Our First House

It may seem like I just reused this photo from last year, but I assure you it's not. It's a whole new picture with a whole new perspective.

Because tonight, when hanging a memento of our very first home - one we loved and were proud of - we hung our praise and thanksgiving on that branch, too, because it's finally not our house anymore, but hers.

I can't believe I'm about to enter an Advent Season NOT waiting for a house to sell.

The last 3 seasons, my preparation & anticipation skills were at their peak performance levels (and let's be honest, they still weren't that great). But, I felt like I could really identify with the purpose of Advent, because I was so used to waiting and hoping for this great resolution and blessing to come our way. (The opposite was true for the Easter Season - those were difficult times for me.)

And now, even though we are expecting a baby, I feel like I'm a little out of practice with the whole waiting and wanting thingy. I finally feel like everything is as it should be. I have all I need. I'm not wishing for anything (other than stomach scratches from Jude and the occasional taco).

I don't quite know how to move forward with a spirit of yearning when it doesn't naturally exist within me right now. Will that just come from the grace of God? Is there something practical I can do to "get" me there? Do you have any recommendations or books that might move me along to where I'm supposed to be?

Are these questions too much for you to answer and you'd rather just come back on Sunday to see if I repeated the Shoe Department boots again? Probably.

What I Wore Sunday.

I've been checking out what everyone else has been wearing over at What I Wore Sunday, hosted by the ladies at Fine Linen and Purple, for the past couple of weeks. But now that almost everyone I know is participating, I'm succumbing to peer pressure and doing it, too. Sorry, Dad - but at least it's not drugs. Maybe one day, I'll even write a 7 Quick Takes like all the cool kids. Just don't hold your breath.

And since it's been like a whole 3 days since I posted something about my clothes, let me quickly end your dreaded suspense and get right to it:

This one is definitely more natural

But when your husband says you're really cute, 

you must include the photo, right?

Dress: Old Navy (my pregnant belly & buying one 17 inches longer than the ON model, makes it less sexy, but whatev) And it's actually not maternity, which I love, and it's not really this minty.

Belt: Old Navy I so wish it were stretchy, like this one Grace made me buy. Only she didn't mention that a size Small can basically only fit a 4 year old, until after I ordered one. And wouldn't you know, when I returned it and planned to get a Medium (maybe even an XL), they were sold out. Booo.

Tights: Wal-Mart?

Boots: Shoe Department repeat

Scarf: I actually made this myself from old t-shirt scraps. Just layer the scraps one on top of the other in a diamond formation, the length you want it and sew a stretch or zigzag stitch all the way down. So easy.

These photos were taken 3 seconds after Mass. What I really wore Sunday is what I really wear everyday, my maternity sweatpants and hoodie.

Happy browsing!

What I Wore to Thanksgiving Dinner

I was so graciously invited by Grace over at Camp Patton (I can't believe she even knows who I am and I will do ANYTHING she asks me to. I'm obsessed with her amazing blog and hope to be her best friend one day.) to participate in her little What I Wore to Thanksgiving Dinner Link Up and couldn't turn down the opportunity to have my name/blog/photo in her company!

Dress: Old Navy

Tights: Wal-Mart? 

But I should definitely get maternity ones if they make those...

Boots: Shoe Department (Circa 2010)

Baby: The Birds & Bees (17 weeks ago)

But enough awkward photos of me...

Jude's sister Sara and her boyfriend drove to Starkville yesterday.

She immediately made up for this momma's lack of energy and made turkeys with the girls. I think they want her to move in, but don't have the heart to tell me yet.

 But then she lit a little fire under me and we scrounged around the yard & house for Pinspired centerpieces.

And it turned into a fancy Thanksgiving setting.

Complete with Tofurkey & vegan gravy for the vegetarians among other delicious goodies.

Jude's responsibility (carving the ham & washing the dishes) was a success, but unfortunately I don't have a photo of Sara's boyfriend, Ryan, wearing Joan's pink chef hat and stirring 15 pots, but he was a huge help and did an excellent job in the kitchen. 

Settle down. It's grape juice.

 My parents & sister Stephanie were also able to join us today for dinner!

Sara, Ryan, Mom, Dad, & Stephanie - we are so grateful for your visit. You not only made our Thanksgiving Dinner fancy & tasty, but full of love and cheer. Thankful is an understatement. 

And to the rest of our families that couldn't be here (some are enjoying the NYC Thanksgiving festivities), we miss you and love you, and thank God for you everyday. God bless you all!

For the record, I hate dress-up.

Before my Meanest Mommy Ever acceptance speech (and Jude's Most Sensitive & Compassionate Father Ever speech), know that I tried 5 times to perfect Cinderella's famous 'do. I dare you to sit back and feel bad for Joan in these videos. Yeah, dare you. If you aren't cracking up at this drama, then you should have a beer and lighten up, because this is good stuff.

I mean, I love our girls. But I'm praying for a boy.

Sew stitchin' awesome!

Cheesy title? Don't care - my new sewing space is pretty amazing and no horribly cliche arrangement of words will ever take that away.

Here's what it was before: Jude's Man Cave aka 'We-don't-have-enough-room-for-your-clothes-and-books-in-our-room-so-you-can-have-the-hallway-instead'. But then I needed that, too... So we dispersed his belongings into the living room and I managed to scrounge up a small corner for him in our room, too.

And voila! 

Enough room for a high cutting table and plenty of sewing & pinning workspace across the two other tables.

Jude hasn't completely been cleared away from the area, as his beautiful art work hangs above while I work. His Paul Bunyon has always been one of my favorites.

And while the Makers Gonna Make print is perfect for this space, it's only temporary - a promise of custom art work with my "Making Things Makes Life Better" will be made! It's just not ready, yet. And a hanger instead of a frame - Cheap? or Appropriate? Both.

I'm probably a little late to the whole embroidery hoop decor party, but these in an actual sewing room seem to make the most sense. Wouldn't you agree? Plus they're like 5¢.

And I'm not sure why it took me forever to buy one of those spool holders - they're a freaking life saver. 

We made this extra long table by bridging two shorter (and cheaper) table tops together from IKEA. The legs can be screwed in over the gap, so this thing is pretty sturdy and you save on having to buy 8 legs and all that extra clutter underneath.

But one of the best parts is probably the hallway closet. Instead of my fabric pieces being scattered across two bedroom closets and two under-the-bed storage bins (how does Jude put up with it?), it now solely resides in this one, organized closet. Ah.

Need to transform your space fairly inexpensively?
1 (higher) table top w/
4 adjustable legs
2 table tops (seriously, they're $5.99) w/
6 regular legs

(Charlotte's First!) Verbatim

These Verbatims have been a treasure chest of awesome. Joan has been hysterical and now, we are happy to finally add Charlotte to the collection:

Me: Ok, we need to start cleaning up.
Charlotte: Ok. You clean. I watch.

Charlotte: I not like Evvy's food. It's dirty.
(lentils & quinoa)

Charlotte: I need snack. (Points to her belly) My baby is growing.

Joan: When I grow up, I'm going to be a rockstar.
Me: Oh, and what about you, Charlotte? Are you going to be a rockstar?
Charlotte: No. I be fancy.

Me: Oh, you have the hiccups.
Charlotte: I like the hiccups. (that's what I heard, anyway)
Me: You like the hiccups?
Charlotte: No, I like the throw-ups.

Me: Well, why did you just wipe that booger on me?
Charlotte: 'Cause. You specials.

15 Weeks

My darling mother visited this weekend and sent me to Old Navy. Alone. With her credit card. Alone.

I can't thank her enough for the gifts and the help this weekend, because it was an especially trying week. I now feel like the refreshed, stylish mother of three that I always pictured when I was 17.

Jude is also very thankful to return home to a cute, frumpy-free wife. There must be nothing more pleasant to be around than a happy preggo. Well, let's just say there's nothing less pleasant to be around than an annoyed preggo.

We love you Gigi. God bless you.

It's in the lips

I think this is the same girl that we compared Joan to a while back, right?

Those soft lips are going to land her right on the Paris runways. You'll see.

Source

Halloween 2012

I uploaded an album to facebook for your enjoyment, but just so you don't leave here empty handed...

"Now go see that Facebook album and have a happy All Saints Day!"