NNA- No Nicknames Allowed

I've got my hands full with this one. Morgan is "a wild one with an angels face". Her imagination is boundless- I love to watch her play, you know, that zone we all used to get into. I remember playing just like that, totally in another world, so in touch with the best part of childhood. She's a feisty one too, definitely stands her ground (a little too much to my liking, lil turkey), but I know this will all serve her as a young woman. She definitely knows who she is. If anyone tries to call her something different than 'Morgan' (sweetheart, Morgs, pumpkin, etc), she puts her hands on her hips and says, "My name is MORGAN LAREN EDWARDS." It can take people aback, but its just who she is.

I'm the only one that can call her my honey-jar of lovey dovey names, but even I sometimes get corrected. Cracks me up. This girl needs a sign 'NNA- No Nicknames Allowed'. But really, no use in that, she sure isn't shy about it.:)

My baby girl is growing up, and I'm so grateful I get to watch her experience whatever it is she needs to experience, and turn into whoever it is she came here to be. I just hope there aren't too many bumps and bruises along the way. Who am I kidding?:) I love her with all my heart. Ahhh, being a mommy is the best and most excruciating labor of love in the world. But its also the greatest gift. I'm totally addicted.

Here are some more pictures from our family holiday to sunny California. Our beach days were my fav, and there are just so many awesome pictures. I had to share some of my sweet-pea in total bliss. I sure miss this ocean, we all do. The snow is nice, but the ocean sure whispers sweet nothings to my soul.

May the sun always shine on your shoulders my sweet one.
xo

To Be Loved

This boy's smile is so bright and all consuming, he can suck anyone into his pure bliss. I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying having this sweet boy in my life. Cove is so comfortable, cool, happy and positive. Sometimes I think he was put on this earth just to love and be loved. Well, he came to the right home, mommy and daddy are inhaling his magic. Morgan...I'd say 60/40. He'll win her over in the end though, I'm sure of it. xo

Daddy's Girl

Odd to think that at this point of my life, my mom and dad were already divorced. I feel so grateful Morgan gets to see her daddy everyday, and witness the love Brydon and I share. These two have such a special bond. They can't get enough of each other. Something to be grateful for today.

Nothing like daddy's love. Happy Thursday. xo

O Christmas Tree

Yup, still in the swing of renos. Dying to get the trim up on the windows...in 2013. 

Look at these two cutie pies, creating a masterpiece together.

Covey's lil whale decoration- one he can't actually break:) 

Sugarplums dancing in Morgan's room

Its a crazy, whimsical tree, and the kids constantly have their little hands on it, but its kind of like our lives right now- bright, wild and stinkin busy. Love it, but love the ones who decorated it even more.

Maybe next year, we'll do a real one. I'd love to cut one down ourselves, make it a tradition...although, I'm kind of a save the trees kind of gal...so maybe we'll stick with this one and just burn some evergreen essential oil. Yup, good plan.:)

ps. Cove has already destroyed 6 decorations and counting. He likes to rip them off, growl at them, throw them back at the tree or eat them. Its both horrible and funny. What a kid...argh.

xo

The Way She Wrapped

This holiday season, I'm rethinking my approach to Christmas wrapping. Usually, I buy pretty paper and go crazy with textile bows and perfectly tucked corners. I'm kind of board of that, and I'd like to make my gifts a little more personal this year, as I'm doing my best to shop locally, or via Etsy. I'm tired of big box chain stores and the same old, same old. I find these gifts to be so exposable, no matter the cost. These days, we finally have wonderful access to beautifully handcrafted gifts at all price points, that don't necessarily have to break the bank.

Gift giving is my love language and there is nothing better than finding something made with real love and real hands! It also doesn't make the Christmas frenzy feel so commercial, so consumer crazy. I want to take some social responsibility in my purchases, using our hard earned dollars towards something that actually means something, made by someone with real artistic abilities and love for their craft. So this year, creative wrapping should match my creative gifting, right?

When I was a little girl, my mom was a Christmas goddess. She went all out decorating our home, mostly with things she had made with her hands, like our amazing nativity scene I plan to put up in our this year (pictures to come). For several years she used only crisp white paper with luscious red bows. At the time, I thought it was so boring, and just wanted to use the colourful and crazy store bought gift wrap everyone else had, but now I totally get her vision and appreciate her fine taste. She had such an individual style, and could be so particular about it, but she always made such a statement. She had a hell of a time sourcing out that white paper back in the late 80's to early 90's, but she somehow tracked it down every year. What a woman.

Today, I love things that are a bit different. They carry a higher energy, and seem to always create beautiful memories and can possibly become heirlooms.

Here are some ideas via pinterest sure to tickle your holiday fancy-

For the word nerd. 

Just like my mama's, but in gorgeous olive green- love. 

All totally re-useable.  

I think I may become a yarnoholic.

'Brown paper packages wrapped up with string- these are a few of my favourite things!' Hope these ideas inspire you to do a little something different this year. I also love the idea of using toppers that are reusable, and paper that u can keep around to use for other crafts for the kids and DIY projects. Like they say, isn't it all about the packaging? Receiving a gift that is wrapped with a little creativity and love makes whatever is inside extra special. So on that note, happy wrapping!

Thanks for inspiring me mom. You were always so ahead of your time. xo

Pink Lights

What do you really do with a set of pink lights? Slip into a pretty dress and take pictures with them of course! Morgan just had to have these lights, and how could I say no. They're so pretty, kind of unique, and she looooves them. They stick out like a sore thumb in my home, but we're going to make them work...maybe in her room. 

Morgan was so excited to try on this gorgeous little party dress I had just bought for her for an upcoming wedding this holiday season:). So we played dress up with the lights too. These pictures were taken over 15-minutes. She played, she giggled, she lounged, and I snapped. I love when I take the time to bring out my camera to capture my sweetheart growing up. In the end, the pink lights turned out pretty special. Lovely choice Little Miss Cupcake Sugarpants.

Grab some pretty lights and your kiddies, 

put them together and get snapping:) Thanks for stopping in. 

Hope you find some special inspiration in this post. 

xo