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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

the pull...

 

I've been emotional lately.  I know I'm emotional all the time, but this is new territory.  My big chick is changing, maturing, and it's stirring some stuff up inside me.  It started me thinking about when the girls were first born.  I remember thinking that once they slept through the night we'd be home free.  Then once they finally got through teething, potty training, eating solid foods etc...it would get so much easier. Obviously one challenge runs right into the next and we never really feel like we've got it figured out.  We never really get that reprieve and a big gold star to put next to our names on the imaginary parenting "chore" chart.





We are moving into the independence stage...the pulling away stage:0  The scariest of all.  Our girl goes to high school next year.  CANNOT BELIEVE THAT, but I digress.  She's got a boy interested in her at school!  He ditches his friends to sit with her at lunch.  Say what?!!  It's not serious.  She can't date.  But it's weird. 


They text.  We didn't even have texting when Honey and I dated.  So that's a constant connection that my parents didn't have to monitor or think about.  She asks to do things with friends A LOT.  And I know that's all good and healthy and normal, but it's new for us.  We do things together most of the time.  Boys have never been in the picture at all...ever.  


She's a good girl.  Honestly the sweetest you can imagine.  She has a heart that as a momma makes me beyond proud.  I look at her sometimes and can't believe how blessed I am that God chose honey and I to raise her.  So I'm not worried about HER.  I trust that we've done our job and she knows the truth.  We talk openly about everything under the sun.  It's just scary seeing her move away from us a bit.  It makes me think about the future a little too much.  Where's my paper bag?!?


I'm constantly going through my memory bank remembering how things were when I was growing up.  What did my mom and dad allow?  How did they let me go, let me be a little more independent?  When did I start getting serious about boys?  When did I do this and that...



And for me the memories are there.  They kinda let me do whatever.  I had tons of sleepovers.  A LOT of boy crushes.  Dated way TOO young.  Not that they were bad parents, neglectful or anything they just trusted me more than I think they should have.  They loved me and let me be.  Is it wrong that I love her and I want to keep things the way they've been forever?  I know the answer to that;)

Honey and I share looks a lot.  The "oh my dear God...how are we gonna get through this" kinda glances from across the room. Any alone time we get we are talking it though, remembering our teenage years.  It's just as much of a growing up thing for us as it is for her.


It's definitely a learning experience.  And this pull between wanting to keep her all to ourselves and let her spread her wings will be a little painful for both of us.  But I know the Lord will give us wisdom.  Just like all the other milestones His grace will be there.  His hand will guide us, and in the end that twisty knot in my stomach will subside...maybe when she's 30;)







I also wanted to let you know I did a little talk on joy for this beautiful online workshop.  It's a nine month course on the Fruit of the Spirit.  So good!  Check it out here:)  The video goes live today.  









Be a blessing.






He goes before us...time to paint:)
strawberry shortcake
big ripe berries
warm earth and the most beautiful berry smell
friends that tromp through fields/life with us
having daughters
that she was loaned to US

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Sunday, May 18, 2014

allofthethings



Worst picture ever award;)

To say it's been a tad busy over here is an understatement.  I think life has bombed our house.  Like it's full on celebration of allofthethings...allofthetime lately.  Can you OD on good?  Cause lately it's been a little off the charts...

First off the May shop opening was a HUGE success...like most cuffs ever sold in the history of ever!  I wept.  Literally overwhelmed by everything I sat on the front porch after everyone left and wept.  It was happy tears.  Tears of joy and relief and complete and utter amazement at God and how HE blows my mind and brings me to that humble spot.  That spot of complete and utter reliance on Him.  I really can't put into words how I'm feeling, but weeping seems to be a part of my every day as of late.  We'll be working hard to get them all stamped and sent out this week hopefully.  Lots to do!



Let's see since I blogged last we had Mother's day.  With full on cards and a day of traipsing around Richmond eating at my favorite Cuban place and sight seeing...those pics to come.  Honey finished off a project which I'll share soon.  It was good.  Like so good I wish everyday was Mother's day:)


This week has been a week of firsts.  Big chick's first dance:) Which she was asked to go with a boy!  That didn't happen because I'm a tad old fashioned and boys and girls have no business going anywhere together in 8th grade...  But apparently they danced.  And it's not like when we were in school and there were two separate groups...boys on one side and girls on the other with no one dancing at all.  They all danced!! Times have changed.  Kids are a little more bold, and honestly it frightens me;)  But she's got this experience under her sleeve and I'm so proud of my girl.  She just radiates from the inside out.  Her inner and outer beauty blind me!


Then there's this one. Could she look any more precious?  Despite a horrible onslaught of seasonal allergies she braved the big stage and did her thing.  First dance recital...CHECK!  She had the BIGGEST smile plastered on her face.  I was so proud of her.  She stuck with ballet even though she begged not to go at times.  The flowers apparently made it worth it:)

So it's been a crazy couple of weeks.  I hope Spring is treating you well.  I'm ready for a break.  Oh I got a hammock for Mother's day too.  It's getting broken in real soon:)







Be a blessing,




 Our super sweet mail carrier Sayid aka "happy" got a raise because of the volume of mail coming from our shop!!!!  Seriously made me SO haPpY!!!
 my 41st birthday! a chocolate cake hunt was on:)  my family loves me well!!
 happy tears!!!  God is SO good:))
these three...who work so hard with me. love them!!!
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Monday, May 5, 2014

This is IT! May opening...then closed until FALL:)


Good morning friends.  It's May 5th.  Our final opening until FALL!  I'm so glad this day is finally here.  I'm looking forward to taking some time off for the summer.  There are plenty of travel plans, hopefully some painting for me, local field trips and plenty of nature walks with the girls...our cameras in tow of course.  It's gonna be good.  So weird to be thinking about summer, but it's almost here!  Bring it:))


I think there is a misconception about the shop.  That we are only open a few days and the rest of the time is vacation.  I wish so badly that you could spend a day, week, month with us.  That you could see that what I thought would be an "occasional", open a few days here and there, type of thing has turned into a regular gig for me and five other helpers.  Yep FIVE!  I've added some new friends.  It's growing!!

(I spy Hawaii pics;))


When the shop isn't open we are busy buying leather, making cuffs, photographing, editing and listing in Etsy. There's so much to keep organized (thank you TAMARA).  Little bags and envelopes to stamp.  Thank yous to prepare. Supplies to keep track of.  So.many.steps...hands that have to touch the orders from beginning to end:)  It blows my mind that I used to do it all alone.  Thank you Jesus for helpers!



This last time we kept the shop open for us to restock cuffs in draft form and sent out a little message that anything purchased in between would be shipped out this week.  So if you ordered it will be hopefully mailed out Monday.  If you were patient and waited I know you won't be disappointed.  There are so many amazing options for you.  This is IT until MID-SEPTEMBER.  When the shop closes this time it will NOT be visible until Fall.  So think Mother and Father's day, teachers gifts, bus drivers, graduation, birthday and anniversaries...just for you gifts...because you rock and you deserve it;)


Thank you for blowing up this business.  I'm so very grateful that I get to make things that I love.  That I wear proudly.  That mean something.  It's an amazing privilege to do this for you.  So let's get to it!!!



This month we'll be open from May 5th through May 14th at 6:00 pm est. 

 A special THANK YOU to our May promoters.  
Check out their Instagram/blog/facebook feed for coupon codes:)

Lindsay Hopkins...@pen_and_paint and blog 
Amy Huntley...@theidearoom
Amy Lou Hawthorne...@amylouhawthorne
Vanessa Evans...@pineapplewigs
Autumn Lynn...@autumnlynnphotography







Be a blessing.








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