He's a Gem...

...because if you're married and have little ones, moments like these are too few.

These moments are like precious jewels; rare and sought after, but when they do happen, when they are found, they need to shine.

I have been up to a lot the past few days, hence my silence here....I have all week to tell you all about it...and I am excited to do so!

For now though, I'm going to spend a few precious moments with this guy.

Remember

remember

Swing, my sweet, awhile,

the world will be here still.

The wiles and worries restless,

I pray not touch your little ears.

The sun shines for strong reason.

Dance with it till heart's content.

Troubles fade with laughter;

a child-like merriment.

-Elena McCoy

* this was birdie's first time swinging....he's already a big fan :)

I like it when you say that....

Last night birdie said, "ma-ma" for the first time....and right now, that's really all that matters.

When I Need It...

...I always receive warm, caring thoughts.

I just got this card in the mail. Its from my SIL. She's like the sister I never had. We don't always agree, don't always have the same outlook or opinion on things, but that's what I love about having her in my life. No matter what, we can be honest with each other, and that is such an important necessity in life. Snail mail is such a forgotten art; a gift and when I receive a card or letter in the mail I always cherish it. In fact, I have a special box where I keep all the little notes and cards I receive.

She took time out of her day to write some very encouraging and loving words. She put a smile on my face just when I needed it. Thank you Tiff! Hope all is well on your Monday morning! I'll be back later with my pics from the weekend!

Old is Good

Remember that little outing me and my little fam went on earlier in the week? Well, I thought I would share with you my favorite of the finds from my thrift!

This Ah-mazing velvet case ♥ I couldn't believe it! I found it for $4 but then when I took it to the register I learned that everything that day was 50% off! Yep, that is $2 for this little gem!

see these little compartments?! Well, I am thinking it was supposed to be used as a travel case for jewelry, but the little divider tray comes out so I envision using it as a clutch! So excited! When I do decide to wear it I will try to snap a pic so you can see it with an outfit ensemble!

....thought I would share this cute little pic of my Luca....he has had these little scooby gloves for eternity but today was the first time he has ever wanted to wear them...even when it snowed he refused! So he literally wore these for like 5 hours....not kidding....it was so adorable!

Also! I just want to say a huge hello and welcome to all my new readers! I LOVE you guys already and I am so excited and thrilled you all are here!

I can say that though some days right now are really tough to get through, (with the recent death in the family and other illnesses popping up with other close relatives) it has been a very therapeutic and a joy to be able to read your sweet comments, to share with you the very sweet, blessed moments that are happening and to know that many of you have supported me with your kind thoughts has been so helpful. So thank you so much. Focusing on the positives has really brought me out of my heaviest of emotions.

I hope you have the most amazing week...you ALL deserve it!

XoXo

If she had a fairytale...he would be her knight in shining armour...

and when it is needed most and expected least...when I cannot see tomorrow or when life's a little more grand... when I have a chip on my shoulder or a smile on my face.... He is the true hero.
what's more.... sometimes he even brings me flowers.


*though I doubt it is possible to love him more.... one can try ♥

XoXo

...and when I close my eyes

...I can almost remember when my big kiddo was this tiny little monkey....

(photo by elena mccoy)

Last year, well I should say 2009, we each got to pick a pumpkin... I took this picture a few days before Halloween . Before the big move, before I knew we would be adding another little one to the family, before college was out of our lives...before a lot of many changes.

Amazing to see how he has changed in one year.

...and oh, how this little man can make his momma smile...and reminds me of the beauty still left in this world.

What a gift he is to me.

What a little light in all the darkness.

He and his brother, and their father are far more precious than I can ever say in words.

XoXo

Where I'm At...

(image by elena mccoy)
I've been going through a lot of old pictures the past couple of days. Many include those of family members, childhood pictures and a lot of my own personal photographs. This, one I took with "Penny" my favorite 35 mm camera...and it really just stopped me for a second. We took this at an old train depot. and it is really symbolic to how I am feeling these days; a haze, like I am in transition. Not really willing to give up where and what things were like (with my grandmother here) and not really wanting to step toward this different chapter, filled with one less person I love...a little more empty.

Transition.

Kind of a scary word, but can also be exciting....life altering....different.

It is defined as: A passage from one form, state, style, or place to another.

A passage.

Yes, this is exactly what it is.

...and here, in this passage, I have to figure out where everything fits into place; where I am in it all.

This image, is like a mirror reflection of what I feel when I think of where I am. How things are rushing by in a whirlwind, and yet I'm kind of left, in the middle. Still. quiet. thinking.

I love how photographs can do that....reflect.
I know I am not my chipper self, and I apologize...I won't continue to be so emotional, but know that writing here helps me to define what is going on and how I feel. I have been through ages, in one lone week. I have wept more than I thought I ever could, and it helps, but I still struggle. One day at time....it will get better.

XoXo

I need a moment...

(image by elena mccoy)

If you have once or regularly read my blog, I want to thank you all for reading. Your kind words, your help, your encouragement have all been a great form of inspiration. That being said, I want to let you know that a family emergency will keep me away from this space until next week...or longer...or I may be back tomorrow. Right now is fickle and to be expected, but I ask that you bare with me; be patient. I will be back here. Soon.

XoXo

...and it starts like this

I've been thinking a lot. A lot about life and how wonderful and complex it is.
I took this picture a few days ago on a walk with my son, and I have been looking at it, and thinking about it ever since. How mind-blowing is it that this little pecan, a seed in its own rite, can over time create a huge shade tree!?! I cannot wrap my head around it. That even we, begin as microscopic organisms and gradually grow to become adults; a giant in comparison of where we began. I have sat here mulling it all over, thinking about how we progress: we crawl, then walk, then stride, we learn we, we experience, we fail. Our health is strong, then maintained, then we leave. We leave. And somewhere in the middle of all this we love and are loved and we share and take part in life with others. What a beautiful picture. What a sad picture. Torn between finished, and please, not quite yet. Having no real decision in the matter, but to pray. What a gift each day is, then. What a prize. I am thankful, so very thankful for all the days I have been given with the most wonderful family a girl could ever have. Hoping, wishing to have a few more wonderful days with some who are reaching up to leave.

XoXo

The McCoys: Christmas Sneak Peak

....wanna  (little) glimpse of how Christmas is going to be here out our house?

....these are also some of the reasons I have had little-to-know sleep lately hahaha

....and why I think a handmade Christmas is so fun, rewarding and well, lots of other reasons!

...I made a little birdie for my little birdie ♥

...a whale of a scarf for a growing little guy... (I freaked over

this project a little; it was made completely free-hand w/out

using a pattern of any kind...yikes!)

...now ok, let me explain....oh, forget it. Yes, I have succumb to the

trend of bunting, arrest me. I. love.it.

This year, I decided to get creative with all my wrapping(s)...I made my own

bows, embellishments, tags...basically with what I had on hand...minus the craft paper,

I had to buy a role of that. This is just one example of  how I have vamped my Christmas wrapping

this year. There are so many options...I need more presents to try them all out...hahahah

I also made many of our tree ornaments and decorations...you can check that out here .

A handmade Christmas was really important this year...for more than one reason. Yeah, we could all do with

spending a little less money this time of year, that goes without saying, but for me it was a lot more than that. To me, there is nothing more rewarding than for Luca to open his presents on Christmas morning knowing, that I INVESTED in him; taking the time to think of what he likes, how to incorporate those likes into gifts, and what I could make that would reflect him-his personality, his favorite color, his favorite animals, etc.

So yeah, I lost sleep this month, but it is so worth it. If you have never made gifts, or made anything. Try it! The rewards far outweigh  the hassle. Promise.

I wish I could post pics of all the handmade gifts we have put together for the kiddos, but most of them are wrapped now....so maybe we can wait until after Christmas lol...

PS...though I went to sleep very late last night making presents and wrapping them....the highlight of my night was watching the Mr. making our oldest a dinosaur book....that was truly awesome.

 I am a lucky girl, have I told you lately?

XoXo