Birthday
January 17, 2012
As a birthday gift from my friend Jennifer, I got a new journal. I have always kept a journal for the girls keeping track of what they are doing or saying or what they like, but I have always wanted to journal for myself. Some place to write my own personal thoughts down. (A blog/website just isn't cutting it, obviously) I want a place to be able to write my crazy feelings like "I don't want to be a mom today." and not have any one judge me because it will be for me and me only. I also realize that there is a chance that twenty years down the road, my girls will read this journal. Therefore, I put a disclaimer at the beginning of the journal. "To my husband and daughters. I love you more than life itself. Being a wife and mother is hard. Please do not take offense to anything that you read." So needless to say, "Journal more" was added to my list of goals for this year.
I have been looking into art journals. In case you are unfamiliar with the concept, it is basically a journal but you get to cut and paste and draw and paint. I am sad that I have not done this my whole life. I can only hope that I can talk my girls into starting to do it once they are a little older. Here are some examples that I found today.
As a birthday gift from my friend Jennifer, I got a new journal. I have always kept a journal for the girls keeping track of what they are doing or saying or what they like, but I have always wanted to journal for myself. Some place to write my own personal thoughts down. (A blog/website just isn't cutting it, obviously) I want a place to be able to write my crazy feelings like "I don't want to be a mom today." and not have any one judge me because it will be for me and me only. I also realize that there is a chance that twenty years down the road, my girls will read this journal. Therefore, I put a disclaimer at the beginning of the journal. "To my husband and daughters. I love you more than life itself. Being a wife and mother is hard. Please do not take offense to anything that you read." So needless to say, "Journal more" was added to my list of goals for this year.
I have been looking into art journals. In case you are unfamiliar with the concept, it is basically a journal but you get to cut and paste and draw and paint. I am sad that I have not done this my whole life. I can only hope that I can talk my girls into starting to do it once they are a little older. Here are some examples that I found today.
You can not tell me that doesn't look so totally cool. I am pretty excited to start. I all of a sudden realize that I need to make a trip to the scrapbooking store.
You can even get sample prompts online at different websites. It is a really cool thing for adults. I feel like we don't all get the opportunity to be artsy, or show our creative side. Journaling is good for the soul. You should ALL try it.
*This post was not even supposed to be able journaling. I will have to post my original thoughts later.
You can even get sample prompts online at different websites. It is a really cool thing for adults. I feel like we don't all get the opportunity to be artsy, or show our creative side. Journaling is good for the soul. You should ALL try it.
*This post was not even supposed to be able journaling. I will have to post my original thoughts later.
Bitter sweet
January 7, 2012
This will be a very bittersweet month for us. Moving into a new place is so stressful, trying to pack up all of your belongings. I just started taking the photos off the walls today. We are facing a reality that is too common amongst most families. WE HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF. I want to simplify our lives. Just because we are moving into a bigger place does not meant that we need to get more stuff or that it is ok to have as much stuff as we do. Five people naturally accrue things over the years. That is not a problem. The problem is letting go of the things that are collecting dust and that you don't use or need. I once heard a professional organizer say, "When going through your stuff you need to ask three things; Do you need it?, Do you love it?, Does it make you money?" If the answer is no you are supposed to get rid of it. So, why is it that we justify EVERYTHING we own. "Oh, we might use that this summer." "I know I haven't worn that in a while, but I am going to get some pants to go with it and I will wear it all the time." "I will start wearing that when I lose weight." It could go on forever. Having children just really throws a wrench into the whole thing. You don't want to give anything away that you think they will want to have one day, and you want to be able to keep stuff for your younger children that the older ones have outgrown. I am really bad about keeping their clothes. We could probably fill seven or eight of the big plastic tubs of little girls' clothes. I really am trying to get rid of some things and I am saving a lot because I plan on making a rag quilt with their old clothes. I hope that I am not just using that as an excuse to hold on to things and I really do make the quilt. I have faith that that will happen.
I am going to try and organize our lives. I plan on having an action plan for every day for this move. Today I am taking all the pictures off of the walls and boxing them up. I know those are things we will not need in the next two weeks. I am trying hard to think about what we will and what we will not need in the next couple weeks so that I will know what to pack and what to save for last. With small children that is hard to do because you never know what will happen. I am so thankful to have so many wonderful friends to help me during all of this. (hint hint. ;) )
I don't know how many of you go on Pinterest, but I do at least once a day. I have been finding so many great ideas for our new place. If you see anything that is just too awesome please send it my way. I plan on being the most organized I have ever been. I already have a cleaning list that I got off of an organizers website that is just a checklist of five different things to do every day (every day they are different) so that your house is always guest ready, but you are not spending the whole day cleaning. I know that because I have kids there will always be toys out and dress up shoes strung all over the place, but those are easily picked up. My problem gets to be the dishes, the piles of laundry, or the windows and dust. I would much rather spend time playing with my girls than cleaning, but if I just spend an hour every day during nap time cleaning, I am sure I will feel much better about the state of our living quarters.
I will try and post some neat things that I have found on Pinterest for organizing spaces. I think everyone could use a little more of that in our lives. George and I do not have a closet in our new room. It is an older home so that is not uncommon. BUT we need closest space. I have an idea to use one whole wall and make it into a closet-like space. Here is an idea that we will definitely be using. It is a shoe rack made out of PVC pipes. You can also use the heavy duty cardboard tubes at Lowes that are used for pouring concrete columns. You can paint them or cover them in contact paper so they look nicer. I have seen people use the "wood" contact paper (looks like wood, but is just regular contact paper) to wrap around the outsides of the tubes and it looked SO cool.
This will be a very bittersweet month for us. Moving into a new place is so stressful, trying to pack up all of your belongings. I just started taking the photos off the walls today. We are facing a reality that is too common amongst most families. WE HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF. I want to simplify our lives. Just because we are moving into a bigger place does not meant that we need to get more stuff or that it is ok to have as much stuff as we do. Five people naturally accrue things over the years. That is not a problem. The problem is letting go of the things that are collecting dust and that you don't use or need. I once heard a professional organizer say, "When going through your stuff you need to ask three things; Do you need it?, Do you love it?, Does it make you money?" If the answer is no you are supposed to get rid of it. So, why is it that we justify EVERYTHING we own. "Oh, we might use that this summer." "I know I haven't worn that in a while, but I am going to get some pants to go with it and I will wear it all the time." "I will start wearing that when I lose weight." It could go on forever. Having children just really throws a wrench into the whole thing. You don't want to give anything away that you think they will want to have one day, and you want to be able to keep stuff for your younger children that the older ones have outgrown. I am really bad about keeping their clothes. We could probably fill seven or eight of the big plastic tubs of little girls' clothes. I really am trying to get rid of some things and I am saving a lot because I plan on making a rag quilt with their old clothes. I hope that I am not just using that as an excuse to hold on to things and I really do make the quilt. I have faith that that will happen.
I am going to try and organize our lives. I plan on having an action plan for every day for this move. Today I am taking all the pictures off of the walls and boxing them up. I know those are things we will not need in the next two weeks. I am trying hard to think about what we will and what we will not need in the next couple weeks so that I will know what to pack and what to save for last. With small children that is hard to do because you never know what will happen. I am so thankful to have so many wonderful friends to help me during all of this. (hint hint. ;) )
I don't know how many of you go on Pinterest, but I do at least once a day. I have been finding so many great ideas for our new place. If you see anything that is just too awesome please send it my way. I plan on being the most organized I have ever been. I already have a cleaning list that I got off of an organizers website that is just a checklist of five different things to do every day (every day they are different) so that your house is always guest ready, but you are not spending the whole day cleaning. I know that because I have kids there will always be toys out and dress up shoes strung all over the place, but those are easily picked up. My problem gets to be the dishes, the piles of laundry, or the windows and dust. I would much rather spend time playing with my girls than cleaning, but if I just spend an hour every day during nap time cleaning, I am sure I will feel much better about the state of our living quarters.
I will try and post some neat things that I have found on Pinterest for organizing spaces. I think everyone could use a little more of that in our lives. George and I do not have a closet in our new room. It is an older home so that is not uncommon. BUT we need closest space. I have an idea to use one whole wall and make it into a closet-like space. Here is an idea that we will definitely be using. It is a shoe rack made out of PVC pipes. You can also use the heavy duty cardboard tubes at Lowes that are used for pouring concrete columns. You can paint them or cover them in contact paper so they look nicer. I have seen people use the "wood" contact paper (looks like wood, but is just regular contact paper) to wrap around the outsides of the tubes and it looked SO cool.
We have an over the door shoe rack on our bedroom door right now and I hate it. It is so annoying and it is so much more effort to try and squeeze all of your shoes on that rather than just throwing them into bins like this. If you have one you know what I am talking about.
This move will be good for many things, but I really am looking forward to evaluating our STUFF and cleansing ourselves of some material things. I encourage all of you to do the same. Start your spring cleaning early. You don't even have to make a day of it. The next time you find yourself sitting down and turning the TV on or sitting at your computer reading some crazy house-wife's blog, (ahem) get up, pick a closet, pull everything out and only put back the things you REALLY need.
This move will be good for many things, but I really am looking forward to evaluating our STUFF and cleansing ourselves of some material things. I encourage all of you to do the same. Start your spring cleaning early. You don't even have to make a day of it. The next time you find yourself sitting down and turning the TV on or sitting at your computer reading some crazy house-wife's blog, (ahem) get up, pick a closet, pull everything out and only put back the things you REALLY need.
Here is a link to some cool organizational print outs.
http://www.designfinch.com/2011/07/31/sunday-planning/
Ready for a new year
January 5, 2012
I think I am officially ready to start the new year. (I know it is about time.) I have many goals (Not resolutions) for the new year. One of my goals is to blog more and really pour myself into my business endeavors. I was a vendor at the winter farmers' market this year and it went great! Thanks to all of you who came out and supported Mama Byrd's Sweets and Treats. It was more treats than sweets at the farmers' market.
Another of my goals is to be slower to speak and quicker to listen. Those of you who know me know how hard that is going to be. It is the Hertlein in me I guess. That crazy, loud, hard-headed, German blood. My third goal for this new year is to take more pictures. Since getting my iphone I have completely stopped using my cameras to take pictures of my kids. Even though I have gotten some great shots with my iphone, but it is just not the same as taking great portraits and candids with my Canon.
The Byrd family has been going through a lot of changes the past few months. We finally found a rental house that is big enough and in our price limit. So, at the end of this month we will FINALLY be moving out of our apartment. George and I have moved together a few times and you never forget the places you live. Autumn started walking here, Avery was born here, and we have created so many memories. It has been a wonderful place for us for this time in our lives, but we are ready to start the new year off by starting a new chapter. We have decided to chase our passions and do whatever it takes to make life amazing for our children.
Hopefully soon I will be posting some pictures of some jewelry and different things that I have for sale. I will also be getting a better menu and price list for my baked goods. My pumpkin cupcakes have almost become famous within my group of friends. I love it. They are pretty amazing if I do say so myself. The thing that makes me most proud is that it is my own recipe. It is based on a recipe that I had found but I switched it around to make it my own.
My mother is shocked that the daughter who once said she would never have children and would eat out everyday because she could barely boil water is now a pretty decent cook and baker.
Hopefully, we can get this year started off on the right foot. So far so good. Happy (belated) new year to you all. Let's make this a fantastic year. A year to remember.
I think I am officially ready to start the new year. (I know it is about time.) I have many goals (Not resolutions) for the new year. One of my goals is to blog more and really pour myself into my business endeavors. I was a vendor at the winter farmers' market this year and it went great! Thanks to all of you who came out and supported Mama Byrd's Sweets and Treats. It was more treats than sweets at the farmers' market.
Another of my goals is to be slower to speak and quicker to listen. Those of you who know me know how hard that is going to be. It is the Hertlein in me I guess. That crazy, loud, hard-headed, German blood. My third goal for this new year is to take more pictures. Since getting my iphone I have completely stopped using my cameras to take pictures of my kids. Even though I have gotten some great shots with my iphone, but it is just not the same as taking great portraits and candids with my Canon.
The Byrd family has been going through a lot of changes the past few months. We finally found a rental house that is big enough and in our price limit. So, at the end of this month we will FINALLY be moving out of our apartment. George and I have moved together a few times and you never forget the places you live. Autumn started walking here, Avery was born here, and we have created so many memories. It has been a wonderful place for us for this time in our lives, but we are ready to start the new year off by starting a new chapter. We have decided to chase our passions and do whatever it takes to make life amazing for our children.
Hopefully soon I will be posting some pictures of some jewelry and different things that I have for sale. I will also be getting a better menu and price list for my baked goods. My pumpkin cupcakes have almost become famous within my group of friends. I love it. They are pretty amazing if I do say so myself. The thing that makes me most proud is that it is my own recipe. It is based on a recipe that I had found but I switched it around to make it my own.
My mother is shocked that the daughter who once said she would never have children and would eat out everyday because she could barely boil water is now a pretty decent cook and baker.
Hopefully, we can get this year started off on the right foot. So far so good. Happy (belated) new year to you all. Let's make this a fantastic year. A year to remember.
Bare with me.
There has been so much going on that I have not been able to keep up with this site. I promise I am going to really try to get stuff posted as soon as I can. I have added the Pumpkin hats to the product page and there will be more hats and jewelry added as well. Hopefully by the end of today. If you have a specific item in mind and are wanting to order it for Christmas or for yourself, please feel free to contact me by clicking on the "Contact me" page and send me a message detailing what you are wanting. I will try to get back to you as soon as I possibly can.
One More Full Day
September 29, 2011
I have one more full day before the festival and I think I am actually going to be ready. I am spending the whole day tomorrow working on getting everything baked so hopefully I have all of my other projects done by the end of today.
It looks like we are going to have really awesome Fall weather this weekend. I encourage ALL of you to stop out at some point and check out this great local event. There will be some awesome live music and some really neat vendors. It is a great chance for you to support local businesses and musicians and of course, Branstrator Farm.
I have one more full day before the festival and I think I am actually going to be ready. I am spending the whole day tomorrow working on getting everything baked so hopefully I have all of my other projects done by the end of today.
It looks like we are going to have really awesome Fall weather this weekend. I encourage ALL of you to stop out at some point and check out this great local event. There will be some awesome live music and some really neat vendors. It is a great chance for you to support local businesses and musicians and of course, Branstrator Farm.
The Final Countdown
September 26, 2011
The Fall Festival is only four days away. I am getting all the last minute details together and trying to finish all of my products in time. I just worked for two and a half hours making my display sign. I LOVE graphic design. (The sign is posted below.)
We are celebrating Autumn's birthday tomorrow and so I am yet again, making a cake past 10:30 PM. I decided to go with a Yo Gabba Gabba cake. I know she is going to be so surprised.
I can't write much because I have a ton of work to get done! I hope to see everyone at the Branstrator Farm Fall Harvest Bash this Saturday and Sunday. (October 1-2)
The Fall Festival is only four days away. I am getting all the last minute details together and trying to finish all of my products in time. I just worked for two and a half hours making my display sign. I LOVE graphic design. (The sign is posted below.)
We are celebrating Autumn's birthday tomorrow and so I am yet again, making a cake past 10:30 PM. I decided to go with a Yo Gabba Gabba cake. I know she is going to be so surprised.
I can't write much because I have a ton of work to get done! I hope to see everyone at the Branstrator Farm Fall Harvest Bash this Saturday and Sunday. (October 1-2)
The First day of Autumn
September 24, 2011
Yesterday was technically the first day of Autumn. Today is the first day of Autumn for us. Our little Autumn Rose was born two years ago today. Our little "Midge." We are celebrating her birthday on Tuesday, but we always like to do at least a little something special for our girls' birthdays on the actual day. As I write this, there is a cake in the oven. I am just making a chocolate cake with buttercream icing. On Tuesday I am making a Sesame Street cake for her, but today, it is going to be pretty plain.
I have recently started to make Jewelry for the upcoming Branstrator Farm Festival. While doing so, I have discovered that I ABSOLUTELY love doing it. I have made quite a few pairs of earrings. I am going to have to go to the store this afternoon just to get more supplies. I love it. After the festival I will have homemade jewelry pieces posted to this site that will be available for sale.
Last night I went with a friend of mine to the Homecoming football game. There is nothing to make you feel old like going back to a football game. When you recognize more teachers and adults than students, and when you don't recognize any students at all.
My husband is playing a show tonight at the General Denver Hotel in Wilmington. There should be a pretty big crowd. If you are reading this (If anyone even reads this at all) and have nothing to do tonight. Come. He plays from 8-10PM.
I was having a hard time this morning, due to a rough week, and Abigail came to me and put her arm around me and said "You know Mommy, sometimes it's just hard." How can a four year old girl have such great wisdom? I don't even know if she knew what she said even meant, but it was the perfect moment. I hope that is something that I never forget.
Yesterday was technically the first day of Autumn. Today is the first day of Autumn for us. Our little Autumn Rose was born two years ago today. Our little "Midge." We are celebrating her birthday on Tuesday, but we always like to do at least a little something special for our girls' birthdays on the actual day. As I write this, there is a cake in the oven. I am just making a chocolate cake with buttercream icing. On Tuesday I am making a Sesame Street cake for her, but today, it is going to be pretty plain.
I have recently started to make Jewelry for the upcoming Branstrator Farm Festival. While doing so, I have discovered that I ABSOLUTELY love doing it. I have made quite a few pairs of earrings. I am going to have to go to the store this afternoon just to get more supplies. I love it. After the festival I will have homemade jewelry pieces posted to this site that will be available for sale.
Last night I went with a friend of mine to the Homecoming football game. There is nothing to make you feel old like going back to a football game. When you recognize more teachers and adults than students, and when you don't recognize any students at all.
My husband is playing a show tonight at the General Denver Hotel in Wilmington. There should be a pretty big crowd. If you are reading this (If anyone even reads this at all) and have nothing to do tonight. Come. He plays from 8-10PM.
I was having a hard time this morning, due to a rough week, and Abigail came to me and put her arm around me and said "You know Mommy, sometimes it's just hard." How can a four year old girl have such great wisdom? I don't even know if she knew what she said even meant, but it was the perfect moment. I hope that is something that I never forget.
A New Chapter
September 21, 2011
I am starting to try and get away from Facebook. I would love to eventually have only this blog to be able to keep in touch with people in this way. I will be posting lots of pictures and writing about what is going on with our family and my ventures with baking, sewing, etc.
The first weekend of October (October 1 and 2) I will be a vendor at the Branstrator Farm Fall Harvest Bash. (http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=102457216520738) I will be selling hats, jewelry, and a variety of handmade gifts. I will also be selling pumpkin cupcakes and apple pie caramel apples. I am very excited for this festival. It will have some other really great vendors and lots of fun activities for families. Come and get your fix of fall.
Abigail as been enjoying school, I think. I can't get her to tell me anything about her day. Sometimes she will spout off some gibberish that doesn't even have anything to do with school, but I can't really get anything out of her about what she is learning and if she has any new friends. She is the youngest in her class and has never been in any kind of school or daycare before. I am sure after a few weeks I won't be able to stop her from talking about her day.
Autumn has been potty training herself. It has been significantly easier that it was with Abigail. So far, of course. She turns 2 on Saturday and I am in a constant state of disbelief. I remember thinking it would be FOREVER until Autumn was this age. She is the same age Abigail was when Autumn was born. It is weird to think about Abigail being 2.
Avery has been crawling all over the place. She pulled herself up this morning. I feel like we just left the hospital last week with her. They are growing so incredibly fast. I keep a journal of the funny things that they do or say and different milestones that they reach. It is fun to go back and read all of the things that they were doing last year at this time. I really wish that we could have everything videoed. We have a video camera and I don't use it nearly enough. Reading about the funny things they do and say as kids is one thing, but actually getting to see it again on a video is even better.
It is starting to get to soup weather. I made Zuppa Toscana soup yesterday. Delicious. My siblings are coming into town with their families in the middle of October. I am so excited. We are going to have a soup night. My mom is going to make a couple different kinds of soup and I am going to make some as well. Such a fun, yet easy, idea for a meal for a lot of people.
Well, I am off to get some more things made for the festival. It is getting here faster than I expected.
I am starting to try and get away from Facebook. I would love to eventually have only this blog to be able to keep in touch with people in this way. I will be posting lots of pictures and writing about what is going on with our family and my ventures with baking, sewing, etc.
The first weekend of October (October 1 and 2) I will be a vendor at the Branstrator Farm Fall Harvest Bash. (http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=102457216520738) I will be selling hats, jewelry, and a variety of handmade gifts. I will also be selling pumpkin cupcakes and apple pie caramel apples. I am very excited for this festival. It will have some other really great vendors and lots of fun activities for families. Come and get your fix of fall.
Abigail as been enjoying school, I think. I can't get her to tell me anything about her day. Sometimes she will spout off some gibberish that doesn't even have anything to do with school, but I can't really get anything out of her about what she is learning and if she has any new friends. She is the youngest in her class and has never been in any kind of school or daycare before. I am sure after a few weeks I won't be able to stop her from talking about her day.
Autumn has been potty training herself. It has been significantly easier that it was with Abigail. So far, of course. She turns 2 on Saturday and I am in a constant state of disbelief. I remember thinking it would be FOREVER until Autumn was this age. She is the same age Abigail was when Autumn was born. It is weird to think about Abigail being 2.
Avery has been crawling all over the place. She pulled herself up this morning. I feel like we just left the hospital last week with her. They are growing so incredibly fast. I keep a journal of the funny things that they do or say and different milestones that they reach. It is fun to go back and read all of the things that they were doing last year at this time. I really wish that we could have everything videoed. We have a video camera and I don't use it nearly enough. Reading about the funny things they do and say as kids is one thing, but actually getting to see it again on a video is even better.
It is starting to get to soup weather. I made Zuppa Toscana soup yesterday. Delicious. My siblings are coming into town with their families in the middle of October. I am so excited. We are going to have a soup night. My mom is going to make a couple different kinds of soup and I am going to make some as well. Such a fun, yet easy, idea for a meal for a lot of people.
Well, I am off to get some more things made for the festival. It is getting here faster than I expected.
