Seven.

Seven years ago my life was forever changed ....I became a mommy.  Even as I type the word seven, I am in awe.  How can seven years have already passed?

Today is Sydney's birthday.  A celebration of one of the greatest experiences of my life.  I can still remember every single detail of that morning leading up to 10:37am.  My nervousness, anxiety, joy.  The way my love for her daddy overflowed as he held my hand.  The ridiculous nightgown I had to wear.  All of it.  Every detail.

Her birthday is just that.  Hers.  But, it is also the peak of my gratitude for every blessing her life has given to us.  When I look back and remember her beautiful blue eyes staring back at me all those years ago wondering who she would become and what I wanted for her I realize that this journey of hers has only just begun. She is evolving into a person that I am so proud to know. 

I love a million things about my girl.  My heart overflows. But, Seven is the magic number today.   Seven years of love, joy, and laughter.  Seven years of watching her grow into a silly, creative, kind, smart, and beautiful girl.  Seven years of watching her grow, explore, learn, and blossom.  Seven years of following her lead through piano, cheer-leading, art, and soccer.  Seven years of experiencing holidays, travels, and love through her eyes. 

Happy 7th Birthday, Monkey!!

 Oh, how I love you sweet girl.  You continue to amaze me every single day.  I am so proud to be your momma.  I hope that your day today is special and reminds you of how lucky this world is to have you. 

Crafting Take 2

I am not a crafter.  Honestly, I am not.  (and I also realize that crafter is not a word but it works for me so I am going with it). I think the main reason why I have never embraced crafts is because I am always nervous about the creative side of things.  I have a crafter's block most of the time.  However, Pinterest is changing things for me.  It has easy to follow directions and that I love. So, I am feeling a little more brave. 

For Sydney's upcoming birthday I really wanted her to have a special shirt to wear.  I searched all my favorite dives and just couldn't find the right shirt.  Silly, I know.  But, a girl only turns 7 once, right?  In my search I stumbled across this Scissors Craft:  Easy Birthday Applique` Number Shirt (Tutorial) and I thought well...maybe I could do this.  Maybe with a tutorial, I could.  So, I threw caution to the wind and off I went to create my girls' birthday shirt! 

I started off with a quick trip to JoAnn's Fabric (a place I have never been in before but I loved it!) and to Target to pick up a shirt. Sydney went with me to pick out the fabric she wanted. 

 

So easy, really!  Just trace your number.  No sewing at all.  I just printed off a coloring sheet online and used that as my pattern for the number 7.

 

Then stick and Iron.  I used Daddy's steady hand for this step! 

 

DONE!!  

 

I decided to add some pink glitter ribbon around the outside of the number for a little flare. 

 

The finished product!!  Yay! And a super happy girl. 

 

Really, so easy even I could do it!  With a tutorial, of course.  It cost me less than $15.00 and took less than an hour.  Not too shabby.  I may just become a crafter after all.  

Fat Tuesday

I work with the best group of people ever.  Seriously, I do.  I couldn't get through my days without them.  We laugh (A LOT), cry, talk, and share our lives together every day.  I consider it one of the best perks of my job.  One of my favorite team things we do is that we all eat together every Monday.  It's always a pitch-in and themed.  Over the last year we have had a blast coming up with themed menus.  Some of my favorites include:

• Momma's Kitchen Monday
• Mashed Monday
• Mafia Monday
• Mexican Monday

So, today was Fat Tuesday and we went with it!  I LOVE Cajun food and New Orleans is one of my all time favorite places.  I was so excited for this menu and it did not disappoint.  Yummy!

 

the best gumbo. ever. 

A traditional king cake--complete with a hidden good luck charm.  Delicious. 

How did you celebrate Fat Tuesday??

Pinterest Party

 

I discovered Pinterest awhile back and I admit, I am totally addicted.  I have spent an embarrassing amount of time searching and pinning.  I have made many recipes and have loved them all.  However, I have been admiring the crafting projects from afar.  To be honest, I don't consider myself a natural crafter so I have been nervous to take on the projects.  Thanks to some amazing lady's, I was given the chance to overcome my craft insecurities (okay, a few glasses of wine didn't hurt either).

I attended my first (of many, I am sure) Pinterest Party!!  I spend the evening with some pretty incredible lady's creating a few of our favorite pins.  It was the best time.  We shared, created, laughed, and it was Pinteresting! (err..couldn't resist)

 

We had craft supplies everywhere!  We worked on a Note Board, Scrabble Coasters, and Chalkboard Wine Glasses.  Things didn't go exactly as planned so we ended up with killer Note Boards and a coaster.  But, hey...that's part of the fun.

 

  

Seriously, isn't this adorable??? I am in LOVE with it.  It was SO easy to make...even a non-crafter like me could manage it!  

You can follow me on Pinterest, HERE!  

Happy {Heart} Day!

Where there is love there is life

~Gandhi 

However you spent the day today...I hope it was filled with love.