SNAP IT PRETTY GIFT PACK (AND GIVEAWAY)

Remember "Snap it Pretty"? It seems eons ago now, but it was such a lovely event to put together and we met the loveliest of gals which was the best part. Well, we are finally getting around to sharing what we gifted to all the lovely attendees on that one Saturday afternoon. The goodies we gathered from generous shops and artists were so out of this world that Danni and I were green with envy and wanted to keep all of the stuff for ourselves!

1. smile card from friends make prints 2. we just click card from dude and chick 3. lomo camera & 35mm film from Danni & Ruby (me) 4. little pack of camera cards & stickers via petite paperie 5. film camera washi tape set from cute tape 6. camera lens cap pocket from crafty staci 7. wooden button pin from the wanderlust 8. little flag bunting from cakies 9. vintage picnic camera strap slip cover from knitty bitties 10. rainbow camera strap from iMo shop.

Good stuff right?!! All our gift pack sponsors were above and beyond fantastic (make sure you check all of them out!) and not only that, but we raffled off a polaroid camera, this Lisa Leonard creation, this JoTote, and a Ketti Camera Bag. And guess what?!! We already have fantastically rad goodies from other sponsors ready for our next photography workshop! So get ready everyone...

And even if you weren't able to attend our lovely workshop, you have a chance to win your own gift pack! All you gotta do is leave a comment on this post and then head over to Danni's post and leave a comment there too. Well, what about? Just tell us what you are most looking forward to this Fall. Easy lemon squeezy, don't you think? We will announce the grand prize winner Friday morning on both our blogs and we will even be picking out 2 runner ups (3 winners total)! We just love you all that much!!!

To all the lovely ladies in attendance... sorry so late, but your lomo cameras will be put in the mail this week! Life kept Danni and I busy for the remainder of the summer, but we are finally getting around to getting them to you. They will be in your hands soon. Promise.

OUR LABOR DAY

There is this little town right next to us and when you enter, it really makes you feel you are in a whole other world. Think... old fashion saloons. At night, when you drive by, there are horses waiting in a corral right outside saloon doors. Once when a friend was on her way to my house, she made a wrong turn, called another friend to get back on the right track and said, "Does Ruby live in Frontierland?" This small town has a parade every Labor Day since 1902, so this year we decided to check it out.

on me: shirt (supposed to be a dress), american apparel. shorts, f21. shoes, vintage dr. scholls c/o nickie noel vintage. this is pretty much my go-to outfit cause nothing fits anymore!

on true: dress, little bean shop. shoes, vintage.

on brave: embroidered dress, c/o tiny fox vintage. shorts, vintage. shoes, vintage.

on soul: dress, rogue retro. salt-waters, tiny fox vintage.

It was a simple, small town parade where we got to watch a lot of horses stroll by, a marching band, random city council people, and free candy being thrown at the viewers. The skies were overcast, it was free, and we were all happy to be together. It was a good kinda Labor Day!

How did you spend your Labor Day? Obviously, I wasn't laboring...

ALMOST THERE

These pictures were inspired by one picture from this beautiful shoot. I just loved how she captured the baby bump and I wanted my own!

Of course, I needed to make sure it was captured using my sx-70 polaroid camera. I just love polaroids so much!

The days until baby comes are dwindling down so fast, I am trying to savor every last moment. I want to make sure to have everything so vividly ingrained in my head. I want to remember every little kick, bump, and feeling that goes along with this special time (and spend time treasuring the three little babes we already have). I kinda just want to hit pause. At the same time, now that all my to-dos are crossed off, we are ready to meet baby. I have been having a steady stream of surges, but nothing to warrant a trip to the hospital just yet. The excitement is definitely mounting over here...

HUZZAH, FRIDAY (ON SATURDAY)!

True had a request. She said it was her dream that we go and eat inside Arby's. That seemed like a simple enough dream to make come true and that is what we did on our Friday night.

We do eat fast food on occasion and mostly when we are on the run and need something quick or on our road trips. We know we need to expose our daughters to those types of foods as well, though as long as all is done in moderation. Arby's is one of our go-to places for quickie food and I guess she must have always wondered what it is like to eat in one of those drive-through places. It was a super cute request. Thus, yesterday marked our first time as family eating inside a fast food joint. It was a nice, cheap way to spend a Friday night.

It's Labor Day weekend for those stateside and we are wondering if labor day will have a whole new meaning for us. We will see. I have been having practice surges (the word for contractions in hypnobirthing terms) for a couple days now, but I hardly think I will go into labor on Monday. The weekend will be for finishing up some things to be ready for baby. The biggest thing on the agenda is taking maternity family pictures, so that will be done today. Yay!!!

This week's learned and links...

- True is super excited about school and wants to go every day!

- Brave is pretty good with math concepts, though she doesn't quite have hand-eye coordination for writing.

- Soul is out growing her crib and she climbed out of it and hurt herself.

- Can't wait to see more from this new blog (also one of my sponsors).

- I so want jeans like this when this baby comes out.

- These boots are on my list too. Mom (and dad), I would gladly take this as a push present! *wink*

- I need to have more joy (in Christ) daily. I don't really think the things spewing from my heart are that great of late.

Enjoy this long weekend friends and if I do happen to make a trip to the hospital, if you are following on twitter, you may just know about it!

I COULD KISS HIM ALL DAY

Wanna know a bit of how we "Keep Love Alive"?!! I did an itty bitty guest post over at Three for the Road. See my post here.

Don't worry "Our Little Love Story" hasn't ended, it will come eventually. I have a few posts in draft mode just waiting for Ben to add his part. I really love reading his take on it all. Will be back later today with my regular friday huzzahs!

SEPTEMBER

September is about to have a whole new meaning to our family and we can hardly wait! I think my face in that picture is excitement and sheer nervousness, which pretty much sums up everything I am feeling right now. We will be stepping into new territory folks and we are scared as heck, but quite giddy about all of it too!

So far some good things that have arrived are some of my new sponsors, so check them out at the side and some good things going on through some of my lingering sponsors. Pomp & Pride is having a giveaway here and Ms. Tips is having a fantastic 30% off back-to-school sale. I love the feeling of this new month and coming new season.

Also, I am sure you have all noticed the new layout (I hope you like it) and just in case I do start mentioning when I feel this baby a-comin', you better hop on board and follow my twitter here. And really friends, thanks for always coming along for the ride (when I am good and bad)!

Sending you all lots of virual hugs!!!

HELLO CAOS

I am honored to contribute ten things to do in L.A. for Spain's Caos Magazine. Check out the online publication here (or spanish version here).

And read my tidbit here (or spanish version here)...

Thanks Caos for the opportunity!!!

HYPNOBIRTH CLASS 5

Meet Dr. AnnaLynn and see the teeny tiny us in the right corner...

Our HypnoBirthing classes officially ended and they were all done through skype. Technology can be such a wonderful thing! Last class we watched some more amazing birth videos, did some last wrap ups, talked about more scripts to use and did an amazing practice session. The last practice was an interesting one and I don't want to divulge too much just in case some of you decide to take the class (I haven't gone through birth yet, but all I can tell you is good things thus far). I feel prepared and ready and have very positive feelings about the impending birth. If you have any questions regarding HypnoBirthing, I would pick up the book or even give Dr. AnnaLynn a call (or email) wherever you are because remember all our sessions were done entirely online.

Overall, the classes have taught me skills to be able to bring my entire body into complete relaxation, yet still have my mind completely in control and alert. It really is such an astounding feeling. Now, game time is coming up and I keep visualizing how it will all play out, in a positive way of course.

Time is dwindling down and the birth seems so far to me, though I know it is actually closer than it is far. I probably look like I could pop at any minute and sometimes I feel like it too! I still have to get the hospital bag ready and a few other loose ends to tie up until I think I am officially ready. I really can't believe it is almost time, whenever that time is! September is here and that means baby is coming... eeks!

The girls are ready and get super excited about the baby. Well, Soul doesn't really know what's going on and I think she is going to be in for a shocker when baby comes home. Other than that we are chugging on through with school, house stuff, and just life. Though I must say that today was a lot harder than most. The girls were easily and exceedingly disgruntled and I wasn't the best mama. Today was one of those days that I feel like I just failed miserably at parenting and training my children. If I were given a grade for today, I would have gotten a big fat F! Man oh man. I wish I could get a do over.

Actually a funny thing, kinda not really, was that I took away some toys from the girls as a consequence for their disobedience. The result is that they drew me on their chalkboard with a big fat X over me. Really! They said I wasn't being nice. I went back to take a picture to blog it of course (it was too funny not to share), but then they had already erased it. I had to talk with them about the choices they made that led to their toys getting taken away. They stated they knew it was their fault and so I told them they should draw an x on them too and then I did it. Really mature Ruby! See I told you, today I get a big fat F and would probably have made it onto the fail blog. Tomorrow's post on the fail blog should be my picture. No joke.

I am glad my God is gracious to forgive someone as foolish as me (I am so foolish) and that tomorrow morning his mercies are brand new. I am also thankful that my children also have very forgiving hearts. Tomorrow will be a better day, at least I will pray it is...

class 4...

class 3...

class 2...

class 1...

OUT TO SCHOOL

Nope. I didn't go into labor, just in case you were thinking that due to my absence. We just got busy prepping to send True to school for the first time. Yikes!

{where from again? dress: little bean shop; salt-waters: c/o tea collection}

Yes, I know. She only goes one day a week, but still it is a nerve wracking one day a week. I mean there are more germs at school, I can't monitor her hand washing, and not to mention school bathrooms (Yes, I have a big public restroom phobia!), and the fact we are trusting complete strangers! I was drilling and prepping her on what to do in the bathroom and if anyone ever makes her feel uncomfortable and just kept reassuring her that she can always tell me and her Papi anything. Dang. It is scary being a parent! I need to pray more.

Glad to report that today was a success! Prayers answered. We all went to drop her off. Ben was the one to escort her to the playground, while the other girls and I stayed back. We didn't want to call too much attention to us just in case it made her more anxious and nervous. As soon as True and Ben were out of sight, Brave started crying saying she was missing True, then I started crying, and as soon as Ben was headed back towards us I could see his eyes weren't very far from joining our teary ones. I know. I know. One day a week... still, it ain't easy.

It was a bit calmer of a day with just Brave and Soul. We even went to the mall! We went home had lunch, put Soul to nap, Brave and I cuddled a bit, then I took care of some things and next thing you knew it was time to pick True up. We were all very excited! Though the most excited of all was True when we did finally get her. She got in the car and was ranting and raving about what she calls feater (theatre) class, her spanish class, and drawing fishes in art class. And then her friends... she went on and on about her new friends and how they played and how she wasn't shy! Praise Lord Jesus! If you have ever met True, she is superly duperly shy! So the fact she loved school and wants to go 5 days a week (yes, she said that) and enjoyed making friends makes us so happy. It was such a good day today that we ended the day taking them to eat pizza and games at Chuck E. Cheese. Rides for a quarter?! Who can beat that?!! Seriously.

I know we started homeschool last week, but finally sending her off to school one day a week makes everything feel slightly more official. Our little girl is growing up!

WEEKEND DONE

Ben and I got some nice quiet time in, the girls had a nice time at their Grammie and Grumpy's and I even got to make my BFF an A-frame tent (with a little twist from the original directions) for her classroom. Plus, we got to gather with our church family. These things make for a good weekend.

Hope your weekend was just as nice!