Pretty in Pink

Isn't she lovely...



Today was a day of wet and grey perfection. Rain. Wonderful spring rain. The kind of rain that harbors the magical powers of awakening. While at my in-laws today, I ventured out back for a brief moment during a break in the clouds only to be greeted by the beauty of my favorite flowering fruit tree, the nectarine, in full glory. It was just so pretty I ran to get my simple little camera (the fancy model is still on my wish list). The top picture with grey clouds in the background is my favorite.
And although we only live about 10 minutes from my in-laws (my parents as well), our nectarine tree (below, also taken today) is sadly behind the times. Why is it that the trees and bushes in older parts of town bloom sooner than their more juvenile counterparts? Is a matter of age or geography? Any horticulturists out there want to venture a guess?

Anyway... It's spring, and I'm loving it! Can't wait for the crab-apples to bloom.

Groovy Goods

If you have been reading my blog, you probably know that I have had vintage linen on my brain. I know, kind of a hokie thing to be collecting. I am sure that just one year ago, I would have been the one getting rid of all the wacky old sheets rather than be in acquisition mode. But for now, I kind of think they're cool, and my stash of old sheets has been steadily growing. Yesterday I received a lovely package in the mail from my blogging friend Des. We swapped 10 fat quarters from her sheet stash for 10 of mine. So much fun! Now I really need to figure out what kind of quilt I want to make. Google "Vintage Sheet Quilt" and check out some of the search results. There are some mega-talented quilters out there who really know how to repurpose linen. Fabulous quilts!

And the bright and beautiful crocheted flowers above are hair clips my mother-in-law made for my youngest to find in the big annual Easter egg hunt. Aren't they SO cute!?! I really need to learn how to crochet. Truthfully there are many, many things I really need to learn how to do. The list of skills I am in need of would be fearsomely long, if I ever was brave enough to make it.

Also in the package with the sheets came a sweet little vintage dress. Such a nice surprise! Reminded me so much of the dress this little one wore for her blessing last spring. Same hand made detail and fragility. Now, trying to get a picture of the squirmy little munchkin in said dress, was not so sweet. I LOVE it.

And now for a completely random & STRANGE little bit:

I took my daughter and one of her friends to see the new Hannah Montana movie on Friday night & ..... (drumroll please)...... I didn't exactly hate it. Much of the movie takes place in a small town in the country. It was full of pretty scenery, and a beautiful house with a big front porch (one of my favorite things you know). Although it wasn't without a few silly & predictable moments, I was kind of diggin' it. And here's the real shocker - I actually liked a few of the songs. Towards the end of the movie my daughter kept saying she had to go to the bathroom, but I made her wait because I didn't want to miss any of it. How WEIRD is that?

Shouting with JOY

I generally try to refrain from posting about anything too personal on this blog, but today is an exception. I feel like sharing a story. 8 years ago, I desperately wanted another baby. We already had been blessed with an amazing little boy and I knew I was supposed to have more, but things weren’t exactly working out. I had just suffered 3 consecutive miscarriages, including, based on an early ultrasound, what was thought to be a set of twins. 4 miscarriages total (my first pregnancy had been a miscarriage as well). My pregnancy track record was rotten, and my spirit broken. It was a dark time in my life. We had an appointment with a renowned recurrent miscarriage specialist at the local university hospital that was still months away. Then I found myself unexpectedly pregnant again, and completely terrified. Right away I started to have problems with bleeding and I thought for sure another miscarriage was imminent. Because I was pregnant, we were able to get into the specialist that week – an appointment that included an ultrasound. When we went to drop off our son at my mother-in-law's house before our appointment, she said, “Call me as soon as you know.” And then I said to her, “We probably won’t feel like talking about it.” To this she said, “I think you will want to shout with joy in the streets.” I was completely consumed with doubt, and she was overflowing with faith. During the ultrasound, a tiny little pulsation – the beating of a microscopic heart was seen immediately. The pregnancy was viable, and my heart full of hope. My mother-in-law was right, I did feel like shouting with joy. I spotted on and off the entire first trimester of the pregnancy, but that next spring, April 8th in fact, we were blessed with a beautiful daughter. Today, that little miracle baby of ours is 7 years old. I still feel like shouting with joy in the streets, just because I am lucky enough to be her mom.

Before school this morning

LOVE her so much!

Attachment Issues

I wish I had pictures of a finished project or anything remotely cool to share, but I got nothin'. Instead of letting the creative juices flow, we’ve been doing some much needed spring cleaning, including sorting through the kids closets. There must be something in the water around here, because they seem to be growing freakishly fast, as evidenced by the “floods” they’ve been sporting around of late. I like wearing capris, but it's not such a good look on my 3 & 9 year old sons.

As I was packing up the stuff they've outgrown, and getting out the bins with the clothes they are growing into, I realized there are some things I just don't think I can give away. I'm especially drawn to cotton prints – all the cute little sundresses my girls have worn (& will wear)...

And the little plaid button up shirts & shorts belonging to my boys...

Seeing some of these little clothes for the first time in quite a while, brought back memories. I was picturing mini versions of my older kids with their squishy little bodies and chubby cheeks, and I just don't think I can toss out memories like those. When the younger two finally outgrow them all, I'm going to have to make some memory quilts (boy & girl versions), out of these little outfits. Then someday I'll be able to snuggle up with one of those quilts, just when my kids think they are too grown up and cool to have their overly attached mom do the same with them. I know, ridiculously cheesy. But having a plan, sort of justifies the unnecessary hoarding of outgrown, wee little cloth goods, right? Besides, some of the fabric is pretty darn cute - memories or not.

Desperately Seeking Summer

Or even spring. Just no more winter, please! I am so done with cold & dreary. When the goofy man on the television (who just happens to be my ex-brother in law :)) said temperatures in Southern Utah would be in the eighties, we booked our favorite condo, loaded up and headed south.

We spent most of our time outside hiking and admiring the local geology. It's impossible to be surrounded by such color and not instantly feel warmer.

I like hiking, but I LOVE the sand dunes. Walking barefoot on soft, warm sand is like therapy.

Just look at the sand running between her fingers...Can't you just feel it?

We went to a lot of parks. Splash pad parks and duck pond parks. Parks by the nature center. Parks with playgrounds and basketball hoops. They all had one thing in common...They were green.

One afternoon, spur of the moment, we decided to drive to Vegas to see the fountains at the Bellagio and Pirate show at Treasure Island. Unfortunately both were canceled due to wind (bummer). But the flowers inside the atrium at the Bellagio were just as breathtaking...

And the view of the other side of the pond, surreal.

Only in Vegas! We came home to snow and a temperature of 55 degrees - INSIDE our house. Way colder outside. Brrrr! Now that goofy man is saying more snow is on the way. So depressing. At least we now have some proof that spring is springing somewhere not so far away.