Embrace the Camera

A blog I love gave me a great reason to take pictures with my kids. I have a hard time doing becuase I feel like I'm looking a little dumpy (pretty much all the time, unless I have to leave the house). But The Anderson Crew reminded me that one day I won't be around for my kids, and they'll want to have memories with me in them. So here's to my first "embrace the camera" moment.

I took this picutre with Micah on the first day Josiah was in preschool, and Micah was struggling to play without him. It was actually a pretty fun day for just the two of us (I'm not counting Ella until she's mobile). We played "chase" and had a brief swordfight and did some much needed cuddle time. I think I'm going to love having Josiah in school (most of the time) for these moments. And I want to remeber to try and catch these memories on camera, even if I look like a 12 year old who doesn't shower : ) Now it's your turn to try and remeber to take pics with your family!

So what's going on in the Brittenham abode today; you might ask. Well I will tell you. James is busy outside building another (the first was in our last home) retaining wall in the backyard. The boys are sometimes outside "helping", and sometimes inside, bothering me. And what is sweet baby Ella doing? Fussing. She has an awful cold that has nearly taken her sweet, little, girly voice away. She isn't taking good naps, maybe 30 min - 1 hour, and she has been waking up 3 times at night. This is a dramatic difference from our once a night routine. It is really starting to catch up to me. James, being the amazing husband he is, let me sleep in today. It was nearly 10 am before I rolled out of bed. And I only did so because Ella woke up to eat.

But the good news is that the weather is beginning to cool off. And that means fall is in the air! Fall is my favorite time of year. I love everything about it. I love the leaves changing, the cool air, the light jackets and leggings, the evening walks, and the Pumpkin Spice anything doesn't hurt either.

So needless to say, even though I am sleep deprived and cranky, there is always, always, always something to be thankful for. Today, I'm going with the weather!

Getting My Craft On

I have been getting very inspired by Pintrest lately. I've found a million new craft, and organization ideas. Which has been perfect timing for me since taking on the role (again) of celebration leader (who gives out gifts to the moms). I've found creative ideas on inexpenisive gifts. Here's a few of the things I've been working on:

This is a bookmark I made from a paint chip from Home Depot, a washer, a ribbon, and a stamp. Easy gift for about $0.20!




Next is a necklace I made from felt, an inexpenive chain (comes by the roll) and some fabric. Another gift idea for my MOPS ladies. Cost about $0.75! There's a really great tutorial at Little Miss Momma.




Here is a letter box I made out of an old cereal box. I covered it with scrapbooking paper and here ya go! Instant (and nearly free) organization!. Cost about $0.10!

And finally I made this fall wreath from a plumming tube you can buy at Home Depot for $.97, some old ribbon and old dollar store leaves I had laying around. I just duct taped the long tube together at the ends and hot glued the leaves and ribbon. Took all of 20 min and cost all of $3. Brilliant I tell ya!

Hope this inspires other Mommies to get their craft on too. I will be posting more ideas as I finish them!

Happy Friday!