042: Goodbye 2012.

2012. 

The year I: 

Became a mama. 

Rode in a C130. 

Held a tutoring job. 

Celebrated my 2nd wedding anniversary.

 Nearly died. 

Discovered strengths I never knew I possessed. 

Started writing again. 

Prayed more fervently than ever before. 

Flew on planes with my baby who didn't cry.

 Made an effort to eat consciously. 

Rekindled my love for photography. 

Drank water, lots and lots of water.

 Learned the value of a dollar. 

Started my 2nd quilt.

 Lost old friends.

 Made new friends. 

Cherished nap time. 

Treasured play time.

 Began to love myself after years of hiding the hate. 

Whew. Big year.

blessings in 2013, sgym

030: let's be jolly '12, The 5 Gift Rule

Have you heard of the "Five Gift Rule" for Christmas? I recently stumbled across it in my many Pinterest wanderings and thought it was BRILLIANT. I want to make family, friends, and the time spent together the focus. I really do want Jesus to be The Reason For the Season in my household! This makes SO MUCH SENSE to me! Are you ready? It's awesome.

Something you want, 

Something you need,

Something to wear,

Something to read,

And something homemade.

Right? Isn't that awesome? Well. It simplified my Christmas so beautifully this year. It's little man's first Christmas and, quite frankly, I don't have the budget to spend a ton of money on him. And, really, will he remember it? No. I will though. I want to remember the fun traditions we are starting as a family (more on that in future posts!) and the awesome winter and holiday activities that happen in December! I have no more stressing about Christmas shopping for my boy, it's all done!

So, what did I get him? Well, I'm glad you asked! (ha.)

SOMETHING YOU WANT: A Melissa and Doug wooden rainbow stacker toy. Right? Perfect. Bright, works on motor skills, and doesn't require batteries. LOVE.

SOMETHING YOU NEED: A toothbrush. Can't deny it. My baby will need this soon. (Now?)

SOMETHING TO WEAR: Found this adorable one-toothed dino hat at Gymboree. It's a size 2T for my 7 month old. Big heads run in the family (both sides).

SOMETHING TO READ: The storytime lady at Barnes and Noble highly recommended this book to a friend and I for our little ones. I found it in the sale/clearance section at TJ Maxx. Jackpot.

But wait, where is the something homemade? It's coming. Naturally, hubs and I are still working on it. Everything is bought for it, but not assembled. Hey, homemade takes time! 

What are your gift traditions? Do you blow your budget every year? Are you just ready for it all to be over?

blessings, sgym

027: What I Wanna Do.

Let's set some goals. Hey, maybe I'll stick to them this time. Heh.

1. I want to share. 

Let's face it, being a sahm can be kinda lonely and my facebook friends don't really want their newsfeeds fogged up with my bajillion thoughts and musings on crafts, baby wearing, and eating real foods.

2. I want to write again.

I used to be a pretty consistent creative writer. I'd love to make that part of my brain work again.

3. I want to be creative.

I can make the neatest friendship bracelet/quilt/christmas ornament or take the coolest picture and be pretty stoked. I can be even more stoked if I share it with someone. Blogs seem to be an adult's version of "show and tell' time, my friends.

4. I want to be accountable.

I have a million (ok, like 20) different projects happening all at once in my head. For example, I have a finished quilt top that isn't a quilt yet. I have a half-pieced quilt for Mal. I have multiple cardboard looms with half-finished friendship bracelets. If I have somewhere to share that and post about it, I'll more likely want to finish it. Right? HA. I can hope.

5. I want to have fun.

Not sure that one requires clarification.

Also, I'd love to have some weekly themes, like "mama monday" or "thoughts thursday." Hey. I think I just came up with my first two weekly things. That was easy. (winky face)
Well, this was fun. Let's do this again real soon.

Remember. Live intentionally.
blessings, sgym

007: The Cake Topper

Why in the world would I need to make an entire post about just the cake topper for my wedding? Uhm, here's why... Because it's a custom one made to look like Cage and I! AAHHH! I just saw the pictures today! The details are so fun, right down to my aquamarine ring! Cage's hair might be a little redder than I told her, but the pair together are so precious! I can't wait to see them in person. You can find the maker's blog post with more pictures here. And you can find her Etsy store here. I can't begin to express how excited I am. Well, that's all for now.

One month until the wedding!

sgy