a Christmas alphabet...

by Bella Reed age 8

A - is for advent calendar
B- is for baby Jesus is born
C - is for Christmas caroling
D - is for Deck the Halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la!
E - is for events and elves
F- is for family and friends
G- is for giving instead of getting
H- is for the Holy Spirit
I- is for icy icicles
J- is for Jolly old St. Nick
K- is for kindness
L- is for lights and lots of love
M- is for Merry
N- is for nice & naughty children
O- is for ornament
P- is for present
Q- is for quiet night
R- is for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
S- is for Santa Clause
T- is for tinsel
U- is for unwrapped
V-is for voices singing
W- is for wishes
X- is for X-mas
Y- is for yuletide treasure
Z- is for zazzling dazzle

eleven years ago today...

 Eleven years ago today, two baby faced kids said 'I do', with tear filled vows.

 People doubted that it was real. People thought we were too young. Some said it would never last...

Eleven years later, we have grown up together, learning along the way, and falling a little more in love each year.
God gave me the gift of marrying my best friend. He knew all along what our story would look like written out.

Dear Matthew, I look forward to growing old with you.
Thank you for putting up with me for the last 11 years, and for making my every wish come true!
Thank you for our amazing life, for our precious babies, and for loving me even when it's hard.


Love you, Manda

Homes Tour 10 years ago...

Click here to view these pictures larger

Ten years ago, when Matt and I were newly married in our little cottage up the street and around the corner from where we live now, we were on the Homes Tour.

A little strange to think we're back here again.

Only we have two kids, and a lot more space, and a way bigger yard, and the whole thing feels like it's on steroids compared to what we did 10 years ago.

It's fun to see these photos again. I haven't seen them or looked at them in a really long time... brings back a million wonderful memories. I can only imagine that when we look back on this Homes Tour experience we will feel the same! 

(Once all the hard work is over - of course!)

A week and a half to go! 

Wish us luck... ready or not, here it comes!

mama, I wish I had a time machine...

the other day Bella and I were talking, and she said out of the blue 'mama, I wish I had a time machine...' - I said 'oh, yeah, why?' and she replied simply, 'because I would turn my Buddy back into this...'



'He was so cute, and little mama, don't you remember?'- 'I loved when he was a baby...'

...I'll I could say in response, was, 'sometimes I wish I had a time machine too!'



...and then I said 'time goes by too fast sometimes, that's why we have to enjoy every minute of life while it's happening, because it will never happen again quite the same!'

Easter Cuties...

I'm a little slow with this.
But, it's pretty cute so better late than never.
The clarity of the photos are bad, so sorry.
At church on Sunday they had a petting zoo for the kids.
The girls fell in love with the chicks!
Meritt was so sweet with them.
Bella is always sweet with anything.
Someday, I think we'll add chickens into our zoo... someday!

missing her...

It's funny how you can miss someone so much in the smallest of moments...
Just wishing that you could spend just one more minute, or have just one more conversation.

I haven't cried since her funeral.
It was hard to feel sad for myself when I know she is in such a better place.

But, tonight as quietness creeps around me, I feel tears well up in my eyes, and my heart aches because I'm missing her.



Do you ever wish for one reason or another you could go back to the days of your childhood?
Sometimes I must admit it sounds nice.
Especially if I could just spend one more day with her.
She was the best.
She was the most fun, the most loving, best grandma in the entire world.
She ALWAYS had time for me.
She made me part of her everyday life, and in doing that she'll never know how much she gave me.

Most people are too busy to slow down long enough to savor those who are around them. I'm not sure if she did this her whole life, but when I was around, I never felt anything was more important than the time she spent with me.

She included me.
She made traditions with me.
She traveled with me.
She took me to church, and memorized bible verses with me.
She colored pictures with me.
She played games with me.
She played outside with me.
She accepted me, and all of my creative messes that came along with me.
She listened to me.

When I came to her hurt, she would kiss the pain away.
When I came to her scared, she would scoop me up, and cuddle me in her rocking chair.
When I needed advice, she was always quick to listen and slow to judge.



I am not sad that she's in heaven, I am happy she is finally back to that old person I remember so fondly. But, I must admit, I miss her like crazy, and I am pretty sure that I will everyday until I see her again. She's irreplaceable... one of a kind.

There is a piece of me missing without her.
I'm just not sure how else to put it.

Hey, Hey...

First, I have to share the back story on this... This past summer we went to something called the Willamette Celebration. It's a Christian event bringing together every church around the Willamette Valley for about a 100 mile+ radius. They had varied different events throughout the weekend. One evening we went to one of the many outdoor concerts they had. One of the bands was Superchick. The music came across the land and Meritt went nuts. She was dancing like she was born to be a rocker girl all of her life! A week or so later, both girls were still talking about 'Superchick' - especially Meritt, so we went down to our local Bible bookstore and brought a Superchick CD. The rest of the summer, that CD blasted away in our car, as the girls sung at the top of their lungs in the backseat, and Meritt waved her arms in the air, and danced around like the music was part of who she is.

There is one song in particular that she loves the 'most'! HEY, HEY.
She could listen to it over, and over, and over, and over....... and over. (you get it!) After months of listening, this mama grew a little rattled and weary over listening to the sounds of Superchick, so the above mentioned CD may have gone missing for a bit. Well, the other night the beloved Superchick CD was found and all was happy in our land. Especially when HEY, HEY, came across the speakers. UPPER MAMA, UPPER, that's Meritt's way of asking that the music be so loud that everyone within a 5 mile radius can hear it! So, I did what any good, reasonable mother would do, we opened the sunroof all the way in 40 degree weather at 7 o'clock at night cranked the stereo upper almost as loud as it goes, and rocked out to HEY, HEY.

Listen to the words, read the words... I don't think there could be a better song in all the world to sum up my Meritt. That night as we were driving, I listened more intently on the words of my little girls favorite song more intently than I ever had before, and as I heard her little voice from the back seat sing out, 'be legendary, be you...' I believed with all of my heart, that God is going to do some legendary things with her, because of how 'her' she is through and through!

<



I'm linking up with Heather at Blessed Little Nest today on her life made lovely Mondays! Go check her blog out it's oh so cute! Love it...

my girl loves to read...

I am so thankful as a mom that I have raised a kid who loves to read. Since day one, it has been very important to me to instill a love of books, of the written word, of escaping into a page. I am happy to say, I think I've done it. She has exceeded my expectations, or desires. She blows me away. I think the day she was brought home from the hospital one of the first things we did was lay her down in the middle of our bed and read her a story.

At Christmas time in Kindergarten Bella couldn't read a word. By summer she was reading well. By first grade her reading took off. She was placed in the second grade class for reading. By second grade she was placed into a split class so that she could be in the level she needed to be at without having to leave her classroom. I am so thankful that she attends a (public) school that realizes the importance of placing kids where they need to be rather than where they just fit. She has an amazing teacher that encourages the love of books and reading as well. This year, she is reading all kinds of things. More chapter books than I have probably read in my lifetime. She can't get enough....

Her room is filled with books, stacks and stacks of books. Her shelves are PACKED, and organized just how she likes them. Her system (with a little help from me) is this: golden books, vintage books, story books, easy readers, chapter books, reference books, bible books & faith based books, horse books, and art books.

You might be wondering why I'm sharing this, and there are a few reasons. First because I'm really proud of her, and I want her to have proof of my pride written down for her to know and read (today or one day). Secondly, because, I would love to encourage you to read to your kids, to take them to the library, to surround them with books, because even if they don't pick it up right away, with time I can almost guarantee they will! Books are addicting, once you start it's hard to stop. They make your imagination come alive. It's a gift that can last a lifetime! Lastly, I am in no way trying to brag, or make you feel bad if your kiddo isn't a great reader... I promise! Every kid is totally different, trust me I know this first hand. So, I in no way am making any judgements. Just wanting to share my girl. My big, growing fast, seven-and-a-half year old girl... and her favorite thing in life, is her books. Don't get me wrong, she is still a totally regular kid who loves to run and play, draw, create, and be with her animals. But, even when she's doing all of those normal run of the mill things it wouldn't be odd to see her riding around the block with a book in her bike basket, or driving to the grocery store with her nose in a book. Her backpack is filled with books, her bedside is filled with books, her desk is stacked with books. Our house has baskets, and rows of books in nearly every room, and they are always being read. It's great. One thing I have yet to figure out is how she can read 7 or more chapter books at once and keep them all straight... I couldn't do it.

Bella, if you read this, which I know you like to do... know that I am VERY proud of the young lady that you're becoming. You are kind, and smart, and funny, and sweet, and I am so glad that your my kid!

unlikely friends...

My kids are head over heals for the hilarious little friends Tom and Jerry... and I have to admit, I like watching Tom and Jerry too! Who knew that old time cartoons, with no words could be so entertaining for hours on end?!
(yes, I said hours on end... sorry folks, that's right, I've been letting them watch a lot of re-runs of Tom and Jerry, because it has been raining like a freakin flood is coming for days now, and this Mama is running out of good winter/indoor activities to keep her little ones busy with!!! * this may or may not enter me in the mother of the year poll!...)

I love that Tom and Jerry give Meritt and Bella something to agree on. Things that they both agree on are rare, so when they are cuddled up watching their favorite little furry Friends, giggling, and belly laughing, I can't help but feel HAPPY! It's their new favorite thing, to cuddle in my bed and watch all of the episodes I've recorded for them.

Today while searching for treasures at an Estate Sale, I found a vintage Tom and Jerry birthday book - I am so excited to surprise Meritt with it on her birthday!!! I also found two copies of vintage Tom and Jerry Golden Books at one of my fav thrift stores! I have a new thing to keep an eye out for when I'm hunting my treasures at antique stores, thrift shops, and estate/garage sales. Fun. Can't wait to see what I can find!

she's got style, galore!

I love that Matt thinks to capture the everyday cute, funny, silly, memorable things that the girls do! These pictures are straight out of Matt's phone, and they plain old make me smile! How about you?

Almost every day Meritt graces us with one of her fashion ensembles...
She is always so proud of herself.
I love how she is able to show her big old personality, just by showing her style!
There is not one single thing about this girl that is boring. She is oozing personality. Her goofy ways make you totally fall in love with her.

This is some creativity isn't it???!!!

Storybook Land...

This evening we visited a place I've been visiting since I was a little girl...
A 34 year old tradition in our community, called Storybook Land.

For kids it is absolutely enchanting!
To hear the laughter, and squeals of delight.
To see the smiles from ear to ear.
To feel the happiness they were feeling.
It reminds me, about the magic that this season holds!

holy germs batman...

Clearly a germ-a-phobic person such as myself should not be raising a three year old girl named Meritt, that just happens to have a cold.

This kid does not get how germs are spread... and once again God is S T R E T C H I N G ME!!! But, the stories are funny none the less, so I thought I would share so you could laugh at my misery.

Yesterday as I was in the bathtub, I asked Meritt to brush her teeth. As in anything I give her directions to do, she didn't do what I asked. Instead she grabbed MY tooth brush. I immediately said 'Meritt please don't touch my tooth brush, you're sick and that's how we spread germs'... she says, 'Okay, Mama'. Good deal! Or not... The next thing I know (as I am washing my hair - eyes closed) I open my eyes to see Meritt standing over me, with my tooth brush pressed up against her snotty little nose, telling me that my tooth brush smells, Soooo minty and good. AWESOME. YUCK. YUCK. YUCKITY YUCK! So, I do what any good germ-a-phobic person would do, I sanitized it with Clorox, and then put it in the dishwasher on sanitize mode. Matt comes home later and says, why is your tooth brush in the dishwasher, I just shake my head and say, don't ask!

While at the Dollar Tree finding some little stuff, Meritt sneezes... you know the kind.... the snot flying everywhere kind. The there's so much snot what do we do kind. I go to get the tissues or the boogie wipes from my purse to clean her up, hmmm well guess who went through my purse and took them out??? Yup, you guessed it, the same little 3 year old that is standing in front of me with snot EVERY WHERE! So, what's a mom to do? I get the Target ad out of my purse and proceed to try and clean her up with that. Except there's too much. I then tell her, to use her sleeve, and that we're out of there. The lady shopping next to us in the card isle that is trying not to be obviously watching, just looks at me with horror on her face, grasps her cart, and gets the heck away from us! Ohhh yes, I am definitely going to get the mother of the year award this year!!!

So, now I have two kids with colds, a dad who is home sick, a husband with swollen glands, and me with a scratchy throat. Can anyone just keep their grubby germs to themselves??? I DON'T LIKE to SHARE......... GERMS. Maybe I should ask Santa for a has mat suit for Christmas! Ha - it probably still wouldn't work. Darn kids;) What's a Mama to do?

the best Sunday afternoon...

After two weeks straight of working day in and day out at the shop, getting everything ready for our 'Holiday Open House' and getting through the weekend of Holiday Open House. Today was the day... the day to take a deep breath, get clean sheets, vacuum my furry home, go to Costco, take a nice afternoon nap, and then go with Bella for a date to see the Secretariat at the Pix (our favorite theater)! What an absolutely inspiring film. Loved, Loved, Loved it!!! I highly recommend this movie! My little horse lover was at the edge of her seat. I was truly inspired! I am not even sure I can put into words how wonderful this film was... everything from the touching story to the beautiful fashions, it was just great! This was the absolute perfect thing to do on a rainy Sunday afternoon! The best part... holding Bella's hand (for a two hour movie, sharing popcorn with my girl, and the sparkle that was in her eyes every time she looked at me throughout our 'date'!) I've missed my girls... and my guy! I'm glad this two weeks is over, and I can now soak up my real life (ha ha) once again!

sing me to sleep...

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things was spending a Friday or Saturday night (or both)with my Gram. I always slept in her bed beside her, we would cozy in and read a book or two, and then she would sing me to sleep, rub my back, and lull me to sleep...

Even now when I'm upset, or really tired, afraid, or feel alone. Or maybe I'm just a little lonely for memories of her, I hum her song.

Lullaby, and good night,
With pink roses bedight,
With lilies o'erspread,
Is my baby's sweet head.
Lay you down now, and rest,
May your slumber be blessed!
Lay you down now, and rest,
May thy slumber be blessed!

Lullaby, and good night,
You're your mother's delight,
Shining angels beside
My darling abide.
Soft and warm is your bed,
Close your eyes and rest your head.
Soft and warm is your bed,
Close your eyes and rest your head.

Sleepyhead, close your eyes.
Mother's right here beside you.
I'll protect you from harm,
You will wake in my arms.
Guardian angels are near,
So sleep on, with no fear.
Guardian angels are near,
So sleep on, with no fear.

Lullaby, and sleep tight.
Hush! My darling is sleeping,
On his sheets white as cream,
With his head full of dreams.
When the sky's bright with dawn,
He will wake in the morning.
When noontide warms the world,
He will frolic in the sun.


Today has been a hard day. I wish for just a moment I could go back to being that little girl in her bed, comforted by her song...

a funny little tale...

I know that I haven't really been very good at blogging lately. Ever since my trip, I've been knocked off my horse so to speak. Maybe I'm having a hard time getting back into the swing of things, maybe there is just too much to do and too little of time to do it all in, maybe it's because I've had a terrible U.T.I. for a few months (yes, a few months) and it finally got so bad I was forced to take care of it with heavy doses of antibiotics, and rest. Maybe it's a combination of it all... That's life. Pure and simple. However, I just don't like documenting the upheaval in life as I do the fun stuff, the joy, and the sweet little memories. So, that's why it's been a little quiet around here.

Something happened last week that made me laugh... it made me stop, and realize the sweet little memories are in the everyday stuff that happens. Even in the midst of what feels like upheaval.




Last Friday, Bella was off school, Meritt was in school, (Bella was thrilled to have me all to herself for 2 whole hours...). While Meritt was in school we went to run some errands, first thing we did was go by Starbucks for a Venti Black Iced Tea (aka lover of my soul). When we got to the window at the drive through the Batista hands me my drink and says 'I have a present for you!' I said 'I love caffeine presents!'... and Bella chimes in from the back seat, 'I don't need caffeine, kids don't need it, kids are born with caffeine!' Amen. There is a true statement if I ever heard one! Kids are born with caffeine! That's why I never needed it before I had children, and now that I have two, I am hopelessly addicted! She was so tickled with the fact that she made us all laugh with her witty and true remark, that she began to giggle at herself. In a pure seven year old way, that lights up the day, and makes everything right in the world. She giggled, and snorted, and laughed, until we were both laughing until tears came out. Leave it to kiddos to say it like it is, and be able to see the humor in the truth! I love that girl!

Summer's Ending Road (three years later)...

Three years ago (almost to date) I started Bella's Little Rose, with a post called 'Summer's Ending Road' at that time Meritt was 6 months old, and Bella was a little more than 4. Bella was about to begin her second year at preschool, I hadn't even started a baby book for Meritt, and time was flying by me way too fast. So, I decided to start a blog. A place I could capture those memories, pictures, thoughts, and funny little things that were happening in our lives. Here we are almost 3 years later, and my six month old is now 3 and a half, about to start her very first year of preschool, and my four year old is seven, (going on seventeen) about to embark on second grade. Whoa, how did that happen??? Where does all the time go? They will be grown before I blink my eyes...

We are now coming to another Summer's Ending Road. This Summer that I have gotten to spend with my girls has been priceless. I have loved every (well almost every) moment of being at home with them. I have enjoyed the walks, the talks, the playing, the reading, the adventures, and even all the other stuff in between. I will never again have a 3 1/2 and 7 year old.

We are soaking up the last few days of our Summer together. Just a few more days and we'll be back to school, back to our routines, homework, play dates, and work for me. I hope that when my girls look back at their childhood memories, they remember these sweet days that we've spent, doing nothing important, but everything that means something. I know when I look back, that's what I'll remember!

our own little pepe...

Do you remember the cartoon Pepe LaPue? Do you remember how Pepe was in love with Penelope, but Penelope doesn't want anything to do with Pepe... This of course just makes Pepe want Penelope more. Well, my friends I am living in our very own version of that cartoon in my house. Our new little kitten Buddy, seems to be one very smitten kitten with our old (used to being an only cat) AddieKat. Every chance Buddy gets he is sneaking in the house to find Kat, to make her love him. She DOES NOT. He chases her all over the house, cornering her only to get hissed and growled at. This doesn't seem to slow him down for long... If he could speak, I'm pretty sure that he is saying, 'don't you want to be my friend?'... 'Everyone loves me, I'm so cute, and friendly is just in my name...' 'You will love me... You will...' It will be fun to see who wins this one! Will Buddy win her heart, or will he end up a broken hearted little boy, chasing after a much too old for him cougar?

raining in summertime...

It's raining today, in the summertime - I'm not quite ready for this, but have to admit if it doesn't stick around it is kind of refreshing today! After a work filled weekend filled with canning, yardwork, and house projects... a rainy Monday at home is calling out to me for a nap! Ahhhhh, yes, I hear you nap, calling my name, I'm coming! :)

Happy Monday! Hope you're doing something happy!

how about we talk about something postive!

I feel like I've done tons of whining and moaning lately on the woes of motherhood, but I want to take a chance to talk about something really positive about motherhood... This past weekend we had a garage sale. The girls wanted to have some kind of stand, so we decided on a 'cool drinks & cookies' stand where they would sell ice cold bottles of water and home baked cookies for donations to benefit SafeHaven Humane Society (the shelter where we got Buddy).

They did great... (especially Bella) (Meritt is still a little bit small, but she did help) After two days of sitting out at their 'stand' they were able to bring in $114.88 for the animals. I am so proud of them. This was a great lesson in doing something for someone else. Also, by not setting a set price for the refreshments, people were able to 'give freely' another thing that I think taught a lot... to all of us. People are really generous. I don't think we give others enough credit. I know we don't give enough credit to the good that kids are able to do in simple ways!

Anyway, I just wanted to share. It made me really proud of my girls. They are good kids with huge hearts, and I'm grateful for that!




A little bit about SafeHaven Humane Society:
SafeHaven is a limited admission shelter that remains committed to the philosophy of not using euthanasia to control population. Once an animal is accepted at SafeHaven, there is no limit to the amount of time that animal can spend at the shelter. Once the shelter is full, however, no new animals can be accepted, thus preventing our current residents from being euthanized to make room for newcomers. It is this policy which differentiates SafeHaven from publicly funded "open admission" facilities. These public shelters receive their funding from government agencies at a county or city level through animal control contracts which require them to accept all animals presented to the shelter within their contractual agreement.

So we can think of animal welfare like a patchwork quilt, made of different organizations; some "Open Admission", some "Limited Admission" and others such as specific breed "Rescue Groups", "Sanctuaries" and "Animal Control" who all want to get homeless and unwanted animals off the street and into a better place.

i love Sunday's...

What is it about a Sunday at home that is just so good. I love it. A whole day with my honey, and my girls. Today, the weather was beautiful... the day happy, productive, and peaceful! Doesn't get a whole lot better than that.

Matt worked on projects, I caught up on laundry, cleaning, and putting away garage sale 'stuff', the girls played and played outside, ALL DAY! They played so hard, they came in at 7:50 and told me they were heading up to brush their teeth and get ready for bed. (I'm pretty sure that is a first, if not, it's rare!)

Here's a list of the highlights of the day...

homemade organic blueberry pancakes
ice tea from Starbucks
quiet time in my house to get stuff done
Bella and Meritt playing together nicely
Watching Bella ride her bike round and round the blog over and over again
a Burgerville lunch outside
sunshine
Family Sunday dinner
my favorite T.V. night...
cuddles with Buddy the kitten
chocolate
clean sheets
perfect summer weather
open windows and doors
projects accomplished
time spent with my three favorite people on earth


I just love Sunday's... it's all about family... simple pleasures that make life great, and enjoying life!