Our little Princess Anna...

This year our ballet company is performing "Frozen" for their winter show.  Prissy was SO excited! We all know every word to every song so it just seems natural to us that they would do it :) Tryouts are always on saturdays- which means Joey brings her to the hospital where I fix her hair in near frantics.  All the while- I'm trying to bestow wisdom through osmosis of a hairbrush.  "Prissy don't forget to smile pretty.  Ballet feet at all time.  If you forget a part... smile!  Oh and have fun."  I was in pure hysterics to hear all about it, only to hear from a very small voice on the other end of the phone "Momma I was a solid 4."  "On a scale from 1-5?" I asked.  "No ma'm on a scale from 1-10" crying a little now.  I reassured her that I'm sure she did better than a 4 and that she would still in fact be in the show {even if she wasn't cast as little Princess Anna}.  Joey made the motion that we buy her a little prize "just in case".  I seconded that and the motion passed- So I did!  That made me even more anxious.  So we battened down the hatches, ate ice cream, and waited.  Now at this point in the story I need to tell y'all... I didn't have any cell phone for a WEEK- long story.  It was a tad inconvenient to say the least.  Long story short I found out through another mom that she got it!  PRINCESS ANNA y'all.  Can you tell I'm a smidgen excited??  We lost our minds on the car ride home that night.  A-man even joined in on a chorus or 6 of "Do You Want To Build A Snow Man".  

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We celebrated!
{to say the least and I may or may not be planning a stellar cast party}

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The boys mostly played Legos. Although I hear from A-man's teacher that he's invited the entire 1st grade to see his sister in Frozen "she's the best dancer there!"
He makes my heart smile- PRECIOUS!!!

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but... Prissy is little Anna and we are over the moon.
  Rehearsals begin tonight-
Bring on the 5 days a week practices, the holes in tights and worn out ballet shoes!  

a home...

So yesterday I got a call from our realtor {from 3 yrs ago- when we had decided to try to sell}, asking if she could show our house.  I was shocked at first, especially since our house isn't even on the market, but listened as she explained how clients had loved it when touring the neighborhood.  She had some old photos on hand- that made them even more interested.  I agreed - since it was my usual cleaning day, but OH how I had forgotten the magnitude that I take with a "showing".

drains bleached

pantry gutted

master closet overhauled

fresh cut flowers all around

garage manicured

floor re-stained {don't ask}

dirty laundry moved to an undisclosed location

But.. as I cleaned my beautiful home and I mean that.  It is to me!  I remembered bringing home my babies.  I saw all of their firsts again in the living room.  I cherished the wall dings and the baseboard nicks, and suddenly I had this contentment come over me.  Then as suddenly as that melted away- I had another rushing flood of emotions come all over me.   There were the same old thoughts of wanting what my friends have- bigger houses, more rooms, more porches, more guest rooms.  more. more . more.  I finished up, they came and went... I held my breath.  All the while, I looked online at what we could buy after selling.  But... nothing looked like a home to me.  I must be getting wiser {my wisdom is definitely showing through my hair these days} because bigger is not better to me anymore.  More square footage and extra car garages don't do a thing for me.  I do so love my dishwasher, but I'm content with just one.  And mostly I know that "things" -they are fleeting & don't make you happy. 

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So when she called saying that they wanted it, I could hardly speak.  We hadn't even thought of an asking price.  I told her that I would have to speak with Joey then call her back.  My stomach pitted.  I wondered what he would say? What would he think was a fair price.  It was like one of those commercials- new home $$$$$, new car $$$, new furniture $$, new pillows $, getting to grow old with the one you love in the home you built= priceless.  When he got home we looked online together at a few houses in our price range.  Nothing!  We agreed that our home is worth more to us than it is probably worth market value wise.  Now here I am at the age that I am... and I'm happy with where I am.  AMEN!!!

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These are the things....

I want to hold on to.

loving the space you are in... office 101

I love setting up house.  I do.  Always have.  I can organize a drawer or whip up a pillow in a heartbeat- it's who I am.  Sometimes changing up a space is just the thing to love the space you are in.  It would be easy to buy something or pay someone to make something beautiful.  Sometimes I wonder what that would be like... buy something that didn't need to be fixed, painted, or sewn when I get it home.  While the kitty cats are away...  this little mouse has been working her hinny off trying to love the space that I'm in.  Making your house a home is a gift to your family.  So.. in love- I've purged their rooms {at least once, maybe more}.  Then I tackled the office.  

I {heart} this room.  It's a place that is soothing yet inspiring.  I can day dream and diy the days away in here up until time to get the kiddos.  Some people workout... I set up house.  It takes all kinds right?

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I found a new little print at Goodwill. Did I mention that I've had time on my hands with the kiddos in school?  And did I mention that my husband reminds me {often} that you can in fact "go broke saving $$".

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Then a precious friend of mine gave me this..

{yes... there are people that do that kind of nice thing to people still in this world}

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3 days later... after collecting craft/art supplies from 3 different {secure} locations in this house.  I compiled a collection of goods that would make Martha herself swoon :)

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I chalked her full of all the goodness that I could.

  She is wonderful! 

 She houses EVERYTHING that I need to accomplish any feat. 

 I adore her!

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I had to move my gallery wall...

 It's continues to be a work in progress {5 yrs and going}.

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The kiddos love any space that I'm in {it's funny how that happens}.  If I'm in the bathroom- they love the bathroom.  If I'm in the garage- that's the place to hang.  And- since I'm usually in here.. they are right behind me.  "My shadows" as Cooner calls them.  2 of my favorite things in the world!!

hanging on.... for dear life!

Summer has come and gone for us... just like it does- quicker every year.  This year was NO exception.  We clung to break with all of our might. -tried to saver ever single minute.  -went for night swims.. late ones!  -had friends over... a lot! -but mostly we.. just played.  We LOVED IT!  I do so think it was our best yet.....

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Prissy is 110% girl... I {heart} that about her.  She has a gentle spirit that can not be rushed... I'm learning more about her everyday.  She is little in that 11yr old body.  She loves to cuddle with me & wants my approval every step of the way.  Prissy reminds me of another little curly headed girl I knew a long time ago... That little girl wanted to be with her Cooner all day EVERY day.. and still does!

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A-man is a delight!  He is 110% boy.  He likes bugs, dirt, rocks, anything army and gun and knife related, would watch Star Wars at any point of any day, and of course has a heart for all things LEGO.  He is quiet yet profound.  He's a lot more like Joey than me :) When he says something its got meaning- not just to hear himself {Prissy and I are working on that- ha ha}.  He is a true friend, great sharer, wonderful swimmer, amazing prayer- AMAZING, but mostly he is my little David after God's own heart.  

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We {in no small means} got wrapped up in a Hallmark series called "When calls the hear".  It is SO good.  It was sorta our thing in the evenings all summer.  So much so that A-man made me these little mini figures of Mounty Jack and Elizabeth.  "Presh" as Prissy would say.

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Prissy started 6th grade.  I have no words.

except that her lingo has changed a bit now-

presh- precious

supes- super

totes- totally

adorbs- adorable

A-man- bro-chocho

....and many MANY more

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She likes bows as big as her head!  But she can rock them out- so I make them...

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And... per Joey's request {and with Prissy and I kicking and screaming} we are letting her.... try to become... more independent.  I can hardly type these words.  She must now do her work independently, and ask if she needs help.  I cannot make sure her backpack is ready for the next day- she must.  I cannot look over her commentarius- she must.  And if things need to be checked- she must ask for help.  It's been hard, but I think it's gonna be so worth it.  She now leaves us little notes like this... 

"TOTES ADORBS!"

A-man started 1st grade...  again no words.

But as Joey says "they should really be paying us to have him!"  I couldn't agree more!

"SUPES PRESH!"

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Yesterday we heard that a precious doctor in Joey's practice passed away.  We are all sorta numb by it.  He leaves behind a sweet wife and 4 darling daughters.  Today my hearts is heavy and full.  I'm grateful for my husband and my lovelies.  I do not know what tomorrow holds, but today I'm full of joy and am determined to hang on to what's important.  

porches and July 4th prep...

I must admit that my poor porches get what's left of me after... Joey and the kiddos and the house.  So... needless-to-say they are always a hit and miss sorta thing.  This year I'm going with a sorta Americana theme- I love red, white, & blue so it came without any effort.  

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I came across some flag tablecloths with holes on the corners {looked like they had been tied to something?}  First I was gonna use them as tablecloths too.. but the holes killed me :( so they became pillows!

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Hydrangeas are in the height of their glory right now in the south- and I couldn't be happier!!  

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And- because we got too much sun yesterday and I'm in charge of the 4th of July party games at the pool...  We made these yesterday out of an old pool noodle, a balloon, & duct tape {all on hand}.  It's getting more and more difficult trying to find a weapon that we don't have already... But I managed to make one :)  They are super fun, cheap, and easy to make!!  **Tutorial to come**  

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and..

THANK YOU

for all of the sweet b-day wishes!! I can't believe I'm gonna be that old :()

 I got my very first 4 leafed clover in a card- I ADORE IT Mrs. Robinette :)  the kiddos and I have been looking for another one ever since.....

first summer beach trip of 2014 ....

Our 2nd phase of summer house guests have come and gone.  We had a marvelous time with Grandma Harris & Peggy- THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

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We went to the beach and lived the high life... of eating out, dinner shows, snacking by the pool {do you see the common theme here of FOOD!}

And- we played in the sand....

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A LOT!

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And swam...

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A LOT!

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good memories I tell you!

  I know I say this all the time... but I do so love my kiddos at these ages :)

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and I found a POUF for the loft :)  never mind that our car looked like the Beverly Hillbillies on the way home.  "Onward Christian soldiers" I say.... 

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HAPPY SUMMER!!

summer reading...

We have officially began our summer here in N.C.  School is over, baseball is over, & we are even taking a break from dance this summer- hallelujah!!  In short... I'm in heaven.  I get to spend the entire day with the ones I grew + I actually LOVE them so it's heaven.  We are tackling a few summer reads... Here is a sneak peak-

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First off A-man's pick-

  Five little Peppers and How They Grew.

  This is slowly becoming one of my favorite read aloud chapter books EVER!  I adore the Pickles :)  

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Joey's pick-

True Beauty

Prissy & I are starting this one next.  I think it's gonna be precious!

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My by the pool pick-

Unglued

I have heard Lysa speak and she is AMAZING.  I'm 2 chapters in and loving it!!

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and we are LOVE this one!

Five Minute Devotions for Children

  It's sorta National Geographic meets Jesus Calling for Kids.

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Now I'm off to relax with this as my summer mantra!!!