Four whole years

Four years ago today my life was completely turned upside down. My career changed, my name changed, my body changed, the size of my family changed, the location of my heart changed. At 3:15 pm on that day we welcomed our sweet Lucy into the world. Seriously, I know I'm going to say this a hundred times this year, but I can't believe she's already FOUR. How did that happen?

This past year we have really watched Lucy grow exponentially. Looking back at last summer's pictures, she still has that round, toddler-esque baby face. That baby girl has completely disappeared and has been replaced by a little girl who is quickly becoming a little lady.

Busy Saturday

Phew! We've had a great and exhausting day! John started "dark and early," as he says, by meeting two friends for a run at 4:30 am (yes, that's right -- it's not a typo) up to Barr Camp on Pikes Peak. The rest of us were up around 6:30, eating breakfast and studying my check list of To-Do's for our final week before we list our condo.

I packed up several boxes of things from the kitchen that I know we can do without for a while, as well as rearranging several countertop areas to eliminate pretty much everything we own and use on a daily basis. When John got home I ran to the post office to ship several BrownEyedPeas orders (and it made me appreciate that he takes them on weekdays!) while he oiled squeaky hinges and filled nail holes and removed child locks on some of our drawers and cabinets. Back at home, we tackled our front hall closet and packed our winter coats and shoes, then headed upstairs to the loft to box up photo albums and books.

After the kids got up from their afternoon naps, we loaded them into the car and went for a HIKE! It was a crystal clear sunny day with mild temps in the 70s, so it couldn't have been more perfect! This was Josiah's first time in the backpack carrier and he loved it. Lucy was a trooper and hiked the whole 1.5 miles to the top of the Bluffs Park trail, where we stopped for a snack of raisins and Teddy Grahams. A man coming from the opposite direction farther down the loop said he had just seen a 3 1/2 foot rattle snake, so we were glad we were at our turn-around point.

Back down at the car, we headed to Babies R Us to use a phenomenal $20-off coupon to buy Lucy a new car seat since we will need hers for Joey here shortly. We ended up with the car seat, a huge box of diapers, a free umbrella stroller, and sandals for Josiah. I'm sure we looked like a gypsy caravan with Joey in the shopping cart seat, a massive car seat box balancing on the basket behind him, John carrying the jumbo box of diapers, and Lucy pushing the umbrella stroller. Since it was already after 5, we decided to stop at Chipotle for some tacos, and we must have worn Lucy out because she ate almost a whole one by herself while Joey gleefully occupied himself with bits of shredded cheese and cheerios.

Once we got home, John threw (not literally) Josiah in the tub while I gave Lucy a bang trim in the kitchen. Then we switched and Lucy got a bath while I got Joey into his jammies.

After both the kids are down (one down, one to go), it will be John's turn for a trim, then showers, and I'm sure a welcomed collapse into bed--maybe after a bowl of ice cream...

It's been a very full and very good day! The kids both did so great with all the work we did on the condo as well as all the time we spent running around. So many things to make me smile, and so much to thank God for as I reflect on this busy--but very good--Saturday.

Staging, Phase II

I was talking to my friend Jen on the phone yesterday and she mentioned packing for her upcoming trip to Mexico for vacation. It sounded wonderful... I imagined putting warm-weather clothes and swim suits and sandals in a suitcase in the anticipation of a week of relaxing in the sun...

We are packing, too, but in a much different way. We have finally gotten around to interviewing realtors, and as a result we are starting to put away anything that isn't necessary for daily life. Or even weekly. I'm calling it "Phase II" of the staging process as we get our condo ready to put on the market -- soon!

I did take a gazillion pictures of our home as we know it before boxing up so many of our personal items. I want to remember the African carvings and art we had on our catwalk before it simply became a plant shelf. I want to remember the mobile above Lucy's bed and the framed footprints on her wall that I see each time I walk out of the kids' bedroom. I want to remember the blessing of having a cluttered cubby shelf stocked with so many wonderful toys before we limit them to just the few hidden baskets under the coffee table.

But even as I become nostalgic about our first home, the home both of our children were born into, I am excited at the prospect of someone else falling in love with this place like we did, and at the idea of finding a new home for our family to live and make friends and memories.

Back to the boxes!

When It Rains

That's right, it pours! You know the old adage. Well, when it comes to my new Etsy shop nothing could be more true. BrownEyedPeas has been open for business for just a month now, and I've had an amazing amount of business and interest. It's been a wonderful blessing, and it's keeping me busy!

On Tuesday of this week, I dropped off my first consignment order. I took 30 pieces to a store in the Denver Highlands -- a very quaint and historic little area of town. This fun little boutique called Love Your Earth (at 41st and Tennyson) specializes in locally made goods, and everything they sell is either organic or recycled. (My Scrabble tile pendants fall into the latter category, obviously.) It was just such an honor to have Angie, the store owner, contact me after she saw my shop, and then to have my stuff displayed there with all these other neat and artsy things!

Besides that, my Custom Photo Pendants have been a HUGE hit with Mother's Day coming. I've been having so much fun creating these tiny adornments with some of the cutest kids and pets on them. I love to imagine these ladies opening the tiny little box and being so delighted at what they see. I love to imagine them being able to wear them and show off their loved ones with joy.

Just had a few minutes to squeeze in an update here. Now it's back to the craft table!