{knock-knock...who's there? owl's...}

owl's who? that's right owl's hoo!

{just a little humor that my little one and i share each night}

***

how about a little something {fun} today?? I made a couple of these little {hoot owls} for eisley & she loved them!

i've seen these adorable little owl's floating around everywhere. i'm totally facinated by the whimsical look of them all and thought i would try making one.

i drew a little pattern of what i wanted it to look like.

don't laugh.

seriously...stop laughing.

then i cut out my pieces:

2 blue and gray polka dot pieces for the body

2 pieces of interfacing matching the body

2 rounded gray script pieces for the wings

2 gray felt circles for the eyes

2 gray script pieces for the inside of the eye

1 little triangular gray piece for the nose

next i sewed the wings on with an extremely imperfect zig-zag stitch. following by the eyes and nose. and when i say imperfect...i mean imperfect. but i think it gives the little fella character.

then i stitched the two large pieces together, right sides facing.

turned it right side out and stuffed it full of poly-fill.

finally i handstitched the bottom closed.

and ta-da...we have an owl!

happy stitching!

::i'm in...all in::

some days i come home from work and i. am. pooped.
i am greeted by two very excited kiddos!
they jump up and down and yell "mommmmmy!" and give hugs and kisses endlessly...most days.
i'm tired.
they are not.
i want to sit.
they do not.
i want quiet.
they do not.
and that's okay. i suck it up and jump in to play time.
it's moments like this that make it all worth while.
just 15 minutes on the trampoline is heaven to my little ones.
just a little fun before bed is all they ask.
look at that magic.
what i would have missed if i had chosen to rest. sit. and be quiet.
no-way-jose. i'm in. all in.

::in my heart::

she picks every flower.
she does ballet twirls...hands above head.
she sleeps with her babies every night.
she needs a night light.
she's learning to be patient with her baby brother.
she's learning to be a good listener.
kindness is growing in her tiny little heart.
she cares for others.
she is aware that some do not have what we have.
she's learning to bless others by her actions and words.
she tells me she loves me, unprompted, at least once a day.
she draws pictures of our family....and bugs. she loves bugs.
she loves princess movies & the rusty belly robins on our porch.
she swings on her own now.
she dreams.
she talks & laughs & sometimes yells at her brother in her sleep.
she plays. oh how she plays. princess. house. school. doctor.
she likes to have her toenails painted.
she says please and thank you.
she hates to go outside but loves to be outside and doesn't want to come in....same goes for the bath.
she loves books and memorizes them verbatim.
she knows the names of tons of dinosaurs and says them better than i do.
she sits close to me on the couch.
she holds my hand when we walk.
she tells me she will never stop loving me.
and i will never stop loving her.

what's going on with your kiddos?
what part of motherhood are you enjoying best these days?

::guess what i do??::

because recently i was informed that my sister-in-law did not know that i had a shop where i sell my handmade goodies i thought it might be a good idea to do a little spotlight post!

i learned to sew last july with this awesome chic. thanks to a lesson from her mom and several lessons from another friends mom aaaand lots of late night sewing with the above mentioned awesome chic i have developed a love for the craft.

i make cute little clutches like this one...

i carry this one every where i go and its super convenient. my cell phone, chapstick, and cash fit perfectly! cute huh?

so check out my shop:

the pleated polka dot

if you see something you like grab it today and use this discount code: HAPPYDAY to save 15% !!!

::what am i going to do with this?::

"you must feel that quiet sense of serenity that god has called you for this moment. it's humbling." what are you going to do with it?

what am i going to do with this moment?
this day?
this season?

i can do one of two things:

1. i can resent this moment, this season, because it does not look like i hoped it would

or

2. i can embrace this moment, this season as a gift from god meant for great things.

so what's it going to be?


live this day intentionally.

{{what a walk will do}}

today i am thankful for the pitter patter of tiny little feet.

the giggles that bellow and bounce against the trees.

the cheerfulness in their hearts.

hand-holding and picture taking.

the joy of throwing rocks in the water.

the running...oh the running...so fun!

eating outside.

and of course a day wouldn't be complete without lots of hugs and kisses.

it all makes for a lovely family day that i will forever treasure.

what did you do this weekend?

::operation handmade....success::

just a little peak at the gifts we made for the mamas.


fabric flowers ::
you can find the tutorial here. and the awesome thing about these flowers is....they live forever as a sweet reminder of this special day.

encouragement jar::
it's a cute little jar (actually a ragu jar) full of little notes written on recycled paper. the notes consist of sweet memories we shared with our moms, things we are grateful for and quotes of encouragment. they are to read one a day. but my mother-in-law cheated....she read 3 yesterday...and that's okay:)


hope you all had a lovely mothers day full of snuggles and kisses and all the goodness that motherhood brings!

::perfect treat for any ol' day::

yesterday was my dear hubby's birthday. and of course for his birthday i asked him what special sweet he wanted me to make. he chose oreo truffles! although i usually despise making these little goodies...last night i didn't. it was a pleasure. especially with the kiddos creating play-dough cookies in the floor and jacob sitting at the counter enjoying all of his birthday wishes from friends.

but i decided i would share this little treat with everyone so here you go...

supplies:
1 bag of oreos
1 block of cream cheese
i package of candiquick


1. crush oreos in the food processor...takes around 2 minutes for a whole bag.

2, add your room temperature cream cheese in pieces and mix all together with your hands (this part is a little very messy...so take off your rings)

3. form balls around 1 inch in diameter and place on pan. (makes 25-35 depending on size)

4. place pan in freezer for 2-3 hours.

5. heat candiquick according to directions and dip each oreo ball to cover and place on pan to harden.

6. let them set for a few minutes and serve. refrigerate leftovers

then put a few on a plate, pour a cold cup of milk, hop in bed and enjoy with your sweetie....that's what we did!!

::today it has to be said::

some people walk into your life and totally change it. that's what this guy did for me. he loved me. sincerely loved me...and still does. he goes out of his way for me. never raises his voice to me. has never ever ever said anything unkind to me. he is patient with me. he is genuine and sincere. his love for others, even in the midst of attack, inspires me. he's fun and funny. he's social and easy-going. he's positive and hopeful. he's a hard worker and a great student. he speaks with passion. he's a devoted friend, husband and daddy. his children adore him...like "hey what's up mama (now get out of the way i see)....DAAAAAADDDDDYYYYY!!!!"

he is a good man. and today is his birthday so eisley came up with a few things that she loves about her daddy. i typed as she spoke so these are her words.

i love....
that he plays tag and dinosaurs and every time he does that i laugh.
that we watch movies together.
that he plays with me and talks with me and builds a tent for me.
that he plays baby dolls with me.
that he gives me good piggy-back rides.
that he plays balloon with me.
that he plays ball and horsey.
that he plays catch and softball.
that we play lots of hide and seek.

{happy birthday jacob!}

we love you

:stand up and speak:

***

"then peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd..." 

acts 2:14

peter.
a fisherman.
called to fish for people.
peter.
a follower of jesus.
peter.
over zealous...yet afraid when push came to shove.


can you imagine the overwhelming feeling of despair peter must have felt when jesus died and was buried?

what just happened?
this wasn't the plan?
the empire was supposed to change?
we were supposed to lead a revolution?
i thought we were striving for something.
my whole world.....upside down.
dead?
he's dead?
what did the words he spoke mean?
was he really the messiah? the chosen one?
or was he just full of it....and i was gullable?

fast forward a few days...
jesus goes back to the place he first called peter.
jesus calls him again.
peter... "what about that guy?"
jesus: "if i want him to remain alive until i return, what is that to you? you must follow me."

fast forward a bit more....
"then peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd..."

you have a voice.
jesus is calling you... "follow me."
no matter your mistakes.
no matter your history.
no matter your doubt.
no matter your fears.
"follow me."
use your voice.
speak to the crowd....or the one.
"follow me."