Lopez family love

Today I got to take photos of the beautiful, sweet Lopez family. These gorgeous lil beauties stole my heart! ♥ Thanks Jaimie and Michael!! So great to meet you all!  Enjoy!

whipple cupcake fun!! ♥ this gift idea!!

We had  our nieces and nephews over this past weekend making 8 kids at our house and this was a SUPER fun craft for the girls! My girls and I dream about opening a cupcake shop one day, so this was an exciting gift to receive!! The only warning I have is: be careful, they look real enough to eat. Toddlers may insist on eating one! :)

Here's one link to buying this :
http://www.amazon.com/International-Playthings-WH60002-Whipple-Cupcake/dp/B004G4AP06

 "sprinkles"

 Finished products! You get to turn one into a key chain!

♥ token of love♥

This is the simplest little thing, but I wanted to share because I was seriously touched how much the kids have LOVED these. I love to journal and express myself on paper, and I wrote these little love notes along with a message on a button for the kids. I wrote things like "I love you more than a mouse loves cheese" and "I love you more than a bird loves worms" It's kind of my thing with the kids :) It just makes them smile so big to have this little token of love to carry around with them. Whether it was on the first day of school, before we went on a trip, if they had something going on at school, or just because you wanna show them love :) Who doesn't love a love note? Show some love today!!

Grilled Chicken with basil dressing

This grilled chicken recipe was AMAZING! I had to share this awesome, easy recipe of Giada's! Love that lady! :)

here it is: I didn't have fennel seeds, but it was still fabulous without it!!
DO try this, it's so yummy! And some of the kids didn't care for the dressing, but they loved it without!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/everyday-italian/grilled-chicken-with-basil-dressing-recipe/index.html

date with your kids

Recently my husband and I decided we needed more one on one time with the kids. We crave that time, and know that they do too. I want my kids to be able to talk to us about anything, and this is something that I pray helps open the pathways to deeper, more intimate relationships. We are taking turns taking them out to breakfast on a weekly basis. It has already been such a treasure to me. I love this time. Even though this is the most exhausting, draining, thankless job at times, I know that it will go by quickly. They need me now. They want time with me now. They want to share their hearts with me now. I want to be present....now.

Here are some other great websites with date ideas & suggestions that I LOVE!...enjoy those kiddos! And if you don't have children, pour into the relationships you do have. You are loved and cherished. I'm sure of that! :)


 http://www.parenting.com/article/fun-things-to-do-summer

 http://fatherhood.about.com/od/activities/a/kids_date.htm

 http://lets-explore.net/blog/2011/12/a-year-of-dates/

 Addie. My little ham, pistol, and love bug. I cannot wait to see what you grow up to be. 

 Ty. My never-ending bundle of energy, compassionate, intuitive one. You will make a great husband one day surrounded by all these sisters! 

 Clara. Sensitive and sweet but feisty is there. I know you will do whatever you do with so much love.

Kyla. My smart, book-loving hard worker. So much compassion and your strong will...your life will be full. I just know it.