Ira Turns I!

Ira turned 1 on Friday, and we gathered yesterday to celebrate.

I was just commenting the other day about how much fun Zach and especially Savannah had on their first birthdays which is unusual.  I think Ira had a blast for his 1st as well.  

Now I need to put this picture right next to one of my dad at about that age.  They look so much alike.

My talented sister-in-law made the cupcakes and cake herself.

He liked the cake.  

Ira needed some help from big sis with the gifts.  She blew out the candle too.  That girl is going to need some practice blowing out candles between now and September when she turns 3!

Stay tuned as baby Isaac arrives at the end of July.

It is not secret that I would love, love, love to have a toddler under my roof again.

Final thoughts, just have to throw this out there.

Dad is on the left in the picture below.  Am I the only one seeing the resemblance?

Stitch Fix Box 1 is here

Here goes.  I am putting myself out there.  I typically avoid being in front of the camera.  I prefer being behind it. My first Stitch Fix package arrived today.  Check out what was in the box, and let me know your thoughts.

I really could use some gold earrings, and these are cute.  They, however, do not make the cut because I am very choosy about earrings.  These are posts, and posts tend to be uncomfortable for me.  I wear french hooks (not fish hooks-very picky about that) almost exclusively. 

When I opened the box, I was sure this nautical shirt would be a winner.  I love the nautical look and have been eyeing the popular navy and white striped shirts of all varieties.  However, I did not find it to be as flattering on me as I had hoped.  I would need to really love this to fork over $48 for it.

I did not expect to like the green shirt.  I just felt that the color was too fallish instead of springish. However, the first thing I noticed when I tried it on was just how soft it is.  It is so comfortable and very flattering.  I think this one is likely a keeper though still a bit high at $48.  This one is Andy's favorite.






 I asked for jackets, and my stylist delivered.  I pointed out in my profile that while I like jackets, they tend to look boxy on me. This black jacket is flattering, I think.  However, it is a tad short in the back, and at $98, out of reach.

I have always wanted to try a longer spring jacket, and this red one is so much fun.  I do wish the cut was more tailored than swing.  When buttoned, it looks like a maternity jacket.  However, I really like the look when it is open.  It is also out of reach at $98.

Julia took care of the photography and posed me.  I think the green blouse is the keeper.  What do you think?

Bring Me Hope Walk

We did it!  We enjoyed the Night Walk last night.  We met Tessa at a local park that just happens to be in front of Julia's school campus and enjoyed the evening.

Rain threatened us the whole day, and while we got some evening drizzle, it skirted a fantastic field day for Julia where she took 2nd in the softball throw and third in the sprint and then the rain skirted the night walk.

Wyatt, who has always claimed that he does not like to run, ditched us and ran around the track.  When it got dark and he was out of sight, Andy pursued and fought to catch him. Wyatt declared that to be way more fun than he ever expected, so now he wants to run.

We followed the walk with an ice cream celebration.  I decided to forgo my usual banana for the seasonal salted caramel....hello, summer.

Taking the plunge

Have you ever heard of Stitch Fix?

I found it through reading a blog that I follow occasionally and scheduled my first Stitch Fix today.
The way it works is you complete an extensive profile about your taste in clothing.  Stitch Fix sends you five items to try.  You pay a $20 stylist fee to get started, and your $20 goes toward whatever you purchase.  If you purchase everything in the box, you get 25% off.  I signed up on Saturday, and my appointment is set for May 21st. This is still in beta, so there is a waiting list.  When my turn arrived, I sat on the email for a few weeks because I want a sure thing.  I don't want to hand $20 over which is non-refundable (way too frugal for that) and risk getting a box of stuff I don't like or can't wear because I don't like the fit.  However, the truth is that I am desperate to update my wardrobe.  One of my biggest stressors daily is trying to figure out what to wear to work.  Church is even worse. I go shopping but continually walk out of stores empty-handed because everything seems to frumpy, or I can't commit.  I took the plunge today and set up my first Stitch Fix appointment.  This is not a subscription service, so you do not have to commit to anything monthly.  You can stop at one shipment or wait a few months in between. Because of my budget constraints, I plan to ask for a shipment every 3-4 months if I like it.

To check it out, you can follow this link, Stitch Fix.  If you like it and want to try it, please sign up through that link, I get a $25 gift card for referrals who make purchases.

If you would like to see some examples of how this works, just google Stitch Fix reviews, and you will find lots of blogs. I checked out several to make sure I would not hate the stuff before taking the plunge.  I plan to follow the trend and post pictures of the items I receive.  You know I am putting myself out there if I do that.

If you would like to see the blog where I first learned of this, follow one of the links below:
First Stitch Fix
Second Stitch Fix

Wyatt's art

I love this drawing of a steamship.

Starting Mother's Day with Laughter because that's the way we roll

We are racing to get out the door for church, and we have a big day planned, but I have to stop to record this for posterity.

This card was one of two on my Mother's Day gift.

This is what it says inside.

On the back, it says Julia O Rite   9.99

She cracks me up almost every day.  She did a great job with the wrapping!

Prom!

We have had quite a week here.  Andy traveled Monday through Wednesday, and the kids were on their own to get to school in the morning.  Kudos to Zach and Savannah.  Zach drove everyone to the appropriate locations.  Savannah administered medicine, secured the house, managed the morning routine for the dogs, and made sure everyone was awake on time.  All went well.  

The kids were rewarded for their efforts on Friday.  Zach attended prom.  Savannah enjoyed a concert. Wyatt visited a friend for a sleepover, and Julia went to my brother's house to hang out with Regan.  Julia and Regan are crazy about each other, but Julia awoke at 5:00 in the morning on Friday and crashed before her two-year-old cousin.

I'm so proud of Zach.  He handled everything regarding his prom.  He and his date went out and chose his tux.  He ordered the flowers without any prompting, and paid for everything out of his own earnings.  

an appropriate tie for the boy known as Bonecrusher

Andy and I run into students from Zach's school and ask if they know him.  The answer is usually "no" unless we ask if they know Bonecrusher.

Zach thought it was fun to take a Gatsby picture.  I hate everything it implies.  As I recall Gatsby was not a great guy, and  I do not condone underage drinking.  However, Zach was so cute posed like this that I have to share.  No alcohol was used in the making of this picture.  He used something that is probably worse for him- a Venom energy drink...gross.

final touches

Zach's date.  M is beautiful inside and out.  She has been Julia's camp counselor for the last two years, I think.  Julia insists that I do not register to be a camp counselor because she is afraid that would take M away from her.

gotta work with Zach on putting his arm around the girl's waist

a T and Zach classic,  I should pull all the pictures of them in this pose and make a post just about that

T's girlfriend K with M, having fun being sassy

Aren't they fun?!

good football buddies

These are some of the guys that Zach will miss terribly when high school ends.

I love how natural these two are in this picture.

I don't know why my full length photos all looked washed out.  I am so disappointed that I don't have a good full picture of M's beautiful dress.  We got sidetracked outside while waiting for the others to do individual couple pictures inside and did not get back in for a picture.  I think I would have gotten a better shot inside in this instance, so I screwed up.

We had to leave to get to the concert, so I hurried.  In the end I was sorry that I did not stay and go late to the concert. The band we were there to see did not start until two hours after the concert started.  Our seats were easy to get to, so I could have stayed for the pictures I wanted.  We originally planned to meet in a park for pictures, and a professional photographer agreed to meet us there to take pictures for a very reasonable $20 per couple.  Because it rained all day, that plan was cancelled.  Zach and M had too much fun at the dance to stop for professional pictures, so I am disappointed in the pictures but glad they had that much fun.

My friend (T's mom) shared this with me.  They took this picture of the kids doing the Bonecrusher after we left the home of the family who graciously allowed us all to gather there for pictures.

Flashback Friday

Before there were six of us.  I think Savannah was around 4 years old, and Zach was about 7. This is my favorite photo of just the four of us.

Bring Me Hope

Bring Me Hope Sponsorship

If you want to register to walk on May 17th and raise money to send an orphan to camp this summer, you have just one day left to do so and still secure a t-shirt for yourself.  This year our entire family will be walking (except maybe Zach who will likely be working).  If you want to sponsor any of us, you can do so for as little as $5 at the link above.

Bring Me Hope started after the founder adopted a baby from China.  He knew that the problem was too big for every orphan to have a family.  His children took the reigns and have run summer camps for orphans and the poorest of poor children in China for years.  They provide a typical experience of swimming, water fights, and all kinds of silly games for the children.  Each child is paired with a buddy (teenager or adult) for one on one attention during the camp.  It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the orphan.  Many of the buddies return to their homes and advocate for the adoption of children who captured their hearts. It was a stretch for us to afford to walk this year, but the way I see it, we save all year for our own kids to attend church camp each summer.  We can stretch for a child who would not have that opportunity otherwise.

I will post pictures of us walking or modeling our t-shirts when they arrive.

The t-shirt deadline has been extended to May 8th.

Flashback Friday

Neither of us remembers exactly where we were when this picture was taken, but we know the outing involved planning our wedding.  This summer will mark 20 years of marriage for us.  For the first time since our honeymoon, we are planning a trip for just the two of us that is a bit longer than a weekend.  We are going on a shoestring budget, and I will share our success or lack thereof after our return.  Leaving the kids will be a challenge, and especially in light of the Boston Marathon bombings, we are aware of just how vulnerable we are, but we are still planning our trip and looking for the best deals to see all that we can for this short adventure.