Love, love

Yesterday it snowed. 

Truth be told, I doubted my weatherman when he said snow was in the forecast --he let me down many times in the past, but now he’s rightfully redeemed. We woke up to a nice thin sheet of white snow --neither fluffy nor powdery, but good enough to get my winter fix.

7:30 hit and we were out the door, sledding down our side hill, sculpting snowballs, and making snow angels.

Oh, how I have missed you.

On the way to school Krysta said, “I miss the snow so much. When are we going back to Alaska?”

With those words, my heart aches. It’s a question that I honestly don’t have an exact answer for, but I do know this… one day, one day we’ll return.

Growing up on the East Coast I’ve always considered myself a beach girl; I lived for the summer; I breathed in the salty air as much as humanly possible; stayed outside until my skin burned from the sun. But over the years I’ve grown to realize, as much as I love the ocean, I’m perfectly content living up North --extreme North-- surrounded by mountains and birch trees and alpine creatures. I now live for Autumn and Winter; I love breathing in fresh crisp air that rolls off of the mountain tops and I’m over-the-moon when snow flurries begin floating down and wildlife perches itself in my front yard. One day, I will live that life again.

All morning, her words weighed heavily on my heart --her longing to be back up North, enjoying life as she once knew. I recognized that the snow would melt and disappear as quickly as it came, so we picked her up from school early to squeeze the bejezus out of any remaining snow patches.

starring wide-eyed with anticipation for more flurries

William was completely smitten. He ran out the door before I could get his shoes on!

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Today is Valentine’s Day. Love Day.

The kids and I awoke to chocolates and flowers left by my handsome devil. And I may or may not have sent Krysta to school with a sugar buzz…

Instead of purchasing cards and candy, we created our own little Valentine gift baggy for Krysta’s classmates.

Here’s how you make it--

What you’ll need:
Snack ziplocks
Cardstock paper and a printer
Staples and a paper cutter

For the tag:
In Photoshop create a file size 6.5x2
Place your image to the size you’d like, and then add scripty fonts and a message. SAVE
Then create a second file, sized 6.5x4
Copy and paste your SAVED image twice (flipping ONLY your second image horizontally). SAVE
Almost done… create a third file, sized 8.5x11
Copy and paste your 6.5x4 images. You can fit 3 images on one sheet of paper.
PRINT

Now cut and fold your tag.
Fill your baggy and candy of your choice, then staple your tag onto the ziplock.

VOILA, easy heartfelt Valentine’s gifts.

I’m heading off to prep food with a friend, clean my house, and set up a few decorations.... there’s gonna be a baby shower tomorrow!

This month's cup is spilling over the rim in love, love it.

Big Hearts,
em

I'm loving.

I was just leaving a friend’s house when it came out of nowhere. A mystical force. A divine intervention. A slice of awesomeness to make my babies and I squeal uncontrollably in sheer joy. It started snowing!

I knew it would end as quickly as it came, so I heightened my senses to its highest capacity and soaked it all in. I deeply inhaled the fresh crisp air until it hit the back on my throat, and then slowly released it. I stood there –square in the middle of my backyard- and looked up into the sky; memorizing the unique cuts of the flakes as they swished and swirled above me from a dusky rose colored backdrop. And when my heart spilled over in floods of complete and udder happiness, I held out my arms and spun around like Jodie Foster in the movie Nell, swaying in the wind style.

It was a nostalgic treat. My very own sliver of Alaska to send me soaring over the moon.

I’m loving it.

I’m also loving:

{Planning My Two Bambino’s Big Day}

Since the kids birthdays are only two weeks apart --and they’re still young enough to be excited about the party itself, and not being the center of attention-- we’re doing a joint birthday party. While their special day isn’t for another 5 weeks, we’re having a blast throwing around party themes, brainstorming decorations, and food ideas. After changing party themes --at least a dozen times-- we’ve concluded that there’s going to be a lot of little blue birds, toadstools, red capes, and furry brown animals.

Did I mention that we’re making 90% of the decorations ourselves? I’ll post DIY tutorials along with website links after the party.

Inspiration here:  http://pinterest.com/emilyroe/krysta-s-9th-will-s-2nd-birthday-party/



{Organizing and Getting Rid of the Old}

Our garage has always been a major issue. Losing an entire room plus having a smaller garage, creates a lot of clutter --like mountains of clutter, like Oh my God, are you a hoarder type of clutter. I’m talking about baby items, furniture, and storage bins, on top of regular garage items like tools and garden supplies. Oye. It’s a total mess and a lot to deal with.

And so we’re dealing with it now.

Presenting Project Organize Our Sh*t.

Here is the embarrassing before photo:

Ron and my handsome little man worked hard on building a sturdy shelving unit for my baskets and seasonal storage bins. I also have six boxes of paintings (I’m storing away until they sell or if/when I can get them back into a local art gallery) that are going to get a custom made unit so they can stay in tiptop shape.

I can already feel the load lighten… it’s a work in progress.

But for now, I’m loving my handymen hard at work to make mama’s life run a little smoother.

I mean come on, who wouldn’t love this little mister with his saw? Precious.

*the final photo still to come

{Devilish Grins and Chunky Sweaters}

I adore his little mischievous smiles. I can just eat them up all day. Enough said.

Oh and here’s that grin again.

And again

And again. Gaw, he’s so delicious.

{Unexpected Commissions}

I love unexpected, unplanned, out-of-the-blue commission orders.

Here is my latest pencil drawing.

A lady commissioned me to do a drawing of her two children as a gift to her husband. It’s seriously heart-stretching to know that my work is given as gifts --it’s unique, thoughtful, and from the heart, not to mention it feels so good knowing that someone admires my work enough to give it to someone they love.

For more examples of my work visit, www.emilyroeartist.com

To purchase a custom made piece of art, http://www.etsy.com/shop/emilyroeart

{Photography}

It turns out that I found a new passion. A passion that I’m finding myself deeply falling in love with. A passion that I’ve been doing for years, but never thought about making a profit from it.

I’ve always photographed my kids and the little everyday inspirations in my life --sunsets, flowers, a coffee cup-- but it’s truly more than that. I get such a high when I capture the little personalities and the unique qualities of children and babies. It’s heaven.

Here are a few photographs that I took of some sweet friends while we were in Bricktown.

*website coming soon! I haven’t “officially” made a 100% leap into photography…but I’m getting there and hoping to specialize in newborns.

{Ron’s Talent}

My husband builds websites. He’s newest commission is building a site for the Military Museum in Oklahoma City.

While he was sitting down with the director to discuss his expectations, the kids and I took a stroll around the premises.

Krysta had a lot of questions like, what happens to all of the broken planes and military trucks, along with questions about the war and the people who died. She was sad to see all of the unused, broken down vehicles and the names of the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice written on plaques. Krysta truly is a sweet, caring, emotional little girl, which is why we’re having such a hard time breaking the news that daddy will be deploying in a handful of months.

Krysta made a wish that no one had to die. Her heart is big.

Today’s Friday… and that’s something everyone can love!

Look up to the sky and sway like Nell.

Happy Weekend-ing

Em

The Bridge.

3 am. Wide awake out at sea. I can feel last night’s dinner sloshing around in my belly as the boat sways from side to side. My head and body is twisting and spinning and no matter what I do, I can’t get a grip--it seems like I’ve fallen into a time warp when I when I was drunk as a skunk on a Wednesday night during my freshman year at Mars Hill College. Expect I’m not drunk. I’m horribly seasick.

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How was I sick this particular time and not others is beyond me; I was practically born with gills. I was curled in a ball for the bulk of the boat trip, and for nearly a week after we pulled off of the boat, I was still rocking back and forth--my equilibrium was shot. But the spectacular mountain and ocean views? The salty sea smells? It was, oh so worth it. Whenever my head and stomach were stable enough to stand, you could bet your hiney I was out walking the perimeter of the ship with my camera strapped around my neck.

As we made our way over and across the Pacific Ocean on the ship, The Kennicott, it’s just the beginning of our adventurous trip. It’s “the bridge” to the Lower 48. “The bridge” that will lead us to our new home. As the boat pulled further and further away from land and into the open sea, I could feel Alaska slipping from my fingers. I could see her vanishing into the horizon, leaving me with ping of sadness. So many great memories, so many great friends, so much of myself was left behind.

I don’t know what to expect in Oklahoma. Will I love it? Will I hate it? Will my babies be happy?  I’m shaken with the unknown. And when my world is shaky, I take things step by step and try to look at the situation is small groups, rather than a whole. This quote, by Martin Luther King, Jr. it very fitting for my current state-of-mind, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

And so I will have faith. I will have faith that this is where God wants us to be; that this is where we will replant our roots and bloom.

Oklahoma, here we come!

I'm over here.

We're in Day 9 of our drive from Alaska to Oklahoma. We've crossed the Pacific Ocean by boat, driven through five states, and lapped over three time zones; still we have several more days to go. Right now we're in Colorado visiting with my in-laws, and tomorrow we're planning a cookout, which I'm sure will be equal parts relaxing and fun. It'll be the perfect break in our trip to recharge our batteries and build new family memories.

My blogger friend of mine , My Dear Jenn, is also making a cross country trip from Alaska. During her travels she has lined up guest bloggers, and my story is one of them. In keeping with her travel theme, I shared my most favorite place in the world! Go here to read on...

Happy Trails!
Em

Denver, Colorado

Montana

 Wyoming