Wordless Wednesday: Catching Things...

Tea Parties at dinner

I can be all over the place...within minutes. Sometimes I painfully admit that I am just like my father. On time, annoyed at others lack of respect with my time, planner, and a life that follows protocol. Then, somewhere in the mists of it all I can't make a decision to save my life. Ideas and creativity running rampant. Worry about the smallest of details. Throw caution and Ellie's schedule to the wind.

Take last Tuesday for example.

I knew that I wanted to set up a tea party for Ellie's Big Sister Reveal. I found something similar on pinterest months ago. Well, then life happens. I have been sickly and super sleepy with this first trimester. My grandfather had a stroke and then passed two weeks after. Then it rained... rained for DAYS. I have never seen such a rainy summer. 

So last Tuesday, I decided today is the day and I want to post the images the following morning. With nothing put together leading up to the shoot, I was obviously a disaster. My two personalities collided. The one that had to have it done that night (perfectly I might add) and the one roaming around the house coming up with too many ideas and not enough time before picking up Ellie from school...By the time I actually got it all together, it was dinner time.

Yes people. Ellie was eating cookies and cupcakes right smack dab in the middle of dinner time. And she loved it. Half of me cringe knowing she wasn't eating her daily amount of veggie right on schedule. I even commented to Lyell afterward how disappointed I was at myself for forcing this tonight and messing up my little girls schedule. 

He said, Look, she is fine. She had fun. 

I laid in bed that night telling myself not to rush around so much and then I realized something. I literally work at a funeral home. I watch people say goodbye to their loved ones all day. I see families loose that piece that's been holding them together. I see families laughed at the funny memories that will never be forgotten. I watch them lean in for that last touch. I see  wives break down. I see men cry. I see Heros get lowered into the ground. I see moms bury part of their heart. 

People, I do that. Everyday. And I think that's the part of me that says...Yep, today is the day that we will have a tea party at dinner time. We will buy balloons. Dress up our teddy bears. We will not stay on schedule. We will be silly. And no, it does not have to look like a pinterest image.

Life is too short, too hard, too scary, too big, too important not to have tea parties at dinner. 

And I leave you with this gem...

Wordless Wednesday: A Tea Party for...

Nine Years Ago...

 I think its safe to say we all look like babies in these pictures. I mean, we got married so long ago I have to scan in my images. Film can be so beautiful. There are many more images; but for today, I like these. There was no doubt in my mind when I walked down that aisle... I made the best decision of my life that night on August 7th. I think of everything that we have done in the past nine years and cant wait for the next 9...and the next, and the next.I love you Lyell Sloan, thank you for loving me for all that I am. I can't wait for our dinner tonight, to watch our kiddies grow up and become really cool people, to grow old with you, and watching Breaking Bad with you this Sunday.

In full swing

We have had a wonderful summer with Lyell off from school. Today marks the beginning of the end of summer for us. Ellie moves up to a new class and Lyell starts his third year of law school. Life is in the full swing of things. In two days is Lyell and my anniversary...wow.

Say can you cheese for the camera. #NailedIt

Dragon park...pre-down pour.

Oh, it just going to be a few rain drops...kinda.

Visiting G-Dad. 

A little splish-splash with Dadman

This girl loves shoes. {Which is not from me, because I would rather go barefoot} 

We are talking, shoes on shoes here people! The red shoes had to be on, even 

with PJs, for about a week solid. I took her to Stride Rite, which I found out was 

Ellie's version of Disney World, and now we have several new pairs to rotate. 

Loves Watermelon :)

First Day with Green Grouper Class Room. 

Year One

Ellie got a lot a wonderful things for her birthday. I mean this girl is crazy loved by our family and friends. One of my favorites is a sentimental item that I wont even Ellie touch it... Cause lets be real, Ellie's one year sticky fingers are still learning what gentle means. Mike gave Ellie a book of her first year seen through the eyes of this blog. Oh, I cant tell you how much I love this book. When I first looked at it, it was odd. It was my words, my images...but I was looking at it as a outsider looking in. It was weird and magical all at the same time. 

Editor's Note:

Elliott,  

One Month after you were born, I traveled to the other side of the world for almost two months. I thought that one day, when you were older, I would tell you all about the time I had when you were just a tiny baby.  

What I realized is this: I regret not spending those two months with you. Watching you grow bigger. Watching your eyes get big with wonder and your eyebrow raise with excitement. Or seeing your face squinch up with your first taste of a lemon. I would have completely missed it, had it not been for your mother.  

Your mother kept a blog that allowed me to share in these moments from around the world. The love I felt simply reading her words and seeing her photos made my day, everyday, both abroad and at home for an entire year. This book is to help memorialize the love your mother has for you, which she graciously allowed me the share 

So say we all. 

Love, Uncle Charles Michael

Don't I have the greatest little bro? He brought back everyone gifts from Uganda. And I personally think Ellie got the best one. He paid a local seamstress in the small town he was staying in to make Ellie a dress similar to what a young girl in Uganda would wear. She wore the dress for her one year old pictures. (Pictures taken by Brooke Kelly Photography)

Playroom

Paint: Thin Ice
Shelf: Ikea (old)
Chair and Ottoman: Land of Nod
Chalkboard: Vintage
Pennant banner: DIY Felt from hobby lobby sewn together
Kitchen: Ikea
Berry Baskets: Sweet Lulu Baskets and Egg Cartons
Bird Mobile: Flight of Fancy
Canvas Buckets: Pottery Barn Kids (Last season)
Play Tunnel: Ikea
Window Decor: DIY Felt Circle Garland and Hand Painted Holgas bought locally or at her etsy account.

As you can tell, we love all the B. toys. E got a bunch of new B. toys from her birthday party last week. You can purchased them all at Target or check them out HERE.



Playroom Rules: NONE...Ok, dont kill Bentley.