Happy Momma's Day

Dear Momma,

I miss you.  I can't remember the last time I saw you for Momma's Day.  I know it won't be this year, even though I am close by.  But in little over a month, we will have the whole weekend.  Can you puh--leeeeaaase wait until then?  Thanks, I knew you'd be understanding.

Speaking of understanding, I understand you more, now.  More than I did three years ago.  And I want to say thank you.  Thank you for the sacrifices you made.  The ones we hear about, but don't understand until we make them ourselves for our children.  You know, the ones where you always pee with a kiddo in the room.  The lack of privacy is forgotten when you get a standing ovation for "going in the potty".  The sacrifice of eating every meal standing up while watching the kiddos with an hawks eye.  When you do sit down, you're always looking over your shoulder to make sure no one is drawing in the walls.  Thank you for listening to my every fear and worry.  Thank you for making me feel like I'm your favorite kid, when I know even more now there is no favorite child.  Each one is special and loved no more, no less.  A momma's love only grows.
Thank you for allowing me to falter and fail.  For allowing me to learn from my mistakes.  For making your own mistakes so I could also learn from those. 
But mostly, thank you for trusting me to Someone Else.  Thank you for praying for me and my future spouse.  You knew you couldn't watch me always, listen always, lead always, or comfort me always, but Someone Else can.  Your prayers to our Heavenly Father certainly helped.
Today, I thank God for trusting me to you.  For allowing us to learn from each other.

Happy Momma's Day!

Love Always,
MME

Packing Update

Most of you know we are moving cross country in about a month.  I've been planning it since January.  My must-have-everything-planned mentality has forced me to make lots of lists to be done and crossed.
We started with a list of things-to-move and things-to-not.  Then a list of things to-toss and things to sell/give away.  We only have three things (chairs) left on the things-to-give-away list!  Still more to be tossed, but most will have to wait until closer to departure.  Anyone need a chair?  You must pick it up.  I'm not moving it.
I started bring boxes home from work in February.  We've(me) slowly been packing up books, cds, dvds, etc.  I moved on to winter clothes, kids clothes for the next season and some decor.  I've also removed 99% of the pictures off the walls and bubble wrapped them.  I have stacks of boxes in our bedroom and the basement.  Every room has had at least one purge.
Originally, we planned on having a garage sale, but my stuff has disappeared quickly by word of mouth.  Plus, my Grandma's church has an annual community garage sale, so I donated my unwanteds to them so I don't have to deal with a garage sale and two toddlers.  Yay!  Any tips on how to get hubby to purge more items?
I'm down to piles of miscellaneous "things".  I need a fresh set of eyes to help me see through the resident junk.  I wish I had a pick up truck I can fill up and take to a dumpster.  I try to throw trash in boxes, but kiddos like to pull it out an re-purpose it elsewhere.  So while I am going temporarily insane in my box-mountain ghetto, I am trying to dream of this:

Dreaming of White

Now that I have a pretty good idea of where we will be living, my mind has moved on to decorating and other frilly things. My sources of inspiration are listed among the blogs I read.  A Beach Cottage is my favorite one of late, because--you guessed it---the beach. I haven't really been drawn to white up until now, but I can't stop dreaming of a serene, white bedroom.  I really want my bedroom to be calming, relaxing, and utterly beautiful.   I want it to be romantic and sweet.  Think textured layers and billowy curtains.  My hubby doesn't want it to be too feminine.   I'll do my best, but since it is also probably going to be the music-gear-storage-place, I think I get the final say.  Don't you agree?  Here are a few bedding options that have caught my eye lately. Picture them on a black iron bed with light aqua walls.

Rivulets from Anthropologie

Rosette from Anthropologie

Yes, I know this one is ivory, but its not available in white.  However, I love it and it seems Anthropologie has had this style around for a bit, so a girl can hope white will soon be made?  There is also a color called "duck egg" that I'm a bit fond off, but I can't really tell what color it is supposed to be.  Anyway, I digress.  Here are more white beauties.

Ruched Voile from Pottery Barn

Hadley Ruched From PB

Both of these are beautifully textured and are supposed to look wrinkled, which is a plus in my book.  Additionally, they are duvets, thus washable, another bonus with kiddos.  I once thought I had "moved on" from Pottery Barn, but I think they will always have a place in my heart.  Want to see more?  I thought so.

Frayed Edge Quilt from West Elm

Organic Cotton Pintuck Duvet from West Elm

West Elm is my new fav if you haven't figured out from previous posts.  They are also offering some inexpensive options in dreamy white.  The pintuck look is plastered all over the design mags I've seen lately, but I still find it an alluring option.  I really find the frayed edge quilt stunning.  I like the modern slant.  So many beautiful options.

I realize I have failed to produce pictures from Target.  I have seen some possibilities from the Simply Shabby Chic line, but not good online pictures.  I suppose that is why they are substantially more inexpensive.  I think I will check them out in person before purchasing anything.

So, friends of the Internets, what do you think?  I know you are all opinionated people who probably think I'm foolish for wanting white on a bed, with young kids running rampant.  Those points aside, can you appreciate the dreamy romantic-ness of a white bed?  Which is your favorite one or two?

A Place at the Beach

We have a new home!  Our dream rental is about to become ours!  My love affair with craigslist has paid off.  After many weeks of daily stalking, we found the perfect place.  This last week we waited in anticipation to see if our application was accepted.  We heard the owner is a bit picky and won't rent to just anyone.  Friday we received and email that they are drawing up the lease!  In a weeks time we will hopefully be touring our new home in person!  Unfortunately, I don't have pictures to show.  The CL listing has been deleted already.  Here are the dets I can remember:  3 bedrooms, 2 and 1/2 half bath.  Two bedrooms upstairs, master on main level.  Living and Dining area with vaulted ceilings, dining adjacent to kitchen.  Kitchen has white cabinets, SS appliances, granite countertops (I think, could be another solid surface)  Main level has chocolate brown hardwood floors, upstairs has carpet, the interior is freshly painted neutral colors with white trim.  There is a laundry room, and a deck off kitchen/dining area.  All around 1650 sqft.  I have never lived in such a beautiful place!  Oh, and it is two blocks from the beach!  The only thing not on my wish list is a garage, but there is a big driveway and off street parking.  I am so very thankful that God has provided such a wonderful place for us to live.  Hopefully in a few weeks I will have more pictures to share.