Quick Tip: Chalkboard

So, I'll admit it, I'm a bit obsessed with chalkboards. I think I always have been...looking back to the day when I painted my entire (hideous green) refrigerator with chalkboard paint. I will still stick to my opinion that it was a brilliant idea, you make your own judgement. 

Now-a-days, I have smaller items in my house as chalkboards *wink*.

I bought several of these 'decal' thingies that you can peel the back off and stick wherever. Which are super cool... BUT my friend Sarah gave me an 'upgrade' with a fancy frame on it...just wait, it's amazing! 

So, where's the quick tip, you ask? 

*Get a chalkboard* 

They come in so many forms now (yes, even paint!)... and really, who doesn't love finding notes in the morning, or leaving them for that matter. We have used our chalkboards for writing Bible verses, love notes, grocery lists, the neighbor's names (true story), and right now, the fancy board gets the week's menu on it! So fun! And now when Adam walks into the house from work, he knows just what we're having for dinner...pretty fun!

{Rob & E: Maternity}

She has been one of my sister's closest friend since we were in high school. So, naturally Erica is someone that I love dearly and was so excited to capture moments from this magical phase in her and Rob's life. 

Enjoy*

(Ps. I bought this sheet (backdrop) at the thrift store JUST for E's session *wink*)

Proverbs

Since we moved into our house, coming up on a year ago, I have savored nap time. 

Now I know every mother reading this is saying 'DUH?!' But, not only have I savored it for it's silence and 'rejuvenating factor', I've savored it because I can light a candle, sit in my big cozy chair, and sip my (reheated) coffee as I read. 

And even though I enjoy my time reading the Bible alone,  I've been putting a lot of thought into how I could incorporate the Bible into Atticus's life, without it being a 'chore-like' time. I've always loved reading the 'Proverb of the Day' (30/31 days a month/ 31 Proverbs), so I've decided to read Proverbs aloud each day as Atticus plays. And it has truly become one of my most treasured times of the day. He will often come sit on my lap for a moment and then crawl down to return to his play. Or he will come up and kiss my knee as I'm reading. I can't help but think that by inviting the Holy Spirit into our home in such a tangible way, he feels peaceful and safe in that moment. 

More than anything, I want God's word to be something that is commonplace...

regardless of how much he understands at this point. 

Who knew that I could share my 'reading time' and still thoroughly enjoy it?! 

I think it makes it sweeter that I get to read from the pages of my Granny's Bible... she passed away earlier this year. I often will come across something she saved, or a note she wrote in the margin... 

It's a lovely reminder of the legacy that we pass down to our children...and their children...and...

(Ps. I STILL look forward to nap time!!)

Muffins

I found this recipe at allrecipes.com and since I had extra bananas and K* was coming over, I figured we would try it out! We ate them right away, possibly more than one, I can't remember *wink*... it had to be that crumble topping..YUM! I've already made them again! I have a feeling that this might be a Fall/Winter staple.

Enjoy!!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 
  
• Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean

My little friend, K* looking cute as a button while outside playing with Ellie...

Weekend Project

I found these puppies in the trash. Two matching 'side tables' ..one missing the legs. So, I painted them up and stacked them....and now I LOVE them!! They might be my new favorite thing in our home!

I will post the weekend's projects as we finish them...there's lots of fun stuff!:)

{Anna: Senior}

I'm trying to catch-up with session posts from when I was 'in between' sites.  So, let me introduce you to Anna. Anna and I met when she was a young seventh grader and I was her 'junior high' worker at church. I loved Anna right away. One of my favorite memories with her is when she and another 'jr. higher' spent the night. We had chocolate fondue and they had it everywhere! It was far from the classy experience of fondue, but oh-so-fun! Anna, thanks for sharing the evening and a Diet Coke from McDonalds with me (the only place to get a D.C. *wink*)... we'll have to do it again soon!

Get ready for some stunning pictures...Anna's quite the 'looker'!!

The Small Things

It's the small things in marriage...

I make coffee for him (via auto-brew), he feels appreciated.

He leaves a note, I feel loved.

It's a great day!

{Myres: Family}

Paul has been a friend of mine since I was a junior in high school. I have lots of fun memories with him and our group of friends that year. We lost touch, but reconnected again about a year ago. Adam and I have had the delight of getting to know Paul and his (much) better half, Aimee. *wink*

And soon after we met Aimee, we got news that they were expecting little Emma. We love all of the time we get to spend with Paul, Aimee and Emma, but this past Saturday we got to do a mini-shoot and have lunch at Graffiti Burger! What more can you ask for, right?!

So, here's a little glimpse into the beautiful Myres family and our day together!

"OH-IO"

(Is there something wrong with me if this is my favorite image from the shoot?)

Then we had lunch...

 

Little Man and his hat

I love the quirky personalities of children. And I love it even more when they have a physical manifestation.
Atticus has started an obsession with hats. He has about ten words (maybe) that he says...
One of his favorites is 'hat'. (Not to compete with 'ball' which is his all-time favorite word...don't know if that one's ever going to fade!...we'll tell 'ball stories another time!)

I don't remember exactly when this started, but it's been going on for a while now. He's even reached for strangers to pick him up to get to their hats. Poor unsuspecting elderly with their big-brimmed sun hats... they think the sweet child is reaching because of their gentle spirit, then snatch! He's got them bowing away to save their dignity! (yes, it's happened just like this multiple times.)

Well, today, he reached an all time high (or low, depending on your perspective *wink*). First, he insisted on wearing a hat while eating lunch...which for a clean, mannerly eater, would be no issue. But for Atticus, (a boy who we routinely strip down for meals) it meant disaster. I decided that it wasn't something I was opposed to, nor did I care to fight over it, so he ate 'mexican chicken' wearing a hat. And in the end, the hat ended up wearing mexican chicken. It was a great photo-op! And later in the night he graduated to not one, but two hats.

I'm loving all that comes along with this little man...even the things I don't love so dearly (temper, fits, SIN), make me smile at the end of the day! Mostly because I know we made it through another day...and I think I love this kid a little more with each sunset!

{Quintin & Sarah}

I just mailed their image CD today... and I was so happy editing these pictures.
Honestly, doesn't everyone want picture with the person they love that truly expresses those 'ahh' feelings? I really saw the 'ahh' in these... So I'm going to post away.
Thank you, Quintin & Sarah for letting me be a part of your love story!