.I have fought the good fight.

I hope to be saying this at the end of my life, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  What a lofty goal yet one I strive for daily.  This custom art piece was done for a young man who has a black belt in Ta Kwan Do.  

Have a lovely weekend friends keeping the faith. 

.a little reflecting.

Lydia reading

Sometimes I have little to no words.  This week has been that sort of way.  I have been catching up on laundry as we were all sick last week and there has been a lot of other things to reflect on as well.  Along with a lot of anticipation on our near future.  Both have left me with deep thoughts.  

My sisters and I always messed up my moms "nice" pictures - 

it figures that the only "nice" ones we have together are our goofy shots!

Mothers day was a hard day around here.  It was a day in which I needed to reflect upon the other moms that have been woven into our story.  Both of our boys mama's were heavy on my heart Sunday and I couldn't help but think of how this day will bring a mix of emotions for our sons the rest of their lives.  Something you don't really think about in the process of adopting (at least the first time around)...... but something very real when your child comes home.

Our adoption is right now going great and our papers are officially in D.C. getting Authenticated (the last step of paperwork in America) and then will be sent off to Ethiopia.  We are thrilled that our papers are officially out of our hands.  It also brings on some anxiety as there is nothing more I can do - when I had the paperwork the speed was in my control - now it is not, and we have entered the "wait" stage which is hard when timing is so unknown.  

At the Lion King play this past month

Then we have the anticipation of the baby.  Both Aaron & I are nesting.  It is crazy.  Aaron has never gotten any sympathy pregnancy symptoms before this pregnancy and he thought other men who got them were a little whack - but here he is nesting and eating chocolate (which is completely strange for him).  He has cleaned our entire basement and finishing up housework like a nut.  And I am cooking meals and stock piling our freezer like the Apocalypse is coming.  

ahh, I love him

I am also getting sentimental   The other day Asher fell asleep in the car and I carried him into the house and just sat with him as he slept.  I would have normally transferred him into his bed, but I wanted to hold him.  He is only gonna be my baby for a short while longer and I am wondering how he will change because of it.  I think he will be an awesome big brother but a little part of me is sad that he will no longer be "my baby" - he has coveted this role in our family for the past 2.5 years.

They have gotten good at the "goofy" poses.

Anyhow all these anticipations of "the soon" are on our minds and in our thoughts.  Hope you are all doing well friends.  I am off to gather another list of items I need for meals.  Our freezer is gonna be packed for this summer and I am loving it.

.mothers day gifts under $25.

 Items in photo under $25: Dazzle Earrings

Other items: Funky Paper Beaded Necklace

Mothers day is just a few days away - yikes!  This also happens to be my 29th birthday and the start of my last round in the 20's.

Items in photo under $25: Jones Design Journal

As far as gifts go, I am usually pretty laid back.  I don't really want anything huge.  My only requirement is that I never want flowers - they are gonna die anyhow.  I usually opt for a day out with my family - and it is usually in this cute crafty town near us in Cedarburg, WI which my sister in law refers to as Pleasantville.

Items in photo under $25: Circles Forever Bracelets (silver and brass)

This year I have some other gift ideas to share with you all.  Because as nice as a day out with your family is, sometimes it is like a write-off gift and other times it ends with tears from over-tiered little ones (and mamas who just want to browse craft stores).  Plus every mother loves to be pampered once in a while, we wear the mom-look all the time (or at least I do) with my hair up and messy and not so nice clothes on.  Well, how about throwing in some jewelry to inspire us all to look nice and take off the grunge.

Items in Photo under $25: Sun Disc Earrings

Other items: Light Layers Necklace

*bracelets in photo are all discontinued.

A couple days ago I shared that I have recently become a Noonday Ambassador.  I love the company because they help others.  Through your purchases you not only would get to dress up your mom or your wife but you would also be helping another family across the world.  And that is something super special.  It is like a bonus gift in itself!

Items in photo under $25: Cups (Gallina and Fiesta) 

Noonday carries items that are priced between $12.00 and $285.00, so every price range is represented.  There are many items in Noonday's Collection that are affordable and some gorgeous items under $25.00 are below!

1. Anastasias Wristlet

2. Patchwork Journal

3. Tea Towels (dots, fiesta, gallina, and manana)

4. Nahuala Oval Tray

5. Jones Design Journal

6. It's Cozy - Coffee Cozy

7. Handmade Stationery (dots, geometric, and filigree)

8. Handmade Journal (fiesta, and dots)

9. Flock Together Love Birds

10. Handpainted Cups (gallina and fiesta)

11. Tagua Rings (sunset orange, berry, and aqua)

12. Zig Zag Gourd Bangle

13. The D'Orsay Bangle

14. The Pompidou Bangle

15. The Toulouse Bangle

16. Striated Gourd Bangle

17. Pelotas Bracelet (tangerine, navy, and seagreen)

18. Olivia Bracelet

19. Gypsy Stack Bracelets (purple, red, and turquoise)

20. Funky Paper Bead Bracelet

21. Engraved Cuff

22. Circles Forever Bracelet (silver and brass)

23. Coastal Bracelet

24. Tiny Ceramic Aztec Earrings

25. Sun Disc Earrings

26. Stacked Black Earrings

27. Hanging Lantern Earrings

28. Dazzle Earrings

Items in photo under $25: Anastasia Wristlet 

Other items: Brightly Colored Acai Rope Necklace and French Knotted Cuff

As it is too late to order a mothers day gift and get the actual item in time you could order and print out a picture of the item with the artisans story.  You could also opt for a gift card and let your mother pick out her favorite item.  As there is a huge selection of items I am sure everyone will find something they love from Noonday.

Item in photo under $25: Olivia Bracelet

Other items in photo: Dancing Pom Scarf, Chrysoprase Chandelier Earrings, 

and Two Coins Necklace

No matter what you gift your mother or wife with, be sure to celebrate her on this special day - moms do a lot of hard work!

**Note: This post is part of Nerd Wallets Mothers Day Gift Contest!  Go visit for some other amazing gift ideas. 

**Disclaimer: All photos in this blog post were taken from Noonday.

.introducing my newest adventure.

Shown in photo: Inca Steps Necklace (in coral)

.introducing my newest adventure.  Oh Noonday.  You have been capturing my heart  for a while!  I have loved this company for so many reasons and told others to "go for it" and sell their products, that it makes sense someone finally convince me to do the same.  I have officially become a Noonday Ambassador!

Shown in photo: Chevron Dangle Earrings, Bone Carved Polygon Necklace, 

Nomadic Cuff, and Tagua Seed Bracelet. 

Noonday is a company devoted to buying fair-trade jewelry, accessories, and household items from women in third world countries (and from refugees living in America).  All the products are hand made and come with a story behind them, which I believe is the best part.  The artisans stories are amazing and I love seeing them triumph through whatever it is that previously weighed them down.  By purchasing the items from these artisans we are giving them a hand up and providing them with stable jobs instead of a hand out.

Shown in photo: Nahuala Oval Tray, and Mediterranean Sea Earrings

I would love for all of you to check out my site and shop around.  It is too late to make purchases and get items in time for mothers day, however you can purchase a gift voucher and have your mom pick her favorite item!  

Shown in photo: Angelica Infinity Scarf and The Dorsay Bangle. 

If you love all the items I would love to host a trunk show for you.  You will get to see a sample of products and earn rewards to purchase some of your own!  As the baby is due in 5 weeks I will be scheduling shows for after the baby comes, so anything in mid-late summer!  .introducing my newest adventure.

**Disclaimer: All photos in this blog post were taken from Noonday.

.Hannah James Remodel.

.Hannah James Remodel.  I opened Hannah James up two years ago this month.  It was a great way to raise money for our first adoption.  Having that space lead me to meet other creative people who were also adopting.  I value those friendships and I admire each person I met through my little shop.  However, my taste has changed.  My focus has shifted.  And I am closing the Jewelry sections of Hannah James.

To celebrate the closing of these sections and to get rid of the inventory I have I am offering 25% off right now.  If you have had your eye on something now is the time to get it.  A lot is left and I want all the pieces off to a good home.  I am not going to be restocking any jewelry.  The coupon code is: "remodel25" and it is good on rings, necklaces, earrings, and hair accessories.  .Hannah James Remodel.