in our country that day and sad for all the families that lost someone special.  It is a day of solemn rememberance.  Remembering the tragedy of loss and the braveness of so many.

I cried in the car this morning reminding the kids that wearing red shirts to mass today wasn't a free dress pass - it was a privilege.  The Athlete understands a little about the signficance of 9/11.  He was especially focused on the passengers who diverted the flight that was headed for the pentagon.  His sister was clueless. She might be still.  I plan to talk to her about it again.  No one SHOULD ever forget.  They certainly don't have to cry everytime they recount the details (I'm a big ol' baby like that) but forgetting is not OK.  All of the children whose parents went to work that day and never came home won't ever forget.

Many blessings to those families that relive today every single day, not just once a year. And to all those who we lost that day; we will never forget.

Ten Things: August 2012

August was a month absolutely crammed full of things to smile about.  Birthdays, vacation and living the good life top the list.  As much as I don't want it to be over I know that we're lucky to have seen it and be able to spend September talking about.

Ten Things to Smile About: August 2012

An amazing family vacation in Yosemite National Park. It was, in fact, our fourth annual and it was the best yet. Horseback riding, hikes, miles and miles of biking. We loved it and I can honestly say that I enjoyed camping. No really. I liked it. A lot.

Cousins enjoying simple fun while we were on vacation.  I absolutely love that my best friend (who happens to be E's cousin) and I have kids the same age.  It is such a joy to watch them grow up together.  These crazies are truly a gift.

My Princess.  She informed me that she was moving to her summer home (aka a tent in the family room).  She moved her favorite books, her dolls and her art supplies into her tent summer home and slept there for a week.  I just love that girl.

Receiving the sweetest, most heartfelt birthday cards from both of my parents and one of my girlfriends.  I feel so very blessed to be so loved and am always especially grateful for a well timed card or words that speak right to my heart. 

Celebrating our goddaughter's 3rd birthday.  I don't love Chuck E Cheese but I do love this girl.  Happy Birthday, B!!!!

Cancelling a couple of trips and spending some much needed time at home.  A missing shoe was found, school supplies were purchased and organized BEFORE school and we went to the beach for the very first time this summer.  Aaaahhhhh . . . almost like we're normal.  Almost ; )

Using said down time to finally download all of our photos from Italy.  All 816 of them. 

Celebrating another birthday with my E

Great starts to second grade and fifth grade for my babies.  If I weren't there myself I wouldn't even believe it's true.

Pinterest projects ({slightly modified} for our teachers on the first day of school

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Back to School Interview ~ The Athlete

He wouldn't let me walk him to his class line.  I was allowed to park and walk as far as his sister's second grade line but I could NOT go past that.  He blew me a kiss and threw a peace sign over his shoulder as a farewell on the first morning of school.  He had been complaining about it being the first day of school but he was thrilled to see his buddies and get back into the swing of things.  And don't tell him I told you, but he has a GIANT bit of a crush on his teacher.  I'm sure that little tidbit also helped with the spring in his step on Monday morning.

It's his last year of elementary school and he is trying out for the school football team next week. He's still my guy, but I think this might be the start of Version 2.0.

MEM ~ 8/27/12

Name & Age: The Athlete, age 10
Grade Level: 5th grade
School: St Edward the Confessor
Teacher's Name: Mrs. Iseley
Best friend: Grant
Favorite color: red
When I grow up I want to be: rocket scientist for NASA
Favorite snack: pretzel thins
Favorite cereal: Cheerios
Favorite book: Kingdom Keepers series
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Favorite food: bean & cheese burrito
Least favorite food: black pepper
Favorite game: Battleship
Favorite summer memory: visiting the Ronald Reagan Library
3 words that describe me: smart, short & athletic

You are the coolest kid around, my love.  It is so fun to watch you being you.  Have a great year!

Back to School Interview ~ The Princess

The Peter Pan collars and Mary Janes are gone.  She's a second grader and she wanted high tops and a new belt for her back to school look this year.  Just looking at this photo of her chokes me up.  I don't know where my little pigtailed toddler ran off to.

In honor of school starting I did interviews with The Princess and her brother.  Thank you Pinterest for pointing me to a free printable that I can use as a keepsake for them, too! 

SGM ~ 8/27/12

Name & Age:  The Princess, age 8
Grade Level: 2nd grade
School: St Edward the Confessor
Teacher's Name: Miss Rego
Best friend: Emily
Favorite color: turquoise
When I grow up I want to be: an artist
Favorite snack: pita chips & hummus
Favorite cereal: Frosted Flakes
Favorite book: Ivy & Bean series
Favorite holiday: my birthday!
Favorite food: chicken tacos
Least favorite food: crab
Favorite game: Monopoly
Favorite summer memory: My Nana visiting from Florida
3 words that describe me: tiny, smart & creative

You are so, so loved baby girl.  Have a great 2nd grade year!!!!