happy birthday to you, dad!

{superbowl day 2011}

Wow, and I thought Mama's birthday post was hard to write. ;)

Just because I don't have the words to express how grateful I am for you doesn't mean I'm not. Over the last couple of weeks I'm struck by all you do for me and the family...working 2 jobs {and looking like 3 this summer} especially. Clark follows you around all the time and counts down the hours until you get home, and I only hope that my future husband and little boy have the same awesome relationship as you and Clarky.

Happy Birthday, Father Dear!

new look

If you frequented the blog in the past couple days, you might've noticed things are bright and sunshine-y. It's yellow, mustard, and grey, it has a simple post area and a completely white background, rounded corners and damask in the header...and it's all around perfect and exactly what I wanted!!

And, since I know telling you I had a blog makeover isn't going to be enough {don't worry; it wouldn't be for me, either}, here are the deets:

1} A huge thank you, thank you, thank you to Megan from Calm Water Blog Design for putting up with my blog design demands. I can't tell you how many times I changed my mind, the color scheme and anything else that I thought of. At first, it started out as a purple background blog, with 3 pictures of me in the header, and now...well, you can see that it's totally different!! I fall head over heels in love with it each time I log into Blogger. :)

2} Overall, the sidebar and pages bar have changed and been simplified. Drop down menus, a blog button for the first time ever on Simply SA, and 3 new completed pages. A huge thank you to Erin, who directed me to Bethany for the code for the drop down menus, Megan for the blog button, and Emily for the Blog Roll page! The blog wouldn't be the same without you!! 

The best part? It was total surprise to my readers, which was exactly what I was aiming for. I can't tell you how happy and giddy the comments I've received make feel. What a way to start the week!!

hello monday {9}

{hello monday}

 {hello cloudy skies}

{hello bible study in a blanket with oatmeal and apples}

{hello math with mama}

{hello chores and shower}

{hello chemistry for the afternoon}

{hello more chores}

{hello chatting with a friend}

{hello bright sunshine-y blog}

{hello blogging}

{hello homecooked dinner made with love by the mother dear}

{hello Lent reading with the family}

{hello epic CHUCK, DWTS, and epic Castle}

{hello bedtime routine}

{hello monday}

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This post was inspired by the one and only Lisa Leonard. If you'd like to take part in this blogging meme, make sure to give credit where credit is due.

Favorite Things Friday + Saturday Shopping {5]

Today I'm linking up with Kim's  Favorite Things Friday and Gussy's  Saturday Shopping blogging meme's. I absolutely love finding new Etsy pretties and sharing them with you, so here we go!
{Warning: Lots of cuteness coming your way. Just sayin'.}

In honor of the Liquid Sunshine Blog Party AND the sweet sunshine that's gracing our little corner of the world for the past couple of days, FTF + SS is themed yellow. Take a look at all the pretties below!

Etsy simpleheat

{1. EcoFriendly Sunshine Clutch}

{2. Leather Wallet}

{3. Fabric Scarf Necklace}

{4. Poppy Garland Headband}

{5. Floral Headband}

{6. Bow Felt Necklace}

{7. Letter Holder/Key Ring/Jar Vase/Organizer}

{8. Canvas Bag}

{9. Flower Garden Necklace}

{10. Twisted Ring Earrings}

{11. Cowl Neckwarmer}

{12. Mustard Yellow Silk Dress}
{13. Sunshine Yellow Flower Ring}
{14. Ipad Case}
{15. Fabric Flag Bunting}
{16. Stacked Ring}

Are these things not the prettiest things you've seen?! I am in love with each and very one of the pretties, and I have to say that this is one of my favorite FTF + SS. EVAH!!

liquid sunshine {giveaway & blog party}

SA, didn't you do one of these blog parties just a little bit ago? Why another one?

Because it's been 80+ degrees for 2 days in a row.

Because the flowers are blooming.

Because I have a little color on my cheeks and a sunglasses tan.

And the obvious: Because the sun is shining bright!!

Olivia from HorseFeathers is hosting a blog party to celebrate the sun and springtime {no duh, SA}, with over $300 in prizes. Say what?!

Let's get started, shall we?

Favorite season, and why?
Any and every season except winter. Hate that yucky season. Spring, Summer and Fall have special places in my heart, and for various reasons, Spring is full of new life and signals the beginning of doing school outside in teh sunshine and the end of school in general! Win. Summer is awesome, period, for the typical reasons: Family, Friends, Food, and the pool. Time to do anything and everything you want to do is also one of my fave things of Summer. Fall is the beginning of school {I know; I just said the beginning of school was a favorite thing of mine.} and the colors are spectacular.
How would you describe your personal style? 
Honestly, I take anything and everything clothes wise I can get. My signature look would have to be jeans, Sperry's or Converse, my white tank top, and a t-shirt or sweater.
What's one weird thing you can do? (The stranger the better!)
I'm a weird person in general, but one weird thing I can do is when I'm tired, I don't stop. I keep going, cleaning, doing school, or just plain walking in order to stay awake.

Rain or shine?
Let the sunshine in, people!! Rain is okay, and a thunderstorm is even better, but nothing beats the good ol' sun!
Confession time... what's a flaw of yours?
I tend to dwell on the flaws of others instead of trying to help people. It's something I've noticed recently, and I'm trying to do better, but man, it's hard.
Favorite music?
I love a variety of music AND artists, but I'm big fans of contemporary Christian such as the music played on Big Fish 98.3. I also love Jason Mraz and Micheal Buble's music, as well as Glee type music {but not the show. yuck.}.
Have you ever made a decision you instantly regretted? What was it?
Oh yes, many of times. This one I picked was the infamous story of the Masked Mower Man. I have never, ever, EVAH lived that down, and I doubt I will. So yes, I regret that little mishap.
Who do you admire/look up to?
My mom, first of all. She is amazing and I love her too pieces. Along with the women in my family, I look up to all our friends at CBS {Elizabeth Wilfong, Miss Danielle, Miss Beth among others}

You've just won an unlimited lifetime supply of... what?
Dr. Pepper, sweet tea, fiction books, and unlimited time to spend with family and friends. Oh, and food. Basically summer that lasts forever.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
I know my dad will kill me, but I'd want to be a cat. They're lazy and alternate between sitting with their owners and in the sunshine. Oh yes, I'd want to be a cat.
If you knew you were going to die in a year, what would you do with your time?

Wow, tough question; something I've never really thought about. I would probably try and spend time and making memories with my loved ones.
You're now a gazillionaire... where do you go to spend your money?
A bookstore and Target! ;) Another question I don't really think about. 

Classical music: love it or hate it?
Gotta say I have to be in the right mood, but it is very calming to me.
Phobias?
I'm not a girly-girl, but I can't say I like bugs. At all. Snakes especially, and anything slick and velet-ish creeps me out. No idea what that phobia would be called...

Hop on a plane and go live somewhere for a year... where is it, and why?
Africa. That was a spur of the moment choice, but upon thinking about it, so many people in my life are connected to Africa, and I want to go and be a part of their thing with them {I'm looking at you, Miss Lorraine and Dad}.
Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
Depending on who I'm around, I'd say I'm more of an introvert. With people I know well, watch out: I'm bound to be loud and say embarrassing things. 
Would you/do you perform on stage?
A couple years ago, I would've answered with a firm "No, never ever ever!", but here lately, I've thought about it. So we'll see...


If you like what you see, go HERE to get the required questions and rules, then once you've written your party post, go HERE to enter and hopefully win!!