What a time of year for me to pick for sorting out insurance paperwork, photos and schedules!? What was I thinking?
I’m committed to my cause, but if I didn’t take a minute to stop and smell the flowers, I’d have to be committed.
Love,
Jess
I entered Leah into the Cutest Baby Contest in the newspaper. Her link is, here. The photo and description I entered is below.
I’m Leah Rose, the youngest of 4 kids.
I love my 3 siblings because they try to make me laugh by sticking out their tongues at me. Now, that I’m 6 months old, I can stick my tongue back out at them!
They think it’s adorable. Don’t you agree?
Love Cutest Mom,
Jess
You all know how I love a blog linky party, right? Well, imagine my delight when The Nester invited me to her Mantel Party! Okay fine, she invited everyone and anyone, with any type surface, to the party too. 
A few summer’s ago I scooped up a discarded fireplace mantle at a garage sale. I don’t have a fireplace but why would I let logic stop me?
I knew in my gut the fireplace mantel would eventually find a place in my home. Plus, I couldn’t bet the cost. The purchase price? One dollar. Yes, a single buck.
Here she is, with new life, as a dining room shelf.
The Details
I love looking at the framed photo of Pete and I from the year before we were married. We look like kids! We were (and still are) very in love. We had no idea that 8 short years later we’d have a mortgage, a minivan and 4 kids under the age of 5.
I turned my crepe paper centerpiece from Living with Lindsay’s $5 Challenge into a wreath.
My son Ryan contributed his artwork, an astronaut flying in space with a view of Earth, for the mantel. I just love that my white frame has a clip inside. I can quickly change out its contents to meet my decorating whims!
Here is a link to my post about decorating the wall above Claire and Leah’s diaper table. Man, I love having baby girls in the house again!
Here is a list of things to think about (in The Nester’s words) when putting together a mantel, wall shelf or table scape.
1. Scale–you want big stuff, you want small stuff, you want medium stuff
2. Layering–don’t be afraid to put stuff in front of other stuff
3. Height Variations–make sure you have tall stuff and short stuff
4. Texture–shiny, smooth, rough, glass, wood, soft, sharp? I can’t think of any more textures but you get the idea
5. Color–consider repeating the same color a few times
6. Natural–try to add in one thing from nature
7. Meaningful–kid made pottery, a grandma’s silver rattle, quirky photo, framed letter
If you are visiting from The Nester’s Mantel Party, thanks for popping by Just a Blink!
Love,
Jess
My Mom begged encouraged me to get an updated portrait of Molly. I guess, the photo of Molly at 6 months was no longer doing-it for her.
Molly and I went outside, in the drizzly weather, to snap a few shots for Grammy-Lu.
I love this girl’s smile. She seems to be laughing in her eyes and giddy in her soul.
{This post was linked up with Sweet Shot Tuesday over at My 3 Boybarians.}
Love,
Jess
P.S. Do you follow the traditional milestones for photo portraits or do you take random snaps like me? Both are fabulous! Just remember to take them when you can because time flies when you’re having fun!
