Dream home...

I've been thinking about what my "dream home" looks like...or more, what it feels like. (Is that strange, to imagine what it feels like?)

I have a strong pull towards lots of natural light, bright and colorful things here and there and pictures everywhere. And books of course :)

I'm getting really excited about having a new place to live for my children and I...a place to build a fort with fairy lights and read piles of books.

A place that feels like us and where we share happy moments for sweet memories. ♥

I've started boxing up little bits of my house and resisting the urge to get rid of everything...because that's just not practical. :) But I can start gathering a little bit of new stuff...like these new dishes.

I realized after I bought them that they reminded me very much of my favorite dishes growing up, which weren't the fancy china dishes but the cute cheap ones. :)

Life's crazy....

I didn't mean to go so long without posting.

My days have been so full...(everyone's are, right?) and I'm trying to stay in that sweet spot of *balance*.

Trying to take some time to figure some things out in my life...direction, goals, that sort of thing.

The pictures show a little bit of what my days have been full of lately. :)

ONE of these days I'll do a "real" post :)

xo

Charin

Some pretty thoughts....

Just wanted to share some pretty thoughts from my Pinterest account....planning on a bigger post when my day's aren't quite so crazy. :)

Direction....

It's been on my mind quite a bit recently.

Due to circumstances and life happenings, I realize that I have taken a rain check from making any plans for life. :) That sounds a bit silly, doesn't it?
But it's actually true for me. Friend have heard me say "I stopped making plans awhile back".

I've just been kind of drifting along, amidst a busy schedule, grief, raising my beautiful children, etc.

I started reading this book recently, (a new blog post about that and the follow up book will be coming soon :) )

and it has given me a lot to think about.

I'm afraid that by not making any plans or having any new dreams, I've been allowing my time to be filled with aimless wanderings.

Don't get me wrong, there have been a lot of really great moments and life, although it's hard at times, is still really beautiful. :) I have a lot to be thankful for. :)

But I believe that life is meant to be nothing less than magic.

And that means that I should probably start deciding just exactly what it is that I want to see, accomplish, do for others and experience in this life.

Those are my thoughts on this Saturday night. :)

"All that we are is a result of what we have thought"

What's in the bag?...or, why my back hurts :)

Have you seen those "what's in your purse?" blog posts?
Well, when my friend Magan lifted my purse this weekend and said "Charin! What do you have in this thing??" I was reminded that it would be a really great time to clean mine out. :)
This is crazy, people.

Books (yep, reading all of them), bills, lip gloss, perfume, diapers, toys, work schedule (slightly blurred so that the creepy people out there can't read it)....and I didn't even show the mound of scribbled notes and contact information bits that were in there.

I really should clean my purse out more often. ;)

Two years...

Two years of some of the best, sweetest snuggles.

Two years of thinking "I am so lucky" because of him being such a good sleeper, so laid back and cuddly.

Two years of dinosaurs, super heroes and robots making their way into my pink world. :)

Two years of kissing this cute little face off every chance I get.

Two years and I can not imagine my life without my favorite boy in it.

I am so blessed to be his Mama.

Words....

For my entire adult life, I have been a girl who documents the every day. Usually with scrapbooking...which I miss, terribly.

Lately it's been with these three random journals. I love having a "home" for Katie's silly antics, and I love an art journal that has creativity prompts like the black and white page above. (And I completed one of the prompts "crack the spine of this journal" while I took this picture. ) :)

I really do think it's important to document the every day. :) Katie reminded me of how important that is tonight, when she looked through one of our scrapbooks and wanted me to read all of the journaling on each page.
She loves hearing about "her story", and I realize how many little moments I would forget if I didn't record them somewhere.

Do you journal, or scrapbook? What's your way of documenting life?
xo

Charin

Inspires me....

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There are few feelings in this world as good as being inspired.

Inspired by people, by love, by beautiful words, by possibilities and by life.
I love it. :) And because I am always searching for it, here are a few images of things that inspired me lately.

I'm always inspired by art....I am not an artist, I don't have the talent for it. But it gives me goosebumps and butterflies at times. :) (Can someone have an artist's soul without actually being an artist??)

I will always be inspired by quotes, by thoughts.
If you have a pretty image to share please do!

It's the little things...:)

*Listening to Katie laugh at Blue's Clues while I'm typing this blog :)
*Colin walking over to the bookshelf to pull down his favorite books...this is an everyday routine and it always makes me smile to put those books up before he goes to bed. He loves reading, and I love that.
*Drinking honeydew bubble tea..best $5 splurge out there.
*Music. I love to listen to Floetry, Prince, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott..one of the first things I do when I wake up is turn the music on...and sing. :)
*Hugs. Oh, how I love a good hug. ♥
*Or massages. Yes, I love a good massage too. :) And I think that I am very overdue for one!
*Facebook chats with favorite people
*Good books
*Playing patty-cake with Colin..he isn't ready to do it on his own yet, but lets me clap his hands together and he smiles the whole time. Sweet boy!
*Asking Katie questions about her day and hearing all of the new things she's doing at her pre-school
*Watching American Idol :) it's the one "can't miss" show for me
*Scentsy warmers ( told you, it's the little things)
*"Want to go to lunch?" calls from my Mom...now that she works in the same town as me, we are able to do that once in awhile and it's so nice :)
*Evidences of a little girl and boy all over my house...piles of forgotten books, or tutus, Katie hiding her cotton candy perfume in her nightstand drawer. :) Those two make my life sweet and I love them.

Joy really is about the little things...what are some of your favorites?

Being a Mama

I'm thinking a lot today about how blessed I am to be a Mama.

It actually overwhelms me at times just how much I love them. I feel it all over me, like today, when Colin walked up to me and reached his arms up for me to hold him and rested his head on my chest. To know that you're someone else's comfort and safe place is a beautiful gift, and it's one that I don't always appreciate as much as I should.

I am so fortunate to witness the little moments that are passing by as they both grow.
Moments like a little bit ago, when Katie was showing me the "tight rope" she'd built out of blocks, or when she and I color together and she says "you're the best Mama in the whole earth, ever!"

Being a witness to their lives is beautiful.

I want to be a better mother each day. :)

She's a winner....

Thanks for those of you who entered here on the blog, and on Facebook. I loved reading your sweet comments. :)

But, there could only be one winner (this time) and the lucky name drawn was Vicki.
Congrats Vicki! :) And...those are marshmallow donuts in the picture. Because they were too cute not to buy. :) Haha

Thanks so much for letting me share some happiness today, and I hope you love your "I am beautiful" package of goodies!

♥
Charin

you are beautiful :)

It started with an invitation to join the "I am beautiful" day on Facebook...a day for woman to celebrate who they are, their beauty and strength.

If you know me, you know that I am on a mission to help woman to find peace in their lives and to believe in themselves. :)

So, this post is for YOU.

Because you are beautiful, you're not going to live an ordinary life, and you deserve a reminder of the impact your life is going to have. :)

Sign your name to win a copy of this book and some other pink pretties.

(I will have the book in about a week, I have to order a new copy)

Celebrate I am Beautiful Day tomorrow, 01/14!

pretty*pretty

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I can't help but get a little bit excited thinking about getting settled into a new home (whenever that day comes...hopefully very soon!)
Until then, browsing online for pieces I love helps me dream. :)
There's just something about a great big bed covered in ivory that draws me in...but, since I am the mother of a four and almost-two year old that will most likely NOT be making it's way into my home. :)
I absolutely love word art..vintage-look bus rolls, canvases, quotes.
It's a must have, wherever I live. :)
Cute patterned chairs? Yes, please.
What are your favorite finds in home decor? Please share, I'm looking for some more inspiration! :)
Charin

And then she's four....

How does that happen?
How do they grow so fast? I know that's a very cliche thing to say...but wow. It really does seem like just yesterday that I was so anxiously waiting for my little princess to make her way in the world.
It seems like just yesterday that I was saying "I hope she's giggly, and sweet and bubbly...I hope she's happy". I could see her before I met her...bubbly, a little emotional ( a bit like her Mama), beautiful, special, and I knew that she was going to change my life. ♥ I could see her being a singer one day, I could imagine her making people smile just by being around her.

She is all of those things and more. :) She sings her little heart out (as long as she approves of the audience) she's so silly, she is smart and she is dramatic...very dramatic. She really cares about people, and she has more insight than a lot of adults have. This little four year old girl is way beyond her years and has a heart of gold. :) She may be too shy to talk to people sometimes, and she still knows how to throw a good temper tantrum once in awhile, but she is everything to me. :)
She loves ballerinas and princesses and dinosaurs (yes, dinosaurs) :) she is a great big sister and a special little soul.She holds my hand and squishes my fingers every time she's tired or upset (and she has from day one) and she told me today that she didn't want to grow up. :)
"you better measure again, Mama. I'm still three!!"
Love you, Katie Shae! Happy Birthday from Mama ♥

One song can spark a moment
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest
One bird can herald spring
One smile begins a friendship
One handclasp lifts a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer gloom
One step must start each journey
One word must start a prayer
One hope will raise our spirits
One touch can share you care
One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know what's true
One life can make a difference
That difference starts with you.
-source unknown

this book is my self prescribed required reading for January.

I have said (to myself, and outloud) over and over "I want to make a difference".
I've been thinking about that a lot lately.
What does it mean to you, to make a difference? Is that something that everyone really wants to do?

I believe that life gives us experiences (good, lovely ones. and painful ones too)
to teach us....to understand more about this journey, what it's all about.
I have been so completely touched by people who have cared, who listen, and who make a huge difference just by being. (Hey you ;) If you're reading this you know who you are)

Thinking about the things that I am passionate about...these things that I get excited about, that I want to work hard at. Areas that I am passionate about making a difference for someone else..I can't help but believe that the very reason that I am so determined to do this is because someone did it for me.
And maybe that's just part of how the world works. I read once that you teach best what you need to learn. :)

sometimes the most unexpected people will be the ones to pick you up when you fall.

So, here's to 2011 being a year full of realized dreams.
And note to self: Stop doubting...just go for it. "The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away"

You can buy 1 here, Compendium is an absolutely amazing company and they inspire a lot of my dreams. :)

twenty eleven

New Year's Resolutions in no particular order
A brand new year...kind of hard to believe, actually.
This past year has been one of the most "full" years of my life.
Full of some really painful times. Full of new friendships, full of decisions and "firsts". Full of new challenges, a new way of life, full of quiet moments with my beautiful children. Full of a lot of reflection and prayer and tears.
Full of a lot of personal growth. I'm really thankful for love and memories that I'm carrying with me in this new year. (and always will)
I have some personal goals and dreams that have been running around in my head and heart for some time now...I'm hoping that this new year will be the perfect time to live them.
Here's to a great 2011. Each day is a gift. ♥
I'd love to hear your resolutions too! Feel free to comment and share. :)