The Happiest Place On Earth

The trip we'd been saving for all year took place in November (I know, this post has been too long in draft mode).  We hadn't been to see "the mouse" in 15 years (since grad night...ahem), and our littles hadn't been yet.  It was the perfect vacation after a long Big Red Heart year and a great way to celebrate their October birthdays.

And it was a HUGE surprise.

As in, we didn't tell them until we got there.  We're crazy like that...we packed the bags and the car on the stealth and constantly reminded family and friends who were "in the know" that, yes, it was still, in fact, a big surprise (and aside from a few little slip-ups, it remained that way).

I'm not really sure who was more giddy about the surprise...me....or me.  It was like "could barely contain my excitement" giddy.  Oh, how I just LOVE surprises.  And I love making surprises happen even more than I love being the recipient.  

Honestly, I've never been a huge "Disney" person...you won't see me sporting a Tigger t-shirt, by any means.  But Disneyland is magical...and eons moreso when you're taking your littles!  The best part was just seeing their little faces light up, the little hopping and skipping dance they do when they're excited about something, the way their attention span is way short because there's so much to see that they might as well be little butterflies flitting about.

So we told them we wanted to go somewhere for the day and that we were just going to "drive towards the beach and see where we ended up."  Camdyn certainly would've noticed the drive looking different from our usual day trips...and this wasn't actually untruthful.  Win-win.  We armed ourselves with the portable DVD player (to keep their attention and distract a certain first-grader from reading any important signs - surprises are so much harder when they can read).  We stopped for lunch on the way (have you ever tried to make a two- and six-year-old eat fast...really fast?  It DOESN'T WORK.  The more your hurry, the slower they go).

The "unknowing suspects."

When we finally pulled into the parking garage, Max started seeing Mickey's face on all the support columns.  To keep Camdyn from noticing, I had to act fast...so I shoved the DVD player in her lap and kept asking her if the movie was still working, while Max kept saying "Mickey!  I see Mickey!  Donald!  It's Donald!"  Once we were getting out of the car to get the stroller out, Camdyn saw our luggage in the back and exclaimed, "We're staying in a hotel?!?!?!" and we got this face:

Excitement...just for the hotel.

Knowing that wasn't the entire surprise was the best part.  The secret was finally out once we got to the elevator at the parking garage and made her read the sign (which she refused until Phil read it with her).  They didn't quite understand what we were saying and had no frame of reference for Disneyland at all, but once we got through the gate and saw Disney characters hanging out for pictures, it began to sink in.  The further we walked, the more excited they became!

One of our first "character stops!"  Hugs all around.

Minnie and "Mini Me"

When we took a little break to check in at our hotel before going back for dinner, the kids laid on the beds in our hotel room, totally hyped, and kept saying, "Oh yeah...Disneyland..." which, in Max's words was more like "Oh yeah, Oh Dissey-wand, Oh yeah..."  And once they were in bed and settled down...BOY, did they sleep hard.

Angel boy

Angel girl

One night of okayish sleep and they were all ready to go the next day!

The castle was getting ready for Christmas!

A Princess in Fantasyland!

When Max first saw the Winnie the Pooh characters (especially Eeyore), he was incredibly difficult to keep contained.  He wanted nothing but to run to each of them, and kept on saying, "I WANT TO HUG HIM!!!!" over and over again (in his "annunciate everything perfectly" way of speaking).  It may have been the cutest thing ever.  And the fact that Camdyn was still so excited to see them at age 6 was pretty fantastic in my book.

Camdyn, Max, and Tigger, too!

Camdyn had her heart set on some cotton candy, and happily devoured much of it and shared the rest with her little brother.  One or both of them may have said it was like eating cotton.  LOL.

Sweets for the sweet

First cotton candy.

Camdyn received a wonderful gift for an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique...and after all my little princess had been through, I was excited to watch her be pampered.

Getting ready for her "makeover," as she calls it...until I remind her that she's just getting pampered and fancy.

Hair styling.

The final fancy touches.

My doll, all dolled up (look at that posture!).

She may not totally look like "Camdyn," but she was so sweet and grateful the whole time, which made this mommy's heart swell with gratitude that she could be here to enjoy this.  Eventually, she did ask if we were going to wash her hair before bed that night to wash out the "hair glue" as we called it.  I may have chuckled...while thinking to myself "atta girl."  ;)

We enjoyed our dinner with royalty....

My sweet princess.

.....AND a naughty pirate.

Oh, this kid.

Another night of heavy sleep.

Clean hair and ready to go!

The expressions on my kiddos' faces every time I turned around was completely priceless.  Excitement.  Surprise.  I could've gobbled them right up.

Camdyn and Daisy

Family Picture...fun that Disneyland was decked out for Christmas!

Max definitely enjoyed all the Cars characters in California Adventure.

"Hey, tractor!"

Camdyn totally enjoyed the Mad Hatter...he was so goofy and she kept listening to him, trying to keep up with what he was saying (and processing it in her mind).  Of course, much of what he said didn't make any sense.  It was adorable.

One of my favorite pictures.

No first Disneyland trip is complete without riding on Small World.....

#photobomb

.....OR driving in Autopia!

Yeah....she couldn't steer, LOL.  Or reach the pedal.

Before leaving for home on our fourth day (after pushing back our "hit the road" time a few times), we stopped for ice cream, of course.

Ice cream....#asbigasherface

Tuckered kid (he might have missed a couple bites) eventually awoke to devour his ice cream in true Maxwell form.

Such a wonderful, fun family vacation.

Alas, it was time to head for home.

Disneyland Sky

The kiddos were tired and so happy they had been able to see and do so much...and fell asleep pretty quickly once we hit the car.  Reminiscing began on the way home.  For a week after the trip (or more), Max kept saying, "Let's go to Disneyland today!!!!"  It was such fun...the time of their lives.  And we can't wait to do it again. 

Bless Her Heart

Today is the one-year anniversary of Camdyn's Fontan...her "heartiversary," as we call it.  The last several days, I keep thinking "this time last year...we were doing CT scans...packing...cleaning...and staying out of public places."  We were soaking up every nap filled with cuddles, every giggle shared between our children, every "I love you" that could never be said enough.  We were answering endless questions...not only from our little love, but also from concerned friends, family...even strangers, at times.  We were trying hard not to be anxious, to let our nerves remain at rest in our Heavenly Father.

But it seemed nearly impossible.

We were going through the necessary motions to do what had to be done and putting everything else on the back burner.  

People tell us all the time that they don't know how we can do it.  How we can get through these experiences we've had, battling a severe medical defect that is more common than you think and less known than it should be.  The answer is simple:  WE don't get through it.  HE gets us through it.  

As much as those days seemed to drag on forever (and is only a fraction of the hospital stays experienced by so many more), it feels like we blinked and it's behind us.  And now, rather than packing for the hospital and making plans for appointments, we get to plan a big surprise party for the first heartiversary that she will be old enough to remember. And though we're rejoicing and counting our blessings, we are also mindful of how quickly that can change.  Today is a gift.  Today, she's doing really great.  Tomorrow could always be different.

My dearest Camdyn, we are so proud of you, honey.  Your bravery and courage to face this mountain you've been forced to climb are a huge testament to your Creator.  Always have hope, always persevere, always be who God created you to be.  Be strong, but don't be afraid of weakness.  In our weakness, He shines through stronger.  Let Him complete His perfect work in you, my sweet pea. 

Today, we will celebrate with red heart decorations, a little gift, and a HUGE surprise party tonight...with somewhere around 70 people.  SEVENTY!  What a blessed way to celebrate our baby.  We've been able to keep it a surprise for her, and it's totally possible that she may freak out at first, but I just know she will love it.  We've been looking forward to doing this since we started planning it during our hospital stay last summer.  We are so grateful, so blessed, joyously overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support.  

HAPPY BIG RED HEART DAY!  Let's get the party started!!

Seeking Beauty

Are you a glass half-empty or half-full kind of person?  Do you find life mundane or take note of the little things? Do you linger over your coffee...stop to smell the roses...feel a sense of awe when you see the sunset?

Having a heart baby has taught me to notice the little things.  To diligently seek out those things that we can so easily take for granted, but should be counting as treasures.  Some amount of it comes naturally to me because of the artist in me.  But day to day, it can be so easy to lose the sense of wonder we should have in all things designed by our Creator, big AND small, tangible and intangible, beautiful things and beautiful moments.  We should look for those things around us that are beautiful.  That make us pause.  That make our hearts sing.

The beginnings of a recent custom order

...All things I think about while working on a new custom order hoop.

"May you see beauty every day."  Six simple words.  Lessons in embracing the day's beauty for what it is...a treasure.  Sometimes it's really hard to find on a difficult day...but it's there.  It's a choice to count blessings, to give thanks for the small things.  

Other times, it couldn't be ignored, even if we wanted to.  These simple pleasures remind us that God is in the details.

And the more we look for them, the more evident they become...the easier they are to find.  They start finding us.

Phase 2

Birds chirping in the spring.  The first cup of morning coffee.  Quiet mornings.  The smell of rain.  The way my little loves' heads smell and the way they curl their toes...how they mispronounce words like "bicycle" and "breakfast."  Endless loads of laundry (we have two tiny bodies to clothe!), housework (we really use our home), faces covered in chocolate from demolishing their bunnies after Easter.

Once we're well-practiced in this kind of thinking, it becomes second nature...and it should be...because they are all gifts from our Creator, opportunities to express our gratitude to Him.

May You See Beauty Every Day

Won't you try focusing on seeing the beauty of today with me?

Laugh.

Linger.

Love with all your being.

Set your mind on things above (Colossians 3:2).  

Party {Heart}y

Throwing a party.  A shindig.  A get-together.  A celebration.  It's one of my most. favorite. things.  EVER.  I just love to make people feel special and to celebrate any occasion (or none at all!).

And what better occasion than to help prepare for your new (and first) nephew?!?!  Yes, I finally get to become an actual auntie.  I've been a pseudo-auntie for quite some time now, and now there will be a new little in my own extended family!  Yay!  

Meet my sister-in-love, Heidi.

Photo from October 2012

We feel like we go way back (and we kinda sorta do, but not really.  I PROMISE I didn't hate you when we worked together!).  We see eye-to-eye on a lot of things.  And we tell each other when we need a "you-ARE-actually-being-crazy-this-time" attitude check.

We have a few of these "laughing-while-trying-to-take-a-darn-selfie" photos

Well, she and my brother-in-love, Ryan, are expecting their first baby...a little boy! 

It's a boy!

They've named him Owen and we can't wait to meet him (just keep cookin', little buddy!).  It was my honor to throw her first baby shower ever (for our husbands' side of the family, of course...these boys are such brothers).  And you all know I like big celebrations.

CELEBRATE!

My GO BIG OR GO HOME motto for celebrating life events is somewhat well-known, if you know me.  And don't forget...it's not about spending money on being extravagant, but using forethought, planning, and some creative thinking to make it special (and staying up until 2am to finish making decorations while obsessing over the menu - more coffee, please). 

Deciding on the theme was easy...she's a book lover and appreciates all things vintage.  Voila!  A vintage, library-inspired party!

O is for Owen

I had some old books to begin with and knew I needed some to stack for displays and some to rip apart and use for some of the projects I had planned (how to choose the ones to rip up?  Harder than I thought!).  And thanks to my "seester," (thanks, Lex!!!!!) my supply more than doubled with a thrift store trip and a purge of her own books.  I had book page mobiles, pinwheels, and garlands planned (oh, Pinterest, how do I love thee?).  With a little lot of time and effort, it all came together in time (and getting your house clean for the arrival of guests is always an added bonus)!

A wall of pinwheels...

A few book page mobiles for hanging...

...and a "rolodex-style" folded book to hold "library card" notes for Owen!

The pinwheel wall?  I think it's my favorite.  My favorite.  Almost as much as coffee.  Some paper, tiny brads, and a fresh pack of sticky tack did the trick (because who wants to fill freshly-painted walls with new holes?)!  And it still holds (I can't bring myself to take it down - I'm still enjoying it too much!).

Pinwheels, books, and baby pictures, "O Baby!"

The menu included Chinese Chicken Salad (thanks, Costco!), Seven Superfood Salad (thanks, times two), Caprese Salad Cups, Cheese and Crackers, and Wonton Cups with Strawberries, topped with an Orange-Coconut Cream (which I enjoyed as coffee topping for 3 additional days).  Yummers.

Thanks, Ed, for holding all the food!

Caprese - Mmmmm....our favorite!

The Wonton Cups with Strawberries!

Dessert?  Lemon Mousse Cups with Raspberry Preserves and (by demand request) Lemon Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing (to resemble alphabet blocks, of course!).  

Lemon Mousse - easiest "recipe" ever!

Lemon Sugar Cookies - a double batch is a must.  NO.  JOKE.

A marquee light - why not?

When the weather is nice enough, we like to utilize the patio for our parties.  We set up a cute little outdoor living room (complete with mismatched chairs).

Outdoor living rooms are always a good idea.

This banner and mobile were made of book pages and paint chips (and sweetly swayed in the breeze).

And no party is complete without an appropriately-coordinating chalkboard...

#freshchalk

...or TWO.

More #freshchalk.  I love this quote.

A sweet, vintage vignette.

This table was purely for decor purposes.  Sometimes, you just need those.

For favors, I made these cute little book page and glitter ribbon clothespins.  And yes, that's a font called "1948" - I didn't actually use a typewriter (though, you shouldn't put it past me).

We visited, we ate, we played, and we "showered with blessings."  

Match the quote to the children's book title...harder than we thought!

The highly-coveted Paisley Sprouts clutch...Alli, she laughed.  Really hard.

Even the younger ladies had a wonderful time.  

Then, those of us left afterwards sacked out on the sofa, with the windows open, the leftovers available for eating, and our comfy pants on (BYCF - Bring Your Comfy Pants!).

Sweet little Owen, we are so excited to meet you!  Finish baking up like the perfectly golden lemon sugar cookies your mom hoards loves so much.  You'll be here before we know it!  You have some crazy excited cousins and aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas praying for you!  We love you so much!!!

Love,

Your {Favorite} Auntie