great music and a cardboard box...

more great music these days...my run this morning was filled with wonderful tunes...thought i would share for those of you that are in pursuit(here ya go "cd")...
i'll be missing you...puff daddy
leavin' ..jesse mccartney
o lover ...jason mraz
when we kiss ...josh bales
crazy love...van morrison
the little things...colbie caillat
where we gonna go from here..mat kearney
free-fallin...john mayer (FAB!!)
near to you..fine frenzy
almost lover..fine frenzy
mercy...duffy (great "turn up the treadmill song")
distrubia...rihanna
wishful thinking...josh bales
lucky....jason mraz
just so you know...jesse mccartney

relax girls...i haven't jumped the christian music bandwagon...just trying to keep it in motion and quick fun music is the key (in my little workout world anyway) i will do anything to be committed to going for awhile... hope you enjoy and your itunes budget is not blown...mine definately is...mmmm good stuff

speaking of a workout...got home this morning from a run and the pictures that follow were met with a "bent over laughing" reaction from me....screaming HOLD ON LET ME GET MY CAMERA..... red-neck sledding, alabama sledding even...no snow so it's pine straw..and my husband completely instigated which is even funnier to me...this is our backyard hill, which we thank goodness haven't planted anything on yet...heaven forbid we prevent entertainment...
(sidenote: saturdays the kids dress themselves and sometimes it really is scary...LOL)











blessings until next time...
i love you bebek and sam...old friends and new...

leo, lipstick, and luck

as luck would have it i am currently recovering from a 2 packs of gum in the washer, hot water disaster...just think what laundry day looks like with a little extra treat in the mix besides my favorite soap...as S so sweetly said today.."at least they didn't make it to the dryer"... and so it goes...
and so leo... the lion...the pet in logan's class...came complete with bag and journal to spend the week with us to be meticulously followed..AND documented
BOY AM I GLAD he is not alive...like a fish or a turtle...which neither of which we have had alot of luck with...(mia informs everyone that asks "ed is dead", our now deceased turtle)...





i'm sure that it is no surprise to any of you "not so rookie" kindergarden or older- kid parents but this is a dramatic change from just making sure that you got the stinky sippy cup out of your car from mother's day out monday.... (which i did not...NICE this morning) by the way...it takes approximately three days to stink this time of year..summertime maybe 2 if you are lucky right?

ok so leo.... he is definately having a good time and will return friday and so at logan's request...leo has been busy as you can see...

the other entertainment today included mia really wanting to be WITH ME..all day, every moment, zero independant play time today for sure...as A and i agreed she was "all up in my grill" today...ALL of today...and so i am sharing what they entailed...keep in mind these pictures ARE taken from the workroom (after spending three hours playing, painting nails, playdough, good mommy things) and this is what life looks like while i am trying to answer your "where is my order" emails- (laughing girls of course)...there is mother's day out and naptime thank GOODNESS!!!
so enjoy...have a laugh on me with leo and the lipstick but not so funny on the luck ....





blessings and lightheartedness are yours truly....

a weekend away....

hello from a refreshed and ready to work friend...
a precious time with girls with weekend (thank you A & A!!) at the beach was a much-needed affair...
don't worry BBTN people...orders ship as usual with much help from our crew but i took a break....

fabulous company, great music, and the beach can always be a recipe for a renewal... reset accomplished...

i enjoyed the change from the norm so much for just a short time....as everyone understands...
so this morning was a really big difference in my usual healthy waffle house and kids..sleeping a little later than usual (not much) and a drive to starbucks for a coffee...followed by a drive to the beach across from where we stayed...

i really had no idea it would provide clarity...there was NO ONE there except for a few surfers in the distance and an older fisherman....not buildings, not bathrooms or pavillions... really for the first time ever i had few minutes on the beach to be alone in that type setting...quiet moments for sure. (of course i just so happened to have my camera so you could be completely inundated yet once again...well...i guess you chose to read right?)

quiet moments are really hard to come by these days for everyone i think...there is always a TV or a phone....or even just noise....it gave me a lot of perspective that i know was planned by my creator....just he and I ...time....loud and clear...

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

Ashley, be still, my creator said to me as loud as if he was standing there...be still....i love you and i am absolutely in control...of all things vast as the ocean and small like the birds...you are mine...

What does it mean when one of God’s own is commanded to “be still”?

The injunction is not given to restrict my mobility as one of God’s people. The call to obey represents a spiritual disposition that ought to characterize those to whom God’s unfailing promises have been given. how grateful i am for the strength of God's promises...very.

i make promises and have made promises...but oh to have the strength of perfection behind all of them... so i will be still and know that he is God... he has given the stars each their very own name and i am grateful that he knows my name...i rest in his promises....even when i am so very far from perfect in every single way.

Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:26

blessings until next time...
thank you for the weekend new friends and old....

courage....and encouragement

what a wonderful thing courage...by definition?
COURAGE: NOUN, mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty ....
OR
the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

definately describes something that i am learning...so in light of my bathroom mirror goals i am hoping what i am about to share is helpful...to one if not more....

sometimes i think it takes an event, a decision, or even a "i've had enough" moment to be dedicated and establish my goal(s)....a chat with myself ...a desperate prayer...

what exactly am i learning to be courageous about?
something that i struggle with...a goal never completed in my opinion.
whatever matters most that impacts others as well as myself and requires great attention and perseverence...
stick-to-it-ness, long-term planning and dedication...
whatever it is ....you label it.

what is it in your life that requires so much out of you that you are forced to ask and pray for courage? forced to rely on someone other than yourself for help and bravery... so i have waited on the Lord and he is daily encouraging me and i am learning to rely...on someone other than my husband, a friend, or even a schedule or something temporal. Courage has been really important to my goals...i have a Savior that cares about me and i am greatly encouraged by the strength that comes from my God...

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 27:14

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Psalm 37:3

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Isaiah 40:29

Fear thou not: for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10

so i am sharing my recent pursuit because i think when we are dedicated to something it will require a great amount of physical and mental energy not to mention emotional energy..there is great room for our Savior to show himself mighty.

i have learned that courage comes not from results (although the reason for the goal in the first place), not from circumstances but from God Almighty being faithful in his promise to me...i am courageous in my pursuits and as an end to any difficulty i have received the greatest gift...encouragement (noun : boost, encouragement the act of giving hope or support to someone)
Hope....another great thing...
blessings until next time...
all my love to old friends and new...

logan's first bass...

so logan and chad went fishing in chad's birthday present...a few times this week the 2-person boat fits in the back of chad's truck and off they go in about 5 minutes to one of the neighborhood stocked lakes...
logan was thrilled and chad was proud....a super great start to a long standing tradition i'm sure...
precious memories...

mt laurel and our version of tailgating...

so mia and i went to one of my favorite places...mt laurel...
we lived there for about eight months while building our house that we are in now and what a treat the surroundings are... the paths, rock, neighborhood grocery store, shops, pizza and soda shops...all walking distance or golf carts for some...what a wonderful place, i miss it...not far but still...
but we looked for "maminals"- butterflies, squirrels, and "blueberries" on the vines...how wonderful to follow her and just let her do...and find...and so i share...



today was the msu vs. auburn game which turned out to be a pathetic excuse for SEC football...3-2 auburn!? chad and i are "divided" on this day although in jest - we really do well considering...i always say that as long as i am not married to an alabama fan we are ok....i can tolerate any other SEC team..especially when we beat them pretty regularly or most of the time...(pathetic past two years though)....


so tailgating takes new meaning with kids for us at least...burgers and friends but at our house where you can pause the tv for dinner and lots of toys for kids to be entertained by...we enjoy you guys! turners, cundiffs and jacks...great company...
until next time...
all my love to bebek and sam...

rarely do i ever...

read forwarded emails...sorry to those of you who send (mom and others but there are few things in my life at this point that are optional)... BUT i found one today that i really read and pondered and had actually read one similar before so there is a good shot that you have too...but nevertheless...
it is always pertinent to everyone and wonderfully endearing...

what love is..
definitions by children...
'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'

Billy - age 4

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'

Chrissy - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'

Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'

Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.

Emily - age 8

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'

Tommy - age 6
'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'

Jessica - age 8

And the final one

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,

'Nothing, I just helped him cry'

i hope you have enjoyed it...precious words and very true about our most loved ones...

Father i long to love those in my life in ways that they do not ever question, fully and without condition...i am so grateful for your example Lord...even when we are not lovely and we are wretched you treat us with kindness and your ultimate unselfishness is ours...thank you for your mercy and the ability to know love, share it, and enjoy it...thank you for the amazing people in my life...

i love you family, old and new friends....

blessings until next time...

and of course love to bebek and sam!!

in the mood for...

in light of my current "write it on the mirror" set of goals...i have been in the mood for GREAT music...the kind that you would dance when no one is watching and sing while your driving...the kind that your kids ask why you have the radio turned up too loud...- I'm talking about "mom i can't hear my movie" loud...
so my ipod has gotten some new friends lately in josh bales, duffy, fergie of course, otis redding, ben harper, mmmm lots more...a super great treat for my pursuit ...and a great amount of happiness and sanity (maybe shallow but it keeps me moving literally).
i think for awhile i have really not even listened to music...i had tried to diminish the noise in any way possible...but with it is high time to restart building my list agressively...i write about it because there really is some fantastic music out there and a wonderful encouragement for the time that is spent with my ipod...so i put some here ...enjoy!!



ok so i owe you a sneak peak but i will prolong the real deal for this kindof teaser picture of what spring starts out like...
fabrics pictured are leftovers so don't think we are reusing old things
....but patterns are new...need lots of changes but new! laptop, diet coke (or unsweet milo's tea), piles of papers, notes, phone calls on fabric availability and shipment times.......so i promise i will share more ...but i am thinking you really haven't gotten your clothes from fall so spring will feel old by the time it actually gets here...JANUARY...
it is really almost time to take pictures for spring...but real pictures of fabric and patterns coming in the near future...i enjoy so very much my "moving office" which today meant laundry, dishes, cooking and spring...oh and wrapping presents...

today was my husband's birthday...wonderful time by family tonight...kids of course in a great mood and rare form at the restaraunt eating everything they could get their hands on...growth spurts going on this week i am guessing for both...so cake and ice cream was hilarious as well...they of course had to help make the cake, ice it, and then decorate...with enough gel icing to put a smiley right on the top....endearing really that it was totally botched and mixed with the mixer entirely too long...
it was supposed to be a surprise - like every year that they made the cake and of course someone always has to announce...WE MADE YOU A CHOCOLATE CAKE DADDY AND WE GOT YOU A .... this year it was Mia that was old enough to unveil the surprise...just old enough to be understood this year...and so it goes...a fun night with daddy and kids full and asleep...


lastly, it looks like it really will happen thursday...trunk show at my house that is...clothes are here and house will be clean (by then by freddie probably) and order by phone and email are welcome...info@blessednames.com for ease of ordering...

so i look forward to the visits that always come with shopping and maybe my annuals (i'm so ready for mums) will not be hanging dead in my window box on the front porch by the time you get here...or maybe they will...

please be in prayer for Sam this week as he undergoes his second round of chemo...he did great the first time and we expect nothing less the second Sam...precious one...i love you bebek!!
blessings until next time!!

mia's first day...bbtn update

hello to all...
i have been informed that the past few posts have been more "me" than previously..."K" thinks i used to write some pretty stiff things compared to now...funny enough...this is it RAW mostly unedited...quirkiness so read if you want...LOL
mia's first day back to school was today...yeah mrs kasey's groovy twos!! we love MDO!! i love the program and mia is absolutely passed out as i type...had a blast with her friend eden and doing "crabs" or crafts....hmmmmm!!
so i share pictures of the progression of getting to hold up her fingers....i have recently started taking more pictures as you know...but also an important thing to think about...are you ever in them with your kids? do you ever get someone to take a picture of you and your kids...for years i have very few mainly because i didn't want to be in them due to babyweight etc. but i am over that and i hope you will be too....my kids will not have any pictures of us together and if God forbid something ever happened i would be heartbroken on both counts...so hate it or not ....take them or better yet get someone else to take them - and love them even though...insert your list of reasons!!
ok bbtn update...
packing is going really well around here still...yeah!! just as an update for those who are anxiously waiting...chocolate and blue gingham (known affectionately as t-20), red gingham, and a few others are holding the last couple that are otherwise ready to ship...tee reinforcements made the shipment for next week- over 3,000 tees are on their way...praise God!! embroidery is doing great and things are coming out super cute!! i always love to see what you pick out!! Thank you to "the girls" for consistency, attention to detail, initiative, and my sanity!! I am so blessed to work with you all...seamstresses too!!
Fabric market is this weekend and i look forward to sitting down in appointments ready to buy for spring...i have done my homework and cannot wait to share a sneak peak once i find out what is available for spring...patterns are already in progress and precious...tons of new things...but that means i have to make tons of "hard paper" patterns - my least favorite thing to do ...but if that is my only complaint and everything else is running on time...good things..
my show!! i have finally decided to do my show here next thursday - 11th- from 10-1 and 5-8 for those who have contacted me i am opening it up for the last one of the season. for those of you who read and are elsewhere...we will also have phone and emails open for orders during that time as well... kindof like office hours for questions and orders...i am hoping it will be helpful!
so until next time we will be shipping like crazy and enjoying serving you all...I hope that UPS will be swift, tees will be plenty, fabric available, and everything fits just how you like it!!
blessings until next time...
i love you sam and bebek!

goals...and quirkiness...

ok so i am a little quirky i think...but in good company...
i already told on myself with my dumb dishes...so here i go again...
old friends know...ya ya...new friends not so much...
i bought new shoes this weekend- 2 pairs one of which i have gotten nothing but comments about- jabbing comments...but i hold my ground LOVE THEM...little bling in the life of a mom never hurts i don't think...and i so i share...

go ahead...make fun!! somebody has to buy these wonderful shoes!! a close friend informed me i had some
"green*!#" shoes with some ORANGE LACES (as if i didn't know)-hilarious...and so i will wear them probably more often!! yeah!!! (love you A)
second quirkiness...i write my goals on my bathroom mirror...in eyeliner...big and bold...to remind me every day of what i am trying to accomplish..so i share...i used the blur tool to blur my numbers so don't scrutinize will you?! this has been a super important - yet not very important way for me to remind myself ...it works!! don't you think we should do this with tons of things..just think if we could all keep our goals right in front of us every single morning...on the mirror no less- what a perfect time to look at what is going on and if we are off track or not...REFLECTIVE see pun...quirky!! nevertheless...it works for me and maybe for you too...quiet time, exercise, weightloss, career goals...etc. what is it that you tend to be short-sighted on? what is important but you seem to forget how important daily....



also i owed you a picture...of the shelves- the consensus by the way was i should NOT stack the colors together...thank you to all who read you are a blessing to me through comments and emails...love to all and baby sam!!
bebek also of course....