Wedding, marriage, little brothers.

Have I ever told you that I have two brothers?  I am the most blessed sister to be smack in the middle of my two brothers.  It's good to be a middle child with such awesome beings on either side.  Well, the youngest of our sib-set is getting married.  I'm trying not to freak out.  I'm not even sure if he can believe it! Of course, I have my big sister hat on, trying to get to know my future sister in law, which is cool. Plus I gave them both the 'plan your life, not just your wedding' speech while they had me on speaker phone a few weeks ago.  I am happy, worried, excited, all the feelings that go along with this type of occasion.  I'll probably bawl at the ceremony- just because my baby brother is officially grown.  He has been a grown man for awhile now, but jeez! lol

They are not planning on having babies right away, but you best believe that I will be educating/advocating for a midwife or doula and breastfeeding, co-sleeping, cloth diapering and all the other facets of natural parenting that society has been so slow to get back to.  My future sister in law seems to be open to try cloth diapering- she even sent me a cloth diaper after S4 arrived.
Lovelies, what advice would you give to a newly engaged/wedded couple? Is there any advice that you got and loved? Hated? Laughed at? Wished you had gotten?

Can I tell you

just how smart S4 is? She will be a year old in a couple of weeks and she is a serious problem solver.  OK- there is a phone on my nightstand that S4 loves to play with.  It is not a phone for playing.  So, in order dissuade her from getting to the phone, I put a basket of laundry in front of the nightstand.  Yeah- don't you know that this baby climbed into the basket?? She climbed into the basket and got the phone.  She climbed into the basket all.by.herself!  Her mission was accomplished.  Pictures for your viewing pleasure!

Do you...

enter giveaways? Contests? Attend Twitter parties? I do! My latest entry is for Livie and Luca shoes from Life with My Littles.  Yes. Livie and Luca shoes.  Omgoodness lovelies, have you been to this website to gaze at their footwear? So gorgeous.  In order to get a hold of a little piece of shoedom, I am posting without shame in order to gain more entries.  While you're reading this, you may want to enter too. :P

Labor Day

It's Labor day, lovelies.  We are hanging out at the house, surrounded by boxes (an organizational project that hubs started a couple of days ago).  Lots of boxes and laughing children.  The weather is amazing today, so we'll go outside for a bit.
Today also happens to be my parents' anniversary. 37 years.  Yes.  That's a lifetime, good people! Thirty-seven.  Trente septe. I love the example they have put out for us- marriage is hard work, but with lots of prayer and perseverance, a couple can get through just about anything. Thank you mom and dad! Wishing you another 37 years of wedded bliss! <3
My oldest and my folks;