World traveler

Tracy Morgan (love him, he cracks me up) was on Bonnie Hunt yesterday (I always want to call her Helen Hunt) and he was talking about kids

and how he wants his kids

to see the world before they become parents.

And that is a nice hope for them, but I had to think about my own travels... I've seen Paris twice, but not many other places-- (I just turned down a trip to NYC --and I've never been to NYC-- next week because I don't want to upset my nursing relationship with Ivy, and it wouldn't be appropriate to bring her.)

(Can you see where this is going?)

Yet.

Every day I get to see the world,

and am taught more about it,

through the eyes of my children.


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it sneaks up on you, it does.

I was driving to the park today for a picnic dinner with friends and this feeling washed over me-

the way the sun hit the road and even though it was the same way I always take (and lately I've been feeling nostalgic for things past, as that happens with the season change, so many moments like this, the smells, the colors behind the clouds remind me of that one time) but this moment was different... I felt something new.

Same old me, same old road, same old everything. Yet I felt like something new was ahead, or is happening right this very now.

So anyway, earlier I was photographing some roses I bought for myself and it was especially quiet, only open windows and nothing "on" to make distraction. I looked up to find Ivy had snuck up on the chair to tippy tap at my laptop.

[the people on the bus say shh shh shh]

You Capture: quiet. All sooc "straight out of camera" this week, folks.

Psst. Ivy's dress was a surprise gift from Sister Sue (etsy alert!), in a package of gifts sent to Beth.


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The journey of me & her: on dancing, and beauty.

It was in the middle of a moping session turned kitchen dance party. As I twirled and she twirled and hands raised and we swayed.

Where would she learn to dance and be free if she doesn't see me do it? Would it happen at a friend's house when she is older? On her own in front of a TV?

How will she learn to feel beautiful if she doesn't see me feeling beautiful, finding loveliness in simple things, even [especially] on the un-beautiful days?


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Couches

Noah, circa 2001

It was a futon couch, brown, probably dirty but it didn't smell. My first apartment in Chicago on my own- my roommate's couch. We had the couch, a houseplant in the windows, and a TV. For a while my Gustav Klimt poster hung with ticky tack to the white wall. But then I moved it to my closet door. I think my roommate hung a Pearl Jam poster instead or something I don't really remember.

I don't know why I picked to write about this couch. I never really sat on it. I'd sit on the hardwood floor. My roommate's ferret would scurry around & always slid inside the cushions from underneath and we'd have to get him out.

I'd come home from work (Art Institute) and make peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches with day old bread I'd get around the corner on my way. I'd come up the back entrance most times. I had a lot of keys on my keychain and I never could get the alarm code right the first time.

I was always alone in the apartment and I'd sit cross-legged on the floor, with my peanut butter sandwich (or sometimes Taco Bell) and I guess that couch sitting there by my side kept me company. My life was so full of lots of things back then but couldn't have been emptier.

Then I moved back home-


[I performed this writing exercise with pen and paper, to ensure no "backspace" editing. I set a timer and then just wrote. I transferred it word for word here.]

[P.S. three minutes goes FAST!]

[I kinda want to keep on writing this story.]

Please visit Casey (Moosh In Indy) for her couch post: the constant stuffed it.

Instructions:

At Blissdom, in our Writers Workshop with Hallmark writers Sarah & Molly, & Casey from Moosh In Indy, attendees were given a writing assignment:

"In her amazing book, What It Is! writer/artist Lynda Barry shares (among other flashes of genius!) a simple exercise she learned from her college professor and mentor Marilyn Frasca. It's one I use all the time to get my mind in gear.

Here's how it goes: With pen and paper, make a list of ten couches you've known in your lifetime. (This also works with other words, but couches are my favorite because they are central to many moments in your memory.)

When you've made your list, take a deep relaxing breath and find the couch that has the most powerful emotional charge for you. Then begin writing about it in the present tense. Describe the scene.

What's behind you? In front of you? To your left? To your right? Above you? Below you?

Who is there? What are they saying? How does the scene unfold?

Keep writing for three minutes until you've reached the end of the vignette. Keep the pen moving. Three minutes will seem like a long time. But don't stop. If you run out of words, doodle a little till they come again.

Don't edit! Keep the memory and emotion there in all its raw glory!"

Link up your post (not your blog, your post) here in the linky below and visit others as they write along with us.





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Nest Feathering: the winners

see more pics from yesterday's surprise shower here

Ok, I did it and I sure do hope I got it right! Whoa. Thank you so much for participating in the shower for Beth.

Needless to say, after the past week, I'm wiped out. I'll try to contact all the winners by email sometime tomorrow, but without further ado:

• Sakura Bloom - Krista from Welcome to Married Life
• Little Alouette - embee
• Safety 1st - Alexandra at It's Morning Already?
• Aden + Anais - Erin from It's Your Movie
• Old Navy - LutherLiz
• Sleepy Wrap from Heavenly Hold - Abra from When Baby Sleeps
• Julie Vision Designs Mullet Tote - Ms. Kristi at Simply Mommy Life
• The Vintage Pearl - Sarah at Rattled Mom
• Sam And Coop - Jenny at The One About Us
• Graco - Bree of Buhtafly Wings and Amy of Calm In The Kitchen
• Bebe Au Lait - Angleicka
• Bravado - Laurie at Fullness of Joy
• Sister Sue - Raechel of Finding My Feet
• Simplisse - Jessica from Coffee and a Cookie
• There She Sews - AllisonO of O My Family
• Tiny Prints - Laura from The Vegetarian HausFrau
• Mimi's Babies - Mary Beth
• Motherwear - Madeline of Barefoot Childhood 2010
• Sweet Tea Clothier - LoveLladro
• Fisher Price Rock N Play Sleeper - Jenny at Irish By Marriage
• Koko Kreepies - SelimaCat

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Coming soon...

Here's a sneak peek at shower pics from yesterday. (more to come!)

Winners of all the Nest Feathering giveaways will be announced & linked later today, probably while I'm watching the Academy Awards, fyi.

love, sarah, beth, erin, me, donya & eden

Also!

At Blissdom, in my Writers Workshop with Hallmark writers Sarah & Molly, & Casey from Moosh In Indy, attendees were given a writing assignment. I'd love if you'd like to play along, too. Tomorrow Casey & I will host a link up to share your post if you'd like.

Molly gave the assignment: "couches":

"In her amazing book, What It Is! writer/artist Lynda Barry shares (among other flashes of genius!) a simple exercise she learned from her college professor and mentor Marilyn Frasca. It's one I use all the time to get my mind in gear.

Here's how it goes: With pen and paper, make a list of ten couches you've known in your lifetime. (This also works with other words, but couches are my favorite because they are central to many moments in your memory.)

When you've made your list, take a deep relaxing breath and find the couch that has the most powerful emotional charge for you. Then begin writing about it in the present tense. Describe the scene.

What's behind you? In front of you? To your left? To your right? Above you? Below you?

Who is there? What are they saying? How does the scene unfold?

Keep writing for three minutes until you've reached the end of the vignette. Keep the pen moving. Three minutes will seem like a long time. But don't stop. If you run out of words, doodle a little till they come again.

Don't edit! Keep the memory and emotion there in all its raw glory!"

Sound fun? Get your post ready for the link-up tomorrow!


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Shhhh... it's a SURPRISE

So, I've been keeping something from you.



Beth is on her way over RIGHT NOW to pick me up for "coffee" at a nearby cafe.

We're (Erin, Sarah, Donya, Lovelyn, & me) throwing her a surprise baby shower!!

Some friends and family will be waiting, with gifts and the cutest decorations ever and lots and lots of hugs and love and blessings.

You still have until midnight CST tonight to enter the big "online" baby shower. I'm hoping she'll be super surprised to get a real-life one as well.

I will share photos from today when I announce all the winners tomorrow!

Also!

The sun is shining today and we are running around without coats on!

It's such a beautiful day.


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These are days

Grayson has another big dentist appointment today. Keep him (and me) in your thoughts? I also wrote about guilt and taking kids to the dentist at NWIparent.

You have until tomorrow night to enter all the Nest Feathering shower giveaways. I had no idea it would turn into what it did. But am so glad. And I'm totally scheduling a massage [for myself] after this week.

Some of my recent articles at Real Moms Guide:
(love you forever if you click over & leave a link to your blog in your comment)

• Baby names inspired by the good ol' days (of 1994)
• Dear Diary: encourage your kids to keep a journal
• Best school music mash-up in America
• Stop the fast food cycle

The sun has been shining for three days in a row here! I hope you have a lovely weekend, friends.


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Soonly.

spring



visit



soonly

You Capture: hopeful

Be sure to stop by Beth's Nest Feathering baby shower! I'm still listing more gifts today!


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Nest Feathering: KokoKreepies

Gift: Kwilt from KokoKreepies

Julie is an online friend of ours with crazy wild creative talent. We met through unfortunate circumstances... she writes about her recent loss of her son Evel. And now also has just announced she is expecting again! I am thrilled.

Julie's shop called KokoKreepies, need I say more? She's definitely someone worth following.

Follow KokoKreepies:
facebook - twitter - blog

Beth is receiving the awesome Owl-tastic Kwilt [$30].

Have you noticed we kinda like owls around here?

Giveaway: KokoKreepies is giving away a Kuddle Kwilt complete with pocket and a matching Kreepie.

Leave a comment here letting me know which item at KokoKreepies catches your eye. (For fun!) Or just leave any ol' comment and I'll choose one comment at random after 11:59PM Saturday March 6. Open to US addresses only.

Many more gifts to be listed today and this week! See the complete list here.

All gifts to Beth and giveaways are donated generously by each business or company. I have personally received no product or monetary compensation for any of the Nest Feathering posts. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to give these awesome baby stuffs away to my beautiful friend Beth, and you.


All my love & thanks to my bestie @sarahviola for Nest Feathering inspiration & designs.


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Nest Feathering: Fisher Price Rock n Play Sleeper

Gift: Rock n Play Sleeper from Fisher Price

Oh, what can I say about Fisher-Price that you don't already know? Just the logo alone reminds me of being a little girl playing with my Little People and oh how time flies. Fisher-Price has been creating memories with little ones since 1930. They also have a full line of baby gear items in some pretty cool new contemporary styles.

Beth is receiving the Fisher Price Rock n Play Sleeper [$50].

Giveaway: Fisher Price is giving away a Rock n Play Sleeper!

Leave a comment here telling me about your favorite Fisher Price product. (For fun!) Or just leave any ol' comment and I'll choose one comment at random after 11:59PM Saturday March 6. Open US entries only.

More shower gifts to be listed today! See the complete list here.

All gifts to Beth and giveaways are donated generously by each business or company. I have personally received no product or monetary compensation for any of the Nest Feathering posts. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to give these awesome baby stuffs away to my beautiful friend Beth, and you.


All my love & thanks to my bestie @sarahviola for Nest Feathering inspiration & designs.


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Nest Feathering: Sweet Tea Clothier

Gift: Softie doll from Sweet Tea Clothier

This is another one that Beth doesn't know about and I'm just so in love with everything in Nic's shop. For real. She is a friend of our friend Love, and is also on an adoption journey of her own. All income generated through Sweet Tea Clothier and her shop Sweet Tea Shoppe (handstamped jewelry) will be used to bring an orphan or abandoned child into her home through adoption.

I'm trying (probably unsuccessfully) to use restraint over her smallish dresses. And the softie dolls. Don't you have the perfect home for one in the crook of your couch?

Follow Sweet Tea Clothier:
facebook - twitter - blog

Beth is receiving this delicious boy softie doll [$48] custom made just for her.

I mean, for real!?

Giveaway: Sweet Tea Clothier is giving away a $50 gift certificate!

Leave a comment here letting me know what you'd choose at Sweet Tea Clothier. (For fun!) Or just leave any ol' comment and I'll choose one comment at random after 11:59PM Saturday March 6. Open to worldwide entries.

More shower gifts to be listed today! See the complete list here.

All gifts to Beth and giveaways are donated generously by each business or company. I have personally received no product or monetary compensation for any of the Nest Feathering posts. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to give these awesome baby stuffs away to my beautiful friend Beth, and you.


All my love & thanks to my bestie @sarahviola for Nest Feathering inspiration & designs.


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