The most Delightful act of kindness

Today I want to share a neat story with you.
Sunday I was talking to one of my girl friends at church, who said she always reads my blog. 
She then reached into her bag and pulled out all of this colorful, happy tape.
My favorite! 

She said it was donated at the place her husband works and thought of me so she brought me some.
I told her she was speaking my love language!  

This is one of the nicest, most delightful acts of kindness I've ever received and caught me so much by happy surprise.

{Who can you delight with an act of kindness this week?}

Smash Journal

Do you journal? 
Or more specifically-have you heard of Smash journals?  I've always had an interest in scrapbooking, or the supplies at least. :) I don't have the patience to sit and make pages for hours, but love the thought of documenting life, beyond a computer screen. Enter: art journaling. 
 I noticed I kept tearing out pages from magazines and saving pins on Pinterest that had a semi-cluttered, mixed media feel.  Then I discovered Smash journals.  The purpose is to put anything, anywhere in the journal as you like! You can just journal as you go, creating a collage of sorts on each page.  I bought the pink Smash journal which has decorated background pages already in it.  That way I can easily layer my own things on top.
 I am loving this way of recording things near and dear to my heart. Just a jot here or there.  
Of course, for deeper thoughts and prayers I also keep a good 'ol composition book.  These are my favorite for some reason.  I like to use Washi Tape to make tabs in the notebook.

{How do you journal?}

*My craft room post is up on Brooklyn Limestone today! Check it out :) if you want to.

Handwritten Mail.

Last week I enjoyed making a card for a friend to send in the snail mail.
It was fun to make and I can't wait for her to receive it. 
Checking the mail is a big deal around here.
Our most recent excitement in the mail were Valentine's-made by cousins and my Grandma and Papaw. So special and fun.

Do you love the mail as much as I do?  

growing.

One day I had an e-mail from a friend asking if having two babies was as much work as it seemed. My answer-no, it's more.  It's triple the work!  But you know what, it's a millions times more the joy than I expected too.  Betsy Grace is starting to seem more like a little individual.  She is so opposite of Anna Ruth....Anna liked moving fast from day one.  She wanted to be on the move all the time!  Not Betsy-she's a lot more slow and steady.  She loves to cuddle her mama.  :) 

Lately Anna Ruth loves to carry one of her many teddy bears around the house.  I can hear her little squeal as I look at this picture!  She runs so fast around our house!  She also likes to walk around with her cup, or a piece of bread (or saltine).  
Bright-eyed Betsy Grace is enjoying this toy she got for Christmas.  She almost goes cross-eyed trying to concentrate on getting ahold of it!  She also likes the squeaky/crinkly sound it makes.


We have some starter seeds growing in a neat container on our dining room. Makes me so anxious for spring.  I don't enjoy the grey, cold weather.  
Anna Ruth is a pretty great eater, but on the small side.  Something I can always count on her eating are waffles-plain.  I will ask if she wants peanut butter or syrup (my favorite choice) and she'll say no.  Silly girl. 

Our joyful moments are growing.  Our sweet girls are growing.  
The abundance of life is growing :).

Sunshine by Sara

Well friends, my little shop of handmade happiness, Sunshine by Sara will soon be back in business.
I'm of the opinion that business and friendship just don't mix (a few too many bad experiences with weight loss shakes and friends explain that, lol).

I do love making handmade things and will have them for sell on a specific page on the blog, as well as more information on the Sunshine by Sara facebook page.  I'll give updates on the blog occasionally, and if you'd like you can e-mail me for more information at sunshinebysara@hotmail.com

I just won't crowd the blog with "business" updates......it's there if you're interested :).   

Snow day!

We got snow this week!  I excitedly showed Anna Ruth the snow outside and immediately got her impressed/excited reaction of "Oh, Why!" .  This is Anna's version of "Oh, wow!" and is one of the cutest things I've ever heard in my life.  I *may* even look for opportunities to trick her little mind into saying it.  :)

 For a good part of the morning we enjoyed the snow falling from the comfort and warmth of the house.

 Once this bright-eyed beauty went down for a nap (after being strapped to her mama for two hours) Anna Ruth and I put on our snow gear and trekked outside for some snow day fun.

 As a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) either every day's a "snow day" or none are.  It's one or the other. I remember my teaching days when a snow day meant movies, sleeping, and a general feeling of doing nothing.  Relaxation galore.  Those days are long gone.  Although an excuse to hibernate for a day or two occasionally sounds nice-I'll take working 365 days a year as a mama now any 'ol day. My point-your attitude either determines a party, or a pity-party.  




Anna Ruth wore Brett's mismatched gym socks on her hands as mittens and found several good digging sticks in the yard.  She was in snow heaven. 

Breath-taking!

I captured this breath-taking sky the other night.
Each night I'm in the kitchen in the middle of the day's greatest juggling act-
keeping the two girlies happy, straightening the house, sometimes getting my lip gloss on before Brett comes home :). and cooking dinner.

Each night I also look outside because I know I'll be treated to a view of God's creativity and beauty..
this night was no exception.

Us lately.

Just a peek at some life moments captured here and there lately.  We met my mom ("Granna") on Valentine's Day at Chick-fil-a and she treated us to ice cream cones.  Delicious.  Anna Ruth stood up in the booth with her cone as if she were queen. 
And really-she IS queen most of the time. 
I often look at Brett and say "This is now my life".  
Example-see picture above.  Only a mom to multiple children would receive a box this large filled to the brim with diapers and wipes.  And be overjoyed at the giant box left over so that her oldest could sit inside with crayons and stickers. :)
Need I say more? 
(in Anna's words "OOPS") 
I feel God's love different ways, in different stages of life.
lately-it's through the sky.  Meaning, the rich colors and soothing skies remind me of how much God loves us.
Anna Ruth continues to adore Betsy Grace.  The feeling is mutual-most of the time.
Occasionally Anna Ruth "plays" with Betsy Grace by poking her eyes.  She doesn't like this!  One day-Betsy Grace will hold her own.  For now-I'm referee.  
This is such a common site in our kitchen! Anna Ruth loves these pull out drawers in our kitchen island.  

Precious, precious, precious. 

Valentine's Day Party Re-Cap


 Aren't holidays more fun with kids?
I sure think so.  It's an extra opportunity and excuse to go all out, which I love doing anyway.  The girls just make it easier to explain now.   :)  For this Valentine's Day I decided we'd have a little party.  We had yummy sugary cookies and strawberries.  And Nana came and brought some treats of her own! 

This was so easy to throw together-I just bought some festive plates and napkins at Wal-Mart...plus the cookies (which are way. too. GOOD)  I threw in some striped straws I always have on hand and a party was made.  Easy peasy.  

Anna's profile



There's just something about Anna Ruth's profile that I love.  I have some very similar pictures of her from when she was a little baby that show her sweet profile against the bluest sky.  Those lips, that tiny nose, those eyes......sigh.  Don't you just love your children?
Amidst the stress of being a mama to two under two there are so many moments that I'd like to freeze in time.  Where a bit of heaven on earth is felt.......where (like the good 'ol country song says) "I saw God today."

Introduce yourself, will ya? :)

Hi friends! 
Let's try something different, shall we? I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself in the comment section!  I know you're out there.....but sometimes I wonder who "you" are.  Although my God-given personality is a water/wind combo (any "Path" people out there?) I was born and raised in a family of earth's.  So-list making runs deep in my bones too.  A list to introduce sounds wonderful to me. 
I'll start:
1.) What state do you live in? - Arkansas

2.) What are your hobbies?-photography, cooking, crafting, sewing, decorating, journaling, blogging :)

3.) Season of life-Stay-at-home mama, almost 30!

4.) Why (or why not) do you blog/not blog? What is your blog address?- I blog first for myself, second for my family, and third-for everyone else. :) Creativity is "in my blood" as a friend said recently about ourselves.

5.) BIGGEST dream for the future- For me, it involves a chippy, red-painted barn full of crafty goodies. And laughter, girl friends and food. :) And the country, of course. 


Peaceful Streams.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Happy Valentine's Day AND BIRTHDAY!


Happy Valentine's Day to the lovely reader's of The Rosy Life! 
I hope your day is filled with red and pink things...heart things and stripey things. :) And a chocolate or two thrown in as well. 
{I also want to wish a very happy, HAPPY, birthday to my mama, whose birthday is today! And my daddy, whose birthday is on the 16th!..... I sure do love and appreciate them both. More and more each day as I realize the hard work it takes to be such great parents.}

Anna holds Betsy








Anna Ruth has always had an interest in Betsy Grace, right from the start.  So, for the naysayers who said she would be jealous, I am happy to tell you-you were wrong. :) 
(unless it comes to her Granna or Nana, but that's a different story for a different day, lol)

Anna Ruth runs up to Betsy Grace and says "hi, hi, hi" and leans in until their noses almost touch.  She "hugs" her when Betsy's in her chair.  Betsy follows Anna with her eyes and smiles and coos at her. My mama heart melts.  One day recently we had a BIG moment in our house.

Anna Ruth held Betsy Grace all by herself.  She was gentle and loving.  She looked so proud.  I had a good teary moment.  How proud I am of these two girls! How marvelous to be their mama! What fun they will have together.  :) 
Anna holds Betsy and these girlies hold my heart. 

I've got a new blog! Come see. :)

Room for the Rosy  is my new blog. I hope you'll come see.