Camping

We are back from our camping adventures & I look like a candy cane. Burnt in places I apparently didn't apply enough sunscreen & white in places that failed to see much sun. Anywho, that really doesn't matter. Really. We had a great time relaxing in God's creation as well as some stressful times battling the elements. Have you ever been inside a tent while it was raining, thundering & lightning, winds you thought might blow you away while your husband was outside trying to hold down your protective covering? We could be on the next season of survivor.

We took in breathtaking views of Lake Shelbyville, roasted marshmellows on the campfire, caught up on reading and soaked in the warm sun, when it was shining. We even got really brave & laid out on rafts. The water was freezing!

Me & mr. toad. Isn't he cute? Me & my cousins used to go "toad hunting" at my grandparents. We would see who could catch the most or who could catch the biggest. I caught the biggest one of all. Still hold the record.

Leftover sparklers. Fun!


Stephen got to do lots of fishing. He likes fishing for bass. He's pretty good at it.

Chilln' at the campsite. Angler bait shop.

1000 Gifts

I'm sure many of you have heard of Ann Voskamp's book 1000 Gifts. If you have not read it, I highly recomend it. It is both inspiring & challenging. Poetic. Its one of those books where after you read a paragraph you go Oh, wow, I need to read that again. It gets you thinking in new ways. Living in each & every moment & finding the beauty & grace in even the littlest things. God is giving us all of this & we often fail to see it. He desperately wants our communion & He is saying, Look! smell! Listen! I love you!

I started my own 1000 gifts journal. It may take me a year to do it but it can help me get through each day. And, some days, I might not get anything written down..

Here's what I've got so far:

1. singing birds out the window

2. sunshine! finally!

3. baby girl big morning grins

4. clean soap skin smell on the husband

5. lingering hugs of the little boy

6. big brother's prayer for his little sister

7. husband bringing home all the groceries

8. freshly cut grass.

9. horse's wispy tails

10. a "spiritual foods" package from my parents

11 wet bubbly baby skin

12. little boys big dimple on his cheek

13. New products-mascara, Garnier spf moisturizer, self tanner, & coconut smelling sunscreen :)

14. hummingbird flitting about the new flowers...

Will anyone else join me in this challenge? I promise it will be worth it. Plus, it would give you an excuse to go find a cute new journal. :0

Praire Gardens family outing.

On another note, the hubbs & I are headed for vacation tomorow. If you call camping vacation which , I do. We will get to lounge the days away by the lake. Read, sleep, eat, soak in sun. Repeat. Will update with some pics later. Have a blessed weekend!

Oh how far she's come

On Tues. we went to St. Louis Children's Hospital to see Evelyn's cardiologist. She also had an echocardiogram and EKG done. Everything looked just great, they said, and told us to come back next spring! When she gets older (like 9 or 10, which seems like a long way off but I know it will be here before I know it) they will give her stress tests to be sure that her coronary arteries are functioning properly.

When they were doing her EKG she had so many wires coming off her-it was dejavu'. I was just so thankful that we had gotten through so much already. I am so proud.

My princess angel of love and joy and beauty. :)


My dear sweet boy on our nature "hike" last week. He calls Evie " My baby girrull."

The Peters clan at Easter. Aren't I a lucky gal?!

Ahh, those lazy days of...Spring!

Today was a lazy day. With warm temps and spring breezes we mostly chilled on the patio. I relished in the fresh air; faintest hint of freshly mowed grass from the neighbors. I soaked in the beauty and innocence of my babies and still could not get enough. I never do, I never will. I took lots of pics. Trying to catch, keep and bottle up these moments in time. I'm just so darn crazy about them.

Warmer weather also means little onesies. More opportunities to adore the rolls! Max drew his first "baby" today. An oval, 3 dots for eyes & nose, a line for the smile. It was amazing. :)

More Rolls! FYI-she did not wear that bow all day. Just for pictures. We are not quite that put together. :)

Yes, she's a thumb sucker-only when hers is gettn' sleepy..

Fresh ice tea with lemon and girl scout cookies. This past week I got to spend with my parents. All week! 5 nights! It was wonderful. I don't have the luxury of having them around very often. They were a blessing. My mom loves ice tea. She had some leftover in our fridge & I made more. They helped with the kids, cleaned, did laundry, brought gifts and necessities and spoiled me. We even loaded up and drove to Wisconsin to stay with my A. Tam a couple nights. We had a blast celebrating her & my grandma's b-days. My grandma lives in this amazing Catholic nursing home with bunnies. Real bunnies. It didn't even smell bad there.

And, my latest painting. I call it "Tropical Storm" & it is for sale in my vintage shop.

Evie's Room; Vintage Goodies

This post has a little bit of everything.

My sister Mindy and I's love for vintage blossomed at an early age. We saw our parents' love and appreciation for antiques and vintage things growing up. The thrill of hunting for that special something is half the fun. They certainly passed down this "gene" to us girlies..Mindy, her daughter Story and my mom recently made the long trek out here to visit. It meant so much to have them and although the visit was short, I will cherish those moments. They help me get through to the next time I will get to see them.

1970's S&P shakers, vintage reversible apron, 1950's "Chocolate Treats" small recipe book.

Vintage earrings, yellow necklace, blue/green necklace and bracelet. Total $8.

We had a "photo shoot" with our little girlies, in matching dresses from Grammie Lila. It was hilarious. Sister insisted on more lighting so she turned this lamp on that we have but never use cause if you do it smells like burnt ladybugs and, well, it stunk up the whole room & grammie was walking around with the air freshener spray & Evie couldn't sit up on her own for that long and there was slobber & drool & leg rolls &....I laughed so hard I cried. God knew I needed that.

Preciousness and beauty and purity.

Evie's room.

Blocks & toy are vintage. Booties were a gift from Gpa. Richard. His momma made them in the 1940's in hopes that he would be a girl. I had the wooden shelf and painted and distressed it. Button frame I made, vintage little girl pic. found for $5. The book holders on the wall I found at garage sale for .20 cents & I painted & distressed them & filled with vintage children's books.

The picture with them is vintage from Auntie Mindy.

Crib was Edwards, then Will, then Max and now Evie. :)) Rocker is antique from Gma. Elaine
Changing table was Maxs and the small pink vintage hamper was a gift from my Aunt Tam a long time ago. Evelyn blankie from cousins Ben & Hannah. The pink teddy was her first "pink thing" from Childrens Hospital in St. Louis. The "E" hook was Anthropologie sale.

Baby girl is thriving. A Trip is scheduled to Childrens Hospital St. Louis in May.

For a short time

Although pregnancy may seem to drag on, it is only for a brief time in our lives that we are blessed with the responsibility of "growing" our babies. How special, miraculous and beautiful this truly is. Whenever I see a burgeoning belly my heart skips a beat for that life growing inside..However common it may seem, it is spectacular. I wanted to be sure to capture this pregancy with some photos, so I called on my friend Kara.

http://www.heartfeltimagesbykara.com/

"The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace." Psalm 29:11

My princess angel of love and joy. This was the first photo session around 10 wks. old. It was a short one since my little girl was hungry and tired. We did another photo shoot at around 14 wks. so be watching for them to show up later.