One Year. Already.

That handsome, hairy, dapper dude is my Dad. The world's best dad. Today marks one year since he lost his battle with cancer. I miss him. (Don't hate on my Dorothy Hamill haircut. I know you're jealous.)

He was funny, bold, full of life and adventure. He never met a stranger and he loved the outdoors. I don't know who will teach my boys to fish or how to shoot a rifle, but I know they will never forget him. He left an amazing legacy. 

This Father's Day, go hug your Daddy and squeeze him as tight as you can. And if his head is bald, give it an extra rub just for me. xo

My Baby is SIX?

This moment. Six years ago my oldest became a big brother to the funniest, sweetest, kind hearted boy in the world. Liam has brought so much joy into our lives. He completed our little family and makes us laugh every single day. Oddly enough my dad called it the first time he ever held Liam. He looked into his eyes, looked at me and said, "this one... this one's gonna be funny."

A few weeks later, I had the sleep deprived emotion driven response of,  "I don't know him at all. I only know that he has changed everything and I'm so crazy right now that I can't even love my oldest well right now, much less give him the time he needs with his Momma." The first five and a half weeks of little Liam's life were some of the most challenging I have ever faced. It was a scary dark time for me. One that I am forever grateful to be on the healing and redeemed side of. I didn't like who I was those first five weeks. But once the hormones began to regulate, he started eating well and began sleeping - finally sleeping for more than 20-30 minutes, the love poured in and it hasn't stopped since. 

Liam makes every day better for whomever he spends time with that day. His adventurous spirit and carefree soul is infectious. We would be lost without this our bundle of laughter that turns six today and we celebrate the mighty ways that God has already used this little warrior in our lives. We love you Liam. You are simply amazing and hysterically funny.

Go squeeze your littles. They grow up too fast. xo

Towel Play

Sorry it's been a bit quiet around here. We've had family in town and have been working hard on the kitchen island and fireplace. I can't wait to show them to you. They're totally awesome sauce.

These images of my boys may be a little gritty and blurry, but they're so dang cute I couldn't resist posting. I'm not quite sure what they're doing up top. My big seems to thing that a "zen pose" has something to do with ninjas. Huh? My little just wants to copy his brother, but instead looks like he's smokin' something. Good grief. I am beyond blessed with these two. They keep me laughing non-stop and pulling my hair out all at the same time.

If you're a parent, you totally know what I mean. Ha ha ha. Happy Tuesday peeps. 

PS - why don't they make "head towels" for grown-ups? I think they could be a LOT of fun. Don't you? xo

Around the House: Backyard Celebration

Yesterday my man celebrated his 37th birthday. Woot! I was hoping to secure a babysitter so that we could have a fun, romantic night for two. Fortunately I wasn't able to find a sitter and had to get creative. A few weeks ago I shared how it was possible to have successful date nights without a sitter and that is just what we did. I saw this photo on Pinterest and was inspired to create a romantic backyard pop-up tent. I stole (borrowed, thanks Ronnie) some sticks from my neighbors backyard, combined them with a sheet, lights, pillows and blankets for a memorable night at home. We had dinner with the boys, followed by the hub's favorite pie and then put the boys to bed, ready for some fun of our own. 

(honestly, it was super windy and much was needed to secure the sticks/poles - uggh, this tent almost didn't happen)

 (a basket filled with goodies and games)

Once the sun set, it was so magical. We had a blast playing games (I learned how to play cribbage - kind of) and talking about the memories this house and backyard held for us. It was bittersweet, as we will move into our new home in less than a month, but it was memorable and loads of fun. But honestly, we could have just laid out a blanket and it would have been just as sweet. The best part of our night was being together and strengthening our marriage through time with one another and laughter. Zero dollars spent, priceless memories made. xo

5 Creative Date Nights...

Let's face it, we need date nights. They truly do make marriages stronger. But once littles get added to the mix, date nights go from every weekend to once a month - if we're lucky. Add in the cost of a sitter and suddenly the importance we place on date nights dwindles even more. Suddenly a night out that includes dinner and a movie goes from $50 to $100. WHAAAAT? That is just sooo not in our budget.

Yes, there are creative date nights that don't require you spending a dime, aside from the sitter. But what happens when you move to a new city and don't know anyone that you can trust with your little? Or when your sitter cancels at the last minute? Etc.  The hubs and I have found that date nights can actually be had without a sitter!  Here's how...

1. Family Dining with Playscapes.  Chick-fil-A - I know, it's not glamorous at all; but it's completely possible to have some good chuckles and quality time with your man while your littles romp in the play zone. Think one hand spun milkshake - 2 straws.  Ikea - Again, not glamorous. But they really do have something amazing to offer date starved couples- Smaland. Check your kids in for an hour of play while you and the hubs go upstairs for dinner or coffee. (*note - your littles have to be a certain height to play)

fort via the wedding wardrobist

2. Fort nights - Once the littles are in bed, you and the hubs make the perfect fort (indoors or outside) for a night of cuddles, dessert and card games.

drive-in via oh hello friend

3. Drive-in movie - Who says you have to leave your driveway for the perfect date? Travel DVD players can turn any driveway into a drive-in theatre. Pop some popcorn, grab his favorite treats and some pillows/blankets... instant theatre. When was the last time you made out with your hubs in the car?

4. Separate tables - Go to your favorite (kid-friendly) restaurant and grab two tables side by side. You and the hubs sit at one while the littles sit at the other. The key here is to pack a toy bag filled with goodies. My MIL Julia taught me this one and it's probably one of the best parenting tips I've ever received. I always have a toy bag packed with small thrift store toys or fun games that keep them entertained. I rotate the toys so they don't get "stale."

picnic via we heart it

5. Picnic in the park - Enjoy a family dinner and then set the littles loose. Bring bubbles, scooters and flashlights (for a fun game of tag once it's dark). While the littles play, you and your man get to chat, play games and snuggle on the blanket.

I know - these aren't the hottest dates ever. In fact most of them don't even require lipstick, but you make the most with what you have. The most important thing is that you make your marriage a priority. Any time you make the effort to pour into your spouse or your marriage it makes the relationship stronger. Go ahead - fill up your love bank while keeping some money in your pocket! xo

The Big Breakup

Remember I told you yesterday that I did something really dumb? In the midst of Springing forward, I thought it would be a great idea for my youngest to say, "Adios" to his best friend, his wingman, his compadre... his PACI!  What???  Why on earth would I do this? Let alone do it during time change where we lose an hour of sleep? Well, I forgot that the time was changing and it just sort of happened. 

This little piece of plastic has been with us since the beginning. It has gotten us through many a long nights and a ton of sickness. And as far as I was concerned, he could take it to college with him. What did I care? But when you lose it in the middle of the night, don't have it on long car trips or it starts to cause the "bucky beaver" effect of one's teeth...well, I guess it's time to let go. Sniff. Sniff.

How'd we do it? Bribery! What else? I told him if he was ready to give them to the babies and get a big boy toy instead, then we'd go get him his very own learning laptop. He was stoked!  Then we got to Toys R Us and not a single one of those laptops held my little's attention for more than 5 minutes! So we left Toys R Us a bit defeated and made our way to Chick-fil-A for a dinner celebration.

That night, as he was going to bed, there were many tears for the paci. He suggested we go and get them  back from the babies. I held him and loved on him like it was his first night home from the hospital. I think I shed a few tears as well. I wanted, so badly, to go and get him his paci. To make the pain stop. My little was going through withdrawal and it was something I had both created and allowed. That was a tough pill to swallow.  As he cried, I told him that if he still wanted it the next day we woud talk about buying a new one since all his old ones had been given to the babies. He woke up three times that night in tears, wanting that paci. But we all stayed strong.

The next morning he woke up happy as a lark. We made a huge deal of him being such a big boy and making it through the night. Instead of going to the store and getting another baby paci, we went and got a remote control Cars2 car. Awesome! He was so excited to pick it out this big boy toy. He held onto it throughout our shopping and then in the car on the way home. Once home we ripped that bad boy open and drove the paci blues away!

Next came the nap. Oh gosh, he wanted that paci again so badly. Addictions are hard to break, even when you're 3. Instead of sleeping with his paci, he slept with his new big boy toy and that seemed to comfort him just fine. Night two...all snuggled up to his brother, there were zero tears. What? I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. I had dreaded this breakup for months and it wasn't that bad. Now, I'm no fool. I know we have many nights ahead of us where the beloved paci may be desired again, but for now, we are doing great and holding strong!

This week I will be mailing our remaining pacis to the grandparents, asking them to keep me strong and hold onto their pacis as fond memories of the the little baby that is now a very, very big boy. From one milestone to the next, this little of mine never ceases to amaze me. And I've gotta be honest, the Lord was definitely at work in me. He kept me strong and softened my heart in ways that allowed me to love and care for my sweet boy. Not once did I whine or complain about the sleep I was losing or how hard it was for me - yup, I'm selfish to the core. But this time, by God's grace, it was all about my little and loving him well through a very difficult breakup! xo

Forever February: 2 Tested and Approved Marriage Tips

Happy Valentine's Day! I thought I'd use today (the last day of Forever February) to share with you the two best lessons I've learned regarding marriage:

1. The hubs and I are ONE

***

Once the hubs and I said, "I do." we were no longer two, but one. We both do what is best for us and our family, not us individually. I try to always think the best of him and he does the same for me. And even though I am a very small part of Fish Fotography, he never once uses "I" but always "we." I love that he does that.

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined in marriage, let no man separate. Matthew19:6

Speaker/Listener

Please don't miss this. This technique makes communication so much easier. Mechanical at first, but that's what's so great about it. It slows things down. Here's how:

When you are communicating with your spouse, significant other or friend and it's a touchy subject, heated or has the potential to go bad... STOP! Grab your conch. What???? You know, an item that signifies you are the one speaking - you have the floor. This can be anything: your wedding rings, a stuffed animal, a key, your bible, a pillow...anything.

(when we first started, we used our rings or a stuffed animal)

The "Conch" - whoever has the "conch" has the floor. They are the Speaker.

Speaker - your job is to communicate using short statements that express your needs, desires, etc. This is not your opportunity to share everything that ticks you off about the listener. (Remember, love holds no record of wrongs done.) 

Listener - your job is to listen to the speaker and repeat back what you heard the speaker say. There are no interruptions. You don't get to "defend" yourself or say, "yeah but..." You will get your turn. Right now, your job is to listen.

Speaker, remember to be brief. Allow the listener to repeat back what they heard you say. Once they do, you either repeat what you just said (chances are, they've misheard you) or you move on in your communication. You go back and forth like this until the speaker feels that they have been heard and understood. 

Next, you flip-flop. Listener, you get the "conch", sharing what's on your heart and Speaker, it is now your job to listen. 

Yes, you will feel like a robot. Yes, you will think it's silly and probably prefer not to do it. Yes, you may even laugh. But if you stick to it - YOU WILL BE HEARD - clearly too. I promise you, this is the best way to communicate and break the language barrier. Eventually it becomes second nature and the communication just becomes natural and easy-er. 

Much of what I have shared in Forever February is from the ReEngage curriculum at my church, Watermark Community Church. The hubs and I have led several couples through this program with much success and miracles at every turn. If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and are struggling in your marriage (or know someone who is) or just want a stronger marriage, please check out ReEngage.

Happy Happy Valentine's Day. Remember, whether you are married or not, you are loved! xo

Forever February: Celebration & Arrow Tutorial

It's Monday and you know what that means... one more day 'til Valentine's Day. Although I must admit, I feel like I've been celebrating for 2 weeks now. Secretly, I'm loving it - the decorations, the creative ways to let people know you love them. Gosh, I've never had so much fun celebrating this Hallmark created holiday. 

This past Friday marked the end of my dear friends' 40 day fast and my husband was coming home from a 3 day business trip. Yup...Party Time! Our community group arranged a little love fiesta to celebrate. Decorating for this dinner party was a blast - I got my cupid on with arrows as the main theme.

 (arrow tutorial below)

 (the napkin holders were made from scrapbook paper and toiletpaper rolls that I cut in half.)

For the littles... a little bingo action, candy heart stacking games and a heart balloon blowing contest.

free printable here

We had so much fun, but I think we'd all agree that eating our weight in chips and queso was not wise. Blech! But, I absolutely love making others feel special. It may very well be my all-time favorite thing to do. Don't get me wrong, there's a little selfish motivation in it - I get to see the looks on the recipients' faces. That right there is worth a million dollars.

If you want to make some cupid arrows of your own (I know, I'm kinda late on this one) here's how I made mine:

Materials: 

feathers

scissors or exacto knife

wooden kabob sticks

hot glue gun

cording in your favorite color

felt or foam core (optional)

Select feathers with a good shape. All that fuzzy stuff at the bottom will be trimmed off.

 Using either scissors or exacto, trim the fuzzy ends of the bottom.

 One your feather looks like this, you can trim up the sides if you'd like a cleaner look.

 Next, trim the end of the feather quill.

 You can also splice two feathers in half and glue one to each side of your stick.

Or simply attach a single feather at the end of a stick using hot glue. Then glue cording to stick at the base of the feather and wrap stick covering up the quill.

You can finish your arrows one of three ways - 1. leave them plain 2. cut 2 felt hearts and sandwich the kabob stick's pointy end, securing with hot glue 3. cut small triangles out of foam core and stick the pointy end of the kabob stick in the middle.

 You can bet these little jewels will be adorning my desk in the very near future. Happy Monday! xo