Violet is One!!!!

My sweet baby V turned one on May 5th. It's bittersweet since we aren't having anymore kiddies, but I'm so proud of what a beautiful little toddler she's growing into. She has 4 teeth, walks like a champ and has already started saying more and more words. She likes to imitate everything we do, give kisses (we call them candy kisses), and loves going to the park and swinging. She says, "weeeeeeeeeeeee," when she swings and it's just precious. I could gloat forever about this wee one! We had a rainbow themed party for her and it was a hit! It was a total labor of love, but worth all the effort!

The Rainbow table!

Violet's highchair complete with rainbow bunting!

Cake time!

Om nom nom!

Cakey face!

This was my first layer cake ever so I was suuuuper proud!

Opening presents with Daddy and Millie

Macy's Heart of Haiti

 This Mother's Day, I'm working with Clever Girls in support of Macy's Heart of Haiti to shine a light on the "trade, not aid" program, which provides sustainable income to Haitian artisans struggling to rebuild their lives and support their families after the 2010 earthquake.

My Mom with Violet and my niece, Madeline

I was provided with two handcrafted necklaces made by Haitian artisans and chose to give one to my Mama for Mother’s Day. My Mom has always been one of my best friends in the world. She is always there for me and now that I’m older I love always being there for her when she needs me, as well. We share a special bond that has been concreted by my becoming a mother myself.

It’s so tough living in a different state than my Mom. Thankfully we have cell phones, Skype and Facebook to keep us connected across the miles. I was planning to give my Mom her necklace when she came to Violet’s 1^st birthday party yesterday, but she was unable to attend to attend due to health reasons, so I’m dropping it in the mail tomorrow. I hope she loves it as much as I love her.

What is Macy’s Heart of Haiti? Heart of Haiti is a “Trade, Not Aid” initiative launched by artist and social entrepreneur, Willa Shalit, The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and Macy’s. Already, Heart of Haiti has led to employment of 750 artists in Haiti, providing financial benefits for an estimated 8,500 people in the country.

Each item is a one-of-a-kind design and handmade by a Haitian master artisan from raw materials such as recycled oil drums, wrought iron, papier-mâché and stone. The collection features more than 40 home decor items including quilts, metalwork, ceramics, jewelry and paintings and is made almost entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums and local gommier wood.  

Heart of Haiti products are available online at Macy’s.com.

Easter Bunny Time!

Easter season is upon us! The kids began spring break today and, unfortunately, Oliver spends his spring break in Indiana with his father's family. I'm glad he gets to spend time with them and I know it's very special for him, I just always miss to him to pieces when he's gone. Spring break is two weeks long here, which means Oliver will be out of town for Easter this year. Thankfully our town had a little Easter event in the town square this morning and I was able to snap some Easter-y photos with the kids before Oliver left.

The bunnies were such a hit. They were precious!

They also had chicks.

And ducklings!

Violet refused to pose with the Easter bunny. She wouldn't let him hold her and she was basically climbing up my shoulders to get away from him if we went near him. This was the only picture that she didn't look petrified in. Oliver snapped this one for me.

Project 365

I have been keeping up with my Project 365, but I haven't been posting them on here. Shameful! Now that we're all settled into our new home I'll get back into the routine of posting my photos weekly. Until then, these are some of my favorites from the past month or so...

Project 365 - Week Two

Day Eight - The Missing Tooth

My nephew Braylon's missing tooth,

Day Nine - Brotherly/Sisterly Love

My sweeties, being their crazy selves.

Day Ten - Joshuaverine

Joshua's Wolverine hair style just before I cut it all off.

Day Eleven - Gums

Violet's toothless little mouth.

Day Twelve - Mama's New Hat

I found this hat a thrift shop and absolutely love it.

Day Thirteen - Boots

Amelia's snow boots reflected in an icy puddle.

Day Fourteen - Winter Bliss

Nothing says winter like catching snowflakes on your tongue.

Holiday Bokeh

I made a heart shaped bokeh filter to use during some of my holiday photos. These are a few of my favorites. I'll share how to make your own bokeh soon! It's super easy!!!

My new nephew Colton with Papaw Eddie

My ultra handsome husband and the lovely Miss Millie

Another shot of my nephew Colton. I didn't have the heart filter on, but I still love the bokeh in this photo.

My cousin Matt with his daughter Zoe. Precious!

Oliver's Class Christmas Party

Last week I volunteered to help out with Oliver's class Christmas party. I had fun, but I was also on day one of a really wicked cold so I was, sadly, in a fog and just generally kind of blah. Oliver was super excited to have me there, so it was worth it even though I was under the weather. The kids got to wear their pajamas to school in celebration of The Polar Express. Oliver and I made melted snowman cookies to share with his classmates.

Oliver with his teacher, Ms. Mattingly

Gift exchange time!

Oliver handing out his cookies.

Oliver reading his book from Ms. Mattingly.

Oliver turning the cheese up a notch with that smile.

Finally

I've been too busy to post, but now I'm done with finals. Hoo-rah! I ended with four A's and one B in my courses. I am SO bummed about the B, but I'm just going to have to live with it. I've signed up for next semester's classes and my books are ordered. I don't go back to school until January 9th so I'm just trying to enjoy my break and get rested up. 

I have been super busy the past few weeks. On top of the holiday, finishing up semester work and studying for finals, I've been busy with orders and doing things with the kiddos. Amelia was in the city Christmas parade with her school and I helped out decorating the float. She loved being in the parade and we had a lot of fun. I walked a long side the bus and handed out candy. I was FROZEN by the time the parade was over. Here is a really crappy quality photo I took of her on the bus:

I have lots more to post about, but I have to get up early tomorrow so I'm calling it a day. 

Sometimes a Bad Day...

Today has been foul.

Just a really, really foul kind of day, which is a shame. The weather was amazing for November. Windy and gray, but warm and just lovely. Josh got into a car accident (he's fine, but the truck is a little dinged up), my sister-in-law Cassie is in the hospital having complications with the pregnancy, I'm drowning in homework, I locked myself out of the house, our other car is crapping out on us and money is, as always, way too tight for comfort.

It's days like these I like to whip out my iPod and look through my photos. I take a lot of random photos with my iPod since it's portable and usually with me at all times, but I rarely go back to look at them after I've taken them. The little faces in these photos are what I live for. They make me happy when skies are gray.

Somehow Violet managed to be in all of my favorites. She's sneaky like that!

Flashback Friday

This week's Flashback Friday is a very special Veteran's Day photo of my grandfather. My Grandpa Beasley passed away a few years ago. He was a great man and an important part of my life. I miss and love him very much. Thank you for your service, Grandpa. And thank you to all veterans out there. <3