For a long time, maybe the entire time we’ve been married, Justin and I have played a game we call Highs & Lows, usually at the end of a weekend. I can’t remember if I’ve ever told y’all about it or not but today, to recap the last few days, I’m playing Highs & Lows… I think you’ll catch on!
::HIGH:: Finding this on the counter.
::LOW:: Finding this on the counter and fearing with everything within me that it was a portrait of me.
::HIGH: Finding out it was “just a girl” and not me! Whew!
::LOW:: Rover waking up in the middle of the night for the last 3 nights.
::HIGH:: Having creative kids who can easily entertain themselves.
::LOW:: Having creative kids that make giant messes and don’t clean up after themselves.
::HIGH:: Warm enough weather on Saturday for a baby pool, hose water & bathing suits {or not} on the patio!
::LOW:: Cleaning up poop off the patio from a certain diaperless streaker.
::HIGH:: Having friends {and 12 children} over Saturday night for Tacos & Beer.
::LOW:: Sending Justin to store for 5lbs of ground beef and him coming home with 12 lbs of ground beef. I had to stretch for this LOW… at least he went right!? 🙂 And my freezer is now well-stocked with seasoned, cooked ground beef.
::HIGH:: Once everyone left Saturday night, slow dancing with Justin in the dining room to Pandora’s pick–> Bob Marley: Stir It Up.
::LOW:: Not having an “upgraded” Pandora account and having to repeatedly listen to advertisements for a movie called No Strings Attached, which sounds like, quite possibly, the epitome of detestable movies about casual sex. The advertisement alone makes me want to throw up. My favorite station is Sandra McCracken and there’s nothing WORSE than her music being interrupted by that trailer. Perhaps the marketing team at Pandora is very cunning with their marketing schemes and choose horrid advertisements to encourage listeners to upgrade… worked for me!!
And I’ll end of a few highs…
Several new t-shirts are in stock and almost full stock on everything else! Including Bird Dog Sweatshirts and bigger, better, bolder, and perfect Canoe Ride Sweatshirts! Let me flip through a few of the new designs for you…
The Bug Jar & Grasshopper are screened on excellent new t-shirts from a different manufacturer and I am extremely pleased the fit, quality, and softness of these tees! Their sizing does run a little different from the other short sleeved tees {xxs, xs, s, m, etc…} so be sure to read the product descriptions before placing your order. I always suggest ordering up if in doubt. And I’ve added a little something special for little girls in PINK…. Just Cruisin’ is a long sleeved t-shirt with a bike just for the little ladies! Morgan {below} is in a SMALL Grasshopper tee and is 6 years old.
And I’ll end with one more HIGH…
My friends Tim & Emily Loerke at Today’s Letters posted a recent talk they gave about their marriage… it is a sweet story of the redemptive power of grace both in their lives and their marriage! I encourage you to listen if you have a few minutes {or 20}… so worth it! I know their courage to be vulnerable will impact hearts for eternity! Way to go, friends… two fist pumps and two leg kicks for you rovers! And… they sent me a bottle of Boone’s Farm Strawberry Fields a few months ago… since I haven’t broken into it yet I may need to send it back to them so they can celebrate their braveness in high style!
Cat Moore
February 1, 2011 at 9:38 amI love this high and low game. I think it’s a great way to end the week with the hubs! And, the slow dancing in the den….so sweet! I love moments like that. Love the new tees and SO ready for warmer weather. I love Em and Tim now, thanks to you, and can’t wait to listen to it. Gonna wait until JT can listen with me. Thanks so much for sharing your high and lows. I’m afraid my week would consist of more lows this week. Need to find my highs. 🙂 xo, cat
stephanie
February 1, 2011 at 9:49 amI can’t believe you could swim, or your kids could swim, last weekend! It is snowing for the 4th or 5th time today. It does not melt in between, so there is a 4′ mountain in front of my car that I have to jump to get in…and I’m 7 months pregnant:) But I love Boston.
Mackie
February 1, 2011 at 9:58 amWe play a similar game called 2 goods and a bad (usually after work or the end of the day). An easy & interesting way to connect with the hubbs! Tacos & beer sounds delish!
Amy
February 1, 2011 at 9:59 amHigh: Finding Fly Through Your Window just posted 15 minutes ago.
Low: Not having enough time to see link posted.
So sweet Darby! I love reading your posts. Makes my day a little more sunny. 🙂
Lindsey
February 1, 2011 at 10:01 amLove the high low games, it seems a great way to recap the week! Can I just tell you that JM’s face in the photos of him and Morgan is priceless, he’s such a cutie.
Snekcip
February 1, 2011 at 10:10 amLove the HIGH/LOW game!! Too cute!!! Almost as cute as that grasshopper shirt! High: The link you posted Low: Not having speakers on my work computer *I’ll be sure to listen to it when I get home this evening however!
rhonda
February 1, 2011 at 10:15 amOh, BOO! My hubby and I committed to not buying ANYTHING extra for the month of Feb. and I sooooo want to purchase a bug jar tee for my youngest! Please, pretty please restock in March! 😉
And I have a stack of notes just like the first you posted…those sweet little notes when they are just starting to write are the BEST!
Off to listen to your friends…
lucy m.
February 1, 2011 at 10:15 amI laughed out loud reading your highs and lows. Thanks!
oh and I’m ordering my first honey bee tee… the pink tricycle for my little girl. Can’t wait.
paige
February 1, 2011 at 10:23 ami love it….we’re high & low players too
i thinked i smiled out loud when i came across the slow dancing high. how cute are ya’ll
xo
Elizabeth
February 1, 2011 at 10:35 amDarby,
I am a total rover…have been reading for several months and never posted. Just received my first honey bee tee in the mail and can’t wait to wear it!
Thanks for the link to your friends’ site–they are now added to my reader as well and can’t wait to listen to their talk.
Your blog is one of my favorites…it is always hilarious and encouraging–and I loved reading about your house transformation and your comparison to Christ transforming us from the inside out.
Many blessings to you and your family!
Courtney
February 1, 2011 at 10:51 amI hear ya on Pandora! My Mozart us usually interrupted by freaky horror movie trailors.
Melissa
February 1, 2011 at 10:57 amWhat a fun game! Gosh you have the most precious kiddos ever.
Erin
February 1, 2011 at 11:37 amWe are snowed in in Dallas, and Morgan’s drawing of “just a girl” (+ your comment about it) made my sister and I laugh out loud!
Hannah
February 1, 2011 at 11:37 amgreat idea! i might just start this tradition this weekend. i know what you mean about pandora…i hate it when you are listening to the weepies..all nice and calm…and THAT movie advertisement comes on! i usually run screaming to the computer, jump across the chair, and practically yank the knob off of the computer speakers…because guess who is doing homework and listening?? my almost 11yr. old daughter. AHHHH! 🙂
Tessa
February 1, 2011 at 11:45 amWe too play high low every night as a family at dinner, I actually think it is a great way for children to learn to express their thoughts. I have to say that lightning bug T is my FAV so far. I hurried over and ordered one before they sold out. We walk to our local ice cream parlor a couple times a week after dinner when it is warm and the first night we see the lightening bugs is always so magical to my kids. We always make a special wish that night and know it is offically summertime.
Kelly
February 1, 2011 at 11:54 amI am with you on Pandora. Was about to upgrade today until Irealized I have 40 new hours free… so now I want to use them all up:-)
Listening to Sandra McCracken right now- I’m always looking for new station suggestions. Love it! (And slow dancing in the kitchen- the best!)
Trista
February 1, 2011 at 12:00 pmI LOVE that Lightning bug t-shirt. Will you make an adult size?
HannahJ
February 1, 2011 at 12:07 pmLove the Low High game- we do it every night around the dinner table. As far as the poop-on-patio-Low goes- I feel you on that one! But luckily- our little guy has turned the corner on the poopy front:)
Oh- and I love the grasshoper tee design! and Im a bit jealous of your summery weather! We are presnetly having ANOTHER snow storm in the North East- ugggh
Joy
February 1, 2011 at 12:30 pmThis cracked me up. It is *so* my life. (The creative kids one… oh goodness.) Only in my case, with the “low” picture… it was a picture of me!! I, um, proudly(??) hung it on the fridge. My husband was slightly terrified.
I agree with the “No Strings Attached” comment. It’s depressing.
chesley
February 1, 2011 at 12:34 pmi LOVE the lightning bug tee too!!! and for what it’s worth, no stings attached is disgusting. i never watch tv, but went with a friend & it made me sick. your assumption of what it is is right on…it ends well, but that’s about it!
Lori
February 1, 2011 at 12:34 pmI’m with you on that horrible movie trailer. It keeps airing on tv too! Ew. And you are the one that introduced me to today’s letters a few months back and I’m so grateful! They are such an inspiration! So are you!
kat
February 1, 2011 at 12:41 pmI love the Hi and Low game idea. SO cute. The portrait of “just a girl” was hilarious!
Rachel
February 1, 2011 at 12:56 pmthat is now 2 posts in a row i have laughed out loud. this post, it was you assuming the drawing of the girl was you. and the 2 fist pumps & legs kicks [those are the ones that stand out at least]. my 3 year looked at me like i was crazy for laughing at my lap top & wants to know what i’m laughing at. too hard to explain blogs & fist pumps.
lucy m.
February 1, 2011 at 1:03 pmwhoa. I just got an email saying that my shirt already shipped. That is FAST turnaround! Thanks!
Emily
February 1, 2011 at 1:04 pmI would like to say that 1) I think you are hilarious and awesome. 2) I wish we could be friends in real life. 🙂 3) I WANT that lightning bug shirt for myself. And the bay shirt. Any chance there will be more adult sizes in the future? And 4) This blog brightens my day! Thanks!
Jessica
February 1, 2011 at 1:55 pmI sent a link to this post for Sam and told him to check out the 2nd picture…seriously hilarious. I love seeing things that Adriana draws and look forward to her writing sweet notes like that. 🙂 I love your HIGH/LOW game…just might have to start playing! I hope you’ll re-stock the shirts again later this month or next month – promised Sam that I would stop spending so much money for the next few weeks. 🙁 BOO!
Megan
February 1, 2011 at 2:08 pmMan, I need some of those grasshopper shirts for the rainy season when we have grasshoppers and locusts in biblical-plague-like style. If only you shipped internationally . . .
Jessica
February 1, 2011 at 2:25 pmjust finished listening to their story. thanks for sharing – it was very encouraging.
Debbie
February 1, 2011 at 2:30 pmexcelelnt way of looking at the week.
My son has the same hippo!
I <3 IKEA
Jennie-Marie
February 1, 2011 at 2:36 pmCarlton and I do high lows too. Love it! I’m about to go order some tees. cant wait to see all the new ones. xoxo
Lindsay
February 1, 2011 at 2:40 pmDarbs.. try grooveshark.com.
search for any artist and it’s FREE
Jen
February 1, 2011 at 2:57 pmI love Sandra M’s pandora too! I’m SO with you on the gross movie commercials too– i guess it’s time to pay up. 🙂
Shelly W
February 1, 2011 at 3:00 pmLOVE the table, Darby. And what a sweet deal!
Skye
February 1, 2011 at 3:14 pmI’m with you on the pandora commercials too! I hate it when they play that commercial when I’m listen to the Veggie Tales station with my daughter, how inappropriate is that!!
Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss
February 1, 2011 at 3:17 pmThanks so much for sharing Em and Tim’s talk. I have been on their blog before… but was so glad to be linked back. Spent the last 25 minutes of my little one’s nap listening to their talk. It was just what I needed to hear today. So thank you!
Today's Letters
February 1, 2011 at 4:48 pmd, just like an easy chair, you are.
your support is like being wrapped in a warm woobie fresh out of the dryer. ps, crack open that boone’s already! this world needs more diaperless streakers and best lists.
xoxo
kayce hughes
February 1, 2011 at 4:49 pmI am loving the sweat shirt!
stephanie
February 1, 2011 at 4:54 pmThank you so much for posting the link to Today’s Letters. What a story!
Sarah's Fab Day
February 1, 2011 at 5:19 pmI like that game! Every day after school I always ask my boys what the best part of their day was too!
Julie
February 1, 2011 at 5:23 pmA friend just directed me to your site! She said I remind her of you! Well now that I am here..I’ll take it as a compliment! Love your writing style…love your t-shirts…love yoru site!!
Jody Brettkelly
February 1, 2011 at 5:50 pmWhat a great post! I think I saw a movie with Michelle Pfieffer where they played this every night with their kids. Love the story about the ground beef!
Katie Griffith
February 1, 2011 at 5:55 pmAbsolutley love this post…As I’m sitting here with my hubby and 3 year old {we are snowed in with over 12 or 14 some odd inches…who knows the real number} I’m dreaming of a living room of kids like yours, all here to play with my little stinker! Close quarters, no nap, no friends to play with, and still being in pj’s…I’m ready to rip my hair out!
http://www.poshhouseorigianls.blogspot.com
cassie
February 1, 2011 at 6:00 pmThanks so much for linking to your friends talk. I just love when people are willing to share their story… all of the junk leads to more amazement of His grace. Feeling blessed today by them and you!
Jill
February 1, 2011 at 6:02 pmLOL at the picture that thankfully wasn’t of you! HAHAHAHA!!!
Kate from Party Resources
February 1, 2011 at 6:45 pmHighs: Your adorable children and the hippo at the table!!
Kristen O.
February 1, 2011 at 7:35 pmOh my goodness! The Highs and Lows game is fantastic and the picture of “just a girl” and your response to it absolutely cracked me up!
ali
February 1, 2011 at 7:37 pmThanks for making me smile today!
Katie@ Noodle and Boof
February 1, 2011 at 8:07 pmSuch a precious little list with sweet penmanship. Great game. I laughed out loud at the portrait. Thank you for sharing the link to Tim and Emily’s blog.
Jennifer
February 1, 2011 at 8:11 pmLove the high and low game. Would totally love to find that sweet note on my kitchen counter. Enjoyed your friend’s podcast while I did yucky chores. I was fascinated and interested in their story. I learned so much. How very brave they are to share their story and work so hard at their marriage.
Kehler
February 1, 2011 at 8:17 pmWe love the high/low game! Heading over to listen to your friend’s story now.
erin
February 1, 2011 at 8:25 pmoh, darby, the new tee’s are so cute! i really wish they came in my girls’ sizes. it so hard to find cute, age appropriate things for them. i’ll just keep buying for the nephews!
ELK
February 1, 2011 at 9:28 pmI made a dish mat! (using your tutorial) Had to share!! Love it!
https://tutorialtrials.blogspot.com/2011/02/dish-mat-deal-of-century.html
Jill Cribb
February 1, 2011 at 9:41 pmLove your highs & lows…now I don’t feel alone – I had to clean up poop off the floor after a certain little girl got off the potty without me knowing and decided not to put her pants on and decided to scoot across the floor..YUCK…sorry, don’t know why I felt the need to share that…slow dancing with your husband – what a lucky girl you are – that is so sweet. LOVE the bugs in a jar shirt! I am slightly obsessed with lightening bugs/fireflies, so I will HAVE to be gettin’ some of those.
Lorri
February 1, 2011 at 9:46 pmHi there! The new tee shirts ate adorable! I will have to decide on which ones my little stinkers will need. Love your game, too. 🙂
Meg
February 1, 2011 at 10:31 pmThis was hilarious. My husband and I just sat and laughed…a lot. Hope your week is full of many more highs…
Jill
February 1, 2011 at 11:00 pmI love the fireflies-in-a-jar t-shirt! I’m with Trista–any chance you could make that one in adult sizes, too?
martha-caknitter
February 1, 2011 at 11:27 pmWow, after that, I’d be tired too. I think you need a nice fruity drink with an umbrella. This was a fun journey in pictures. 🙂
Jen@Organized-Design
February 1, 2011 at 11:40 pmLoved reading this post. I’ve been a long time reader, and not a great commenter, but I had to this time. This was such a funny post! I’m also glad that I’m not the only one in the world who thinks the same thing about that movie. I don’t get the attraction to it, but glad you said it! Enjoy reading your blog, and love your new t-shirt designs!
kristen
February 1, 2011 at 11:50 pmDarby, tell me about Pandora! I have heard of it but have no idea how it works! Yes, I am an idiot:)
Minnesotamom
February 2, 2011 at 12:58 amThe hippo at the table literally has me laughing out loud. Maybe it’s the late hour, but hoo boy, that’s funny!
Abbey
February 2, 2011 at 9:08 amMy Husband and I have a “POW WOW” almost every night. We list our POW’s and WOW!’s for the day!
kathleen
February 2, 2011 at 12:16 pmYour link to Today’s Letters lifted my heart. The thought that a 21st century person may consider returning to hand written letters mailed through the postal service is refreshing. A letter mailed, a simple every day correspondence is a document– many years down the road if kept in a special place is retrieved without the help of a computer. A hand written note is a vanishing thing, we need to save that unique thing that is you — Your hand writing ; the craft of penmanship needs to be saved. I hope Justin mails post cards from the road or drops a handwritten note when he is on a dig just for the body of knowledge he can contribute from this time period (now) to those in the future that want to study 21st century man. If he writes a letter and mentions your blog will the student of 21st century man ask ” a blog what is a blog?”
Susan R.
February 2, 2011 at 1:22 pmI adore your blog. I get such a kick out of seeing your beautiful kiddos and the funny things they do. I love the photo of the hippo (I think that’s a hippo) at the table. So so cute.
My daughter has been begging me to have her hair cut and she saw a photo of one of your girls and said, “That’s it, that’s the cut I want.”
I love my baby’s long, blond hair, but it is a bugger to brush. No matter how old she gets, her hair is still baby-fine and tangles like crazy.
Kate
February 2, 2011 at 2:08 pmI didn’t read thru all the comments (sorry if I’m repeating a request). I would LOVE to have the bug jar shirt in an adult size, if that would be possible. It is super cute, as are your other shirts. Thanks!
Beverly
February 2, 2011 at 3:46 pmLove your highs and lows game! What a great way to start (and end) your week! Love the girls in their t-shirts. That pink shirt with the bicycle is adorable! Just might have to put that on my wish list!
Oksana Kipko
February 2, 2011 at 4:48 pmWow! That game is really great. What a good way to put the week in perspective. Taco and beer night sounds like good times, Im gonna need to do one of those soon 🙂
Melise
February 2, 2011 at 5:26 pmOh that’s an awesome idea! My high and low today: High- a warm cozy fire and a warm house in all this winter weather advisory; low- a 3 year old who pees her self at a playdate and just….keeps on playing. ugg! embarrassing! 🙂
Erin
February 2, 2011 at 8:42 pmReally great t’s … I might have to get some of those for my kiddo’s!
Erica
February 3, 2011 at 9:13 amI always enjoy reading your posts:) I can certainly relate to days filled with many highs and lows. A lot of my lows involve messes, particularly messes with poop. Being a mom is such a dirty job sometimes.
The new shirt are so cute! I adore the fireflies. I am definitely going to have to get some of these for my children.
emily mancini
February 3, 2011 at 10:07 amI love your blog! My high today: saw our baby inside me at 20 weeks and everything looks great!
Maggie
February 3, 2011 at 11:09 amHi Darby,
I’m assuming you are the wonderful artist of the tees? They are very clever. Did you study art in college?
andrea from Raising Peanut
February 3, 2011 at 11:12 amOh my goodness!!!! we have 2 feet (up to 6 – 8 feet) of snow here in Wisconsin! For real? There are other parts of the world where folks are in swim suits and shorts? In January? (Ooops, February…) I’m envious! 🙂
JenD
February 3, 2011 at 11:18 amadorable new designs! I love the bees in the jar!! Any chance a dino design will be headed our way soon???
Lauren
February 3, 2011 at 1:47 pmNO STRINGS ATTACHED was HILARIOUS…. just saying. 🙂
Ali
February 3, 2011 at 4:04 pmDo you have any tips for toy organization! Also, what are your favorite kid toys? I’m guessing the ones that “automatically” get picked up by your creative kids! Haha, me too!
PS I heard Tim and Em’s talk at ReEngage and it was AWESOME! Small blog world to see you had a link on your blog! 🙂
~ Ali
Lauri
February 4, 2011 at 12:38 amLove the highs andlows game. Love the rhinoceros chid
Jen
February 5, 2011 at 10:16 pmthat picture of “just some girl” is so funny & of course she isn’t you! and i just had to share that i work in an office with 8 other co-workers and we spend many hours with pandora blaring…i had to turn it off because of that sick stinkin’ ad that kept screaming on my computer. how sketchy for my boss to hear natalie portman yelling obscenities from my speakers every 3 minutes? Embarrassing! i wrote them an email {i’m less crazy than i sound!}. they told me that they take all ads that would be played on mainstream media and don’t censor them {sad for us}. they told me the campaign is going to be ending soon but I still hear her yelling so we’ll see 🙂
amanda
February 7, 2011 at 8:00 amDarby, if youo hit F5 two times on your computer when the ads come on it skips them 9Pandora)…:) yea, a little trick I learned!!!! Have a great week…
raeann
February 7, 2011 at 8:54 pmhigh: seeing sarah mccracken this weekend. if she comes your way on her sarah & friends tour, you HAVE to go. she does a q&a, and her answers are hilarious!
low: those pandora adverts. i understand they need to make $$ for us to listen for free, but it’s overkill!
love the blog!
Sammy
February 8, 2011 at 10:45 pmLooks fun!