One Year..

Another sighting!!!

Look out Hollywood...

Dearest, sweetest, bird of a feather, friend of mine..

LORI!!!!

I am touched beyond words...but i am going to give it a try!!

Friend.... when i saw your new "reflections of you" line i knew exactly what i wanted on mine!!! and i looked for a special charm...but you beat me to it... then you posted a few days ago about some custom orders you were working on...and one reflected "Autism awareness"...and it took my breath away...

but it could not have been for me...i had not ordered this beautiful necklace for myself yet...how presumptuous of me to even think that you would have gone out of your way to Charm my life in another way such as to give me this precious gift...my reminder..my treasure......i RAN to the mailbox!!! nothing...and i felt so greedy......the ugly green in me was a little jealous that someone else was getting this sweet reminder..their treasure!!but, secretly, i did still hope!....and yesterday...yesterday, a padded envelope arrived at our home...and i just held that package knowing, well, hoping that this was what you had made...and i am Forever touched by your heart...by your hands creating this necklace...a reflection of me...the autism piece has become such a reminder of our lives and our constant effort! I think my heart is no longer heart shaped...it must look like a puzzle piece now!

My Friend...Thankyou Thankyou...a hundred times thankyou!!

What a Gift...YOU ARE!!...Yesterday was One year from the time we were told Myles would be placed in a classroom for children with Special Needs...Today is the day we were told Sammy has Autism... my heart has cried out to the Lord so much this past year...and today marks the anniversary...the anniversary of my greatest pursuit of the Lord's will in their lives..

My life..My Heart...and i want to not have every year on these days be marked by the sadness..the loss we felt as the hours and days creeped by...i want so badly to look back as we grow and see how far we have traveled...the progress our sweet boys have made...the amazing strengthening of our hearts as we witness their incredible lives...all the hard work they have done...all the growing into the precious people God would have them be! So..Celebrate with me..today...it has been one year..

(My heart..is in my throat)...i am in awe...they amaze me everyday! Myles and Sammy are my constant reminder of hope.

They are a constant reminder of possibilities...and of sweetness of LIFE. My reminder that our God is sufficient...That His Love has covered us....and will ALWAYS!!

Thank you for your words of encouragement last year!!

Lori....Thankyou so much...these words do not even come close to describing this puzzle shaped heart of mine....I have not taken it off yet...I simply LOVE it!!!! Thankyou sweet friend!!

Have a Love-fully weekend...my friends....

In the shop...

As if......yeah, no chance of seeing this cutie in the shop....

Sammy loves to wear sunglasses now...

many sightings..wink wink!

so...the last thing i told you was that i was headed to H Lobby

to get some pin backs...

yeah, HUGE raincloud/thunderstorm/tornado watch

proceeded to hover over the Lobster..

What's a girl to do??

Seek refuge, ofcourse!!!

ahem, in the fabric section!

Sweet refuge!

More "Autism Blooms"

coming in these colors too!!

I just put the Blooms in the shop today...

Please go take a gander and let me know what you think....

too wordy??

just right??

I would love some feedback!

I looked at many of the other items promoting

Autism Awareness and nothing looked similar to my Blooms...

and i am excited about that!!

I have had many happy comments about the one i am wearing today...my header picture...

the response may be different in person...

okay..so go look...

and let me know...

i'll be cutting out puzzle pieces all night if you need me for anything!!

Have a Love-fully day!!

Home Sweet Home

We are home!!

What a nice Spring break!!

We had such a great time visiting with Mama and Papa..

The boys did great on the 8 hour car ride...

and i... slept well last night!!

I was busy busy busy making all of these AUTISM blossoms..

Thanks to my mom and dad for all of the help with the boys..

and the yummy buttons..and help cutting...and oh the LOVE!!

Also...i met my new friend...my new sewing machine!!!

Yippee!!!

She is a Singer...and beautiful...and evidently has trouble making new friends..

after 2 hours of sewing around those new shirts..the iron on part you know....she just stopped...she had enough...

maybe i came on too strong!!

anyway..i am taking her to the sewing/vacuum repair man..

and hopefully we will be humming a new tune soon!!

Off to the Lobster for more pin backs...

then back home to finish off the blossoms!!

Hope you have had a love-fully week...

and Elise and Jenny....I have 2 more Tweet signs..you know the ones...and they are yours!!!

Happy Easter!!

I will be emailing you both...asap...

LOVE!!

Did you know??

Here we are...almost one year since we first were told

"AUTISM"

Oh..the places we've been...and the people we have met...and all we have learned...

We are so blessed!

if you haven't read my "Doubleshot" post

please take some time and read it...

Our Mayor declared yesterday

"Autism Awareness Day"

for our city

at this ceremony..

it was so nice to be part of our little community of

Autism Families.

I will be traveling to Tennessee tomorrow

to see Mama and Papa with the boys..

we haven't made this trip in over a year..and i am so excited!

I have all my rest stops planned and movie viewing schedule ready!!

These Autism pins and magnets in the above picture will be making their way in the shop...

i will have more time (teeheewhawhawah!!)

to work on them there...

I hope you are all feeling blessed...and that whatever

your need..

that your HOPE ENDURES!!!

Also..Thankyou SO much for all of your sweet thoughts on those new shirts... made me feel happy!!

And another thing....

Have a Love-fully day!!

New Shirts

NeWoooooo Cute shirt for Sammy..

he loves a little block that has an owl on it...so i thought i would make him a shirt..
i don't have a sewing machine (yet) so...i haven't done the edges...
the boys and i will be going to visit Mama and Papa in Tennessee and an extra sewing machine
is mine for the keeping....Yay...WHOOOO knows what i may create now??

last year i made Myles a

"Dino 4"

shirt...he wears it every week...

and he is almost too old to wear it!!

WHAT IN THE WORLD!!!

so i put this one together for this year..

the elephant ear goes around the back of the shirt....i still have to sew the eye on..a large snap closure kind...fun..i am pleased with them..i just loved doing these..

i wish i would have started when they were one...but, i'll just have to get in as many as i can before they don't like appliqued shirts anymore...

(discriptive error...it was highly suggested by someone in the public relations department

that APPLIQUE be changed to IRON ON..

seemingly more fit for a boy!!!)

You Likey??

Have a Love-fully!!

Great things come in small packages!!

My Tweet Birdie package came from LORI today!!

I just had to come out of hiding and shout my Thanks!!!

Look at these little friends...the sweetest little faces...

and my morning face...Thank you so much Lori for this cup...I just bought 4 bowls that match it this week...weeeeee!

fun new notie cards..i needed some of those BAD!!!

for someone who is crafty..i can never seem to get my hands on the cutest cards that I made...or have enough sense and TIME to whip one up real fast... I LOVE THESE!!



look at this CHARMING pin...so pretty..

okay..this was supposed to be first...

I love the first moment of opening a box from afar..

it it the next moment after they were there..in the same place..

sending all sorts of love and happy thoughts your way...

Ahhh!

LOVE!!

be still my heart!!

could it be???

the bracelet i was LOVING!!!

and now AM Loving!!

Oh My!!

ME!!!

Look at that zebra print!!

Myles came in to the room while i was taking the pictures and said "Joy"

which sounds a little like joh-we..sweet

i thought he was just trying to get my attention...

nope..just reading my pretty new letters.

ooh....so pretty...so sparkly...so missing her date...as i was taking this one, the blue ribboned egg

got shy and rolled out of the scene... they are back together again up on the mantel

LOVE!!

and i will ALWAYS and FOREVER

be a hand written notie LOVER!!!

This screams...you are worth the extra time...!!!

This is my love language...do you know about love languages??

OOOOHHH!!!!!!! and my very own PINK "blue bird of happiness".

If you have received one of my business cards, or have seen my little picture on Etsy,

you have seen my blue bird of happiness...and now, a friend!!

Thankyou so much Lori!!

I LOVE EVERYTHING..

and treasure your friendship!!

You are the perfect reason to post again!!

I've missed being able to post..

i am up to my eyeballs in kiddo stuff...

how does everyone else manage so well??

Thankyou for still checking in on me...

and welcoming me back...

sometimes, i'm paralyzed by the thought of posting after not for so long..

and i think..where would i even start??

I am not pushing sales...i get too overwhelmed with what to make...and how new and exciting it might be...i can't tell you how many things i have started, and not finished...until the next season...or YEAR!!!

I am doing tons of fun things with the boys...some,my ideas..LOTS, from other fantastic moms who have it all together!! My Mom keeps sending me more links that she finds...and i just go there...and get the great ideas..(Thanks Mommy)

just a little crafting....

i vow to post with no pressure..

just me..

i may go back into my shell for some refuge every so often..

but i just need to sometimes...

it's a cute shell...all decorated for EASTER....and overflowing with plastic eggs right now...

i just love all the pastels

and the pretty chocolate....

and the LOVE

of our heavenly Father..

i changed up some of my music on my playlist..

i hope you take some time to listen..and reflect with me...

may you feel pursued as i do so often...

How Love-fully!!

The story of THE LOBSTER!!!

I refer to THE LOBSTER often..and it occurred to me that you may not know what i am speaking of!!

THE LOBSTER...is HOBBY LOBBY!!!

I am very allergic to shell fish...and have a terrible reaction when i eat it... swollen lips...eyes...lymphatic system...

throat...yeah..pretty much..i could stop breathing...

anyway...it seems i have a reaction...to saying "No"...upon arriving at my Hobby Lobby !!! (no swelling...don't worry)

I try to NOT get a buggy to avoid heavy purchasing..

but you know..these Mommy arms can hold a 50 lb kiddo ..

so imagine the damage i can do...with just my arms...

anyway..that's the story of THE LOBSTER!!

and the little wooden lobster pully toy..i got at..

MY GOODWILL..for only $2.00...

LOVE IT!!

It was handmade in Maine..and still had the original price tag on it...Larry Lobster =$25.00..

Wowwee!!

Okay..so it is Valentine's Day today...

my computer is making all sorts of cracklin' sounds...i think there's a little hamster on a squeeky wheel in there...

oh dear!! So I have tons of pictures to share with you..but i don't want the computer to combust...so, when Cracklin' Rosie is gone..i'll be back...hopefully it won't be St Patty's day then..

Have a super LoVe-FULLY

Valentiney Day!!

Joyfully...

mmmmmmmchwwwaah!(that was a kiss)

xxxooo

I've never been good at math...but this adds up!!

I highly recommend a palette of water colors for your kiddos...to use in the bathtub!!

Easy Peasy cleanup!!!

super excitement for the kids....

almost an hour of blissful entertainment on a day that is too cold to do anything else!!

*note to self...get more watercolor paints!!

Sammy has been spending a lot of time at the "watertable"

ours is super fancy... doubling as a kitchen sink and all..

this kid can't get enough...he pulls his little chair on over to the counter..

tests the water...


poses for a picture..

or two..

or..as many as i can get... i love how the light makes his little face even more angelic than it already is..possible??

i gave him all sorts of measuring paraphanalia and soap and toys and he was one happy boy!!

I Love Him So!!

Shop update ..Valentiney sale!!

go see!!

Have a lovefully!!

Good Finds!!

This is what i scored at My Goodwill last week!!

This is the best picture i could get..seriously.. it is a jacket..that i plan on cutting..to make a plaid zebra rug..just kidding...but not really..it is to help accent my little corner..

thinking maybe a pillow..shaped like a zebra..just kidding...or am i??!!

But the best part...ONE Ugly Jacket...would have cost me $20.00 in the "better jacket" section of My Goodwill...but it had a blue tag on it..and blue tags were only $1.00!!!

What in the world!!

this sweet piece of sunshine is growing in our kitchen window...

Sammy got it as a seed last fall at Papa Bruce's Farm ..a field trip

with his little class...growing in a little styrofoam cup..this flower just keeps growing..and today..opened her pretty face to see the world...

Our Friends Clay and Rhonda just had their first Baby Tuesday morning!!

Sweet Baby Charis

9 lbs 4 oz.

21 1/2 inches..!!

Welcome sweet girl!!

can i get you a drink for your pretty coaster!!??




more Goodwill finds... look what a $1 total can do for my little window..
in the little corner of my world!!



oh..a much better picture...

some of my little shadowboxes.. these i made a couple years ago..when i must have bought about 3 dozen of these frames...i just took scraps of fabric that coordinated with our pillows and curtains...and a piece of heavy black cardstock...this actually was going to be my template..and i was going to trace and precisely cut out the letters again..but i decided..these did the trick!!

i just used my handwriting with a pencil..and as i was coloring it in to create the thickness of the letter, the pencil made the black paper seem as if it was actually a metal... these are to the right of our door as you are walking out!!

so this is one use..

in the bathroom you will find these two shadowboxes of my guys...
gotta love a comfy, cozy bath picture..

..or two..

and still some more shadowboxes..

hubby got them for me to put the boys "come home from the hospital outfits" in!!

these are to the right, just before the boys room...along with their hands "Stitched in time"

at 7 weeks old..My Mom made these..and i just love them..fingers so tiny...love so big!!

I am finally all better..and Sammy too...we've been down for the count for the past few days...

he's back at school..and i am back to work...here i come cloud nine!!

Have a Love-fully day!!

Sunday Funny

don't try to click on it to make it bigger..i tried that already...sorry..i know nothing ....

anyway..it says..

"Aww crimony Elaine...did you even LOOK at the dry cleaning when you picked it up?"

My Mom sent this to me the other day!

Ah!teehee!

Just a little funny for today..

feeling a little scratchy throated..

pretty descent headache..

sipping hot tea..

needed a laugh!!

I hope you all are feeling "over the weather"

i'll be taking more pictures today...

you won't believe what i got at MY GOODWILL last week..

it actually ..probably ..won't be as exciting to you...

nevertheless...i will show you anyway..

cuz i'm coo-kie like that...

did someone say cookie???

I gotta go...

Have a Lovefully Day Friends!!

i came..i saw...i was conquered ..But WAIT!!

(WAIT!!! It's down there....i goofed...silly me...)

I did the post...but it isn't here..

i may have to check my settings..maybe my time is wrong..

boy..that's a shocker!!

maybe in another hour ..or two..

what in the world!!??

How to..get my ZEBRA fix on!!

first..i started crafting early on Thursday!!

Dada took the kiddos to school..and it was just me and a couple cups of coffee..okay..3 cups!!

and i was on CLOUD NINE!! (after a few potty breaks)

so then...i have a couple of these frames left over from several projects i have done for family and friends and ourselves..i should post some of those, huh?

anyway..these are from dollar general..just a dollar!!...

a lovely little shadow box!!

so..i opened it up and tore out the lovely...


and put..a mystery Joxy in there..
i wonder what it looks like??


and stuck some red felt on the backing..

and Voila..there she is!!
That's how I get
My Zebra Fix ON!!
I still have the coasters and fancy tablecloth to show you!!
and..when i don't feel like keeping my Joxy all closed up in a glass house..
I can wear her..if i wasn't wearing the other one i already made..sorry..no picture..
all for $1.20 in Zebra fabric!!

And look at that plate..
just a simple white plate..
i got the idea from Sara at Sara's arthouse..
she got a black plate from HER Goodwill..not mine..
and painted white circles on it!! She's really fantastic and artistic like that..
amazing..she'll paint anything..and everything..or put her some fancy papers all over it..and it is a work of art!! I, on the other hand.. was afraid to use paint...but i love me a dry erase marker!!
and it is just the right balance for my Zebra obsession..
speaking of obsession...did you see my new "Loving" on the left sidebar..
oh my!!
who knew..??
Zebra..AND...UGLY green..
okay..i need to take some pictures of more shadow boxes..
hopefully this pre-posting works!!
Have a VERY Love-fully Day!!

Some LOVE!!

New in the shop!!

These bags..with..

huge tags!!

and coming later today...just a little peek!!

I worked so long on it..

like off and on since last spring!! Yikes!

But it's ready now...and YU-MMY!!

Ohhh..and not going in the shop today...

take a look at this Yummy!!


He is saying
"I did it!" here!!

Smylie has issues with pants...

atleast he is wearing his jacket!!

these pictures were taken while i was visiting school one day.. i surprised Myles...

and got some eyes..

and some teeth!!

And Looky here!!

oh my!!

be still my heart!!

Have a love-fully!

More later..

I am going to try to pre-post..

for 3 o'clock..my time..

let's see if i can do it!!