Lucky Seven.

Dear Sweet E, 

I remember the day we met face-to-face like it were right here and now.

The day you did not want to leave your warm and cozy home.

The moment we heard the word "boy."

The awe when we looked at your big chunky tan body, bright light eyes, 

and the tufts and tufts of blondish wavy hair.

Where did this surfer dude come from?

Had I not actually done the pushing that culminated in seeing

you, our little miracle, I may have wondered.

You stole my heart.

You gave me a life changed forever.

You made me a mom.

The amount of love was and is just insane,

a crazy do absolutely anything for you, unconditional love.

While we were a family before and we loved our life together,

we now really felt like a family the day we held you.

You captivated us and we did things for you we never thought we would do.

Never thought we were capable of doing.

It's the same seven years later.

You have a heart of gold and incredible curiosity and love for life.

You can be intense and want things fair and just.

You are bright and confident.

You feel and love deeply.

You are beautiful, unique, and just perfect the way God made you.

Ethan Matthew, my sweet first born, keep radiating, keep loving, keep living,

guard your spirit for life fiercely.  God has given you this beautiful gift.

While it's bittersweet to see you grow older, it is really cool 

sharing jokes with you, talking about what you enjoy, 

and seeing the amazing little man you are becoming.  

All that you now are capable of.

The fun that you have just being you. 

Keep rockin' E.  
Like you have from the beginning.  

Enjoy this most amazing day about you.  

You so deserve it.  

We love you so.

Happy {Lucky Seventh} Birthday.

It's going to be an incredible year!!!

xoxoxox

Mama

Fab Find: Fancy That Design House

I am smitten with the beautiful typography designs Stephanie from Fancy That Design House has created.  When I found her shop, I was thrilled to see the typography that is so lovely joined with the words I want to display in my home.  It was also so great her Fruit of the Spirit print just happened to come in yellow and gray, our living room colors.  

And she is a midwestern gal, a nice little bonus {smile}.  

My print arrived in such pretty packaging.  I love when those little details are given time and effort, it makes such an impact.  

I added my lovely new print to the entry way table, just the right spot and

a place we all walk past frequently, a great reminder in those biblical words.

All of the prints in Stephanie's shop are truly works of art, I 

had trouble picking just a few to highlight, so pop on over and 

take a look for yourself.  You will be inspired!

Here is the one I chose in black and white, gorgeous right?

{Fruit of the Spirit : B&W Typography}

Another I have on my list, beautiful!

{Pray More Worry Less : Burlap Texture}

And this would be perfect for Father's Day, wouldn't it?

{I Need You : Typography Print}

You'll be seeing more of Stephanie's beautiful work here

as a sponsor in my sidebar.  

Thank you Stephanie!  You have some serious talent my friend!

Enjoy this beautiful day!

{michelle}

B&W Planters

Last weekend we were earth movers with dirt under our fingers and toes.

We tore into our overgrown front yard landscaping and spent the days

trimming, weeding, planting, watering, sweating, and teaching 

little boys how to stay away from the dangerous street.

I have to find the picture I took with all of the boys out front,

serious disaster zone, but they were so happy to dig, look for worms,

move rocks, and all seven of us just started to move in a rhythm 

to make our corner of the world a little prettier.  

Being under the sun, hands in the dirt, it is truly a 

good form of soul therapy and renewal.  

One of the projects I finished up...hurrah!...was my black and white planters.

The one on the left is chalkboard paint, which I love using on planters

because of the versatility and the finish looks great on the terracotta pots.  

On the right, I just spray painted a large pot white as in the pictures below,

taped off the stripes {on a curve, tricky and don't bring a measuring tape here ok?}

and then sprayed on the black.  They hold my Mother's Day boxwoods so nicely.

I love boxwoods and am glad they now have a home.  

{paint first color/base}

{tape off stripes and add second color}

We also picked out succulents for the front urns.

I hope I can keep these alive.

The boys liked planting our hens and chicks 

and added some rocks to the scene.

I'm really loving it too.

Even more that it was a family effort.

Head on over to these lovely parties I'll be linking up to.

Happy Friday!!

{michelle}