Small Words Blog

For all those wondering where they are {and YES, I will be posting pictures of all the art I’ve completed to this point!} here is the list updated. This means you will see a new number by your name but I will keep your original number when I post your pictures. {Clearly, I’m trying to be confusing!}

S. Baker {Katie} 1

** J. Guzman {Emma, Ellie, E & M} 4

** C. Dallhoff {Charley & Andie} 2

** E. Haley {Barnes} 1

** H. Hullinger {Elena, Efia & to be announced} 3

** B. Lloyd {Nathaniel} 1

** S. Gaines {William, Matthew & G} 3

L. Curtis {Ryanne (Annaliece)} 1

A. Crawford {Zoe & Egan} 2

R. Murphy {Ella} 1

Emily Choate {Gracie, (2) birds & (2) bird cages} 5

C. Long {Sarah} 1

S. Graham {to be announced} 1

R. Thirkettle {Matthew} 1

K. Reed {Finley Belle} 1

A. Brandes {Carson} 1

M. Rosado {to be announced} 1

J. Turner {Michael, Annalee, Isabella & Elayna Mae}  4

N. Steagal Hill {Brynne} 1

L. Miller {Sloane} 1

L. Prather {Stephen} 1

A. Ford {to be announced} 1

A Keesee {to be announced} 1

C. Fowler {to be announced}1

J. Stoebner {Abigail} 1

S. Raines {to be announced} 1

A. Newport {Newport} 1

H. Deal {D} 1

J. Lamberth {Jere} 1

A. Teeter {T} 1

M. Clark {to be announced} 1

L. Geist {Lillie & London} 2

K. Hogg {Brynlee & Becton} 2

M.Stokes {to be announced} 1

K. Miller {Tate} 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . NOW THAT IS A GOOD NAME.

S. Southernland {Addison, Parker & Halle} 3

K. O’Connor {Caroline} 1

T. Ludlam {to be announced} 1

C. Crawford {Aniston} 1

K. Evans {Garret & Hudson} 2

S. Leach {Peter} 1

M. Murray {Brittany} 1

C. Pedroza {to be announced} 1

L. Allerkamp {Abigail, Katie & Mia} 3

M. Pierce {Kodi OR Grant} 1

A. Souliske {Mary Kate} 1

L. Sultmeier {S} 1

R. Bouchard {Renee} 1

K. Dawson {H & T} 2

K. Wilson {Cameron & Connor} 2

R. Carpenter {Jack & Harrison} 2

L. Hopkins {R, L & H} 3

C. Gruebel {Avery & Camden} 2

C. Sigrist {Cash} 1

M. Feagley {MEF} 1

L. Dusek {Dusek} 1

M. Womble {Jack} 1

J. Youngblood {Sage Anita} 1

A. Lavinder {Lauren} 1

K. LaNasa {Peyton & Luke} 2

D. Henlsley {Paye} 1

W. DeWitt {Connor & Jordan} 2

E. White {Tyler & Harper} 2

L. Cruthis {to be announced & TCL} 2

C. Mackey {4 to be announced} 4

J. Saugen {Forest & Olaf} 2

K. Trock {Danny & Emily} 2

D. Smith {to be announced} 1

A. Mitchell {Carly OR CRM & Katie OR KJM} 2

K. Goedke {Jay} 1

S. Russenberger {to be announced}1

K. Gordon {Mia} 1

M. Baker {MBE} 1

N. Richmond {to be announced} 1

M. Edler {Anderson & to be announced} 2

J. Rivers {Keilah Grace/Sophie Claire} 1

K. BeVelle {Deacon} 1

** working on them now!

I hope everyone had a great December, a wonderful Christmas, an awesome New Year’s eve and a fabulous start to the New Year! The month of December flew by. And I can’t believe we are already in the new year. It’s funny how the idea of a new year is so exciting. The belief of a fresh start – when really the fresh start is every day you wake up. But just like everyone, I do love the new year. I’m not big into the resolution thing, but I do try to line up things for change in my house. It seems every year that I change up stuff around here – how I clean my house, work my business, how much time my kids spend with the tv – things like that!! And this year will be no different. I think it is because of December. Everything is thrown to the wind that month. With all the craziness that comes with the holidays, chaos always ensues. I need a new year just to give me that sense of calm.

But no matter how crazy the month of December is, I love it. A lot. I did great this year with gift buying. I had it all taken care of by December 1st! And I came in under budget! {Always a plus!} I had a plan and it fell into place. It was really nice. I enjoyed it all. My kids were awesome. Emme tried hard to convince us that Jesus is a baby on Christmas – every Christmas. She gets that he is 2000 years old, but on Christmas . . . he is a baby! Except from midnight to sunrise . . . then he is Santa Claus. “Because he is amazing and he can do things like that.” haha! Still cracks me up when I think about it! Lawson has every Christmas song memorized and is still singing them. Carson loved the Christmas lights – and has decided that we are keeping the lights in his room. Hudson, . . . well just know that he has been watching Christmas movies everyday since June. That boy has been “in the spirit” for months. He was disappointed when he woke up on December 26th.

Em is on a Lala Loopsy kick – anyone else out there have an obsessed child?

Lawson’s favorite toys are all educational. Seriously, this dollar toy is one of his favorites! And his absolutely favorite was a president puzzle. {And my OT friends, I don’t let my children sit like this. I specifically remember asking him to sit the correct way after this picture!}

This is the fake smile. Everyone with kids have at least one kid that has the “fake” smile! haha! This really is probably one of the most hysterical expressions ever. And he is going to kill me one day when he knows that I just posted this for the world to see. {Sorry babe, this is what happens when you keep doing it!}

And Hudson with his beloved Innotab. He is in his serious mode here. And on top of the world.

I’m fortunate to have taken a few pictures. Normally, we are so wrapped up in the excitement that we don’t even think to pick up the camera! But the one picture I get every year is the after math . . .

This is my happy picture. This is what I dreamed of Christmas morning looking like when I was a kid. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Grinch said it best when he said, “It came without ribbons!… it came without tags!… it came without packages, boxes, or bags!” But with a 3 gift minimum + each child gives each sibling a gift in the $10 and under range + Santa’s gift = a lot of gifts! My kids don’t get toys other than at birthdays. Don’t get me wrong there are times they do receive little things. But I knew before I had children, that toys were not going to be given all the time. And I’m glad we have stuck to it because it makes times like this unbelievable! Nothing like seeing a grateful heart on Christmas morning.

And because I know you want to see my Christmas card for this year {although I’ve not sent them out yet!} Like last year, they will be a “New Year card!” I already have a caption for this – I will tell you in another post. BUT I want to know what you guys would put on this! haha!

Again, I hope you all have a fantastic new year! And blogging is on my priority list for 2012!

Today is my 9th wedding anniversary. I think this is the first time in a few years that we actually remembered! It is such an after thought at the end of the day or even the day after since having all these kids. I don’t know how you guys do it but here, we don’t really do gifts. If there is something I want, I usually go out and get it. And he does the same. So, we don’t usually make any kind of deal {big or little} out of it. I think we might next year since it is the big 10 year. We’ll see.

Who is ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow?? I’m cooking again this year. We expect a “few” people. This year, we are doing it at supper time instead of dinner{lunch} time. Which gives me all day to prepare. I basically got all the sweets taken care of today and all the prep work done. My kids have cooperated and been so good – I probably just jinxed it. If the stars stay aligned, I will be able to feed them supper, bathe them and then put those jokers in the bed. They will fall asleep immediately and I can go straight into painting. I should also be able to lose 8 pounds, my skin go to flawless as my dark eye circles disappear by the morning. I’m feeling hopeful.

HA!

And for those wondering, my house is still somewhat clean. But I said somewhat – so somewhere in between losing 8 pounds and my flawless skin, I have to pick up around here as well as sweep, mop and dust.

I have a few pictures of the next canvas for your viewing pleasure. The first picture was taken before the outer border was even stated. But it looked so cool with the sun shining. This was on of those times I actually painted this from the center out. Literally finished each layer before going to the next. I don’t always do that. Actually, I rarely do that. But this was a time that it just worked out that way.

The base of this painting is the original “Stella” painting. It is funny how this paintings has changed over time. Yet, the “Stella” is still one of my favorite paintings to date.

This bedding came from Pottery Barn Kids. The intent was to paint just flowers and not to match the bedding. And I couldn’t be more pleased with the way it all turned out! Of course, I only painted the painting. This client did a fantastic job putting it all together!

I know I have told you guys before how much I love seeing photos of the paintings in their “place” or even with the child/baby in the picture! And I’m sure after seeing pictures like this, you have to understand why. I actually lifted these off her blog! Just proof that I will stalk you until I get a glimpse!

Guys, have a very merry Thanksgiving. I hope to post again tomorrow {I have been on a small roll.} But just in case I don’t have the time, I want you to know how much you all mean to me. There would be no “small words” if it wasn’t for you all. Thank you.

Let the countdown begin!

75.5 to go! {updated February 9}

Sorry, I'm currently NOT accepting orders. I have to/must complete my current list before I take on anymore. Thank you so much for your understanding!