what's picture day like at your house?

It's that time of year again.

When the holidays are just around the corner and life gets crazy festive whacko. 

So I thought it would be a great idea to do our family photos early this year. Lorieloo agreed to take us on, bless her heart. We are a squirrely crew, with 4 boys and all. 

Around a week before photo time, I realized that my boys' shirts were getting all worn out(and didn't match with my stuff, lol), so I decided to order some new tees on etsy. I knew we were cutting it close with shipping and all.

The day before my shoot with Lorie, my package did not come. Stress. I started tracking the package and it was stuck somewhere in Goleta, CA, with little chance of arriving on time. I was bummed but decided not to stress. I didn't want to turn this whole photoshoot into an idol, if you know what I mean. Lorie said she could shoot us later, if need be. Seriously, she is the sweetest. 

But morning of, my package miraculously arrived and we were ON! Wahoo!

I normally have clothes selected ahead of time, but this year I was kinda flying by the seat of my pants. I had a last minute wardrobe change myself and drove to Forever 21 to buy a new top. I highly recommend picking out your clothes at least a day or 2 in advance, if not even sooner. But whatevs. All is well that ends well.

A few days later, Loriloo texts me the following:

Because that's what real friends do: they photoshop your zits, ha.

And how cute is Lorie with her photo disk packaging?! Thanks dearest Loo. I'm so grateful for your talents!

So what is photo day like at your house? Do you get clothes ahead of time or the day of? Is it relaxed or crazy?

In other news, John made some honeycomb shelves for my bday, from A Beautiful Mess blog. They were harder than anticipated but my stud of a husband worked it out.


I have a few things to say about this photo.

1. I moved the blue couch to another room because it was clashing with everything. I did a little couch switcheroo.

2. The rug. Oh the rug. The ends of the rug would NOT STOP CURLING UP. And the black arrowheads were peeling off. So I returned it to Urban Outfitters today for store credit. In the market for a new rug...

3. Um. Twain and Ollie thought their kitties added a nice touch to my shelves. What do you think?

4. We hung the shelves but I'm still looking for things to put on them. I have trouble decorating large shelves. They overwhelm me. But I do love these honeycomb shelves and will look for some cheap nick-nacks at a thrift store. When everything is situated, I will show you a proper-like photo. Right now this room still in limbo.

Finally, I try not to go on and on about Ollie's schooling, so as to not bore you to tears. But I was SO stoked to take a whole week to perfect the little "e", since it's in Ollie's name...and was so hard for him to write.




We practiced with shaving cream and sand. I love sand. Shaving cream...notsomuch.


Ollie made this cute little robot the other day. I especially love that it can carry tabby(ies) and their gameboys.


Ollie is thriving and each day feels very fulfilled. I fall into bed exhausted from it all, yet have trouble sleeping.

I got adjusted by Dr. W and she said I'm clenching my teeth like a maniac, which was causing my sinus troubles. So I think I am still feeling underlying stress/anxiety, which stinks. I hate that feeling. I know God doesn't want me to live this way, so I am praying that I can learn to fully cast all my cares upon Him. And a personality change would be nice too. I wish I was more laid back. 

a mint wall

Dear Sweet Blog.

Um hi.

I've missed you.  I didn't mean to take such a long break, honest, but sometimes...life...happens.

I told some people I would do some stuff for them, and I felt like I had to fulfill all of my responsibilities before coming back here. Priorities and such. It doesn't mean I don't love you. I just felt guilty playing here when I had all these deadlines looming over me. It's hard being a grown-up.

And to be quite honest, this mama has been literally drowning in work and barely came up for air the last few weeks. Has that ever happened to you? Where your "to-do" list, seems to grow in your sleep? And you just can't get on top of it all, no matter how hard you try?

Work work work, 24/7! And the boys have been realllllllllly demanding. And I got a head/sinus cold and I'm beat and overwhelmed and stressed...but God has been my helper. Amen, don't know where I would be without Him.

Despite all this, I{meaning John} did manage to paint a wall and that is something to celebrate, eh?

I mean, it only took me a week of deliberating before I FINALLY settled on a shade of mint. I used Behr Winter Fresh, 25% darker.

I was SO excited when bday present arrived on the FedEx truck....an eames-style white rocker--it's a knock-off, of course. But it's so much fun and my favorite chair in the house. The boys and kitties love it too. Hi Peach!



Above:
flower print and wooden cubby from urban outfitters
arrow sign(and chevron box) from target
lil deer head from land of nod
goose-neck lamp and tiny globe from etsy or ebay.


My little sis was doing face-time with me, trying to help me decorate this wall. When all of a sudden I let out a loud SHRIEK. John {accidentally}dropped that arrow pic on my little deer...and one of its antlers broke right off. It was a sad little moment.

After some minor surgery with super glue, it's as good as new{Don't look too close, wink}.


This above wall used to be my piano wall--we ended up moving the piano under the front window. It's always fun switching things up and looking at things in a fresh new way. The boys get all excited too. Weeee!