Pigs are flying in Tulsa tonight

If you don't personally know my husband Josh let me explain something to you. He is a big guy!

Now, he's no Shaq. He's not even as big as his older brother. However, at 6 feet 2 inches and 270 pounds he's considered by most to be pretty large.

Well, today we went shopping for a new white dress shirt because tomorrow he has his first interview for residency programs (cross your fingers) and the only one he owns has the permanant dingy ring on the collar.

He also wanted one that could be worn with cuff links because he recently inherited a set that had belonged to his Grandfather, so we figured the best place to go would be a men's big and tall store.

I was the first one to walk into the store and I immediately asked the lady who greeted me if they had shirts for cuff links. She told me they only had a few and asked who it was for. I pointed to Josh who was picking up the rear with Macy and the lady said "Oh, I might have one, your pretty small."

I actually had to replay the verbal exchange in my head to make sure I heard her right.

Josh heard it too so it must be true!

ps. I'm doing a giveaway over on my jewelry blog.

Introducing Lovely You!

A little less than a year ago I made these earrings by taking apart a vintage 1950's necklace.

Now, After 10 months of (off and on) antiquing and jewelry making, I am finally ready to do something that slightly terrifies me.

I am putting myself and my creations out into the world.

The first step of this journey was to create a new blog where I can really talk about my creative ups and downs. lovelyyoudesign.blogspot.com

The final and hardest step was to decide where to sell my recycled vintage jewelry. After much deliberation and talking with very wise friends, I decided to join the realm of Etsy. So come visit me at lovelyyoudesign.etsy.com

I have discovered a hidden passion and I am very excited to finally be able to share it with all of you.

Oh my, am I excited!

I'm going to be busy for the next two days. Very busy! This is something I've been working on for almost a year now and it's finally ready... Almost.

So, come back on Wednesday because it is going to be Lovely!

All she needs now is a snorkle

Hey Keith, do you still have yours?

For Mrs. 97.6 is a low grade fever

Do you remember this post?

That teacher seriously had me scared to death for James to start regular school. I just knew I was going to be getting weekly phone calls about all the poor little girls James was torturing.

Guess what? Two months into school and not a single phone call!

I've asked his teacher several times when I drop him off if he is doing OK and the answer is always "Oh ya! He is so cute."

Can I pause for just a second to tell you how much I absolutely adore his teacher. I wish I could bottle her up and then give a small dose of her to every teacher in every school in every grade. She is amazing!

Well, yesterday I went in for my parent teacher conference still expecting to hear that he was misbehaving in some way.

This is what Mrs. Gifford had to say about James..

"He is sweet, adorable, enthusiastic, and well liked by everyone (even the girls)."

Then at the end of our chat she said "If you ever want to get rid of him, call me first!"

And you know what? I offered him to her right then and there!

Tuesday October 13th

In pictures...

Thank you to the ladies over at Bloom for encouraging mothers everywhere to capture the beauty of the everyday.

Time to simplify

My week was busy. I didn't finish half of what I set out to do. Partly because I over scheduled my time, and partly because of some unexpected events.

I will tell you though that my week was filled with service, and I have not been this happy in a very long time.

I adored President Monson's talk last Sunday. "What have you done for someone else today?" Is now on my mind constantly.

Our Sunday school lesson today was on being self reliant. Both spiritually and temporally. Another great lesson. I left with the resolve to simplify my life. To be more frugal. I've never been one to make my own baby food or bake bread every week. I don't even shop at whole foods, but there are other things I can do. I'm actually pretty excited.

I started brainstorming before the lesson was even over, and this is what I've come up with so far. These are all things that I personally really need to work on.

• Start packing lunches on Saturdays instead of running through the drive through after soccer games. Not only will it save on cash, but is a definite health boost.
• Get better at saying "NO" when we are at the store and the kids say "Can we have?" I really don't buy that much for them, but I still think I could do better.
• Shop second hand stores. My kids go through clothes so fast and there are so many second hand stores around that carry nice clean clothes. This also ties in with the convenience thing. I don't really enjoy sifting through all the "other" stuff to find what I need. But, in the end will definitely save in the cash department. Maybe I won't get so upset when Macy stains her shirt either.
• Go on cheaper dates. Instead of dinner and a movie, we could eat dinner as a family and then go to a movie (at the dollar theatre). Maybe some ice cream after. Two ice cream cones cost a lot less than two dinners plus a tip.
• OK here is a hard one. Cook dinner. Ugh! Even though it takes a lot of time to plan and prepare a meal, I know our family will benefit from it in so many ways. And, I actually really enjoy good leftovers for lunch.
• And the big thing I really REALLY need to work on is only doing one project at a time. SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY. Maybe I won't be such a crazy lunatic any more if I'm only focused on one thing instead of twelve.

Anyway these are just a few of my ideas. I would love more. I've actually got something in the works that is going to demand another slice of my time so I could use all the help I can get.

And, as a PS. My sister has started doing a sort of decorating on a budget over on her craft blog on Tuesdays so you should go check it out. And check out my sparkly pumpkins. That was the only thing I finished this week.

Full and overflowing

To say that my plate is full right now is a little bit of an understatement. Actually, I feel more like I'm carrying around a serving platter. However, to think that my problems, responsibilities, and frustrations are bigger than yours is completely absurd. We all have our stuff. Right?

So, in order to make sure I don't explode I have decided that I need to take this week off from blogging. Maybe longer, but hopefully not.

I'm hoping to be back on Monday with some very exciting stuff.

In the meantime, here are some pictures from our weekend.

Is it terrible that she only got one little cupcake with a candle on it?

It's nice to know some times that they really do love each other.

Macy playing games with Grandma

This is how I found Macy last night when I went to check on her. Just a few hours earlier she had taken her diaper off, brought it to me, and said "no tatu." I guess I'm going to have to start getting creative with ways to keep her diaper on.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

To my Darling

Delightful

Dramatic

Sweet

Silly

Samm

You are one in a bazillion! I LOVE YOU!

Mom

Inspiration from Wal-Mart

I wouldn't say that Halloween is my favorite holiday, but I do start to get pretty excited this time of year. Something about the fall colors stirs the right side of my brain. We already painted pumpkins this past Monday for family home evening, and I'm thinking this Monday we might have to make pumpkin butterscotch cookies. They are the best cookies ever!

So, several months ago Samm asked if she could be Rapunzel for Halloween. I went right out and found a pattern for .99 cents and then happened to hit the Wal-Mart across town while they were closing out their fabric department and got all 8 yard of fabric for the costume really cheap. I even got started on it right away, but of course lost interest near the end and never finished.

Last week though as soon as fall hit I suddenly had the desire to finish it. It's not fantastic, but Samm is thrilled so I guess I'm happy.

Then I started thinking about what Macy should be and I drew a complete blank. So frustrating!

I know I put way too much effort into their costumes, but I can't help it. I think I get just as excited about picking out the costumes as they do.

And then, one morning as I was heading towards the diaper section in Wal-Mart (btw-if I'm in pajamas you'll find me at Wal-Mart, if I'm actually dressed I head to Target. Last week was definitely a Wal-Mart week)

Anyway, as I was passing through the baby section I spied the cutest pair of orange and black striped tights for only $3.

Inspiration: Go with a classic.

Tonight I finished up her black tulle skirt, and come Halloween she is going to be the cutest little witch you have ever seen!