"Love, Love, Love"

All You Need is Love!

My resounding theme in my life, I HOPE!  I LOVE, love in all forms!  Hugs, Kisses, hand written notes, acts of kindness, smiles, service to others--especially!  That might have to be my top love, seeing or witnessing or experience an act of service or hospitality to another with nothing expected in return.  My heart gushes for that :)

My foot pedal to my favorite sewing machine broke this week:(  I purchased a good enough used one to replace it out of a wonderfully helpful shop in Austin--Hopefully arrives today--Fingers and toes crossed :)

UNTIL THEN ...

  I decided to make the most of an "off" day and CELEBRATE my loves in my life:  

My Best Friend, sole mate, and luckily for me, my husband, my Johns!  My beautiful, sparkly Ava Bird, my strong, witty Leo, my joyfully charming little Octopus, Maximus and my spunky go getter, Kalliope, and of course, my loveable, furry white monster, Rigby.  

 We had the fortune of a RAINY Saturday this past weekend to stay inside and make homemade Valentines for all their friends at school and beloved teachers--they even made a few for each other--which made my heart leap :)

And now that All 4 of my little ones are at the same school, I have volunteered (for the first time ever) to assist with school Valentine's Day Festivities!!  

Cannot WAIT!  

Pictures to come of our homemade crafts and matching cookies thanks to our neighbor, Ms Josie, or Morsels by Josie!

Leo's are the black with glitter--who knew he was such a glitterer??  Max's are blue and green, signed, and then just a touch of silver on each :)

Ava's :)

All 4 chose a color heart and went to town crafting and personalizing each! 

This morning, I am walking to Central Market to get last minute ingredients to whip up this fabulous favorite from Pioneer Woman for tonight's LOVE Feast at the Berios Residence :) 

Everyday is pretty much a joyful celebration here, even on our down days, it's just how we roll. 

I wish you and the birds in your life, young and old, a day FULL of Love whether it be as the giver or recipient :)

Oh yes, and a song to leave you with :)

All You Need is Love, The Beatles

Love, love, love.
Love, love, love.
Love, love, love.

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.
It's easy.

Nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.
It's easy.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

Nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

All you need is love (all together, now!)
All you need is love. (everybody!)
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need (love is all you need).

Yee-hai!
Oh yeah!
She loves you, yeah yeah yeah.
She loves you, yeah yeah yeah.

Love!

J.O.B., 

Grace 

Holy Moly it's been a while--Just Batching!

Went to a blogging workshop Saturday, you know to learn how I can improve my blog and increase my traffic--Guess what I learned, YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY MAKE BLOG POSTS!!  

That's me!  Mama Bird to 4 growing little fledglings, one little monster {Rigby}, and 2 businesses, HMC3, my day job I do with school boards across the state of Louisiana, AND yes, my Little Bird Venture.  Not to mention wife, CEO and CFO to our home front, housekeeper, chef extraordinaire, chauffeur, yada, yada, yada... 

SO here's a top 10 list to catch you up on just a few of the highlights of the past couple of months since my last entry.  I'll be getting into a new habit of adding posts into my weekly agenda starting this month--so get ready for it!  

Like it or love it, you'll be hearing more from this attempting-to-do-it-all-and-knowing-I-CAN-have-it-all Mama, who just happens to work in more joy alongside motherhood via creative outlets and inspiration from my loves and friends--and future friends--

Always room for future friends ;)

#1} Pilates Reformer. I am obsessed with this class, LOVE it!  I've added to my fitness routine alongside running with my Johns :)

#2} Holidays--about 4 to be exact, since my last post!  Thankful for all the holiday sales and interest in our first Themed Blanket Our Christmas Lovie!  MY favorite this year of the 4 missed, MLK Day, which Kalliope's second birthday happened to fall on :)  We threw an AM breakfast party and then had cupcakes on our block with all of our fun neighbors after bike riding.  That day, she decided she was OVER the crib {literally} and so on Jan 22,  John and I said farewell to our final baby item from 6 years full of overwhelming joy, love and sweet memories, our baby crib.. This 4th is one spunky go getter! She was ready.  She is one super 4th, amazes me each day!  Last night (2/6) I couldn't help but get a little emotional as I checked in on her before I headed to bed..  She's growing so fast!!!

#3} January 7th, Kalliope Jude had her 1st day of school!!!!!  I don't think any one can relate in the pure liberation and freedom John and I felt as she happily exited the car with her 3 older sibs and went to the most loving wonderful Montessori school one could ever wish for all 4 of theirs to attend.  It took us a while, I realized, to fully soak it in, the freedom, the quite, the ability to get a project accomplished in full within one morning, when it used to take weeks!  It was such a joyful transition for all of us.  

So thankful.

#4} Fresh beginnings, new agendas!  In more ways than one, the new 2013 year meant so much more than usual resolutions and fresh starts.I spent the entire month since the start back of school reorganizing/uncluttering/sorting/streamlining our entire NEST!  It was as if I was nesting, but this time without the protruding belly and fatigue!  I find myself having to calm myself down so much now, and forcing myself to take a breath, there's just so much to accomplish in these hours each weekday now ;)  

January is the month I take off from Little Bird and give my sewing machines some much needed TLC and repairs and rest by sending them off for servicing forcing me to stick with the task of getting my home in order.  This January, I did just that in each and every room of our house.  I got a great system down of doing laundry {a feat in and of itself}, my kitchen is in tip top shape and so organized I actually have started to enjoy cooking!  I reached out to a lot of mommy blogs out there that specialize in organization and cleanliness and cooking...  Thankful for sights like these {http://www.mysixringcircus.com/, http://orgjunkie.com/, http://www.flylady.net/, http://simplemom.net/} and more that take the time to share!!

#5} New painted Batches!!!!  Sneak peak of Spring/Summer 2013 Collection :)

 

#6}  Redid each of my children's bedrooms.  Kalliope's was mainly transformed from the exit of the huge crib!  And ALL 3 bigs now share one huge Star Wars themed room and bunk beds.  I'll have to post more about that project later..  My kids were elated that so much was made just for them, and I was elated to be the maker, alongside one of the most super dads I know, our Johns :)

#7}  Date Days! and trail runs with my LOVE!!!  Something strollers and baby in tow make impossible to do together.   

#8}  Batch Sewing!!!

 

 #9}  Valentine's Day Blankets:  Available for V-Day delivery through Friday the 9th.

 

#10}  Another 3 months of living this life I've been given!  Each day I am ever so grateful and extremely thankful for the roles I play, the actions I get to take, the people that surround my everyday routine--including my neighbors:).  I am definitely looking forward to ALL that 2013 has to offer for Little Bird and promise to do a terrific job from this day forward on keeping everyone in the loop!

 Extras, because who can stop at just 10--Not this Mama...

Maximus being Maximus..

Oh yeah, My Leonidas the Great--turned 5!!!!  We celebrated Superhero style at an open Gym here in SA with no one but boy buds and sisters :) Such a big boy in so many ways :)

KJ embracing the deliciousness of her day.

Ava always knows how to get the most joy from any dessert!

HAPPY FEBRUARY!!!!

 Wishing you and yours warmth, Happiness, and LOVE all the days~

J.O.B

Grace