~ we are pedalers ~

O
ne of the things on my
Excited About 2011 List
was buy bikes and trailers
so the family can go
on bike rides. DONE.

This was our first bike ride as a whole family. It rocked.

We went on a nearby bike path that takes you by the river.

It. Was. Heavenly.

 Here is my sister Casi and her girl, Sweet Pea -

being SUCH a good girl,

I might add.

It was complete torture to have to ride behind this studd muffin.

Look at those calf muscles. Rawr.....

We stopped at a park that is ride along the river and sat on the grass for a spell.

The kids pretended they were climbing a tree and

the adults caught their breathe for the ride home.

 ... and Pauly had wrestling ideas in mind with his daddy.

... and William had other plans.

~ timeless ~

I
am scattered all over
the design spectrum
when it comes to pinning
down a particular design-
style.

I tend to love breezy coastal colors, brought in with country textures,

a splash of industrial nuance and here-and-theres of clever anitquey reusings. In my pea-sized brain department of design education - all of thee above = timeless.

I could be wrong.

Here are some amazing combinations of amazing design that honestly...

made my mouth water.

Enjoy.

source

I adore the huge horse picture behind the beautiful breezy white couch hugged by that amazing

caster-rolling coffee table. Drool. Drool.

source

When I look at this kitchen it whispers coastal with it's bright whites,  and then gently cozies you up

with that antique chair and the warm dark wood floor. There is lovely modern flare in that light pennant and in the lines of the cupboard and as much as I am NOT a modern kinda girl...

 I do LOVE this.

source

This space is so inviting - Wouldn't you agree?

I love the traditional classic wing back chairs, the sea grass rug brings in amazing texture,

we all know I LOVE big letters, that lamp adds a great deLIGHT... get it?

and that scripted pillow ... {swoony}

Perfect marriage of Industrial Chic.

So. No matter what your design preference is - maybe you are combining with your spouse's
or you are just trying to figure out how to manage your own...
through these photos, I've discovered -

where there is a will, there is a way to find that timeless space of your dreams.

Now ~ off to plan an attack.

~ for the love of shoes ~

I
have a child that has
a serious addiction.
From the moment he
wakes in the morning -

to the moment he goes to sleep at night -

William's feet are sure to be adorned with some type of footwear.

He isn't particular.

He isn't choosy.

He definitely has his favorites...

but who doesn't?

Yesterday - I put him in my bed for his nap. It was a hot day so I just put him in there

with just a diaper on. He was quiet for about 20 minutes...

and then I heard a clack clack clack sound and I could see his shadow from

underneath the door.

I went to the door and instantly could SMELL the reason why he didn't quite make it into a nap...

peeee - u!

and I opened the door slowly and there he was with his stinky diaper wearing some of mama's

high heels.

My cousin, Anastasie, was here visiting and we just laughed and laughed ... and then gagged a little

because Man! did he stink. So no wonder he couldn't sleep.

Right now as I type this he is clunkin' around the house with his little shorts romper on with his boots.

The boy loves shoes.

* happiness in housework #2 *

T
he other day I was doing laundry
and weirdly enough this stack came
out to a perfectly Roy G. Biv...

It totally put a smile on my face

and it spoke to my heart as a sweet

little message from God saying, "I see you".

"I see you folding the laundry and serving those you love. Taking care

of your family working hard to make sure their every need is met."

"I see you, Sami Jo."

I often struggle from, I think mostly exhaustion at first - which morphs into thoughts of why?

Why is this all on my shoulders?

I cook the meals, clean the house, plan the menu, get the groceries, pay the bills, make sure there are clean clothes, feed the kids, feed the dogs, groom the dogs, nurture, love, clean, nurture, love, clean.

And around around it goes.

Why does it feel like the world doesn't move unless I get things shakin'?

This verse really spoke to my heart recently when I was asking God this very question -

¹ Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, ² when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ⁵ For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, ⁶ like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

1 Peter 3:1-6

And honestly, I have it pretty nice - I have a sister who does pitch in around the house and a husband who doesn't mind picking up groceries at the last minute as well as cooking dinner once a week or so.

It's just tough to not get caught into the ... WHAT ABOUT ME? attitude that is so easy to fall into.

The above verse is such a good reminder of what type of spirit we need to serve others in as well as Biblically how we should be as wives to our husbands.

"...the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit..."

this is what I shall keep aiming and striving for.

~ hello summa ~

Y
ou're back!

~ today i will make a difference ~

t

oday i will tmake a difference. i will begin by controlling my thoughts. a person is the product of his thoughts. i want to be happy and hopeful. therefore, i will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. i refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. i will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. i will avoid negativism and gossip. optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. today i will make a difference.

i will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. time is a precious commodity. i refuse to allow what little time i have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. i will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. i will drink each minute as though it is my last. when tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. while it is here, i will use it for loving and giving. today i will make a difference.

i will not let past failures haunt me. even though my life is scarred with mistakes, i refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. i will admit them. i will correct them. i will press on. victoriously. no failure is fatal. it’s OK to stumble… . i will get up. it’s OK to fail… . i will rise again. today i will make a difference.

i will spend time with those i love. my spouse, my children, my family. a man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. a man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. today i will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.

today i will make a difference.

~Max Lucado

~ when he's away ~

When my husband's away,
there are a few things I can
get away with... Things like
using HIS favorite coffee cup
with my morning coffee...

because honestly, isn't this cup

the bomb!?

I can also get away with skipping out on the

NBA Finals.

Jealous. Aren't ya? Lol!

Yep, full authority of the television remote.
HGTV here I come!

Then - I can plan anything I want
on the menu,

(that's right - we're having turkey burger tonight kids!)

Nice and healthy :)

And then
there's no stinky gym clothes staring me in the face

when I go downstairs to do laundry...

...

there is also no sweet hugs and kisses from my lover boy,

no awesome conversation about our boys and our life together.

no laughing sessions (well my sis did fill in pretty well in this department actually),

no one to stay up late with,

no on to take care of these...

no one to make it all better so I can sleep at night...

Don't you sleep SO MUCH better when your spouse is home?
I Do!

My goodness I missed him!

besides - I'll bet if I ask nicely...

he'll let me barrow his favorite coffee cup

any. time. I. want.

~ princess perfection ~

Sweet Pea's birthday was
nothing short of perfect.
She was most definately
the princess and the belle
of the ball.