An Very Very Unbirthday, to You, to You!

So do you remember watching Alice in Wonderland (the Disney version) where Alice attends an un-birthday party? That is kind of what we had with my family on Saturday. My brother and his family are away, in Ohio, (where we lived when we were little) attending school, and so they came home for two weeks to visit. Their two sons (our nephews) both celebrate birthdays the first few days of August, so we planned a birthday-party/family BBQ/swim for the birthday party celebrations.

My sister Heather about to eat some un-birthday cake

Little Miss Suzie Mae

Well, my brother and two nephews got food poisoning, so we did the BBQ sans their family and my older sister (she was back in DC on a relaxation trip, lucky girl!) So you would think the party would have been ruined, but actually it turned out being very fun! Never knew I could have so much at an un-birthday party! With my younger brother away in Afghanistan this last year, it was just so nice to rest and relax and have a lot of fun. 

 Little Miss Khloe (Suzie and Khloe are both wearing a swimsuit I actually had bought

for our Pricess Lilly. I know she is smiling seeing her cloths being used!

 Khloe's silly Dad, my little brother Jamie

If you know my family, my mom is ALWAYS notorious for bringing way too much food, so that you never leave hungry. So with her cooking, my dad's really yummy BBQ skills, and the extras that the rest of the kids brought, well, we were certainly just very well fed. And after we ate, the pavilion my parents had rented was right next to a swimming pool, so we took the nieces and nephews

over to swim. 

 

We had a great time! The nieces and nephews had a blast playing with their uncle Jacob, and he had a great time teasing and playing with them. We even had birthday cake! What was pretty funny was the other two two year olds laying claim to the presents that were sitting out. We were eating and my sister started busting up laughing. We turned around and my funny little nephew and Collin were each opening a present. Since it was just a coloring book and puzzle book, we let them go to town (Ben and Erica, if you are reading this, we will have to ship you two replacement presents!)

 

Two of my sister in-laws, Lindsey and Amanda, and Jamie again, sitting in the pee-pool,

oops, I mean the kiddie pool!

 My brother Jacob playing with Khloe and Tatum

 Collin trying to swim

 Amanda again (isn't she gorgeous?) She spent the last year having her husband

(my brother Jacob) in Afghanistan.

 Collin and Tatum hugging it out.

  

Collin trying to fit into baby Jacob's hat

 Jake with Baby Jacob

 My brother Jacob really worried that his nieces and nephews would not remember him.

Fat chance of that, they all adore their uncle.

Collin was climbing the bars to the right, when we noticed and went running. Uncle Jacob got there first and moved Collin to a lower set of bars. He honestly just has no fear!

It was just actually really relaxing, and it was nice to just be together, to have my brother Jacob there after surviving the hells of Afghanistan. It makes me a little teary just thinking about what a great time we had all together. So despite our problems and funny stupid quirks, I truly could not have asked for a better family. I think what I learned from this is just accepting that we are all very different, but when there is a lot of love, that can overcome any boundaries we may have.

Just for the Women

If you are a guy that happens to read this blog, you probably may want to end reading this post right about now. Okay, no more boys, right? Lets get to it then.

So growing up with seven children in my family, money was tight. It was one of the reasons I wanted a job as soon as I turned 16, and wanted to be able to drive to do so. So it was no surprise that when I was right around twelve and grew the ultra embarrassing boob (as a mere 6th grader, mind you) my older sister took me bra shopping. We have come a long way from the days of buying bras at Wal-Mart (and if you still are, well stop and keep reading.) From 9th grade on, I considered boobs to be a scourge. My best friend and I used to wish that there was some way to take some from me and transplant it to her, thus evening us both out. So at the tender age of 19, just about 7 months after graduating high school, I decided to have them cut down to a more normal size. Besides the whole issue of not being able to breastfeed 100%, it was hands down, probably the best thing I have ever done for myself. I was able to wear normal clothes, the bruising where my breasts were went away, and the ridges in my shoulder faded.

So once I was cleared at the 6 month mark of being able to wear underwire once again, I headed off to Nordstroms. My decision of heading to Nordstroms was definitely up there with having the boobs, well cut off (sorry, I honestly cannot think of a more appropriate way to say that!) The women that work in the Nordstrom's intimates department are angels. Now I know what you are thinking (besides thinking this all is just WAY TOO T.M.I. Emily!) those kind of bras are expensive. I will get to your chain of thinking in a moment.

When I married Mike, I had to change a lot of my old habits. In some ways, this was a great change. In others, it made it to where I actually wasted money. (Now I need to add here, that while in my first year of marriage, I gained 30 pounds, so many of my bras and clothes stopped fitting.) One of the habits I kicked was buying the nice bras. I started buying my bras at Kohls, and Target, spedning around $15, and guess what? They not only truly did not fit or work the way they were supposed to, but they all broke, probably within the year of buying them. It was truly stupid and probably wasteful. Now I am not saying you cannot get a decent bra at Kohls, but this is something we wear every day ladies! Nearly seven years later (just last month) I went with my older sister, once again to Nordstroms. She had some returns to the intimates department (they sell everything from bras, Spanx, slips, pajamas, you name it) so we decided to both be fitted for bras. Now here is the somewhat sad part. My lovely chest grew while pregnant with Jacob, and sadly never went back down. That is okay, I am losing weight and it still is not near as bad as when I was 19. So while I was trying to squeeze into that cheap Kohl's bra, by size had changed (this might have attributed to the demise of two bras in the last year.) My cup size went up two sizes ( I know, not too happy about that) but my band with had come down 4 inches from what I had been wearing.

There was a sale going on, and here is what the moral of this very long post is. Ladies, invest in yourselves. The bra I bought is the most comfortable bra I have ever owned. It separates, it lifts, it does what it is was made to do. Too often as women, as mothers, as wives, we place ourselves on the back-burner. I do not make a lot of money. But going in to get fitted, and buying a bra that not only makes me comfortable but makes me feel more confident and better about myself, I do not think I could truly place a price on that. So my advice, go and get fitted, go find a bra that does what it is supposed to. And again, apologies for the T.M.I.

*Just a note here: while I love my mom, and while she did teach me much, most of what I have learned about caring for myself has been to me by my sister Megan. So Megan: thank-you for filling in for mom and teaching me to appreciate a great bra!

I Love Fall

 I know what you all are thinking: is she crazy? School has not even started yet. Oh, I know this. But I also know that I walked through Target the other day, and school shopping is in full-swing. And my classes start in less than three weeks.  So for me, that means my favorite time of year is just around the corner. And with a mere three weeks left until I start my 9 credit hours, while working part time, trying to exercise, keep up a house, be a wife and mother, I am not going to have the usual time I have in the past. So I had better get to hopping!

 Not sure why it is I love Fall so much. It could be that my birthday (and nearly 70 % of my family's too) is in fall. It could be my growing up in Ohio and attending a steam engine show (if you do not know what a steam engine is, please google it!) and camping with my family at the show the first weekend of fall every year. (The steam engine show was at Malabar farms in Ohio, where I think Grace Kelly was married, but do not quote me on that and where there were crafts, hay rides, and indian village and crafts and yummy food that left me in such a state of happiness.)

 Or it could be growing up on 40 acres of land in West Virginia, situated right on the Shenandoah river with the Blue Ridge mountains rolling right behind the river. The colors were brilliant and so beautiful. And the fall festivals, well, I just could go on and on about those.

I am not sure what makes me love the fall so much, but I do. I love to craft this time of year. I am even starting to plan Jacob's birthday party in a fall festival theme (although we will not actually be celebrating Collin's birthday, I want to give him something fun since he did not get a party because of Jacob and him being sick really quite sick with RSV this year on his birthday) so Jacob's birthday celebration is kind of Collin's party too.

 So in my 3 weeks left of freedom, and when I do have the spare moments that I am not being beckoned elsewhere, I want to make a few crafts.

 I do not plan on even trying to make all of these (not completely crazy here!) but a few of these would be just right for our home and could also be used a decorations for the Fall Festival birthday celebration!

 Have I mentioned I love felted wool too? I am kind of a sucker for it. And for garlands and wreaths.

The pumpkins below are darling, but these, the acorns, and the lanterns are all projects I would buy before making at this point. Maybe next year?

 For my next few weeks, I definitely want to make the leaf and candy corn garlands, tweaking it a bit in color and style. I also want to make a few of the burlap signs as they would also make some cute birthday presents!

 The wreath below just makes me smile! Love the felted wool. It is just so pretty!

And the garland below just kills me. I am also a sucker for sparkles, and that fine glitter just makes the garland pop. 

 I have already made some of these in a birthday theme in the past for Collin, and they really are so easy. Love the fabric banners.

And this wreath above would be great for all year. I just had to throw it in there. 

So there you have it. I cannot wait for the birthday party. I am thinking of doing fall games, letting each family pick a pumpkin (we seem to be popping with pumpkins in our garden!) and having some delicious soups. And barring any inclement weather, it can be done outside, which works well with such a large family group.

So happy almost fall!

Just Keep Walking.....

This is the mantra I repeat over and over again in my mind. "Just keep walking (or running) just keep walking" so that I just keep at it. My walk/jog is truly a love&hate relationship. I love being out in nature, love the scenery, love what it is doing for my health. I hate the heat, have not enjoyed the extreme heat mixed with humidity (I did not even have to put on lotion up till this last week!) and hate getting up and moving when I am so tired.

But the walk is GORGEOUS! I love walking up the very steep hill because this house near the top is stunning. It is kind of the architecture I grew up, not very Utahish and we love walking by their field of horses and chickens (or better, Collin loves it!)

These two pictures do not begin to do this hill justice. It kicks butt!

But when you reach the summit, this is the beauty you behold. I may not think Utah is the prettiest state ( I love the green and brown is not really my thing) but the mountains are stunning, with the LDS temples dotting the valley.

And this view is even cuter! Jacob snoozes away on our little over one hour walk, while Collin eats his snacks. (There are healthy snacks served too!)

And look at those eyes. Collin is sadly already in love with girls. He was hanging out with a ten year old and an eleven year old at the splash park today. Geez, we are in for it once he hits puberty!

And here are my two happy boys with the stunning back-round!

These two are so silly!

We love our walks (most days!) Collin is always trying to keep an eye on his brother, make sure he has a constant supply of snacks he is not allowed to have, and not-so lovingly will hand unwanted toys or books over, usually putting them in Jacob's face. But Jacob is pretty easy going about it all. There is always a Popsicle at the end and a cold drink for these cute boys. I love my walk/jog with these cute two boys. They are the reason I walk, the reason I want to be healthy. 

And I would not have it any other way!

Pretties

I LOVE Etsy! If I had no responsibility in the world, I could honestly spend hours there! But I cannot, so now, before school starts this month, I can use my time before falling asleep to spend a bit of time there. I am one of those girls who loves to plan parties, loves to think about the birthdays I could only dream of, as well as the changes I would make now if I were getting married again (like just keeping it simple, with family and close friends, with a dinner, dancing, no reception line, you know?) I also love the styling of vintage dresses,   (and really and truly, I have the body for the 40's and 50's, as they flatter the top part of the body, and hide the hips and bottom! ;)

I love this dress! If it were not so pricey, I would honestly have to just buy it to look good on a date or on Sundays.

And this petticoat would just be darling and would truly make it pop!

I am a sucker for Australia. It is somewhere I would love to visit, and I love sitting and listening to anyone with an Australian accent. So it is no surprise I would love this dress, as it's designer is Australian. What a GORGEOUS and lucky bride!

And I would probably have a modest version of one of these two dresses for the reception/dinner because it would just be perfect! I love the gorgeous shades of blue!

 And these non-real floral bouquets made with broaches instead are just stunning! (I think when the last of my family gets married, who happens to be the baby of the family) gets married I am going to try to talk her into one of these. She loves a good broach as much as I do!

And these sweet dresses would look so cute on a couple of my darling nieces *note: there were no nieces or Grandkids when Mike and I got married as we were the first to get married on his side and only the second on my side!* 

 They are so cute, I may just have to find a pattern and make them for my cute nieces, since buying them would cost almost as much as my wedding dress seven years ago!

And gone are the traditional huge veils and tiaras that I wore on my wedding day. In are the beautiful vintage lace hats, combs, and floral head pieces that are stunning!

This jewelry makes me drool, and it is something I could wear now!

My personal favorites are the stunning blue and the third one down with the dainty flower, pearl, and crystal strands prospectively.

And although I have actually never owned a suit, someday, (as I am working to lose weight!) I would love wearing this to the Physician Assistant interviews at the schools I will apply to, but it could also double for some lucky gal's wedding exit suit. Simply darling.

These are ALL available on Etsy, and a link to most of them can be found here!

Thanks for even reading this. It is probably boring the heck out of everyone else, but I just had to share!