Love, love

Yesterday it snowed. 

Truth be told, I doubted my weatherman when he said snow was in the forecast --he let me down many times in the past, but now he’s rightfully redeemed. We woke up to a nice thin sheet of white snow --neither fluffy nor powdery, but good enough to get my winter fix.

7:30 hit and we were out the door, sledding down our side hill, sculpting snowballs, and making snow angels.

Oh, how I have missed you.

On the way to school Krysta said, “I miss the snow so much. When are we going back to Alaska?”

With those words, my heart aches. It’s a question that I honestly don’t have an exact answer for, but I do know this… one day, one day we’ll return.

Growing up on the East Coast I’ve always considered myself a beach girl; I lived for the summer; I breathed in the salty air as much as humanly possible; stayed outside until my skin burned from the sun. But over the years I’ve grown to realize, as much as I love the ocean, I’m perfectly content living up North --extreme North-- surrounded by mountains and birch trees and alpine creatures. I now live for Autumn and Winter; I love breathing in fresh crisp air that rolls off of the mountain tops and I’m over-the-moon when snow flurries begin floating down and wildlife perches itself in my front yard. One day, I will live that life again.

All morning, her words weighed heavily on my heart --her longing to be back up North, enjoying life as she once knew. I recognized that the snow would melt and disappear as quickly as it came, so we picked her up from school early to squeeze the bejezus out of any remaining snow patches.

starring wide-eyed with anticipation for more flurries

William was completely smitten. He ran out the door before I could get his shoes on!

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Today is Valentine’s Day. Love Day.

The kids and I awoke to chocolates and flowers left by my handsome devil. And I may or may not have sent Krysta to school with a sugar buzz…

Instead of purchasing cards and candy, we created our own little Valentine gift baggy for Krysta’s classmates.

Here’s how you make it--

What you’ll need:
Snack ziplocks
Cardstock paper and a printer
Staples and a paper cutter

For the tag:
In Photoshop create a file size 6.5x2
Place your image to the size you’d like, and then add scripty fonts and a message. SAVE
Then create a second file, sized 6.5x4
Copy and paste your SAVED image twice (flipping ONLY your second image horizontally). SAVE
Almost done… create a third file, sized 8.5x11
Copy and paste your 6.5x4 images. You can fit 3 images on one sheet of paper.
PRINT

Now cut and fold your tag.
Fill your baggy and candy of your choice, then staple your tag onto the ziplock.

VOILA, easy heartfelt Valentine’s gifts.

I’m heading off to prep food with a friend, clean my house, and set up a few decorations.... there’s gonna be a baby shower tomorrow!

This month's cup is spilling over the rim in love, love it.

Big Hearts,
em

I'm loving.

I was just leaving a friend’s house when it came out of nowhere. A mystical force. A divine intervention. A slice of awesomeness to make my babies and I squeal uncontrollably in sheer joy. It started snowing!

I knew it would end as quickly as it came, so I heightened my senses to its highest capacity and soaked it all in. I deeply inhaled the fresh crisp air until it hit the back on my throat, and then slowly released it. I stood there –square in the middle of my backyard- and looked up into the sky; memorizing the unique cuts of the flakes as they swished and swirled above me from a dusky rose colored backdrop. And when my heart spilled over in floods of complete and udder happiness, I held out my arms and spun around like Jodie Foster in the movie Nell, swaying in the wind style.

It was a nostalgic treat. My very own sliver of Alaska to send me soaring over the moon.

I’m loving it.

I’m also loving:

{Planning My Two Bambino’s Big Day}

Since the kids birthdays are only two weeks apart --and they’re still young enough to be excited about the party itself, and not being the center of attention-- we’re doing a joint birthday party. While their special day isn’t for another 5 weeks, we’re having a blast throwing around party themes, brainstorming decorations, and food ideas. After changing party themes --at least a dozen times-- we’ve concluded that there’s going to be a lot of little blue birds, toadstools, red capes, and furry brown animals.

Did I mention that we’re making 90% of the decorations ourselves? I’ll post DIY tutorials along with website links after the party.

Inspiration here:  http://pinterest.com/emilyroe/krysta-s-9th-will-s-2nd-birthday-party/



{Organizing and Getting Rid of the Old}

Our garage has always been a major issue. Losing an entire room plus having a smaller garage, creates a lot of clutter --like mountains of clutter, like Oh my God, are you a hoarder type of clutter. I’m talking about baby items, furniture, and storage bins, on top of regular garage items like tools and garden supplies. Oye. It’s a total mess and a lot to deal with.

And so we’re dealing with it now.

Presenting Project Organize Our Sh*t.

Here is the embarrassing before photo:

Ron and my handsome little man worked hard on building a sturdy shelving unit for my baskets and seasonal storage bins. I also have six boxes of paintings (I’m storing away until they sell or if/when I can get them back into a local art gallery) that are going to get a custom made unit so they can stay in tiptop shape.

I can already feel the load lighten… it’s a work in progress.

But for now, I’m loving my handymen hard at work to make mama’s life run a little smoother.

I mean come on, who wouldn’t love this little mister with his saw? Precious.

*the final photo still to come

{Devilish Grins and Chunky Sweaters}

I adore his little mischievous smiles. I can just eat them up all day. Enough said.

Oh and here’s that grin again.

And again

And again. Gaw, he’s so delicious.

{Unexpected Commissions}

I love unexpected, unplanned, out-of-the-blue commission orders.

Here is my latest pencil drawing.

A lady commissioned me to do a drawing of her two children as a gift to her husband. It’s seriously heart-stretching to know that my work is given as gifts --it’s unique, thoughtful, and from the heart, not to mention it feels so good knowing that someone admires my work enough to give it to someone they love.

For more examples of my work visit, www.emilyroeartist.com

To purchase a custom made piece of art, http://www.etsy.com/shop/emilyroeart

{Photography}

It turns out that I found a new passion. A passion that I’m finding myself deeply falling in love with. A passion that I’ve been doing for years, but never thought about making a profit from it.

I’ve always photographed my kids and the little everyday inspirations in my life --sunsets, flowers, a coffee cup-- but it’s truly more than that. I get such a high when I capture the little personalities and the unique qualities of children and babies. It’s heaven.

Here are a few photographs that I took of some sweet friends while we were in Bricktown.

*website coming soon! I haven’t “officially” made a 100% leap into photography…but I’m getting there and hoping to specialize in newborns.

{Ron’s Talent}

My husband builds websites. He’s newest commission is building a site for the Military Museum in Oklahoma City.

While he was sitting down with the director to discuss his expectations, the kids and I took a stroll around the premises.

Krysta had a lot of questions like, what happens to all of the broken planes and military trucks, along with questions about the war and the people who died. She was sad to see all of the unused, broken down vehicles and the names of the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice written on plaques. Krysta truly is a sweet, caring, emotional little girl, which is why we’re having such a hard time breaking the news that daddy will be deploying in a handful of months.

Krysta made a wish that no one had to die. Her heart is big.

Today’s Friday… and that’s something everyone can love!

Look up to the sky and sway like Nell.

Happy Weekend-ing

Em

Shine On

The sun is out! I repeat, the sun is out!

When your day starts out like this -sun rays pouring in through curtains with an illuminating glow that puts a smile on my toddler’s face- you know it’s going to be a good one.

It seems that we’ve fully made the switch to spring, and for us Alaskans, this is pretty major. In Alaska, spring is also known as “the Breakup Season”. All that was once engulfed by snow is now a slushy mess --perfectly sized miniature lakes for my girl to splash around in. Our snow bibs, snow gloves, snow boots, snow shovels, and all things winter, are all packed away, and have been replaced by all things spring, like rain boots, budding trees, adirondack chairs, and sidewalk chalk.

It has been a long seven months since we’ve seen such radiant light like we’ve been having this week. The hazy grey winter air has parted ways, bringing forth bright blue skies, white marshmallow clouds, and golden sunrays, and with each passing day, it keeps getting better and better.

Everyday a little warmer. Everyday a little longer. Everyday a little brighter. Everyday a smile on my face.

When warmth and light collide it creates the perfect recipe for good times in the front yard. We love front yard pastimes. It means turning the sidewalk into a work of art and the happy squealing of children and the smells of BBQs and the blowing of bubbles and a tiny tot trying to keep up with his big sister.

This weekend was spent making any and all last attempts to play with the leftover snow.

It’s amazing how we went from months upon months of this,

to this in just a few weeks time.

Everything is a little better in the spring, don’t cha think?

A winter light show.

I feel a random post in the near future, as there have been a lot of little happenings going in our little household. But this however, was so spectacular and surreal that it’s worthy of a post all on its own.

Last night the Aurora Borealis came out to give us a light show, and she was nothing short of stunning.

What. A. Treat.

 Do you see that bright dot? That's a planet!

Bright green borealis and the night sky danced gracefully hand-in-hand in perfect harmony, stretching her arms over the mountains. She was really magnificent, reflecting her beauty across the frozen water and crystallized snow, leaving my heart swollen tenfold.

She was amazing. She was breathtaking. She was full of enchantment; the perfect way to say good-bye to our last winter of our four year Alaskan adventure.

Do you see that planet?

Love,
Em

Happy, Go, Lucky

 I feel like I’m ordering my days through the line at Subway.

Why yes, I’ll take the busy wheat bread of life, topped with dance class, XC Ski Team, appointments, grocery and post office runs, commissions, and just a sprinkle of stress and time management and a sleepless teething baby for good measure.

Would you like your sandwich toasted?

Nope, no time. I’ll just indulge in it right now, thankyouverymuch.

Why the food analogy? Because I started a diet this week, and food is all I can think about! I will say this, I’m kicking ass. I’ve been tempted, oh believe me, temptation was mean and strong and knocking at my door, but I defeated it. Heck yes!

Moving on.

Lately, I’ve been a “happy, go, lucky” girl. Life is good. So good that it’s overflowing and bursting-at-the-seams. I’m fulfilled to the rim.


As I sipped my morning coffee and starred out my window with a fantastic view-- pure white snow that shimmers through the light of golden rays hugging the snow-capped mountains that are surrounded by a bright blue backdrop-- I couldn’t help but to feel blessed. Blessed in so many ways. There’s so much good happening in my life right now, that I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around it all.

So what does a girl do when she’s constantly giddy from her ears to the tips of her toes?

She wears sparkles, of course!

Mr. Golden Sun has been shining down us and it has been nothing less than divine. I bundled up my babe in his over-stuffed-marshmallow-looking snowsuit and happily jumped outside to bask in the light. After a very cold dark January, this felt like heaven.

Happiness Factor= Very High

Gah, how can you not eat his fluffy cheeks? Nom Nom Nom.

Krysta joined the Cross-Country Ski Team and is rocking it out. Her confidence has soared to a whole new level. And that makes my heart swell 4 ½ times its normal size.

This also means, our evenings are extra busy- especially Thursdays. After school she goes straight into skiing until 5pm, then rush to dinner, then it’s off to ballet, tap, and jazz until 8:30pm…. then it’s homework and bath.

Um yeah, I know it’s a lot, but Krysta really wants this, so I say “go for it”! Who am I to tell her she can’t, when she’s feeling so ambitious, you know?

And her ambition doesn’t stop there. She constantly wants to help her dad shovel snow.

snow in face= daddy fail! oops.

Even though we’re slammed packed with extra activities, we still take the time to slow down and enjoy the little things in life, like freshly bathed babes.

Bath time is one of my favorite times of the day. It’s our chance to put the chaos aside and just be. William is 100% a water baby. He freely splashes around and pops lavender scented bubbles that fizz in the water.

We play until the water shrivels up little fingers and toes.

Bath times are fun times. Sometimes Krysta will sit on the toilet seat and tell William stories. Sometimes we pretend to be pirates who like to eat mermaids. Sometimes we’re ocean monsters and we whack shampoo bottles off the edge of the tub. But sometimes we like to sacrifice animals, such as a goat or a lamb or… er, a calf?

Sorry calf. You’ll now be dunked in the Tub of Doom for my baby’s enjoyment.

In non-sacrificing news: Spring is coming. I can feel it. Krysta can feel it too. Her obsession with the color orange proves it. She only wants to wear orange, eat only orange foods, drink only orange drinks…you get my drift.

William, on the other hand, will eat anything and everything and in any color you put in front of his face. He’s a human garage disposal, downing anything from goldfish to magazine pages.

We’re nothing short of busy. My house officially looks like a daycare- a happy daycare at that.

Toys are scattered over every inch of the floor like confetti; there’s no doubt a baby lives here and we’re pretty content with that.

I’m going to wrap this post up now. I gotta a wee one waiting for me to play blocks.

Happy Tuesday!

~Em