Rosey is FIVE today!!!!

5 Years ago today, I birthed my little Rosey in a peaceful dimly lit hospital room in a big ol' jacuzzi tub of warm water. LOVED the water birth. Thanks Dr. Jani!!!! Since then I have become stronger, braver, tougher, sillier, happier, busier, more exhausted, more confident, more knowledgeable, more resilient, more grateful, more joyous... My eyes are wide open to the beauty AND a the challenges in life and I'm facing it all head on. In the last 5 years my mind has been BLOWN in a really good way. Rosey, thank you for this wild and wonderful ride of motherhood. This has been a journey to a level of selflessness that I could have never imagined. Set into motion by your arrival, I am changed forever... We ended this wonderful Birthday with a bath together, Rosey and me. Once we were in there, I realized how fitting that we would celebrate her birthday in a warm cozy tub together, just like the minute she was born. Thanks to all of you who have loved and supported us through the years. We look forward to many more updates with all the excitement that lies ahead...
XOXO
Mama SJ

Caption for Photo Above: Backstage before one of my Green Show Concerts at OSF, Rosey helped me put on make-up and get ready. Interesting tidbit: Rosey is holding the red toothbrush I use to brush my eyebrows. I stole it from my mom when I was a kid and still have it. Some people pass down diamonds and silver, in our family we pass down eyebrow toothbrushes... Someday it's all yours Rosey! Love that girl...

I'm an Extra-Small? REALLY Old Navy????

Old Navy has some very cute little scoop neck t-shirts. T-shirts are an important part of my mom uniform (fitted t-shirts, tank tops, yoga pants, jeans, cute sneakers, heels if I'm feeling date night-ish and if I'm feeling really saucy, a fab piece of jewelry or scarf worn Stephen Tyler style as I like to call it) So currently all my t-shrits are stained, stretched, and stale, and I decided to stock up on a few new ones for summer.

I got to Old Navy, grabbed huge stack of all the colors and designs in Medium and headed on the 1/2 mile walk back to the dressing room where I found that the MEDIUMS were too big! Ok. So I go back for a huge stack of SMALL and lo and behold, they were too big too! What's up? One more trip back into the store and sure enough, the EXTRA SMALL fit perfectly. Now, I'm not bragging that I suddenly got EXTRA small. I didn't. I'm just wondering, "If I am extra-small, what do you call the thousands of people out there way smaller than me?" and "What is happening with the sizes of clothes?" It's wacky.

To investigate this matter, I just measured myself. My waist is 29" at the smallest part - 28" if I suck in. Let's not talk about the "mommy pooch" that sits just below my 29" waist. A measurement I will not take. I have pretty big boobs (34D) and a big hips. Basically I'm a notch smaller than "fat Marilyn Monroe". Back then, when she gained weight, the media made such a big deal about her new plus size body (I personally think she looked smokin' hot with her curves). Now in 2010, I'm fitting into an EXTRA SMALL t-shirt? What are the sizes below extra-small? Teeny Weeny, Tiny, Itty Bitty, Extra Itty Bitty?

I'm confused. Flattered. Considering wearing my tag inside out on purpose, but confused.

Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon?

Sincerely,
Little Me, Tiny, Petite, Delicate...
Sarah Jane

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

I hope all you fathers out there had a wonderful day! Rene's morning started with a trip to the bagel shop where we took some timed pictures on the couch. You can see below that timed pictures are a) rarely centered and b) super fun for the whole family. If you haven't taken any timed pictures lately, I suggest you put that camera on a table, ledge, rock, or the hood of your car and TAKE SOME GROUP PHOTOS! There's nothing like the excitement of trying to beat the little flashing red light while you scamper to your place in the picture. LOL

Then we headed off to church and after the service was over, I dropped Mateo and Rene off at home so Mateo could take a nap and Rene could work on some audtion material. Then I took Rosey out for a SECRET MISSION. We went to the dollar store and bought a whole bunch of fun stuff, got a cake at my FAVORITE cake bakery (Market of Choice) and then made a sneaky dash for the New Theatre of The Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Rosey and I decorated Rene's dressing room space with tons of cute stuff (balloons, streamers, and other dollar store "decor" items) and topped it off with a framed photo colage. So cute! Later in the day, we went up to the theatre with Rene and he was so happy and surprised to see our handywork! We then brought out the cake and shared it with the cast. Such a fun way to let daddy know that even when he's away from us doing his show, we are with him. My kids are so lucky to have a father like Rene. He puts family 100% first. Above his career, above his hobbies, above his own wants, above finincial gain. Spending time together as a family unit is #1. That's rare in the world today. I thank God for my hubby. Love You!

And to all you other wonderful dads out there.
Thanks for all you do!
:) SJ

Is there a certain random smell that makes you feel euphoric?

Minds out the gutter please! LOL

Today I went into Michael's Arts and Crafts Store and as the automatic doors opened, I suddenly got a whiff of euphoria. I can't explain why I feel so happy when I smell that mix of dried flowers, adhesives, plywood, candles, and pipe cleaners... I can't pinpoint exactly what I smell but it's very specific and takes me all the way back to my childhood. I've always been crafty and LOVED art. I also get all cuddly for the smell of Gum Erasers (you artists will know what I'm talking about). LOVE that smell too. Reminds me of High School Art Club. All the art supplies smell of POSSIBILITY, to create something beautiful and/or useful.

Yes, I would buy a Yankee Candle called "Craft Store".

Anybody else have this same reaction to the craft store or any random smell that just makes you feel HAPPY! Comment below to share...

:) Sarah Jane

EXCITING Life IS Rosey News!

DO YOU REMEMBER EMILIO FROM PROJECT RUNWAY?

My husband is in a world premiere play "American Night" at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the costume designer is none other than EMILIO, the runner up on the most recent season of Project Runway! He said that he would like to see some possibilities for a handstamped necklace that Rene's character will wear as part of his costume!!! How crazy exciting is that?

I have a brand new copper dog tag that I need to do some samples of but I'm guessing that it would be a good choice. Either that, or my bronze eternity circle. Check that one out at http://www.etsy.com/listing/34901093/handstamped-bronze-eternity-circle

Julia Sweeney Blog Farewell

As I'm getting this blog ready to go and researching other blogs, I found an intersting post on the blog of comedianne Julia Sweeney. Here, at the begining of my journey, I came across this post about someone who has made an entire career out of telling stories and making jokes from her real life. She has also inspired and moved us along the way with books like "And God Said Ha" in which she talks candidly about her family experiences with cancer. Now she is finding herself TIRED of talking about her life. She is going to take a break from performing and blogging and writing. We'll miss her voice but I'm sure it will be a wonderful time in which she'll make new observations and just live normally and privately. Boy, I'm on the totally opposite end. I can't wait to use this platform to share my experiences in a way that will hopefully inspire, encourage, and entertain a broad audience. If you want to read Julia's farewell post click here http://www.juliasweeney.blogspot.com/ After you read her post, I'd love to here your comments on how much is too much sharing in a blog! Love, SJ