The motherload insta friday

OK: Let's do this! I'm late on doing last week's Insta post too. Eat it up! Don't you love getting a peek into another person's personal life?

It's perfectly acceptable for your barista to put a foam heart in your latte.

Especially when he asks if you're bringing one to a friend. Flowers in my cup? Yes, please!

This is why I brought my friend coffee. She got this for Vincent. She has my complete gratitude.

Especially when it means I can capture Vincent upright. How cute are these tiny legs? I guess he takes after his mama with chicken legs like these!

My nephew came to visit. He watched Driven while I worked and then embarrassed him with this picture. I love him so and hope I can hang out with him more before he heads off to Marine boot camp.

Why do I love my sister? Let me count the many thoughtful gifts she sends me. A wine bottle humming bird feeder! Too bad it didn't come full of wine. Can't wait to hang this bad boy outside my office window!

We went for sushi and Asian. I haven't had sushi since before I got pregnant with Vincent. It was just as good as I remembered.

And then my other nephew came to visit and Vincent had the best time hanging out with him. They even wore matching shirts to the farmstead.

This picture doesn't do the excitement face that Vincent makes with animals. He loved looking at the goats. Mama likes goats too. Guess that means we're getting a goat for a pet. Daddy?

I think Vincent could have ridden the tractor trikes all day long, but Daddy's back was tired after two lapse around.

Swinging on a wooden swing with one of your sisters is the best. 

My sister got Vincent this slide. We haven't put it outside yet because we're still working on the patio. I'm thinking about selling tickets to my indoor toddler obstacle course.

I love that this boy loves to read. "Books!" We go to the library every week.

I'm going to be a bridesmaid in my sister-in-law's wedding next summer. This is the inspiration photo of what she wants for dresses. We get to pick our own dress.

I'm thinking this dress.

I got this shamrock for my birthday in March. It's she magnificent. She was just a tiny, almost dying plant when I got her, but with some love and sun, she's my pride and joy.

Look at that smile. But look for a theme here.

We're addicted to our sippy. We got rid of our paci at 6 months, but sippies are here to stay! Whatever. If it helps him self-soothe/teeth, I'm OK with that.

I did my hair for once. I love making these curls by wrapping my hair around the barrel of the curling iron instead of twirling the curling iron around my hair. Try it sometime!

We're teaching our son all kinds of manners. Lick that last bit of yogurt out of the bowl, son!

Oh, hey Vincent! I didn't see you for that implant in your face. Oh, I guess that's just your sippy cup again.

It's hard to get a picture without our friend anymore. He's even taken to rocking and hugging it. I don't even get that kind of love!

Snail mail love

Some people are flabbergasted to learn that I'm one of eight children. Truly astounded. Well wishes are sent to my mom, and she's seen as one strong or very stupid woman. To have children, I think it take a little bit of both. Some wisdom and enough sense to know you really don't want to know what being a parent is all about. One eye open. One eye closed.

The greatest thing about a big family (my mom was one of three daughters who went to have more than the 1.25 children average. So I have lots of cousins as well) is the amount of love. You can just about guarantee that someone is thinking about you, and you're thinking about them. It's a little thing, but sometimes those thoughts about the other person turn into an email to check in or even little packages and cards.

Today, I got two packages. One from my truly artistic cousin, Gary, who "dapples" in wood carving. I say dabble because he's truly modest about his skill and the works of art he creates beneath his hands. A few years ago he gave me a wooden box that he had carved butterflies into. It sits in my living room and it's one of my most treasured items in that room. When I asked him how he created it because it looked so difficult and like it took a lot of patience, he said, "Jessie, it's not that hard. Let me show you." Yeah, right. Always so modest. His most recent work is just as beautiful and went straight to my heart: a hummingbird, that has some lore behind it. Hummingbirds are my favorite! Perhaps because they're so fleeting. Now I have one that will stick around and remind me of that great family of mine.

The other package was just as wonderful. Capricious sent me two of her new creations—belts. I'm in love with them. Bright lemon yellow and rich corals are such a colorful addition to my often-black wardrobe. We also did paper swap. Capricious knows her sister well. The papers are muted funky patterns with a touch of classic. They're almost too pretty to cut into. What's a girl to do?!

Truly blessed. And obviously loved. Thanks family!

A fleeting appearance

I had bought a hummingbird feeder never really thinking I would see one of these mesmerizing creatures. But after a day of rain and sitting on my couch watching the Olympics with my patio blinds open, one such hummingbird flew around my patio. I don't think he got a taste of the sweet nectar, but he restored my hope.