behind the scenes :: first birthday.

So, last month Mason turned the big one.  

The husband and I chose to keep his first birthday simple - basically, a grandparent party. :) Anyway, I wanted to take a moment to share photos from his little, mustache party...

the pantry door.  

We LOVE this thang.  Probably one of our best DIY projects.  ever.

the little banner...

I printed some mustaches from Pinterest (they're everywhere) and added them to construction paper, brown, coffee filters and newspaper.  My only issue with banners is I never know where to attach the ends...sometime I want them in places where I have no option but to tape them to the wall...I don't know.  I'm weird.

the husband put these together.

We bought these little, dowel rods and broke them in half...

and then added the mustaches with double sided tape.

little man's table.

As you can tell, I added mustaches to random things throughout the house, which was kinda fun...had to include a dog (thank you, cousin Brittney!), because his nursery "theme" included lots of doggies.  The big one sign was super easy to make - it's just a piece of wood I wrapped with newspaper, and then, using a BIG sharpie, I free-handed a big uno.

Okay, by far, one of my favorite things about his little party!  His smash cake...A friend of mine told me about this idea (again Pinterest - you are the reason behind many, many fabulous ideas).  We made a box cake mix in a 9 inch circle pan, and then, cut a "wavy" line through the middle.  Flipped one half over and bam - you have a mustache!  We used a frosting tube thing (ya know, like cheese whiz spray cans), which was really easy.  Thanks, Kerry Jo, for telling me about this!  Here's the photo tutorial we used:  

http://themetapicture.com/mustache-cake/

I have tons and tons of photos of nugget, so I chose a photo that I had not shared with anyone for his photo cake...we added a mustache to it when we edited the photo in Photoshop, and it just looked awesome!  This was around the time when he started standing in his crib like a big boy. :)

Showin' off his bib, which is the cutest hand-me-down from the Robinson fam!  And you'll notice some photos on the laundry room door...I put photos throughout the house - most from when he was extra little.  The big mustache is actually part of a cardboard pizza box.  Thank goodness we recycle!  I free-handed that design and just added black paint.  We still haven't taken it down. :)

Little man was not a fan of cake smashin'.  I just love his sweet, little expression here though. :)

A few days later, a family friend gave him another smash cake...So, we attempted it again.  He still wasn't too sure, but we did get him to make more of a mess. :) Thanks, Berta!  Mase's parents definitely enjoyed the rest of it...

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Hope you liked the behind the scenes look at his party. :) I still can't believe my little man is one...

-S

nugget's baptism.

hello.

I am somewhat caught up on homework.  The house is decent.  The husband is out running errands.  But most importantly, little man is napping.  

So, I'm going to take a quick moment to share some personal photos with you.

I know.  I haven't blogged in almost a month...well, right at a month as of tomorrow.  Ah, a busy little place we keep around here.

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Anyway, below are some photographs from a few weeks ago when our little man was baptized.  I know most of you have seen these already, but some of you haven't, which is why I want to share.  Plus, I love them.  Therefore, they HAVE to be published on the blog.

A little background first...

You'll notice in the photos that nugget is a big boy...bigger than the average baby who is baptized right after they're born.  Months ago we actually had him dedicated/we, his parents, were dedicated.  I'm not going to get into a religious debate on what is "right," or who believes what as far as baptizing babies.  All I know is, I felt in my heart that my little boy still needed to be baptized.  

It was on my mind.  A lot.  So, once my fall semester was complete, and we all made it through the holiday madness, I contacted the priest who married nugget's parents a few years ago at a little white church.  Late one night, I wrote an email to him explaining, well babbling, about our situation...and then, asking if he would just consider baptizing our son.

The response I received was no less than perfect, and several weeks later (took some planning and last-minute adjustments trying to make sure some most of us could make it), we had Mason baptized.

I am just so thankful for how it all fell right into place - God's perfect work.  It felt like we had traveled full circle from standing with Father Kevin on the day we said our wedding vows...to 3 years later, standing with him to baptize our little boy.  

As the husband said later that afternoon...It really was a "fun, Sunday mornin'."

-S

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Special thanks to Nicola, our photographer, for telling such a beautiful and personal story through pictures...

one.

Today, nugget turned one...at exactly 8:19 p.m.  

Unreal that this time last year, one of my doctors handed me this rather large baby 

that I couldn't stop staring at while repeatedly telling myself, 

"This is my beautiful baby...a real baby."  

happy first birthday, Mason.

You have changed my self-absorbed focus to a love for simple things.  

Thank you, little boy.  

You are pure sweetness.

love you so, so much.

the bump.

I have plenty to busy myself with today, but I am taking the time to sip some coffee and write you all.  I have wanted to share this post with you sooner than today, but due to grad school (finally observing IN a school) and a walking baby, my free time has been extremely limited.  No complaints though.  This life is good.

Anyway, a year ago, I must have been in a similar boat, because I had these photographs ready to share, and I never got around to posting them...and then, I had a baby, so priorities shifted and photographs of the bump became "old."  People forgot the bump.  The bump was a thing of the past (to some degree).  It was time to see Baby M.

However, as I've looked through photos from this time last year, I can't help but stare at the bump.  I had reached the very uncomfortable part of being with child.  Health issues were getting a little more serious.  My family was on-edge as we anticipated possible emergency type situations.  I was over pregnancy.  Friday, February 10th during an appointment, I looked my doctor in the eye and said, "I'm tired.  I'm ready to have this baby."  

Aside from all of that, I can now look at these photographs and appreciate the bump from a different angle - literally.  I was bored out of my mind at home while on bed rest  and I decided to change into an actual, photo-worthy outfit...shirt (from a black bag, of course - Thank you, Bec), skirt I altered, which explains why it's uneven, and old, cheap boots that I can't seem to part with no matter how hard I try.  I set the self-timer and spent twenty minutes doing my own maternity photo session.

I know I take well-over 1,000 photos a month, and I have tons of "favs," but these photographs mean more to me than I can ever express to anyone.  Taken in the house I was raised in...by a wood-stove that for many years my Daddy has filled with wood he cut with his own hands...in a kitchen where my Momma taught me how to break eggs, do homework at the kitchen table, and wear socks because this kitchen floor is always cold.  In the house that Baby M would learn to explore...with his parents and now, freely on his own.

So much history and a promising future within these photographs.  

They are truly tied to my heart.  

...and this is a personal shout-out to whoever invented the self-timer option on cameras...thank you.  I would never have been this comfortable around anyone else.

-S

winter changes.

During the last couple of weeks, winter has finally decided to make an appearance, which means stronger fires in our woodstove and stronger coffee in our mugs.  I kinda like the cold, gray days that limit outdoor activities and force creativity within the home.  This time last year, I HAD to glue my hiney to our couch with my feet elevated on our coffee table while a large, baby spun freely in my belly.  This year, that large baby is walking (we happily skipped the crawling stage), and proudly giving free, house tours and demonstrations like opening and closing doors, organizing papers all over the floor, and showing us the magic of the TV remote control.  Like the seasons, our lives will continue to change, and it's up to each of us to embrace these bittersweet changes...I know, very "cornball" (as my Momma says) to say, but it's true!

Happy Monday.

-S

"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you....

In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; 

only in the winter, in the country, 

can you have longer, quiet stretches 

when you can savor belonging to yourself."

-Ruth Stout

*Photos were from this past weekend and then today, Mase and I were outside with short sleeves.  ah, Tennessee weather...

Duck Fever

Mornin'!

Long time no share. :) We're still around though - just busy bees! 

Today, I have an EXTRA special treat for y'all.  The husband is sharing a manly post.  I've eagerly been waiting to post this for awhile due to some edits, but it's finally ready.  I'm SO excited to share "his view," especially from behind the camera one, cold morning at the blind...

Y'all enjoy...

-S

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This year has been full of firsts and Duck hunting was one of them. I've always wanted to go, but there were so many factors that usually stood in the way. Earlier this year, God blessed my family and me with a new job closer to home, WAY CLOSER. Since starting my new career, I've had more time to spend with my sweet little boy, my beautiful wife, and my beloved hunting.

The group of guys I hunt with always try their luck at the draw for a duck blind on the first Saturday in August..every year. The wait was finally over and we figured that one of us would get drawn near the top. I heard one of the TWRA officers say, y’all that have known me for awhile know what’s coming,  “Michael! …My..Och….O?? (looking for the guy whose name he just butchered).” That’s when I heard my father-in-law’s voice “NAW! It’s Maiocco!” Beginners luck. We didn't have to do much to the blind, thanks to previous the owners. I had the itch to score some high flyers ever since. My wife, mentioned in a post awhile back, that the men folk made a Bass Pro run...the day before opening of duck season. For me I had to get the essentials (floating gun bag, shells, etc.). During the check out I got sticker SHOCK. I double and triple checked the receipt for the LARGE error this clerk made..to my disappointment there wasn't one. While I’m blocking the entire checkout line, my father-in-law drops some real outdoor truth on me “Yea, it adds up quick!” and boy he was right.

After the larger than expected purchase, I still lacked a key item. Luckily, my in-law’s had a pair of waders I could use until I got my own. For all of those non-hunters out there, we haven’t had the best duck hunting weather this year. It was the second weekend duck hunting had been open and the weather was a real nice Blue Bird day. If you translate that into the Duck jargon, you ain't gonna see nothing, Jack! (In the Uncle Si voice). As an avid duck hunting co-worker said “A dern duck likes the nasty, coldest weather there is.” And you guessed it, the weather ain't be right for them this year, but we might get lucky this weekend.

When there isn't any wild game to be taken, I always fall back on my other favorite part of hunting…enjoying God’s great outdoors. That’s what I did that morning when I didn’t even fire a shot. I thanked Him for the great fellowship with my brother-in-law, father-in-law, our friends, and for our amazing scenery. Take time in your busy day to thank Him for your scenery too.

This was a view from my scenery that morning.

-Michael

 A little closer look at that big orange ball coming up.

My little family on the levee behind our blind after the duck blind drawing. 

Mase and my beard a few months younger.

DIY jewelry organizing

Anyone else trying to get organized for the New Year?  We are at my house...well, we're making some attempts here and there.  Lately, I've seen lots of neat ideas for ways to display necessary household items.  One thing I keep coming across in the blog world is how to display jewelry.  It's kinda tricky, but it definitely can be done.  Most of my jewelry is in a cabinet, but I am lovin' these DIY ideas to proudly display necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings.  They almost are like pieces of art, and several of these ideas are nature-inspired, which makes me happy.

Happy Wednesday...here's to keeping those New Year resolutions or just making small strides. :)

-S

Source: my flights of whimsy

Using a large picture frame (if not the color you prefer - spray paint it), 

attach a few branches and then, easily hang various necklaces.

Source: my flights of whimsy

Using several smaller frames, 

have one frame with a few wire/string attachments on the back for earrings, 

and add some hooks for necklaces and bracelets to the others.

Source: my flights of whimsy

This is an upcycled printer drawer with a few added hooks,

which allows for tons of different options.

Source: visibly moved

I love this idea...
Use an old piece of wood (try barnwood maybe?) 

and attach nifty drawer knobs for necklaces.

Source: sarah n dipities

Upcycled rake for necklaces

with an added string at the top for earrings.

Source: miss renaissance

LOVE these deer antlers!  

Perfect for bracelets and rings.

Source: curbly

Lastly, a super cute twig tree. :)

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Which one is your fav?