so have you heard all the rage about these "younique lashes"?  my first thought when i had seen people post photos wearing them was, "I NEED THOSE!!" i've never been the type to wear a lot of make-up. my go-to "face" was just a simple swipe of lip gloss and some mascara. but i could never achieve those long lashes--mostly because i wasn't born with them! sometimes if i curled enough and the mascara was just right that day, they'd look great. but that was like once a year...

but then i was given some to try by my friend cara--and i couldn't wait to see how they worked for me. for awhile i was confused as to how they worked. but when i got mine in, it was simple and made sense.

in three easy steps, you're ready to go! (4 in my case, because i use the eyelash curler--the contraption my boys think is the funniest thing and have both mimicked curling their eyelashes.)

they come in this nice little sturdy case. the kind that will be kept safe from being smashed if your 2 year old gets a hold of it..:)

there are 2 wands inside:

moodstruck transplanting gel--after applying your own mascara, let it dry and then apply this

and then the moodstruck natural fibers. these are made from green tea fibers. VIOLA!

here are my results--thanks to my husband for being patient with me and taking a few pictures!

no mascara--you can barely see my lashes

and with the 3d fiber lashes. i've NEVER had lashes like this! i LOVE them! long and thick!

i am hosting an online party, so if you're interested in trying some, by all means, BUY some! these would also make a great birthday or christmas gift!

They are $29 and last for 2-3 months with everyday use. but if you're like me, who doesn't wear make-up everyday, they'll last longer. they're also safe if you wear contacts. If you have any questions, just ask! i hope you enjoy yours! And make sure to check out all the other products younique has to offer!

if you'd like to order from my party, go here! party ends at midnight, september 12th!

https://www.youniqueproducts.com/CaraCaldwell/party/513919/view

thanks to cara--my younique rep!

 https://www.youniqueproducts.com/Caracaldwell

who gave you permission to grow up?

since when did my baby become a boy? i suppose it was in between all the diaper changes, nose wipes, picking up his toys and discarded food on the floor. wiping his tears, laughing at his jokes, and thinking, "is it nap time yet?!" that's when. as the chiched saying goes, "they grow up in a blink of an eye." truer words have never been spoken.

today we were ready..1st day of preschool! all the excitement....and a FOG delay. Yes, here in ohio, we have delays over FOG. that's just odd..coming from missouri, you just drove through the fog. However, fog and all, we drove to town with daddy, brother and sister to get doughnuts for breakfast. we take 'first days' around here pretty seriously--doughnut worthy :) and coffee worth for mommy.

The time came and we went to drop him off. It was just the kids and me. Daddy had to get to work. So we went in, I did the infamous cubby picture, and we said our goodbyes. My first thought was, "is he going to be embarrassed to hug and kiss me?" quickly i remember he was 4--4 1/2 TODAY to be exact. he gave me a hug and kiss. i told him to have fun, and he of course replied, "i will!" 

he just HAD to love on sis before we left.

Crew, Charlotte and I went to the coffee shop to pass the hour before we had to pick him up. I enjoyed a favorite drink, chatting with a few friends that stopped in, and it was time to go! 

Tag LOVED his time at preschool. He survived, we both survived. I was so happy he enjoyed it, and he can't wait to go back! I asked him what his favorite part of his day was, and he said it was putting stickers on a paper. And he asked that as soon as we got home to go straight to the "shop" to show daddy his paper. He was so proud, and we're so proud of him. 

We're praying for a safe and fun year filled with lots of learning, too! we love you, buddy! 

My pregnancy 'thing' with my kids--what is/was yours?

When I was pregnant with Tag, I spent most of my time student teaching, and my mind focused on college graduation. We moved to Ohio after graduating, and the last two months of my pregnancy.  After getting settled, I had become bored. I couldn't substitute teach, as I was told by the public schools they hire in the beginning of the school year only (It was January, mind you). And who is going to hire a very pregnant girl for a short 2 months? Exactly. I mean, I could totally flip burgers with the best of them I'm sure. But no thanks. I was actually quite happy, and very thankful to enjoy not working. I was able to relax, and make sure everything was ready until tag would arrive. Well, I grew very bored, very quickly! I needed a project. I've always loved to be crafty, and somehow, my outlet--or 'thing' became painting. I took an art class in high school, and loved it--but was no artist by any means. I had Micah round up some old pieces of wood that I could paint on, bought some acrylic paint, painted everything! I had once heard of pregnant women doing special or memorable projects or activities while they were pregnant. And I thought, "hey, painting is my 'thing' for tag's pregnancy!" It just came naturally (not that I was good), but it just relaxed me and I enjoyed every second! 

This was one of the paintings I did, and was taken 2 days (i believe) before I had him! 

When I was pregnant with crew, I started blogging, and fell in love! I was skeptical at first, but I truly loved to blog about recipes and crafts, mostly. Even if no one would read it, it was a great outlet! I also remembered wanting to bake much more and try new recipes. I made bagels one day with Tag, and I will always cherish that memory!  

My first blog post! 

And one of my very favorite pictures of when I was pregnant with crew! Making bagels! 

(17 weeks pregnant with Crew) 

And now that I'm pregnant with Charlotte, I hadn't even thought about it! Until I realized I was knee deep in my obsession for having quite the stylish' baby girl! I loved putting both my boys in cute things, but it's all new to me this time with having a girl.  With all the new trends and styles i love, it can be expensive! I absolutely love to create and spend time using my hands creating new things, I always have! I started making her headbands, because as mentioned before--obsessed. And the thought of buying a headband for every outfit? Well, 1--we don't have the money for that, and 2--it's something special that I'm doing for her. Every single one, made with lots of love. I've had lots of people make comments such as, "oh, she'll probably pull them out" or "she'll hate them", etc. Well, duh. she might--I'm quite aware. And she might not. With Tag, he ALWAYS had a hat on. He loved them, and Crew hated them. It's the same concept. I guess people forget the for the first few months, anyway she won't have the say or the dexterity to do so :) also, making headbands for her has been my 'thing'. It relaxes me, makes me happy, and it's something that I can tell her all about someday--something that i did just for her. those anxious days of her not being here in my arms yet. a way to pass the time, and do something special for HER. so it doesn't matter that she may only wear some of them once, it's something special and very meaningful to me.

I made some new felt ones during nap today!

The other thing that's been my 'thing' during this pregnancy, is keeping my house clean (for the most part), being more organized, and getting rid of things. I tend to be lazy with housework and slack. Dishes always in my sink. Every drawer in the house--a MESS! but this whole pregnancy has made me a crazy person. Drives me insane to see something out of place in the house, dishes in the sink, a messy drawer. I've been going through our house and emptying out drawers, and filling trash bags for MONTHS. And keeping my kitchen clean..BLISS. We've taken bags and bags of stuff to salvation army. I slightly cringe when we drop the stuff off--guess that's just the hoarder in me! Thinking, "maybe i should have gone through that bag one more time.." HAHA! I just hope I can somewhat keep it up after she arrives. So those are my pregnancy 'things'. What were/are yours?

One of 'those' days

Today was cold, rainy, and dreary. The perfect day to cuddle up on the couch with a good book or movie, and a big 'ole blanket without a care in the world. That sounds luxurious to me. I haven't been able to do that in over 4 years. And chances are, it'll be another 18 years or so before I can do that. 

Today was on of 'those' days. No, not as mentioned above. A day filled with toddler tantrums, tears from both kids and myself, disobeying, yelling &screaming (once again from the kids and me), pooping & peeing on the floor kind of day.

After saying (well screaming) at my oldest son for the 20th time today, I felt myself crying and burying my face in my hands after the words left my mouth. Partially because the words still stung--did I really just say that? And also, because I was exhausted, and have just had enough. and again when my youngest woke up from nap and decided to take his pants off and pee on the floor. Oh, did I forget to mention he pooped on the floor a few hrs before? And my friend's little girl stepped in it? Yep, that totally happened. Today was just rough. Those are just the highlights. 

My husband came home and just knew it had been one of 'those' days. Right after supper, he took the boys downstairs to play. We are like every other married couple who have their ups and downs, but I am so very thankful for him, and the father he is to our boys. Today, especially. He grabbed my hand at supper as I cried and told me it was ok,  that It's just a phase with me being pregnant and hormonal, and the boys out of control. He's right. And I know all these things. I remind myself every day. Someday, the boys won't even look my way twice, and I'll miss these days--well not today particularly, but the days where they call "mommy" 100 times...because they need me. 

Even though there are many rough days ahead of me, I have to remember to find joy in the hard times and moments. Because that is what we will remember. The joyful times will always outweigh the bad. And someday, we will tease our boys, and I'll remind them where my gray hair came from. Accounting each one to a story. "Well this one is from the day you painted yourself and the couch red..scratch that. These 5 are from that day." I can *almost* laugh about that story..

I'm learning to take a deep breath, take one day at a time, and to count my blessings. Thank you, Jesus for my ornery boys. They really do make our lives complete. Tantrums and all. 

charlotte's headbands: a tutorial--kind of

when we first found out we were having a girl, one of the first things i wanted to do was make headbands!  i'm a huge DIY fan because 1) i enjoy it, and 2) it saves money. a LOT! and who doesn't like to save money? i knew i couldn't just buy every headband i loved, because i was thinking that she'll need a headband for every outfit--and what girl doesn't love to have choices? i know i do. and even though she could care less, i will have fun dressing her up! even though the world of boy has come a long way (in the fashion realm that is), it's a girl's world out there. i remember going shopping for tag the first time and thinking, are you kidding me, this is it? the girls section is HUGE! and these poor boys have plaid or solid..that's it! and even though i enjoy shopping for our boys, it's been so fun to shop for some girly things!

making headbands is super easy. but what makes it even easier, is having the right supplies. so really, this is nothing too helpful i'm sure, but maybe more informal than anything. the first 10 or so i made, i used just regular elastic. the kind you can buy at walmart, or a fabric store for pants. it's alright, but stiff and comes in white or black. i'm a creamy colored girl myself, and love a softer look. i was also using a lot of felt, random clothing scraps, buttons, and material that i had in my craft drawer. which was great because most of it i already had..AKA free. But one evening i thought i'd hop onto etsy to get some actual headband elastic. big mistake. i was in headband heaven. i came across a ton of vendors selling headband supply. i clicked on one with good prices, and as i was browsing her inventory, i realized i 'needed' all these shabby flowers, as well as fun elastic, too. i couldn't believe the prices, too--way cheaper than i thought. free shipping ALWAYS gets me. of course there's usually a catch--spend this much, etc. but it was $20 to spend and you received free shipping. so i kept on adding, and adding..and adding! i couldn't believe all the supply i was getting for $20! 

i received the supplies a few days later, and didn't waste any time getting started. this is my hoard of craft stuff. i had just cleaned our bedroom, so this is neat and tidy for me :)

this is how the shabby flowers came

i just chose the flowers i wanted, and cut as much as the netting off the back, then cut out the elastic. i never measure--i've had a few years experience putting headbands on the newborn girls that come into the studio, that i just estimate. also a plus to buying actual headband elastic--it's much stretchier. a lot of the headbands i buy, i get in 'newborn' size because they'll stretch all the way up to a good year. my boys had small heads, too--so i'm guessing (and hoping) charlotte will as well.

next, just glue! i use good 'ole hot glue

next, glue the elastic to the back of your headband piece

and here's a trick i learned from my friend, vanessa who makes my Little Byrd headbands--felt! it keeps baby's heads comfortable so the elastic won't scratch, and also covers the elastic to make it look nicer.

TA-DA! see? nothing too special, but simple and adorable--and SO easy!

and here, my sweet crew modeling it for me. this one is too big for newborn, but she'll grow into it eventually. and don't worry, he was a willing participant :)

and these, just because :)

another fun and easy headband is the bohemian, AKA "boho" headband. not practical, really. but they're too cute! 

for these, i simply cut a strip of material, a small piece of elastic, and 2 pieces of felt rectangles. i glued the elastic to the headband, and then wrapped and glued the felt around the elastic. i also did it with some of the fun print elastic i bought. i love the aztec look, as well as gold and cream!

here's one of my favorites i've made for charlotte

some of the felt ones i made in the very beginning. i pinned some felt flower tutorials, and they're also very easy to make!

 and felt bows are my favorite, and once again SO easy!

and just some of my favorites i've made for her

so there you have it, my new DIY obsession--making headbands! 

i bought my headband elastic and shabby flowers from:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DogwoodSupplies

and if you're not so crafty, or don't want to take the time to make headbands, check out my friend, vanessa's FB page! she custom makes headbands for my newborn clients and loves vintage!

 https://www.facebook.com/WhimsyPrimsyAndPosh

Grocery shopping with 3?!

When crew was born, one of my first thoughts was, "how in the world will I go grocery shopping with two?! A newborn and a 22 month old? Impossible." Well I'm here to tell you that 2 years later, I am a master at grocery shopping with my two very ornery boys. Well, maybe "master" isn't all that accurate. But after about two years of practice, I somewhat enjoy grocery shopping with them. For one, it gets us out of the house. And after the winter we've had, it's like a vacation going to the store with them. Then there's the, "if you do a good job at the store, we'll go get a treat from the coffee shop." That one is mostly for me. But Tag especially understands this. As soon as he stands in the cart or tries to grab something off the shelf, the words barely leave my mouth and he sits back down. Sometimes I leave the store feeling defeated, and sometimes I leave like a queen, with my head held high because my boys didn't embarrass me all that much, and were calm enough for me not to break down and throw a fit myself. Either way, we got out alive. And that's a win in my book! 

today was a big step for Tag. I let tag walk outside of the cart. Big step for both of us, really. Usually, he lasts about 30 seconds before he has to go back into the cart because he continually touches and gropes everything he sees. But today was different. He listened. He strayed a few times, but quickly listened and did what he was told. I was impressed, and proud. I'm sure this won't happened every single trip. But I think he may have just successfully graduated to walking instead of riding. Which made me realize--hey, maybe I can do this with 3 kids! Well..maybe. Just maybe. I definitely give props to all those moms out there who take their kids grocery shopping alone--someone has to do it! I've stared in amazemt as some moms make it look so easy with two or three kids. Kudos to you, moms! I hope I can master shopping as easily with three! When I picture myself taking all three, I envision tears and sweat--from me, not them. But maybe after a few trial runs I can make it--at least with no tears ;) 

This is from a few weeks ago. They love to help put the groceries on the belt (don't judge my overly healthy food choices that week) :)

And these were today's treats--a tiny tim latte for tag, iced buckeye for me, and a wildberry smoothie for crew. A great way to cash in the last of their Beca house gift certificates! 

4 years ago today..

4 years ago today was a sunday. a normal sunday for micah and i. get up, get ready, church, rest, and going out with some friends to end the evening. we went to chipotle, did some shopping, and ended the day with coffee.  going home that evening, i felt like i had overdid it. i remember laying in the tub with my feet up, and seeing spots, feeling just "off". did i forget to mention i was 38 weeks, 1 day pregnant? oh, yeah. that, too. little did i know, after waking up the next morning, our lives would be changed forever--in a wonderful way.

the next day as micah was off to work, i was sitting at home, thinking about doing some crafting to pass the time. i got out my paints and some canvases to paint. after awhile, i just wasn't feeling quite right. even though my blood pressure had been normal my whole pregnancy, something was telling me to check it. i borrowed a wrist blood pressure reader from micah's parent's and thought, i'd check it just in case. i don't remember the numbers, but remembered thinking it was broken because the numbers reading back to me were WAY too high. i called micah's mom to make sure it was working correctly, and she reassured me it was accurate. so i took it again, and there were those crazy numbers again. i decided to call my dr. office and ask them. being my first child, looking back--i can only laugh. but the nurse told me to come in right away. i didn't really think much of it, so i grabbed my purse (the wrong one--only had a tube of lip gloss in it). no wallet, no ID, just my phone, and a tube of lip gloss. i called micah on my way to the hospital letting him know i was going to to be monitored for awhile. i show up at the hospital and wait...and wait..and wait. finally the nurse called me back and took my blood pressure. the numbers were still really high. she told me to lay on my side for 5 minutes, and she would come back to check. 5 minutes later and still pretty high. then in walks my OB and mumbles something about "having this baby tonight" and walked back out. i sat there thinking, "wait, what? huh? i'm so confused." another nurse comes in and says, "ok, you ready to head down to OB? guess you didn't think you'd have this baby tonight, huh?" my mouth literally dropped and i said, "wait, i'm having my baby right now?" she said, "yep--gotta get you prepped for a c-section." all i could do was say--"i have to call my husband! he has no clue!" it seemed like forever until micah got there--but he finally did. and then everything was in fast-forward. the only thing i really remember is shaking terribly. and the sweet nurse gently rubbing my face and telling me everything would be ok." then they were telling us that we would hear our sweet baby crying within 15 minutes. all i could do was look at micah and the clock. literally 5 minutes in and i heard that first cry. i think my first thoght was, "that wasn't 15 minutes!" then all the nurses saying it was a beautiful baby boy. i looked over at that baby being cleaned off and didn't take my eyes off of him. they brought him over, and put him right next to my face. i couldn't stop crying. i could not wait to hold my sweet baby boy. sometimes it seems like yesterday.

i never knew that kind of love until monday, february 22, 2010. one of the absolute best days of my life! it literally seems like it was yesterday, and not 4 years ago! so happy birthday to our sweet tag! you have forever changed our lives in the most amazing way. you have taught me so much. how to be selfless, that how i physically look after a baby doesn't matter, patience, and the list goes on and on. 

                  

holy cow, i was SO swollen! 

and love the picture of micah bringing tag to me for the first time :) 

seeing my baby for the first time! 

loved his pouty face--he's still got it!                          going home! all 5lbs, 14 oz of him!

newborn stuff was so big on him, and he was able to wear preemie onesies for a couple weeks!

ONE!!

19 months!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

happy birthday, tag!!