Listed {An Update}

This is what made my May Day beautiful yesterday.

Thank you GG ~XO

So I wanted to do this yesterday, as we started a new week, but it turned out that I just couldn't be bothered (hehe!).  But if memory serves, I have some list updating to do....

• Exercise....You know, like yoga or semi-brisk walking Eat lots of ice cream

I would like to be hugely self congratulatory and say that, as of today, I have been to yoga TWO whole Mondays in a row. I really didn't think I could actually make myself do it...... Well, I guess I really showed me, didn't I?

Plus! Please note exhibit A:

Exhibit A

I'd say that this pretty much covers the whole, lots of ice cream thing, huh? Six glorious scoops of cherries jubilee. And just for future reference when you order six scoops of ice cream they put it in a giant tub, which quite possibly makes it even better. Oh, I would like to say that this is totally different then getting, like, a hand packed pint or something. The difference being pints are made to be eaten in servings, scoops are meant to be eaten all at once {and really they just taste better don't they?}.

• Expose the boys one new thing a week {Because I love it when Cade says "I've never seen that afore!"}

This week in new-things-news, Cade got to take a special trip to the firehouse and go on a private tour, complete with fireman hat and badge. Then as an added bonus the bird nest in the planter right outside the back door, which one day we discovered four perfect little eggs in  {Cade and I checked up on them daily of course} finally hatched! And there really were tiny little birds in them! {I can't explain to you what part of this surprised me} 

Exhibit B

Yes, I know it just looks like a funny little pile of fluff, and no, baby birds aren't particularly adorable {as far as baby animals go} but it was amazing, and exciting, and seeing the joy and wonder it brought Cade was priceless. 

• Throw gobs of uber amazing parties

As an update I would just like to say that I am actively and fervently working on bringing this one to fruition!

• Make lots of lists

Oh the lists I've made this week.....

• Blog more regularly *

I'm going to go ahead and say CHECK

Here's to another great week XO~'83

Grace.  It is my favorite.  It is one of the few single words that means so much, holds such much power and peace.  I can hear it or read it anywhere and instantly identify, be almost transported.  I like it so much I have thought about giving that name to a daughter, and am proud that my name holds it as its meaning.  Mostly, Grace is my God. 

And I am always awed how God works.  As of late this concept has been ‘gracing’ my path often.  I have started a book and a workshop on Grace Based Parenting – Wow, I think it’s gonna be good.  Then Easter, the best example of Grace I know.  The Easter church service focused on God’s Grace.  My experiences over the last week; filled with grace.

For me grace is freedom and security.  It is how I can face each day. It is my hope, hope that I can be a better person and learn from yesterday.  Not be stifled by my mistakes and shortcoming.  It is joy.  It is life lessons.  Truly, is it indefinable, at least in its entirety.   I do know that Grace is my Jesus and for that I am forever thankful….

Here is a glimpse into my recent grace.



New Discoveries



 Beginnings

My daughter understanding more deeply the burial and Resurrection of Christ this year.  We made resurrection rolls as a fun tangible way to understand



Creating together



The gift of creativity and humor

Being able to be called Mama by these two gifts.  Understanding a bit more about how much God loves us, His children, as a result. 



Simple joys



Peace

A family to love and that loves me.  A family that brings learning experiences and forgives shortcomings.  A place to try to practice grace and reap its benefits when we get it close.  A core from which God's Grace is reflected, I hope.

I am forever grateful   ~ '79

Listed

I love lists.

I love making lists, I love crossing things off my lists, I love reading lists. Lists of every shape and size; grocery, places, wants, needs, and the good old fashioned To-Do. I once made a list of things I should make lists of.

Normally one would assume that lists are the sign of a well organized person right? Oh no, that I am not. I have dreams of becoming so, but I am solidly planted on the disheveled, messy side of the equation. It is not at all uncommon for me to find half finished, abandoned lists in pockets, drawers, or purses. I'm not even organized enough to keep track of my lists. Good news for me that most of my gratification comes from creating, not completing.

There-in lies the beauty of the personal list; it's just for you! No one will hold you accountable for finishing it, or veering off-list {well, with the exception of the commandments, that one's a pretty steadfast list} But say my grocery list says CRANBERRY JUICE then I get to the store and I want pineapple orange banana - done!....and nobody is ever the wiser. Plus, I feel completely justified when I cross CRANBERRY JUICE off my list of course. All I mean is that I keep my lists private for this very reason; there is no guilt.

That being said I am about to do something that is very out of the ordinary for me... Make. A. Public. List. Why would I do such a thing? Because I want to finish it. If I say it outloud {so to speak} it infinitely increases my odds of completion.

My Summer To-Do List

• Get a tan {This one is very important, and nearly impossible for me... fingers crossed}
• Find a fantastic pair of shorts to display said tan
• Exercise....You know, like yoga or semi-brisk walking Eat lots of ice cream
• Camp out with Cade in the backyard 
• Make a watermelon drink dispenser
• Flea markets. As many as possible.
• Expose the boys one new thing a week {Because I love it when Cade says "I've never seen that afore!"}
• Throw gobs of uber amazing parties
• Make lots of lists
• Enjoy several official PAJAMA DAY's with the boys
• Turn 28
• Paint a room
• Go to the dentist {for the first time in an unmentionable amount of time}
• Prescott. At least twice.
• Payoff my credit card once and for all
• Wear a romper
• Go somewhere new with my husband
• Blog more regularly *
• Enjoy an end of summer girls weekend somewhere fabulous ~ Who wants to come?!?

*I may be setting myself up for failure with this one, so I would like to say that by 'regularly' I mean not so long in between posts that I must first make sure the blog still exists

I plan, and I'm using that term very loosely, to update this list by checking them off. Wish me luck! XO~'83

Empty Nest

Today brings to an end one of the longest weeks I have ever experienced; one in which time seemed to pass painfully slow and I felt at a loss for what to do with myself.... My older son, Cade, spent the week on a guys only, rodeo road trip with his dad. In other words, heaven on earth for a two year old boy filled with wanderlust and more than ready for a little adventure. Not so heavenly for me. While he spent the week blissfully immersed in testosterone and dirt, I whiled away the hours wondering how I would make it through another day without his affection and adorableness. I have no problem admitting that I am cripplingly codependent on his cuteness.

All this time to think led me to three conclusions. 1.) I am simply not cut out for long term, long distance absence from my babies {and by long term I mean more than say, 6 hours}. 2.) It's a real good thing we have two children because those sweet baby smiles were all that was keeping me sane in Cade's absence. And 3.) I must have had a whole lot of free time on my hands before I had kids. A whole lot.

Having just one child with me this week was a breeze...until his first nap time, and that's when things got tricky.... it was at that moment I found myself alone, in a quiet, clean, peaceful house during daylight hours with {gasp} nothing pressing to do. Nobody needed anything, there was no multitasking to be done, and that meant I didn't know what to do with myself. When you have a husband who travels 9 months out of the year, are trying to launch a new business, and have two boys 2 and under, you just get used to being busy. I won't lie, I didn't take advantage of it and do something productive; I didn't answer emails, plan menus, and obviously I didn't blog {shame on me, I've been so naughty}. I think I ate cookies on the couch while I watched backlogged episodes of Modern Family and online window shopped. What can I say, it was the closest to multitasking I could come up with.

Several days worth of naps later, when that was no longer proving to be enough of a distraction from my growing sorrow and loneliness, It was time for plan B. {plus I was out of cookies and TiVo}. I buried myself in busy work and set about completing some of the projects, that had until now, lived only in my mind. One of the funnest was a couple projects for my girlfriend Maggie from Heaven Scent. I have wanted to make some bunting flag banners for the Bluebird launch at the end of the month, so making a special one for her served dual purposes: great practice for me, springtime cheerfulness at Heaven Scent!

I had also recently picked up a fantastically old book at a thrift store, who's age the woman behind the counter had remarked over as she wrung me up and made it impossible for me to tell her that I would soon be cutting my $3 find to bits. I do think it's safe to say though, that many more people will be able to enjoy all that it has to offer now, than when it was sitting on that dusty old shelf.

Pleased with the outcome of a project well done and the company of a great friend, off we went for a yummy Mexican lunch and celebrated the impending arrival of my first born over margaritas ♥ ♥ You can check out the Heaven Scent Blog HERE or "Like" her on Facebook HERE. I, of course, recommend both! XO-'83

Love Birds { No. 8 }

Happy Valentines Day ♥ ♥ Which brings us to Love. I love, love! Who doesn't? All you need is love, it's what makes the world go round, right? It is what drives us, inspires us, and moves us. Love is everywhere! Love at it's best is selfless, and generous, and humbling. I have been blessed with much love, of the very best kind. To give unwavering, true love is as great as receiving it. So today I hope that you too, are inspired by love as much as I am. Places you love, things you love, and most importantly the people you love ♥ ♥ ♥

Love Birds { No. 7 }

Sundays. They're my favorite. I LOVE Sundays. I also love sundaes, but that is an entirely different matter. I love them because they are special ♥ They're special because everything moves slower (like me), and they have that easy feeling that so often gets lost in the hustle and bustle of life. On Sunday, you can stroll instead of walk, you can brunch instead of breakfast, or have supper not dinner. You can stay in your P.J.'s till noon an nobody is going to wonder what is wrong with you ("What! she's still in her jammies?? I wonder whats wrong with her ... "Oh, it's Sunday you say? Well in that case..."). Plus it is a proven fact (by me) that babies give their mamas more kisses on Sundays. Then there's my personal favorite; it is entirely exceptable to get back into bed at any given time, even if you're over 5.

Not everyone respects the sanctity of Sundays the way they should though; in fact I am ashamed to say that my husband rarely observes this weekly holiday. It's appalling really, I mean even God took a nap on Sunday. Mark my words I will convert him into a Sunday lover ... If it's the last thing I do... For this is the day that the Lord has made ♥ For now, if you need me I will be cozy, in my yummy little bed, watching extra T.V. and collecting kisses.

Love Birds { No. 6 }

I have a very dear friend, who, in more ways than one has been heaven sent... Actually she's Heaven Scent to be precise. As in Heaven Scent Apothecary and Accoutrements in Santa Ynez. Maggie Winther is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet; she is warm and funny, and has killer taste♥ More of her customers consider her a friend than not, and they're fiercely loyal. As soon as you walk through her door it becomes very easy to see why. She works hard to find boutique label, high quality products and best of all she is very budget savvy. There are goodies there for everyone and every occasion, she's got it all. She is starting a new blog as well which you can check up on HERE♥

Just this past week she had a Valentine's Day Wine and Chocolate Social, and asked if I would like to come and put together a little table for her, which would also help me get the Bluebird word out. I, of course, jumped at the chance! I rushed home, pulled out all my glitter and fluff, and went straight to work ... voilà, 18 hours later I think we had turned out some pretty bang up results!

Now I will admit, it helped a lot that I shamelessly stockpile fancy little odds and ins all over my house (let's face it, a girl never knows when she might need a glittered ampersand) In fact once when my mother was visiting she asked why I had so many junk drawers.... obviously this comment was met with an appropriate level of disgust on my part (junk..how could you!?) And more than once my husband has pulled a wonderful random tidbit out of a drawer and asked "Are you saving this for something?" The answer is always an emphatic YES.

For now, I am bravely testing the water with fingers crossed, and heels on (that one's for you '79 ♥) XO -'83