We dig Birthdays!

One of the things that makes my kids crazy.happy is a good birthday.  It's one of those things that we talk about daily- Who's next?  They aren't specific to their own birthdays, but any one's in general- friend's, cousin's, etc etc. 

But then again, I probably am the one who has created this birthday fever.  I always try to bake a cake and host a dinner or something.  So... it's what they know. 

My mother just recently celebrated a birthday.  I had her and dad over for a little dinner.party and cake. 

I'm especially excited about what I gave my mom as a gift!  *Hold your horses here... drum roll.... ... .... I ordered her a worm farm.  Yes, like an ant farm- but BIGGER and with worms.  My mother is an extremely gifted farmer... it's in her DNA.  AND she is also an extremely gifted fisherwoman.  If she's not gardening, she's fishing.  So, this gift is the gift that keeps on giving in BOTH areas.  Plus, we really like bugs and creepy.crawlies.  Oh, we do.  ;)  Plus it's the only thing she really wanted this year. 

It should be coming in some time tomorrow... with 1000 SuperReds to get her started.  I need to make sure I'm over there to photograph the process!!

Here are a few pics of her with the boys the night of her birthday dinner.party.  Her cake was decorated with jonquils.  Every time I see them, I think of my mom. :)



*By the time I was able to pull out the camera to photograph it, the sun had gone down... artificial light makes me sad.





Oh, I wish this one would have come out clear... it's such a great shot of Momma.



I love this one.  Jackson looks so much like my side of the family... plus his intentional smile makes ME smile.



let the candle magic begin... to be that young again... and in awe.




I love this outtake.  Jax has no self control when it comes to birthdays, the birthday song, and flames.  He. Must. Blow. Now. and. Blow. Often.  Guess how many times we had to sing the song?  Guess how many times James melted down when he didn't wait til the end of the song before he blew?  He's very traditional, thour  five year old.  So, you get it, right?




it was for his own good... and ours, too.  Lest James make us start all over AGAIN.





Yes... victory.  Let's eat!





So that's it for now.  I've got lots to share coming up... I'm over.hauling my mustard.seed officeSpace.  A MUCH needed face lift from family catch.all to a focus friendly zone efficiently equipped for inspiration and hard work.  :)  I'll post that soonish. 

And I'm in the throws of planning Jackson's Birthday Spectacular that's coming soon...

And I've got new glasses... ones that aren't taped at the corner with blue painters tape.

*high.fives.all.around*

And I've found a renewed peace with being a WAHM thanks to a few ladies who are in the trenches busting it with me. Which makes me feel like I may can keep this thing going... with the proper support... and perspective... and friends. 

AND I'm officially staring 30 straight in the face... and I'm okay with it (today). 

And we are embarking on a kid.free weekend this week... which is dedicated to honeymooning SpringCleaning our little nest. ;)

Okay.  I've got work to get out...

Peace, love, and real homemade buttercream.
xo
lmkw

Our little Love Fest... in our Love Nest.

This may have been my favorite Valentine's day yet... which is a funny declaration considering we never left the house.  But it's true.  My favorite so far.

Is it strange to say that we are still growing into our marriage?  It has been 7 years... and 10 years together.  Two kids later, and I still feel like we are reaching new levels as a couple.  I love that.  Even though I didn't buy into that whole 'ball and chain' idea back when we got married, I think I still subconsciously thought I'd have to give up certain elements of our relationship post matrimony.  A little of the passion... a little of the fire.  Maybe? 

My tummy use to be flat and tight when we met... when we married.  So pretty, in fact, that I thought it necessary to hang a little crystal stud from the top peak of my belly button.  Silly girl.  That same stomach expanded to accommodate a 9 lb bebe... then back again... only to expand again to hold another 8 pounder... then back again.  That tummy is softer now.  Sometimes, I wear tight camis underneath just to help soften the line where my jeans stop and my real body begins.  My body has changed a bit in other areas, too.  I gave life to two children, then my body nursed and sustained them as they grew strong and vigorous.  Needless to say, I don't hang a crystal from my belly button anymore.  I cringe at the idea that my shirt may not be long enough to cover my mid.section as I lean over to pick up Jax's socks that always seem to end up off his feet and on the floor.  I'm softer, curvier, and I feel sexier now, too.  Who would have thought? 

All of this to say, as I stare "Thirty" square in the face, I feel bettr in my own skin today, then I ever did as a 20 year old.  And that's just plain weird.  But it's true!  And it's all because of these boys of mine... two little spectacular creatures that came from me and Marcus.  They grew up with us, as we grew together.  And it's because of my husband... who seems to see only me.  His hands just as grabby and boyish as they have always been.  And I love it.  He's quick to pull me close to kiss and squeeze and whisper in my ear.  The boys see it all the time... Love really does lives here in this little nest.  And it's not short in the areas that I was sure we'd lose once the kids came along.  We have a full measure of it all... and I still can't get enough of my man. 

Valentine weekend I managed to have a full MSP schedule but I was able to whip up some sweets for my Sweets.  I love to bake.  The hours in the kitchen just fade away... I love being in the center of my home mixing and spooning and rolling things along while the boys play underfoot.  It feels right to me.  I love swatting theHotness away as he reaches in for finger.fulls of icing.  I love him swarming about as I make my "Pretties" pile and my "Uglies" pile.  He gladly eats up those that just don't make the cut. 

 Raspberry Linzertorts & White Chocolate Sugar Cookies

 Raspberry Wedding cupCakes topped with a little ribbon rose...

 Forty beautiful tulips in shades of pinks and reds

and more cupcakes.. xo! ;)

It was an easy weekend full of cooking, gifting, pictures of our boys... time for us to celebrate everything we have together as a couple of kids who have a couple of kids.

Thank you for my goodies, Bay.  Nothing in this world beats being yours.  You notice.  You remember.  Your efforts are tireless.  With you, nothing is out of reach... anything is possible.  And that's the feeling I get to wake up to each morning.

 I love my set of beautifully commissioned tea rose bracelets... they feel so pretty and delicate on my wrist. 

 The most perfect MSP camera strap...

 paired with my *dream* shootsac camera bag. 

And then there are our boys... our sweet sweet boys.  In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I grabbed a few pictures of our little hunks. 

They are little Hearthrobs! 

In a world where the grass always seems to be greener, I'm happy I've found my home here with these men.  I love receiving their affections and tending them day in and day out.  And if truth be told, I'd love a whole house full of Whitty men... *Marcus, are you listening?  I do believe we shouldn't stop here... 

After 10 years of Valentine's Day with my valentine... I believe this one tops the charts. 

Peace, love, and chocolate pie.

xo

lmkw