hi!
i’m writing this post on my phone.
my computer has been out of commission as we recover all the lost photos.
so, i just wanted to let you know that i’ll be back with some fun posts once my computer is working again.
home is…being impatiently patient.
My husband and I are way past the newlywed phase.
This October we will have been married 13 years.
If I had it to do all over again I wouldn’t change a lot, but the options for personalization and making your wedding YOURS are truly endless.
Just a quick search on Pinterest will give you all kinds of DIY wedding ideas, tutorials, and inspiring photos.
When we were planning our wedding I thought we were stepping waaaay out of the box by sending our save the date as a newsletter with stories about how we met, etc, our rehearsal dinner invitations on post cards, and {gasp} square wedding invites!
For instance, have you visited Minted, yet?
They have some of the most amazing invites designed by independent designers.
I might have chosen something like this…
or this…
or this…
or, maybe this…
No matter what, there is definitely more to choose from!
Not only does Minted.com offer beautiful invites, but you can also view customer- and designer-created inspiration boards.
For weddings…
Northwest Media Photography board by Jenny. See more Minted.com
…babies…
Nesting Bird board by fatfatin. See more baby shower invitations on Minted
…home…
…and holidays.
Holiday Card board by Lauren. See more Minted
In fact, we ordered our Christmas cards from Minted last year!
And, wouldn’t you know it, we sent out a post card!
Minted would like to give one of you $50 towards a Minted purchase!
To enter, answer one of the following questions as a comment:
Deadline is Wednesday, May 1st at 9pm Pacific.
Winner will be announced on Thursday, May 2nd!
home is…time flies when you’re having fun.
We had a family photo mini session on Sunday evening with a local portland momma and fabulous photographer, Jenn, of Pfaus Photography.
We met through Instagram, and when I saw that she was doing mini-sessions I signed up.
We have not had professional family photos taken in three years, so it was time.
Here are a few preview photos…
home is…pfamily photos.
This morning we were supposed to board a plane and head to Colorado to visit my family.
Ryan suggested the idea and I came up with the plan.
He has a meeting in California over the weekend, so we figured that the kids and I could go to Denver and visit family.
We would go for a long weekend and attend the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo just like my sister and I used to when we were little.
We would visit with family and friends we haven’t seen in months.
I even printed out all the addresses for the Goodwill’s and other thrift stores in Denver.
It was all planned.
We were checked in for our flight.
And, it just didn’t feel right.
As much as I wanted to go all the signs were telling me that it just wasn’t right.
Lorelai has been sick, the weather was calling for freezing rain right when we were supposed to head to the airport, my body was losing the battle against the unending barrage of germs that it has been fighting off since the holidays, and I was not looking forward to flying through Seattle to get to Denver by myself with the two kiddos.
Yesterday afternoon I called my mom and let her know that we were planning to come, but would keep an eye on the weather…there might be flight delays.
Within minutes of getting off the phone Lorelai threw up in the kitchen. I’m pretty sure it was caused by a coughing fit, but that was the last sign I needed.
I cried, I thought, and I finally decided that we couldn’t go.
Ryan got on the phone with the airlines and canceled our tickets.
I called my mom and let her know we wouldn’t be coming.
The last two times I have visited Colorado I have been sick.
March 2010, we visited for Spring Break. While we had a wonderful time when we were there, I was fighting a cold the entire visit and ended up with walking pneumonia when we got back.
Thanksgiving 2011, I had Laryngitis the entire time. And, Lorelai was sick both times.
I decided to say no.
No to myself.
No to the plans I had made.
No to traveling alone with the kids while we are not feeling well.
I was afraid of disappointing everybody…my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, aunts and uncles, cousins, my niece, and Reece & Lorelai.
But, I had to say no.
home is…taking care of my family.
One of my favorite parts about Christmas is receiving the cards from all of our friends and relatives. I especially like the photos.
They make me smile from the day I receive my first card until the day I finally take them down from their display…which is usually one of the last things to come down.
Over the years I have been saving the photos in a drawer in my desk. You see, my aunt had albums full of christmas card photos and every year I loved to sit down on Christmas day and look through them. Although I didn’t know all the people, I learned to recognize the familiar faces year after year and enjoyed seeing how families had grown, adult children had gotten married, etc. My plan was to eventually start some albums of my own.
Last year I found this photo on Pinterest…
Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Maddy on Pinterest
I figured this would be easier and less expensive than photo albums, but I never got around to doing it.
As I was trying to find space in the drawer in my desk for our cards from Christmas 2012 I finally decided to just put the darn books together. I mean, for goodness sake, all I needed was a hole punch (I used a 3 hole punch and a single hole punch), some chipboard, some rings, and a glue stick!
All of my cards were organized by year, so I started punching holes.
{That’s my mom and dad in Italy}
I used two holes of a three hole punch so that I would eventually be able to line up the cards that were differing sizes and shapes.
Then I cut some chipboard that I had from the back of some thrifted frames that I won’t be using. I cut the chipboard a little larger than the largest card…three of the books ended up being 9″ x 6″ and one is 8″ x 6″.
I punched holes in the chipboard and glued our christmas card to the front.
I also made back covers for the books so the cards are protected on both sides of the book.
This year our card was a post card and I wanted to include the back of the card, so I put it on the inside of the back cover.
In less than an hour (it actually took 2 days, but I had to start and stop multiple times for various reasons…kids, dogs, cats, husbands, etc.) I had books from the last 4 years put together!
For now, they are in our basket of photo books in the family room. I think, eventually, I will put them in the attic with the rest of the Christmas decor so they will be a fun tradition to pull out of the bins each year.
Notice a change to the bookshelves? I’ll fill you in on that quick project this week!
Stay tuned…
Thursday evening I took the kids to our local outdoor shopping center to see “snow” and get a peek at Santa.
It wasn’t until the security guard walked by me that I remembered the shooting at another local mall just two days earlier.
My thoughts immediately shifted to, “what would I do if somebody started shooting in the crowded center court that was currently filled with happy, screaming children chasing fake snow while moms and dads snapped photos nearby, and other families waited in line for their young children to talk to Santa?!”
The next morning I took Reece to his kindergarten class like I do every weekday. I gave him a hug and a kiss, told him I loved him and that I would be back to get him after lunch.
One hour later I learned of the heartbreaking news in Connecticut.
I wanted to rush to Reece’s school and bring him home.
I didn’t .
I wanted him to enjoy his morning with his friends and his wonderful teachers.
Instead, I sat on the sofa glued to the TV with tears streaming down my face counting the minutes until I could leave to go pick him up.
We shouldn’t have to worry about our children being safe while visiting Santa or going to school, but now we are.
My heart is broken for the families.
Our broken society needs to be mended.
I don’t know what the answer is, but let’s start with LOVE.
home is…grieving, mending, loving.
I’m not “beating myself up” for not getting this post up sooner, rather, I just would have liked to get it done the day my parents left.
The day I wrote it.
Just like I wish I had all the time {and energy} in the world to do everything I need AND everything I WANT to…everyday.
Life doesn’t work like that.
So, we make choices.
We make choices to let things that are important to us go so that we can do things to make other people happy.
We make choices to do things for ourselves and let other things go knowing that we might disappoint someone else.
Sacrifices.
Compromises.
And, most important, forgiveness.
Moving on…better late than never.
Nine years ago, on the day before Thanksgiving, a very special dog came to live with us.
Oak was one of a kind.
She made everybody that she met feel like they were the most important person in the world, but I was her most important person.
She came to me at a very difficult time in my life.
After I had a miscarriage.
After I found out my mom had breast cancer.
After I walked in on a burglary in progress at our home.
We went everywhere together.
She even got to come to work with me when we moved to Oregon…sat right under my desk.
This year, on the day before Thanksgiving, I looked out the front window as I was talking to my mom.
I had spent the morning at the kids school and was trying to finish things up around the house before they came to visit. I had just gotten caught in a freak rain and hail storm while bringing wood into the garage for the fireplace. There was one clap of thunder and that was when I decided to head inside…I’m not a fan of thunderstorms.
As I looked out the window I saw a mud covered yellow lab running down the street. I told my mom I had to go get it and ran outside.
I called for the dog, but she didn’t hear me until I got right up behind her.
When she realized I was there she came running to me and just followed me home…running under the garage door as it opened.
She reminded me of Oak.
Sweet, happy, and older.
I dried her off, but she was too dirty to come inside. I took her water and gave her Odyssey’s dog bed.
She had a collar and tag, so I called and left a message.
Eventually, her owner called.
She asked if there had been thunder, and I said yes.
Kassi, as the dog was called, was afraid of thunder and would dig out of the yard to “get away from it”.
Oak was afraid of thunder, too. We would snuggle together during thunderstorms in Colorado.
In some way, Oak was giving me a little visit on the day before Thanksgiving.
It warmed my heart and made me smile.
{as written 10 days ago}
I dropped my parents off at the airport today.
The table that was filled for every meal the last 6 days is empty.
It’s quiet.
As they are everyday, but there were special ones this week.
We celebrated our first Thanksgiving in our home.
We’ve been in this house for almost 5 years, but we’ve never celebrated Thanksgiving here. We were in Colorado last year and have been blessed enough to have wonderful friends and neighbors who have invited us to be a part of their family celebrations other years.
Each morning we woke up to a warm fire in the fireplace that Ryan had started before everybody woke up. Not sure if he just stayed up all night, or if he got up extra early. Either way, we all enjoyed waking up to the crackle and warmth it provided.
You see, we talked to my parents about converting our gas log kit back into a wood burning fireplace and thought it might be a project they could help us with. Little did they know we had already hatched a plan with a neighbor who helped Ryan out in trade for our gas log set that he wanted to convert his wood burning fireplace to a gas fireplace. We had a chimney sweep come clean and check our fireplace and chimney, and the Friday before Thanksgiving week we had 3/4 cord of wood delivered. Lorelai and I spent most of the day filling our radio flyer wagon and stacking as many logs as we could before the downpour started here in Portland. I stacked almost 1/2 cord of wood to fill the log rack we bought, and left the rest for Ryan which he stacked in a steady rain on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in our unused dog run.
We shared our own tree cutting tradition with my parents at Sleigh Bells in Sherwood.
The kids even got to “see” Santa, but were not yet ready to sit on his lap. We peeked around Christmas displays, but kept our distance from the man in red.
Our tree was up and decorated in record time with help from my parents and the kids. We actually put our “real” ornaments up this year…not the plastic and paper ones I used the last 4 years! Collected since we were married over 12 years ago…personalized…and, just like when I would decorate the tree with my mom, a story about where each one came from.
We made homemade pizza for dinner, drank wine, and enjoyed introducing my parents to Reece’s (and my) favorite, American Pickers.
Saturday morning, we took a trip to one of our favorite places for breakfast. Nothing fancy, but can you believe my parents have never eaten at Panera?! I know there is one within a couple blocks of my dad’s office because I used to go there when I worked in the same office 13 years ago! The kids love sitting by the big table next to the fireplace and for once I did not feel awkward taking up a large table for 8 because we actually had 6 to almost fill it! We split off into the “girl’s car” and the “boy’s car” to go the the craft store and the sporting goods store, respectively. That afternoon we got out of the house and caught another glimpse of Santa at Bridgeport Village. The kids, again, did not want to see him, but Ryan and Topher both made sure that they were not on Santa’s “naughty” list.
The unanimous decision was made to order takeout for dinner, so we had a cocktail at PF Changs while waiting for our lettuce wraps and lemon chicken to enjoy at home.
On Sunday, the boys went out to Sauvie Island and shared the Catlin family tradition of a Thanksgiving weekend duck hunt with Reece for the first time.
When they got home I asked Reece what he thought of going duck hunting with Poppa and Topher.
His reply was, “Best.”
I think he liked it.
Lorelai, Meme, and I spent the morning together creating gingerbread masterpieces, searching for the perfect princess nighties (for Lorelai), and trying a new recipe with some of the Thanksgiving leftovers.
The afternoon was spent relaxing by the fire, snuggled under quilts, watching football. Eventually we made a trip to Whole Foods to get more food and wine (like we needed it) and threw together another great meal of crab cakes, salmon, chicken satay, steak, and roasted vegetables.
Monday morning we raced to get the kids back into a regular routine. It is Reece’s turn to be Star of the Week, and although we had four days to prepare his Sharing Box and other information, we were pulling it all together before 8:30 on a Monday morning. The items were strongly focused on hunting, as the hunt from the day before was fresh in his mind.
While the kids were at school for a couple of hours, the adults ran some errands, got cleaned up, and turned the last of the leftovers into a delicious potato turkey soup that we all ate for lunch.
We had a great lunch together before Ryan had to leave to work in California for the week.
Tuesday was a very special day. We took lunch to Reece to be a part of his Star Week. We brought burgers from Burgerville and sat in the gym to eat with his class. He even saved a special scooter to ride around the gym with him. I could not keep up with those 5 years olds…they move fast!
After lunch we were able to spend a few minutes in his class when I was able to read a letter that Ryan wrote about what we think is special about Reece, and Reece was able to introduce me, Lorelai, Meme, and Topher to the class.
After that excitement, we scooted to the car to drive Meme and Topher to the airport so they could get back to Colorado.
Hugs and kisses…and quiet.
Memories were made.
home is…thanksgiving with meme and topher.
Thank you to all of you who left a comment…looks like most of you wait until after Thanksgiving to deck the halls!
There are still a few happy holiday hoops left in the shop…enter “gratitude15” in the coupon code to get 15% off your order from today through the end of the day Friday!
It might be a little quiet around here the next few days. We’re going to practice gratitude, stuff our faces, watch football, and enjoy family and friends.
home is…happy thanksgiving.
We had an emergency this morning.
Of course, we try to avoid them, but sometimes they happen.
The good news is that nobody was hurt.
I threw on my boots, grabbed a bra and put it on as I ran down the stairs.
I was in the car by 8:03.
Within 15 minutes I was home.
I burst in the door and raised my hand up in the air…I had what we needed to solve the crisis.
It was a “creamer emergency”.
Yes.
Emergency.
Both Ryan and I take our coffee “with cream”.
Not. Milk.
We actually use 1/2 & 1/2, but we both cringe at the thought of putting milk in our coffee.
There was enough for each of us to have a first cup, but beyond that we were in coffee crisis mode.
Ryan had to be on a call at 8:30, the dogs still needed to be fed, and both of the kids were still eating their breakfast.
I elected myself to run out and save the day.
Thank goodness Trader Joe’s opened at 8.
Thank goodness it is only a 3 minute drive from our house.
Thank goodness I know the store like the back of my hand and was also able to throw a couple of other necessities into my basket.
Seriously, I was in and out in less than 9 minutes…
1/2 & 1/2.
2 bunches of bananas.
2 boxes of breakfast bars.
Oatmeal.
2 packages of frozen Mac & Cheese.
2 packages of pumpkin bread mix.
Chocolate chips.
Yogurt.
1 gallon of milk.
1 bag of white cheddar corn puffs.
10 chocolate chip z-bars.
I pulled into the driveway at 8:18.
Crisis averted.
Ryan got on his call.
I poured another cup of coffee…with cream.
How do you take your coffee?
home is…funny little quirks.
I was feeling a little out of sorts this morning.
I’ve been itching to start my exercise routine up once again.
I want to be able to run 4-6 miles three times a week.
My plan was to get started this week, but I was frustrated with rain (I don’t run in the rain) and sick kids (which means no gym childcare).
Then the sun came out this morning.
I hit the pavement with Lorelai and the BOB.
Fresh air.
Blue sky.
Quiet.
I needed it.
I walked for over an hour.
I took occasional photos of the beautiful fall colors.
I let my mind go blank and just focused on what was in front of me.
It’s been months since I have exercised regularly.
Oh, who am I kidding?
It’s been months since I have exercised. Period.
I’m feeling it.
In my mood.
In my body.
I’m not going to go into why I stopped, but I know I want to get started again.
It felt good to put one foot in front of the other.
I am hoping we get another dry day tomorrow so I can do it again.
It felt fabulous.
So, I’m going to have to find a way to fit it all in.
All the things that make me feel good.
Exercise.
Thrifting.
Creating.
They make me a better person.
A better wife.
A better mom.
A better friend.
A better ME.
home is…hitting the pavement.
stephany taddeo 