I am not making this.

I really, really want to be.
But I'm not.
At least not this week.
Maybe next.
Or the next.
Or the next next.

But now I am doing laundry,
taxes,
google-ing Chewbacca weirdness,
and other super glamorous pursuits.

What are you making?
Besides piles of clothes and papers.
Because laundry and paperwork is no where near as fun as burlap and fabric.

i heart books.

I have always had a passion for reading.

As a kid I would most often get in trouble for pretending to go to sleep, but then sneakily reading with a flashlight under the covers.

Scandalous, I know.

Somehow this love of books has transferred to my girls.

They too can be caught reading when they should be sleeping.

It is hard for me to get mad when I catch them.

Sweet Heather from All A Flutter

{who I get to meet in real life in a few weeks. yay!}

started the Joyful Life Libray

at Cardon Children's Hospital 

in memory of her son Samuel's brief, yet joyful life.

Her love for her son and her passion to bring comfort to families who are faced with the difficult and painful realities of hospital stays, amazes, encourages and astounds me.

I told my girls about Samuel and about the Joyful Life Library.
We chatted about how much we love to cuddle and read.
We chatted about how nice it would be to share some of our books with the kids in the hospital.

They excitedly picked many of their most favorite books from the shelves.
My heart sang.
Knowing that this simple gesture was teaching them so much.
Teaching me so very much.

Halley sent off her beloved Pinkalicious.
Lucy sent off her favorite Shamu adventure.

Their giving hearts continually surprise me.

Together we boxed them up and sent them off.

I encourage you to grab your kids, take them to the bookstore to grab a few, or scan their shelves for gently used books that you could pass on.
Hardback, soft cover, board books, and bilingual books from birth to age 18 are all welcome.

You can send them directly to the hospital at:

Cardon Children's Medical Center

Attention:  Erin Sinnema,

Certified Child Life Specialist, PICU

1400 S. Dobson Ave

Mesa, AZ 85202

Thank you friends.

You will help bring such comfort in trials for so many families.

chewbacca birthday fail.

Lucy's love for squirrels is only rivaled by her love for one thing.

Chewbacca.

Mind you, if you are a member of this family, it is a requirement to love Star Wars.

(We may or may not have camped out for Episodes One, Two and Three.)

But honestly, I never really thought I would be planning a Chewbacca birthday party.

Princess Leia?

Sure.

Queen Amidala?

Why not.

Ewoks?

Absolutely.

But no.

She wants Chewbacca.

I am going to do my best to give her Chewbacca.

But then I started searching Google for ideas.

Wow.

Just wow.

I am not making this cake.

Or this one.

But if I did for sure I would make an appearance on Cake Wrecks.

Jason will not wear this costume.

Janey will not be wearing this one either.

I personally am not a fan of hairy legs.

Or scary crafts.

Maybe Chewbama will come.

I could make these for favors.

(nice mannequin.)

I am pretty sure she would love me for forever and eternity if I got her this backpack.

A backpack that is probably bigger than her whole body.

But instead I will get her this little Chewie.

Because all she has asked for is a cozy Chewbacca that she can cuddle.

Back to the Google for the rest.

Happy Sunday.

silly, scary, shamu and who?

dr. seuss is awesome.

this week was full of silly seuss-y fun.

she should be creeped out by him.

but she ADORES him.

cuddles the magazine.

kisses the magazine.

talks to the magazine.

I have weird kids.

Guess what bowl my other weird kid picked out the day after the shamu fiasco.
of course it was this one.
I am going to miss that giant wall of aqua a bit.
but then I am over it when I see the chalkboard happiness.

thank you.
thank you.
thank you.

I have never been more encouraged.
more blessed.
more amazed.
each and everyone of you amaze me.
I am blushing from the love.

amazed at the sweet comments that overflowed my inbox.
I really wish I could have each and every one of you over for coffee and toffee crack.
what a happy day that would be.

my necklace is going to find a new home.
a happy, happy new home.

will it live at your house?
click HERE to see.

peace out.