{first day} for a few

What is it about the first day of school

that makes everyone feel so {proud}?

After a very long day yesterday,

we managed to get our college girl

all settled in her dorm room.

Her roommate has been her best friend since third grade.

They couldn't be more different...

but somehow understand each other beautifully.

Never had an argument in all that time ;)

We just love her!

Moving from home with a friend somehow makes it easier...

I think ;)

And for the record,

this girl has never been more organized.

I've got the proof.

And maybe will surprise her with a room check ;)

First day of high school!

Another big day around here.

Really, how much can one heart take :)

Proud?

Can't you see it...

in that "trying-not-to-smile" smile?

First day since fourth grade not wearing a {button down}shirt, tie and sweater vest.

When you're 15, that's something to smile about...

shhh...don't tell the other boys ;)

And please excuse the pictures,
it was practically dark outside.
Who leaves for school before seven in the morning?

And this baby...

I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Three down,

two on Monday!

{winner}

Please forgive the lateness of this post...

You see,

tomorrow morning,

this child of mine,

is flying the nest.

Whether I like it or not.

She is excited and nervous

and almost more nostalgic than I have been...

if that's at all possible.

She'll be dancing.

And living a dream she has had for many, many years.

Waltzing her way through school so to speak.

I'll be missing my girl,

even though she really won't be that very far away.

So while I get all misty eyed,

please excuse my absence around here this week.

It's been a bit harder than I expected...

Love you, j...

but not your laundry ;)

ha.

So without further blabbering on...

 

~Shaiya~

 

is this week's wildflower {wednesday} winner!

Send me an email, Shaiya,

and I'll get you all hooked up with your $10 off coupon code.

Congratulations!

{i prayed}

For this child I prayed;

and the Lord hath given me my petition

which I asked of him
~1 Samuel 1:27~

I know many love this verse of scripture.

It's one that speaks right to your heart.

Especially if you have been

waiting

and

praying

for months

and sometimes even years...

for the day

when you will finally see your sweet child's face

for the very first time.

I posted about a similar design a few months ago,

but recently made a few changes to it

that I love.

It can be ordered with or without the name charm.

And will be added to my store soon.

Promise.

If you can't wait,

send me an email and I can set up a special order for you

right away.

Anyone else feeling the last-few-days-of-summer crunch?

We're busy packing up one to send off to college.

Which means everyone...

every single boy at this house,

is swapping bedrooms.

It a project.

And it's a messy one.

Digressing here :)

anywhoo...

This week for wildflower {wednesday},

leave me a comment on this post

and tell me your very favorite scripture

or words of inspiration.

(this design is perfect for that kind of personalization)...

Of course,

extra entries if you are a follower

or if you blog, tweet or send a message to your friends on facebook

about this wildflower {wednesday}.

Just make sure to leave one comment for each entry

since I will randomly select a winner from the total number of comments.

The winner will receive a coupon code that can be used for $10 off

a future purchase of their choice.

As always,

entries will be accepted until Monday, August 23rd, at midnight

and a winner will be randomly selected and announced on Tuesday!

~hope you had a fabulous {wednesday}~

{winner}

The winner of this week's

wildflower {wednesday}

~Sarah~

comment #11

She is so precious!! I love the "i will find you" necklace. :)

Congratulations, Sarah! 

 Email me by using the contact link above and let me know where to send your prize!

Thanks to all who participated in wildflower {wednesday} this week

and also to those who participated

in my feature giveaway at etsy it up

last week... 

Over 400 comments?

Crazy fun!

And yes, I read them all :)

Congratulations to Angela!

 tomorrow is wednesday

hope to see you then ;)

{baby love}

Babies touch the world with {love}.

~author unknown~

 Fell in love with this special order I did recently.

Maybe because of the beautiful name...

Or maybe because the pearl and clear crystal remind me of

how pure and innocent these little ones are.

mmmm, nothin' sweeter than a new baby.

I think most would agree ;)

It will be added to my store later today.

Just wanted to share...

And remind you, that today is the last day to enter 

this week's wildflower wednesday...

Leave a comment here to be entered.

~happy monday~

{grandma's grace}

"The history of our grandparents is remembered not with rose petals but in the laughter and tears of their children and their children's children. It is into us that the lives of grandparents have gone. It is in us that their history becomes a future."

~Charles and Ann Morse~

Absolute favorite picture of my grandma as a little girl.

I love everything about it.

The hat.

The dress.

Her somber expression.

And the tiny, blonde curls that frame her face so sweetly.

It was a picture that hung in her bedroom.

And I have loved it for as long as I can remember.

It was this picture I thought of as I began designing

a necklace specifically for grandma.

I wanted something simple,

classy,

and with a bit of a vintage feel.

I love the creamy white pearl,

the tiffany style heart,

but mostly

the oval shaped silver

and how it reminds me of the cameos

my grandma used to wear.

I'm completely smitten

with initials these days.

And I just might start stamping them on everything...

I love the simpleness of {g}...

for grandma.

So, so much meaning wrapped in that tiny, little letter.

After all, isn't she the one

who taught you that...

bananas taste better when sliced and served in a bowl of orange juice,

that the sugar in grandma's candy is good sugar,

that sheets should be line dried

{so you can watch the nest full of baby quail as you hang them},

that empty butter tubs are great for catching potato bugs

and that roses grow best with egg shell water.

Isn't she the one that taught you

about {faith}

and how to have a grateful heart?

That's what my {grandma} taught me.

I know that {grandmas} often have special names

like...nanna, mimi, nonny and nai nai.

Each necklace can be customized with the initial of your choice.

The initial that means {grandma} to you.

Or to your children.

You can purchase my new {grandma's grace} necklace here.

What name means {grandma} to you?

"God's most precious work of art is the warmth and love of a grandma's heart."

~author unknown~

wildflower {wednesday}

An invisible red thread  

connects 

those who are destined to meet 

regardless of time, place or circumstance.  

The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.

~chinese proverb~

Almost two years ago, 

we met our youngest daughter in China.

It was an experience

that changed me.

I learned a lot about faith.

And hope.

And relying on Him.

It was a journey that stretched us.

And yes, there were many tangles along the way.

But meeting this little one for the very first time,

was wonderful

and more beautiful

than I could have ever imagined.

She makes us laugh...

and smile...

every day.

She is one of our greatest blessings.

And I will never forget how grateful I am that we found each other.

So...

since it's {wednesday},

let's give away a necklace.

Just leave me a comment

telling me which of these two designs

you would choose.

Both designs include a sterling silver disc handstamped as pictured.
A sweet jade charm dangles from the top.
Hangs on a simple red thread.
Just like my very favorite necklace from China...

Easy enough?

Of course, extra entries if you are a wheat and {wildflowers} follower

and/or if you blog, facebook or tweet about this giveaway.

Just make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry,
since I will generate a random winner from the total number of comments.

Entries will be accepted through Monday, August 16th.

A winner will be announced here on Tuesday.

~happy {wednesday}~
 

{be}

"Be of good courage, 

and he shall strengthen your heart, 

all ye that hope in the Lord."

~Psalm 31:24~

 

You are good.  

But it is not enough just to be good.  

You must be good for something.  

You must contribute good to the world.

~Gordon B. Hinckley~

 

Be faithful in small things 

because it is in them that your strength lies.  
~Mother Teresa~

This morning I helped serve breakfast

to women in our area

who spend a whole lot of their time

serving those around them.

It's a simple way to say thanks.

And to let them know how much their service is appreciated.

Every time we get together,

I am inspired by them.

By all that they are.

I love the word
{be}

and all that it can represent.

A reminder of who I am trying to become.

And the qualities I hope to one day have.

{be}

...prayerful

...hopeful

...good

...grateful

...still
 ...patient

and, oh, so many more ;)

today, what are you trying to 
{be}

And, oh, by the way,

if you are looking for a yummy Sunday morning breakfast,

here's a new recipe for you to try.

We served it today.

And it was oh, so good!

Baked French Toast

1 loaf french bread, cut in 1" slices and cubed

8 eggs, beaten

2 c. milk

1 1/2 c. half & half

2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 c. butter or margarine

1 1/3 c. brown sugar

3 Tbs. light corn syrup

Grease a 9x13 pan.  Arrange bread in the pan.  In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, half & half, vanilla and cinnamon.  Pour over bread.  Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup.  Heat until boiling.  Pour over bread and egg mixture.  Bake, uncovered for 40 minutes.  Enjoy!

You can find my new {be} necklace here...

{etsy} it up

Wheat and {Wildflowers} is being featured this week
on a site that is brand new to me
and oh, so much fun!

If you love yourself a giveaway
or LOTS of giveaways,
for that matter,
you seriously do. not. want. to. miss. out.

Beautiful stuff.
Not kiddin'.

Check it out here.
And be sure to leave a comment to two while you're there ;)

Happy Friday!

{love more}

"There is no remedy for love but to love more."

~Henry David Thoreau~

 

Who or what are you lovin' 

just a little more

on this monday morning?

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

~{love more} necklace can be found here~

happy monday!