Adventuring

I'm not sure how it happened

My absence, that is.

It began with a little bit of a break from the internet.

After Christmas, Daddy Mock and I sat down and came up with a game plan for my business. Truth is, it has no purpose but to pay for the kids' schooling. It's quite difficult to tame something that has much promise, but my priority is my family and our goal is to protect our marriage and raise our children up to who God destined them to be, which in our family, means me home and guiding them in that direction.

We agreed that one shoot a week would be the limit. It's been one month of sticking to that plan, and surprisingly, I booked up half the year already. I guess that's what happens when you limit things! It was also a sure sign of God's approval for the plan.

With the new routine, it's been amazing, completely doable and rewarding.

So little time is spent away from my family, but the minutes that are become a world of creativity and a love story between a gift the Lord has given me and the time I get to indulge in it. It's a happy medium.

Our days have been filled with adventure. The need and or desire to hop online has been replaced with rock throwing, sun bathing, chatting with friends and wrestling. Family has come in and out, friends sprinkle the day with flavor. The last few weeks have been a very special time for us. This may be why I haven't posted much lately. We are still here, we are still active and enjoying life; I suppose I am just not motivated to publicize nor document it.

It's amazing how taking time away from something creates less of a need for it. I have been a bit sad about not capturing certain moments, writing down certain sayings, or sharing certain information, however, this private month we have has been somewhat of a secret gift. I think I needed it and I feel that the absence of my camera in our daily adventures has done nothing but added more adventure, more time, and less distractions from doing what's important with my kids.

It feels good, it suits my family too.

We'll be back. Who knows how often and when next, but in the meantime, yes, we are here and enjoying each moment (as long as it doesn't involve cutting hands open, poop accidents, or a trio of whining children).

A Birthday From Scratch

It's not quite her birthday, but we celebrated this past weekend because family would be in town.

Look at her, in her emerging blonde hair, her doily clip, her vintage dress once worn by her Momma. Her black patent shoes. She melts my heart. She's amazing. She's nearly one.

I love planning parties. I get quite carried away with themes, crafts, ideas, favors. Oh, it's a sick little excuse for me to have yet another project. However, we are tight. Very tight. This party was much different. The only cost went into the pink and orange paper plates purchased at Wal Mart. Everything else was thrown together from items around the house.

My poor family ate very simple meals (even more simple than our usual, imagine that) this past week just so that we could pay for the nacho bar.

It's cool though, the nacho bar was like a feast after their week!

Even Bee mentioned that he ate too much that evening.

Kid had a fever one day last week, so I took it as an opportunity to do a little party prep. Little floating ones from the chandelier were made,

braided scraps to frame her monthly photos were strung,

doily clips were made and I took up the dress that I once wore when I was her age (I have a thing with babies dresses being below the knees, drives me crazy).

Me and my girl.

It was perfect timing for a fever.

Following that, Grammy and Opa arrived.

Sissy loves them so.

On Saturday eve, we celebrated. Cupcakes were baked, frosting was made, more scrap fabric put to use. Friends and family gathered to help celebrate a special little girl turning one.

Like her brother, she certainly didn't disappoint. She approved of her first taste of sugar and chocolate, that's my girl.

Her little bib was made from more scrap fabric. I love how the top fabric is from her curtains and bumper...it gives some special meaning. As I was sewing it, I had flashbacks of nesting and preparing for her to come. And now she's one...how could that be?

Honey's grandparents pitched together to get her something extra special. We created a little space of "girl" in our play area. More to come...just a glimpse of what that space looks like...

I refuse to publicly wish you a happy birthday, Honey, that will be saved for your real day, but until then, I will enjoy you being my baby, who's not quite one.