The Little Bluebird Diaries

Vintage Wedding Swap

It is my 3rd wedding anniversary tomorrow -- so hard to believe.  Marvin and I have had a full three years that quite often it feels like we should be celebrating our 30th.  I have a few pictures that are special to me from my wedding and some of the most adorable vintage wedding items to share tomorrow.

I wish I could say that Marvin and I would be together tomorrow on our special day, but sadly, we have yet to be together for an anniversary.  The Navy has kept us apart for the past two, and I am on my way to Atlanta for this one.  My grandfather has been in the hospital since Friday, and we both agreed that I need to go be with him.  We have learned through the military that holidays don't have to be celebrated on the exact day -- you make your own holidays and celebrate them when you can be together.  We've had Christmas at Valentine's before, and Thanksgiving when it was still sand-castle-building-season.

In celebration of my own anniversary, I'm finally posting the Vintage Wedding Swap for those of you who have inquired.  I have a real love of vintage wedding pretties.  There's something so pure and charming about weddings of the past.  I hope you will enjoy this with me.  I am going to take the first ten people who e-mail me.  Please send your e-mail to TheLilBirdStudio@aol.com with the subject line "Vintage Wedding Swap."

 

The Details:

(1) To sign up for the swap, please e-mail me the following information: Name, favorite wedding color(s), favorite style (i.e. romantic, classic, shabby chic, etc.), wedding-related likes (i.e. wedding cake toppers, hankies, etc.), dislikes (if you have any), and if you prefer a stateside and/or international partner. 

(2) Once the swap is full, I will assign you a partner.  You will mail your swap directly to your partner, and they will do the same for you.

(3)  Items to Include: Something old, something new, something borrowed (perhaps a bit of advice, a picture of your partner in their wedding attire to include in your handmade item, or a creative wedding idea), and something blue.  At least one handmade and one non-handmade item, please. 

(4) Due Date: Monday, August 11, 2008.  If you are going to be late or would prefer a different due date, please communicate with your partner directly.

If you have any questions, or I have forgotten to add something, please contact me.  I look forward to sharing my love of vintage wedding items with you.

 

No Greater Love

A few days ago I was at the square in Marietta, Georgia, which happens to be in the flight path of the local Air Force Base.  Every once-in-a-while you get that one shot that makes you pause and reflect for a moment.  This is that type of shot for me.  It reminds me of the price that has and is paid for our freedom.  Two of my oldest and dearest friends are leaving within days to go back overseas for yet another tour -- one to Iraq and one to Morocco.  I admire their strength, unwaivering dedication, and courageous nature.  While they are departing, dear Marvin just returned safely home.  Thank you for your endless prayers -- they saw us through quite well. 

I spent yesterday musing over what I would share on this special day.  Perhaps, some cutesy red, white, and blue craft -- a story about 4th of July traditions -- then I found these pictures.  I knew just what I wanted to share with you -- a story about freedom -- a story about hope.  While we are celebrating the independence of our beloved America, this holiday is not just about the freedom of Americans.  To me, it is about the freedom not only of our citizens, but those across the seas, as well.  I was quite blessed to be afforded the opportunity back in 2004 to organize support and sponsor these children at a local school in a war-torn land.  I worked with the most honorable and humble soldiers to see this project through.  At first, I was worried about getting exactly the "right" things for these deserving children.  However, this soldier told me something quite poignant that I still remember even today -- "To someone with nothing, everything is something."  Sometimes the most meaningful gifts that we receive aren't the biggest or most expensive but those given out of selflessness and love.  Point well taken.  Thank you, wherever you may be tonight, my soldier friend for giving me such an incredible gift and allowing me to do my part towards sharing the freedom I've been blessed with.        

Dear children, I'm sure you have grown leaps and bounds by now.  I hope those pencils were able to help you to learn to write more proficiently, the vividly colored markers sparked some creativity inside you, and the paper provided you a place for you to be free to express yourselves.  I am forever humbled through the experience I have had with you and hope to make those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom proud through my actions.

   

   

Hoppin Over To Popin...

Marvin and I are making a quiet, little escape this weekend to be with Baby C's godmother and her dear hubby.  It was a last minute decision, but will give us an opportunity to teach our boy the joys of constructing a sand castle.  Watch out beach, we are bringing a wild 18-month old and an engineer doubling as a Daddy with us.  It gets even better -- we are just happen to be passing one of my favorite children's stores in Jacksonville, FL.  It is well worth the trip, and the Popin sisters are the sweetest shopkeepers you will ever want to visit.  They treat your children like their own and have quite an eye for design.  Their store is pure eye candy from top to bottom.

I could only dream of sitting here with every design tool at my disposal to create the fairy-tale child's room for baby C!  Such a clever idea and quite a cozy nook too.

The lighting options in Popin are simply exquisite and the most reasonably-priced I've ever seen.  Coe Polk was quite fascinated looking at all the glimmer.   

I'm convinced it would be worth the money for the very fact that these pretties would serve as a sure-fire distraction during a diaper change.  I know those of you who have children that resemble a rattle snake when changing them will agree with me on this point.

Wouldn't cooking dinner be much more fun if our appliances looked like this?  I'm still trying to figure out how to fit in one of those little apron numbers to the left adorned with pom-pom fringe.

Whimsical wire sculptures are sprinkled throughout.  This was my favorite -- reminds me of my best-childhood friend, my poodle named Baby Dear.  If you are in the area, I certainly hope you will visit this sweet pair of girls.  From baby clothes to room decor, they have the most unique offering.  Perhaps, I'll have another picture or two for you after my visit today.   

 

   

Changes

I think it's so nice to see who is behind the blogs I read.  A few people have recently asked me to post one myself, so this is a recent picture from a dinner I went to with my friends. 

My husband took a picture of me tonight, and when I was downloading some I had taken I took a double-take.  I noticed a difference and am glad I decided to make a change in March.  It makes keeping up with that active, little baby a lot easier too!   

Picture Taken Tonight

Before Picture

Daddy's Hands

A special Father's Day gift made with lots of love!  The new board books with jump rings by Cosmo Cricket are a crafter's treat.  They are very versatile and hold countless posibilities.  I decided to use this one to document the things Coe Polk loves about his Grampey (or P-Paw as he recently began calling him.  I smile when seeing my Daddy's hand in this picture -- he has the toughest hands that have seen years of work.  They are equally as comforting and tender though.

We were just named as one of the finalists in The Most Deserving Military Family contest, sponsored by WSB-TV and Montlick & Associates.  We would appreciate it if you would consider going to following link  and voting for our family -- http://www.wsbtv.com/sponsors/16685583/detail.html.  We have a chance at winning a 4-day vacation to Disney World.  We are listed as Family #1.  I'm glad to be back to blogging after a bit of a break.  More to come tomorrow.   

 

Busy Playing

Gosh, so many photos waiting to be posted on the blog.  I had to reorganize my priorities this week and think about what was most important.  Many things went by the wayside.  Note: Pile of clothes on the end of my bed and the pile of crafty mess waiting to be properly stored away.  However, baby boy and I have had some serious playtime lately during my "downtime."  He needed that -- I needed that.  He has been telling me this week, "Ohhhhhh, it's a good Mommy!" while giving me a hug.  Worth the stack of things unfinished?  Definitely!  He just woke up, so I'm going to make this a quick post. 

The letter below reminds me why I do what I do for the troops.  I think you will understand too when you read it.  I have several care packages to pack to go over to Iraq and Afghanistan today before we go back to the doctor for baby.    I will, however, be back tonight to share that stash of happenings that I've collected on the big, black digital Rebel.  Poor girl, I think I almost wore her out lately, we've had so many fun things to snap frames of.    Life-is-so-very-good!

Firsts

So many firsts this past week...

(1.A.) On Monday, Coe Polk mastered the art of eating a peanut butter sandwhich by himself.  Even though he almost always eats almond butter with smashed fruit, he still called it "Peeearrr."  He's quite good at sharing, as well.  He made sure to offer me plenty of bites from his peeearrr sandwhich.  Maybe all the teaching I do really is getting through to him?

(1.B.)  Coe Polk had his first day of school this past Tuesday.  He wasn't so sure about it, but was a brave boy until I showed up to get him.  Upon seeing me, he jumped off his rocking horse and ran into my arms with such relief that I had actually returned. 

(1.C.) Mother and I took Little Bird to White Water Adventure Park on Wednesday.  I have been going since the first day the park opened over 20 years ago.  I have long outgrown the kids part and thought I would never visit that section again.  Much to my surprise, I'm back there squirting water, sliding down baby slides, and running under showering mushrooms with my little guy.  Again, such a brave boy -- he's fearless. 

(1.D.) Thursday brought a progression of his word for Peanut Butter -- it is now "PeaUtter."  He also has learned to say, A, B, C, D, E, F, G!  We're a little over a fourth of the way there with the alphabet! 

(1.E.) We went to visit Nene and Papa on Friday to see his great-grandmother's new perm.  Upon seeing her hair, he reached over to grab it and said, "Afro."  Out of the mouth of babes!  Note: Nene's hair looks very beautiful.  Coe Polk also mastered a 5-piece stacking puzzle all by himself upon receiving it from our dear friend Carolyn.  He's pretty good with a "puzz," as he calls it. 

(1.F.) Saturday morning he reached over and grabbed his photo book -- turned the page -- and pointing said "Naneo" for the first time.  It has progressed from Nan to Nan-o, and finally Naneo.

 

I'm amazed at his vocabulary.  He knows almost all of his body parts, his animals, animal sounds, 1-2-3-4, some colors, several foods, and a plethora of interjections and pet names.  Coe Polk has replaced Mommy with Doll-doll, darlin', sugar, honey, sugarbear, and more.  He also says, "Oh Pete's Sake."  A southern boy for sure, don't you think?  Loving these firsts and anticipating even more.

Old Glory

Imagine if all adults were still in awe like this at the sight of our red, white, and blue?  I bet the world would be a little kinder and people would be a little more appreciative of the lives sacrificed to keep her flying high.  Don't ever lose your sense of patriotism, sweet boy.  I hope you will know one day how blessed you are to live in this free land.

Whirlwind

Life has been a whirlwind lately.  I'm just trying to catch up with everything I put off while finishing this semester of grad school.  It feels good getting things checked off my list.  Coe Polk looked up in the sky this morning while at the airport and clearly said the words, "It's an airplane."  Our little, frequent traveler has more sky miles than most adults, so it's about time he came out with that. 

We are in the middle of weekend long board meetings for the organization I run, Operation Stars & Stripes, Inc.  I may have to put my "Share Your Studio Saturday" post until Sunday or Monday, and promise to have the vintage wedding swap listed.  The picture above is a little treat I've been giving myself a couple times a month.  I found a great, little German store that carries fresh roses for $3.00 a bundle.  Money much better spent than a hamburger and fries, don't you think?

A Book & Winner

As promised, I drew a winner tonight and have a peek at what I'm doing with your advice from living.  Years ago, I started asking people -- strangers, friends, neighbors, family, whomever I happened to meet -- to give me the one piece of advice from their life that has served them best.  I think it is so very important to take time to listen to the lessons learned from every man's story of their life.  We don't necessarily have to agree with it, or even 100% of it, but I think it makes us a better person -- a more informed person -- wiser -- removes some of our blinders -- and maybe just makes us a bit more understanding of the man standing next to us in the line.  So I've taken this advice that I've saved for years and decided to make a book, just for myself, of what I've learned from others.  Thank you to those of you who have given me your pieces.  I hope more of you will share them with me as time goes on -- you are a wise group out there.  One day, I hope to pass this little book of sorts down to Baby C.  Maybe something in there, or many somethings in there, will make his life a bit more enriched.

I was reminded this past week by someone dear to me that this was supposed to "be a baby blog about Coe Polk."  And all along I was thinking this was more of a Craft and Coe blog -- silly me!  So in getting back to the Coe Polk part, he had his very first movie experience today!  We went to the 50 cent show to see Horton Hears a Who.  (Who? Gosh, it's been so long since I've read Dr. S -- baby is partial to other authors) Once he ate all of his popcorn and candy and drank all of his drink, he was ready to go.  He lasted an hour though -- yes, an h-o-u-r!  For those of you who know Coe Polk, you know this is quite a miracle.  This boy never sits still, even when he's sick.  I'm liking the idea of more summer 50 cents movies.  I even managed to snatch a few kernels away from him for myself...just three or four though.  He kept a watchful eye over his rare treats.  We then went to the pet store; Laya girl, the Amazonian fish is sick, and we're not ready for any fish burials in the back yard.  While getting her some medicine, we must have seen just about every species of bird known to mankind.  Coe Polk was partial to this baby macaw -- he spoke softly when you told him hello.  So, now, for the drawing for the inspiration pack featured on Sunday...

Loving my robin's egg blue basket from the gift fairy...so much better than drawing out of a hat, don't you think?

Congrats, Heidi!  Please send me your addy, so I can get your gifts to you.  I hope you enjoy them.  As for the rest of the advice, I will share it with you when I complete a page.  I'm starting on the advice you have given me Thursday after baby goes down.  We're taking a little trip to Nene and Papa's tomorrow for the night.  And many prayers and well wishes for Coe Polk's Mimi who had surgery today.  We love you!