friday favorites

Graduation week has been one big party over here. Jay's youngest sister graduated last night, and all of the siblings (minus poor Dallin) came down for the big event. With a big celebration behind every corner, we have all been eating like kings. And heck, I'll take a good graduation celebration any day. We met our newest niece Maylee, who is a total doll and making me a baby hungry currently. Love her. At the ceremony, Mallory looked beautiful, and sort of grown up...what?!)  I was too busy entertaining a sleepy-eyed, runaway munchkin to grab any pictures. But here are a few completely unrelated links for your weekend (and mine)

- A sweet maternity photoshoot HERE (again...getting slightly baby hungry)

- A dress that would look beautiful with or without a sweet baby in your tummy HERE

- Patterns that build happy and holy marriage relationships HERE

- Current swimsuit obsession HERE and HERE

- A new shop I am obsessed with HERE

- A couple parenting books Jay and I are loving HERE and HERE

- A great new album HERE, and a goody, but an oldie HERE  (2007 memories I tell ya!)

- A DIY that might make me break out my sewing machine HERE

morning ritual

missing dad already

BLOG LOVE: Messages on a Napkin

The lovely Camille from Friday We're in Love recently started a link up called "Spreading the Love".  I thought this was an awesome idea. I have so many sweet blogger friends I love and think they need a little declaration of that! So...without further ado.... Meet Marlen (Pronounced Marilyn)

I am so crazy about this girl and her blog, and by the sound of it...all of her other followers feel the same way. She is super witty (like laugh out loud funny) and a talented writer. She's tall and she's Polish. I just have this thing for tall, Polish girls, and maybe it's because I wish I was one. There's something about her fun, vintage style that makes me want to shove my boys in the car and head to the nearest thrift store. (and trust me, I have) Recently she got back from a trip to India, and my sweet, beating heart has been all over her pictures and recaps. It's all so very Eat, Pray, Love. Marlen is also the owner of a cute little etsy shop called Bear and Twine, and soon she will be packing up her bags and leaving Chicago for Seattle (I am all so very jealous of this). And I could go on and on... So yah, Marlen...love ya, and hope you don't mind me stealing your photo!! 

Go check out her blog HERE