Old Things

While in Oregon, I had some time to think about a lot of things. One thing I couldn't help but think about was "old things" as the kids and I explored Grammie and Grandpa's house and found many treasures. If you know me, you know I am a minimalist. I tend to lean toward more modern and contemporary, with as little clutter as I can muster in a household with two small children. My kids don't even have very many toys - only enough to fit on one small bookshelf in their room and in a basket in our main living area. But that doesn't mean I don't have some room for a few sentimental pieces, as well.

I found this quilt that my Great-grandmother made for my mother when she was a baby. It is perfect. Just perfect. I have been keeping my eye on quilts that I like - I am not a huge fan of quilts in general - but this one was simply perfect. The right colors. The right mood. Simple. Hand-stitched. Worn, and not too thick. I decided this is the quilt I would like to replicate. Well, someday, anyway...

I also went looking around in my parents huge garage and found this cradle that my Great Uncle Ed made for me when I was a little girl. I loved it then, to cradle my "babies" (who, by the way, were real, and if you called them dolls I would correct you). But now, I love it even more. It reminds me of him, and of my childhood. Of my world.

So, I put two very old, great things made by the handiwork of two great people, together with something rather new - my daughter. I wrapped her in the quilt in the cradle and there she was: perfect.

If I could steal that quilt, I would. If I had a bigger car, I would bring that cradle home. Lucky me, though, I get to have the real baby every day.

I do love old things like these.

What kind of old things do you treasure? Please, drop a note and share :)

PS - Happy 5 months today, Aspen!

Just Because...

Dear Aspen,

Every now and then, I get you all dressed up (or maybe all dressed down? Your cute little roly-poly bod is perfect as is). Just Because. Just for fun. Just because you are so beautiful and perfect. Inside and out. Just to look at you and recognize the blessing and joy you are to me and our family. And I get the camera out and I take a few pictures to remember a small moment by. These images are from one of those moments. They are some of my favorite to date. I suppose I am obsessed!?! Is that okay? I am your mother, and I love you. Oh. So. Much. I don't think you will ever understand how much until you have a baby girl of your own to look upon. And obsess over. And hope and pray over. And dress up (or down) for no reason at all. Or maybe, for all the reasons in the world. What a great responsibility that the Lord has entrusted you to my care. Thank you for choosing me to be your mother, and your friend.

Love,

Mommy

Our Little Piece of Green...(aka yard progress)

Thumbs up to Jacob. He has been slaving away lately...working upwards of 70 hours a week at work, another 5-10 as the Ward Mission Leader of our church congregation, uncountable hours as a wonderful husband and father...and in his spare time (reality is...he has no spare time!) he has been working on making us a yard. A little patch of grass to escape to, and an area where we can grow a little garden. I wish I could say I've been more helpful, but I haven't really been able to help much with our two little ones underfoot. It's more like my job is to keep them out of the way so the work can actually happen. My grand idea was to hire some help so poor Jacob wouldn't break his back doing it all alone...and so we could get it done before summer really arrives rather than next fall. So we did. We are very grateful for the help. But mostly, I'm grateful for a husband who feels his greatest job - above all of the other work he does - is to make his wife and children happy. I'd have to say he's rather good at it, too :) He does make us happy. More accurately, just having him brings happiness to us. Aren't we lucky? MMM HMM!

Thanks, Babe. You're doing an awesome job...at all the jobs you're doing! And the yard is looking great! Can't wait for BBQ days and lounging by the kiddie pool once the weather finally/ever warms up!

DIY Custom Beach Towels: $2.50

A couple of weeks ago I went to IKEA and found these super colorful towels for $2.50. I picked up a couple (and now wish I got all the colors...) because Sawyer and Aspen could surely use some beach towels this summer (whenever it decides to come, and stay, that is. The joke around here is that summer in Seattle officially begins July 5th).

I decided to use some leftover fabric and felt to customize their beach towels. Now Sawyer knows his is the one with the "S" and Aspen's has the "A". Since it was too cold to hang out at the beach this morning, we just put on our swimsuits, laid out the towels in the living room, and laid in the sunshine that came through the windows before the clouds blocked it out. It was fun!

Dear Summer:

You can come any time you'd like - but sooner than later, please! Our new beach towels are begging to hit the beach!

Bibs

I was looking through some old videos of Sawyer when he was about Aspen's age, and I realized suddenly that before we know it, she'll be tasting her first "solid" foods. Sawyer had his first taste at 4.5 months. He was just SO ready, big eyes on our food, grabbing for it, etc. I don't think Aspen will be having her first taste quite so soon (thank goodness, I'm not ready!) but I have been taking advantage of our un-summerly weather to get a few more projects done.

I saw some really cute bibs on Etsy (what can I say? I draw inspiration from Etsy!) And then I thought, "oh! I'll make her some bibs!" So, I had at it. And I made like, a dozen. I still have a few more to finish. Yikes. Bibs galore!

I think they turned out pretty cute. Cute bib on a cute baby = can't go wrong!