Love is in the Air

This is my desktop for February!!! Those pictures we took in November by the farm office and the red door have come in handy. Happy month of Love!

My Teacher

When we were cleaning out some of the items in my parent's home back in March, I ran across numerous boxes of index cards that represented thousands of students my mother taught. Each year she asked the kids to fill out a card of information about themselves. She kept these on file and saved them. I picked up one of the many boxes and just thumbed through it. And guess what? She lead me to the card with all of my information on it from junior high. Here is the front of the card. The three A's on the card...those were my grades for the 1st and 2nd semesters of Geometry and that really big A is the grade I received from my mom in Geometry class. She was my teacher that year. And really every year before that and every since then.

Shelly's Birthday Video

Here's a little video of Shelly on her birthday morning and then a clip of her and friends at her birthday party. Lily did the little birthday party movie. She was a big help at the gathering.

Around the House

So I had a little free time on Saturday afternoon and I became obsessed with doing some craft projects. So, I tackled the magnet clips that I've had on my fridge for the past 2 years. They were a promotional item from Nasonex and I couldn't stand to look at that little Nasonex bee another minute. I attacked the clips with wrapping paper and Mod Podge and viola they were transformed. Now, they can hold the cute little calendar Shelly made and they make me happy.

I also printed out a cute little picture I found online and framed it for our hall of weird art. I loved that the bike looked so much like my bike DIY from the summer. I also loved the saying on the print...keep on moving! I also took a photo of the picture of the girls that I have on the wall with these cool adhesive frames I got through Photojojo. This part of the hallway always makes me stop and smile when I go by it and I love that it is always changing and evolving.

 

 

 

In addition, I took some pictures of one of my favorite organizing activities from the summer. I moved all of the family games out of the guest bedroom closet shelf (a place the girls can't reach) and put them into the cabinets at the bottom of the bookcases in our den. I love that they are all contained there and we can easily access them whenever we want. I am also happy that the girls have some accountability for putting the games back when they are done. 

 

 

Ok, that is how things are stacking up around here. Oh, and one more little DIY to come...John is spray painting our ugly brass accents on the fireplace to make them look better. Got the great idea from this post. I'll add some pictures of the "after" when it is completed.

 

A Friend and a Movie

As the days pass by me, I am realizing that I didn't just lose my mother in March, I lost my friend. Not all daughters are lucky enough to call their mom a friend, but I truly was. I lived with my parents for quite a long time as an adult and my parents and I forged a relationship as adults. I grew to understand my mom as a friend during that time and I took time to stop and listen to her...though not as often as the time she stopped to listen to me. As a teen, I was also very close to my mom. We didn't have many of those uncomfortable or difficult teenage days that many of my friends encountered with their parents. I was lucky. My mom was the first person I would call to share the good and the bad news. I knew she would be there with her unconditional love to help guide me and sometimes just to listen to me. I struggle with the fact that I have lost this friend. This person who was there for me. My mother was a wonderful friend. I hope that some day my girls and I will move into a relationship similar to the one I had with my mom as I became an adult. A friendship filled with love and support. I look forward to those days with my daughters and cherish the days I had with my mom.

As I write this entry, I am sitting and watching the movie, Julie & Julia. I think my mom would have really enjoyed this story. A story about a young woman who finds a purpose in her life by connecting with the food and the story of another woman while blogging about her adventures. Yes, I think she would have enjoyed it quite a bit. 

My Pop

My dad was here for a visit with us. It was great to have him here for a week. While he was here, we celebrated Shelly's 6th birthday. He was here for the pizza party. He also was here while Lily and I both got the stomach flu and, thankfully, he never got it! We took a drive to Concord Mills to do a little shopping with him. 

The girls in the car on our shopping trip---

We also got to have a "breakfast for dinner" night with him. And, he made his famous buttermilk pancakes.

Oh so yummy!!! 

Breakfast for dinner being prepared...pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, blueberries!!!!!!!!

It was a good week with my pop. I hope he had a good time, too. We love and miss you!!!

700th Post...Art

Oh my goodness, I saw this and just had to post it. Now I want to take out all of the paint, crayons, markers, pencils, pens, paper and make something!!!!!!!!!!!! And this is my 700th post...wow, that's a lot of talking!

Birthday Girl

Yesterday was Shelly's 6th birthday. She had a great time opening all of her gifts from her family. It was a fun day with our little 6 year old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pizza Party

Shelly had her birthday party on Friday evening. The theme was a make your own pizza and sundae party. The girls made frames, candy necklaces, played pin the tail on the donkey, and pizza bingo. They turned into great little chefs and all had fun. Here are some of the highlight photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All tuckered out from the party!