The gift of an ordinary day

My brother Brice is amazingly creative.  He is a graphic designer, an incredible artist, a wonderful photographer, and lately he has been doing some unbelievable videography for weddings.  You always see him videoing (is that a word?) things, but he always does it so inobtrusively that you hardly notice he's around when he's doing it.  I knew he was taking some video a few weeks ago when my family went to my parents' lake house to celebrate the 4th of July.  It was just an ordinary day - fun, but filled with the usual busy-ness of life.  Refilling sippy cups, breaking up fights, changing diapers, putting band-aids on scrapes and soothing feelings hurt by siblings.  The day was fun for me, but nothing extraordinary.

Until.

Tonight, I saw this video that my brother created, and within minutes I felt tears stinging my eyes.  He has the gift of observing the little things that so many of us miss - and capturing them in a way that takes your breath away.  Watching my girls' faces, seeing little Carter drink out of his sippy cup and fall down, seeing Emily helping Bapop pick tomatoes and blackberries - all of these things are so easy to miss as I rush through each day, trying to meet the needs of all of our kids.  This three minute video is a gift that makes time stand still for just a moment for me - and it's something that I can't find words to thank Brice for.  If you watch it, I hope you will get a little glimpse of what it's like to be at my parents' lake house.  Turn up your volume, because the music is absolutely beautiful, and adds such depth to the video.  We have so many wonderful memories at my parents' lake house, and now they have been captured by the amazing eye of my sweet brother.  Thank you Brice - I am amazed by your talent and creativity.  I love you.  And thank you God for the gift of an ordinary day.


http://vimeo.com/13114675 from Brice Beasley on Vimeo.

{seven}

She is...

Smart

Compassionate

Hilarious

Strong-willed

Sure of herself

Stubborn

Organized

Beautiful

Kind

Feisty

Loyal

Shy

Seven.

A Big Boy Haircut for Carter

Recently, Carter's hair had gotten really long.  He had the CUTEST curls!  They were so silky and sweet and I loved them.  However, his hair was starting to look a little "shaggy" and I couldn't decide whether to get his hair cut or not.  This is my FAVORITE shot of him with his curls!

Be.still.my.heart

After one too many well-meaning people at the grocery store complimented me on my "beautiful little girl," I decided something must be done about the long hair.  {Side note rant:  if my baby is wearing a BLUE shirt with a robot or a car on it, he is NOT a girl!!!}

Here is the before:

During:

Side note - how cute is his face???

And after!

Afterwards, Carter got a special treat - a visit to the bookstore!  He loves books.

As much as I hated cutting his hair, I have to admit that I LOVE it now.  He does look much more grown up, but he looks so handsome.  We ended up going back and getting cut a little bit shorter a few days later, as it looked sort of "puffy" once it dried.  Here he is after the second cut - so handsome!!!

I have one of his sweet curls saved (after giving one to each grandma!) and I will always remember how silky and soft his hair was as a baby.  Even though he looks more like a big boy every day, he will always, always be my baby boy.

PS - In the background of these pictures is a preview of a big project we've been working on around here!  The big reveal coming soon!

It's All About DANCE!!!

At least in our house the past month or so, it's been ALL about dance!  First we had Lindsey's tryouts for performing company.  I have had a few people email me to ask me how Lindsey's dance tryouts went.  Well, she did it again! She made the top level performing company at her dance school. I am SO proud, and Lindsey is over the moon excited! We are going to be VERY busy next year, but we can't wait!

We are also celebrating with Emily!  She was asked to be in Mini Spotlight again, which is a big honor.  They identify girls who show potential in dance through their technique, grace, flexibility and positive attitude.  She is a natural peformer, and SO sweet on stage!  Needless to say, we have had some CELEBRATING to do around here!

 

When I say it's been all about dance, I'm not kidding!  In the last few weeks, we have had our final competition, Lindsey's Company Concert (like a recital, but only for the Performing Company), her Company banquet, dance pictures, dance recital rehearsal, and finally the recital.  Whew!  I am worn out!  The funny thing is that the morning after the recital, the first thing Lindsey said to me was, "When does dance start again?"  The girl LOVES to dance!

Here are a few pictures of our past few weeks of dance.  I love seeing my girls dressed up, and I LOVE watching them on stage.  I cried several times during their recitals.  My heart is so full watching them up there, trying their hardest and with the biggest smiles on their sweet faces.

Lindsey before heading out to her Company banquet.  She looks SO grown up here!  Sob!

Emily in her jazz and ballet costumes.  I will never forget how cute she was on stage this year!

Lindsey's tap costume and ballet costume - both so pretty!

Swimmin'

I have been very brave this summer, and have ventured to the neighborhood pool with all three kids by myself.  The first time we went, Carter was NOT impressed - the water was cold, and he was not a happy boy.  However, he quickly started to enjoy it when he realized he could splash, and he loved watching his sisters go under the water.  He was all smiles for about an hour, and then he decided he'd rather get out and eat some Goldfish crackers.  Here are a few pictures from our first day at the pool this summer.

Carter's favorite past time at the pool - walking around, coming dangerously close to the edge of the pool, refusing to hold my hand and running away when I try to catch him.

How cute are these toes in these flip flops?  The boy is edible, I tell you.

The End of an Era....

I have been dealing with something lately, something that I can't quite wrap my mind around.

I am now the mom of a sixth grader.

A middle schooler.  What????  How is that possible?!?!?!?

I would be remiss in my blogging if I didn't share a few things from Lindsey's fifth grade graduation week.  Many of her sweet friends will be going to the same middle school she will be attending, but some won't.  The last day of school was filled with tears, hugs and long goodbyes.  I will really miss having both of my girls at the same school next year.  In fact, they will never be at the same school again =(

I don't handle change well, especially when it involves my kids growing up too fast.  {{{SIGH}}}

Here are a few images from the last few days of school.  I'm going to go cry now.

Beach day - a rare pic of the sisters together, for the last time at school.

What happens when Carter comes to visit - all the girls surround him!  He is a ladies man - ha!

A sweet moment I captured between Lindsey and Carter.  Oh how these two adore each other.

I have to put this picture in here because it is hilarious!  Carter somehow got a Goldfish on his head, and he did his scrunched up face for me.  Too funny!

Lindsey with her good friend Ariana, who unfortunately won't be going to the same middle school as Lindsey.

Lindsey's 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Forbes - I think she looks this excited because she is retiring this year =)

Walking out for the final ceremony - a balloon lift off.

And here, my friends, is where I LOST it!!! It really hit me at this point - this is the end of Lindsey's elementary school era. I honestly feel like it was yesterday that I was walking my shy little five year old into this school for kindergarten, with her in pigtails and hair bows, and one year old Emily on my hip. Six years have FLOWN by.

Goodbye, Fifth Grade!!!  We will miss you!

Guest Blogging {and a hair bow giveaway!!!}

I am SO honored to be a guest blogger over at Kendra's blog, My Insanity.  Kendra's blog has been one of my daily reads since I discovered blogging, and for me to be guest posting over there is just so exciting!  She just had a sweet baby boy, and is doing a series dedicated to great baby gifts, shower ideas, decorating ideas, etc.  I am giving a tutorial on how to create a hair bow bouquet, for a baby shower gift or for any special occasion.  I am also doing a giveaway for a cute bow bouquet that will come with a personalized little monogrammed card for the winner.  Click here to check it out.

Be sure to enter the giveaway!!!