Vacation Bible School Smiles

Vacation Bible School performance. I'm smiling just looking at you smiling.

Here.

And here.

And here.

And still smiling here.


Somewhere around the last verse of Awesome God you realized you were supposed to be doing the hand motions, and you quickly tried to make up for lost time.

Daddy and I didn't care that you missed the motions during the first five verses or so.

We love that you're different, wonderfully created, preciously unique.

And we, like you, never stopped smiling as we watched you.

I wonder, Does the rest of the world see how you shine? Do they see that light in you as we do?

And I loved your quote at dinner: "Daddy, flap your wings! We're going to --- UGANDA!" (Thank you, VBS!)

Never stop smiling, sweets. Never stop shining for us. We love you!

Fancy Pants Tag, Some News, and a Secret

My first official custom order calls for an official tag, right? Thanks, Nathan. (For those who don't know, my honey is a phat designer. Find him here. JAM, that "phat" part was for you. You know why.)

Note to self: get that etsy shop open!

Had to post these photos. No matter how old I get, I still love being with my mama! Today, we had the chance to craft together. These cone centerpieces for the rehearsal dinner are turning out better than we'd hoped.

Here's a sneak peak. Finished project photos coming soon. I'm always amazed at mom's total perfection on these projects. See what I mean?

And this is random, but, "We promise we didn't make her (Lilly) do it," says Nathan.

That blurry flurry of cleaning action/little Cinderella is our daughter. Set her loose with a wet washcloth and she's a machine. The cleaning went on for about 25 minutes. Woody's clean. Buzz is clean. Her play kitchen is clean. Her legs are clean. Her arms our clean. Roughly 600 square feet of hardwood flooring is clean.

I'm not sure she's going to be able to stand the sight of her mama's house when she grows up. Anywho, I'm still convinced there's time to force my messiness upon her. What do you think?

OH, and some news . . .

I've been invited to join the Triple the Sketch design team. Can't wait to get started! First, I have to figure out how to post that blinkie on my blogger . . .

And a secret. Shhh. One of the greatest opportunities of my life happened upon me today, but, alas, I must keep this project on the down-low for a bit longer. So, the secret must remain a secret. Stay tuned for amazing news!

Incredibly thankful for this little piece of real estate in the blogosphere called yeebird that I can ramble to each day, and immensely thankful for you, dear reader. Good things are happening. Today was an amazing day.

Pockets on Parade

Daddy tip: always wear cargo shorts to a parade.


Just the beginning . . .

His pockets were full when he got home.

Pretty Party

A weekend filled with so much goodness, I can't fit it all into one post. Here are some pretties from the party . . .

Lovely Lilly.

May all your wishes come true, Love.

Neat eater . . . hardly had a speck of icing on your dress when finished.

Cake bites, seriously. yummy. cake bites.

Thank you, Papa, for making a birthday girl's new play kitchen feel so real!

Thank you, Saint Grandpa, for eating outside with the kids.

Thanks, Hoo Hoo, for bringing Jess Jess from the veterans' home!

Thank you, Aunt Amy and Uncle Steven, for the beautiful bouquet

and for this -- I loved this touch!!

Oh, and for the Fourth of July fruit!

Special thanks also to:

Nathan, for making tissue paper favors and hanging pom poms into the wee hours on Friday night ("I don't think I'm cut out for making pom-poms," you said as I heard you wrestling with tissue paper), and for sprinkling my cake bites before they dried, and for vacuuming, etc. It takes a real man to make pom poms and sprinkle pink pretties on cake bites.

Ian, for being on your usual perfect behavior, for sharing so well with your cousin, and for taking the whole Lilly-gets-all-the-attention-and-presents-today-thing so well!

Grandma, for bringing much food (best tuna salad EVAH) and for all your wonderful help and the fun presents (love those outfits). You are fantastic!

Mum, for the sweet tiny purse and Lilly hairbrush. She just had to brush everyone's hair, didn't she?!

Caleb, for the unbeLIEVable flag cake!!!


"Uncle Pocket" and "Aunt Tepsy" (Patrick and Stephanie) for the girly-girl clothes and a princess gift bag Lilly flipped over.

Uncle Mike, for attending all the way from Amarillo, TX. It was a treat to have you with us.

Uncle John and Aunt Manda for making time to be here on your last free Saturday before the wedding. Lilly loves you.

Sammy, for sweetly swinging happily.

Jess Jess, visiting from a nursing home with a broken shoulder in a sling, for continuing to offer my mama your seat. You are more than dear to us.

Cousin William, for playing and sharing so well with Ian. He had a blast with you.

Whew. Long post. And this doesn't even include Ian's Bible school program, the Midtown Parade, and fun fireworks.

I know I say this often, but seriously:
Life. Is. Good.

Little Miss Birthday

You are two today.

You like:

• "cooking" and playing with your dishes
• Mr. Incredible ("Kebullll") and Woody (Ian's toys, of course)
• snacks. All. Day. Long.
• cleaning up
  
• playing in brother's room
• building with Megablocks
• swinging
• wearing your "wimmin yupe" and "webow yews" (swimming suit and rainbow shoes)
• books
• "prin-ce-ezz" (your princess nightgown)
  

You do NOT like:

• brushing -- your hair or teeth
• walking barefoot outside
• riding in the car
• leaving mommy or daddy
• running through the sprinkler

You often say:

• "uh-YAA!"
  
• "Naaack" (snack)
• "Mommy you okay?"
• "Here go daa-eee" (Here you go, daddy)
• "No wann iiitttt!" (don't want it)
• "ah-hee-yah" (I'm here)
• "Go ou-yide?"
• "ah-poopINNN" (I'm pooping)
• "C'mon, mommy!"

You LOVE to be held, cuddled, kissed and hugged, and giving the same back in return. I've never seen a child with so much affection to share -- does a mama's heart good.

Happy birthday, Lilly Ruth, Lilly Girl, Yeebird, Sweet Pea, Monkey, Sweetie Girl.

Now, let's head to Toys R Us and celebrate with a new play kitchen for you!!

Done and Doing

Canvas projects are finished. Hooray! I did four in all. Click here and here to see the other two. Email or leave a comment if you'd like instructions, including patterns, for these.


To do list . . .
Hem table runners for JAM wedding on 7/11.

Finish two custom quilt orders.

Make these little beauties (and other preps) for Lilly's party Saturday. {*excited*; remember this dress?}


Oh, and possibly make these for the rehearsal dinner. How fun is that for a centerpiece!!!?

It's going to be a crazy 10 days, but with the proper balance of sleep deprivation and strong coffee, I'm confident it will get done!

Summer's First Fruits (and vegetables)

Hello tomatoes.

Hello squash.

And a happy birthday message . . .
Hello, Ma-maw. Happy birthday. I miss you.

Last photo of Ma-maw and me, Thanksgiving Day 2005. She was gone a month later. I miss her, but she is still with us in many ways. Ma-maw, you still make me laugh often -- so many remembrances of you. You are a blessing!