School Prep...

Ugh... I did it. I bit the bullet and did the school shopping and uniform shopping. I am so not happy with doing it. I wanted to stay in my SUMMER mode. DENIAL  that summer was coming to a close. But I did it. I spent a gazillion dollars on Sweetpea's new (gulp) middle school uniform. And than I spent another beaucoup bucks on supplies and a few more uniform pieces for BooBooBear... OH BOY... it hurt. A lot.  Not just because we spent so much money (although - that wasn't fun)... but I realized summer was almost over and I wouldn't have my girls all to myself anymore. It's becoming acutely obvious that I cannot avoid the fact that my first baby girl is growing up faster than I wanted her to...

I thought about sharing something she wanted to buy at the store - that just clinched it for me that she was getting so big - too fast. (But I think that one I'll just keep in the memory banks suffice it to say that she'd kill me if I wrote it out... hahaha).

I really wanted to do some more "learning" this summer with them, to keep them fresh. I know I am talking like the summer is completely over... and it's not.  I still want to have a lot more fun with my baby girls... and maybe do some reading and a little math... possibly some French in there as well! But if it doesn't get done... well I am deciding that I am still ok with it. Kiddos should be kiddos during the summer and I don't want them to lose that. We will still continue our reading and a little math etc here and there BUT...the last few weeks of summer  we're going to have fun just hanging out, playing, and doing fun things together.  We have our family vacation coming soon... that is ALWAYS the best time together as a family.

Hello August... I won't be sad of your arrival and what it means. 

I will embrace you and celebrate that it means to have the best 3 weeks before school.

I want to be with my girls for the rest of the summer and enjoy them.

Summer activities con't...

What else have we been up to?
Well - Sweetpea went on her very first EVER sleepover camping trip- the week after we got back from Maine. She was pooped and it was hard letting her go - but away she went.

 She. had. a. BLAST!

She got to go with her lil' bff - E. and they had a great time together. It was so good to see her when she got home however. Boy I missed that sweetheart. And BooBoo missed her big sister (although she won't admit it). But Boo and I played hard, went to parks, did some crafts, read books, watched movies, and snuggled... a lot.

We've boated, snorkeled (even BOO - who hated to put her face in the water last year!!!), watched fireworks glorious fireworks - watched with new friends. We've done lots of crafts, started our plans for a secret (shhhh) garden - complete with a bistro table and chair set), read, prepared fab dinners (and so much better for us), celebrated Daddy's day, played on fun playgrounds, played with friends, enjoyed the freedom of playing outside AND sleeping in, and last week I taught a week of sewing camp!!!

Both girls joined in the week of sewing camp and I think they did a good job of learning. Sweetpea was a HUGE help to me - like an assistant. But it was also hard on both girls because while doing sewing or crafts they are used to having my FULL attention and not sharing it with SEVEN other little girls. All-in-all we had a GREAT week. And the feedback so far I have received was positive!! I even got a few more sewing machines!!! And Mr Safety Man found me the DEAL OF THE CENTURY... I got a VIKING (slightly used) but the price was totally unbeatable!!!

My sewing campers!

Some big news... we also received an Etsy "convo" from a local store in Sarasota... she really liked what she saw in my Etsy shop and wanted us to put some creations in her store! SO we made the BIG decision and as of July 12, 2011 - we are now mArrineRs monTage - with an actual PHYSICAL location! We are super excited about this next step... but it has taken some MAJOR work to get ready. I just really hope something sells. Thank you to everyone that's been so supportive (even if you don't read this silly blog... hehehe).

The girls have been troopers the last few days - between doing some MAJOR overhauls in our rooms... organizing the house (MAJOR throw out as well...), trying on clothes, getting caught up on chores, shopping for the new store displays, and well... just boring stuff for kiddos... they have really shined. We spent DAYS working in their rooms and our bedroom - that have been neglected for MONTHS AND MONTHS. And the rooms are starting to turn around... still need a lot of help - but starting. Our girls both want to be "more responsible". The driving factor...they want to do 4H this Fall and take care of (pretend there's dramatic music - here - )... DUM DA DUMMMmmmm...

Bunnies!!

...oh boy...

Today after setting up 2 displays at MUSE GALLERIA - the store where we have mArrineRs monTage creations...I took them to a pet store and we got to pet bunnies, hold them and talk about what we could do etc. to be more responsible. Helping out and being active members of the family, became the topic of choice. It should be interesting to see where this goes. But our #1 goal is the responsibility factor... and keeping rooms clean, doing chores, saying their prayers, doing good works for others, reading and working on school type stuff for the next year (not in that order) - all falls in the  category of responsibility.

Love this girl...FACE in the water!!!

Love this girl

He's so cute...

yep that's me...& the girls...

Boo jumping! YIPPEE!

Projects girlies made

Yummmy dinner my honey made...

Anyway...  I digress... I guess in retrospect we have had QUITE a full summer thus far... tomorrow we are meeting some friends at the beach and just relaxing... That will be super nice. I am really looking forward to catching up and watching our kiddos frolicking in the waves...

I guess that is what summer is about... to stop having such high expectations and to really just relax, enjoy, let good times and good memories just come. To release what "HAS" to happen and just let things happen. The girls will remember different things about the summer - but what is important to me - is that they remember ME (and of course Mr Safety Man too) being there... being an ACTIVE part of their summer with them. I want them to look back and think - I had a lot of fun with my Mommy this summer. We get to be together... and honestly - if you know me - that means more to me now than it ever has before...

That is ultimately what matters right?

Blue

The skies are certainly blue. I love being able to see it. The sun does help me warm up - I just wish my mood wasn't so blue. Why? Why do I feel the way I feel? It is frustrating and heartbreaking.

We had a WONDERFUL and I mean WONDERFUL Spring Break. I cannot wait to post photos! We were really in our element. It was SO good to be together as a family. I love our time together. I truly, truly do. 

Families are forever.

I believe that with all my heart.

It was so fun together. We had a TERRIFIC week!  But then it rained the last day. We had to leave a bit earlier - not my choice. And it hit...our wonderful Disney World passes that I didn't think were even obtainable when we actually got them - until they were in our hot little hands- are expiring at the end of this month. There is no renewing them... not this year. Not with the year we've had. It's too bad. I really love going to Disney World. I know how lucky we were to be able to get our annual passes. I love to see my little, sweet girls' faces when go on a ride or show they love. I love that my oldest (11yrs old) still lights up that Minney Mouse waved to her.."She looked right at me Mommy and WAVED!!!".  It's been such a blessing to help us get a through a really tough time. A time I am sorry to say that is never gone. It's always lurking in the shadows of my mind. I think I am doing better though. sometimes. Is it funny to say that going to Disney has helped?

But I guess I'm down for a variety of reasons. Only I can't shake them. I want to lie down and throw the covers over my head and not move. I feel things are not controllable - and that is hard for me. I see my Sweetpea and she is growing up fast - but still a little girl. She is trying so hard to figure out who she is... then it hits... She'll be in Middle School next year. And I don't want that. But I do. I don't want to lose my first born baby...not that I am losing her... but the "baby" I am. I pray that she will still be my sweet girl. But we know Middle school age stereotypes...don't we? I pray she will be like me and my mom were. I never thought my mom was "queer" (yes... it was the 80's y'all). I never was embarrassed to hug her in front of my friends. I was a bit unique I guess. But I adored (still do) my mom and dad. I just pray I have that with both my girls. They are such snuggle-y wonders to me. How did I receive such a gift - twice? Such blessings?

I am sad. Yes. I will work through it and try to be more "me". Yes. Remembering that what is important is right here with me and beside me... crawling in to bed with me the last few days, weeks, months - still to wipe away bad dreams and telling me that they love me. THAT is what will help me defeat these awful feelings.
Yes.

I will somehow triumph. yes.

You spin me right 'round baby... like a record baby...

...but not in the way you'd think...

It's just the way I am feeling lately! SOoooooo many projects, so much of a messy house, so many activities, so much on my mind, so overwhelmed. I feel like a crazy record (yes I am dating myself here by not saying CD) that is on a continuous loop because it's scratched! But as I am spinning out of control - I also like to think that I truly AM accomplishing things. It will just take awhile. What's that saying? "It has to get worse before it gets better..." - hmmmm I think they say that with me as their example. Whoever they are!?

OK... the last few days in review... via photos (wish me luck... I've been procrastinating uploading):

Crocheted a pun'kin hat for the sweetest 2 yr old!

Made an antique doorknob hook (w/my g-ma's knobs) for my aprons

the 'Great Sorting of Chris' mom's fabric (w/help from my pups)

New FABRIC for aprons to sell!

Working with my lil' company FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Finished Pun'kin hat!

1 apron done for festival/Art show i am in in Nov.

2nd apron for festival/to display at Art show

At Terra Ceia festival selling my handmade bird domes with helper Boo (in tree)

Made Sweetpea her giraffe blankie

Finally some family time! HOLE IN 1! YAH BABEEeee

love my girls

utter concentration

Chris' happy dance (hole in 1 grrrr)

Another hole in 1 & I WON FOR FIRST TIME EVER!!!

lettin' lizard go

A fine porcelain pendant i made

Another fine porcelain pendant i made

I made Christmas prezzies for teachers

 

Playin with my new RUFFLER foot! SO STOKED!

Apron hook COMPLETE!! How'd i do?

The "Great Fabric Sorting" just about complete!

Baking w/ my girls (wearing aprons I made for them)!

Cleaned off top shelves (more throwing away) and fabric's new home

Mending clothes (new buttonholes)

Mending

too tight sleeves...

Mended! YES! More use out of it now!

So much to still do... I am...

EXHAUSTED!!!