Sweet words off of sweet lips.

Just had to share this... Scarlett wanted to "rock-rock" her baby named Shirley. She had me sit in "mommy's chair" and she sat in hers. You will hear (if you watch this video) her sing as she rocks. She is singing, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" and then sings "Hallelujah..." It couldn't get more precious to me than this... sweet words to her mommy's ears! 

I would like to note that we are to make a JOYful noise unto the Lord. It may not always sound "just right" to our ears, if you know what I mean ;)

(I am really hoping my momma and daddy, who are currently on the other side of the earth, are watching this video. We miss you! Thank you for the spiritual legacy you are leaving for Scarlett. It is because of people like you in her life that she says 'Hallelujah' at 22 months old!) 

I found this very interesting -- Did you know that the word Hallelujah is not used in the Bible until almost the very end of Revelation (the last book in the Bible). It is obviously a powerful and meaningful word.

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgements. Revelation 19:1

Sleeping beauty.

Scarlett and I had a fun morning over at Kristin and Kingston's house. Some more of our little friends joined in on the fun today too! (way to go being super mommy Meredith and we missed you Stephanie!) Of course I did not even take a single picture, but trust me it was lively ;)

We have been blessed with sunshine the past 2 days and I am loving it... medicine for the soul. I feel like I sleep better at night after being outside during the day. You know what I mean? Well, speaking of sleeping, I had to share these pictures of my little sleeping beauty. She was so tuckered out on Sunday afternoon that we ended up having to wake her up from her nap, but I snapped these shots before the beauty was awoken from her slumber. 

There is nothing like a sleeping baby....

Hoping you are spending a little time on "the sunny side" today too! 

sissy, sewing, and sunshine

Sissy weekend 2012 (as Mitch entitled it, ha!) was so much fun... I will keep my words brief because we tried to document our progress or lack there of.

After reading a lot of these...

And doing a lot of this...

Well, I certainly cannot leave out the Girlscout cookies and cold milk break...

And pulling out lots of pins...

And suffering a minor but painful injury... (Sissy bought new, VERY sharp scissors and they seemed like a dream compared to my 7-year-old Wal-mart pair until this happened!)

We began to see progress! (this skirt is for a very special little girl named McKinley... surprise Beth!!)

And some more progress... 

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But, we decided to turn in when we looked at the clock and it said 1:30 a.m.

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After burning the midnight oil the night before, we just needed some snuggle/book time in the bed...

And then the sun came out so we left the sewing nook for some vitamin D! Sissy is always adamant about getting a few shots in (which I love because otherwise we would  have no pictures)... 

Thank you Sissy/Wy-Wy for a wonderful weekend together! This is one for the books for sure. I won't even mention how many times Scarlett has said Wy-Wy since you left...

  

Preparing for our house guest.

It is a very windy day here on the Owen range... Scarlett and I nearly blew away when we made a quick trip to Target this morning. She kept saying, "hat, hat, hat" so that I would put her hood over her head because the wind was blowing her hair everywhere. 

We are preparing for a little weekend house guest -- Aunt WyWy. I always tell Mitch that we need to say RyRy when we are talking to Scarlett so that she can learn how to pronounce her "R's" correctly, but it is hard to resist and sounds so cute. 

So, I was cleaning up the guest room upstairs, you know, changing the sheets and fluffing the pillows. I had it just right and the Moses basket on the bed because I think it just looks sweet. I was picking up and turned around to find, someone really like the "baby bed." 

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She even had a little "milk break" while testing out the baby bed. 

Well Aunt WyWy, looks like you might have a little bed bug during your stay ;)

Now, I am REALLY trying to resist the urge I have to run to the fabric store this afternoon and buy lots and lots of darling fabric for Sissy and I's sewing extravaganza. Resist, resist!

Happy weekend everyone! 

Recap

Hello! After a wonderful weekend at my parents' home with 2 of my BFF's, I accidentally left my computer behind and have been totally out of touch for days! Thankfully my mama mailed it to me and it arrived yesterday safe, sound and ready to blog. 

So, our weekend was really fun.... spent with 2 girls that I am constantly thankful for. 

 Scarlett, KT, Beth, me and McKinley

The highlight of Scarlett's month for sure -- holding "baby" (she calls her "Kinley" and talks about her a lot, it is so sweet!)

 They were so precious together! 

 I told Mitch I think we need another baby ;) ha! 

Thanks Momma and Daddy for opening your home up to us... we loved being together there! 

Okay... what have I been up to without my computer? Well, Mitch has been totally swamped this week. I mean it has been nuts. He was at school until 11:00 p.m. on Monday night and 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday night! No thank you! So, I have been passing the hours (in the evening) old fashioned style -- on my sewing machine ;) 

I just love being productive and having projects to accomplish AND I love dressing Scarlett in frilly, custom outfits (without the custom $)... and so the twain shall meet! I have been cutting patterns, reading instructions, pinning, cutting, threading, pressing, sewing, etc. all week. And so it is my pleasure to show y'all my creation.... voila!

I could not have picked a cuter model! I just need to add the ruffle around the bottom of the pants and then my project will be complete. By the way, I cannot take much credit for picking out the fabrics... my sister has an incredible eye for color and chose these for me. Thanks sissy! We are gearing up for a big sewing party together this weekend, cannot wait!

And here are my loves... They wanted to join me for a bit in my cozy sewing nook last night. They enjoyed learning a little from 'Sid the Science Kid' while I made some sewing progress.  

Poor Mitch, I looked over and he couldn't keep his eyes open even a minute longer....

And then there is Callie.  I think she enjoys sleeping to the hum of the sewing machine, so I always have a companion. 

xoxo, 

Pinkies up for Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentines Day to all of my sweet readers! I hope you feel very loved somehow today. Please know we love that you stop by to "check-in" on us... 

First of all, I have something I really want to say to all of the precious girls in my life who are still waiting for their Valentines to show up -- Darling girls: Yes, today is the day the world celebrates love and you may feel like at moments that you have nothing to celebrate. I want you to remember something and I do NOT in any way intend for this to come across as insensitive or cliche, okay? Bare with me. If you have placed your trust in Jesus, if He is your Redeemer, then I want to remind you to celebrate His love today. Actually, February 14th is nothing compared to what He did for us the day He walked the road to Calvary. You know, I was thinking about how men always say, "I would die for you... I would lay down my life for you..." Well guess what, Jesus already did. Before you even knew Him He was already so madly in love with you that He died so you could spend forever and ever and ever with Him. Now, that is love. Doesn't that make all of the chocolates and bouquets of flowers you have to walk by in Target seem like they should be thrown out with last week's leftovers? Maybe I am a little too dramatic for your liking, but it's true whether you believe it or not. 

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Now, onto the little cherub...

Scarlett started her Valentine's morning off right with her pinkies UP!! (strawberries served whole, just like she likes them)

Her favorite breakfast buddy dined with her...

Mr. Moo Cow (I guess it really should be Mrs...)

And then there is this face that makes me keep laughing... 

 She protests when I cut her strawberries up and remove their green tops, so I always wash them and give them to her whole. But for whatever reason something was very repulsive about her strawberries' tops today. 

And finally, to the man who makes my heart skip a beat any day of the year... 

I do realize there are pumpkins in this picture, but I love it! Look how sweetly Mitch holds Scarlett's little dainty hands... 

There are so many reasons I love you. And you of all people know that I am so far from perfect and yet you love me so unconditionally. So thankful you are MY Valentine. 

Mitch Owen --- I WILL LOVE YOU UNTIL THE DAY I DIE!!!! 

Never say never.

Yes, I am the lady who let her sweet child eat an entire DQ ice-cream sandwich while we strolled through Costco! Never say never ladies... it just might come back to bite you. 

Baking with love.

Scarlett and I fired up the oven earlier this week so we could do some "love" baking. I so enjoy doing little projects like this together. My mom always had us in the kitchen with her from a young age so I want to do the same with Scarlett. I think it teaches her to enjoy cooking and especially cooking together. Hey, even my brother Chaz loves to cook... and you know we ladies love that! (sorry girls, he's taken)

Iced, sugar cookies. Is there anything better? Well, milk chocolate maybe... but you know what I mean. 

I have to say my assistant does consistently have quite the healthy appetite so she often spends the majority of her time in the kitchen taste-testing :) 

Our labor of love pre-icing... 

The embellishment process... (is that spatula in her mouth!?) 

Taste-testing at its finest...

And voila... 

For those of you who are the recipients of our little sugary creations, don't worry about the amount of toddler spit you may consume... It is surely better for you than aspartame or caffeine! (just kidding, I was very careful with anything that accidentally got "licked.")

XOXOXOX -- from our kitchen to yours!!

Housekeeping!

It seems like as soon as Wednesday comes I blink and it is already Friday. Gotta love that! There are a few things I have been meaning to post so I will just do a little housekeeping real quick...

Scarlett worked very hard to get her little Valentines sent out earlier this week to some of our family members. Here she is working away...



Ok, what is it about these chips? They are SO good. If you haven't tried them, add them to your grocery list this week. I promise you will not be let down.


I know it is almost 2 months away still, but party planning mode for SJ's second birthday is in full swing! It is just so fun. More details later, but I have been hunting for a cupcake stand/tower and found this one earlier this week at Homegoods. That store has it all!

Earlier this week SJ and I enjoyed a much needed visit with a precious lady in my life. Mrs. Martha McKinley came into my life in 2004 through my dear friend, and roommate at the time, Beth. Little did I know at that time that this special lady would always have a place in my heart. She has prayed for me and truly been like a 2nd mother. I love her so much so seeing this picture of her and Scarlett together just warms my heart...

 We enjoyed playing, eating lunch and talking. Thanks for a wonderful visit Mrs. McKinley. You are SO loved by our whole family!


And finally, this is important... Pictured here: Boo and Scarlett.

Just wanted to be sure and record that my Dad's name is officially Boo, not Moo. Whew. Glad that is all cleared up. And I just have to say, we could not have made her say that... how cute that her Grandpa is her Boo. It's so sweet and endearing. Thank you Scarlett :)

Stay warm and have a wonderful weekend!