everydaygrace

LA Originals Knitted Baby Hat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-12-07T08:46:00.000-08:00

LA Originals Knitted Baby Hat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Thursday's Wish List

2009-05-07T13:36:00.000-07:00

Today I'm dreaming of a new handbag. I stumbled upon a great little Etsy shop today called ikabags. Their bags are so reasonably priced I'm thinking I could use several of these bags to carry around all of the stuff that I "need" in my purse (aka junk)! I do love a nice big slouchy bag! A few of my favorites:

Happy Thursday!!

I {heart} Chick-fil-A

2009-04-30T17:17:00.001-07:00

The Chick-fil-A in our town is having Daddy Date Night tonight. How precious is that? They are giving the adorable couples limo rides to the restaurant from a nearby hotel. They made reservations for them and will have a wait staff - dressed in appropriate waiter attire :) Daddy and daughter got all dressed up for this special night and what kind of mother would I be if I didn't stage a mini photo shoot before they left?

I was so happy to send my little girl off on a date with her prince tonight. I wanted to be a mouse and hide in my husband's pocket so I could enjoy the moment with them, but I guess I'll save that trick for later...maybe for Emma's first date!

I seriously think Vance is trying to prevent Emma from ever HAVING a first date by teaching her tricks like this! Like-father like-daughter, I guess!

Thursday's Wish List

2009-04-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

I've been a big fan of the adorable dresses that the Etsy store RockerBaby creates for quite some time. They're so cute and I love their use of black. I personally feel that more children's clothing should be made in black. Too cute.

A few of my RockerBaby favs along with a few other little girl's dresses that would fit perfectly in Emma's closet...

I've been admiring this adorable black "Little Audrey in the city" dress for too long! Emma needs this dress!!

Love the red dress paired with the green shoes!

How cute is the yellow sash?!

This one would have been perfect for our beach trip!

I love the marriage of vintage fabric with a little girl's dress.

This one is by LittlegirlPearl.

Also loving this cute blue and yellow dress by Sweet Gracies.

Hmmm...I seem to be obsessing over polka dots lately!

You gotta love Etsy! Happy Thursday!!

Graduation Day

2009-04-29T13:56:00.001-07:00

There were days when Vance and I swore that our little girl would never learn to use the potty. Even when she started peeing successfully the issue of #2 was still a great concern for us. But then one day - she just GOT it. No more holding #2, now she goes almost as much as she pees. She tells us when she has to go - she's an official big girl.

Even with all of her success, I've been holding off on officially saying she's "potty trained." I felt like if I said it she would then pee all over her carseat - or worse. But yesterday, while I was making a phone call in the office, she apparantly had to go really bad. She went in my closet and found her potty (I had cleaned my bathroom the night before and moved everything on the floor in my bathroom to the closet). She pulled it out, peed in it and then came and found me. Success! I was so proud of her.

So, yesterday we had a graduation ceremony for our little girl. She was proudly walked down the hall to meet her dad who was singing a lovely graduation tune. I crowned her, handed her a scepter and gave her a graduation certificate. We also gave her a little gift - which she loved and exclaimed "what the heck is this"? I suppose that's a whole other issue we now have to deal with!

Anyway, it was a really exciting moment. A moment, that at times, I had lost hope would ever come. But it did - just like most things in life. If you work hard and are patient, you will see the harvest!

P.S. Please excuse the bad photography with the pictures - horrible lighting in the house yesterday. But, I think they still manage convey the wonderful moment Vance and I were so happy to share with our little girl!

Emma being "interviewed" by her daddy before she was "crowned"!

We were so proud of our little girl we decided to give her enough candy to rot out her little teeth!

Insert caption "what the heck is this?!" above her head here!

Pretty much no graduation connection with this photo, but how could I resist posting a good "baba" picture. One of the few reminders still around that she's not all grown up just yet!

Little Reminders

2009-04-25T16:20:00.001-07:00

I'm constantly thinking that my little girl isn't just here for me to take care of her and to have fun with. There are so many lessons and reflective moments that happen while watching my precious daughter grow. I'm reminded about the simplicity of childhood and how I was and felt as a little girl. It's strange to me that I can watch her play and somehow still feel so connected to the little girl that I once was. I'm reminded of silly fears I held onto as a child when I see Emma screaming because she thinks there are tarantulas in the blue bonnets (I was terrified of black widows for a good portion of my childhood)! I see her in her happiness and sometimes in her sadness and want to protect her. I want to shield her from all of the things that I remember hurting me as a child.

But then I have to stop and wonder...who would I be right now if all of my bad memories were gone, if nothing hurtful had ever happened to me. Would I be a strong woman and mother? I can only imagine that the answer is a definite "no." I think that we are so much more connected to the bad things that are a part of our past in a "good" way than we can even imagine. Bad things are bad...but if we trust in the Lord and allow Him to work in each situation, they turn into good things in our lives. The experiences change us and make us stronger. I know it must be so hard for Him to allow certain things to happen to us, His children. I can feel only a glimpse of that as Emma's mother - but I'm thankful for motherhood and the ability it gives me to see life and the world around me in a clearer and more Jesus-like way.

I'm constantly praying for the strength to LET life happen to Emma. I pray for the wisdom to be able to protect her when I need to, and let her experience some pain along the way too. I have to let go. That's hard for a control freak. Really hard. But no matter how much control I THINK I have - it's all a sense of false security. God is in control and I have to learn to trust Him more.

I'm thankful for life's lessons in the everyday and I'm thankful for friends - far and near. There's something so natural and sweet about watching young girls become friends. I love the way they hold hands and hug like there's no tomorrow! I love how they giggle and play. It's so sweet and it reminds me of all the good times I've had with dear friends. I'm thankful that God has blessed me with some amazing people to share life with. I'm also so very grateful for the little reminders to laugh and giggle a little more than I do.

New things, finally!

2009-04-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

I finally did it! I worked all night on editing my shop photos and getting some new items in there! It felt like it took forever editing each and every photo. I wish that the pictures were perfect when I shot them so that they wouldn't need any editing! Not my favorite part of the process, for sure.

Anyway, there's lots of new thank you cards and personalized notecard sets. I still have so much more to add, but I think I'l have to save the rest for another time!

Blue Bonnets

2009-04-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

Emma and I had a fun afternoon spent with our new friends (who happen to live next door)! We drove out to Ennis to see the infamous Blue Bonnets! I'm not sure what I was expecting, but the scenery certainly was beautiful. I only wish that I weren't such a freak about bugs. I hate ALL bugs and act like a complete moron if they land on me. I'm not sure what's going to happen if we have a boy next! One of the highlights of the afternoon was when Emma HAD to go pee...where in the world am I going to take her to the bathroom out in the middle of nowhere? I ended up having her squat in the grass. We both laughed hysterically as the pee ran down her leg. She thought it was the funniest thing ever - and so did I! Anyway, we're planning another trip out there with Daddy soon! Can't wait!!

Lots of fun things going on around here. Staying busy with the shop - hoping to get a lot of new items posted tonight. Plus I have several invitation projects I'm working on. I love the work, but I hate that it always seems to come at the same time! Pictures of new items coming soon!

P.S. If you're interested in winning free luggage tags from my shop - go here.

I'm absolutely loving this picture of Brady! So cute!!

Don't think Brady is as happy about getting a kiss from Emma as she is to give it!

Wedding Thank You's

2009-04-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Just finished these cute thank you cards for a lovely Etsy customer. I've made several things this season with the same color palatte. Yellow and grey are so popular this year! I love the color combo too! I think I'll be adding these to the shop soon!

I'm so thankful every time I get to help a bride with an element of her wedding. I don't plan on having another wedding, so it makes me happy to still be involved in the process one way or another!

She Said It

2009-04-03T11:06:00.001-07:00

I got the idea for this jar from Brooke at Inchmark months ago and I finally made my own - with a little twist!

I love the idea of having a cute little jar on my desk full of the funny things Em says these days. On a bad day, or a good one, I can just twist off the cap and read one of her hillarious quotes!

I bought the jar from Michaels for about $1.60 (I think), put a glossy 2.5" square sticker on the front and tied a ribbon around the top. Not a bad project for under $2! Thanks Brooke for the great idea!

Seasons Change

2009-04-02T13:42:00.001-07:00

As I get older I become more and more aware of how much things change and that consistently changing is actually part of who we are and the world we live in. I'm not just talking about the weather, but about the things we do. There are times when I am incredibly organized with my coupons and cut them the second I get them. There are times that I let them pile up for weeks at a time (current season). For a while I was blogging at least once a week...and yet I sit here today blogging for the first time since January.

Seasons change. Life gets busy. I'm trying hard to just go with the flow and let some of the things that just don't matter come and go. I obviously can't choose to go through seasons of personal hygiene or cooking for my family, but there ARE things that just don't matter in the long run. I think blogging has fallen into that category, although I do miss sitting down and typing my thoughts out on my little laptop. So, I'm back for now. I guess we'll see how life goes and how long I'll keep it up this time!

Not only do seasons in our life change, but sometimes we have to unexpectedly change our plans to make things work...

I've been so excited about an upcoming trip to the beach that we've been planning. Actually, I've been BEYOND excited. So excited that if I try hard enough, I can hear the ocean already. I'm from Florida. That should say it all. I grew up at the beach and somehow it's a big part of who I am. It's a place where I can truly relax, think, and rejuvenate. Not only that, but we haven't had a real vacation since right before I got pregnant with Emma. We've moved twice since then and just haven't had the finances to take a trip...until this year, or so I thought.

Our trip to the beach isn't extravagant, but trips require money no matter how frugal you are - unless you're so frugal that you'll camp out or sleep in your car and eat out of trash cans. Needless to say, I'm not THAT frugal. Anyway, our budget is still tight, but with the extra money I've been earning from my shop and the little bit I've managed to save we were headed to the beach in May.

I just said we WERE headed to the beach in May because today I got a statement from the bank concerning our mortgage. I was expecting a letter from the bank, but I wasn't expecting to be told I owed quite so much money. Because we live in a new home we haven't been paying property taxes yet and the bank finally re-evaluated our mortgage and sent us a bill. The point is that we now owe twice as much money as I thought we would and our monthly payments are going up by several hundred dollars too. Both of these things I knew were happening, but my math (or guesswork) was off a bit.

I've been sitting at the computer going through our budget in Excel and the good news is that we can make it all work. The bad news is that we can't make it work AND take a vacation. I'm trying very hard to be an adult and accept this as fact. But I have to admit I'm still in shock and a bit sad. I know that going to the beach isn't part of my survival, but I was so very excited. I haven't been able to get myself to pick up the phone and call the woman I'm renting the condo from to ask for my deposit back just yet. I guess I still have hope that I'll come up with another solution. I should have been better prepared - it certainly isn't the bank's fault. I just have to wrap my brain around the death of such a wonderful trip :)

Dear Lord, thank you that we have a roof over our head and food to eat. Thank you that we are doing so much better than a lot of people are in this country, but can we pleeeease have a vacation in this decade? I really, really need to get away sometime soon. Amen :)

Coupon Love

2009-01-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

I love coupons...all kinds. Including this one! What a fun way to show someone you love you them for Valentine's Day! You can check it out here.

Happy Wednesday!!

xoxo Andrea

I can't breathe

2009-01-07T11:17:00.000-08:00

...do you ever feel like that? Like you just can't get enough oxygen in? Not so much in a literal sense I suppose, but more like your chest feels so heavy with obligations and the worry of life that you can't breathe?

That's how I feel today. It isn't as fun to write or think about days like this...I would much rather blog about a wonderful new outfit I found online, or something cute Emma said (she did say something really cute a few minutes ago...she asked me if I knew where her daddy was!). But I feel like I'm in one of those moments where everything going on in my life has converged at one moment...there's just more on my plate than one person can handle.

I'm tired, but not the tired that can be fixed from taking a nap or sleeping in. The tired that can only be fixed by crossing a few things off your to-do list and going on a great vacation. The only problem is that there isn't a vacation in sight and for everything that I cross off my list another 2 things are added.

I don't want this to become a huge complain-fest...I am a truly blessed woman. I'm just having one of those days where life doesn't FEEL all that great. I know that all things are just for a season and that this day too shall pass. AND I am so grateful for a God who loves me in spite of my weaknesses and allows me enough grace to live out my days. I just need to breathe...

Goodbye 2008...

2008-12-31T14:22:00.001-08:00

Hello 2009! I can't believe it's the last day of the year. It's so wierd how every year when New Year's Eve rolls around it's like it came out of nowhere. Where did all the time go? It's such a natural time for reflection and cleaning (at least that what happens around here!). I'm so grateful for the wonderful things and people in my life. This year has been full of really special moments and I'm so grateful for the family and friends God has given me.

Because of all of the reflection going on in my head lately - I have so many new ideas brewing. Exciting things I want to do in my shop, so many projects around the house that I'm determined WILL get completed this coming year, so many things that I want to change. New Year's resolutions are notorious for being written down, but never followed through. I don't want that for me this year...my goals aren't beyond my reach. I can get them all done if I just focus on what is important. Doing just that is one of my goals for '09. I focus so much of my time on things that I'm not really sure are on the top of my priority list. I am determined to cut some things out of my life that have just become time suckers! I don't know that this will be all that easy to accomplish, but I find it so very necessary at this point in my life. My life has grown significantly beyond the days of being single and I really want to work on the things that matter...

One thing that has been on my mind is something I'm calling "Grace 365." I have this vision of doing something for someone else everyday of the new year. I wish I had it all planned out better, but I don't. I don't know exactly how this will evolve, but I want to spend more time focusing outwardly instead of just on the things going on inside my home. I'm sure some of the "acts of kindness" will have to do with my family, but hopefully this journey will lead me to meet and affect people that I don't even know yet. I just have to step out and do it. Sometimes even the smallest gestures can make such a big impact...a simple note to a friend far away, a phone call, dinner for someone in need. Whatever it is, I'm excited about beginning this journey. Lord willing I'll be posting daily (or close to it) on my adventures of kindness!

I'm looking forward to the new year and all that it has in store. A few pictures to end the year with...

So very thankful for my sweet little family. In my eyes the three of us are so very perfect together!

(even when there's a few tears to be shed!)

I couldn't be more lucky...Vance is such a wonderful husband and always the most fun to be with. When I say I married my best friend, it's the absolute truth. I love life with him...

I'm so happy that my little princess got to spend some time with her Grandstephie. It breaks my heart that she doesn't get to see her grandparents very much, but I know that every moment she gets is so very special...

Thanks Mom, for making Emma so happy in the backseat on the way to the airport :)

I'm so grateful for the trips Aunt Britt made out to see us this year. Emma adores her so much!

Just remembering this day makes me tear up...why are goodbyes always so sad?

Last, but certainly not least, is my little Emma. I could not be a prouder mommy. She is the absolutely joy in my life. Her little smile and laugh make me so happy. I love how much she loves her little Georgie, as he is affectionately called these days!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T21:07:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to see Em open all of her gifts in the morning...everything has been cleaned (how can I enjoy Christmas morning if I have dirty counters!) and wrapped and is ready for a fun, relaxing day tomorrow. I love Christmas so much, but I'm almost glad that it's about to be over. I have completely overextended myself this year and am very much looking forward to getting life back to normal. I'll be back with regular posts soon! I'm actually looking forward to Valentine's Day now! I've become so commercial - just like Target, getting ready for a holiday that is a month away!

Merry Christmas!

xoxo Andrea

Martin Family Tree #1

2008-12-11T12:30:00.000-08:00

As promised, here are a few pictures of some of the decorations adorning our house this year! This first tree is located in the office which is at the front of the house. It only makes sense to have a tree in here since it can be seen from the road (I tell myself these things to make me feel better for having so many trees!) Unlike our "main" tree, this one has a theme...slightly rustic with lots of pinecones, silver and blue-grey ornaments. It makes me happy when the lights are on while I'm working away!!

One of my hobbies is to paint these little houses. Such a fun and relaxing thing for me to do, but I don't ever know what to do with them! I think they look lovely under the tree!

Since the foyer is located right off the office I thought I'd include a picture of that as well. Having red walls at this time of the year just makes everything seem even more festive!! Tree #2 coming tomorrow...

Holiday Decorating

2008-12-10T13:26:00.000-08:00

Rethinking this decision...

It's been far too long since I've blogged. Things have been so busy lately - the typical Christmas life I suppose! Anyway, thought I'd post a few pictures of the Christmas decorating I've been doing over the next few days. I decided to start with my candy bar - a decision I'm rethinking considering how many peanut m&m's I've eaten today!!

More pics of the rest of the house and my many trees coming soon! Happy Wednesday ~ Andrea

New in my shop!!

2008-11-24T13:12:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited about this fun new item in my Etsy shop. I custom made this for a super sweet Etsy customer who's giving it to her mom for Christmas. I love it so much I've decided to sell it in the shop! I love coupons, so I guess it only makes sense that eventually I would create a coupon book to sell :) You can see more pictures of it here.

~ Andrea

Another Giveaway

2008-11-22T10:20:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited about another giveaway I found! This lady makes some pretty amazing things for little girls...check it out here: http://kandykissesboutique.typepad.com/. I figure the more contests I enter I'm sure to win something!!

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-11-20T21:12:00.000-08:00

I've been following Grosgrain, a blog by Kathleen Dougherty, for a while now. She's an amazing seamstress and makes the most adorable little girl's clothing. Right now she's giving away another one of her beautiful creations to one lucky person...perhaps it will be me this time? I would love to win - I think Em would look lovely in this...

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

Thanks LL

2008-11-20T13:06:00.000-08:00

My friend LL gave me this blog award! Thanks so much! I haven't won anything in such a long, long, time! How fun!

Just thinking...

2008-11-19T12:17:00.000-08:00

There's so much running through my mind lately - and today is no different. This isn't a normal blog for me, but I'm sitting here asking myself whether keeping a blog is for me or someone else. Maybe it's a combination of both, but I feel like my ramblings and thoughts written down for all to see - including myself will push me to keep working on making some much needed changes. So for today, my blog is for me...

I'm thinking a lot about whether or not I can have it all, do it all, be it all. Can I be the best mother, perfect hostest, blog writter, twitterer, myspacer, facebooker, wife, kids church leader, cook, business owner, house cleaner, and child of God? There are so many things that fall under my job description right now. I'm a creative person and I love that. But at times because of the creative thoughts that run through my head, I find myself adding on more and more projects to my list because of this thought: "why in the world would I buy that when I can make it!"

The answer I've come to is that I CAN do it all, but something is going to suffer. I can probably do all of these things, but chances are that I won't be able to do all of them very well. So this brings me to the realization that I HAVE to make a list of priorities and plan out my week...almost down to the minute.

That doesn't really match my natural thought process. It isn't going to be easy for me to have such a structured day. While I love organization and structure, I don't enjoy it so much when it affects my time. I like staying up ridiculously late and sleeping in. I like wandering around the house during the day doing only the projects that I feel like I'm in the "mood" for. I'm constantly telling myself that I don't need a structured day right now because Emma isn't in school.

But I really do need it and I don't like it. I can't run a business, keep my house clean and do all of the other things mentioned above and keep my sanity if I don't organize my time. I realize this is going to be a process for me. I know most things don't change overnight and that it will take a while for me to turn this forced structure into a habit. So I'm starting here and now...with a list of priorities and things I need to change to get on the right path...

1. Check Etsy, emails, blogs, and other time sucking internet "must haves" in the morning and during Emma's nap - ONLY

2. Make a monthly calendar with all dinners planned ahead of time

3. Make a weekly calendar with my cleaning schedule, etsy shipping days, time scheduled in for "creative fun", free time, and family & church obligations

4. Work on being okay with not having everything "perfect" all the time

There's so much more...but for now I think this is enough to comment on. It's exhausting doing so much self-evaluating!! :) ~ Andrea

Free Stuff!!!

2008-11-15T07:59:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't like free stuff? I like free stuff so much that I cut coupons weekly and run out to CVS like a mad woman just to pick up stuff that I probably (definately) don't need!

Anyway, my blogger friend, Sue, asked me to join her Thanksgiving Giveaway and offer something FREE from my shop to her blog readers. How could I resist? So, starting today you can go to her blog, leave a comment and be entered in the running for one of my boxed personalized notecard, luggage tag, confetti sets! I'm even throwing in the gift wrap if you'd like to have it sent to someone else :)

Run, don't walk, on over to Sue's Blog, Confessions of a Tired Super Girl, and enter to win. Oh, and tell a friend to enter too! Good luck and have a happy weekend :) ~ Andrea

P.S. She'll be giving away other goodies too...so if you don't want my stationery I'm sure she'll have something you want to win :)

Here are some more pics...

Take Joy...

2008-11-14T15:49:00.000-08:00

(Another favorite shot from our family vacation...this one was taken outside at the Science Center)

Just stopping to take joy in the little things... Emma and I have been home alone a lot the past week or so with Vance up at the church working on a project for the new Mesquite Campus AND therefore I've been very lonely. I took Emma out to a few stores last night and at one point I said to her that I was lonely and missed Daddy and wished he were with us. Emma touched my face and said "Oh mommy, don't be sad. You're a good mommy." She melts me.

As much as I hate being home alone - I really have enjoyed my special time with Emma. She is so precious! I hate that so often I go from one moment to the next without actually enjoying and appreciating the moment that I'm in. I was so focused on wishing Vance would come home that I was losing the joy of being in the moment with my wonderful two year old. Even being in Walgreens with her, watching her delight over all of the Christmas trees and the blow-up snowmen is a moment to remember and enjoy. I guess God uses our kids to remind us to slow down and take joy in even the little parts of our day...which is what I'm going to focus on doing more of!

Fall Vacation Part Two - Trip to the Zoo

2008-11-11T10:59:00.001-08:00

Gorgeous Weather + Family Day at the Zoo = Perfection!

My new favorite picture of Em! She had so much fun riding around on her daddy's shoulders most of the day! We got to the Ft. Worth Zoo around 1 (much later than we had hoped) and were contemplating whether or not we should stay since they were closing an hour earlier than we originally thought. But we decided to go on ahead since we had driven all the way there. I'm so glad we did! All of the school groups had just left and the park was perfectly peaceful. We had plenty of time to see everything (even though we had to eat lunch as we walked) and really enjoyed our time there. The zoo was so pretty and clean (my favorite part)...I can't wait to go back!

We couldn't believe Em wanted to touch the birds! This was the best part of the zoo. The birds were flying around everywhere and it made Emma laugh and squeal so loud! Seeing these special moments through her eyes is priceless.

She thinks her dad is awesome (he is, by the way)!

Thanks random stranger for taking our picture! I'm so tired of the closeups taken by us!

Perfect end to the day...movie together at the drive-in theater. It was so awesome and the weather was perfect. This was definately one of our favorite days!

Celebrating 90

2008-11-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

My Grandmother is turning 90 next month and I had the priviledge of making the invitations for her birthday celebration! Unfortunately the party is in Florida and there is just no way that I am going to be able to make it back home for it. I had really hoped that somehow I'd be able to swing the purchase of two tickets for me and Em, but it just isn't going to happen.

My Grandmother is a remarkable woman and I wish I could be there to celebrate with her. She is always happy, optimistic and so very active for her age. I hope to be half as spunky as she is when I'm 90 (her name is Sparky, how very appropriate)! Happy Birthday Grandmother!!

On a completely unrelated note...I'm in love with the packaging for these brownie/cookie bars! Sometimes something like this will catch my eye and make me kind of happy everytime I look at it. Wierd, I know, but that goes along with my lifelong love of paper!

I only wish the actual cookie bar was as good to eat as it is to look at! I just can't get over the texture...too much like coconut - I don't do coconut! Anyway, Emma loves it and it's good for her. Can't go wrong there! Just thought I'd share a few pics!

Thank You Erika!

2008-11-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

I was so excited to get a message from Erika at The Tilted Tulip saying that she had chosen my 2009 calendar to be featured as one of her favorite calendars on her blog! It's exciting that someone picked my calendar out of so many others on etsy. Thanks Erika for making my day!

Happy Wednesday

2008-11-05T11:21:00.001-08:00

I'm off to the post office to mail a few orders and then I'm going to spend some well needed "fun" time with the little one. I'm afraid she's going to start calling Dora her mommy :( Happy Wednesday!!

I finished!!

2008-11-04T20:51:00.001-08:00

I finished the 09 calendar and put it in the shop today! I think it turned out pretty much how I wanted it to... I can't wait to hang it on the wall! I can't believe it's almost 2009 AND that we have a new president. Wow. What a day.

2009 Calendar Preview

2008-11-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

I've really been wanting to make a 2009 calendar, but haven't been able to decide on a design. I finally came up with these...I'm about halfway through the months, so I'm almost there!

I like the idea that it isn't just a picture, but something I can write on and actually use! Sometimes the practical side of me takes over the creative side! Each month features a different list and/or project that goes along with holidays in that month. They're 5" x 8.5" and printed on super thick cardstock. I should have these in my shop in a few days!

Our Fall Vacation

2008-11-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

(me and em on the playscape)

to nowhere...

We actually didn't leave Dallas. We stayed at home and did a bunch of local stuff that we haven't had time to do since we moved here. It actually was a lot of fun. I made a schedule for the week that we took with us everywhere - it had our itinerary and maps of where we needed to go.

One of the bonuses to staying at home for your vacation...you don't come home with a ton of laundry to do!

I took so many pictures...it's hard for me to choose just a few to show out of the HUNDREDS on my computer! So, I think I'm going to spread out pictures from the vaca over the next few days!

These pictures are from our day at the mall! Doesn't sound like much, but this mall was amazing! It's the Galleria Mall in Dallas, which is just beautiful, clean, has a great playscape for kids and an ice skating rink. Not only that, but we haven't been to the mall since LAST Christmas! I know, I know, that sounds ridiculous, but everything here is so far away and I just hadn't gotten up the nerve to drive through Dallas to a mall I wasn't sure how to get to. But we did it and it was totally worth it. I'll definately be going back again soon. Enjoy...

Emma BEFORE she knew what was about to happen...

Emma AFTER her ears were pierced...

These days lollipops fix everything!

We went to this kids toy store and in the back they had these strange mechanical animals that kids could ride. They were so adorable...I had never seen anything like that before. Emma rode the elephant...and then cried because she couldn't ride the zebra too...this was only the start of all the crying she did that day! Poor thing turns out she had an ear infection. Can you believe I would have her ears pierced on top of that? What a terrible mom :)

I couldn't resist taking this picture of Emma on the playscape! Somehow butt cleavage is cute when you're two!

To quote Emma "woohoo". That girl loves to play!

More pictures coming later! Happy Saturday!! ~ Andrea

A few new things in the shop

2008-11-01T14:05:00.001-07:00

I updated the shop a bit today. I added two handmade envelope notecard sets I've been working on, and I added a boxed set of Christmas cards I designed. Not too much, but it's a start! I'm totally out of the routine since our vacation...pictures of that coming soon!

The Boxed Christmas Card set includes 12 cards of any of the six designs.

This is the holiday boxed set...lots of fun handmade envelopes, notecards, confetti, etc.!

I really had fun with this one! The cards all feature a different design made out of handpunched flowers and small rhinestones. Super cute!

Get well, Grammy...

2008-10-19T21:48:00.000-07:00

A fun project I've been working on today...It was my mother-in-law's birthday last week and she's having surgery tomorrow. Since she lives out of state I wanted to send her a little happy birthday/get well package. All of the tags on the gifts are from emma to her grammy. I had Emma and her dad work on 12 different cards for her. I put each one in an envelope for Grammy to open...one a day for 12 days! I also made a cute little sign for her to hang in her room.

I made her personalized stationery to send to Emma while she's recovering. I also included stamps with the notecards...and made some for Emma to send back to her!

Some handmade cards being sent her way...

Some cute little notebooks... I made these for the pictures of Emma that I'll be sending along with Emma's notecards over the next few weeks. I also included some photo corners...

I made a little set of personalized birdie coasters and threw in a couple of magazines and a movie...

It's all packed up and ready to mail. I can't wait for her to get it... Handmade presents are the best!!

Projects around the house...

2008-10-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

This is for you LL...

I've been trying to do little projects around the house...the kind that drive you nuts until you mark them off your list. I recently cleaned out and organized my closet along with the stuff under my bathroom cabinets. The cabinets had become a war zone with all of Emma's "rearranging" she does down there while I'm blow drying my hair! Finally everything is put back to normal! We also added some flowers and a few fall decorations to the outside of the house. The landscaping is far from looking professional, but it's definately an improvement to our yard... we've never put in flowers before! We felt very Martha Stewart-ish (at least I did, I don't know how Vance felt!).

We have several projects planned for this week as well since we'll be on our "going nowhere" vacation. I'll be posting pics of our vacation adventures at the end of the week!

Enjoy...

Some great storage boxes I picked up at Marshall's.

Would love to redo our closet one day with built-in cabinetry... also a sad display of how very flew clothes I have!

Our new flowers... what makes them even more amazing is that my husband dug all of the holes with a long screwdriver because we don't own a trowel! Can you say "ghetto"... It was hillarious and I was proud of him for doing it anyway to make me happy!

Perfect Weather for a Festival

2008-10-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

The fam and I went to the Midlothian Craft Fair this afternoon. It's a gorgeous day - blue skies and breezy. The craft fair wasn't the best I've ever been to, but it was nice to get outside and walk around. I think Em had a good time...what two year old wouldn't with a perfect red balloon and paw print tattoo?

I was a little shocked at how few ACTUAL craft booths there were. It seem like there were more businesses with booths handing out fliers. A little disappointing. Maybe this is normal and I'm just spoiled by all the wonderful handmade items on Etsy. Either way, it was a beautiful day and I was happy to be outside enjoying the day with my family!

I hope Em doesn't make a habit out of riding in cop cars!

Also hoping this is the only kind of tattoo she ever get!!

Taking the traditional "dad holding the camera out as far as he can" picture!

A few cookie crumbs on the lips...yum!

Vance swears he can make this $3,000 playhouse for $400...hmmm.

A walk with Emma

2008-10-15T12:02:00.001-07:00

I took Emma for a little walk through the neighborhood last night. She picked up a pumpkin from our front porch and decided to take it along for the walk! It's becoming a bit of a tradition for us - she likes to bring along some sort of object for the trip! We took random pictures of things we saw along the way. So fun letting her tell me what to take pictures of!!

Taking a moment to look at Mr. Pumpkin!

Emma enjoying the "flowers" in someone's yard! No need to mention they're actually weeds, right?!

There aren't too many of these around our newly developed neighborhood, so you take notice when you see one lying on the ground!

There are, however, a lot of these around our neighborhood!

Precious hand!

It looks like someone silverleafed the hydrant!

Emma's favorite!

Enjoying the little things...

2008-10-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

The past few days I've been thinking about how special the little moments during the day with my two year old are. She is so precious and says the cutest little things. Even though some days it seems like the hours drag on, I am keenly aware that time is flying by. I know that one day soon I will wake up early to take my baby to school. I'm so thankful for the lazy mornings she and I have. I'm so thankful that I get to play with her during the day. I'm so thankful that I'm the one who gets to potty train her. I'm so thankful that I'm the one who gets to hear: sure mommy, be careful mommy or you will hurt yourself, i love you too much mommy!, mommy you're my best friend, and I come wit you mommy.

I'm so thankful for the sweet little blessing God has given me. I just want to enjoy every moment and be thankful for even the little, not so glamorous moments tat everyday brings. These are the times I know I will look back on with such fondness. I want to be able to do so without the regret of not having enjoyed the moments as they happened...

Casualty of War...

2008-10-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

...paper cutter war, that is. unfortunately the paper cutter won. yesterday i accidentially stepped on the paper cutter that i had conveniently left in the floor of my office (with the arm up) and cut the top of my big toe. i had no idea what hit me...thankfully, it didn't cut through my tendon, but it did go through all of the skin. the fact that i could see my tendon was so wierd. i prefer to not even think about all of the gross things that are just below the surface of my skin, much less see them! i'm not too familiar with serious cuts, broken bones, etc. i've been lucky in my life so far and haven't had too many injuries like that. i was seriously freaking out and didn't know what to do with it. should i go to the doctor, etc.? anyway, i did go. i guess i'm glad that i did. but now i'm limping around like something more serious than a cut on my toe is wrong with me. you don't realize how much you need all of your limbs to be in perfect running order until something happens to one of them! my left arm is killing me now since they also gave me a tetnis shot. i also forgot to mention that we had guests coming over for dinner and i was totally stressing because i was at the doctor's office all afternoon and couldn't straighten up my less than perfectly clean house. my husband stayed at home with my daughter and was in charge of cleaning up. very nice of him, but not my first choice. when i got home my guest had already arrived...and i had on a baseball cap covering up slightly greasy hair that really needed a shower, but was too late to get one. i felt gross and ugly all night!

so as a reward (or consolation prize) for my hard luck day, i made this wonderful trifle. not exactly the most difficult culinary concoction, but seriously good. brownies, strawberries, bananas, cool whip and heath bar layered together to create a wonderfuly harmonious bite!

Where I spend most of my days...

2008-10-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

Since I fall asleep listening to The Fresh Prince television show many nights, it only makes sense that I would wind up quoting the theme song! This is a picture of some of the storage in my home office. I have been spending so much time in here working on projects lately. I feel like I'm at work again. It's been a long time since I've had a "real" job. Feels kind of nice, but different. In my old office I never had a two year old sitting on the floor next to me reading library books and eating animal crackers! I think I like this version better. Happy Wednesday.

Handmade kitty

2008-10-07T12:51:00.001-07:00

Not exactly a stuffed animal you'd find in the stores...but I think he's special because Em and I made him together (well, sort of)! I had a pair of pajama pants that ripped and wanting to recycle the fabric somehow. The other night I cut up the pants and turned them into this little kitty.

Em was so proud of him. Everywhere she went with him she kept saying "momma made it" in a very excited voice. I love that even a two year old notices that handmade things have something special that things bought in the store don't. I look forward to all of the crafts that she and I will do together as she gets old. To quote Em "this is sooo fun!"

Even though I'm okay with the fact that this little guy doesn't look perfect, I can't help but wish that my mother had taught me how to sew. My two session sewing class at Joann's hasn't quite made me into a seamstress!

Shop Update!!!

2008-09-30T19:29:00.001-07:00

I've been working pretty much all day and night these past few weeks getting things ready to put in my shop...and I finally have pictures! These are just a few pics of things to come. I have so much more that I want to get ready...I just need more time. I hope you enjoy - and if you mention my blog with your order you'll get 25% off! Just include that with your order and I'll credit you the money back through Paypal. Thanks!

You don't have to wait for Easter to be a bunny...

2008-09-30T13:22:00.001-07:00

The other day I took Em out for a walk. I walked out ahead of her and waited outside the front door...she emerged from the house with these bunny ears on her head. I thought it was the cutest thing! I don't know what made her do it, or even where she found them, but I love it that she did. I love it even more that she doesn't care what people think...and to her it's perfectly normal to walk around the neighborhood wearing bunny ears! And so the bunny and I went on a lovely walk through the neighborhood!

Come home Don

2008-09-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

Just some thoughts on last night's episode:

I am still in awe at how much these people drink. Seriously...doesn't anyone drink water in the 60s?

I really need Betty to let Don come home. I need them to be together, pretending all is well. I miss the episodes of wonderful Mad Men denial. What will I do without them?!

Is Peggy going to be the best copyrighter ever? Will she take over Sterling Cooper?

Guess I'll just have to wait and see...

A little bit of "mom fun"

2008-09-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

I love being a mom. Really. However, I don't think I ever thought about how much poop and throw up I would be cleaning up when I got pregnant. I just cleaned up the most disgusting poop explosion out of my two year old's crib....ever! I realize this is disgusting, but I know there are other moms out there that have had the same kind of day that I have! I have no idea what happened, but she completely exploaded, and somehow still managed to take her nap. Therefore, I had to practically SCRAPE it all off of her.

I can't believe I did this, but I just threw everything into the washing machine...without cleaning it off first. Somehow I feel like the washing machine is a "magic box" that once you throw things into it...they just disappear. I couldn't bring myself to clean her clothes, sheets, etc. off anywhere else. I suppose now I'll have to bleach the washing machine!

All this after dealing with her throwing up in my bed yesterday. Someone should warn moms-to-be of their impending new job as head of household janitorial services!

First day of fall!

2008-09-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of fall, and I'm so excited!! It doesn't necessarily FEEL like fall here in good ol' texas (it's somewhere in the 90's today), but I can feel it deep down inside me :) Christmas is coming! My favorite time of the year.

I have to get my favorite candle soon and start burning it all over the house. Yankee Candle's "Harvest" is absolutely the best smelling candle ever. I must go get one!

In other news, my husband and I (in honor of my new fav, I'm going to have to start calling him Mr. Martin) are completely obsessed (me more than him) with Mad Men. We're almost caught up with the shows saved on our DVR and I'm slightly sad. I'm captivated with what Don Draper will do next! Lately I've been drawn to all things vintage and I couldn't figure out why. But then it ocurred to me that it must be all the hours of Mad Men!

Off to cleaning the house! Being a housewife is so glamorous :)

Monday Madness

2008-09-15T17:38:00.000-07:00

Mondays are always so wierd...I'm tired from the day before, yet excited for a new week. It always feels so good to have the beginning of something new. Yes, I know that Sunday is technically the first day of the week, but for some reason I've always felt like Mondays should be instead!

I worked in my studio/office today...organizing and cleaning out stuff. I really have a great space to work and create in, but I don't use it as much as I should. I always end up working on the couch, or the dining room table. I want my office to be as functional as possible. I think I made some good strides today toward that goal. I just need to buy another desk (you'd think the two I already have would be enough!) and maybe some storage for more paper.

I just bought a ton of new stuff for my shop! I'm so excited! I can't wait for the UPS truck to pull up to my house. I'm really hoping that the new envelopes, packing materials, printer, paper, etc. will be the "push" I need to actually get my shop up and running. I have so many great ideas...but just haven't made them into something tangible.

I'm going to do it! I am determined to have holiday stuff in my shop (before the actual holiday!!) Will update soon!

Speaking of good ideas...this one I stole from another blog. I think it's a great idea. I'm going to try it!

http://inchmark.squarespace.com/inchmark/2008/9/9/magical-thinking.html

Turning Point Tuesday?

2008-07-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

I just started a blog. I don't know how to blog or even how to get this thing to look how I want. But I'm going to give it a shot. I was inspired by someone else's blog today. It's something that seems so foreign to me right now, though it shouldn't. I love to write. I always have. But somehow life has become so busy that I don't allow time for it. But just maybe doing it this way will work.

I'm trying to find my way...not in a spiritual sense, but more in an artistic, creative sense. I have been so excited to start an online etsy business for the past few months, but I'm finding myself frustrated and not really knowing how or where to start. I have a few things listed in my etsy store...but nothing has yet to sell. And honestly, I think that it's because I really haven't found my "voice" yet. I feel myself going in a hundred different directions. I need to focus in on what I want to create and I don't know how to go about that.

I wonder sometimes if this is even possible for me. I know I can do it, but I don't know if my life will allow for it. I don't have a lot of free time. I need to figure out what I'm capable of doing with the amount of time that I have.

I know that God has a plan for me and that this desire to create is there for a reason...I've just got to find my way...