Happy Monday, friends! How are you? Did you have a good weekend? We enjoyed our last hurrah of summer with anniversary celebrations, the annual joy of Sisters Day (where we indulge in all things girly and fun for the sisters to enjoy), and some necessary back-to-school prep.

All of my kiddos head back to school on Wednesday. You're going to have to bear with me this week because I might just be a lump of mommy mess. My oldest, M, begins second grade (Ok, I can handle that). My middle, C, starts her first year as a full-day student in Kindergarten (sniffle, sniffle), and my little guy, L, begins two half-days at a local preschool (full out sob).

It's all good, and I know they're all ready, but, ugh, sometimes the passage of time and the leave of babyhood just wrenches my heart.

Nevertheless, I will put on my proud Momma face because I am so proud and grateful for all that has been. It reminds me of a quote that I designed for the rehearsal dinner of our wedding.

Feel welcome to pin it and plaster it on a wall. I love it.

We have back-to-school night this week where everyone finds out who's in their class and who their teacher will be. All very exciting stuff. I've got my mind on Fall textures and lengths, and I'm delighted with so many of the Fall trends I'm seeing.

Here's what I'm rustling up for back to school. It's bright enough to signal Summer but with enough texture to say I love you to Fall.

That blousey blouse: I love the new feminine silhouettes and the ease these offer is wonderful for busy ladies on the go!

The skinny jeans: Hello, curvy skinny jeans. You go with...everything!

Those wooden circle earrings: I am so attracted to wood and other natural elements when it comes to accessories. These round maple disks are so beautiful in tone and lightweight, too.

That purple purse: A good cross-body purse in a vibrant tone.

This yellow belt: Pop, pop, pop goes the color. And if you're feeling less daring you can always let your shirt cover up a bit of the bright.

Those cowboy boots: Maybe it's because I've become pals with some great Arkansas ladies who are in the market for some fab boots or maybe it's because there are so many great pairs out there on the shelves. These are right in my budget.

Is anyone in your life heading back to academia? Are you ready for the promise of autumn or would you like a few more weeks of summer sunshine?

XOXO, MJ

This post is carefully titled.

That apostrophe s is really important.

When my 5-year old (C) asked if she could join in a family tradition this year, I was curious.

The summer before my eldest (M) started Kindergarten, I asked her if she'd like to have a sleepover with Mommy. I knew she was nervous about being away from home all day, eating lunch at school, (in our case) wearing a uniform, finding her mommy in the car line after school.

The week before school began we planned a lovely evening for just the two of us that included building a clay castle together, doing up special hairstyles for Mommy and daughter, and talking about our wishes for the new school year. She slept cozy with her animals and covers, and I slept (not quite as cozy) on the floor, on a charming little "bed" she had made up for me.

That first celebration was two years ago, and it's become a back-to-school tradition now. C, having heard about the special moments had been hoping/waiting for her turn to enter Kindergarten so she can experience her rite of passage.

I'll admit, there's a lot to get done with the weeks leading up to school. I have my mental checklist that I'm trying to tick through every day. So, when C asked if she too could have an evening with Mommy...I thought, how am I going to do this?

And then I looked into those gigantic blue eyes and realized, there would be a way.

"What do you want to do for our night, C?" I asked. I braced myself for the answer. My children, thank God, have exquisite imaginations, and are not shy about dreaming big. Her response:

• Could we eat Reese's peanut butter cups?
• And maybe watch Beauty and the Beast together?
• And can you paint my fingernails?

In my head, I was thinking, "Really, that simple? That's all she wants?" I asked her if she'd like to do anything else, and she looked at me with excitement and said, "that would be the best day ever, Mommy."

I about cried.

Could fulfilling a dream of my daughter's be that simple? She just wants to hang out with me and watch a movie, while I get to eat chocolate and paint fingernails? That's such a little dream.

But really, it was a little's dream.

And I was reminded again how the simple moments we spend with our children (and one another) can be the stuff that dreams are made of...even when we don't realize it.

I believe that sometimes we're not fully aware of the little pieces of Heaven all around us. And sometimes we overlook our own capacity to be one of those pieces.

I've got round 2 with M coming up on Thursday night and she has a movie, some hair fixing, and baking on her mind.

I can't wait...because in the process of these little moments, I'm fulfilling my own dreams of motherhood, too.

How will help someone live their dream today? I promise, it might even be something small..that you'll enjoy, too.

XOXO, MJ