SimplistiKate

A welcoming home by a joyous family. I was drawn to the Ruane home because it emits warmth and love this Christmas season. Vignettes of old furniture are sprinkled with pictures, accessories and Christmas decor. Every piece has a story to tell. The 9' tall icicle dressed Christmas tree speaks of Megan's childhood. Growing up, each of Megan's siblings would receive a special themed Christmas ornament at Christmas time. In hopes that one day, when Megan was all grown up, she would be able to decorate her own tree with these ornaments. Isn't it beautiful? The icicle ornaments are so classic and dreamy. The Ruane's have continued the tradition for their two year old son, Landon, with bells. It's so special for children to have traditions and memories. Another special piece is the 25 day Christmas countdown with stockings. Megan's mom made this significant count down for the family. Each sock is labeled a day through the 25 days of December, and in each...

This was a tough week It was a week that made me want to throw in the towel. It was a week where I cried. I cried out of hurt, frustration, embarrassment, anger, etc. It was a week where everything went totally wrong and it happened so fast I did not know how to react. I will not go into detail about what happened, but it's a time that I will forever learn from. "Don't let satan steal your joy." A close friend of mine spoke to me. When things don't go right, it puts things into perspective. Suddenly you are angry at the whole world around you and feel like it's out to get you. And then suddenly you realize that there are so many things far greater than this one moment of hurt. I believe the cliche, "Everything happens for a reason". I believe this because I was created by the Creator who planned everything from the get go. You know when I sit and when I rise sang King David in Psalm 139:2. In knowing this, I may hurt now, but I know I will get...

It was a cold and dreary Sunday afternoon in mid November, the rain had been on and off all day. It was a day where the indoors beckoned you to curl up on the sofa with a blanket and a warm drink. I called Danielle around noon to make sure she was still up for the shoot. We decided to meet after a couple of hours, I made sure she was okay with the possibility of shooting in the rain. What a trooper she was. Danielle called me 15 minutes before the shoot asking me what kind of drink I wanted from Starbucks. Man, I thought, I should be treating her to a warm drink on this dreary day! I opted for trying the gingerbread latte, as did she. Danielle came cheery eyed, dressed in a black North Face coat, dark jeans, and checked Sperry shoes. Her dark brown hair was effortlessly curled. She held our two drinks, a large paper bag full of shoes, and a oversized black purse from Express. Danielle is always the first to say hello and strike up conversation. As I lead her to my room to the spre...

Being a mom has made me a better person. I think of that usually when times are peachy. Like when I actually can do the laundry and fold it while the kids are in the same room, or when we actually can make it through lunch without someone throwing a tantrum because they don't want to eat. Sometimes it's hard to remember how much I adore these kids when my hair is frazzled and my teeth still are not brushed because it's just been one of those days! Ackkkk! It's hard to focus on the good things. It's hard to remember how much I adore rocking Lane to sleep after she has gotten out of bed a zillion times because she wants to be near us. All I want to do is sleeeeeep. But, oh how precious it's when she asks me, "sing to me mama." So, one more song of "Wheels on the Bus" soothes her back to bed. I love my children, I love them with all my heart, like my heart is not even big enough to hold all the love that I have for them. All this love has m...

Here's to new seasons. Today was a beautiful peep into winter. As the snow began to lightly fall I drove out to Denver, Iowa for a design appointment. It was a beautiful drive through the country with the snow melting at my windshield, but sticking to roof tops and cornfields. Here's to new seasons. This post is a bare one. I refer to bare meaning it's revealing, well at least for me it is. It's about being a wife, a mother, and a working wife/mother. I feel like I can sum up this post with saying, "Man, it's hard stuff juggling your job, your husband, your family, yourself, etc." That's it, that's what's on my mind. The End. Well there is more to reveal here. More than I want to reveal. The season is changing and it's looking like I may need to become a stay-at-home mom. Those of you who are rolling your eyes and thinking whoopeee I encourage you to read on because you may be in the same spot at some point in your life. In fact we may...

A cool fall day beckons little ones to bundle up and bask in the fresh crisp air. Let them do it in their own creative way. Here, Lane picked her purple floral jeans for ultimate breeze protection and paired it with a boys (Leo's 24 month) camel colored corduroy jacket. She chose the practical choice of tennis shoes in this years hot color, turquoise, knowing that she would need them not only for playing on the playground, but for taking her morning stroll. Her monkey hat pulls colors from her floral pants and keeps her noggin warm and hair out of her face. This little lady's look speaks toddler cabin fever. Monkey hat WAL-MART. Corduroy jacket, MAIN STREET EXCHANGE. Floral jeans, H&M. Turquoise shoes, WAL-MART.

It was like the Lord was saying, "slow down!" and then threw a ton of bricks smack in front of me. That's how I felt this morning when I woke up with a sore scratchy throat and a throbbing head and an aching body. I was sick. I rolled back over in bed keeping my eyes closed as long as I could in hopes to fall back asleep. My world was already awake around me. I could hear the pitter patter of Lane's bare feet downstairs and Leo was crying because he wanted his bottle. Luke had woken before me at the first call of Leo in hopes he could get him settled down so he wouldn't wake Lane. No luck. I slowly sat up checking my phone for the time, 7:15 am. My head is pounding, my stomach is growling, all I want is to go back to sleep. I slowly make my way down stairs to get a familiar "hi mommy!" greeting from Lane as she whizzes by. Luke is sprawled on the couch with Leo who just finished his bottle. "How are you feeling?" I ask Luke. "My throat ...