Those four little words...

Its always fun to watch our kids grow up. Its exciting to see them toddle for the first time, across the floor to your outstretched arms. Then you hear them speak single syllable versions of words, cute in a way that only babies can make it.

Its been such a unique, special experience to watch Andrew grow up. This year he seems to really have blossomed, blowing straight throught all kinds of developmental milestone, from toddler to little boy. Now he just seems so grown up, he's really got such a sweet personality coming out. He's so creative, polite, sweet, and even independent now.

But tonight was a different kind of growing up, a different kind of milestone for both me and Andrew.

As he sat on my lap, and we had our standard rocking chair time before bed, I was telling him what a good boy he was and how happy I was that he was my little boy. Then I told him I loved him. He replied back in a little, quiet voice, something that at first I couldn't for sure understand. I thought I had heard him, but I wanted to make sure I'd heard right. So I asked him to repeat what he said. He spoke only slightly louder this time, as if he was a little unsure if it was the right thing to say, saying:

"Mom, I love you."

Maybe that doesn't seem like such a big deal for you. Maybe you've had your kid tell you that before, or maybe you've never had a child, or had one say it to you. But when you have a child that you've spent time trying to make sure they know you love them, say it back, well I felt myself melt. It was one of those moments when you just feel that somehow, even with tantrums, and pestering-of-little-baby-sisters, messes, and running-away in grocery stores, (and all of their accompanying punishments) somehow I must be doing something right.

I'm so glad I get to be with such a wonderful little boy for all eternity.

SNL Twilight Spoof

"You're choking me." Haha. Awesome.

"Swashbucklers" -- Awesome

If you haven't seen this new church PSA, you need to check it out, its really cute. Apparently it won an award for its "..relevance, high production quality and exceptional combination of excitement, humor and warmth."

Halloween Art

Well... for those of you who didn't know, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. There's just something about the tradition of masquerade, the air of portentious spook, and all the goodies along with it. (Also in case you didn't know, I am a former candy addict.)

I was putting together some Halloween collages for Polyvore when I came across some artists whose work I just fell in love with. They really have the Halloween feel to me, so I thought I'd share. If you like these you should check out their work, they have other works that are just really awesome. (My favorite is Odessa Sawyer)

Voyage to the stars by Odessa Sawyer


"There is something haunting in the light of the moon; it has all the dispassionateness of a disembodied soul, and something of its inconceivable mystery." - Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim

Trick or Treat by Megan Stringfellow

Halloween by Claudia Flor

"There is no season when such pleasant and
sunny spots may be lighted on, and
produce so pleasant an effect on
the feelings, as now in October."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Queen of the Pumpkin Children by Odessa Sawyer

I often think that the night is more alive and
more richly colored than the day.

~Vincent Van Gogh

Little Batty Princess by Annie Rodrigue

Alone in the Woods by Odessa Sawyer

The Magician by Odessa Sawyer

A gypsy fire is on the hearth,
Sign of the carnival of mirth;
Through the dun fields and from the glade
Flash merry folk in masquerade,
For this is Hallowe'en!
~Author Unknown

Return to Candyland by Odessa Sawyer

Little Red Riding Hood by Annie Rodrigue

Alane's Headband

This is just for you Sarah :)


What I used:

The picture keeps going sideways, sorry!

Pictured: ribbons and ric-rac, cute doodads (aka gems and buttons) flowers, white material, then the glue gun to put it all together.

Not Pictured: Sewing machine. I make the headbands myself because I couldn't find headbands that fit Alane's little head. All the ones I did find that fit were priced rediculously and I've been told its easy to use hose/tights cut in sections but it was just as cheap for me to make them, since the material was on sale and it was a more subtantial material, seeing as hose/tights get runs and snags. Although hose would be cooler against a baby's head (seeing as we live in az, that would make it a good option.)

Its really easy to do. I start by pulling the flowers apart so they are just layers of petals. I play around a bit with them, layering them how I want them to look. The flowers I chose were on sale at JoAnn's. The pink mums went with my hot pink theme and then I used a white shimmery one to go with the shimmery hot pink ribbons. Once I knew how I wanted it took look I started looping the ribbons and glued those in layers, putting in the ric-rac for variety. Then I added the flower petal layers I'd already arranged and topped it all with the cute little flower button and the pink gemstone. Looking back, I think I would have liked it better with a flower that would create a little less contrast than the white one did but...eh {shrug}. I always seem to find something that could be changed looking back.

Anyways, I went with homemade headbands. Its a lot of fun, and just browsing through craft stores you're bound to find inspiration for whatever look you are going for. And it really is easy.


Oh P.S. Sarah -- I'd love to be given access to view your blog, and congrats on the new little one on the way :)

Thanks so much Krista for first giving me a homemade headband how-to!

Finally! Family Pictures

75 photos fast from chad westover on Vimeo.

Its actually been a little while since we had these done, but I've been pretty busy lately.

Andrew was having a rough time that day, so he didn't really want his picture taken, which was really weird. Normally he's all smiles for pics. Alane was just waiting for this day though, apparently. She wouldn't STOP smiling.

Anyways It was nice to finally get it done. Pictures just seem to be one of those things that continually get pushed to the backburner.

Chad Westover took our pictures and was nice enough to come to our house for them. Thanks so much Chad!!

I {heart} Bento!

I was searching the internet today, looking for some fun cookie recipes to make for our camping trip this weekend and was using one of my favorite search methods: by google images. I love to see what I'm actually looking for when I'm searching. Well I did find a yummy recipe for homemade oreos, that I'm sure I could "healthify" a bit. I'll try to post how that turns out, but in the process I found some pictures of the cutest little container meals, better known as Bentos.

Traditionally, a bento is a Japanese, compact lunch packed in a little plastic box. It has now morphed into what could be considered meals as art. There are even how to's about planning the color layout, plus tools and do-dads (egg molds for shaping your hardboiled egg into cute shapes and faces, and cute decorative toothpicks and what-not.) to add to the whole thing. (With the bento, it seems, its all about creativity. Oh and another aspect that I've noticed that I like--a tendency toward healthy meals.)

I know some people might find these funny, rediculous, or a waste of time. But I happen to be one of those people who loves working with food. I really enjoy making our family's meals, and I don't mind going to extra trouble to do it for them. Its another way for me to show them I love them. Besides you know you love a meal that someone has put effort into, making it nice and tasty. And when it comes to food, presentation really can make or break how it is received.

It took some time to research actually what they were and the technique to them, but I have decided that I want some bento boxes to start making my very own bentos. I know Andrew would love them, and besides...they are just so cute. So, here's to hoping the budget will allow for a few bento supplies...

I can't wait to make Andrew one of these and see his face light up:
Curious about the art of bento making? Check out this article, or just google bento.