Trick or Treating... Round One.

Our neighbors took us trick or treating last night around the golf courses that their family owns and it was SO much fun!! We have loved getting to know them more and more in the three years we've lived here. They are great people with big, welcoming hearts- and Ezra ADORES their girls.




We all piled in and out of the van and there was a caravan of cars full of the cutest dressed little munchkins in the world and the candy spoils were insane.

Bonus: The scenery was breathtaking, and the weather was perfect!

The aftermath, and my little organizer. (I remember doing this same thing with my halloween candy when I got back from Trick or Treating. We are so alike, he and I...)

Home Tour.

I adore my little house. It is cozy and the light pours in every room, and it is snuggled inside of the sweetest little pocket of a neighborhood within a city full of the most incredible people you'll find anywhere.

I love it when people share pictures of their homes. It is such a huge part of who someone is- like a display of their personality and values and style. I thought I'd share some pictures of my house, mostly because I've been wanting to document where it is right now before some major shifting takes place in the next few months!

Chris is building a music studio in the garage, so things will probably shift around a bit after that, and then eventually (read: SOONish) we will be putting the boys in the same room.

I rearranged Myer's room yesterday (okay, okay, and also the day before that) because it has just been feeling "off" to me for some reason. I absolutely love it now, and am glad I didn't give up on the puzzle. Even if it meant my husband coming home to a different room two (or was it three?) days in a row. hahaha. Sorry, honey.

For now, this is home. I want to remember it like this. I love it so!




What about you? Would you be willing to share some snapshots of the place you call home? Let me know if you are, and I will post a link back to your site here. It will be a like a fun little guided home tour! :)

********

Home Tour Participants so far:

Anna Joy (oh how I ADORE her amazing bedroom!! :)

Fall Fashion: Day The Last.

So sad this week is over already. Boo. I will probably post outfit photos sporatically from now on, either here or on my vintage blog.

Also, what would you guys think about doing this seasonally?



Today I am wearing a vintage rust orange peacoat, a vintage Express cropped ruffle blouse, vintage high waist shorts, black opaque tights, and thrifted black BCBG heels.



I crocheted this hat back when I lived in California, and then today I just stuck a flower hair clip on it for a little extra pizazz. heh.



Thank you all so much for playing along with me. And thank you again to Laura for inviting us all to join in her fashion feature. I had so much fun! And I got to "meet" a lot of new wonderful bloggy buddies! wee!

Fun news: stick around, because this week I will be hosting a give-away! (A vintage goodie!) You won't want to miss it. :)

Fall Fashion: Day Oopsy-Daisy!

Oooog! I wasn't able to get shots of my outfit this morning because I had to be at church early... I will post one last one tomorrow.


;)

PS. I want these:

from modcloth

that is all.

Fall Fashion: Day Six. (Saturday Edition!)

I've decided to do Fall Fashion posting until Sunday! Wee!

Today I am wearing a vintage coat, a little girl's dress slip, black tights, and brown velvet vintage boots. I have a crazy 80's bow clip in my hair. haha.





It is lovely lovely Saturday, when my little fam can all romp and play together until daddy has to go to his DJ gig later this afternoon.




We went and picked up the boys' costumes this morning. We're going trick-or-treating with our neighbors on Friday PM (they go up to Guthrie every year), and then on Saturday we are going to pound the pavement right here around our block. I forsee mountains of sugar in my near future. Mmmm.



Speaking of fashion... hello, husband! You are quite the fashionable gent!

I LOVE the way this man dresses. And I love beard season, oh yes I do. Mmmmm.

Sneak attack...

Comin' atcha!

Happy Saturday!


*************************

PS. Some of these ladies have decided to extend Fall Fashion day through the weekend too... go check 'em out!

Laura @ Every Path. (The originator of this awesome idea!)
Mama Bird @ Three Birds.
Kalle @ Growing C's.
Marla @ Today is Mine. Tomorrow is not my Business.
Katy @ Trying to Live for Today, While Looking Towards the Future.
Jilian Dee @ Jilian Dee & Dexter too!
Amanda @ Lullabies to Terrorize.
Baby Penny @ Ancora Imparo
Indy & Summer @ a shot in the dark.
Christina @ he.makes.all.things.new
Rita @ Me & My Shortloffs.
Mrs. Boo Radley @ just like camping.
sarah @ the banshee tree

Fall Fashion: Day Five.

I'm running around a bit crazy again today- working and arranging childcare and loving every minute of it. I mentioned it once briefly here before, but I am the assistant Events Coordinator at my church, which, if I could sum it up for you in a couple of words, they would be this: DREAM. JOB. I love it so much.


This is a thrifted military-ish jacket that I found long before they were cool. I used to get made fun of for wearing this jacket. Now they are all the rage. Isn't that always the way? Long ago, I decided that if a particular piece of clothing got a lot of snarky comments, it would probably eventually become the 'next big thing' if I just held onto it long enough. (Another example: the crazy legwarmers I have. I may show you those tomorrow...)

The belt is an old vintage cummerbund and the shirt is really a T-dress that I bloused out over the belt a bit. The jeans are Chip & Pepper- ordered from eBay.

In these shots I am wearing heels, which I will probably slip back on later for the event I am working tonight, but for now, I am running around in my Chuck Taylors. :)

Check out what the others are wearing!!

Laura @ Every Path. (The originator of this awesome idea!)
Mama Bird @ Three Birds.
Kalle @ Growing C's.
Marla @ Today is Mine. Tomorrow is not my Business.
Katy @ Trying to Live for Today, While Looking Towards the Future.
Jilian Dee @ Jilian Dee & Dexter too!
Amanda @ Lullabies to Terrorize.
Baby Penny @ Ancora Imparo
Indy & Summer @ a shot in the dark.
Christina @ he.makes.all.things.new
Rita @ Me & My Shortloffs.
Mrs. Boo Radley @ just like camping.
sarah @ the banshee tree

Some of you have said you want to go a couple days longer- till Sunday. I might join you, if you aren't all sick to death of seeing my face. ar har har.

Fall Fashion: Day Four.

Me and the boys had to be out of the house early this AM, and the sun wasn't even up when I was trying to take these pictures. Soooo, that's why they look all jack-ti-fied.

I dropped Ezra off at school and then took Myer with me to work. He slept in the crib the whole time like a little angel bean.



This vintage blouse used to be a big tent dress so I hacked it off and wear it as a pretty, flowy top. I love the big puff sleeves and there is a big bow accent that slants on the left shoulder which is hard to see in these photos.



The jeans are faded black skinnies from Target and the boots are awesome maroon vintage ski boots that are perfect for rainy days like today!



I can't believe there is only ONE DAY left!! *weep*

Check these amazing ladies out:

Laura @ Every Path. (The originator of this awesome idea!)
Mama Bird @ Three Birds.
Kalle @ Growing C's.
Marla @ Today is Mine. Tomorrow is not my Business. (You must see her dress- it's to DIE for!)
Katy @ Trying to Live for Today, While Looking Towards the Future.
Jilian Dee @ Jilian Dee & Dexter too!
Amanda @ Lullabies to Terrorize.
Baby Penny @ Ancora Imparo
Indy & Summer @ a shot in the dark.
Christina @ he.makes.all.things.new
Rita @ Me & My Shortloffs.
Mrs. Boo Radley @ just like camping.
sarah @ the banshee tree

Fall Fashion: Day Three.

It's drizzly today-- which means I am feeling ridiculously happy. There is a weight that lifts off my shoulders on rainy days. Some of you may think that sounds crazy, while others of you may know EXACTLY what I am talking about. (I think I was made for the Pacific Northwest.)



This sweater is my favorite thrift store find of all time. I think I stumbled upon it back when I was in high school. It sat in my closet, mostly unworn, until probably sometime after I got married. I guess I needed to grow into this one... it didn't suit me or my style when I was a young 'un, but I could see it's value and potential and I am SO glad I never threw it away in one of my many 'closet cleanses'.



The burnt orange vintage boots are thrifted from when I was living in San Luis Obispo, CA... a place that is 70+ degrees pretty much ALL. YEAR. ROUND. Ugh. I remember staring at these boots in my closet while I lived there, wishing to high heaven it would just get COLD for once so I could slip them on my feet.

My jeans are from the Levi's store- a gift from a couple of Christmases ago.

It's still not too late to join in the Fall fashion fun! Check these girls out and leave them some comment-love! :)

Laura @ Every Path. (The originator of this awesome idea!)
Mama Bird @ Three Birds.
Kalle @ Growing C's.
Marla @ Today is Mine. Tomorrow is not my Business. (You must see her dress- it's to DIE for!)
Katy @ Trying to Live for Today, While Looking Towards the Future.
Jilian Dee @ Jilian Dee & Dexter too!
Jen @ Lost in Translation.
Amanda @ Lullabies to Terrorize.
Baby Penny @ Ancora Imparo
Indy & Summer @ a shot in the dark.
Christina @ he.makes.all.things.new
Rita @ Me & My Shortloffs.
Mrs. Boo Radley @ just like camping.
sarah @ the banshee tree

Fall Fashion: Day Two.

I was actually excited to wake up and get dressed today, even though I knew we weren't going anywhere. (I got dressed just for you guys, is what I'm saying. ha.) Ezra was throwing up all day yesterday. He seems totally fine today, but we are obviously going to hunker down and rest, rest, rest today!



I got this dress a few months ago at Ross. I think I paid $7.99 for it. WILD. I love it and wear it often, even though I accidentally got some grease splatters on it. Oops. (The adorable cut of it cancels out the un-adorableness of the stains, you see.) (PS. Does anyone know how to get grease splatters out of clothes?)



The sweater/shrug thing is a thrift store find. I am realizing that I like outerwear with short torso length but long arms. Maybe it's because I become GIDDY when I find clothing that has enough material to cover my gargantuan, orangutanish arm length? Yes, that's probably it.

The bow is from Forever21, and the tights & shoes were thrifted as well.

Are you all having as much fun doing this as I am? I AM LOVING IT! My favorite part has been checking out all your fun and creative looks. So inspiring!

Here's the list of participants- check 'em out!:

Laura @ Every Path. (The originator of this awesome idea!)
Mama Bird @ Three Birds.
Kalle @ Growing C's.
Marla @ Today is Mine. Tomorrow is not my Business. (You must see her dress- it's to DIE for!)
Katy @ Trying to Live for Today, While Looking Towards the Future.
Jilian Dee @ Jilian Dee & Dexter too!
Jen @ Lost in Translation.
Amanda @ Lullabies to Terrorize.
Baby Penny @ Ancora Imparo
Indy & Summer @ a shot in the dark.
Christina @ he.makes.all.things.new
Rita @ Me & My Shortloffs.
Mrs. Boo Radley @ just like camping.

It's not too late to join in the fun! :)

Fall Fashion: Day One.

I am SO excited about Fall Fashion Photo Week! I can not WAIT to see what you guys come up with and put together in the next few days. Any of you are welcome to join in at any time-- just snap a photo of your outfit and post it on your blog and let me know you did it so we can all check it out!

On to day one...




I found this dress at the thrift store a few weeks ago and cut off the very bottom ruffle layer because it was just a tad too long. Now I absolutely LOVE it and it has been a go-to item in my closet so far this Fall mostly, I think, because of the gorgeous color. It reminds me of pumpkin spice lattes and autumn leaves.

The jacket is also thrifted. (from the little girl's department. Don't ever forget to look in that section if you go to a thrift store. I have found MOST of my favorite purchases tucked away in the little kid's racks.) I wear this jacket A LOT. It's the perfect weight for Fall... not too heavy, not too light.



And here's a list of those who said they wanted to join in the fun:

Laura @ Every Path. (The originator of this awesome idea!)
Mama Bird @ Three Birds.
Kalle @ Growing C's.
Marla @ Today is Mine. Tomorrow is not my Business. (You must see her dress- it's to DIE for!)
Katy @ Trying to Live for Today, While Looking Towards the Future.
Jilian Dee @ Jilian Dee & Dexter too!
Jen @ Lost in Translation.
Amanda @ Lullabies to Terrorize.
Baby Penny @ Ancora Imparo
Indy & Summer @ a shot in the dark.
Christina @ he.makes.all.things.new

Let me know if YOU want to join in too! :)

A Week of Fall Fashion Photos.

Laura over at Every Path is documenting a week of Fall Fashion like she did last year in October, and I thought it sounded like fun so I will be joining her! All you do is take a picture of what you're wearing each day for a week. It's fun to see how others dress for the new chill in the air!

Do any of you want to play along? Join us, join us! It will be fun!! Let me know if you're interested and I'll make sure to get you on the master list.

The dates will be the 19th (Monday) through the 23rd (Friday).

wee!

Rescued.

I've been busier than usual and life is full. Myer is in a phase where, if I attempt to set him down for a moment to do something, he will reward me with RingWraith-like screeching and I can just feel the Eye of Sauron fixating upon my house. haha. SO, I pick him back up and end up staying up way too late each night trying to get everything done after he's finally in bed. Cleaning, working, editing, EATING. Things like that.

My heart has been full these days, as well, and some frustration has come along with that because I just haven't had a lot of time to sit and write it all out on paper like I have learned I need to do. When I don't have time to do that, I quickly become jumbled and lost and confused. As soon as I get my thoughts on paper, everything becomes clear and organized again. I don't understand why I am wired this way, but I've learned to accept it and go with it. I have been praying lately against any spirit of confusion that may be hanging over my life, because I've recently realized that that word strikes a deep chord in my soul and characterizes my heart and mind more than I am comfortable with.

Chris and I rented and watched all the Lord of The Rings movies a couple of weeks ago (hence the RingWraith/Eye of Sauron mumbo-jumbo up yonder) and I can't even begin to tell you how much God has used those movies to speak to me in the last month or so. When I was still in college, I had a dream one night that I was in the middle of a large field and there was a really intense battle going on all around me. Swords were clanging all around me and men were falling to the ground, and I felt so small and unprotected and I just knew it was only a matter of time before I myself would be run-through. Then I saw a white horse come up over the crest of a hill and there was a rider on it and the horse seemed to be flying it was moving so fast. Before I could get my eyes to focus on it, the horse was next to me and the rider had swooped me up and set me firmly in front of Him- His arms wrapped around me and His face right next to mine as we rode far, far away from the battle that had engulfed me. We rode and rode- through the most beautiful country I'd ever seen- so fast that I knew we were soaring over the ground. I cried and cried and cried in the dream as we rode, and clung to the rider's arm around me, because I knew that I had been RESCUED. In a very REAL way.

Fast forward to the first time I saw 'The Two Towers' movie. As I watched the Battle of Helm's Deep, I could not help but weep because it was such a sharp reminder of the dream I'd had years before.

As we re-watched the movies recently, I was rocked again. God did that for me in my own life! I was trapped, hopeless, and being besieged by an evil whose only objective was to kill me. To take me out! But when all hope had left me, God swept across the field of battle and saved me.

And then, last Sunday we sang a song in church that says:

"I lift my eyes up to the mountains, where does my help come from?
My help comes from You, Maker of Heaven, Creator of the Earth.
Oh how I need you Lord, You are my only Hope, You're my only prayer.
So I will wait for you to come and rescue me,
to come and give me life."

Needles to say, I was rocked again. Those lyrics, that movie, my dream... all beautiful reminders of what God has done for me (and you!) being hammered home in the most amazing way. I love Him more now than I think I ever have before, simply because I am finally beginning to understand the horror of what I was rescued FROM. I am so, so grateful... grateful enough to start actually believing Him and following Him with a level of faith and trust that I have not known before.

I hope to write more about all of this soon. There's so much more I could say.

Do We 'Over Shelter' our Kids?

A topic came up the other day on this blog, and I have been thinking about it ever since.

Do we over shelter our kids in America?

I believe many of us do.

Some of us have somehow come to believe that it is our duty to shelter our kids (and ourselves!) from every discomfort. From every pang of want.

We spoil. Oh yes, many of us do. No one wants to be called out on it, but oh! How we spoil. (I am SO included here.) We forget to teach our children to work hard and obtain goals. We lower the bars. We lift them up. They swing lazily and quickly get bored.

I worry for the generations coming up behind me. And even the generation I am in. Where are the strong men going to come from with a history like that? A history of watered-down reality? Where will be the men who know the value of hard work? Or the women who are full of assurance and can pick out a rotten apple from a mile away... kicking it to the curb because she knows she deserves only the choicest of fare?

I believe we over shelter when we accept the mentality that our kids should have a carefree existence... When we bend over backwards and break ourselves in half (financially? emotionally?) in the name of their constant happiness. When we rip off the heads of those who step on their toes. (we blame this one on the 'mother bear instinct'.) When we hide our children's eyes from the real world instead of teaching them how to grow to be tenacious men and women within it.

I am not saying you should go and expose your small children to the horrors of the nightly news or even the mind-numbing ads on TV that constantly berate them with the fact that they are not good enough as they are. I'm not saying you should let your children juggle knives or wander the streets alone for hours on end.

Of course I am not saying that. We are called to protect them from harm. But I think some of us let our fear take the upper hand and we end up 'protecting' them from life.

I believe that we are called to lead our children through the world by strong example. We should turn OFF the tv and engage in conversation with our friends and neighbors- with people who are different than us and don't share every single belief that we do. We should exemplify lives of adventure and risk. We should show them that we love our bodies and that we love who we are so they can learn to look in the mirror and do the same. We should live vibrantly, casting off fear, so that they can follow suit. We should talk them through hardships and pain and heartache with wisdom and the experience of having been there ourselves.

Because that's the truth! We've all been there ourselves! By trying to shield our kids from pain, we may be ultimately failing to prepare them for it. It WILL come. Sooner or later, we all face harsh realities. And if our kids don't have a realistic base to stand on when those very real realities show up, they are going to resort to the only model they have been shown... they will search for the easy way out every single time. They will think the world owes them everything they desire, a bump-free path, and they will never become the strong history-making men and women we all desire them to be.

Thoughts?

They Make it Sweet.

The handsome boys hanging out with grandma and grandpa last night.

Myer is almost 9 months old, and his latest tricks include trying to stand unassisted and beginning to wave and say "Hiiii."

Ezra is in that stage of 'I can do it by myself, mom', which honestly is a stage I have been very much looking forward to, though I thought it would have come much earlier. He's only just now wanting to start to take charge of things, and it's been so cool to watch. This morning, while I was putting Myer down for his AM nap, Ezra took initiative and cleaned up all the tupperware mess that Myer had made in the kitchen-- organizing all the lids with their matching containers. I didn't even ask him to do it, he just did it.

Afterwards, with only a tiny bit of help from me (ie. plugging in the toaster) he made his own breakfast. Waffles, banana, and juice. Then he washed all the dishes that were in the sink.

I am amazed. And am having one of those mornings where I am feeling like maybe I'm not so bad at this 'raising of little humans gig' after all.

These boys are so happy and peaceful and Ezra is so respectful...

It is such a PLEASURE to be their mom. They are like icing... like frosting... the part that makes the whole cake worthwhile. :)