life. photos. scrapbooking.

Thankful Thought No. 4 :: For My Boys

Thought I'd share a photo from the weekend. We spent time with our families up in Pennsylvania, laughing and eating and sharing together.

Both of my babies were baptized at my home church Sunday. What a wonderfully blessed thing it was. I had a hard time choking back the tears watching Pastor Scott lovingly hold them and wash them with God's unending love. I was just overcome with joy.

On a funny note... As I was thanking Macho yesterday during our seemingly endless car ride home, for his patience in being such a big boy, enduring his carseat so long and telling him I love him, etc. etc. - he replied...

"I love you too mommy. Thank you for the bath ties. I'm so proud of you."

Re??? Ooooohhhhh...

Bath ties = baptize.

I get his thinking... he got wet.. We were all saying "baptize" all weekend long preparing him for Sunday morning - and he thought, wet... bath... bath ties. Ok, I follow.

What a priceless child-like translation of the events.

Anywhoo... onto my 4th Thankful Thought...

I'm thankful for ::

the boys in my life... for madras plaid shorts, for worms and fishing poles, for cousins and catfish and Gator rides. for late night talks with old friends, for the blessing of safe travel for all, for wonderfully, and lovingly prepared meals, for the welcoming of my beautiful babies into the body of faith... we are all God's beloved... what a wonderous thing. Praise the Lord!

 

"Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. "

Hebrews 13:15

Thankful Thought No. 3

So very thankful that I get "this look" at least 50 times a day. I mean... c'mon. You scream and cry, and puke on me, and I have to clean up all kinds of messes (inside the diaper and out) - but one little cheddary grin like this - and baby, I'm yours. So, so, so thankful I'm your mamma, kiddo.

To join in on the "Thankful Thought" fun - click here.

 

 

Hope you all have a great Memorial Day.

The Grizwolds are packing up the grocery-getter and heading to ye ol' hometown for the weekend.

See ya on Tuesday!

4 Month Layout

Still chugging along here... on pace with my layout-a-week goal.

I give you...

Week 4 :: Shortie's 4 Month Layout.

_{LAYOUT SUPPLIES :: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Cardstock :: Katie Pertiet Classic Cardstock Hoops, Patterned Paper :: Michelle Martin Annino Pack, Embellishments :: Alpha - Katie Pertiet Editiorial Inspiration, Scallop Edge - Cathy Zielske Template No. 16, Flower - Paislee Press/Aneal Photographic Kit, Fonts :: Market Deco}

Happy Wednesday!

Amazing and funny.

Got this via email the other week and was saving for a rainy day!

Roxy insisted that I share it. Enjoy!

 

Currently Loving...

Thought I'd share a few things I'm loving right now. Click on any of the photos below to be taken to the links!

 

Except I'm doing it at bedtime... (the house is a lot quieter and more settled)

 

Little guys with lots of energy...

Essie nail polish in "Master Plan"

(*scored this image from Google - this is not my hand... my nails aren't anywhere this nice."

My TOMS!!!! - Got my eye on THIS PAIR next!!!

One of these from the freezer around 3pm when the kids are napping and mamma needs a little extra sugar to get through the afternoon...

Chubby little girl toes...

Adler...  a fun vintage typewriter font.

To unwind in the evenings... this is my K-cup of choice.

New gear...

Nikkor 24mm 1.4G... wide angles baby.

Cute new strap from etsy...

Clark's handywork in the playroom. A cork floor. It's so NOW (again). Easier to maintain with dogs and people going outside from two exits in this room than carpet - yet still soft enough for littles to play on and crawl around. Thanks Mom and Dad for the sweet hookup! xo

Utterly delicious smelling hand soap/lotion duo Cucina Lime Zest & Cypress  at my kitchen sink...

Welcome back y'all.

 

Pass this on. It's important.

Saw this on a friend's Facebook page yesterday...

 

I'm so glad I stopped and took a minute. You see, malignant melanoma has touched my family.

In 2006, my younger brother - only 26 at the time - went through surgery to remove a funky looking mole and several layers of skin around it on his back as well as some lymph nodes.

One funky mole turned into this :

We jokingly say that's where his "angel wing" was removed.

If it were only that simple.

It was on his back.

How often do you look at your back?

Thankfully, his wife (oh the persistent, hounders we all are!) kept on him about getting it checked out. She saved his life and I can speak for my entire family when I say we owe her HUGE!!!

So here I am today on a soapbox of sorts - a place I have no right to be.

In my early days I was a SUN WORSHIPPER! I took it as my own personal challenge to go to the beach white - and come back as Brazilian as possible. I tanned in a tanning bed for proms, homecomings, even my wedding.

I knew it was bad for me - but I did it anyway. You are young and invincible.... and STUPID.

Never again.

Now I'm pastey white, and let's face it - 2 kids later - a little flabby, but I really couldn't give a hoot. I have a lot of "freckles" on my chest and elsewhere from bad sunburns that will look like huge ugly liver spots in 10-20 years - all because I baked and baked and baked like a friggin' russet every summer. And I got off easy.

My brother, on the other hand, never went to a tanning bed. He's the "ginger" boy in our family and always had on the 95 SPF... so go figure.

What I'm trying to say is... it's May. It's getting nice outside. So many of you are moms who read this blog. Slather your kids in sunscreen... put them in a burka for goodness sake if you have to. But protect them from the sun... protect yourself... and by all means educate them and someone you know about this.

And Clark - yes - I'm talkin' to you dear... If I see one more bright red neck on you come through that door after you "forget" to put sunscreen on (more than just once a day!!!) while you are out in the yard, or fishing, or golfing... I'm gonna lose it! (My turn to be the hounding wife!)

So - party people - do me a favor and pass this on to someone you know and love. Ya never know - they could decide to check out their bod in the mirror tonight - see a funky mole - and you'll have saved their life too.

Have a great, safe, and healthy weekend!

xoxo

 

 

Week 3 Layout... and still going!

Yahoo! Another week - another digital layout. I'm giving myself a huge pat on the back here - nevermind that I put this thing together when I definitely, should've been sleeping. That's beside the point entirely.

The point is...

When I commit - I commit. So without further ado.. Lil' shortie's 3 month layout.

_{LAYOUT SUPPLIES :: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Patterned Papers :: Katie Pertiet, Notebook No. 5, Little Dreamer Designs, Lovely Lady Mini Kit, Jessica Sprague, In a Word Mini Kit, Jesse Edwards, Cadena, Katie Pertiet, 3/7/10 Inspiration Freebie, Solids :: Michelle Martin, Colbie Solids, Fonts :: Engravers, Adler, Embellishements :: Ali Edwards, Love You Brush & Baby No. 1 Word Art, Paislee Press, Heart from Delovely Kit, Katie Pertiet, date spots, pinned tabs, spot dot alpha}

In the interest of time, I went browsing through Ali Edward's portfolio when I sat down to create this. I was looking for a layout that featured one main photo as the entire background.

The 12x12 layout above is based on this 8.5x11 page I saw over there.

In addition I'd like to say, it feels really good to still be chugging away at this little goal I've set for myself. One layout per week is enough to satiate my thirst for the hobby (although after 3 weeks of all digital I'm really craving some paper and glue!)... while still not feeling over indulgent. Simply put : It's how I blow off steam.

Some of you have contacted me either via email or comments here that you are feeling like one layout a week could work for you too. I'd encourage you to give it a try.

I'm working this into my life because these memories are important and worth saving... and dog-gonnit... it's keeping me out of therapy!

Have a great day!

xo

 

 

One Beautiful Bump.

This is my friend Jen. Jen is a fantastic photographer. After seeing her ultra cute business card in a local coffee shop two years ago I called her to take some photos of our family as we celebrated my mom's 60th birthday.

Jen is going to be having a baby girl this month and I was just so very honored that she would sit for me.

The day of our session, I tried to quiet my mind that I was indeed working for someone with a very keen eye for photography. I concentrated, instead, on the wonderful and loving friend she is and pressed on with heartfelt enthusiasm during our time together. I didn't want to disappoint!

I came to her house armed with some pretty wild ideas... baby shoes, blocks, and a big bag of oreos in tow, she and her family were utterly accommodating, moving at an easy pace through one silly pose after another.

Jenn is a literature hound and amazing writer so I thought we'd start off with some more intimate shots of her in the bedroom with some books.

This one was an instant favorite of mine. She looks so peaceful and ready to be a mom once again.

And... I can usually make her laugh - which is always great.

The shoes are cute and all... but there's something about the hand on the bump. That connection. That, "I  already know you but can't wait to meet you" feeling...

This is E.. He's the cutest little booger ever. Such a boy - telling me all about Star Wars and this and that and...  Miss Katie - when is it going to be time for the OREOS????" Love him. He's gonna be a great big brother.

This one might just be my favorite from the day... And I'm sorry to say - it wasn't a "maternity" shot. I just love what a natural giggly little moment in time it is. Wonderful. I was remarking to Jen after we both had reviewed the proofs that 99% of my all time favorite photos are utterly unposed. They are the ones that just happen. You just have to have that camera up and ready to click to catch em!

Love this grin. He's cute - and he knows it!

Such a gorgeous smile. I can hear you laughing in this one!

The picture of calm...

Loved this impromptu profile... Her neighbor was calling to her from across the street... "When's that baby comin' anyway?" :)

I really have never seen a more perfectly perfect belly... The Palmers cocoa butter people need to call you for some advertising. Fer reals.

So beautiful we have to see it in color as well. And those nails! Seriously, I need your manicurists number.

Ok darling boy - you've been very patient. Time for some Oreo fun! :)

So pretty... her beloved books in the background too!

I gently coerced Shaun to come outside for a fun little shot. He's always a good sport. And I can tell - the sun rises and sets for him with Jen. To him, she's the most beautiful girl in the world.... that is - until that little girl comes along... Sorry Jen! It's ok - you'll agree with him then!

A little cracking up...

And then some sweet little kisses.

 
LOVE YOU Jen! You are just beautiful inside and out - and I cannot wait to meet the sweet little member No. 4 of your family.

Thankful Thought No. 2 :: For Clark

Welcome back for a second installment of Thankful Thoughts.

Today I give you my better half...

My Clark.

He's been away the last 4 days on a trip and I miss him something fierce. Miss him in every way possible. Can't wait for him to walk though the front door tonight.

I'm so thankful for him. Why he married this hot mess, I'll never know.

Thankful Thought No. 2 - For Clark,

because he lets me be my wild self,

because of his endless support of my zany undertakings...  if I told him I was going to go join the circus, he'd say - "Go Katie Go! You'd be great at it."

and he would mean it.

because he is such a handsome devil :)

because he knows how to do/fix anything - Mr. Kent

because he is patient (so very patient)

because he loves our family more than anything and makes sure we know it

because he is an amazing example to the kids, especially Macho right now

because he is ambitious, and adventurous

because he has an amazing work ethic

because he trusts me on BIG issues like wardrobe and haircuts... (he's hanging in there right now as we are in the middle of a hard grow out. From Paul Walker in Into The Blue, to Brad Pitt circa Meet Joe Black. It ain't been easy.)

because he is honest and sincere in EVERYTHING he does

because he is sooooo level headed (thank God for that - and thank God one of us is!)

because I was madly in love with him at 19... and again at 27 when our timing was right on the money honey.... and every single day since.

 

Two For Two :: And a Freebie

Ok - so I'm staying on track with my one layout per week commitment in getting the baby girl caught up on monthlies...

Numero Dos.

(Note* : I did not take any Spanish in high school - so I have no idea what I just said. A guess, folks.)

Ok - on with the show.

_{LAYOUT SUPPLIES: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Solid Cardstocks, Patterned Papers, Ribbon and Epoxy Brad : Audacious Designs/Paislee Press: A New Leaf Kit, Month Tag: Katie Pertiet, Pinned Ribbon Tab: Katie Pertiet, Rub On Clock: Art Warehouse, Fonts: Courier, Pea Amy Rica Script, No. 2 Clipping Mask is Engravers Font}

I lifted this design from a layout I saw on Ali's blog awhile back... here.

Digital scrapbooking is really the only way I'm getting by with this... no clean up is HUGE for me right now. And - it's just plain faster.

I loved this design so much I started by making a quick template - just the broad strokes. No embellishments... just clipping masks and overlays.

And - because I'm hopelessly devoted to all of you - I've made it a freebie download. CLICK HERE for the PSD.

And who the heck doesn't love FREE?

Have a great weekend!