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Eight

March 16, 2015 By: Stephanie1 Comment

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Welcome back! Be sure to check out my Email Newsletter. Thanks for visiting!

Nicholas is eight today. 

That means it has been about seven years since I got an email from our social worker with this picture of the toddler who would later become our son. 

casper3

From the day we met him, in the Playplace of a McDonald’s, he has always had a personality that is larger than life and a genuine happiness in his spirit that just cannot be broken, no matter what circumstances come his way. (Though he has been through some tougher stuff than any child of eight should have to bear.) 

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birthday

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He loves airplanes, and LEGOs, and golf, and he has an innate musical ability we’re only just starting to truly understand. Schoolwork is hard, but people are easy– he loves them all, no matter who they are or where they come from. He forgives easily and fast. His eyes sparkle in a way that draw you in and make you love him. He is clumsy and loud and awkward and he repeats himself twenty times when he is excited. He is a magnet for dirt and joy, in equal measures.

He is Nicholas.

And he is ours.   

 

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Musical Mansion

March 11, 2015 By: Stephaniecomment

The first Friday of every month there is an old mansion downtown that is used by a local pastor as a location for a live music event called Musical Mansion. Sometimes my husband’s band gets to play. We go to dinner first and get a night out without the kids. 

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 It was very late at night and we were in a very old building, so I was having a hard time taking my own pictures in the tricky lighting. But our friend Chelsea, who happens to be the photographer behind Capture 365 Photography, was there too. She was able to get some much better pictures than we were! Thanks for letting me share your pictures, Chelsea!

simple tenants

simple tenants black and white

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Modest Mavens Stamp of Approval: Peekaboo Beans

March 8, 2015 By: Stephanie2 Comments

Peekaboo Beans sent my girls some clothes to review this week. 

peekaboo beans clothing

Abby is wearing their Tropicana Dress in a size 6 and Penny is wearing the Good Times Dress in a size 2. 

peekaboo beans sisters

So far these clothes have the highest price point of any we have reviewed. The fabric was very high quality and they were very well-constructed. The girls really liked the deep, functional pockets on both of their outfits. 

peekaboo beans

 Peekaboo Beans is a Canadian company. While the price point of the clothes is a bit higher than we are used to, I did have to admit that they were much better quality than most of the other items in my kids’ closets. The colors were really fun too. Abby’s dress also came with an aqua colored shirt that she can wear over it.  

The unique side of Peekaboo Beans is that it is an independent sales company. So, while you have the option to shop online at their website, you also have the option to host a party (they call it a “soiree” because they are fancier than I am) and earn discounts and free clothes for your kids. Or you can become a Play Stylist (a consultant) and earn income for your family as well as clothing for your children. 

One of the things I noticed right away was the quality of the zipper on Penny’s dress. It is larger and easy for her to zip herself. It turns out that is on purpose. Peekaboo Beans purposely avoids using small snaps, buttons, and zippers on their clothing to encourage independence, range of motion, and free play. I really liked that about these clothes. They were easy for my girls to move in. 

I also thought the Dreams Come True Dress on their website was adorable: 

Dreams Do Come True Dress

 

 

Check out Peekaboo Beans here. 

 

We received these clothes free of charge from a representative of Peekaboo Beans named Vicky. You can reach her here if you want to learn more about their company. All opinions are my own. 

Modest Mavens Stamp of Approval

 

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Welcome! I’m Steph.

This is a little corner of the internet we like to fill with honesty, heart, and humor. Read More…

Cover for Binkies and Briefcases with Stephanie Giese
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Binkies and Briefcases with Stephanie Giese

Binkies and Briefcases with Stephanie Giese

Stephanie Giese is an indie author based in Florida. She writes stories about realistic problems with humor, heart, and sass. Her work has a strong focus on mental health and consent. Her North Bay small-town romance series is set for release in 2025.

Binkies and Briefcases with Stephanie Giese

3 months ago

Binkies and Briefcases with Stephanie Giese
I know it’s a small thing, but I believe small things can add up to big changes. my entire North Bay series, including Out of Left Field, Right as Rain, and Way Off Base, is free on Kindle from Jan. 30-Feb. 3. Please take the funds you might have spent on my books this week and reallocate them toward the areas in our country that need them the most. Follow creators like Dad Chats who can direct you toward practical needs local to them. I hope my quirky romcoms can bring you some comfort and joy during difficult times, and I hope together we can take small, practical steps toward big changes. ... See MoreSee Less

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Binkies and Briefcases with Stephanie Giese

3 months ago

Binkies and Briefcases with Stephanie Giese
I know there is an overall feeling of helplessness in our country right now. So many of us are at a loss for what to do beyond making phone calls and social media posts (which are still important, but can feel like not enough). I believe strongly in the power of small things adding up to big ones. As one person, I might not be able to do much, but what I CAN do is use my voice and my books to work toward the change I’d like to see. That’s why, for the next five days, from Jan. 30-Feb 3, I’m making the Kindle versions of my entire North Bay series (Out of Left Field, Right as Rain, and Way Off Base) completely free. Art has power, and I do hope these comedies can bring you some comfort and joy in difficult times, but most importantly, I also hope you’ll consider redirecting the funds you might’ve spent on my books and donating instead to one of the many charities working tirelessly in our cities right now. If you are located in an area like Minnesota or Portland, please use the space below to make people aware of the organizations in your area that need help. ... See MoreSee Less
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