ten

last week my darling livie turned ten!  i'm completely baffled on how this has happened.  she is so big & so grown up!  her feet are almost as big as mine!  whaaat?  she's tall. 

i could go on & on about how she was the easiest baby, had the most beautiful long, blonde, naturally curly hair, and how i sobbed the first time she had stitches, but i'll keep this short & sweet.

it all comes down to her today and about how super rad she is.  let's just say i want to be like olivia when i grow up.  she inspires me.  she is one of the hardest workers i know.  she's sweet and caring and insanely talented.  

livie is quite the little artist.  she can draw people.  and dresses.  they are amazing.  she is currently the goalie on her soccer team, and has the most beautiful cursive writing in the whole fourth grade (that's what her friends say :)

liv is the best big sister.  she makes the perfect oldest child.  she keeps track and carries around her little brother for me - that's huge.  she helps me so much.  i'll stop bragging now.

thank you for making me a mother liv! you were the best first mother's day gift i could ever ask for!!  

i love you sis!  do me a favor and slow down on the growing thing though, okay?  it's kinda freakin' me out!

♥ your mom

©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.

judge not

we've been asked; we should obey.  like take tuesday for example.  i had to wake jack up from his nap early to head to the school for sabrina's "hero report" presentation.  i was in a rush, like usual, and completely forgot to change his diaper.  once we got to the school, i jumped out of the car, grabbed my shoeless, wet baby (before i even realized he was sopping) and booked it into the classroom.  jack's pants were pretty drenched.  i was so incredibly embarrassed!  i strategically held him in such a way that i hoped & prayed nobody would notice & be totally grossed out.  poor kid.  he was so uncomfortable.  i was uncomfortable too!  my arm was wet with pee & tired from holding him in one position- but i couldn't put him down!  

now, if i were to see a mom in that situation, what would i think?  to be honest, before this little episode, the first thing that would probably pop in my head (even though this has probably happened to me before with one of my other 3 kids) would be, "gross!  poor baby!  what is that mom's problem?" 

we've been asked not to judge.  we never know what other people are going through or what's in their bag.  tuesday's stinky experience was a good reminder that most people are just doing the best they can and that we all have challenges & bad days.  

so today i'm sharing with you my latest print, hot off the press judge not, that ye be not judged

so, if you see me at the grocery store today un-showered & still in my sweats, no shame!

i hope your day is better than the last 3 have been for me!  if somebody pees on me, spills cereal all over the floor, or uncontrollably cries again for the umpteenth time, i think i'll go ballistic! 

happy thursday!

©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.

kylie: senior pictures

 hello model!  not only is kylie a natural beauty, but she is so super duper talented, smart, sweet and fun!  and her sparkly blue eyes?  they're really that blue! 

when i was asked to take her senior pictures, i of course jumped at the chance!  i've watched kylie grow up and it's killing me that she's old enough to graduate!  killing me!  she babysat my children for years and we all just love her to pieces!  

this girl is going places!  congratulations sweet girl!  love you! 

©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.

the acorn bakery

are you ready for some serious eye dessert today?  check out my darling friend genevive's new bakery!

the acorn bakery is a made-from-scratch, one woman operation in the heart of downtown southern pines, NC! 

genevive currently makes sweet and savory morning pastries, cakes, cookies, and the best pies in town using the best ingredients she can find (local eggs, local berries, french butter, local goat cheese, belgian chocolate, mexican vanilla, etc). 

she is frequently asked, "how are you  opening a business when your husband is in the army... won't you just move soon?" she replies, "after three years of teaching high school, i realized that i couldn't just wait around for my husband to retire to finally do something that i really love." 

while waking up at 4:00 am and working until 6:00 pm isn't exactly her dream job, the opportunity to be her own boss is really rewarding. she says, "i get to be creative on a daily basis and will never get tired of hearing that people love my food. i am also getting to become a part of my small town's community, and i love the tight knit group of people that i am becoming a part of."

guaranteed her high school students miss her!  hopefully they visit her at acorn!   

isn't she adorable?  how she stays so thin baking all her deliciousness is beyond me!  

genevive and i grew up together! yep, one street apart.  her mom always made the best cookies... maybe that's where she gets her talent ☺ 

last year at her sister nicole's wedding, i had the great pleasure of tasting her baked goods... and oh-my-my, everything was to die for!  

her toasted coconut cupcakes- those babies were pure heaven!  do you sell cupcakes too Veive?  if not, ya otta!

i sure wish i lived in north carolina!  but if you happen to live anywhere close to southern pines, be sure to go eat a pastry (or five) for me!  

be sure to check out her website here.

oooh, and show her some love and like her on Facebook too!

thanks for letting me feature you vieve!  take care & keep up the good work!

photos courtesy of the acorn bakery

she'll be glad you did!

are you ready for mother's day?  if not, save 10% this week and order the little lady(s) a print!  
if you're not sure what she'd like, buy her a gift certificate!  
she'll be glad you did ❤  

 just sayin'

have you seen these new prints yet?  any one of these would be darling for mothers!  does your mom, mother-in-law, sister or friend happen to be hot AND humble?  tell her so!  she'll love you forever!  it's also cute to have around as a great reminder for the whole family :) 
I actually got this idea off american idol when the judges told the final contestants to stay humble and they'll be 
unstoppable superstars ✭

measure with care • what we love most • it's hot to be humble • chillax

©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.