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I don’t remember what I was searching for on Etsy that day, but I came across some t-shirts with the saying “On Wednesdays we wear pink”.  It’s a quote from the 2004 movie, Mean Girls.  It must be a popular saying because there are a LOT of shirts to choose from if you’re looking for one with that quote!

When I first came across these shirts, my mind almost automatically responded with “Well, on Fridays we wear blue.”  Because blue is the color for type 1 diabetes awareness and in our community, we wear blue on Fridays.  And then I searched Etsy for a shirt that said “On Fridays we wear blue”.  Guess what.  There weren’t any.  And I wondered if I could change that.

So last Fall, with help from another t1d parent, I set out to make it happen.  My three goals with this t-shirt: 1) The design needed to be simple.  2) The shirt needed to be so soft that it would quickly become everyone’s favorite.  3) And if possible, I’d love to use it to fund raise a bit for JDRF.  I ordered t-shirt samples, chose the softest one, worked with the graphic artists on a simple design and then shared it with my local t1d community.

Orders came flooding in!  I was a bit overwhelmed (and obviously thrilled) at the positive response, but keeping track of everyone’s orders on my steno pad got a little confusing at times.  We ordered and shipped well over 100 t-shirts, and then had people asking for more.  So the t-shirts are back for 2016 with a few new options!  This year we have toddler sized t-shirts and hoodies for adults.  (Let me just plug the sweatshirts real quick.  Again, I was super picky about the shirt quality.  I didn’t want stiff and bulky.  I wanted soft and vintage-y.  And that’s what we got.  You are going to LOVE this hoodie!)

Also new this year, I ditched the steno pad and opted for an Etsy shop instead.  Etsy allows me to take credit cards rather than relying on strangers to mail me cash or checks.  And it also keeps track of orders better than my pencil did last year.

Head over and check it out.  I promise this shirt will quickly become your favorite.  You’ll want to wear it because it spreads awareness, because it supports my little girl, and so many others who live with the burden of type 1 diabetes.  You’ll want to wear it because it’ll remind you that your purchase made a donation to JDRF, helping to fund a cure. (Twenty percent of your purchase goes directly to JDRF.)  And you’ll want to wear it because it. is. so. soft!

Here’s the link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheJoyBeforeMe?ref=search_shop_redirect

Please note this VERY IMPORTANT detail:  I will ONLY take orders until October 10th (so you have just one week).  After that, I’ll close down the shop and place the order.  I want everyone to have their shirts by November, because November is International Diabetes Awareness Month!

 

My kiddos both wearing size Youth Small.

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My little guy modeling the toddler t-shirts.  He’s wearing the 3T.  It’ll have the exact same design as the other shirts.

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The original “On Fridays We Wear Blue” t-shirt

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The new HOODIES!  These will have the same design printed on the front.

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I’ve said it a million times, but I just LOVE my milestone families!  And this particular family holds a special place in my heart.  In April, they introduced me to this gorgeous little peanut who I get to document in photographs as she grows this year, just as I did for her two big brothers.  Honored doesn’t feel like a strong enough word to describe how it feels when families trust me with such precious memories.

Sweet Baby N…you are a beauty.  A ray of sunshine.  A true blessing from above.  And you have been given an incredible family to love you and guide you (including two big brothers to always protect you).  You are dearly loved, little one!

 

I probably have written this a few too many times, but it is just so true!  It is a HUGE honor when families choose me to document their little ones and I am just so humbled by families like Baby G’s!  This handsome little guy is one of my milestone babies, which means I get to see him a few times over the course of his firsts year, documenting his emerging personality at different phases of his babyhood.  I LOVE this opportunity.  Kids grow up and change SO quickly and I really do think it’s a great choice to have their first years documented in photos.  You’ll never regret that choice!

We took Baby G’s 6 month photos in one of my favorite locations, especially for summer sessions.  The water, the docks, the gorgeous blue sky…all a gorgeous backdrop to that adorable bald little head.  :)

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A quick note about summer sessions…I have FOUR dates available!  That’s it!  At this time, I’m not planning on any summer mini sessions and have only 6 dates available in September/October.  Email me soon to set up your family’s session! stacey@thejoybeforeme.com

 

It’s my favorite.  When Baby can sit up confidently, but not crawl/walk/run away from me yet.  It’s usually around six or seven months, and I would really encourage parents to make this stage an essential portrait stage with their babies.  My spring was filled with a bunch of sitter sessions and each one was so fun.  These little peanuts already have big personality and it’s such an honor to capture it on camera for their parents.

Meet Baby E.  She’s got beautiful big eyes and crazy long eyelashes.  And I loved the time I got to spend with her and her family!

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My smiley, happy boy, today you are FIVE!  You add so much joy to my life!  You are an absolute gift to your daddy and I for so many reasons.

You love to help.  Help Lukey get his shoes off, help me fold the laundry, help daddy run errands.  You contribute to helping our house run more smoothly by pitching in with a willing heart.

You are quite a talented little artist and you love making things.   Projects, inventions, drawings…your creativity is through the roof.

You are insightful and curious and so smart.  I can’t wait to see where life takes takes that big brain of yours!

You have big faith in God.  I’ll never forget the night when you ended your bedtime prayer saying, “…and thanks God, for a happy ending.”  I’m not sure what made you feel thankful for that on that night, but you’re right.  There is a happy ending coming and we ought to be more thankful for it.  Or another time you were praying and thanked God for holding the world just so perfectly and so gently in His big hands….a prayer that was perfectly timed amidst world events you are completely unaware of.  God teaches me so many things through your faith, Caleb.

And I can’t leave out the fact that you are totally hilarious.  Between your one-liners, your facial expressions, and your dance moves, you have me laughing on a daily basis.  I totally adore the way you love to make people smile.  You get that from your daddy.

So for the year you’ll be five, my prayer is that you will continue to think deep thoughts and ask big questions.  That you will continue to speak freely about the God who made you and loves you.  That you’ll continue to find joy in helping others.  I’m such a lucky lady to be your mommy.  God did a very good work in you, son and He is not done yet.

abde

 

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