the cave.

beautiful.

amazing.

love.

the cave.

wednesday: date day

so far this week has been great and it's only wednesday, plans for the rest of the week are all pointing towards it being a WONDERFUL week in it's entirety! today was my husbands 'during the week day off'- this is something new they are doing so that they get a little bit more of a break than just sunday or the occasional saturday, which I am thinking is a terrific idea. this week, however, I wasn't sure if he was going to be off during the week, well, as luck (for me) would have it he surprised me last night and said the he was in fact off and we were going on a day date!! YAY! Of course, I was giddy with excitement...a surprise date, how could I not be?! and we did just that...
we went to the new theater in pigeon forge and saw "I am no. 4"- GREAT, movie, two thumbs up... most definitely. I didn't want it to end, it was so good (I love when that happens)- needless to say we both thoroughly enjoyed it. after the movie we walked around a little bit, there are little local shops surrounding the theater, then headed to the outlets for a little look-sie before dinner. we ended our date with a yummy dinner at the old mill pottery cafe' & grille, it was our first time eating there and it, too, was VERY good. I had a delicious-o chicken salad sandwich (I am a FREAK for chicken salad) and the hubby munched on a chicken reuben. they homemake all of their breads (even to the extent of grinding the grains for that very bread!) the plates we hand-made pottery- made next door in the pottery store that I just LOVE. everything was so fresh and oh, so tasty. it was a wonderful surprise and so much fun to get out on the town with the hubby (thanks, love).

we have a kiddo that is over the top excited about tomorrow...we are going to the circus!! he has been talking about it for weeks and asks everday "momma, circus?!? 2 eeks?!" lol- man, I love that kid. we are SO excited to take him, I can't wait to see that precious little face beeming with excitement and happiness.

being free...yea, it's not free.

WARNING: RAMBLING DOES OCCUR

quiet often the thought, “where is life taking me...us?!?” crosses my mind. when I say often, more specifically I mean like at least every two minutes. I am a ‘confessed control freak’ and for those that are like me will understand that the unknown is at times bit much to handle- especially on the days when my ‘control-ism’ has kicked it up a notch. there are those days, usually when the weather is a little gloomy and the times where I have a LOT of time to think, it’s on those days that I want to tuck my head and hide in my shell, I want to hibernate- due to fear…the fear of the unknown, hey, I’m just being honest. in addition to being a bit of a control freak, I also worry (what an amazing list of characteristics I have going for myself, huh?!?) It’s a constant worry that I’m not doing enough, that I’m not living up to my potential, I worry how to get there, what to do, how to accomplish, how do I become a better more fancier model/version of the me that I am- causing me to hyperventilate upon the recent headline “newsflash- seriously, Crystal, you have NO control over anything!!” that followed closely with a “WTH!!!” Here I have, day in a day out thought that I was at least in control of the here and now, the life at present- obviously, I was wrong!!! I am in no way in control (*tear), today was yesterday’s future...you know, the one that I was just a minute ago freaking out about, trying to configure a way-searching for "how to guide" a "tutorial" anything instructing me how to step out of my body, sit above my life on a queen like pedestal and move things around like pawns or building blocks to create what I believe is the perfect tomorrow for today. When I was able to catch my breath and take a moment to JUST BREATHE (still a learning process)- I began to talk to myself (no I am NOT crazy!) reassuring myself that my life was being taken care of, that it was predetermined long before I even took that first breath of life. that I cannot, under any circumstances buy my way a little sneak peek of tomorrow because it just doesn’t work that way. I must learn how to live in the today that I have been given. Obviously, we aren’t promised tomorrow- at least once a day we read or hear something that recites that revelation to us (enough, already, right?!?! I want to be guaranteed tomorrow lol. yes, my mind IS in fact a vicious cycle). Time is fleeting and more than anything I don’t want to waste this minute worrying about the next 24 hours. with all of that craziness that is me being said- I cannot fail to mention that I find life exciting, exhilarating and BEYOND amazing, I eagerly await each new day to see what it has awaiting me, there isn't a moment that I am not utterly thankful for. I am learning to be free, God, how I want it with every fiber of my being. Even though I don’t know what it is that I will be doing, where I will be, WHO I will be a year from now the only thing that I know is that today I can do all that I love in hopes that it is preparing me for my tomorrows. I can do this, I know that I can- a challenge?!? yes, but you know this girl lu-huvs a good challenge and being that it is ever so important to me, I have that determination in place and set, mission will be accomplished.

{day 21 & 22 | the joy of love}

{day 21: hands}

sweet love of a lifetime.

{day 22: faceportrait}
my sweet boy.
not sure why is has a underbite going on-
with that smile...but he is still oh, SO cute.

{the joy of love}

hole in one.

Lo's first time Putt-Putt(ing)
He LOVED it
We had SO much FUN!
CHOO-CHOO to the TOP was a FAVE.
it was such a BEAUTIFUL day to be out.
{momma, (that's me) got a HOLE IN ONE!}
enjoy some pictures from our DAY.

{that ^ picture makes me SMILE!}

{Project Life Progress}

as promised, here is a video of my progress thus far on my project life book. I am SO excited with the way it is turning out, simply put, I just LOVE it. I am so thankful to have found this "project" and am eager to share with you my continued journey and progress.

{pardon the video quality, although it's not TOO bad. pardon my jibberish- it's just how I am, and pardon the recent loud noise you hear in the background- no my house didn't crumble to the ground...that's just the kiddo PLAYING!} :)

{day 15 | the joy of love}

{day 15: kiss}

getting me some good sugar from my baby.

{the joy of love}

top ten life moments.

"life is not measured by the number of breaths you take,

but by the number of moments that take your breath away."

"this moment contains all moments."

"moments, that’s all you get with the ones you love."

“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise.

It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us."

obviously, I am a sucker for a good quote- i would have them plastered all over if i had the wall space, but that space is taken with hundreds of pictures of the kid. the first particular quote is one of my faves, so here are the top ten moments that have taken my breath away:

1. the day that I accepted and asked jesus to dwell in my heart, i was young, like six years old young- but i do remember the day. i think this day goes hand in hand with the day that i retook those ‘vows.’- it’s a beautiful thing knowing that you are loved, always.
2. the day that I realized that life really was worth living. i looked at it, REALLY looked at it- who i was, who i wanted to be and i saw my life in a different way than i ever had before, i saw its beauty in the imperfections, and by golly i now live everyday with my arms wide open.
3. it’s no secret that i love to travel, that i am a born traveler, a world traveler. there are those certain places that i have on my list that stand out (a list that is a mile long by the way), like hawaii for instance. in 2000 i was given the opportunity to go (and much thanks to my parents for allowing me to go so since i was only sixteen)- i did just that, i went. despite the MAJOR jet lag it was a trip of a lifetime and it was oh, so beautiful. (now i just wanna take my family there!)
4. the day that i knew i had met the guy of all guys.
5. the day that my guy bought me my first camera, he saw something in me- a gift that i had and he encouraged me to learn, to practice, to ‘just do it!’
6. the day that my guy proposed. it was like something out of a movie- the sappy love ones you don’t think are ever possible, those moments that only exist on screen and not in real life. it did in mine. it was august 7th, 2004- we were dancing on the beach and then when i least expected it he knelt down and ‘popped the question’- fireworks lit up the sky (literally) and i said, ‘i reckon!’- i know what you must be thinking- but in my defense i don’t think well when taken by surprise, or at all, lol.
7. the day that i married that guy, my happily ever after.
8. the day that i found out i was pregnant- against all odds.
9. the day that i gave birth to the most amazing person i have ever met. that cry of life was the most beautiful sound i have ever heard.
10. the day that we left the comforts of the life we knew to create a new, better life for ourselves, our family.

as i was making this list i was overcome with such gratefulness for the life that i have been given. has it always been easy, no. has it always been glorious, no. but it has always, always been worth it. everyday there are moments that i just stop what i'm doing and breathe it all in, moments in the everyday life that take my breath away, moments that have me wishing life had a pause button so that i could make them last just a little bit longer. my top ten list is my life changing moments- we all have them and we wouldn’t be who we are without those moments, good or bad. i challenge you to take a look at your life and find those moments that stand out, that make you…you.

{day 13 | the joy of love}

{day 13: routines}

he loves bath time.

especially monster truck baths.

{the joy of love}

x oh, x oh.

we had a busy weekend in the carolina's, it was a nice little get away. spent time with my grandmother, got my hair done finally (i felt like one of those mom's that goes on t.v. for a makeover- it's been forever since she had her hair done- you know the ones, the sweatpant wearing ones, although i must admit that i don't go that far, i still gotta have SOME lady like-ness, some dignity, lol). anyway, i love how it turned out, i had it trimmed, thinned out (hallelujah), highlights and low lights with the low light color applied to the underneath. i love the contrast and the several different colors that my hair has now and of course the pampering was just lovely. i ended up scheduling a photography appointment while i was there for sunday which was nice, i love using my craft and with this cold weather there hasn't been any good opportunities to get out and 'shoot'- needless to say i am eagerly anticipating the warmer weather. we made it home just in time for the grammy's, although i had scheduled it to record earlier in the day, it was nice to watch it from the beginning and be on schedule. for the most part i loved the performances (bob dylan and barbara streisand were a bit questionable, lol)- i definitely have some favorite highlights from the night: mumford & sons, the avett brothers were both just spectacular- cee lo green and gwyneth paltrow made me smile (i do love that song). again, we have had a busy day today as well running around and have landed at daddy's work to see him for a little while for valentines day and give out prizes, yay! here's mine from my valentine boys:

bunches of candy goodies (shame on the gift getters, lol)- i asked the hubby what exactly he was thinking buying so much candy since we are on an 'almost sugar-free diet,' he just smiled, i must admit i had a couple of the sweetart gummies and one mini air head (white, it's my fave), i shall not be tempted anymore, lol! :) i am excited to give lo his goodies later- it's all i've heard today from him, "get prizes, now?!?!" he asks and for the five hundreth time i answer, "when daddy gets home." so needless to say he has spent the biggest majority of the day excited and in turn i am excited.

me and my super sweet valentines, gosh i love them. i'm not a crazy fan of valentines day- i know, i know- so sue me. i celebrate us everyday, smother em' with hugs and kisses, let em' know how incredibly awesome they are to me and love em' like crazy everyday. but i must admit that i won't pass up on an opportunity to give gifts, to celebrate with a party, to have a good excuse to do fun little crafts, make yummy goodies, party with the family, a special date with the hubby (although we haven't got ours yet, maybe this weekend, possibly) and after all it never hurts for there to be a day set aside especially for those you love, to let em' know just how amazing they truly are and you too will benefit from it all of course, i know you are loved. enjoy your love day, love em' good.

(i do have blog ideas that i am mulling over, not just day to day stuff, it's just putting pen to paper or in this case finger to keys and making it happen. soon!)

the L.O.V.E day

{happy Valentine's day}

from my kid & me

hope your day is just lovely

{valentine's card 2011}

{day 12 | the joy of love}

{day 12: eyes}

the windows to the soul.

"i never saw blue like that before."

{day 11 | the joy of love}

{day 11: dreams}

day.dreaming, about what, i wonder.

crafting.happily

so, when i saw this i knew that it was a must try, it was too cute not to. the hubby took me out last night to the craft store and i was able to pick up the supplies needed to make this adorable 'pom-pom bib necklace.' these are so easy to make and definitely worth the time it takes, well, because they are too darn cute. obviously i'm feeling very crafty here as of late and it doesn't stop here (so stay tuned for more). once i made it home and we got the kiddo in bed i was itching to get started, therefore i did. of course theres just no way i wouldn't pay it forward and share it with you along with a little tutorial for you to make one (or ten) for yourself, one in every color, perhaps! :)

{How to Make a Pom Pom Bib Necklace}

Supplies:
Felt (1sq ft. mine was actually 9x12)

Cotton Fabric, your choice

Scissors

Necklace chain, pearls, etc- again, your choice.

Hot Glue Gun.

Start by cutting out (5) 1.5" felt circles (these are your base)
You can do them bigger or smaller, whatever you prefer!
*Pardon my 'edgy' circles- told ya i was a TERRIBLE cutter*

Next, cut out lots o' fabric circles, the same size as your felt circles. (I cut a couple extra felt circles to use as a template when cutting out the fabrice ones.) To save you a bit of time you can stack the fabric to cut out more circles at one time- just not so many that your hand starts to cramp up, theres more to do. The circles don't have to be perfect- it wont make a bit of difference (thank goodness). The edgier the better is my philosophy!

The time has come to make the adorable little pom poms.

Take one of the fabric circles and scrunch or pinch it from the center.

Apply glue to the bottom of scrunched pom and place it in the middle of the felt circle. Continue that process until the entire felt circle has been covered by scrunched fabric circles. Repeat until you have all five felt circles covered. Now, you have 5 mini pom poms.

Place the 5 pom poms on the remaining felt arranged according to how you want your necklace.

Glue down each pom pom.

{except for the top two}

(I marked a little dot underneath each pom as to not lose it's place while glueing.)

This is the chain I used- purchased from hobby lobby, however, they can be purchased at any craft store. (eg. Michael's, AC Moore, etc...possibly even Wal-Mart.) It was originally 60" long with NO CLASP. I cut mine down to about 24"- depending on what you like it could be longer or shorter.

Glue the ends of the chain onto the last two poms.

I glued the chain about an inch into the poms- just for some extra hold.

(this means you will want to figure at least 2" in addition to the length of your chain when cutting)

Glue the last two poms to the felt beside the ones already glued. Trim off the extra felt until you are left with only the necklace.

Tell me you just don't love that!!!

It looks adorable on and the best part is knowing YOU made it. :)

Happy Friday!

(I love learning new things, making and crafting- if you have anything that you have done, I would LOVE to know about it and try it for myself!! Please, do share! )