new letters

Today was a day that Joel had been dreading/looking forward to for almost 4 years.  It was finally time to take his final exam--his licensing test!

We thought he had more time to study, so it all kind of snuck up on him.  He had to jump through a lot of hoops just to be able to schedule his test, so when he finally got the email and link to do so...he saw that there was only one opening and it was less than a week away.  Ah! Thankfully, he had been studying on and off for a couple weeks, but he knew he had to use the next 5 days to study two weeks worth of information.

It was a 4-hour test and just from reading off questions to quiz him, I cannot even imagine having to sit there and answer correctly, paragraph after paragraph or pretend situation after situation.  There were a number of words in the questions that I honestly had a hard time pronouncing!

Joel took a 4-hour practice test yesterday that he did really well on, so I think that gave him some confidence and he felt prepared. I was amazed at the thickness of books and intensity of the questions, but time after time, I would ask a question (not even entirely sure of the words that I was reading) only to watch him talk each one out, eliminating options based on theories that he knew, and then arrive at the correct answer.

This is his "give me your best taking the test" face.

So to get him even more prepared for his big day, I did some research on good foods to eat and snack on leading up to a big/long test.  I can't ever pass up the opportunity to make a treat bag and coordinating tag, so I dubbed his basket of goodies "brain food" and left it for him to find this morning. 

To download the tag above, click on one of the links below:
(pdf to print as is or gif to insert into Word or a design program and add your message with a cute font):

pdf  |  gif

Soooo I finally got the call at around 5pm and learned that HE PASSED!!!

I've always thought that Joel was gifted in many areas, but after helping him study and listening to his reasoning, I can honestly say that his mind is wired for counseling and understanding how the mind and emotions work and play into people's actions and motives.

I guess it's time for a new name plate because he officially has a new set of letters following it. I'm bursting with pride at his talent and determination and what this means for his career and passions.

Congratulations love!  You did it!!

freebie [babysitter notes]

This printable stems from my frustration of always running out of room when I'm leaving instructions or notes for our sitter and the fact that it's never presented in an organized, easy-to-read format. (Usually because I forget to leave notes until a few minutes before the sitter walks in the door.)  And then I always remember something 10 minutes later that I forgot to include.  So I decided that I would create a notepad to do just that!

I had to add a crying baby because while Judah is normally fine when we leave the house initially, every time we come back and the second he sees us, he bursts into tears.  It's the strangest and funniest thing. You would think that he'd be excited and start bouncing to see us again.  Nope--straight to tears and cries. It really is the sweetest thing to watch though.

Click here to download

If you are like me, then you'll run to kinkos and print off a good number of these bad boys.  And I may even get them to pad it for me as well, depending on how much that is.  And yes, you can always DIY it, but these days I need a babysitter just to get around to all my half-complete projects and crafts!

Hope you enjoy!
 

freebie ["My 1st Christmas" Onesie]

Click here to download

In getting things ready for Judah's first Christmas, I decided to make a onesie.  I know--shocker!  Poor thing is going to be stepping into the halls of his senior year of high school with a cracked and peeling "1st Day of Senior Year" shirt.  No, hopefully I won't be that annoying.  I'll just make him hold up a sign before he leaves, so I can properly blog about it and then turn it into a photobook, which will of course have all the previous years similarly documented. :) Too much?

Anyway! Judah is almost 8 months--not 18.  So I can still enjoy slapping designs onto his tiny chest for every occasion.  And if you're anything like me, then I hope you will enjoy this download as well!

Merry Christmas!

freebie [autumn print]

I think it's pretty obvious fall is my favorite season, and if you've been to my house, you've seen that I am in full fall swing.  Being home more definitely inspires me to do more decorating crafts. 

But one thing that I'm sure you haven't noticed is the print that I switched out above our sofa to celebrate the season.  :)



I designed this little print with one of my favorite fall/autumn quotes and colors that match our living room.  I'm on a big scribble handwriting/charcoal lines design kick right now, so I hope you are too!

It's designed to fit into an 8 x 10 frame, but I'm sure you could manipulate it in any way you need.

[Download the print here.]

freebie [post baby back to work basket]

Today my sweet friend, Shannon, goes back to work after having her little boy in July.  She teaches at a local private school and, like all moms who have to go back to work, is sad about having to leave her little one with someone else.

After experiencing this feeling firsthand, I thought the occasion called for a basket of goodies to help Shannon make the transition.  Looking back, it was such a terrible day and I know something like this would have helped cheer me up or at least got me excited about this new season of being a working mom.  :)

I hope Shannon is able to enjoy her new schedule and soak up every moment she can with her precious baby boy. I know I can't get home fast enough to scoop Judah up in my arms and see his smile.  So if you know Shannon, send her a text or email today and let her know you're thinking of her--those texts I got from everyone giving me encouragement were such moments of joy in the midst of aching (not to sound too dramatic--but it was so true!).

And if you don't know Shannon but you have your own friend who is about to have to make the transition back to work, feel free to use this printable and make your own basket!

 

Click here to download the pdf.

odelma guest post

Happy Saturday!

Check out how you can download my first ever freebie by visiting my guest post today on my sweet friend Mattie's blog, Odelma (or by looking below).  Enjoy! 

Also, be sure to browse her site and her etsy shop for some of the cutest vintage items around.

Thanks again Mattie!

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[Click here to download!]

This freebie stemmed from me and my husband's grocery shopping habits.  We both can't stand the grocery store and try to spend the smallest amount of time there possible. Before we shop, I create my list (which is usually the things needed for cooking and meals) and Joel creates his list (which usually consists of a large stash of mountain dew, chips, an the occasional honey bun).

Before we start, we make sure our lists are balanced, tear the sheet in half, and then race to see who finishes first.  Sometimes we make it interesting with a foot rub for the winner--but to us, just getting in and out of the store quickly is plenty of a reward!

To model this new freebie, we used it in our last shipping trip (turns out it's much better than a ripped piece of loose leaf we normally use):

Sometimes I see him wandering around lost trying to find something--but in this case, he was wandering around and dancing as he found what he was looking for.

 I can never pass this fridge where the side dips in without making faces--it never gets old.

After I finished my list, I found him still shopping, which meant...

Winner!!

Loser.  :( whomp. whomp. 

Time spent in grocery store: 20 minutes!

And no list is complete without returning your grocery cart to make the workers' jobs a little easier.

 So if you are anything like us, then I hope you'll enjoy this download!  I also included a generic one too if you prefer shopping alone--which is cool too. :)  Just open the link, go to "file" and download the pdf, print out the page you want, and follow the crop marks to cut.  You can even go one step further and make it into a pad if you get the urge.  Enjoy!

[Click here to download!]