hi PLU’s….(People Like Us)
what a whirlwind May seems to be…as i look through my camera it takes me through the activities of Spring and i reflect….on lots of things…
activities, time spent, efforts put forth, and how i feel about each one….
i have said before, my camera is how i remember or better remember- if i have shot a memory it is burned into mine….
it seems to me that while reading someone’s blog you are pulled into their memories….and you are…in a neat kind of way – at the same time i guess we are interested in those who are like us…and wonder how the same things hit us differently….or the same depending.
i look forward to activities & sports with my kids….excited to see how God has gifted them as time unfolds with sports or without, how he will teach them through disappointment and victory …and how he will mold each of them to be more like him. From an earthly perspective it is just plain fun to sit on the bleachers….
to logan….
i love to watch him interact with others on an “all guy” basis….his body language and words…the same child but turning into a guy….with a huge heart…
quick…as in fast when he wants to be ….yet slow to anger, generally offers love first. he has heart for the nations and loves people. is dissapointed quickly and cheered up with humor…
experienced a true sadness for the first time from a competitive loss (as opposed to a quick sad face and then a “what’s for dinner”)….it was great to see that he cared enough to notice but i desperately wish that my kids would not have to know true devastation in their lives…
he is funny in a slap-stick kindof way…he loves the silly and goofy and loves to repeat it….over….and over….
logan is a believer….he loves God and has for a long time….i believe that God pricked his heart at an early age and he has chosen to serve God Almighty with his life….he understands surrender of wordly things in favor of what God would choose and gives those things freely….
i am so blessed to be his mom as i know that he is chosen by God and heavenly minded….he told us when he was three that he wanted to be a doctor and then a little over a year ago ….that he wanted to be a missionary doctor….and i don’t doubt it one bit…..
he has captured my heart through his compassion, kindness, and genuine understanding of his purpose.
mia, well….she could not be more different yet very much the same….
she is determined and creative, disciplined but only in things that matter to her….she is absolutely hilarious in a goofy kindof way….she captures the hearts of those close and leaves herself open for new relationships often….
she is not intimidated of great tasks or groups of people…she is an extremely hard worker and laziness she does not know. She serves and gives of herself in a way that i cannot fathom comes from a child. helping is most certainly how she loves people….she just wants to be with you…beside you….and spend time.
she loves completely and fully …. with everything she has….
she conquers her fears with little assistance….
she is strong…..yet needs others…
she will celebrate a victory but takes very little glory for herself….
sweet girl i look forward to seeing how God will use you…
i love you both…..logan and mia….
i am so grateful that God has entrusted you both with your dad and i…..
all of my love to my people…..
hello PLU’ have you given up on me?
i certainly love leaving thoughts and pictures here….
since it has been awhile and my camera is kindof full – i will just pick a few….
my favorite bushes!!
our landscape plan was basically worked around these bushes…and they bloom for only about three weeks…
hmmm….
ok so a little random but i had to point out something for those of you who think i have it together….OH HA!! ….so paige k. would make it home with beautiful, un-smashed….precious cupcakes…i however did not….if you look closely there is a big bite out of one and they ALL have a flat side from the trip ….
did i tell you that we got involved in an ice cream truck business? chad and friend- richard are now co-owners of Holy Cow ice cream and our house is offering two sides of compassion (always has just walking in the same shoes now)…..we have loved watching how excited the kids have been….the mt laurel festival gave chad a chance to sell ice cream along with mia….
fun right?
there obviously has been alot of this….
and this….
speaking of this one….we have officially changed gears around here…..logan has finished his couple of years with awkward smiles and has graciously passed it on to mia…
a challenging phase – i know it is precious but let’s face it…it is not exactly easy to photograph…side views…or when they are not intentionally giving you their very best plastic smile….
don’t get me wrong….i will still take her picture just as i took his…but it just makes it a little more challenging …..
and the worst part is my little “worker bee” for the catalog is going to be much more difficult….she is queen at changing clothes and taking tons of pictures….but….hmmm…..new plan perhaps…
and logan….it’s just hard to catch him….
so our days are filled with school, work, baseball and gymnastics…weekends are filled with good company, baseball, and great weather finally permitting sidewalk chalk and washing cars…
i love this time of year…but funny enough it means fall clothes for all of us at BBTN….
ironic huh?
until next time…which will be alot sooner than last time….i will have some things to show you soon!!
all of my love to my people…..
hello PLU’s {people like us]
a quick one tonight ….but it’s important….
Stickler texted me the other day asking if i would help …..
so i copied this from her post regarding Big House…{her words until after the poster}
“there are currently 6,000 foster children in the state of Alabama, that’s a lot of children. Many of these children have been placed in homes, but I read this morning that 2,128 children are still waiting to be placed in homes and that is obviously the most tangible way you can help. But this morning I also want to share a way we can all support the families who are making great sacrifices to bring these children into their homes. I’m excited about working with Big House {again} to raise, not only awareness of the situation in our state, but also provide folks with a tangible way they can help not only the children but also the families caring for them! During the month of April, Big House is running a statewide swimsuit & towel drive so that these 6,000 children will have a new swimsuit and towel for the summer. How awesome is that? To give a swimsuit to a foster child may mean less goodies in your child’s Easter basket, or one less swim suit for your own child, but I can assure you that it will mean the world to a foster child and what an awesome opportunity to teach our children about loving others and making sacrifices.
So, here’s what you can do:
- Drop off a new bathing suit & towel {or a gift card for $25 to Target or Walmart which will cover the cost of a towel and swimsuit} at one of the locations scattered all across the state {or if you’re interested in being a drop-off location let them know at bighousefoundation@hotmail.com}
- Make a monetary donation online
- Volunteer your embroidery services to put the children’s names on their towels”
soooo….Favorite Laundry is the donation site.. in our area….check out their website for the closest one for you. But my boldest, offered with grace thoughts are these:
*i have already ordered Mia’s bathing suits for this year and she is incredibly excited to get to wear them…and i cannot fathom a child not getting to be a child and swim…in a bathing suit. God help us to worry about those with less than our own children….OH God teach us compassion for orphans and widows like you have commanded us…..
*our church has been heavily involved with foster care & finding families … no small endeavor – taking a child that has had a less than desireable upbringing….frustrating, disheartening, and rewarding all at the same time….we can be purposeful about helping by encouraging in this tiny way when we all have more than we need.
*please be prayerful about how you can help….whether it is a bathing suit & towel or considering foster care…
to encourage this effort:
Favorite Laundry will donate a $100 gift card to the winner of a DRAWING…{out of the people that participate there will be one winner}…so if you drop off a new bathing suit and towel – we will have a prize for the winner of the drawing!! everyone who participates will receive a 25% off coupon for one item….you could quite possibly recoop your cost and you have blessed a child in the meantime….
have a wonderful monday!!
all of my love to my people!!
hello PLU’s…
if i could just wrap my mind around how God has blessed me through friendships i might just have to take a seat somewhere and not move….they cannot be described or compared to, explained, or shared. not even here….
i think those people who learn you well are so incredibly important to each of our journeys to be sanctified…
your most precious friends and people validate you or not, move you to be better, know you without having to say much, help you to create some of your most important memories….even when you do- or say too much….you are understood, appreciated, or refined. i analyze myself harshly when i have to present my “real” self to those close….i examine my motives, my priorities, my prayer life…my love for people vs. things and unimportant processes. it is most important that i am not sugar-coated or post-processed before entering into any sort of relationship…it is just me and that is it….
it is important to commit to people whom you love dearly….to be better and be refined by God through the whole process.
so this weekend was market….but more importantly it was a wonderful weekend with Paige’s family….
those
hours
blessed
my
soul
someone shared with me in an email this week a quote from Tara Barthel ….”True friendship is a reflection and foretaste of heaven”….
and i believe it
to be received in this way…. oh my
and her beautiful girls …. i got to meet each one and talk with them over dinner and breakfast….i cannot wait to know them all for tons of time…hear about what they are doing….celebrate their victories alongside of their family….
paige says she will never forget our girls’ weekend….i say i will never forget this one…
i know that i know that God purposefully & intentionally blesses us through friendships….
yipeeee…..
all of my love to my people….paige included
hey PLU’s…
it has been a super busy time around the workroom as we ship, and customize, make lists, and yet concentrate on the store and design for fall…we have 4 weeks to get the pictures done….
we are excited about fall and the new patterns that we are working on for you all!!
exciting stuff…
our weekend was exciting but i realized after looking back through the pictures that i had taken…all with my iphone!! perfect that i didn’t have to carry my big camera while we walked {and walked, and walked}…
thank you apple for not making me carry my camera through the streets of NEW YORK!
this trip was a wonderful gettaway…. perfect amount of time too!!..
so i realized thought that while some of the pictures i took were of the traditional things….the vast majority were either quirky pictures or ones that were purely curiousity…whatever right?
quirky…i’ve said it before, and i’ll say it again…i can be quirky…
but i guess the individual who knitted for this entire bike is not exactly normal either…quirky too…
this one was traditional, there was even a respectful, quiet hush….i don’t think i realized how close to together these buildings were to one another….it is nothing short of amazing that the WTC buildings came down in this small space and the progress is nothing short of amazing….my back was to the next building…
the sheer number of people was incredible to be sure…i was shocked though at how friendly the vast majority were…especially the ones that spoke english…
she’s cute huh? tall, right?
speaking of tall….can you believe the piles of food?
central park was beautiful….and the bike ride was a blast…
i kinda felt bad for the guy riding the bike though….there were several hills…..
since we are talking about normal..technically i am at least….china town was fascinating really….we went kindof exploring through the area {huge} and the seafood market was far from boring… the fish were incredibly fresh {as in swimming in tanks underneath the table here}….and the crabs were trying to escape from their buckets near the front door…
all kidding aside the architecture was amazing…
watching this firetruck back into it’ spot after making a run {right near the WTC} made me want to sit on the concrete and cry…
but with some reflecting even as i edited and resized these pictures – i am so incredibly glad that God didn’t step off his throne for one second….even though….
this incredible city…
we missed our kiddos…..though….
until next time…all of my love to my people…
