another great video(s)

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I don't have a legit post ready to rock, but I just finished watching ANOTHER great video that Aaron passed along to me (he's the best, really).
I had to post it. RIGHT THIS MINUTE.
I love these kind of people that create beautiful things like this. I can't imagine the time it would take to create!

**EDIT: For some TOTALLY WEIRD reason, if you are viewing this post via Google Reader, then you'll notice that this first video i'm posting below says its about 3 men vs. 15 lions or something equally crazy. THAT IS NOT the video I was hoping to post. Feel free to click to see the ACTUAL post to view the "Organizing the Bookcase" video.

way weird.


And, the music kind of reminded me of this great little video that Becca and a ton of others posted in months past, but it's just so darn fun. Enjoy. I hope that one day Aaron and I can re-enact such a display. Maybe if we start practicing now...

Movers and Shakers.

Well, it's been a while since I've really sat down to do some blogging.  I guess that's what happens when you get busy in REAL life.  ---sometimes it's hard to justify taking the time to sit down and record it all.  But, let me tell you.  We've been workin' it over here.

Some exciting changes have happened---big ones like a KITCHEN MAKE-OVER  !!!  and then little ones, like me discovering the musical genius of John Legend. Where has he been all my life?
I finally organized my little desk area.  FINALLY.
Have I mention that Cal started walking yesterday?  The stinker.  The day after I write "he's still working on walking..." he pulls it out.  That kid.  Funny. 
On the creative front, Becca and I are opening an e-commerce site so we're putting together all sorts of fun things for that.
And, in the fabric world, I've finally started compiling ALL the patterns we've been doing over these past two years.  It feels so good to organize your DIGITAL life, in case any one was curious.
Oh, and I finally decided to update Tillie's room.  It's still in the works, but I might enlist some of your help.  I've seen some of your spaces, and there's talent I'm needing to tap into.  So, I'll post on that later too.  

Things are happening.  We're doing a little moving and a shaking---so I guess you could call us MOVERS and SHAKERS (no, not literally "moving" houses, just moving our BODIES).  What's the deal?  Why am I so motivated?  I read on a new favorite blog, Little Green Notebook this quote:  "I can't do it all, but I can do a lot."  (i think this phrase might deserve it's own poster)


I was tired of making excuses.  Tired of tripping over the same things.  Tired of not checking off more on my to-do list.  So, it was time for a change.  And, it's been a positive thing in our whole family's life.  It's true, I can't do EVERYthing, but I can do a lot if I prioritize, write it down, and quit wasting my life away---I can get a lot done in a day.  Novel idea, I know.

Isn't it amazing how much the MOM affects the entire family?  Yes.  It's the gospel truth.

Anyway, know that we're still kickin'.  We've got some fun things to report.
And, all in all, life is good.
In order to prove it, take a look at what I found in my cereal bowl the other day...

Would you take a look at the SHEER SIZE of that freezer dried strawberry I found in my Special K cereal?  HELLO!  AMAZING!  I mean, if that's not a day maker, I don't know what is.  (oh, and I know, I used to HATE this cereal, not enough sweet to make it worth my while, but I've changed my ways, and think it's delicious now.  And, hey, maybe I'll lose 6 pounds like the box says.)

See, good things come to those who get off their (pardon my french---my mom might ground me for writing this, but... I gotta do it...) BUTTS and start DO-ing things.
Updates to come SOMEtime.

And, for your viewing pleasure, I thought I'd put up this great YouTube video Aaron found.  He's great at finding things I'll love to watch.  You might like it too.

Happy Tuesday to you.  Ta ta for now.

calvin malvin.

In case you wonder if this boy is loved, you needn't wonder anymore.  Tillie is the jokester and because she does a lot of the talking in these parts, she might get a little more face-time on the old blog.
But, this boy...  This boy is my little sweet heart.  He's my little gift from heaven.  He's just so good.  Good to the core.
He's my snuggly snuggler.  He is calm.  He is content.  He likes you to be in eye-sight range, otherwise, he breaks down in sobs.  He doesn't need you to play with him, he just likes you to be visible.  He's mechanical.  He's a master at figuring out the way things work.  Amazingly enough, he is the one that can open the drain after a bath.  You pull up and then twist.  Cal figured it out a few months ago, and Tillie still has trouble with it.  He likes all things with moving parts, lights, and sounds.  He LOVES his baths.  As soon as I turn on the water, he'll race to the tub on all fours.  We're still working on walking.  He's just not really interested in it quite yet.  He's like his dad, when he's ready and wanting to do it, he'll do it fast and do it perfectly.  He adores his family.  He especially loves Tillie.  As soon as he wakes up, he scans the room for his side kick.  He has a short attention span.  He likes to do things at his own pace, so he'd rather have you QUICKLY read him a book, so then he can climb down and read more on his own.  He loves his water bottles, just like his sister.  He loves singing songs and playing games with hand actions.
He is my angel baby---still as perfect as he was the day he was born.

Yes, this baby is loved.
(next four photos were taken by my good friend, jen wildey)

It's funny, because when Aaron and I were in the "thinking" stage about getting pregnant with Cal, we were just so worried about Tillie.  We thought it was mean to take away all our attention from Matilda.  We wondered how we could ever love another baby as much as we loved Tillie.  But, just like everyone said, our ability to love grew exponentially when Cal was born.
He just made a new little place in our hearts.
He fits right in.
And, funny enough, he is the best thing we could have ever have given Matilda.  They are the best of friends and make each other laugh so hard (and, of course, make each other cry so hard too---but, overall, it's a happy realtionship).

And so it is, Calvin is a gift.  And, has been loved since day one.
So, happy BIRTH day, sweet Calvin. 

Oh, in case you are wondering, we start them early----Yes, he is training to be an opera star.  You'll see what I mean in these next few images.

he cracks himself up.  I'm sure we're applauding and saying, "Bravo!" in the background.

Taking a little break to stretch out.  Getting ready for the big finish...

And, there it is!

And, there you have it.
We're really glad he was born.

 I found this shot of us hanging out in the kitchen. This pretty much sums up how I feel about Cal.

Happy Birthday, Bubba.

love, your favorite mom.

the post about my dear friend, Ashley W.

This post is about my dear friend, Ashley.  She moved into our neighborhood a few years ago.  I was a fan.
She's hip.  She's cute.  She's fun.  She's real.
Here's a shot of the darling Ashley.

Anyway, over the years, she and her husband tried to get pregnant, but in the end, each time resulted in a miscarriage.  It was heart breaking.  She was so strong through it all.  I remember one time bawling at the top of her stairs, telling her it just wasn't fair.  It didn't seem right that girls all over the world get pregnant all the time by accident or because of a careless mistake, yet this couple, who is emotionally and physically ready to care for a baby couldn't have that opportunity.  Ashley was strong then (even though I was a mess).


Fast forward.  They decided they were wanting to try to adopt. I was able to help and be a reference for them.  I wrote it all better back then.  Here's a snippet at the end of the letter where it asked "Is there anything else you'd like to tell us..." (or something like that):

"I hope you’ve been able to get a feel for how much I care about this couple through my answers I’ve provided. They are genuinely GOOD people. When others around them, including myself, have been able to get pregnant and start families, David and Ashley have always been excited for them---even when I know that deep inside they ache for children of their own to take care of.

I don’t know why Heavenly Father hasn’t given them the opportunity of having children themselves. But, I do know that He has a plan for each of His children. My mom was adopted, so I have a unique love for women who have chosen to place their children for adoption. My mom was given a life of opportunity and a stable home full of love from two people who weren’t able to have children on their own. I am directly affected by the brave decision that woman made all those years ago. We are forever grateful to her for the foresight she had to give that baby, my mom, a life that she wasn’t able to provide on her own.
I know David and Ashley would do that for any child that comes into their home.
I know that because I know them. I know of their goodness, and I whole-heartedly believe that any child lucky enough to be raised by them would be given a happy life."

Fast forward again.  An amazing expectant mother saw their profile online and wanted them to be her baby's parents.  She contacted them early in her pregnancy and allowed Ashley and her husband to be a part of the whole pregnancy.  They got to go to doctor's appointments and everything.  Amazing.  It really was just a miracle how it all worked out.


Pretty amazing the journey they've been on.  A few weeks ago, they were gifting a BEAUTIFUL baby girl.  She is perfect.  And, she is theirs.  It's wonderful.  And, just this week, they moved all the way across the country to start a new life and a new job---with their new tiny baby!   CRAZY!

the baby shower invite we worked up.  lucky for me, she's a fan of elephants.  and so fun that she loves the colors gray, yellow and light pink.

So, because I'm feeling reminiscent, let's talk about the baby shower we (a few fans of Ashley) threw for her.  It was so much fun having time to think of fun little details.  Get ready for a photo overload (in true Melissa fashion).  And, thanks to all the many supporters who came and "showered" her with gifts!  It was AWESOME!

 

 Because the lighting was weird with these photos, I just decided to do the rest of them in B&W.  Just in case you were upset by the sudden change.  :)

funny story about this gift above... No, I didn't make her burp clothes with our fabric.  Good gift idea, right?  Someone else had seen the fabric in California, bought some, and then had her friend sew these up for Ashley's present.  Funny, right?  SMALL WORLD.  And, it was fun to see our fabric on such a practical item!  COOL!

And, the last shot was taken with some of the stragglers at the end of the night.  Weird.  I don't know what happened with my face.  Oh yeah, I don't know why I was making a gross face, but everyone else looked great!  And, don't give me guff!  It's my blog, I do what I want!  :)  

There you have it.  A grand party for a darling deserving new mom.  

Good times.  Good times.