Favorites Friday: I love birthdays

Husband's birthday was yesterday and I had a blast throwing together a little family shindig, even bought my own helium machine, yep. Looking forward to a busy weekend with two photo shoots and our last weekend before Gideon's kindergarten debut. I'm thinking of following (stalking) his bus on the way to school...is that weird?!

Labor day links:

Christina really has a knack for design, check out her room 2 ways

Kendi does pink and sienna so well

Naomi's fall picks are fun

Pretty hair

Chalkboard place mats

Have a lovely Labor day weekend one!

The corn cakes that saved the day

The consistent lack of sleep is starting to take its toll so I needed these highly anticipated corn cakes with avocado salsa to taste good so the day wouldn't be in complete vain! They were delicious just what the doctor ordered for an end of summer treat and one worn out mama, recipe here.

Also, happy birthday to my sweet husband, so glad God gave me you!

When iron sharpens iron {8 years} plus a butterfly blouse

It was 8 years ago yesterday that we said "I do" and our bliss comes from alot of iron sharpening iron! We are exact opposites and really confound each other with our differences most of the time! However, those differences strengthen our weaknesses and thats where the magic happens coupled with alot of prayer and grace!

About that butterfly blouse...butterflies always symbolize God's faithfulness to me, particularly during the season that I prayed for a husband! What better occasion to wear butterflies than our anniversary dinner of 8 years! 

When the lights go out {Irene}

Northern Virginia has now survived an earthquake and hurricane in one week! Irene took our power for two days, but that's a given considering our tree heavy location back here in the country! We're giving serious thought to purchasing a generator due to our frequent power outages that come even in winter. Although I must admit, no electricity makes for interesting bonding times in our household. 

 This is the "I made it up pasta!" sausage, spinach, basil and tomatoes in a white wine sauce!

Gideon watching "Irene" rolling in through the window.

Running laps in the house.

Bo's pretend motorcycle ride!

Neighborhood walks

The glow sticks I forgot to pass out at his birthday party came in handy in the darkness!

Favorites Friday: a little emotional

This week has been a dousy between little sleep, the earthquake and the pending hurricane! On the flip side Bo is smiling and when he does his whole face lights up, totally melts me.
Plan on hunkering down this weekend and snapping some pictures with a lens I'm renting. Praying everyone who's in the line of Irene stays safe.

image via

For your perusing:

This is so perfect for parties

Pretty lip colors

wowzers these are creative wreaths

Clinging to this

maple bacon donut, yes please

Never knew how much I needed a baby

There are many reasons why there is five years between Gideon and Bo, but one of the largest was the passing of my Father. My heart sunk into such a deep dark abyss that I couldn't imagine bringing another baby into the world with such a cloud over my head. The world lost its color and the grief was just too great. 

Then we began praying for a little girl and even named her Ruth (Ruthie!) and sure enough found out quickly we were expecting a boy! Oh but the Lord gives us exactly what we need not what we want. I knew immediately his middle name had to be Dominick after my Father. It still grieves my heart that my Dad will never meet him, but there's great healing just holding that baby knowing he's named after my Dad, it's balm to my soul. Like I said, I never knew how much I needed a baby.

"When peace like a river attendeth my way when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot Thou has taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul." Horatio Spafford 1873

  (My favorite hymn sung at my Dad's Memorial service)

Wanderlust: Rio de janeiro

Having a newborn has given me a bit of cabin fever, since its easier to stay at home then navigate outside while changing and feeding him every 2 hours! And since traveling abroad will be out of the question for at least this year, we'll travel virtually, whose game? I'm kicking off a new series called Wanderlust and will pick a different country, city, state you name it and off we will go! Let me know if you have any suggestions!

Rio de janeiro has never been on the radar for me until I saw the kids movie Rio and man am I convinced! On our trip we make stops at Christ the redeemer statue (one of the new seven wonders of the world), ride the skyride to Sugar Loaf mountain, soak up sun on the beaches of Copacabana, shop the boutiques in Ipanema, and watch the samba parade at Carnaval!

Seriously, best party ever.

Gideon's 5th birthday party was such a hit! I may have slightly underestimated how challenging it would be to host a party while feeding a newborn every 2 hours, but my dear friends picked up my camera and captured those special moments so nothing was missed! So grateful.

The boys spent the entire time on the pier fishing catching actual fish! I actually teared up when Gideon caught his very first fish, such a moment. It truly was one of my favorite days with my favorite people!

Rebecca designed custom invitations, thank you cards as well as cupcake toppers, a banner, and the owl pinata. She's such a rockstar! Be sure to check out her etsy shop where she features this party package! 

Smores on a stick and mediterrean salad

Our photobooth!

 I love this one even though its not a perfect picture, it really captures his personality!

I made fabric fish and attached magnets to the end for "dry dock fishing!"
The adults got a kick out of the game!

This was the fish Gideon caught with the help of Keith (Thank God for him!) Love how he's got his eye on it!

Leopard love

Its safe to say I'm already ahead of the curve on Fall's leopard trend! Animal prints are becoming the new classics!!

Leopard skirt from target, a whooping $12!

Note the leopard throw on the couch!

A leopard throw rug in the nursery, naturally!

Favorites Friday: Brave as a lion {1 month}

Bo's onesie reads "Brave as a lion" but should say "Strong as a lion" with his attempts to hold his head up and stand on our laps....craziness! 

Happy to greet the weekend with G's fishing party on Saturday and our couples Bible study on Sunday!

{1 month}

Lots of link love this week:

I might make fried pickles this weekend

Maxi skirts for the winter

Such a lovely guest room

What a pinata!

My husband calls this God's phone number

Can't wait to share Gideon's fishing party and our back to school photo session next week! Have a happy one!

Milk madness plus a recipe

We've made vast improvements in our milk troubles with honeybee because I've cut out all dairy, coffee, and chocolate (ok, not all chocolate!) Then I wasn't sure what was left to eat, until I remembered my trusty easy Paella recipe, a spanish dish I love! Please feel free to pass on any other recipes without dairy, I'm all ears!

More than I can imagine

One of the main reasons I blog is to record the way God moves and answers prayer in my life. The amazing factor is I got to bring all of you along with me on this last prayer in my life. Ready for this....Remember the scare about Boaz's "short femurs" upon ultrasound, well they measured him last week and his length is the 75% percentile! God doesn't just answer he gives more than we can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20) I'm speechless yet again at his goodness. Thank you for all your prayers, especially to those I've never met and yet you prayed.

p.s His weight was the 50% and head 95%, looks like Gideon is gonna have a little big brother!

The birth announcement{s}

So I couldn't decide on a single picture to use for the birth announcement so I went with three!! One of my best friends, Rebecca of Pedaling Designs is a graphic designer and happily obliged! She knows my taste so well, I barely give her an idea of what I want and within minutes she's done a masterpiece. Check out the proofs:

She also made the "Love is kind" sign for my house, hand drew our Christmas card, made our kiki & mimi photography logo, and designed Gideon's birth announcement too! Thanks Rebecca, your the best, be sure to check out her etsy shop!

P.S If you'd like to see more honeybee goodness, head over here!

Favorites Friday: Shout outs

My biggest accomplishment was manning the grocery store this week with both kiddos...it was no easy task but I survived! You mommas with 3 and more are my heros, seriously.

 I have to say the brightest spots in my week were the special notes, emails, and shout outs I received from all of you. How can I thank you enough? You made a tough week, full of sunshine!

Here are my shout outs right back at ya!

Fran from Green Street rocked her roman shades in greek key trim, I'm speechless and amazed; they look killer, Fran! Head over to her amazing blog to say hello and find out her big news!

Spearmint baby is a fantastic blog with all things momma baby featuring diys, birth stories, and wonderful photography! Thanks for the lovely feature on Bo's room!

Check out Jena from livingcolor, isn't her dining room amazing! Her site features homes and their paint colors, taking the guess work out of choosing colors, so smart! Thanks Jena for having me!

Some more link love:

Amber is using this amazing fabric for her roman shades

This is the epitome of summer, along with her hair!

I've always wanted to do a fish tail braid

Flamingo baby shower

Just me and the boys this weekend, wish me luck!

So incredibly thankful for my newest blessing, I'm in awe and wonder! Thank you Lord!

Have a lovely weekend, friends.

{Cheating} shelves

This almost seems too silly to do a post on, but I had a few requests asking about my floating shelves and how they are hung! Its a magic trick really.....place L brackets on top and cover with books and trinkets! Ideally these would be built-in bookshelves, but since those cost an arm and leg, I went with cheap shelves from home depot and L brackets. It gives the wall some architectural interest without breaking the bank!