thank you teachers!

My boys have two days of school left until summer break!  Yaaahhhhooooo!  Although I've loved every minute of waking up at 5:45 to get #1 off to zero hour (stupid idea) and then waiting a full hour and forty minutes to send off #2, I'm OVER it.  I'm over our 20 minute morning game of 'shoe-hide and-seek', finding day old spaghetti in the Nino's thermos, and I'm over giving pre-tests for words  I don't even know how to spell. 

Here's the reality.  I wish I was organized enough and smart enough to teach my children everything they need to know.  But I'm not.  So I'll continue sending them into the wide world to learn from brave people who really know what they're talking about.

Luckily this year #2 had an amazing teacher.  He had her for first grade too and I almost considered holding him back so he could have her again for 'third'.  She's like a little piece of fairy Godmother heaven and the second graders think she's Santa's angel.  I've been in her classroom almost every Wednesday for the past two years and not once have I seen her raise her voice, get flustered, loose her cool, or her smile.  She's amazing.

One thing I realize is that raising children takes a village.  It's a partnership. Joint custody if you will.  The nino has a special speech teacher and a special reading teacher too. I've come to realize that  extraordinary teachers can move mountains. 

It's for this reason I needed to make a few "thank-you's" for the people that made their mark this year.  Something simple but something to let them know how much I appreciate them.

I was reading {The Vintage Mother } and found the cutest teacher appreciation idea.  So I headed straight to my local World Market, found these Italian Sodas, and paired them with my favorite praline chocolate and a thank you note.

I made a quick tag with Photoshop. Click {here} to download.

I even made one for our Principal, and the three ladies that run the front office.  They know everyone, their grandparents, and their dogs by name, and they run the school like a well primed paint sprayer.

I just got home from Nino's last 2nd grade assembly where he accepted the award for student of the month and sit and reach school champion!  Who knew the kid was so stretchy?  

It's not too late to send a quick thank you to the people who make your kids better.

Happy Summer from one mother to another!
 

{not so} perfect life

Not so long ago Jilly was at lunch with her high school girlfriends.  They chatted about kids, jobs, homes, and the conversation of "our blog" came up. One of them asked Jilly if our lives are really as perfect as they seem.....

Jilly came home and told me all about it and I was as confused as the first time I saw Gangnam Style.

Knowing the struggles I've had in my life and being close enough to Jilly to know some of hers, I couldn't believe anyone could possibly think our lives were perfect.

Then I began thinking.

It's true, sometimes I read {Jones Design Company} and see Emily's beautifully organized blog, her talent for creating beauty, her four adorable kids and handsome husband, and I'm left wondering why no one is paying me hundreds of dollars to design their blog or dying to make my handwriting into a font.  I'll head over to {Velvet and Linen} to check on designer Brooke Giannetti and her (architect) husband's dream home at Patina Farm, just to find myself wondering if there is any possible way I can come back in the next life as her chicken.

But then I re-remember the quote I saw in vinyl, hanging in my cousins kitchen.  I take a deep breath, grab a square of Ghirardelli Chocolate, and MOVE ON.

I made this quote into a printable 5 x 7 just in case you need a gentle reminder like I do.

-click on the image to print-

Jilly and I humbly realize we have been blessed with talents, we've thrown some pretty awesome parties, we have a LOT of fun together, we have an amazing circle of friends, we've gone on some fantastic trips together, completed many fabulous projects with {CP}, we have great families, we love to laugh, and we never tire of each other.  But we don't intend to give the illusion that any of it is perfect.

We want you to know we're two simple moms who want to infuse the blogging world with creativity and humor.  Just hoping to make a difference for good.    

And here's the truth about my life.  I've been going through something really hard over the past 18 months.  Remember the {Nino}?  We've had a cute, smart, funny, special little foster boy in our family for a year and a half and the things we've gone through to make him part of our forever family has been the biggest and most difficult challenge I've ever faced.

The unexpected twists and turns we've encountered as a family have been emotionally and mentally exhausting  in every way imaginable.  Some days I've hardly been able to get out of bed.  Sometimes I've cried so hard there were no tears left.  I've prayed more in the last 18 months than I have my whole life.  At times I've been rude to my husband and short with my teenage son, and sometimes when it's my turn to make a blog post, I want to take my computer and shove it up....*&!

I wish I could give you more details about the Nino, but for legal purposes, I can't.  Hopefully someday I can tell you his name, stop having to blur out his face on our blog, and share our story with you.  For now, we're in the trenches with our family, fighting for our family. 

I've learned a lot about myself during this trial and I've realized that even though I'm struggling with something really, really, hard, I can make a conscious effort to be happy by focusing on others needs, and finding joy in simple things.

Here are a few simple things that have made me happy through the Holidays.

Each night in December "Pepe" the elf surprised Nino with random acts of magic.  Sometimes it was a treat from Mrs. Clause at the North Pole and sometimes it was waking up to a toilet papered bathroom or nose as red as Rudolphs.  Coming up with a new idea 24 days in a row was completely exhausting, but seeing the big smile on his face every morning was completely worth it.

A few days before Christmas, we had the opportunity to prepare and take a meal to 30 homeless people.  We had taco salad with the works and sugar cookies for dessert.  Jilly snapped this picture of me and Marion.  Marion works for the traveling carnival and has been to every state in the US.  She'll be sleeping on the cold, hard, floor of this church with 30 other strangers until employment takes her elsewhere. 

This holiday season we were able to play "Secret Santa" for two families that belong to an amazing organization called Singleton Moms.  Both of these mothers are single moms, both of them battling cancer.  They have jobs, kids, responsibilities, and juggle it all while fitting in chemo therapy appointments and doctors visits.  Truly amazing women.

This awesome group of people along with many others made it possible for us to make Christmas a little brighter for two families.  Our kids even worked for months before hand making and selling misc items so they could participate in the happy feeling that comes from helping others.   

One of the things that made me smile this Christmas was thinking about how much these two boys need each other and how different both of their lives have been for the past year and a half.

Together they made cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Nino drew Tatum's name for the cousins gift exchange and we  had a great time making her a matching game.  It was so rewarding to hear her squeal with delight as she saw her cousin's faces on the cards, and asked if we could play it again and again. 

I found lots of joy carrying out holiday traditions, which of course includes the "Polar Bear Plunge" in the neighbors FREEZING COLD swimming pool.  This year the prize was a crisp 50 dollar bill for the one who could swim the most lengths.  Tatum's dad (my brother, Trevin) was pulled out of the pool on completion of his 50th just as his speech started to slur and his organs began to shut down.   I love our rediculously competitive family. 

I know that life is about growing and progressing and the best learning experiences come from personal trials and struggles. 

And I know for sure that there is always something beautiful waiting on the other side. 

thinking ahead

It's never too early to start thinking about gift-giving for next Christmas, right?  Mia and I try to come up with something that's simple, delicious, and perfectly packaged for our dear friends every year.  Have we ever talked about the Christmas caroling adventures with our families?

Do you like to laugh?

Every December, we pick a night to gather our families together for soup and homemade bread...... and Christmas Caroling Rehearsal.  Each person has a very important singing part coupled with festive choreography. After dinner, we work on our dance moves and harmonies together, then head out all bundled up in silly hats, scarfs and mittens.  We visit the homes of about 10 mutual friends and bring each family some holiday hilarity.  One year, Mia sang Santa Baby while sitting on Santa's lap as the rest of us sang background ooh's and ahh's.  Another year, Jaci rode in atop Brody's shoulders for the grand finale, hanging on for dear life as he galloped right through each front door. (a real crowd pleaser!)  This year, we sang a rousing rendition of Feliz Navidad, trusting each of the little boys with a solo.  The nino's part MAY have been the highlight! Some of us didn't make it into the picture, but most of us are here.

 Our families act annoyed when we start planning the big night, but we know that they secretly wait all year for it.  And the homes we visit..... well, rumor has it they plan their whole December around our arrival!

This past year we made and gave away rolls and rolls of {oatmeal cookie dough}.

We have surprised even ourselves this year by already having a plan for Christmas 2013!  It all started when I showed up at Mia's, headed straight for her holiday treat station, and began munching on the most delicious {popcorn confection} I've ever tasted.  As soon as she told me it was the easiest thing she's ever made, we looked at each other and BOOM!  We read each others minds. Which isn't odd at all.  

The next challenge comes with the packaging of the treat.  I forced myself into Fry's this week as soon as we were down to one egg and the heel of the bread.  Somehow I found myself in the holiday aisle, where everything was 50% off.

No on the mincemeat yule logs.

No on the Christmas whoopie cushion.

YES on the slightly tacky plastic containers for $1.

Do you see a tiny glimmer of potential with that darling scalloped lid?  They had several different color combinations, some with red or green lids, but I swooped up on the white ones.  Once I had them washed and dried, I started to think.....

It doesn't take too long to think of spray paint.

Straight to Lowes.  I found a can of Valspar Color Radiance in the most beautiful robin's egg blue called Mirage.  (flat finish)  It's made for painting over wood, metal, AND plastic, with the primer already added.  With the container face-down, I sprayed two light coats over the bottom and sides.  The inside is still completely clean and food safe.

I tied it up with a festive red and white striped ribbon and stuck a live sprig of something that looks just like mistletoe and grows like a week along my fence.  Of course every package needs to be tagged, and I was happy to find these adorable {vintage inspired tags} on Pinterest.  They are a free download and come six to a page. I tied mine on with some baby pink silk ribbon.

Now, I have no idea what I'm making for dinner tonight, but I do know what treat my friends and family will be getting next Christmas!  And now so do they.  Luckily, it's worth looking forward to all year long.

If you live near a Fry's grocery store (also called Kroger in some states), you need to race over there and secure yourself some containers!  I've also seen Christmas tins spray painted that are really cute.  They are always around $1 at thrift stores.  I think I will definitely apply a finish coat of spray matte poly over the painted part to protect it from scratching.

If the sweet vintage tags aren't your thing, here are some more darling options for you to choose from.

 

They are all downloadable {here}, plus a bunch of other really cute designs. 

On another note, my sister had her baby the day after Christmas.  She is so tiny and adorable that I can hardly stand being away from her for more than a day!  My kids are begging to see her constantly, and the minute Andrew saw her in the hospital, he decided that she had "lady lips".  I've never heard that term before and it makes me giggle, but every part of her is perfect, including her teeny, tiny lips!  Mother and baby are doing great and we are counting our blessings that everything went so smoothly. 

Here is baby Bentley with Jaci.  I sent this picture right over to my parents in the Philippines the day after she was born.  Jaci is their 1st grandchild, and Bentley is their 20th!  A new baby is such a miracle.  Congratulations to Brett and Erica!  You certainly don't need an invitation to drop by whenever you want!

     

this one's for the girls

Girls night out started a long time ago when my cousin and her neighbor decided to get a group of girls together to play a game called "Bunco".  Heard of it? 

We spent the first night eating delicious food, laughing ourselves sick, then peeling ourselves away from each other at one in the morning. It was as exhilarating as my first kiss, and much like that momentous night, I was HOOKED.

Now 12 years later we're the best of friends, who have been by each others side through thick and thin.  We've loved on new babies, cried at funerals, braved divorce, and celebrated birthdays, twins, and bridal showers.  Last year we were honorary bridesmaids at Nicole's extraordinary back yard wedding.

Two girls who had moved away came back for this party and let's just say it's a memory that will stand the test of time. 

We don't play the dice game when we get together anymore, but we do get creative with the prizes.  A few months ago Nicole and I were co-recipients of Cheesecake Factory gift cards for holding the splits longer than anyone else.  That's right.

I get to host every September and last week I cleared my calendar, cooked for two days, and prepared for an evening with my best girls.  Have you ever had waffles and dinges (din-juz) off the food cart in New York?  Imagine a light, crispy waffle topped with salted apples, buttery caramel sauce, crispy bacon, and whipped cream.  Little piece of heaven.

Or how about a waffle smothered with slow cooked, smoked pork, cole slaw (I'm usually not a fan of slaw, but I make mine with fresh cream instead of mayo), cracked pepper kettle chips, and home made tangy BBQ sauce. 

Have you ever had fried chicken and waffles under pecan syrup?  Or a waffle topped with strawberries, {spekuloos}, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream, finished off with a buttermilk syrup drizzle? 

We ate...and ate...and ate...

...while we cut out and embellished {gift tags} for every occasion.

Jilly and I have tried and tested many a waffle recipe and Mommy's are the best. 

Mommy's Waffles
2 C whole wheat flour
2 C white flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 heaping Tbsp sugar
1/4 heaping C powdered milk

Mix all ingredients together and add

2 eggs, beaten
3 1/2  C water

Mix together and add 1/3 C oil last of all.  Stir it up and pour the batter on a hot waffle iron.

I have the Waring Pro double wafflemaker found it at Sam's club for $69.95.  It's worth every penny! 

I served fresh limeade with a dash of cream in mason jars, with name tags.  

Click on the tags to print your own.  I used my current favorite font, Century Gothic, and the pink swirly straws are from {Pick Your Plum}.  Lots of fun stuff there!

For the last 12 years these girls have made me laugh harder, smile brighter, and made my life better.  I hope we're still getting together in 50 years, by then we might be using the mason jars to soak our teeth.

happy anniversary No.2!

Two years ago today, I was laying in bed recovering from intense and painful knee surgery.  Waaah.

After napping like a newborn, watching round the clock episodes of Divine Design, Little Miss Perfect Pageant, and America's Next Top Model, I thought I was going to SNAP.  I turned the TV off and opened my lap top. 

I had thought about starting a blog. Mostly to document parties and events, noteworthy home improvements, recipes that had to be shared, and gatherings with family and friends.  I thought....how hard could it be?

Hours of blog drama later, lets just say getting this baby up and running was NOT easy.  Thanks to Google and some helpful bloggers, plus oh, 100 hours of my life forever lost, it was too late to turn back.

I started throwing some blog names around and time after time, one thing was missing. 

JILLY. 

I called her up and told her the exciting news....We started a blog!  How could she say no?  After all, we do everything together. 

Now our baby girl is 2! 

So......Me and Jilly want to THANK YOU for humoring us over the last few years.  We originally thought our moms would be the only ones interested in what we had to say, but turns out we have a few other fans too!  We read every comment, obsess over every feature, and jump for joy every time we inspire you to do something great. 

To celebrate, we're sending some freebies and giveaways YOUR way until the end of the month. Starting. Right. Now.

GIVEAWAY #1
This set of four "thank you" tags is yours for the printing. 


                                                                              {click on image above to download}

We traced over the words with the {Quickie Glue Pen by Sakura}, then showered them with fine, black glitter.  The hole reinforcement was made with black and white striped paper, a 3/4" circle punch, and a hole punch. Just a quick idea to fancy them up.

We also designed five other tags and are offering them to our followers for the excellent price of .99 each through the end of August. After that they can be purchased for $1.99 each.

                                               

                                      {paper bow tutorial here}                              

{accordion pinwheel tutorial coming soon}

 

We hope these simple, easy tags and gift wrap solutions will help you save time and money while celebrating special moments.

A list of gift wrapping items we always have on hand.
-An assortment of tags for every occasion, cut and embellished
-Roll of brown Kraft paper
-Roll of white Kraft paper
-10 yds 1.5" black ribbon
-10 yds black & white bakers twine
-10 yds off white lace
-assortment of printed, black and white 12x12 papers
-take out boxes {restaurant supply}
-misc sized white boxes

GIVEAWAY #2
Three lucky followers will receive four of each embellished tag, ten yards of off white lace, five yards of black ribbon, and five yards of black and white bakers twine. 

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY!

-Follow our blog
-Subscribe to our blog
-Leave a really sweet comment about how much you love our blog (humor us, OK?)

Please enter a separate comment for each entry to increase your chance of hitting the jackpot.
Winners will be announced via random.org on Aug 27th.

Love, Love, Love,  Mia & Jilly