here I am.  i'm swamped. so, I just wanted to pop in and say thank you!  that is all...

a new pet

 
We have a new pet...Zeke the snail.  I helped name him.  Elliot wanted to call him "papa" - I didn't think it was appropriate to call my father a snail....even though he eats like one. ;)  We discovered him yesterday and I was going to bring him inside for a bit, but then I realized, he wouldn't be going very far, very quickly...because, well, he's a snail.  So, we watch him out the window and anytime he comes out of his house, we go out and examine him a little closer and watch him for a bit as he leaves his slimy trail.  Fun!  I just love to see their eyes so full of wonder as they absorb every little detail.  It made me realize that adults don't experience wonder very often...with the same fervor that children do.  Excitement, maybe.  But wonder?  Makes me want to be a kid again.

Oh - and if you aren't already visiting Design Mom this week for her annual Mother's Day Giveaway Extravaganza {why aren't you?!}, head over there now and enter to win a $150 gift certificate for my shop.  I hope you win!!

mother's day orders

**Only two more days to order for guaranteed Mother's Day delivery!!  Get those orders in!**

You asked!  I am often asked about the most popular designs.  These are the ones.  One  Two  Three  Four.  If you are still looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift, you can't go wrong with one of these.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or you would like further customization than what you see in the shop.  I'm getting a TON done today.  Feels great since it's still before noon on a Monday!  Happy day to you...

back home again

Silas slept the majority of our 4 1/2 hour flight Tuesday night - and Elliot was just as happy as could be with his little television in the seat, with his own personal programming.  He got to watch the movie Cars and then a new-to-him cartoon that kept him wide-eyed...well, until he got sleepy {it was 11pm in the time zone we were leaving - and no nap!}.  Poor thing, tried so hard to get comfortable laying down in a single seat - and kept asking me if he could lay on my lap, but there wasn't much room since I was holding Silas.  Anyway - we made it work and I was waking them up long after we landed and the plane stopped.  Tired boys!  This would be one of those moments in life where I wish I could hit a pause button...my sweet boys fast asleep on me.  Would you believe that I actually watched an entire movie on the plane?  I know.  I can hardly believe it myself.  I don't get to do that at home, I would have never imagined it could happen traveling by myself with the boys.

Yesterday morning, after having gotten home at 11pm, we got up bright and early for our Tea & Testimony meeting for MOPS.  I always look forward to this time in the spring semester.  I wish I had photos {what, Whitney, you didn't have your camera?!}.  Our table was all decked out with fine china, a beautiful flower arrangement and we were all donning aprons, hats or skirts for the high tea occasion.  Really fun.  Our speaker had an incredible testimony of God's faithfulness in her family's life.  I needed the reminder.

I was, sad as it sounds, more than ready to drop off my kiddos to their class yesterday.  Unfortunately, I don't get through a whole meeting or a church service without getting called for you-know-who.  So, this is how it goes...I go and get him.  Sometimes nurse him, sometimes not.  And he collapses in my arms and falls fast asleep.  All the mamas exclaim how sweet, how easy he is to fall asleep in my arms...how their baby never did that.  I tend to look at it quite differently. If he were easy, he would fall asleep when someone else rocks, cuddles him or puts him down. But he wants me, his mama - he's a needy one, I tell ya.  And, you know, I don't mind at all.  Moms need one of those.  Elliot was the opposite - was just fine being his independent self.  In another few months maybe, Silas will be pushing me away so he can go explore, so I'll soak it up while I can.  Luckily, he is only this way when we are away from home - because I'm sure I wouldn't be too fond of his need for my arms when I am at home trying to get things done. 

So, I have MUCH to do this week - a busy schedule and the Mother's Day orders are flowing in.  Thanks!  Remember, last day for orders for guaranteed delivery is April 28th!  *Ahem* - husbands, you have 6 days.

last day

 

Our last day was spent at the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga.  It's a really neat museum - a must-do if you ever find yourself in Chattanooga. ;)  Sad to leave tomorrow, but definitely ready to see Lance and get back to our 'normal' routine {I think}.

week recap

 

Here I am!  We've had a busy little getaway to Chattanooga - as you might imagine with five kidlets.  Not to mention, the business is in full swing with Mothers' Day orders and after the launch of the I Am Enough Collaborative pieces.  

As you can see in the top pic - Elliot got to sit in the cockpit of our plane on the way here - pushing buttons, pulling back on the wheel... fun stuff that I'm sure he'll talk about for quite awhile.  The kids have been playing outside - the weather has been beautiful.  Although we have the amazing weather at home, we don't have a yard, so it's been really nice to just open the door and let the kids play.  I went with my sister to her pilates class, her MOPS group and to church this morning - it's nice to experience her 'day-to-day' life and to have the opportunity to meet her friends and get a feel for her community.  We also had a sample jewelry sale here at her house on Saturday morning - that was a lot of fun - we got a babysitter to watch the kids and were able to enjoy coffee and pastries with friends while they shopped.  Tomorrow, we are heading to the science museum - one of our favorite spots when we visit.  And we head home on Tuesday ...hoping for a smooth travel day like the way here...wish me luck!

a collaboration for a unique collaboration

I don't really know where to start with this.  I'm just gonna write - no editing - sorry if it ends up long - I've been so excited about this project, I can't help myself.  A few years ago, I found the work of Tracey Clark for I Know A Mom...I was in search of mothers who were artists, writers, photographers and I came across Tracey.  You guys, she is all of the above.  And she is super talented in all of the above.  Not only is she the founder of Shutter Sisters {I trust this is not a new site to you.  AH-mazing.}, she is also an author and journals on her blog...and her most recent project is the i am enough collaboration.  You can read more about what the words "i am enough" mean to her and the journey she has been on since believing this truth.

Fast forward {almost 3 years} ::  I write Tracey, we meet a couple of times.  In short, sitting over coffee with Tracey is nothing short of inspiring {I want there to be a more fitting - and less used - word for it, but I can't think of one}.  I leave her feeling refreshed, full of new ideas and giddy about endless possibilities...to me, as an artist, that is what inspiration looks and feels like.  And this...

 
is what came from it. 

As you know, I love the idea of wearing words, names, meaning close to your heart.  It is just one reason why I enjoy this little business so much.  Creating something that I put my heart into - that means just as much to you - that's just plain great.  

Take some time, read some of the writings of the I am enough collaboration.  It is something we can all resonate with.  It's no secret that we, as women {& mothers} compare, contrast, judge...it can wound your soul when you believe you are not doing enough, saying enough, sharing enough, giving enough, that you are not enough.  It is a lie and it squelches you of your potential.  I've been there.  For me personally, I know I am enough, because He is enough.  That truth brings peace & hope as I {often wearily} spend my days as a wife and a mother.

You can read more about the silver design here and the bronze piece here.  {The words were hand-painted by Katherine Center...yeah, go visit her site and you can kiss your day goodbye.  Guaranteed.  I'm really loving this video.}

That's a lot of links!  Told you it was a collaboration for a collaboration.

on the mend

 
... pic from our evening walk tonight -- Elliot is very insistent these days on taking his 'purse' with him to collect pinecones, leaves - whatever we happen to come across.  Lance is just as insistent that he calls it a 'bag'. ;)

Last week was just the pits...and unfortunately last week, carried into this week a bit.  Silas and I are on the mend from a cold that turned into bronchitis.  A new experience for me.  I don't think I've ever had it before, and ya know what?  I don't care to ever have it again...I kinda like being able to breathe well.

The happy news is that the boys and I are taking off in the morning for a trip to Signal Mountain, Tennessee to see my sister & her beautiful family.  She has three children {ages 6, 4 and 2} and the kids will have a blast, of course.  We haven't planned too much.  Wise I think.  I mean, planning a lot when you have 5 children six and under is never a good idea.  I am looking forward to catching up on life - we talk several times a week on the phone, but it is very rarely quality conversation...due to the time difference and oh yeah, the kids. ;)  So, the one thing I am sure of, is that we will spend our time after the kids are in bed, indulging in chocolate, talking, catching up on our favorite shows together...fun stuff.

I will, of course, be posting while I'm there - gotta show off my adorable nieces & nephew.  In fact, if I'm up to it tomorrow night (after an 8 hour travel day...big if), I am going to announce something super fun - a new design collaboration!  

In the meantime, get those Mother's Day orders in - last day for guaranteed delivery is April 28th!!

*If you haven't noticed, I am a twitter-er now.  Yep - got sucked in.  I've heard it can be addicting.  Well, that's the last thing I need, but it is kinda fun.  Still learning the ropes.

*And if you're not a facebook fan, then you may have missed out on a special Mother's Day discount.  Sneaky, I know.  SO become a fan! ;)

just what I needed...

 
I forgot to mention that the bright spot in my day yesterday was the anticipation of a friend coming over last night after the boys were in bed.  Considering how the last two days have gone, it was a miracle that they actually were in bed and asleep when she came over.  A miracle.  So, the "purpose" of getting together was to create together - we have collaborated on a piece and she offered to help because we are making an initial 60 pieces - my biggest order, to be sure.  yay!  {It will be added to the shop in the near future...can't wait to show it to you...really beautiful and different than anything I've done.}    

But.  That's not the point of this post or what I wanted to say.  On really bad days when I have something planned for the evening, I am always tempted to cancel.  Do you ever feel that way?  You feel like you need to clear your schedule of anything else that has to be done.  In this case, I wasn't tempted to cancel...believe me, I practically threw my children in bed.  Good heart-to-heart conversation, dark chocolate covered caramels, peanut butter filled pretzels and creating was just what I needed.  You would think being a jewelry designer and owning a business that requires creativity almost daily, that I would get my fill.  But, there are a lot of other things...post office trips, invoicing, correspondence, meetings, etc...it's actually not that often that I sit and use my hands to create.  And how silly of me that I forgot how therapeutic that can be.  Thank you, friend, for showing up at my door with a hug & a rose and preparing me for another rough day today!  ;)

terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day

Remember that book?  I am living it right now - two days in a row.  Not a fan of this week.

 
I know all the {little} things going wrong are just compounded by the fact that 3 out of 4 in our home are sick right now, but still.  I just keep thinking - it'll get better and it's not.  No worries - nothing really huge is happening and I don't mean to be vague...it's dumb things that you really don't want to read about {I'm sure of it}.  Right this minute, I am trying soooo hard not to go and glare at our gardeners, because it is naptime and I just spent an hour trying to get Silas asleep.  And they have been edging, leaf-blowing {we don't have leaves} and using their loud, old-school lawnmower for what seems like an eternity.  If you have seen my yard, you know that it is about the size of a blow up swimming pool...so I would think that it's about time for them to be done...watch, now my kids will wake up because it suddenly got quiet. ;)

Ah - so, I am dreaming of curling up with a book or taking a snooze here {an all-white room is on my list}.  That's saying something because I am not a napper.  Hope your week is going better than mine,
 

monday, monday

2 out of 3 of the boys in my life...looking just as cute as ever.  It was a beautiful weekend, but if I'm being honest, it really wasn't a good one.   I spent {too} much of it working...my buddies are both sick...and I was feeling blah.  

But today is a new day - the sun just literally peeked through the clouds after a little rain this morning - I am  still in my pajamas and enjoying my coffee.  I, really and truly, like Mondays.  Lance works on Saturdays, so Monday is a weekend day for our family - and I usually get a lot done around the house and with the business, since I have help - so, with that, I'm off.  Happy Monday!
 

holy week

 

I am feeling thankful today and am humbled as I celebrate Him this week.  I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend.

*blessings,

layers

 

So, you have been adding the square & circle initial charms to more necklaces than just the initials style.  I love the look of it -- what a great idea, you!  The initial charms are only $6 a piece when you add it to a necklace - a sweet way to personalize it - and I am loving the clustered look.

Also - a tidbit I learned today and thought I would share with you...you can tuck  away  to use when you need it - rubbing alcohol dissolves silly putty.  Quite nicely.  So, to avoid a post involving silly putty for the third day in a row, it has found a new home in the trash.  Lesson learned.