Okay, I am a sucker for a good story.
I love a creative idea,
and I am a glutton for anything that makes me tear up.
In our salon right now, we have an adorable gal who is working at our front desk.
She is a beautiful, happy, amazingly interesting and talented young lady.
She had the sweetest and BEST IDEA EVER!
She is going to be a senior in highschool next year.
She has decided to keep a daily journal for her mother starting from this summer
that goes through her senior year in highschool.
Her plan is to hand her mother this journal
(wait for it)
(I almost sobbed)
as she is pulling away from dropping her off to college…
Geez.
Every mother would love to have such an amazing gift.
When she was reading me some of this journal,
she had already written her Mom some poems,
funny memories, and everyday things that she thought her mom would appreciate.
I am so happy for her mother.
It’s hard for those babies to grow.
I cannot think of a more fitting present to hand your Mom than a hand written journal compiled for
dear old Mom.
Here’s hoping that one or all of my kiddos 3 will have the respect, love and admiration for me to
bless me with such an amazing gift one day
What is the perfect equation for the BEST MOTHER’S DAY ever?!!!!
An entire day full of family and friends…
We had Sara and Airin,
the Grandmas Connie and Pat, Grandpa Greg,
me, hubby, and the kiddos 3,
my besty Kim, her hubby Craig and
their two kiddos Preston and Kendall…
I could not have asked for a more beautiful and fun-filled family day!
Just the way I like it.
All the kiddos (including X’s besty Jack who came to play later)
all decided that they would put the sprinkler under the trampoline
and HAVE A BALL!!!!
Laughter, giggles and happy screams!!!!
My besty Kim and I….
How I love that girl!!!!
Happy Mother’s Day my friend…thanks for being in my life for the last 16 years!!!
and I got to finish the day with a bike ride to the park.
LOVE IT!!!!!
BEST. DAY. EVER!!!!
(and a side note, Ava and Xander rode their bikes ALL the way to the school and back…
with Eden in the cart behind me… That is a long way!)
Well…
once again, my bitter, angry uterus rears it’s ugly head.
Why is it
STUPID PEOPLE ARE FERTILE?
My uterus is single handedly starting a campaign to
hand out condoms to stupid, alcohol addicted, meth smoking, domestic abusing, mentally ill, and troubled people.
If you know anyone who needs
them please let this uterus know.
Thank you, that is all.
okay, I know that i talk about a lot of things on this blog…
and this may be a little off subject…
but one of my most favorite plants on the planet are succulents.
so i need a succulent garden.
pronto.
i am told i cannot kill them.
perfect.
Is it possible for me to have senioritis?
I am SOOOOOO ready for the kids to get out of school.
Let’s bring on the lazy days of summer please and thank you!
These finds from
will be sure to inspire !
This beautiful set of photographs (each 8×10) is sure to get you in the mood for hot sun
and sangria.
$96.00 for the set of 4
I can already see this beauty around my neck with a white tank top and maxi skirt!!!
This is a statement piece if I have ever seen one!
$39.50
I love the color of this beautiful clutch.
Tangerine is definately a summer color I want to embrace and wear!
$54.00
This airy scarf is just delicious!!!!!
and the aqua is to die for…
$14.00
This could be worn with everything.
Super cute!
and last but not least is this precious earring.
I love the colors, I love the fact I could wear them
with some really feminine gold chains…
these will definately be coming home to this house!
$26.00
Mother’s Day is coming up.
I love finding unique and special presents.
and who better to shop for than Mom.
Mom’s do everything for you, make sure your life is protected, fun and delicious.
Here are some gifts courtesy of Etsy just for the Mom in your life…
These beautiful handmade vegan soaps are so delicious.
This set has pumpkin, chamomile, cambrian blue, and oats & poppy.
$20.00 for all 4
This beautiful cherry wood bowl is so much fun for jewelry, a candle or just sitting by itself.
$27.99
For the creative Moms, how about something she can create with.
Personalized linen “I love you” ribbon.
4 yards for $10.00
This silver wishbone necklace is super perfect for Moms
I WANT ONE!!!
$40.00
This adorable purse/bag is to die for.
I love, love love that it is waterproof…perfect for soccer games, work and the park.
$79.00
For something practical but AWESOME try a vinyl weekly chalkboard.
I love mine soooooo much!
What Mom doesn’t need more organization?
$48.00 for this large size
and you cannot have the vinyl chalkboard without a chalkboard pen!!!
www.ALastingExpression.etsy.com
$4.50
For a unique and specil gift for Mom try a “you are beautiful” mirror.
LOVE THIS!!!!
$32.00
and last, but not least, every Momma LOVES A CUPCAKE.
I myself love love a cupcake.
So why not give Mom a special little wooden stand and a single cupcake for her special day!
$4.95
The Aqua color is just so pretty.
Happy shopping and
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Add this one to my favorite show list…
as always, DO NOT JUDGE ME!!!!
and this show had me at hello because of this ADORABLE, pudgy, and extra-skinned little man
called Sparticus.
yep. he is a handsome boy isn’t he?
Ice loves Coco is a pretty good show people.
I SAID DON’T JUDGE ME!!!!!!
okay, so I am a little late posting Easter pictures.
The computer was not cooperating
(annoying)
the pictures were not cooperating
(annoying)
and as always, time just gets away from me.
SOOOOO. Let’s get to celebrating…
We started the day at our house, a delicious brunch with our family.
Uncle Airin, Aunty Sara, Grandma and Grandpa Flaherty, Grandma and Grandpa Christian
and our cousin Gregory and of course our little party of five.
Then we went to Grandma Connie and Grandpa Greg’s for an Easter egg hunt.
Then it was on to Grandpa Bob and Grandma Pat’s for their hunt.
We had so much fun!!!!!
HAPPY EASTER 2012!
(clearly, I have about 100 other pictures to post…but this dang program is just not working!!!!)
So this is what we get to post.
Technology hates me.
ugh.
a little birdy told me about 4 weeks ago about a fun new book series for
the “ladies”…
since the Twilight books, nothing much has really
caught my attention like those vampires did.
Well slap me silly….
this one has my attention!
Enter “50 Shades of Grey” by, E.L. James…
Holy crap!!!
This book is full of naughty, adult situations that are super fun and worth the read!
and the best part?
There are 2 more books in the series!
“50 Shades Darker”
(this one is my favorite!!!!)
and
“50 Shades Freed”
(NAUGHTY!!!)
These are certainly written for women by a woman.
Just to be clear, this is just for fun, definately not going to win any literary awards (ha ha ha).
But it will get you revved up ladies.
Enjoy.
It’s here…
the day we here at home dread.
Grandpa Bob heads back to Michigan till October.
It’s hard on all of us, but especially for Xander.
Him and Grandpa play pretty much everyday.
They fish together, they have inside jokes, they clearly have a very special bond.
So Grandma Pat had a family dinner for us last night (pierogis…our family favorite)
and we got to play and spend some quality time together.
Bubbles can keep them busy for hours, I swear!
Grandpa played soccer with Eden and Xander, of course X was out for blood and Ed
brought a girly twinkley toes version of the game, ha ha!!!!
The kids rode bikes…
and there was a sighting of “Batgirl”…
she looked a little like our Eden, but who are we to judge….
Such a fun night…
we will miss you Grandpa Bob…
I love being a mom
and these little faces remind me everyday that I am one blessed lady.
Thank goodness we had three very brave young ladies who were willing to
make the ultimate sacrifice
for me…and Scott.
Adoption is such a blessing.
Xander and his buddy Grandpa Bob
are the masters of entryway soccer.
There is a game every morning before school.
Lots of trash talking…
LOTS!
and there is a lot of what Grandpa calls “creative (wink wink) scoring and rule making”
by the crazy-eyed 7 1/2 yr old.
So when Papa showed up this morning,
he had a little suprise for Xander.
Guess who needed to rub in the fact that he had won a game.
Boys….
I tried out the minivan…HATED IT!
I fought tooth and nail to not be “one of those Moms”.
but apparently my true calling had not been unveiled yet…
Brace yourself…
MY NAME IS JILL AND
I
AM
A
(wait for it….)
waaaaaaaaaait for it…
oh I will just say it…
A SOCCER MOM!
there, I said it.
I had no idea that soccer would captivate me the way it did.
Maybe it was the fact that my baby boy is obsessed with the sport.
Maybe it was the fact that I get super nervous when he does something new…
but that fateful day at the end of March it all became clear!
I LOVE SOCCER!
I LOVE watching my baby play soccer!
I love being on the field and sitting RIGHT THERE on the side lines.
I love yelling and cheering for the team…GO STORM!!!!
so it’s official…I am embracing my new found title and LOVING IT!
Here are some pictures from Xander’s first ever soccer game…
He is the baby giraffe/all long arms/all long legs super handsome little man in the picture…
our little #3.
yep, that’s him right in the middle of the picture in the grey jersey
(just look for the boney knees )
try not to judge this crazy proud mama!
I am so proud of you my precious little X.
You make Mommy and Daddy SO SO SO happy to be your parents.
I am very aware that everything happens for a reason.
I have clearly learned this fact in my life.
Fate brings people into your life for many reasons, most of the time we are not aware of the reasons
until long after the fact.
Moment after moment, person after person…
each day laid out for the taking.
Watching things happen for my children is no exception.
Xander is a wonderful boy.
Kind, sweet, loving, and driven…thoughtful and respectful, and a great friend.
So when he entered Kindergarten last year, my hope for him was that he would be understood.
That he would be happy and enjoy school.
Most of all make good friends and not be made fun of.
Who knew that he would meet such good friends.
One boy stood out above all.
Everyday I heard the name “Jack”.
“My buddy Jack”, “My friend Jack”, ”My best friend Jack”…
So I just had to investigate.
I emailed Jack’s mom Kelly, asked her if Jack would be willing to come play,
and could we all get together for dinner.
BEST DECISION EVER!
after exchanging a few emails, Miss Kelly informs me that she knows me from highschool
because my sister and her were besties.
SHUT UP SMALL WORLD!
They were younger than me, so I am sure I was not always the nicest person to be around,
but she agreed to let our boys play anyway (ha ha)…and did not hold my behavior many years ago
against me.
Long story short…their family IS THE BOMB!!!!!
So this year, our boys were lucky enough to be in the same class for 1st grade.
They are on the same baseball team. (GO DRAGONS!)
They are on the same soccer team. (GO STORM!)
They both share a love of soccer, stuffed animals and are protective of eachother always.
We love Jack so much, and I am so happy that we have been lucky enough to have our boys find eachother.
Here they are together at Live Strong Stadium for a KC Sporting soccer game.
Here’s to many more memories and a lifetime of “best friend moments” for these two…
Thank you fate.
Our boy is obsessed!
Soccer is HUGE at our house these days.
Xander eats, sleeps, and breathes soccer.
He has been playing everyday at recess, attending Sporting KC games with his best buddy Jack,
and playing a very serious ( ) game of soccer in our entry way
with his Grandpa Bob every morning before school…
It’s so cute to watch those two…
Grandpa has a smile the whole time, Xander is out for blood.
I think Grandpa has more patience than anyone I know.
Always a good sport, always up for entertaining his grandson, and just an amazing Grandpa.
So, if you are up for a laugh, stop on by.
You can choose between the “team Grandpa” shirt or the “team Xander” jersey.
My bet is on the super competitive one with the “crazy eyes”
Deep Dark Secret #15
Creepy Creepy creepy!
I ran across this store on Etsy and LET THE NIGHTMARES BEGIN.
who makes photos like this?
What the crap is that all about?
this is art?!!!!!
This picture alone haunts me!!!!
and where in the heck do I begin with this!???
Just the thought of a giant bunny hopping through my house makes me shutter.
ew.
ew.
ew.
looks sort of cute…BUT NOT! Kinda creepy.
The only thing that was missing from her store of creepy pictures was a HUGE HAIRY SPIDER
and a mime.
I think I know where I will not be shopping.
Like most Mommies,
I am leary of all the “candy holidays”…
Halloween, Valentines Day, and especially Easter.
They get so much candy from everywhere!
So I love to fill Easter baskets with other goodies instead…
coins for their piggy banks
and
kites…each kiddo needs a new kite for spring.
I also found some goodies on Etsy and I wanted to share.
These cute tumblers are perfect for the park, zoo and a backyard picnic.
$11.00
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these cute little crayons just for fun…
25 crayons for $10.00 (they also include easter egg crayons with these)
My kiddos always want coloring books in their baskets…how cute will these be on Easter morning!
For some cute picture props and fun in the wind,
I love pinwheels…
I found this gal who makes them with really pretty papers.
The girls will love these!
www.designsbymarygrace.etsy.com
12 of these for $30.00
They also would make a great centerpiece!
I am a sucker for a good sugar cookie and this gal makes beautiful ones!
5 cookies for $30.00
My kiddos love anything with their names on it!
Wish I had the patience to create these! Geez.
I love decorating for the holidays,
but the kiddo’s idea of decor and my idea of decor is not ANYTHING alike.
So I am always on the hunt for holiday decor I can stomach.
Easter is one of the cheesiest for decorations i think.
Etsy to the rescue!!!!
I ordered these fabric eggs for myself the second I saw them!
I love the vintagey feel, super cute and loved the colors.
I will be placing them in a wood bowl I found a few years back….
can’t wait to get them!
www.WhateversHandmades.etsy.com
12 eggs for $18.50
I also loved this sign.
It’s so cute!
Modern and clean blue.
The little chicks are so stinkin’ cute.
$25.00 or $27.00 with the chicks included…
and I absolutely loved these little eggs.
$16.00 for 5 eggs.
In the past I have ordered from this little store…
I love her birdies so very much.
Each one is handmade and hand designed.
3 for $27.00
I do love my birdies so I also found these cute little guys.
$35.00 for one of these guys…yep, you read it right…
a bit pricey if you ask me, but they do look real.
My girls would LOVE these!
Especially Eden.
My kiddos are professionals when it comes to stalling bedtime.
Most of the time, we have to put our feet down and make them go to bed.
It is spring break, so tonight we were a whole lot more tolerant of the antics
and THANK GOODNESS for that!
Introducing an all new, up and coming, all-girl sister band!
After an amazing rendition of “Happy Birthday”,
I asked these two soon-to-be-stars what the name of their band was…
The older and more polka dotted sister, without skipping a beat says…
“ROCK-N-ROLL GUMMY BEAR”!
(which, by the way, would make THE COOLEST NAME FOR A GIRL BAND EVER!!!!)
They were fierce, a bit edgy, with a hint of Bon Jovi…thus, the horns by the younger, more cupcake-y sister…
They took turns singing songs…
most every one impromptu and VERY LOUD!
The little headbanger of this group seemed to be VERY eager to rock it!
She seemed to have the most invested in the band….she was ALL HEART!
This little rockstar was a HUGE mix of gospel and folk.
She loves singing about God and all his blessings.
It’s sweet and then she throws in a soulful rock n roll rift….she is super fun to watch!
Then, in classic sister or girl-band style, a fight seems to be brewing!
One sister is DRAMATIC, one is FEISTY and relentless in her stubborness…
either way, DRAMA!!!!!
The artistic differences seemed to take it’s toll and then it was officially a meltdown…
with the dramatic one finally just giving up.
Daddy and I are sure hoping for a reunion tour.
St. Patrick’s Day
march 17, 2012
It’s my 38th birthday!
Yes, most people are out drinking it up, enjoying the “green festivities”
but we celebrate Mommy’s birthday a little differently!
This year was all about the bikes!
My hubby took me to pick out a new bike…a new helmet..and I found one!
and then when the hubby and I got home, the kiddos and Grandma Pat and Grandpa Bob
had a HUGE suprise for me..
They had decorated the table and put out an ice cream cake (Mom’s favorite)
and made cards for me!!!!
(BEST SUPRISE EVER! )
Everyone sang Happy Birthday to me and Xander piped in with his “CHINESE CHICKEN”
rendition of the birthday song
and the kiddos all waited patiently while I made my wish
(little do they know, they were and always will be my wish…shhhhh)
and we blew out the candles!
Then we shared a little Dairy Queen goodness!
I cannot get enough of the hot fudge/cookie crumb center!
No birthday is complete in our house without a little frosting fight!…
Then it was outside for bike riding and enjoying the fresh air and almost 80 degree day!
I cannot express how blessed I feel today…
a very full heart.
I have the bestest husband and the most amazing three kiddos any Mommy could ask for!
Happy birthday to me!!!!!
I tell the kiddos all the time…especially before bed
“You better not grow…not one inch while you sleep”…
and I get a HUGE grin and usually a
“I am growing right now!!!”
and I say “you better not!!!!”
But our little joke is really starting to not be a joke anymore!
I cannot stand how fast they are growing everyday!
Case in point…
Our little Vespa decided that she wanted to take her training wheels off!!!
and so she did.
YOU GO LITTLE MAMA!!!!!
tear…
Happy Birthday to me…
Happy birthday to ME!!!
Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeeee-eeeeee!
Happy Birthday to me!
Yay…my Birchbox has ARRIVED!
Thanks to my friend Tasha, I learned all about the Birchbox fun!
Every month, for only $10.00 per month, I get 4-5 super fun, super delicious, and super awesome
beauty samples.
I get to try things I would NEVER ever get to try normally and I am SUPER EXCITED!
So tonight I tried the “Tea Forte” skin smart tea…
”cherry marzipan”
is certified organic, a fair trade product and ORAC certified!
Plus it is packed with powerful antioxidants to combat ageing cellular damage.
This one is for healthier, younger looking skin…
ummmm….YES PLEASE!
I will be ordering this pronto.
16 teabags for $6.00
I cannot wait to try each and every product in this beautiful little box!
Go to www.birchbox.com and sign up too!
Well I think I know what sport my kiddos 3 want to try!!!!
It was golf day and they even used
“weal (real) gofffff balllls” as Eden said!
Each one had their own special form….
Ava is a mix of shoveling snow and hockey…
Eden was a mix of twinkle-toe-ing and club and ball throwing…
She actually THREW the club…swear!
and our little Xander Bug had really natural form…
What a beautiful day playing, playing, playing!!!!
I am feeling some golf lessons in the future…
well, for at least two of the kiddos.
and if our little Ed is joining them, well…..helmets for everyone!!!
(her mama is also a club-thrower with no hope of patience for golf)
omg.
Not since the movie Despicable Me have I enjoyed a kid’s movie this much!
and since they are done by the same people….
well then I know why I am MADLY IN LOVE WITH
The Lorax.
This movie has such an amazing energy about it…
randomly busting out into song
(love that…and the kids were dancing in the aisle)
and the message is just to die for.
Take care of our earth…and everything that is important!
My kiddos wanted to go to the store and buy trees on our way home.
“mommy, we need to plant TONS of trees, EVERYWHERE”!!!
So look out Shawnee, Kansas…
my kiddos 3 are on a mission now!!!!
Today at the Kansas City Zoo, little Eden the horticulturist, decided to plant two branches
randomly in the mud…
she grinned at me and whispered in my ear later, “ I planted those just like the lorax said”.
Nice job…for once a movie that has a GREAT MESSAGE!
This Momma approves!
I was informed by my little Vespa that today was
officially “Julie’s 4th Birthday”
and could we celebrate?
Ummmm…
yes.
I never pass up a moment to have cake or ice cream
or in this case a store bought brownie thing…
Pop a candle on top and
WAHHHHH-LAHHHHHH!
instant birthday party.
Happy Birthday Miss Julie Albright!
(I am gonna bet this won’t be her last birthday party this year…wink wink)
spring break 2012
I decided to go through all our old stuff and put it on craigslist for a little spending cash.
of course, miss ava and my other pack rats HAD to rummage
through the bin before i could hide it.
Low and behold Ava found her TREASURE!
Mommy’s 1st digital camera…
Her very own “real camera” as she says!
It was instantly attached to her face.
Our little Vespa is smitten.
Do I see a future photojournalist in our house?
Nothing warms my heart like the moment my baby’s imagination is sparked!
Her passion for creative things is one of the 4,000 ties that bind her and I together.
Follow your heart baby girl…
Shoot for the stars!
My life with my little kiddos is just SCREAMING by at a rapid and head-spinning pace.
We have this everyday routine that I cannot wrap my head around.
I hate routine.
I despise HAVING to do anything.
I really yearn for the days of diapers, small little babies and the only routine
being naps and feedings.
I long for the simpler times of cuddling with newly bathed and swaddled infants breathing
sweet baby breath in my neck.
I long for winter nights with snow falling quietly…
the wee hours of morning where my sweet little baby is sucking on a bottle
and cooing and sighing.
They are SO BIG for their britches these days.
Thank goodness Ava still out stretches both arms for me to pick her up…
“carry me Mommy” she says.
Thank goodness Eden still has her baby voice.
Her little accent straight out of Boston.
She loves to cuddle, close her eyes tight and make little cooing noises.
Scott and I both cherish this every time.
Thank the Lord Xander will, in the safety and comfort of our home, still let me
pick him up…all arms and legs dangling…and hold him just the way I did
when he was 1 year old.
He wants me to kiss and hug him goodnight.
I love every second.
It has been a really huge tug of my heart and gut lately.
The knowlege that I will not ever hold my little babies as babies again.
Do I need a mourning period?
I think I do.
Do I need to be grateful for all that I have been blessed with everyday?
Yes…and I am sooooo grateful.
Do I wish that it had lasted A LOT longer.
Yes.
Some people wish their kids to grow and be self sufficient…
I do not.
I want little babies again. A do-over.
I. Want. It. All. Again.
Xander, Ava, and Eden.
Mommy loves you with every thread of my being.
I always do and will.
So each time I ask you to just come and sit with me and cuddle….
please, i beg you, no matter if you are taller than me…
please grant me two seconds of a hug and kiss and a little lap time.
For this I am blessed.
My prince charming and my kiddos 3.
It is an exciting time at him, me and our kiddos 3!!!!
We have had a record mild winter (thank goodness we took advantage of that one snow)
that has inspired me to FINALLY put in our garden.
It is the perfect year!
We have the ugliest backyard,
there are HUGE plans ahead for it’s renovations.
Most importantly, all three kiddos can contribute to the garden.
We will have so many jobs….
and THEY LOVE JOBS.
Building the raised beds, creating the perfect soil, planting all the seeds and plants,
and watching our hard work grow!
LOVE IT!!!!!
Here is a before shot of the ugly yard.
The middle section is GARDEN CENTRAL!
We have chosen these vegetables and fruits to be in our garden…
Asparagus
sweet corn
tomatoes
peppers
watermelon
blackberries
blueberries
strawberries
and by request of Eden Grace…sunflowers…and lots of them
It think that is a good start!
So first things first, I will be digging out a huge square patch of grass/weeds,
building three or four planter boxes, filling them full of rich, organic soil, and then
creating pavestones and gravel around each box for easy access and watering.
I will be sharing our progress each step of the way.
Wish us luck.
I am on the hunt for “the perfect cowboy boot”.
They are a great addition to the wardrobe…
you can wear them with skirts, dresses, jeans, and leggings.
Scott just looked over my list and said “what the heck is this”?
“You are not a cowgirl anymore, you are a Johnson County Housewife”…
and so i said “that is why my most favorite pair costs $750.00″.
(take that Scotty…that shut him up )
So let’s just begin with my TO DIE FOR PAIR!!!!
ummm…YES PLEASE!
“Belinda” by Old Gringo
$750.00
Oh mama…I would wear these every day, all day long.
In fact, i just might sleep and shower in them…just sayin’!!!!
I also love this pair…
They are the most beautiful color and a classic style.
Stetson hand burnished “Ficcini” round toe
$229.00
also from www.sheplers.com
The old Gringo “Zarape” cowgirl boot-snip toe
$499.00
These are super cute, love the color and the stitching!
For a small burst of color, I found these beauties!
Corral tan floral turquoise inlay boots A1952
$224.00
LOVE the grey, love the blue pops of color and i love the style.
super girly… and affordable.
another pair I found on www.countryoutfitter.com
is the Lucchese tan riding boot
they are super classic and tall. Love them.
$308.95
This next pair is a great color to go with everything.
I can just picture a little skirt, tank top and fun jewelry…
Corral antique cognac & cream wingtip eagle western boot
$206.99
and I do not want to leave out my favorite “FRYE” boots…
Frye “Phillip Harness” tall Dark Brown soft antique
$328.00
and for a shorter style perfect for boot cut jeans…
Frye “Deborah Pin Tuck”
$498.00
I love, love, love the color and they just look comfy.
I love boots.
I love boots.
I LOVE BOOTS!!!!
A client of mine told me about this hilarious website and I just wanted to share…
http://surisburnbook.tumblr.com/
This is a little bit of ridiculousness that is well worth looking at and following.
It’s the world according to Suri Cruise
(obviously not really her)
who is Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes daughter…
you know the one, the girly who walks around in high heels at 4…
the girly who is clothed from head to toe designer.
Read it, you will thank me later for the chuckle.
It’s no secret that Ava is obsessed with her baby dolls.
She is madly in love with the idea of being a Mommy.
She plays with her dolls ALL THE TIME.
We have strollers, diaper bags, changing stations, diapers, clothes, blankets, carriers, and bumbo seats
all over our house.
Her room is just jam packed with all her favorite things.
So today I took the girls to The American Girl Store and I think she might have
died and gone to “Doll HEAVEN”.
She has been begging for Julie Albright.
I won’t lie, i loved her too.
sooooo….
welcome julie…
Our day has consisted of watching Ava talk to, dress and undress, and just plain love
on her new dolly.
What a great little Mommy you are Vespa girl.
Ava age 5…
Deep Dark Secret #14
Tornado season is apparently here.
It is February.
Traditionally not “tornado season”
so this is shaping up to be a really bad year for tornados.
Great.
I am deathly afraid of a tornado hitting us at night.
They are scary enough, but at night we have sound machines on, we are dead asleep, and we are in
four different bedrooms.
A NIGHTMARE OF GINORMOUS PROPORTIONS!
imagine this coming at you in the middle of the night…i just threw up.
so apparently I will not be sleeping from February till September.
awesome.
i am headed downstairs to make the coffee. ugh.
two things I know for sure…
1. I love Jamaica.
2. I love adoption.
Put these two awesome things together AND wahhhhhhlahhhhh!
Jamaica is officially open for adoptions!
You can make infants all the way up to grown children your forever loves right now.
I am thrilled with that news.
We just need to win the lottery.
Then we will be adding a couple precious little people to our party of five!
Now, off to buy my ticket!
we spend so much money on toys throughout the year…
Christmas, Easter, birthdays, etc.
But no fail…we always get reminded that we suck.
yep.
we suck.
WHO NEEDS TOYS?!!!
not my kids.
apparently they just need an empty elliptical box, a deflated and ruined jump-o-line,
and a crap-ton of pillows from the couch!
They have created the perfect “crazy fun and slightly dangerous” way to have a BLAST!
They push the elliptical box up to the couch, run across the top and jump into the pool of pillows…
and Ava does it with GUSTO!!!
That girl is crazy!
Eden also has NO FEAR!
Oh….how I wish I could do this with them!
Have fun babies!
Eden loves to dance.
and
Eden loves her big sister.
So when Eden was able to “bring a friend to dance class” today…
well, we know who she picked!
They made sure to wear their matching skirts…thank you Grandma Pat and Grandpa Bob!
Both girls sang and danced and choo choo-ed their way around the room …
with an occasional booty shake which just cracked up Xander and I.
Eden grabbed her big sister’s arm and they started dancing in a circle.
Clearly not doing what they were told, but that is neither here nor there.
I just loved that they were enjoying their sister time…
Dance to the beat of your own drums little ladies!
Your Momma will ALWAYS have your backs.
and on another note…
a bragging note (wink wink).
There were flyers hanging around the studio …
and guess who the perfect little ballerina model was on the flyer…
OUR EDEN!
this mommy was so proud.
One of my besties gave me the BEST Christmas present EVER!
Yes, it is February, thus why I am just now telling you about it because I have been using it
ever since and it is TO DIE FOR!!!
Thank you LuLu!!!!
Mascara is super annoying for so many reasons…
It smears and smudges…
it flakes and clumps onto your cheeks…
it makes you too “spidery”…
I could go on and on!
WAHHHHHHLAAAAAAAAAH!
First you apply this…
“ Dior Extase mascara 090″
It plumps lashes inside and out!
It creates a 3D effect with a spherical-shaped brush & black pearl pigments…love it!
Next you apply…
“ Dior Diorshow Iconic 090″
This is my favorite part!
This one gives you extreme curling, defines the lashes, and is 100% smudge proof…
oh yeah…come to mama!!!!!
Thank you Linda Lu for introducing me to my new favorite make up goody!
all available from Sephora … www.sephora.com
ENJOY!!!!
mark my words…
this is going to be, hands down, the newest most requested haircut of the summer!
So for all of you girlies who are sick and tired of your bob…
THIS IS THE ‘DO FOR YOU!
call me…
Top Superfoods Offering Super Health Protection
- Beans
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Oats
- Oranges
- Pumpkin
- Salmon
- Soy
- Spinach
- Tea (green or black)
- Tomatoes
- Turkey
- Walnuts
- Yogurt
Blueberries — Antioxidant Superfood
Packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, these berries are also high in potassium and vitamin C, making them the top choice of doctors and nutritionists. Not only can they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, they are also anti-inflammatory.
“Inflammation is a key driver of all chronic diseases, so blueberries have a host of benefits,” says Ann Kulze, MD, of Charleston, S.C., author of Dr. Ann’s 10-Step Diet, A Simple Plan for Permanent Weight Loss & Lifelong Vitality.
When selecting berries, note that the darker they are, the more anti-oxidants they have.
”I tell everyone to have a serving (about 1/2 cup) every day,” Dr. Kulze says. “Frozen are just as good as fresh.” Be sure to include lots of other fruits and vegetables in your diet as well. Remember too that, in general, the more color they have, the more antioxidants.
Well that is all well and fine, but the problem for me is
NO ONE WILL EAT 1/2 OF THEM!!!!
Geez.
Sounds so good in theory, but is not reality.
So I have been trying to find some recipes that include them all without them even knowing.
Smoothies work great, I can get yogurt, and pretty much any fruit all packed in there.
Breads, muffins, etc are great too.
I love the cookbook “Deceptively Delicious” by Jessica Seinfeld
I am going to be trying out some new recipes in the next couple weeks.
Shhhhhhh.
I
little “Ed the Great”…
age 4
full of energy, spunk and dance moves.
Yesterday she made a kite with our new nanny and this morning all she wanted to do was fly her kite.
She was so sure that she could do it if she had a
fancy skirt on and went down the stairs fast
who was I to argue with her…
she was just so sure it would work.
Then when it was just not working she asked me
“Mommy, can u blow on my kite…you have lots of air for that”
Thank you baby.
Even my kiddos think i am full of hot air…
Everyone is always asking me how they can get the “poof” or a nice amount of fullness at the crown…
Start with a messy, funky, super poofing powder product such as
Kevin Murphy “powder puff”
$25.00
Just sprinkle this on your roots…a little goes a long way!
Then tease the crown with your backcombing brush (shown below)
then smooth it out a bit depending on if you are going for a mod poof or
less smoothing for the “rollin in the sack” poof
Then for the mod poof, pin those edges in and spray, spray, spray.
I love this look for day and night.
You definately want to have a dry aerosal hairspray to finish your look either way
(messy or smooth)
My favorite for the spray is
Kevin Murphy “Session Spray”
now…get to poofing people!!!!