Remembering Peter: 99 Balloons

The other day Lucy pointed to my computer and asked to see Peter, so I opened up my files and we looked at pictures and watched videos of Peter. It was so nice. It makes me wish I could go back in time so that I could hold and snuggle him again. Such a sweetheart.

Heaven.

Later I found the link to a youtube video that I had posted on Facebook after Peter was born that touched me so much.

After watching it again (and crying my eyes out again) I decided that I should share it here on my blog.

The video is a memorial written by a dad to his son that was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 before he was born, and their beautiful story and his life. It is such a sweet, sweet story that touches my heart so much.

You really should have some kleenex handy.


Link: 99 Balloons

Missing Shoe

One of Lucy's jelly shoes has been missing for about two months. I found one and placed it in a drawer so that if I found the other one I would know that it was the lost one and not the same "found" one I already had. 

The other day I was doing my daily thing when I noticed this:

Can you see it? Let's take a closer look:

Ah! At long last I had found the lost shoe!

I figured Zach must have put it up on the door frame a long time ago and forgotten that was where he had put it.

Lucy and I had a great laugh about it as I went to find its missing partner from my hiding place in the drawer.

It wasn't there! When Zach came home I showed him the shoe on the door frame and he laughed because he didn't really remember putting it there. I asked him about my "found" shoe from my drawer and he told me that he was looking for something the day before and had been in the drawer when he had come upon the "found" shoe.

Thinking that it was the lost shoe he decided to put it somewhere where it wouldn't get lost again: Enter door frame.

So, while we all had a good laugh about it, the lost shoe is still lost, and the "found" shoe is back in it's drawer waiting for it's mate.

Turkish Rug

When Zach and I lived in Turkey we went to a rug store with a group of his co-workers and saw all the amazing Turkish rugs. It was a big deal and the store owners spent two hours unrolling and showing us a hundred different rugs. They even had homemade Turkish food for us to snack on while they put on the show.

My favorite ones were the silk ones. They had amazing colors and a beautiful sheen to them. Unfortunately, even a very small one was very expensive. I compromised by buying this mini "rug" at a different store a few months later that was more in my price range. 

I love it! I love the blues and yellows in it and how it reminds me of all the wonderful times and experiences we had in Turkey. I am glad I will finally be able to display it after two years!

The finished product!

Before: Eaaeee. 

Test to see if rug will fit nicely in frame.

Spray paint original artwork and mat- don't need to paint middle because it will be covered up anyway by the rug.

Sanded frame and washed glass.

Ready to assemble!

Center rug on mat, glue, tape, or just press into tacky spray paint like I did.

Voila! Ready for the gallery wall!

Daddy Time: Reading

When Zach comes home from work Lucy runs to the door in excitement and says, "Welcome home! Welcome home!" and gives him a big hug and kiss. 

Usually this leads to wrestling and her being tossed on our bed over and over. 

Sometimes it leads to quiet time with Dad like this. 

Lucy loving some Daddy time.

Off limits to little hands!

Armoir filled with children's books that have tear-able pages.

My two sweethearts.

All of mom's treasure books that are paper instead of indestructible book board.

Work Dinner

We went to Zach's bosses home for a work dinner and enjoyed their farm atmosphere after the delicious Greek inspired food. 

Lucy would be so jealous! 

Mistletoe!

This is what mistletoe looks like in trees here. A ball!

Miniature pony.

Ladies Volleyball

We've decided to have Ladies Volleyball once a month and this was our first attempt. As you can see, the poles and net are really old and needed a little help. Despite the poor equipment, we had a lot of fun and I look forward to future games! 

Art Lesson: Watercolor Wax Resist and Cut Out

The inspiration for this project found here and here.

Materials:

Watercolor paper

Watercolors

Water

White crayon

Salt

Pencil

Scissors

X-acto knife

Glue

Contrasting background paper

Directions:

1. Use white crayon to draw shapes on paper.

2.  Paint using colors of your choice to reveal crayon drawings. Fill entire page with color. You can sprinkle salt on puddles of color to add texture. 

3. Let dry overnight. Rub off any remaining salt.

4. Draw picture on back of paper of the animal you want. Cut out and glue to background paper. 

Photo reference