Thoughts Today

on September Thirtieth...

1. I hope to be closer to our family on the east coast one day...but I will miss tremendously the Big Sky that we've loved in Texas and Oklahoma these past 7 years.

2. Eight years ago today, Hadleigh was due to be born.  But I had to wait eight more days to finally meet her.

3. Today is my precious grandmother's birthday.  She would have been 101.  I miss her.

4. Today is the end of the fiscal year.  And yesterday was the final day of flying for Brent's squadron.  They now work to close the squadron...and we await what the future holds for our family. Lots of mixed emotions.

5. I've had the easiest and most minute details on my teux-deux list for weeks now.  Trying to cross them off one by one today. (And do you add things you've done to your list, just to cross off? I do! I'm adding clean the fridge...because that took some time today!)

6. I like the Salted Caramel Mochas at Starbucks.

7. Looking forward to a weekend of relaxing AND getting projects done.  Going to see The Help finally with a friend tomorrow...and hoping to get some autumn decorating done. And switching seasons in the kiddo's closets tomorrow.

8. What are you thinking about today?

Simply Lovely No. 1

I thought I'd start something new around here on Tuesdays...finding and enjoying beauty in the simple things in life. Will you join me?

No. 1

The last of summer weeds, masquerading as golden sunshine.

A bright spot from my sunroom window.

Saturday was Party Day...

for this soon-to-be eight year old. 

(She still has 12 more days of being seven. Sigh from this mommy.)

And she decided to celebrate with a scrapbooking party.  And it was fun.

The guests were first greeted by this pinterest-inspired balloon wreath...

and then by the bashful-at-first birthday girl.

The details:

At each place, was a goodie bag (filled with letter stickers, tape runner, gluestick, stickers, roll of ribbon, and assorted glittery embellishments) a white 4x6 album I put together using Zutter's Cover-All albums, white cardstock, and Zutter's page protectors, scraps of white cardstock, and a packet of 12 coordinating 4x6 patterned papers.

The birthday girl, busy at work. I gave each girl the option of using Studio Calico's Mr. Huey mists to color the covers of their albums...and I think each girl did an amazing job.  Love how Hadleigh and Madeleine's both turned out!

The table was full of goodies...stamps, punches, bins of shaped scissors (each girl got to take one home afterwards), pens...ribbons, more scissors.

My littlest (who did so well with the older girls) who is great at putting all her embellishments together on one page! :)

Hard at work.  I was quite impressed with her creative ideas and her diligence!  Most all the girls finished their albums and then ran to play until it was time for cake.

Hadleigh requested red velvet cake (mmm...she has good taste!), and I made the little banner to coordinate with her invitations and add to the scrapbook theme.

It was a fun party to coordinate...and Hadleigh was so excited and appreciative.  I think she had a very special day...and I just love watching her growing up into such a sweet and unique little lady.

(I have to add...I LOVED working with the Zutter albums and page protectors, which I found on clearance at Hobby Lobby for a steal.  They're also on sale online, and I plan on buying up a bunch.  They are perfect for mini-albums, gifts, and little scrapbooker-in-training, of which I seem to have a couple!)

Perfectly Timed

These arrived today...

Summer and Autumn from Matthew Mead...just in time for the last day of summer today and the first day of autumn tomorrow.

I am so excited to sit with a cup of tea and enjoy them!

(It's ironic that it arrived today...ironic, yet perfectly timed. It was scheduled for delivery the first week of September but there was a mix up with the Post Office...and my original order never made it here...which was disappointing until I got a follow-up phone message from Matthew Mead himself on Monday.  I just have to say that I am very impressed by the level of commitment to customer service...and follow-through from this company.)

Have you gotten your copy of these issues?

And how did you enjoy the last day of summer today?

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday was a day...

for the first jeans of the season...

for a different but welcome schedule of our day..

for pizza...

for an evening walk as a family...

for miniature flower bouquets...

for journal-writing...

for an old story via film: The Mayor of Casterbridge...

for a night wind that promised even cooler weather to follow.

~ ~ ~

Today was a day...

for Pumpkin Spice Lattes and hot chocolate...

for jeans and a sweater and still feeling chilled outdoors...

for lunch out and a drive to record the day's temps...

for cold mommy hands and warm (still aged-three) hands...

for robins searching for food with their feathers puffed up on our lawn...

for teaching (and enjoying) Bible and History...

for Thai food for dinner...

for family time reading...

for devising an autumn decorating plan...

for loving September.

The 12th of September...

...has always been a very special day for celebrating this amazing and precious person 

who I am blessed to call my baby sister.

Happy Birthday Katy Beth!

I hope you have a very special day today, little sis!

On my way out...

to the beach. 

With the girls.  

Our annual long weekend reunion.

There will be a little of this:

(I'm trying to remember the last time I read a book poolside without counting children every few sentences. Hmmm.  I think it was summer of 2003.)

And some of this:

Looking forward to long walks and talks by the ocean (heard there were 6-7 ft. waves there today because of Katia) and searching for shells to bring home to my chickadees.

We will soak in the beauty of Kiawah,

and watch how God paints the sky magnificently each evening.

There will be laughter. Uncontrolled.  There are always tears...the good kind.  There will be conversation until the wee hours of the morning.  And there will be food.  Good food.

And we will return home refreshed, though probably a little bit sleepy.

I'll see you next week...

Happy Labor Day!

As you can imagine, I am beside-myself-happy at the 10 day forecast.

Today we woke to Day 2 of cooler temperatures...

This morning, the boys headed out for some golf and the girls made a late morning Starbucks trip (hot chocolates and donuts for my girls and an earl grey latte and slice of pumpkin bread for me) followed by a grocery trip.

This afternoon...rest time desperately needed for our younger two. Opening the windows to bring in the outdoors.

This evening...dining al fresco with wonderful family friends and enjoying some Shrimp Pad Thai. Mmmm.

In between all that? I'm stepping outside to feel the warm sunshine and breathe in the cool air as often as I can!

I hope you have had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

a Madeleine moment

This morning, around 7:08, Madeleine ran into my room.

"Mommy, Mommy, come here. Come quick! Hurry...

...the sun is kissing the trees."

Indeed.

Poetry at age three.

September...

you are ushered right in.

I am armed with September issues of my favorite magazines. (This and the next three months are always my favorites of the whole year.)

I am trusting that the temperatures will slowly make me want to venture outside again. (And more importantly, make my children want to be outside.  I have never known them to have had more inside days than this summer.)

I am anxiously awaiting the day that I can pull on a pair of jeans.

I am thinking of potpies and bread puddings and holiday Starbucks drinks.

I am looking forward to my little sister's birthday.

I am excited about a trip to the coast with my bestest friends.

I am on board with Brent's plan for buying more firewood now. Be prepared, you know. (Maybe we can convert the 10 trees/shrubs that the heat killed this summer into firewood. Hmmm.)

I am thankful that we've laid a good foundation for school over the last {almost} three weeks.

I am in search of a good dress for my little brother's wedding which is approaching quickly.

I am ready to hang up my autumn wreaths.

I am feeling creative and crafty after all the busy-ness of getting ready for homeschool.

I am in love with this season that September always begins for me. And so ready to enjoy it.