Love This Tree

Sweet little find... Target, $2.50...

Change

Yesterday we took Brooklyn to have his hair cut for the first time.  We took him and placed him into the same little red car that his brother sat in some four years ago, and watched as our little baby became a little boy... Seeing that Brooklyn was born with a full head of hair, I had waited as long as I possibly could to cut his beautiful locks.... I love Brooklyn's hair.  It is a piece of who he is.  I love it's wild and happy nature, I love the sweet curls around his face and against the back of his neck.   I love his all day bed head and I could not have done anything about it any sooner than I did.  You see, having an older son, I have already been through this, and I know what happens after you cut your child's hair for the first time... I know that after that first hair cut, your baby doesn't look so young anymore.  I know that those precious little curls often times don't grow back and that this one haircut leads to many, many others... I know that in a split second, your baby becomes a child, with an opinion and a preference in life... I know that children grow up quickly, too quickly in my opinion, and that before too long you find yourself having conversations with your child about the quirkiest of things... Why red is such a beautiful color and debating why apple juice is in fact the greatest juice of all... I know that after that first haircut, there is no turning back... This child is going to continue growing and changing, and that the little bag of baby hair that you take home with you that day is going to be one of the only reminders that you will have of the sweetness and purity of your baby... His first year of life... The hair that he was born with, God given,mother loved... Brooklyn loves his haircut, he is a proud, big boy and can clearly see the world around him, without tendrils of brown hair falling in front of his face... I will miss the hair, I will miss the smallness of my baby boy... I know where this is headed but I don't think I will ever be ready for the change...

Smile

This makes me smile each and every time I look at it... I woke up the other morning to find Bella and Milky resting side by side... Sebastian is the sweetest little guy around....

Encouragement

My mom sent this to me a few days ago, a glimpse into Thanksgiving's past...

This is the dinning room on Franklin Street in Dunkirk, Indiana, was where I ate most Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners when I was a kid.  The table was surrounded by family members...grandma and grandpa Batsch, my parents, Donna and Charles (Lynn's parents), my brother and myself, Stu, Lynn and Steve Batsch. 

 

The second photo shows some of the great Batsch cooks...My grandma and Nana's mom, Lena Batsch, Nana and your Mamma, though I pale in comparison to them.  The other lady was my grandpa's sister, Emeline.  Those cooks are smiling at you, girl!

Thanks Given

I used the Thanksgiving holiday this year as an opportunity to give thanks to the people that make my life worth living, each and everyday... The people who have helped to make me who I am, day in and day out, the loves of my life, my family, tried and true...  Thanks was given in the food that I prepared, intention and care invested... My first Thanksgiving meal, cooked for the most gracious of guests... Although I had wished that there were some additional 15 or more guests seated that afternoon, my entire family lives each day in my heart... and though you are scattered across this great country...you were all there in my mind... and you loved my meal.

I set a special 

table for 

Sebastian this year... Our dining room table is quite small, yes, but there was more to it than that.       ( Seeing that Brooklyn is still eating from his high chair, I could not involve him in this special seating section, but hope to include him next year. ) I set this table for my son, so that again I could remind him of how very special he is.... I try to take any given opportunity to remind Sebastian of what a blessing he is not only to his father and I but to his entire family.  I try to take the ordinary and make it special, for him, and in turn for myself... I tried to decorate his table with items of importance.  Four small pumpkins, one to represent each of his Thanksgivings celebrated with us... Two red daises that he had picked the day before and given to me...I added these to remind him of how thankful I am for his sweetness and generosity.  A piece of our wedding china, to represent his parents union, our love for one another and for he and his brother as well.  His own place card, because at age four he just loves seeing his name in print, no matter what it is written on... And a seat right next to me, so that I could hold his hand during prayer and watch him closely as he enjoyed his momma's meal...

A huge amount of thanks to Papa, the foundation of our family, my husband and the father of our beautiful sons... The debt of gratitude that I owe to this man for providing me with the opportunity to stay home and raise our boys is more than I would ever hope to express through words. Only though my actions, through being the best mother that I can possibly be, can I thank Anthony for this opportunity.... 

Thanks be to Brooklyn, the constant ray of light in our lives... The happiest little guy, who loves turkey by the way...

This picture warms my heart.

Thanks to my beautiful mother and father in-law.  I love these two as if they had always been a part of my life, I can't imagine it any other way... In the early months of this year, my father in-law suffered a heart attack that resulted in an open heart surgery, quadruple bypass, and harvesting of arteries throughout his body... Within those days of unknown outcome, I remember feeling as if I had not had enough time with him, not enough real time with him.  I realized that there was so much that I needed to tell him, so much that I wanted him to know.  For instance, that I loved him.  Why is it that such honesty is born of such tragedy.   I took those days with him prior to his surgery and throughout the months of recovery that followed, to tell him and show him that I loved him, a lot.  I am so thankful for my mother in law,her kindness and her heartfelt love and admiration for myself and our children.. She is and always has been in my corner... A friend,an ally, a mother.

 I would remake each and every one of the side dishes, cook another turkey, do whatever need be, just to have the opportunity to take this picture again and again.  My father at his finest... in his element, a grandfather, a participant... My father.  Big Grandpa. I'm grateful for our journey. Grateful for his willingness to contribute and live this day with us.  Grateful that he has a relationship with my children, that I as a child never had with him. I'm grateful for his appreciation. Grateful that I could fill his belly with a warm, healthy meal.  Grateful to know that for an entire day  he was able to feel loved.  Thankful, because that in itself is more than I could have asked for....

Thank you.

Near or far.

Thank you.

Thank you for participating and contributing to the beauty of my life...

Super Sweet Snowman Snowglobes

How happy do these little guys make you? Hot off the assembly line and into my little shop... Click here to pick up one of your own...

Christmas Photo Shoot

Photos by Momma

Little Knit Hats by Momma

Beautiful Baby Boys by Momma

Momma Loves Baby B

Magnetic Puzzles

A month or so ago we were with friends at the Escondido Children's Museum, where Sebastian and Brooklyn became quite fond of a puzzle that had been adhered to magnets and hung on a piece of galvanized metal.  We thought that this was a wonderful idea seeing as it was very easy for the child to access the puzzle, and to see their progress in front of them... Plus there was no clean up involved! I figured this would be just as fun at home... I chose one of Sebastian's favorite puzzles and glued magnets to the backs of each piece... I stuck them on the magnetic board that Anthony and made for him at the beginning of the school year, and voile! Instant fun!  We all love to arrange and rearrange Curious George's outfits... Sebastian thinks it is quite funny to remove the middle section of the body and have him look small and silly! Fun none the less! You could easily do this project with any puzzle that your child enjoys, and you could display them wherever you like, even on the refrigerator door!

Blushing

I received the most incredible email today, that when I read it , it completely made my day, my week... better yet my month!  I am so excited to share this with you!  I have had the privilege of working with the owner and creator of Sweet Pea Ink twice this year.  Once in creating Brooklyn's birthday invitations and now in creating our Christmas card.  She has the most amazing items on her site... The detail and the beauty in each piece, Ohhh... love at first site for me...  I received the proof of our Christmas card yesterday and am thrilled with the result!  I assume that she is happy with it too, because today she asked me if I would be willing to have the card featured on her stores blog... and went as far as to suggest including a link to my own blog and Etsy site! WHAT!!!! I am freaking out!  I have followed this woman's blog for nearly a year and now little ole me in going to be featured! Wow... The power of determination and positive thinking really have taken me quite a long way this year... Please follow this link and read what she has to say about yours truly... What an honor! Happy, Happy Saturday!

Warmest Wishes

Have I mentioned lately how wonderfully supportive and encouraging my family and friends are? I am so lucky... 

My dearest friend,

I am so incredibly proud of you for finally taking the plunge towards sharing your talents with the world! I will forward the website to all my friends, colleagues and family in hopes to generate business for you. I also encourage and recommend you post more of your wonders as you have sooooooooo many. I know this will take a life of its own just give it time and don't be afraid to venture beyond this web site. In time (sooner than later) you can have your own site and shop! I will support you as best as I can always because I believe and love you Corey! Good luck and GREAT JOB! 

Hugs, Bren

Hi there-  I am so excited for you and your new business venture!  I talk about you to friends and family all of the time and now I can let them see (and buy!) your beautiful creativity!  I am so very proud of you and know that this is only the beginning of something very big!   I so wish we all lived closer to share in your excitement.  Congratulations Corey...Matt, Riley and I love you very much and know that you are going to be a big success.  Dream big girl...look where it has gotten you so far!!   I can't wait to see you this spring....we will celebrate!    Love you,   Christine

Don't know if you've heard, but Corey, most talented and creative daughter, stay-at-home mom to 2 of my beautiful grandsons, has opened up an on-line shop.  She also writes a wonderful blog, full of ideas, creations, memories, book suggestions, and generally anything in which a mom like herself might be interested.  Here are some websites for you!

 Cindy Walker (Momma)

Hi Friends and Family!

I wanted to share the following with you. This is an email from my sister about a on-line shop she just launched to start selling some of her beautiful handmade creations. For those of you who are not aware, she is very talented and creative... and these gift items could be perfect for birthdays, stocking stuffers, etc. Please read what she has to say, and visit her site. Our family thanks you! 

Happy Holidays,

Kelly

Also, reading your blog about Etsy made me realize I have been too preoccupied with my own life to tell you 2 things!  I never thanked you for the magnets!  They are on my fridge, when they boys aren't taking them off to play with them, they are so cute, and I think of you each time I see them!  And, of course, am so proud of you for the Etsy shop as well, although I am clueless as to what it is as I have no creative bones in my body!  But know you will do great and am glad you are doing something for yourself!!!!!!!!  

Lisa Villicana

Good Morning Corey, and Congrats!!!! What a huge accomplishment for you!! I actually was wondering if you were going to to have anything on your website for stocking stuffers for kids?!  I always like to get the girls personalized nice goodies in their stocking to make it a treat and memorable.  Let me know  By the way...  your magnets are beautiful.  I am going to buy some for Chase and Baylee's teachers!!!  Congrats again-you deserve it.  I cant wait to see and buy your latest creation.   And you are right, what a treat...wonderful website.  i have never heard of Etsy till now  i love it!!!!!!!!!! Amy Robinson Great news!! Hoping great success come your way. Uncle Dave the Doctor That’s very exciting, Corey!!  I can’t wait to see all your beautiful creations.  Let me know if you ever need production support!  Jen Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!! Corey,  I am so proud of you, and plan to visit often! As I have had a quite drastic change of circumstance recently, I have been thinking more frequently about opening up at Etsy shop myself, because when I think about what makes me feel so happy and fulfilled, it is when I am creating. Thanks so much for sharing, and I will certainly send on the link to everyone in my address book, I am so excited and proud of you!!   Blessings, Patti  Corey, That's great! Finally!!!! Will Sweda You go girl!!!!!!!!!  Im very proud of you!!! Love you! Kamala

Introducing Melanie Bess

This story is about a friend of mine named Melanie Bess, she is a wonderful photographer, and a fantastic person! 

 At the beginning of the year Melanie emailed a large group of her friends and announced a project that she was beginning to change her life!  She's calling the project "Debt Free By 30", it's her personal goal to be debt free by the time that turns thirty years old.  

 Melanie accumulated a large amount of school loan debt while pursuing her dreams at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara and is now finding a creative way out of her debt.  She is touring the country selling her photos in coffee shops and galleries for two dollars a print!!!! 

Slowly but surly she believes that she is indeed going to be debt free by thirty! 

 Please check out her website for additional information on this inspirational story! 

There is so much more to it than I have told you about!... grandma's, wishes, two dollar bill's

http://debt-freeby30.blogspot.com

 She also has a myspace page that tells her story with with video clips etc...her profile name is Melanie Bess Photography

Take some time to look through her site, you will be so happy that you did! Along each of her photographs is a small story or explanation of what transpired within the photo, where she was when it was taken etc...

Her photographs are really beautiful, amazing work... Well done Melanie.