harper kimery: two years

My Harper turned two last week.

I spent the week grabbing her and trying to rock her like a baby. But she'd just wiggle away from me while screetching "big!"

She's getting opinions and words and funny.

She's best friends with her big sister and listens intently while Elliott tells her what adventure they're going on, where they'll be playing store, or what dress up outfit to wear.

She loves Dora, Nemo, Thomas, Minnie, and Pooh. Every night, to the annoyance of her sister, she requests to watch Nemo before bed.

She's been crib-free for about a month and has just started climbing out of bed on her own while she should be sleeping. Those weeks before she learned she could get out all by herself were precious. And I miss them.

Her favorite word is no and she purposefully answers questions wrong because she is onry. She might be the onriest child I have ever been around.

Daddy can't tell her no. I think it's because she looks so much like me. He can't seem to tell me no either.

Happy birthday Harper Kimery.

two by two: my daughters

One day, my beautiful girls, it will be just you two.

You will be the Graham family. You might have new last names, but you will always and forever be Grahams.

And you will always and forever be sisters. Best friends. Confidantes.

It will be you two that remember the embarrassing stories, the family vacations, the secrets, your weird daddy and your silly mommy.

Please be kind to each other even when you don't want to.

Take care of each other, not because it's your job, but because it is your joy.

I sometimes worry that two isn't enough, that you need more siblings to help you, for later.

And there was a moment where that was to be true.

But I believe that for us, for you both, two is good. You can handle the sole responsibility to love and care for each other, to be a family when we are no longer here telling you how to be, what to do, how to love.

Hopefully you'll have learned a few things from us and learned more things for yourselves.

And I trust that two will be enough, that with a God bigger than I could even imagine, you two, my precious babies, will be enough for the world.

I guess the bigger question is is the world ready for you two?

(I've had some requests for pin-able images so hopefully these will help!)

power is like being a lady...

My children hate to have their nails trimmed.

It's traumatic and chaotic and any other adjective that ends in -tic that means not going well.

Ellie cries the whole time. Harper has to be physically restrained by Chris while I do the dirty work. Most of the time it's funny and entertaining how hard those two fight against a nail trim. Occasionally it's annoying and frustrating.

But what I love is their fight.

My children are fighters.

And not in the physical sense where they want to be violent (although they do like to hit each other when they think we are not watching), but in a way that makes them never give up. They are persistent and focused and driven.

When Elliott was about six months old and her personality was just beginning to really show itself, I mentioned to a group of my colleagues about her stubborness and it being a battle. One of our seasoned counselors who is just the wisest of wise said that trait could be a blessing or a curse depending on how I looked at it.

That conversation has stuck with me.

I want to look at my children--all parts of them--as blessings as opposed to something I have to live through. Their strong will is from me and while I'm sure we will have battles (hello, teenage years), I want to never forget that who they are and what they are becoming is a good thing.

The traits that they have are from God--and I can help nuture them and make them great and benefit His kingdom or I can try to squash and control them, try to "fix them" in my eyes. 

I really don't want to feel like I have to fix them.

Margaret Thatcher once said "Power is like being a lady...if you have to tell people you are, you aren't." I want my daughters to know they hold such power, determination, resolve and focus, but that picking your battles is part of that power.

I'm learning a lot about power right now. What it means and what it doesn't. What it can control and what it can't. And how power can hurt or help.

My prayer right now is that my husband and I can mold and encourage our children in all their strong willed spunkiness. That we can help them use their powers for good instead of evil. That they will be world changers and know the power they hold---and use it wisely.

potty training your babe

(skinnies: Target, shirt: Forever 21, sweater, bracelets, & flats: Target)

[pictures by the wonderful Jess Bell]

According to the magical three-day potty training book that we used with Elliott, Harper should be potty trained by now.

Except she's definitely wearing diapers today.

We admitted defeat last night and made a run to Wal-Mart for Huggies. It was a desperate moment that felt so right.

I've mentioned before how different Harper is from Elliott. And just to show me once again that my daughters are the exact opposite in every aspect of their lives, Harper refused to potty train.

Ellie was potty trained in a day and a half. I'm not making it up, she really was.

And because it was so easy, I praised this method to anyone who would listen, swearing it could work on all children.

BUT I WAS WRONG.

This weekend, I got my butt kicked by a one year old.

And I'm exhausted.

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Thanks to everyone who took a minute to share your thoughts on my reader survey! Kathie H. is the winner of the Thirty One bag! I'll contact you shortly.

copycat linkup {3}

For this week's copycat style, I used my picture inspiration to try a trend, not copy a look.  I've been layering with the best of them so I thought I'd up my game a little and try this J. Crew look: button down, sweater, and a pencil skirt.  The bow tie was a little too much for my taste, but to each his own.  Or something like that.

(skirt: Kohls, chambray shirt: thrifted, sweater: Kohls, tights & booties: Vera Wang for Kohls...apparently I like the Kohls)

And because I normally crop her out, I'm leaving you with this cute picture of my kid before we get down to the important stuff.  Harper rockin' the Ariel shirt from Old Navy and some hip velcro Chuck Taylors.  Work it, girl.

Today we're honored to have a guest showing off her copycat look too: Kelly from Messy Dirty Hair.  I love her style, her hair (of course), and we're so flattered that she wanted to be our first official co-host.  Make sure you stop over and say hi to her!    

The rules are simple:

-Follow Texas Lovebirds and Trusty Chucks (following Messy Dirty Hair is optional but encouraged!).
-Everyone likes comments! Please visit at least one other blog and leave a comment. Find new blogs! Make new friends!
-Do not link to giveaways or your homepage, link to a specific post about your copycat style and how you made the look your own. Linkups that don't follow this rule will be deleted.
-Please link back to the post and let your readers know what's going on. You could grab a button if you'd like (hint, hint).

Be sure to check out our copycat linkup board on Pinterest for lots of great looks!

Interested in co-hosting with us? Email me at trustychucks {at} yahoo {dot} com.



where we keep all the secrets.

(skirt: Kohls, button down: Old Navy, shirt: Madewell, wedges: J.C. Penny, necklace: Sears, child: the Grahams)

Speaking of a button down, I pretty much wear one every day.  In a million different ways, it's probably my favorite style at the moment.

Obviously these pictures were taken a while ago since my bare legs still have a slight tan and my daughter is wearing shorts.  Because now it's officially cold in Indianapolis...which it should be since Christmas is in just two weeks. 

That reminds me, I really need to do some Christmas shopping.

I had a student ask me recently if my hair was in a messy bun.  I hesitantly said yes and then asked why?  She said she saw it on YouTube and was trying to do it at home last night. 

That made me giggle.

To think how cool I would have been in middle school if something like YouTube existed where all the cool-kid secrets were kept.  I would have known the perfect tight roll for my jeans, the best place to buy gold charms for my chain, and how to get the perfect curled-under look for my bangs.

If only.

Linking up to Transatlantic Blonde, Real Girl Glam, The Pleated Poppy, and Rolled Up Pretty.

pigeon-toed polka dots & being grouchy

(pants: Belk, striped shirt: thrifted, sweater: Old Navy, necklace: NY & Co., flats: Kohls)

I feel like I should be going to bed instead of writing this post.

Because I'm tired and that means I'll probably just write grouchy things.

And here they are:

1. Why do bloggers that like to take pictures of themselves (okay, me...) think it's cool to stand pigeon-toed?  As someone who is pigeon-toed in real life and has passed this unfortunate trait onto both her daughters, I don't think it's cool to make yourself all wonky on purpose.  I would love to not turn my toes in and sometimes if I'm actually thinking about it, I'll try to stand straight but things get all weird and I just look like I'm getting ready to go to the bathroom in my pants. It's uncomfortable for everyone.  You know what's not uncomfortable? Standing the way God made you...and if that's not with your feet turned in slightly (or in poor Harper's case, a lot) stop doing it.

2. This sweater.  I've hesitated to post a picture of it for the 2+ months I've had it.  I like wearing it and have probably worn in four or five times.  But so has every other female blogger in the U S of A and I feel like it's overdone and boring.  So that I'm posting it goes to show you that it must be a slow news day.  But all this random pattern mixing needed to be showcased.  Too much? Or not enough??  I know which way I'm voting...


Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Real Girl Glam, Transatlantic Blonde, and Rolled Up Pretty.

five for friday

1. This picture--oh my goodness.  If I had to have only one picture to sum up that little girl, it would be this one.  She has more attitude than her one-and-a-half year old body can hold.  (Also, random side note: if you're looking for a great kids' book, both my daughters love Hooray for Fish!by Lucy Cousins and it would make a perfect Christmas present.  There's just something in me that makes me want to share books, thank you for indulging that English teacher moment...)

2.  Are you guys shopping today? Did you already finish?! This is the first time in at least fifteen years that I haven't stayed up late or gotten up early for some deals.  Guys, this money series really is kicking our butts.  (Although, I did order two pairs of boots online yesterday, so I don't feel completely left out of all the chaos.)

3.  Thanksgiving day somehow turns into Thanksgiving week at our house, there's pitch-ins at work, there's lots of eating out, and then, of course, the never ending food of yesterday.  So today we're spending the morning at the gym paying for what we did this week.  I'm assuming the rest of the day will be spent on the couch unable to move.  Bonus: I won't be tempted to shop because my legs won't work.

4. Read any good books lately? For a while I was having a hard time finding books I wanted to read and now I seem to be on a mission to stock up on books.  Something about colder days makes me want to stay inside, wear sweatpants, and read good books.  Tell me what to read!

5. Did you guys notice the awesome new blog design from Royal Daughter Designs? Amanda did an amazing job and knew exactly how to translate all my random ideas into a beautiful new spread.  I highly recommend her for any of your blog needs.

Have a great weekend friends.

Linking up with High Five for Friday with From My Grey Desk blog.

celebrating the every day.

We had dinner at my grandparent's house recently.  As we sat down for supper, I noticed the glass goblets my grandma had set out for my two children to use. 

My one-year-old and three-year-old children. 

I mentioned this might not be a good idea, but my grandma insisted it would be fine.  We had a sippy cup for Harper, but Ellie, thanks to GG, got to drink out of a pretty fancy cup while not eating dinner.  She thought she was pretty hot shit.

And she was, actually. 

She was very careful and attentive as she sipped her homemade apple cider at the table.  I was impressed.

Later that night on the drive home, I was looking at the pictures I took of my children while we were there.  Drinking out of glass goblets, roaming the yard I used to play in as a child, running around the barns I knew growing up, and it hit me.  I understood why my three year old drank out of an antique glass at dinner that evening.

Something my grandma understood because she's just so wise.

(Doesn't everyone have a bird church in their yard?  Well, they should.)

Why do we save all our best for others? 

Saving our finest for a special occasion that might not ever come?

My wedding china is sitting in a box in our basement.  I don't think we've ever actually used it.  I'm afraid it will break.

But in the grand scheme of things, who cares?  My wedding china doesn't matter at all.

My marriage, that matters.  My family, that matters.  Feeding my friends, that matters.

My wedding china doesn't matter.

And that's what my grandma knew as we ate dinner that night.

Because living into your mid-eighties teaches you things.  It teaches you that eating dinner with your great-grandkids on a crisp fall evening is special.  It shows you that a three year old drinking homemade cider from trees in your yard should be made important because it is.  It reminds you what's worth getting out the fine china for and what's not.

So tonight, we're eating dinner on our wedding china.  We might just be having sandwiches, but this life, this time we have, it's worth celebrating.

Thanks, GG, for the reminder. And cheers.   

she smiles.

Harper has started posing for the camera.

It's pretty much the funniest thing that's happened all week.  Maybe even month.

What wasn't so funny was when she ate a black marker as we're heading out the door for church last weekend.

But I guess now that the marker has finally worn off, that was kind of funny too.

itchy brain

(skirt: Target, blouse, belt, & sandals: Kohls; similar look here)

Harper wanted to make an appearance today. 

But the only thing she would do while I was holding her was pick her nose.  Truthfully, if you know me from outside my blog, you would not be surprised at this. 

I'm not sure where to go after that. 

So, uh, goodbye.