sneaky peeky

Good grief. Is it Thursday already?

I've been holed up in my art room, working away. The boy has been at school learning about matter and all things pumpkin. Sugar Daddy has been work work working away on a big trial he has coming up in a week. I plan to attend opening arguments because a. I've never ever seen my man in action and b. I need somewhere to wear the hat that Birdie is modeling.

It just screams courtroom don't you think?

I'm going to need some blood red lipstick to go with it.

And Birdie? Well she's been with me in my art room. She sits in her bouncy and wrestles with her toys and smiles with her whole body when I hold up one of my creations for her to appraise.

She's my biggest fan.

Here's a sneaky peeky at the Secondsister Winter collection.

Think Havana Botanical.

The new collection will be available in just a few weeks! Might you need a little romance in your wardrobe this holiday?

answered prayers

The Lord decided to answer my most fervent prayer in Michael's Craft store.

The Lord often answers my prayers in Michael's, but they are more of the please Lord let them have brass lobster clasps so I don't have to schlep my kids to the bead store variety.

This one was a biggy.

I went to Michael's for crystals, glue sticks and glitter, you know, the essentials. I got all these things and the answer to a prayer that has been weighing deeply on my heart.


Lately, when Sugar Daddy and I crawl into bed at the end of the day, we are exhausted. We look at each other too tired for any hanky panky other than footsie and we say, "Seriously. I don't think we can handle another child." So we lay there playing footsie and talk about how hard the day was. How Birdie spit up a billion times and cried every time we put her down. We talk about how sassy Thom can be and what we are going to do about that. We say, "We just aren't cut out for more. We can't do it."

And we turn out the lights and I roll onto my side and think about Birdie and how she is the little girl I always wanted and how she makes me feel complete and whole, even if she does wear me out and stain all my clothes.

I'm good, I'd think, I'm perfectly happy with two.

But there remained a little nagging feeling at the very back of my consciousness.

I was crouched down looking at the meager selection of embossing powder when I over heard a mother in the other isle. "Don't touch that Ella. Come here Ella. No Ella. I said don't touch. Don't push your sister Ella. Ella!"

I had to get a look at this Ella character.

A beautiful, fit, pulled together woman came around the corner followed by two little girls in matching outfits. They looked to be about the same age. Ella was fair with curly hair and big round eyes full of mischief. Her sister was dark with black hair and eyes and a shy quiet demeanor.

I'm not sure what came over me. I am usually shy and a little reticent in public, but I felt an overwhelming need to know.

"Excuse me, but do you mind me asking? Did you adopt your one daughter from China?"

She didn't skip a beat."Yes! And Ella is only four months younger! We got pregnant with her using IVF."

"So tell me, how is it? I might be headed down the exact same road and quite frankly, I don't know if I can do it."

"It's wonderful." She said. And I knew she really meant it.

And then she ran after Ella who was pulling something apart.

We talked for some time right there in the yarn isle.

So this is how, on a Wednesday afternoon, in Micheal's Craft store, the Lord told me that, yes, indeed there is another child that needs to come to our family and yes, I will be able to handle it.

stone's throw

We like traditions in our family. We are a traditiony bunch, us Meekers. Traditions help you tick off the years of your life more accurately. They help you remember the good times. And the bad.

Every fall, we go to Oak Glen for apples. Oak Glen is the only place a person should get apples. It's pure magic.

Every year we go to the same farm, Stone's Throw, owned and run by Jim and Pat who are now in their early nineties. Yes, I said nineties. And still married. I think I would go every year even if they didn't grow apples, just to see two people who are still in love after an impossible amount of time.

Jim wears flannel shirts and suspenders. Pat wears her hair in a bun. They walk amongst their customers, calling most by their first names. They carry old carving knifes and offer samples of each of the varieties they grow. They tell the story behind each variety. Berkley Rome, Pippin, Arkansas Black, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Fuji, Red Delicious, Big Green. The list goes on and on.

Each sample is scrutinized. Much discussion ensues. Which apples will make the best for baking. Which are the most crisp? What to buy? What to buy?

My children tend to like the tarter varieties.

This year was extra special because it was Birdie's first. We were having an amazing afternoon enjoying the Fall weather and apple samples until Thom went missing.

We found him waiting in the backseat of the car, pouting because he wasn't allowed to eat an entire apple before lunch. It was one of those mom moments when you want to beat your child senseless and smother them with hugs and kisses all at the same time.

Ah memories.

Someday, when Thom is grown, I will say to him "Remember the year we couldn't find you at Oak Glen? I think you were six and we all nearly went out of our minds calling for you. I thought you had fallen in a shaft or been eaten by a bear. You better take me out to lunch next Thursday to make up for that."

sidebar flare- you need it

Okay girls.

There are still some registrations slots left for Spark. Why? I haven't a clue. I mean, who wouldn't want to come?

Seriously.

So.

Put this little gem on your blog sidebar, link it to http://www.sparktheevent.com/, and you will be entered to win the earrings above.

They are some of my favorites you know, these earrings.

Also, if you come to your senses and sign up to come to Spark, you will get a second entry.

Earrings plus Spark?

Fabulous.

Leave me a comment on this post letting me know that you linked up and if you are registered to come to Spark. I will announce the winner on Halloween!

treasure quest

Escalante, Utah

A story told in photos

Photo credits go to my dad,

a talented photographer and terrific grandpa.

weekend

Thursday

On Thursday evening Thom came bouncing into the kitchen to show me the pocket knife that his father had given him to use for the weekend.

A pocket knife.

He's six.

At that point I decided to pray fervently that they would survive and leave it in the Lord's hands.

Friday

The boys left on Friday to search out Butch Cassidy's hidden treasure. They drove eight hours to Escalante National Park where they met up with two outlaws named Papa and Uncle David, got some lunch and then headed out into the wild.

Saturday

On Saturday, Rosie, Birdie and I went for cupcakes.


Just outside the door of my favorite Bakery, one can find this fabulous old piano and violin, languishing in the flora.

Aren't they just simply romantic?

Rosie ordered up a strawberry kiss cupcake and I had chocolate toffee. We split a "mustachio" which is a pistachio cupcake with a chocolate moustache.

For my one sweet of the week, it wasn't too shabby.

The boys got home safe and sound with no sizable wounds to speak of. They found the treasure. Pictures to follow.

For now I give you a gratuitous photo of my beautiful baby girl looking oh sooooo sweet in her new Tea tunic.

la petit sabatour

If Birdie had it her way I would:

• never work out and remain nice and plump and cuddly
• never do house work
• stop going to church
• give up all arts and crafts
• give up personal hygiene
• bounce her until my arms fell off
• wear my hair down every day for her pulling pleasure
• talk like Minny Mouse all the time
• never carry on a conversation with anyone
• never sit down
  

It's hard to be a responsible, sane, productive human being with a little one around. I may just become a bag lady.

october 1

Good heavens.

I do love this season.