The Mark of a Champion

There is an art to winning.

I can't decide if its inner most energies are bred deep in ones' veins or if it is just an tenacious decision on an individual's part.

I kinda feel it's a soft serve swirl of both.

This Spring season we had the pleasure of adorning the vibrant orange and in-your-face blue of the Mets. Eli and Casey took their first stab at wearing the long socks, if you will.  Both were guaranteed to be on the same team, and Kenny and I felt it was time to rock that tawny dirt covered-much-like -that-of- a-spray-tan-look.

The Mets were frail.  Frail being best used to mean we were clueless.  

cLuElEsS

With only 3 players to have ever played before, it's safe to say we had no where to go but up.  The season settled with Kenny being an assistant coach totally unplanned.  And, likewise, I found myself with a crumpled line-up in my hand just a few feet behind the happy you see below.

It is here that I could quite confidently write a dissertation on the role of "player".

I will spare you my copyright here, yet bless you with a bulleted version.  I'm cool like that to the skimming eyes:

• Athletic parents have a predisposed mindset when it come to playing...ANYTHING. 
• 4-6 year old leagues require a 2-3  adult pill intake of Tylenol before any game.
• There SHOULD be practices for this age limit as opposed to the "let's just show up for the game" approach.
• Parents that send more than one 12 oz. bottle of Gatorade into the dugout for a child that has a bladder that is only 48-72 months old are bonkers.
• "If you don't want to shake hands after the game with the other team because you got out at 1st base then that's okay" mentality quite possibly is what is wrong with America today.

Alrighty then.  

In and amongst all of the above, the Mets found themselves in a magical place come mid-June.

{Coach Thunder Dan and his son, Cash, writing the line up}

The orange crush and cobalt blue landed themselves warming up for the championship game for the season.

Playing against the infamous Braves.

And from April-June, I watched Eli and Casey become part of something big.

A mish-mash of cleated vagabonds, these Mets slowly connected with winning.
And, the process it takes to get there.

Their performance in the playoffs astounded all who rocked the wooden planks.

Double elimination was the playoff set up.

The Mets course of play against the A's, the Twins, and the Royals was like a dream.

Which set us up to verse the Braves with one loss under their nylon stretchy belt already.

The game commenced at 6:00 PM.  Temperature was about 98 degrees.

Lotsa sweat.
Lotsa sweat.
Some insurmountable plays by both squads.
Some really BIG mess ups.
The Mets lost 17-16.

Onto game two with a 30 minute recess between.

It is here  I would like to interject that Kenny, so immersed in battle, could not speak to anyone during the recess.

I was a wreck of nerves and emotion.

4-6 year old baseball playoffs, mind you.
[Please refer back to bullet point 1 now.]

Game 2 was grueling.
We had to lose for the Braves to be champs.
I cannot tell you the number of times I watched gum drop out of the mouths of babes only to return to its molar homes. "Quit playing with the grass." and "Get your glove off your head." were shouted on several occasions.

But somehow, in and amongst the ridiculous-ness of a 4-6 year old double header in 98 degree heat, I found it.

{the mark}

It surpasses absurdity.
It exceeds conditions.
It trumps intimidation.
It excels in spite of defeat.

Eli Garrett, pitcher, rocked a double play only to go on and nail the third out in the bottom of the fourth inning.

His triple of the stitched sphere that knocked in the run to place the Mets one louder on the score board.

His eyes piercing and zoned.
Almost glazed, but with a wildness to the sight.
In motion and unwavering.
Focused.

Poised, he made his mark.
And, all present that night saw it.

Especially his little brother.

Casey's knocks grew ever more poignant as the innings rose in volume.  He found direction in his older brother's stature for victory.

And Daddy couldn't have been prouder.

Coach Thunder Dan actually gave the game ball to Kenny for his leadership and presence throughout the season.

The mark of a champion.

How is it made?

Where can you find it?

In glossy trophies and dirt filled cleats?
In unison towards a common goal?
In leadership full of energy and direction?

Yes, there is an art to winning.

And, I can't decide if its inner most energies are bred deep in ones' veins or if it is just an tenacious decision on an individual's part.

I kinda feel it's a soft serve swirl of both.

.mac :)

Hiatus

We all need a break sometimes.

From school.
From mediocrity.
From routine.

Spontaneity so soothes the soul.

{photos by mama, eli, and casey}
Location:  our favorite place

.mac :)

Four Walls

I can't quite speak to you directly as you don't rightly have a name.

Your address fits snuggly into any GPS.
You even have a mailbox with numbers.

And, in a world of things, you are just one more of them.
But not to me.
Your place in my life is rich like the Earth, muddy and deep.

Yes, 4 walls can mean that much.

My pillow lies within you.
My feet find their callouses in your grass and grit.

I find my cadence each day on your back porch.
That place where wilderness whispers good morning no matter what window I look out of.

My children call you theirs.
Fragile folds of  newborn skin sit propped upon your nails from a photographer's lens.
Tiny eyes closed on my chest as little breathes expel sweetly.
black & white and still.
Eli Garrett and Casey McGill.


Their lives created within your walls.

Our first anniversary dinner.
Me in my night gown hair so very short & wet.
Kenny moved our kitchen table right into your outdoors.
Onto the same porch that would be the sight of this magical memory to come.

And now, we wait anxiously to let you go.
This notion is so preposterous yet ridicuously real in our lives.

Yes, 4 walls can mean that much.

You just capture us, 1012.
You meet us right smack in the middle where sweet solitude and character marry simplicity and style.
Bought hastily and speedy quick over nine years ago, we have lived life through your walls.
We have peeked out your windows hoping our dreams would come true.

And, you have tucked us in each and every night with even more dreams to slumber upon.

Our life has made its way in and amongst you.
From pumpkins gutted on newspapers, to mistletoe kisses, and hot summer sweats, our seasons rest within you.

So, please know that, letting you go is so bittersweet.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Kenneth Cobble III's first address.
pregnant bellies and gliders stroked as swaddlin' commences.
Yes, within you.
Giggles and bubbles and slobbery crawls.
Big boy toy races and a business born.
Late night stitches and bouquets on a budget, you have provided a space for so much happy.

And, I yearn to keep you inside.
Selfishly ridiculous, I know.
Because, WE belong together as a family of 4 moving forward.
Like last pick in a dodge ball game, I ache to know you'll be left.
I pray for a someone so on the super side of special to have the privilege of a piece of the magic you have given us.


When they will show, who knows?
Until then and long thereafter, I will love you.
Your honey toned floors as I scoot my slippers across.
The way the afternoon light sprinkles delicately through to the living room each day.
The earnest and humble roll of the railway train rumbling through.
Eli's light.
The sturdy we have found in family within your possession.

Without a name, you are.
Without a place in out hearts, never.

Yes, 4 walls can mean that much.


.mac :)

Plurals & Placentas

The story of two.

I love hearing how parents found out they were having twins.

The story unfolds with such excitement and joy with a little bit of disbelief and surprise too.  

And making for twins is so super fun. 

Go here to check out one of my favorite custom designs I did for a client having twins.

This particular client from South Carolina chose an owl theme for her little misses' nursery.

I truly had to contain my inner joy when it came to adding the ruffled trim.
I heart ruffles.
Not gonna lie.

I adored how the warm pink compliments the rich green in these b.blankets.  The black provides just the right eye traffic to allow these 2 accent colors to POP too.

Plurals & Placentas.
k.Mac will gladly help you "add the s" or "change a y to i".

.mac :)

{curiosity}

It's in him.
Bred deep and strong and still.

He seeks.

• knowledge.
• more.
• action.
• life.

Barefooted & tall.
My eldest.
I watch you grow.

I am inspired by your tenacity.
Your focus to invest yourself.
In what matters most to you.

For the rewards are most bountiful when you do.

{SEEK}

I'm so glad my lens found you on this day.

I love you, 

Mama

Bug-a-Boo

In typical Meghan fashion, I am in constant battle with one louder vs. simply stated.

I love the one louder approach.

• the boosts of accentuated color in a happenstance scarf around the neck
• the little tike sporting the black and white striped long sleeved shirt under the tee
• my wrists often look like I have raided my grandmother's bracelet stash in attempts to get them all on my arms.

Ahem.

So when a very special client contracted me to make her daughter's 1st birthday outfit, you can only imagine the tingling sensation in my wrists.

This client loves giving me a project and then providing me the freedom to just create.

Ahhhhh, thank you.

The theme was ladybugs.

I kept thinking, "Go simple. Classic jumper with ladybug applique & name underneath."

But, I couldn't.

And, I love how my boys are always there for added inspiration too.

Casey face found these ladybug buttons, and said, "Mom, these guys could sit on leaves on the dress!"

Well, then it was on.

I constructed a 3-dimensional applique completely drawn by hand.
And, couldn't stop there.  
This dress must have ladybug appliqued pockets for tiny hands too.

I opted for my ever popular summer couture dress, debuted first here.

Matching bloomers and many ruffles were are must you see.
And, who notices the ties on a dress?
I do!
I leaped at the chance to use the same ribbon from the {mollyemade} Twins from my hair happies line.
See, I use words like "leap" for sewing.
Yes, I'm THAT girl.

And, this sweet angel made my work boast beautifully.

1 year old and look at the modeling potential already.

I told you she needed those pockets for tiny hands!

This last picture swoons me.
GAH.

• Her chocolate locks, rich and long, all cinched up with the work of my hands.
• Coordinating ribbons cascading down her caramel cherub back in a custom made halter dress.
• Looking for her mama...

Oh, there is so much joy in handmade!

.mac :)