I thought I would post a couple things that have been on my mind lately, things that have helped me get that all important right perspective as I fumble (flit? stagger? dream-walk?) through days with a house full of small kids. I know I am not the only one here who is in that situation, so maybe what has been helping me would be of some use to you too.

The first thing, that really is a comfort is this: the only thing that absolutely MUST be organized in our home is my attitude. If that gets a little cluttered, or retains sticky rings from juice with a little dusting from the bottom of the toaster, then all the dry erase boards and fridge cleaning schedules in the world will not make this house fun to be in. On the other hand, if I can keep my attitude stacked in Rubbermaid bins, neatly lableled in the closet, then no matter what is going on in the house, we are doing fine. The kids may be falling apart and needing me all at once, but the only thing separating a clumsy moment Read More

After four years in business, we have decided to close our downtown shop La Bella Vita. When we first opened, I was seven months pregnant with Lina, and we were well aware that having a business that was dependent on me (it is not my husband who loves to work with flowers after all) could get complicated.

We made a few resolutions at the beginning to guide our decision making. The main thing was that we wanted our shop to overflow from our home, and not take away from it. We wanted to make sure that I was not down arranging beautiful housewares while our own home or children were neglected.

Well, the good news is, that hasn’t happened! On the other hand (as our kind, cheerful, and downright heroic employees could attest), we are no longer able to keep juggling our very joyful responsibilities. In God’s good humor, he sent twins to our family this November. While we are seriously enjoying our newly doubled brood, we simply are not able to keep up with everything else we had going.

To break it down for you, we may have to bring in outside help to get my teeth brushed every day! The shop presents itself quite clearly as the place to pare down, and pare down we are going to do! Read More

The Christmas scene at our house was really something this year. My husband’s sweet family came into town on the 21st, and they were here partying at the hotel, and meeting the twins through their baptism on the 23rd. We had a great time eating together, pool partying together (not me – don’t worry!), and doing the first ever sibling grab bag gift exchange with the fifteen minute, fifteen dollar rule.  Three of my husband’s siblings (the ones without kids) pitched in together to get one big gift for each family. Before I tell, I should show you Yes, that’s right. What you see in our windows from left to right: our Christmas tree, our retro bulb wreath hanging above the cooler full of pop and in front of a table full of groceries, and, in our third window, the static sparks flying off the heads of children in our new indoor bouncy castle. The result of so much partying? Well, for one thing a lot of our gifts are still in a garbage bag in our bedroom.

Hi all! Thanks so much for your many well wishes! I thought I would attach a few pictures from our first day with our new little friends. Lina and Daphne greeted their new siblings with enthusiasm, and Nana had to start practicing her two baby hold. Anyways, here they are, and ain’t they sweet? We might just up and pop with love.