29 March 2013

Cleveland Blogger Brunch.

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When I first started blogging I never even knew what a blog was, I didn't come into the loop until after I read an article on Etsy. As an Etsy shop owner I felt it was the right step to start a blog, but when I started Yellow Finch Designs Blog I had no idea what direction I wanted to go. I first started with generic posts about items I liked on etsy, information about jewelry and some behind the scenes on my own pieces. Very general information and as far away from personal as possible.

Then, I started to actually read some blogs. I started to actually connect with other woman who seemed like me. Who shared a similar lifestyle, interests and goals. I like to think that it's from these women that I found my voice and the confidence to carry out Yellow Finch as I have. It has become a place for me to write, whether a quick story about my day, random notes or thoughts, or a well planned poem or story. It has become my place to grown into my passion for photography. Over these past couple years I have blossomed and I hope to continue to improve each day. But I wouldn't be where I am now if it's wasn't for the blogging community. The community that is there to share, to answer questions and reach out and help.

Fast forward a couple years, and here we are at Yellow Finch where I blog about my simple life with my family. I never thought that I would be involved in the community, but I've learned you can't have a blog without being part of the amazing community. I recentley took my blogging adventures offline and met up with a few Northeast Ohio and North Western Pennsylvania bloggers up in Cleveland. Erin did a wonderful job planning brunch at Touch followed by shopping at Sweet Lorain. Thank you Erin and thank you Amanda for thinking of me. Amanda is one of those influential women who have impacted my journey in blogging. Over the past couple years not only have we become online friends, but it turns out we live in the same small town!

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Taking the time to blog, write and photograph daily, well almost daily, has become a prominant part of my life. What are your thoughts on blogging? If you have a blog has it affected you or your lifestyle? Have you ever attended a "blogger meet up?" Do you ever reach out to other bloggers?

The Bloggers:
Mandy of The Curvy Blogger / Julie of Orchid Grey / Liz of Yellow Finch / Megan of Kiddo TV
Erin of Zero Style / Lauren of Someone Like You / Katy of Sugar and Chiffon / Jessica of Midwest Muse,
Jaclyn of Sharing My Sole / Karina of Beach and Dress / Dina of Dina’s Days /

*first photo by Julie

28 March 2013

busy little bees.

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We're all busy little bees around this house. Preparing for Easter, egg hunts on Saturday, a family dinner on Sunday. We've had errands to run, rooms to clean, haircuts and more this week. Spring cleaning has officially begun, which means that I dig into every closet and drawer and see what can be purged. It feels so good to de-clutter, I just hope I can get it all done by Sunday!

The kids have been busy playing with every toy in the house. Games, coloring, Legos and dolls. We're hoping the weekend will bring some warmer weather and some time outdoors.

We're hoping....

26 March 2013

hello spring. hello snow day.

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Monday I woke up with an eagerness to start the day, and eagerness to start the week. I have a full week ahead of me before we host Easter dinner at our house for twenty two people, and I need every second of each day to prepare.

What I was not prepared for was several inches of snow, no school, an official snow day plopped right in the early stages of spring. Not winter, spring.

So I declared it a no work day. And official play day, because that's what snow days really are, right? They're meant for playing. We started ours off with a batch of crepes to warm our bellies, then we headed outside with friends to romp and roam in the freshly fallen snow, the kinda snow that is just perfect for snowman making and snowball throwing.

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We ate our lunches on the floor, we sat on the counters and made a pie, we played hide and seek for an hour (I officially hold the place for the best hiding spot), we played legos and kitchen, and while I sweated in my spinning class the kids played at the gym, then we played in the arcade and in the jump room. After a session of nice warm baths and hot cocoa we called it a night by cuddling and reading in mama's bed.

It really was the best day.
No work, just play.
I should really have these days more often.

25 March 2013

12/52

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"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Jonas: Eagerly waiting and watching dad make strawberry milkshakes.
Joshua: A little kitchen helper.
Jessica: A milkshake drinker.

Thank you Jodi for hosting this Portrait series.

This past week I enjoyed... the bonding moment captured in this photo, the sweetness and the slightest touch of light in this photo, the eyes and silouhette captured here, and the happiness that unfolds in this picture.

24 March 2013

sunday stills. photo 12

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A single photo once a week.
To capture my emotions, to sum up the days.
To collect my thoughts and hold them in my hands.

Every Sunday, one photo.

On this Sunday: Three strawberry milkshakes for three little children eager to taste the sweetness of summer.

Emily, from The Beetle Shack, also does a weekly stills post. Make sure to check out her lovely photos :)

20 March 2013

skiing with the boys.



A couple weeks back we headed up to Ellicottville, NY for a short ski trip with the boys. This year's experience was certainly different than last year, mostly being that we had the opportunity to actually ski with the boys. They did one full day of lessons and the following day we decided to put Jonas in a private lesson. It was well worth the money. He was heading up the chair lift and skiing down the green hills (and one blue) before lunchtime. When Joshua's class ended we decided to take him with us and he did just fine.

These boys of mine never cease to amaze me. Their courage, lack of fear and positive attitude to pick up and go. They are filled with so much energy that radiates out of their little souls and into Jon and I. We really have something to learn from children.

We look forward to skiing again next year, and possibly even bringing Jess with us.

You can see last year's trip here.

19 March 2013

11/52

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"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Jonas: Experimenting and learning.
Joshua: Curious and cold.
Jessica: Hiding and happy.

Thank you Jodi for hosting this Portrait series.

This past week I enjoyed... the innocence captured in this photo, the theme and dreamy underwater feeling in these photos and the light caught in these photographs.

18 March 2013

sunday stills. photo 11

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A single photo once a week.
To capture my emotions, to sum up the days.
To collect my thoughts and hold them in my hands.

Every Sunday, one photo.

On this Sunday: Sometimes in life you just need to play.

Emily, from The Beetle Shack, also does a weekly stills post. Make sure to check out her lovely photos :)

16 March 2013

the weekend arrives. the weekend departs.

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jess

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jess2

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Another weekend arrives, another weekend quickly departs.

This is becoming the story of our lives. Time that travels too fast. Seasons that change before our eyes. I've been so busy longing for spring, dreaming of warmer days and sun filled breezes that I forgot to live today. I've forgotten to enjoy these minutes, these seconds.

I know that spring is around the corner, I can feel it in the air and sometimes I can hear it in the winds that gently tap against my window. I'll be here waiting, but I'll also be here with a satisfaction for the present.

Speaking of the present, ours is currently overflowing with busyness. Birthday parties here and there, Saturday dinners with my parents, Sunday dinners with Jon's family, trips to the library, the store and more. Easter is right around the corner and we'll keep up with the tradition of hosting it for both of our families. That means lots of cleaning and baking in the upcoming weeks. And of course, egg dying! With the arrival of spring I can't help but get a little antsy. I tend to get overwhelmed and filled with anxiety when it comes to clutter. Unfortunately, having three children means clutter but that won't stop me from trying to organize and pass along as many items as I can. I've declared this week "de-clutter week" and I plan to clean every crevice of our home. It's been almost a year since we've been in the new home and I'm astonished by the amount of "stuff" that accumulates. Speaking of the house, I finally am going to get around to sharing our kitchen renovation with you and Joshua's room will shortly follow. And since Jessica is now in a big girl bed I'll post an update on her room too.

For now, you can see Jess' room here and it was just featured over on baby space.

Well my friends, I'm off to enjoy my Saturday night with a glass of Mollydooker and good book. I'm almost done with Middlesex and am eager to reach the end.

Enjoy your weekend!

*I've had a couple questions about certain items Jess is wearing. I'm thinking about including it in posts. Thoughts? Also, I've had several questions in general. Thoughts on adding a FAQ section to my about page?

Jess is wearing :: vintage sweater, soon to be available on The Little Forest. leggings, ebay. shoes, marshals.

13 March 2013

date night adventures.

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Awhile back, in this post, I talked a little bit about the importance of dates nights. Since then Jon and I have managed to go on a couple more dates. On Sunday's date night we decided to turn this into a regular routine for us and made a goal of going out every other week.

Can you guess who picked the first date? Jon has been waiting for this moment to happen for several years. A date night on the golf course. I have to admit, I actually had a great time. I'm not sure that golf is my sport, mostly because I become so frustrated, but there is something to be said when the club makes contact and you watch your ball soar in open air. I smiled in satisfaction. Even if my ball was no where near the green and I made fifteen over par. And is that golf lingo even correct?

I'm thinking about sharing more of our date night adventures, so stay tuned my friends.

12 March 2013

10/52

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"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Jonas: Perched high in the world waiting for dad to come home from work.
Joshua: A huge leap into boyhood. Mastering the bike and saying goodbye to training wheels!
Jessica: Her love for books always brings a smile to my heart.

Thank you Jodi for hosting this Portrait series.

*update: starting next week i'll join in with naming a few of my favorites. this week has been crazy so, once again, i have neglected my blog reads. for those of you who stick around and read yellow finch a huge thank you :)

11 March 2013

sunday stills. photo 10

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A single photo once a week.
To capture my emotions, to sum up the days.
To collect my thoughts and hold them in my hands.

Every Sunday, one photo.

On this Sunday: Sometimes life is messy. Sometimes we make our lives messy. I have always believed in the bigger picture, in the concept that everything happens for a reason. Perhaps life gets messy to teach a lesson. Perhaps it's meant to help us grow. Grow into better people, into ourselves and into our roles we are destined to live out. When we get dirty we clean ourselves off, we shake off the weight of mud and grime and pick ourselves up and move on because there are too many great moments in life waiting for us. Moments that shouldn't be missed just because life get's a little dirty.

My mother once shared the following quote with me. At the time, I didn't get it. I read the words but they didn't make sense. I get it now. I want to embrace the every day. I want to embrace the small moments, because those are the moments that build happiness.

"First I was dying to finish high school and start college.
And then I was dying to finish college and start working.
And then I was dying to marry and have children.
And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for
school so I could return to work.
And then I was dying to retire.
And now, I am dying ... and suddenly I realize I forgot to live."
-Anonymous


10 March 2013

new orleans trip. part III

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Super Bowl Sunday. The final day of our trip.
After working late on Saturday night at the Taste of the NFL and heading back to Cochon for a post event party we were spent. We looked forward to an easy Sunday. Lazy strolls through the French Quarter, bloody mary's at the French Market (where we picked up souvenirs for the kiddos) and brunch at SoBou (the Commander's Family).

I'll admit, we were a little up in the air about actually attending the Super Bowl. We're not big football fans, but we also knew this may be a once in a life time opportunity. So when opportunity knocks you take it. Jon literally ran to pick up our tickets, I picked up a couple last minute gifts and we met up outside the hotel. No time for changing, no time for resting. Off we went. I was whisked away to the moments when we first began dating. Impromptu nights, running around without a care in the world.

While we're still not huge football fans and I can't tell you a single song that Beyonce sings, we had a blast. Minus my little panic attack when the lights went out. Jon thought that was the ideal time for another round of drinks, I thought it was more important to locate the emergency exits. Silly, right? Things never made me nervous in the past. Now, since I have three children, everything makes me nervous. Plane rides, car trips, and most certainly the power going out (partially) at the Super Bowl. When you write out your will for the first time it gives you a bit of a reality check.

But here we are, home safe and sound.
Listening to Joshua tap tap tap away on his new drum.
Watching Jessica twirl round and round in her authentic Mardi Gras beads.
And listening to Jonas explain exact details about the Mosasaurus tooth we brought him. My little paleontologist.
Souvenirs really are the best part of vacations.
And even better, coming home.
Coming home to family.
Coming home to children.

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And of course, we had to end our trip on a good food note. By the time the game ended we were starving and in search of something to eat. Wandering around the streets of New Orleans on a late Sunday night we were riding close to frustration. We stumbled across a restaurant with large window fronts and white tables cloths. A crowded bar and signs of good food. Little did we know it was Emeril's restaurant, not something we would have typically picked, but we were pleasantly surprised.

You were good to us New Orleans, we look forward to spending time with you again.

I wanted to say thank you to everyone's suggestions for our trip. Our friends Max and Jen had a list of great places to visit and Jon's roommate from college, Sean, and his sister Lauren took us out on the town. It was a blast hanging out with them. Thank you to Meredith on Instagram for your awesome suggestions! I appreciate you taking the time to email me ;)
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