Fairy Magic

Well today I was fortunate enough to have some help around the house from a very special little fairy.  She was very helpful and I must say how I don't know how I ever get this house in order without her......

She is ready to take action with her wand

Here she is getting the laundry done

She waves her wand at Eddy and "makes him behave".......he may need a bit more work

My personal favorite.....she makes beds too!


I know right.....you all are wanting a visit from a little fairy too!  Now there were some of my special requests that were unfortunately unable to be met....(scrubbed toilets, exercise, and crafting done) but I will take what I can get!  She actually did wave her wand around my booty and told me that she was "making it smaller"....Cute right?  (The fairy was just about fired with that little stunt)

Hopefully some fairy dust finds you all this week!

Darby xoxo

It's almost showtime!!

Well folks spring shows are just around the corner and I thought it was time to get the word out let you know of all of the awesome events that are happening in the month of April....

April 2nd I will be exhibiting at an open house in Chicago with local artist John McDevitt of Yellow dog Studio.  His daughter Morgan is hosting an all day open house to showcase her dad's fabulous woodworking and spread the word of downstate artists.  The show will be from 3-8 at 1911 W. Eddy st. #2 Chicago, IL.

April 23rd will be the next show at Yellow Dog Studio!  Mark your calendars because as always this will be a fabulous event!  

April 30th there will be a wonderful show in Shelbyville with the gals of Ethel Edith.  There will be multiple vendors sharing their fabulous goods.  The show will be from 10-2. We look forward to seeing you there!

Directions:  From Shelbyville, IL

Go East on Route 16, Turn South across from the dam by Joseph's Landing.  We will be at Stuart & Janie Foxs' house which is about 7 miles south of the dam on the 6th curve.  There is a big pine tree & gray shed, the house is green!

Three words come to mind....BUSY BUSY BUSY!

Better get going at get back to crafting!  See you soon!

Darby

Trail Day

The Harden family was a bunch of busy bees today.  Jerrod is the trail coordinator for a local Mt. Biking club and they had a scheduled work day out at some of our local trails.  Bella and I decided to head out there, take a hike and help out blazing some brand-new trail.  Bella isn't new to hiking....in fact she is quite the old pro.  She started out in a front-pack, then graduated to the back-pack and began hiking as soon as she was too large to lug around.  I am fairly sure her little legs carried her at least 2 miles today!  

When we found the crew Bella was very quick to get started helping out....and even got to have her own tool to use to help clear the trail.

The crew has been working diligently to continue to build and construct quality hiking and mountain biking trails, and has established a close relationship with the the corps of engineers to continue expanding our current trail system.  In the last few years CIMBA (Central Illinois Mt. Biking Association) has added almost 5 more miles of trail to the current trail system out at Camp Camfield and there is a 3rd phase of expantion already planned out for the future.

As a child I spent many many of my days running around in the woods and roaming freely until my heart was content.  As a parent I feel that it is absolutely necessary for us to get our children OUTDOORS!  I want to encourage people that you do not have to be a nature expert to take your children hiking or exploring.  Children are made to be in nature exploring and I truly believe with all of my heart that it is imperative to their development to have those opportunities.  I try to use the motto:  "A little dirt never hurt".   Chances are if the kids come home with a little mud they had a really good time!



Yes she poses like a diva even on a hike







We found this tree that looks like a heart.....the tree of LOVE!



So I realize I may have sounded like a bit of a "tree hugger" in this blog but seriously Nature ROCKS and this little no-nap kind of gal took a fantastic nap after a 2 mile hike and alot of fresh air.  Really it's a win-win kind of deal :) 

Darby

Worm Farmers

A few weeks ago Bella had her good friend Aubrie come over for a play date.  We started the day with a hike on some local trails where the girls gathered bags full of "treasures".  During the end of our walk they discovered some worms which led to our next project.....

During the drive back home the girls discussed plans to go worn hunting and then building houses for their worms.  You see I've never built a worm house before but I was fairly sure that I could construct a tee-pee.  I helped the girls with the basic structure then they took over with the color palette and aesthetics.  Let me tell you they are quite the little designers!

They first painted blue-prints of what they wanted their houses to look like and then they got busy creating a fancy worm habitat.

Pay no attention to the ceramic pumpkin in the background.....I am a bit ashamed of myself

Once the tee-pee's were complete it was time to go worm huntin'.  There was no stone unturned in my yard.  They searched and dug until they found many victims  worms.  

I gave Aubrie's mom a brief text warning about the worms and tried to convince Aubrie to let the worms go......let's just say that the worms got to take a van ride.  Luckily I convinced Bella to let hers go because they wouldn't live without dirt.

These little worms were VERY well loved!

We had such a good day!  The worm Tee-Pee currently sits uninhabited in Bella's room but I'm sure that as spring quickly approaches I will be finding some more critters camping out.

Have an Adventurous Day!

Darby

We Need Your Prayers

Last Monday my most wonderful Grandpa went in for a fairly routine triple-bypass surgery.  I had planned to go the weekend prior to visit with him before his surgery.  A few days before I was to head to Missouri he called and asked me to stay home because there was snow in the forecast and he didn't want to be worried about Bella and I driving 3 hours to see him.  He assured me that he would be fine and to come and see him in a few weeks.

The surgery went as planned and he was sitting up, eating, and acting like his usual ornery self.  My Grandma left him at the hospital ICU Wednesday night after he told her to go home and get some rest. (she wanted to spend the night but he encouraged her to go home and come back in the morning)

At 12:30 the hospital ICU called and gave my Grandma the news.....Grandpa had stopped breathing and they had to resuscitate him.  After many tests they determined that his heart was fine but he may have irreversible brain trauma from lack of oxygen. Five days have passed since we received the news.  We are truly devastated and despite many prayers I find myself being angry and confused.  The doctors were honest with us and have been telling us to prepare for the worst.  

Today the doctors gave us the news that there had been a very small improvement.  He wants us to wait a few more days and run more tests to see if there are any more positive changes.

So I ask you my friends to PRAY PRAY PRAY!  HE needs them and WE need them.  I also ask that you pray for my sweet Grandma.  They have been married for 52 years!  Her heart is breaking and mine is breaking for her.  It truly reminds us that life is short, we are not in control, and that we need to trust in the Lord even when it seems hard.

We are not ready to let go of this man!  Some of my most favorite memories are with my grandpa!  He taught me how to fish, took me to some of my favorite fishing spots, shared his love of ice-cream, and picked on me like no other.  I love this man and I am not ready to say goodbye.  Please PRAY!

Those blue eyes of his are magical, Bella and I were lucky enough to get our blue eyes from him!

As I reflect on the last week and the days ahead of us, I can't help but encourage you all to squeeze your people, say I love you all the time, make time for one-another, and to always kiss each other goodnight.  Life is short.....hold on to it while you can.

With Love xoxo~

Darby

Wake-up Call

Good morning friends!  Each and every morning I get an extra special wake-up call.  Today I was prepared with my camera and I though I would share......

This boy has more energy than I know what to do with and by morning he is more than ready to play.  Of course he wasn't my only wired bundle of joy this morning......

I found this one staring at me too! Bella is having a friend come over this afternoon to play...she was in my bed at 6:30 asking if it was time to go pick up Aubrie......haven't I learned by now that I shouldn't give away surprises until right before we leave the house???



This one is a bit wonky but you get the idea....



How about one more?

Aren't they wonderful???  A bit intense....you know with Eddy dropping his slimy toy on my head and Bella rubbing my face and yelling at Ed to "leave my mom alone".....oh yes this is quite a delightful way to start my morning!  I am absolutely crazy about both of them!

Have a great day!

Darby