30 for 30 Remix

I am so excited to participate in my first 30 for 30 Remix. For the next 30 days I will be wearing only 30 articles of clothing (not including coats and accessories) and mixing and matching them into different outfits. (For more info on the 30 for 30 check out Kendi Everyday.)

Want to see what I'll be wearing?


4 dresses


5 tops


2 jackets, 1 vest


4 cardigans


2 tank tops, 1 skirt


3 pairs of jeans


2 long sleeve t-shirts


5 pairs of shoes

TGIF

Dress- Forever 21
Shoes- Urban Outfitters
Tights- Target
Belt- Old Navy

I'm ready for the weekend. Next week is the start of something really fun that I'll be documenting on the blog. I'm super excited! Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? We'll definitely be doing our usual visit to the Farmer's Market, but other than that we don't have any plans. (I think). Do you ever forget plans or double book? I do it all.the.time. Seriously. If you're my friend in real life I'm so sorry. I hope I'm not the only one that does that.

Have a lovely weekend, friends!

Napa Trip

The past two days I've been away on a quick trip to Napa with my husband and our two friends. It was fast, but so fun and a much needed break from life. We ate lots (and lots) of good food, walked around town, and visited a few wineries.



It was my first time being a away from Finley for more than a few hours, let alone overnight, but she and I both survived. So did my sweet mother in law, even though she did have to wake up in the middle of the night. {Thanks Ellie!}



My heart has been heavy. We tragically lost my uncle this week. Please pray for my family.

What I Wore

Blouse and Heels- Local Boutique
Cardigan and Tights- Target
Skirt- Old Navy

On Saturday I went to a class at the gym called The Challenge. It's a little bit like my favorite class (as in, it kicks your booty), but instead of a super sweet, encouraging teacher the teacher was a Jillian Michaels wannabe. She yelled out, "Come on slackers! You're p***ing me off!" Sure, I love the Biggest Loser, but I'm not sure how I feel about being yelled at myself. My body was sore for a few days after, so maybe it was worth it in the end.

I thought of this class because, although this skirt fits, it's still a little tight. I guess I'll be going to The Challenge this Saturday. Sigh.

I'm linking up at The Pleated Poppy.

A City Bus Ride

Last week we had a field trip!

I informed Eric a few days before that he would ride the bus with the boys while I walked around downtown with Finley. I had planned it in my head. We would stop and get a coffee (for me), browse some of my favorite shops, and leisurely enjoy our time until it was time to meet the boys at the bus stop. Well, that wasn't exactly how it worked out. When I told Eric that he would be the one doing the riding his response was, "I'm not riding the bus." Well, ok. I can't say I blamed him and since it was my idea I rode with the boys while Eric walked around downtown with Finley.



As we were waiting to get on the bus Judah and Samuel kept hugging each other and giggling. They were so, so excited. We sat in the front seat for the best view. (Although, we ended up changing seats a few times during the ride). We made a loop around town and ended right back downtown where we started about an hour later. The bus schedule was super hard to understand, so I told Eric to be ready to pick us up if we ended up in some random part of the city.

During the ride Silas kept exclaiming, "School bus!" Well, actually he can't say S's, so it sounds more like "Cool but!" He also doesn't know the difference between a city bus and a school bus. Oh well.

Overall the ride was successful and fun and we ended the trip with a delicious lunch at one of our favorite pizza places. We're already planning our next field trip.

Pizza and Movie Night

Something we've recently started is Saturday night homemade pizza and family movie night. To say the boys love it is putting it lightly.

Traditions are so important. Whether it's a holiday celebration or a special lunch on Saturdays, they provide something for kids (and adults) to look forward to, stability, comfort during hard times, and sweet memories in the future.

One of my goals at a mom is for my children to look back on their childhood and think about how much fun they had. I want them to remember ordinary days as something special.

What are some traditions, big or small, that you have in your family?


My (and Finley's) side had mushrooms, olives, spinach, and feta cheese and Eric's had smoked salmon. The boys have personal pizzas.

"Collected Wisdom" from Noel Piper

Print from ashleyg

I read this the other day on Noel Piper's blog (wife of the John Piper). It encouraged me and I thought it might encourage you, too.

Last night there was a bridal shower. The women who attended were friends of the bride’s mother.
Most of us are not crazy about shower games. So instead, we went around the circle and answered two questions: How did you become friends with the family and what one bit of wisdom would you like to offer the bride?
Of course, there’s lots more that could be said, but here are the impromptu responses:

-When there’s trouble, it’s not because there’s something wrong with you or with him or something wrong with your family or his–it’s because God made you different than each other.
-Marriage is for sanctification.
-Remember no one will love him like you do.
-Read the Bible together every day.
-Pray together.
-Hold onto Jesus.
-Remember that all marriages are cross-cultural.
-Laugh a whole lot, especially when things are crummy.
-Never criticize him in front of other people.
-Let your behavior be respectful even when you don’t feel like it. Politeness like “please” and “thank you” can help clear the air.
-Be patient.
-Do things together, and time alone is important too.
-Appreciate each day. Don’t let things hang over from the past and don’t worry about the future.
-If you’re not feeling well, let him comfort you, and don’t go hide under the covers.
-Keep pursuing each other and learning each other.
-Make room for silliness.
--Stay friends.
-Learn how to celebrate together. You live close to your families, but make your own celebrations too for Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.
-Be as crazy as you can at home, then when sober times come, you can be sober. I hope you’ll have more than 62 years like we have.
-Let him be head of your house, and Jesus be head over all.
-Know every day about God’s sufficiency–not just in hard times, but all the time. I pray that God will lavish future grace on you.
-Go on the mission field. That will put everything to the test.
-Pray. Hug. Laugh.
-I wasted too much time wanting my husband to be what he wasn’t. Your husband is who you’ll know best from here on out. Enjoy who he is.
-Read out loud together.
-Launch out and be your own family, but remember you can call your mother anytime–and any of these friends too.
-A threefold cord is not easily broken. Please keep Jesus as the third strand in the cord of your life together.

We showered our bride with tangible gifts that should last a few years. But this love that showered from clouds of experience is good for a lifetime.

If you want to read a lot more good stuff make sure you check out Mrs. Piper's blog!

Family Day at the Park

Eric had the morning off the other day, so we had a family day at the park. I love spending time with these people. My favorite people.



We took pictures and played on the playground and Mama even got a coffee.



This fun little park is right downtown. Right by our favorite stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and the Farmer's Market. Very convenient.



It used to be a hangout for the homeless, but they restored the playground and now it's a hangout for families. (The homeless have just been displaced, now they hang out in the "city plaza." The center of downtown.)



The last few days the weather has been perfect. It's been sunny and in the 70s and supposedly it's supposed to continue all week.



I know it's still the middle of Winter, but I love this little Spring preview. (For all of you in the snow, I hope you're enjoying the beauty of that and staying warm.)





Proof that I was there.



Family days are the best!

Ask Papa, Part 3

Do you vaccinate you children? Why or why not?
Yes, I vaccinate the kids. One plus to vaccination is that they wont have chicken pox like I did. Our pediatrician told us that he had some really close calls of hospitalized kids that could have died because they did not get the vaccine.

How many kids did you think you would have when you were 20? How many do you want now?
I wanted 12 and still want a lot. Now I want one at a time. I'm just getting so old now...ha

What is your favorite thing about Morgan?
Her smile when she jokes around.

How do you feel about Morgan's new found creativity (sewing, decorating, cooking, crafting)?
I her creative side coming out more. I hope she can figure out how to sew the boot leg off this nice pair of levi's that I thrifted the other week. And I must say that I love to eat at home especially when it is good cooking.

Why don't you make labels for your beer?
I should make some beer labels. If there are any talented artists that can render a "flippin tight" label please respond with your ideas. I recently finished a Robust Porter. This weekend I'll be having a brew day with a new brewing friend of mine.
I have no idea where the phrase "flippin tight" came from. Hmm..

Where do you buy your meat now?
I recently traded some with a client for a Lamb to butcher and now our freezer is full. Besides the lamb meat we go to the butcher shop at S&S produce. We buy organic meat. Even the dog gets his meet from out butcher. The last 6 months I have switched his diet from dry dog food to raw meat and veggies. He loves it!

This concludes the Ask Papa series. Here are Part 1 and Part 2.

Why We Eat Local

1. You stimulate the local economy. When you pay your local farmer for your food he is most likely going to turn around and spend that money in your area. Maybe even to your business. As small business owners we always try to support small, local businesses.

2. It's organic. There's a lot of reasons to eat organic, it's pesticide, chemical, and hormone free. Your ground beef is from one cow (as opposed to thousands mixed together), your milk isn't going to do weird things to your pre-teens body, and your don't have to worry about the chemicals on the skin of your produce.

3. It's cheaper than organic bought at the store. I've heard a lot of people say they don't eat organic food because it's too expensive, but when you shop at the Farmer's Market or from a local farmer it can be a lot cheaper than the store. Here's a little trick: go the the Farmer's Market right as it's closing and most of the vendors and farmers will give you whatever they're selling for super cheap. Sometimes even free.

4. You know exactly where your food is coming from. You can meet the farmers, talk with them, see their families, and sometimes even visit their farms. My kids loved meeting the animals at the farm where we got our chickens. There was no gross handling of the animals or environments they live in. We could see it all.

5. You eat what's in season. When you buy a fruit or vegetable from around the world it's picked when it's very under ripe. Then, chemicals are used to preserve it and ripen them in the store. When you buy local your produce is picked at it's maximum ripeness and flavor.

6. It's a learning experience. If you want the ultimate in cheap and local plant a garden. This week my kids learned about the parts of a plant (leaves, stem, and roots) and now they get to plant their own seeds and watch them grow. Digging in the dirt, picking their dinner, and working outside is therapeutic, relaxing, fun, and a great learning experience for kids.

Pop of Color

I know I still have the deer in the headlights face for these pictures, but I've figured out some new photography tricks. I obviously didn't figure them out before taking these, but you'll see them soon. If you have any tricks for me feel free to let me know.







Dress- Lulus.com
Cardigan and tights- Target
Belt and Oxfords- Forever 21

I have been working on one of my goals for the year, practicing my photography. This guy is the only willing model that will stay still for more than .25 seconds. If you haven't "met" him yet, this is our English bulldog, Captain Whitebeard the pirate dog aka Captain.



I'm linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy.

Etsy Loves

Here are a few of my recent Etsy favorites.


1950s Party Dress by Tialey Vintage


Lola Baby Shoes by Ivory and Moss


1970s Trench by Frecklewonder (sold)


Poppy the doll by Goodbye Blue Sunday


Sweet Romance Stacking Rings by Minty Fresh Fusions


Rose Embroidered Baby Shoes by Big Little


Tiger Lily Moccasins by Darlingtonia (sold)

Weekend

We had a good weekend. We stayed up late, woke up early, and partied all weekend (the birthday party kind if partying). We spent our MLK Jr day relaxing and we'll be back at it tomorrow.



Friday night Samuel spent the night with my inlaws and Silas spent the night with my mom, so we went out to breakfast with Judah and Finley (which is why only the two of them are in the pictures). Last time we went out to breakfast, with all four of them, it was a total disaster. We spilled water about four times, the kids wouldn't stay in their seats, it was total craziness. This breakfast was the complete opposite, so quiet and relaxing. It seriously amazes me how easy two kids seem when you're used to four. I'm sure if you have eight kids four seems easy.











Goal for the week: Have fun!