bucket filling.

One of our goals as a family is to pay it forward as much as possible and be more altruistic as a couple--sometimes small, sometimes bigger.  God has blessed us so much and it's only fair that we spread the blessings we get as far as possible--especially to those in need.  Now, this is not always easy, nor feasible some months, but I'll tell ya, God can sure make a couple bucks go a long ways!  Paying for someones fast food, gas, groceries, vending machine goody, etc---I kind of get a rush of adrenaline from it :) Pay it forward junkie? maybe.  I just like to be a bucket filler :)

One thing I've seen before and thought would be really cool to do is blessing bags.

I went to the dollar store and picked up some necessities that anyone would want to have. I picked up enough for three bags to have on hand to pass out whenever I ran into someone that would benefit from this bag.  To fill three bags, it cost about $20 total and i have some leftovers on hand too.  It was super easy and even fun to pack the bags and I am looking forward to the opportunity to give them out!

Do you have other ideas that you have done to pay it forward?  I'd love to hear!

Summer week #1

Our goal each week is to do as much of the following as possible:

1. create something.
2. Read.
3. Cooking/ baking.
4. Do something kind/ pay it forward.
5. Fun! Get out of the house.

Here are some picture highlights of our first week of summer---included are a couple snaps of our above goals :)

Happy Friday!

Some sites you must explore.

Ladies, gals, women and chicas,  I have a fashion public service announcement (eww, could I sound anymore valley girl?).  I am for sure no fashion blogger, but I kinda like to shop online-(-because seriously, what mom has time to shop in the real world?!)--and know where my money is going. Whether you are aware of them or not, I have some online boutiques to share with you that you must explore with your own eyes.  I really enjoy online boutiques as they are more personable, unique and often times the suppliers have handmade their items making them great quality and one of a kind.  Here are four that I thoroughly enjoy browsing and drooling over.

1.  RUCHE.  A husband and wife (and dog!) team that started small a few years ago and has now grown into a successful independent online boutique full of indie designers, handmade clothing and accessories and reasonable prices on all of their items.  Plus they have fun stuff for pets too!

2. MOD CLOTH Another online retailer run by a husband and wife team--high school sweethearts in fact.  Here is a well put excerpt from their site "built on a foundation of love for vintage and retro clothing, ModCloth.com is an online clothing, accessories, and decor retailer that aims to provide a fun, engaging shopping atmosphere for you, our customer. In just a few years, we've grown from our humble beginnings in a college dorm room to "America's Fastest-Growing Retailer."'

3.  LE MODE ACCESSORIES.   Not handmade, but some darn cute and unique stuff!

4.  SHABBY APPLE.  Not handmade, but vintage bathing suits and dresses.....Lawd, have mercy!

So, there it is folks.  My service to you :)  Go check 'em out and support the independent boutique business and let me know which one you like the best! 

Tomorrow I'll be back with a dump of i-phone pictures from our first week of summer!

What's in my bag?

 Ok, so maybe you didn't ask.  But I'm kind of nosey and like to know what is in other people's bags for no good reason at all. So be nosey and take a look at what's in mine!

1. keys

2. Pens

3. Map mirror made by yours truly

4. A plethora of chapstick

5. Shades

6. Hand sanitizer

7.  Body spray---it's summer and I stink.  'nuff said.

8. wallet

9. Sandwich container (currently holding a half eating PB&J)

10. Bag O baby stuff (diapers, wipes, etc.)

11.  Flash cards because who doesn't need to brush up on their ABC's?

12. Glasses.

Hmm, that was kind of disappointing, no?

Well, now how about you let me nose around yours?  What's in your bag? :)

Celebrate.

So, today we decided to celebrate. 
We celebrated because it was Tuesday--and it was sunny.
So, we took our celebration outside.
We celebrated this sunny Tuesday by rolling out our picnic quilt, grilling brats, running through a sprinkler toy, listening to country music, wearing shorts and doodling side-walk chalk masterpieces.

 We laughed and played and didn't worry about the time---or emails--or naptimes.

 We unleashed our inner child and played in the sun like it was going out of style.  I even wore shorts and lipstick (like Kelle Hampton!)---that my friends, is a big deal!  It's a celebration after all.

I like celebrating.  Christmas, Turkey day, Weddings and don't get me started on birthdays.  I think we need to do it more often and just because.  The Bible tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from above and we have an abundance of gifts---damn darn good ones--like a sunny Tuesday.  Sometimes we just need to open our eyes a little wider to notice them....and to celebrate them!

So, until further notice---go celebrate everything!

Summer planning.

Everett and I are getting pretty excited for our summer together.  I've been mentally planning my summer already and trying to make it intentional, fun and creative for our family.  Pinterest has been so kind to offer some ideas.   Here is one that I love that we will definitely be taking advantage of:

Schedule available here.

I think it will be fun for us to follow this idea and take some pictures along the way of our adventures---then we'll share them with you for a weekly recap!

Some other fun parts of our summer will include a week long trip to Colorado with the in-laws, a family reunion in Northern Minnesota with Curt's relatives, a NEW baby niece or nephew in July, Everett's 2nd birthday party and perhaps some house hunting!

My summer bucket list includes:

• Potty training Everett (yikes!)
• Getting Everett to say the ABC's, count to 5 and identify some colors
• Take a painting and/or pottery class at the Edina art center (anyone local wanna join?)
• Plan a comprehensive anti-bullying curriculum for my schools for the fall
• Plan some career lessons and a brainstorm a career fair for one of my schools
• Lose 15 lbs

What are your plans for the summer? 

Some belated holiday shots.

So, I've procrastinated a bit on these, but better late than never right?  It's just been hella busy at work with summer around the corner!  Those kids sure know how to give us a run for our money the weeks before summer break, sheesh!  While it will be a bittersweet end to the school year, I am already pumped for what I have planned for the next school year and the fun stuff up my sleeve! Ah, but enough about work---pictures!

What a dude.

Seriously those eyebrows.  A new signature 'Everett look"

This was the funniest thing--these young guys at the picnic table next to us were playing catch and well, Everett decided to join in and kept putting his arms up to catch the ball.  They were none the wiser and he was very offended that the ball never came his way.  Poor guy---one day my little mister....

Judging by this picture, I think grandma Mary may have had more fun than Everett!

Sneaking a peek at carousel.

Everett's favorite spot.

Everett was not too impressed with the giraffe.

Story of my life.  Always trying to get out of my arms to be free and run---what happened to my little baby?

For as enthralled as he was peering through that fence, sadly I don't think anything was on the other side of it.

What a stud. -- the mister of course!

And that was our trip to the zoo on our beautiful Memorial day!  It was such a nice break and gave me a little taste of what is to come around the corner when school is out! Woo hoo!