El Verano y Foto de la Tarjeta con Shutterfly

Let's forget that I wanted to write und instead of y and mit instead of con because my Spanish and German have become united in that compartment of my brain. Mushland of language if you will.

I just left Target. Because I'm obsessed. And since we never had a real spring this year, I dressed appropriately in my jeans and sweatshirt thinking that today could possibly be cool like the last couple days. Notsomuch. And guess what's cooking in the crock pot on this notsospring 80-degree day? Split pea soup. Oye. Fail.

Was there spring anywhere in the U.S. this year? All I know is Chicago went from 5 degrees to 80 degrees in about 5 minutes and we are all living in a state of utter confusion.

I digress. While at Target, I bought a couple cards-- one for my former student and one for her family. I can't help but remember what it was like to receive those condolence cards in the mail when Andrew died. While I appreciated the love and outpouring of support, it sure was depressing. But, it's the right thing to do and they need to know we are thinking, praying, and loving them.

I hate buying cards in a store. This year was all about customized cards for the fam because I was able to get them cheaper (and better) online. We were able to make some cards with fun photos from our Europe adventures with each of our parents for Mother's Day and Father's Day. I <3 Shutterfly because I don't have to leave my home and yet am able to whip out a card that is practically a gift in itself. It makes the family happy and that makes me happy.

Thinking about making Andrew's photo book soon, but still need to figure out how I can make it without 20 pages because... sadly... we don't have 20 digital prints of him. :(

Any thoughts about that? Anyone have any recommendations on making his photo book? I think it's a bit different since the traditional book is blue/pink with baby "things" and I'm not sure what I'd do about that. I think it needs to be more classic. I've seriously started one about 5 times and have stopped each time. I just need to process what I want and get it done... but it's so hard!

A friend of mine is getting married and we're having a party in July for her... perhaps 4th of July invitations could be used as a theme for the month? I love weddings but we're sadly going to be out of town! So so bummed I have to miss that. They make great customized thank you cards as well. We didn't use these after our wedding, but we have received so many awesome thank you cards from friends. Love these.

You think these two are really married, or just models?

What about these two? Seriously... these are things I think about. Maybe they're in my hood. East coast beach or West coast?

They also have birthday invitations that might come in handy for a certain husband's 30th birthday this year!!!

Hope you're all enjoying summer salads and lovely afternoons. I'm smelling pea soup. hah!

You a blogger? Sign up for a chance to snag a free photo book!

Christmas Card Dilemma

While it's not a huge dilemma... it's one I've thought about. Do we send out Christmas cards this year being 9+ months pregnant with our baby? Do we wait until he arrives and be fashionably late with a cutesy photo of him to adorn a photo card? Do we send regular cards... or try Shutterfly for the very first time?

While still deliberating, we're considering a Christmas card/birth announcement that we'll order post-delivery so our little guy can be shown to the world. It may turn into a sort-of "New Years" card rather than a Christmas card, but that might be fun. Are birth announcements a thing of the past? In this digital age, it does make me wonder...

I was searching through Shutterfly's website and saw this gorgeous one that I loved...

Of course it wouldn't hurt if Shutterfly wanted to gift us with some freebie cards either. I heard through my friend Alli that they will be giving away 50 freebie cards to some bloggers-- now if we're chosen, we'll be under obligation to pick out something fantastic and send away!