Too Many Announcements | I'm Kristen Workshop + Extras

cause all I know is we said "hello,"
and your eyes look like coming home.
taylor swift

I've been a bustling toaster over here - doing more than just eating + reading birth stories on mom blogs! (though my husband might question that...) - so I have LOTS to share today.  First of all!  TODAY is the details of "The StoryTime WorkShop day"!  We have dates! And applications! And... things!     

April 26 + April 27 + April 28 

(three full days... it'll be a long, full, joyous weekend!)

The price includes "lodging," three meals a day, and all workshop materials.  You will be responsible for any "extras" like travel, trinkets, snacks and shopping.   To apply, please fill out this application and e-mail it to me (if the link is being wonky for you, e-mail me and I'll send you the application in an attachment!).   The last day to apply is February 2, 2013.  I will announce the group the following week, so everyone can make plans accordingly.  I'm also offering a payment-plan instead of a one-time-time-payment-chunk, so if you are interested in that, please note in your application!  I know how hard many (most!) of us are working to save, spend smartly and make decisions about what is best for us at the time, and I want to do all I can to help, not hinder.  

As a reminder, this workshop is geared towards photographers and also more "inspirational" than technical.  Though we will talk photography and do shoots, the goal of this is to really spark and thrill our minds and hearts, and help our delight in stories spill over into our photo-taking.  If you are looking for a business-start-up or "how-to"session, this likely won't be the answer to your dreams!

GUYS. I'm really very excited.  I hope you are too!  Please spread the word if you think any of your pals and gals would be interested in joining the hootin' and hollerin'!  And apply!  Ps.  There are no "rules" on how to apply... if you want to make it "fun" and answer these questions through a more creative means than an e-mail (video/blog post/graphic) by allllllll means!  No pressure.  E-mail works brilliantly too.  WONDER WONDER THIS IS FUN!

Also, coming very soon is the super-trendy-"off-season"-blog-revamp.  I can't wait for you to see!

But here's the kicker (and why you should be PUMPED about the new blog design) is that when the new blog appears... there will be a giveaway.  This isn't happening yet.  But it's happening.  For real.  And one lucky little person will win these FOUR prizes.  Grand slam, if I do say so myself!

As cool as all this is... I'm most happy about finding out what our little person is: a he or she :)  Also.  My basketball team is undefeated (the only team in the school who hasn't lost!)  OH!  And I've baked two days in a row, which is a record for me.  This week might be more fun than wedding week... Gracious.  

A Breakfast Birthday For Audrey | Enjoy Making

you'll never know dear 
how much i love you ricky nelson - you are my sunshine A few weekends ago, Little Audrey turned three whole years old.   She's been daintily, cautiously, sweetly keeping us in stitches, exploring this big-bad-world and wrapping her around her finger since day one.  I had nothing to do with this party other than attending :)  All credit for the Saturday morning, breakfast-birthday goes to Mama Janet and her beautiful mind.


We started the fun off right with scrambled eggs (and fixings!), bacon, fried potatoes and fresh fruit.


There was also tasty "breakfast sushi" that was gobbled up fast.  (Peanut butter a peeled, whole banana.  Roll the banana in rice-krispies and slice!)

But the centerpiece of the morning was obviously the donut cake.

Jan had a classy color-scheme: baby pink and seafoam, with black, gold and white.  She decorated old cans and filled them with baby's breath and succulents.




She also whipped out the embosser a time or two for this party.  I think I know what my next craft purchase is going to be ;)






Ladies of the hour!

So darling and lovely, Jan. Like always.

After food, the kids played a rousing game of Bite The Donut.  It was pretty funny ;)


The cheering squad!


A more vicious approach:


"Behr do it?!"





"Yeeess!"

Next was candles and "cake" - Audrey was really thrilled by this part of the day :)


A few gifts wrapped the morning off nicely (hee. hee.)




Audrey's biggest surprise of the day was her own circus tent, from Uncle KyKy.



We ended the party with our own bags of popcorn and more sweet memories of the one-and-only Audrey.


(Audrey's face is brought to you by the phrase "biiirthday poooop!" which was somehow her favorite thing to say that day?  Oh little girl.)

The Morris' love all of you Remmies!  Here's to many, many more kids, their birthday's and celebrations to come :)

Enjoy Project | Making a Valentine's Banner

"a life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, 
but more useful than a life spent 
doing nothing.”
george bernard shaw

Well, folks.  Today I come to you from the pits of a creators despair.  The grand idea, the motivated and patient effort, the setbacks that don't phase, the setbacks that make you a *little* frustrated, the setbacks that make you walk away and nearly scrap the idea all together, the hope of a new take at the project to keep it alive... and then... yeah... you just stop.  I am committed to posting according to schedule everyday but this is not my favorite thing I've ever made ;)  

I think the whole thing went wrong when I had an idea (that I STILL think could work!) and I had free fabric samples (from the Alt Summit gift box! Woohoo!), and I forced the two to work together.  I should have just used a different material from the start.  I should have saved the fabric for a different project.  Oh well.

The original idea was to cut out letters, so as to leave the negative space of the fabric, and have the wall color show through the letters (it looks kind of cool on the wood, right?!).  I wanted to create a vertical banner because, as much as I think bunting and long banners are cute, they are quite done these days ;) And I thought I was perhaps being a little different in going a different direction! Literally.

Well, after about three hours, hot glue guns, irons, flopping letters, cardstock, paint pens, and a sad sad Kristen I called this project quits and will try again a different time.  I need to use either felt or cardstock... something sturdier than cotton fabric.  I also need my Craft Angel to cut out the letters for me with his sturdy, perfectionist hand.  I feel like this ended up being a fine.  Not cute.  Not whimsical.  Not fresh.  Not modern.  But if you feel like you could take elements and make it work, I'd love to hear tips!  And I am going to give this a whirl some other day with the proper materials.  

In the meantime, I refuse to let this post be a debbie-downer today! SooOoo I decided that "making memories" counts as "making things"... Can I get an "amen!"?  Last Friday, when mistermisterchickendinner arrived home from a three-week absence we had a lovely date day.  He arrived at my house around 5:21 am (around...) and we stayed up until 7 am.  He finally needed to get some sleep (so did I... it's very tiring blow-drying your hair at 2:30 am).  After a looooong nap until 10:00 am we headed out to Great Falls, Virginia.

There were only a scattered few runners and tourists there, so we for all intents and purposes had the place to ourselves.  So we taught ourselves how to waltz on the "dance floors" (look out points). And we took pictures. Here is proof:

I told him that this was my artsy picture of the day.  He is responsible for the first picture of this post, which is clearly more artsy than my shot.  He told me he could take over my business as an artist if I needed. 

Afterwards we drove around Potomac, Maryland and gasped at the mansions.  I'm sure nobody knew that the two blondies in the scraped up Corolla weren't Potomac natives.  We blent in seamlessly.  After we were fully inspired and mentally broke, we headed into Washington DC.  (Don't worry about it: Virginia, Maryland and then DC all within a couple of hours. We get around.)

I wanted to take a picture of us in the city.  It went something like this:


He: You need to update your phone so you can take a picture with the side button.
Me: I know, I know, I know. I will. But I can't now.
*click*
Me: Alright you're not looking at the camera. Let's try again.

He: Kristen, this is seriously hard to do.  Let's use my phone. It's updated. 
Me: Make sure you look at the camera this time!
*click*
Me: Were you looking at the camera?!
He: I was TRYing to! But it's hard to take a picture with this dumb phone! And the sun is in my eyes! I'm shielding you like a man.
Me (reviewing the last picture): Oh, oops, okay, camera is still on.
(scroll through last two pictures)
He: YOU are a hypocrite! YOU weren't looking at the camera!
Me: Because it takes you thirteen months to push a button!

He: Turn this way, the sun doesn't hurt my eyes.
Me: Excuses.
(He was right.)
*click!*
He: Aw, that one is good!
Me: No, it's not... The Red Guy from The Wiggles is walking into my head.
(He doesn't know what The Wiggles are because he grew up TV-less, so he ignores that comment.)
He: Alright, let's try one more time. Kiss on the cheek?
Me: (apparently really not down with that idea?) No.

We gave up on the perfect picture because Founding Farmers reservations were encroaching.  So we went, studied the menu like a mid-term outline, photographed our food, devoured our food, discussed our food, took home our unfinished food, picked food out of the box, paid and cancelled our plans for the rest of the night (including skipping a couples seminar at church to stay home and watch The Bachelor on Hulu).

On our way to the car I made more art:

It was an add for Vodka.  But you'd never know it.

And then I made my final masterpiece of the day: A complicated sunset landscape of the ethereal Mormon temple on I-270.  Don'tcha wish your girlfriend was skilled like me? Don'tchaaa?

Go make something.  Even if it's stinks.  Because memories are better than perfection.

Enjoy Weddings | Glen Echo with Matt + Amelia

“I want to kiss you again, Tess.”
“Why?”
He chuckled, low under his breath. 

“Why? Because you’re beautiful, and because I want you. And I think you want me too.” 

lara adrian

Amelia was on.  Her witty one-liners and dry comments had everybody amused.  Her toothache-sweet father was feeling very sentimental and wanted to share with his Facebook world.  I think he did it because he knew Amelia would roll her eyes and have something funny to say.  Laughter always distracts (or helps?) when you feel full to the brim with emotion.


They laughed on and on.  They laughed about Cheez-its, Jay-Z, Spanx, pretending to know how to use a steamer and dad (still in the background taking pictures for Facebook.)  They danced (mom pulled out her spicy moves!) They tried not to cry ("DON'T. YOU. DARE. I. SWEEAAAR...")




Soon enough they went to church.  The yellow dresses, colorful heels, fresh flowers and pink smiles were the epitome of summer, of fun.



Dad and Amelia talked about signs on the wall, about not crying, about anything that came to mind.

But it was only a matter of time before that beautiful walk and pass-off occurred.

Only a matter of time before a new character enters the storyline of the day. 

A proud papa, with an air much like a pleased king, grandly and honorably handing his little girl off to another, to her best friend, to her favorite man.

This new character, Matt, married our funny and relaxed Amelia.  He promised life with her.  And she with him.

And all of a sudden the scene is different, there is a new man on her arm in the aisle, a new air in the land!  From sentimental, teary and sweet we have gone to rejoicing, whistles and cheers!


I love Matt and Amelia (like I mentioned in their engagement shoot) for their kind-hearted, playful, not-too-serious, very low maintenance friendship.  She's not a diva and he's not a brat.  They are friends, happy, sarcastic, good times, friends.


(Can I get an "amen!" for her dress?)



I never become bored or weary of shooting at Glen Echo Park.  It has my heart in a way no other venue has ever matched.

I say climb, Amelia says "How high?"

I saw "Do you mind sitting on the bench?" they say "We actually want to swing."

But let me break these last two pictures down for you: The ran to the swing set because they wanted to swing.  This helps describe them to you readers.  When I say they are easy, fun-loving people, I am not exaggerating because I have nothing to say about them.  I don't blame most friends for not being comfortable doing anything in their dress - I fully understand.  But Amelia ran around in her sandals, walked through the woods, climbed on tables, pumped hard on the swings, played on the carousal.  And Matt led the way.  That attitude and 20 minutes of pictures perfectly describe them.  To a tee.

With windblown hair and hearts full of joy, they loved watching their guests enjoy the famous ride.

These are relatives of Matt and Amelia, ooooooobviously.

I just love all the faces. So fully happy.

We had more fun before the reception started then most receptions ever have! But guests were met at the party pavilion with maraca's, cracker jack, and tickets to ride! How fun. 

The lively group lit-up when Matt and Amelia were welcomed.  It was not a polite, regal tap-tap of their hands.  This was homecoming football game kind of energy.

Dancing on the sun:

Laughter continued through the evening with toasts from Dad (no Facebook either ;) I was very proud of him!)  Amelia and her dad have a friendship that reminds me of me and my dad.  They are close and "get" each other, but it's not a frilly foo-foo relationship ;) I love it.

After the funny best man toast, my favorite part of this wedding occurred.  The maids of honor presented the new couple with a gift.

Before the wedding (during the bridal shower, I believe) the girls collected photographs, letters, fabric squares and craft supplies from guests of this wedding.  They went ahead and handmade a quilt for them.

Amelia was blown away, and the quilt was phenomenal.  They left the quilt out with more fabric and markers for guests to add to it in case they hadn't already.  Isn't that a wonderful and kind idea?! Bridesmaids for the win!

The rest of the evening was spent enjoy the partyrockers in the house ta-night ;)  Boy did everyone have fun.

And that's a wrap for just another PERFECT Glen Echo wedding, with a couple of my dreams!

Congratulations, guys!

Alt Summit in Salt Lake City {Travel}

“it's kind of fun to do the impossible.”

walt disney

Alright alright alright.  See if you track with me on this one:

 Narnia, in the winter.  Trees and snow and castles in the distance?  Great.  Remember that.

Now go ahead and enjoy the Sultan's palace from Aladdin.  Lavish and layered and courtyard-y, snuggled richly into a valley by mountains.

Okay, so, now, put them together.  Narnia. Sultan's Palace. Narnia.  Sultan's Palace. Narnia Palace.  Chronicles of Sultan.  Palace of Nartan.  Narnia and Sultan.  GRAND AMERICA HOTEL IN SALT LAKE CITY.

 

Hey? Heeeey? Yeah, hey.  Do you see what I see?  A child, a child... er- a town, a town high above the sea, with a view as "whoa" as could be?  Heeeeey:

It even works at night.  Let's do this thang again.  Glowy, sparkly lights, tiny town:

Moody mountainous moonlit night? 

GRAND AMERICA HOTEL AT SALT LAKE CITY.

I've been channeling my inner Disney Princess by sighing to myself and saying "Ooooh Rajah!" as I gaze out my hotel room window, longing to experience the real world - beyond these walls!!!   But next thing I know I'm worried sick for my four-legged friends, hoping they don't turn into statues.  It's extremely emotional being a guest at this hotel, let me warn you.

;)

Obviously I'm kidding.  I'm really quite spoiled with the unreal quality of this town and establishment (great choice Alt Summit folks!), the stirring and sweet classes (good work Alt Summit folks!), the head-turning fashion of EVERYONE (nicely done Alt Summit attendees!) and the quality time with my Canadian bestie, Jamie Delaine (Also known as "Jamz" between 6:00am-7:30pm, or "Gramz" from 7:31 pm and on.  She jams hard, then turns into a one-woman-old-folks-home.)

 
Once I'm home and my conference brain has turned back to normal brain,  I'll tell you something actually helpful/interesting about this conference.  I probably won't even use a Disney reference.  Except that tomorrow I get to meet Anya from Project Runway (like how I said that so nonchalantly? Like I don't really care at all? It was smooth like the first shave of your life.) (Also, I care a lot that I'm meeting her.  I'm not even going to pretend like I just want her to have a normal life with normal friends, like I'm not some crazy fan-girl who just wants to touch her maxi dress.  I AM A CRAZY FAN GIRL.) Anyways,  it'll basically be like having a real-life Jasmine in a Disney Palace.  It was cool when I was five and in Anaheim, and it's still cool now!


Alright.  Good night.  It's been a long day and I am kind of feeling like I didn't give Narnia much facetime in this post, so why don't you read these last few words in a British accent and I'll feel better.  Cheer up, darling!  And go to sleep you blessed, blessed doll.  (And go to Alt Summit next year everyone.  You will truly love it.)

Kyle + Sarah {Great Falls Wedding in Potomac, MD}

you're a part time lover and a full time friend
the monkey on you're back is the latest trend
i don't see what anyone can see, 
in anyone else but you
the moldy peaches | anyone else

"Our wedding will be quirky in 'us' ways.  For example, this is the wording for our invitation: 

1 Marriage

between 2 People

3, almost 4, years after meeting

at 5:06pm, 

reception following at 7:08pm 

on 9/10/11."

THAT is what I'M talking about. That's what's up. This couple is brilliant and adorable and dance machines and a little nerdy.  I love them.  Enjoy their story.

Fair Oaks Academy was a small private school founded in Virginia, and with a junior class of fourteen girls and four boys, it was ideal set for true love.  A new "she" walked in, and a dark-eyed, moppy-topped, big-hearted boy noticed.  That scene would stay stamped to his heart for years to come, for it was the scene when he first met Sarah.This Sarah is quite a character.  Kyle tells me "She is not a detail-oriented person, she is more of... a big-dream kind of person.  But with me? She wants to know everything.  She cares about every single one of my thoughts."  That is an impressive statement.  Think about life with that sort of companion.  It's like life with a detective, collecting data, compiling clues and assembling conclusion about you.  Paying attention to the in-s and out-s of you... simply because they love, crave even, knowing as much as possible of you.  It's truly a breath-taking reality. "When she surprised me with a gift on my birthday last year, her imagination effected the whole day - not just the gift.  She puts an immense amount of creative thought... to effecting people for Christ. And she is adventurous!  But I think the thing I love most about Sarah is her dedication to the life that she lives.  She wears so many different hats - barista, fiance', Campus Crusade for Christ leader - and she gives all of herself." After reading about this all-there, creative dreamer named Sarah, I couldn't wait to meet her.  As the minutes rolled along on wedding day I grew more and more concerned.  We were literally minutes before ceremony time (at 5:06, remember?) and there was no Sarah yet.  No bridesmaids.  No dress.  No shoes.  So I waited while guests found their seats and milled about.  I waited while lovely ladies put finishing touches on the dinner tables.  I waited while the sun met the trees for dinner.  And then *WHOOSH!* there were cars rumbling, doors slamming, girly gaggles, honks and "huurrrriy!"'s.  I only managed to grab a shot of an adorable baby-faced bride's feet as she flew inside.   "What time is it? Ah! Hurry!  I need to put this on!" "Sarah, be careful of your hair. And someone is in here..." "Well, they need to get out! The bride needs this room!" "Did you leave the hairspray in the car? She needs hairspray." "WhAahhha. This is too crazy.  Oh goodness. KRISTEN! Hi! It's so good to meet you!" "Sarah, hold still."  "What time is it?"
A beautiful two-stall bathroom was raucous with one bride, her chiffon clad gal pals, an overjoyed photographer and someone else using the restroom.  It was hilarious.  It was fantastic.  Though the pictures may seem serene and posed, the wooden room literally echoed and roared with women.  I couldn't stop smiling. And all their scrambling payed off.  At 5:06 the ring-bearer, Woody and the red-wagon were ready to walk down the aisle. Grandpa and his tale-telling eyes were ready to be seated. Best friends were in place.

Complete strangers were even ready.

As was the lovely Sarah.  Lovely, lovely Sarah.  She was grinning, her dimples were deep and her man was ready to give her his name and life.

"He gets SO passionate about his ministry, and puts his whole heart into it. I LOVELOVELOVE watching him love people. I love watching him teach people, continuously discover God, and opening up those ideas right to me."

"To him, who wants to be a youth pastor, every nugget of truth he studies about God is never as good until everyone else knows it.  He cannot wait to tell the teens what he's learned.  He is bold in faith.  He is active in faith.  He aims to lead us in an honest and effective journey to spread and live the gospel...... and goodness do I love him all over again for it." Years after he met Sarah, he designed a brilliant and sneaky plan to propose to her.  He waited in the shell of the classroom where he first laid eyes on her, where to this day he remembers exactly what she was wearing, with two chairs arranged exactly as they were that day.  He waited for Sarah to come with a friend to explore the building where Fair Oaks Academy used to run.  He waited with the light on in a downstairs classroom.  She saw his shoe.  She saw him.  He asked her a question.  She said "yes" over and over.As the historical documenter for this day I want you folks to know something:  I love Kyle and Sarah.  Like, I actually love them.  I have only seen them one day in my entire life.  I barely spent six hours with them.  And I love them.  
I love their genuine and delightful way of enjoying their families.I love all of Sarah's girls and their witty senses of humor. I love Sarah's timely remarks and very, very quirky self.I love that they are just happy people.  They know who they are and what they have been given, so they are happy.     I love their awkward fish move.I love that they play together. A lot. I love that they get the fire burnin' fire burnin' on the dance floor. WhooOooa.

I love that Sarah was somewhat of a shy-public kisser.  And I love that Kyle just consistently went in for the kill.

I love their heart together.  Two of the biggest-hearted people I've ever met.  

I love how they felt like lifetime friends or family to me with minutes.  I love that God brought them together in Fair Oaks Academy and is now sending them out to the world. Together.

This wedding reminded me of some important life priorities.  This wedding blessed me.

Though it was truly very simple and not elaborate, it was fantastically heart-warming and meaningful, even to a complete stranger like me.  Guests chattered, dinner lingered, toasts were so kind, love reigned over all.

And Curly Kyle Kid married Quirky Sarah.

What bliss!  You party-rockers :D

Christmas Activities | Personal

there's a quaint little town
not a clock has been wound
for over a century

buon natale | nat king cole

It turns out my 8mm app addiction lasted longer then a week.  As I was working on this little diddy last night, He suggested I make a "Sunday Series." "With a new episode each week!" He's smart, the Christmas Angel of mine.  You can watch this now oooor watch it after you read the whole post.  It might be a touch more amusing if you come back and watch after you read ;)

It's been about 10 days and our Christmas Activity Checklist is going strong!  I just can't bring myself to miss a day when he gets such a kick out of it.  It doesn't matter what we do - his little toes jingle all the way and his eyes sparkle like a silent night.  

We made a classic garland for his tree.  All we used was popcorn, cranberries, needle and thread!  

We also bought His first real Christmas tree.  He sat the tree in his lap and embraced it the whole way home.  What a green, tree-hugger ;) ba-da-ching.

We turned on some tunes, and gave the little tree a merry makeover.  It needed some bling.

When all was said and done, the decorations up, the stockings hung, He serenaded me with my favorite holiday carols.  Precious Angel.

The only part of this experience that was really sad was the next day.  He told me He had some "sad news." Uh-oh.  "My Christmas tree fell down.  I went in and it had crashed.  Balls were on the floor.  One ball broke.  Someone ransacked Christmas."  I tried not to laugh ;)

On a cheerier note!  We went to a local Starbucks one night where some friends from church spent two hours singing carols!  It was a happy memory to eat our chili and coffee-cake and watch the kiddos dance around.

Next up was the annual Remsnyder Christmas party with the ever intriguing Gift Exchange.

Christmas Angel took this very seriously.

He spent some time on his gift and ended up taking the present he brought home with him.

If you want to see what his gifts were check out the video

(one is cheap and weird, the other is expensive and... weird? ;) haha not weird. They are both fun!)

This morning I finished up last nights' craft: snow forest! This was another lovely Pinterest find.  

SO stinking easy: bleach bottlebrush trees in a tub for 30 minutes, let dry over night, stick in glass jars and dump as much or as little sugar/salt over them as you'd like!  I can't wait to see how these look with candles behind them :D

Only twenty days left and the fun has only just begun!

Audrey Turns Two {Child Photography}

'cause you've got personality!

walk with personality, talk with personality!

smile with personality, charm with personality!  
love with personality! 'cause you got a great big heart

lloyd price | personality

--

Meet Audrey.

24-months young, she tips the scales at barely 22 pounds.  And she likes to "go-go-go shoppiiing" and "go get stuff at Michael's" (the craft store), sing her ABC's to try to distract her mom from putting her down for a nap ("ELMOENOPEEE! DUBUE EX! WHY! ANZY!") and she always wants to help (help stir food on the stove, help my baby in my belly feel better [even though I don't have a baby in my belly], and help make your hair not be "eeeew! yuuucky!")This child is extraordinary; that is, she is "unusually great." She the daughter of close friends and she lives about 60 seconds from my house.  It's a sad day when there is no Audrey around.  It just doesn't feel quite right.  Everyone thinks their kid is smart and has an above-average personality, but this ain't my kid ;) And she IS so smart. And DOES have an above average personality.Just check out some of these faces:Accessories are the reason for the season in Audrey's world.  Shoes, jewelry, sparkles, undergarments, "mock-sins" (moccasins) are her girly-girl treasures.
These make me laugh. I picture her talking in Dug the Talking Dog from Up voice: "Ooooh shucks. Just shtop it. Seriously. Ooooh my."

We all love her. What a blessing.  What a joy.  What happiness put into our adult lives.  She cracks us up just by walking - because it's SO cuuuute! She snuggles up on your shoulders and dives in for a bear hug where she squeezes so tight it makes your soul just dissolve.Little Ham Chop.  What a goober.One of our favorite Audrey-isms is how she collects and hoards little things like coins, cranberries, candy, crayons. After she leaves we'll find little stashes hidden around where she left her loot.  Often she'll try to specifically put the coins in her pockets.  Then she'll stand up and, to her dismay, the money will come bounding out of her pants holes and she drop to all fours, scrambling to gather her change back up.  Oh it's precious.
"Eeeeew! Piggle! Eeeew!"Audrey spotted our daily visitor, Piggle the Squirrel. He's an obese rodent. And looks like a rat.

By the end there was yawning and "Hold you, Titi? Hold you?" and shivers, so we decided to be all done.  Who can resist a little girl with knots on her head and bows on her feet asking to go inside? Not I said the fly.

How fun it is to be a part of a little life.  She is so good for us all.Happy birthday sweet girl!

How Much Better Could the Skies of Heaven Be? {Personal}

"Change... had passed away."

christina georgina rossetti | from house to house  

I read a very moving poem this week.

This sky looked like this this week:

pc: lydia jane, not me ;)

"Then earth and heaven were rolled up like a scroll;

Time and space, change and death, had passed away;

Weight, number, measure, each had reached its whole;

The day had come, that day."

I don't think I've ever thought about change passing away before.  It's an interesting thing to think about.  Dreams are made up of change "Someday I'm going to do ____! I'm going to change what I'm doing now and actually do _____!"  Heaven will be perfect the entire time.  It will always be right.  A citizen of Heaven is experiencing all the best of God, all the time, with no nemesis or barrier to Him.  Never will there be an unexpected turn.  Rain on our parades.  Nothing will be messed up.  Things will always go according to plan.  Every single time.  But then again, time will be done away with too.   Imagine the security you'd feel knowing that you will never be disappointed, frustrated, hurt or a failure again.  No more change.  

"Multitudes—multitudes—stood up in bliss,

Made above to the angels, glorious, fair;

With harps, palms, wedding-garments, kiss of peace

And crowned and haloed hair."

Heaven is going to be so happy.  I long for the happiness of Heaven.  

"They sang a song, a new song in the height,

Harping with harps to Him Who is Strong and True: 

They drank new wine, their eyes saw with new light,

Lo, all things were made new."

"To be introduced, or discovered now for the first time."What a day it will be when we are introduced to that unguarded, unsparing happiness of Home.The day we discover Heaven for the first time.