New Blog

Finally back to say....We've moved. 

I've been itching with about 39 items to post for the past several weeks, but somehow I found out this summer that blogger owns the contents of its bloggers' posts.

Not impressed.

So, I've moved to a wordpress account.

Check us out at sweetgrassandgrits.wordpress.com.

Thanks for reading!

See you on the other side.

Clarks and Bianca

Happy Wedding to Clarks and Bianca!

A few memories of a beautiful day in Phoenix (even if it was 119°F).

Life won't be the same without Uncle Tart-Everett.

Mothers

The Beautiful Bride

Flower Girl Preparations

Lovely Aunt Ariana

Another beautiful flower girl with her family.

Rosemary loving Daddy

Aunt Joanie and Uncle Lorin

Bros

More of the Brotherhood. 

Ezra

Cousin time.

Adios.

My Little Flower Girl

Here are some pictures of the Flower Girl. For months we talked about the white dress and the wedding. Her "Cinderella dress" went through quite the evolving process. Initially I made an enormous sash for the dress. Then after I finished this first part, I decided that the sash was too big and stiff (I had added heavy interfacing). I cut the sash in half and then ended up making the skirt billowy.

Here's the first stage without the larger-than-life sash.

Being a little bit silly.

And the finished dress. Never mind the wonky bow that I tied in a rush. I can't be quick enough getting her in and out of clothes when I'm seeing how they need to be altered, etc. 

I have to bribe her with M&M's and animal crackers.

I have no idea where she learned to pose like this. I didn't even realize she had her hand up until I downloaded the photos unto my computer.

Now she would be so excited if I could just find her a pair of glass slippers.

Going a Bit Too Far

In the midst of my organizational craze, I've had multiple artsy projects to work on as well. For weeks, I was needing to make a flower girl dress for Parsley but somehow I couldn't quit organizing. Since the medicine/first aid cupboard and jewelry project, I've organized my spices, dvds, bathroom medicine cabinet, under both bathroom sinks, my sewing room, and (perhaps this is overdoing it) my refrigerator. It's like I have some sort of chemical imbalance that has suddenly made me obsess over sorting and grouping. Weird. And so not me.

Even though I did finally finish the flower girl dress a whopping three days before the wedding....

Here is the less exciting organized refrigerator. Thanks again, to Ginny, for planting the idea in my head. I'll plan to post the flower girl dress tomorrow. Or soon.

So, here it is. I didn't intend for it to end up like this, but I added the plastic container (bottom left) to make it easier to pull out instead of everything getting shuffled anytime I want something from the back.

Then I randomly added the plastic drawers on the right when I couldn't find another container to use and had the drawer set left over from another project. At first I wasn't sure if I would like the adjustment, but so far it's worked out well. It helps me know what to do with the space I have and it's been nice to have a designated space for even leftovers. We'll see if I end up getting rid of it in the future.

The door is the best improvement. I finally know where to put things instead of scattering condiments and dressings everywhere. 

My favorite is the place for cups. Now Parsley just helps herself to her milk and water cups, and I don't end up with multiple cups scattered throughout the refrigerator.

And a few shots of the cuteness behind the refrigerator...

Sorry, Rosemary, I have no idea what she's doing to you.

Parsley must have decided that her doll (creatively named "Baby Doll") wanted to play on the mat too.

I love that happy face.

Until next time!

Happy Wedding Day

Today is my sister's Wedding Day.

Lisa is my only sister. As such, I spent most of my childhood sharing a room with her. Unfortunately for her, she was the neat one. My side of the room left a lot to be desired. She not only had to put up with my messy side of the room. She also had to share a bed with me and endure nights of tears while I transitioned to a pacifier-free toddlerhood. Even worse, she had to endure the infamous years of bed-wetting...years that she spent waking up midstream. Eventually we moved to twin beds. I would sneak into her bed at night so that we could scratch each others backs. She once had the idea to bring a key with her to bed for us to use as a scratching implement. That wasn't the best idea she ever had.
When we built a new house we had plenty of room. We could finally each have our own bedroom. But somehow I still ended up in her room most nights.

I remember imagining a lot together. I remember playing that we were blind. We would take turns being the blind person while the other person led us around the yard. When it was my turn to lead her, I of course forgot that she couldn't see. She ended up flat on her face in the sand box. 
We also created "The Home Show." A video-attempt to advertise our house, including Nathan in the commercials. We would also tape-record ourselves to pretend being on the radio. 
Most often, we would dress up to play "old-fashioned." Typically the story line was that we were slaves trying to make an escape while saving the kittens as our plunder. That, or we were taking refuge from an oncoming tornado. Apparently we coveted a life of hardship and danger.

Most of all, I'm grateful for Lisa because I remember her leading me to the Lord. One day after looking at pictures of the end-times, I was afraid. She told me that I didn't have to be afraid if I asked Jesus into my heart. My memories of how much of the Gospel she shared with me or of how much I understood are vague, but that's the first memory I have of someone specifically trying to lead me to Jesus for salvation.

I thank God for you, Motra. You are one of the good gifts He has given me.
I look forward to many more memories in the years to come.
I love you and am grateful to have you as my sister and friend.

The Supremacy of Christ

I watched this video after finding it on Matt Olson's blog. I love it. I've probably listened to it 5 or 6 times now. At first just listening to it and then watching it too.

I'm so grateful for John Piper and the ways God has used him to deepen my comprehension of His character. I thank God for Matt Olson and his example of courageous commitment to Christ and to the Truth of God's Word.

Parsley really enjoys watching this clip too. Yesterday as she was playing while I worked in the kitchen, I overheard her say, "Swim in the Bible!"
It made me happy.

Jewelry Organization

Not as exciting as more pictures of Rosemary, but...

I kept thinking a row of nails would do the trick. 

So, here you have what I came up with:

A fabric covered canvas with nails around the border. Joshua was kind enough to help me finish hammering the nails to get them in far enough.

Happy organizing!

Medicine Cabinet Organization

I recently read that outward disorganization in your home is generally indicative of disorganized closets. Of course. Makes complete sense. So, I've been on a bit of an organizing kick for a week or two.

I don't naturally organize things. Parsley is always sorting her toys. Often according to color. I may be able to credit myself with her attention to color, but Joshua gets all of the credit for the organizing side.

With that said, I am incredibly grateful for the blogging world of organized people who kindly share their tips and ideas.

Last week amid re-entering potty training attempts (with much success so far--she must have hit the right age) and fishing out a splinter that Parsley managed to wedge under her fingernail (the entire length of her nail), these were my two main projects: (1.) Medicine/First Aid Storage and (2.) Jewelry Storage.

Sorry, no "before" pictures because I don't think about taking them when I'm jumping into a project. Furthermore it would be too embarrassing. Yes (regrettably) I fear man. Namely, you.

The medicine cabinet was organized via tips from Ginny. Thank you, GINNY! Never would have come up with that. And thank you for developing an affection in my heart for labels. I am a huge fan. 

Here's the new set-up.

I also have a tupperware container of some vitamins, hot pads and other odds and ends.

And to end on a cuter note...

At Hobby Lobby

One thing that Parsley has learned from me is the sheer enjoyment of shopping at Hobby Lobby. At least in that one area I have served her well.

Today at Hobby Lobby the fabric-cutting lady (who we talk to regularly) talked to her. She was asking Parsley about her baby sister, etc. Then Parsley turns to me and asks about the lady, “What her name is?” 

This happens all of the time and has been near cataclysmic when she asks in front of people from church whose names I should know. The lady (probably early 50’s) said “My name is Amy.” With my prompting Parsley said, “It’s nice to meet you.” When we went to leave Amy said, “Bye bye, Cutie.” Parsley called back “Bye bye, Cutie!” Amy and several other ladies perusing the fabric began laughing at this response. Parsley then turns to me and says in an equally loud voice, “She’s a funny little girl!”

This Week From the Mouth of Parsley

Parsley brought me her socks. She wanted me to put them on her claiming that she had put them on the wrong feet. When I put them on her she cried, “Whoa, Mommy! You’re getting smart!”

***

Monday morning Parsley was in bed with me as I fed Rosemary. After a while she said, “I’m hungry! I want some grapes!”

Since she knew the bowl of grapes was sitting on the counter, she hopped off the bed and headed out to the kitchen. When I headed into the living room several minutes later, the lights were off, but I could hear chewing and lip-smacking sounds. I turned on the lights to find Parsley standing by the coffee table with a Krispy Kreme doughnut on her finger...half eaten around the peripheral. She smiled and said, “I like doughnuts, Mommy!” 

To which I replied, “All God’s children like doughnuts.” 

***

As Daddy pushed her on the swing one evening, Parsley yelled over to me, “Mommy! Do we love Daddy?!”

***

Parsley went to the bathroom by herself this morning. As I sat in the next room, I realized I was hearing a decent amount of crumpling sounds going on in the bathroom. “Parsley, what are you doing?”

She yelled back, “I used 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 toilet papers!”

***

Tonight Parsley looked up at the t.v. at the Memphis vs. Clippers game and asked, “Are we watching the Bruins? Is that a Bruin on the floor?” Bob III would be proud.

***

One day while Daddy was at work:

Parsley: Daddy?

Me: Daddy....

Parsley: Should we text him?

Me: What should we text him?

Parsley: Should we tell “peace out” for him?

***

Walking out to the playground with Daddy...”Daddy, you are pretty....you are pretty cute!”

Happy Almost Quarter Birthday!

Rosemary has been around for about 3 months now.
It's about time that I post her birth pictures!
She's laughed here and there for us, but this morning she was pretty much cackling. I tried to get a video, but it wasn't very successful. Sorry, these are just pictures. I'll be posting more recent pictures soon...Well, that's the plan anyway.