flickr update...

okay, i finally did it. i loaded all of the photos from my blog into my flickr account. i've been meaning to do this for a while now. sure feels good to get it done. and when i was going through all of my photos, i found this favorite - maya when she was 22 months old...

yours in cuteness,

shelley

another beautiful baby...

here is another beautiful photo of a precious newborn wearing one of my rosy pink hats! 

this one was taken by my new friend, natasha, over at tasha jean photography. isn't she just amazing? and she has also graciously allowed me to use this beautiful photo for promoting my hats. many thanks, tasha!

yours in more newborn sweetness,

shelley

cowgirl...

our little texas cowgirl. i've decided that really, there's nothing much cuter than a pink cowboy hat...

yours from deep in the heart of texas,

shelley

a sweet birthday moment...

wesley came into our lives when caleb was only 7 years old. so the majority of caleb's life and memories include wesley. and caleb was really the first child wesley had a part in raising. here is a sweet birthday moment between the two of them...

yours in the moment...

shelley

caleb...

today is your special day, caleb.  18 years ago i gave birth to you at home and welcomed you into this world. my only boy. the biggest of my babies at 11.5lbs and 24 inches long, you couldn't even wear the newborn clothes i had laid out for you. and how your two sisters adored you. i wore you constantly in the sling and i don't think your feet touched the ground until you were 2 years old. what a joy you have been every single day. your gentle spirit and sweet soul bring such joy to my life. how proud i am of the young man you have become. i love you so very much!

yours on this very special birth day,

shelley

a girl and her doll...

yours in loving sweetness,

shelley

bath time...

bath time is a special time around our house. a time to wind down before bedtime. play time with papi. a time to get warm and clean. i remember vividly taking baths with my sister when i was a young girl. and i've always taken my children into a warm bath when they have been sick to soothe and relax them. here are some pictures of our bath time girl...

yours in bath time fun,

shelley

baby hat photos...

sarah over at uniquely you photo has graciously allowed me to use a couple of her beautiful photos showing off two of my hats (which she had purchased earlier). aren't these photos just amazing? what a gift she has...

i offered to send her a couple of more silk hats - one in natural creme and one in rosy pink - if she could take some additional pictures for me during one of her newborn sessions...and she has agreed! lucky me.  :)

yours in newborn sweetness,

shelley

blue sky day...

yours on this beautiful blue sky day,

shelley

me :: friday

'every second is of infinite value.' ~ goethe

yours on this unforgettable friday,

shelley

me :: thursday

'all power is from within, and therefore under our control.' ~ robert collier

yours on this powerful thursday,

shelley

me :: wednesday

'i honor in you the divine that i honor within myself and i know we are one.' ~ deepak chopra

today is global peace mediation day. please take a moment to join thousands of meditators around the globe in the collective intention of creating peace in the world and peace within.  you can find more info here. be the change!

yours on this peace full wednesday,

shelley

me :: tuesday

'all that we are is a result of what we have thought. the mind is everything. what we think...we become.' ~ buddha

yours on this thought filled tuesday,

shelley

me :: monday

okay, i'm putting myself to the challenge. a week of self portraits. now this is small potatoes compared to what erin, over at bluebirdbaby, is doing (365 days - amazing). but a challenge to myself, nonetheless. so here we go with day 1 :: monday...

i've been getting back into the rhythm of reading all of my favorite blogs again. and i'm finding it very interesting that several people are challenging themselves to self-portraits. looking to see the beauty in themselves. introspective. a good exercise, definitely. i think we, as women (particularly in our western culture)...are so often critical of ourselves. and to move into that positive space where we can truly see our own beauty is so very important.

yours on this beautiful monday,

shelley

us...

here's one of wesley and i together.  we celebrated 10 years together in june (9 years of marriage).  :)

yours in love,

shelley

me...

hi everyone.  well, i've finally finished 3 posts that i've had in the edit stage for almost a month now. ahh, this feels good. getting caught up. being creative again. finishing things that i've started. very important to me.

and i'm getting back into a good rhythm in our days and plan to post more regularly again. we've been working on an earlier bedtime routine at night and it's been easier than i anticipated. and i'm really enjoying my creative time. i even ventured into taking a series of self-portraits the other day (inspired by my friend, erin, over at bluebirdbaby)...

so here's looking at you.  :)

yours today,

shelley

summer solstice...

an afternoon car ride, loving her brother and the sun on her face...

yours in these warm days of summer,

shelley

papi...

how do i say all i want to say here? you are the most amazing and kind person i have ever known. strong. sensitive. beautiful. tender. loving. sweet. fun. affectionate. gentle. caring. giving. with so much integrity. my soulmate. maya's papi. a gift beyond compare. my best friend. what an amazing journey we are on together! how thankful i am that we found our way to one another. and what a gift you give to our daughter in the way that you love and care for her. and for me. happy papi's day!

yours forever,

shelley

my naomi...

today is my second born's birth day. my naomi. my strong-willed girl. who has taught me so very much. 22 years old today. independent. strong. self-disciplined. always with a mind of her own. the one i knew i would never worry about when she was out there in the world. she was my longest nurser. and nursed together with her little brother. my precious girl. how much i have learned from you, naomi. i admire you in so many ways. and i am so proud of the beautiful and creative person you have become.  i am so very thankful you are my daughter and i love you more than you could ever know!

yours in thankfulness on this special day,

shelley

elf girl...

handknitted crown by whimsy by jess