V-Day Mug Swap Swag!

Do you know what I love?  People.  I love people.  Especially ones that I feel I have found a kindred spirit in.  And I also love other people who have made it their job to bring all of us kindred spirits together.

And so today you are getting a lovely little glimpse at a kindred spirit.  Kimber was my swap partner for the #vdaymugswap exchange hosted by Alissa & Caroline (which you should totally get in on next year, if you didn't do it this year).  Anyway, back to people.  Kimber blogs over here and you should definitely take a read.  She has a heart for the Lord that is so encouraging and refreshing.  She is sweet, crafty, and an all-around awesome person to know!  

A little look at all the goodies she sent me (minus most of the candy...I've been in a chocolate/nut mood and that's what she sent me).  =)  But did you know that those fabric pieces are actually tape & tags?  She made them herself!  And she wrote about it on her blog here so go check it out!  I am so excited to use them!

This candle smells good enough to eat.  But I will restrain myself and just enjoy the scent.

There is something spiritual about good coffee in a cute mug.  It inspires the mind and caffeinates the body!

So like I said, I love people and I have loved getting to know Kimber and am excited to stay in touch!

Have a lovely Valentine's Day, everyone!

one year...

Can you believe it?  One year.

Tears, dirty diapers, bruises, laughs, smiles, pictures, and joy.  Lots of joy.

And one year has gone by so fast.  This kid...

He likes any food you give him.

He likes people.

He loves the beach/water/pool.

He loves cuddling.

He loves walking, crawling, moving.

He is mine...for a short period of time, entrusted to me by my God to train and raise for His glory.  God, help me to do so...

Have a beautiful day and thanks for sharing one year with me!

make it better Monday :: play date!

It seems like life just keeps on going and I can't quite seem to catch my breath.  But however poor my time management skills may be, there have been some fantastic little moments that I love having the opportunity to remember while I write this post for make it better Monday!

I have to say, play dates are one of my favorite parts of being a mom.  The kid gets lots of energy out and I get to spend some time with some fabulous women!  These are some pictures from last week's play date!

like my twinsie Kristin from Petal and Thorn.  Yes, I talk about her a lot.  Yes, she is awesome.  Yes, you should go check her out if you haven't already. =)  The hats are from Urban Outfitters if you are wondering.  =)

Hito had the perfect smile right before the camera clicked...  But my friend Jennie looks cute, doesn't she?!

Aren't these mammas beautiful?  It ended up being hat day for most of us.  =P  Their little girls are the  cutest too!

And then we get home and this kid still finds the energy to come home and pull pretty nearly every toy in the box.  =P 

All told, despite getting sick over the weekend, it has been great just chilling with the hubby and kiddo, sleeping, and reading.  All great summer activities even if I was forced to do them because I was sick.  =P  

Have a beautiful day, everyone!

make it better Monday ~ father & son edition

I haven't done one of these in a while and thought I'd just share a little something that I have been treasuring very much recently.

dad and baby...

There is little that can describe the feeling of peace and pure joy that a mother and wife feels when she sees two of the most precious people in her life living, playing, loving...eating...each other. =P  This does a lot for carrying me through the hard times and making this Monday a lot better.  

Have a beautiful day!

little things, big smiles

Do you know why I like Fridays?  Besides the obvious anticipation of looking forward to the weekend and two glorious days of (mostly) obligation-free activities with the hubby and baby, Fridays are my day to try and wrap my week up.  And this week, that is easy because it has been a chaotic but fantastic week.   Thanks to Lindsay, you all get to share it with me too.  =)

1) Productivity

This week was remarkably productive (something I hope to be able to maintain momentum on!).  I did laundry, cooked meals (with enough to freeze for the future), designed wedding invitations, blogged, and will work on making jewelry today!...at least that's the plan.  =P

(yes, yes, I do play with my beads before I turn them into something.  the color is soooo much fun,  I can't help it!)

2) Beautiful weather

It was beautiful this week in SoCal.  The skies were blue, blue, blue.  Breezes kept things fresh and crisp. And all the windows and doors in my house were open for as long as was possible.  

this was right outside my bedroom window the other day...it was glorious.

3) The Rooter Man

This week our laundry sink stopped up putting a halt on my laundering for two days.  So this makes me smile because it went from this: 

(bad, very bad)

to this:

(wonderful, clear, draining pipes)

A little weird?  Yeah...but it was a big little thing to me this week!  There is a back log of hubby's work clothes and baby things that need catching up on!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and a beautiful day!

yumminess and lots of it!

You have been hearing about my pregnancy and everything going on with that.  You have also heard a little bit about the illnesses and the general tired feeling that I've been dealing with.  Well, a lot of that changed this past week.  I have been feeling so much better!  And with feeling better, I have been taking more interest in my food.  Yes, that was a highlight of my week.  =)  People who know me well know that I absolutely love food.  Tasting things that go together and compliment in texture and flavor is exciting!  It's an art form I can digest!  So I thought I would share some of my eats with you today.

the hubby got a ham and swiss omelet and I got the belgian waffle - amazing!

So the hubby and I have discovered a new cafe that we are LOVING.  It is a small, quiet, cute little place in the downtown area of Anaheim which has been under rehab for a while and is finally starting to come together.  We first went to Cafe Amore last Saturday for a leisurely breakfast and were really surprised at how good it all was (from the street, it looks like a dinky little hole in the wall place.  I have been taught once again, not to judge a book by its cover.).  The coffee was high quality, the food was hot and freshly prepared and they make all their baked goods on site!  Next time any of you come to visit me, I will probably bring you here.  =)  

my udon with tanuki (tempura crumbs) and spicy-tuna don.  uh-mazing!!!

Can I just pause here to say that I have the best hubby in the world?  He knows my likes and dislikes way better than I have ever thought.  And yesterday being Friday, we like to go out and spend the evening out when we can.  So he decided to take me to one of my favorite noodle houses.  Fukada's is, by the far, the best place for udon and soba anywhere!  They hand make all of their noodles the old-fashioned way that the owner brought over from Japan.  One of their dinner menu items allows you to pick either soba or udon and a side dish with it.  So I got hot udon with spicy tuna-don.  SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!  And I was so excited I was bouncing in my chair.  =P  I'm a little uncontrollable when it comes to really good food.  

And as I'm typing this, I am sitting back in Cafe Amore.  Enjoying one of their homemade chocolate chip scones and a lovely decaf vanilla latte.  I am so happy.  =)

Have a beautiful day, everyone!

Happy Birthday Special!

Hello all!

So I have been promising something all week and here it is!  I am going to celebrate my birthday with all of you!  There is a 15% off everything in my Etsy store offer (good for today only and the discount will be reflected in the price listed online).

And!  (we aren't done yet)  I am also doing my very first giveaway!  Any and everyone is welcome to enter!

1) just take a look at my Etsy shop

2) tell me what you like best

3) share my blog or Facebook page with a friend!  

4) And when you've done that, leave me a comment and you will be added to the drawing!

I am giving away one item from my Etsy shoppe - the winner gets to pick!

I am off to spend the day with my husband who didn't end up having to work!  I'm really excited!  =)

Have a beautiful day!