Snail mail exchange: fall edition.

Fall is officially here, and it's time for another snail mail exchange!  Snail mail exchanges #1 and #2 went great ~ I've absolutely loved seeing women across the country {who sometimes don't even know each other} connect through something real and tangible.  And who doesn't love to receive snail mail?!

Here's how it works...

If you decide to participate, I will randomly assign you a snail mail exchange buddy to whom you will send a small, fun snail mail package.  Think handmade, simple, thoughtful.  The point is just sending someone something to make them smile, not spending a ton of money.  And you certainly don't have to make something if you don't feel comfortable with that.  Just think of something YOU would enjoy receiving. 

Ideas:

• Handwritten notes/cards or encouraging quotes/verses
• Items from nature
• Bookmarks
• Something handmade/sewn/knitted
• Tea/coffee
• Simple jewelry
• Lotion/soaps
• School supplies :)

We're all unique, so we'll all include different items in our packages. Obviously.   

**But to be fair, just make sure you send MORE than just a note - include at least a few other things.  Put some effort and thought into it - just don't throw it together the day before the deadline, OK?

So, are you in?

Post a comment below and I'll contact you with details (if you don't know me personally, be sure to include your email address).

** UPDATE AS OF 10/24/13: The snail mail exchange is full for this time around, but please post a comment if you'd like to be contacted when we do the next one.  Thanks!

Recapturing "Us."

My latest post is up on the JellyTelly blog, and it's a pretty personal one.  I hope it helps some of you who are struggling or wondering how to continue to make time for your spouse and protect your marriage in the midst of crazy schedules, family changes, and just the challenges of life.

Yesterday, my husband and I drove over the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas into our neighborhood as the sun was starting to get low in the sky.  It was just the two of us in our VW Rabbit, and an old-school mix CD blasted “Sing” by Jars of Clay as we cruised with the sunroof and windows open.  As my hair flew all over my face, I grabbed his hand and closed my eyes and felt so thankful for that moment, for the few hours we had just spent away, just us... {continue reading}

You at THREE: things I want to remember.

Luci Belle,

On the eve of your 3rd birthday, you started a sentence with, "Last night, when I was wittle..." And that pretty much sums up how quickly you're growing up, seemingly overnight.  

It's been a few months since you turned 3, and I don't want to forget this magical age.  Here are some fun details about your life right now... 

• One day, we were reading a Dora book about occupations and you said, "When I grow up, I wanna be a soccer ball."  Now you've changed it to say you want to grow up and be a "Doctor Policeman."   
• Your version of entertainment: "Now I'm going to sing you a song about butterflies and kitty cat poo-poos."
• You love playing pretend, but you're quick to tell us, "I'm not really a lion, just a PRETEND lion."
  
• Everything in your life apparently happens "next weekend" whether it's really tomorrow, or yesterday, or two months ago.  Example: On our flight back to Texas from New Jersey this summer, you could see the moon and asked if we would be flying high enough to go to the moon today. I told you it was really really high in the sky so probably not. You said, "That's ok. We can go to the moon next weekend."
• The other day you were on a playdate with a friend and both of us moms were in the other room.  We overheard you and your friend "chatting" at the kitchen table while you had a snack.  "I'm three!" you exclaimed.  Your friend said, "No, I'm three!"  You answered, "You're three and I'm three, and that's the truth!"
• It's still hard to get you to eat your veggies but the other day, you actually asked me for a green smoothie. “Mommy, you put LEAVES in it,” you explained.  You've also become very good at cutting cucumbers and lettuce for salad and - bonus - now you actually wants to eat salad because you made it.

• You want to do everything by yourself.  Here's one of my favorite photos of you feeding the birds by yourself at Mimi and Papa's house...

• After I gave you apples and pancakes for breakfast one morning, you said, "I don't want to eat apples right now. I'm gonna wait till after Christmas."
• The other day I got stressed about something and you put your hands on my shoulders and said, "Just a-lax (relax), okay?  Take a deep breath."
• You've had to endure your Mommy's morning sickness for a long time now, but it doesn't faze you anymore. One morning as I ran to the bathroom, you said, "Go ahead and frow up, Mommy. I'm gonna eat my breakfast."
• You're such an affectionate, loving child...always have been.  But now it's even sweeter when all of a sudden out of the blue, you call me from the next room and then tell me, "I forgot to give you a kiss and a hug!"
• The other day you called to us from the playroom and your Daddy replied, “Sorry, we can’t come right now!  I’m giving Mommy a kiss.”  You exclaimed, “Wait, I wanna see!” and came dashing into the room and stood there staring at us with a shy, happy grin.  Then last night, I overheard you saying to Daddy, “You, me and Mommy all love each other.  We’re all married.”  We then had to clarify and explain the meaning of marriage in the best way we could, but it made me happy to see you noticing expressions of love in our home.
• I love your own phrases and lingo.  A few favorites lately: We put on our "binoculators" to see the birds in the trees and go to the "priocraptor" to get adjusted.  You started using the word "yesternight" (which I looked up and is actually a real word. Ha.)  And you said the other day, "When I was a little baby, I used to be a puppy."
• You're getting better and better at playing on your own and I love finding you like this...

• You would rather "read" books to us now than be read to.  You prefer our grownup books so you can flip through the pages and make up your own stories.
• You absolutely love going to "Bible school" (Bible Study Fellowship kids' class) and are learning all the songs and stories.  Recently I found you quietly playing in the playroom, setting the table with your play food and singing, "God Is So Good."
• In a few months, you're going to have a sister!  You insist that you can talk to your sister through my bellybutton and that she's going to be born by "just popping out" of my bellybutton.  I wish it were that easy, sweetie.

You fill our lives with so much joy, Luci Belle.  You make me laugh everyday.  You challenge me to be a better version of myself and to seek the Lord daily so I know how to parent you...and I still don't know sometimes.  I love learning and being on this journey together.

Love,

Mommy