The Simple Things {2.26.12} | Moments

Moments

We’ve all had them, I hope.

Moments when it seems time stands still and your heart stops.

Moments when you’re tapped on the shoulder and reminded how it’s all possible.

Moments when you look at your children and it takes your breath because they are beautiful and healthy.

Moments when you make eye contact with the guy begging on the side of the road and you know it’s only by the grace of God it’s not you.

Moments when you see the old and feeble, yet feel their young at heart spirit.

Moments when gratitude and thankfulness are dropped in your heart.

Moments when a simple snowflake lends beauty and everything turns dim around you.

You see, just this week I was in the café at work and I was doing my normal thing in a haste to get back to my desk.  I went to grab my drink and noticed a gentlemen had reached in front of me to grab his drink.  Then, the moment…it happened.  He fell.  Then I saw his assistance scooter along with his obvious handicap displayed by feeble legs.  The event caused a huge rip in his pants (right where it counts).   I hurried to put my things down in a panic to help him.  Myself and three others were there to assist and found him covering for his pants.  How embarrassing for him, not to mentioned he had to feel helpless.  He couldn’t walk.  I’ve seen him walk around campus before, but MS has attacked his body and he can no longer walk unassisted.  I apologize for not getting to him sooner to break his fall.  I almost broke down right in front of him, but managed to hold it until I exited the doors of the café.

It was a moment that forced realization that others have it worse, yet we complain so much.

It was a moment that changed my entire afternoon as I sat at my desk eating my hot chicken soup (really, I was eating chicken soup) and crying.  Soup and tears makes for a juicy episode.

Moments…

Aside from all the noise of life, they have a way of wrapping us in a blanket of simplicity and revealing what really matters.

Thank you God…for moments when you speak to my heart through simple things.

Blessings,

Anna


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He Said - She Said | No Kidding

Kenzie: Dad, can I go to church with aunt C?

Allen: I don’t think so K…you need to go to your church.

Kenzie: But Dad… (as she starts to tear up).

Kenzie: You’re not being nice (with arms folded and a furrowed brow).

Kenzie: You’re making me sad.

Allen: Calm down silly, I was just kidding.

Kenize: Well daddy (in her frustrated voice)…don’t you know, the Bible says NO KIDDING?

Blessings,

Anna

Encouragement | Super Mom or Super Exhausted?

{unknown}

Have you ever felt like this?

I sure hope you are nodding your head with an over exaggerated YES and I’m not the only one that feels like I’m on the hamster wheel 24 hours a day.

Are you SUPER MOM or SUPER EXHAUSTED?

Do you ever feel like you are circling the drain?

If you haven’t felt like this from time to time, I need to have lunch with you.

Lately, I’m exhausted.  Being a full-time working mother of two is hard work.  Being a joyful serving wife is hard work.  Being a good friend takes effort…not to mention time. 

How many hats do you where?

Do you ever get weary, exhausted or just need a stinkin’ break?

I do!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m blessed and have absolutely no place to complain, unless you want to count time.  I really need more time.  I feel like I chase it day in and day out.

Or am I just getting this whole thing wrong?

Do you ever question your placement?

Your agenda?

Am I getting this right?

Why does it look like others have it together and things are seamless and I’m spinning my wheels?

Do you ever disgust yourself when these thoughts creep in?

Thoughts with a hint of pity.

I’m glad there is grace for a girl like me.

Grace for the one that is just flying by the seat of her pants hoping to get this mom, wife, friend, employee, daughter, sister, volunteer and Christian thing right.

Sufficient  grace, just for me...and you.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  "Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 
2 Corinthians 12:9

Blessings,

Anna


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Inspiration | Wrap It Up

Party Pom Poms, we’ve all seen them.

They are the rage, right?  I love them too and use them for everything.

The most popular is the original party pom via Martha Stewart.

I’ve used them for all kinds of party decor, table decor, etc.

Above are a few where I adjusted the steps when needing a last minute wrapping/bow alternative.  I've also used these to top off a gift bag instead of just stuffing the bag with tissue...it just looks a little better.

I’m sure I’m not the first person that has adjusted the MS tutorial, but I thought I would share how I’ve played around with these little guys.  Just eliminate fluffing one side of the fan and you have a flat sided tissue flower/bow.

You can’t find a bow this large anywhere that doesn’t cost you your firstborn or nearly as unique.

You can also adjust size to make itty bitty flowers or adjust your end trim to make rounded edges or pointed edges.

Never under estimate the power of scissors and paper when you need a quick fix...not to mention a pack of tissue paper is usually around $1.

Blessings,

Anna

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The Simple Things {2.19.12} | Child Like

May you simply find joy in the simple things today...like a child.

{Art via K Grace}

P.S. It's apparent that we dream of long lean legs from a very early age.

Blessings,

Anna

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Currently Craving | Old Windows

~ Old Windows as Display ~

{ 1.  2.  3.  4. }

Don't you just love the beauty of an old window?  

A few months back, I put a couple buried treasure store fronts on alert for an old arched window.

I would like to land both styles above to mirror the displays you see in the photos.  

If you know me at all, you know I adore wreaths and I want to add a few indoors throughout the house. 

Also, K's dedication gown is currently hanging in her closet and this is the perfect way to display without investing $300 plus to have it framed.

Lord, how can man preach thy eternal word?

    He is a brittle crazy glass;

Yet in thy temple thou dost him afford

    This glorious and transcendent place,

    To be a window, through thy grace.

~ George Herbert ~

Blessings,

Anna

Design | Daddy & Daughter Date

First of all, catch your breath.

Is this not one of the most precious Father & Daughter photos you’ve ever seen? 

Sopping wet (southern expression) with sweetness, I say!

{Photography via Allison Barlar Photography}

Recently, a dear friend asked me to design a custom invitation laced with purple hues for the sweetest birthday idea that I’ve seen lately.  What a special way to celebrate both a birthday and the relationship between Father & Daughter.

Just adorable!

Thank you to this sweet family for allowing me to be a small part of this very special day.

Blessings,

Anna

Me & My Gang | Letting Go

I know all of you have moved on, but for the sake of documenting... I wanted to recap our sweet V'Day.

Yawner, I know.

Anyway...

{K's treats via Instagram}

Above is a peek at K's treats.  

She had so much fun makin' and shakin' these for her friends.

Our treat inspiration was found at Cookies & Cups.

This looks like so much fun, right?  It certainly was, but something was missing this year.

Insert super over exaggerated sad face here!!!

Why the sadness?

E declined to exchange treats this year. I even told him I could make something cool and boy-ish and he said "nah".  What?  I've done this for 10 years and now it's "nah"?

I guess it's the first "I'm too cool for this" of many.

His dad just shook his head and said "he's growing up...it's normal, you should have expected it".

No...no I didn't.

So, this day was filled with a LOT of LOVE and a little bit of LETTING GO.

I hope your day dripped with sweetness.

Blessings,

Anna

P.S. My Valentine got me a new case for my iPhone because he knew I had my eye on one and would NEVER EVER buy it for myself...he speaks love to me with "apples" instead of hearts.  ;-)  We also showered the kiddos with some typical V'day treats.  It sounds like we go ALL OUT for Valentine's Day, but we really don't...usually.

Me & My Gang | Love Letters, Music & Memories

{via}

To my Mr. Valentine,

With each day, I love you more.  I still see us as the couple that fell in love as little puppies.  Yet, we’ve grown so much.  Yes, we are stepping over legos and pink glitter these days, but when you wink at me from across the room or grab my hand under the dinner table, a blanket of calmness covers our chaos and it’s all ok.  When a set of tiny toes separates us in bed, closeness is gained when you reach over and rub my leg with your foot.  It sounds silly and cheesy writing it out, but it’s all part of our Groovy Kind Of Love.  Do you remember those Endless Summer Nights staring at the stars to the voice of Richard Marx, Phil Collins, and Chicago?  Yeah, things are different now and our schedules don’t allow as many star filled nights these days, but I wouldn’t trade our lovely chaos for anything in the world.  I love you Allen, you are my one and only true Valentine in this lifetime.

To my Little Valentines,

Ethan and MaKenzie, you are a product of the one true love in my life, your daddy.  I see so much of him in both of you.  Every now and then I get a glimpse of what you will become and my heart stops, because I want you to stay little.
Taylor Swift said it best when she sang Never Grow Up...

To you, everything's funny

You got nothing to regret

I'd give all I have, honey

If you could stay like that

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up...just stay this little

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up...it cold stay this simple.

I know each stage of your life will bring different challenges and joys, but in every stage, know that I love being your mommy and it’s this title that has truly changed me as a person as I see the world through little eyes.

Happy Valentine’s Day laced with music that holds memories!!!

Blessings,

Anna

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The Simple Things {2.12.12} | Whistle

"It always seems impossible until it's done"

Nelson Mandela

She tried... and tried.

She practiced.

Determined.

Frustrated.

Until one day...that VERY BIG DAY!

We heard it!!!

A Whistle! 

The cutest little whistle this side of Texas.

She learned to whistle that day and hasn't stopped since.

She whistles a lot, just like her daddy and I just happened to catch her in the act.

It really is the little things.

Blessings,

Anna

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XOXO Inspiration | Valentine's Day Sweets & Treats Round Up

Download Here

Keep Calm & Kiss Me Print Inspiration: 
Frame and place beside a candy bowl filled with chocolate kisses.

Due to my increasing time deficit, I've decided that I would forgo the overwhelming urge to design Valentine's Day printables this year (with the exception of the 5x7 print above).

Instead, I thought I would share a few things that caught my eye and are already available in the blog world.  

I'm not certain which we will choose for our special exchange, but I'm leaning toward the 2 ingredient heart fudge with some one of these adorable FREE printable tags.  Stay tuned...

You?  

I would love to for you to share what you or your little ones plan on exchanging on this LOVELY day.

{Pinned Here}

~ Center to Top Left Clockwise ~

Heart Centered Cake | Conversation Heart Cookies | Panty Cupcakes | Confetti Popcorn | 2 Ingredient Fudge Hearts | Free Printable Circle Tags | Free Pillow Box Template | Free Treat Tags | Raspberry Meringue Kisses | Free Printable Cards & Envelopes | Free Printable Treat Bag Template | Free Treat Tags & Cookie Recipe

You can find the source links (recipes and free printables) to all these goodies by clicking on the links above or by browsing the Anna & Co. - Seasonal on Pinterest.

Enjoy!!!

Blessings,
Anna

Month In Photos | January 2012

About a year ago, I stumbled upon Simple As That, which inspired me to incorporate a Month In Photos collage here recapping the highlights of the month.  I love it!!!

1. What do you know?...I caught a close up of my little man.
2. Girls Night Out...Barbie style
3. Those eyes!
4. We experienced a dusting of snow and then 60 degrees the next week.  Spring is right around the corner.
5. Just because she's pretty.
6. Who says you can't wear your tutu while reading the Bible?
7. Sweet Treats via Play-Doh
8. Practicing with the Canon on manual...oh dear!

9. Kenzie loves Zoe...almost to death as you can see.

10. Started a project for K's room...stay tuned.

11. My best friend visited and spent the weekend at our home.  It was comical with these two little clowns to say the least.

12. The "it's not fair" face.

13. Does anyone else's foyer double as a parking garage?

14. Guest speaker at daily devotional.

15. Right off the mixer...doesn't get any better than that!

16. Playing with the Canon again.  Ugghhh, much to learn!

There you have it!

Better LATE than NEVER!!!

Blessings,

Anna

Thank you Rebecca for inspiring this year's design and hosting this series.

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