snowflake rainbow heart

We got a snail. ewww. Our long-living {read a few months!} beta fish was creating a ton of algae so we headed to Petco to buy a snail to eat it up... and our littlest one fell in love... with a snail.

She tucked it in, sang it songs, and couldn't stop loving on it. Where did she come from? I'm sure glad she's mine though.

Every snail has to have a name, right? This one is "Snowflake Rainbow Heart." Of course

Tomorrow is September 1st! To me, that means the first day of fall... which I always feel bittersweet about. Because Dave is a teacher he has a couple of months off every summer, which is wonderful. Although we tried to be more laid back this year, the end of his vacation became a mad dash to complete our back yard renovation - and we didn't get it finished. I feel like that happens a lot to me... I don't get it finished. Whatever "it" may be.

- painting the living room

- painting my dining room table {needs one more coat!}

- girl's room re-do

- too many sewing projects to count

- handmade gifts for family

- my presentation for a workshop at church {coming up in 2 weeks!}

- the back yard

- and FAR too many other things to list here

I know the new year is in January, but I always feel like the school year is the "real" new year for me. I realize that I am spread way too thin. It's happened over time, and although I love to be busy, I hate to be so busy that I can't do any one thing well. I don't have time play with my kids, spend time with my husband, prepare well for ministry at church, or even to get together with a good friend for a cup of coffee. I hate that.

So, this "new year" I am going to finish out all the things I am committed to, and then start paring it down. I know I will always be busy, it's a season in life, but I want to concentrate on my family, friends, the Lord, and the things I love. Maybe then, this {from Pinterest} won't apply to me anymore!

http://juliawalck.tumblr.com/post/3391072500

We've been trying to have a more relaxed summer this year {in comparison to our over ambitious, complete bathroom remodel last year}. Today Dave and I went on a little breakfast date while the girls played with one of our youth group girls.

I wanted to make sure we spent some special time with them too, so we baked together...

Rainbow Cake in a Jar! I am not much of a baker - or a chef for that matter, but it was fun and messy. Just the right combination.

something good is in the oven!

this is emma's crazy excited face

it's Rainbow cake! Sure it's not as nice and neat as this one... but it was good. {I'm pretty sure everything tastes better from a mason jar!}

I love Pinterest.

Well, love it and hate it both I guess. On one hand I have access to unending inspiration and tutorials and on the other hand there is no possible way I could follow through on everything I pin. I've decided to make a real effort this summer to try a lot of them. I'll share what learn here.

Today I attempted the "Knot So Hard Flip Flops" tutorial from The Mother Huddle.

Before we get into this, I should tell you I am not a read the directions kind of girl. Even with tutorials, I generally go by the pictures until things take a turn for the worse... which ended up happening today when I made the straps too short and hot glued too early leaving me ripping hot glue apart from a foam shoe and nearly giving up on the project entirely!

Here's how Emma's turned out. They're cuter in person but I couldn't get her to stand still for more than 5 seconds (she was busy jumping on the trampoline when I was begging her to model for me - hence the filthy feet!) I omitted the second knot. I liked them, but what I didn't like was that they were fraying already... which is supposed to be a part of the summery charm, but I didn't want mine that way. I followed instructions this time {while still omitting the 2nd knot on top} but after cutting my fabric, I sewed it right sides together into a tube and turned it right side out so that I wouldn't have the fraying edges.

I LOVE them! See you soon...

summer adventures 2011

We are so blessed to live in San Diego. I know it is only for a season, but I will be seriously missing the weather when we leave one day! Today we ventured out with some of our good friends to a park in Coronado. I can't believe in my 7 years here I'd never visited this spot. It's right along the bay with two playgrounds and a nice area to ride bikes along the water. We even had a picnic lunch and visited some flamingos.

I am still getting to know my new camera, so I used this time to practice!

Summertime

Summer is finally here! We celebrated Dave's last day of work {he's a high school teacher} with balloons, smoothies, and some time in the pool... well at least the girls hopped in. Happy summer!

happy

Things that make me happy:

ranuculus - which remind me that spring is coming

{I'm fickle, I'm always wanting the next season whatever it is}

two happy, healthy little girls with messy lunch faces

that's it for today, we're busy being sick {again} among other things!